State Ed Commissioner John B. King Jr. announced this week that he will leave the department by the end of the year to serve as a senior adviser to U.S. education secretary Arne Duncan. NYSUT issued the following statement:

"NYSUT has disagreed sharply and publicly with the commissioner on many issues. The disconnect between the commissioner's vision and what parents, educators and students want for their public education system became so great, NYSUT voted 'no confidence' in Commissioner King last spring and called for his resignation. We hope he has learned from his stormy tenure in New York state and we look forward to working collaboratively and productively with the Regents to improve public education going forward.

"We call on the Regents, in appointing the next education commissioner, to first and foremost, select a passionate advocate for what children and public schools need. The next commissioner must be a heralded educator who respects parents, teachers and students. New York needs an education commissioner who listens carefully; is willing to learn from others and compromise; and who understands that true collaboration among stakeholders will make New York's already strong public education system even stronger. Without that, all of our sincere efforts to narrow the achievement gap and ensure that all students are ready to contribute to our economy going forward will be in vain."

“It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.”

— Jackie Mutcheson

Thanks, Julia Brogan, for organizing (and for writing the below).

Being able to gift the warmth and comfort to someone going through a difficult time is an enormous gift.  Over the past few weeks, donations of hats, gloves, scarves, hot chocolate, marshmallows, Hershey kisses, and candy canes have been piling up in my room.  With these generous donations, Bronxville faculty and staff made 100 chocolate lollipops, assembled 100 “Hot Chocolate Goodie Bags,” and wrapped 57 hats/gloves/scarves sets for the women and children residing at My Sister’s Place in White Plains and Yonkers, as well as, Hope’s Door in Pleasantville.  The surplus hot chocolate, marshmallows, and candy canes were donated to Midnight Run.

On Friday afternoon, in the Home Economics room, while listening to festive music, enjoying baked goods, and sipping on hot chocolate, there were three teams of BTA members hard at work. Under Joyce Myers’s guidance, David Katz, Vicki Kreiss, and Justine McClellan made 100 chocolate lollipops.  Beth Agarabi, Kathy Marron, and Samantha Post assembled 100 “Hot Chocolate Goodie Bags” along with the helpful hands of some faculty children who included Brenna Agarabi, Katelyn, Connor & Grace Brogan, Tim Kreiss, and Josie Leddy (Gillen).  Georgiana Stewart led the team of Julia Brogan, Toby Gillen, Heather Norman, and Eileen Mann along with her daughters Amanda and Allie who beautifully wrapped 57 sets of hats, gloves, and scarves.  

This was all made possible by the generosity of  the Bronxville faculty and staff who include:  Beth Agarabi, Lisa Britvan, Julia Brogan, Carol Cerrone, Eva Cieloszyk,  Julie Clarke, Patrick Clarke, Patrick Clarke’s students, Erin Cramer, Maggie Eller, Kendall Fousek, Marybeth Gettlefinger, Toby Gillen, Noreen Herber,  David Katz, Vicki Kreiss, Eileen Mann, Kathy Marron, Justine McCellan, Diane Murphy, Joyce Myers, Heather Norman, Gene Orsenigo, Samantha Post, Maria Pizzolato, Minu Thomas, Kathy Sosa, Georgiana Stewart, Jillian Valente, Joyce Vastola, and the countless other donors who dropped off donations anonymously.