Dear Members of the SHS Community:
I am delighted to report that our first day of school went smoothly today. It was a pleasure to welcome our students this morning. Their positive energy makes the first day of school so exciting. After a summer of recreation and relaxation, we are energized to begin a new journey together this year.
We are especially looking forward to the opening of three new spaces this year in the school. The fitness center will open later this week, in just a few days, and offers students in physical education and athletes on teams alike the opportunity to use brand new equipment in a space that is more than twice as big as the previous one. We also look forward to the opening of the Learning Commons in November. This space occupies half of what was the oldest gym in the school and will be accessible throughout the school day for students to work, dine, and meet. The i-Lab in the back of the Learning Commons, where the fitness center used to be, is a double-sized classroom with integrated technology and movable furniture. Finally, The Design Lab will open in January, providing a space in the high school for our STEAM curriculum, including science technology engineering arts and mathematics. We believe these new spaces reflect not only the latest trends in educational design but also meet the needs and goals of our students and teachers.
The excitement we share in getting ready to take advantage of these new spaces is unavoidably juxtaposed with the suffering of our fellow Americans in Texas who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and its record-breaking rainfall. Things as mundane as starting school, getting school supplies, playing sports, and having a family dinner are right now for those folks beyond what they can expect in the near future. Together we pause and remind ourselves how grateful we are to have had a smooth start to the school year without worrying about the basic necessities of life.
Below, you will find brief biographical sketches of the staff members who have joined our faculty this year. Our new hires underwent a rigorous selection process that included committee interviews, demonstration lessons, and reference checks. These teachers and counselors (and a nurse!) were introduced to our students this morning at our opening assemblies.
We extend a warm welcome to our new faculty members. As we begin the school year, please accept my best wishes to you and your families.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Bonamo
Principal
Bryan Bagala
joins the faculty as a Special Education teacher. Prior to coming to SHS, Bryan taught at William H. Niles Middle School in the Bronx for the past five years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Education from SUNY Cortland and then a Master of Science in Adolescent Special Education from CUNY Lehman. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Bryan has organized student events and charity fundraisers with student leaders. He also developed a peer program where eighth-graders took on the roles of teacher assistants to the younger grades. Finally, Bryan brings coaching experience in football, lacrosse and basketball. We welcome him to the high school where he will provide support to our students in the Learning Resource Center.
Maggie Bryant
joined our Physical Education Department last February from Ramapo High School, where she built the dance education program and coached the performing company for 17 years. She also coached lacrosse, gymnastics, and soccer on the varsity level at Clarkstown South High School in Rockland County. Maggie received her BSE from Cortland State in PE and Health with a concentration in Dance, performing for the international Ballroom Dance Team and playing women's lacrosse. Her graduate studies included an MA from Teachers College at Columbia University in dance and dance education, and a CMA from the Laban Institute of Movement Studies in NYC. Maggie lives in Westwood with her husband, two teenaged kids, and her giant dog, Phoebe.
Frank Ceruzzi
comes to us from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, where he taught English for twenty years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and completed his Master of Arts in English at Georgetown University. Frank is excited to join the vibrant community of teachers at SHS and to take part in the robust culture of professional development and collaboration that we so value. In his free time, Frank is an avid playwright and has had several of his works performed.
Fran Civita
, RN, joins our nursing team at the high school after working in the Ardsley Public Schools as a school nurse. Fran has worked as a substitute nurse in the Scarsdale Schools and is excited to be settling in at the high school. Prior to becoming a school nurse, Fran was employed as a perioperative staff nurse at White Plains Hospital. To enhance her skills in providing care to children and families, Fran has pursued graduate study and additional training in the area of family counseling. Fran earned her bachelor's degree from Binghamton University and her master's degree from Iona College.
Nicole DeLuca
joins the science department as a chemistry teacher. Nicole earned a bachelor's degree in Forensic Science: Criminalistics from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, followed by a master's degree in Adolescent Education: Chemistry from Hunter College. Nicole has spent the past five years teaching at the Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction in Manhattan, where she had the opportunity to teach Chemistry, Chemistry and Society, and Forensic Science. She shared that she regularly adds a historical connection to the big ideas in science, including their impact on society. In addition, Nicole participated in biochemistry research at John Jay College, which included the opportunity to present and publish her work.
Benjamin Drexel
joins the science department as an earth-science teacher. Ben comes to us from the New World High School in the Bronx, which is a school supporting English Language Learners. Ben shared that his experience at New World led him to value and support student expression and creativity, in addition to the mastery of science concepts. Ben's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Geological Sciences from Binghamton University, with a minor in Biological Anthropology. In addition, he has a master's degree in Secondary Earth Science Education from Queens College and another in Administration and Supervision from Fordham University. Ben has participated in research projects, including the investigation of fossilized stromatolites and microorganisms preserved in halite fluid inclusions.
