Courses such as Advanced Placement Calculus BC and Advanced Acting 2 are at risk of not be held next year due to low enrollment, according Katonah-Lewisboro schools officials.

Ellen Doherty, the principal of John Jay High School,  and Christopher Griffin, head of the district’s guidance department, gave a presentation on new course offerings and courses experiencing low enrollment during last week’s school board meeting.

According to Griffin, AP Calculus BC; AP Chemistry; Advanced Acting 2; and Take Two, a film studies course, are classes projected to have low enrollment. Courses with less than 15 students are considered to have a low enrollment.

“The high school administration is given, basically, guidelines on what courses we can run if the [enrollments] are below 15,” Griffin said. “One [we can run] is a terminal course, if it is the culmination of sequence of study.”

Griffin said the AP calculus and chemistry courses, along with Advanced Acting 2, are classes that were considered terminal.

Another example of a course that could be run with lower enrollment is a course that has just been established, Griffin said. The Take Two course falls under that guideline.

“Take Two is now running at 14 and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if, by September, we are above that number, at 15,” Griffin said.

Griffin said high school students are required to receive 22 credits in order to graduate with a state Regents diploma, but many students who are preparing for collegiate study often earn more than the minimum credit requirements. Last year’s high school graduating class earned an average of 28 credits, according to Griffin.

English and social studies classes range from 20 to 23 students for freshmen and sophomores and from 20 to 25 for juniors and seniors.  The average size for math classes in the high school range from 21 to 23 students.

Griffin said space and equipment limitations are often used to define the cap that a classroom has. Other programs that are mandated by the state or federal government, like special education placements, are held even if their enrollment is considered low.

Warren Schloat, a member of the school board, wondered if there was a way to hold the courses and charge other interested students from neighboring school districts to attend them. Doherty said that Schloat’s idea has been discussed in the past, but it wasn’t seen as practical due to transportation and scheduling conflicts with the other school districts.

Peter Breslin, a member of the K-L school board, said he received a letter from a community member asking how the district could consider running low enrollment courses in the current economic environment. Breslin believes other community members might share this sentiment and said it was important to explain the financial educational implications of allowing the low enrollment classes to run.

“What would these kids do?,” Breslin asked Doherty and Griffin.

Doherty said students in the low enrollment courses would likely move on to another science class. Teachers who taught those lowly enrolled courses would likely be reassigned to teach other classes that have increased in size due to the influx of students who need to find another course.

Doherty said cutting the courses would affect the students in another way.

“Students here are interested in learning,” Doherty said. “They’re passionate about their learning and they’ve been thinking about it at least since they’ve entered high school and they have a very good sense about where they want to end up. To limit their opportunity after giving them what we’ve given them in elementary school and middle school…I think would be a travesty.”

Griffin and Doherty are expected to submit a proposal to the board of education seeking approval for the new courses by the end of May.

Editor’s note: The original story contained a quote from Christopher Griffin with a grammatical error; we have amended the copy and regret the error.

The John Jay Homestead in Katonah has an exciting line-up for kids who will be enjoying spring break next week.  The four workshops are all 2-hour historically themed programs that begin at 10 a.m. The cost is $15 per child per session ($12 per child for members of the Friends of John Jay Homestead). Please note that all of the workshops are drop off programs for children aged 5-10 only, and reservations are required by calling 914-232-5651.

Here’s the schedule:

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 10AM: Here, There, and Everywhere!   How did people get around 200 years ago?  What types of transportation did they use?  How did travel expose people to new and fascinating discoveries?  Children will answer these questions while exploring the bedrooms of John Jay and his daughter, Nancy.  They will then make a shell craft to take home. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 10AM: SPRING EGG HUNT  Sponsored by the Bedford Recreation Department, this is a children’s event. Hunt begins promptly at 11:00. No admission charge. For information on a storm date and location, call the Bedford Recreation Department at 914.666.7004. No reservations are required for this event.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1PM: THE ARTIST IN YOU!  Do you like art? Do you know the difference between a painting and a print? Or how long it took to have your portrait painted 200 years ago? Children explore the extensive art collection at the Homestead, and then try their hand at printmaking.      

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 10AM: BIRDS OF A FEATHER Calling all junior birdwatchers! Come and explore the Homestead’s beautiful grounds and learn about the birds that live here. See how many different types of birds you can find. Children will then make something to help the birds in their backyard.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1PM: CLEAN AS A WHISTLE How did people bathe; stay clean and do their laundry 200 years ago? If there was no indoor plumbing, where was their bathroom? Children will tour William Jay’s bedroom and the cellar kitchen to learn about personal hygiene 200 years ago and make soap.

Courses such as Advanced Placement Calculus BC and Advanced Acting 2 are at risk of not be held next year due to low enrollment, according Katonah-Lewisboro schools officials.

