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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 09 May 2026

Created: 09 May 2026

Last Updated: 13 May 2026

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Updated May 13, 2026 (The following letter was written by The Scarsdale Parent-Teacher Council Executive Committee

Dear Editor,

On Tuesday, May 19th, Scarsdale residents will have the opportunity to vote on the school budget and bond, and the Scarsdale Parent-Teacher Council Executive Committee is urging our community to vote “YES” on both.

We understand that budget season brings real questions. Taxes are not abstract as they are felt by every household in Scarsdale, and we respect that residents are weighing this vote carefully. That thoughtfulness is a reflection of our engaged, conscientious community.

We want to speak directly to anyone who is uncertain, or who may have heard arguments for voting “no”: please consider what is actually at stake.

Scarsdale’s schools are not just excellent; they are exceptional in ways that take generations to build and that can erode far more quickly than they were built. Our nationally recognized academic programs, small class sizes, diverse curricula, and talented, experienced faculty exist because this community has consistently chosen to invest in them. A “no” vote on the budget would likely unwind that investment in immediate and impactful ways: larger classes, further reductions in aides and staff, fewer electives, cuts to non-sanctioned, JV, and VarB sports, reduced enrichment programming, and limits on academic innovation.

The bond vote is equally consequential. Our school buildings, many of which are over a century old, have infrastructure needs that cannot be wished away. Voting “no” does not make those needs disappear. Families at Fox Meadow and Edgewood are already experiencing overcrowding. Students at Heathcote, Quaker Ridge, and Greenacres lack air conditioning in key areas. Our fields remain in short supply. These are not hypothetical future problems — they are present realities that grow more expensive and more disruptive to address with every year of inaction.

Scarsdale has always understood that great schools do not sustain themselves. They require commitment, year after year, from the community that depends on them. Strong schools are also the foundation of Scarsdale’s property values — a fact that matters to every homeowner in our community, not just those with children currently enrolled.

On Tuesday, May 19th, we hope you will vote “YES” on the school budget and bond for our students, our teachers, and the Scarsdale we all chose to call home.

Sincerely,
The Scarsdale Parent-Teacher Council Executive Committee:
Erica German, PTC President
Rokaya Hassaballa, PTC President Elect
Shilpa Spencer, PTC Treasurer
Jeannie Adashek, PTC Secretary

(The following letter was written by Edgewood PTA Co-Presidents Jackie Nimer and Chelsey Mitchelle)

To Our Edgewood Community:

We know we’ve spent a lot of time this year talking about the bond and budget, and we appreciate everyone who has stayed engaged and informed along the way. We also understand that people are tired and ready to move on from this conversation. But fatigue does not lessen the importance of what is at stake here. This vote will have a direct impact on our children, our schools, and the experience we are able to provide as a community, so we’re asking you to take a few minutes to really read this and really think about what matters to you. We want to speak honestly and candidly about what is happening on May 19th, because there is a lot of mixed emotions and misinformation.

There are three things on the ballot on May 19th: the budget, the bond, and the Board of Education candidates. What is important to understand is that the budget and the bond are separate votes, both appearing on the same ballot. While you can technically vote differently on each, the outcome of this ballot will ultimately be a pass or a fail.

That said, if the budget does not pass, additional cuts will need to be made. And if it fails twice, the district is required to move to a contingency budget, which would mean roughly $6 million in immediate reductions.

That impact of it not passing is immediate and we assure you that the implications will be difficult to absorb and even harder to come back from in coming years.

A failed vote means nearly $6 million may need to be cut before going into the fall of 2026. That is not abstract nor is it insignificant and has serious ripple effects across the district that will directly impact your child’s educational experience. It likely will mean teacher lay-offs, larger class sizes, and fewer resources for our children in this community.

