2023 - 2024 Superintendent's Updates 

June 17, 2024

May 31, 2024

May 21, 2024

May 17, 2024

April 23, 2024

April 22, 2024

Dear Parents, Colleagues, and Community Members,

I am reaching out with a brief note to provide some additional information to our community related to the tragic news we shared on Friday.

The Shaparin family has asked us to share the arrangements for Mark which can be found here. Please know the visitation at the funeral home will be open casket. The link above also contains an opportunity to share online memories, pictures, or condolences with the family.

Support is available this week for anyone in our community who is struggling. Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling is available to all  members of our community. You can simply call (914) 723-3281 to connect with a clinician. We are grateful to SFCS for their enduring support of our community.

I also want to take this opportunity to encourage parents to monitor the group texts and social media that are sometimes spaces where students may “gather” to discuss difficult topics like this. Also, below you will find the same resources shared in Friday’s email about supporting children experiencing grief.

• Mayo Clinic Health System- supporting a child experiencing grief
• Additional grief-related resources

Sincerely,

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent of Schools

April 19, 2024

Dear Parents, Colleagues, and Community Members, 

It is with deep sadness that I am writing to our community today to share terrible news. We have experienced a profound loss in the passing of our 5th-grade Quaker Ridge student, Mark Shaparin as a result of a medical issue. Mark was an incredibly bright light in our community and will be so terribly missed. Mark loved his teachers, friends and community; each day Mark brought smiles to those around him through his love and kindness. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with Mark’s parents and siblings; his extended family; his friends, their families, and his Quaker Ridge community. We also extend our love, care and concern for those grieving with and for Mark’s siblings at Greenacres and Scarsdale Middle School. At this time, the family is requesting privacy as they grieve.

There is no way around the fact that it is terribly difficult to process the unexpected loss of someone so young and with so much to look forward to. The impact on our close-knit community will be profound, but the ties that bind Scarsdale together also serve as a source of strength and resilience. We must rely on that strength, along with our deep capacity to demonstrate support and care for our young people, to navigate this challenge together. While we can’t always protect our students from encountering tragedy, we can help them to move through it by maintaining good communication and engaging in clear, open discussion. 

Communicating with Our Children

We believe it is important to allow the parents and caregivers of our students the first opportunity to communicate this information in a manner consistent with their values and experiences. We also know that it can be both helpful and healthy to talk with someone to gain advice on how to speak to your children or have your children speak directly to someone trained in counseling. As a result, we will be opening Quaker Ridge School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, for any families that would like to come to talk directly with a counselor or get advice on how to engage with their children around this tragedy. Likewise, as we return from break next week, we will have grief counseling available. More information about that will be shared as plans are finalized. 

As we anticipate the days and weeks ahead, we know that maintaining our strong school-home partnership will strengthen our children’s ability to self-advocate, recognize when they need guidance, and foster an environment where they feel comfortable asking for help and support. We also recognize that our parents and caregivers may need support or a place to ask questions. Our schools have trained staff, including counselors, youth outreach workers, social workers, and psychologists, and can provide assistance. Moreover, we have an extensive list of referral services available for a variety of issues. Please do not hesitate to contact your building principal or building psychologist for additional information; at the District Office, you can contact me, or our Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services, Eric Rauschenbach. 

Tips and Resources

In the immediate short term, the following advice from the Mayo Clinic Health System may prove useful in supporting a child experiencing grief. We have also collected a number of grief-related resources here.

• Having a consistent and regular routine. Eating well, staying hydrated, doing physical activity and getting good sleep are vital.
• Being patient and gentle, not to add additional stress.
• Allowing for moments of connection and assisting in the expression of grief.
• Providing opportunities to remember and talk about the person who has died.
• Listening without judgment or adverse reaction.
• Offering reassurance, teach your children to breathe through their feelings.
• Incorporate mindfulness to notice their feelings right now and let them know it's ok to name the emotions and not fight them.
• Encourage children to notice how the feelings will come and go, sometimes intense and sometimes mild.
• Creating outlets for healing through time outdoors, arts and crafts, writing or journaling, music, watching a movie, or spending time with friends.

