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Hudson Valley Area Teachers and Students Attend Annual Human Rights Institute for Middle School Student Leaders

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Sheila Arnold, CEO and Lead Performer of History’s Alive

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) hosted their 9th Annual Human Rights Institute for Middle School Student Leaders on November 15th, 16th and 17th at Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester in Rye, New York. Students and teachers from 37 public and private middle schools in the Hudson Valley attended.

HHREC staff and area educators facilitated a breakout session on the themes of What does the term “human rights” mean? , What does it mean to respect human dignity? and How do we incorporate human dignity and human rights while learning to be an upstander? Students were engaged in different activities to address these vital issues, and met within groups to develop activities to implement in their schools. Students from John Jay (Cross River) High School, Bryam Hills High School, Manhattanville College – Clark Scholars and Iona University helped to facilitate the breakout sessions. The event was organized by Jeanne Claire Cotnoir and Debbie Minchin, HHREC Coordinators of Student Programming.

The Institute began with a keynote presentation by Sheila Arnold, CEO and Lead Performer of History’s Alive! Ms. Arnold has also performed as a Regional Storyteller at Colonial Williamsburg, the Valley Forge Teacher Institute, and at conferences across the U.S.

This program was developed to further the mission of the HHREC by laying the foundation to encourage students to become “upstanders rather than bystanders.” Participating schools included: Albert Leonard (New Rochelle); Anne Dorner MS (Ossining); Ardsley MS; Barack Obama School of Justice (Yonkers); Benjamin Turner (Mount Vernon); Blind Brook MS; Briarcliff MS; Denzel Washington School of the Arts (Mount Vernon); Dobbs Ferry MS; Eastchester MS; Fieldstone MS (North Rockland); Fox Lane MS (Bedford); French American School; George Fischer MS (Carmel); German International School; Henry H. Wells (Brewster); Highlands MS (White Plains); Hommocks MS (Mamaroneck); Isaac E. Young MS (New Rochelle); Mahopac MS; Newburgh (Heritage MS, Meadow Hill Gem, South MS and Temple Academy); North Salem MS; Paideia School 15 (Yonkers); Pierre Van Cortlandt MS (Croton–on-Hudson); Pleasantville MS; Port Chester MS; Robert Bell MS (Chappaqua); Rye Neck MS; Scarsdale MS; Seven Bridges MS (Chappaqua); Sleepy Hollow MS; Somers MS; St. Joseph’s School (Bronxville); and Westlake MS (Mt. Pleasant).

“We are very pleased to continue offering this important program to Hudson Valley area middle schools.” said Steve Goldberg, HHREC Director of Education. “Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that enshrined the rights and freedoms of all human beings.  Our goal is to work with our education partners and their students to embrace these ideals as they become global citizens in our ever-changing world.”

HHREC Coordinator of Student
Programming Jeanne Claire Cotnoir

For more information visit the HHREC website at HHRECNY.org or contact Steve Goldberg at sgoldberg@hhrecny.org.

News and Photos Courtesy of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

White Plains Hospital Launches Structural Heart Program with First Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Replacement Procedures

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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is the Newest Addition to the Hospital’s Comprehensive Cardiac Services

White Plains Hospital has announced the launch of the Montefiore Structural Heart Program at White Plains Hospital with the successful completion of its first three minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedures, known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR). The procedures were performed by Dr. Azeem Latib, a leading expert in interventional cardiology and Director of the Montefiore Structural Heart Program at White Plains Hospital, in one of the Hospital’s state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratories, marking a key milestone in the growth of the Hospital’s advanced cardiac services.

More than five million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease each year, including 1.5 million with aortic stenosis – or the narrowing of the aortic valve. This condition often appears in those 65 and older and deteriorates with age. Older patients with aortic stenosis and other congenital heart diseases can often benefit from a TAVR.

The procedure, which typically takes less than an hour, involves specially trained cardiac interventionalists, in collaboration with world-class cardiac surgeons, using advanced imaging techniques to guide a flexible tube called a catheter through a small needle hole in the groin, up through the blood vessels, to the diseased aortic valve. The team then uses the catheter to deploy a new valve, immediately restoring function and blood flow. Patients are cared for by highly trained cardiac intensivists in the Hospital’s Cardiac ICU, and many of our patients go home the next day.

White Plains Hospital is one of just two healthcare facilities in Westchester offering this life-saving procedure to patients in Westchester County. Every patient is fully evaluated by a cardiac surgeon, interventional cardiologist, cardiologist and radiologist to determine the ideal course of treatment, whether that is a TAVR procedure or open-heart surgery. Also, with advanced imaging technology on-site, including high-resolution CT scanning, fusion imaging and cardiac MRI, patients can undergo convenient, same-day pre-operative testing at the Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS) in White Plains prior to the procedure.