We are not talking about small adjustments. We are talking about real changes to what our children experience every day in the classroom.
If the bond does not pass, Edgewood does not get the infrastructure improvements, renovations, or the addition that our school needs. In the near term, that means continued overcrowding, limited space, and learning environments that are already stretched. Over the longer term, it means falling further behind on critical upgrades, higher costs from deferred work, and a school that is not set up to support the experience we want for our kids.

We know there are frustrations some community members are experiencing. Not everything is working perfectly. Reveal Math has been a big point of conversation. There are things people want to see improved, changed, rethought. That is fair. But if we misdirect those types of frustrations into this vote, we are not fixing any of those problems but in fact, exacerbating the issue making them harder to solve. There is the question of curriculum, and there is the reality of physical space. Without the space, there is nowhere for that curriculum to be effectively taught, whether we agree with every aspect of it or not.

Cutting staff and increasing class sizes does not improve curriculum. Voting no on the bond and budget in order to bring attention to other issues is in direct conflict with some objectives parents are trying to accomplish. It directly conflicts with the values and standards most of us have for our children and community.

A very real scenario is classrooms of close to 30 students. If it feels hard to get attention and support now, it will feel very different under those conditions. This has been a charged year. That is not lost on anyone. People care deeply about education here, and that is part of what makes this community what it is. We have been honored and privileged to be a part of the journey this year and are really proud of how Edgewood and other schools in Scarsdale have shown up and supported one another.

Many of us chose to live here because of the schools. We want our children to have the best experience they can and that experience is shaped by the people in the building every day. Our teachers. Our staff. The environment we create for them to do their jobs well.

Last week we celebrated Teacher Appreciation, and it feels important to say this out loud. Our teachers show up every single day for our kids. They care for them, they teach them, they support them in ways we don’t always see. Most of us can point to a teacher who changed our life in some way (I’m sure many of you still remember their names and faces and still can share stories on how they have shaped the person you are today).
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own vote. That is part of what makes this community strong. But we are asking you to take a step back and think about what you value. As families, as community members, but most importantly as parents.

What do you want your child’s day to actually feel like in school? And just as importantly, are you comfortable with them feeling the impact of cuts across the district if this doesn’t pass?

Every vote does matter. Truly. If there are two eligible voters in your household, it is important that both show up. If you cannot make it to Scarsdale Middle School on May 19th, you can vote at the district office at any point leading up until May 19th. The need is real, the data is clear, and the time to act is now.

We are incredibly lucky to be part of this community.

We are asking you to really think about what matters over the next couple of weeks and to vote in alignment with what you want for your children and for this community.

With gratitude,
Jackie Nimer and Chelsey Mitchell

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 05 May 2026

Created: 05 May 2026

Last Updated: 05 May 2026

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Dear Editor,

This week, May 4-8, we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week. On behalf of the Scarsdale Parent Teacher Council Executive Committee and the PTA Presidents of our seven schools, we want our teachers and staff to know how profoundly grateful we are for everything they bring to our schools each and every day. Across all seven of Scarsdale’s schools, our building-level PTAs are marking this special week with events and initiatives designed to honor the remarkable people who make our schools what they are—but we know that no single week, and no single gesture, can fully capture the depth of our appreciation.

Our teachers and staff give so much of themselves: their time, energy, creativity, and compassion. They show up not just as educators, but also as mentors, advocates, and steady presences in the lives of our children. Every school year brings its own rhythm of joys and milestones, routines and surprises, complexities and challenges—and year after year, Scarsdale’s faculty and staff meet all of it with remarkable dedication, grace, and purpose.

We wish every teacher, aide, administrator, and staff member a truly wonderful appreciation week. We hope the final months of this school year are filled with the many small moments of connection and accomplishment that make this work so meaningful.

Thank you, sincerely and wholeheartedly, for all that you do.

