Nov 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Members of the Scarsdale High School Community:
I am pleased to present the first Quarterly Update of the 2023-24 school year. The first quarter saw many student activities, prominent among them the Tenth Annual Global Citizenship Day, designed by a committee of teachers and featuring many teacher-designed presentations and outside speakers, as well as our International Luncheon with many of our parents and PTA volunteers providing key support. Our Community Dinner provided students, staff members, and parents with a unique opportunity to connect and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.
We continue to work on our “Off and Away for the Day” cell phone initiative. The foundation we had from last year’s work provided the context for our rollout of cell phone organizers in each classroom in which students can deposit their cell phones at the beginning of class. In my observations, this practice has had a significant impact in improving the learning environment in our classrooms, as students are not distracted by a buzzing phone in their pockets and are able to more robustly engage with their classmates in learning activities. Students have reported the positive impact on their attention and focus, and I appreciate the widespread support this initiative has garnered from teachers and parents. We look forward to welcoming Jonathan Haidt to our school on January 8 and having him present to our students, faculty, and community on this important topic.
Early next month, on December 5, students will take the School Climate Survey to help us gauge the extent to which we have an inclusive school community in which students feel a genuine sense of belonging and equity. Faculty and staff have already taken this survey, and parents will also be asked to participate. More information on this survey is forthcoming. The results of this survey will help us direct resources and tailor programming in the future.
Below, please find updates from each department on the work they’ve been doing so far this year. Please accept my best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season to come.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Bonamo
Principal
Alternative School
The A-School began its year with our annual student Orientation, and this year it was held in our new beautiful space located in 1N4/6. A big thank you to our Facilities Department and the SHS custodians who worked tirelessly over the summer to ensure our community space was ready to go for this school year.
Our student organizers, Brandon Cascade, Ava Feldman, Dani Goldman, Jake Gordon and Janani Vittal, created a warm and welcoming environment for our new and returning students. Their focus was on building cross-grade relationships and introducing the philosophy of the Alternative School.
This bonding and learning continued during our annual Outing to Camp Kinder Ring, where students had a day and a half to engage in activities and conversations. From a scavenger hunt to tag games our student leaders Charlotte Aldridge, Tyler Hughson and Ava Shandler worked hard to ensure that our Community felt connected.
Finally, the A-School would like to extend a warm welcome to our new office assistant, Maria Atkinson. She comes to us from Lakeview Elementary School in Mahopac. The students and staff are excited that she has joined our team!
Art
The art department has mounted its first gallery show of the season. Works from students in grades 9-12 are exhibited. There is a variety of creative expressions, including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, animation, graphics, architecture, and photography. The art department offers a rich program with classes in several mediums. Please come by and see the exciting and imaginative work on display. SHS Art Department Website.
Athletics
For the first time in recent memory, Cheerleading has produced 5 All-League and 2 All-Section athletes during the Fall Gameday Season. Football and Girls’ Volleyball completed their seasons as Sectional Quarterfinalists. Field Hockey had a strong year finishing as Sectional Semifinalists. Girls’ Soccer performed well sharing a League title and ended their season as Sectional Semifinalists. Individual students on the girls’ track team and swimming and diving team advanced in their respective competitions. Boys’ Volleyball completed their season with League and Section titles, losing in the subregional championship to the likely State champion. Boys’ Soccer secured the League, Section, Region, and NYS Championship for the 2nd year in a row. In Girls’ Tennis, two students earned the Sectional Title and were State runners-up as a doubles team. In the team competition, the Girls’ Tennis Team won their League, the Section, the Region, and the State for the third consecutive year. Congratulations to all of our student-athletes on these remarkable accomplishments.
Counseling
The beginning of an academic year is always hectic, and for the Counseling Department this year has been no exception. We welcomed our newest ninth graders during orientation, and are working with them in Freshman Seminar and Civ-Ed. Our programming for seniors began as well, including our introductory meeting regarding the twelfth grade logistics of the college process, senior workshops, FERPA check in day, College Essay Workshop, and individual college conferences. And of course, we are continuing our work with sophomores and juniors, supporting them in their academic and personal journey. Our developmental approach enables us to meet students where they are, and to provide programs and structures that allow for ongoing counsel and guidance.
