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 COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Health Department. January 15, 2004: The Health Department issues this sound advice in dealing with temperatures expected to be in the single digits Thursday and Friday. Of particular interest is turning down the thermostat effect on infants.

As temperatures plummet again, the Westchester County Department of Health warned residents to take precautions against hypothermia and frostbite.

“Heating bills can prove costly, but if you choose to save money by turning down the thermostat, keep in mind that low temperatures can be dangerous, putting senior citizens, infants and people who are ill at an increased risk for hypothermia,” stated Westchester County Health Commissioner, Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Lipsman strongly urged residents of households with elderly occupants over 65 to keep the thermostat set at no less than 68 degrees in the daytime. “The problem with low household temperatures is that older and ailing persons are particularly susceptible to accidental hypothermia, a life-threatening condition that causes the body temperature to drop.”

Accidental hypothermia can occur even with temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. Infants less than one year of age should never sleep in a cold room and should be provided with warm clothing and a blanket to prevent loss of body heat.

Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech. Infants who are suffering from hypothermia may appear to have very low energy and bright red, cold skin.

“If you know of an elderly or ailing person who lives alone, be sure to check on him or her every day,” Dr. Lipsman continued.

Frostbite is another cold weather concern, and is especially dangerous because it often happens with little warning. Numbness can occur so quickly that the individual, unaware of being frostbitten, may remain outside, increasing the chance of permanent damage. Older persons, and those with diabetes, are especially vulnerable to frostbite because of impaired circulation.

To prevent frostbite and hypothermia, it is important to dress warmly in windproof clothing and to go indoors when you begin to feel cold. Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing to trap body heat. Fasten buttons or zippers and tighten drawstrings securely. Don’t forget gloves, mittens and a hat that covers the ears.

“Since snow is expected tonight and tomorrow,” Dr. Lipsman added, “remember that cold weather puts an extra burden on the heart. If you have cardiac problems or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling.”

If you suspect that someone is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite, call a medical provider immediately.

For more information on hypothermia and frostbite, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. January 14, 2004, WRAPUP UPDATE 6:15 P.M. E.S.T. UPDATED January 15, 2004, 9:20 A.M. A heavy smoke fire believed caused in part by an incident involving a heating unit in a 25 by 60 foot headquarters construction trailer being used to command the County Courthouse annex construction project caused an evacuation of an estimated 2,000 persons from the County Courthouse into 8 degree temperatures Wednesday afternoon. The trailer where the fire broke out was situated behind the White Plains Police Headquarters and between the White Plains Public Library and the Courthouse.

CONSTRUCTION TRAILER FIRE FUMES  from the smoke, described by an evacuated juror as causing a “heavy, smoky odor in the (courthouse) building” infiltrated the Westchester County Courthouse (white building to left). The estimated (according to a court policeman) 2,000 persons in the building at the time were evacuated by court police. Deputy Police Commissioner David Chong told WPCNR the fire was phoned into 911 by construction personnel in the trailer at 1:30 P.M. He said White Plains FireFighters were on the scene within minutes. The fire was brought under control, according to a police officer  on the scene who spoke to WPCNR, approximately 2 P.M. and declared out by approximately 2:15 P.M. There were no injuries to White Plains Fire personnel, according to Chong. The Department responded with 4 engines and 1 truck on the scene along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.  Fire Chief Richard Lyman upon investigation of the incident told The Journal News construction workers were responsible for starting the fire when they used a propane torch to warm a frozen pipe connected to the trailer bathroom, setting the interior on fire, and were unable to extinguish the blaze with a fire extinguisher and called the Fire Department. This was the view of the fire at 1:30 P.M. from Chatterton Hill. Photo by WPCNR News.

TRAILER IN DISTRESS, 1:45 P.M.: Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, David Chong, reported on the construction trailer fire, seen here from Martine Avenue, telling WPCNR, “We’re looking for cause and origin now, but it looks to be an accident in the trailer itself, a heating accident with the construction crew (inside the trailer) who turned in the alarm.” The building on the right is the Federal Courthouse on South Lexington Avenue. The building immediately behind the trailor is the County Courthouse annex under construction. The Public Safety Building is to the right, not seen in picture, and the White Plains Public Library is to the left. Photo by WPCNR News.

