Library Loft Closes Down Due to Concerns About Virus
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Yet another community institution has now shutdown as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. Scarsdale Library Director Elizabeth Bermel announced on March 13 that the Scarsdale Public Library will be closed to the public effective 6pm Friday, March 13, 2020. They hope to reopen on Monday, March 23rd, but will re-evaluate as new information becomes available.
Bermel’s email says, “This decision was not made easily or without great consideration as we know how important the Library and the services we provide are to our community. We have considered the fact that a significant portion of our patrons are especially vulnerable to this virus. Please note that no SPL employees have tested positive to COVID-19 and none are subject to any form of restrictions as a result of direct or indirect contact with a confirmed case.”
She noted that the frequency and cleaning of the Library’s temporary quarters, the Library Loft has increased. While closed, the Village of Scarsdale will hire a contractor to perform a complete and thorough cleaning of the Library Loft.
Here’s the status:
All scheduled programs and events are cancelled through March 31st.
Circulation of physical materials will be suspended.
Do not return borrowed materials at this time. The book drop is locked. Do not leave items outside. You will be charged for their replacement costs.
They are waiving all fines incurred through this period.
If you have questions, email the library's email account at scaref@wlsmail.org and they will attempt to respond.
District Provides Next Steps for those Who Came Into Contact with Infected Middle School Teacher and Guidance for the Community
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The streets of Scarsdale were quiet on Monday after a case of Coronavirus shuttered all seven schools.Scarsdale is eerily quiet on Monday March 9, after the district announced that all seven schools would be shuttered until March 18. The closure was sparked by a report that a teacher at Scarsdale Middle School had tested positive for the virus during the weekend.
An email sent to the community on the afternoon of March 9 provides more details about the closing of schools, instructions for students and families and next steps for those who came into contact with the afflicted faculty member.
According to the email, the district is working with the Department of Health on health and safety, deep cleaning and disinfection as well as plans for the “continuation of learning.”
Specifically, “All students and staff who had close contact with the affected faculty member have now been contacted by the District. Additionally, those names and their contact information have been provided to the Westchester County DoH, at their request.
The DoH is in the process of contacting those people. The District has advised them that they will likely be told to self-quarantine and provided them with guidance to follow until they are contacted by DoH.
In addition to those who came into close contact, the faculty member also attended a faculty meeting and spent a short time in the cafeteria during Butler 7 lunch. Out of an abundance of caution, the DoH has asked us to provide the names of all faculty in attendance at the meeting and all students in Butler 7. We ask that these groups maintain social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations until told otherwise by the DoH.”
This is the second incident directly affecting the Scarsdale community. On March 7 it was confirmed that a student who plays on the Scarsdale Youth Hockey Association middle school team had also tested positive. This student does not live in Scarsdale or attend the Scarsdale Schools. However he was in contact with teammates.
As a result, those teammates – and perhaps their families – have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Here is the text of that e-mail:
“The team members who played on the same SYHA team as the student who tested positive will be asked to quarantine for 14 days from their last encounter with the player. At this time, there are no students or staff in the Scarsdale Schools who have tested positive for COVID-19. The School District will work with the families involved to support them in any way possible. The Department of Health has given the families specific guidance as to how to implement these quarantines and how the rest of the family should travel and participate in day-to-day activities. The families will need the support of our entire community to help them through this time. We ask that all members of our community respect these families' privacy and encourage their children to do the same.”
At this time it is unclear how many players and families are affected. We also don’t know how many students and faculty members came into contact with the Middle School Teacher. But given the facts above, we can assume that many will soon be told to stay behind closed doors for 14 days.
An email to the police chief and mayor about the extent of the virus in Scarsdale received no response.
The email also recommends that residents practice “social distancing,” asking parents to
-Limit playdates/get-togethers and certainly any larger gatherings of students or students and adults;
-Not have students provide babysitting services to other students; and
-Not schedule practices for sports teams or meetings for any clubs.
