THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

My Sisters’ Place Applauds NFL Stance, Ravens’ Firing of Ray Rice

Posted on September 8, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. A Statement on the Ray Rice Contract Termination From My Sisters’ Place, White Plains NY. September 8, 2014:

Today is a historic day for victims and survivors of intimate partner abuse. The NFL and the Ravens team owners have taken a stand with the TMZ release of the Ray Rice assault video at the Revel Hotel in Atlantic City. As the story unfolds, we will here from supporters and detractors alike. People will condemn and praise the NFL and the team owners. It will be up to each individual to maintain their position— No one has the right to abuse you.

The NFL’s decision to suspend Rice indefinitely is another chapter on the road to change. As a society, as sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers, we will say one in four no more. All the PSA’s will not be as impactful as action. Celebrities, athletes and working people live with the same set of rules

It will always be upsetting to My Sisters’ Place to hear or see such violent situations. The NFL is now confirming that which we have done for decades, the magnitude of crimes of domestic violence.

We still have a lot of work to do but today we are witness to a significant step along the way.

FASNY WILL PAY FULL COST OF NEIGHBORS’ MAILING with FASNY PERMIT.

Posted on September 8, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. September 8, 2014:

Geof Thompson, spokesperson for the French American School of New York, after confirming to WPCNR, that FASNY allowed their postage permit indicia to be used to send a Pro-FASNY mailing brought to them by a group of neighbors in Gedney Farms, has issued a statement this afternoon on reimbursement of the postage, in response to a WPCNR query.

Mr. Thompson wrote WPCNR:

“Mailing cost was under $3000 and FASNY will pay it.

As I explained in my earlier email and when we spoke, a core group of neighbors drafted and revised the letter which was then sent to supporters who joined the letter. FASNY mailed it for them. Since it arrived in mailboxes Friday an additional 21 neighbors have joined the letter bringing it to 62 neighborhood co-signers. Each one of them approved the letter and then added their name. There likely will be more. “

NEIGHBORHOOD LETTER SUPPORTER (S?) ASKED FASNY TO SEND LETTER ON FASNY PERMIT.

Posted on September 8, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. September 8, 2014:

The French American School of New York today confirmed to WPCNR through its spokesperson, that the school had permitted the use of their First Class Postal Permit to be used to send out a letter presented to them by Marc Siegel, a White Plains resident.

Geof Thompson, told WPCNR Monday afternoon the letter was not written by FASNY, that it was submitted by Mr. Siegel, but Thompson did not know if Mr. Siegel had written all of the letter himself, or had written it in collaboration with others.

Thompson said Mr. Siegel told FASNY that he wanted to get the letter out to the city of White Plains, and that the FASNY permit would help them get it out faster before this evening’s hearing. Thompson also said FASNY was happy to do that, since there were 20 signatories of the letter at the time, which have now grown to 62, Thompson said.

Asked if the group was going to reimburse The French American School of New York for the cost of the postage (which is discounted with the First Class Permit), Thompson said he “had not had that discussion yet, but I would think so.”

The official statement issued today by Mr. Thompson on the mailing in dispute reads:

“Read your story about the letter from neighbors who are supporting FASNY and the predictable attempt by some opponents to discredit it. That FASNY has many supporters in White Plains and in the Gedney area neighborhoods shouldn’t come as a shock. As you know, the school has sponsored multiple open houses and has otherwise communicated with its neighbors and the rest of the city from the time it acquired the property nearly three years ago. We have been totally transparent.

We have enjoyed support from the beginning, although the opponents tend to be more vocal and visible. Not even close to every property had an anti-FASNY lawn sign even in the early days when that effort was at its peak two years ago. At virtually every public hearing there have been numerous FASNY supporters and speakers from White Plains. Now, with the final hearing tonight, many of those on both sides of the school plan not illogically are letting their opinions be known.

The neighbors who wrote the letter of support (there are now over 60 signatories) wanted to distribute it to their fellow neighbors, just as the opponents have done with their views through the GNA (Gedney Neighborhood Association) mailing list.

Realizing that the hearing date was close, the supporters asked if FASNY would allow them to use the school’s postal indicia in order to assure that the letter could be mailed as efficiently as possible in order to reach households prior to the hearing and FASNY was pleased to oblige. It’s a well-written letter drafted by sincere people who, I’m sure all parties agree, have a right to express their views. FASNY is deeply appreciative to receive their support.”

Archbishop Stepinac Opens. Enrollment Increases 53%

Posted on September 8, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, NY September 8, 2014:

Classes for the new school year began today for Archbishop Stepinac High School’s Freshman Class consisting of 213 students, representing yet another spike in enrollment that the 66-year-old, all boys school has experienced in recent years.

Since the 2008-2009 school year when the freshman class consisted of 139 students, enrollment has soared 53%.

“Equally significant is that over the same five-year period, the percentage of prospective students who indicated that Stepinac was their first choice also jumped sharply,” said Father Thomas Collins, (Pictured above appearing last September on WHITE PLAINS WEEK, the White Plains TV City News Roundup Show) President. He added, “Back then, 139 students put Stepinac first. This year, 242 made Stepinac number one, representing an astonishing 74% gain.”

The impact of soaring enrollment forced Stepinac this summer to create a wait list for the freshman class as well as hire eight new faculty members.

In explaining the striking difference that five years has made at Stepinac, Father Collins pointed out that today’s freshman class will enjoy several advanced educational and extracurricular features and capabilities that were not available to freshmen in 2008-2009.

They include an all digital textbook library, the first of its kind in the nation; a state-of-the-art computer lab and physics lab; a synthetic turf athletic complex as well as significant enhancements to the school’s Major Bowes Theater and notable building façade, parking lot and grounds improvements.

“As these became a reality, we showcased them at our Open Houses. Over time, word-of mouth—combined with our marketing efforts—sparked increased interest among our target audience of middle-school boys and their parents,” Father Collins explained. “Given our school’s tremendous progress and consistent record of shaping future leaders by providing an outstanding academic education grounded on strong Roman Catholic values and traditions, it comes as no surprise why so many more prospective students and their parents are knocking on our doors.”

Geographically, each of the key areas where Stepinac draws enrollment—the Bronx, lower and Central Westchester— have shown increases over the past five years. But, the school has also been steadily attracting students from northern Westchester, a trend which is expected to continue in the years ahead.

The catalyst that sparked Stepinac’s seemingly overnight enrollment success story was the decision that the Archdiocese of New York made five years ago for 10 of its high schools including Stepinac to become independently chartered. In so doing, each school would be responsible for budgeting, fund raising, marketing and other governance functions associated with running a successful educational institution.

As part of its new independent status, Stepinac created a Board of Trustees comprising prominent alumni and other leaders who have been committed to chart the school’s new future. In 2011, it appointed Father Collins, a Stepinac alum (Class of 1979) as its ninth leader. Previously, he served as Stepinac’s Associate Dean of Students.

“The key to Stepinac’s success has been the tremendous generosity and support of our alumni who have made it possible to raise and invest several millions of dollars to help keep our school at the forefront of secondary education in the region,” Father Collins related. “I cannot imagine how this remarkable story can be told without their fierce loyalty and commitment.”

Sometime later this fall, the school’s new video conference center, located adjacent to the library, will open. It will not only enhance Stepinac’s ability to communicate with its core constituents but it will be used by students to interface with their counterparts in foreign countries, a likely outcome from Stepinac’s recent hosting of students from China. “A new and exciting chapter in education is happening and Stepinac is proud to help lead the way,” Father Collins stated.