The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

BHHS Student Scientists Receive Several Prestigious Awards In First Quarter of 2018

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Byram Hills High School (BHHS) students participating in the Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Program have received a record number of awards in the first quarter of 2018. Five–the most from any single Westchester County high school–were selected as scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the most prestigious pre-college science and math awards for high school seniors and was previously known as the Intel Science Talent Search. In addition, four BHHS students were recently selected as national finalists in the Neuroscience Research Prize awarded by the American Academy of Neuroscientists (AAN) Research Prize for high school students. One student was named a top finalist for the prize.

Regeneron Award Recipients

From the select pool of Regeneron scholars, 40 finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. this month to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, meet with notable scientists and compete for the top award of $250,000. The five Regeneron Scholars are Alexis Aberman, Alexandra Brocato, Stella Li, Jeremy Ma and Kylie Roslin.

The goal of the Regeneron competition is to recognize the best and brightest young scientists for demonstrating exceptional scientific leadership potential. It is the result of years of study, research and dedication by the students, along with encouragement and direction from the Byram Hills School District and the Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Program, directed by Stephanie Greenwald.

Byram Hills Regeneron Finalists (L-R, top row): Stella Li, Jeremy Ma, Alexandra Brocato. (L-R, bottom row): Alexis Aberman, Kylie Rosl

AAN Finalists

The American Academy of Neuroscientists is the largest organization of neurologists in the country and each year the group awards 15 high school students who have completed extraordinary work exploring the world of the brain and nervous system through laboratory research. The AAN finalists from BHHS were Stella Li, Jeremy Ma, Alexandra Remnitz and Kylie Roslin. Remnitz was selected as a top national finalist and has been invited to present her project on the marine fish, Sailfin Molly, at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Los Angeles, CA in April.

Her project determined that this hardy species did not alter their typical behavior due to increasing ocean acidification, unlike most fish. This is a novel finding demonstrating the robustness of this specific species. Remnitz is a certified scuba diver and her love of marine life and her concern for the future of our oceans was the inspiration for her study.

AAN Finalists (L-R): Kylie Roslin, Stella Li, Alexandra Remnitz and Jeremy Ma

Getting a Strong Start to 2018

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By Scott M. Kahan

It’s almost spring and now is the time to give your finances a “spring cleaning!”

With the stock market sell off and continued volatility after record highs, interest rate increases, new tax laws and the ongoing uncertainty as to what is going on in Washington, now is the time to organize. Here are a few quick things to address to get started.

  • Review your portfolio. With the return of volatility in equity prices and rising interest rates, it’s probably a good time to review your asset allocation. A simple way to re-balance your portfolio is to first set what percent of your portfolio should be in each asset class. Then when reviewing your portfolio, the sectors that have gone up will be over weighted and should be reduced, while the underperforming sectors will be under weighted and can be added to. If you follow this practice, it forces you to sell high, buy low and take the emotions out of investing.
  • Review Your Taxes and Cash Flow. New tax laws have ushered in much confusion. With a limitation of $10,000 for SALT deductions, (State and local tax), along with various other impactful changes, now is the time to review your 2018 taxes. Even though you may be in a lower tax bracket, you still could end up paying more tax due to the lower allowed deductions. Check your withholding tax to make sure you are not under or over paying your taxes during the year. Then look to see if you are fully funding your retirement plans and look for all possible deductions to minimize your income tax. When you file your 2017 taxes, make sure to do a projection for 2018 as well.
  • Review Your Estate Planning. When was the last time you looked at your wills and other estate planning documents? Make sure all beneficiaries are in place in retirement accounts. Review to make sure you have named guardians for minor children. If you have avoided setting up your estate plans, now is the time to address this important issue.

A simple review can help bring focus to your overall financial picture. A qualified Certified Financial Planner Professional can help ensure your financial affairs are consistent with your current and long-term goals and objectives. Get a strong start for 2018!

A Greeley Team Boost for ‘Swim Team the Film’

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Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team

In celebration of community and National Inclusive Schools Week, the Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team in conjunction with the Greeley PTA Special Ed Committee and the Chappaqua PTA Special Ed Committee presented the documentary Swim Team the Film, with a panel discussion and Q&A following the screening. The Boys & Girls Swim & Dive Team coordinated a preshow bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale and voluntary donations for admission to the screening were donated to YAI, an organization that helps people of all ages with disabilities.

The post film discussion was moderated by Rev. Martha Jacobs and included Lara Stolman, the film’s producer/director, Kathy Schiavi, YAI’s director, Jason Gold, Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanlyst, and Mike DeBellis, Greeley Teacher and Coach of the inclusive boys wrestling team. The Swim Team presented Kathy Schiavi a check for $600 which they raised for YAI.

Swim Team the Film will be shown at the Chappaqua Library on Friday, April 20th at 7 p.m. with a Q&A following the screening by producer/director Lara Stolman. There will be no admission charge. For more information, please contact Denise Hanchet at hanchet@verizon.net.

