Monday, May 10, 2010

Science Olympiad Team Scores at the State Competition

Coached by Middle School science teacher Jean Windels, thirteen Bronxville students competed at the state Science Olympiad, held at SUNY New Paltz on the weekend of May 1st. After advancing from regional events, the Bronxville group scored twentieth among the thirty-seven best teams in the state. They also won several medals for individual events.

At last week's Board of Education meeting, six students described the events and displayed some of their work, including an elevated bridge and a plane. Chris Landy, Owen Hayes, Tepi Ennis, Victoria Corbo, Will Stoeffhaas, and Mari Kawakatsu represented the team.

Congratulations to Retiree and Newly Tenured Staff










At its May meeting the Bronxville Board of Education awarded tenure to three staff members and accepted the retirement of long-time school secretary Vicki Winter, Three additional staff members received tenure at last night's Board meeting: Tim Horgan (K-12 Special Education), Billie-jo D'Ambrosio (Teacher Assistant), and Kathryn Devine (Teacher Assistant). Along with the teachers who received tenure last month, they will be honored at the PTA-sponsored Recognition Tea next month.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

District Outsources Cleaning Services

After a long process of reviewing options, the Bronxville Board of Education has awarded a bid for cleaning services to A and A Maintenance Enterprise, Inc., for a sum of $455,412. The outsourcing option represents significant annual savings of approximately $300,000, thus helping the Board to avoid additional program reductions that directly affect students.

Prior to making this decision the Board sought confirmation that the company had successful school experience elsewhere and that security procedures would be in place. Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin reported that all reference checks and site visits resulted in positive recommendations. District administrators also assured the Board that current employees could interview for positions with the new company. If A and A's overall performance proves satisfactory, Bronxville can renew the contract within state-determined consumer price index limits.

During public commentary, two teachers expressed regret over the decision, which affects about seventeen current employees. (Supervisors, maintenance mechanics, and the outside crew remain unaffected by this agreement.) Negotiations with this bargaining unit are continuing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Outsourcing

Board Accepts $210,499 of Foundation Grants

The Bronxville School Foundation continued its tradition of strong support for educational innovation by presenting the Board of Education with a roster of 22 grants totaling $210,499. The Board accepted the gift "with gratitude." Asked how many teachers participated in the grant application process, Superintendent David Quattrone said that most proposals involved team collaboration. Teachers in grades K-2 submitted a bookbinding project. High School science teachers requested additional digital microscopes.

Other faculty members also pursued the acquisition of technology - long a priority for the Foundation. The second grade team proposed an expansion of SmartBoard installations, as did Middle School special educators. Bolstered by successful experience with "response clickers" that support instant feedback in classrooms, the fourth and fifth grade teams requested additional Senteo systems.

The Foundation also approved grants that extended the School's global initiative in new ways, including a partnership with the Asia Society aimed at improving the "global competence" of all students and leadership development, K-12 language arts development through ongoing work with a consulting organization, LitLife; and support for international travel and service projects. (The LitLife grant was approved in anticipation of the loss of state funding for Bronxville's Teacher Center.)