Book Discussion: My Life in School by Tom Sobol
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Harriet Sobol, wife of former Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Tom Sobol will lead a discussion about her husband's new book, "My Life In School" on April 3, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. at the Scarsdale Library.
"My Life In School" is a touching and passionate memoir of Sobol's journey from depression-era schoolboy to educational innovator and leader. Tom Sobol, former Superintendent of the Scarsdale Schools, New York State Commissioner of Education, Distinguished Professor at Columbia Teacher's College, and architect of New York State's New Compact for Learning, shares his life and his thoughts about the fundamental educational issues of our time with wisdom and clarity. Sobol writes of his life, blending experience, savvy, and heart, while also providing insight into the political forces that frame some of the major debates around education.
The book has already been reviewed by some of Sobol's colleagues and they have given high praise to Sobol. Andrew Selesnick, Assistant Superintendent for Leadership Development and Human Resources of the Chappaqua Central School District said, "The story [Sobol] tells on these pages reveals how he grew into the teacher and leader so many of us have followed, and leaves one eager to pursue the vision of public schooling he articulates so well and with such evident joy."
Elizabeth Bermel, director of the Scarsdale Library said, "We are pleased to welcome Harriet Sobol to the library this April to discuss Tom's latest book."
Additional information about the reception can be found on the Scarsdale Public Library website at www.scarsdalelibrary.org, or by calling 914-733-1300.
Professor Thomas Sobol is the founding Christian A. Johnson Professor of Outstanding Educational Practice at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds an A.B. and A.M. from Harvard University and an Ed. D. from Teachers College. After teaching and supervising in Massachusetts and New York State, he served for sixteen years as Superintendent of Schools in Scarsdale, New York and for eight years as Commissioner of Education in New York State. Dr. Sobol is currently Emeritus Christian A. Johnson Professor of Outstanding Educational Practice at Teachers College where he teaches courses in education policy and ethics.
Free Native Trees to be Distributed by Friends of the Scarsdale Parks on Sunday
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The Friends of the Scarsdale Parks will host its Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 19 from 2-5 pm at the Scarsdale Woman's Club located at 37 Drake Road. The event will mark the inauguration of the Friends of the Scarsdale Park's Heritage Tree Project featuring the commemoration of the majestic White Oak on the front lawn of the Woman's Club. Light refreshments will be served and there will be free activities for kids.
The featured speaker will be Professor Nina L. Bassuk, Cornell University's renowned urban tree expert. Professor Bassuk will discuss, among other topics, the management of Scarsdale's urban ecosystem and tree and plant resources. Professor Bassuk will also address best practices to insure the health of Scarsdale's urban forest in the context of climate change and extreme weather events such as hurricane Sandy. Representatives of the Cornell Cooperative extension will also be available to answer gardening questions.
The Friends of the Scarsdale Parks will offer, on a first come first serve basis, free bare root native trees suitable for planting. The Scarsdale High School Sustainable Garden Club will be selling vegetable and flower seedlings. The Friend's Heritage Tree Project welcomes the assistance and collaborative spirit of Danielle Wolleman, a sophomore at Scarsdale High School.
Professor Nina L. Bassuk is program leader of the Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University; serves on the executive board of the New York State Urban Forestry Council; and is on the Technical advisory committee of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES). Dr. Bassuk co- authored "Trees in the Urban Landscape" and works with municipalities to help implement best practices in urban forestry management. Professor Bassuk helped to develop the Student Weekend Arborist Team (SWAT) to inventory public trees in small communities.
The Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization established by citizens of Scarsdale, New York in 1957. We are a hands-on volunteer workforce and advocate for the conservation, restoration and preservation of the 26 named passive and recreation parks and numerous other public open spaces located throughout the Village of Scarsdale in cooperation with Village Staff. Voluntary donations to the Friends help to support ongoing projects and future programming. Visit www.friendsofscarsdaleparks.org for more information about the work of the Friends.
Writers Centers to be Formed at Scarsdale Library
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The Scarsdale Public Library is seeking writers from the community to help develop the brand new Writers Center, a group that will support and promote Scarsdale writers. Elizabeth Bermel, Director of the Scarsdale Library, said the Writers Center will both benefit local writers and reinforce the library's commitment to the cultural and intellectual life of the community. "We are so lucky to have a wealth of talented writers working in all disciplines in this town, from journalism to fiction to children's books and even playwriting," she said. "The Library as an institution celebrates and embraces the world of books, magazines, and digital media. We want to support the work our local writers do, and we think the establishment of a writers group is a great step in this direction."
