District: All Students to Achieve Standard of Literacy by 2012

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. February 26, 2007: The Mission Statement, Core Values and Strategic Objectives of the White Plains City School District, as created by the Core Strategic Planning Committee February 7, 8 and 9 at a three-day, closed-to-the-public-and-media meeting have been reported in the new issue of White Plains Public Schools for February, out today.


The Number 1 Strategic Objective is that all students will achieve challenging district standards of literacy across all disciplines by 2012 (4 years). To put this objective in perspective:


 

 


 In 2005, 75% of all 4th grade White Plains students passed the 4th Grade ELA test, and that  percentage dropped to 70% in 2006. In 2005, 82% of 4th graders passed the Math, and in 2006, 75% of 4th graders passed the Math.


At the eighth grade level, in the  ELA Assessments in 2005, 53% passed the ELA Assessments and 63% passed the Mathematics. In September, the state reported that in the 2006 ELA Assessments White Plains 8th graders passed at a 58% rate, up 5%  while  in the Math Assesssment scores the 58.5 % of WP eighth graders passed, down 5%.


An action committee or committees will be assigned to determine how this number 1 objective – district standards of literacy across all disciplines (however the district chooses to define it) will be achieved.


Strategic Objective 2 seeks that All students will continually choose to explore and enrich communities, and Objective 3 is All students will choose to apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems meaningful to them.  No details of what the Core Committee means by these statements were reported.


The newsletter identifies  the following Strategies, reporting that the Core Committee has decided that the district should:



  1. Gain the understanding and commitment of all employees to achieve our strategic objectives;

  2. Align new and existing resources, both internal and external, to accomplish our strategic objectives and mission. 

  3. Align and develop curriculum to achieve our strategic objectives and missions.

  4. Continue to develop and capitalize on leadership capacity within the system at all levels to sustain commitment to the strategic objectives and mission.

5. Develop an open and ongoing communication process that results in all stakeholders believing in the value of a White Plains City School District education and actively participating in reaching our strategic objectives and mission.


 The Mission, Stragic Objectives and Strategies were defined by the Core Planning Committee, consisting of  Peter Bassano (Board of Education member), Lenora Boehlert (Superintendent Cabinet member), Sheryl Brady (parent), Victor Brady (student), Kerry Broderick , LaShiela Brown, Bill Carter, Vicki Cignarella, Benny Cipriano, Leonard Coleman, Timothy Connors (Superintendent of Schools), Leslie Davis, Leroy Dixon (WPHS Assistant Principal), Margaret Dwyer (Superintendent Cabinet member), Malula Gonzalez, Terri Klemm (Principal, George Washington School), Suzanne Laser (WPHS ), Melissa Lopez (Mayor’s Office), Mary Marquis, Marianna McCormack, Donna McLaughlin (Board of Education member), Jorge Mejia, Alberto Minotta (WPHS), Ana Montoya, Charlie Norris (Parent), Randy Patterson, Jerry Rosen, Dorothy Schere (former Board of Education member), Lesley Tompkins (WPHS), George Tsuji.


The Mission seeks to educate and inspire all students, while nurturing their dreams, so they learn continually, think critically, pursue their aspirations and contribute to a diverse and dynamic world.


The Core Committee found the district Core Values to be that:


All people have intrinsic value; celebrating and embracing diversity enriches live; all people can learn, grow and contribute; every choice matters, and people are responsible for their choices; respect, honesty and trust empower; when people serve the community, both the individuals and the community benefit; and high expectations promote high achievement.


Rosemarie Eller, a Board of Education member writes in the newsletter that now that these long range goals have been set by the Core Committee, Action and Management Teams will be formed to implement and measure progress towards the goals agreed upon.


No timetable as to when these Action Committees will begin to meet was announced.

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School Budget VoteMay 15. 2 Board Seats Up for Election. Petition Now

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 WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education, February 26, 2007, EDITED: The Annual White Plains Board of Education Budget Vote and Election will take place on Tuesday, May 15th, 2007, Noon to 9 P.M., at six voting districts.  Two Board seats — will be up for election, each with a three-year term of office, beginning July 1, 2007.


