Dear Friends, 

This summer has absolutely flown by. I cannot believe we are already in August! This weekend, Saturday, August 3, I am proud to be a partner for the Access to Care Health Fair at Open Door in the Village of Mamaroneck. You can come anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for information about health and wellness from community-based organizations while you enjoy fun activities, entertainment, and raffles for the whole family! 

School supplies are key to classroom success, but they can be expensive. If you are able, please consider donating to my Student and Teacher Back-to-School Drive with the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. We have drop-off locations at my office in White Plains, at the Town of Mamaroneck Town Hall, the Pound Ridge Town House, and the Grinton I. Will Library in Yonkers. Deadline to donate is Saturday, August 10. 

It has been a thrill to watch the incredible athletes competing in the Paris Olympics! I am so proud of Claire Weinstein, the 17-year-old native of White Plains who helped the United States win silver in the women’s 200 meter freestyle.  Congratulations on a fantastic Olympic showing, Claire!

If there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Shelley B. Mayer

State Senator

37th District

SUNY Rockefeller Institute of Government’s Hearings on Foundation Aid Formula

SUNY Rockefeller Institute of Government has two remaining public hearings to hear testimony about the State’s Foundation Aid Formula. These hearings come as part of the requirement in this year’s budget that the Rockefeller Institute study the Foundation Aid Formula and issue recommendations. This formula, enacted in 2007, determines how much each school district in the state receives in state aid. Each hearing will feature invited speakers from the education community, including superintendents, education advocacy groups, leaders in education research, and representatives of unions, followed by a public comment period. The public is encouraged to sign up and speak — this study is critical for everyone who cares about our public schools. Each speaker will be given two minutes for their remarks and must register to speak.   

Locations and Dates for the Remaining Public Hearings:

August 8, 2024 | Central New York

Laurens Central School

55 Main St, Laurens, NY 13796



August 14, 2024 | Capital Region

Guilderland High School

8 School Road, Guilderland, NY 12085

Testimony for invited speakers will begin at 2 p.m. and public comment for registered speakers will begin at 5:30 p.m. To register, visit the Institute’s Foundation Aid Study page. Comments can also be provided through written testimony submitted on the online form, found here.   

I was glad to be able to attend the hearing on Long Island this week and to see many friends from the New York State PTA who were there to make sure their voices were heard.

Interview with Capitol Pressroom 

I recently sat down with David Lombardo of the Capitol Pressroom to discuss my legislation, which passed both the Senate and Assembly,  to require every school board and BOCES to have a non-voting student member, ensuring student voices are heard. I was joined by the terrific and exciting former ex-officio student board member, Grace Evans. You can listen to my interview below.

Supporting Westchester Jewish Community Services

I was pleased to secure $125,000 in state funding for WJCS to assist them with needed renovations to their group homes and to support the ParentChild+ Program. The group homes provide members of our community who have developmental disabilities with the critical services and support they need to live to their fullest potential; and their excellent ParentChild+ Program meets our neighbors in their homes to help children build skills to prepare them for school.  I thank Seth Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of WJCS and his team: Jessica Piecyk, MPA, LMSW; Lauren Bassin, LCSW; Lauren Candela-Katz; and many others!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester 

I enjoyed a very lively discussion with the young people of the Big Futures program of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester, Inc. about the issues we are facing in our community.  Thank you Executive Director Valerie Brown and all the staff. I am a strong believer in the possibilities of the next generation and appreciate their work. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam is a youth mentoring organization serving children ages 7 to 17 who live in New York’s Westchester and Putnam counties, whose mission is to help all youth achieve their full potential in school and in life. To do that they provide young people who face adversity with professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. If you would like to become a Big, or for more information, please visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam.

Summer Picnic with my Youth Advisory Council 

I enjoyed a terrific summer picnic with members of my Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at Liberty Park in White Plains! The YAC helps me keep in touch with issues that matter to young adults. Thanks to Christine Fils-Aime, my Director of Constituent Services and Community Affairs, and our fantastic intern Gwen Dominguez for putting it all together. If you or someone you know is interested in joining my YAC, please contact Christine at faime@nysenate.gov

Port Chester Summer Reading Buddies

I had a terrific time reading to young students as part of the Summer Reading Buddies Program, hosted by the Port Chester School District in partnership with Family Service Society of Yonkers. These groups do tremendous work increasing student exposure to literacy and encouraging the love of reading during the summer months.

Older Care Adult Center at Bethesda Baptist Church

I was honored to celebrate the one year anniversary of the vibrant Older Care Adult Center at Bethesda Baptist Church in New Rochelle. I wish you many more years of serving our community!

Taste of Union Ave in New Rochelle 

I had a great time at the third annual Taste of Union Ave in New Rochelle this past weekend! I enjoyed listening to the incredible music and seeing the amazing locally owned businesses! My friend City Councilmember Martha Lopez represents this community so well!

Youth Involvement in Back to School Efforts

I am so pleased my Director of Constituent Services and Community Affairs, Christine Fils-Aime, my district office interns, and members of my Youth Advisory Council were able to join The Sharing Shelf to pack 880 bags for the Sharing Shelf’s back to school initiative! These backpacks will go to high school and middle school students across Westchester.

Back to School Drive with United Way of Westchester and Putnam

As the new school year approaches, please consider donating supplies to help our students and teachers! I’m proud to partner with United Way of Westchester and Putnam to host another Student & Teacher Back-to-School Drive. You can drop supplies off at any of the four locations listed.

Access to Care Health Fair

Everyone deserves access to great health care. Proud to be a partner of the Access To Care Health Fair at Open Door Mamaroneck on Saturday, August 3! Join us between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for information about health and wellness from community-based organizations, and enjoy fun activities, entertainment and raffles for the whole family!

Ensuring a student voice at local school boards

State Funding Secured for Two Police Motorcycles for Scarsdale

Office of State Senator Shelley B. Mayer

235 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 400

White Plains, NY 10605

Phone: (914) 934-5250

Email: SMayer@nysenate.gov