WHITE PLAINS FIREFIGHTERS ENTER flaming trailer approximately 1:45- 2  P.M. Wednesday afternoon. The billowing smoke  obscures the landmark church steeple on South Lexington Avenue. Deputy Police Commissioner Chong told WPCNR the trailer contained highly flammable construction papers and spray paint cans which contributed to the smoky condition. (“Highly flammable,” he said). Chong said the firecrews ran hoses from the street, and the 8 degree temperatures caused the water to “freeze” up on them. WPCNR can attest that the smoke from the fire smelled sharly pungent and noxious, as if chemicals were burning. Photograph was taken from the first floor of the White Plains Public Library. Photo by WPCNR News.

Engulfed Trailer, which was destroyed, according to Fire Chief Richard Lyman, was located inbetween the courthouse annex under construction, (right) and the White Plains Public Library garage stairwell (left). View is shot from the terrace of the White Plains Department of Public Safety. Photo by WPCNR News.

CLOSER VIEW SHOWS WHITE PLAINS FIREFIGHTERS entering South Side of trailer as they bring the smoker under control. Photo by WPCNR News.

JURORS AND LAWYERS AND COURT PERSONNEL CHILLED in the 8 degree temperatures on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, or piled into the White Plains Public Library as they waited approximately an hour and a half in the cold while firefighters fought the smouldering trailer fire.  Jurors were told to evacuate at 1:05 P.M. and were on the street by 1:15, one juror said. The County Courthouse WPCNR has learned remained closed for the rest of the day. Photo by WPCNR News 

WPFF COMMAND POST: A White Plains Firefighter mans the Badge-and-I.D. Command Post that identifies what firefighters are inside the firescene, and who has come out.  Photo by WPCNR News.

FIRE CHIEF RICHARD LYMAN moving into the fire scene.  Chief Lyman reported to Deputy Commissioner Chong that the trailer was destroyed, and that there was much paper and spray paint cans inside which contributed to the incident. Photo by WPCNR News.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. January 13, 2004: Two weeks after Susan Arterian Chang, pioneer publisher of The White Plains Watch, announced to advertisers she was closing the monthly after six years and one month of publishing, (due to a failure to receive sufficient paid subscription support on a 5-month subscription drive), she has informed a business acquaintance that The Watch has received a promise of backing from community leaders, (whom she does not identify), and is hopeful of saving her paper. She “hopes” to publish again soon.

The statement was made by Ms. Chang writing to an acquaintance, Nancy Hantman.  Ms. Hartman distributed this statement to Barbara Benjamin, Marc Pollitzer and Rosa Maria Sanchez. That statement, in turn,  was circulated to select citizens of White Plains, one of whom was a WPCNR reader who shared it with WPCNR. 

In the communication, Ms. Chang  announces her paper’s pending comeback from the grave.

In her statement to Ms. Hantman, Ms. Chang confirms she had not received the number of paid subscriptions from the community needed for her to continue the monthly newspaper. She says that community leaders have come together to help her continue the paper financially.

Here is the text of Ms. Chang’s letter of 2:31 P.M. Tuesday to Ms. Hantman of  that was circulated publicly by Ms. HantmanTuesday afternoon.

Dear Nancy,

We have some good news. We have received a lot of support since we told our advertisers that there would not be a January issue becaue we hadn’t reached the critical mass we needed in terms of subscribers. In fact, some community leaders have stepped forward to help us keep the paper going and we are now working with them toward that end. I am very hopeful that we will be able to resume publication soon.

However, there will not be a January issue.

It would be very helpful to us if you could spread that word and encourage people who have not yet subscribed to do so. Please let them know how important their subscription is to the continuation of a locally-based, independent press in White Plains. I hope I can call on you if we need more help with our subscription drive.

The statement is signed by Ms. Chang.

Chang Options.

Ms. Chang could not be contacted at the time this story was written for information on who the “angels” are who are bankrolling her paper, or her plans. Specifically, whether The Watch would return to its full citywide distribution or go ahead with its plan to go to the paid subscribers it has generated so far.

Ms. Chang  stated to advertisers one week ago that subscriptions would be refunded and advertising contracts remunerated, and the hour being late in the newsroom, WPCNR could not contact Ms. Chang for details on The Watch resurrection and when the monthly would return to the homes of White Plains or its new paid subscribers.

School District Makes Other Plans

Michelle Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education of the White Plains City School District told WPCNR today it was making other arrangements to distribute their newsletter, About Our Schools, by other means other than The White Plains Watch which had previously carried the District public relations newsletter to the 21,576 households of White Plains (the previous controlled circulation of The Watch.)

