Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business at the Bronxville School, Looks Back at Two "Interesting" School Budgets and Forward to More

Written by Meredith Matthews

dancarlin

July 28, 2010: Running the Bronxville school district's business operations is nothing if not interesting. And during the past two years, "interesting" has been an understatement, from the school's attempts to recover from the 2007 flood to the board's attempts to assemble tight budgets amid a dicey economy. Which means Assistant Superintendent for Business Daniel Carlin is probably due for some boring days.

Despite all that's on his plate, Carlin, who joined the Bronxville administration in the summer of 2008 from the Ridgefield, Connecticut school district, is happy to be here. It's a "very high-performing district with an extremely competent staff," he says. Compared with his previous job, helping to oversee nine schools, Bronxville's three-in-one structure engenders "much more of an ability to stay focused." MyHometown Bronxville asked Carlin just what he's focusing on.

MHB: What's challenging about working in Bronxville?

Carlin: Expectations are very high for the students, staff, and community. That's the way it should be. More often than not, students and staff will rise to the challenge.

MHB: During the past two years, what's been surprising to you?

Carlin: More than surprises, there have been unanticipated challenges. We're still in the throes of flood remediation three years later. I hope it comes to an end by November. It's very important to put the project behind us so we can focus on other needs. Middle school science classrooms are in desperate need of an upgrade. And any resident of Bronxville who's sat in [the] auditorium knows it needs a little work. The challenge is to find ways to improve that space significantly and still be fiscally responsible.

MHB: What else is on your agenda?

Carlin: We're bidding out food service again because the state requires us to do so. I'm looking at another FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] filing, for the balance on a couple [flood-remediation] projects and the first filing on the [new] boiler room. During winter break, in the corridor outside the business office on the second floor in the B wing, we hope to replace some floor tiles.
And we're already thinking about next year's budget. The challenges will be in pension expenditures and health insurance. We'll look to offset those as best we can.

MHB: At this point, how does that situation look?

Carlin: We've had some discussions about how to trim the budget, but it's not set in stone yet. The problem with operating in New York is we still don't know the state budget. We're getting very, very little guidance from the state. The good news is Bronxville is not as dependent on the state as many similar districts are [so] we're able to plan more effectively.

But we're still anticipating double-digit increases in health insurance. With the Employee Retirement System [ERS] and Teachers Retirement System [TRS], severe increases are coming. We've created a reserve and did not tap into that this year, but I anticipate next year we might.

MHB: In building budgets, how much do you take into account the community's ability to shoulder tax rates?

Carlin: In the most recent budget season, one of the main drivers was that we should be [striving for a tax increase] of zero or less, which we were able to do. I haven't received any guidance on that aspect from the board; it's a little early.

Over the past two years, we were one of the highest per-pupil-spending districts in the county. Our performance was also one of the highest. We're looking for a sustainable balance.

One thing that's unique about Bronxville is that it's number one or two in the county in terms of aggregate ability to pay, but that changes dramatically when you go to median income. The numbers are skewed by some very, very high earners. We would never turn a blind eye to what's going on in the economy, particularly in the community.

Pictured here: Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business of The Bronxville School

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Sept. 8, 2010: As one of the top-performing school districts in the county, Bronxville hardly needs help managing academic standards. Students are held to high expectations and deliver excellent...

Overview of Schools in Bronxville: Bronxville has five pre schools, one public school (The Bronxville School K – 12), one Catholic school (St. Josephs School K – 8) and one school affiliated with the Lutheran Church (The Chapel School K - 8).

The majority of children whose families live in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School - - many from kindergarten through grade 12. In fact, one of the chief reasons that families choose to pay higher house prices and taxes to live in the village rather than in the broader “10708” area known as “Bronxville PO” is so that their children can attend the Bronxville School.

Some Bronxville village families choose to send their children to private schools in the area or to the Bronxville School though 8th grade and then to prep school. But, by and large, this group is still in the minority. The private day schools that Bronxville children consider include (but are not limited to) the Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Horace Mann, Riverdale Country School and Rye Country Day and The Masters School.

Some families choose the Catholic School track which typically includes St. Josephs (K – 8) and then onto other Catholic schools for high school. Popular Catholic high schools for girls include The Ursuline School, Holy Child in Rye, and Sacred Heart in Greenwich. Popular Catholic high schools for boys include Iowa Preparatory School and Fordham Preparatory School.

