Ardsley Today

PTA School Budget and Board Candidate Meeting Tonight

Don't miss the PTA's annual School Budget and "Meet the Board Candidates" meeting tonight at 7:30 in the Ardsley Middle School Library. You'll have the chance to hear the District Business Manager, David Pritchett and Interim Superinendent Jason Friedman talk about the proposed Budget for next year (coming up for vote on May 20th). In addition, you'll get a chance to meet Mark Cohen, Jason Sapan and Steve Kastin, the three candidates running for the two open seats on the School Board.

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Glenn Leibel

This is the fourth and final in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Don't forget to attend the awards ceremony tomorrow night, April 1, at 7pm in the High School Cafeteria.

Glenn Leibel has been at the center of some of Ardsley's most important sports organizations for more than 10 years. As a coach, Treasurer and then President, he's been deeply involved in the Ardsley Little League for all of that time. More recently, he's the founder and President of the Robert Jacobsen Sports League, which has been bringing Basketball to our community's children for the last 5 years and is now adding flag football to it's roster of sports. We caught up to Glenn by email for this interview:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I congratulate all of the winners of the Jenkins Award and I am honored to be among those receiving this award. I never expected to be named a recipient of the Jenkins Award, and I am truly shocked that I was even be considered for this award.

I share this award with my friends and neighbors that have always given me their support and have volunteered their time and effort.

What has driven you to be so involved with kids in Ardsley all these years?
I truly enjoy volunteering my time for the children of Ardsley.  Growing up I always had a fun, safe and welcoming place to play sports or hang out with my friends. Ardsley is a great place to live and to raise children. The people of Ardsley are committed to providing this type of environment to our community and I want to be a part of this. The Ardsley Little League provided me the opportunity to meet these people and become involved with my community.

You've been involved with the Ardsley Little League for more than ten years, including 2 years as its President. Why do you think the Little League is an important activity for the children of Ardsley?
The Ardsley Little League is a wonderful organization. The Little League is not just about teaching or playing baseball or softball. The Ardsley Little League provides a true sense of community for all age groups. We start our programs when children are 5 years old and we are with them until they reach the age of 16. We are able to help build friendships between children and adults who might not otherwise have a reason to interact with each other.

The bleachers are a great way to meet neighbors you might only see in the grocery store. Our volunteers dedicate their time and effort to teach our children sportsmanship, team work as well as the basics of the game. We have volunteers that run our opening day, cook for our picnic, organize our challenger leagues, operate our snack bar, orchestrate fundraisers and all star games. Our board is dedicated to
providing our youth the best little league program in Westchester County.  I am very proud to have served as President of the Little League.

Tell us more about the Robert Jacobson Basketball League? Why did you start it up?
I am the President of the Robert Jacobson Basketball League.  I developed the Robert Jacobson Sports leagues in memory of my brother in-law, Robert Jacobson, who graduated from Ardsley HS in 1980.

For the last 5 years I have volunteered my time to develop a basketball league that is open to all members of the Rivertowns community.  The Robert Jacobson league teaches 1st - 4th graders the fundamentals of basketball. The children are coached by professional coaches and parents are able to watch their children progress through the season. Many friendships are made while parents sit on the sidelines and cheer for the players.

We also have a strong girls basketball program for 5th-8th graders.  Girls come from different towns and have different playing skills. We have players who play on CYO teams, temple teams, modified teams as well as beginners. All the girls love to get together and play against each other.  Our volunteer coaches teach the fundamentals of the sport but are encouraged to teach team work and sportsmanship above winning.

Our older boys are part of The Westchester Jewish Basketball League. We have three teams that participate from the many different temples in the area. Our volunteer coaches again stress sportsmanship and teamwork above winning at all costs. We welcome all players to participate in our basketball program.

This year the Robert Jacobson Sports Organization will be expanding and offering flag football to players in grades 1 - 6. Our teams will be playing in the Westchester Flag Football League and we hope to become a feeder system for the Ardsley High School and Ardsley Middle School modified teams. Parents can email me at RobertJacobsonSports@yahoo.com for more information.

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Concetta Ambrose

This is the third in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community.

