News & Updates
March 24, 2022
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Early Dismissal for All Schools on Monday, March 28 | |
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All schools in the City School District of New Rochelle will have an early dismissal on Monday, March 28, and will follow our school district’s half-day scheduling to accommodate faculty participating in professional learning in the afternoon. Please be reminded:
- Elementary schools dismiss at 11:10 a.m.
- Secondary schools dismiss at noon. At Isaac E. Young Middle School, Grade 6 students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m. Grade 7 students will be dismissed at 11:55 a.m. Grade 8 students will be dismissed at noon.
For more information, please contact your child’s school. Thank you.
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Budget Planning Update
from Superintendent Jonathan Raymond
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Dear City School District of New Rochelle Community:
At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, I was pleased to present an updated City School District of New Rochelle 2022-23 budget proposal, “Reimagining the Whole Child: Forging a Path Forward.” It reflects valuable input from our community and our Board of Education, who provided thoughtful comments, questions, feedback, and support in the development of this proposal.
This budget proposal builds off of the findings in my 100-day plan with a laser focus on our priorities of unfinished learning and wellness, and adheres to values stated in the 2020 strategic roadmap. The proposal is consistent with the school district’s values of excellence and equity for all students, and makes judicious use of federal, state, and local resources to advance learning for all our students.
The proposed budget:
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covers contractual responsibilities to our faculty and staff, which account for nearly three-quarters of our total budget, and provides a modest pay increase;
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invests in special-education teachers to bring our school district into compliance with state regulations and supports English-language learners;
- leverages federal grant funding to address unfinished learning and the social and emotional needs of our students brought on by the pandemic;
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makes strategic investments to eliminate transportation as a barrier to school attendance for students in need;
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helps make our schools safer; and
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adds a dance teacher at Isaac E. Young Middle School and a New Rochelle High School science teacher to deepen access to some of our best programs (Performing and Visual Arts Education and Science Research).
This budget calls for investment in additional laptops, iPads, and smart boards for our students and classrooms, enriching afterschool and summer programs, 24-7 tutoring resources, and more opportunities and resources to authentically engage families through a Parent University and home visiting program.
It also includes a bond proposition to complete post-Hurricane Ida repairs at our high school library and pool, and at Isaac E. Young Middle School by allowing for cash flow between when we complete the projects and when we receive state and federal reimbursement.
I thank the Board of Education, our dedicated team of educators, and the community for their input, and I look forward to meeting with students, community members, and other stakeholders throughout the budget process as we prepare for the public vote on May 17.
For more information on the proposed budget, please review the budget presentation and complete budget book by clicking on the "budget" button on the school district website, nred.org and click the purple budget button.
Sincerely,
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Jonathan P. Raymond
Superintendent of Schools
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New York State Grades 3-8 Testing:
Important Information for Parents/Guardians
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As required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA), Grades 3-8 Math, and Grades 4 and 8 Science Tests will be administered in the coming weeks. Each assessment consists of two sessions and is administered over two days in an untimed setting. Please make note of the following testing dates:
- Grades 3-8 ELA: Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, March 30
- Grades 3-8 Math: Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27
- Grades 4 and 8 Science: Tuesday, May 24 and Monday, June 6
For more information, please refer to the following documents. Please contact your child’s school with any additional questions or concerns.
Additionally, the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) is administered to all English Language Learners in grades K-12 each spring to determine students’ progress in learning English, as well as the level of English as a New Language services they are to be provided the following school year. The NYSESLAT testing windows:
- Speaking: Monday, April 18-Friday, May 20
- Listening, Reading & Writing: Monday, May 9-Friday, May 20
For more information on the NYSESLAT, please visit the New York State Education Department’s
bilingual education website.
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Students at Ward Celebrate Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month is an annual celebration commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history, and William B. Ward Elementary School students have taken part in several activities to understand their legacy.
