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Discover New Castle

New Castle’s First Responders

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

New Castle Police Department

The Town of New Castle Police Department is a full service accredited law enforcement organization of 37 sworn officers and 16 civilian employees under the leadership of Chief James Carroll. Chief Carroll recently took over as Chief after 25 years of ongoing and dedicated service; he began as a Police Officer in 1993, and worked next as a Field Training Officer, and then made Sergeant followed by Lieutenant before taking on the mantle of Chief. He and his entire force are dedicated to the safety and welfare of all New Castle residents. In addition to responding to 911 calls, the NCPD offers a full range of non-emergency services; some examples include: Child Safety Seat Inspection, Vacant House Check, Senior Watch Program, and Nixle Communication. Additionally, the New Castle Police Department partnered with Chappaqua resident and DORCs (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties) co-founder Ben Lieberman, to implement the now nationally-recognized “Hands off the Phone and On the Wheel” initiative. The Town of New Castle enjoys a high quality of life with low crime rates, and is well known as a great place to raise a family. mynewcastle.org/181/Police-Department

 

Chappaqua Fire Department

Chappaqua Fire Department procession at the 2019 Memorial Day Parade in Chappaqua. Photo by Grace Bennett/InsidePress

The Chappaqua Fire Department is the very definition of what it means to be a good neighbor. In fact, the department’s slogan “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1910” was adopted in 2005 as their mission statement; a code-of-conduct promise to serve day-in and day-out 24/7/365. Chief John Maduras commands this municipal service, overseeing a fully volunteer staff of men and women, all of whom are highly trained in all aspects of Fire Suppression, Rescue, Fire Prevention and much more.

They ask little in return other than that residents do their part to prevent fires and stop them from spreading. To this end, the CFD website is full of helpful tips and information. It is also the place to become involved; the CFD is continuously accepting applications for membership. chappaquafd.org

 

 

 

 

 

Millwood Fire Company

The Millwood Fire Company, a 100% volunteer company of nearly seventy members, proudly serves and protects the citizens of Millwood, New York a hamlet of the town of New Castle, as well as large portions of Chappaqua and Ossining. Responding from two stations, the MFC protects a fire district of approximately 10 square miles; primarily residential, the area also includes a handful of commercial developments, as well as a regional electrical substation, a regional water filtration plant, several public schools and several group homes. Under the leadership of Chief Jan Schwark, the Millwood Fire Company is always looking for men and women who are willing to put forth the effort and take a step forward in community service. No prior experience is required, and full state approved training will be provided. Anybody over the age of 16 and in good health is welcome to fill out an application. millwoodfire.org

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps

For more than 80 years, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, aka CVAC, has provided emergency care to those who visit, live, or work in New Castle. Volunteers are members of the community who can and do give freely of their time. Motivated by a combination of community spirit, a desire to give back, camaraderie, and an interest in emergency medicine, CVAC members share a common passion for helping the community. They respond to over 500 calls annually, attending to all forms of medical emergencies in the New Castle district. Whether it’s an at-home accident or illnesses, or an on-the-road vehicular accident, CVAC is quickly dispatched and equally quick to the scene. After triaging the situation, CVAC usually transports the patient to a local hospital Emergency Room for further medical care. CVAC also reaches out with programs to educate the community on First Aid and CPR. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into making sure CVAC is ready to respond to medical emergencies in the community. To find out more, and/or to volunteer (no experience or background in emergency care is necessary or required; training is free and provided by CVAC): chappaquaambulance.org

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps

OVAC, the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, is comprised of both volunteer and career members who provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Currently, there are 25 active members, and more than 40 lifetime members who have all given over ten years of service to the Ossining Community. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life, and range in age from 16-year-old High School students to retirees. Though diverse, they are bound by their desire to be of service to their neighbors. Monthly training is part of the required duties of membership; EMT classes are offered in neighboring communities in conjunction with the Phelps Pre-Hospital Training Department. OVAC members also train others, offering First Aid and CPR courses as needed for anyone interested. In addition to the primary responsibility of answering emergency medical care calls, volunteers participate in community events such as parades, standbys at church bazaars and street fairs, and make presentations in community schools. ossiningvac.org

 

First responder contact info

If it’s an emergency, dial 911! For any non-emergency, keep this list handy.

Chappaqua Police Department, 914-238-4422

Chappaqua Fire Department, 914-238-4205

Millwood Fire Department, 914-941-2222

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 914-238-3191

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 914-941-9196

New Castle Animal Control, 914-238-6889

Information Courtesy of the Chappaqua Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Company, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Filed Under: Discover New Castle Tagged With: Chappaqua Fire Department, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps., First Responders, Millwood Fire Company, Millwood Fire Department, New Castle Police, Ossining Ambulance Corps., Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps

The Chappaqua Central School District: A Community for Learning

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

The Chappaqua Central School District is a nationally renowned suburban school system characterized by highly motivated students, well-educated and forward-thinking staff, and an actively involved parent community. The District offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary academic program and remains committed to providing an excellent education for all students in a supportive environment.

