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Activities

District Parents Weigh in About iLearning

April 1, 2020 by Inside Press

Feedback from Chappaqua Central School District parents about their experiences with iLearning during what may be a much longer stretch of cyber-schooling than anyone could ever have predicted. 

Comments received April 1 – April 2, 2020

“I am an educator and parent of a student in the first grade at Grafflin. I am so pleased with the lessons that his teachers provide including all core subjects and specials such as gym, music, and art. The platform is easy to use and very interactive. You feel as if your teachers are there with you as they have video recorded the lessons and clear directions. The directions and lessons can easily be played multiple times if a student needs extra support.  The lessons are multi-sensory, not just all online and the child can submit answers through a chosen method.  For example, they are asked to build things and take pictures of what they have built, engage in scavenger hunts; they record themselves singing, and dancing.  As my son needs a lot of writing practice, rather than typing, during his writers’ workshop projects, he can use a drawing tool to write his paragraph and illustrate it all on paper. He can choose to just take a picture of his work and submit it or he can even do a video showing his story and reading it to the teacher.  It’s very easy. Having options for “type of response” is a very useful tool in supporting all types of learners. Additionally, the supplemental activities provided are websites and passwords set up on very worthwhile educational sites. Lastly, his teacher has started Zoom hang outs where the kids are just so excited to see their wonderful teacher Ms. Schassler and each other. She gives each student a time to share and read a story to them. Lastly, the teacher is available all the time through email and allows students to pace themselves through the work.  I could go on and on, actually. I’m very pleased and feel very grateful to live in such a wonderful community.  We are very fortunate as it is not like this throughout the country and the world. Thank goodness kids are resilient!” — Karalyne Sperling

“I have two boys – a sophomore and a 8th grader. They both have positive feedback regarding it. According to my sophomore (his words): “With all the things that are happening, a few glitches in iLearning is insignificant.” It has been a learning curve for both the students and the teacher and the experience has been really good for both my kids.”  — Madhumita Guha Thakurta

“My son has been doing iLearning and I couldn’t be more impressed.  He and I both have been able to independently communicate with his teacher whenever we need to,  and he is currently working on a group project online that looks like it’s done by middle school kids (he’s in the third grade).  I think this particular teacher has incorporated technology throughout the year, so the transition was much more seamless than I would have expected.” — Jessica Postrygacz

Comments received between March 30th and April 1, 2020:

“The first few days of iLearning  were by far the most stressful. We were in a transition and my kids, mainly my spunky 7 year old, highly resisted it. There was a lot of fighting with her in the beginning.  The older kids complied with the process more easily but quickly became frustrated when several assignments they thought they had submitted didn’t go through. There were misunderstandings about this and the two of them (separately as they are in different grades) became very stressed about having grades penalized because of misunderstood technical difficulties.  Meanwhile, my priority as a parent has been to keep the “vibe” in the house as calm and positive as possible during these strange and stressful days. The way I see it, these kids just had their entire world turned upside down; suddenly they weren’t allowed to see their friends (only virtually), their activities had come to an abrupt halt and they could most definitely sense the stress my husband was feeling about the state of the economy and everything else going on out there.I wanted to shield my kids from any further stress. I was trying to look at the bigger picture and prioritize their mental wellness over grades. At the end of the first week of iLearning I emailed several teachers asking them to be mindful that the kids were going through a lot of changes and might not be able to get all assignments in on time. I told them that my kids were experiencing a lot of stress around being penalized for late assignments. The teachers and administration responded reasonably to my email. I also have had the “pass/fail or grades” discussion with many people; this seems to be a big question out there right now. I personally prefer the pass/fail grading for the rest of this school year because I am prioritizing my family’s mental health and stress management, but I realize there are many opinions on this. As of last week grades were still being given out by some (not all) of my kids teachers. From my perspective full compliance with the official policy* (below) would smooth things out. I am hoping the issues we have had are because we have all been in a transition and the big bumps in the road are now behind us. iLearning does seem to get better day-by-day.”— Sabra Staudenmaier

“The curriculum for middle school is great- it’s just the right amount of work. My first grader who needs the most has over 90 assignments this week;  granted they don’t take too long but I do have to sit with her to do them, and then,  my 4th grader who is less motivated, requires me to also be on top of her. While the iLearning initiative is great, it still can’t replace the talented teachers we have in the district.”  — Stacey Pfeffer

