The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

Turning Over the Reins at Grafflin Elementary School

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Dr. Michael Kirsch, Grafflin’s principal, will retire this year after 38 years at the helm.  He is only the second principal to have served at the school since its founding in 1962.  Every teacher, except one, has been hired by Kirsch.

Jamie Edelman
Jamie Edelman

After serving as principal at a school in Pennsylvania for two years, Kirsch came to Chappaqua and has been happily ensconsed in the hamlet ever since.  “I still pinch myself that I got the job here,” he said.  “It’s a wonderful place,” he continued.

During his tenure, many successful programs have been instituted.  Kirsch is particularly proud of the greenhouse and the educational activities housed therein.  Each student has tasted cucumber and lettuce grown hydroponically.  Kirsch sees the study of hydroponics as being of paramount importance to students due to the decrease in arable land and water for irrigation.  He also hopes that the greenhouse will plant new ideas in students’ minds.  “Maybe some kid will decided to become a botanist,” he mused.

Incoming principal Jamie Edelman, the current principal of Putnam Valley Elementary School, will begin her new position on July 1.  She was inspired to choose a career in education from a very young age by her mother, a teacher; her father, a board of education member; and by her second grade teacher.

Edelman has implemented several projects at Putnam Valley which she hopes to bring to Grafflin.  At read aloud day, local luminaries, including the county executive and board of education members, are invited to come to school to read one of their favorite books.  “It’s nice for the community to come into the school and get a sense of what’s happening,” she observed.  For the program entitled Great Expectations – which encourages students to follow the principles of being kind, safe, respectful and responsible – students earn a leaf on the tree in the lobby, emblazoned with their name.

At home, Edelman is the proud mother of Max, 10 and Julia, 8. “Nothing has informed my work as an educator more than my two children,” she related, in a jovial tone.

Rabbi Davidson Moves to Temple Emanu-El

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On July 1, after 11 glorious years at Temple Beth El, Rabbi Joshua Davidson will begin his new position as senior rabbi in Manhattan at Temple Emanu-El.  During his tenure in Chappaqua, he has been involved in many endeavors in which he takes great pride.  “Over the last decade, the synagogue has been known as one of the great hubs of social justice in Westchester,” Davidson noted.  In addition, he has been instrumental in fostering the strong relationship between Temple Beth El and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society.  Joint study sessions for adults from both groups have evolved into an intergenerational project.  Students from the two communities came together most recently to create quilts, illustrating biblical lessons.

Davidson views his new position as a logical extension to his spiritual path.  “I’ve always looked at my rabbinate as a service to the Jewish community and Temple Emanu-El offers a unique opportunity to serve that community because of its place in the American Jewish community and its place in NYC – the most dynamic Jewish community there is,” he observed.  Davidson looks forward to meeting one of the illustrious members of the congregation:  Mayor Bloomberg.

When asked whether he ever foresaw returning to Emanu-El during his ordination in the great sanctuary, Davidson spoke effusively:  I’m so filled with a sense of joy at that moment and so thrilled to be entering the rabbinate and so excited, I wasn’t thinking that far down the road.”

Board President Harry Cohen is but one of the many congregants who praise Davidson’s numerous strengths.  “His approach to understanding and communicating and living Jewish values, provides a wonderful example for the congregation,” Cohen observed.

Brandywyne – A Site for new Construction in the Town of New Castle

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Seventeen years ago when this intrepid reporter began searching for a home in town, new construction was fairly prevalent.  Although Random Farms had been completed, bulldozers still reigned at Hardscrabble Lake.  Today, available space is generally sparse except at Brandywyne, a new site located off Brandon Drive.

Construction continues here at a brisk pace, despite the fact that this development has actually been under consideration for many years, dating back to the late 1980s when the former owner sought approval to build 23 homes.  In 1999 Antonio Velardo Inc. purchased the property and reached an agreement to build eight homes on the 77.6 acre site.   Issues such as the desire to preserve the habitat for existing wildlife and access from Bittersweet Lane (which was not granted) were finally overcome.  “One of the things that was required was to set up some open land,”  Mario Velardo, Vice President of Antonio Velardo Inc. said.  33.5 acres have been dedicated to this end.

The homes – which are being built on speculation – measure about 6,000 square feet on lots of approximately three acres.  One home is currently occupied and another is currently on the market for $2,950,000.  Each home includes a generator, a virtual necessity in today’s environment.  All power lines have been installed underground.

According to Town Planner Sabrina Charney Hull, very little space is available for new development in New Castle.  “Less than 10% of the town is undeveloped,” she noted.  At this point, the only viable option for future subdivisions is those of a smaller scale.

Time Change at the Elementary Schools

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When the school year begins next fall, the day will look very different at the three elementary schools in the district.  Instead of beginning at 9:15 in the morning, students will commence their studies at 8:45.

According to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Eric Byrne, the district has been examining ways to lengthen the day at the elementary schools during the past two years.  Several factors necessitated the change.  “We’re being asked to implement new common core state standards,” Byrne said.  In order to adhere to these standards, additional instructional time is required.  Also, in the past, elementary school teachers never had time to meet together to discuss grade-wide issues.   The new schedule includes a time where all the teachers in the same grade are available to meet.  The longer day will also enable students to attend gym classes every other day.  This will mark major progress in the “push for health and wellness,” Byrne said.

Michael Retting, President of School Scheduling Associates and Professor Emeritus at James Madison University, worked with administrators on restructuring the day.  He mentioned several salient points including the fact that by increasing the day to six and one half hours from six hours, the district will “just be approaching the national average.”  The number of hours in approximately 50% of schools nationwide range from six and one half to six hours and 45 minutes.  In New York State the number of school days are mandated whereas the number of hours are not.  Retting also highlighted the fact that the times for instrumental music lessons have been changed so that students will no longer be pulled out of class throughout the day.   “That’ll be less disruptive to teachers and students,” he noted.

Animals on the Loose

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littledogPets are very cherished members of numerous families in the Town of New Castle.  Occasionally, some of these four-legged friends decide to answer a call from the wild and set out to explore their environs.  When a pet does not return, Animal Control Warden Jim Moore receives a call.

Moore sets out promptly in pursuit.  When a lost pet is located, it is scanned and the owner is contacted.  Approximately half of the animals in town have imbedded microchips.  If the animal is not identifiable, it is entrusted to the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor.  In 80% of these cases, a missing animal report is received the next day and the owner is directed to the SPCA.

Rest assured, the animals at the SPCA are coddled and cared for.   Volunteers take them on walks and socialize.  Executive Director Shannon Laukhuf emphasized that the location in Briarcliff is “a no-kill shelter.”  All animals are held for a period of eight to ten days.  If they are not claimed, they are vaccinated, checked for disease and put up for adoption.

Sometimes reports about strays pertain to more exotic species.  On one occasion Moore found an alligator in Pruyn Sanctuary.  “It was only one and a half feet long,” he noted cheerfully.  Another time, a resident called to report the presence of four horses on her lawn.  “The paddock door [on a neighboring property] was left open and the horses trotted off and went to greener pastures,” Moore recalled.

Coyotes are a growing concern in the hamlet.  When reports about these marauders are received, Moore contacts trappers who are authorized to euthanize.  Many coyotes have been seen on the east side of town, near the Mount Kisco Country Club.  In 2011,  approximately half a dozen were euthanized.

Moore provided advice on preventing the loss of an animal:  “Supervise them and don’t allow them to run free.”   “Don’t feed them outside,” he added.