The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Christine Pasqueralle

The Back to School ‘Picture’ in Chappaqua Schools*

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Chappaqua School Superintendent Christine Ackerman. Photo by Carolyn Simpson

The start of school is right around the corner. As we approach the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, we look back on an unprecedented year during the COVID-19 pandemic with a renewed hope for the future. One thing we know for certain: this year’s back to school will look somewhat different than last. The majority of parents, students and teachers alike are thankful for a return to normalcy, in-person instruction, full classrooms and far fewer Zoom meets. 

In the spirit of hopefulness and optimism, but with requisite caution as the pandemic is not over, the Chappaqua Central School District is readying itself for a full return to academics, sports, extracurricular activities and the like this year. I spoke with superintendent Dr. Christine Ackerman to get a glimpse into the coming year as well as a look into how the district handled last year’s atypical school year. Ackerman has served as Chappaqua’s superintendent since July 2017. Prior to that, she served as superintendent of the Greenwood Lake Union Free School District in Orange County for three years. 

As COVID-19 cases continue to decrease and vaccinations increase, what is Chappaqua’s current plan for back to school in September?

“This September we will operate a normal school schedule. We finished last year with all students able to attend school for the full day on campus.  All students will return to our traditional classrooms, 3 Feet- Apart, K-12.  We also are prepared to shift to remote learning for all students at a moment’s notice.

I personally feel students learn best when they’re with us in school. As we progressed in the (2020-21) year, remote access dramatically decreased, and many students returned to on-campus. Very few children in June were accessing remote instruction. At this time, we allow students and staff placed in quarantine by the Health Department due to COVID-19 exposure or diagnosis as well as students who are medically fragile and unable to be vaccinated access our classes remotely.”

How might the District encourage vaccinations for eligible students and staff?

“As soon as staff were eligible for the vaccine, we shared and facilitated this process in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health. At this time, students and staff cannot be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend school or to participate in our programs. However, we will provide opportunities for more flexibility for students and staff who are vaccinated as we plan forward.”

How are the new recommendations from the CDC requiring indoor mask wear impacting back to school decision making?

“All students, staff and visitors should plan to wear masks when inside our buildings this September.  At this time, the District will not require masks outdoors.”

As you envision a return to sports/extracurricular activities come fall, what special precautions will be in place? What will be back to normal?

“Last year Chappaqua held most of our high school activities. We held end of year concerts in a tent; the musical was held at Caramoor; the prom was on campus, as was graduation and all moving up ceremonies.  We used our outside spaces as much as possible. Chappaqua ran its entire sports program, with weekly Covid testing for higher-risk sports, to support those programs last year.

For this year, with the understanding of guidance provided, and based on what I know now, we anticipate being able to support a normal extracurricular schedule, including after school transportation. We will hold as many of our large events as possible outdoors and will hold our September Open Houses virtually via zoom for all grades.” 

Describe your experience thus far within the Chappaqua district and community.

“I came to the district in 2017. My daughter is entering 7th grade and my son is entering 9th. It’s has been a privilege being a parent in our district. It helps me support my children in very important ways and provides a lens into the experience here for students and parents. It informs my decision-making as superintendent. Especially during the pandemic, having two students living the experience you’re shaping for them with your team makes me stronger as a leader. 

My experience with our community, is that we are resilient.  We pulled together last year, all of us, to ensure the children of this community had the education they deserved.  I have always been impressed by our students, families, staff and Board of Education, and this pandemic affirmed what I already knew, Chappaqua Central School Districts is an amazing place to work, learn and live.

Whatever this year brings, we will work together to figure it out to ensure students can attend school safely every day.”

What have been sources of pride to you and the district during these challenging times?

“The district has been working on a strategic plan focused on six areas: Instructional Space to Amplify Learning, District Wide Assessment Practices, Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Alignment, Curriculum Alignment, Technology as a Tool to Personalize Learning and Equitable Affirming & Culturally Responsive Learning Environments.  The work we’ve done around social and emotional learning and instructional spaces prior to the pandemic have all supported how we would focus on learning in this new environment. I’m proud we were able to shift the focus and redefine the plan; we were able to support students in multiple ways and redefine curriculum based on their experiences in the middle of trying to support the community through this unprecedented situation.

