Eastchester REVIEW THE
September 1, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 35 | www.eastchesterreview.com
First positive West Nile virus case in Westchester
Gone
but not forgotten Eugene Warrington, owner of Walter’s Hot Dogs, died on Saturday, Aug. 27, but leaves behind a lasting legacy. For more, see page 8. Photo courtesy Gene-Christian Baca
Bronxville school district analyzes Challenge Success data Prior to the official start of the school year, Bronxville School District educators and high school seniors, who had been selected as Freshmen Transition Leaders, worked together to review and analyze data from the Challenge Success survey. The Challenge Success survey, which was distributed to middle and high school students in the spring, measures students’ perspectives on homework, extracurricular activities, sleep, physical health, stress, parent expectations, academic engagement, academic integrity and teacher support. Bronxville School students were among 40,000 students from high performing schools across the country to take the on-
line survey that is administered by the Challenge Success program, a nonprofit group associated with the Stanford Graduate School of Education. “National data suggests there is an increased physical manifestation of stress in middle and high school over the past few years,” Bronxville High School Principal Ann Meyer said. “Therefore, it was important to us to gather data to help us better understand our students’ overall experience.” The students and staff members collaborated to analyze the different aspects of the data and provided Meyer and Bronxville Middle School Principal Tom Wilson with feedback. The survey findings will help guide
school officials in deciding which policies and practices might be effective or in need of improvement. As a result of the research, Meyer and Wilson are piloting a new schedule that moves extra help from the end of the day to the beginning of the day. “The data indicated that our students are getting significantly less sleep than is recommended for their age and less sleep than their counterparts across the country,” Meyer said. “Moving extra help to the beginning of the day will allow students who do not need to attend extra help on a particular day to sleep a little later before arriving at school for their first class.” A group of 10 students, par-
ents, faculty members and administrators will attend the Challenge Success conference at Stanford University from Sept. 15 to Sept. 16. They will meet with officials from other high performing schools nationwide to further analyze the data and discuss its implications for the middle and high school. “We look forward to bringing back [many] ideas and broadening the group of students, parents and faculty here at Bronxville who will work with this data and brainstorm ideas of how we might address it,” Meyer said. The district’s work around Challenge Success has been entirely funded through the generous support of the Bronxville School Foundation. (Submitted)
Westchester County has learned of its first human case of West Nile virus this year, which was confirmed in a 63-year-old Briarcliff Manor resident who had been hospitalized, and is now recovering at home. The Westchester County Department of Health found signs of mosquito breeding activity around the resident’s home and removed them. “This first case of West Nile virus should serve as a reminder to residents to take precautions against mosquito bites by removing standing water from their property after it rains and using repellents when they spend time outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active,” said Westchester County Health Comissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. The health department prepared for the mosquito season by educating the public through news releases and Keep Healthy and Bug Off messages distributed through flyers, social media, and on our website, by giving fathead minnows to residents with ponds to reduce the mosquito population and by evaluating and treating as needed with larvicide all catch basins on county and municipal roads throughout Westchester. Throughout the season, the department also traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of mosquito-borne viruses in the county. West Nile virus was identified in two local mosquito batches starting July 18. West Nile virus infection most often causes a mild or moderate flu-like illness, but can be more serious particularly for people 60 and older, and those with other health complications. No residents were diagnosed with West Nile virus last year, but from 2010 to 2015, two to four residents were diagnosed each year and all recovered. To reduce the chances for mosquitoes to breed and bite around your home, watch Assistant
Commissioner Peter DeLucia in this brief video on the Department of Health website at Health. WestchesterGov.com/west-nilevirus and follow these tips: Avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding, and use insect repellents when outdoors during these times. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET on infants over two months of age by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing their hands on their children. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age. Wear protective clothing, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks, when outdoors, especially in areas where mosquitoes are active and feeding. Check around your property for tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that should be discarded or turned over to prevent collecting water. Check and remove standing water from children’s toys and play houses left outside. Remove discarded tires. Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors. Turn over plastic wading pools, buckets and wheelbarrows when not in use. Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly. Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris. Even with the swimming season over, continue to chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs until properly winterized or drained for the season. Also, if not chlorinated, drain any water that collects on their covers. Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property should report this to the Westchester County Department of Health at 813-5000. (Submitted)