Christine Sciandra and Eleanor Landau Receive the Thomas Sobol Service Award
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Christina Sciandra with Village colleagues.On a beautiful October afternoon, Scarsdale’s Village and School leaders attended a joyous luncheon to celebrate the recipients of the “The Thomas Sobol Service Awards.” The ceremony, hosted by Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Services (SFCS), marked the fourth time since 2016 that two individuals were recognized for their tremendous contributions to our community.
As Janice Starr, SFCS President, explained in her opening remarks, the award honors the legacy of Dr. Thomas Sobol who served as 
SFCS President Janice StarrSuperintendent of Scarsdale Schools and Commissioner of Education for New York State. In addition to this commendable work, Starr noted that Dr. Sobol was also instrumental in establishing the Scarsdale Community Youth Service Project (YSP), a unique collaboration between the Scarsdale schools and the Village that has “significantly contributed to the well-being of our middle and high school students.”
Carl H. Pforzheimer III, a friend of Dr. Sobol, dove a little deeper into the history of the award explaining that he and two other friends (and former members of Village and School Boards) didn't want Dr. Sobol’s accomplishments and his deep commitment to bringing the resources of both the Village Board and the School Board together to be lost. And so the friends created this award in his memory, an award that honors one recipient from each board who personifies the idea of the boards working together for the good of our community. This year, that honor was bestowed upon Christine Sciandra representing the Village of Scarsdale and Eleanor Landau representing the Scarsdale School District, both whom were described by Starr as, “going beyond their job descriptions to care for all they come in contact with.”
Eleanor Landau with well wishers from the Scarsdale Schools
Scarsdale Village Manager, Alexandra Marshall also described Ms. Sciandra as someone who goes above and beyond for others but added that “she always does it with a smile.” Before listing all the special ways that Sciandra contributes to her office and the Scarsdale community at large, Marshall related, “In addition to keeping us organized, Christine is truly the glue that holds us together in the manager’s office. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Christine over the past three years, but she has been a dedicated employee since she started with the village in April of 2008.”
Mayor Justin Arest with Harriet Sobol
Ms. Sciandra thanked Marshall for her kind words and expressed her gratitude for the incredible recognition and for the amazing people she is fortunate to work with. She went on to thank her family and friends who came to the luncheon to help Sciandra celebrate the remarkable honor.
Superintendent, Dr. Drew Patrick, introduced the next honoree, Elenor Landau. He started by thanking Landau for her decades of service in the SHS Math Department and highlighted the tremendous amount of inspiring work she has accomplished there since 1980. Patrick also painted a picture of Landau as a generous, kind, and knowledgeable teacher and department chairperson, who knows the curriculum better than anyone, adding she often consulted with teachers and acted as a professional learning support for new hires in the department. Most importantly, Landau supported all of her students and helped them believe that they too, are a “math person.”
Surrounded by many in the math department and other SHS faculty members, Landau graciously accepted her award and humbly thanked everyone for the recognition and support saying it was such an honor to receive the award.
Adding to the touching ceremony, Harriet Sobol, wife of the late Dr. Sobol, helped to present the awards to the honorees.
Jay Genova, the Director of Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Services, was also on hand to applaud the two award recipients. In a heartfelt moment, Genova shared that when the world can feel a little stressful, it is wonderful to come together to focus on, and to celebrate the actions and great work of people who go above and beyond, but who usually work quietly without recognition.
Superintendent of Schools Drew PatrickMr. Genova went on to describe the historical significance of holding the luncheon at Wayside Cottage, explaining that SFCS was first formed when women gathered at the cottage to discuss how they could help immigrants back in 1904. Now, 104 years later, SFCS is a vital community resource with innovative programs that serve every age group. As Janice Starr explained earlier in the program, “Our open doors mean that no one is ever turned away. Client fees, grants and fundraising form the basis of our income…but SFCS also relies upon the generosity of individual contributors.” To find out more about the wide array of services offered by SFCS see https://www.sfcsinc.org/
Jay Genova and Eleanor Landau
Carl Pforzeimer III
Girls Soccer: Scarsdale Vs. Somers Ends in a Draw
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Senior defender Caitlyn Wu (2) and captain Allison Kahn (6) fight for a header.The Scarsdale High girls soccer team battled Somers, a very strong team, on Monday 9-30 at Butler Field and the result was a 0-0 draw. Each team only had a few real scoring chances as the defenses dominated the game. The Raiders next play Ursuline at home on Saturday 10/5.