I’m most proud of our administrative team, the teachers and staff under the support of the Board of Education and community. We were able to work through COVID-19 as best we could and position the District to open in September in a way that minimal instructional loss was experienced. It was hard to open and to stay open but at the end of the day, being able to help a 4-year-old out of the car and welcome seniors back for their last year was absolutely worth every moment for that. That’s the work. 

I really can’t take the credit for this either. If I didn’t have the administrative team with me trying and working EVERY weekend, supporting students exposed to COVID-19, all the logistics for opening, there’s no way this could have happened. The amount of work the principals had to do to open and stay open was extraordinary–especially related to COVID-19 exposures, calling parents, etc. They worked late at night and over weekends to make sure we were all safe.

It took everyone. Every person, every stakeholder group had a part in opening us up in September and making sure we remained open. It’s only because of that that I felt we were in a place at the end of the year that students had an experience where they were able to be in school as normally as they possibly could be.”

*Editor’s Note: The comments for the print version of this article were gathered and updated to the best of the author’s and editor’s ability through early to mid August for optimal accuracy inside our back-to-school print editions and to help us define a ‘New Beginnings’ theme. We appreciate Superintendent Ackerman’s time and openness to the Inside Press to achieve that goal and for several updates, including today’s. We also recognize that the news each day brings new revelations and of course impacts our school district’s decision making, sometimes profoundly. Please follow announcements from your individual school district to keep up with policies for vaccinations and mask wear and other Covid-safety protocol. Wishing families everywhere a safe, healthy and productive back to school experience!

‘What to Expect’ in the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District – An Interview with Superintendent James Kaishian*

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Dr. James Kaishian, BMUFSD Superintendent   PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIARCLIFF MANOR UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dr. James Kaishian has been superintendent of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District (BMUFSD) since August 2000. We recently spoke so that he could share some of his thoughts on what the 2021-22 school year might look like for the district. 

As Covid cases continue to decrease and vaccinations increase, what is Briarcliff’s current plan for back to school in September?

“In years past I would have already written to families with finalized school opening plans for September, but Covid cases are once again rising and things have become rather fluid. Although I’m optimistic about the upcoming school year, the trajectory of the pandemic and new data surrounding the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 Delta strain provide reason for renewed concern. 

While carefully monitoring regional health metrics, we do plan near normal school operations come September. The District’s plan will require masks be worn by all students, staff and visitors while indoors and on district provided transportation.  The District’s plans otherwise calls for near normal operations regarding classroom instruction, co-curricular activities, and transportation. Unless mandated by the State, a remote option will only be available if schools are closed due to COVID-19 or if students are required to quarantine. Last week, school districts across New York State received updated guidance from the State Education Department. That guidance essentially mirrored the CDC’s guidance fro schools. BMUFSD subsequently reconvened a district opening committee to finalize a return to school on September 9th.  The finalized plan will be provided to families on Friday. Given the ongoing dynamics of the pandemic, the District’s plan includes the ability to at any time make necessary adjustments and additions to COVID-19 safety policies and procedures as may be recommended by health experts.”

How will the district encourage vaccinations for eligible students and staff?

“At this time, vaccination rates for Briarcliff faculty and staff exceed the goals set by regional and national health experts as do vaccination rates for students ages 12 through 17. This summer and throughout the fall, we will continue to amplify federal, state, and regional awareness of prudent COVID-19 health and safety precautions and strongly encourage those eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

How are the new recommendations from the CDC requiring indoor mask wear impacting back to school decision making?

“Again, the new data around the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 strain or the “Delta Virus” is a reason for concern and in addition to vaccination, wearing masks while indoors is the best way to help mitigate these concerns. We are putting final touches on a plan to safely open each of our  schools for full in-person instruction on Thursday, September 9th. Following NYSED recommendations and CDC COVID-19 Guidelines for Schools, all students and staff will be required to wear masks while indoors. The current plan does not require students to be masked outdoors. Absent further guidance, the District will also follow basic hygiene, social distancing, and contact tracing protocols.” 