With a heavy heart,

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent

April 12, 2024

April 4, 2024

Dear Scarsdale Community,

I am finding it hard to believe that spring has arrived (yesterday’s weather notwithstanding) and that we are entering the final phase of the 2023-24 school year. The purpose of my message today is to highlight the April 8 solar eclipse, and to provide an update on the proposed 2024-25 school budget.

Solar Eclipse

As I’m sure you are aware, North America will be treated to a spectacular solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. While a portion of our state will experience totality, where the moon’s shadow obscures the sun to viewers on Earth, our location will see about 90% coverage of the sun. The image below from NASA illustrates the approximate timing of the eclipse for Scarsdale, with peak darkness occurring at 3:25 pm.

This event has sparked a number of different learning and viewing opportunities in and around our schools.  For example, the Middle School science department has organized a lesson and viewing event timed to coincide with dismissal on Monday. The High School science department has planned class discussions to learn about the event. Several of our PTAs have also organized gatherings after school to join in the excitement of this rare event. Please note student supervision is the responsibility of parents and caregivers at any of the gatherings taking place after the school day.

Part of the education related to viewing the eclipse must involve safety. Most important is eye safety, as there is an understandable temptation to stare at the phenomenon with our unaided eyes. This carries a significant safety risk, as our normal inclination to look away when we turn our eyes toward the sun is diminished during an eclipse, but the risk to our eyes is not. Please encourage your children to only view the event with eye protection. There are eclipse glasses made specifically for this purpose, and a pair will be distributed to our students at the aforementioned school-sponsored events. I encourage you to review NASA’s guidance for safe viewing, as well as their recommendations for eye protection from reputable vendors. There are other exciting ways to view the event indirectly, including using household items like a colander, or constructing a simple pinhole camera. Students who use District transportation will hear our bus drivers remind them to be mindful of eye safety at the start of their routes. Other potential safety concerns include distracted driving, biking, and walking. Please take care throughout the eclipse to pay attention to your own safety, and stay alert for distracted drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. As an added note, athletic contests have been scheduled for after the conclusion of the event.

2024-25 School Budget

On a separate note, the Board of Education reached consensus on a proposed school budget at their March 25, 2024, business meeting. The proposed budget anticipates expenditures of $184,934,125 next year, up 4.03% from the current year. The Board is expected to formally adopt this proposed budget on Monday, April 8, 2024, with the annual public budget vote and board election scheduled for May 21, 2024. In-person voting will take place in the gymnasium at Scarsdale Middle School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year, for the first time, early mail ballots will also be accepted. Applications for an early mail ballot will be available on April 22. If the application is mailed, it must be received by the District Clerk by Tuesday, May 14. Applications may be personally delivered to the District Clerk by Monday, May 20, 2024. Complete voting information can be found on our website, along with complete budget information, including a listing of the expenditure cuts and deferrals that were taken to achieve the proposed budget. I encourage you to review all of the budget information available, and make a plan to vote on or before May 21.

In partnership,

Drew

March 18, 2024

Dear Scarsdale Community,

February 13, 2024

Dear Scarsdale Community,

Good evening- I hope you're in good spirits as you read this message. I am writing to provide clear and direct information related to last Saturday’s Girls Varsity B basketball game against East Ramapo. Unfortunately, recent media reports are painting an inaccurate picture of what transpired, so I would like our community to hear an account of the event from me, and an update on where things stand.

First, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in the recent Raiders for Research event. The collaboration between the athletic department, particularly the boys' and girls' basketball teams, and Scarsdale High School’s Breast Cancer Awareness Club, was instrumental in raising awareness and support for cancer research. Each of our basketball teams participated, with games spanning from 9 AM to nearly 9 PM. The event exceeded the fundraising target, raising $2,062 for the V Foundation. Congratulations to the players, coaches, and families that played a role in this great event. 