All schools and buses are being cleaned and disinfected and teachers are working on e-learning plans so that students can continue their education at home.
In the meantime, the Superintendent asks students “to spend time engaging in passion-driven learning activities and use the time to engage in reading for pleasure.”
The email also provides links to NYS Department of Health guidelines for quarantines and guidelines for virus testing.
Other Closings:
The closing of the Scarsdale Schools on March 9 has had a domino affect on other community organizations. Following the announcement, Westchester Reform Temple, which was closed during the weekend announced that they would also remain closed until March 18.
The nursery school, or Early Childhood Center, Jewish Learning Lab and Adult Education classes are cancelled. The Friday night Shabbat service will be available via livestream only.
However, bar and bat mitzvahs and funerals will be held. The synagogue will seat people farther away from one another and ask service goers to refrain from touching or kissing the Torah. Guests should be limited to close family.
The Reverend Pete Jones also announced that Hitchcock Church will be closed until March 18. This includes the office and all activities at Hitchcock are closed for the same time period.
They will wait to make a final announcement later in the week about Sunday morning worship.
The 2020 Summer Camp and Activities Guide
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One of the many advantages of living in Southern Westchester is the wide range of summer programs available to your children, all within a bus ride from home. There are traditional day camps, specialty camps for music, dance, sports, STEM and the arts and programs for pre-schoolers too.
Even though it’s January, directors of summer programs and camps are busy planning for the summer of 2020 now – and invite you to see what they offer. We reached out to a range of summer camps and programs for kids from 2 to 17, and here's information from some programs sure to be enjoyed by Scarsdale kids. Contact them by phone or email and be sure to mention Scarsdale10583.com.
Day Camps
Camp Hillard: (pictured above) Started in the summer of 1929, four generations of the Libman family has continued to own and operate Westchester's first day camp. Impeccably maintained and constantly improved, Camp Hillard offers a complete program that uniquely combines spirit, tradition, and fun with first class modern facilities. Our program 
includes swimming and sports instruction, balanced with high-quality creative and performing arts, fun specialty activities, as well as exciting special events in a warm and personable camp environment. An experienced staff of camp professionals work together to ensure a successful summer for each and every camper.
Activities include swim instruction in seven heated pools, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, lacrosse, flag football, tennis, gymnastics, pony rides, arts and crafts, drawing, painting, jewelry, clay, nature, theater, music, dance, zip line, flying squirrel, climbing wall, mini golf, golf skills center and driving range, archery, gaga, mini sleep away program, day trips, horseback, golf and sports specialization programs for older campers.
Camp Hillard
26 Elizabeth Street
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914 -949-8857
Camp Ramaquois is "a day camp as complete as sleep-away camp," situated on 44 magnificent acres in nearby Rockland. From adventurous activities
to creative arts to athletic activities, boys and girls, ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities including instructional and general swim in nine heated pools and boating on a five-acre lake. Seven period programs planned for each age group include a splash park, aerial adventure park, climbing wall, flying squirrel with zip lines, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, softball, soccer, recycling bin, ceramics, nature facility with petting zoo, dance, drama, yoga, special events and much more. Facilities include an air-conditioned indoor gym and group bunks with bathroom facilities. Hot lunch is served in an air-conditioned dining room by waiters and waitresses. Junior Camp for 3-6 year olds has a separate campus with age-appropriate activities and facilities. Ramaquois offers pre-teens and teens a regular camp program in combination with an optional Trail Blazers trip program. Day trips planned for 3rd–10th graders; overnight trips planned for 5th-10th graders; Leadership Program for 10th graders. Door to door air-conditioned mini-bus transportation provided by licensed school bus drivers and a bus counselor. Ramaquois is a magical camp where children experience a sense of adventure, meet new challenges, create wonderful memories and make lasting friendships.