As you envision a return to sports/extracurricular activities come fall, what special precautions will be in place? What will be back to normal?

“Unless the regional heath metrics deteriorate appreciably, we envision little in the way of further restrictions on sports and extracurricular activities beyond daily screenings and common-sense safety precautions such as distancing, layered hygiene and cleaning measures.  Sports schedules and championship play look to be back on track.  Plans currently call for a full school day followed by co-curricular activities and sports. Once again, as circumstances dictate, additional health and safety measures may be required of students engaged in after-school activities and sports.”

Describe your experience thus far within the Briarcliff Manor district and community.

“The support the District has received from the Briarcliff school community has been extraordinary. Patient, and public health conscious, the collective effort of our faculty, staff, students, and parents enabled our schools to open on time and for the District to remain open for in-person K-12 learning for the entirety of the 2020-21 school year. United behind the interests of kids and families, we successfully navigated the challenges that the pandemic placed before us. This year, we are called to prioritize physical health and safety for all who enter our schools wile elevating the social and emotional needs of our students. I’m confident that we will answer the call once again.”

*Editor’s Note: The comments in the print version of this article were gathered and updated to the best of the author’s and editor’s ability through early to mid August for optimal accuracy inside our back-to-school print editions and to help us define a ‘New Beginnings’ theme. We appreciate Dr. Kaishian’s time and openness to the Inside Press to achieve that goal, and for the updates today. We also recognize that the news each day brings new revelations and of course impacts our school district’s decision making, sometimes profoundly. Please follow announcements from your individual school district to keep up with policies for vaccinations and mask wear and other Covid-safety protocol. Wishing families everywhere a safe, healthy and productive back to school experience!

 

John Diaconis on…Togetherness, Reaching Out & Preserving History at the Miller House

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PHOTO BY Donna Mueller Photography

When one thinks back on the past year, a few words stick out: family, friends, love and togetherness. These are the important things in life that have really come to the forefront in 2020 and beyond. Life as we know it has changed in many ways and people are learning how to live in this “new normal.” 

Armonk resident John Diaconis is one of those people. 

A partner at White Plains law firm Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP, he is also a former New Castle Town Board member. Diaconis is now President of Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters, having been a longtime advocate for the North White Plains historical site. 

Diaconis moved to Chappaqua in 1990, when he says, the area was semi-rural and very quiet. He relocated to Armonk ten years ago, where he now lives with his wife Ann Dantzig and her 91-year-old mother, Janice Rabinowitz, whom he says “has more energy than all of us.” 

Diaconis served on the New Castle Town Board for five years and was the Town Prosecutor until moving to Armonk in 2010. He credits his time on the board with his eventual involvement with Miller House. 

“I moved to Armonk in 2010 and the first thing I became involved with was Miller House,” says Diaconis. He was asked to participate by Dorrie Watson, a founder of the North Castle Historical Society and town historian, whom he says was a legend in North Castle. The first order of business was to help work on getting the house refurbished and renovated, as it had been neglected for a number of years. 

“Credit goes to George Latimer: he spearheaded the renovation,” says Diaconis. The Miller House hopes to be back open to the public in the near future, but for now they will offer virtual programs.

As the world began to shut down last March, working from home became the norm for many, including Diaconis. As he says, no one was pressured to go into the office and that it is fortunate that most of the work he does can be done from home. Now, the firm is back up and running at 100% with all safety features, such as protective glass in place. Diaconis works in the office as much as he can now, but employees still have the option to stay home when what they are doing does not require them to be in the office. In many ways, it seems the work-life balance has greatly shifted for everyone over the past year.