Dr. Peter Faustino
joins the school psychology department after working as a psychologist and special education coordinator in the Bedford Central School District. Peter comes to Scarsdale High School with twenty years of experience in the field of school psychology. Peter is a leader in the field, having served as the president of the New York Association of School Psychologists and as the Westchester County representative to the New York State Psychological Association, and he has developed specific expertise in the areas of crisis management, bullying, and counseling children with autism. Peter earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Marist College and his doctorate of psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Michelle Foligno
joins the art department from her most current position at Riverdale Country School. She holds a BFA from The Fashion Institute of Technology. After receiving her degree she worked in the design industry and then freelanced for several years. Michelle ran art classes from her studio and decided that teaching was what she wanted to pursue. After receiving her MAT from Manhattanville College, she taught at Suffern High School. She also has earned a Chef Certificate from the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health. Michelle lives with her husband, daughter, and labrador retriever in Dobbs Ferry. Michelle will be teaching Foundations, Ceramics, Sculpture, Architecture, and Glass/Jewelry.
Aaron Ginsburg
joins the faculty as a member of the Math Department. Aaron comes to us from the New York City public school system where he taught math at M.S. 421 for the last five years. Aaron recently graduated with an M.A. in Applied Quantitative Research and also holds a B.S. in Mathematics Education, both from New York University. Aaron grew up in northern New Jersey, served just over 5 years in the United States Marine Corps, and returned to civilian life in 2010 to pursue a role as a math educator. He will be providing math instruction to our students, teaching the Algebra I, Trigonometry, and Precalculus courses.
Samuel Greenberg
joins the faculty as a member of the Mathematics Department. Growing up on Long Island, he spent the previous four years as a Mathematics and Physics Teacher at Our Savior New American School in Centereach. He graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics and a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics. In addition to his studies, he was also a member of the Stony Brook Marching and Pep Bands, playing trumpet and baritone. He is very excited to have the opportunity to share his talents with the Scarsdale community and is looking forward to a great school year.
Brendan Lee
joins the social studies department this year after teaching for two years at Automotive High School in New York City. Brendan holds an undergraduate degree in history from Binghamton University and a Master's degree from Hunter College. Most recently, Brendan and his students were selected to participate in a selective program where students worked with the current cast from the Broadway musical
Hamilton
to write and perform an original performance piece linked to themes in American history.
Dan Meiselman
comes to the high school after eleven years at the middle school teaching seventh-grade science. Prior to Scarsdale, Dan taught middle- and high-school level biology for eleven years at the Collegiate School in Manhattan. He earned a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's degree in Earth Science from Long Island University. Dan has helped coordinate curriculum between the middle-school and high-school life-science and biology courses. He will be an asset as the seventh- and ninth-grade science teams continue their work evaluating curriculum as part of our wellness initiative. Dan looks forward to combining his background in biology and earth science in teaching our senior environmental course.
The Counseling Department is thrilled to have
Aaron Mooney
as its newest member. An Indiana native and graduate of the University of Evansville, Aaron began his career as a college admissions counselor, followed by four years as a school counselor at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. More recently, Aaron served as the Senior Assistant Director for Regional Enrollment at Miami University (Ohio), where he interacted with our students and read Scarsdale High School applications. His experience on both the college and high-school sides provides a unique insight that will be a tremendous asset to our department.
Christopher Paulison
joins the social studies department this year. Christopher holds an undergraduate degree in political science and Arab and Islamic Studies from the Villanova University. Christopher has recently completed a Master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Along with teaching World History, Chris is a speaker of Arabic and has developed curriculum around the instruction of Arabic. Chris has worked with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth in Baltimore and comes to Scarsdale after working three years for Goldman Sachs.
Jessica Pulford
was born and raised in Pawling, N.Y., and has spent the last nine years teaching Geometry, Precalculus, and Calculus at her former high school. Jessica was a four-year scholarship volleyball player at Siena College where she graduated with a BA in Mathematics. She was a member of the Honors Program at Siena and wrote a thesis analyzing the gap in achievement between the United States and Japan's mathematics education results. She earned her master's degree in Mathematics Education from Western Connecticut State University. Outside of the classroom, Jessica enjoys coaching a National Champion baton twirling team.
Marilyn Sable
is delighted to make her Scarsdale teaching debut. She holds an undergraduate degree in French from La Sorbonne and Brooklyn College, an Advanced Certificate in Education from Pace University, and a Master of Philosophy in French from Graduate Center, City University of N.Y. Marilyn has taught all levels of French from K to college. She comes to us from Pocantico Hills, where she taught for 17 years, and believes that learning a language is having fun with words. She is passionate about all things French: langue, littérature, cuisine, haute couture, chanson, poésie, chocolat, et cetera. In her spare time, she moonlights as a singer and lyricist.
David Sherrin
joins the social studies department this year after teaching for five years at the Harvest School in New York City. Prior to his work at the Harvest School, David taught at the Facing History School and the Abraham Joshua Heschel School. David holds an undergraduate degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University and Masters degrees from Brooklyn College and Empire State College. David is also a published author of two books on social studies pedagogy.
Adrienne Sapione joins the art department from the Dwight School. She holds a BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Adrienne taught in Pennsylvania before moving to New York. She has also taught at MoMA, and in the Rye school district. In addition, Adrienne received a fellowship in ceramics at Skidmore and a residency fellowship at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. She is an accomplished teacher and artist. Adrienne will be teaching Foundations, Ceramics, Sculpture, Architecture, and Glass/Jewelry.
