• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Print Subscription
  • Contact Us

public service

School Districts Receive Guide from County Relaying Opening Guidelines Surrounding COVID-19

August 14, 2020 by Brian Zhang

Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced on Monday that The Westchester County School Reopening Workgroup has released an eight-page “Frequently Asked Questions” guide that will assist the County’s school districts in addressing the health, COVID-19, and contact tracing requirements for their schools to reopen safely this school year.

Being one of the “major tasks” ahead of us, Latimer stressed working with school districts in reopening is a responsibility the county will do their best to coordinate. As of last week on August 7, New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced he was authorizing school districts to open. This means 44 of the schools in Westchester are approved to reopen their doors to students in September.

“Each of these schools had to submit plans for what reopening would look like with a host of different protocols. And those protocols involve not just what you do physically to keep people safe, but how you intend to educate children,” Latimer explained.

Although the County Government does not directly control school districts, they play a role in helping implement elements of the school district’s plan. Thus, the working group was created, the County Executive states. The Workgroup has been created to provide a direct link between the County’s health and facilities departments to school administrators, staff, faculty, students, and families as they prepare for the start of the school year.

“The most important thing for all of us is to create a safe and effective plan to best educate our students this fall,” Latimer states. “I am proud of the fast and efficient guidance the County and this working group has provided to assist our school district by making this a reality. By creating these FAQs, we are serving the proper role of government: assisting those who fall within our mandate of public service.”

The work group is co-chaired by Joseph Glazer, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health, and Joseph Ricca, White Plains School Superintendent, and President of the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents.

The FAQ’s are part of a larger effort by the Workgroup which has already provided four workshops and answered dozens of questions from school officials and medical staff.

As for the complexity in reopening schools, Latimer acknowledges this is a heavy situation to deal with. “It’s complicated in a school setting. We have the complications in the school setting with younger children. For kindergarten, first, and second graders, it’ll be tough for them to keep their masks on; it’s going to be tough for them to remember who they interacted with.”  Regarding older students, Latimer said, “While they’re capable of understanding what you’re saying, they have to give it the same weight and importance. And one of the issues we’ve had to deal with in this society at large, outside of the school setting, is how do 16, 17, 18-year-olds react when asked to change their lifestyle.”

Not only within the schools, but reopening will also have a large effect on society as a whole. “In opening schools, we are opening a major entity within our society. It’s an economic impact. It directly involves other types of decisions that have still yet to be made.” says Latimer.

“There’s a real dynamic here involved with the schools. This is the biggest thing we’re opening, probably since restaurants. But even restaurants are still voluntary. School, if school is open and is mandatory, you have to participate. And we’ll see how it plays out. I’m hopeful, but the jury is out until we get into it, and I do think we’re prepared. If it doesn’t work, however, we’ll shut it down–I think that has to be your mindset.” the County Executive concluded.

As for the statistics, there are 434 Active cases now in Westchester, a reduction of almost 30 from the previous week, 92 from the previous month, and over 700 from the peak in cases in April. The testing has been “consistent and sufficient,” according to Latimer, with 3000-4000 range of individuals being tested per day. There have been 428,800 people tested, which is well over 40% in the Westchester area, and 1/10 tested have come out positive.

“This is a good sign,” says Latimer. “The statistics are not so you can write them down in a little book; it’s to show that the level of infection here in Westchester County has dropped. And that’s important because here in Westchester, we’ve opened restaurants, retail establishments, beaches, offices, and throughout all of those different changes, we’ve been able to maintain a decreasing level of invention and impact.”

Filed Under: Surviving COVID-19 Tagged With: Back to School, George Latimer, government, Mandate, Protocols, public service, Reopening, Safe, School Districts, Students, Westchester County

“An Angel to the Town” Town Justice Douglas Kraus

February 2, 2014 by Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

Residing Town Justice Douglas Kraus introducing Congresswoman Nita Lowey at January’s Town Hall Swearing in ceremony. Photo Carolyn Simpson
Residing Town Justice Douglas Kraus introducing Congresswoman Nita Lowey at January’s Town Hall Swearing in ceremony. Photo Carolyn Simpson

Normally, it would be hard to imagine how a corporate lawyer, working umpteen hours a week, would find time to volunteer. When the subject in question is Douglas Kraus, it is perfectly understandable. This is a man who possesses limitless energy and places a high value on public service.

When Gray Williams mentioned his finding that Kraus is “an angel to the town,” this reporter’s interest was piqued. How could it be that this town was so blessed yet few knew they were living among such a generous spirit? During the nearly 20 years that he has served as Town Justice, Kraus has donated his salary to projects designed to enhance the life of its residents, preserve historical venues and beautify the town.

In choosing where to donate the funds, Kraus often turns to his wife Alice for guidance. When she served on the recreation commission in the 90s, Alice mentioned the need for a playground at Gedney Park. Today, this spot continues to attract many a restless youngster and caregiver. Other contributions have funded the pocket park (nestled in between the row of storefronts including Sarah Lawrence and Sotheby’s International Realty on North Greeley Avenue) and the first bus providing transportation for seniors. The Northern Westchester Hospital and the ambulance corps have also benefited greatly.

One of the major recipients is the New Castle Historical Society, Kraus shares Williams’s interest in preserving the town’s cemeteries and serves on the board of Fair Ridge Cemetery. “That’s our local history,” Kraus notes.

“There is a lot of interesting history right in our midst.” He also mentions a burial ground on the west end of town where freed slaves are interred. Another project, the refurbishment of Horace Greeley’s statue, is completed thanks to Kraus’s generosity.

His decision to place a high priority on public service stems from several early memories. In 1961, President Kennedy pronounced these formative words:  “Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.”

“I heard these words at an early age and they made an impression,” Kraus recalls. In addition, his father served on the nominating committee for the Chappaqua school district and his mother was very involved in the community. “My parents enforced the importance of doing public service.”

In describing his role as town judge, Kraus is exuberant: “It could well be the best job I’ve ever had. It’s terrific to be able to do something that’s useful to the community.” The judgments he delivers from the bench reveal Kraus’s understanding of the impact of a sentence on an individual and on society. The way in which cases are dealt with “can make a difference in a person’s life.” he observes. “Often times, we’re able to get people into rehab or other treatment programs to help them get on a more constructive path.”

Kraus’s professional life also bears the imprint of his dedication to public service. He retired recently from Skadden Arps, a firm which has always placed a high importance on pro bono work. In the 1990s, Kraus chaired the firm’s pro bono committee. He has also served on the boards of the Legal Aid Society and the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.

Those who know and work with Kraus in the community sing his praises. When Dick Burns was Town Supervisor, Kraus served on the town board. “I can’t think of anyone I would rather work with than Doug,” Burns says. “He’s extremely bright and has a good sense of humor.” An appreciative Gray Williams chimes in: “He’s generous and public-spirited.”

Sarah Ellen Rindsberg admires the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by Justice Kraus.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: public service, volunteer

Primary Sidebar

Please Visit

William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
White Plains Hospital
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Lisa Koh and Allison Coviello
Purple Plains
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Korth & Shannahan
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
Congregation B’nai Yisrael
Compass: Natalia Wixom
Terra Tile & Marble
Houlihan Lawrence: Harriet Libov
Temple Beth El
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center
David Visconti Painting & Contracting
New Castle Physical Therapy

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua and Millwood Inside Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Publisher’s Note Regarding Our Valued Sponsors

Inside Press is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in either sponsor-driven stories or in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising or sponsor driven stories that appear in this publication. The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2025 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in