WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT. From The Board of Education, Compiled by Michele Schoenfeld. (Edited) March 13, 2006: In addition to last week’s budget considerations, the Board honored 86 students whose teams had averages of 90 or better. They represent Men’s Swimming & Diving, Men’s Track, Women’s Track, Ice Hockey and Wrestling. 

Scholar Athletes Listen warily March 6, as Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, Joseph Casbarro, explains the procedure for acceptance of the Student Code of Conduct planned for this fall. Code transcript is within this article.  Photo, WPCNR News.

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In other Board of Education Matters:

BUDGET:  Mr. Connors and Assistant Superintendent for Business Terry Schruers presented new information on revenues received from the City.  They shared options for applying projected revenue from PILOTS and will present this to the Annual Budget Committee this week for reaction.  Mr.

Connors thanked the Mayor and the three City departments which have been very helpful. (See previous WPCNR Story.)

NEW MATH PROGRAM:  Math Coordinator Lee Weber presented the new sixth grade Math Program and invited parents to a program on March 22^nd  at the Highlands School to learn more about it.  After realigning curriculum maps, a rigorous course of study has been prepared, along with professional development in the new curriculum and in Differentiated Instruction.  Sixth grade will have Advanced and Regular Math and criteria for entrance into the Advanced program will be clarified and expanded.  All students will be challenged and supported.  The Board Curriculum Committee has been discussing the project and supports this new direction to raise standards.  The approach has been found to be remarkably successful, with clear results.

China Exchange:  High School Social Studies Teacher Susan Altman provided background on a proposal for a foreign exchange trip to China.  With assistance from Foreign Language Cooridnator Joan Kass, and Social Studies Coordinator Lois Gordon, she has been working on a program with Suzhou High School, in a suburb of Shanghai.  The goal is to foster cultural under-standing and global citizenship, not only through the trip, but via videoconferencing.  Ten students  would travel to China in April, 2007, and Suzhou students would come to White Plains that fall.  The high school would also offer classes in the language for a larger group of students.  When details are finalized, the Board will be asked to approve the trip.

PERSONNEL:  JoAnn Doherty, Director of the New York Presbyterian Hospital Program, was awarded tenure.  Assistant Superintendent Joseph Casbarro described Ms. Doherty as “a very special administrator and leader who loves her students and respects parents, staff and colleagues.”  He added that no challenge is too great for her to tackle and she is committed to creating a stable environment for students who really need that. 

STUDENT PLEDGE DUE BY FALL:  Dr. Casbarro reviewed a revised Athletic and Co-Curricular Pledge, required  for student participation in activities, which the Board and administrators have been working on for many months.  Copies are available from Dr. Casbarro’s office and feedback from students, parents, coaches and administrators should be directed to him or to Board members.  The Board plans to adopt  a revised pledge in time for next fall. 

The Proposed Athletic And Co-Curricular Pledge:

The athletic and co-curricular activities at the Middle School and High School are integral parts of the overall educational program of the White Plains City School District. Participation in these activities is a privilege granted to students who maintain scholarship and citizenship within the rules and regulations of the District.

The District expects that you will uphold our high standards of academic eligibility and abide by the rules specified by your coach/advisor. As a participant in an athletic and/or co-curricular activity, I will comply with all the provisions of the District’s Code of Conduct, and I pledge as follows:

* I will not possess, consume, be under the influence of, and/or distribute alcohol*, tobacco and/or unlawful drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine or other controlled substances on school grounds or at school-sponsored events and trips;

* I will not possess, consume and/or distribute performance-enhancing drugs or steroids in any setting, whether on school grounds, at school-sponsored events and trips and/or in the community; and

* I will not enage in hazing, harassment, fighting, theft, vandalism or violent conduct on school grounds or at school-sponsored events and trips.

I understand that I am expected to conduct myself in a manner both in school and in the community which demonstrates personal integrity and positively reflects on me and the District.

I also understand that any violation of this pledge found after a proper investigation by school authorities may result in disciplinary action, including a warning, probation, a specified period of supension and/or permanent suspension from the athletic and/or co-curricular activity. I further understand that this process applies to any student who is the subject of a criminal investigation whether in school or in the community.

I have read the above and accept responsibility for my actions under this pledge.

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Commander Corcoran Takes the Westchester Power Squadron Colors from Ron Gabel . Photo, Courtesy, Westchester Power Squadron.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. March 11, 2006: The Syren Modern Dance company, an “emerging” New York City Company will present “a lushly physical evening of dance, featuring Guest Artist Megan Williams on stage at the White Plains Performing Arts Center Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25 at 8 P.M. For information, contact the WPPAC at 914-328-1600

“The Weight” Photo Courtesy, Syren Modern Dance

“Geography”  Courtesy, Syren Modern Dance Company

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WPCNR COURTSIDE. Special to WPCNR By Tim Sheehan. March 11, 2006: The White Plains Girls Basketball team survived an abominable 3rd quarter to pull away from Section 9 champion Minisink Valley 42 -32, Friday night in Pleasantville. The final score does not reveal how close the Tigers came to missing the next playoff round.

White Plains built up a 23 -14 halftime lead doing what they have done well all season:  tough man to man defense (usually starting with a full court press), crisp passing and cutting on offense leading to short jumpers or lay-ups.  I didn’t keep track of who led the scoring, but with White Plains it usually doesn’t matter, as the scoring is spread around.

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The Press Stakes Tigers to Big Early Lead.

The White Plains press wrecked havoc on the Minisink Warriors, who had a capable (but not stellar) point guard.  Moreover, White Plains denied the inbounds pass, which led to a few steals and some easy buckets.  Minisink’s counter – bomb passes launched down court from out of bounds to streaking Minisink players – worked once or twice, but White Plains readjusted and stole or tipped more of these passes as the game wore on.  Even if Minisink broke the press, the half court man to man pressure, led from up top by Kim Adams or Nina Johnson, made it difficult to for Minisink to get the ball inside to their inside players, sophomore Jukie Tomesheski and 6’3” 8th grade (yes, 8th grade) center Stephanie Dolson. 

The Warriors Rally

The Roadblocks to Glory

So far in the playoffs, White Plains has not faced a team with a stellar point guard, like they did in the last two rounds of last year’s tournament.  Additionally, they have not faced a quality press in the last four games (Minisink never pressed at all).  Significantly, the Tiger 3 point shooting has been erratic.  They will need to hit the three pointer to keep other teams from packing the post against Bronzo and Covington.  And they will have to find a way to maintain stamina in the later rounds, keeping in mind that even Nottingham’s (with the short finals schedule) vaunted man to man defense broke down in the fourth quarter game against White Plains in last year’s finals.

Ultimately, the silver lining of Friday’s  game is that White Plains advances despite playing a sub par game.  If White Plains players can stay healthy, keep their talented post players out of foul trouble  and get their 3 point shooting untracked, they have a great shot of returning to the finals.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR. March 10, 2006: The White Plains Basketball Girls Basketball team continue to take care of unfinished business, winning a berth in the final four for the New York State Class AA Basetball Championship this evening by pulling away late to defeat Minisink Valley, 42-32 at Pace University in Pleasantville. The team moves on to play two more big ones in the attempt to secure the title that eluded them last year in the last second.