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SCHOOL Back to School A special section of
The Record-Review P.O. Box 455, Bedford Hills, NY 914-244-0533 www.record-review.com PUBLISHER Deborah G. White SECTION EDITOR Todd Sliss ART DIRECTOR Ann Marie Rezen ADVERTISING DESIGN Katherine Potter ADVERTISING SALES Francesca Lynch Thomas O’Halloran Barbara Yeaker Marilyn Petrosa ©2016 THE RECORD, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS FORBIDDEN WITHOUT PUBLISHER’S WRITTEN PERMISSION.
INSIDE BACK TO SCHOOL
PAGE 2A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
3A
FEATURE STORIES
8A
Back to school, back to 3A spreading germs
Kids & Chores: Important for 4A whole family
6A
eyond Grades: What tools do B students need to succeed in college?
Family Time: If school’s in session… 8A is it OK to vacation?
Fashion with flair: From head to 13A
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 3A
Back to school, back to spreading germs
A
BY MAJA TARATETA
t the start of the school year kids hop on yellow buses with backpacks brimming, return to classrooms, spend time with their friends and fill their days with both learning and fun. But with all of this fall excitement comes the return of something that sends shudders down the spines of parents and schools alike: the spreading of germs. “We always see a surge in commoncold-like viruses when kids go back to school,” said Dr. Sheila Nolan, MD, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network. “We also see a lot of schoolbased strep in September.” When kids head back to school so, too, do germs. Germs, it seems, are indeed everywhere. Favorite residences include door knobs, refrigerator handles, shopping cart handles, table tops — any places people touch can be tools to spread viruses and bacteria. “Germs can be anywhere,” said Nolan. “Usually, they are spread amongst children as they are playing. Younger ones put everything in their mouths. But they can also be spread by sneezes and coughs that are breathed in by others. If you touch something and then touch a mucous membrane like your nose or eyes, that’s how viruses enter.”
Steps for hand washing
How to wash your hands:
How to use alcohol-based hand rub:
• Wet your hands with warm running water. • Lather with soap and scrub between fingers, on the backs of your hands and under nails. • Wash for at least 20 seconds. That’s about as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. • Dry your hands. Use paper towels or electric hand dryers. • Use a paper towel when you turn off the tap.
• Dispense alcohol-based hand rub into palm of hand. • Rub hands together, working the gel between your fingers, under nails and back of hands. • Continue rubbing hands until hands are dry. • Do not rinse hands or dry hands with a paper towel. — from the New York State Department of Health website, health.ny.gov
With older children, Nolan said, viruses are typically spread by children not covering their coughs, sharing drinks and food and not practicing good hand hygiene. Anyone who has spent time in a school cafeteria or classroom knows how often these things happen. However, “Kids get less illnesses as they get older,” Nolan said. “Hygiene improves as well as the building of immunity.” It takes a while to get there. Parents and schools are intimately familiar with just how quickly illnesses can spread through a daycare or classroom. “Of course germs are everywhere, but we don’t want to foster undue concern or paranoia,” said Dr. Peter Richel, MD, chief of pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. “Children must live and be happy doing so. It is, however, wise to be prudent in order to avoid infection as best we can.” In fact, trying to keep children away from all germs is a lost cause, as well as an unhealthy practice. “Cocooning your child is not the best thing,” said Dr. Robert Rosenberg, physician at Hartsdale Pediatrics, an affiliate of Boston Children’s Health Physicians. “I would protect my child from public places where people might be sick. But cocooning will not prevent most colds that children will get… Children get sick seven to eight times per year during their first few years of life. This is helpful later in life to decrease the frequency of infections.” Continued on page 9A
PAGE 4A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
KIDS & CHORES:
Important for whole family
P
BY MAJA TARATETA
ut it away, put it away, put your things away!” So urges kiddie crooner Laurie Berkner in her hit song, “Clean it Up.” In many households with preschoolers, this mantra is belted out with gusto while little ones toss stuffed animals into toy chests. But soon, the song loses its urgency, as
kids grow older, and the playfulness of tidying up becomes more of a chore. But the act of helping around the house is critical to teach kids responsibility, the value of work and the sense of contributing to the family unit. “It is important for children to feel like they are contributing members of the family,” said Dr. Paul Donahue, Ph.D, director of Child Development Associates in Scarsdale and author of
“Parenting Without Fear: Letting Go of Worry and Focusing on What Really Matters.” “Unfortunately, in many families, parents feel like they are the ‘givers’ and children are the ‘takers.’ Sharing the responsibilities makes everyone feel better.” Time spent helping around the house “also can be a time for building relationships and team work and some special time with a parent or sibling,”
Above & Beyond “When St. Luke’s decided to install a sculpture in our new science wing, we thought: Let’s have the students design it. Soon we had the entire Middle School using design thinking to brainstorm, create prototypes, and pitch ideas to a panel of renowned architects and designers. The children just exploded with creativity.” Michael Mitchell, designLab Director Learn more about St. Luke’s student sculpture: www.stlukesct.org/davinci
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said Sharyn O’Leary, principal of St. Patrick’s School in Bedford. It can also give children some much-needed quiet time for contemplation. “Dusting, folding laundry, walking the dog — all afford children time to be alone with themselves and think and reflect,” she said. These concepts ring true for Dawn Meyerski, executive director of the Mount Kisco Child Care Center, where she encourages the little ones in her care to contribute at clean-up time. But on a personal level, one of her best memories growing up, she said, was doing the dishes with her sister. “It helped us build a strong relationship,” she said. “‘Chores’ has a negative connotation,” Meyerski continued. “But children can participate in tasks that families do… Some things you just do because you are part of a family.” So how can parents and caregivers get kids helping around the house? For one, it helps to start early. “Children at an early age love to help Mom or Dad,” said O’Leary. “If you capture them at this time, chores are just routine and part of sharing time in a family — not something to be dreaded.” And it’s almost never too early to start. “I have a hand-out sheet of chores I use in my office that is fairly straightforward, but I particularly like it because it starts at 18 months,” said Continued on next page
BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 Continued from previous page
Donahue. “When our kids were that age, they were expected to go to the front door and retrieve the New York Times off the doorstep, and then remove the blue bag it came in. As a lover of the morning newspaper, I considered this a big help.” For young children, age-appropriate chore ideas include: sorting socks from the laundry and putting away the silverware from the dishwasher. Besides helping the family, both of these also teach young learners matching skills. Experts also say that setting and clearing the dinner table should be an expected way children, even young ones, can contribute to family jobs. Children a bit older can help take out the garbage or weed the garden. Feeding family pets and getting the mail are other chores that are even popular with children. For maximum benefit, Donahue recommends pushing kids a little bit outside of their comfort zones in what parents ask them to do to help around the house: “A 7-year-old may not feel he can carry all the recyclables to the bins in the garage by himself, but with a little coaxing and help in breaking down and sorting the papers and containers, he can begin to handle that job on his own.” For many parents, this may sound like too much work. For them, that is. Wouldn’t it be much easier just to do the job themselves? “The simple an-
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 5A swer is: it’s true,” said Donahue. “It’s much easier for parents to do the work and it will take less time and the work will be more complete. But that misses the point of chores. If we are trying to teach kids responsibility and the value of hard work, we have to be patient and put up with their less than perfect habits, especially when they’re young. This can be very difficult at times… It take quite a while for work habits to become ingrained and for kids to develop intrinsic motivation — the satisfaction of a job well done.” “After a while, doing it all yourself leads to great frustration and a child who never knows how things get ‘magically’ done around the house,” agreed O’Leary. Taking the harder route at the early stage of establishing chores can lead to better outcomes as kids get older. Once you have created the concept of kids helping around the house, whether formally or informally, the question inevitably arises: Should kids receive an allowance for completing their chores? “A lot of people ask, ‘If you pay kids to do chores, is it bribery?’” said Meyerski. She prefers to think of it as “a reward for work.” In Meyerski’s opinion, children should receive compensation for some chores, while others should just be done because kids are part of the family. Additionally, the “payment” does not have to be monetary, but could be
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PAGE 6A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Beyond Grades..
What tools do students need to succeed in college?
A
BY MAJA TARATETA
s, Bs, GPAs, SATs, ACTs — it can’t be denied, when it comes to getting accepted to college, the alphabet soup of grades and tests do matter. But book smarts and standardized test results are not the only things colleges look at when determining if a student will be a good fit for their school. Experts agree: There are interpersonal tools, life-long learning skills and character traits that students should possess — abilities beyond
good grades that point to continued success, in college and life. “Grades are seen as a ticket to success,” said Mark Rosenblum, head of high school at the French-American School of New York in Mamaroneck. “Even though people are very complex and multifaceted, the focus is on grades. They are seen as some kind of guarantee that the child will grow up properly and have success in the future. But it’s not necessarily a negative thing. Grades can also be very motivating at a time when students may not be motivated by much else.”