Candidates must be United States citizens, 18 years of age or more and residents of White Plains for at least one year.  Petitions are available from Michele Schoenfeld, District Clerk, at 5 Homeside Lane.  They must be signed by 100 qualified voters and returned by April 25th.



Registration, for qualified voters new to the City, or those who are not registered to vote in general elections, will take place on Saturday, April 28th, Noon to 5 P.M., at Mamaroneck Avenue School, Nosband Avenue.  A resident who has moved within White Plains during the last year may also change his/her voting address at that time.



Absentee ballots are available by application to the District Clerk, for any voter who will not be in White Plains during the time of the election.


 For further information, please call 422-2071.

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Skyliners Skate Sleek, Fast and Powerful Take 1st in Nationals Short

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WPCNR RINKSIDE. February 23, 2007:  The Skyliners Juniors, the tri-state synchronized skating team carded a season’s best 56.54 in their  PROUD MARY short program to take first by .07 over the Colonials of Massachussetts, the Hockettes of Ann ARbor Michigan, in third and Chicago Jazz in fourth and Team Braemar of Minnesota , fifth  of 13 teams in  the 2 minute 50 second short performance. The Chicago Jazz was fifth. Going into tonight’s long program The Skyliners will skate POSEIDEN for the last time with an opportunity for a great showing in the United States Figure Skating 2007 Synchronized Skating Team Championships in Colorado Springs.


For the USFSA story on the skate go to http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=37710



EASTERN CHAMPS THROW UP THEIR FIRST GREAT SKATE. NOW THEY NEED ANOTHER: After a slow start, the Junior Skyliners commanded the ice, skating their lines and blocks fast, and showcasing their edges for a technical score of 36 and a solid 56.54 overall. It was their best performance of the short program all year long. They have one great skate under their belt. Now they need the skate of a lifetime. The Skyliners are shown here after winning the Eastern Synchro Championship in January. The Skyliner Juvenile teams skate today the Novice team skates tomorrow, the Juniors attempt to break a virtual 3-way tie for first after the short program tonight in a spirited, closely matched Junior division.

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Council oks Greico Contract, Police OT, Boot Ordinance, Cappelli Maps AF Plan

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. Written by John F. Bailel, Special to WPCNR from Don Hughes. February 23, 2007: The Common Council, despite Rita Malmud’s objections that they had not gotten the paperwork on the agreements in time, voted to purchase the Greico property Thursday evening in the third Special meeting of the Council called in the last two months.


The Mayor bluntly informed the Council  in a shouting barrage, when Council President Malmud complained about the short notice given the Council to review the arrangements with Greico and that there was no exact purchase price established, or how the city was going to pay for it, that the council responsibility was representative, and the Mayor’s office was “administrative” and he wasn’t going to change that and they would just have to deal with it.


The Mayor pointed out that the 45 day agreement the Trust for Public Land had negotiated with the Greico family in which the city would have the opportunity to purchase the proberty was due to expire in 15 days and that was why the urgency of acting last night was required. The Mayor did not explain why it has taken the city approximately a month to draw up the paperwork.


The Super Developer Explains it All


The Council received a visit from the Louis Cappelli who presented his analysis of his announcement last week that he wanted to build 23 units of apartments on the existing retail floor of the City Center Garage. Cappelli said it was unlikely that the affordable housing at the Pinnacle would be built at this time and that he (Cappelli) was protecting himself by moving to build the 23 units now. He said he could build them within 9 months.


The Super Developer said that if The Pinnacle should go ahead and build the affordables they plan for 260 Main, that he would sell the new City Center Garage units at market rates. Should the Pinnacle be unable to build the affordables at 260 Main, Cappelli would turn the new 23 City Center Garage units into affordable housing, enabling him to meet the affordable housing quota he is required to build as part of his approval for the Ritz Carlton project. Cappelli added that since he was approved for 600 units at the city center, and has only built 500, that he did not need Common Council approval to build the 23 units in the City Center Garage, because he already had that right. Our reporter, advised the Council was in agreement with Mr. Cappelli’s analysis.


