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Kim May 22, 2013 at 07:58 am
The "Wellness Center" was like a kick in the teeth to taxpayers. They desperately tried to…Read More promote it, using arguments of "safety" and sexism "unfriendly to female athletes"...give me a break. We all know that going forward this unnecessary luxury would be a money pit of repairs, equipment repairs, increased custodial time, heat and a/c, trainers, staff...etc etc. There simply is no need for this. Up until this point, many voters approved the budgets because they feared their child's education would suffer if they did not. I feel my child's education will suffer if we don't learn to live within our boundaries, and get our priorities straight. "SHS Equinox" accomplishes neither. If "wellness" is what they seek, rather than a trendy buzzword, then let them do daily rounds of litter clean-up outside. I have walked along the back of the HS, where the kids eat lunch, and it is covered in lunch debris as if the kids are awaiting an imaginary busboy to take away their trash (maybe that will be in the next budget?). The nearby stream has empty pizza boxes, soda bottles, wrappers...they can plant a garden.They can learn about respect for the Earth and responsibility for one's environment. Wellness does not need to cost anything at all.
steve kanney May 22, 2013 at 08:11 am
Let's see...I bought into this school district because it would give my kids a leg up on getting…Read More into an ivy league school, or something close to that.
In 9th grade one of my son's friends committed suicide due to pressure to perform in school. In 10th grade I had the classes in the school evaluated by top notch professors, who explained children were being absurdly stressed by being required to perform at a level beyond their developmental capacity. My son had the famed Dean Mendelowitz as his advisor, and "all that that entails." (I will leave that to your imagination). In 11th grade I went to a college admissions presentation. The first question asked (because it was most on the minds of parents) was whether graduating from Scarsdale was a negative that could be overcome in the application process or not. CAO's did not diffuse the idea that graduating from Scarsale was a negative. One CAO was asked which was more important for Scarsdale, SAT scores or their GPA. They answered SAT. Their college advertises that they do not believe in the SAT and do not require it for admissions. In his senior year I looked at the historical statistics on the schools Scarsdale graduates were admitted to. Two ivy league schools seemed to be neutral on Scarsdale and the rest avoided Scarsdale graduates like the plague. Recently Scarsdale was ranked as low as #50.
I remember talking to Dean Mendelowitz about the problems at the school. He explained I could sing like a Canary and no one in the school would listen. They would just keep doing what they have been doing for years. Looks like Dean Mendelowit and the school just got a wake up call. The Equinox facility (.2% of the budget) did not bring out over 4x the number of voters from the community. A complete failure to listen did. Just because the school does a great dog and pony show, it does not mean they can take us for all we are worth...
Kevin Zawacki (Editor) May 22, 2013 at 10:51 am
This was the first time in 4 years the budget was voted down.
Kim May 7, 2013 at 07:56 pm
A five year probation period? So, basically, nothing. This is outrageous. I remember this case.…Read More There were victims of human trafficking rescued from this multi-million dollar ring. These so-called prostitution rings are notorious for sex slavery and this one was no different. The Journal News reported that a wiretap caught him tipping off his dealer and saying that one of the girls must be talking to the cops. I wonder how badly one of the girls got beaten for that.
If we, as a society, don't actually PUNISH criminals such as former Dean Mendelowitz, then how is human trafficking ever going to end. My step-son had him as a dean, and I thank God he was caught before my daughters enter high school. How a man can have a 20 year drug habit and no one notice is beyond me. I suppose it shouldn't be, because he was convicted of serious crimes and is doing zero time. Are the taxpayers paying his pension, I wonder?
The message is loud and clear. Women and girls suffer, while privileged males go unpunished. And the "Don't worry no one in Scarsdale was harmed" sentiment is especially sickening.
Gargamel May 7, 2013 at 11:24 pm
Kim, you are so right. Totally correct in everything you have said. What a waste and missed…Read More opportunity to send a message to others right here in Westchester. The unsaid part is that he comes from a family devoted to community and medical service as pillars of the Tarrytown area. He may not have been properly unpunished in the law but he has been sentenced to a lifetime of disgrace to live with.
Team Dawg April 5, 2013 at 08:38 pm
We at Team Dawg author children's books and present character education and anti bullying workshops…Read More in Elementary Schools . The basis of everything we teach is the importance of making a difference in our communities and schools, of being an Everyday Hero. Children need positive role models. There is no better example of one than Ms. Ahearn. Thank you for all you do! You are a true Team Dawg Everyday Hero!
Jack Miller March 5, 2013 at 02:49 pm
Last time they did this I kept giving until my blood type became rocky road!
Latino U College Access March 1, 2013 at 04:20 am
We thank you for your comment Teleman. As a nonprofit organization we are limited by how much we…Read More can do. The mission of our organization is to help Latino students attain a college education. However, We welcome all participants and our handouts are in English and Spanish. Most Latino HS students prefer to speak English but their parents have limited English skills. We share information in Spanish so that parents can clearly understand the details and specifics of this important topic and are able to help their children fulfill their college goals. I hope you can see the positive results that can come from this and for the future of our community...whether hispanic or non-hispanic. thank you.
Lisa Buchman (Editor) February 27, 2013 at 03:10 pm
Daniel, thanks for this post. With all of the institutions of higher education in the area, the…Read More issues you raise are relevant to many in Westchester and Rockland counties. Look forward to following your blogs.
Scarsdale's Superintendent to Call it Quits
Comment 3 Recommend Chris McHugh (Editor)