“I have two kids – a 5th grader at Seven Bridges (7B) and a 9th grader at Greeley. I think it’s going okay for them. They’re occupied pretty much all day with work they’ve been assigned. I think the teachers have been working hard to follow their curriculums, although I’ve been disappointed at the lack of live instructional time for my 7B student. So far, only one teacher is using Zoom daily to meet with the students as a group, and it has worked very well to keep the class connected, engaged, and learning in a classroom-like setting. I think more teachers will need to do group face to face instruction if they’re doing remote learning the rest of the school year. My high schooler seems to be having an easier time engaging on a regular basis with her teachers and classmates. Canvas is a fine LMS, but it’s a horrible remote learning system, and it’s made worse by how the teachers use it inconsistently. The notices posted in different areas, the assignments that don’t show up on the calendars, Zoom for conferences, flip grid for videos, YouTube for other videos, etc. It’s a nightmare, and I would be happy to blow Canvas up entirely. LMS software in general is a really user-unfriendly landscape for which many schools pay significant sums though, so I don’t fault the district on this one. There aren’t significantly better platforms yet. I know from previous experience that remote/iLearning/online learning is a very difficult environment for students to feel engaged. It’s also an incredible amount of work for instructors, so I feel for these teachers and appreciate their effort. Overall, I’m impressed with how quickly the District was able to move to this model. Moving forward, I’d like to see the District put in place a week of remote learning every year to keep this emergency plan tuned up and ready to roll out at any time.”  — Kate Brady

“This is a challenging and isolating situation for our teachers and children. I think that greatest gift the teachers could give their students is to make sure that the kids are connecting with them and each other. I think this program will be considered a success if the teachers do everything in their power to continue to make learning interactive every class day.”  — Deb Notis, co-owner of GAMECHANGER

“I have a son in Freshman year and honestly iLearning for us has been great. Before i get into my opinion I do want to say these are crazy times…we are in unchartered territory here…no one prepared for this. Given this, I think the teachers are doing as good of a job as they can. My son is decently busy, is learning and most importantly, he is busy. The school work is also making him interact with his friends which is predominantly on video calls. This has helped deal with isolation so he doesn’t miss his friends as much. The teachers for most part have been great. I know there have been zoom calls with teachers to talk through any issues/ concerns. The funniest is the PE (physical education) homework…I almost didn’t believe it that the PE teachers are also taking this so seriously. My son has to send in every Friday what he did. I am truly grateful to the teachers and the district.” –– Swati Bhargava

 

In case you missed it, our interview too with Chappaqua’s School Superinendent, Christine Ackerman:  https://www.theinsidepress.com/learning-how-the-kids-are-doing-with-ilearning/

 

Filed Under: Stay Connected Tagged With: Activities, bumps, changes, Curriculum, cyber-schooling, cyberlearning, grades, ILearning, misunderstandings, official policy, pass/fail, wellness

What We Love About Breezemont

December 1, 2019 by The Inside Press

Courtesy of Breezemont Day Camp

1. Our highly trained staff and very high camper to counselor ratios

2. Our well balanced range of activities

3. Our new facilities and fields

4. Our beautiful lake

5. Our towel service

6. Our Red Cross Certified Swim Program and heated pools

7. Our nut free, no outside food policy, hot lunches and allergy specialist on site at all times

8. Our Registered nurses at camp each day

9. Our qualified and experienced  leadership team

10. Our wonderful Breezemont families that create our special community

Visit us at breezemontdaycamp.com.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness with our Sponsors Tagged With: Activities, Breezemont Day Camp, community, facilities, Fields, heated pools, leadership, lunches, staff, Swim Program

Pleasantville Day: Community Fun & Friendship

August 24, 2019 by Charlotte Harter

The town of Pleasantville was awash with smiles and laughter, the sounds of live music, and the unmistakable scent of funnel cake and popcorn as the community celebrated yet another successful Pleasantville Day festival on Saturday, May 18th. A tradition lasting over thirty years, Pleasantville Day is not only a day of fun and games for the children, but also an important reminder to their parents of the joys of living in a small, close-knit community. Filled with colorful booths, carnival rides, dance showcases, and an impressive selection of food, there truly is something for everyone. This year, the festival boasted a juggling stilt-walker, human statue, and giant inflatable slide in addition to its usual activities to keep it feeling new and exciting despite its long run in the town.