The County Planning Department it was learned from remarks by Susan Habel, White Plains Commissioner of Planning, is checking into Ginsburg Development (builders of The Pinnacle) request for $2 Million towards their $17 Million it would take to build the 42 units of affordable housing, and according to Habel, found that the County Attorney has said this is not legal.


Cappelli added that to meet the requirement he build the other 19 units, he would build those at the buildings he as acquired on Main Street across Court Street and across from Macy’s.


Police OT


The council also approved $50,000 in additional Police overtime for patrol of The Galleria garage, and approximately $200,000 in other police overtime, which our reporter says is included in the budget.


Boot for Scofflaws Parked OT


The council also approved a new ordinance allowing the city to immobolize (or boot) scofflaw cars found to be parking overtime. Previously the law only allowed scofflaw cars to be booted if they were illegally parked.


The subject matter of the executive session was not revealed. 

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White Plains Sectional Doubleheader at County Center March 2

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WPCNR COURTSIDE. February 22, 2007: The White Plains High Boys and Girls basketball teams will commence finals play in the Sectionals next Friday March 2. The boys, after taking out New Rochelle Wednesday, 77-56, will meet Number 3 Poughkeepsie at 3:00  and the White Plains Girls, after knocking off John Jay East Fishkill yesterday will play Scarsdale at 4:45 PM.

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Common Council Takes Up Greico Prop/ Garage Aff Housing/ Park Issues 2Nite

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WPNC CITY HALL CIRCUIT. February 22, 2007: The Common Council will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 at City Hall to discuss Police Overtime, the puchase of the Greico Property on Silver Lake, the Louis Cappelli affordable housing project atop the City Center Garage, and new parking ordinance — plus hold an executive session on the possible acquisition or sale of land. The agenda:


COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA


SPECIAL MEETING


FEBRUARY 22, 2007


6:00 P.M.




RESOLUTION:


 


1.       Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to the purchase of 4.5 acres of property near Silver Lake Park and known as the Grieco Property from the New York Trust for Public Land.


 


2.                 Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains expressing the Common Council’s support for the acquisition of open space within the City pursuant to the Open Space and Natural Resource Policy of the City of White Plains and authorizing the Corporation Counsel to prepare a contract for the acquisition of the open space parcel known as the Grieco Property from the New York Trust for Public Land.



DISCUSSION:


 


3.       Application submitted by LC White Plains LLC for an amendment to a previously approved site plan of the “Development Site” known as the Air Rights Building.


 


4.       Proposed amendment to Compensation and Leave Plan.


 


5.       Community Development Rehabilitation – YWCA.


 


6.       Parking: Advertising; proposed Towing Scofflaw Ordinance; proposed change to Traffic Ordinance.


 


7.       Budget Transfer – Police Overtime.


 


8.       Entertainment of a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the proposed sale or acquisition of real property.


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BOARD OF ED REPORTS ON STRATEGIC PLANNNING.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education. February 22, 2007:  Superintendent of Schools Mr. Connors thanked the 30 people who participated in the three-day Core Committee session last week (Jan. 25-27), to develop a blueprint for the long-range future of the district. Details will be shared in an upcoming districtwide newsletter and on the website.  The community will have an opportunity to provide feedback and to serve on committees which will develop action plans and the processes to evaluate them.  The result will be a comprehensive plan to be submitted to the Board for approval in November.  Mr. Connors thanked Teresa Niss and Jennifer Gray for coordinating the effort. 


              


A number of Core Committee members were present at the meeting and expressed great

     excitement about the session.  Some excerpts:


              “I was so proud of the student participants, who were remarkably articulate, thoughtful leaders.” 


  “There were many different opinions but everyone worked together for what is best for our kids.”


              “It was a powerful experience and I applaud the Board for making it happen.” 


  “It made me proud to be part of the White Plains community.”    


               “lt was time to give something back to the community and now I feel part of it.” 


  “The community needs to be patient — we won’t have answers tomorrow.  Work with us….” 


