The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

What is ‘Test Optional’?

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By Alan Sheptin

As the coronavirus reared its ugly head, we all retreated. My rising juniors, who were working hard to get ready for exams, saw their efforts evaporate. During this time, many American colleges and universities told rising seniors that testing was optional. Some of these colleges are among the most competitive nationally. The new ‘Test Optional’ means that a student can choose not to submit scores. If a score is submitted, it will be considered as part of the application, regardless of result but scores are de-emphasized. It differs from Test Blind, which means that scores will not be viewed, even if a student submits a 1600 SAT and a 36 ACT. Conversely, in some state universities, test optional means that as long as a student has a threshold GPA, an SAT or ACT is not required. Even though a university may go test optional, certain programs at those schools may still require testing. Very selective programs, such as BA/MD or Engineering may require some form of testing.

Why do schools decide to go test optional?

In this current day, many students may not have access to testing. Shuttered schools will not open on a Saturday morning for a three-hour test. Historically though, schools have gone test optional to encourage lower socioeconomic and first-generation students to apply.

What happens when a school goes test optional?

Studies have shown there to be a sizable increase in applications, sometimes as much as 20-25%! The number of offers a school can make will not change, so the selectivity increases. Often, if a school does not see a score, all the other parameters must be that much stronger, namely grades, recommendations and personal statements.  Finally, if your student has a score that is at least at the 50th percentile for that school, submit it. Any other testing that is available (AP scores, Subject Tests), should be submitted. The more data available, the better. The pressure is on to get a test done imminently. However, please do not criss-cross the northeast in search of a test center. Do the best you can.  However, if you get a test site, we urge students to get back in the saddle and prep. My team and I are happy to help both the rising juniors and seniors with diagnostics and to devise a fall testing plan.

Visit sheptin.com or call (914)232-3743 to learn more about Sheptin Tutoring Group.

Teens Show How to Have Fun While Social Distancing

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Mount Kisco, NY–Hoping to make a difference during COVID-19 quarantine and concerned their peers were getting antsy to get out and socialize, Northern Westchester Hospital’s (NWH)  President’s Junior Leadership Council (PJLC) produced a video encouraging teens to social distance and have fun at the same time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0-9yp54HZU .

The video stars students at high schools throughout Northern Westchester– enjoying at home activities that include dancing, painting, playing basketball and cooking.

“We’re hoping to motivate teenagers to find interesting and enjoyable activities they can do in quarantine,” says 15-year-old Byram Hills High School sophomore Sydney Levy. “Ultimately, staying home is the answer to ending the spread of this pandemic, and it is important to physically distance whenever it is necessary to leave home.”

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If you want to be cool, follow one simple rule: Stay home, the video begins.  It concludes by saying, We know everyone is feeling FOMO from COVID-19 and ends with students, each in their home, holding a word to collectively spell out The Shorter It Will Be Is Up To You And Me.

“Physical distancing contributes to the safety of the community and the health and wellbeing of the doctors, nurses and staff at Northern Westchester Hospital,” says 17-year old Sacred Heart junior Madison Mezzatesta, “We hope our video inspires others in the community to find things that they love doing at home to make the most of this difficult experience.”

PJLC is currently working on more COVID 19 videos, in an effort to create a series of inspirational messages for teens.

The NWH PJLC is a leadership organization that helps high school students in northern Westchester connect to their community; promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults; and engages them on issues that matter to them and affects their lives. Its members include 50 high school students from communities served by the hospital: Chappaqua, Armonk, Yorktown, Byram Hills, North Salem, Bedford, Katonah-Lewisboro, Somers and Pleasantville.

NWH relies on the PJLC to help hospital administrators understand issues facing teens and adolescents, and the students provide input on health-related educational programming that the hospital offers at local schools. Each year, students from the PJLC identify a major health concern within their peer group and develop creative, relatable ways in which educators can inform students, parents, and the community.

News courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

The Byram Hills Virtual Choir Stands Together

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Byram Hills District choral teachers met with the Director of Fine Arts, Mr. Deepak Marwah, on ways to connect with the community through music during the pandemic.  “Students had recently performed in the District Choral Festival with great spirit and success, therefore, we decided to coordinate a similar all-inclusive choral virtual performance,” said Mr. Marwah.