Appreciating One Another

Diaconis definitely understands the vast importance of family, especially at this time in the world. Unfortunately like most of us, he has also experienced loss. Diaconis’ son Ari passed away three years ago at the age of 33. While he was sick, he spoke a lot about the importance of relationships. As Diaconis says, “He was a really smart kid. My family and I are very attuned to appreciate one another and our friendships. If anything, the social distancing and stay-at-home parts of the virus have reinforced the importance of connection with people.” Ari and his sister Alix both attended school in Chappaqua.  After graduating from Horace Greeley High School, Alix is now living in Brooklyn and working as a video editor. Ari went on to graduate from Cornell Law School and practiced law in New York City. 

Diaconis also has two step-daughters. Natasha graduated from Byram Hills High School while Lexi graduated from the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry. Lexi lives in Providence and Natasha in San Francisco. The family does a lot of Zoom calls and speaks regularly on the phone. Alix comes up to visit after quarantining and Diaconis visits her in Brooklyn as well. 

PHOTO BY Donna Mueller Photography

 

 

 

 

Everything that’s been happening this last year has made them all closer. The community has definitely come together during this time as well. Diaconis says, “Armonk is an interesting town: everyone is pulling together.” North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro always starts each board meeting with “Dorrie TIME”. These are good deeds that people in the local community have done inspired by Dorrie Watson. “A lot of people are involved in community efforts to help homeless people,” says Diaconis. 

Community Involvement

Local churches are doing outreach and are doing what they can to provide shelter as well as community members volunteering with food distribution and at soup kitchens. There is also a large effort to preserve local history: many in the community are actively involved with helping to fund the library and historical society. 

Diaconis really enjoys the sense of community Armonk provides as well as many of the local spots in town–La Mer Seafood, David Chen and DeCicco & Sons included. He spends a lot of time downtown, as it is so walkable and vibrant. As for his role in public service, it all comes down to one thing. “My mentor was Marion Sinek, former New Castle Town Supervisor. People are in public service to try and do good things for people. I try to follow that motto now, as do others in public service.” 

Opening Soon: The Landmark Miller House

Situated on a stretch of Virginia Road in North White Plains sits the Elijah J. Miller House. Once almost lost to disrepair, the historic home has undergone an extensive renovation thanks in part to Westchester County and Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters. The site was the home of Elijah and Ann Miller and it is where George Washington once stayed during the American Revolution. Unfortunately, it had spent more than 20 years with sustained structural damage and visitation was not allowed. 

In 2019, County Executive George Latimer led efforts to renovate the house so that visitors could once again come and learn about its historical significance. John Diaconis, President of Friends of Miller House says, “Credit goes to George Latimer, he spearheaded the renovation.” And Kathy O’Connor, Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation goes on to say, “We were thrilled that the restoration of the Miller House was a priority for the Latimer administration. We look forward to the day when we can begin programming again to educate children about this important landmark and history of their County.” 

John Diaconis, outside the Miller House with Philip Sieverding, a Greeley grad who is on the historic house’s board of directors.
Photo by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

Storied History

Originally situated on a 100-acre farm, the house is an 18th Century Rhode Island-style farmhouse, built in 1738 with an addition built in 1770. Miller House served as General Washington’s sleeping quarters and command post during the 1776 Battle of White Plains. Shortly before the battle, Elijah, along with his two sons, John and Elijah, Jr. were killed.

Ann then turned the house into a field hospital, and many soldiers were tended to by her and others in the house and on the grounds. Eventually Charles Lee, Washington’s second-in-command was court-marshaled and the last phase of his trial was held at Miller House. In 1976, Miller House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Local Historic Landmark by the Town of North Castle. 

Diaconis is looking forward to the day Miller House can re-open its doors to the public. “We would love to get school trips up and running again, it’s an important part of what we plan to do–to get things back to where they were.”

He has received emails from people all around the Northeast saying how they used to go to Miller House on field trips and that it was a highlight of their elementary school experience. 

Millennial Interest

The Friends of Miller House board includes some millennials, whom the group hopes to connect with younger kids to help expose them to the important local history right here in Westchester County. “Anyone can join the Friends; we always want input from people with suggestions about programs they’d like to see and more. We want to hear from the public.”