Unfortunately, in the final moments of the 3:00 PM Varsity B Girls’ Basketball Game against East Ramapo, the opposing coach reported that his players were subjected to racially charged comments from a spectator or spectators. Our commitment to belonging and a safe, supportive environment for all students—free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and bullying—compels us to investigate all such reports. That investigation was ably led by our Athletic Director, Ray Pappalardi, and I’m happy to report that our investigation did not corroborate that there were any such comments made. While East Ramapo’s administration is still completing their side of the investigation, their Athletic Director joined Ray in issuing a joint statement yesterday that conveyed this conclusion.

Despite this, the news media has decided to report this incident as if it has been confirmed and verified as having occurred--a factually baseless and untrue assertion. While we are absolutely committed to providing a safe environment for our students and visitors alike, we must also be clear when we are wrongly accused of failing to do so. Importantly, the administrators from East Ramapo have not yet completed their side of the investigation, making the news reports even more problematic. Ray and I have each been in contact with our counterparts there, and we know that they seek the same positive experience for their student-athletes as we do. We look forward to the completion of their investigation, ideally by the end of this week. We will report any relevant updates or additional information, as appropriate, once that has been completed.

In closing, we remain steadfast in our support of our players, our community, and a school environment that celebrates diversity and mutual respect. We are proud of how our athletes conducted themselves this weekend, and congratulate them. Our students will continue to meet or exceed the high expectations we have for them, and we will all remain committed to fostering a welcoming, competitive athletic environment for all of our guests.

Sincerely,

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent

February 12, 2024

Dear Scarsdale Community,

Good evening. I am writing to notify you that all schools will be closed tomorrow due to the anticipated winter storm. This also means that there will be no before or after-school programs or meetings, and no out-of-district transportation.

We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding, and wish you a good evening.

Sincerely,

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent

January 15, 2024

Good Evening. I am writing to notify you that the Scarsdale Public Schools will operate on a two hour delay tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, due to the expected weather conditions. As a result, there will be no before school programs or meetings, and all out of district transportation will be delayed as well. As a reminder, a two hour delay means that your school's start time will be exactly two hours later than usual.

We will assess conditions in the morning, and should the need arise to adjust the delay to a closure, you will be notified no later than 7 a.m. I appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding, and hope you have a good evening.

In partnership,

Dr. Patrick

January 9, 2024

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As you are likely aware, a large storm system is moving in this afternoon and into this evening. Based on the forecast from our weather service we do not see a need to alter our plans this afternoon. We will continue with our after-school activities, practices, etc.

As for tomorrow, the most likely local impact will be the potential for flooding at Scarsdale High School. If flooding does occur, we will communicate with students to instruct them not to drive/park on campus. The other possibility is the experience of power outages in Scarsdale. If that occurs, or conditions otherwise warrant, we will use our normal protocols for communicating any change to the school day (prior to 6:30 a.m.). No communication means business as usual. Once again, please consider the following possibilities as you plan your day.

• Flooding is likely to significantly slow travel. Some roads could be closed or unpassable.
• Parking may be compromised in the usual places, especially around the Scarsdale High School campus. SHS students may be advised to avoid driving tomorrow if necessary as parking probably won’t be available.
• Bus routes may be delayed and/or certain stops inaccessible, and school arrival times may be later than normal.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please travel safely tomorrow.

In partnership,

Drew

December 17, 2023

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Unfortunately, I am again writing to alert you to the potential for storm-related impacts to disrupt our normal school day tomorrow, Monday, December 18, 2023. Much of this is a repeat of my message from last Sunday, though the timing of this particular storm event looks less favorable. Please consider the following possibilities as you plan your day.

• Flooding is likely to significantly slow travel. Some roads could be closed or unpassable.
• Parking will likely be compromised in the usual places, especially around the Scarsdale High School campus. All students should avoid driving tomorrow as parking probably won’t be available.
• Bus routes may be delayed and/or certain stops inaccessible, and school arrival times may be later than normal.

