SHS Students Stage Anti-Ice Demonstration
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 279
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the heels of Martin Luther King Jr Day, a day that honors one of the Civil Rights Movement’s most influential figures, students from Scarsdale High School banded together and staged a walk-out to raise their voices in protest of ICE.
SHS students braved freezing temperatures to join thousands of others around the nation who walked out of schools and businesses on Tuesday January 20th, to take part in a “Free-America” anti-ICE march.
Addressing the robust crowd of students, the organizer of the walk-out (a current senior at SHS) reminded those gathered that, “Scarsdale High School graduate Soo Go was kidnapped by ICE outside of her routine immigration hearing -- only to be released from detention after five days of protest and national media coverage.”
The student went on to explain, “Miss Go, whose visa was valid through this past December, was seized and detained nonetheless -- and it was in this detainment where she was transferred from Manhattan to Louisiana’s Richwood Correctional Center.
And while she was returned to Scarsdale in less than a week, it’s undeniable that Miss Go and her family had far 
more resources than the vast majority of the other sixty eight thousand people who were detained by ICE in 2025 -- many, like Go, who are legal immigrants or even refugees or American citizens.”
Describing the process that many detainees experience, the student added, “Also just like Go, many of these detainees are transferred to detention centers across the country, making achieving justice as difficult as possible for those wrongly arrested.
Privately operated detention centers like Richwood, run nation-wide on our tax dollars, lining the 
pockets of the CEOs of companies like LaSalle Corrections or CoreCivic while their detainees are kept in poor conditions without access to outside communication, lawyers, or even enough food.”
Bringing their impassioned speech to a close, the student called on their peers to stand in solidarity with those who are affected by this cruelty and to contact their elected officials to advocate for the abolishment of ICE and for agents to be replaced by more people working in customs to get visas approved and to improve the system overall.
After stepping down from their make-shift podium, the organizer led the group of protestors on a peaceful march through the school grounds, down to the library and back to the Brewster Road entrance. While chants of “No More Ice” filled the air, another SHS senior explained that they thought it was important to take part in the walk-out to show that the students in Scarsdale are “united against what we see as injustice.”
Another student added “What we see happening in this country is horrendous and in many cases, actually illegal and it is important that we raise awareness about it all.”
Yet another student joined the march because they themselves are a descendent of immigrants. And while the student and their family are U.S. citizens, they fear that they or people like them, could be unfairly taken from their homes.
After marching peacefully through the school grounds, the students ended their protest on bended knee singing the “Star Spangled Banner," demonstrating that patriotism has many faces.
Young Artists Invited to Submit Work for the Scarsdale Youth Art Show
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 398
The Scarsdale Youth Art Show (SYAS) is back for another exciting year, celebrating the creativity and talent of young artists in our community. Organized in collaboration with the Scarsdale Public Library, this year’s SYAS will feature an opening ceremony and public exhibition held in the Scott Room at the Scarsdale Library this month.
SYAS invites all young artists in the Scarsdale community to participate by displaying, sharing, and optionally selling their artwork as part of this annual exhibition. Artists are welcome to submit past or recent works in any medium they would like to share. Please note that all participating artists are responsible for providing their own frames (if they would like their artwork to be framed) for exhibition.
The opening ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 18, from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Scarsdale Public Library. This event offers artists a chance to speak about their artwork, inspiration, and to share their creative process with the community. Artists who prefer not to speak may instead submit a quick written artist statement to be printed and displayed alongside their work.
Artwork submissions should be dropped off at Dr. Eisenstadt’s office (Room 278) at Scarsdale High School any time between now and January 15th (as artworks will be installed at the library by that date, in preparation for the exhibition). All pieces should be clearly labeled with the artist’s name and selling price, (if applicable).
The Scarsdale Youth Art Show is a wonderful opportunity to showcase youth creativity and connect with the wider community. Artists, families, and all Scarsdale community members are encouraged to spread the word and attend the opening ceremony on January 18th!
Submit your artwork here:
For questions or additional information, please contact:
claudiawang28@scarsdaleschools.org claudiawang1805@gmail.com
+1 (914) 415-1168
Is Santa Real? Letters to Santa Part II
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 478
We opened another group of the 500 letters sent to Santa from Scarsdale kids and found some more amusing lists:
A young boy informed Santa that they celebrate Hanukkah, not Christmas, at his house but added his lists of requests nonetheless.
Another family divided their letter into three segments – for mom, dad and the dog to add their requests to the child’s. In additional to a few Lego’s for the letter writer, mom asked for a plum-colored bag and a nice scarf!
Aiden from Fox Meadow reported “I helped by mom do housework, and helped my teacher in math class, adding, “sometimes even teaching the class.”
A Quaker Ride boy reported “that he recycled,” and vowed to "shout less" and say, “thank you more.”
Three and half year-old Sophie said, “After my nap I am going to drop off this note and Santa is going to say “Hey” who dropped off this note!”