Camp Ramaquois
30 Mountain Road
Pomona, NY 10970
845-354-1600
Specialty Camps
For over 40 years, the JCC of Mid-Westchester has introduced children to the joy of summer camping. They now offer 8 weeks of camps, with a five day per week or three day per week option, which is ideal for young campers. They also continue to provide towel services and extended days. The day camp introduces campers to a variety of professionally led activities and weekly special events including instructional and recreational swim in their heated indoor pool (beginning with 3 year-olds), gymnastics, a variety of different sports activities, arts and crafts, and nature. They offer low staff to camper ratio and early drop off/late pick up. Unique to the JCC is its renowned Summer Arts Center (SAC) for the creative and independent child who is interested in the arts. For campers grades 6 and up who are serious and experienced dance students, there is a comprehensive curriculum of dance and dance-related classes taught by professionals in the state of the art dance studios. The CIT/LIT programs offer teens the opportunity to gain hands-on counselor training and leadership experience with social action initiatives and weekly trips. LITs that successfully complete the program may be asked back for the following summer as junior counselors.
JCC of Mid-Westchester
999 Wilmot Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Caryn Symons, Director of Camping
914-472-3300
Squire Advantage and Squire Sports Camps at Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale is celebrating its 47th year and is the proud recipient of the first
ever Westchester Country Inspector Choice Award! An OPEN HOUSE and CARNIVAL is scheduled for Saturday February 1ST from 1-4pm. There will be door prizes, bouncy houses, carnival games and food! Instructors and coaches will showcase their courses and tours will be given. Courses are taught in air-conditioned classrooms by certified teachers. Hot lunch is included and transportation is available. Squire Advantage Primary (grades K-3) and Advantage Choice (grades 4-9) is created for campers who wish to custom design their own schedule by choosing courses in the fields of swimming, computers, sports, fine arts, science, cooking, music and more. There are more than 50 different activities to choose from! Squire Sports Camps are divided into two different sports programs. Squire All Sports Academy (ages 6-15) allows for instructing and playing of many different types of sports throughout the day. Sports include tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, football, etc. Squire Tennis Academy (ages 6-15) is a fun and challenging tennis experience designed for beginners to experienced players. Squire Camps programs run from June 29th until August 14th, 2020.
Squire Camps
Maria Regina High School
Hartsdale, NY
(914) 328-3798
Matt Davanzo – Director
Challenge Camp: Open the door to a delightful and meaningful summer of fun and learning for your bright, curious child. Challenge Camp is an ACA accredited camp celebrating its 40th summer. Join them at their fully air-conditioned facility in Hartsdale, NY. Challenge is dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for children aged 4-15 to realize their intellectual and personal potential. They offer over 100 STEM and Arts based enrichment courses ranging from 3D Printing, Chess, Coding, Cooking, DJ'ing, Drones, Escape Room, Fashion, Fortnite, Go Kart, Lego, Magic, Makerspace, Minecraft, Model Rocketry, Music, Photography, Robotics, Theater, Video Production, Virtual Reality, YouTube and many options in between. Sports options include Swimming, Fencing, Ninja Warrior and Tae Kwon Do. Challenge campers customize a program of selections based on their interests and follow their courses for an entire session, enabling their knowledge and interest to grow throughout the session. Bus transportation and early/extended day options available. Please join them for an Open House on Sunday February 9th, from 2-4PM at their location.
Challenge Camp
The Leffell School
555 West Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10580
914-779-6024
info@challengecamps.com
Music and Dance
The Music Conservatory of Westchester’s summer programs will spark your child’s interest in music and other artistic areas from June 29-August 21,
2020. We offer fun, comprehensive learning experiences with a variety of programs and classes. Our reinvented Music & Arts program for grades K-6 continues to provide quality instruction in music, dance, and art. This year, Music & Arts offers a new Band Experience for the older group (grades 4-6) playing popular music from rhythm & blues to radio tunes and beyond. Younger kids (K-3) will be introduced to music fundamentals and begin playing instruments. The Musical Theatre Immersion will give kids grades 3-7 the opportunity to be stage stars performing a musical production from songs to scenery. Suzuki Summer (ages 5+) and Beginner Special (ages 4+) programs offer violin, cello, and piano students an opportunity to reinforce Suzuki skills or an introduction to the incredibly effective music instruction technique.