We will take necessary precautions to ensure students are able to safely arrive and enter our schools. If conditions warrant, we will utilize a 2-hour delayed start. Please note there is a possibility that a delay COULD be only for one school (i.e., SHS), with other schools opening on time. If there is a delay, we will make every effort to make the call by 6:30 a.m. We will only send a message if there is information to share. Please take a moment to revisit our emergency notification procedures. If you would like further details, please read on.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please travel safely tomorrow.

In partnership,

Drew

Additional Information: The flooding that occurred on September 29, 2023, served to heighten awareness of how susceptible our community is to flooding during heavy rain events, which seem to be increasing in frequency. We will apply lessons learned from that event, including taking steps to ensure students and staff are able to safely enter and exit our schools both during arrival/dismissal times and in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation. 

The administration is monitoring both the forecast and on-the-ground conditions in light of the severe storm predicted to last through the night and into the morning. Our buildings and grounds teams are monitoring building conditions and will be on-site earlier than normal tomorrow. Similarly, our transportation team is ready to adjust routes and communicate as conditions require, including for students who attend school out of the district.

December 11, 2023

Dear Parents and Caregivers, If you haven't already done so, we again invite you to complete our BELONGING SURVEY. Please feel free to take this survey multiple times if you have students in different grades and/or schools.   The parent/caregiver survey measures the sense of belonging experienced by parents and caregivers when engaged with our schools. Parents and caregivers are asked to rate their experience of the school environment, staff practices related to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and to the degree to which those practices are equitable. We sincerely hope you, our parents and caregivers, will also take the time to share your views about your sense of belonging within the Scarsdale Schools community. Please click here for more information about the belonging survey, and click here to visit Search Institute.   The survey will remain open through December 31, 2023. Please share your voice.

The Developmental Relationships Survey for Parents/Caregivers The Developmental Relationships Survey for Parents/Caregivers.   survey.search-institute.org

December 10, 2023

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I am writing to alert you to the potential for storm-related impacts to disrupt our normal school day tomorrow, Monday, December 11, 2023. Please consider the following possibilities as you plan your day.

• Flooding is likely to significantly slow travel. Some roads could be closed or unpassable.
• Parking will likely be compromised in the usual places, especially around the Scarsdale High School campus. All students should avoid driving tomorrow as parking probably won’t be available.
• Bus routes may be delayed and/or certain stops inaccessible, and school arrival times may be later than normal.

We will take the necessary precautions to ensure students are able to safely arrive and enter our schools. If conditions warrant, we will utilize a 2-hour delayed start. Please note there is a possibility that a delay COULD be only for one school (i.e., SHS), with other schools opening on time. If there is a delay, we will make every effort to make the call by 6:30 a.m. Please take a moment to revisit our emergency notification procedures. If you would like further details, please read on.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please travel safely tomorrow.

In partnership,

Dr. Drew Patrick, Superintendent

Scarsdale Public Schools

Additional Information: The flooding that occurred on September 29, 2023, served to heighten awareness of how susceptible our community is to flooding during heavy rain events, which seem to be increasing in frequency. We will apply lessons learned from that event, including taking steps to ensure students and staff are able to safely enter and exit our schools both during arrival/dismissal times and in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation. 

The administration is monitoring both the forecast and on-the-ground conditions in light of the severe storm predicted to last through the night and into the morning. Our buildings and grounds teams are monitoring building conditions and will be on-site earlier than normal tomorrow. Similarly, our transportation team is ready to adjust routes and communicate as conditions require, including for students who are transported to schools out of the district.

November 8, 2023

Dear Scarsdale Community,

Yesterday (Tuesday, November 7, 2023), our faculty and staff gathered for a Superintendent's Conference Day. The day afforded us the opportunity to engage in learning and to collaborate around three primary things: student well-being, the belonging survey, and strategic planning. Below are some important updates related to each.