“We will be making some changes in the newsletter and its distribution and plan to put it (About Our Schools) on our own website,” Ms. Schoenfeld told WPCNR Tuesday afternoon.

 WPCNR does not know whether The White Plains Watch circulated About Our Schools as a public service, but the school district, according to Ms. Michelle Schoenfeld today is making arrangements to circulate the district newsletter to residents of the city, which vastly outnumber the new paid circulation of The Watch, said to be less than 1,000 persons.

It could not be determined at this late hour whether the District is seeking to mail all residences in the District, numbering 21,576, or the parents only of children in the district, approximately 6,899. 

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By Maria Valentin, Member, White Plains Board of Education. January 12, 2004: Editor’s Note: Maria Valentin was the lone dissenting vote in the Board of Education decision Monday evening to retain the Regents Passing Grade of 55, instead of raising it to 65 for Regents Exams effective in June. Ms. Valentin explained her vote to raise the bar with this statement that she read to the Board. Here is the text of her statement:

THE LONE DISSENTER: MARIA VALENTIN, flanked by William Pollak, left and Timothy Connors, right, as she appeared at the December meeting last month, when Curriculum Coordinators pleaded to keep the Regents Passing Grade at 55. Ms. Valentin dissented in  the vote Monday evening. Photo by WPCNR News.

It is a sad day in education when we lower standards.  Our nation today is facing a great crisis in education.  Lower expectations, grade inflation, and other problems are resulting in lower acquisition of skills amongst our graduates.  Indeed, we are losing our competitive edge in the global economy. 

This decision has been one of the most difficult I’ve had to make in my career, as it has demanded that I consider what matters most to me, as an educator, and as an educator of color. 

I have tried to argue against my conscience, and yet, try as I may, I cannot make this vote unanimous.  I would like to address the prevailing arguments for 55 and address why the score should be 65.

1.“The tests are flawed” and that’s why the state is extending the 55 pass rate.  Except for Math A and Physics, where there were state-wide low passing rates (not evidence per se of the test being flawed), the other tests can and should be passed by students who have attained proficient skills in reading, writing, and who have attained a basic core of mathematical skills and knowledge of science, history and a foreign language. 

The state is back-peddling to 55, not because the tests are flawed, but because they now realize a) the extent of the achievement gap and b) this nation’s failure to live up to the promise of Brown v Board of Education.  This national problem of institutional racism can be seen in White Plains in the low numbers of students of color in the AP/ Honors / enrichment programs from elementary on up through High School.  This is evidence that the achievement gap exists not only in state testing, but in our own district’s school performance.  The test results are a symptom of the problem.

2. “There’s an increase in the number of students passing the Regents.”  While 51% of our high school students now pass the Regents as opposed to 35% before this new testing program, it is necessary to note that now ALL students are required to take the Regents.  Naturally, this would cause an increase in the passing rate.  Prior to this, there existed a 2-tier system, where the academically tracked students (mostly white) would take the Regents and the rest of the students (mostly Hispanic and African-American) would take the RCT [Regents Competency Test].  Very few Hispanic and African-American students took the Regents in those days, as most were tracked into the lower-level classes.

3.“Why punish our students?”  Well, giving a diploma to students who have not attained a level of proficiency sufficient to pass English, Social Studies, Science and Math tests (granted, Math A has some issues) is a greater punishment.  Many students graduate w/o the necessary skills to succeed in post-graduate education or in the workplace.  Those of us who have taught and teach KNOW this is true. 

If I had a child, 55 would never be acceptable.  Why should it be OK for any other parent’s child?  When 83% of the students who score 55-64 are Hispanic and African-American, why should we decide for those parents and students what the standard or expectation should be? 

Of the 51% of students who graduate with a Regents diploma, 83% are white, 38% are African-American and 46% are Hispanic.  Clearly, setting the standard at 55 is affecting mostly the African-American and Hispanic students.  Setting the standard at a scaled score of 55 (most of the tests are scored on scale) for Hispanic and African-American students is not in their best interests. It is perpetuating the problem of institutionalized racism, however well-intentioned. 

4. “It’s unfair to hold our students to higher expectations than those of neighboring districts?”    The state has clearly abdicated its responsibility to insure that all students are held accountable to the same high standards.  In turn, our neighbors have done the same, and adopted the 55 passing score.  In our more affluent surrounding communities, extending the 55 only applies to the 2-4 students who did not pass the Regents. 

