City School District of New Rochelle
News & Updates
February 12, 2021
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Combined Cohorts
Bring Vibrancy For Elementary Kids
The City School District of New Rochelle took a major step toward a return to normal this week when elementary schools combined the two groups of students who had been taking turns attending class in person.

The joining of cohorts A and B, starting Thursday, created fuller, livelier classes and will allow elementary school students to attend school in person four days a week rather than only two. Wednesday remains a day for at-home, asynchronous learning.

“We will always put safety first; at the same time, we are exploring ways to increase in-person learning in all grades,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. “There is no substitute for the personal interaction among students, teachers and classmates.”

Jefferson Elementary School teacher Sandra Texidor-DeSillas saw the excitement in her second-graders when a greater number of them filed into her class on Thursday.

“They were so happy to see each other,” she said. “They’re enthusiastic; they’re more focused. They’re bouncing their energy off each other.”

Ciara Ibarra, a fourth-grader at William B. Ward Elementary School, said it was “really nice” to see more of her friends when she arrived at school that day. “Now it’s going to be more fun because there are more people,” she said.

It will be a while before the District reaches its “new normal.” COVID-19 still afflicts the area as it does the nation and world. But guidance from Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is evolving, as is that of state and local health departments.

Dr. Marrero and the administrative team have been monitoring the situation, looking for ways to return to more in-person learning. Dr. Marrero is committed to making the changes in collaboration with the community. This week, he led the first two of a series of four Town Hall meetings to allow parents, guardians and community members to air their views and ask their questions about the changes.

The two held this week, on Thursday and Friday, addressed the shift in the elementary schools. During the Thursday session, Dr. Marrero said the initial success of the combined cohorts “was seen in the smiles of the students.” The majority of the hour-long sessions were dedicated to answering questions from community members, with Dr. Marrero accompanied by his administrative team to respond. Inquiries included:

  • Will school return to a traditional schedule in September? Dr. Marrero and Dr. Louis Corsaro, the District’s interim medical director, both hoped it would. Dr. Corsaro said factors to be considered include the COVID infection rate, community vaccination rate and guidance from the CDC and Westchester County Department of Health. “September may be a different profile than we see right now,” Dr. Corsaro said.

  • How is the District addressing the impact of some students being uncomfortable due to classroom windows being open to aid ventilation? Dr. Marrero agreed that open windows cause a less-than-ideal learning environment. He said the District wanted to offer in-person learning for families desiring that option. He also said concerned parents can also opt for virtual learning, and noted that space heaters will be provided as needed.

  • Can you give parents an opportunity to see how classes are operating in school buildings, with COVID safeguards in place? Dr. Marrero praised the suggestion and said he would look into providing virtual tours.  

When the District returns from the next week’s mid-winter break, Dr. Marrero will host two more Town Halls – discussing the middle schools on February 23 and New Rochelle High School on February 25.
Karen Johnson, Devoted ALMS Teacher, Passes Away

A tribute from the New Rochelle Board of Education and Interim Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Karen Johnson on February 11. She was a special-education teacher at Albert Leonard Middle School and served the District and her students with distinction since 1998.
  
Ms. Johnson was a devoted educator who provided reading support and special-education instruction to middle-school students. She focused her efforts on supporting students in multiple aspects of their lives.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Johnson created, led and coached the ALMS STEP Team, which won first place in a national championship. In addition, she participated in ongoing fundraising efforts to support students in need. Ms. Johnson also informally mentored many students, helping them improve their school attendance and academic performance.

She will be remembered as having a heart of gold, a passion for helping others, and for being a wonderful teacher who impacted the lives of many students.  

Ms. Johnson and her family are well-known in New Rochelle. Her husband, Robert F. Johnson, is a security guard for the City School District of New Rochelle. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he often operated the video camera that live-streamed New Rochelle Board of Education meetings.

Ms. Johnson will be dearly missed. We extend our deepest condolences to the Johnson family as well as to the staff and students of Albert Leonard Middle School. Treasured memories of Karen Johnson will sustain her students, colleagues and friends, and she will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Click on the image above to watch video exhibition.
NRHS Artists'
Works Displayed
In Mamaroneck Show
Thirty-three students from New Rochelle High School have contributed art works included in the Mamaroneck Artists Guild’s Young Artists on the Rise show 2021.

The annual exhibition showcases art from New Rochelle, Mamaroneck High School, Maria Regina High School and the French American School of New York.

