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Chappaqua School Foundation

Moms of the World

April 8, 2022 by Grace Bennett

A ‘selfie’ before the Chappaqua Library author talk. I was ‘hair ready’ too thanks to Carolyn Vento and Miranda at the King Street Salon!

A picture of strollers left on the Poland/Ukraine border to greet the massive influx of refugees pulled heartstrings internationally. So many good moms of the world, parents & non-parents alike, are reeling from what has befallen Ukraine especially knowing that children have been killed and in harm’s way. One child victim is one too many. As I wrote this column while closing editions on March 19th, I hoped by the time you read this, a peace, however imperfect, would have arrived. But here in my update, I’m sad to state this brutal war goes on. However, no surprise to me, local moms and non-moms alike are stepping up to do what they can.

I was especially grateful to hear about an effort by two area humanitarians–Ivana Denniston (an aesthetician formerly of the Chappaqua Wellness Center) and Kristen Salomon–who were with an on the ground team working furiously at press time to help Ukrainian refugees into Slovakia. I shared their efforts online in case you missed it.

Meanwhile, strolling along Armonk’s Main Street one day, I came upon two young ladies, both freshmen at Byram Hills High School, selling baked goods on behalf of the Ukranian Crisis Mission Relief. Adrianna Zawojek had asked her friend Ariana Foreman to join her in baking some 200 items to sell. Adult friends also dropped off coffee & cake to their table. They raised close to $3000!!!, including what was donated to their Venmo, @helpingukraine914

The girls offered this statement: “When you have no political power (for example, high school freshmen), and the world is in dire need, you often feel helpless. You think, ‘Oh, I’m not a politician, I’m not a huge business owner, what influence can I have to make this better?’ It is humanity’s obligation to help each other when the time calls for it. When we heard the appalling & terrible news of what was happening in Ukraine, we knew that we had to do something!”

‘Mom’s World’ happened to be a theme developed months ago before this war began. Of all the issues published each year in the last 19 years, preparing Mother’s Day editions is always my favorite. After all, nothing has brought me more joy in my own life than being a mom, even with its challenges sometimes. I loved gathering the heartfelt essays and stories you’ll find in the current editions and here online from talented contributors who I count as dear friends now too.

For our Mother’s Day coverage, I was thrilled to include a touching cover love story about two Chappaqua Rotary Citizens of the Year, the indomitable Frank and Suzanne Shiner! Plus, please check out our more up close and personal interview with New Castle’s dynamic new Town Supervisor Lisa Katz. Please also don’t miss the spotlight on the Chappaqua School Foundation and consider supporting their efforts for innovation in education at the upcoming Tacos & Tequila night on April 29! It’s sounding like a rollicking great time is in store. In Armonk, we were struck by the enthusiastic response to the Armonk Fire Department’s CPR education offered free to local residents, thanks to the department’s awesome Julie Gallagher, assisted by Rich Greenwald. We were also delighted to learn about the return of the Fol-de-Rol!

A side note: while producing these editions, I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from my interview with author Dorothy Wickenden during a Chappaqua Library Author Talk: Dorothy Wickenden Sheds Light on the Strength & Perseverance of Three Women Who Fought for Abolition & Women’s Rights (theinsidepress.com)  For  the next edition, I’m looking forward to sharing future events the library has planned to celebrate 100 years of serving the New Castle community; indeed, we plan to explore the future of libraries in general!

All three editions offer a substantial nod to the considerable gardening and beautification efforts around town–a maternal endeavor if ever there was one considering the many moms involved. Their efforts are spotlighted in each edition, and the upcoming Mother’s Day Plant Sales, but we also ‘packaged’ them altogether for a special Mother’s Day floral celebration of sorts in Inside Pleasantville & Briarcliff Manor. In that edition, you’ll also find info about the upcoming Pleasantville Day, an animated conversation with two key community leaders about all things spring and summer in Briarcliff Manor, plus a colorful ‘mom profile,’ Stacey Winnick, a compassionate local volunteer and businesswoman.

We have additional articles for your reading pleasure as always. We have also been actively promoting the idea of subscriptions in print and/or online if you’d like to support our efforts! Finally, the balmy weather arrived early, so we spotlight three fabulous locales for spring strolling on Mother’s Day, or any day! Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: Just Between Us Tagged With: Chappaqua library, Chappaqua School Foundation, Editor's Letter, Garden Clubs, humanitarians, Inside Press, Just Between Us, Magazines, Main Street, peace, Publisher, Ukraine, war

Chappaqua School Foundation: A Focus on Innovation

April 8, 2022 by Shauna Levy

CSF members gathering in front of the new Sustainability Research Center at Horace Greeley High School. First row (l-r): Julie Balber, Shauna Levy, Tara Brandoff, Jillian Bynum, Megan Gulotta, Michele Wolfberg, Dayna Beicke, Anuja Joshi, Lois O’Neill, Solveig McShea, Joanna Coogan, Sheri Hametz. Second row (l-r): Jennifer Belew, Todd Herrell, Eugene Song  PHOTO By Donna Mueller

Home to bucolic grounds, a small-town vibe and a nationally recognized school district, Chappaqua is renowned for its strong sense of community. Embedded within the fabric of that community is the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), a nonprofit organization with the mission of funding innovative, educational projects that fall outside the scope of Chappaqua Central School District’s (CCSD) budget. Over the past two years, CSF’s work has never been more relevant, as the organization evolves and pivots to support the district’s goal of prioritizing students’ needs. 