Soon after arriving at Memorial Plaza, children of all ages were gleefully laughing and clutching onto their cotton candy as they played games and won prizes. But Pleasantville Day isn’t just a day for the children–parents enjoyed themselves equally, chatting, enjoying the live jazz music, and entering raffles to win gifts provided by local businesses. Even the pets of Pleasantville seemed to be having a good time with no shortage of furry faces. Besides the expected endless stands filled with games and crafts, Pleasantville Day also hosted a diverse number of tables this year, including a sports equipment swap, town conservation awareness booth, and a variety of fundraising tables for Pleasantville High School clubs. Pleasantville Day is truly a cherished day in the community which provides a unique opportunity for townspeople of all ages to come together and enjoy a day of fun and celebration. This event has become somewhat of an institution in the village, a powerful reminder of the beauty of living in a tight-knit, small town in which every face is a familiar and friendly one. In essence, Pleasantville Day is an embodiment of all the values Pleasantville aims to encapsulate: friendship, fun, and most importantly, community.

Filed Under: Pleasantville Community Tagged With: Activities, community day, festival, Firefighters Parade, Pleasantville, Stilt Walker

MAY we Suggest? Things to Do In and Around Town!

April 21, 2016 by The Inside Press

With Spring turning to summer and the school year winding down, here are three ideas of things to do in Armonk and three more to do around Westchester County in May…and for some, in June and beyond.

In Town

1. Get to the pool. Now is a good time to get your swimming gear from the attic. The North Castle Pool opens on Saturday, May 28, with the town holding an opening day event with free admission, a DJ, music, and pool contests. Free snacks will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pool season runs until September.

 

“Animals Out of Paper” at e Hudson Stage Company
“Animals Out of Paper” at e Hudson Stage Company

legally blond logo2. Go (back) to the theater. In our last issue, we listed some of the great upcoming performances on the stage in Armonk. The next couple months will give you even more chances to check out your local theaters. Hudson Stage Company’s “Animals Out of Paper,” a love story about a high school teacher and an origami artist, runs until May 14 at Whippoorwill Hall Theatre at the North Castle Library. The following weekend, on May 20 and 21, Lighthouse Youth Theatre will perform “Urinetown” (LYT will perform “Legally Blonde” the following month, June 10-12). From June 3 to 11, you can catch The Armonk Players performance of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” as three actors put on the Bard’s 37 plays in 97 laughter-filled minutes. Finally, catch Spotlight Theatre Company’s production of “The Producers” June 17-26.

3. Check out your first ‘First Thursday.’ If you’ve never been to Armonk’s ‘First Thursday’ celebration’s before, this spring is the perfect time to enjoy a wonderful local event for the whole family that helps promote commerce. Held on the first Thursday of each month (for this issue, May 5 and June 2), live entertainment is provided in the Hamlet’s downtown from 5 to 9 p.m.; many businesses will offer promotions. First Thursdays are hosted by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

First Thursday in Armonk. Photo by Mike Dardano.
First Thursday in Armonk. Photo by Mike Dardano.

Around the County

Dragon Coaster, Playland
Dragon Coaster, Playland

1. Visit Playland. Not all communities are lucky enough to have an amusement park like Rye Playland just a 20-minute drive away. Whether it’s been years since your last trip to the 88-year-old amusement park or just a few months, now’s the time to go back. Opening day at the park is Saturday, May 7, so you won’t have to wait long to ride the Dragon Coaster again.

At an ArtsWestchester Exhibit, work by Laurel Garcia Colvin
At an ArtsWestchester Exhibit, work by Laurel Garcia Colvin

2. Embrace local arts. Just as you don’t have to go to Manhattan to see great theater, there’s no need to cross the county line to explore New York’s art scene. For starters, make your way to White Plains for ArtsWestchester’s exhibit “SHE: Deconstructing Female Identity.” The exhibit, which opened in March to celebrate Women’s History Month, is on display through June 25. Also check out the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, the Canfin Gallery in Tarrytown, the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, and the Katonah Museum of Art.

3. Go hiking. Last issue, we mentioned Betsy Sluder Nature Preserve off Old Route 22 as a great spot for hiking, and if you haven’t made it to the trail yet, it should be high on your list. But Betsy Sluder is just one of many great hiking trails in Westchester. You can also head to Peekskill to try Anthony’s Nose, one of the area’s best trails leading to a beautiful view of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Then, make your way through the Cranberry Lake Preserve in New Castle, next to the Kensico Reservoir. Yorktown’s Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center is another great option. For a list of hiking trails throughout Westchester,visit
parks.westchestergov.com.

