Thursday, February 16, 2012
Looking for fun activities for next week? How about basketball at Grafflin (K-2) and Bell (3-8), snowtubing, ice skating, a trip to Palisades for Imax and games, Kombine speed and agility training. See “Read more…” for details.
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February 3, 2012
by Sheila Bernson and Jennifer Mebes Flagg
Tim Bloom, an 11th grade student at Horace Greeley High School, has been chosen by the League of Women Voters of New Castle to attend this year’s Students Inside Albany Conference, organized by the League of Women Voters of New York State.
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January 20, 2012
from CCSD’s “Highlights”
Please join Lyn McKay, Superintendent of Schools, and members of the Chappaqua Education For the Future committee (CEFF), at a Knowledge Café on Wednesday, February 15th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Bell Middle School Auditorium (50 Senter Street.)
Read MoreJanuary 20, 2012
by Christine Yeres
With 36 comments since publication
In his draft budget for 2012-2013, Superintendent for Business John Chow provided a rollover figure—the increased cost of continuing the current program—of $2.8 million. Of that, the district is allowed a budget increase of around $1.4 million (labeled “tax cap limit” in Chow’s presentation), leaving administrators and board of ed members to find $1.3 million in reductions, which may include up to five full time teaching positions. Chow’s draft budget—not yet even a “proposed” budget, he emphasizes—also assumes the use of $3 million in reserves.
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January 20, 2012
Editor’s Note: From an applicant pool of over 46,000 this year, Jason Raylesberg, HGHS Class of 2008, has landed a coveted place with Teach for America. Starting in September, he’ll teach for two years—whatever subject is needed—in a school with impoverished students in New York City. NCNOW asked Raylesberg about the application process and why he applied.
Read MoreJanuary 20, 2012
by Christine Yeres
In their January 10 meeting, board of education members voted “No” to send a no-confidence message to BOCES and its proposed $18 million capital improvement project, for which the CCSD, one of 18 member districts, would be billed a $1.5 million share. Members realize that their “No” vote may only result in BOCES returning to answer more questions, since the district is obliged to come up with the funds regardless.
Read MoreMonday, January 9
by Christine Yeres
There are still spots available for CCE’s Winter Session of Beginning Spanish Class on Mondays, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Horace Greeley High School, beginning Monday, January 23. Teacher Diana Walker, a New Castle resident, says that by the end of the winter session students will have the basics of Spanish conversation.
Read MoreThe next Board of Ed meeting is “Budget Preview” on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, when the board will discuss “How are we responding to the BoE fiscal question?”
December 30, 2011
by Christine Yeres
• The CEFF committee has chosen three action items. What next?
• How many applicants so far for the two principal positions?
• Does the $3.1 million rollover budget figure include last year’s $4+ million of reserves?
• When will the input from the budget Knowledge Cafe be released?
• In a Jan. 31 meeting, board members will discuss the book Getting to Yes. Good reading for the community?
• In a Jan. 31 meeting, the board of ed will consider a third “Strategic Question” on student wellness, both physical and spiritual
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January 6, 2012
Don’t miss out on the fun! Wood, clay, paint, architecture ... the New Castle Art Center, located at 939 Hardscrabble Road, still has spaces available for the following fabulous classes:
Read MoreDecember 16, 2011
With 21 comments since publication
by Christine Yeres
Superintendent Lyn McKay announced Tuesday that she had decided to implement a new schedule of six 55-minute periods and a 38-minute lunch each day in the existing two 5-8 grade middle schools. She then listed her reasons.
Read MoreDecember 16, 2011
With 23 comments since publication
by Christine Yeres
In Tuesday’s board of ed meeting it became clear that board members’ unhappiness with the cost of BOCES’ proposed repairs had more to do with the annual cost to CCSD of membership in the Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES group—$3 million per year, $1.9 in staff development and curriculum, $1.1 in special education—than with the $1.5 million CCSD must borrow for the capital improvement projects.
Read MoreDecember 16, 2011
by Christine Yeres
Board of Ed member Vicky Tipp reported to board members on the Westchester Putnam School Board Association Legislative Advocacy Committee meeting she attended. The committee’s goal this year is to agree on two or three mandate reform issues on which to concentrate their lobbying efforts this year and announced the group’s schedule of meetings with legislators in both Albany and Washington.
Read MoreDecember 16, 2011
by Christine Yeres
Superintendent Lyn McKay reported that she had met the week before with 50 other superintendents of the Lower Hudson Council of Superintendents and a dozen legislators to discuss the pressures they feel from non-funded or unfunded mandates regulating transportation, fiscal reform and special education in a climate of diminishing funding.
Read MoreDecember 16, 2011
by Christine Yeres
At Tuesday’s board of ed meeting, Lyn McKay announced that in the three days since having placed advertisements for the two principal positions for Roaring Brook Elementary School and Horace Greeley High School, she had received 20 applications for each. UPDATE: As of December 21, the district had received 70 applications for the high school principal position, 95 for the elementary.
Read MoreDecember 16, 2011
by Jackie Rider
Dear Andrew,
Congratulations on your new appointment in the Chappaqua Schools. Many of us wish you all the best and know you will continue to dedicate yourself to serving the families of Chappaqua as you have done for many years.
Read MoreCurrent Millennium High School Principal offers expertise in professional, team, program and communal development.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
CCSD PRESS RELEASE by David Hayes
Chappaqua, N.Y.—At the February 28th Board of Education meeting, Lyn McKay, Superintendent of the Chappaqua Central School District, will recommend the appointment of Robert Rhodes as the next Principal of Horace Greeley High School, effective July 1, 2012.