Mission Control

Since its inception in 1993, CSF has raised over $4 million, funding over 350 educational grants and innovative projects. Its Board of Directors is comprised of 22 parent volunteers, representing each of Chappaqua’s six schools with diverse backgrounds and skill-sets.

Solveig McShea, President of CSF, took on the role in a time marked by change and uncertainty. Her mission was simple despite an environment that’s been anything but. She explains, “Our mission to fund innovation in our schools has held fast and helped us to navigate the shifting landscape. We also increased our focus on engaging our rapidly growing community through a host of new initiatives. We want to involve people in the excitement of what we are doing. Our work, after all, impacts each of our children.” 

Granting Innovations

CSF works alongside CCSD, teachers, parents, and students to identify significant strategic initiatives that are innovative and meaningful. CSF funds those initiatives with two types of grants; Instagrants, and Traditional Grants. Instagrants are smaller grants under $2,500 that undergo a condensed approval process; ideal for projects that teachers wish to implement during the same school year. Traditional Grants are awarded through a multi-step process for programs that tie into the curriculum and take longer to develop. 

The grants process is a true partnership between CSF and CCSD. Todd Herrell, Vice President, Grants elaborates, “We have a strong, collaborative relationship with our District to identify grants that spur educational enhancements and innovations in each of our schools. In recent years, CSF has funded projects including Studio 7B, a fully functional professional grade digital television studio, clip-on microphones to enhance teachers’ ability to overcome audio challenges during the pandemic and, a particularly exciting endeavor, the Sustainability Research Center (SRC) at Greeley that’s currently in construction.” 

Christine Ackerman, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Chappaqua Central School District is also enthusiastic about the grant, saying, “Our sustainability research center will allow our students to explore and understand how to conserve natural resources in a cutting-edge facility. We are thrilled to provide this space for our students through our partnership with the CSF, PTA and the Robert and Ardis James Foundation.”

This isn’t CSF’s first forward-thinking grant. In 2018, CSF partnered with the District on the 1:1 Digital Learning Initiative, the largest single grant ever awarded at that time. This grant provided every 3rd and 4th grade student with their own school iPad. The full scope of this grant was truly demonstrated in 2020, as Herrell points out, when “these resources became instrumental in helping to facilitate the quick transition to remote learning at the onset of the pandemic.”  

Putting the “Fun” In Fundraiser

Fundraising efforts are at the crux of CSF’s ability to support the District. Two years ago, however, fundraising events screeched to a halt, forcing CSF to rewrite its playbook. Lois O’Neill, Executive Vice President & Vice President, Fundraising met the challenge head-on with a slew of ingenuitive fundraisers. She says, “The pandemic both changed and expanded our fundraising platform, and frankly broke down some walls, allowing us to build creative new ways to interact with our community. We launched a line of Chappaqua apparel, debuted what are now annual events–the CSF Food Truck Night and our At Home Series–and began offering Holiday Rainbow Cookie Jars. We love that these fundraisers enable people to give at any level whether it’s through a Walter’s hotdog, a Chappaqua hat or giving at the Benefit Committee level.”   

After a two-years hiatus, CSF is excited for the highly anticipated return of its largest fundraiser, the annual Spring Benefit. O’Neill has big plans for the Benefit’s revival on Friday, April 29th. “We want CSF to be a catalyst for the return to fun; we want to deliver on that as a thank you to our community for their deep generosity,” she explains, adding, “This year, the Benefit will feature a “Tacos & Tequila” theme with music and dancing. Our silent auction features a curated selection of exciting gifts, travel, and food items, and is now an online, one-week event culminating on the evening of the Benefit.”

New Beginnings

As McShea reflects upon the previous year, she says, “Though it’s been a challenging time, it’s also been deeply rewarding. I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, from funding projects like diversity libraries in the elementary schools to programs exploring the impact of discrimination and human rights violations to repurposing a commons space at Greeley for social/emotional well-being. We are exploring how CSF can support the whole student with a robust classroom experience, so that they are prepared to lead and thrive in the outside world.” McShea acknowledges that much work remains to be done and that priorities are constantly in-flux, but in uncertain times, the CCSD community can be assured that CSF will be a stable source of support.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chappaqua School Foundation, educational grants, innovation, Instagrants, Tacos and Tequila

Virtual Cooking Class with Chef Dale Talde of Goosefeather

January 20, 2022 by InsidePress

On Monday, February 7th, from 6-7 p.m., the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) bringing back its “At Home” series with a live, virtual culinary experience featuring nationally recognized Chef Dale Talde of Goosefeather in Tarrytown. The chef will host a fun hour of cooking along with instructions to whip up a signature cocktail.                                                   This event offers ticket holders a chance to grab a coveted seat at the restaurant, selected by ESQUIRE as one of the “Best New Restaurants in America, 2020.” The cost of tickets are $50 per household. Proceeds from the event benefit the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), a non-profit recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  

For further convenience, attendees have the option to purchase a $75 recipe ingredient grocery bag courtesy of DeCicco’s in Millwood. Participants will be responsible for scheduling and picking up the bag on February 6. Details will be sent via email following registration for the event. 