In order to continue Chappaqua’s record of success, the District has embarked on a Strategic Coherence Planning process. This extensive review will assist in aligning and focusing the systems that define Chappaqua’s schools with the reliable acquisition of the identified vital student skills and attributes believed to be the most critical to success beyond Greeley. Social-emotional learning and curriculum alignment will continue to be high priorities moving forward.

As 2016 Capital Bond projects are completed, students are thriving in the new spaces as they grapple with solving challenging real-life problems using the Chappaqua Design Process and critical thinking skills through a collaborative approach. Each elementary school has a Global Learning Center and MakerSpace, each middle school has a STEAM Center, and the high school has an iLab, MakerSpace, STEAM Center, Global Learning Center, Multi-Media Studio, two Instructional Centers, and a Visual Arts Lab. All of these student-centered learning environments support small and large group instruction, independent study, and team collaboration. Students can roll up their sleeves and actively participate in problem-based learning, divergent thinking, and knowledge creation. As a result, students perform well on the Regents exams, SATs and other measures of academic achievement. All six schools consistently rank among the top schools in the county, state, and the nation.

In addition, strong partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and Apple have enabled staff to leverage technology in new ways to provide feedback, personalize instruction, and monitor student progress. The goal is to graduate students who are thoughtful, creative, curious, proactive, imaginative, inventive, and can formulate hypotheses, effectively communicate their ideas, interact well with others, and are personally reflective. These are the students who will be ready for college and the work world.

While the District fully embraces its long history of offering a strong curriculum for core subjects as well as a wide range of Advanced Placement and elective courses that challenge and empower students, extra-curricular activities and athletics also play a key role. They provide students with many positive experiences that help them to become well-rounded individuals. Whether it’s pursuing their passions, discovering hidden talents, meeting people they might not otherwise encounter, or stepping outside of their comfort zones as they pursue something new and completely different, students receive a complete and comprehensive K-12 educational experience.

For more information, please visit ccsd.ws or call 914-238-7200.

Schools

Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School (K-4, 441 students)
650 King St. • 238-7204 • dg.ccsd.ws

Roaring Brook Elementary School (K-4, 395 students)
530 Quaker Rd. • 238-7205• rb.ccsd.ws

Westorchard Elementary School (K-4, 409 students)
25 Granite Rd. • 238-7206 • wo.ccsd.ws

The three elementary schools foster a love of learning in a nurturing environment that promotes mutual respect and encourages social responsibility. The emphasis is on higher-level thinking skills with the development of essential skills to provide a strong foundation for students to become life-long learners.

The schools are organized in heterogeneous classes with comprehensive support services and technology integrated into the curriculum. The instrumental music program (lessons and group instruction) begins in fourth grade, with students selecting from a variety of string, woodwind, and brass instruments to play as they embark on their exploration of band or orchestra participation.

Elementary teachers nourish students’ emotional lives and guide their social development, instilling in them an appreciation of self-worth, of individual difference, and of global interdependence. They help students learn how to manage freedom and to act ethically so that each may become a responsible, contributing member of a global society, and are supported in their work by a variety of special area teachers as well as teaching specialists. While responsible for covering the District’s challenging curriculum, teachers are encouraged to use their individual talents and interests for the benefit of their students. The end result is a caring and nurturing child-focused environment with student projects and artwork covering just about every inch of the hallways.

Robert E. Bell Middle School (5-8, 623 students)
50 Senter St. • 238-7202 • bs.ccsd.ws

Seven Bridges Middle School(5-8, 584 students)
222 Seven Bridges Rd. • 238-7203 • sb.ccsd.ws

Each school recognizes that young adolescents have unique developmental needs on cognitive, social, emotional and physical levels. The middle school program addresses these needs and builds upon the attributes and unique skills and abilities of every student while providing them with a strong academic foundation.

The middle schools also embrace a team-teaching philosophy, with staff meeting daily to discuss student needs, curricular and instructional issues, and to communicate with parents and support personnel. Students apply creativity and are committed to learning and growth. They are good writers and speakers who express themselves well in many media, and are open-minded and at ease collaborating and cooperating with others. They study core subjects and take courses in technology, computers, art, music, physical education, health and family and consumer science. Foreign language instruction begins in the 5th grade when students have the option of taking Latin, French, or Spanish.

In addition to exploring mini-courses designed to promote critical thinking and analytical skills, there are extensive after-school programs, which include modified sports and clubs and organizations that address other interests of young adolescents.