The writer is a lifelong Westchester resident and the guest editor of Inside Armonk Magazine.

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Activities, Armonk, Inside Press, Spring, summer, theinsidepress.com, town, Westchester

The Joy of Recreation and Parks

August 5, 2015 by The Inside Press

10K Race.people girl fishing ragamuffins

We are very proud of our Recreation and Parks Department in New Castle, where there is something for everyone. We have one of the finest art workshops in Westchester County, along with a wide range of children’s programs from infants to toddlers and pre-schoolers as well as a very successful dance program. Looking for camp? We offer Summer Camps for children ages 4 through 8th grade along with Specialty Camps such as Soccer, Lacrosse and Basketball. Annual events include the much loved Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, a free Fishing Derby and a very challenging 10K Road Race which traverses the hilly terrain of New Castle. In cooperation with the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, we offer a series of summer concerts at Recreation Field. We have our fair share of youth sports here in town as well; youth athletic programs include Baseball/Softball, 

Lacrosse, Soccer, Field Hockey,
Football, Wrestling and Basketball.

For more info, call 914-238-3909 or visit mynewcastle.org

Robert O. Snyder

Superintendent of Recreation & Parks

rsnyder@mynewcastle.org

Exploring our Grand Parks

 

Glazier Arboretum
Glazier Arboretum / Photo by Jolie Simpson

One of New Castle’s greatest draws is its natural beauty with its very own network of parks and sanctuaries. For the outdoor enthusiast, the Town boasts an award winning park system, states Snyder. “We are proud of our 549 acres of parkland which comprises seven separate parks and two preserves.” Town parks and preserves include Amsterdam, Burden, Gedney, Glazier, Millwood Park, Recreation Field, Sunny Ridge, Warburg, and Whippoorwill, with facilities including hiking trails, ball fields, and playgrounds.

The Saw Mill River Audubon Society, with headquarters at 275 Millwood Road in Chappaqua, maintains eight local wildlife sanctuaries. Two in particular, Pruyn Sanctuary and Pinecliff Sanctuary, are ideal for a leisurely country walk. Trail maps are posted at each site and the trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk.

Whipporwill Park
Whipporwill Park / Photo by Jolie Simpson

Pruyn Sanctuary (pronounced Prine), 92 acres off Route 133, has three miles of wide open walking and running trails. Public Parking is available at both entrances, the garden entrance at the Pruyn home (off Route 133, two miles east of Millwood or just before the train entrance at the end of Woodmill Road.

Photo by Jolie Simpson
Photo by Jolie Simpson

Following the Fern and Pruyn trails will take you on a dirt road with sections of boardwalk through a pond, arboretum, and a butterfly and hummingbird garden. There’s enough terrain change to make this an interesting walk requiring moderate endurance. If you prefer something less rigorous, try the Pinecliff Sanctuary at the end of Pinecliff Road in Chappaqua. This site offers a quarter mile of wheelchair accessible boardwalk, allowing everyone the chance to experience nature. Benches and interpretive signs dot the path taking you through a pond and red maple swamp, a especially rich habitat of local birds. Stroll through in ten minutes or repeat the loop, or try the additional half mile of upland trails which connect to the boardwalk.

fall parks page pic
A Chappaqua Lake. Photo by Don Emmert/Afp/Getty Images

New Castle also maintains several area parks ideal for walking and running include Gedney and Whippoorwill Parks. Gedney Park, the less remote of the two, has a year round comfort station, and a popular playground. Whippoorwill is populated with wildlife so be cautious.

And whether you are rollerblading or just looking for the perfect place to push a stroller, your best best is the 26-mile North Country Trailway maintained by the Westchester County Department of Parks. A popular section of the trail starts in Millwood. Public parking is just off Route 133, near Millwood Town Plaza. Take the well paved path north to the trailway bridge where you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty. Walkers, bikers, hikers and in line skaters are all welcome. Use caution where the road crosses public roads. For trail maps and parking information, visit westchestergov.com

Filed Under: Inside My New Castle Tagged With: Activities, fishing, outdoors, parks, running

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