I just attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at RJ Bailey School. The school district and Dr. Molly Easo Smith, President of Manhattanville College, announced the Manhattanville College/RJ Bailey School partnership.
Any student who graduates the Central 7 School district with a B average will receive a 50% scholarship during their four years at Manhattanville. This could be a big boost to Greenburgh residents who reside in the Central 7 school district since college tuition at Manhattanville currently is around $35,000 a year.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was very exciting. The school district announced a professional development agreement. Manhattanville College will send instructors and student teachers to the school to help the school district improve instructional practice and enhance student learning. In effect – Bailey School is becoming the equivalent of a teaching hospital – the school is being used as a training center to help future teachers learn the profession. Other faculty from Manhattanville will work with the school district to improve instructional practice and enhance student learning.
The students who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony all wore “I’m Getting Ready for College” shirts. They sang a song (Let’s Connect, Reflect, Direct, Protect) written by Bob Lance- Music Teacher and Choral Director. I have invited students to attend the Town Board meeting on October 14th at 7:30 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. I would like to salute Ron Smalls, Superintendent of Schools, Marguerite Clarkson, Principal of RJ Bailey school and the school board for this initiative.
PAUL FEINER
Are money problems getting the best of you or someone you know?
Help us pass the word about a free Westchester County government service -- a Financial Helpline -- that can answer financial questions and direct people to resources that might be able to help. Just dial 211 from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6 or Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Callers are invited to address any financial topics of interest such as budgeting, debt, mortgages, foreclosure, investments, credit, retirement planning, consumer scams, and paying for college. Calls will be answered by a team of financial experts volunteering their time who come from local banks and credit unions, financial industry associations, and financial education nonprofit agencies.
The first Helpline in July received more than 300 calls.
The Helpline project is a joint effort of Westchester County, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and Community Capital Resources (CCR) and is intended to help residents better manage their finances in this time of economic uncertainty.