Kids

2020 Back to School Guide - For Kids and Adults Too

A young violin student enjoys a private lesson at Hoff-Barthelson Music School. Photo by Steven Schnur.With schools moving to hybrid learning schedules this fall, many students will need extra enrichment programs to supplement learning. After-school programs in music, dance, sports and religion are a great way to keep kids engaged and growing. Take a look below for local offerings from nursery schools to adult education and everything in between. Most are tailoring what they offer to accommodate in-person and virtual learners. Applying to college? See below for help with applications too. Whatever you need, you can find it nearby.

The Arts

Hoff Barthelson Music School

Registration for the 2020-21 school year is now open at Hoff-Barthelson, Westchester's premier community music school!

This fall, the School will be safely re-introducing some in-person instruction while continuing to offer lessons and many classes and ensembles online. We’ve also introduced a new, more flexible tuition structure with tiers based on lesson length and the number of classes and/or ensembles chosen. This will enhance students’ ability to select those programs that most powerfully enhance their educational experience, develop their passion for music, and nurture their potential within the time they have available. In addition, we have expanded our Financial Aid Program to serve middle class families as well as those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

At Hoff-Barthelson, students find a warm, friendly music school dedicated to the highest standards of education, performance, and community service. Students of all ages – 6 months to adult – aptitudes, and levels of interest enjoy a supportive, joyful learning environment; a focus on the whole person; exceptional teaching; and a multifaceted curriculum. A commitment to creativity, collaboration, and community permeates the School.

Hoff-Barthelson’s unique comprehensive program for students at all stages of development combines individual lessons on more than 20 instruments and voice with regular access to professional accompaniment; musicianship classes; myriad performance opportunities; an ensembles program featuring orchestras, choruses, chamber groups and jazz ensembles; and written performance critiques and progress reports.

The school year begins Friday, September 11th. For more information and to register visit www.hbms.org, e-mail hb@hbms.org, or call 914-723-1169. Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale

Steffi Nossen School of Dance

Become part of the Steffi Nossen School of Dance community - whether from your home or in-studio. To provide us all with the safest experience the year will begin with a robust and engaging virtual class schedule with some outdoor in-person community classes to establish relationships with faculty and dancers while connecting through moving together in space.

All safety precautions and guidelines will be observed. To maintain flexibility, safety and quality, the year will be divided into 3 ten-week sessions. Try your first class for free!

The first session runs from September 12th through November 24th; after that session plans will be re-evaluated. All tuitions have been reduced to help families in this difficult time.

Dancers of all abilities have a home at the school. Through the discipline and joy of dance in a nurturing and engaging environment, dancers develop strength, coordination, build confidence and experience the creative process. From Dancing Tots and Creative Movement for Preschoolers to a Pre-Professional Program for tweens and teens there is a class everyone can enjoy. Preschoolers choose from Creative Movement or Ballet/Tap, kindergarteners – 7th graders participate in Core Programs in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop and teens train in Technique Programs in Modern, Ballet, Jazz and Tap and our pre-professional Master Class Program and youth Company. The school also houses Moving Wheels and Heels, an Adaptive Dance Program. Classes are curriculum-based with performance opportunities for all.

Learn more, and register at www.steffinossen.org or contact info@steffinossen.org or (914) 328-1900.

Nursery Schools

Kol Ami

The Early Childhood Program at Congregation Kol Ami is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate curriculum teaching and modeling Jewish values. We believe that children learn best through experiential play and provide for these rich experiences within warm, accepting, and nurturing surroundings. All of our Head Teachers have Masters Degrees in Early Childhood or N-6 or related educational fields. We offer a wide range of programs for children (from 1 to 5 years old) and their families. Our A Step Ahead! program for Fall 5 year olds provides full day Pre-K learning.