Student Well-Being
As educators, we recognize our special role in supporting our students and their wellbeing. We engaged in dialog about this role and the things our students are experiencing during our professional learning time on Election Day. As a whole faculty, we reflected on how to meet students where they are, and what we can continue to do to support them, especially during this challenging time. A subset of faculty also engaged in a workshop with Dr. Derrick Gay to discuss effective strategies that can help move conflict toward deliberation and discussion through empathy and understanding. Both experiences move us ahead in terms of our understanding and ability to provide our students with what they need to feel safe, supported, and remain engaged. We are committed to supporting each and every student.

Unfortunately, as these past few weeks have shown, Antisemitism and Islamophobia exist in our community, and we have had documented incidents of both in our schools. These events can have profoundly negative impacts on students, and undermine the culture of belonging and inclusion that we strive to foster and that is necessary for our students to thrive. Any and every instance of anti-Muslim speech or action, Antisemitic speech or action, and speech or action targeting identity or expressing bias is totally unacceptable and will be appropriately and decisively addressed. We have and will continue to provide support to students who are impacted by such incidents and to apply our Code of Conduct to guide the application of appropriate consequences for such behavior.

While we do work to mitigate harm when done, we must strive as a community for prevention. All of us—students, parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff—must have the courage to speak up to educate one another as to the harms these actions have so as to prevent them from occurring. If and when incidents of hate, bias, or bullying of any kind occur, we must notify school leaders immediately, equipped with the knowledge that reports will be investigated without fear of retaliation. We are grateful to those who have spoken up, and ask that you continue to help us by making sure your children know how important it is to take a stand against such action and to speak up whenever they see, hear, or experience this. Students should reach out to a trusted adult in our buildings so we can provide the support and intervention necessary. As a reminder, if you have any concerns about the wellbeing of a student or need to report harassment or bullying of any kind, please visit this link to contact the building DASA coordinator. Furthermore, if you need to report a safety concern or a threat related to a school or a student, please contact the building's administration. Our collaboration is essential to keeping students safe and experiencing a sense of belonging.

Belonging Survey
Well-timed given the circumstances, a critical next step in our work around wellbeing, inclusion, diversity, and equity (WIDE) is our belonging survey. We have partnered with the Search Institute to develop and implement the survey to students in grades 4-12 and all parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff. The survey is built around Search’s Developmental Relationships framework, and in fact we deployed it to our faculty and staff this week. This evening, Wednesday, November 8, Dr. McIntosh and I will present an overview of the survey to parents at the PTC/SMS PTA/SHS PTA event at Scarsdale Middle School (at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium). Next week, we will send an email to parents and caregivers explaining the student survey, along with the timeline for engaging students and parents/caregivers to complete the survey. Students will take the survey in school to maximize their participation. We sincerely hope you, our parents and caregivers, will also take the time to share your views about your sense of belonging within the Scarsdale Schools community.

Strategic Planning
We have embarked on the development of a multi-year strategic plan that will provide a focus for our work and guide us when weighing alternatives and making important decisions about how to best prepare our students for their future. As part of this process, we have created a number of opportunities for dialog using the World Café model. On Election Day, our entire faculty—530+ educators—convened in the high school gymnasium to consider Our Future, Together.

The next steps in this process are to seek your voice, vision, and values at one of three interactive World Café dialogs taking place in November and December. 

• Wednesday, November 15: 7:00 - 8:45 PM – Scarsdale Middle School (Gymnasium)
• Wednesday, November 29: 7:00 - 8:45 PM – Greenacres Elementary (Learning Commons)
• Wednesday, December 6: 7:00 - 8:45 PM – Zoom (registrants will be sent the Zoom link)

Please sign up to attend one of our sessions. To learn more, please view this brief video. We look forward to seeing you there!

In partnership,

Dr. Drew Patrick
Superintendent of Schools

October 11, 2023

Dear Scarsdale Community,

I am writing this message as a follow-up to my email sent on Monday, October 9. This communication serves two primary purposes: first, to apologize for the pain my earlier message caused many in our community; and second, to provide an update on these past two days of school.