Horace Greeley High School (9-12, 1,266 students)
70 Roaring Brook Rd. • 238-7201 • hg.ccsd.ws

Greeley students are self-motivated and highly engaged as they are taught to think critically and collaborate to solve problems in all courses. In addition to core subjects (most students take English, social studies, math, science, and foreign language classes through their senior year), students are committed to the fine and performing arts and have an opportunity to take any number of the dozens of electives offered–including shared online courses, a science research course, independent study, and the senior experience internship program. Over two-thirds of the student body participate in more than 85 clubs and organizations, publish two student newspapers, and compete on over 70 sports teams.

 

Courtesy of the Chappaqua Central School District

Filed Under: Discover New Castle Tagged With: Advance Placement, Chappaqua Central School District, Collaborative, education, Elective Courses, Global Learning, Grafflin, Greeley, iLab, K-12, Learning, Multi Media Studio, Roaring BRook, Robert E. Bell, Seven Bridges, STEAM Center, Students, Suburban School System, Supporive, West Orchard

Chappaqua PTA: Six Schools. One District. Every Child. One Voice.

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

Chappaqua PTA advocates for every student and provides a wide range of programs and events to all children.

Each year the Chappaqua PTA, with the help of parents and families, coordinates and funds many popular programs including R21P&K, Cultural Enrichment, Young Writer’s Workshop, Learning to Look, the Special Education Committee, Parent Education Programs with sought after speakers and relevant topics for parents, STEMfest, Science Olympiad and Hour of Code events. Each year, PTA members take charge of a myriad of diverse enrichment programs for students at each of New Castle’s six schools.

From the spring before kindergarten to graduation day and beyond, the Chappaqua PTA provides programs and events designed for every stage of a student’s development. With grade level playground get togethers and socials, the PTA provides opportunities for kids to socialize and build peer relationships.

Cultural enrichment programs during the school day support the curriculum and help students develop strong classroom citizenship and help them resist and stop school bullying. Spooktacular, Fall Festival, Used Toy and Book Fair and the Craft Fair provide family events that connect kids with the wider town community.  In ASE and ASP programs kids can develop athletic skills, try out arts and crafts, explore nature, jump into coding or Lego tech or even dabble in stocks.

With theater programs in elementary and middle school and talent shows at the middle schools, students gain a chance to be brave and explore the arts.  The Chappaqua PTA even helps children look beyond their school years and into their future with 8th grade Career Day, Greeley Alumni night, Speed Interviewing at Greeley and PHG101–a look at life after Greeley.

The Chappaqua PTA also provides relevant, up-to-date information to parents, curated by both school and grade. The Chappaqua PTA website is a vital communication platform with timely information in an easy access and easy to use format for every family; parents can find information here from each school as well as the Chappaqua PTA and its subcommittees.

This is just a small sampling of all the Chappaqua PTA and its school PTAs provide to students. The Chappaqua Central School District administration, teachers and parent volunteers help make all the programming possible. To get involved, please contact chappaquaptapresident@gmail.com.

 

Photos by Grace Bennett   Information, Courtesy of the Chappaqua PTA

Filed Under: Discover New Castle Tagged With: Chappaqua PTA, Crafts Fair, Cultural enrichment, Used Toy and Book Fair

Three Key Organizations Supporting Education in the Chappaqua School District

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

Chappaqua School Foundation

The mission of the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) is to enhance the education of Chappaqua’s students by fostering innovation and funding meaningful initiatives beyond the scope of the school budget. CSF connects Chappaqua Central School District educators’ creativity, imagination and dedication with community support, engagement and investment. The result: CSF empowers educators to improve the quality of education by making innovation possible throughout the district. Since 1993, CSF has invested nearly 4 million dollars through the funding of over 340 educational grants positively impacting every school, every grade and every student in the District. chappaquaschoolfoundation.org.

Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund

Photo by Grace Bennett

Sending a child to college can be a significant financial challenge. Since its founding in 1946, the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund (HGSF) exists to make up “the difference” between the actual costs of college and all other financial resources available to students and their families (i.e. loans, scholarships, work-study, student and parent savings) by giving grants to Greeley students and alumni to cover these financial deficits. HGSF is a nonprofit organization whose Board of Directors is composed of community members. It is funded by caring neighbors and members of the New Castle community who want to ensure that every student can realize their dream of a college education. hgsf.org

Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program

Photo by Ari Bennett

The Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program (CSSP) was founded in 1968 when two longtime Chappaqua friends despaired over the educational crisis in New York City. Now entering its 51st year, CSSP offers a bridge between the Chappaqua community and students from under-resourced high schools in the Bronx. It is an academic enrichment home stay program during the month of July when 24 rising sophomores, juniors and seniors stay with two different host families and take courses in STEAM, Shakespeare studies, creative writing and film making. Afternoons are spent taking tennis and swim lessons and engaging in community service and other workshops and activities. Students have attended many wonderful colleges and universities, and have gone on to join the workforce in a multitude of professions.