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“While grades are a traditional way to measure academic achievement, they don’t always tell the entire story,” said Lillian Hecht of Collegistics, which provides personalized college advising in Scarsdale and beyond. “Context matters. Grades in isolation do not always offer a window on a student’s potential. School setting, the breadth and depth of academic options and class size are among many factors influencing student achievement and affecting the reliability of grades as an assessment tool.” “Alphanumeric grading systems lack
nuance and, therefore, often do not fully reveal a student’s ability or take into account extenuating circumstances,” said Collegistics partner Nancy Michaels. “Yet, in the absence of portfolio applications or narrative assessments, the transcripts — students grades and course selection — take primacy in the college application process.” It is a premise familiar to Susan Westlake, a tutor who prepares students for the SAT and ACT in Goldens Bridge. “For the purpose of communiContinued on next page
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cating to potential colleges a student’s commitment to academics, grades do matter,” she agreed. “The better the grades, the more choices of colleges and universities the student will have, and the greater the chance the student will have of getting scholarship money.” However, Westlake hopes to show the students she preps for college entrance exams that balance is key. “My hope for my students is that they view grades as one data point showing what they know, but that they are able to grow a love of learning and curiosity that drives them to want to learn more.” Indeed, there are many other skills, including curiosity and drive, that are critical to success in college and beyond. At FASNY, Rosenblum describes four sets of essential qualities he says are needed to succeed in college, a job and one’s personal life: academic skills, content knowledge, interpersonal skills and character traits. “To be successful in the world, all four are important,” he said. “Interpersonal skills are how students relate to others and are perceived and trusted as individuals. Character traits are needed to earn the interest and respect of others, which is critical to being a leader. Academic skills and content knowledge speak for themselves.” “In an increasingly global world, it is important for students to foster skills
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 7A that allow them to collaborate with other people who are different from themselves,” said Westlake. With technology helping to make the world a smaller place, students need to know “how to work together on a team with people who have differing skill sets and views. These tools are important because they are the same tools that are associated with being successful in college, in a career and in life.” Rosenblum concurs that being able to work in groups and being an effective group member are critical skills for students to achieve, but also cites cultivating open mindedness, genuine curiosity and empathy as additionally imperative. “All the things that go under healthy character,” he said. “In general, children are naturally curious, enjoy learning and are eager to take on challenges,” said Lisa Rodman of Collegistics, who cites developing time-management skills, the ability to set reasonable goals and expectations and working well with others as important skills schools and parents need to help students develop. “These basics are useful throughout a student’s academic career.” How indeed can parents help foster these capabilities in their children outside what is developed at their schools? “The same basic skills that are needed in the classroom are needed in life,” Westlake said. “Parents can encourage communication skills by having the whole family participate in
discussions at the dinner table; interpersonal skills by teaching kindness to others; decision-making skills by involving the children in planning family activities; and life-long learning skills by encouraging work and volunteer experience.” Promoting these strengths is not always easy for parents to accomplish, but a commitment to their development in the home is essential to fostering well-rounded children. “As parents, we know it takes time and patience to allow children to take on responsibilities and gain independence,” said Leslie Berkovitz of Collegistics. “Helping them weigh the pros and cons of a given situation, involving them in decision-making and problem-solving processes, and allowing them to experience the natural consequences of their decisions, within reason, all contribute to developing the independence and judgment needed for success in college.” “Parents,” said Rosenblum, “can hold students to values that are not always easy to enforce… Letting their son or daughter solve their own problems, helping them learn the trait of being a self-advocate and independence… Letting their children be advocates for themselves and be gentle guides on the sides.” These will be ever more important when children enroll in college, and many of them leave home for the first time. “At college, students will face
new situations, often in unstructured settings,” noted Ellen Golden of Collegistics. Students will be confronted with choices that are not easy to make, and will have to rely on character skills developed over time to make good decisions. “The hope is that students will have the tools and feel empowered to solve their own problems but will also recognize when they are in over their heads and ask for help when appropriate,” she said. The bottom line, according to the experts in college admissions, is that grades do matter, but so too do strong character traits and the ability to engage in meaningful interpersonal relationships. At Collegistics, they sum it up this way: “College admissions officers seek students who have changed themselves in high school,” said Rodman. And while grades and standardized tests do make a difference in admission decisions, “Numbers, however, do not give the whole picture and, more and more, colleges are taking a holistic approach to admissions.” Personality, character and curiosity, in conjunction with grades, help to showcase to college admissions officers a well-rounded student with potential for success in the future. Said Hecht, “Overemphasis on grades can cause students to become narrow, undermining the ultimate goal of education and future achievement.”
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PAGE 8A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
FAMILY TIME
If school’s in session… is it OK to vacation?
S
BY TODD SLISS
ome of the best travel times during the year are when school’s in session — things are quieter, lines are shorter, beaches are less crowded and you might even be able to score a nice deal. But are you prepared to take your kids out of class for a trip that could most often be done during a vacation week or over the summer? If you’re going to do it, recommends Roberta Long-Kelleher of Protravel International, do it while the kids are young. “If the children are in preschool, kindergarten, first, second grade, even third grade, it’s fine to take them out of school,” she said, adding, “For a couple of days when the kids are in the lower grades it’s fine because they really aren’t missing anything extremely important unless it’s a standardized test time. We’ve done that with our kids when they were little if we were getting a better deal or rate.” When the kids are older the schoolwork can be too much to take them out for more than a day or two. One of the ideal times for travel is between Thanksgiving and Christmas before everyone else is going away during breaks. “That’s a very nice time to go away,” Long-Kelleher said. “What hap-
pens is the weather is perfect in Florida and the Caribbean and the crowds are less. To me, that’s nice. I like when it’s not as crowded. You’re going to have fewer lines if they’re going to the buffet or at Disney. I prefer that time of year.” Popular travel times like Easter, President’s week and Christmas see warm weather and higher prices down south. But going a couple of days early can help you save on the flights, and the bigger your family, the more important it might be to save those bucks. “That’s an advantage definitely,” LongKelleher said. If you do choose to take the kids out for an extended period of time, in ad-
dition to bringing work and reading for you child to do while away so they still understand education is a priority — many teachers will give you assignments in advance, while others might be a bit grumpier about the whole situation — many resorts have educationbased kid clubs and activities. With the Ritz-Carlton the focus is the location, “always something about the environment where they are so they have a sense of place,” Long-Kelleher said. The Cayman Islands location has an underwater exploratory program. Four Seasons has something similar. Going on a cruise can often be better during a vacation time — more kids for
your children to play with. “We used to go on cruises during February break for a few years and the advantage to that is the kids meet other kids because they have the kids club and on the beach there will be other kids who are off from school as well,” Long-Kelleher said. Educational trips are becoming more common, but since they often need to be longer it’s tough to take the older kids out of school. “Now more and more parents want to experience the world,” Long-Kelleher said. “They don’t just want to say they’ve been there and done that.” Common destinations are the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Alaskan cruises and Hawaii. “There is a lot of adventure and hiking and biking on the island of Kauai,” Long-Kelleher said. Others include the Riviera Maya to see the ruins of Chichen Itza. And don’t forget about Paris. Lots of history and culture in both places. “I have families for their 16th birthday they will take their daughter or son to a special place,” Long-Kelleher said. “They’ll go to the museums and look at all the art. There’s a lot of education. And travel is the best education ever. If parents are open to that and encourage Continued on page 11A
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
BACK TO GERMS Continued from page 3A
The idea that germs are out there should not cause parents too much pause. “Remember that with a healthy immune system, as most of our children have, they can fight the typical virus with time and supportive care,” Richel said. “Most infections in children are caused from a virus, infections that are annoying, yes, but usually medically insignificant and not requiring antibiotics. When children get a virus infection, their immune system creates antibodies to that particular bug and, in the future, that particular one will not affect them. Of course, fostering good habits will help, such as teaching them to cough into their folded arm and not their hands. And they should avoid that sick toddler cousin that may be coughing and sneezing in their face.” Experts stress that the single most important defense against the spread of germs is the simple act of proper hand washing. “Hand washing is very important,” Rosenberg said. “Alcohol-based soaps are very good at destroying viruses
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 9A
and bacteria and don’t require water… You don’t have to dry your hands with these soaps and you don’t have to get water hot. People tend to wash their hands more if they have this option.” In fact, said Nolan, “The way the alcohol kills germs is the drying effect. You want it to dry, not wipe it off. The bacteria die from the drying.” However, if hands are visibly dirty, Rosenberg recommends “children should use soap and water.” Noted Nolan, “Soap and water create a barrier to the germs.” Richel is also a fan of soap-and-water hand washing, saying, “The value of hand washing with soap and water cannot be over-emphasized.” Some patients may complain of the drying nature of soap. “If one’s skin is dry after doing so, especially in the winter months,” he said, “moisturizing with lotion is acceptable to do.” When should hand washing happen? Children are advised to especially clean their hands in the morning, before lunch and when they return home from school, but as often as possible and especially before eating and drinking. Hand washing is high on the list of tips Continued on page 10A
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PAGE 10A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
CHORES
BACK TO GERMS
the earning of a special privilege, like selecting the movie on family movie night or going out for an ice cream treat. “We have a generation of older children who have a sense of entitlement — that we owe them something,” said Meyerski. “But this is a way to say to kids, ‘This is a way to earn your reward.’” Donahue also fields the allowancefor-chores question often. “My feeling is that we should ask kids to be responsible and pitch in from early on, without attaching any payment to this work,” he said. “As they get to age 7 or 8, if they have demonstrated a willingness to help out and follow through with their chores then it makes sense to begin to give theme allowance. This helps them to learn to manage their money and to understand their contributions to the family do have value.” Additionally, “When children volunteer for extra jobs and show a willingness to take initiative or go beyond their regular chores, it is reasonable to compensate them for their work,” he said. O’Leary also sees value in children earning an allowance. “I always gave my children allowance, which teaches the value of money and saving up for something, once they were older, say 8 or 9 years old,” she said. But this is different from paying for chores: “I never liked the idea that the allowance was payment for chores. It was a gift from
that the New York State Department of Health offers for “Keeping Your Germs to Yourself.” The department’s other advice includes: coughing or sneezing into tissues or bended arms, throwing tissues immediately into garbage baskets and staying home if you think you have the flu. But specifically, the department urges cleaning hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, which can make a big difference in protecting oneself from germs and avoiding the spread of germs to others. On another front, Nolan also stresses the importance of vaccines for children, including the annual flu vaccine, to alleviate the spread of viruses and their impact on children. “Flu season comes every year and whatever strain that’s circulating, there is a pediatric mortality associated with it,” she said. “About 40 percent of flu-related pediatric mortality cases have no recognized chronic health problems. The vaccine is not always a great match, but it’s better than nothing.” In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of pediatric flu-associated deaths occur in children who did not receive the flu vaccine. Vaccinated or not, getting back to cleanliness, however, is a vital key in stopping the spread of germs. “There is an element of inevitability with many viruses,” said Nolan. “But it’s always prudent to be hygienic.”
