The Katonah-Lewisboro Times 07.08.21

VOL. 3 NO. 50 Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021

KATONAH-LEWISBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT Overnight thefts from
cars on the rise
Parents lobby for better
handling of special-needs Unlocked vehicles are being targeted

students BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER
EDITOR
BY TOM BARTLEY ‘ e community, in increasingly
CONTRIBUTING WRITER large numbers, has been Late-night looters are making easy work of unlocked cars in
Lewisboro and other communities in New York and Connecti-
Two Katonah residents publicly confronted the communicating that to you, cut, the town’s police department warned last week.
Katonah-Lewisboro School District board last that they want to have a
week, challenging the handling of special-needs very complete and speci c In recent weeks, there has been a “sharp rise” in reports of
students in area schools. people stealing or attempting to steal items from cars, accord-
conversation about restructuring ing to the Lewisboro Police Department. Force is rarely used
In the rst board meeting to permit in-person this special-education program.’ to break into locked cars. On the contrary, these bandits have
attendance in more than a year, Marc Abrams and mostly targeted unlocked cars in residential neighborhoods,
Oksana Aronov called on district leadership to re- –Oksana Aronov “moving quietly from driveway to driveway” until they nd one.
assess the policy on restraints applied to youngsters Katonah resident And because these thefts happen overnight, they are usually
with disabilities and other needs. not reported to police until the next morning.
for its newest member, Elana Shneyer, and which
“Families [once] moved into this district because saw the re-election of Marjorie Schi as president e most common items stolen from cars have been cash/
of its stellar reputation for humane and comprehen- and Julia Hadlock as vice president. coins, jewelry, prescription medications, sunglasses, and elec-
sive services provided for children who genuinely tronic equipment.
needed them,” Abrams, who spoke rst, told the ey, the other four board members and district
board. But more recently, he said, “ is school dis- o cials—all masked to follow COVID protocols— e Lewisboro Police Department o ered up some preven-
trict has been cutting the special-education’s budget sat silently when Aronov described her son’s rst tative measures, with the most obvious tips being to “lock your
for a number of years now.” day earlier this year at John Jay Middle School. He vehicles” and to “not leave your keys or key fob in your vehicle.”
was twice put in restraints that day, she said.
Aronov told the schools’ leadership that she had Residents are also discouraged from keeping any valuable
come to the meeting “to give all of you an oppor- “ e educators that applied these restraints to items in their cars, but they should especially not leave them in
tunity to look in the eyes of a mother who has not plain sight, the department said. If parking in a garage is not an
slept for six months because of the mistreatment my SEE KLSD PAGE 5 option, the department suggests leaving their home’s exterior
son endured in the hands of, quote-unquote, educa- lights on.
tors in this district.”
Anyone who suspects their car was rummaged through
Abrams and Aronov spoke at the KLSD board’s can call the Lewisboro Police Department at 914-763-8903.
July 1 organizational meeting, which was the rst “Signs of an unauthorized entry could be the glove box left
open, items strewn about the vehicle, seats moved,” the depart-
ment said.

“ e public’s assistance is vital in the identi cation and ap-
prehension of the individuals responsible,” it continued.

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PAGE 2 THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021

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THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021 YourNeighbor THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES PAGE 3