Taking Care of Mind, Body and Spirit: District Plans new Wellness Initiative

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BHEF 2016/2017 Board (Standing L-R): David Zimmerman, Elvis Grgurovic, Kristen Mathis, Leslie Ilany, Evan Goldman, Bart Sokol, Stefan Safaei, Nanci Keltz, Pat Bucciero, Khatija Ladhani, Lynda Baquero, Paulette Bannon (Seated L-R): Lisa Rosenberg, Elise Margolin, Nicole Stern, Jason Berland, Shari Fruhling, Cathy Kirschner, Melissa Jacobs, Melissa Tolchin
PHOTO BY NINA KRUSE FOR PINSKY STUDIO

By Janie Rosman

It was a slam dunk when the Harlem Wizards took on all-star teams of teachers from Coman Hill, Wampus and H.C. Crittenden last September, dazzling and entertaining with tricks and humorous interactive games thanks to the Byram Hills Education Foundation (BHEF).

The basketball spectacular and the spring gala are BHEF’s two annual fundraising events. Save the date, March 23, for this year’s gala, which takes place at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase.

Since its formation in 1994, BHEF raised more than $4 million for more than 349 grants impacting more than 6,000 local students, thanks to the generosity and support from families, local businesses and the Armonk Chamber of Commerce and two annual fundraising events.

Its financial support to the district enables teacher and administrators to introduce creative programs and equipment beyond what is covered within the district’s annual operating budget.

Current board members after Harlem Wizards event in Fall 2017 (L-R): Jason Berland, Jamie Kahn, Melissa Tolchin, Nanci Keltz, Mark Benerofe PHOTO COURTESY OF BHEF

“One of my goals is to make people more aware of the BHEF and the integral part it plays in our school district,” emphasized Shari Fruhling, President, BHEF.

Last September, BHEF introduced a free wellness movie series hosted at the high school. The first, Screenagers, a 2016 documentary about growing up in the digital age, drew an audience of more than 300 students and parents, Fruhling said. Close to 200 people came out on a cold January night to see Angst, an hour-long film discussing and debunking misconceptions about and treatments for anxiety disorders.

“The films prompt discussions at home and at school the next day,” she said of the thought-provoking choices. A date for its third film, Finding Kind, 2001, about two friends traveling across the United States to expose truth about girl-on-girl crime, is tentatively scheduled for mid-April.

Fruhling said this year’s grant, the Wellness Initiative, “focuses on the wellness of the whole student, mind and body and impacts all four schools with a designated Indoor Creative Play space, an outdoor Obstacle Course for the elementary schools; a space for yoga, meditation and relaxation in the middle school and a lounge space for the high school.”

“These are supported by a Stanford Survey to determine stress levels and create a comprehensive and impactful way of managing and mitigating stress on our student population. The BHEF is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking change in education,” she said.

Byram Hills CSD Superintendent Jen Lamia called BHEF “integral in our district’s history and future. “In the past five years alone, the BHEF has supported projects to revitalize our libraries into 21st century learning spaces, provided 1:1 technology for all students and is now undertaking a K-12 Wellness Initiative to benefit all students.”

BHEF’s support “means that every child in every school is provided with every opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive,” Lamia said. Fruhling noted, “There are so many grants the BHEF has funded that parents sometimes don’t realize that they are not part of the district’s budget.”

These include SMARTboards, Chromebooks and Library 2.0 and, most recently the motivational speaker Shaun Derik for this past Byram Hills High School’s Wellness Day.

Two annual events–the fall Harlem Wizards’ dazzling and entertaining basketball court show and the spring fundraiser–celebrate and raise support for education.

Money raised for the spring event journal will also go toward funding the grants. Tickets are available until March 23; for information, www.byramhillsfoundation.org.

Janie Rosman is a freelance writer and editor whose work appears in local and regional publications. She chronicles the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project at Kaleidoscope Eyes

 

Scarlett Lewis to Deliver Keynote at HHREC’s March 15 Human Rights Institute

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17th Annual Human Rights Institute
for High School Student Leaders
hosted by
The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

DATE: Thursday, March 15th, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LOCATION: Iona College, New Rochelle

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

 

Sandy Hook Victim’s Mother, Scarlett Lewis,  will Present Keynote at Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders.  Lewis is Founder and Chief Movement Officer of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

Held annually, The Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders promotes student awareness of human rights issues on both local and global levels, and empowers students to become Upstanders by creating and implementing Action Plans of their own.

“Scarlett Lewis emphasizes the importance of empowering youth by choosing love over angry thoughts, inspiring bravery, and being an Upstander. This message reflects what we try to promote through our annual Human Rights Institute, to inspire students to make a difference and to take positive action for change,” said Julie Scallero, Co-Director of Education at The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center hosts the Institute to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust to support the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect.

Expected attendance includes 480 high school students and 45 teachers, from 44 high schools.*

Keynote Speakers Include:
Scarlett Lewis, Founder and Chief Movement Officer of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement –
www.jessielewischooselove.org

Judith Altmann, Holocaust survivor and member of the Speakers Bureau at the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

Special Guests Include:
George Latimer, Westchester County Executive
Shelley Mayer, Assemblyperson

Student facilitators will lead small-group workshops on a wide-range of human rights issues.

Students and teachers implement Upstander programs during Upstander Week, May 21 – May 25, 2018, (as proclaimed by Westchester County Executive George Latimer).

Teachers will also participate in two workshops, one with our keynote speaker, Scarlett Lewis, and the second one with Judith Altmann, Holocaust survivor.

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For more information please contact Millie Jasper, Executive Director at The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center. mjasper@hhrecny.org