Continued from page 9A
Continued from page 5A
Mom or Dad for them to use or save. Chores were expected responsibilities for everyone to make the family work load lighter for all, leaving free time to do something special.” For many parents, their kids may already be doing chores as a part of their everyday family life without even realizing it. Every time children carry a bag of groceries into the house from the car or hang their clean clothes in their closets, they are completing chores and contributing to the work of the family.
“Parents don’t realize that kids are helping out already,” said Donahue. “When they watch their young siblings for a short time or take the dog for a walk, these are all important ways that kids contribute to the family. We should show our appreciation to them, and recognize when they are starting to pitch in to become part of the solution to problems not just the source of them.” Indeed, to quote Berkner again, “You can make it fun to do. Mom and Dad can help you too!”
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
FAMILY TRAVEL Continued from page 8A
their children, their children will learn a lot.” It worked for Long-Kelleher. Her daughter is now 27, her son 19. Her daughter spent a semester in London while studying at Syracuse. While in London she studied at the Globe Theater, in addition to traveling all over Europe. “Now she is actually a lead soloist on a cruise ship in Europe,” Long-Kelleher said. “She’s traveling and working and singing. She comes home a different person because she’s more well-rounded and well-educated and understands the world and people. There’s nothing like traveling.” Though you certainly need to be careful about where you travel these days, Long-Kelleher finds the world to be “a wonderful place” full of culture, sights, sounds and tastes. She wants families to travel “whenever,” and that’s “whether it’s for three days or three weeks. “Just to open themselves to the world, that’s the most important thing,” she said. “Also, not to have fear... Of course, there’s a lot going on right now, but it’s going on everywhere. Don’t stop traveling. And once they take their children and the kids are open to it and are exposed to the world they are going to want to do that as adults.”
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 11A
EDUCATION SERVICES Regional reps play key role for college admissions BY JANE C. HOFFMAN, MBA, CEP
M
ost admissions offices in colleges and universities are organized by region with admissions counselors assigned to geographic areas and identified as regional representatives. I live and work in Westchester County, where many of my clients attend high school. When I call a school to gain information on behalf of a client I’m often asked where I’m calling from. Since my response is Westchester County, I’m usually put in touch with the Westchester regional representative who is responsible for knowing all high schools in the county and handling queries from people in our area. That individual will also likely be one of the people later reading applications and making recommendations on the admission decision. Alternately, if that person is not available, I am connected to the counselor on duty for the day. Families are often unaware of the counseling role that good admissions representatives play. If students have questions, the Westchester regional representative should be their first point of contact. Students can enter into a dialogue, pose questions and
expect to receive informed and helpful responses. Schools use their regional representatives as part of their outreach to personalize the process for prospective applicants. Students should take advantage of the opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with their regional representatives. Doing so will put students on their radar and only contribute to the possibility of gaining admissions. It can be very helpful for students to introduce themselves to their regional representatives. In addition to mak-
ing recommendations on admission decision, they can later serve as a potential advocate during any admission committee deliberations. Since the Westchester regional representative is likely the host of school-sponsored events in our area, I strongly recommend that students attend, officially sign in and personally introduce themselves at those events. Students can also email their regional representatives directly. Rather than simply write an email of introduction early on in their process, students might want to send an email after they have visited the school and are able to share a few specific and positive impressions based on their own interests. And if they are not able to visit, they can use email to explain that and pose a targeted question or two or share something specific about their interest in that school based on their personal preferences and priorities. Contact information for regional representatives is usually available on the schools’ admissions link on their websites. Jane. C. Hoffman of College Advice 101 can be reached at Jane@CollegeAdvice101.com or 883-1573. Visit collegeadvice101.com.
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PAGE 12A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
5 hot trends in school supplies
DISCOVER your talents, your friends, your success at The Harvey School
Small School… Big Opportunities… Endless Possibilities. 260 Jay Street • Katonah, NY 10536 • 914.232.3161 admissions@harveyschool.org • www.harveyschool.org A coeducational college preparatory school enrolling students in grades 6–12 for day and in grades 9–12 for five-day boarding.
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School supplies have never been this stylish. Sure, you should stock up on classic highlighters and yellow pencils, but why stop there? Why not reach for a binder with an elegant rose-foil design or a zipper pouch with a sassy slogan? Will these expressive touches make your kid study harder? They can’t hurt, especially if it makes them even a teensy bit excited to hit the books and stay organized. Here is a roundup of some of the year's hottest trends for school supplies. Precious metals and metallic accents: Who says the pocket calculator has to be a style buster? The Maze Calculator is dressed up with glitter for an instant accessory. Look for fun accents, such as metallic pencils and pens. Better Binders are stimulating with holographic patterns. Even backpacks, lunch bags and zipper pouches refuse to be anything but fabulous, as seen in a line that comes in metallic silver by designer Cynthia Rowley, whose line of school and office products is exclusively at Staples. Tropical themes: This year's hot tropical look is popping up all over back-to-school essentials. Toucans, pineapples and palm trees can be found on notebooks and backpacks, bringing some fun into the classroom. A collection of beach umbrella pencils in hues of orange, purple, blue and yellow from Ticonderoga are a great accent to brighten up your student's day. Bohemian vibe: Bold, intricate prints
adorn Mead notebooks and Carolina Pad binders, evoking a romantic, freespirited, hippie-chic fashion sense. Expressive sayings about traveling the world are found on Gartner Studios notebooks, taking students out of the classroom and on their own personal adventure. Fun with LOL cats: Cat selfies and feline-themed vintage movie posters play up the laughs on C.R. Gibson one-subject and composition notebooks. But if cute and cuddly is what your child likes, there is plenty of that as well. Spiral notebooks from Carolina Pad feature cute, graphic prints of large-eyed pandas, foxes and hedgehogs. — BPT
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 13A
Fashion wiu a Flair From head to toe, BTS shopping made easy BY MARY LEGRAND
H
COURTESY OF LESTERS
ard to believe, but it’s time once again to get the kids ready for going back to school. And part of that process for many parents is going through their children’s wardrobes to ensure that clothing still fits and remains classroom-worthy. As a result, most children will make at least one shopping trip to add onto their wardrobes before school begins. A number of clothing trends are hot this fall, and local retailers are happy to advise parents on what their kids are looking for. Hannie Sio-Stellakis, public relations manager of Neiman Marcus Westchester in White Plains, spoke about Neiman Marcus’s “contemporary” customer, most often a teen or college student. She said the market for what that customer wears closely mimics the overall trends in women’s fashions this fall. Clothing items with ripe berry shades — “raspberry to blackberry” — are one of the most important trends for this fall, Sio-Stellakis said. As far as other trends are concerned, she added, “We’re seeing everything velvet, and we’re also focusing on fall florals, with bomber jackets across the board from the contemporary lines up through the designer lines.” Continued on page 14A
➊ This young lady dressed in a Flowers by Zoe blouse, Lauren Moshi tee and Flowers By Zoe lace bottom legging, and her pal in the Butter racer hoodie and DL1961 jeans are outfitted for school by Lesters in Rye Brook.
➊
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PAGE 14A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Fashion wiu a Flair
➋
➋ The Surell fur vest and
Uptown Sugar thermal tee are a perfect match from Lesters.