Music Conservatory of Westchester
216 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
914-761-3900
School of Rock White Plains Summer Camps: With camp choices for ages 5 through17, School of Rock White Plains is the perfect summer activity for your child. Our summer music camps are performance-based, meaning students learn to play by rehearsing and performing together in a fun environment. From beginner camps to songwriting to themed camps like Classic Rock and Pop Punk, we offer a wide variety of options to ensure your child has an amazing, immersive music experience. Sign your child up now and watch them become a musician this summer!
School of Rock White Plains summer music camps offer students a way to learn how to sing, play an instrument, write songs and, in most cases, perform live on stage with a band. Our camps are perfect for musicians of any skill level who want to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals.
School of Rock White Plains
242 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10600
(914) 468-1100
Steffi Nossen School of Dance: This summer explore dance in one and two week camps: from Story Book Dance for the tiniest 
dancers to a Dance Intensive for pre-professional teens and adaptive programs for kids and adults. Explore the performing arts in a safe, nurturing and artistically challenging environment. Weekly Story Book camps, a morning of movement, music and art for preschoolers with a new story each week (June 8 – August 17). Moving Wheels & Heels Adaptive Dance Intensive (June 22-27) and Camp (June 29 –July 2) a chance to enjoy movement, improve range of motion, explore and express creativity; wheelchairs welcome. In Dance Camp (grades 1-5) and Dance Intensive (grade 6-8) July 6-17 take classes in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater and body conditioning, learn dance history and composition, choreograph your own dances. In Hip-Hop Camp (grades 2-5) the child who loves Kidz Bop Music Videos and reenacts the dance moves on Fortnite Mission Success will have a blast learning Classic and New School styles, scratch, MC. and the rich history of Hip-Hop Culture. Musical Theater Kids (Grades 2-5) and Musical Theater Intensive (Grades 6-10) July 27 – August 7 are for actor/singers who need more intensive dance training and dancers who want to explore acting and singing; train with some of the best professional teachers in the field in daily acting, voice, and dance classes enhance vocal and acting skills while honing dance technique. Beginner – advanced performers learn music and choreography from a different Broadway musical to perform at week’s end. Early drop off and extended day available. 10% discount before March 30.
Steff Nossen School of Dance
216 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY
914-328-1900
For the Younger Set:
Beth El Day Camp in New Rochelle is the place to be for children ages 2-9! Widely recognized as the best-in-class day camp in Westchester, Beth El continues to be the most fun, most trusted choice for young campers and their parents, year after year. Join us Monday, June 29 through Thursday, August 20, 2020. We offer before and after camp care 7am-7pm. Campers love the sports, especially tennis, swimming twice a day in the pool, music, arts and crafts, cooking, dancing, nature, STEM, yoga, karate, and much more! Proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), we are also known for our nurturing environment, cutting-edge programming, and commitment to safety. We have the county's finest, best-trained professional staff and a very favorable child to staff ratio. Whether this is your child's first camp experience or not, at Beth El everything begins with love and ends in fun.
Beth El Day Camp
1324 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804
(914) 235-2700 ext. 256
daycamp@bethelnr.org
Scarsdale Synagogue's Summer Stars Program is the perfect summer experience for young children. This warm and nurturing seven-week summer program is for children 18 months to 5 years old. The children are engaged in activities such as sports, music, art, story time, daily water play and much, much more. There are special theme days each week such as Circus Day, Hawaiian Day or Carnival Day. At Summer Stars, friendships are formed and children grow 
socially, emotionally and intellectually as they engage in fun, stimulating summer activities. There is a three-day option for toddlers ages 18 to 30 months. Two year-olds may choose a three-day option or attend five mornings a week. Three to 5 year-olds may choose a half-day, 9am -12 noon option or a full day option from 9am - 2pm. Your child will sparkle and shine at Summer Stars!
