October 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1
Representatives Obtain Office
By Daniel Patrick Galgano On Oct. 19, The Harvey School Student Council sat in session for the first time this year. I, serving as both the Student Council President and the Editor-in-Chief of The Pulse, sat down with all of our new representatives to discuss their priorities and vision for the new academic year. Every year, The Harvey School holds an election to determine student council representatives. At the beginning of September (this year on Sept. 16), candidates give speeches to the student body, announcing their agendas and giving promises to their prospective constituents.
Featured in this issue: l Reports l News from The Harv l Reviews
This year, due to the amount of candidates, no candidate in the sophomore or junior class reached a 50 percent majority in their elections, so the administration chose to hold a runoff election, as determined by Article III, Section 2 of the Student Council Constitution. After the runoff election, administrators released the final results.
Charles Treseler and Julian van den Tol, running unopposed, are the new ninth grade representatives. Samuel Alexander and Angelyne Cooper are the 10th grade representatives. Joseph DiGrandi and Mia Cornell are the 11th grade representa- The Harvey School Student Council in session. Photo courtesy of tives. Jacob Sklar (the Student Council President (and The Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief) Dancurrent Sports Editor of iel Patrick Galgano and Director of Development Susie Danziger. The Pulse) and Colin Hogan are the twelfth The Pulse was able to sit grade representatives. down with Sophomore Representatives Samuel Alexander and Angelyne Cooper Freshman Representatives to discuss their policy prerogatives for Charles Treseler and Julian van den Tol the year. stated that they “…hope to achieve a clearer and broader dress code.” The Alexander and Cooper stated representatives also stated that they that they wanted to continue with the would “…work persistently to achieve spirit of their campaign speech by ensurour goals with the council and the ading that Harvey remains “a more fun ministration” environment for people to go to” while retaining “balance” in a school environ The pair also stated that they ment. wish their constituents to know that “We got this. Don’t worry.” When prodded for specific examples of the types of changes they Representatives Obtain Office: cont. on page 6.
Senator Harckham Visits Harvey By Daniel Patrick Galgano
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, New York State Senator Peter Harckham agreed to come to The Harvey School and talk with The Pulse about our local community.
The substantial equivalency was written over concerns that some religious schools were not meeting educational standards. Senator Harckham stated that while he believes that schools should be able to teach within a particular “theme,” they should be required to meet state guidelines.
Senator Harckham represents the 40th New York State Senate District, which covers much of Northern Westchester County and Putnam County. Senator Harckham won his seat last January, narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Terrence Murphy with 51 percent of the vote, according to The New York Times. Ever since the State Senate adjourned in June, state senators have been working with their constituents in “community outreach” programs.
The Harvey School 260 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536
The Pulse brought up the proposed “substantial equivalency” regulation with Senator Harckham, which is a proposed rule by the New York Department of Education that would mandate that local school districts oversee independent schools (such as The Harvey School) to ensure that they are meeting educational standards (see article: “State Rule Stirs Up Controversy”).
Photograph of Editor-in-Chief Daniel Patrick Galgano and New York State Senator Peter Harckham. Photo courtesy of Tito Davila.
The proposed rule has split state leaders, organizations, and the New York State Board of Regents (the organization that determines New York education policies). The Pulse decided to discuss the issue with Senator Harckham to hear his opinion. Senator Harckham stated, “I, for one, believe we do need to have substantial equivalency, in that it’s the State’s obligation to guarantee every child a sound education.”
However, Senator Harckham also said, “Where I differ strongly from the Governor is that I don’t believe local school districts should be the ones to have to enforce this and evaluate this.” The Senator called the project “a massive unfunded mandate that’s just being dumped on them.”
Senator Harckham stated that he would prefer for the State of New York to ensure that educational standards are being met, not local schools districts and municipalities who “do not have the personnel necessary to evaluate the curriculum and program and the scores of other academic institutions.” Senator Harckham said that the New York Council of School SuperinSenator Harckham...: cont. on back cover.