PURCHASE TICKET AND OPTIONAL INGREDIENT KIT HERE: https://chappaquaschoolfoundation.org/at-home-series-dale-talde/  

About Chef Dale Talde

Prior to opening the acclaimed Goosefeather in Tarrytown, Filipino-American chef Dale Talde made a name for himself with his eponymous restaurant, TALDE, which opened in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood in 2012. He went on to open a TALDE in Miami, Florida and in Jersey City, New Jersey. Dale debuted his first project in Manhattan with the opening of Massoni at the Arlo NoMad Hotel in November 2016. His second Manhattan restaurant called Rice & Gold opened in October 2017 at the 50 Bowery Hotel in Chinatown. In Florida, Dale also had three locations in the food hall Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach. They were called The Corner, Clare’s and Little Red Truck. Dale was also a three-time cheftestant on Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning culinary show, “Top Chef.” He competed in Season 4, “All Star” Season 8, “Top Chef Duels”, and became one of the show’s most popular cast members. Dale has competed on “Chopped,” “Iron Chef America,” “Knife Fight” and was also head judge on “Knife Fight” Season 4, as well as guest judge on both “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”

-Courtesy of Chappaqua School Foundation

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Chappaqua School Foundation, Cooking Class, fundraiser

Chappaqua School Foundation’s Food Truck Fundraiser Returns to Bell Middle School on October 25

October 21, 2021 by Inside Press

Join Chappaqua’s annual Food Truck Fundraiser on Monday, October 25th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the lower lot of the Robert E. Bell Middle School on S. Greeley Avenue! This event will feature a special limited menu from seven beloved New York eateries that will come together to serve up mouthwatering seasonal twists on signature offerings.

Organized by the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), 25% of the proceeds from this event will go towards the organization’s mission of funding innovation throughout the district’s classrooms. Most recently, grants have supported Studio 7B, a state-of-the-art multi-media makerspace, the architecture and curriculum expansion of the Grafflin Greenhouse, and the “All Night in a Day” grant, which provided copies of the book “Night” by Elie Wiesel to all 10th graders.

 

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Chappaqua School Foundation, Chappaqua School Foundation fundraiser, Food Truck

VIRTUAL DUMPLING CLASS WITH DALE TALDE OF GOOSEFEATHER

January 11, 2021 by Inside Press

Snag a Seat at Coveted Westchester Eatery

On Monday, January 25th, from 6-7pm, the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) is launching its “At Home” series with a live, virtual culinary experience featuring nationally recognized Chef Dale Talde of Goosefeather in Tarrytown. The chef will host a fun hour of dumpling making along with instructions to whip up a “Post Paloma” signature cocktail. This event offers ticket holders a chance to grab a coveted seat at the restaurant, recently selected by ESQUIRE as one of the “Best New Restaurants in America, 2020.” The cost of tickets are $50 per household. Proceeds from the event benefit the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), a non-profit recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  

For further convenience, attendees have the option to purchase a $70 recipe ingredient grocery bag courtesy of DeCicco’s in Millwood. Participants will be responsible for scheduling and picking up the bag on January 24. Details will be sent via email following registration for the event. 

PURCHASE TICKET AND OPTIONAL INGREDIENT KIT HERE:  https://chappaquaschoolfoundation.org/at-home-series-dale-talde/  

About Chef Dale Talde

Prior to opening the acclaimed Goosefeather in Tarrytown, Filipino-American chef Dale Talde made a name for himself with his eponymous restaurant, TALDE, which opened in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood in 2012. He went on to open a TALDE in Miami, Florida and in Jersey City, New Jersey. Dale debuted his first project in Manhattan with the opening of Massoni at the Arlo NoMad Hotel in November 2016. His second Manhattan restaurant called Rice & Gold opened in October 2017 at the 50 Bowery Hotel in Chinatown. In Florida, Dale also had three locations in the food hall Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach. They were called The Corner, Clare’s and Little Red Truck.   Dale was also a three-time cheftestant on Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning culinary show, “Top Chef.” He competed in Season 4, “All Star” Season 8, “Top Chef Duels”, and became one of the show’s most popular cast members. Dale has competed on “Chopped,” “Iron Chef America,” “Knife Fight” and was also head judge on “Knife Fight” Season 4, as well as guest judge on both “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”

-Courtesy of Chappaqua School Foundation

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Chappaqua School Foundation, education, schools

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