The student response was overwhelmingly high. Fifth-grader Brett Kaplan said, “This project was special to me because it felt like we were all together again, singing the song that everyone loved and practiced for so long.”

The project was compiled and edited by Brian Melso of the District’s Media Center and featured 44 individual videos submitted by students that delivered an inspiring and timely message.

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“We chose the song ‘Stand Together’ by Jim Papoulis for its message of unity,” said Dana Celestino, Wampus chorus teacher.

“We had no idea it would become an anthem for our community during COVID-19,” said Jonah Piali, Byram Hills High School Choir Director.  “The text expresses the powerful belief that when we are united together with one voice, our potential for greatness is stronger than when we stand alone.”

High school senior Alex Dempsey shared, “Being able to sing about the power of community and togetherness, while also being present with my own community, helped me feel optimistic.”

“Nothing feeds the soul like the joy of making music,” said Kate Smith, H.C. Crittenden chorus teacher.  “We continue to find ways to support one another to make beautiful music, and look forward to the days when we can be together again.”

Links to Video:

Youtube Link

Facebook Post

Chappaqua Kids’ Band Virtually Records Cover of Home Sweet Home

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Seven Bridges students’ effort intended to encourage people to #stayhomesweethome

Chappaqua middle school students accept the challenge! They answered their district’s call to pursue a Passion Project during the shelter in place spring break and launched a music video to encourage people to get inspired by music and to #stayhomesweethome

For months the four members of Alien Paradox had been preparing for their school’s March talent show. As outgoing 8th graders it was going to be their final act and they had prepared a three-song setlist. Sadly, the Seven Bridges Middle School show was cancelled due to the shutdown of New York schools from the rapid spread of Covid-19.

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The band members of Alien Paradox decided that physical distancing could not stop their love of performing together. They answered their school districts call to pursue a Passion Project during the shelter in place spring break and virtually recorded a cover of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home.”

Post-production video and sound engineering by Ollie Baccay using software (Adobe) provided by their district.

The band hopes to encourage people to get inspired by music during these challenging times and to stay safe during the ongoing pandemic, to #stayhomesweethome

The musicians of Alien Paradox are Ciela Elliott (lead singer), Ollie Baccay (guitar), Jayden Holmes (drums), and Finn Franks (piano & bass guitar).

 

HHREC Student Contest In Progress during April which is Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month

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The 20th Century is often referred to as the “Century of Genocide.” Unfortunately, this trend has continued into the 21st Century. Many of these genocides either began in April or include significant events which occurred in April.

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) would like students to raise awareness about these genocides and remember those who were lost as a result of “man’s inhumanity to man.”   To this end, we are sponsoring a special student contest.

Student Contest:

Create an original project in visual arts, poetry, music, or other media of artistic expression that commemorates some aspect of a genocide which has occurred in the 20th or 21st centuries. Examples include the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, the Cambodian Genocide, the Bosnian Genocide, the Rwandan Genocide, the Genocide in Darfur, and many others.

Deadline for submission of projects: April 30, 2020.  Projects, with the simple information sheet, need to be submitted by email to Julie Scallero, Co-Director of Education at jscallero@hhrecny.org

All projects will be evaluated by the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center’s Co-Directors of Education, Steve Goldberg and Julie Scallero.

We will select 3 winners (one for grades 7 and 8, one for grades 9 and 10, one for grades 11 and 12) who will receive a certificate and will  have their projects announced on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Additionally, we will make a donation, on the winners’ behalf, to the AFYA Foundation, whose mission is to improve global health by rescuing surplus medical supplies and delivering them to underserved health systems around the world. Not only is this organization working to provide medical supplies during the COVID-19 crisis, they were a past keynote presenter at our Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders.

We look forward to viewing your submissions and hope you stay well during these uncertain times.

Questions:
Email Julie Scallero jscallero@hhrecny.org
Steve Goldberg sgoldberg@hhrecny.org

Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month Student Contest
Name _________________________________________________   Grade ___________

Email address __________________________________________
School________________________________________________
Social Studies teacher ___________________________________
Project Title ____________________________________________

Brief Description of Project (4 or 5 sentences)