SPECTRUMByram Hills School District

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A C O M M U N I T Y O F L E A R N E R S C O M M I T T E D T O E X C E L L E N C EFounded 1961 Volume Fifty-four, Number One

SPECTRUMStudents Program Robots to Rap, Duel, Do a Little Dance

Fred was doing a good job spinning and dancing to Katy Perry’s “Firework” for Dawn Selnes’ class, which was pretty impressive considering Fred is a small, plastic-armored robot.

The Lego Ev3 doesn’t exactly “hear” the music, but his seventh-grade handlers in the robotics class at H.C. Crittenden Middle School gave him just the right timing.

“We program him and hopefully, he stays on beat,” said Arantza Suarez. It was a little tricky, Arantza and her partner Hannah Rippy said. At first, Fred kept stopping in the middle of the song.

“We said he had stage fright,” Arantza said. But really, it turned out he needed only a small adjustment to allow his arm to complete a lifting movement that was part of the dance. With that small tweak completed, Fred was soon entertaining the class with his performance in the classroom called The BOT (Best of Tech) Spot.

The students were in the second year of a three-year robotics course of study that ties into the STEAM curriculum. Students begin the program in sixth grade learning the basics – how to program the robots to go straight and turn, and maybe use its sensors that detect objects in front of it, sound or color, Selnes said.

Hall of Fame Honorees Now Have Their Own Dedicated Space

Every face on the wall could tell a story. The 18 individual athletes and two teams from years

past mounted on the new Byram Hills High School Hall of Fame illustrate sports highlights from the school’s five decades.

There’s Francine Ward who broke a staggering 35 records in track while at Byram Hills High School, before graduating in 2003. Then there’s the 2007 soccer team that became the district’s first state championship team. Among them is Marty Durkin, who aced football, basketball and lacrosse before graduating in 1982.

“He was one of the best all-around athletes Byram Hills has ever seen,” said Matt Allen, the high school coach who spearheaded the creation of the hall. The project was the brainchild of Mike Gulino, the longtime athletic director who retired last year. The first group of inductees were chosen in that year.

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THIS PUBLICATION IS PART OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO COMMUNICATION

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Seventh-graders (from l.) Ben Dreilinger, Owen Kirkwood and Dylan Haber prepare robots Mr. Darth (l.) and Larry for a light saber duel.

High school coach Matt Allen, who spearheaded the creation of the Hall of Fame stands by the plaques of the inductees.

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In the second year, they apply the teachings in tasks that fall into two categories – those that are more advanced uses of the basics, including collecting and moving several pieces of “cargo.” The second category takes the lessons to a more creative realm, including Fred’s dance.

The tutorials that the students watch show them what the robots can do, but don’t give them specific step-by-step instructions for each task. That’s up to them.

“I like the way it puts the onus on them to figure out a solution,” said Selnes, who trained in teaching the program two summers ago at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy in Pittsburgh. “I can help them out if they’re really stuck, but I do encourage them to think of other ways to solve their problems before they come to me.”

The more advanced activities also included the programming of another robot, Sheldon, to use a Crayola marker to write out “Hi!” complete with exclamation point.

“It requires math to make them move forward and backward and to know how many rotations” the wheels should make, said student Gina Schiliro. She was working on the robot with her teammates Olivia Addeo and Beth Corelli (who suggested Sheldon’s name.)

A third team was teaching two robots – Mr. Darth and Larry – to engage in a light saber battle.

“It’s fun seeing what you imagine in your head really happening,” said Owen Kirkwood, one of the teammates

planning the light saber duel.

They found a benefit in working together. By collaborating, “we come up with

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Byram Hills High School typically makes a strong showing when the National Merit Semi-Finalists are announced, and this year was no exception. These eight students were chosen for the honor when the semi-finalists were announced in September. They are, from l. Noah Jacobs, William Amorosana, Timothy Eng, Indra Dan, Sabrina You, Thomas Daillak, Juliana Zepf, and Isabelle Chong. Together, they comprise about 4 percent of the senior class of 2017. Nationwide, fewer than 1 percent of high school students are chosen. The honor bestowed, based on their PSAT scores, allows those chosen to compete for about 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth $33 million that will be offered next spring.