On behalf of her two dogs Itty and Sherman a girl said they “would love some peace and quiet and new dog bed.”
One boy wrote in large black block type, “Dear Santa this year I tride to do my best at being good even though I did some stuff that I shouldn’t do and I might have did some stuff that isint necessary but just remember that I’m trying to do my best …. So for Christmas I want …..”
Charlotte requested an AI robot bunny and a “cleaning robot” for her mom. But is Santa real? She added a P.S .to her letter saying, “Please tell me if you are Mom or Dad. Write it in a letter.”
(We will have another 300+ letters to read, so if anyone wants to stop by, let us know.)
Happy New Year!
Scarsdale Kids Mail 500 Letters to Santa
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 530
Santa was in big demand this week in Scarsdale. Kids had deposited a record 500 letters in four mailboxes placed around the Village and he had to collect them, read them and figure out how to fulfill so many Christmas wishes.
The mail was generated in response to the Scarsdale Recreation Department’s Letters to Santa program, and busy elves at the Recreation Department sent responses from Santa to 450 of the 500 letters that included return addresses.
What do kids want this year? Electronic games, dolls, fart blasters, Lego, Air Pods, speakers, slime, remote control trucks, skates, squishmallows, drones, stuffies, make-up and more.
A nine year-old boy said, “I’ve been pretty good this year except I got banned from video games but I know better now.” What did he want from Santa? “Some kind of video game.”
Some looked beyond the material and asked for things that cannot be wrapped up in a box.
One girl asked to “be a smarter kid, to be more successful, to be prettier, to have a best friend, to know if anyone has a crush on her and requested “lots of snow days.” She also wrote a quiz for Santa, “to see if you real,” asking if he knew her favorite color, favorite animal, her favorite sport and the name of her first friend.
Another wrote, “My only Christmas wish is to achieve my goals and have a wonderful new year with my loved ones.”
A six year-old boy decided to interview Santa, before submitting his list for a remote control airplane and a remote control garbage truck for his little brother.
He asked:
1. How did you become Santa?
2. Where did you get your reindeers?
3. How do you go down the chimney
4. Where did you get your sleigh?
A recent immigrant told St. Nick, “U.S. is a new country for me, and everything is new to me too, like new home, new school and new fried also English.But I’m push myself very hard. I made new friend, I join in the school band. I am very excited. I will working harder in 2026. He asked for a German Shepherd puppy and basketball shoes."
A generous soul from Drake Road asked for a puppy but ended her note saying, “But also I would really like for the kids who can’t have presents to have extra toys on Christmas.”
And one who said “I am too old for toys,” asked for world peace, and said. “I hope that all kids, no matter what religion, even if they’re atheist, has a positive holiday season although it might not be perfect.”
From the sampling of letters we read, it’s clear we’re raising some very good kids in Scarsdale. Let’s hope they all find what they want under the tree.
Merry merry.
Creating Festive Holiday Vibes at Home
- Details
- Written by: Wendy MacMillan
- Hits: 488
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or maybe even “Festivus,” this time of year tends to be filled with holiday gatherings and family get-togethers. And there is no better way to bring out the nostalgic holiday vibes, than to create spaces for friends and family that feel special and festive. Some may look for decorating inspiration in magazines or maybe social media sites, but here in Scarsdale we are lucky to have a local floral designer, Amy Sapirstein of Eye Candy Florals, to turn to for some no-fuss decor ideas that will be sure to wow.
From tablescapes and centerpieces to garlands adorning your entryways or fireplaces, Amy offers simple holiday decorating tips using natural-elements and shares accessible ideas to make your space feel cozy, festive and calm this Holiday Season:
Use fresh greenery throughout
Fresh evergreen garland on your mantels or tables
Add Pinecones in a glass vessel or tucked into your greenery
Include simple white twinkle lights (LED battery operated is great) for a festive ambiance
Make festive natural garlands
String cranberries or dried orange slices, mixed with greenery
Making popcorn garland is a fun way to get your kids involved
Candles
Seasonal smelling candles like pine and cinnamon can fill your space with nostalgic scents of the holidays.
Use LED candles on timers that will illuminate your windows once the sun goes down keeping things simple and consistent.
Focus decorating efforts on main areas of your space
Entry tables
Front facing windows
Mantels in main living space
Simple decor in your kitchen where you spend ALOT of time
Forage
Use what you have in your own backyard and involve your kids to collect materials
Collect simple branches
Pinecones
Greenery
Berry branches
Cozy things up
Cozy throw blankets and pillows in neutral tones
Candles for a glow
Display Wooden bowls, trays, etc
Make your own ornaments
Fill clear ornaments shapes with natural elements
Get your kids involved and provide fun festive materials for them to create their own
Cut paper snowflakes
Paint pinecones or decorate with glitter!
For more inspiration head over to Amy’s website Eye Candy Florals or follow her on instagram.