Several Deans were also able to attend the National Association for College Admissions Counselors annual conference, held this year in Baltimore, Maryland. We were able to visit a few schools beforehand, touring campuses and holding conversations with senior admissions staff. The conference itself provided the opportunity for professional development and networking with hundreds of colleagues, both on the high school and college admissions side. Topics included AI, the Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action, and many others. These opportunities allow us to get a sense of the latest trends, maintain ongoing professional relationships, and allow us to provide insight and context about our students and programs.
As the year progresses, we are looking forward to our continued individual work with students, the many programs we offer to parents, and our ongoing commitment to professional growth.
English
So far this year in English classes, teachers have sought to introduce students to stories that will both interest and challenge them. Students have encountered books that run the gamut from the classic (Lord of the Flies, Hamlet) to the contemporary (Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow). Juniors have focused in particular on texts that explore the complexities and contradictions of America. They were introduced to such figures as John Proctor from The Crucible, Sethe from Beloved, and Jay Gatsby. It is a true delight for teachers to present such rich, thought-provoking texts to a fresh audience each year.
Other highlights from first quarter: students in Stephen Mounkhall’s American Studies class read Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried as a complement to their study of the Vietnam War in history class. They also analyzed Spielberg’s 2017 film The Post, deepening their study of the war by learning about The Pentagon Papers while analyzing the narrative choices made in the film. Meanwhile, as part of a study of storytelling in world religions, students in Ms. Jakymiw’s ninth-grade classes have been learning about how symbolic patterns are used to commemorate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. Together with Social Studies teacher Ms. Claussen, Ms. Jakymiw and her students will use chalk to create geometric rangoli designs outside the Brewster Road entrance. This annual joyful tradition will take place during the second week of November.
Global Opportunities
Our international programming was in full swing as school kicked off this fall. On October 6, we celebrated our Tenth Annual Global Citizenship Day with 68 sessions led by guest speakers, student groups, SHS faculty and staff. In addition, students and faculty alike reported having been moved by the message of our keynote speaker, celebrated author Colum McCann, who was interviewed by a panel of SHS seniors. Sessions dealt with the rise of antisemitism, creating legislation, AI issues, community service experiences and a myriad of other topics. To view the full schedule of the day, click here.
The goal of the day was to educate our global citizens and future leaders about the world around them and hopefully move them to action: Awareness, Advocacy, Action! In the middle of the day, we celebrated our international community with the annual International Lunch. All leftover donations, along with the meals to go made by our Habitat For Humanity Club, were given to the CSA Community Services Soup Kitchen in Mt. Vernon.
On October 7 we welcomed 20 students and teachers from IES San Fernando High School in Madrid, Spain as part of this year’s Spanish Exchange program. Our student ambassadors and their families developed deep cross-cultural connections and are staying in touch until our group arrives in Madrid in February. Also in February, a group of students and faculty will visit Iceland to study culture and geothermal energy.
We have also kicked off our virtual international experiences with a Zoom program exploring the impact of social media apps on the lives of teens. The program was hosted by a high school in Beijing, China as a member of our new global network Round Square. In addition to SHS and the host school, it included students from Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bermuda, Australia, India and South Africa. Student participants reported learning new perspectives and enjoying making those connections with their peers from around the world. More virtual and experiences abroad will be offered as the year continues. Our next one is scheduled for December exploring UN SDG 5 -Gender Equity. Students can find opportunities for upcoming experiences in future email communications or by reaching out to Ms. Heather Waters at hwaters@scarsdaleschools.org.
Health and Physical Education
During the unit on nutrition, Mr. Tulley’s 10th grade Health classes investigated the topic of food insecurity. Students worked on collaborative research projects where each group was tasked with exploring a different cause of food insecurity. Some examples of root causes that students researched were climate change, armed conflicts, inequality, and wastage of food. Through their research, groups defined their problem, analyzed how it impacted food insecurity, discussed connections to health disparities, and offered ideas for improvement strategies and/or solutions. Their findings were then presented to the class in a carousel format.