Junior midfielder Gia Asen (22) makes a pass.
Senior goalie Lilly Tessler (35) tumbles to the ground after making a save.
Junior midfielder Leah Brown (9) strikes a volley.
Senior forward and captain Mia Laboy (4) controls the ball.
Lilly Tessler (35) makes a diving save.
Senior defender (and captain) Naomi Fischer (5) clears the ball.
Junior midfielder Stella Van Arsdale (14) makes long kick downfield.
Naomi Fischer (5) fights for control of the ball.
Leah Brown (9) chases down and concentrates on the ball.
Senior Allison Kahn (6) tries to get around a Somers player to control the ball
Caitlyn Wu (2) surveys the field.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game
To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/
New Law Requires School Boards to Appoint a Non-Voting Student Member
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Beginning in July 2025, School Boards in New York State will now have student representation on the board. Under a new law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, school boards will now be required to appoint at least one student ex-officio member who may participate in all public meetings and sit with the other board members. These student members will be non-voting and will not be entitled to participate in Executive sessions or any other non-public proceedings.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assembly Member Carrie Woerner
Prior to this law, districts were allowed to appoint an ex-officio student member, but had to seek approval from voters in their district via a referendum. This legislation simplifies the process, removing the referendum requirement and giving districts greater flexibility about how they appoint members. Further, it will expand opportunities statewide for students to participate in their school board by ensuring every district has at least one student member.
Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am proud my bill to require school districts and BOCES to appoint at least one student non-voting school board member has been signed into law by Governor Hochul. Today, students navigate a myriad of challenges in their lives at home and school. Some of these challenges are familiar to those of us who were high school students decades ago. Others may not be –– the impact of social media, experience of social isolation since the pandemic, or fear and anxiety about the climate crisis. This legislation will ensure that students have a seat at the table where decisions that shape their educational opportunities and experience are made and that members of the Board hear and benefit from their insights as students. I want to thank Assembly Member Woerner for sponsoring this legislation in the Assembly and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law.”
In Scarsdale, board meetings are often lengthy proceedings which occur on weeknights. It will be interesting to see how a student can balance their academic load with the requirements of serving on the school board.
SHS Named a Blue Ribbon School
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Nice news from the school district today! Scarsdale High School joins Heathcote Elementary School and Greenacres Elementary School as the third school in the district to honored with the National Blue Ribbon School award.
Below please find a note from Scarsdale High School Principal Ken Bonamo announcing the award:
Dear Members of the Scarsdale High School Community:
This afternoon, Scarsdale High School was announced as a recipient of the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the United States Department of Education. This award recognizes the exceptional achievements of our students and the adults who support them. I am grateful for the contributions each of you makes every day to our school community.
I also want to recognize the efforts of the high school cabinet in completing the comprehensive application which allowed us to celebrate and delineate many of the successful structures and practices we have in place to help each student reach their full potential. We hope that others benefit from learning about our work, and we look forward to learning more about our fellow award recipients.
From the official press release: “U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. ‘The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,’ said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. ‘The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.’”
As we take a moment to reflect on this recognition, allow me to thank you for your continued partnership in our work together.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Bonamo
Principal
Community Calendars Available from Scarsdale Security
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Dear Editor:
At Scarsdale Security, we value our connection with the community and our participation in Village life. This year, we are proud to be one of the sponsors of the Scarsdale Community Calendar, compiled and distributed by the Scarsdale Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. These calendars correspond with the school year (September through August) and include all school closings and events, as well as community meetings and information related to village organizations. A telephone directory for the school district, local government, village services and community organizations is also included in the calendar.
As a sponsor, Scarsdale Security has a supply of calendars available for distribution at no cost to you. If you would like a calendar, please contact our office’s outreach liaison at 722-2321.
We look forward to serving you – not only as the northeast’s premier boutique for security, fire, camera and home automation systems – but also as your neighbor. Together, we all make our community a great place to call home.
Very truly yours,
David Raizen
President, Scarsdale Security Systems, Inc.
132 Montgomery Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-722-2321