Concetta Ambrose has made her significant mark on the Ardsley Community over the years as a foreign language teacher at Ardsley Middle School. Not only does she fulfill this role with rare aplomb, but she has contributed in many ways to the foreign language education of students by helping with the overall design of the foreign language curriculum, organizing and hosting foreign language week lunches and acting as a mentor to young teachers. Her influence is not only limited to language arts, however, as Ms. Ambrose has taken classes to Broadway performances over the years, and plays an essential role in the life of our 8th Graders as the organizer of an annual trip to Washington, DC. Ardsley Today reached her by email for this interview:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am very honored to be a recipient of the Jenkins Award. I love teaching and it is always nice when people acknowledge all the passion and hard work you've put into something over the years.  It's a wonderful feeling to be recognized by my students, their parents and the community as a whole for my contributions after 40 years of service in this profession, and 24 years in the Ardsley school district. I am humbled by this award.

What has driven you to be so involved with students over the years?
I think one of my strengths is the connection I have with my students. One of the greatest thrills for me is having former students visit or write to tell me how much they enjoyed my class and how they've used what they learned in their travels and experiences.

I have always loved world languages. When you are passionate about something, you're motivated to share that passion with others. I try to show students the importance of learning languages and learning about other cultures in addition to their own. I've always been very fond of adolescents and pre-adolescents.  Although it can be an awkward time, it can also be a fun time.  My students and I enjoy our time together in the classroom. I try to craft lessons which are engaging and which make them care about languages and about learning in general. I think it's important for me to be a role model and to set the foundations that will help them later on, both in high school and beyond. I try to teach not only my subject, but responsibility and proper behavior both in the school setting and outside of it.

Tell us about your trips with students to see Broadway Shows? Why is it important for students to be exposed to Theater?
Teaching a language isn't just about learning the grammar; it's about exposing the students to the culture, the literature, theater and arts of the country. I try to immerse my students in everything French (and Spanish when I teach it), which increases their knowledge of the language and their knowledge of the world around them.

Organizing the 8th Grade trip to Washington, DC must be a lot of work. What do you think the students get out of it? What do you get out of it?
Although it is a tremendous amount of work, I love organizing the 8th grade trip to Washington, DC and accompanying the students on the trip. It is an educational experience as well as a social one and a culmination of their four years at Ardsley Middle School. I think teachers have to give students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom walls, in the real world.  This trip is one way for us to provide that for our students. They learn a lot and enjoy going to the museums, seeing the monuments, and enjoying the dinner-dance cruise on the Potomac. Students and teachers talk on the bus ride and at meals and get to know each other in a different setting. We see another dimension to them, and this has enriched my teaching. This trip has helped me build bonds with my students and many of these bonds have lasted a lifetime. 

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Marlena Tsagaris

Here's the second in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to learn more about the other winners.

Marlena Tsagaris is the kind of parent in the Ardsley School District who you recognize because you see her everywhere. According to the award committee, she's shown great commitment to the community in various roles: as Co-chair of PTA’s high school college conference, the High School's 12th Grade Liaison, and the PTA's High School VP. She's also shown herself to be an unfailing supporter of Ardsley athletics as Co-President of the Panthers' Association and a tireless fan of many school sports. We caught up with her by email for this interview:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am very honored to receive the Jenkins Award and to be recognized by my peers; however I share the award with all those who dedicate much of their free time to help keep our community spirit vibrant and productive. I might have brought a few good ideas to the table, but without the enthusiasm and support of so many involved parents, they would have remained nothing but good ideas.  I am so fortunate and grateful to have met many wonderful people along the way, and hope to continue my support to the Ardsley PTA and Panther Association in any way possible.

What has driven you to be so involved with the students of Ardsley all these years?
It all began with being class mom for my son’s first grade class, and falling in love with every single child. That class graduates college this year! It’s been such a privilege to bear witness to the youth of so many wonderful kids as they grew into incredible young adults, and to share in the many experiences, accomplishments and joys these students have given their parents and community. It has been an honor to play a very small part in helping to enhance their experience at Ardsley High School. I hope to help establish the tradition of the Senior-to-Senior Prom as the final community event graduating seniors participate in, where they invite their grandparents and Ardsley’s senior citizens for dinner, dancing and mingling. It’s a wonderful way to express appreciation to our elders, and to leave high school with an increased awareness of their needs. I thank the Ardsley PTA for its support in making this event possible.