Goldens Bridge teen raises over $10K for Feeding Westchester

BY NICK TRUJILLO the gathering restrictions in place appreciative of everyone who’s PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANNA SCHIANO
STAFF WRITER during the fall, planning an in- helped me out during this entire
person bake sale would have been almost year that I’ve been doing Hanna Schiano with her November bake sale orders
roughout the COVID-19 challenging, to say the least, so this.”
pandemic, food insecurity levels Schiano had to get creative with One of the lawn signs sold in support of Feeding Westchester
were raised due to many people her execution. She created iers In April, Schiano decided to
losing sources of income that their with two QR codes, one that led try out a di erent option from age. She referenced the Hebrew “I’ve felt that giving is the most
livelihoods depended on. West- to a Google Docs order form for the bake sale. words tzedakah (meaning charity rewarding thing that you can do,”
chester residents across the county all the baked goods Schiano of- With the help or philanthropy) and tikkun olam Schiano said. “My community
relied on food pantries to feed fered, and one that led straight to of Crawford, (meaning “repair of the world”) service work is so rewarding, and
themselves and their families. the donation page if people just she sold Feed- as ideas that have inspired her I’ve found that giving is more re-
wanted to support the fundraiser. ing Westches- philanthropic journey so far. warding than receiving.”
Since October, Hanna Schi- ter lawn signs
ano, a rising junior at the Mas- “Having the two separate QR for $50 apiece.
ters School in Dobbs Ferry and codes worked really well,” Schia- Although she
a resident of Goldens Bridge, no said. “In the order form, they did not receive
has raised $10,875 through her could click how many, the quan- as many sales,
“Feeding Our Neighbors” fun- tity, what kind, their address, the the higher dol-
draiser with monthly bake sales time for delivery, the day for de- lar amount of
and lawn signs. Schiano part- livery, and I would hand deliver the sign dona-
nered with Feeding Westchester everything.” tions allowed
to help plan and execute her fun- her to make
draising endeavors. Schiano held her bake sales more contribu-
from October to March, except tions to the or-
Schiano’s fundraising jour- for the month of January. e ganization.
ney began in July of 2020, when available items ranged from choc-
Richard Leroy, the director of olate chip cookies and brownies In May, she Schiano’s most
social action at Temple Shaaray to di erent specialty items each began to sell o recent bake
Te la, sent out an email to the month themed around the sea- personal items sale flier
members of the temple to gauge son or holidays taking place that she no longer
interest in helping with a Feed- month. She sold her baked goods had use for,
ing Westchester food distribu- by the dozen at a price of $15. such as clothes
tion event at the Mount Kisco and old toys, and donated the
Elementary School. Schiano at- To distribute the yers, Schia- proceeds of those sales to Feed-
tended and kept returning until no and her mom walked around ing Westchester as well.
she had to start her school year in Goldens Bridge, Katonah, Cross
September. River, Waccabuc, North Sa- “During the winter months, so
lem, and Somers, posting them many people just in Westchester
“Seeing all the hundreds of around the towns and handing County had to make hard deci-
cars line up for a couple of hours, them out to whoever they could. sions whether they can pay their
it really made me very sad to see Schiano’s mom also assisted with rent or purchase food,” Schiano
how many people in my com- the delivery aspect, as they hand- said. “Knowing that exists in
munity are being a ected by food delivered all the baked goods. neighbors around me made me
insecurity and rely on these food Most deliveries were held on want to start this fundraiser and
distributions to provide food for the weekends so Schiano could continue volunteering.”
their families,” Schiano said. do them herself; but during the
week, Schiano’s mom would de- Starting in mid-June, Schiano
Not satis ed by leaving her liver when she was in school. began to volunteer her time at
community service e orts be- the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food
hind, she began to brainstorm e fundraiser blew past Pantry to continue giving back
ideas for fundraisers to help Schiano’s original goal of $5,000 and helping distribute food to the
Feeding Westchester battle food within two months, reaching people in the community who
insecurity in the area. Schiano be- $9,000 in December. e rapid needs it most. She is unsure what
gan to contact Nicole Crawford, growth and outpouring of sup- the future of her fundraiser will be
Feeding Westchester’s director port for her project surprised but plans on meeting with Craw-
of community engagement, and Schiano, whose goal now sits at ford over the summer to discuss
decided that she wanted to hold $15,000. the next steps they can take.
a bake sale in October with all
the proceeds donated to Feeding “$11,000, I was not expect- Schiano’s parents and her edu-
Westchester. ing that, but I’m always trying to cation through Hebrew school
go higher and go beyond what I as a child instilled a passion for
Because of the pandemic and think I can do,” she said. “I’m so community service from a young

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PAGE 4 THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES TOWN CROSSING THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021