“It’s a great experience for them to exhibit their work at a local art gallery that is seen by people who live in the whole Sound Shore area,” said NRHS art teacher Joanna Schomber.

This year, the exhibition was created virtually, offering the advantage that it can be shared with family members and friends all over. The exhibition does not list the school for each artist, so we have included a list here of the NRHS students to look for:

Robert Aiello, Ariria Alonso, Natalie Attia, Sofia Barrios, Brittney Benjamin, Zachary Berenbaum, Aryana Bhattacharyya, Maya Cole, Ben Cowles, Roan Etkin, Sabrina Fragoso, Sofia Fryxell, Julianna Gagliardo, Diana Gonzalez, Amber Lee, Yorelli Miranda, Fatima Navarro, Carlos Pacheco, Sophia Pelaez, Shadai Polycarpe, Julian Quintero, Samantha Ramirez, Micaela Ruiz, Ryan Scerbo, Arianna Sookhai, Asha Taranson, Isabel Tuquinahui, Inaya Uzun, Emily Valdovinos, Jessica Wiess, Yuri Willis, Angela Valencia, Diego Zarraga.
4 NRHS Seniors
Named Merit Finalists
All four New Rochelle High School seniors named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists in the fall have made it to the finalist level.

“I love that all four of us made it,” said finalist Zane J. Snyder. “I know all three of the other candidates pretty well. It was really very nice to see that we all made it.”

The other finalists are Dev I. Arbeiter, Maya F. Cole and Wenting Yu.

They were among about 1,600 high school seniors across the country who were named semifinalists in September. To become finalists, each semifinalist, with a high school official, must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay.

All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
Black History Month Profiles on District Website
During Black History Month, we will spotlight just some of the Black and African American members of the City School District of New Rochelle family who have made an enormous impact on our community.

You will find a gallery of the District family members being recognized and appreciated on our homepage, www.nred.org.
Science Research Applications Now Open for Eighth- and Ninth-Graders
Lily Spertus Newman and Alessandra Pappalardi
Applications to join the Science Research Program are now open for eighth- and ninth-graders! Click here to apply! Students in the program explore a dazzling range of science topics, as we have been demonstrating each week in this column. Here are two more.

Lily Spertus Newman, junior
Lily Spertus Newman pulled her research project right out of the national zeitgeist – the rampant divisiveness and political hostility on social media that dominates discourse in the United States these days.

Why, she wondered, would a person who holds a particular point of view post something on social media if it was only going to be seen by others who hold the same view? “There are people who are posting things that are clearly not creating a dialogue, so I wondered why they were being posted,” she said. Was it the need to be validated? To feel good about yourself?

To delve into the topic, she looked through 927 responses to a survey she disseminated online. She asked people’s political beliefs, their ages and genders and assessed how tolerant they were of other views.

“If you are surrounded by people more like-minded to you, then you are more likely to believe that your views are moderate,” she found.

The aim of her research could hardly be more topical. It could help identify patterns of political intolerance and may speak to the issue of cyberbullying.

“Shedding light on this issue might also help us find a solution to the polarization and get us back to productive and civil conversations,” she said.

Alessandra Pappalardi, sophomore
Alessandra Pappalardi’s idea to research popularity was sparked by the teen-targeted movies she and her friends watched, such as Clueless and Mean Girls.
“Why do they always portray popularity as the be-all, end-all goal?” she wondered.

To explore the topic, she disseminated a questionnaire online that drew nearly 600 responses. The 25-question survey asked respondents if they felt they were popular, if it was important to them and more. They answered each on a scale from 1 to 5.

“I found that when I asked them how they view the concept of popularity, a majority of responses were positive,” she said. “When I correlated with how influential the media is with their view of popularity, that turned out to be significant.”

Those who agreed that movies and media have a strong influence on people’s lives were more likely to associate popularity with values such as kindness and intelligence.

A sophomore now, Pappalardi plans to explore genetic kidney disease next year in the Science Research Program. She has found a mentor for the project, Dr. Cynthia Silva of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The project she did this year grew out of a curiosity about what she saw all around her.

“It’s interesting how influential things that we see on TV can be, and how they can change the things that we see in ourselves,” she said.
Action means fitness at Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center.
Tips for the Brain & Body In New Calendar for Heart and Black History Months
Tackle a hippity-hop obstacle course by holding a ball in place with your legs and jumping around.
Explore nutrition tips, especially framed for youngsters, about fruits, vegetables and dairy.

