A Week of Special Events at Scarsdale Schools

Students of all ages in Scarsdale will participate in special events this week to celebrate human rights, interdependence and Earth Day. A Global Conversation at Scarsdale High School: Consul Generals from Botswana, Brazil, Botswana, Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Trinidad and Tobago, will take part in A Global Conversation at Scarsdale High School on Monday night April 23 at 7:30 pm. Each will provide an overview of their countries, and highlight a significant change or innovation that has had a positive impact. The community is invited to this special event in the auditorium at Scarsdale High School. The keynote speaker will be Sergio Trindade of Brazil, co-laureate of the 2007 Nobel Peace prize, as member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Several Scarsdale High School students will engage in a Q & A with the presenters, moderated by Superintendent Michael McGill. The program will begin with a performance from the SHS orchestra and band under the direction of Amedee Williams and Jason Noble, respectively. The event is sponsored by the District Interdependence Committee, STI Earthlinks, the Scarsdale Center for Innovation, and the Multicultural Committee Chairs of the PTA’s.

Earth Day at Heathcote School: First graders at Heatcote School will celebrate earth day on Monday by presenting a show called Every Day Is Earth Day. The musical revue will include songs with movement and each class will recite a poem. As the title suggest all the songs are Earth Day related. The performance for friends and family will be held in the Heathcote Auditorium at 9:15am on Monday, April 23rd. The Heathcote's Poetry and Art Festival also begins that day and includes poetry displays throughout the halls of the school.

Stand Up and Be the Change: Human Rights Conference 2012: Middle School Human Rights Day will be held on Thursday April 26 and students from sixth, seventh and eighth grades will have the opportunity to hear keynote addresses from two inspirational speakers and participate in workshops with human right’s advocates from local, national and international organizations.

Sixth and eighth graders will hear Spencer West speak about the struggles he overcame after losing his legs at the age of five, and how he never lost the hope or courage he needed to overcome personal obstacles. With both humor and humility, his thought-provoking message inspires people to find opportunity in every challenge.

Former child soldier, Michel Chikwanine will tell seventh graders about how he overcame unimaginable pain and struggles as a child soldier in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His passion and belief in the possibility for change makes him a truly remarkable individual and humanitarian. Now just 20 years old, Michel has experienced civil war, political upheaval and poverty, emerging as an individual who is wise beyond his years.

Also visiting the school will be Danielle Butin of AFYA, Robert Mayes of the Westchester County District’s Attorney’s Office, Nancy Lyons of the Food Bank for Westchester and others.