SHS Counseling Director Provides Perspective on Granting Students Extra Time on College Admissions Test
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Director of Counseling Oren Iosepovici Several readers noted a news item showing that the number of public high-school students getting special allowances for test-taking has risen sharply in recent years. They spotted an article that said that 20% of students at Scarsdale High School are eligible for extra time or another accommodation when taking the SAT or ACT tests.
The data came from an analysis in the Wall Street Journal of 504 designations at 9,000 public schools.
We asked Scarsdale High School’s Director of Counseling Oren Iosepovici to provide some perspective on this statistic. Specifically we wanted to know if 20% was high? … if the percentage was growing and if it is higher than the overall percentage of students who are classified or receive special services from the district?
Commenting for the district, here is Iosepovici's response:
On any given year, 10-13% of students qualify for special education services. This is consistent with the national average.
Another 8-10% qualify for 504 accommodations for documented impairments such as anxiety, depression, or the like. These numbers are also consistent with national averages. Scarsdale acknowledges these issues and provides accommodations as we believe this is the right way to support children with unique needs. What the article doesn’t say is that many other districts do not. The numbers aren’t different across schools across the country. But services cost money. In many places, parents have to fight to have their students classified because they don’t want to pay for accommodations.
Many school districts won’t provide 504's at all. We believe students with needs should be supported to the extent possible. Rather than comparing us to this norm of not supporting students and families, we believe students should be supported across the state and country in the way that Scarsdale does for our students who need that help—in the short or long term. Many school districts do not have the resources to do so, but I would hope if they did, everyone would use Scarsdale as a model of providing wrap around services to students who need them.
All the best,
Oren Iosepovici
Director of Counseling
Scarsdale High School
SHS Juniors Get the Tea on College from Returning College Freshmen
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- Written by: Jamie Robelen
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Scarsdale High School places a great emphasis on educating its junior class about the college process. With an annual school of events, from essay writing assemblies to night-time college panels with college admissions reps, students are offered many opportunities to find out more about which colleges they might apply to, or what they’re looking for in a school.
One such offering is the annual student-to-student college night, which this year was held on Wednesday, May 22. Scarsdale alums who have just completed their freshman or sophomore year of college were invited to come back to the high school cafeteria for a night and talk to juniors. It is a one-on-one experience, with an emphasis that there are no parents allowed. Beforehand, students are given a list of which representatives will be in attendance and each junior selects a few colleges in which they might be interested. In an evening that resembles speed dating, they are assigned to speak to representatives from four schools for 15 minutes each.
What’s great about the student-to-student night is how personal it is. Although some schools may be more popular than others, for the most part it is usually just one junior talking to one college kid. Typically, the conversations lean towards more what it’s like to be at the school, rather than the academic information or school stats that someone might learn from an information session on a college tour. Many talk about housing. Another common topic is social life, something that most schools don’t really offer insight into on a campus tour. Juniors can find out the real scoop on whether schools are “party schools” or not, if Greek Life dominates campus culture, or what kids do for fun on weekends.
Unfortunately, not every school can be represented, since a few schools are still in session. However, even if students don’t speak with students at four schools they love, the night can still be helpful. Juniors can get a “vibe” for a few different of schools, and start thinking about where they would most fit in.
The PTA encourages all SHS alums ending their first or second year of school to participate, so that students can get a real feel for places that have made Scarsdale kids happy.
Scarsdale Mathcounts Go to Nationals -- and a Math Problem For You
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The weekend of May 11th, SHS Popham 8 math teacher Steve Weiss coached the NY State Mathcounts team at the National Competition in Orlando, Florida. The 4-person team was captained by Scarsdale Middle School 8th grader Matthew Zhao. He led the team to a 9th place finish out of 55 teams. Matthew individually finished among the top 20% of all individuals competing. Pictured above are Steve Weiss and Matthew Zhao. (Photo by Tao Zhao)
Test your own mathematics skills! Here is an example problem Matthew had to solve at the competition:
Twelve Faculty Members Attain Tenure
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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There were smiles all around at the opening of the May 13 meeting of the Scarsdale Board of Education when 12 teachers attained tenure. Schools Superintendent Dr. Hagerman thanked Scarsdale’s faculty and said that getting tenure was an achievement and an accomplishment. To the awardees he said, “You have believed in us and we believe in you.”
Assistant Superintendent Drew Patrick called tenure, “a significant accomplishment in the career of an educator,” and reviewed the rigorous process for evaluating teachers including classroom observations, ratings, mentoring, year-end conferences, a portfolio of artifacts as well as feedback from the school community and an administrative review panel.
He said, “the rigors are commensurate with the achievement.”
Here is the list of the twelve faculty members who were awarded tenure on May 13, 2019. Congratulations!
Lacrosse Team Loses to Rival From Mamaroneck in Close Game
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- Written by: Anna Cho
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Senior Will Maybaum, is seen heading down field with the ball.The Scarsdale Boys Varsity Lacrosse team had a very competitive match on Tuesday against Mamaroneck High School. The boys played a great game, but unfortunately lost 10-8 to Mamaroneck. However, there was never a lack of spirit or enthusiasm from either the players or the fans. The boys constantly cheered for one other, in a display of teamwork and support. Despite being an away game, countless animated Scarsdale students appeared in the stands, and outnumbered the amount of Mamaroneck fans. In spite of this loss, the boys have been having a wonderful season with an 11-3 record. Don’t miss their next game Saturday, May 11th, at Nyack High School!
The raiders are celebrating a goal made by senior Andrew Bernstein.
New recruit, Andrew Greenspan, wins the faceoff against Mamaroneck’s Shane Smith.
Sophomore goalkeeper, Sam Silverman, leaves the crease to transition and stops a goal.
Sophomore Ben Miller, can be seen outrunning two Mamaroneck players.