The Scarsdale Writers Center is the latest in a series of partnerships the Library has forged with different community groups. Currently the library has a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and also works closely with the Adult School, Scarsdale's seniors, C.H.I.L.D., and others.
"The activities at the Writers Center will grow and develop based on feedback from its members," said Barbara Josselsohn, president of the Scarsdale Library Board of Trustees. Possibilities for the time being include regular readings by Scarsdale writers of new works or works-in-progress; critique groups for new or experienced writers; panels or speakers focused on career building and professional advice; forums for Scarsdale High School students interested in pursuing a career in writing; and recommendations of equipment, databases, programs, or other resources the library might obtain that could benefit writers and the wider group of patrons who freelance or work at home.
Both professional writers and those who write just for fun are encouraged to come to one of the first two meetings in the Scott Room at the library. The first meeting will be on April 9th from 9:15 - 10:15am, and the second on April 11th from 7-8pm.
Please contact Elizabeth Bermel ebermel@wlsmail.org with questions or to receive additional information.
Happy Passover
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Passover begins on Monday night March 25th. The celebration started early at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains. Here are Cantor Mo Glazman (Pharoah), Rabbi Shira Milgrom (Miriam ) and Rabbi Tom Weiner (Moses) participating in the Early Childhood Program's Passover play at the synagogue last week. Share your holiday photos with your friends on Scarsdale10583.com. Email them to Scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Gelfman Raises Funds for MVP Basketball and Wilson Honored by ADA
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MVP Basketball Camp, a nonprofit organization in White Plains has never turned away a camper due to an inability to pay. Through its Youth Development Scholarship Program, over 300 basketball-loving children annually attend a week at MVP at no charge, and receive instruction and mentoring that extends far beyond the four corners of the court.
To meet the challenge of funding this program, a group of former campers from all over Westchester formed a volunteer Junior Board of Directors, led by Board President Max Gelfman of Scarsdale (pictured fourth from the right). The board's first fundraising event, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, raised more than $1,000 and will allow MVP to extend four additional scholarships in the summer of 2013.
The tournament was held at the Highlands Middle School in White Plains on March 10th and attracted more than 80 boys and girls playing in three different divisions. All participants were high school students, and a majority just finished their varsity seasons. Among they players were Max Gelfman, Robbie Irwin, Robbie Keltz, Caleb Krohn, Christian Landegrebe, Michael Rolfe and Sam Squadron of Scarsdale. Six MVP coaches volunteered their time as referees, but this show belonged to the board. They served pizza, organized the brackets, kept score, and still found time to participate in the games and contests. Junior Board member Zach Evans of Harrison took home the trophy in the 3-point contest, and his team also won the boys varsity bracket of the 3-on-3 tournament.
MVP's Junior Board currently has fourteen members, including five who were scholarship recipients during their summers at camp. They meet four times per year and act as an advisory committee for Executive Director Noel Muyskens in addition to running an event. They will also support MVP's next fundraiser, a second annual Ping Pong Family night at the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville on the evening of Friday, May 3rd. More information about this event can be found here: www.mvpbasketballcamp.org.
MVP will run six weeks of camp this summer at two convenient locations in Westchester. There are six programs weekly for boys and girls ages 6 – 16. Scholarship awards are given based on financial need, plus a letter of recommendation from school. Forms and online registration are available on MVP's website.
ADA and Father's Day Council Announces 2013 Father of the Year Honorees:
Michael Wilson, of Scarsdale's Wilson & Son Jewelers, was one of four Westchester fathers named as a 2013 Fathers of the Year by the American Diabetes Association at a reception on February 28th at the Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, NY. The other honorees are:
- Nadem Sayegh, MD, Endocrinologist, Broadway Medical Services and St. Joseph's Medical Center
- Kenneth R. Theobalds, Vice President Government Affairs, Entergy
- Michael W. Weinstock, Group Vice President, M & T Bank
The ADA will honor these men for their outstanding commitment to their children and the values of fatherhood at the 8th annual Father of the Year Awards Gala on June 13th at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, NY.
The American Diabetes Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, call the ADA in Westchester at 914-253-4909 or visit www.diabetes.org.