In the email I sent to the Scarsdale Community on Monday, my focus was to convey our preparation to support and care for our students when they returned to school the following morning, which is our core purpose. By failing to condemn the violent attack by Hamas as acts of antisemitic terrorism perpetrated against Israeli citizens, and citizens from many parts of the world including the U.S., my effort communicated a very different message to many members of our community. I am sorry. I took for granted the fact that, as a public school district, it would be clear that we condemn all acts of terrorism, antisemitism, and hate in all of its forms. I do, and we do. We mourn the lives that have been brutally cut short, ache for those whose loved ones were killed, wounded, or are missing, and share the grief being experienced by so many families in our community and across the world. Our systems of support extend beyond students to families, and we ask that you reach out to us if there is any way we can help. I hope our community is able to take strength from the extraordinary people in it, and collaborate to make sure our youth feel the physical and emotional safety they need.

On Tuesday morning, our school principals convened their emergency response teams to strategize for how best to support students. Each building put a plan in place that includes more intentional listening and checking in with students. We are aware of a number of families who have a direct connection to people impacted by this tragedy, and are providing support to those students. We will also remain vigilant to the potential for harmful speech and actions in the wake of this tragedy and its aftermath. Unfortunately, we have learned of at least one area school district that has reported antisemitic incidents since Monday, and we know from our own experience that we are not immune to hate speech and actions. The Scarsdale Public Schools categorically rejects all forms of hate and will not tolerate such behavior.

Our efforts continue to benefit from close communication and collaboration with the Scarsdale Police Department, Scarsdale-Edgemont Family Counseling, local school districts, and local faith leaders to ensure we are coordinating on supporting our students and ensuring their safety. Our clinicians have also continued to collect resources that may prove useful when supporting children, which can be accessed here. 

In closing, I would like to share a portion of Scarsdale’s mission statement--to sponsor each student's full development, enabling our youth to be effective and independent contributors in a democratic society and an interdependent world. I take hope in the fact that central to our mission are the concepts of democracy, including the hope that it brings to all people, and the interdependence of humanity, which holds the key to a future without violence and hate.

In partnership,

Drew

October 9, 2023

Dear Scarsdale Community,

This weekend’s events in Israel and Gaza are extremely difficult to take in, and the situation looks like it may continue for some time. The images and stories are shattering, and create yet another worry in a world already crowded with concern.  Despite taking place far away geographically, these events are likely to have a personal impact on members of our school community. I am writing to let you know that we will be prepared to support those who need it when we return to school on Tuesday. Our counselors and clinicians will be available to meet with students as needed, and our faculty and staff will keep an eye out for anyone who might demonstrate the need for support. We have also been in contact with our colleagues at the Scarsdale Police Department, and while there are no specific threats in our region, they will be providing an increased presence around our school campuses this week out of precaution.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the fact that the history of conflict in this region generates a complexity of emotions and feelings, and we carry that understanding into our work with students. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out- we are partners.

Sincerely,

Drew

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent, Scarsdale Public Schools

October 3, 2023

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Community Members, We are in the beginning stages of developing a multi-year strategic plan that will provide a focus for our work and guide us when weighing alternatives and making important decisions about how to best prepare our students for their future. As part of this process, we need to know what is important to you. I hope you will take just two minutes to watch the brief video below which serves as a formal invitation to share your voice, vision, and values at one of three interactive World Café dialogs taking place in November and December. Please sign up to attend one of our sessions. We look forward to seeing you there!

We hope you will join us for one of our interactive World Cafe discussions! Wed., November 15, 7:00-8:45 PM - Scarsdale Middle School (Gymnasium) Wed., November 29, 7:00-8:45 PM - Greenacres Elementary (Learning Commons) Wed., December 6,   7:00-8:45 PM - Zoom (registrants will be sent the Zoom link)

Click Here to Register!

October 3, 2023

Dear Scarsdale Community,

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test. The test includes sending a "test message" to all televisions, radios, and cell phones.