 

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Skyliners–Eastern Junior Champions & Team Image Skate at the Synchro Nationals

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WPCNR RINKSIDE. By  “Edge” Bailey. February 22, 2007: Some 70 young ladies from Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey’s Skyliners Synchronized Skating team and Team Image from the Yonkers Figure Skating club begin competition for the National Championships in Colorado Springs today. After spending the first four days on the “front range,” adjusting to the altitude and putting together practices on the World Ice Hall, the area’s elite most team-like teams are ready to try for that one great skate at the 2007 United States Figure Skating Synchronized Skating National Championships.



2007 Eastern Synchronized Skating Champions — The Skyliners Junior team..working on their “Wheel” at Playland Ice Casino in preparation for taking the ice at the Nationals Tonight in Colorado Springs for their Technical Program. The Juniors, 1st in the Providence Eastern Championships, will be skating with 14 of synchronized skatings elite teams Thursday and Friday. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 



The Juniors are Champs of the East on the ice after their great skate in Providence Rhode Island at the end of January in the Eastern Championships, nosing out the amost equally excellent Icemates by a blade.



Skyliners Working their double line over and over at Playland Ice Casino last week.


The Skyliners Coach and Choreographer Josh Babb has been working the Junior team hard to fine tune their Technical and Free Skate programs to get closer to the top four teams they skated against at the Dr. Porter Classic in December in Ann Arbor, the International Qualifier in Lowell, Massachussetts and of course The Colonials. They have had extra  practices and longer practices each week for the last three weeks, finishing off with 9 hours of practice last Friday and Saturday before winging to Denver and on to Colorado Springs Monday.


 



Skyliners Skating to Poseiden to Win in Their Last At Bat in Providence.


 



Executing the Spread Eagle Intersection



Waiting for the Results of their Free Skate in Providence on the SynchroTron



Skyliner Juniors kiss the Providence Ice after their Eastern win.


 


The Skyliners ecstatic about their first ever Gold Medal in the Junior Division, have refocused themselves in hopes they can execute two great confident skates tonight and tomorrow. There is such a fine line between a great skate and a disaster in synchronized skating where everyone has to pull together and one ice nick or a soft patch can wreck an element.


The teams are graded by the judges who have the benefit of instant replay to seewhether all skaters in a line were performing the footwork in synch, or whether one was not putting her edge down or getting that twizzle or mohawk (footwork moves) precisely right. Synchronized skating is the truest team sport there is. All skaters have to execute the same, and when they do not the deductions come and whole elements circles, intersections, lines can fail to get “called” lowering their score. 


The girls traveled to “The Garden of Gods”  Tuesday afternoon and enjoyed the breathtaking views of Pike’s Peak. And spent their time enjoying each other’s company and of course, practicing.



Skyliners Enjoying Brunch in Providence before their winning skate.



Celebrating their win late Saturday night in Providence. What a feeling! Those smiles say all the work is worth it.



Parents celebrate too — simply pleased that their daughters were able through their daughters’ own hard work and effort achieved the feeling of winning a prestigious championship or achievement. It does not get any better if you’re a parent — seeing your children succed on their own and achieve happiness — well it might!


 


Tonight the Juniors take the ice for their Technical Skate to Proud Mary — and a season of growth, achievement and pride and learning — not matter what the result will continue. Two great skates, back-to-back are their goal that they will always remember. 

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County Reaches Out to Prepare for Empire State Games This Summer

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WPCNR SPORTS. From Westchester County Department of Communications. February 22, 2007: Westchester County is gearing up for a spectacular event right in its own backyard, and you can be part of the excitement. This summer up to 6,000 amateur athletes and 15,000 spectators will pour into Westchester for the Empire State Games, the largest amateur sports competition second only to the Olympics.
        The games, a multi-sport event for New York State amateur athletes now in its 30th year, will be held for the first time in Westchester from July 25 through 29. From scorekeepers to medical personnel, more than 1,000 volunteers are needed to work at the 21 venues across the county including colleges and county parks.
 