For more information please contact the ECE Director at ecedirector@nykolami.org or call the nursery school office at 914-949-4717 x 107

Mazel Tots

Mazel Tots® at Scarsdale Synagogue provides a warm and stimulating environment, which encourages children's curiosity and helps them to grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Our warm and nurturingstaff will guide the children through a curriculum filled with a variety of child-centered and developmentally appropriate activities that are safe, fun and friendly. The children's spiritual growth will be enriched by the study of Jewish holidays, traditions and family values. We also offer a group of special activities such as sports and games, music, creative movement, sign language, nature, yoga, karate, science, art atelier, dance and more! We have two beautiful playgrounds and gardens, plus a fully equipped indoor play space featuring ride-on toys, gym equipment, giant blocks and stepping stones just to name a few! Our Early Childhood Program serves children from 18 months through those Kindergarten-bound! In an effort to keep our students and staff healthy during the Covid-19 Pandemic we are taking all necessary health and safety precautions according to NYS Department of Health, NYSOCFS and CDC Guidelines. For more information please contact Jody Glassman, Early Childhood Program Director at 914-723-3001 or mazeltots@sstte.org. You can also visit our website. Scarsdale Synagogue is located at 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. 914.725.5175.

Early Childhood Center at Westchester Reform Temple

At WRT’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), we strive to create an environment that fosters social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth as well as creativity, and confidence. Our warm, nurturing teachers provide children with the tools they need to communicate with each other and with the world around them. Children learn and practice Jewish values and become confident members of our Jewish community. Our families are partners in the work that we do and are invited to participate in the learning process. We emphasize STEAM concepts through hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math investigation which encourage young learners to achieve developmental goals. Through inquiry and play-based instruction, we provide students with an opportunity to learn language arts, math and handwriting readiness skills that prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond. We facilitate learning through small groups and foster relationships between our children and their teachers, specialists and our clergy. Lunch and afternoon/ enrichment classes are available for older children. For Toddlers between the ages of one and two we offer Mommy and Me Temple Tots classes, facilitated by our school Social Worker and ECC staff as well as a Toddler Time class facilitated by experienced ECC teachers. Any loved one is welcome to attend this class with their child. Both classes are wonderful opportunities for making friends for adults as well as children.
End of the year Mini Session and Summer Play Place camp offered.

Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is ongoing. For further information, please contact ECC Director Sue.tolchin@wrtemple.org or call us at 914 723-5493.

Religious Schools

Bet Am Shalom

In Bet Am Shalom's progressive K-12 education program, students and their families experience Jewish values of living with intention, expressing gratitude, and caring for oneself and others. We have designed customizable, dynamic online and socially distanced in-person programs for the fall. Enroll a child in our education program and your first year of membership dues is free. Click here for more information.

Scarsdale Synagogue 

Welcome to Scarsdale Synagogue's Religious School and Chai School! Our mission is to care for and nurture our students and their families, and to cultivate a culture of growth, friendship, and Jewish community. Just the right size for your family, we offer a robust program even as we know your child's particular passions and needs.

Our programs are vibrant and innovative thereby engaging your children in a meaningful way. Classes are small and individualized programs are available for students with special needs. Both teachers and students are encouraged to think outside of the box; every avenue to deeper, more exciting and fun Jewish learning is explored with joy and zeal. Each grade enjoys its own curricular focus as they learn about Jewish traditions and cultures, past and present. For more detailed information about our program, please contact Jody Glassman, 914-725-5175 x121 or visit our website.

College Application Help

My College Essay Guy

In a competitive environment, your college essay can distinguish you from the pack. It is your opportunity to showcase your unique personality. However, many students struggle with the structure, tone, and creativity essential to a successful essay. Don’t hesitate to ask for help to ensure your writing is stellar. Contact Steven Scharf today for his extensive references and to find out what he can do for you. Steven attended the University of Pennsylvania and holds a BA in Secondary Education with a focus in the humanities and special education. Steven also has a Masters in School Counseling with an Advanced Certificate in College Admission Advising. Contact Steven Scharf at 914-860-6600 or email him at stevenscharf@gmail.com

Sports

Scarsdale Youth Lacrosse Association

FALL LACROSSE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Scarsdale Youth Lacrosse (SYLA) will be offering Fall Lacrosse Programs in 2020. The programs will focus on improving skills, game IQ development, playing games against other town teams, possible tournaments, and having fun playing lax in the beautiful fall season. These programs are offered for Boys and Girls K-8, all levels of players from beginner to advanced.

SYLA is dedicated to promoting lacrosse at the youth level for families residing in the Village of Scarsdale, NY. We strive to develop strong fundamental skills and teamwork while adhering to the standards of sportsmanship, respect for all participants and a sense of fair play. Visit their website for more information and registration. 

Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club

The Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club (“SYSC”) is a non-profit organization administered by Scarsdale parents. SYSC in conjunction with our professional coaching partner, Stay-in-Town Soccer, organizes and coaches boys' and girls’ soccer teams to play in travel soccer leagues and tournaments in the Westchester and NYC area. SYSC fields travel soccer teams from U8 - U14. In general, the club fields around 40 teams each year between girls' and boys' teams. These teams are registered in the Westchester Youth Soccer League (“WYSL"). The WYSL is a league that is part of both the US Club Soccer and the United States Youth Soccer Association ("USYSA"). More information about SYSC can be found at www.scarsdalesoccer.net. Special accommodations are being made for COVID-19, aligned with state mandates and to keep our kids safe while playing soccer! Please contact us to find out more.

Maroon and White

Maroon and White is the Scarsdale parent organization supporting interscholastic athletics, physical education, and health at the high school and in the community. All Scarsdale families are welcome as members and can join through our website, www.maroonandwhite.org. We regularly raise funds through membership, from the sale of Raider merchandise and spiritwear, and from family and business ads in the annual M&W SHS Sports Journal. Please come out and support our High School athletes.

Adult Learning

Scarsdale Adult School

Scarsdale Adult School has always been a proven source of quality adult education at affordable prices. This year, it has forged a new path serving as a leader in online learning. SAS boasts a wide array of humanities courses as well as virtual tours, foreign languages, performing arts, writing, personal finance, arts and crafts, photography, fitness, card games, food and nutrition, and wellness classes. Now functioning with a “distance learning” model, SAS provides the perfect opportunity to attend classes with loved ones in other homes, communities, states, and even countries!

Registration for the fall semester is already underway at www.ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org , with staggered class start dates throughout the year. The catalog includes over 230 scheduled classes and lectures from more than 80 different hand-picked instructors. Class days, and times vary by course, but all synchronous classes for the fall will be conducted over Zoom. SAS has partnered with two other online providers to include asynchronous courses on a variety of subjects that can be taken on demand, often with the support of a mentor to answer questions submitted directly. Classes are open to all, regardless of residency, and courses fill on a first-come/first-served basis.

SAS has several special events planned for the fall so far. On Thurs., Oct. 1, at 7:30 pm, SAS hosts an evening with Christine Coulson, author of Metropolitan Stories: A Novel, in conversation with Page Knox . Two Met insiders, pull back the curtain for a glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes at this iconic New York museum.

On Fri., Oct. 23 at 11 am , Ralph Buultjens returns for his much touted, once-a-semester World Politics lecture with this term's topic America in the post-virus world . On Tuesday Nov.17, at 1 pm, SAS presents Losing Faith and Finding a Life: Author Visit with Memoir Writers Abby Stein and Amber Scorah. Audience members may tune in to hear about the personal transformations from writers who left their insular religious communities on their journeys of self-discovery.

Art appreciation, architecture, and virtual tours allow students to explore past exhibits at the Met, stroll through famous streets of Chicago and Washington, D.C., as well as take in some of the sites in New York. Classes will visit Europe and its finest museums, both present day and ancient Rome, and French, German, Italian, and Spanish language classes at all levels.

Noteworthy new current event/hot topics and history classes this term include:

● Demystifying U.S. Political Practices
● Supreme Court Preview
● Queen Victoria’s Royal Vacations in Scotland
● Pirates
● The Evil Eye, Amulets, Ghosts, and Demons.

Music and dance appreciation courses include the study of opera, Bach, and Tchaikovsky, as well as twentieth century greats such as Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Oscar-nominated songs. Performing arts classes offer students the chance to gather online for workshops on comedy, storytelling, acting/improv, and piano. Literary and movie discussion groups also continue to flourish, with interactive options covering writings or films on racism, classics, new fiction, memoirs, comedic geniuses, and more.

Arts and crafts, home organization, writing, cooking and nutrition courses have all converted successfully to a virtual format. Retirement planning and investment courses help students navigate ever-changing estate tax, Medicare, and social security laws. Fitness classes keep students active even at home, nature-lovers can learn all about birdsongs, and social games such as bridge and canasta continue remotely.

All these classes and many more begin after Labor Day. Visit www.ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org to register, to page through the interactive flipbook, or to search the catalog by category, keywords, instructor, or class time. Call (914) 723-2325 with questions.

To add your program to the Back to School Guide email us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.