The addition of the Montefiore Structural Heart Program at White Plains Hospital builds on the success of the Montefiore Cardiac Surgery Program at White Plains Hospital, which has exceeded national benchmarks for quality with exceptional patient outcomes in the two years since its launch. The program was recently recognized with a distinguished 3-star rating, the highest available, from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, a designation that places it among the top 10% of programs for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada. White Plains Hospital’s cardiac care capabilities are further strengthened by its world-class Interventional Cardiology program and Cardiac Electrophysiology department, which is focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of arrythmias and other emergent cardiac issues. White Plains Hospital’s experts work closely with a network of cardiologists and specialists throughout the Hudson Valley to ensure each patient receives the specialized care they need, close to home.

“This program underscores White Plains Hospital’s commitment to growing its advanced cardiac services for patients across the Hudson Valley,” said Dr. Latib. “These expanded capabilities allow us to provide the most appropriate treatment based on our patients’ needs, whether they require open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive procedure like a TAVR. We are excited to begin performing these procedures and look forward to continuing to advance the Structural Heart Program at White Plains Hospital.”

To learn more about the Montefiore Structural Heart Program at White Plains Hospital, call (914) 849-4200.

News and Photos Courtesy of White Plains Hospital

 

About White Plains Hospital 

White Plains Hospital is a proud member of the Montefiore Health System, serving as its tertiary hub of advanced care in the Hudson Valley. The Hospital is a 292-bed not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of providing exceptional acute and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. White Plains Hospital has outpatient medical facilities across Westchester, including multispecialty practices in Armonk, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Rye Brook, Somers and Yorktown Heights; and Scarsdale Medical Group locations in Harrison and Scarsdale.

The Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and in 2023, White Plains Hospital received another 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – the highest distinction offered by that federal agency for the second consecutive year. In addition, the Hospital received its third Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a distinction held by only two percent of hospitals in the country. White Plains Hospital has consistently received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades®, and in 2022 became the only Hospital in Westchester to be awarded with an A Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group for the 9th time.

https://www.wphospital.org/</a

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester Marlins Swim Coaches Earn Top Honors for Excellence from the Metropolitan Club

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Marlins Assistant Coach Connor White; Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce; Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester CEO Alyzza Ozer; Marlins Head Coach Zak Hojnacki.

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester‘s Swim Team Head Coach Zac Hojnacki and Assistant Coach Connor White got a surprise parade  from children at the club congratulating them on being honored by Metropolitan Swimming.

The governing body for competitive swimming in the NY Metro area, named Hojnacki Senior Coach of the Year and White was named “Must Watch Age Group Coach.”

They were selected from among more than 500 coaches in 75 swim clubs in the metro area. The two coaches also received a proclamation from Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce. The Marlins are no stranger to accolades. The team was awarded Bronze level recognition from USA Swimming in 2021-22 and has routinely finished in the top 100 nationally in USA Swimming VCC.  The coaches also received a proclamation from Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce.

“Working with Zac ,Connor and all the swim team coaches is an inspiring experience,’’ said Alyzza Ozer, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester. “Together we inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential and productive responsible caring citizens.”

Hojnacki began his sixth year as Marlins Head Coach. He arrived the fall of 2018 from Tucson, Arizona, where he served as a coach for Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics since 2012, including three years as Head Age Group Coach. When he’s not coaching, Hojnacki teaches Child Psychology and Adolescent Psychology at Iona University in New Rochelle.

 White has been working with the Marlins since 2015, after swimming as a Marlin for 13 years. As a Marlin swimmer, Connor was a multi-event Junior National qualifier, HS Section 1 Champion in the 100 Fly & 100 Back, and was a NY State top 8 finalist. He graduated from Ithaca College in 2014 with a B.S. in Health Science, with an emphasis in Exercise Science & Physiology.

 

News Courtesy of Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester

 

 

 

CAMP MARIST – For the Best Summer of your Life

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Based in the White Mountain Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Camp Marist is a special place where children learn about character, leadership and community.

Under the leadership of the Marist Brothers for 75 years, an International Catholic teaching order, Camp Marist has helped campers develop strong self-esteem, learn new skills and make lifelong friendships and memories. As an international co-ed camp for campers ages 6-16, with campers and staff from different parts of the world, Camp Marist has a strong tradition of building a sense of global community – or the Camp Marist Family.

Choosing the right camp for your children is an important task. While many camps may have similar activities and facilities, we believe Camp Marist experience is unlike any other. As parents and camp professionals, we see first hand the development benefits of overnight summer camp experience. Over the course of a couple of weeks campers have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and independence, learn new activities, and grow in their spirituality.