The Staff To see your event here, email • Wednesday, July 14, Lew- South Salem). TEEN PAINT NIGHT
[email protected]. isboro Sustainability Meeting, ere will be food trucks, live Teens in middle and high
EDITORIAL TEAM 7:30 p.m.
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Government music, local sponsors, and basket school are invited to a “Teen
EDITOR: 914-302-5628 at Work • Wednesday, July 14, Lew- ra es. Paint Night” at the Lewisboro
[email protected] isboro Architectural and Com- Library at 7 p.m. Friday, July
• ursday, July 8, Bedford munity Review Council. 8 p.m. e cost of admission is $12 9. Spend an evening painting a
NICK TRUJILLO Zoning Board, 7:30 p.m. for adults and $6 for kids (free beautiful sea-themed scene, un-
REPORTER Visit bedfordny.gov, lewis- for kids under 3). Tickets must der the instruction of local artist/
• Monday, July 12, Lewisboro borogov.com, or klschools.org for be purchased in advance at lew- teacher Samantha Kanner. Space
[email protected] Conservation Advisory Council, agenda information or to watch/ isboroplayground.com. is limited, so be sure to register on
6 p.m. participate. the Library website.
ADVERTISING TEAM Another “Evenings in the
PAUL FORHAN • Monday, July 12, Lewisboro Evenings in Park” event is scheduled for MIDDLE READS
Town Board, 7:30 p.m. (Mari- the Park 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6. CELEBRATION
(914) 806-3951 juana Retail Dispensary Opt-
[email protected] Out Public Hearing) e Lewisboro Playground Lewisboro e library is hosting a “Mid-
Improvement Project will hold Library dle Reads Celebration” at 7 p.m.
BRUCE HELLER • Monday, July 12, Bedford its next “Evenings in the Park” Tuesday, July 13. “Middle Reads”
(914) 486-7608 Planning Board, 8 p.m. event from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, e Lewisboro Library is is a monthly book discussion
[email protected] July 10, at the Lewisboro Town located at 15 Main St., South group for teens in grades six
• Tuesday, July 13, Bedford Park Playground (1079 NY-35, Salem. Register for programs at through eight. In place of a book
LISA KAIN Town Board, 7 p.m. lewisborolibrary.org. discussion for July, this is a cel-
(201) 317-1139 ebration of the 2020-21 season
[email protected] and a welcome to incoming sixth
CORINNE STANTON graders. Bring a mask. Join the
(914) 760-7009 group for pizza, beverages, con-
[email protected] versation—and a discussion of
next season’s reading selections.
JAY GUSSAK Register on the library website.
(914) 299-4541
[email protected] We Carry A Complete Line of TEEN TAKE & MAKE KITS
JENNIFER CONNELLY BioGuard Pool Treatments FOR JULY 12 16
(917) 446-7757 See Our Dolphin
[email protected] Robotic Vacuums! During the week of July 12
SHELLEY KILCOYNE through July 16, teens in middle
(914) 924-9122 and high school can pick up a
[email protected] “Take & Make Kit: Mini Stomp
Rocket” to construct a stomp
PRODUCTION TEAM rocket from a juice pouch and
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL other simple materials.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR is is a DIY craft that teens
PHOTOGRAPHER can do on their own or with
friends. Kits with complete in-
[email protected] structions will be available for
CHRISTINA ROSE pick up anytime that week. ere
ART DIRECTOR/ are a limited number of kits.

DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Sale!Christmas in July SATURDAY STORYTIME
[email protected] WITH OTIS
July 10 through July 17
EXECUTIVE TEAM e library is holding a special
BRETT FREEMAN 45% offAll Fine Jewelry “Tails and Tales Storytime with
CEO & PUBLISHER in stock Otis” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July
845-208-8151 (new purchases only) 17. Families are invited to join
Miss Marie on the lawn for a
[email protected] Tel: 914-245-3899 • 32 Triangle Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 special storytime featuring her
rescue dog, Otis. Bring a blan-
Deadlines www.genesisjewelers.com ket to sit on. Space is limited, so
be sure to register on the library
THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES website.
DEADLINE
SENIOR BOOK GROUP TO
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS MEET IN PERSON

AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS IS THE e “Lewisboro Seniors Book
Group” will resume meeting in
THURSDAY BEFORE THE NEXT person on the third Wednesday of
PUBLICATION DATE. the month at 11 a.m., during the
Lewisboro Senior Adults meet-
FOR MORE INFORMATION, ing at the South Salem Firehouse.
CALL BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER AT All seniors are welcome. e book
914-302-5628 OR EMAIL selection for July 21 is “Anxious
People,” by Fredrik Backman, the
[email protected] NY Times Bestselling author of
“A Man Called Ove.”
Location
e library will provide cop-
118 N. BEDFORD ROAD ies of the book to all participants.
SUITE 100 Large print copies and CD audio
books are also available upon re-
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 quest. Please contact the Library
if you need a copy of the book –
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY 914-875-9004. e book is also
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC available as an eBook and audio-
book via Overdrive.
©2021 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021 THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES PAGE 5

KLSD numbers, has been communicat- explained bruises.” parents’ shoes and imagine if that teaching team can work seam-
ing that to you, that they want to Apparently referring to those was told to you.” lessly and provide a safe and hu-
FROM PAGE 1 have a very complete and speci c mane atmosphere.”
conversation about restructuring events when he addressed the He urged the board to make
him did not think it was impor- this special-education program.” board last week, Abrams said, “immediate changes during the School Superintendent An-
tant to notify his parents of the “When a teacher is no longer al- summer break so that this fall can drew Selesnick urged anxious
fact,” Aronov said. “ ey didn’t Parents of special-needs stu- lowed to teach because of allega- mark a return to our district be- parents to talk with him or other
think it was important to notify dents have expressed concern tions that a child has been man- coming a leader in humane and school o cials. “Any family that
his parents of the fact for 33 more with a recently announced dis- handled, our community should competent learning environment has any concern about their chil-
times of restraints applied to him trict policy on when parents must have been informed. Instead, one for special-needs kids.” dren,” he said, “we would ask that
daily [over a two-month span]. be told that their special-needs school o cial...told parents it was they bring that concern directly
Sometimes more than once a day; child had been restrained. e no big deal.” In addition, he said, “Clearly, to us. We would always want to
sometimes for up to 20 minutes; new policy, the rst to address the special education and regular hear it and we will always work
sometimes with nine educators the issue, calls only for “timely” Abrams asked board members, education sta need regular and our hardest to address it.”
present. Sometimes he fell asleep noti cation while parents want a “Please place yourself in those better training, so that the entire
after receiving this treatment. more-speci c deadline.

Abrams, a psychologist, said, In the June 17 public forum,
“I can’t even comprehend how a 19 emails dealing with restraints
contained environment is so mis- on students—including at least
managed that a child needs to be six with portions redacted—were
restrained that often.” Students read into the record at the school
with disabilities or special needs board’s meeting. KLSD o cials
attend school in what educators said the parents’ texts had been
call “self-contained” classes. ey scrubbed to respect privacy.
are the young people most often
placed in what KLSD describes One of the censored emails at
as an “emergency hold.” the June 17 meeting was from
Abrams. In a passage deleted
Aronov indicted a broad swath prior to the public-forum read-
of school leadership, saying, “I will ing, he said:
never understand the silence and
the complicity all of these people “It has come to my atten-
chose by putting my son repeatedly tion that one teacher repeatedly
into a dangerous and harmful situ- locked very young children in a
ation… What do you call a situa- bathroom alone as a form of dis-
tion where you knowingly and re- cipline. e proverbial straw that
peatedly put a child in harm’s way?” broke the camel’s back was when
this teacher assaulted a child.
e district’s handling of spe-
cial-needs students “needs to be is teacher still appears to be
addressed,” Aronov said. “ e on sta but does not teach. I’ve
community, in increasingly large also learned that children in that
classroom…came home with un-

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