➌ Brandon is wearing a Billabong plaid shirt, a Hurley tee, Hudson Jeans and holding a North Face backpack, Anthony is sporting Under Armour shirt and Adidas pants, while Bailey is wearing Pinc Jeans, So Nikki tee, plus a Pop Trenz snack box at Neil’s in Scarsdale and Mount Kisco.
➍
➍ Taylor is wearing a Lola & Sophie top, A.G. Jeans, Dolce Vita booties and jewelry by Indigo Chic. Madison is keeping it real with James Perse tee, Generation Love bomber jacket, A.G. Jeans at Sam Edelman booties at Indigo Chic in Hartsdale and Rye Brook.
JIM MACLEAN PHOTO
➌
JIM MACLEAN PHOTO
Sio-Stellakis said she is seeing “a lot of gold, high shine metallic, this season, accents on shoes and handbags. It’s a pretty big focus. We’re also seeing a lot of chokers.” One of the big trends is called the adorned shoe by Sio-Stellakis. “There’s a lot of embellishment like beading,” she said. “Velvet is very big in footwear, with velvet booties and shoes popular for use throughout the fall. The same color trends apply, with deep jewel tones also very, very big, along with black velvet booties.” Sio-Stellakis said teens and young women will be wearing “flowy” dresses with voluminous skirts “that move.” The dresses will be often be in fall florals. Teens and young women have been flocking to Neiman Marcus in August “to see what we have lined up for fall,” SioStellakis said. “Our customers are also looking for key pieces, including a great jean or boot that they can carry through from fall to spring. Leather is always popular, and in seasons past there has been warm-weather leather that transcends into fall.” Elaine Andriotis, owner of Beginnings Bleus in Armonk and Beginnings Boutique in Scarsdale, spoke about a wide range of this year’s fashion trends. In addition to women’s clothing suitable for the “mother-daughter” crowd, she sells men’s clothing, too. “Thermals are big, as are skinny jeans for young men,” Andriotis said. “Crazy socks are huge, because the boys and young men wear their pants short. These socks have umbrella patterns on them, baseballs, footballs, fish, in all different colors.” Girls are “into the socks, too,” said Andriotis, the mother of children 17 to 29. “Cropped jeans are huge — they roll them up and wear them above a bootie; the sock goes above that.” Trends this year, according to Andriotis, include bomber jackets, which seem to be a universal observation by those interviewed for this article. Whether worn by males or females, the bomber jackets can be embellished with patches or embroidery, both of which are “huge” trends, she said. “Patches are big — they’re the perfect embellishment, no matter where they’re attached,” Andriotis said. “Bomber jackets can come plain but we can always put patches on them.” Andriotis said there can be basic similarities in children’s and teens’ fashion when compared to what adults would wear, but said differences apply. “Think of ripped jeans,” she said. “Everyone has them, but some clothing items are not appropriate to wear with them if you’re older.” She looks forward to the beginning of all seasons,
COURTESY OF LESTERS
Continued from page 13A
BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 15A
“But this is the time of the year when all the fun stuff comes in. Back to school is particularly exciting.” With the first day of school now close at hand, “This will be our big boost,” she said about the number of customers coming through the doors at the two Beginnings locations. “Everybody wants to wear what everybody else is wearing, wants to be part of it, I think.” Velvet is making a big comeback—velvet tops, velvet skinny jeans, Andriotis said: “And then there are the coated jeans too. Lace is very big, and the other thing is layering, putting a blouse or flannel shirt underneath the crop sweater.” The flannel shirts can come in many colors, with Andriotis seeing them in blues, reds, grays and greens. Accessories add interesting touches, and Beginnings has “lots of scarves, even for the guys,” Andriotis said. Look for tech gloves and cashmere gloves with skeleton patterns or hearts and stars. Stars are super popular, even on denim skirts. Chunky chokers necklaces, in different lengths, some adorned with leather, are trending now. Talking generally about fashion trends, Andriotis said skinny jeans “came in when Angelina Jolie was wearing them. It took forever for everyone to believe in them and now skinny jeans are pretty much the only things they wear. And every single company — high end, low end — has clothing featuring open shoulders.” Rene Shapiro, founder of Mixology, with shops in Scarsdale and the Rye Ridge Shopping Center, said her company’s customers range “anywhere from 12 to 64.” Shapiro echoed the feeling that fashion trends for girls and women “are definitely similar, just a little different. Everyone is going to wear offthe-shoulder or cold-shoulder tops. It might be a crop for a teen, but longer, more sophisticated for someone like myself. Everyone wears frayed cutoff jeans, but the younger version will have more rips.” Bomber jackets and anything with a frayed edge — from jeans and jackets to skirts — are also very strong, Shapiro said. Lace-up tee shirts or blouses are very popular as well. “Dresses are very popular, and the girls love wearing them with sneakers,” Shapiro said. “These can be tee-shirt dresses and they can be plain or have a lace-up in the front or a collar. Then there are also the mini-skirts, trending for back to school. As far as colors are concerned, we’re seeing a lot of olive, army green, lots of wine and berry tones. Of course, navy is always big, but this year it’s definitely the berry and jewel tones.” Mixology doesn’t carry footwear, but Shapiro noted that “all the girls are wearing Adidas, Sam Smith, with their little dresses and skirts.”
JIM MACLEAN PHOTO
➎
Continued on page 16A
JIM MACLEAN PHOTO
COURTESY OF LESTERS
➐
➏
➎ At Neil’s, Anthony leads the charge with a Nike Giants jersey,
Adidas pants, Banner 47 hat and Nike lunch box, Bailey goes with Butter sweatshirt and sweat pants, and Brandon rocks a Billabong sherpa hoodie, Adidas tee, Alternative Apparel joggers.
➏ Thanks for Lesters, her outfit is by Design History, Chaser, So Nikki and Steve Madden, while the young man is ready to go thanks to 7 For All Mankind, Chaser, Appaman, State and Converse.
➐ Taylor is ready for school with a Generation Love sweat-
shirt, leggings by Koral and sneakers by J. Slide. Madison is wearing a Lola & Sophie top with Lux Junkie tank underneath, leggings by David Lerner and jewelry by Indigo Chic.
PAGE 16A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Fashion wiu a Flair Chokers are the hottest trend right now in accessories. At Mixology, “They come in velvet and suede, or are crocheted and in metal,” Shapiro said. “There are long chokers that you can tie around the neck and hang almost like a lariat.”
Rachel Uchitel, owner of Wyatt Lily in Scarsdale, carries clothing for newborns to 14-year-olds. She does all the buying, hand selecting everything herself. “We pick brands that are different from other retail shops, making sure everything is in special fabrics that are stretchy, comfortable,” Uchitel said. “Kids don’t grow out of their sizes im-
➑ ➑ Brandon is wearing Duke sweatshirt, Adidas joggers and a Nike Elite backpack, Bailey So Nikki lace up top, Patch leggings and holding a Pop Trenz backpack, Anthony Under Armour pants, Under Armour sweatshirt, a Knicks hat and Knicks lunchbox at Neil’s.
JIM MACLEAN PHOTO
➒
JIM MACLEAN PHOTO
Continued from page 15A
mediately,” which pleases parents, for obvious reasons. Uchitel said that with brands like Imoga, which she called her favorite back-toschool line, “Kids can look really dressed up, but at the same time not overly dressed. They can put on a great dress and look so put together, but there’s nothing that fits uncomfortably.” This year’s trends include “a lot of faux fur,” Uchitel said. “Colors this sea-
son include navy with hints of gold, with pink and a little bit of burgundy. A lot of my items are in blues, pinks, lavenders, golds and silvers.” Wyatt Lily also carries Dori leggings by Dori Creations. The leggings, which Uchitel called “fantastic,” come in a variety of colors and patterns. “Patches are really in and we carry a lot of patches and stickers to put on book bags and backpacks,” she said. “We also have a custom monogramming department — you just wait 10 minutes or so. We can add monogramming, glitter, anything to a tee shirt or bag. Sometimes it’s the school name or child’s name, or for younger kids fun things like ‘King of Time Out.’” Mixology also carries children’s jewelry, along with hats, sweatshirts and “fuzzy, comfy sweatpants with football, baseball and soccer patterns,” Uchitel said. “For boys, we have really nice button-down shirts if they want to be more dressed up.” With all of these options, students will be ready, and then some, when the proverbial school bell rings for the first time in the coming weeks.
➒ Taylor finishes with a Generation Love top, J Brand jeans, Steve Madden slip on sneakers and jewelry by Indigo Chic. Madison ends with a top by Generation Love, Flying Monkey jeans, Dolce Vita boots, jewelry by Indigo Chic and bag by Inzi.