 


           “It’s really thrilling to have an event of this magnitude right here in Westchester County,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “It’s been two years in the making. Now that we are in the home stretch we’re calling for volunteers to help make this historic event a success. This is an ideal way for sports lovers to participate while not competing.’’
           In a major outreach, the Empire State Games committee is contacting high schools, colleges, sporting associations, recreation departments and local governments to recruit volunteers. Those interested in volunteering should visit  – www.empirestategameswestchester.com  – the county’s special Empire State Games website where volunteers can sign up on line as well as get information about the games.


             “We want to make it easy for people to get information and sign up to volunteer by using this new website,’’ said Spano. “The website also has information about the local venues, accommodations for the visiting athletes and their families, as well as online sign up forms for volunteers. The website will be continually updated. It’s the place to go for everything you want to know about the Empire State Games in Westchester. 


          Volunteers are needed in many different areas including:


·        Media Center – volunteers to enter daily data of competition results.


·        Communications Support – ham radio operators to assist with communications, work with medical personnel.  Operators must have a current Technician class or higher license.


·        EMT – volunteers specific for Emergency Medical Technicians.


·        Medical Support – volunteers who are certified athletic trainers, student trainers, physicians and physician assistants.


·        Sport Support – volunteers are needed to be timers, scorers, table help, linespeople and fill other capacities.


Volunteers who register electronically at www.empirestategameswestchester.com  should follow to the volunteer link.  They can also have an application mailed to them by calling 914-864-7149.


Visitors to the website can also find up-to-the minute information about the games, learn about sponsorship opportunities, sporting events and venues, opening ceremonies, local athletes (when announced), tourist accommodations and county parks and other area attractions. 


Spano said bringing several thousand athletes and their families to the area in summer should boost the local economy with added business for restaurants, hotels, retail stores and entertainment and recreational venues.


In all, 31 different events, from archery to wrestling will take place at venues, including SUNY Purchase, Pace University, Manhattanville College, Iona College and Westchester Community College.  Other sport locations include the Playland Ice Casino Tibbetts Brook Park, the Westchester County Center and Glen Island Park.


The games are a program of the New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.


For more information, visit the new website at www.empirestategameswestchester.com or follow the Empire State Games link on the county’s homepage at www.westchestergov.com  or call 864-7000.


 

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Disciple of Schear Sought. Nominate Advocates of Affordable Housing.

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. From Westchester County Department of Communications. February 21, 2007: Nominations are being accepted through March 15 for a new award to honor the late Stanley Schear, a long-time affordable housing advocate.


  The award will be presented at the first annual Stanley Schear Legislative Breakfast on April 20 at the Woodlands in Ardsley by the Senior Housing and Services Coalition of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS). Nominees can be individuals or organizations.


  The coalition will also propose legislation at the breakfast regarding affordable housing and senior housing services.


Schear, who passed away last year at age 77, was the coalition’s chairman and guiding spirit for many years.  The coalition has held legislative breakfasts in past years, but permanently renamed the event as another way to honor him.


 


Through his work with DSPS, Schear helped to bring more services and activities to senior apartment buildings. He was especially gratified that some buildings were also able to have senior service coordinators. 


Schear was also a community activist who championed the needs of the homeless and fought to ban racial discrimination is housing. In addition, he founded and directed the Bridge Fund of Westchester which enabled those at risk of becoming homeless to stay in their homes.


Schear was director of the LIFE Program (Living Independently for the Frail Elderly) at Family Services of Westchester at the time of his death. Over the years, he lived in Scarsdale, Briarcliff Manor and other Westchester communities.


Co-sponsoring the breakfast with DSPS are the Westchester Non-Profit Housing Coalition, Family Services of Westchester and Woodlands Senior Housing.



 


Nominees for the award must have exhibited vision and action that  has produced a measurable outcome in one or more of six areas: advocacy for people in need, skill building to assist in greater independence, service coordination in linking people to community resources, respectful and compassionate quality of service delivery, philanthropic achievement and coalition building.


To receive a nomination form, contact the Housing Action Council at (914) 332-4144.  They must be returned by March 15. 

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