Scarsdale Synagogue Summer Stars
2 Ogden Road
Scarsdale, NY
914-723-3001
St. James The Less Fun In The Sun Summer Program is a morning program for children aged 2, 3, 4 or 5 year-old program or those entering kindergarten in the fall. Staffed by experienced nursery school teachers, Fun in the Sun Summer Program offers outdoor playgrounds, water tables and sprinklers plus music and movement, gym and yoga classes, arts and crafts and fun weekly themes. Directed by Cheryl Smith, the program runs from 9- 11:45 am, Monday through Thursday from June 29 to July 30. For the two's program, there is one counselor for every five campers and for the 3,4,5's, there is a 1 to 7 counselor camper ratio. Fees are $200 per week and incoming 2's have the option of 2 or 4 days at $100 or $200 per week.
Cheryl Smith-Director
Church of St. James the Less
Ten Church Lane
Scarsdale, New York 10583
914.723.1018
director@stjamesnursery.org
Westchester Reform Temple's Summer Play Place Camp offers young children a unique 7-week summer experience. The professional certified staff provides arts and crafts, water-play, stories, games, sports and snack within a nurturing and loving environment. The 3's and 4's program is enhanced by specialists in music, movement and nature and special theme days. There are separation classes and classes with a loved one to stay as options for children who will be entering a 2's program in September. The little ones also enjoy crafts, water-play and music. Your children will learn, laugh and flourish. Click here to register. … Limited spaces are available in the ECC school program for the 2020-2021 school year.
Summer Play Place Camp
255 Mamaroneck Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-723-5493
Email: sue.tolchin@wrtemple.org
Close to Home
Scarsdale Recreation Summer Day Camp offers four-day camps for children from Kindergarten through eighth grade, including recreational and educational programs and daily swimming at the Scarsdale Pool. The camp accommodates about 900 children in grades K-8. Camp Sagamore is for children entering kindergarten, Camp Lenape for first graders, Camp Wapetuck for second graders and Camp Patthunke is for kids in third through eighth grades. The season runs from Monday, July 6-Friday, August 7 from 9am - 3:30pm. Transportation is provided from Scarsdale Pool, Quaker Ridge, Greenacres, Heathcote, Fox Meadow, and Edgewood. There are also combination camps for third-eighth graders who can choose soccer or sports camp in the morning and regular day camp in the afternoon. The Village offers two sessions of Teen Travel Camp for sixth through eighth graders, who go on a different trip each day.
Scarsdale Recreation Camp
Phone: (914) 722-1160
Email: recreation@scarsdale.com
To add your summer program to our guide email us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Local Institutions Close to Slow Spread of Coronavirus
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As of Thursday am, one Coronavirus case in lower Westchester has cascaded into an entire web of cases and closures. Testing concluded that the New Rochelle attorney who is infected, passed the virus to his family, friends of the family and a neighbor who drove him to the doctor. A total of eleven people connected to the Manhattan attorney were infected. Once experts traced all the places these people had visited, it caused a wide swath of closings.
It appears that the best way to control the virus is for people to self-quarantine if they believe they were exposed or are experiencing symptoms. Governor Cuomo is calling on people to police themselves and their families and to self-quarantine to stop the spread of the virus and further closings.
As of Thursday here are closings nearby:
SAR Academy and SAR High School in Riverdale
Young Israel in New Rochelle
The Windward School: Closed March 5 and 6 for cleaning
Bet Am Shalom is closed for the next 48 hours due to the presence of three students and two parents from the Westchester Torah Academy that rents space at Bet Am.
Hastings-on-Hudson School District closed March 5 and 6 to sanitize the building after they were notified that a parent whose children attend school in the district was physically present in a location that was closed due to contact with a person under quarantine.
Mt. Vernon Schools are closed March 5 and 6 because a doctor advised the school that two students have been quarantined for possible exposure to the virus.