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TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Admission Open House Sunday, October 16, 2016 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:30 PM
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Saturday, November 5, 2016, 10am Saturday, January 21, 2017, 10am
Accepting non-French speakers: • In Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten: Bilingual immersion • In High school: IB Diploma Programme taught in English Bilingual Co-ed School • Nursery (3 years old) through Grade 12 Campuses in Scarsdale, Larchmont, Mamaroneck
greenwichacademy.org/admission
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 17A
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PAGE 18A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
SCHOOL REPORTS New BCSD leadership ready for success now and in future BY DR. CHRISTOPHER M. MANNO
I
Bedford Central School District Superintendent
t is with great pride, enthusiasm, and optimism that I begin the 2016-17 school year as the Superintendent of Schools for BCSD. In preparation for my arrival in July, and over these last two months of summer, I have had the opportunity to observe and experience the strengths of this school community. It is clear that this is a school community that is grounded in a shared desire to support, nurture and develop its students. It has been my distinct pleasure to attend numerous events, meet with various school/parent/community groups, and get to know the district’s leadership team and many of our teachers, engaged throughout the summer in preparing for the coming year. I see all the ingredients within this great school community for continued success: outstanding students; involved and caring parents/guardians; a supportive, engaged and active broader community; talented, creative, passionate and caring teachers and staff members; smart and solid school leadership; and a governing body staunchly committed to the district’s mission and students. I am entering the district with a clear
"I see all the ingredients within this great school community for continued success." and thoughtful transition/entry plan, grounded in the principles of leadership through learning, and leadership through relationships. I have planned opportunities over several months to learn as much as possible about the district. These activities will allow me to engage and develop relationships with students; parents/guardians; the school administration, teachers and other staff; our district governing body; regional and state education leaders; local and state officials; and, various school, community, faith-based and other groups/organizations. Here are some highlights and updates of our work over the summer: The BCSD Board of Education conducted its annual organizational meeting on Friday, July 1, at 8 a.m. in the Fox Lane Middle School Little Theater. The newly elected board members, Ms. Michelle Brooks, Ms. Pam Harney, and Mrs. Beth Staropoli, took their oath of office and were formally seated. The Governing Body elected its presid-
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ing officers, Ms. Colette Dow, president, and Mr. Brian Sheerin, vice president. The board added two new committees: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and Facilities and Construction. More detailed information can be found on the district website, www.bcsdny.org under the Board Docs link. The board met on Aug. 10 for a Workshop Meeting during which the board established Core Values and Team Commitments as a governance team. In addition to other business, the board also identified District Goals for 2016-17. Some key leadership changes have occurred in the district effective July 1: • BCSD welcomed interim assistant superintendent for business and administrative services, Mr. Greg Sullivan, who came to BCSD with a career of experience and success as a school administrator and business official. • Fox Lane High School is fortunate to have welcomed Mr. James Donnelly as interim principal. He brings to the position many years of school leadership
experience, including serving as superintendent of schools and principal. • BCSD’s very own Dr. Joel Adelberg graduated his last class at Fox Lane High School and has assumed the role as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. • Interim director of human resources and development Ms. Stacey Haynsworth has been hard at work ensuring effective processes and programs are in place to hire the very best employees, and to provide ongoing support and development. • Dr. Ed Escobar, interim director of pupil personnel services and special education, and Mrs. Deborah Dormady, interim assistant director of pupil personnel services and special education, worked hard to provide a valuable summer experience to a number of our special needs students, and are preparing diligently to provide the very best programs and services for our special education students come September. • Mr. Chris Coughlin assumes the role of interim director of athletics, health and physical education, and is preparing for the fall season and the start of the school year. • Ms. Sue Ostrofsky, an experienced principal from Mt. Kisco Elementary Continued on next page
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 Continued from previous page
School, joined the Fox Lane Middle School team in her new role as interim principal. She is diligently preparing for the return of staff and students. • Mr. Kweon Stambaugh, interim principal of Mt. Kisco Elementary School steps into the very big shoes of Ms. Ostrofsky, and is working closely with her and Mt. Kisco interim assistant principal Dr. Angelique Johnson to prepare for a successful school year for the children and staff. The district has undertaken several ambitious construction projects this summer, the third year of the $31.8 million dollar bond approved by the residents in 2013. At Fox Lane Middle School, renovations proceeded on the elevators, bathrooms, and roofs on the central building and on one-half of the gymnasium. The high school is getting a new roof on 75 percent of the facility. Also on the Fox Lane campus, the water system is receiving a major upgrade. The existing water tank is being refurbished, new valves installed and new pipes run to the buildings on campus. Talk about challenging! Watch out for the backhoes if you visit us. Finally, West Patent Elementary School is seeing the most extensive work. Unfortunately, the work has been impacted by the discovery of non-friable asbestos containing material. This means the material was not airborne nor did it pose any danger; however, it needed to be removed. The district is
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 19A working closely with its asbestos consultant to ensure that the building will be asbestos free. New science rooms, windows, lighting, heating upgrades, courtyard pavers, asphalt repairs and the installation of solar panels are all on the schedule. The asbestos abatement and other issues have caused delays to the West Patent project. School leaders have closely monitored the project timeline and status throughout the summer. I and Principal Berezowsky have kept the WPES community informed of progress and status via electronic newsletters. A final decision regarding the timeline for the opening of WPES will occur the week of Aug. 22. In an effort to enhance school and community communications, the community can expect to see enhancements to our district website, you can follow the BCSD on Facebook and we’ve initiated a new electronic newsletter for families called the Supt’s Scoop. Access to all information can be found at www. bcsdny.org. To see students, families and educators engaged in such a positive, collaborative and constructive manner in so many venues affirms my desire and enthusiasm to serve BCSD and optimism for a great year ahead. For those of you I have met, thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to meeting others. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email or phone. If you see me at an event, please say hello and let’s chat. Together, let’s make 2016-17 a great year for our students and school district.
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Knauer new head at Harvey School William J. Knauer became the Harvey School’s new head of school July 1, succeeding Barry Fenstermacher, who retired after 30 years as headmaster. In a joint statement, chair of the Harvey Board of Trustees Eileen Walker and trustee Maury Leone, the head of the search committee, said Knauer’s background, experience and leadership style provided “a nearly perfect match of the criteria established by the committee and the entire Harvey community.” Walker and Leone added, “In Bill, we see a leader of deep understanding, creativity and vision who will build upon the outstanding progress and growth Harvey has experienced under Barry Fenstermacher’s long and successful leadership.” Knauer comes to Harvey after serving the past four years as head of The Benjamin Franklin International School, a co-ed day school of 670 students in Barcelona, Spain. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1985 with a B.A. in linguistics and holds two master’s degrees, one from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English, the other from Trenton State College in Teaching English and English
as a Second Language (ESL). He also has a certification from Columbia University in Computer Technology and a Diploma de Cultura from the University of Madrid. Before going to Spain, Knauer was the assistant head at Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn. He previously taught in New York independent schools, including Riverdale Country School and Rye Country Day. Knauer’s appointment to the board was recommended unanimously by the 13-member search committee comprised of current trustees, parents, faculty and alumni. Knauer and his wife Eileen have a daughter who will attend Harvey’s middle school in the fall.
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PAGE 20A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
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SCHOOL REPORTS
KLSD values ‘compassion at every opportunity’ BY ANDREW SELESNICK Katonah-Lewisboro Schools Superintendent
I
n mid-July, a community member asked me why the flags at our schools were flying at half-staff. I was stunned to realize I couldn’t immediately answer. Tragic events around our country and the world were happening so frequently last month that I had to think for a moment about which had been most recent. As a school leader, my thoughts went to our students. How must they be experiencing this summer? In just a few days, our students return. Teachers, administrators and support staff will again partner with families in the work of helping children and young adults understand the world in which they are growing up. Knowing that children take their cues from the adults around them, it is more important than ever that we demonstrate compassion at every opportunity, reveal optimism for the future and provide the kind of stable and inspiring environment that is best for learning. In Katonah-Lewisboro, we are eager to welcome our students back on Sept. 7. Many of our staff have been working through the summer as we prepare for opening day. We have unveiled a new
website that we hope both staff and community will find easier to use as a resource for information and communication (www.klschools.org). Our district office has relocated to the high school, where we are significantly closer to most of our schools and more accessible for many in our community. Our new high school principal, Dr. Steven Siciliano, has been meeting with staff, students and parents as part of his entry process as he begins to consider plans for enhancing the already strong programs at John Jay High School. Teachers in grades k-8 have been involved in curriculum work as we prepare to roll out new math programs: Envision 2.0 in grades k-6 and Big Ideas Math in grades 7-8. We are expanding our collaboration with the Teachers College (Columbia University) Reading and Writing Project. Teachers at all grade levels continue to prepare for upcoming changes in science standards and a new social studies framework focused on inquiry learning. In the office of curriculum and instruction, our two new staff developers have been planning for how they will work with teaching colleagues across the district who are looking to innovate and expand their instructional strategies.
We are excited about the enhanced opportunities we will be able to provide for secondary students as we open world language labs in both the middle and high schools. Other facilities projects around the district this summer include a new roof on Meadow Pond Elementary School, a new kiln room at the high school and new playground apparatus at Increase Miller Elementary School (thanks to a generous donation from the PTA). When our staff and students return, our schools come back to life. Conversations again fill our halls and our classrooms, and together we build understanding — understanding of curriculum, of self and of others. New York State’s former Commissioner of Education Tom Sobol once said, “School is a place where we come together to learn, and the coming together is as important as the learning.” Following this difficult summer, his wisdom has never felt more applicable. Our public schools bring together the children and young adults of our communities. Together we learn from one another, about one another and perhaps most simply and importantly, to be with one another. In KLSD, we are looking forward to a great year of school.