Best wishes,
Erica German, PTC President
Rokaya Hassaballa, PTC President Elect
Jeannie Adashek, PTC Secretary
Shilpa Spencer, PTC Treasurer
Erika Rublin, SHS PTA President
Gina Chon, SMS PTA President
Chelsey Mitchell, Edgewood PTA Co-President
Jackie Nimer, Edgewood PTA Co-President
Jessica Rosenberg, Fox Meadow PTA Co-President
Dorathy Sunshine, Fox Meadow PTA Co-President
Liza King, Greenacres PTA President
Saum Shetty, Heathcote PTA President
Sandra Brudnick, Quaker Ridge PTA President

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Written by: Stacey Liew

Published: 28 April 2026

Created: 28 April 2026

Last Updated: 06 May 2026

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Varsity Goalie Ivy Fischer

Varsity Lacrosse Goalie Ivy Fischer recently attended the Fourth Annual New York State Public High School Athletic Association [NYSPHSAA] Student Leadership Conference. She was chosen from a pool of applicants by Section 1 leadership, with the approval of Scarsdale High School Athletic Director Cindy Parrott, to take part in the conference and has lots to share.

Fischer is a goalie for both the Scarsdale Varsity Girls Lacrosse team and JV Girls Field Hockey. She is the incoming President of the Lacrosse Leadership Club, which is working to provide support and funding to the non-profit Bronx Lacrosse. Outside of athletics, she is a Sophomore Class Representative, Model UN delegate, involved A-School student, and ESL mentor.

The NYSPHSAA conference was held from April 15-16th in Albany. It gave a space to over 200 student athletes to connect and network with one another. At its core, it teaches the athletes how they can contribute to their communities, plan their futures, and grow into empathetic leaders. In general, the conference wants the students to leave with not only strategic insight for a game, but also knowledge on building essential habits and a strong work ethic.

Fischer shared the following on team performance, giving back, and referees with her coach, Cece Berger, her team, and us.

What can players do or remember to bring improvement to a team?

- Don't do it for yourself, do it for your team.
- A negative ripple effect hurts everyone. We need more positivity, especially with new teams/new players.
- Don't gatekeep opportunities.
- Seek more leader/coach feedback.
- Little contributions add up.
- Put yourselves in each other's shoes (teammates, coach, ref, fans).
- Everybody makes mistakes. apologize, think before you speak, and remember your actions affect others. Everyone can get lost in the heat of the game.
- Coaches mess up too.
- Fall back in love with the game.

How can players give back?

- Helping others helps you grow. Service makes you better.
- Taking care of yourself AND serving others both strengthen the team.
- Stand out by looking at service through a different lens. Do it for what it can do for others, not for yourself.
- Discipline is key.

How can players take action?

- Schools can enter a community service contest at NYSPHSAA.
- Find a cause / something that needs to change. Ask: How can I improve it? Bring at least 8 people in.
- Even if you don't stick to the game plan, that doesn't mean you lose.
- Analyze why something worked or didn't and pivot/change if needed.

What do players need to keep in mind when understanding and communicating with referees?

- Referees are expected to be perfect from day one, but they're human and improve over time.
- Talk to officials like people.
- The rule book is dense. Referees review it every year, learn new rules, and players find new ways to hide fouls (refs get better at catching them).
- Officials train hard outside of games: long rule book workshops in hot summers, workouts, early 5 a.m. wake-ups, years of training to keep up with athletes. We need to be more sympathetic.
- Referees get a lot of verbal abuse. Learn how to communicate and bring that to the team.
- There's a referee shortage. The ones who are there want to be there.
- Don't make things personal. Aggressive behavior is dangerous.
- Use humor to talk to referees respectfully.
- Approach them politely, bring issues to their attention calmly. If emotional, diffuse it quickly. It’s better to be composed.
- Find something in common, be friendly.

How should players communicate with unfriendly referees?

- You can't change how others act, but you can control how you act.
- Referees should help each other communicate, but they don't always.
- Talk to a different official (usually there are multiple). You may get a better response.
- Be polite. You don't want to be seen as aggressive or unapproachable.
- Recognize that some people aren't there for the right reason.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 02 April 2026

Created: 02 April 2026

Last Updated: 02 April 2026

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