At approximately 2:20 pm Eastern Standard Time, all powered-on cellphones within range of a cell tower will receive a test alert message as part of FEMA’s nationwide test of its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).To read more about the test, please click here. 

Thank you,

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent of Schools

September 19, 2023

Dear Scarsdale Community,

Earlier this afternoon, Greenacres Elementary School was distinguished with the honor of being named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School! I hope you will join me in congratulating the students, faculty, staff, and parents on this gratifying accomplishment. In a message to the building earlier today, I urged them to take a few moments to reflect on the individual and collective journeys they have taken as educators, and to consider how this accomplishment helps to reinforce the importance of the care and commitment they demonstrate for their students each and every day. After learning of their nomination last winter, they brought the same level of care and commitment to bear on the voluminous NBRS application. Importantly, they embraced the opportunity to reflect on their practices as a school, identify those that best help define the Greenacres learning community, and put their best foot forward for the broader education world to see. Way to go!

It has been my observation that our school culture can sometimes downplay or discourage these types of noteworthy recognitions. Perhaps this is simply part and parcel of a high-achieving, high-success environment, or perhaps we are fearful of being viewed as distinct or apart. Personally, I subscribe to the belief that the accomplishments of individuals, groups, and schools within our organization are to be celebrated, as they reflect positively on all of us. Our students embrace their unique elementary experiences and hold on to those identities in important ways even after forging new relationships and more complex identities as they move on to SMS then SHS. Likewise, our collaboration as professionals runs deep, with good ideas, innovative practices, and novel learning opportunities nourishing the broader landscape in which we practice. I am delighted to express joy in this accomplishment both because it is well deserved, and because it reflects positively on the entirety of our District! 

In partnership,

Drew

September 4, 2023

Dear Scarsdale Schools Community,

Good evening--I hope the Labor Day Weekend was restful and enjoyable. I want to acknowledge that this week looks to be hotter and less comfortable than last. In anticipation of the potential for uncomfortable heat, I strongly encourage you to send your children to school dressed according to the conditions, and equipped with water bottles to stay hydrated. Each of our buildings has a cooling plan to ensure students and staff who are not assigned to instructional spaces that are cooled have access to such spaces during the day as necessary. If your child has a heat-related medical concern that we are unaware of, please let your school nurse know so they can be proactive in providing support to your child.

August 30, 2023

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Community Members,

Happy New Year! On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Scarsdale Public Schools, I would like to formally welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. After a busy summer of learning, planning, and preparing, we are incredibly excited to open our doors to all students tomorrow morning. If you have a child who is nervous or anxious about starting the new year, please reassure them we are anticipating their needs, are here to support them, and are ready to make the year joyful!

I realize there is a lot of communication at this time of year, so I have included just a few important reminders and resources to help with the transition back to school. Please take a moment to note the following.

• Traffic is always tricky in the first few days of the school year. Please be as patient and understanding as possible as those new to our schools learn and adjust to the pattern and flow of traffic. Our focus is on safety during arrival and dismissal, and, as always, our friends in the Scarsdale Police Department will be supporting that goal as well.

• Information about safety, security, and emergency management can be found here. In a few weeks' time, we will send a TEST emergency call/notification to help our community prepare for inclement weather and other emergencies.

• Please know we are committed to addressing questions and concerns that arise during the school year. We encourage you to take advantage of the suggestions for communication and issue resolution found in the Parent-Educator Partnership Guides developed collaboratively between our Parent Teacher Council and Scarsdale Teachers Association.

• We are closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 4. The full calendar can be found here.

In closing, I wish to express my thanks to our PTA and PTC partners for all they have done to prepare for this year as well. Their commitment to our students means that you can expect a year full of exciting programming! You will also hear more soon about a strategic planning process the District is about to embark on. I wrote about this and more in my piece for the Scarsdale Inquirer, which I hope you will take a few moments to read in case you missed it and want to learn more. Either way, we hope you will continue to be actively involved in our school community this year! 

In partnership,

Dr. Drew Patrick

Superintendent of Schools