Students Program Robots to Rap, Duel, Do a Little Dance

Students (from l.) Gina Schiliro, Olivia Addeo and Beth Corelli coax Sheldon to write out the word “Hi!”

Teacher Dawn Selnes talks with eighth-graders Talia Dinstein (middle) and Ana Whelley as they program Bob

more ideas,” said one of his partners, Dylan Haber.“Three brains,” explained the third teammate, Ben

Dreilinger.“Three brains, more mind power,” Dylan said. “Everyone

has all these different ideas, so we try all of them to see which ones are good. And it’s more fun because I get to work with all my friends.”

Eighth graders get to advance to working with two “humanoid” NAO robots, Bob and Cat. In a recent class, Bob greeted students Ana Whelley and Talia Dinstein with a “Hello Ana and Talia.” They were programming him to rap the opening number to the Broadway show Hamilton. Singing, it seems, was too intensive for the class time they had to work on it.

“We thought that rapping would be easier; we just speed up the talking,” Ana said.

Throughout those and other activities, the class is a natural for engaging the students. Selnes pointed out the way the students rushed into the class and began putting their heads together to meet their challenges before the class officially began.

“Look,” she said. “The bell hasn’t even rung and they’re already getting to work.”

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Inspirational Speaker Geri Mariano, Byram Hills Alumnus, Brings Positive Message to Wampus Students

As an inspirational speaker, Geri Mariano is used to addressing large groups. But each year, she makes time to speak in a more intimate gathering – the classrooms

of The Wampus School in the district that accepted her as a child when others would not.

Times were different when Mariano was ready to begin school in 1972, and some districts would not admit a student who was born with diastrophic dysplasia, known then as diastrophic dwarfism.

Byram Hills was different.“When other districts said ‘no,’ Byram Hills said ‘yes,’” she told a group of rapt fifth-

graders at The Wampus School during a recent visit. “How cool is that?”Now, three decades after she graduated from Byram Hills High School, Mariano

uses the motto “Just Call Me Geri” to encourage people to focus on her as a person, rather than focusing on her condition, which affects bone and cartilage development, resulting in short stature with short arms and legs.

Teacher Janet Thompson said Mariano is a fun and loveable visitor who delivers an important message.

"Geri has a wonderful rapport with children,” Thompson said. “She amazes and connects with the children through her knowledge of professional sports and events that are of interest to the age of her audience. Her inspiring presentation teaches the importance of acceptance and inclusion of someone who may look different but has all the same desires and needs.”

While talking to the students recently, Mariano told about the friends she made in school who invited her to join their games and activities, and defended her from the rare attempt by others to tease her. She showed a photo of herself as a child holding a jump rope for her friends to hop over.

“I found that it was more fun to be part of an activity than to feel sorry for myself,” she said.

Other photos showed her as a bridesmaid and in a Charlie’s Angels pose with friends. Some show a trip she took to Italy to celebrate earning her master’s degree in therapeutic recreation and turning 40 – a trip she called her "Master's Achievement-Turning 40-Honeymoon for One ('cause I can't wait forever) Adventure."

Her adventures don’t end. She enjoys waterskiing and is considering bungee-jumping. Her advice to the students: “Don’t be the rule, be the exception. Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do something.”

At her 30-year Byram Hills High School reunion last year, old friends were happy to see her.

“You know what they said to me?” she said to the current students. “They said, ‘We’re better off for knowing you. Thank you for teaching us.’”

The current Byram Hills students appreciated her as well. When it was over, Izzy Jacobs said Mariano was “really fun,” and she was happy to hear that Mariano had good friends in the district.

“It’s nice that her classmates stuck up for her,” she said.When Mariano invited students to come up and shake her hand or give her a

fist bump, student Gianna Sirchia asked if she could give Mariano a hug instead. The answer was yes.