Proudly reflect on Black and African-American history by revisiting the triumphs of sports pioneers and achievers.

February is the ideal month to marry exercise and education, says Tilsa Rodriguez-Gonzalez, the City School District of New Rochelle’s Director of Health and Physical Education. After all, February is both American Heart Month and Black History Month – two important observances that Rodriguez-Gonzalez deftly blends in an easy-to-use, action-oriented calendar, filled with facts and fitness tips, that’s available to students, families and District staff.

“Our physical education teachers are sharing the calendar, we’re promoting it in schools and our District Wellness Committee thought it was a great way to provide information to families who can participate together in these activities at home,” Rodriguez-Gonzalez said. “While celebrating Black History Month, it’s definitely a time to get a health checkup.” 

American Heart Month raises awareness about of the importance of preventing cardiovascular disease, a leading killer In the United States.

“The calendar highlights statistical data and helpful tips that show that the Black community should be aware that heart disease disproportionately impacts them,” Rodriguez-Gonzalez said. “It’s important to keep in mind your health history and to consider ways to increase proteins while reducing salt intake and cholesterol, as well as understanding other helpful techniques to protect your health.”

The calendars come to life in physical education classes, which feature fun, creative ways for students to be active. For elementary-school students during February, this includes either simulating or participating in a version of Jump Rope for Heart, an American Heart Association fundraiser.

At Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center, physical education teacher Marc Cohen showed a gym class of first- and second-graders that you can exercise with no extra gear or special equipment.

He led them through jumping jacks, push-ups and trunk rotations, and they even jumped rope without actual jump ropes. They were especially good at doing the bicycle, lying on their back making pedaling motions with their legs.

“I want to show them that you can do it in your house, and that you don’t have to go to the gym,” Cohen said. He wants them to know that exercise is easy to do, and sometimes part of routine activities such as washing the car or raking leaves. He said it’s especially important for students to realize that because of the pandemic, which has limited some exercise settings.

“They couldn’t even go to the playground to do pull-ups,” he said. “Everything was closed.”

Their classroom teacher, Samantha Rich, sees the difference in students when they’ve been exercising in gym. “They really like to be active,” she said. “They really like the structure.”

They’re also learning about the heart. When Cohen asked the students what the heart circulates in addition to blood, Jean Paul Portales Valderrama correctly answered “Oxygen.” He clearly was enjoying his exercises.

“I feel energetic,” he said.

Overall, “you can do these exercises in the calendar anywhere,” Rodriguez-Gonzalez said, noting that teachers are mindful of COVID-19 safety protocols and keep exercise-intensity levels moderate. “We’re helping children understand their bodies. They love jumping, and teachers are talking to them about increasing their heart rate, including showing that they can touch their chests and feel their heart beat.” 

While students learn about themselves, they also learn about historic figures in Black and African-American history. Information bites profile sports achievers such as Olympic skater Debi Thomas, Little League World Series star Mo’ne Davis, and National Football League pioneers Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall, as well as many others.
Millicent Lee Brings Expertise and Experience to Pupil Personnel Role
Millicent Lee has hit the ground running since stepping into the role of Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Since coming on board, she has been an integral part in several district initiatives such as registration, the Mobile Food Pantry, and the My Brother’s Keeper Family and Community Engagement grant. 
 
Having replaced the retired Dr. Rhonda Jones, Lee oversees registration, residency, attendance, school social workers and school psychologists. She has worked in school districts in Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties and brings extensive experience to her role in the City School District of New Rochelle. 

“I’m excited to be part of the New Rochelle family. I look forward to continuing to build relationships and partnering with the community,” said Lee, who joined the District in November. “It’s a fantastic school district with invested stakeholders committed to the growth and development of our students.”

Millicent Lee graduated from the former College of New Rochelle with a Master of Science degree in educational administration and supervision. She started her career in education more than 15 years ago as a school counselor and rose to positions in administration. Her most recent position was Director of Student Services for the Mount Pleasant Cottage School Union Free School District. 

“I am proud to be part of the new Pupil Personnel leadership team,” Lee said. “Despite COVID-19, my transition into the role of Director of Pupil Personnel Services is going well. I have a great team of clinicians to work with and I feel welcomed and supported.” 

Leadership of New Rochelle’s school district also shared their excitement in welcoming Lee to the district.

“Millicent Lee and her experience and expertise will be key drivers of achievement for our students and school district,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. “She is a great addition to New Rochelle schools and to our community at large.”
City School District of New Rochelle | http://www.nred.org/