Briarcliff Manor PTA Honors Board of Education
On Monday, October 19, Briarcliff Manor’s PTA, along with District Administration members, formally recognized the Board of Education ahead of School Board Recognition Week, which began on Oct. 26.
“Tonight we not only recognize and appreciate our School Board members, we also honor them,” said PTA President Izel Obermeyer. “We see and hear you at the Board meetings, whether in person or on our televisions, and very few of us truly appreciate how much work goes into preparing for those meetings. So tonight is our turn to tell you that we are truly thankful to have five such dedicated individuals serving our School District.”
Superintendent of Schools James Kaishian presented a proclamation to the Board during their regular meeting. Each Board member also received a pen/stylus in recognition of their hard work.
“There isn’t anything more underappreciated in terms of efforts involved and its importance as public service,” said Kaishian. “We have five tremendously talented, dedicated, and committed community members who volunteer their time to make our schools wonderful places to learn for all who enter the buildings each day.”
Students Dive Into American History in the City of Brotherly Love
Thursday, October 22, saw 115 seventh-grade students from Briarcliff Middle School (along with 13 teachers and parent volunteers) descend upon the historic city of Philadelphia for the school’s annual field trip.
Stops on this hands-on day of learning included the Liberty Bell, Christ Church, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, Benjamin Franklin’s burial site and print shop, and the National Constitution Center.
Eighth-Graders Produce Stress-Busting Video
Briarcliff Middle School eighth-graders Daniel de Castro, Lee Gelfand and Aaron Rotter created a video public service announcement on combating anxiety as part of their health curriculum unit on mindfulness.
“Now we know the bad effects of stress and how to deal with it better,” said de Castro. “We also asked our classmates about strategies they use to deal with stress.”
Health teacher Allison Murphy introduced students to the concept of mindfulness and challenged them to examine the broader picture and fuse the assignment with the Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom technique. “Through this teaching technique,” explained Murphy, “students are prompted to look at a problem and consider not only how it affects their own lives, but how it may also be a global issue. They are then asked to investigate a solution and take their finished product or solution outside of the classroom.”
Athletes Participate in the American Cancer Society’s Annual Walk
Briarcliff High School varsity and junior varsity athletes helped raise funds for the American Cancer Society on Sunday, October 18 when they took part in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Manhattanville College. “We had coaches and athletes from the varsity field hockey and junior varsity volleyball teams participate this year,” said physical education coordinator A.J. Thau, who spearheads the effort each year.
In addition to the walk, the varsity and junior varsity teams each hosted bake sales during one of their matches to raise money, and Briarcliff High School faculty members also got in on the act as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In all, students, staff, and families raised $1,726.55.
“It was another successful year of raising funds for a worthy cause,” said Thau. “The girls have a great understanding of the importance of showing support in the fight against breast cancer.”