“She’s really nice,” Gianna Sirchia said. Gianna also took a lesson from the talk. “People with disabilities are part of our world,” she said.

Inspirational speaker Geri Mariano, a 1985 graduate of Byram Hills High School, gets a hug from fifth-grader Gianna Sirchia after speaking with students at The Wampus School.

Inspirational speaker Geri Mariano, a 1985 graduate of Byram Hills High School, speaking with fifth-grade students at The Wampus School.

Inspirational speaker Geri Mariano, a 1985 graduate of Byram Hills High School, speaking with fifth-grade students at The Wampus School.

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Byram Hills High School Artists Show Work in Armonk Outdoor Art Show

When national and international artists displayed their works

at the annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show in September, Byram Hills High School students were well represented. Two dozen of the school’s students displayed their paintings, sculptures, graphic designs and photographs in the 55th installment of the popular show.

Art aficionados viewed the fine arts and fine crafts in the juried show on the grounds of the North Castle Community Park at 205 Business Park Drive on the weekend of Sept. 23 and 24.

The juried show was sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library. Proceeds benefit the North Castle Public Library and its Whippoorwill Hall theater.

Erin Adler, Thornwood, graphic design

Briana Feldman, Bedford, photography

Danielle Fliegel, Armonk, sculpture

Miranda Getreu, Armonk, digital art

Carley Hershaft, Armonk, sculpture

Ellie Hooker, Pleasantville, drawing and painting

Sarah Huang, Armonk, drawing and painting

Abby Kaiser, Armonk, photography

Michelle Katz, Armonk, digital art/graphic design

Gabrielle Kleinbeg, Armonk, drawing and painting

Benjamin Matza, Armonk, sculpture

Brianna McArdle, Chappaqua, sculpture

Taylor Morgis, Armonk, digital art

Zach Mykytiuk, Armonk, photography

Sydney Palotta, Armonk, sculpture

Rianna Rabinowitz, Armonk, digital art

Andie Reichenbaum, Armonk, photography

Michael Rosenstein, Bedford, digital art

Allegra Samsen, Armonk, photography

Julianna Segatti, Armonk, sculpture

Chloe Sider, Armonk, digital art

Julia Violone, Armonk, digital art

Cooper Weiss, Armonk, digital art

Juliana Zepf, Armonk, sculpture

Parents Join Coman Hill Classrooms as Reading Partners

It seems like such a simple question: Is that creature in the drawing a

duck or a rabbit?But it’s trickier than it sounds,

with a cleverly simplified drawing – it could be a rabbit with long ears or waterfowl with a long bill. Fortunately, the students at Coman Hill School had plenty of help to work out their answers. Fifty parents came to the school recently to join the teachers in teaching the book “Duck! Rabbit!” and talk about it afterward.

The point of the discussion was not to find one “correct” answer, but to understand that it’s OK when other people have opinions different from yours.

Is it a duck or a rabbit? Second-grade students in Terry Hanrahan’s class show how they see it during the Parents as Reading Partners program

Byram Hills High School students whose work was displayed were:

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Pages from the Armonk Outdoor Art Show listing Byram Hills High School participants

“It’s not always black and white,” said Anissa Klein, one of several parent volunteers helping out in Terry Hanrahan’s second-grade class with her son Charlie Klein. “It’s nice to show these kids that they can have their own opinions.”

The annual program, called Parents as Reading Partners, brings in the adults to help in the kindergarten-through-second-grade classes at the school. It is sponsored by the PTSA.

“It really lets the children know that the parents are invested, and that they love reading and they want to share that love of reading,” Hanrahan said. The students enjoy seeing the parents in the classrooms – either their own or their classmates – because it’s comforting “knowing that the parents are involved. It helps children see that there is a connection between home and school.”

In an activity after the book, Charlie drew a duck, which he prefers to a rabbit “because they can fly and they can also swim.” Student Daniela Marder drew a rabbit, which she prefers “because they’re fluffy.”