This is clearly not the situation in White Plains.  We have always prided ourselves on being different.  In the absence of leadership from the State Education Dept., we should be able to “step up to the plate” and hold students accountable to what has always been the passing score for any class:  65 (and keep in mind that in most of the Regents, this score is scaled – the raw score is actually lower).

Please understand that I know that this problem and its roots go beyond the school.  Parents, our communities, and students need to take responsibility for achievement, along with the school.  This problem has many roots.  As a nation, we have spent years since Brown v Board of Education debating how to provide equal opportunity.  The school, and its responsibility to educate all students to a high standard is the vehicle by which we can now address this problem.  We must start somewhere.  Therefore, I will not vote for 55 as the passing score.

I would like to commend my colleagues on the Board for their high level of concern and engagement on this issue.  I am proud to serve with these individuals.  Although we disagree on the passing score and what’s best for students, each one of us has the interests of students at heart.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 13, 2004. UPDATED 2:30 A.M. E.S.T.: The White Plains City School District Board of Education approved the implementation of Full Day Kindergarten for all appropriately aged students at all elementary schools in the city beginning in September, 2004. The cost will be $1.2 Million, and that will include the hiring of nine new teachers. The unanimous vote was greeted by applause by an overflow audience of more than 50 persons, including faculty, Assistant Superintendents and parents passionate on the issues.

PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS APPLAUD AS THE BOARD VOTES IN ALL-DAY-K. Superintendet of Schools Timothy Connors said that Dr. Sharon Kagan, Co-Director of the National Conference on Children and Families of the Columbia University Teachers College, (who addressed the Board last week, see story on Kagan below), would be hired as a consultant to the district to evaluate the District present kindergarten programs now and the new All-Day-K program as it comes onstream next September. Photo by WPCNR NEWS

At 8:45  P.M.  IN EDUCATION HOUSE, RELUCTANTLY, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION has just voted to retain 55 as the Passing Grade on Regents Examinations in the White Plains School District.  Left to right: Terence McGuire, William Pollak, Maria Valentin, Superintendent Connors, Donna McLaughlin, partially hidden, Susan Kirkpatrick, Maria Tratoros, and Peter Bassano. Michelle Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board records the vote. Photo by WPCNR News 

In the second historic decision of the evening, the Board voted 6-1, with Maria Valentin demurring,  to keep 55 as the passing grade on district state Regents examinations in order to graduate from White Plains High School. The issue, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors, said, would be revisted in January of 2006, as to whether to upgrade the White Plains standard to 65. He promised WPCNR in an interview the curriculum heads and department heads would evaluate and work towards the 65 score in seeking to raise the performing level of students over the next two years. He said steps would be taken based on annual reviews of test results. No new specific remedial programs to drive students to the magic 65 number were mentioned.

It was reported by the Director of Research, Testing Services, Larry Killian, in an e-mail,  that 60 White Plains Seniors stood to fail to graduate if the passing standard was raised to 65. Passing all 5 Regents exams in Math, Physics, English, World and American History, is a requirement to receive a high school diploma in New York State. 

In the Resolution passed, the Board directed the District to report Regents Scores annually by sub-group, broken down by 55 and above 65 parameters, with analysis of the effect on the students’ possibility of graduating. WPCNR was unable to determine as to whether such statistics had been extrapolated in detail and made available to the Board as a District practice in the recent past,  prior to the Resolution passing.  

65 COULD BE THE STANDARD FOR THE CLASS OF 07

The resolution the Board passed sets as district policy that the classes entering the high school (ninth grade) in 2000, 2001, 2002 would be required to earn a passing score of at least 55 on all Regents examinations to satisfy the requirement for a local diploma. The Resolution leaves open the option for the Board of Education to implement the 65 passing grade for students entering high school this past September, who would graduate in 2007.

Students expecting to graduate WPHS in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, and  2006 will enjoy the luxury of the 55 low-pass option. While the Class of 2007, and classes beyond may be subject to a passing condition of 65 if the Board implements it in 2006.

A Call to Arms

Peter Bassano, Board member,said he was voting for the resolution “very reluctantly,” because, he said, if White Plains raised the passing grade to 65, “we would be the only district not to (keep it at 55).” He went on to say, “55 is not a passing grade on any exam. I am not convinced they (the Regents tests) are completely flawed. I think we have to say first to students and to our Administration and faculty, we need a compelling plan to address future rising standards (to 65). You have to rise to high expectations. Education is the silver bullet. We have to convince our students you can be smart and be cool at the same time. This (resolution) is a call to arms. We have to be accountable to those high standards and soon.”