The Bet Torah Nursery School program is designed to promote cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth of each child. An outstanding, nurturing and creative staff strives to provide opportunities for children to learn through play each day. The curriculum includes regularly scheduled visits by music, sign language, science and movement specialists. Special events throughout the year include Gan Shabbat family services, schoolwide assemblies and celebration of the Jewish holidays. Registration continues for the 2016-17 school year. Limited spots in Bet Torah Nursery School are available for families wishing to enroll their children in the 2s and 4s programs. Two-day, three-day or five-day morning classes are offered for 2-year-olds from 9:30-11:45 a.m. Children in the 4s program meet Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m.-noon, with extended day enrichment options. A new parenting program will be introduced in the fall for parents with their infants/toddlers. Bet Torah (bettorah.org) serves as a leading center for Conservative Judaism in Northern Westchester. Bet Torah Nursery School is located at 60 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco. Parents wishing to arrange a tour of the school or receive information about the program may call 666-7595.
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 21A
Sacred Heart Greenwich an ethicsbased international school Founded in 1848, Sacred Heart Greenwich is an independent college preparatory day school for young women from kindergarten through grade 12, with a coed early childhood education program. As an ethics-based international school, Sacred Heart Greenwich brings the world to each student. An unparalleled academic program exceeds the needs of the 21st-century learner and is constructed to support family values, honor tradition, inspire confidence and value all faiths. Come visit and see for yourself why it is the only age 3 through grade 12 school of its kind in Fairfield and Westchester counties. The outstanding faculty provides students with many opportunities for academic achievement in a nurturing environment. An international exchange program enables students to pursue their interests in world languages and culture. STEAM programs in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math provide students with opportunities to develop skills that will have a substantial impact on their lives, as well as the lives of others. Facilities include new classrooms, a new athletic center, a science center with fully equipped labs for all grade levels; an outdoor observatory; library/media center with Makerspace; theater; broadcast journalism studio; and individual
art studios for lower, middle and upper schools. An outdoor amphitheater for classroom use provides an opportunity for students to excel in public speaking and drama. Beyond the classroom, students are engaged in academic excellence facilitated by the national Online School for Girls, Blackboard Learn, Google Apps for Education and an online initiative within the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Sacred Heart offers a well-rounded approach to women’s sports and fitness that begins in the early grades focusing on physical fitness, wellness and ageappropriate collaborative activities before moving into competitive sports in middle and upper school. The school’s athletic teams compete in leagues in Westchester and Fairfield counties and throughout New England. Competitive team sports have been enhanced by a new 35,600-square-foot athletic center. Tour Days: Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1, 2016, and Jan. 12, 2017, from 9 a.m. to noon. Open Houses: upper school, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m.; kindergarten through grade 12, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m.; and the Barat Center for Early Childhood Education, Nov. 11, 2016, and Jan. 20, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. Contact Catherine Cullinane, director of admission at 203-532-3534 or admission@cshct.org. For more information, visit cshgreenwich.org.
Country Childrens Center Serving the needs of working families from Katonah, Bedford Hills, Goldens Bridge, Yorktown and Mt. Kisco for almost 50 years
Offering
Infant/Toddler Programs Pre-School/Pre-K Programs Music Programs/Piano Lessons Before & After School Programs Science & Technology Summer Day Camp & Swimming Lessons Back-up Childcare Programs Scholarships
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49 Clinton Avenue | Dobbs Ferry, NY | mastersny.org
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Iona Prep offers professional workshops Seeing the benefit that professional workshops have provided to parents and teachers at its own school, Iona Preparatory is now offering these programs to area Catholic elementary and middle schools. Schools can request programs on topics ranging from bullying to high school readiness preparation. Greg Quirolo, director of school counseling at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, said the school began the speakers’ bureau as a pilot last year and found it to be so successful that it has decided to expand it. He said Iona Prep believes sharing this valuable resource is in keeping with the school’s values. “Parents are looking for guidance in so many areas,” Quirolo said. “This program allows us to share in the mission of Catholic education with local Catholic elementary and middle schools.” Nancy Kessler, a longtime social worker at Iona Preparatory Upper School, is one of the professional speakers. Kessler has 30 years of experience working with parents and children as a counselor and presenter. She was recognized as an Unsung Hero by Westchester Magazine in its March 2016 issue for fostering student achievement through sensitivity, empathy and guidance. Kessler said the goal of her presentation is to help parents support their
children as they navigate the pre- and early teen years. She also shares tips for coping during what often becomes a stormy, stressful time for families. “I find that since life is so complex and busy, and parenting can feel that way at times, it is best to — as the expression goes — keep it simple,” she said. “I will break down some parent strategies we have all heard over the years into simple, easy-to-remember tips.” Other speakers the bureau offers are: • Terence Houlihan, a sought-after national and international educational consultant and speaker. Houlihan is a textbook author, Iona Prep school counselor and adjunct faculty member at Lehman College. • Quirolo, a former teacher and assistant principal with over 20 years of educational experience. Current workshops being offered include: • How to prepare for the High School Prep Experience • Bullying 101: An overview of bullying and victim behavior and strategies for middle school students to deal with the complexities of verbal, physical, emotional and cyber peer abuse. • Crucial Skills for Parenting Your Middle School Adolescent: The balance between dialogue and discipline or communication and consequences
• Tips for Parents of Teens: It’s All in Their Heads! • All students can, do and will succeed in Catholic Schools • The Developing Adolescent Brain: Implications for Middle School Educators. Last year, Iona Prep presented workshops to Saints John and Paul in Larchmont and St. Anthony’s in Yonkers. Fatima Gianni, principal of Saints John and Paul School in Larchmont, said the school was pleased with the presentations: “The Iona Prep Speakers’ Bureau has been an amazing resource for our school at Saints John and Paul. I encourage all schools to participate.” Reaccredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools in 2015, Iona Preparatory School k-12 sits on 37 acres of suburban green in New Rochelle, where it educates young men to be moral and ethical leaders. Iona Prep develops the whole person in the heritage of Blessed Edmund Rice and the American Catholic tradition to be lifelong learners, responsible to their commitment of service to others and confident in their self-worth, while being supported by a challenging and innovative college-preparatory curriculum in relationship with a dedicated and caring faculty and community. Visit ionaprep.org.
Cotrone is Soundview Prep executive director The Soundview Preparatory School Board of Trustees and head of school W. Glyn Hearn announced the appointment of Dr. Ken Cotrone as executive director this summer. Cotrone completed his sixth year as assistant principal of Byram Hills High School in Armonk. Prior to that, he was the English department chair of the Glen Cove Public School District, supervising middle and high school English teachers. Cotrone was previously an English teacher at public and Catholic middle and high schools in Eastchester and the Bronx. He received his doctorate in educational leadership from Manhattanville College and holds an M.A. in teaching from Manhattanville and a B.A. in literature and rhetoric from Binghamton University. Among Cotrone’s many priorities at Byram Hills were student wellness and the social-emotional needs of the student body. In fact, he played an integral role with the development of the Flexible Continued on next page
College Advice 101 Jane C. Hoffman, MBA, CEP Member: IECA, NACAC, HECA & WPRCA
Expert guidance to help students identify, apply & gain admission to the best colleges for them Examples of personalized services: • Provide resource binder & organization • Advise on high school course selection • Identify & classify schools based on the student’s academic profile, interests & goals • Prepare students for interviews & visits • Provide essay brainstorming & review • Help students complete effective, targeted & comprehensive applications • Teach how to secure merit awards from colleges www.CollegeAdvice101.com Larchmont, NY
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 Continued from previous page
Support Program for students who are struggling with the conventions of typical high school culture. Cotrone enjoys working with these students in particular, as he was once a student who shared a similar perspective. Further, Cotrone loves to find opportunities to empower students and work toward a greater cause. During the past two years, he started an Academic Integrity Committee consisting of students, teachers and parents. Their goal is to spread the notion of pro-ethical thinking within the context of academic integrity. Cotrone has enjoyed providing a platform for students to be vocal and develop a sense of confidence and purpose. Cotrone’s appointment marked the end of a search begun in September 2015, which included outreach to over 150 private and public school administrators. Soundview Preparatory School, founded in 1989, is an independent college preparatory school in Yorktown Heights for grades 6-12 offering a rigorous academic curriculum in a personalized environment promoting self-confidence and empathy for others. Classes averaging seven students allow individualized attention for all. Soundview offers numerous AP courses according to student interest. Recent college acceptances include Brandeis, Brown, Columbia, Duke, Muhlenberg, NYU, Oberlin, RISD, Sarah Lawrence, Skidmore and Yale. Visit soundviewprep.org or call 9622780.