The first-graders in Jennifer Rippa-Jones’ class marked Women’s History Month by writing about the women they admire. After learning about and selecting a woman, each child drew a portrait of the woman they chose, and then wrote a page about that woman and why she was so important. The reports and illustrations were collected and displayed in the hall for all to read and appreciate.
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The second-grade students in Danielle Cavaluzzo’s class honored and celebrated many inspiring women in history. The students chose their own motivating women to research. Students explored the accomplishments of many women in sports, politics, science, and women who took part during the civil rights movement. One student, Amelia Parente, dressed in character as she presented her research project on Amelia Earhart to the class.
Other students followed, presenting projects on women including Helen Keller, Michelle Obama, Ruby Bridges, and Marie Curie. Many students were moved by the achievements of these impactful women.
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In Joyce Kinches’ art class, students learned about artist Alma Thomas. Thomas began to paint in 1960 when she retired from her 38-year career as an art teacher in the public schools of Washington, D.C. In the years that followed, she was regarded as a major painter of the Washington Color School, an art movement built of abstract expressionist artists. The students were inspired by her colorful masterpieces when creating their painted collages. | |
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The students in Emmanuela Thomas’ class did a project on a woman that they admire. Some students wrote about famous women in history, including Jane Goodall, Earhart, Rosa Parks, Bridges, and Maya Angelou. One student, Olivia Pfister, wrote about her great grandmother, Elisabeth Louise Rhein, who lived to be almost 105 years old. She lived during World War I, World War II, and the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918. Rhein was a teacher for the deaf who taught sign language, and then later taught in high school. Pfister looks up to her great-grandmother, who inspires her to help others.
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Through the #WardTechCafe for STEAM, Jeannine Shields has been highlighting Katherine Johnson (at left), the American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee made travel to the moon possible. Shields put together a display with several resources and a Katherine Johnson Barbie doll. Next week, Shields is going to do a similar setup with Mae Jemison, American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. | |
Register! Girls’ Leadership Conference Saturday | |
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Girls in sixth through eighth grade are encouraged to attend Albert Leonard Middle School's first Girls
Leadership Conference Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Facilitated by middle school staff, students, and
community partners, the event is an opportunity for girls to talk about issues that matter to them.
Participants will choose workshops of interest; lunch will be provided. A parent session will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Click on the image to register.
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Musical, Exhibit, and Planetarium Show Coming Up at High School
Be sure to mark your calendar to enjoy these New Rochelle High School events:
- TheatreWorks will present a musical, “Theory of Relativity,” at 7:30 p.m. on March 31 and April 1, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 2 at the Linda E. Kelly Theater. To learn more, or to purchase tickets to the high school’s first musical since the pandemic began, visit www.our.show/relativity. The Theory of Relativity is a collection of seemingly unrelated songs, scenes, and monologues that come together to show the interconnected nature of humanity. These stories center around finding your true identity and place in the world. From falling in and out of love to allergies, the wide array of characters takes the audience on a journey, experiencing the wonders of human connection. Director Anthony Stirpe said, “We are all connected in a complex tapestry, co-existing in the same world, and while the stories might be different, the themes are something we can all relate to. And hopefully by the end you will have made a connection with someone, whether in the show, sitting next to you, or in our greater community.”
- A Printmaking Exhibit, spotlighting the creations of PAVE students under the direction of visual arts teachers and our Resident Artist (and NRHS alumna) Giselle Torres, takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. March 31. The exhibit is in the Museum of Arts & Culture and the House 4 Bridge.
- Navigate the spring sky with the help of the New Rochelle High School Planetarium during a 7 p.m. show on Wednesday, April 6. Admission is free. For further information, click on the flyer or email [email protected].
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Four at Barnard Elementary Honored for Tenure | |
Anjali Duni, Tiffany Egan, Tamara Sterling, and Samantha Rich. | |
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Four Barnard Early Childhood Center educators were recognized by the Board of Education Tuesday for achieving tenure. The recognition was part of a presentation about Barnard given by Dr. Nicolas Cracco, Executive Director for Educational Leadership and Early Learning and the school’s previous principal, and Shelli Owens, Interim Principal.