Ms. Valentin began her remarks, saying, “It’s a sad day for education when we lower standards.”

Maria Valentin, the lone dissenter, said  the issue challenged her whole perception of herself as an educator, and said she had to vote “no” because she felt the decision to tell a particular group of students they could not achieve certain goals was racism.

In a prepared statement, Ms. Valentin said, “It (keeping passing at 55) is perpetuating the problem of institutionalized racism, however well-intentioned.”

She dismissed the notion that the Regents tests (Math A and Physics) were flawed, and said the other three Regents, English, American and World History are not perceived as flawed by educators. She reasoned that to delay the move to 65 on just two tests was not in the best interests of minorities in the long run.

Not Flawed for Kids Who Know The Material

 “The (math and physics) tests are not flawed for those students who have absorbed the knowledge,” she said.

She voiced disdain for the comments from Curriculum Coordinators last month that Regents passing numbers were improving. She said that 51% of students are now passing the Regents, pointing out that in the past, African-Americans and Hispanic students were not encouraged to take the Regents. Now African-Americans and Hispanic students are forced to take Regents exams, she said, because the state requires passing the Regents for high school graduation.   

Minorities Fall by the Wayside.

Valentin noted with concern and pity in her voice, that 83% of the white student population passes the Regents tests, while only 46% of the Hispanic Population, and 38% of African-Americans pass. She lamented that so few African Americans and Hispanic students appear in honors courses.

Valentin said very slowly, “I don’t care what other districts do. (all other districts are reported as staying at 55 for passing) It’s just 10 points (the difference between 55 and 65). The effort is symbolic of the effort they (the students and faculty and administration) need to make. I will not support it.” 

60 at Risk with 65 the Passing Standard

School Board Member William Pollak spoke of raising the passing grade in terms of numbers of students affected. He said that if the district went to 65 this year, that 60 students, of 345 in the Class of 2004 would not graduate because they would fail one or more of the Regents exams, according to Director of  Research Testing and Evaluation.  Pollak said Killian had just e-mailed Pollak those figures Monday, the day of  last night’s meeting. Pollak said he felt it was unfair to change the passing rule on students who started out under one standard, and suddenly “have the bar raised.”

Pollak said that Killian had written the Board that based on last year, at the grade of 65, 64% of the educational population would pass all five tests.

With the passing grade set at 55, 82% passed all five tests. If we raise the bar, Pollak said, Killian estimates that approximately 60 students will not graduate in June 2004.

Killian Does Not Supply Hard Numbers Until Monday afternoon.

These figures on how many students were effected were requested by Terence McGuire, another Board Member, four weeks ago at the Board of Education meeting at White Plains High School.

At that meeting on the Regents testing, eight curriculum coordinators used the Math and Physics Regents alleged “flaws” as reasons why the district should not proceed with their plan to raise Regents passing grade to 65.

This “going to 65”  policy was one the District had been poised to adopt in line with state plans, before the State Education Department advised school districts one month ago that the decision of 55 or moving to 65 was up to the individual districts. At the time, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors severely criticised the State Education Department for not making the decision.

Pollak  revealed later to WPCNR that of those 60 students predicted to fail a Regents by Mr. Killian that 34 were of Hispanic descent, and the other 26 were African-American.

“We know it’s too late. Skills have to be there by 5th grade:” McGuire

Terence McGuire speaking after Mr. Pollak, said he was voting for the 55 standard “very reluctantly,” and would “use this process as fuel to revitalize myself. I’m going to hold myself accountable to (develop) a system. We have to address it. The fall of senior year is a little late.” He said that the skills need to be instilled by fifth grade. He said he would join Pollak, making the count to keep passing at 55, 3-1.

Maria Tratoros cast the deciding vote, remarking that she too, was reluctantly taking the step, saying that until the curriculum and the state test content were aligned, that the district should stay at the 55 passing mark.

Susan Kirkpatrick, though also expressing reluctance to keep the passing level at 55, said effort should be focused on achieving the higher standard (65), “bring the student’s grades up.”

Donna McLaughlin, made it 6-1, saying a large number of parents had e-mailed her on the issue, and all of them supported keeping the passing grade at 55.  She said “It’s the right thing for the kids.”

The vote was taken, and Maria Valentin voted “No,” with Mr. Basano, Ms. Kirkpatrick, Ms. McLaughlin, Mr. McGuire, and Ms. Kirkpatrick, and Mr. Pollak voting to keep the Regents Passing grade at 55 in White Plains.