CSSP recently hosted its first annual college transition day for CSSP students entering college in the fall; an active Alumni Association has  been formalizing a mentoring program between CSSP alumni and students in college. chappaquasummerscholarship.com 

Courtesy of the Chappaqua School Foundation, Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund and the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program.

Filed Under: Discover New Castle Tagged With: Chappaqua School Foundation, Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program, Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund

Year Round Programming and Access at the Chappaqua Library

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

 

 

The Library’s mission is to provide information, programming, and access to resources and materials for the community’s educational and recreational needs. Our catalog, online resources, and downloadable books, movies and music are available to patrons 24 hours a day either through our website, chappaqualibrary.org. or our mobile app.

The library is open seven days a week during the school year: Monday-Thursday 9-8, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. The library is closed on Sundays in the summer.

Your Library–24/7!

  • Free wi-fi, public computers and wireless printing
  • Study and conference rooms
  • A wide assortment of books (including audiobooks and large print), popular and classic DVDs, and music
  • Art gallery with curated exhibits
  • Museum passes
  • Extensive adult, teen, and children’s programming, with book discussions, lectures, concerts, storytimes, movies and more
  • Online research databases
  • Downloadable e-books, audiobooks, movies and music
  • Extensive online archive of filmed library programs

The friendly and knowledgeable library staff will help you with all your research needs. The Chappaqua Library is part of The Westchester Library System, a consortium of 38 libraries in Westchester County with a shared online catalog and daily delivery service. Your library card gives you borrowing privileges at each, plus the ability to reserve an item and have it delivered locally for your convenience.

Board of Trustees

The Library is governed by a five-person board of trustees, elected by the voters of the Chappaqua Central School District. All meetings are open to the public, and generally take place at 7:30p.m.on the third Tuesday of each month.

Friends of the Chappaqua Library

This non-profit organization promotes financial support for the Library through various fundraising events, donations, and membership fees. Meetings to discuss programs and funding are held monthly at the Chappaqua Library. The Friends hold an annual used book sale, which promotes reading throughout the community. They also sponsor the Young Writers Contest every spring for middle school and high school students.

The Chappaqua Library hosts many exciting and engaging programs throughout the year, all free and open to the public. Following are some highlights of recurring and ongoing events:

Big Truck Day

Held annually every spring, Big Truck Day is exactly what it sounds like. Come see an exciting display of “big trucks”–including, but not limited to, Chappaqua and Millwood firetrucks, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps van, Chappaqua Transportation school buses, motorcycles, and assorted construction vehicles–right outside, in the Chappaqua Library parking lot! The event is free of charge and open to the public, and all ages are welcome!

Computer Help

Confused by your computer or smart phone? Our knowledgeable students can help you figure them out. One-on-one sessions let you focus on what you need.

Foreign Policy Discussion Group

Meeting at the Library once every other week for 16 sessions, this group listens to an expert guest speaker discuss world affairs. Discussion and questions follow. The topics offered vary from session to session and year to year.

Friday Hangout

Held every Friday during the school year (September through June, except for school vacation days), the library hosts a different drop-in program each week for students in grades 7-12. Past offerings have included author visits, book discussions, poetry readings, arts-and-crafts projects, and healthy snack cooking demonstrations.

Great Books

Read thought-provoking essays, poems and excerpts from longer pieces of literature and philosophy by great thinkers throughout the ages, classic to contemporary. Participants use the “shared inquiry” method of discussion to deepen and explore their understanding of the readings.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Wynton Marsalis is your guide in this film series that explores the many facets of jazz.

Museums at the Library

This open house-style event, held every spring, features booths from local museums where participants can learn about each museum and take part in creative and fun hands-on activities. Science, art, nature, history, music and more; all ages welcome!

Rising Stars Concert

Held annually in April or May, this music festival features young student performers. Classical and contemporary works from West to East are performed, followed by light refreshments. Co-sponsored by the Organization of Chinese Americans of Westchester/Hudson Valley.

Teen Study Hours

The Library extends its hours until 10 p.m. for high school students during exam weeks in January, May & June. Cooperative study groups encouraged!

Yale Alumni Lecture Series

Expert teachers present their most popular lectures. Recent offerings have included The Six Films That Changed America and Psychology and the Good Life.

Other Events

Themed film series, author talks, poetry readings, writing workshops, gardening lectures, book signings, health and wellness programs, and more!

For dates and registration information, go to the Events tab on the library’s website, chappaqualibrary.org.

 

Courtesy of the Chappaqua Library

Filed Under: Discover New Castle Tagged With: Big Truck Day, books, Chappaqua library, Databases, Discussion Groups, Friends of the Chappaqua Library, Lecture Series, New Castle, Online Research, reading, Resource

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