The SHS PE Department is excited to welcome everyone back to school! We are very happy to share that our juniors and seniors are now in an elective-based PE program. Our elective courses have been revived after several years with a new format, and have been positively received by our students and teachers. This year, our juniors and seniors are enrolled in two semester-long elective courses based on requests they made last year. The elective courses include the following options: Dance & Movement, Fitness & Personal Performance, Outdoor & Adventure, Racket & Net Sports, Target Sports, and Team Sports. Overall, we had an exciting first quarter as our students were engaged with their minds and bodies in active and healthy learning!
Library
The school year is off to an exciting start with 9th grade classes coming for orientation, science research students kicking off their research, and English classes coming for independent reading book selections. We also have a new member of the library team, Pauline Maloney, who has beautified the library with various book displays and has also instituted a Halloween contest. Students have been eagerly entering by matching musicians/bands with lyrics. The winner, whose answer sheet will be pulled from a jar and must have the correct answers, will receive a decorated pumpkin, adorned with lollipops.
In September, during the ALA’s Library Card Sign-up Month, we welcomed Scarsdale Library’s Teen Services Manager Jennifer Brinley and their new Teen Librarian Jane Hennessey to the high school. Almost 30 students took advantage of this opportunity, and we’re hoping more, who don't have cards or whose cards have expired, have done so since.
Mathematics
Ms. Ying’s 423 geometry classes enjoyed playing the True/False Logic Game she designed for disjunctions and conjunctions in the logic unit. This game also incorporates the concept of probability as two other student volunteers roll True/False dice that determine the truth value of a simple statement. Students were thrilled to bring abstract concepts of logic to life.
Math 442 students explored algebraic applications, graphical applications and real world applications of the average rate of change. They reflected upon important takeaways from the two lessons and designed their own real world applications in the fields of health care, criminal justice, economics, real estate and environmental science.
Math 441 students are learning about normal distributions and Z scores. They are working on a project to showcase their understanding of the unit. Some projects include examining salaries, heights and sleep cycles.
In Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Li's Linear Algebra classes, students completed an electrical circuits project where they applied concepts learned in class, including how to represent a system of equations using a matrix and how to solve the system using elementary row operations. For the project, students were also taught physics concepts such as the difference between series vs. parallel circuits; how to draw a schematic diagram, build a circuit using an online simulator, and measure the amperes and voltages using an ammeter and voltmeter, respectively. They also applied Kirchoff's Current and Voltage Laws to write the system of equations which represented the circuits they created. A third project on cryptography involved using matrix operations to encode and decode a secret message to send to each other,
On Thursday 10/19, we had our first Westchester Interscholastic Mathematics League (WIML) meet. Students who place in the top 30 in the county are invited to attend that annual New York State Mathematics League (NYSML) Championship, which is held in April. We are always welcoming new members, so students who are interested in joining can email Mr. Greenberg (sgreenberg@scarsdaleschools.org) so they can be added to the Google Classroom.
Music and Performing Arts
The Band program is proud to have fourteen students representing Scarsdale alongside musicians from across Westchester County in the Area All-State Honor Band and Orchestra!
The Varsity Band is learning new songs and welcoming new members. Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble are preparing for their December concert. Wind Ensemble students will perform at the state capitol in Albany this March as part of a concert series celebrating music in New York’s public schools.
The Choirs began joint rehearsals this month to start working on our combined repertoire (totaling almost sixty singers)! In addition to our team building and musical practices, seniors had the opportunity to step out on Global Citizenship Day as they walked over to Fox Meadow to make some music with the entire 3rd grade. The Concert Choir seniors really took the lead in teaching these students a song, some of our warm ups, and a few team building games!
Acting classes have been working together on stage presence culminating in their stand-up comedy anecdotes. The SHS Drama Club has been rehearsing for Matilda which will feature challenging music and choreography as well as students from grades 9-12 in named roles! Matilda’s community outreach event on 11/4 broke a record for participation, featuring a hilarious day in the life of a student at Crunchem Hall.
Theater Tech students are hard at work building the set, hanging lights, stitching costumes, and making music for Matilda. We are revamping space to be streamlined for set building and prop & costume storage; and we’re preparing for new lighting equipment to arrive over the December break(in preparation for next summer’s auditorium renovation!). We made terrific use of our first Saturday Build Day of the season (October 21) and look forward to our very first Theater Tech Field Trip to Purchase College (December 1).