You've been very involved with the Panther Association. Can you tell us what they do and why you think it's important?
The Panther Association is a very dedicated group of parent volunteers who host several events throughout the school year in order to raise funds. These funds provide scholarships to distinguished graduating student-athletes, support athletic programs, and sponsor the Senior Awards Banquet where all athletes receive a complementary dinner and over 400 people attend.  It is wonderful when the community comes together towards such great goals, but also to get to know each other and create new friendships. Last year we awarded $9,000 in scholarships, which are so greatly appreciated in these times of escalating college costs. Our final fundraiser each year is the annual Golf Outing, which is a lot of fun. Even if you’re not a golfer, you can attend the dinner and enjoy a great night out with your friends, and play a part in supporting the programs we sponsor.  Ardsley, we need you!

You've orchestrated the gathering of senior baby pictures for Graduation...how many can you identify (without cheating!)?
The Wall of Photos at AHS graduation which is sponsored by the Ardsley PTA is probably my favorite idea. I love opening the photo envelopes and seeing the baby pictures, and I do recognize over half of them! It’s great fun putting the posters together, the “then and now” portraits and then watching the seniors giggle among themselves as they march by and recognize each other. After the ceremony is over, it’s so satisfying to watch parents and grandparents find their child and take down their poster as a souvenir of the day. My baby graduates this year, so you’ll definitely catch me tearfully removing her poster!

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Annamaria Forte

This is the first in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to learn more about the other winners.

According to the Jenkins Award committee, Annamaria Forte is a Middle School and High School Italian teacher who goes above and beyond her classroom duties to encourage her students to have a love learning the language. Retiring this year, Ms. Forte is a member of the PPLT and a moderator for the National Honor Society. She has done much to advance the learning of foreign languages in Ardsley, including instituting the Italian Honor Society, taking students on trips to Europe. She has even taught English and Spanish to staff members. She is recognized with the Jenkins Award as she prepares to retire at the end of this school year. We interviewed her by email:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am extremely honored to receive the Jenkins Award. I feel that I could not have had
a better send off after a 22 years career in teaching at the High School and Middle School levels in Ardsley.

What has driven you to be so involved with your students over the years?
I have loved working at Ardsley and the students (2000 of them) have been like my own children. I have been called "Mama Forte".  I have had so much satisfaction working here, just to be able to influence someone -- to be part of their development -- has been the greatest satisfaction of my life.

I still have students, in their 30's who come to see me and tell me that they have used some of my "culture lessons" in their private and professional life. I also enjoyed tremendously taking the students abroad, France 1 trip, Italy 2 trips, Spain 3 trips and Quebec 1 trip.  It was a great experience to expose these students to the cultures and customs of different countries. I just love teaching Italian and Spanish and being an immigrant myself, I love to be able to add some of my personal knowledge to the curriculum.

We understand you have taught English and Spanish to staff members. What brought that about?
I also taught ESL (English as second language) to the maintenance workers of the school. That was extra, and it helped the Hispanic-speaking workers in my school.

As you retire this year, what memories of Ardsley will you bring with you?
I am going to miss Ardsley Schools a lot. I cannot even describe how sad I am to leave the High School and the school community and all my colleagues, but I am retiring this year because I have a 94 year-old mother who lives with me and I need to have more personal time.

We are a family here and It's hard to leave.  One of my favorite memories is when my graduate students come back and tell me they have become teachers (foreign languages) because of my classes, or when they come back and tell me they went to the Sistine Chapel and looked at Michelangelo with the same love that I did. The best memory is when students who have their own children introduce me as their "favorite teacher."  I have so many memories of Ardsley that is hard to remember them all.

Ardsley PTA 2008 Jenkins Award Winners Announced

The PTA will be awarding their annual Jenkins Awards next Tuesday, April 1, in the High School cafeteria at 7:00pm. There will be student performances from the high school Jazz Band and Select Chorus; as well as a performance from the middle school production of Willie Wonka Jr. The PTA will also be thanking retirees for their years of dedicated service to the Ardsley School District.

This year's award winners are Ardsley High School Foreign Language Teacher Annamaria Forte, Ardsley Middle School Foreign Language Teacher Connie Ambrose, parent Glenn Leibel, and parent Marlena Tsagaris. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to read an interview with each of these deserving recipients and find out more about their contributions to the Ardsley community, and make plans to be there on April 1st when they will receive their awards.