Teen Adventure at Muscoot Farm

MOOOOOOOO! COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!! These were the sounds that filled the air last Saturday at Muscoot farm in Valhalla. Teen adventurers traveled to the working farm for a picnic lunch, a nature walk and some time to get up close and personal with some of the farm animals.

The adventurers arrived at the farm by 1pm and settled down for a packed lunch. There was a chill in the air but good company warmed us up. After lunch the teens strolled around the farm and saw all the animals including a row of gorgeous cows, sheep, chickens, roosters and two very lively horses. The crowd favorite was the huge pigs and their little piglets. Before our nature hike we passed by two donkeys that gave us an enthusiastic EEEEEE-AAAAAA and we were off on the trail!

The crew took a 35 minute walk over rolling hills. Our destination was a gazebo perched on a hill top. To our left a view of the beautiful fall foliage and to our right a gently sloping pasture filled with sparrows darting this way and that. We descended down the finely manicured path to the base of the pasture to take in one last look before heading back to the farm.

The teens took one more look at their favorite animals (the piglets) and then up to the picnic area for a well deserved snack. Then it was back on the bus and back to Mamaroneck with another adventure in the books.

Mummy Bash

This past Saturday, October 24th, South East held our Annual Halloween Dance, this year themed "Mummy Bash"! We saw all kinds of amazing costumes! All that attended enjoyed a great night of dancing, refreshments and hanging out with friends! 

Go Army!

Last Saturday October 17th South East took a group to Michie Stadium at West Point to watch the Army West Point Black Knights take on the Bucknell Bisons. The weather was absolutely perfect football weather and for lunch we got to enjoy football stadium staples, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken finger with fries and giant salted pretzels. Everyone had a great time and the Black Knights won 21-14! Go Army!

Junior Chef

These little chefs are doing big things in the kitchen this fall.

Students at Cottle Elementary School in Tuckahoe are taking part in an afterschool cooking program in the school teacher’s lounge every Tuesday afternoon.  Children ages 5-12 take part in all essential steps of meal preparation; cutting, scooping, mixing, spreading and pouring to create delicious and nutritious afterschool snacks.

The Junior Chefs instructor, Karen Ramlakhan, has had previous success at the Teen Chefs program up the road at the Tuckahoe Middle/ High School. The award winning Teen Chef’s program, now in its second year,  has teens cooking, frying and slicing to create slightly more sophisticated meals from their junior counterparts at the elementary school.

The Junior Chef’s program immediately follows the Cottle Crew afterschool sports club held in the Cottle Elementary School gymnasium. The Cotte Crew practice sport specific skills like baseball, volleyball, soccer, kickball and more. The Cottle Crew walks down the hall to Junior Chefs after working up quite an appetite! “It really is a great combination of programing. You have the exercise and movement component with a healthy snack right afterwards. The best part is the kids themselves make their snack making it even more meaningful.” said program supervisor Jack Reisman.

The little chefs have a big menu planned this fall. Already they have made ants on a log and peanut butter snails (celery, peanut butter and raisins) and yogurt parfaits (low-fat yogurt, frosted flakes and honey.) The yogurt parfaits were an immense hit with these inspiring culinary artists, So much so that several did not want to eat their final product because they were so proud of their work. “NO!” piped one student, as he delicately wrapped his parfait in tin foil eyeing all staff members who stood close by. “I can not eat this now. I need to show my dad first!”

Other menu items coming up this fall include personal pizzas, quesadillas and fruit salad.

The goal of the Junior Chefs program is to teach children how to independently make nutritious after-school snacks all the while boosting confidence in their abilities. This program would not be possible without the ongoing hospitality of the William E. Cottle Elementary School.