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 23A
The Children’s School: joyfully growing hearts, minds Another year of learning is about to begin at The Children’s School, a school that, as one parent recently wrote, beckons children “to come here and grow.” Learning, however, at The Children’s School in Stamford, Connecticut, is about much more than academics. It is also about learning what you enjoy most, how you learn best and who you are inside. As head of school Maureen Murphy likes to say, “The school is about growing hearts and minds.” What does that mean, exactly? At The Children’s School, the “whole” self is nourished so young children begin to see themselves as worthy and valuable and see and treat others similarly. “We support each and every child’s drive to be seen, understood and appreciated by others,” Murphy said. “And at every turn, we encourage our students to do the same with others.” In the classroom, The Children’s School models respect at all times so it becomes a habit of mind, integral to a child’s way of being. You see respect in the way teachers talk to children — face to face, at eye level, using affirmative language. You see respect as children are taught to manage their emotions by using descriptive words to name what they are feeling. You see respect when a teacher gently redirects a child to find another approach with encouraging words. Modeling respect is foundational
for a child’s emotional well-being. Human emotions are sometimes viewed as less important than intellect, but The Children’s School does not subscribe to that view and pays attention to all the pathways of learning in everything we do, for deep learning requires emotional well-being. With this approach, the school is assured that
its students will go on to lead lives of meaning, purpose, accomplishment and service to others. The Children’s School’s clarion call is, “Come here and grow.” To which it might add, “In heart and mind.” Visit childrensschool.org or call 203329-8815 to arrange to visit 118 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, Connecticut.
School of the Holy Child
An all-girls, Catholic, independent school for grades 5 through 12
An Affordable Jewish Education for your child when you don’t belong to a Synagogue. Enroll your child now for the 2016-17 school year! The Children’s Jewish Education Group offers Jewish cultural studies for grades K-7, with emphasis on tradition, history and holidays. A professional teaching staff is supported by a parent co-op. Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons available. High Holiday services are celebrated. Interfaith families welcome. Classes held Sunday mornings at Purchase College.
Call now for more information or visit our website:
914-200-1520 www.cjeg.org
An affiliated member of the
Open House: Saturday, October 1 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how Holy Child students find joy in learning, attain academic excellence and are prepared to attend the nation’s most selective universities, including Georgetown University , Columbia University, Harvard, MIT, and more.
PAGE 24A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Ridgefield Academy launches innovative teaching, learning center
Westchester’s Musical Home! Comprehensive music education by a world-class faculty in a warm and familial environment ♪ Private instrumental and vocal instruction
♪ Musicianship classes ♪ Chamber ensembles ♪ Large ensembles including four orchestras and choruses ♪ Jazz instruction ♪ Adult instruction and enrichment programs ♪ Performance opportunities for all enrolled students ♪ Interview process to help find the best teacher for your child from our faculty of nearly 100 ♪ Lessons and classes offered Monday through Saturday ♪ Need-based financial aid available
Programs for Young Children 30 Week Classes ♪ Music and movement classes for Guppies (9 months—2 Years), twos, threes, fours
Ridgefield Academy (RA) recently launched its Center For Innovative Teaching and Learning, which addresses multiple goals from curricular review and teacher development to creating opportunities for student-centered learning. These goals fall under one mission: to provide teachers with the support and resources they need to be successful in today’s changing educational landscape so that students will be successful in tomorrow’s job market. Technology continues to advance, changing the way we acquire, learn and share information. Students today bring a different set of experiences to the classroom. There is a greater need for critical reasoning and creative problem solving for innovative, “out-of-the-box” thinking in all fields in the job market. The school’s educators adapted and developed new ways of teaching and learning that address these changes. RA formed the center with the intention of taking everything that has already been successful — an outstanding, traditional curriculum; passionate, knowledgeable teachers; and engaging learning opportunities — and building on it in ways that empower students, preparing them with the skills necessary to be successful in today’s world. One of the many ways the center is accomplishing this is by supporting studentcentered, hands-on learning opportunities. The reason is simple: when teachers shift from being content providers to les-
son and experience facilitators, students become active participants in their own learning. This approach has both exciting and significant implications for students and teachers, since knowledge is being applied in tangible, real-life activities. An example of a center-inspired lesson is Megan Maloney’s classroom veterinarian clinic. When her kindergarten students earned a class reward, they asked if they could bring in their “rest friends.” Maloney saw a terrific opportunity. Since the class was learning about community helpers and would have their favorite stuffed animals in school with them anyway, she thought she would turn the classroom into a veterinary office and engage the students in an active learning activity. To incorporate some of the design learning concepts she’d been newly exposed to by the center, Maloney enlisted the help of her students to determine what they’d need to create a productive veterinary space. Together the students listed areas they’d need from a waiting room and reception area to an exam space that would support a busy office. They considered items needed for each area, including patient checklists, clipboards, pens and books to read in the waiting room; doctor kits; phones to make appointments; and even keyboards that would be needed to input a patient’s history and mailing/email addresses. Continued on next page
SACRED HEART GREENWICH Confidence Values Tradition
♪ Getting to Know You: Exploring the Instruments for the fours and fives ♪ Recorder classes for fives and sixes ♪ Pre-Twinkler violin classes ♪ Suzuki program
New for this School Year: Get Calm & Focus! 14 Week Course for Students Grades 6-12 with Juna Bobby, M.D. Provides Students with tools and techniques that can help them cope, thrive, and achieve their full potential. The course teaches research validated skills based in neuroscience, positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and therapies such as cognitive mental training, meditation, exercise, nutritious eating, and restful sleep to boost resilience.
WWW.HBMS.ORG (914) 723-1169 HB@HBMS.ORG 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, NY
Upper School Open House Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:00 p.m.
K–12 Open House Saturday, Nov. 5 at 9:00 a.m.
Barat Center Open House Friday, Nov. 11 & Friday, Jan. 20
Where young women become global leaders An independent, Catholic college-preparatory girls’ school K–12 with coed Barat Center for Early Childhood Education CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART 1177 King Street | Greenwich, Connecticut | 203-532-3534 | www.cshgreenwich.org
BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 Continued from previous page
After reading several books about veterinarians and animal care, the students set up shop, taking turns as doctors and concerned pet owners. They completed checklists outlining their pets’ symptoms and even worked cooperatively to ensure that all pets were seen and that all students had a chance to try multiple roles. The experience was so successful that Maloney plans to create other experiences for the students, from creating a classroom post office to a grocery store. Students also spend time each week creating during Genius Hour and Innovation Lab, class times dedicated to
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 25A creative problem solving and experimentation. “Whenever possible,” said the center’s director, Basil Kolani, “we are asking students to think about the content that they’re learning and actually make meaning from it. That’s a much different thing than asking, ‘What’s the answer to this question?’” Ridgefield Academy is a co-ed preschool through grade eight day school serving motivated students from Westchester and Fairfield counties. The challenging program empowers children to realize their academic potential through technology and creativity, arts and athletics, innovation and diversity. For more information, visit ridgefieldacademy.org.
Portals Project coming to Greenwich Academy Coming in September, Greenwich Academy will be the first school in the United States to introduce the Portals Project. This innovative project allows students, faculty, staff and guests to connect via video-audio feed to communities around the world. Situated within a gold shipping container, the 20-minute experience essentially makes visitors feel as if they are in the same room with others from across the globe, specifically from Iraq, Rwanda, Mexico and Honduras. The Portal Project will also be open to the public by appointment only. Portals is one of many initiatives and programs at Greenwich Academy that supports its focus on the motto, “Toward the building of character.” Teaching the school’s girls the importance of global responsibility, awareness and empathy are themes emphasized both inside and
katonahartcenter.com
Katonah
outside of the classroom. In addition to this four-month project, Greenwich Academy’s state-of-the-art Engineering & Design Lab was developed to spark innovative thinking. Students of all ages are challenged to problem solve, experiment with new ideas, think creatively, take risks and in many cases construct ideas from their original designs. From dance to theater to the school’s premiere singing group, the Madrigals, GA offers a rich curriculum of classroom and extracurricular opportunities in the arts. Students are also actively engaged in athletics, with varsity teams in basketball, crew, cross-country, golf, fencing, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, softball, squash, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. Visit greenwichacademy.org.