Darby Schlosser, in teacher Michelle See’s class, also chose a rabbit because they’re cute, and she explained their lesson: “Maybe you see it was a duck, but I see it as a rabbit, too.”

Of course, it’s not just the students who benefit. The parents enjoy the chance to see their sons and daughters learning and interacting with others.

“I get to be part of her activities and to see her interact with her friends and her teachers,” said Alyson Schlosser, Darby’s mother. “It’s nice that they have these activities.”

The teachers appreciate it as well. As See explained; “We’re all working together to make them the best learners they can be.”

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Byram Hills High School’s musicians played and sang their way to honors at all levels, including four students who were chosen to be members of the

New York State School Music Association’s All-State Honors Ensembles.

All-State The All-State musicians – about 900 statewide each year – are chosen based on their performances at NYSSMA solo and ensemble festivals. Last spring, 6,500 high school sophomores and juniors across the state prepared for All-State evaluations in hopes of being chosen. The musicians selected will play in concerts in December at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY. The Byram Hills High School students chosen are:

Jack Briody, trumpet. All-State Symphonic BandHarrison Lucas, bassoon. All-State Symphonic Band

Jack Skiera, cello. All-State Symphony OrchestraMichael Ramsey, tenor l. Alternate

Byram Hills High School Make All-State, Other Honors

Byram Hills High School students chosen to play in the All-State Honors Ensembles, from l. Michael Ramsey, Jack Skiera, Jack Briody, Harrison Lucas

Westchester County Area All-StateNineteen Byram Hills High School Band, Choir and Orchestra members were selected for the Area All-State Festival at the SUNY Purchase College on November 10. They were:Symphonic Orchestra: Andrew Aldous-percussion/timpai, Jack Briody-trumpet, Alan Chang-violin, Timothy Eng-oboe Harry Lucas-bassoon, Jack Skiera-cello

String Orchestra: Stella Li-violin

Band: Emma Fruhling-bass clarinet, Arjun Goyal-alto sax, Tyler Harp-trumpet, Jason Katz-French horn. Lian Mitzian-euphonium, Brent Perlman-trombone

Mixed Chorus: Shea Gordon-bass, Brendan Higham-tenor, Michael Ramsey-tenor

Women’s Chorus: Charlotte Cohen-soprano, Rebecca Freedman-soprano, Dominique Karanfilian-soprano

Tri-M Music Honor SocietyTen student musicians were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the only honor society in the country for school musicians in grades 6 through 12:

Wind Symphony: John Duarte, Emma Fruhling, Arjun Goyal, Eleanor Hooker, Dylan Mack, Mio Shimizu.

Concert Choir: Dominique Karanfilian

String Orchestra: Max Levy, Jonathan Mui, Jack Skiera

Byram Hills High School Principal Christopher Walsh was inducted as an honorary member.

Wampus School fifth-graders visited North Castle Community Park for 'Metric Measurement Day.' Metric-based activities included determining where to position starting points for racers on an oval track, exploring the connection between circumferences of spheres and straight lines, and measuring objects found in a scavenger hunt.

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Starting this year, the honored athletes have their own wing – and actual hall where their faces are mounted, looking across the hall to a dynamic red, white and blue mural depicting every sport in which the school athletes compete.

“It’s mind-blowing,” said one inductee, Dan Cherico, a member of the class of 1983, who was chosen for his achievements in soccer. He also ran track and played baseball, but soccer was his primary sport, he said, because “I was always willing to work really hard to be fit. I’m just in my element when I play.”

Cherico was surprised that the organizers had dug back far enough to find him more than 30 years after he graduated. But Allen said the aim was to find the old guard before moving to the more recent players. Indeed, an athlete must have graduated 10 years earlier to make the wall; a team must have played more than seven years ago, Allen said.

“We wanted to make sure we got the elder statesmen first,” Allen said.

He designed the mural, the wall, and the floor with the school emblem and the words “Honoring the past, inspiring the future.”