Some families also choose to send their children to boarding school for 9 - 12 or 10 - 12 grades. Popular schools include Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss, St. Paul's, Taft and Choate.

Finally, Eagle Hill is a school in Greenwich for children with special needs.
Bronxville School Calendar 2010 - 2011: Bronxville School Calendar 2010 - 2011

Click here to link to the Bronxville School Calendar:

http://bronxville.k12.ny.us/2009%20Items/approved%20calendar2010-2011.pdf
Preschools in Bronxville: Bronxville Montessori School

Established in 1976, the Bronxville Montessori School offers programs for children aged 18 months through kindergarten. They are housed at the West Center Congregational Church.    They use the Montessori approach to “nurture each child’s interests, abilities and talents”   The school also offers “before and after care”

101 Pondfiled Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2083
http://www.bronxvillemontessori.com

Citibabes School in Scarsdale

Citibabes' goal is to provide a nurturing and dynamic environment that fosters imagination, curiosity and self-confidence in young children. Their classes promote cognitive, creative and social development through play, exploration, and autonomous self- expression. While stressing the importance of the arts, their goal is to create independent critical thinkers.

Citibabes offers CitiSchool Jr. (17 months - 24 months) which meets twice a week and each class includes free play, art, snack, story and circle time. It offers a 2s Program that stresses the importance of the arts and the development of the whole child. It offers a 3s Program which emphasizes creativity and expression and exposes children to family and community and global, cultural and environmental exploration. Finally, it offers a 4s Program which includes a well-rounded curriculum of language, fine arts, math, science, social studies, physical fitness and environmental awareness.

It also offer CitiSchool Masters which invites the oldest students to explore ideas and concepts introduced in previous years an incorporates wonderful field trips to exciting cultural offerings.

For more information, go to the Citibabes website: www.citibabes.com or call them at 914-725-3334.

Eliza Corwin Frost Child Center

The Eliza Corwin Frost Child Center, located in the Christ Church parish house, was founded in 1973 as a living memorial to Eliza Corwin Frost, daughter of parishioners Mr. and Mrs. A. Corwin Frost.    It is a non-sectarian, non profit nursery school for children ages 14 to 51 months. Its philosophy is “to provide each child with the opportunity to grow, develop and socialize in a warm, caring and nurturing atmosphere.”

Administrative Director: Julie Arlt
Education Director: Jean Romeo
17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-4852
www.christchurchbronxville.com/childcenter

Reformed Church Nursery School

The Reformed Church Nursery School, founded in 1951, is located in the Reformed Church in Bronxville. It offers programs for children age 2 to pre K.   It endorses a “developmental, play-centered philosophy of education. Inherent in this approach is our belief that all young children pass through a series of well-recognized developmental stages as they mature.”

Director: Margaret Murtagh
6 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6332
www.rcns.info

The Chapel School

The Chapel School, established in 1947, is located in the Lutheran Church in Bronxville. It offers programs for children aged 2 to grade 8. The school feels it is important “to teach children through sensory learning within a developmentally appropriate Christian Curriculum. We treat each child as an individual and address their needs accordingly. Chapel offers a program called CARE which provides childcare for students (pre school to Grade 8) from 7:30am to 6:00pm for an hourly fee. Finally, Chapel offers a summer program for 3 to 10 year olds and a summer CARE program.

Pre School Director: Molly Nagel
172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/

Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center

The Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center was established in 1937. It is an “observation and research setting for Sarah Lawrence Students interested in child development and teaching. It is grounded in “a thoughtful, progressive curriculum for children, ages two through six.”

Director: Lorayne Carbon
lcarbon@slc.edu
Sarah Lawrence College
1 Mead Way
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-2353
http://slc.edu/ecc/index.php
Public School - The Bronxville Public School: The Bronxville School is known as an excellent public school. The majority of children in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School. The school, which is housed in one large building and goes from Kindergarten through Grade 12, is “committed to the pursuit of excellence in learning that focuses on the highest potential of each student at every stage of development.” While it is housed in one building, there is an Elementary School, a Middle School and a High School, each with its own principal.