For now, Miller House is planning a variety of virtual events including its George Talk book club series, which will feature a book written about Charles Lee. As Diaconis says, “We are grateful for County Executive Latimer’s leadership in preserving this historic landmark. John Nonna, Sharon Tomback and many others also worked countless hours to save the house,” which incidentally also included the saving of a 300-year-old sycamore tree.

Latimer says, “While we may not be able to gather at the Miller House in person, the meaning behind the historic home should never be forgotten. This building tells us the story of the American Spirit.” And we will all look forward to the day when we can once again take in its vast history on its grounds and inside its walls.

A Community Focus at the Jacob Burns Film Center

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Margo Amgott, Interim Executive Director, Jacob Burns Film Center

How a Cherished Movie House and Cultural Center is Staying the Course

Situated in the heart of Pleasantville’s vibrant downtown, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a beloved institution in the community, as well as a destination for film lovers from all over Westchester and beyond. Since opening in 2001, the JBFC has welcomed over 3,000,000 people to its five-screen theater complex to enjoy the best of American and foreign film, unique film series and special events. Forced to keep its physical doors closed due to COVID, the JBFC is still going strong, producing a variety of virtual content that lets patrons interact from the comforts of home. 

Speaking with Margo Amgott, JBFC’s Interim Executive Director, one really understands the love and respect between the community and the JBFC. “The community has been so warm and wonderful, so thoughtful. I haven’t worked in a community that works to support an institution as much as the JBFC community has. From the founding board members, founding staff and staff today, they have built relationships–a wonderful example of community-based work.”

Still from the film COLLECTIVE, which will be part of the JBFC Romanian series.

Virtual Screening Room

 The JBFC has found a number of alternative ways to engage patrons through a wide variety of content including new releases and curated film lists to stream from home, family-friendly activities and resources to help make life at home more enjoyable. One of its most popular services is the JBFC’s Virtual Screening Room. 

The JBFC works with film distributors to offer a curated selection of new and classic films to the community. Each screening purchased helps to support the JBFC as well as independent distributors. Recently, the JBFC has started streaming on their own platform, Eventive, which allows viewers a more streamlined way to engage virtually. Its first events held on Eventive were the Romanian Film Festival in late February and the Arab Film Festival in early March. 

Free live-streamed events are another popular offering of the JBFC. Past events have included live virtual Q&A’s with filmmaker and JBFC Board member Ron Howard and another with Viggo Mortensen, director/writer/star of Falling. Upcoming events are always in the works so be sure to check JBFC’s website.

The popular What We’re Watching is an ongoing series where members of the JBFC Programming team casually chat about what recent films and other content they’ve liked, disliked and why. Anything goes in this popular streaming series. The JBFC Education blog is filled with family-friendly activities, how-to videos, streaming content and more. 

Classroom To Screening Room

The JBFC is also fully committed to the education of children. The recently-launched virtual Classroom to Screening Room program allows students in grades 3 through 12 to explore social, economic and cultural forces all through the power of film. The program, which has been offered throughout Westchester for nearly 20 years has now been made available online locally and on a national level at no cost for the 2020-21 school year.                

Amgott is hopeful that the JBFC can re-open its doors for its 20th anniversary celebration this summer. But even if that doesn’t happen, the JBFC has big plans in the works which includes retrospectives from the past 20 years. “We would love to be open by summer but plan for both ways. We miss our community.” She does say that once the theater re-opens, the idea of having the diverse experience of in-person and virtual offerings is very appealing. “Customers can do it both ways–curl up in pj’s at home or come in person and see friends. It has pushed us to think more broadly on how we provide entertainment to those who support movies.”

Bruni Burres and JBFC Founding Director of Film Programming Brian Ackerman

In addition to making many necessary improvements including state-of-the-art air handling, an outdoor box office and sanitizing procedures, the JBFC is refreshing and improving the theater as a whole, to make it an even more welcoming, attractive and comfortable customer experience.

One of those improvements is the re-lamping of the theater marquee, with help from a generous donor. The theater wants to take a more sustainable approach and the beautiful marquee will be one of the first things people see when they arrive. “We feel an obligation to the community to do this and bring light to the building. It can really bring life to the theater which has been dark these months,” says Amgott. In the coming months, look for a rotating art exhibition on-hand as well.  