Cracco lauded the four as special individuals who make outstanding contributions to their students and colleagues at Barnard. Congratulations to Anjali Duni, School Psychologist; Tiffany Egan, Elementary Teacher; Tamara Sterling, Speech and Language Pathologist; and Samantha Rich, Special Education Teacher.
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Pi Day at Ward: 3.14, Math, and More! | |
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On Monday, March 14, William B. Ward Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders participated in their first Pi Day Competition. And what is Pi? It’s the ratio of the circumference of any circle to the diameter of that circle. Regardless of the circle's size, this ratio will always equal pi. In decimal form, the value of pi is approximately 3.14 – hence, the date of the competition.
Students worked in teams to compete against their classmates. The 30-minute competition consisted of 50 questions ranging from 100 to 500 points. The questions progressed in complexity as the points increased. The classrooms were filled with music, energy, and cooperative group work as the competition was underway.
"It was amazing to see students so engaged in solving math problems,” said Nicole Conlisk, Math Coach at Ward.
“Teams persevered until the very end as they were trying to earn as many points as possible. Their determination and excitement were truly captivating!”
Teachers and students already are looking forward to Pi Day 2023. “I loved Pi Day! I hope we can have it next year too,” Paxton, a fourth-grader, said. “I felt so happy when my team won. Math is so fun and my favorite subject. I love being challenged and I got to be!”
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TheatreWorks’ “12 Angry Jurors” Wows
Albert Leonard Students and Supplements Lesson
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The axiom, “The Show Must Go On!” is alive and well at Albert Leonard Middle School, where seventh-graders on March 18 attended their first full auditorium assembly in two years. The presentation: A live performance of New Rochelle High School’s fall production of “12 Angry Jurors,” a version of the classic 1957 courtroom-drama film released as “12 Angry Men.”
“As this is one of the texts read in many of the classes in seventh-grade English Language Arts, it was a fantastic opportunity for the ALMS English Department to partner with the PAVE/Performing and Visual Arts Education Program at New Rochelle High School to bring a piece of literature to life,” said Albert Leonard Humanities Chair David Luhman.
Albert Leonard Principal Camille Edwards-Thomas also praised the cooperation between the schools. “We are so grateful to the students and faculty advisors from our TheatreWorks program who volunteered to put on an additional showing of the play in March when many of our students are actually reading the work in their classes.”
Seventh-grade English Language Arts teachers at Albert Leonard said students were highly engaged in the debate and drama they saw unfold as the characters struggled with their decisions to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. Teacher Sarah Fernandez said, “Students were able to learn about the importance and challenges of participating in jury duty. They learned valuable lessons about understanding human biases and the need to work hard at remaining objective when examining evidence and making decisions. The content of the play also tied directly into the work students do in social studies to understand the significance of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.”
Michelle Shapiro, a faculty advisor, said, “This was a very special collaboration for TheatreWorks to be involved in. Not only was this event relevant, educational and enjoyable, but the performance also allowed our secondary students to be really engrossed in a true theatrical experience during a time in our society when students have not had much exposure to these kinds of live events.”
Another faculty advisor involved in the play, Lisbeth Lynn, and Deepak Marwah, the school district’s Director of Performing and Visual Arts, were delighted that middle-school students expressed an interest in becoming involved with PAVE after seeing high school students’ impressive acting skills.
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9th Annual Latinx Youth Leadership Conference Monday | | |
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The Hispanic Culture Club and the United Cultures Club of New Rochelle High School will gather virtually at New Rochelle High School on Monday from noon to 3 p.m. for “The 9th Annual Latinx Youth Leadership Conference.”
The keynote speaker is a member of the New Rochelle High School Class of 1996, Cristina Teuscher – a two-time Olympic medalist in swimming. She represented the United States in the Olympic Games of 1996 in Atlanta and Sydney, Australia, in 2000.