ARTCenter
CLASSES FOR ALL AGES & LEVELS
65 Old Bedford Rd Goldens Bridge 914-232-4843
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT CARING Teaching the spirit of Judaism to Westchester and Fairfield children for over 20 years
Religious School for Grades K-12 Flexible programming to meet the needs of all families • Project-based inclusive learning makes religious school fun • One day a week for K-6 accommodates busy family schedules • Classes available Sunday, Wednesdays, & Thursdays for flexibility • Teen Youth Groups to keep our young adults engaged • Music & Services whenever school meets to encourage a love of Judaism
Classes for 2, 3, and 4 Year-Olds Art ~ Nature ~ Music ~ Movement ~Science ~ and Reading Readiness • Developmentally appropriate curriculum • Nurturing, experienced teachers • Creative outdoor play spaces • Large enclosed organic garden for our “Grower’s Program”
For more information, please call 203-438-6589 or contact Leslie Gottlieb, Director of Education, at Leslie@OurShirShalom.org or Jane Emmer, Early Childhood Center Director, at JaneEmmer@OurShirShalom.org
46 Peaceable Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester and Fairfield Counties is a vibrant, warm and inclusive Reform Jewish community energized by the union of Jewish Family Congregation in South Salem, NY and Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield, CT
PAGE 26A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Finding da Vinci at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan Fred Noyes told the auditorium filled with St. Luke’s students, “I was a biologist and now I’m an architect. It’s all the same. Everything is design.” Noyes was raised in New Canaan, Connecticut, and studied the work of great modern architects such as Marcel Breuer, Philip Johnson and his own father, Eliot Noyes. He spoke with St. Luke’s students as a part of the school’s Finding da Vinci: A Design Thinking Experience. Joining Noyes as presenters and mentors for the da Vinci program at St. Luke’s in New Canaan, Connecticut, were artist Fritz Horstman, Philip Johnson Glass House curator Irene Mei Zhi Shum, environmental graphics design-
er and creative director of ARK Projects Ryan Kundrat and architect Marianne Shin. “Be messy and try lots of ideas,” exhorted Horstman. “That’s how you’ll see the potential in a project.” St. Luke’s designLab director Michael Mitchell explained the Finding da Vinci concept: “This program is intended to spark our students’ imaginations. We wanted to expose them to the thinking of great designers and then let them unleash their own creativity. We gave them a real project — create a sculpture for our science wing lobby that represents the intersection of art and science.” Once concepts have been fleshed out, the St. Luke’s community will vote for the design that best represents the
convergence of art and science. That concept will be shared with a team of professional fabricators, builders and architects who will help guide the design from concept to reality. “We have no idea what this creation will be,” Mitchell said. “It’s still percolating in the minds of our students.” Mentor Marianne Shin shared with students an Einstein quote that captures the spirit of this design thinking experience: “Logic will get you from A to Z. Imagination will get you everywhere.” For more information about St. Luke’s School and the St. Luke’s designLab, visit stlukesct.org.
Building a 21st-century student at The Long Ridge School A Time Magazine cover story, “How to Build A Student for the 21st Century,” identified four areas essential for students to become successful citizens in a globalized world: thinking outside the box, becoming smarter about new sources of information, developing good people skills and knowing more about the world. Although the discussion about 21st-century skills is often reported as breaking news, The Long Ridge School curriculum has been graduating students with these four skills since its founding in 1938. The Long Ridge School is an independent co-educational school for 2-year-
olds through grade 5 just 1 mile from the New York border in Stamford, Connecticut. LRS works with each child’s natural curiosity to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, believing children should explore, experiment and experience the joy of learning in a caring and challenging academic community. Small classes that span two-year age groupings allow students to work at different levels within a single class, while providing individual attention. The school’s greatest strength is the expertise and dedication of its faculty. The teachers at Long Ridge have an average of 24 years’ teaching experience
and most hold advanced degrees in early childhood or elementary education. The classroom teachers are supported by specialists in art, music, science, Spanish and physical education. The Long Ridge School teaches students to think independently, to learn how to learn and to participate actively in their own educations. Long Ridge students are motivated, successful individuals who score well on nationally administered achievement tests and graduate well prepared for their next schools and a lifetime of learning. Visit longridgeschool.org or call 203322-7693.
Alliance Française: a language school and more Alliance Française of Westchester in White Plains is a language school and more — it’s a place to share an interest in all things French. For children and teenagers, it’s a place to enjoy language learning. Classes are age-appropriate for children from nursery to high school. All teachers are native French speakers. Children hear French spoken as a living language and there is an emphasis on communication. For teachers at the Alliance, French is not an academic subject, but a part of daily life. Classes are small, giving each student a lot of opportunity to interact with his/her teacher. For adults, Alliance Française of Westchester offers classes from beginner to advanced. There are also book clubs, discussion groups, cooking classes and special events, plus intensive language courses for travelers to Francophone countries. The Alliance Française of Westchester is a member of the Alliance Française, based in Paris and founded in 1883. There are more than 1,000 Alliances world wide, devoted to teaching French language and culture. An open house will be held in September. Visit afwestchesterny.org for date and time or email info@afwestchesterny.org.
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BACK TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
THE RECORD-REVIEW | PAGE 27A
Setting up a great back to school transition with your child BY DR. RAY HUNTINGTON It’s back to school time, which can be a source of nerves and excitement for many children. A little preparation can go a long way, however, to making your child feel comfortable and optimistic. Here are five tips for setting the stage for a smooth transition back to school this fall: 1) Start with an open conversation. Rather than launch into a one-sided lecture about what you expect from your child this school year, ask how he or she is feeling — and then simply listen. If your child brings up fears or struggles from last year, be supportive and positive. Offer encouragement by letting your child know that no problem is insurmountable, that
together you can work through any issues and that the start of a new school year is a fresh beginning. 2) Make a list of goals for the year. Focus all goals on making improvements (raising a grade or becoming more organized) rather than reaching achievements (getting all A’s). Also make sure to break big goals into smaller steps. If your child wants to become better at math, what does he or she think are the necessary steps to make that happen? 3) Get organized at home. Now is the time to get your home ready for the new school year. Have your child tidy up his or her desk and make a list of supplies that need restocking. Hang a family/school calendar in a central location and manage
school paperwork with an inbox or folder. Finally, designate an area for unloading backpacks and organizing papers. 4) Get the brain school ready. The last couple of weeks before the new school year begins, have your child look over last year’s textbooks and assignments for subjects such as math and science — even if just 10 minutes each evening. If the reading has waned over summer break, re-establish that nightly habit as well. 5) Consider creating a school year contract. The switch from summer leisure to a school schedule can feel abrupt for many children. Set expectations and goals through a written contract that outlines your child’s responsibilities as a student, how you will support your child (and how
you will not) and anything else you think is important to address (such as screen time or extracurricular activities). It doesn’t take much to get your child mentally ready to return to school with a positive and motivated outlook. Make sure to model enthusiasm and optimism for a great year ahead. Assure your child that with hard work and a good attitude, good things will happen — and if problems arise, you will work together to correct them. Dr. Ray Huntington founded Huntington Learning Center in 1977 with a mission to give every student the best education possible. Visit huntingtonhelps.com or call 1(800) CAN LEARN.
Music Conservatory of Westchester introduces several new classes Music Conservatory of Westchester, a not-for-profit community music school in White Plains, will roll out several brand new classes for those interested in new and contemporary music. The offerings are aimed to expand musical horizons through the basics of jazz theory, harmony and improvisation. Students can explore their unique compositional voice and write original music. A music appreciation class is also available as are new large and small ensemble options including, respectively, Latin Jazz and Jazz Big Band and Jazz Combos and Rock Band. “We offer groups of every shape and size, from rock or jazz band, to Latin Jazz
and Big Band,” explained Doug Bish, dean of students and faculty. “We’ll match you up with compatible players and you’ll receive weekly coaching with a member of our outstanding professional faculty. You’ll grow as a musician and have opportunities to perform." For those jazz lovers, there’s also a jazz theory and improvisation class in which students will learn the evolution of improvisation and discover how jazz greats like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane mastered their art. “You’ll develop new ways to practice your instrument, understand the blues, use complex harmonic ideas and structures, and improvise in
styles such as bebop and cool jazz,” assistant dean Jake Robinson said. The conservatory is also offering a songwriting workshop for grade 7 to adult, which will enable students to create and perform their original compositions. There is also a young songwriters class for those in grades 6 to 8. For those who want to share their love of music, music appreciation class Cover to Cover will discuss a different classic album — from Bowie to the Beach Boys. The conservatory will also hold group classes in guitar and piano for teen and adult beginners. There is also a new Top 25 Classics for Bass class for students
who can read music and want to perform classic tunes. Also offered is instruction in all styles of music on all instruments, including piano, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, harpsichord and organ. “Our highly qualified teachers use an individualized approach for each student, based on age, goals and learning style,” Bish said. Tuition to the lessons includes free music theory classes, discounted performing ensembles and free student performances, including rehearsals with a professional piano accompanist. Visit musicconservatory.org.
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PAGE 28A | THE RECORD-REVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 – BACK TO SCHOOL
Invest.
Inspire.
Ignite.
I AM IONA PREP. Invest In An Education that Offers Financial Returns From the moment your son enters kindergarten through the moment he leaves for college, Iona Prep is preparing him for a great college experience. Iona Preparatory is Westchester’s only all-boys, K-12 Catholic School. Boys thrive in the active learning environment offered at Iona Prep, where teachers help students channel energy into constructive learning. Our strong and innovative college-preparatory program — based on Catholic values — is also an investment in your son’s future. We offer exceptional academics and a robust athletic program that has resulted in our students earning valuable academic and sports scholarships to top schools.
In 2016, 76% of Iona Prep seniors received academic scholarships* to colleges, often exceeding the cost of their four-year Upper School tuition. Students received an average of $54,633 in individual college scholarships and a total of more than $23 million for the graduating class. They also received athletic scholarships to attend Division I and II schools. *National average for college scholarships is 45% of graduating seniors.
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