When the JBFC is ready to re-open its doors, the community is sure to be out in full force, embracing it with open arms. But for now, patrons both near and far can enjoy all the JBFC has to offer from the comforts of home. And that is a pretty incredible thing.

What We’re Watching members of the JBFC Programming team sit down to chat about what they’ve had their eyes on recently. In this casual discussion series, anything goes: from film festival highlights and movies in our Virtual Screening Room, to worthwhile television programs and yes, even purchased disc media! Each discussion starts at 7 pm–every other Tuesday night and will go for about an hour. Founding Director of Film Programming Brian Ackerman, Senior Film Programmer Andrew Jupin, Programmer Saidah Russell, Film Programming Coordinator Adrienne Frank.

Staying Connected with Elderly Family Members

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Photo courtesy of the Empire State Association of Assisted Living

For many people, the holiday season is a time filled with joy and gathering with loved ones. Now more than ever people look forward to what the new year may bring and to bidding a (not so fond) farewell to 2020. But for many families, the challenge and difficulty of safely visiting with loved ones who live in assisted living facilities continue. How can families stay connected to one another during this time and encourage togetherness while also keeping loved ones healthy and safe?

Lisa Newcomb is the Executive Director of the Empire State Association of Assisted Living (ESAAL) and the organization represents over 300 of the 545 licensed assisted living communities in New York State. The ESAAL advocates for these communities through legislation and providing education for member administrators, directors and other management personnel. Speaking with Newcomb one gains a sense of what life has been like for residents of assisted living facilities during the pandemic as well as the steps being taken now to regain some sense of normalcy for senior residents and their families, especially as the holiday season approaches.

As Newcomb states, it has been a rough road for everyone involved from the beginning of the pandemic when there was a major lack of PPE available and a struggle to get supplies.

“One death is too many, so getting PPE is critical to any ongoing on-site visitation,” said Newcomb. As infection rates decreased, visits began to resume but, as she says, it can still be a hardship for many. “It’s taking a toll on residents and family members too. The staff are doing their best to fill in for family members,” she said, adding that no one can take the place of your own child.

Assisted living residences are known as being very social places. Many residents are mobile, active, and like to socialize with one another, with their family and friends, as well as take trips out of the facility. By July, visitation was allowed with rules in place. If anyone tested positive for Covid-19, visitation was shut down for 28 days. By September, the rule changed to a 14-day shutdown, and this has had some positive impact on visitation rates. Residents are encouraged to conduct visits outside with some circumstances allowing for indoor visits in a well-ventilated room with supervised social distancing.

Facilitating Visits

As the weather gets colder, it may become increasingly harder to visit with loved ones in-person if the rules stay as they are. Fortunately, there are other ways families can keep connected. Staff can facilitate virtual visits (such as FaceTime) with residents and family–seniors who are grandparents especially love to see the faces of and talk to their grandchildren. But nothing can fully take the place of an in-person visit especially for residents who have dementia and trouble comprehending; they may feel abandoned or forgotten by family.

There are clever ways some assisted living facilities are handling holiday visits. One facility rented a construction trailer for the next six months: it is heated, big enough for one to two visits at a time and is ADA compliant. Seeing family in-person can be the one bright spot in a resident’s day. Newcomb said she is hopeful small gatherings for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukah will be allowed so long as there are no cases of Covid-19. In the past, holiday gatherings have taken place in the dining room with visits from community and family members.

“The rates are so low, so hopefully clusters can be controlled quickly and stopped. It has an emotional impact on the elderly–assisted living is the place to be doing things.” Residents want to get out, visit with loved ones and do activities together. “Seniors move into assisted living to live–not to be confined to their room or apartment without visitors. Activities can be done safely keeping in mind that our residents’ mental health well-being is as important as their physical health.”

As the holidays approach, let’s all remember those in assisted living, and hope they are allowed the dignity of a visit with their loved ones this season.