The Inside Press

After a two-and-one-half month national search, it will be my great pleasure to recommend the appointment of Robert Rhodes as the next Principal of Horace Greeley High School (effective 7/1/12) at the February 28th Board of Education meeting. Mr. Rhodes is the founding and current principal of Millennium High School in lower Manhattan’s financial district. Established in 2002 in an effort to revitalize the area following the September 11th attacks, MHS is an inclusive college preparatory high school of approximately 625 students with a rigorous liberal arts academic program and an emphasis on writing, critical thinking, analytical skills, exhibitions, presentations, and service to community. Over the past nine years, Robert and his staff have created a high school that is now one of the top ranked and most sought after high schools in NYC. For the 2011-12 school year, 5,300 eighth-graders applied for only 150 openings, and several schools based on his model now are opening throughout the City. As founding principal, Robert recruited all staff and students, provided curriculum and instructional leadership, worked closely with community members, local business officials, and politicians, and was instrumental in securing millions of dollars in grant funding. He established a strong advisory board composed of students, parents, and community members to guide the growth of the school. He has established a four-year student-teacher advisory program, resulting in 98% graduation and college placement rates. Robert has a collaborative leadership style, a deep knowledge of instructional and systems approaches, a strong understanding of high school academics, related arts, and extra-curricular programs, and, most critically, a sense of humor. He has experience reaching out to community and parents, knows high school teachers and students well, and is a listener. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Alyson Kiesel, School Board President, a Greeley teacher, and I visited Millennium on Tuesday and met with small groups of parents, teachers, and students, respectively. We walked through classrooms to see the instructional program and the learning environment Robert has fostered. Both our site visit and a walk-through at Greeley with Robert confirmed our perception of him as a strong and visionary leader. He is thoughtful, decisive, and forward thinking. He clearly connects with students and takes every opportunity to pull up a chair and begin a conversation with them. As a result of all this, I’m confident he will be an outstanding next leader for Greeley.

Robert began his career in education in 1990 as a math teacher at a small alternative high school in Jamaica, Queens. In 1993, he joined School of the Future’s humanities department and five years later transitioned to the administrative team serving as assistant principal.

Originally from Shaker Heights, Ohio, Robert graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science and in 1997 received a Master of Science Degree in Educational Administration from Fordham University. In 2003 he received Clark University’s Secondary Educator of the Year Award and in 2008 was awarded a Cahn Fellowship designed by Teachers College to recognize outstanding principals. He lives in Brooklyn and has two children.

Should the Board of Education approve my recommendation, there will be opportunities in the near future for you to meet Robert Rhodes and to welcome him to the Chappaqua community. Best, Lyn McKay Superintendent of Schools

“Potters of New Castle” Handmade bowls filled with delicious, donated soups

On Monday, March 12, the potters of New Castle, in collaboration with a number of local merchants and community groups, will host our area’s first “Empty Bowls” event, part of a global movement to raise awareness and support for organizations working to alleviate hunger. It’s an all-volunteer effort, so all of the money raised will be given directly to the Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry and the Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry in Pleasantville.

You’re invited to join friends and neighbors for a simple soup supper anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 210 Orchard Ridge Road in Chappaqua. Admission is $25/person. You’ll choose your handmade bowl from those on display, then fill it with your choice of one of the delicious soups provided by Crabtree’s Kittle House, Jardin du Roi, Gail Patricks, Taylored Menus, Via Vanti, Ladle of Love and the new King Street restaurant. Live music by local musicians will add to the festivities. Please note that registration is limited by the number of available bowls and reservations must be made in advance. Guests are encouraged to also bring non-perishable food items to help stock the pantries’ shelves. (Reservation information below.)

What is the Empty Bowls movement all about?

The basic premise is simple: Local artists collaborate with local merchants and community organizations to host an Empty Bowls event. For a modest ticket price, guests share a simple meal of soup and bread, and they are invited to keep their handcrafted bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger. Hundreds of Empty Bowls events have now taken place across the United States and in at least a dozen other countries, raising millions of dollars for hunger-fighting organizations. Read more about the international Empty Bowls initiative at www.emptybowls.net.

Hunger is on the rise everywhere, including right here in Westchester.

Most clients of local food pantries are families with children whose parents are out of work for extended periods; elderly people having trouble making ends meet; and those with unforeseen medical issues straining family budgets.
• The Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Panty serves an average of 175 households per week. The Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry in Pleasantville counts about 100 people among its regular clients, who come twice a month for non-perishables. Both pantries distribute fresh produce once/month.
• In 2011, the MKIFP distributed 188,727 pounds of food — a 33% increase over 2010.
• In addition to food drives and generous donations from member religious institutions, scout groups and so on, both pantries depend on cash donations to purchase the majority of their food from the Westchester Food Bank.
• Every $1 provides $4 of food that stays in our community to help hungry children and families.

Who is involved in this project?

Like other Empty Bowls events worldwide, this is a collaborative project meant to involve as many people and local organizations as possible. The bowls are being created by all the adult potters working out of the New Castle Art Center. The soups are being donated by the participating restaurants and caterers. Several local musicians are donating their time and talent. A number of merchants, religious institutions and local organizations are making contributions to materials costs and providing other services for the event. (A complete list of sponsors will be available on the day of the event.) The organizing committee includes Lisa Fitzgerald, Anne Gans, Ruth Parnes, Andrea Samuelson and Penny Vane. Lisa and Ruth are active volunteers with each of the two local food pantries; and Anne, Ruth, Andrea and Penny are all teaching potters at the New Castle Art Center.

Make your reservations now.

Although the potters are still busy making lots of unique and beautiful handmade bowls, registration will have to be limited by the number of bowls available! Reservations are first-come, first-served and must be made in advance. Please make your check payable to Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry and mail to: Empty Bowls, c/o Anne Gans, 15 Glen Terrace, Chappaqua NY. Please include a note with your name, phone and email address so that we can send you confirmation of receipt. Your name will then be on a list at the door on the day of the event. Help us help our neighbors keep food on their family’s table this winter.
For more info, contact Penny Vane: 914.238.0646 or pennyvane@gmail.com

Join Us for  Tumble for a Cause at  Jodi’s Gym
100% of the proceeds benefit the
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

The Music Conservatory of Westchester will host the 5th Annual Tango Evening featuring the renowned Tango Quartero. The performance will feature original tangos composed by Marco Valentino Quartero (piano), accompanied by Kathy Adorney (violin, viola), Chris Wessman (cello), Nancy Goodman (flute), Clayton Heydorn (piano) and Gary Mayer (piano, clarinet). Marco Quartero will also be celebrating his 80^thbirthday and 11 years as an MCW student.

WHEN:   Friday, February 10, 2012  7:00 p.m.

WHERE:    Music Conservatory of Westchester  216 Central Avenue White Plains, N.Y.

www.musicconservatoryonline.org