As new as it is, the Hall of Fame is already popular. At the October 1 dinner, 185 people attended, Allen said.

He is impressed that so many of those who excelled in athletics have remained in sports. Durkin is a basketball coach. Laura Hemberger-Chashmore runs Kansas City Gymnastics School in Missouri with her

husband. Cherico coaches an Everton F.C. Westchester soccer team and two teams in Clarkstown, Rockland County, where Cherico lives.

“Soccer, which was my main sport, remains my passion,” Cherico said. He intends to continue attending the Hall of Fame dinners in the coming years.

“There are a lot of special things about being an athlete at Byram Hills, and even just being a student at Byram Hills,” he said.

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Hall of Fame Honorees Now Have Their Own Dedicated SpaceSeventh-grader

John Anthony Laumbas at H.C. Crittenden Middle School was having fun trying to swat the Frisbee tossed by his teammate Jackson Smith to knock it into the plastic cylinder.

They were playing Kan Jam, one of four new lawn games the school sets out during recess.

“It’s fun just to play it with friends,” John said, playing the game on a sunny autumn day. “It’s easy to set up and easy to play.”

Assistant Principal Kim Lapple said the games help make the most of the recreational field.

“It spreads out the field and gives students’ options,” she said. “In middle school, we want to make sure our kids have time to be with their friends and to do different things.”

The other games are:Spike Ball, in which players bounce a ball off a low net that

they stand around.Corn Hole, which challenges players to toss bean bags into a

hole in a tilted board.Ladder Golf, in which players toss bolas – pairs of balls

connected by strings – at a three-rung ladder.They have quickly become popular, Lapple said.“These games help take a little of the edge off recess and

provide additional opportunities to expend energy,” she said.While John, Jackson and their friends played Kan Jam, four

other friends played Spike Ball. Jeb Strober, one of the players, said he liked it because “it includes everyone.”

“You get to focus on hand-eye coordination,” added classmate Noah Lefkowitz. “And it’s a good way to take your mind off school work.”

Playground Title ?

Seventh-grader John Anthony Laumbas reaches out to knock the disc thrown by his teammate Jackson Smith into the plastic can.

Seventh-grade students playing Spike Ball Mural depicting Byram Hills High School sports as part of Hall of Fame

The floor in the Byram Hills High School Hall of Fame

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Our MissionIn an environment of mutual respect, the Byram Hills School District and

its community will provide students with the means, the knowledge, and the opportunity to excel in order to become productive and

responsible citizens of the twenty-first century.

“A great place to learn.”

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWHITE PLAINS, NYPERMIT NO. 4402

Board of EducationMr. Brett Summers, President Mr. Scott Levy, Vice-President Ms. Mia DiPietro Ms. Robin Glat Mr. Michael Sanders Mr. Ira SchulmanMs. Lara StangelSuperintendent of SchoolsDr. William M. Donohue

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Management Services, District ClerkMr. Gregory CarlsonAssistant Superintendent for Curriculum and InstructionDr. Timothy KalteneckerAssistant Superintendent for Human ResourcesMs. Jen LamiaPublished by P/NW BOCESKenneth Valenti

Byram Hills School District 10 Tripp LaneArmonk, NY 10504

Twenty-one Byram Hills High School seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society in October. The 110-year-old organization honors academic achievement. The students shown here are (seated, from l.) Anna Fratta, Lauren Berman, Sabrina You, Samantha Mayers, Janine Liu, Caroline Silpe, Elizabeth Jankovic, (standing from l.) Timothy Eng, Zachary Berkman, Jonathan Conte, Indra Dan, Jack Briody, Steven Schlau, Michael Gelb, Elias Stefanopoulos, Jason Katz, Thomas Daillak, Lauryn Power, Audrey Saltzman, Isabelle Chong. Byram Hills is one of only about two dozen public school districts with a high school Cum Laude Society, according to the 110-year-old organization. Most of its 382 chapters are in private schools.