Camp Marist has nurtured campers’ personal growth through a wide variety of activities and a welcoming family-like atmosphere. From horse back riding to water skiing, go-karts, sports and drama…we offer everything a kid would want! All are welcome here! We celebrate God with a camp-wide Mass/Prayer Service on Sunday evenings and spread his word through our actions.

Camp Marist campers travel from areas as local as Conway, NH and countries as far away as Scotland and China. We have always had a strong connection to our country and global community and regularly see campers from U.S., Mexico and Canada. Our diverse population is one of our greatest strengths, and it is a great opportunity for campers to learn about different cultures and languages and discover how much we all have in common

From the diverse offerings and personalized schedules to the organized objectives and instructional expertise, Camp Marist activities program is truly unique and absolutely impressive! Our global alumni group, made up of former campers and staff, is a testament that the Camp Marist Experience is something that stays with you long after the last sunset of the summer.

A sampling of our strengths and activities includes:

  • International Campers and staff
  • Campers get to pick their activities
  • Waterfront – Swim Lessons, Waterskiing, Fishing, Boating
  • Go-Karts, Horseback riding, Drama and More!
  • Off property trips

For a full list of activities and to register for the BEST SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE, visit CampMarist.org : https://www.campmarist.org/

 

Storytellers Unite: Meet the Authors of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

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By Mollie Roth

The upcoming Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival will be an opportunity for young readers and their parents to connect with the authors who make reading hour and bedtime come alive. Local librarians, educators, and volunteers have planned a fantastic event where children can come together with the authors that spark their imaginations.

Headlining the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is Mary Pope Osborne, author of the beloved Magic Tree House series. Young and old, fans of Jack and Annie’s time-traveling and global-trotting adventures will have the opportunity to speak to Osborne about all their favorite stories, as well as learn about her newest books. Meeting authors like Osborne is an opportunity for children to form personal connections to books new or beloved. Chappaqua Librarian Theresa Bueti looks forward to seeing young people engage with books in a brand new way. When young patrons attend the festival, “they realize that people write books,” says Bueti, turning the solitary act of reading “real, vivid, and approachable.”

The students at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School are particularly excited to meet author Josh Funk. His book My Pet Feet won the 2023 Official March Book Madness Picture Book Bracket after being voted in by the Grafflin community and their nation-wide peers. Kaitlyn Lester, a library media specialist at Grafflin Elementary, says, “students are excited to meet [Funk], tell him how much we love My Pet Feet, and explore his other books that we are sure to love!”

Keep an eye out for Lauren Tarshis, author of the New York Times Bestselling series I Survived. Roaring Brook Elementary School’s Suzanne Stolzenberg and Andrea Schaber from West Orchard Elementary School say their students are very excited to meet the author of this disaster themed collection about children who survive a thrilling historical event. Coming to the festival shows children that “if they have something they want to say, they could write a book about it,” claims Bueti. In the aftermath of a global pandemic, perhaps Tarshis’ work will prove inspiration to young readers.

Many illustrators will also be in attendance at this year’s book festival. Head of children’s services at Chappaqua Library Robbin Friedman is particularly excited to meet Ruth Chan. “Her animal faces are so goofy, adorable, and expressive,” notes Friedman. “Everything about [Chan’s work] is weird and wonderful and exactly the right way.” Chan has a long career as an illustrator, as well as being the sole creator of books like Thank You, Neighbor! For children interested in creating and expressing themselves through art, meeting the illustrators at the festival should be a galvanizing and memorable experience.

There are seven scheduled readings throughout the festival day, where attendees can hear stories read by their authors. This is a wonderful chance for children to connect with their peers and the adults in their lives as they all encounter the same story at the same time. Author Raj Halder will be reading This Book is Banned, a picture book grappling with censorship in a delightfully silly and meaningful manner. However, the experience of being told a story is not limited to our yearly festival. Through the Chappaqua Library, anyone can rent the audiobooks of many books found at the festival. Many children’s authors read their books themselves, so children can have a little slice of the festival all year round.

The books mentioned are available for purchase at the festival, along with many other fascinating reads. However, finding new books does not have to be a once-a-year event. Stoever encourages “every child [to] find the librarians from the children’s room at the Chappaqua Public Library and speak to them.” The librarians are thrilled for this opportunity to further engage with the community, and recommend the book clubs and reading groups for anyone motivated by this year’s festival.

The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Chappaqua Train Station, from 10am to 4pm. Along with the author and illustrators, there will be food trucks and a family fun zone. Admission is free, and livestream coverage of the event.  For regular updates, visit www.ccbfestival.org

Inside Press Story Presented in Partnership with the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.