Read MoreThursday, February 16, 2012
by Christine Yeres
At 7:30 this morning, Superintendent Lyn McKay met with Horace Greeley High School staff in K-110 to announce her recommendation for the school’s principal position: Robert Rhodes, the founder and current principal of Millennium High School of District 2, in the Financial District in Lower Manhattan. MHS is a public high school of a little over 600 students in grades 9 through 12—less than half of Greeley’s current population. About 10% of its students receive special education services. Students apply for admission, and preference is given to those living below Houston Street. Below, see official School Profiles for MHS and HGHS.
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Monday, February 13, 2012
by Brina Goldstein
Join Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund supporters at the Crabtree Kittle House on Thursday, March 15, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. for a fabulous fundraiser and celebration of Lyndall Boal, long a beloved social worker at Seven Bridges and Robert E. Bell Middle Schools and the recipient of HGSF’s third annual Ed Habermann Award.
Read MoreFebruary 12, 2012
With 27 comments since publication
by Henry Koster, 2010
Since last year’s budget debates, and my contribution to the discussions that year (see ,“Don’t cut teachers at the high school,” 3/25/12), I have remained interested in the challenges that the district faces amid the many changes that have been taking place recently. So when I came home from college recently for a short break before the start of my spring semester, I was sure to ask my family about the newest developments.
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February 12, 2012
by Christine Yeres
This week, second-round interviews for the two Greeley and three Roaring Brook principal candidates concluded and third-round interviews began. In its January 31 meeting, the board of ed heard updates on the searches from Paul Citarella, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Grafflin Principal Mike Kirsch and Westorchard Principal Jim Skoog.
Read MoreMonday, February 6, 2012
by Christine Yeres
In their work session last Tuesday, Board of ed members discussed whether to add a third “Strategic Question” to the board’s existing two (one on balancing an excellent education with fiscal responsibility, the other on ensuring that students think critically and acquire 21st century skills).
Read MoreFebruary 6, 2012
by Christine Yeres
• Whether to add a “Third Strategic Question”
• CEFF Knowledge Cafe rescheduled for Wed., April 25
• Parent permission slip and driving form for Saturday, February 11 Winter Dance
• Parents of Seven Bridge student struck by truck sue driver, CCSD, Town and County
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Deadline for submissions is March 30, 2012
February 6, 2012
by Cheryl Jacobs Ehrlich
Winter’s wonky this year! Get inspired by the sunshine and start writing! The 32nd Annual Young Writers Contest is now open for entries. Each year the Friends of the Chappaqua Library sponsors the Young Writers Contest, to find and recognize writing of merit in the community. All students, grades 6-12, residing in the Chappaqua Central School district or enrolled in Chappaqua schools may enter the contest.
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Monday, January 30, 2012
by Ellen Davis
The show is cast, rehearsals have started and the excitement builds. On February 10-12, the Seven Bridges Theatre Company will present Seussical Jr., a show that is perfect entertainment for the whole family “no matter how small.”
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February 3, 2012
by Christine Yeres
The Chappaqua Turf Committee (TCTC) has plans to expand its original $2 million fundraising campaign for turf installation on the Greeley Competition Field to include another $1 million for improvements and additions to the surrounding area. On Tuesday, board of education members voted to accept up to $3 million in private donations TCTC intends to raise. At the same time, the board amended its contract with The WBA Group to include the additional design and engineering services—all contingent upon receiving the funds from the TCTC.
Read MoreRegistration for Summer Camps begins on MONDAY February 6
See a NCCMC video of last year’s camp in “Read more…”
February 3, 2012
by Matt Nordt
Are you looking for some great day camp, sports camps, or specialty camps for your child this summer? Why send your child away for the summer when there is so much to offer here? On Saturday, February 4, come to our Campapalooza! at the Community Center on Senter Street, from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. We’ve invited all of our Day Camp administrative staff, Art Camp, our sports camp staff and our specialty camp staff to speak with you and give out information.
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Monday, January 30, 2012
by Vince Canziani
One way to help the children of today succeed in the world of tomorrow is to give them experiences of diversity when they are young. Summer camp is one of the best ways to do this, and Wagon Road’s Summer Day Camp, located on Quaker Road, does it right here in Chappaqua.
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Monday, January 30, 2012
See more photos in “Read more…” and in Photo Gallery
The Chappaqua School Foundation’s annual contest between the Harlem Wizards and the Chappaqua Challengers in which CCSD students come out the big winners played yesterday to a sold-out house. Photos are by New Castle resident Kevan Full, www.kevanslens.com.
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See more photos from last year’s event in “Read more…”
January 20, 2012
by LaVerne Srinivasan
On January 29, the Chappaqua School Foundation will once again host the annual showdown between the Harlem Wizards and the Chappaqua Challengers. Who are the Challengers? Teachers from across the Chappaqua school district!
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
by Christine Yeres
Editor’s Note: After publishing Two New Castle high school seniors are Intel semi-finalists last Friday, NCNOW made a big discovery: Among the Ossining High School INTEL semi-finalists, there was a third New Castle resident, 18-year-old senior Emily Prentiss, pictured above (second from the right) with classmates Amelia Clements, Evan Olin (also of New Castle) and Frances Russell.
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January 13, 2012
by Christine Yeres
At 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday Intel Science Talent Search 2012 announced the names of the 300 semi-finalists who will compete for $1.25 million in awards. Among the 300, chosen from an applicant pool of 1,839 in 2012, are two New Castle residents: Evan Olin of Ossining High School and Davis Wertheimer of Horace Greeley High School. Both are 17-year-old seniors. Fourteen Intel semi-finalists were from Westchester County.
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