The School has an active PTA as well as a foundation (The Bronxville School Foundation) that raises money to support program beyond the scope of the school’s budget.

Principals:
Grammar School: Mr. Thomas L. Wilson (x 1223)
Middle School: Dr. Barry Richelsoph (x 3779)
High School: Mr. Terence Barton (x 2227)

Bronxville School
177 Pondfield Road
914-395-0500
http://www.bronxville.lhric.org/
St. Joseph's School in Bronxville: St Joseph`s School

The St Joseph’s School is the Catholic school in Bronxville and is a popular choice among families. It has approximately 265 students and offers classes from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

30 Meadow Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0261
www.stjosephschool.net
The Chapel School in Bronxville: The Chapel School

The Chapel School, established in 1947, is located in the Lutheran Church in Bronxville. It offers programs for children aged 2 to grade 8. Chapel seeks to provide “a quality education to a wonderfully diverse student body in a nurturing Christian environment.” Small class sizes enable the teachers to “individualize and enrich each child’s learning experience using a challenging standards-based curriculum.” Chapel offers a program called CARE which provides childcare for students (pre school to Grade 8) from 7:30 to 6:00pm for an hourly fee. Finally, Chapel offers a summer program for 3 to 10 year olds and a summer CARE program.

Principal: James Dhyne
172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/
Special Needs Schools Near Bronxville: Eagle Hill School

Eagle Hill was established in 1975. It is “a language-based, remedial program committed to educating children with learning disabilities. The curriculum is individualized, interdisciplinary, and transitional in nature.” Eagle Hill “helps children gain the self-esteem necessary to initiate, nurture and maintain friendships.”

45 Glenville Road Greenwich,
Connecticut
203-622-9240
www.eaglehillschool.org
Healing Cuisine Classes Inc.
Culinary that restores the body's natural balance
Bronxville, NY
Elizabeth Frayne
914-715-0634
elizabeth@healingcuisineclasses.com Elizabethfrayne@yahoo.com www.HealingCuisineClasses.com
Other School Choices Outside Bronxville: Catholic Schools

Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich

Convent of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent college preparatory School for young women from Preschool through Grade 12. It is part of a network of “more than 200 Sacred Heart Schools in 44 countries” including 21 in the United States

1177 King Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
203-531-6500
http://www.cshgreenwich.org/

Fordham Preparatory School

Fordham Preparatory School is a “four-year, Catholic, college preparatory school.” Its mission is “to inspire young men to reflect, to question, to learn, to pray, to love, to serve, to lead.”

East Fordham Road
Bronx, New York 10458
718-367-7500
http://www.fordhamprep.org/fp/

Iona Preparatory School

Iona Preparatory School, founded in 1916, is an independent Catholic school. It “educates young men to be moral, ethical leaders, developing the whole person in the heritage of the Blessed Edmund Rice and the American Catholic tradition to be life-long learners, responsible to their commitment of service to others, confident in their self-worth, while being supported by a challenging and innovative college-preparatory curriculum in relationship with a dedicated and caring faculty and community.”

255 Wilmot Road
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-632-0714
http://www.ionaprep.org/

School of the Holy Child

School of the Hold Child provides “young women with a strong liberal arts education rooted in Catholic values and base on the trust and reverence for the dignity and uniqueness of each person.” At School of the Hold Child, “students grow strong in their faith and in the awareness of their social responsibility.”

2225 Westchester Avenue
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-5622
http://www.holychildrye.org/holychild/
homepage/home_main_frame.htm

The Ursuline School

Founded in 1987 by the Order of St. Ursula, The Ursuline School “is a Catholic, college preparatory school dedicated to the intellectual, spiritual, and moral development of young women.” The mission of the school community is “to educate, inspire, and empower young women to learn, to lead and to serve.”

1354 North Avenue
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-636-3950
http://www.ursuline.pvt.k12.ny.us/s/744/start.aspx

Private Schools

Brunswick School

Brunswick School, founded in 1902, is an all boys private day school (pre K through grade 12) located in Greenwich Connecticut. Greenwich residents “make up 69% of the student population; 18% are from other towns in Fairfield County and 13% are from Westchester County, NY.”