Psychology and Social Work
The Psychology and Social Work Department (PSW) is embarking on its second year as SHS’ newest department, and we are looking forward to building on the many programs we initiated last year. To maintain that momentum, PSW staff participated in summer professional development, including working with colleagues in the English and Math departments regarding our collective work with students. At the beginning of the year, we initiated an outreach to all members of our school community, inviting them to participate in one of our skills based groups - “Riding the Wave” (anxiety based group), DBT, and Executive Functioning. All groups are currently running, and we hope to have another cohort during the second semester.
Several PSW members led a faculty presentation in early October, describing our individual and group work with students, as well as our process in working with students who may be facing academic or personal challenges. To that end, members of the PSW developed an FAQ Document, describing our Pupil Support Team (PST) and 504 Accommodations request process. We worked with Dr. Ben Lovett, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Columbia University to review our approach. The document is a culmination of that work, and we hope it is a helpful guide to students and families who are looking to learn more.
The clinicians of the PSW are looking forward to working with all our students, and invite you to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about the student in your life.
Science
On Global Citizenship Day, physics teachers hosted the world-renowned theoretical physicist, Sylvester James Gates Jr. who is best known for his work in supersymmetry, to share his personal and professional experiences on how race plays a role in physics. With the recent historic 6-3 decision on June 29th, 2023 by the United States Supreme Court to end a decades-long precedent of the use of affirmative action in college admissions, Dr. Gates felt more compelled than ever to speak to college-bound students. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion for this groundbreaking case, for which Dr. Gates received a citation in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court (2016) in response to the question, “What unique perspective does being a minority student bring to a physics class?”
Dr. Gates shared his own real-world accounts of how affirmative action helps to promote increased “imaginative capacity” that would otherwise not exist if cultures were not able to come into contact with one another. He first understood the inequity that exists in education after visiting a neighboring high school for a chess match, as a student who attended a segregated all-black high school in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Gates further engaged with our students by sharing problems in string theory that hadn’t been solved since the 1990’s, which he and his doctoral students at Brown University used innovative ways to solve. He emphasized that problems often go unsolved because we are not thinking about them with enough different perspectives. Achieving demographic diversity at higher education institutions is one of the ways we can ensure different perspectives and better solution outcomes.
Social Studies
Senior classes in the Social Studies department began the year with engaging assessments that challenged students to think critically and creatively. In Food for Thought, seniors studied the serious environmental, economic, and health consequences of our industrial food system. They then researched and created documentaries and video or print PSAs on one element of sustainable agriculture for the “Some Good News” project. The project culminated in a film and food festival in the Little Theater accompanied by healthy food. Elizabeth Harris’s 12th grade Living in America students just completed a unit on media literacy, in which they taught their classmates strategies for deciphering the truth in a time of "viral" politics; misleading statistics, polls, and graphs; "fake" news, images, and videos; and the 24 hour news cycle.
In a special event on Wednesday, October 18th, the Advanced Topics American Government and Advanced Topics Constitutional Law classes met with Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah. The classes were able to hear from Ms. Rocah about her experiences as both an elected DA and as a federal prosecutor. The conversation involved discussions about how those offices engage in criminal investigations, determine whether or not an indictment is warranted, and return to previous cases when new evidence emerges that might exonerate an individual as part of the broader pursuit of justice in our legal system.
Special Education
The Learning Resource Center started the year welcoming our ninth grade students and helping to promote their smooth transition to high school. Our newest students quickly found their way around the building and the LRC has been busy providing support to them, as well as all of our students. We also welcomed our new parents at the “9th Grade LRC Parents Welcome” hoping to promote a smooth transition for them as well! The night provided an informal forum for parents and LRC teachers to meet and talk about the high school and the role that the LRC plays in their child’s journey through SHS. An overview of services was provided to the parents, followed by a Q&A segment.
Our seniors have been busy finalizing their college applications and making sure that they are meeting the various submission deadlines. We have attended many college meetings with the deans and are helping our students navigate the process as they prepare to make their own transitions next year. We are not quite done with them yet though, and we continue to work with them to build their toolbox of resources, skills and strategies.