Ellen Doherty, the principal of John Jay High School,  and Christopher Griffin, head of the district’s guidance department, gave a presentation on new course offerings and courses experiencing low enrollment during last week’s school board meeting.

According to Griffin, AP Calculus BC; AP Chemistry; Advanced Acting 2; and Take Two, a film studies course, are classes projected to have low enrollment. Courses with less than 15 students are considered to have a low enrollment.

“The high school administration is given, basically, guidelines on what courses we can run if the [enrollments] are below 15,” Griffin said. “One [we can run] is a terminal course, if it is the culmination of sequence of study.”

Griffin said the AP calculus and chemistry courses, along with Advanced Acting 2, are classes that were considered terminal.

Another example of a course that could be run with lower enrollment is a course that has just been established, Griffin said. The Take Two course falls under that guideline.

“Take Two is now running at 14 and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if, by September, we are above that number, at 15,” Griffin said.

Griffin said high school students are required to receive 22 credits in order to graduate with a state Regents diploma, but many students who are preparing for collegiate study often earn more than the minimum credit requirements. Last year’s high school graduating class earned an average of 28 credits, according to Griffin.

English and social studies classes range from 20 to 23 students for freshmen and sophomores and from 20 to 25 for juniors and seniors.  The average size for math classes in the high school range from 21 to 23 students.

Griffin said space and equipment limitations are often used to define the cap that a classroom has. Other programs that are mandated by the state or federal government, like special education placements, are held even if their enrollment is considered low.

Warren Schloat, a member of the school board, wondered if there was a way to hold the courses and charge other interested students from neighboring school districts to attend them. Doherty said that Schloat’s idea has been discussed in the past, but it wasn’t seen as practical due to transportation and scheduling conflicts with the other school districts.

Peter Breslin, a member of the K-L school board, said he received a letter from a community member asking how the district could consider running low enrollment courses in the current economic environment. Breslin believes other community members might share this sentiment and said it was important to explain the financial educational implications of allowing the low enrollment classes to run.

“What would these kids do?,” Breslin asked Doherty and Griffin.

Doherty said students in the low enrollment courses would likely move on to another science class. Teachers who taught those lowly enrolled courses would likely be reassigned to teach other classes that have increased in size due to the influx of students who need to find another course.

Doherty said cutting the courses would affect the students in another way.

“Students here are interested in learning,” Doherty said. “They’re passionate about their learning and they’ve been thinking about it at least since they’ve entered high school and they have a very good sense about where they want to end up. To limit their opportunity after giving them what we’ve given them in elementary school and middle school…I think would be a travesty.”

Griffin and Doherty are expected to submit a proposal to the board of education seeking approval for the new courses by the end of May.

Editor’s note: The original story contained a quote from Christopher Griffin with a grammatical error; we have amended the copy and regret the error.

This guest post is by Adam Best of FanSided.

I spent the previous decade figuring out how to “make it” online as a writer. Led Zeppelin’s “Ten Years Gone” comes to mind. Eventually, with the help of my brother, I made a bit of a splash on a Kansas City Chiefs blog called Arrowhead Addict. That effort went so well we decided to make a business out of sports blogging and started the FanSided Network. What started as one lonely Chiefs blog is now a family of 175 sites, with over 300 bloggers and millions of readers.

I’ve gone from figuring out how to blog to figuring out how to make bloggers better. As FanSided’s Editor, that’s my job. In a day and age where Charlie Sheen has dubbed himself a “genius warlock with tiger blood,” I’m gonna take the high road and just say that I know a thing or two about blogging. Ah, screw it. I’m a Blogfather and I’m here to make you a blogger they can’t refuse.

My blogging philosophy, the Four Os, has guided FanSiders for years. Hopefully, this blogging code will now help guide some of you. The Four Os are:
Blog Original.
Blog Often.
Blog Outstanding.
Blog Obsession.

Drumroll please (I picture a grand total of six of you tapping your pens on your desks…).

Blog Original

Elvis. Bowie. M.J. Madonna. Kanye West. Lady Gaga. All talented musicians? Yes, but it was their originality, even eccentricity, that allowed their talents to come to the forefront. Am I saying that you have to wear one glove, paint your face, announce that George W. Bush hates black people, and then die eating a sub on the toilet? No. What I’m suggesting is for your blog not to be a carbon copy of the existing powerhouse blogs in your category of choice.

Because almost anybody can jump online and start a site, it’s a copycat world out there. Everybody is involved in the same rat race to be first to get to the same story, the same video, the same meme, and then be first to market that post. What happened to establishing your own voice? What happened to being a trend-setter?

