Letters to the Editor, Feb. 21

Encouraging words for writer in ‘Youth Mental Health Crisis’ series

To the Editor:

For the “A Survivor’s Perspective” article (Feb. 14) — well written, meaningful and also helpful.

Please tell Phoebe Sharma I thank her, I support her, I’ve been there, and it does get better.

Jeb Stuart-Bullock

Goldens Bridge

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Parent seeks assignment of bus monitors to combat bullying

To the Editor:

I have been actively addressing student safety at our monthly school board meetings, particularly after a bullying incident involving my kindergarten son on the school bus. Following this incident, I contacted the district to advocate for the assignment of a bus monitor and designated seating for students. The existing policy places children who violate bus rules at the front of school buses next to younger children, which unfairly burdens the bus driver with maintaining safety and order onboard while driving.

I strongly support securing an SRO for each school and enhancing overall security measures. Currently, the district has only one shared SRO for all five schools. In serious situations, every second counts, potentially making the difference between life and death. The district allocates approximately 1 percent of its $124 million budget for security, which includes one SRO, a security greeter at each school, a part-time guard for middle and high schools, and 57 monitors, including 13 bus monitors for 89 school buses. This information was obtained through a FOIL request, as such expenses are not transparently listed in the district’s budget.

School doors remain unlocked after hours, security measures are inadequate and incidents on our buses persist due to insufficient investment in safety. For instance, at a recent daytime school event, guests were instructed to check for name badges, yet those not listed were permitted to enter without ID verification. How can this be deemed safe during school hours? Furthermore, high school doors are unlocked during board meetings with no visible security presence, which is unacceptable.

The district is delaying action while awaiting a security assessment from Altaris this spring. It is vital to adopt a proactive approach to safety and security. If parents’ requests for improved safety continue to be ignored, the consequences for our children could be dire.

Craig Carroll

South Salem

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Bedford volunteers plan amphibian migration assistance as well

To the Editor:

I was delighted to see a story in last week’s issue of The Recorder (“Not easy being green: Amphibians face hazardous annual migration,” Feb. 14) about the Amphibian Migration Big Night and the work of the volunteers in Pound Ridge. I’d like to let Bedford residents know that we also have a small band of volunteers participating in DEC’s Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project, helping Bedford’s frogs and salamanders safely reach their breeding grounds on the first warm wet nights of the year.  

We’d love more volunteers! Anyone interested in learning more should contact me at gfalstrom@bedfordny.gov.

Gentian Falstrom

Bedford Conservation Board, Bedford Wetlands Control Commission

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Story on Mount Kisco Elementary's bilingual play was heartening

To the Editor:

Given  the current jingoistic atmosphere in the U.S. created by the Trump administration it was was very heartening to read your article about the Mount Kisco Elementary School bilingual production of “The Jungle Book.” 

Carolyn Scimone-Rowan is to be commended for not bowing to the negativity that is pervasive in our current political climate.

Peter Vadnai

Katonah