The region separating China from Europe and Western Asia is not the most hospitable, yet for more than 7,000 years, the Silk Road, which runs through much of it, was the means by which silk and other exotic goods were transported.
While visiting the American Museum of Natural History’s exhibition, “Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World,” approximately 200 ninth- and 10th-graders from the Bronxville Schools had the opportunity Feb. 1 to get a glimpse into the sights and sounds of this ancient route.
The exhibit takes visitors along the Silk Road, which began in Xi’an, capital of the Tang Dynasty, to Turfan, a bustling oasis at the edge of the desert, to Samarkand (in present-day Uzbekistan), the home of prosperous merchants, and on to Baghdad, a meeting place for scholars, scientists and philosophers.
The excursion was organized by instructors Dr. Lee DiTullio, Dana Landesman and Christina Reidel to highlight the importance of the Silk Road and to incorporate the various activities students have been doing in all disciplines these past few months.
Life-size camels laden with worn canvas sacs greet visitors entering the exhibit. It wasn’t difficult for the students to imagine the animals and their owners stretching out across the harsh Taklamakan Desert of Central Asia, often traveling part of the journey at night to avoid the scorching heat. The Silk Road passes through regions whose temperatures range from minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit to more than 120.
As the students moved ahead, they came across bowls of mulberry leaves on which scores of white worms were gnawing. An exhibit on silk production drew their attention, and they learned that about 5,000 years ago, the Chinese Empress Hsi Ling Shi, while drinking tea in her garden, discovered a small cocoon in her teacup. As she fished it out, the cocoon unwound into a single shimmering silk strand. Gathering more cocoons, the Empress decided to plunge them into hot water, unravel the strands and begin to weave the world’s first silk cloth.
Later, students came across what looked like an outdoor market with barrels filled with the scent of rose petals, jasmine oil and the patchouli plant. Dazzling gemstones, fresh fruits and aromatic spices, luxurious furs, and an assortment of fabrics were commonly sold at such markets, they learned. Further on, they gathered around an interactive map to get a bird’s eye view of the Silk Road.
Throughout the exhibit, students were required to complete a travel journal of their experiences, collecting various stamps along the way and answering a variety of questions on different areas of the curriculum. Naming three famous Arab mathematicians and briefly describing their achievements was one, as was describing the contributions of Arab mathematicians to the development of the field, and calculating how many possible routes travelers could take along the Silk Road.
Other fascinating aspects of the exhibit included its focus on the evolution of various scientific instruments, such as the water clock, and the transportation of paper, which opened up a “remarkable age of writing, reading and learning,” noted the exhibition. Its mention of the Baghdad scholars whose studies of math and astronomy “helped form the foundation for science in the West” was also an important lesson for the Bronxville students.
Tenth-graders Catherine Bianco, Christina Dave, Ally Malamut, and Caroline Willis all enjoyed visiting the exhibit. “It was also very useful and informative for us because it basically enabled us to recap a lot of what we learned in the ninth grade,” said one of them.
Teachers from several other departments accompanied the group, including biology teacher Amy Bastone, art teacher Joanne Dalsimer, Spanish instructor Patrick Miele, and others. The trip also ties into the district’s efforts to infuse global education throughout all three schools. Students will be required to create individual projects based on what they learned during the trip. It will culminate in a “Silk Road Symposium” scheduled for later in the spring.
Also on Feb. 1, juniors and seniors back at the high school participated in a special initiative on the world’s water problems. Activities included watching the movie “Blue Gold: World Water Wars,” and listening to a presentation from Heidi Paul, corporate vice president of the Nestle Water Company. The students later divided into smaller groups to hear Tobias Siegfried of the Columbia University Water Center; Peter Crowther of IBM, who talked about the “Great Rivers Project;” Amy Hurley, head of the Westchester County Recycling Program; a representative from Green Waste Solutions; and a farmer who grows “green crops” and sells produce at the Bronxville Farmers Market.
This was the fourth consecutive year of Bronxville High School’s “Education & Awareness Day” series, which is planned each year by both the students and their teachers. Previous years have focused on global warming, human rights and world hunger.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Rollover Budget Shows 1.23% Increase
Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin gave the Board of Education a preview of a 1.23% budget to budget increase in the school budget for next year. This "rollover budget" of $44.6 million represents what it would cost in 2010-2011 to operate the same programs and services as are in place now, including known salary obligations, health benefit costs, utility rates, and retirement contributions. The projected increase is less than half of the budget-to-budget increase presented last year, and in percentage terms it is considerably lower than other Westchester School districts.
The rollover budget would be substantially higher had it not been for salary savings accruing from retirement incentives, unfilled vacancies, streamlined services, and other actions taken over the past year. It includes no funds for teacher salary increases other than the step advances required by law. Teachers, custodians, aides, and the clerical unit all have contracts that expire in June 2010, and negotiations have begun.
Getting to Zero
Last October the Board approved a financial goal that reads as follows:
Conduct a comprehensive budget review that minimizes taxpayer expense. Budget options resulting in flat and lower taxes will be considered.