You don’t want to be viewed as a walking, talking spambot. Nobody really breaks news at this point. C’mon, everybody already heard about it on Twitter. My little sister broke the story on her Facebook page before most blogs did. Your focus should be on crafting original content that’s well written and different from anything else you can find on the Net. Research your niche; figure out its staples and what’s missing. Look outside your niche for inspiration. Put together a game plan to make your site one of a kind. Don’t be afraid of trial and error either. Your audiences will eventually only remember your hits, not your misses, and if you compile enough hits you’ll be well on your way.

Say what you will about Lady Gaga and her idiosyncrasies, but there’s only one of her and her schtick feels more natural than gimmicky. She’s made herself an indispensable part of the music scene. You’d be wise to do the same in your category.

Blog Often

Let’s say you own a restaurant. Let’s even say your place has spectacular food, a convenient location and great atmosphere. The problem? You only serve one meal, lunch, and only serve it Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If that was the case, you’d expect patrons to visit somewhat frequently during those times, but not during other times. Most bloggers serve up content about as infrequently, yet expect different results—great daily traffic. That’s unreasonable.

If you are only doing three, four, even five posts per week, you are contributing on strictly a hobby level. Those who write that infrequently yet experience a great deal of success are often either already famous or write like Hemingway. Most blogs need to average a post per day. Sometimes a daily post isn’t enough. FanSided is like Office Space. We can only ask our writers to wear so many pieces of flair, but our writers who wear the most pieces (post the most) get the most out of their blogs. I’ve been staring at analytics for years now, and there is definitely a strong correlation between post quantity and traffic.

Blogging isn’t just writing—nobody alive can write four or five opuses every day. Blogging is part writing, of course. But curating, or mining the Internet for gold (news, videos, links, images, stats, quotes, tweets, etc.), is equally as important. Yes, your blog has to be your own voice, but it also has to be more. The best blogs serve as hubs that keep readers from having to surf the web. Besides, you can still Blog Original and voice your opinion when you are curating. Just make sure you interject original insight, even if you do so in rapid-fire fashion.

Another suggestion is to add a staff around you once your blog is established. There are plenty of talented writers out there who don’t have the time to spearhead their own site, yet want to receive great exposure. Adding staffers will also allow you to focus more on quality over quality. Most importantly, any knucklehead can start a site by themselves. If you have a dedicated and talented staff serving under you, then you and your site must be legitimate. That’s not always the case, but a blog staff presents a façade of success and perception is everything—or at least very damn important.

Make sure you have at least one quality post on your site every single day. If you’re not doing so already, try it out for a month. If you already do one, do two or three for the next 30 days. If your traffic and comment numbers don’t increase, tweet to me @adamcbest and let me know it didn‘t work. I’ll tweet to all my followers that I don’t know what I’m talking about. That’s how confident I am in the Blog Often approach.

Blog Outstanding

Part of the problem with trying to Blog Often is that we are all pressed for time. As a result, visual appearance, formatting, grammar, title and promotion often are overlooked aspects of blogging. Compare posting a blog post to selling a house. When you sell a house, you do everything possible to get potential buyers inside, where they can envision being there on a day-to-day basis. You don’t get sloppy or take shortcuts. You make sure the house is painted, the yard is mowed, and that there is no trash anywhere on the premises. You put up yard signs and get the house listed.

Most bloggers, however, don’t think of blog posts as houses for sale. They assume that as long as the message is there, that’s what matters. Those bloggers couldn’t be more wrong. Blog readers often scan new sites before digging into articles. If your formatting sucks, they’ll probably just close the tab. If you have huge blocks of text without breaks or images, they’ll probably bounce. If your post is chock-full of errors, they’ll assume you are either unintelligent or lazy and won’t come back. If you don’t promote your posts and site in general, nobody will even show up in the first place.

That brings us to promotion. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Likewise, if a blogger posts brilliant content that no one ends up reading, was it really brilliant content? “Post and ghost” is a systemic plague that has killed blogs off for years. The Internet is vast. Bloggers can’t just post, step away from the keyboard and expect for readers to miracle their way to their site.

How do you promote your blog? Start with Facebook and Twitter accounts, and make sure they are personalized. Do not just use these accounts to aggregate new posts. Network with other bloggers in your niche, introduce yourself, link their site. You might think of them as competition, but most fans of any category read multiple sites. From experience, kindness in the blog community is typically repaid. After that, look at social media content communities like Digg and Reddit, and see if you can get any traction. I no longer digg, but as a former “power digger” I can assure you that these sites can point a traffic firehouse at your site.

This section is simple: if you don’t take pride in your blog, how can you expect anybody else to? If you’re proud of the way posts look and read, you won’t feel uncomfortable promoting your site. Also, the more you promote, the more you’ll stop worrying about the shameless self promotion you’re doing and do what needs to be done. In reality, almost all promotion is at least partially self promotion anyway. Take pride in your blog. Eventually, you’re audience will, too.