100 Maher Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-5800
http://www.brunswickschool.org/about/

Greenwich Academy

Greenwich Academy, founded in 1827, is an “independent college preparatory day school for highly motivated girls and young women in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.” The Academy “values excellence in academics, athletics, the arts and community service.”

200 North Maple Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-8900
http://www.greenwichacademy.org/

The Horace Mann School

The Horace Mann School was founded in 1887 as “a coeducational experimental and developmental unit of Teachers College at Columbia University.” Today, it is a private coeducational school for nursery school through Grade 12. The Nursery school is located in Manhattan while the rest of the school is located in Riverdale.

231 West 246th Street
Riverdale, New York 10471
718-432-4000
http://www.horacemann.org/home/content.asp?id=19

Riverdale Country School

Riverdale Country School is “an independent day school that provides a continuous coeducational program for boys and girls from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.” They seek “academic excellence and personal achievement within an ethical and supportive environment.”

5250 Fieldston Road
Bronx, New York
718-549-8810
http://www.riverdale.edu/Default.asp?bhcp=1

Rye Country Day School

Rye Country Day School is “a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches.” Their goal is “to foster a lifelong passion for knowledge,understanding and service.”

Cedar Street
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-1417
http://www.rcds.rye.ny.us/

Camps Directory

Camps

Bronxville Day Camp

The Bronxville Day Camp is a non-profit summer day camp operated “under the auspices of the Village of Bronxville with the cooperation of the Bronxville Boy Scouts and the Bronxville School District. Children from all communities are welcome to attend.”

There is a Junior Camp and a Senior Camp. The Junior Camp is for 4, 5 and 6 year olds and is held at the Bronxville Elementary School. It is organized to provide “a rich program offering a variety of experiences for young children.” Activities include arts and crafts, block play, board games and puzzles, story time, physical movement games, singing, and using playground equipment. The Senior Camp is for children in grades 1 to 7 and is held at the Bronxville Boy Scout Cabin and Fields. The Camp is filled with a variety of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, nature skills, bowling, tennis, volleyball and camp trips and much more.

www.Bronxvilledaycamp.com

The Chapel School Summer Program

The Chapel School is an integral part of Bronxville, educating children from Pre School through Eight Grade. Chapel also offers summer programs that are developed and supervised by Chapel School professionals. Programs include:

Care Bear Summer Program (for children ages 3-6). This program includes arts & crafts, in-house field trips from Mad Science, Dinosaurs Rock, the Maritime Aquarium, Greenburgh Nature Center and the Nature of Things and many outdoor fun activities.
Charges Basketball Camp (for boys and girls ages 8-11). This program includes fundamental skills and strategies as well as team play and sportsmanship. It is run by Michael Schultz, Chapel School’s Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, Boys Varsity Basketball Coach and Middle School Physical Education Teacher.
Music Camps (for boys and girls ages 8-13). This program is run by George Heath, Chapel School’s Music Teacher and Band and Choir Director for Grades 1-8. The Music Camps include the following:
- Band Camp: This program includes private, sectional and full band instruction and rehearsals, culminating in a solo/band concert.
- Choir Camp. This program includes private, sectional and full choral instruction and rehearsals culminating in a solo/choir concert.

For more information, contact:
Lynn Lena, Summer Program Director
914-337-3202

The Chapel School Summer Program
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
www.thechapelschool.org

Additionally, the Mad Science Summer Science Experience, which is part of Mad Science of Westchester & Manhattan, is now offered at the Chapel School. This program is appropriate for children entering grades 2-5. For more information, visit or www.madscience.com/westchester or call 914-948-831.

Citibabes Scarsdale - Summer Camp 2010

The years are short but the days are long as every Mom knows and Citibabes Scarsdale is excited to launch its first ever Summer CitiCamp in its new local location! CitiCamp offers a refuge from the summer heat or the perfect activity for little ones' long summer days.

CitiCamp is available for toddlers from just 18 months, through to 5-year-old children. CitiCamp sessions focus on weekly themes that unify all the activities of camp. From music to free play, art projects to dress up, CitiCamp teachers will spin the themes into a week of exciting adventures. In addition, children will have the opportunity to engage in some of Citibabes' most exciting activities: music, art, and sports.

