The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle News

Meet Greeley’s New Assistant Principal – Andrew Corsilia

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When students return to Greeley this fall they will see a familiar face in a new role.  Former English teacher and department chair Andrew Corsilia will greet students as interim assistant principal.

Corsilia, who has been in the district for 14 and a half years, assumed his new position formally on July 1.  He will be working with the class of 2015 and half of the incoming freshman; helping with event planning and discipline issues.  Corsilia’s other duties include supervising teachers and addressing concerns in the science, math, counseling, and art and life skills departments, serving as the Regents’ coordinator for the district, scheduling mid-term and final exams and overseeing clubs.

After completing his masters at Teacher’s College, Corsilia began his career at Greeley teaching “Ethics and Existence.”  This particular course and the breadth of electives were key elements in his decision to come to the district.  He had read “The Mysterious Stranger” by Mark Twain, one of the books covered in the class, in his junior year and remembered it “with great fondness.”  Another factor which figured prominently in his decision to come to Greeley has been his colleagues.  “I had such excellent models in teaching and scholarship within the English department,” he noted.  His mentor, Andrew Selesnick, worked with him in the department before becoming school principal.

Andrew Corsilia

Although Corsilia was on the job for most of the summer learning about state regulations and getting to know the staff, he did manage to schedule time for a canoeing and fishing vacation in Maine with his three children.  While his son was devouring books in the Wimpy Kid series, Corsilia focused on “Empire Falls” which takes place in Maine.

Emily Burack, a member of the class of 2013, cites Corsilia as being “the most influential teacher,” she has studied under at Greeley.  After he noticed her passion for reading, they began meeting once a cycle to discuss literature and subsequently developed an independent study course.  Burack predicts that Corsilia’s virtues as a teacher will render him an excellent assistant principal.  “He’s very, very accessible,” she observed.

Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program

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Seniors

Chappaqua is a community comprised of like-minded individuals who value education highly.  Another facet of the community is its desire to provide some of the resources available to its students to those who might otherwise not have access.  In 1968 the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program – CSSP was created to serve this need.  Every year, a group of students from two high schools in the Bronx is invited to attend a college preparatory program for the summers following ninth, tenth and eleventh grades.

Participants reside in a Chappaqua household from Sunday night through Friday morning.  Classes are held in one of the school district’s buildings in the morning on Monday through Thursday.  This year’s curriculum included a writing class, Shakespeare and robotics.  In the afternoons, swimming and tennis are on the agenda.  On Fridays, students work on a project at the Burns Film Center.  There are also frequent excursions to museums and colleges.

When Chappaqua resident Diane Albert first heard about CSSP from longtime member Diane Quandt, her interest was piqued. She joined the ranks and is currently serving as chair for her fifth year.  Albert attributes the success of the program to the community.     “The Board of Ed has always been very supportive,” she noted.  Counselors at Greeley donate their time to advise the students and members of the community speak about their careers.  “We feel it’s one of the best parts of Chappaqua,” Albert said.  “It broadens our idea of the world.”

Diane Quandt has housed students for 25 years and is one of the 33 families who housed students during the month of July.  She highlighted the fact that, “It’s a relatively small commitment on the part of host families.”  Each family provides meals, a room and transportation in the afternoons for two weeks.

For further information consult http://www.chappaquasummerscholarship.org/cssp/ or send an email to dianealbert@gmail.com.

Buy great books at bargain prices and support girls’ education in Malawi!

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On Saturday, August 25th, 8:30am-1pm, Greeley grad Cerianne Robertson (’09) will be selling second-hand books at the Chappaqua Farmers Market to raise money for Circle of Women (www.circleofwomen.org), a student-run nonprofit that builds and supports girls’ secondary schools around the world.   Stop by the market to browse books, bring your kids for free facepainting, and learn about Circle of Women’s work with a Malawian school.  The Chappaqua Farmers Market is located at St. Mary’s Church in downtown Chappaqua (191 South Greeley Ave).

Cerianne can be contacted at 914-844-9878 or at robertson.cerianne@gmail.com.

At July’s Sidewalk Sales: Free Tastings, Great Finds, and a Chance to Sing too

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Three days of Sidewalk Sales in Chappaqua, July 19-21, brought many residents and visitors to downtown Chappaqua to check out the action with their families, enjoy the festivities, and of course, pick up a few great finds.  With a clear sky and balmy temperatures on Saturday, the party really took off.  Visitors enjoyed “The Taste of Chappaqua” and sampled fine foods from various participating eateries here. The new Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, which had been promoting the event for a few weeks prior, was also a presence lending support to a number of merchants.  Janet Angier, of Music in Chappaqua surprised everyone on Saturday by inviting Westchester’s most acclaimed Karaoke DJ, Justine Faith,  to entertain shoppers, young and old, to sing a song or two as well! The hills of Chappaqua truly came alive.

Step in Style Summer Shoe Sale
These Greeley graduates were out looking for back to college finds!
Linda Degelsmith of the Chamber and Rich Glotzer, owner, Drug Mart
Karaoke on King Street
Karaoke DJ Justine Faith Doing her Thing on King Street!
Outside ICD Contemporary Jewelry

 

Inside Breeze
Outside Aurora
Elegance II’s “Babette” and her daughter
p in Style Summer Shoe Sale

Team Amy’s Second Annual Birthday BBQ Fundraiser

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Please join The Amy Marie Crabtree Foundation (Team Amy) for its Second Annual Birthday BBQ Fundraiser on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua, NY.

Entering its second year as 501(c)3 organization, Team Amy is excited to continue celebrating the life and goals of its inspiration, Amy Marie Crabtree, who lost her battle with brain cancer at the end of 2009. Amy’s life was dedicated to helping others through her vocation as a nurse, her family role as a mother, and her role in the community as a dedicated volunteer. The Foundation continues to support the causes most important to her, including organizations that promote awareness and support for Underprivileged and Sick Children, Abused and Disadvantaged Women, Abused Animals, and victims of the insidious disease that took her own life through Brain Cancer Research and Support.

In its inaugural year, the Foundation hosted some fun and well attended events and raised money for many local charities, including Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Friends4Michael, The Make A Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley, Hope’s Door, and The SPCA of Westchester.

Team Amy’s Second Annual Birthday BBQ Fundraiser is family friendly, and will celebrate the life of Amy Marie Crabtree, and the first year of the Foundation in a festive summer event that Amy would have loved. Enjoy delicious food and drinks, and great company, and learn about the Foundation’s past accomplishments and future plans.

The reception begins at 6:30 PM in the atrium room of the Crabtree’s Kittle House. A suggested donation of $60 can be made on the day of the event, or ahead of time through the Foundation’s website. Please visit www.teamamyfoundation.org or contact nancy@teamamyfoundation.org for more information and to RSVP for this event.