Blog Obsession

Ultimately, your success will depend on your topic, your niche. If you think too small, your earning chances will be extremely limited, and you’ll have a hard time getting noticed. On the other end, if you think big, bigger opportunities could present themselves, but so will bigger challenges. For those of you who have seen Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, let’s call it Ramona Flowers Syndrome. Your new beau might seem fine at first, but a bunch of dudes were there before you and all of them are formidable. You will have to work your way to the top—if there’s even room for you up there. It’s kind of like making a decision between entering the main World Series of Poker event, a smaller WSOP satellite tourney

Not only do you have to be passionate about your topic of choice, other people have to be passionate about it as well. If you’re not passionate, fans of your topic will see right through you. If nobody else is passionate about your topic, you might as well print your blog posts and stick them on your mom’s fridge. The number of folks who are enthusiastic about your topic will determine the ceiling of your blog venture. Some topics will leave you stranded on a deserted island with a few friends. Trust me, you don’t want to be a Blog Gilligan. I’ve been there and there’s no Mary Ann or Ginger.

When I think about the choices I make, a scene from Blow pops into my head. The one where Diego says to George, “You failed because you had the wrong dream.” Your blog could fail the second you choose your topic, as many relationships often fail because the pair was just wrong from the start. Make sure you and your topic are a good match for both you and your audience, and that there is an actual audience. It’s like an NFL franchise choosing between quarterbacks with a No. 1 overall draft pick. Choose wrong and it will cost you down the road, possibly for a long time. You want to pick Peyton Manning—not Ryan Leaf.

Take your time mulling your topic over before you launch your blog. If you’ve already launched, reevaluate your blog and ask yourself if you’re covering the right topic. If you figure out you’re wasting time, that’s okay. You’ll be saving time in the future.

So what do you think? Are you following these Four Os of successful blogging?

Adam Best is an entrepreneur, blogger/writer and artist from Austin, TX. He founded FanSided and currently has a couple other start-ups in the developmental phase. He has covered sports, film, pop culture and blogging all over the Net. Follow him on Twitter at @adamcbest.

Homeowners board adopts hands-off stance on snow removal

Sidewalk-clearing leeway may snowball into bigger problem

By Barry Stone, Monday, April 11, 2011.

Inman News™

Flickr image courtesy of Mash Down Babylon.

Dear Barry: The board of directors of my homeowners association has decided not to enforce snow removal on the sidewalks of homeowners’ properties. The CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions) simply state that homeowners must maintain sidewalks on their property.

The original board of directors accepted complaints about homeowners not removing snow, and routinely sent out violation notices. But the new board members say they do not have the right to enforce snow removal because the CC&Rs only use the word "maintain."

How can I convince the board that they need to enforce snow removal for the good of residents and visitors? –Susan

Dear Susan: The board of directors has apparently abandoned common sense. We live in a litigious society. Everyone knows that a slip-and-fall accident on an icy sidewalk has the potential to become an expensive lawsuit.

Perhaps a letter from an attorney should be sent to the board to educate them about the risks they are assuming.

As for their understanding of the verb "to maintain," further education is recommended. The Merriam-Webster definition of "maintain" is to "keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity); to preserve from failure or decline."

A snow-covered sidewalk is not in a state of efficiency or validity because it cannot be used efficiently or possibly at all. If it fails in its intended function, then it clearly has not been maintained.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, "to maintain" means to "keep (a building, machine, or road) in good condition or in working order by checking or repairing it regularly."

A snow-covered sidewalk is definitely not "in working order." By either definition, keeping a sidewalk clear of snow is obviously part of normal maintenance. Anyone who is unable to see this may not be qualified to serve on a board of directors.

Dear Barry: We live on a 10-acre parcel and are concerned about the 10 acres next door. The property is listed for sale, and the listing agent is not disclosing that the property has major drainage problems and that a driveway variance is needed to provide year-round access. Some unsuspecting buyers will have to deal with these issues after they move in and discover how difficult it is to get a variance from the zoning commission in this county. Can you see any solution to this problem? –Karen

Dear Karen: Your concern for your future neighbors is commendable. Here is a creative approach that may convince the agent and broker to disclose the issues that affect the property.

A letter should be sent by certified mail to the agent and broker, and they should sign to receive those letters. The purpose of the letter would be threefold:

1. It would list the problems that need to be disclosed.

2. It would remind the agent and broker that they are required to disclose all known defects.

3. It would inform the agent and broker that a copy of the letter and the certified receipts that they signed would be provided to buyers of the property to be used as evidence of nondisclosure if problems should arise.

Hopefully, this would awaken their sense of professional and ethical responsibility.

To write to Barry Stone, please visit him on the Web at www.housedetective.com.

Contact Barry Stone:
Email	Letter to the Editor

Copyright 2011 Barry Stone

All rights reserved. This content may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this content without permission is a violation of federal copyright law.

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