Yeshiva University shut down their campus on Wednesday March 4 when they learned that the son of the New Rochelle man had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Scarsdale Hosts Annual Wrestling Tournament
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Connor Raff took 3rd in his weight class.Much like the weather on January 11th, Scarsdale's wrestling team was quite warmed up for its annual wrestling tournament. The event featured 15 teams from the New York area including Westchester, Long Island, and Rockland County.
Scarsdale entered 13 wrestlers in the tournament - participating in all but two weight classes.
Scarsdale's Thomas Kuo competed at the 113lb weight class. Kuo continued his emergence in his sophomore year by pinning in the first round in 25 seconds. Kuo had a large task in facing number 2 ranked Kemal Buz of John Glenn High School - and was pinned by the senior in the first period. In the wrestleback, Kuo lost a tough 8-6 decision to Gomez of Mamaroneck.
At 120lbs Freshmen Wade Massey wrestled for the Raiders. After falling in the first round, he had the unfortunate task of facing the number 2 seed (who had been upset in the first round) in the wrestleback and lost.
At 132lbs Sophomore Jack Byers faced the 5th and 3rd seeds respectively in the first round and wrestleback and lost.
Scarsdale senior and co-captain Connor Raff had a strong tournament at 138lbs for the Raiders. After solid pins of his opponents in the first two rounds, Raff fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Andrew Rosenfeld of Mamaroneck. After his opponent forfeited, Raff took 3rd overall.
Carlos Alfonso competed at 145lbs for the Raiders. After losing in the first round, Alfonso won his first wrestleback match edging his opponent 7-5. After his next opponent forfeited, he lost to the eventual 5th place finisher.
Scarsdale's 152lb competitor Victor Gao had a tough tournament, falling in both the first round and in the wrestleback.
At 160lbs Jack Cioffi began his tournament quite well - pinning his opponent early in the first period. He lost to the eventual champion Max Perez from Mamaroneck in the next round. In the wrestleback, after defeating teammate George Primoff in the first round, Cioffi was defeated by the eventual 5th place finisher. Primoff was defeated by highly seeded Joel Lomax of North Babylon 11-4 in the first round.
Scarsdale's strength all season has been at the higher weights and the tournament was no different. Thomas Reynolds entered the tournament as the 2 seed at 170lbs. His first 3 matches all ended in the same fashion: with Reynolds pinning his opponents early in the contests. He fought hard but lost in the championship to David Guerra of North Babylon.
Similarly, Brendan Knopp dominated his way to the finals in the 182lb division with early pins of his opponents. The finals saw heartbreak for the Scarsdale Senior. After compiling a substantial 7-2 lead late in the second period and looking like the clear winner, Knopp got caught in a brilliantly executed move by Mamaroneck's Antonio Caceras and was pinned.
Matt Hoffman represented the Raiders at 195lbs. He was pinned by eventual champ Justin Vega in the first round and lost in the wrestleback.
Co- captain Dean Mancini entered as the 2 seed at 220lb in the tournament. An early pin of his opponent saw him in the finals against top seed Jayshon Hines of North Babylon. Mancini battled Hines but eventually fell. After the Victory, Hines yelled at Mancini in a very unsportsmanlike manner and the wrestlers had to be separated.
At the 285lb class, Scarsdale's Soren Benaissa came in as the 6th seed. After a first-round bye, Benaissa lost to the eventual 3rd place finisher.
Head coach Jeremy Szerlip was enthusiastic about the team and the tournament: "Our upperclassmen are wrestling great. The energy that they bring on the mat and to the team are awesome. Dean Mancini, Thomas Reynold, Conner Raff, and Brendan Knopp have been the anchors in our lineup. I pretty much count on them for 6 points every match and they did not disappoint for our own tournament. Not only did they go out and wrestle well all day they were the biggest cheerleaders for our younger guys. Great weekend all around. Another thing that makes our tournament work is the amazing parent support. The team parents are there all day. Not only are they serving food and working the door but taking action photos of the matches and yelling a lot!!! We definitely had home crowd advantage."
The Raiders continue their season at home this Wednesday.
Connor Raff took 3rd in his weight class