LRC teachers are also busy exploring new workshops and training sessions to keep abreast of the latest trends in special education. Some of the topics covered include strengthening reading comprehension, understanding graduation requirements and developing executive functioning skills. We are looking forward to continuing our learning and professional development as the year progresses.
STEAM
This year’s focus in the Design Lab will be working to solve problems that impact the world globally. Our network of partners, from last year’s Global Entrepreneurship Challenge has deepened our connection to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This year, we are exploring new ways to use the UN SDGs in our design courses to allow our students to make a real impact on our community and world through this framework.
In Human-Centered Design, we are using SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production to solve problems in sustainability around the high school. Students have been deeply exploring opportunities in waste reduction, single-use products, and upcycling through observations, interviews, and talking with sustainability experts Ron Schulhof and Michelle Sterling. Their deep insights into the issues will be used to create proposals and spark solutions for change.
In Social Entrepreneurship, we are taking a broader look at the SDGs with students looking to create products or services for a range of topic areas: from food insecurity to social inclusivity for people with disabilities. Our students have been taking deep dives into learning about these social issues and are beginning to reach out to local experts and discover what opportunities they can solve. We are excited to see what insights they discover and propel them into creating innovative solutions!
Lastly, I would like to welcome our two new teachers to the STEAM program: Tabitha Sasso and Dr. Jigar Jidav. They bring years of experience teaching engineering and design thinking and giving students authentic learning experiences. We are excited to have them on our STEAM team and will continue providing students with the best experiential learning! SHS Design Lab Website
School Government
School Government has had a fantastic start to the new school year! The day before classes, we kicked off with Ninth Grade Orientation and focused on Scarsdale’s motto of non sibi by leading incoming ninth graders in a service project preparing backpacks for Lifting Up Westchester. On the first day of school, School Government officers ran a highly successful Back to School BBQ with free food, live music, free SHS water bottles, and over 350 high school students in attendance! The high school also experienced a lively pep rally in September, honoring fall varsity sports teams and featuring faculty and student groups. In late September, the class governments held their elections. With the new group of class government officers, School Government ran a morning of Leadership Training to promote the skills of leadership, communication, and collaboration. We held a three day, lunchtime club fair where all the SHS clubs had an opportunity to advertise their missions to the entire student body. We did all this while planning our annual Community Dinner, and this year the School Government has chosen to donate all proceeds from the dinner to Bread of Life.
World Language
Bonjour, salve, ni hao, buenos días! We are off to a very busy and exciting start to the year in World Languages!
Many Spanish students have been learning about the Mexican cultural tradition el Día de los Muertos. Students are creating original artwork as well as completing written and speaking activities revolving around the spectacular Ofrendas that decorate the 4th floor at this time of the year. Teachers use these Ofrendas as a tool for students to practice their language skills and learn about an important cultural tradition. This year’s Ofrendas are dedicated to notable figures from the Spanish speaking world.
Many French students are also building upon their understanding of cultural diversity by examining the distinctions between French and American culinary traditions and family structures in the Francophone world.
Some Mandarin students have been working on a shopping and food unit, getting ready for their upcoming field trip to Chinatown to use their language skills in an authentic setting.
Other Mandarin students have been working on a health unit and exploring the similarities and differences between the Chinese and American medical systems.
Some Latin students have been learning about life in ancient Rome and have lately been reading stories about going to the chariot races. Others have been learning about mosaic making and the lives of people in the outer provinces of the empire. Students in Linguistics have been debating the role that language plays in shaping thought as well as the value of linguistic diversity and the race to save endangered languages.
Our WL clubs are off to a wonderful start as well. The Latin club hosted its beginning-of-the-year Convivium to welcome new and returning members for an afternoon of games and refreshments to kick off a new school year. The French club held an opening picnic and is planning a "feuille de gratitude" (gratitude tree). The Spanish club is exploring service opportunities with Centro Hispano in White Plains.
Last, but certainly not least, our school wide multicultural luncheon on Global Citizenship Day was a smashing success and provided tasty international fare for all. Huge thanks to the International club, the PTA, Ms. Guo, Ms. Reef, many of the WL teachers and all of the language clubs for their assistance organizing, serving and bringing in delicious dishes.