Themes for CitiCamp 2010:
• Session 1 (June 7-11, 14-28) - Colors of the Rainbow
• Session 2 (June 21-25, June 28 - July 2) - Bugs and Butterflies
• Session 3 (July 5-9, 12-16) - Jungle
• Session 4 (July 19-23, 26-30) - Space
• Session 5 (August 2-6, 9-13) - Beach and Ocean

Register early for added rewards. Sign up CitiCamp before April 1st and receive:

CitiCamp
2 days a week: $50 off each session
3 days a week: $75 off one session, $50 off each additional session
4 days a week: $100 off one session, $50 off each additional session
5 days a week: $125 off one session, $50 off each additional session

CitiCamp Jr.
$25 off per session

For more information about CitiCamp, please contact Tara McCarthy tara.mccarthy@citibabes.com or visit the Citibabes website, www.citibabes.com

Concordia Day Camp 2010

Register Now for Concordia Day Camp! Classes and Programs are filling up!

The following programs are offered:

June 14-25: Musical Adventures Mini-Camp, The Concordia Conservatory's community music school offers Musical Adventures Mini-Camp for children 3 - 5 years old.
June 28-August 6: The Early Childhood Enrichment Program, for children 3-5, includes art, music, science, stories, creative indoor games and outdoor play.
June 28-August 6: The Early Childhood Afternoon Sports Program, for children ages 3½ -5, promotes physical coordination and social growth through activities such as: tee-ball, soccer, mini-hoop basketball, kick-ball, sponge polo and water-play. An optional swim program is available.
June 28-July 23: The Concordia Conservatory, for grades 1-12, offers Musical Theatre Workshop, Summer Keys Piano Camp, Guitar Jam Camp, Chamber Music Camp, and Vocal Arts Workshop, all culminating with the Conservatory Summer Music Festival 2010. Private Instruction is available for all ages. The Conservatory also offers a "Conga!" Music program for toddlers, ages 1-3½!
June 28-August 6: The Morning Enrichment Program, for grades 1-9, offers a wide variety of classes including: Art, Cartooning, Computers, Cooking, Crafts, Journalism, Math, Magic, Science, Silver-smithing, Video Game Design and more!
June 28-August 6: Art at Concordia, affiliated with the College's OSilas Art Gallery, offers an intensive afternoon Art experience for grades 4-9. Instructional classes will be taught in Oil Painting and Advanced Ceramics.
June 28-August 6: The Afternoon Sports Program, for campers, grades 1-9, offers sport specific coaches for baseball, tennis, soccer and basketball, in addition to lacrosse, softball, volleyball, team handball, floor hockey, dodgeball, bowling and golf. An optional swim program is available.
August 9-20: Day Trip Adventures Camp, takes campers, grades 2-9 on exciting supervised trips to such places as: the new Yankee Stadium, The Hudson River Clearwater, Sportime USA, the Norwalk Aquarium and other great places in the metropolitan area!

For more information, please visit our website at: www.concordiadaycamp.org
Or call Director, Jackie Kutner at: 914-395-4848

Summer Courses for High School Students

Sarah Lawrence College has a robust offering of summer courses for high school students including Filmmaking, Musical Theatre, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Summer in the City (literature/history, architecture and film of NYC), Screenwriting and Mathematics. You can click here to find more information http://www.slc.edu/high-school/index.html

For dates, times, costs and instructor information, please visit our website, listed below.

Office of Special Programs
Sarah Lawrence College
One Mead Way
Bronxville, NY 10708
Email: specialprograms@sarahlawrence.edu
Phone: (914) 395-2693

Web Site: www.slc.edu/highschool

Tutoring Directory

Tutoring: EJG Educational Consulting
Tutoring, Personalized Study Programs,
Test Preparation, Admissions Assistance
4 Pondview Lane
Bronxville Heights, New York
Elena Geba
914-793-9813
ejgedconsulting@aol.com

Healing Cuisine Classes Inc.
Culinary that restores the body's natural balance
Bronxville, NY

Elizabeth Frayne
914-715-0634
elizabeth@healingcuisineclasses.com Elizabethfrayne@yahoo.com www.HealingCuisineClasses.com

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Bronxville School Officials Begin to Assess Impact of Federal "Common Core Standards" Adopted by New York State: See Example

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