To reach 0%, the Board must reduce the rollover budget by about $542,000. At the February 6th budget workshop, the administration will present a series of budget options based on the school profiles prepared by the principals. These profiles - available in the archives of this newsletter - describe the staffing levels, mandated programs, enrichment programs, and student services available at each school. The budget options prepared for the Board spell out possible productivity improvements, program reductions, and structural changes.
These budget options will be discussed and communicated over the next two months until a final budget is ready for Board approval. All workshops and regular meetings are open to the public.
The rollover budget would be substantially higher had it not been for salary savings accruing from retirement incentives, unfilled vacancies, streamlined services, and other actions taken over the past year. It includes no funds for teacher salary increases other than the step advances required by law. Teachers, custodians, aides, and the clerical unit all have contracts that expire in June 2010, and negotiations have begun.
Getting to Zero
Last October the Board approved a financial goal that reads as follows:
Conduct a comprehensive budget review that minimizes taxpayer expense. Budget options resulting in flat and lower taxes will be considered.
To reach 0%, the Board must reduce the rollover budget by about $542,000. At the February 6th budget workshop, the administration will present a series of budget options based on the school profiles prepared by the principals. These profiles - available in the archives of this newsletter - describe the staffing levels, mandated programs, enrichment programs, and student services available at each school. The budget options prepared for the Board spell out possible productivity improvements, program reductions, and structural changes.
These budget options will be discussed and communicated over the next two months until a final budget is ready for Board approval. All workshops and regular meetings are open to the public.
Board Considers Outsourcing Custodial Services
One budget option before the Board of Education is outsourcing custodial services. The district currently uses third party vendors for food services, technology management, and supplementary cleaning services. Now the Board has issued a request for proposals to expand the scope of outsourcing to include the night crew of cleaners and part of the day crew. Excluded from the proposals are supervisors, maintenance mechanics, and the grounds crew (i.e., these functions would continue to be provided by district employees.).
It is anticipated that outsourcing these services would generate considerable savings, therefore alleviating the pressure to reduce the number of teachers or shrink certain academic programs. In addition to cost, Superintendent David Quattrone stated that the Board needs to consider issues of quality (cleanliness, responsiveness, satisfaction), flexibility (special events, emergencies), management control, risk (safety and security), knowledge of the facility, and human factors. Prompted by Board member Pierre de Ste. Phalle, Quattrone added that he will present the Board with potential reductions that cut across all employee groups, including not only custodial staff but also teachers, clerical staff, coaches/club advisers, and administrative support.
At the January Board meeting, a large number of faculty and staff attended to show support for retaining current custodial employees. Ten staff members spoke in the public commentary section of the Board agenda, urging the Board to reject the outsourcing approach. Many speakers focused on safety and security concerns. Others mentioned the personal attention and team approach of the current staff. Some speakers cited the special contribution the facilities staff made after the 2007 flood and the current negotiations with the custodial unit. Others cautioned the Board to consider long-term costs, not just short term savings.
The Board will make a decision about outsourcing later in the budget process, in the context of other options and budget needs.
It is anticipated that outsourcing these services would generate considerable savings, therefore alleviating the pressure to reduce the number of teachers or shrink certain academic programs. In addition to cost, Superintendent David Quattrone stated that the Board needs to consider issues of quality (cleanliness, responsiveness, satisfaction), flexibility (special events, emergencies), management control, risk (safety and security), knowledge of the facility, and human factors. Prompted by Board member Pierre de Ste. Phalle, Quattrone added that he will present the Board with potential reductions that cut across all employee groups, including not only custodial staff but also teachers, clerical staff, coaches/club advisers, and administrative support.
At the January Board meeting, a large number of faculty and staff attended to show support for retaining current custodial employees. Ten staff members spoke in the public commentary section of the Board agenda, urging the Board to reject the outsourcing approach. Many speakers focused on safety and security concerns. Others mentioned the personal attention and team approach of the current staff. Some speakers cited the special contribution the facilities staff made after the 2007 flood and the current negotiations with the custodial unit. Others cautioned the Board to consider long-term costs, not just short term savings.
The Board will make a decision about outsourcing later in the budget process, in the context of other options and budget needs.
Architect Reviews Facilities Plan
Niall Washburn of KG&D Architects gave the Board of Education an update of Bronxville's ongoing facilities plan. His presentation summarized a more detailed analysis presented to the facilities committee in December.
We have completed the PTA-sponsored Bathroom renovation project, which updated the function and appearance of nine bathrooms. They are now fresher, brighter, and more easily maintained. A few punchlist items remain.
The Boiler/Switchgear relocation project is on hold, pending resolution with the bonding company. That process is underway. FEMA continues to be the funding source for this work. Contracts totaling $3,494,900 have been awarded -- 24% under budget.
Active issues related to completed projects include warranty issues involving the replacement of exterior oak doors and cracked stone floor tiles in the rotunda. Some signange needs are also pending.
Long-range facilities needs will be reviewed and updated as part of the five-year building conditions survey that will be conducted next year as part of a state requirement. That review is likely to identify ongoing needs with heating and ventilation, renovation of Middle School Science labs, and auditorium improvements. Projects in the 2010-11 budget include replacement of floor tile on the second floor and an outdoor storage shed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