This student-led event will provide a forum for all teens to build their skills, celebrate their strengths, hear from successful Latinx role models, and become inspired to follow their dreams and pursue a future full of opportunities. Students will be provided with information that will help them make a positive difference in their lives and contribute to their educational development.
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Local Latinx professionals will serve as role models for the attendees. Furthermore, attendees will participate in workshops focused on topics including educational and career opportunities, healthy lifestyles, cultural identity, and leadership. Learn more at lylconference.com or email New Rochelle High School Social Studies Chairman Gustavo Barbosa at [email protected]. | |
Magnet Lottery Entry Deadline is Friday | | |
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The City School District of New Rochelle is offering current New Rochelle residents from kindergarten through fifth-grade Magnet placement for the 2022-2023 school year at three Magnet Schools (Barnard Early Childhood Center, Columbus Elementary School, and Daniel Webster Elementary School).
The lottery is being managed online to make it easier for families to register once they have accepted their seat; parents can submit an entry at nred.org/page/magnet-program. Families will have until tomorrow, Friday, March 25, to enter and rank their preferences for programs and locations. Every effort will be made to accommodate families’ choices. Starting March 30, 2022, families will be notified about next steps, including registering for a specific program. To be eligible to start kindergarten this fall, a child must have been born on or before Dec. 31, 2017.
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Seeking to Enroll a New Student? Register Online
Are you seeking to register your child as a new student in the City School District of New Rochelle? Registration can be done online; just visit nred.org/page/registration. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration information and links are at the top of the page; for other grades, scroll down to the general registration section. Need additional assistance? Registration support is available at City Hall, 515 North Ave., second floor, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
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Human Rights Institute Inspires Reflection and Raises Challenges | |
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On March 16, nine students from New Rochelle High School participated in the annual Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders, a regional conference sponsored by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC). Sophomores from more than 30 area high schools attended this year’s event, which, while held in recent years at Iona College, took place virtually this year due to COVID-19.
“They considered critical issues in the world today, heard from extraordinary speakers, met other exceptional NRHS students, and explored how they can make positive changes on issues that they care about in their lives,” said Social Studies teacher and Human Rights Club advisor Eric Katz.
The sophomores who participated from New Rochelle High School were Raechel Chang, Melvina Cann, Nathaniel Davis, Alejandro Diaz, Ariel Esposito, Jasmine Marentes, Ronny Perez, Eileen Weisner, and Veronica Yu. The students were selected by their Social Studies teachers for their outstanding work, leadership potential, and interest in human rights. They also participated in student-led workshops and discussions focused on becoming more engaged global citizens.
"It was an enlightening experience. We definitely learned a lot from inspirational figures and about important events and struggles in the world today," said Davis, a sophomore.
The day began with a keynote address by U.S. Olympian Peter Westbrook. As an African-American fencer, he has shattered racial barriers and through his NYC-based Peter Westbrook Foundation, introduced many young people in underserved communities to the sport of fencing. Students later heard from Judith Altmann, a native of Czechoslovakia who was arrested in 1944 and transported to Auschwitz by the Nazis. Altmann described her experience as a young Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust.
"Ms. Altmann went through so much, yet instead of putting her memories away, she shared them with us in order to raise awareness and prevent anyone else from going through the hate and discrimination she faced. I hope to take advantage of what I experienced during the conference to strengthen my community and do my part to improve the world,” said Weisner, a sophomore.
Students later had the opportunity to select from presentations on a wide variety of human rights issues, including Education in Developing Countries, Water Scarcity, the #MeToo Movement, Homelessness, Pipelines & Indigenous Rights, Women in Tigray, Ethiopia, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, LGBTQ Issues, and Global Mental Health Issues.
One objective of the Human Rights Institute is to develop student leaders who will develop an interest and the motivation to take what they’ve learned to make positive change in the world. The HHREC promotes the concept of an Upstander Week in the spring in which each school does a project, however large or small, that springboards from Wednesday’s conference. (Last year’s New Rochelle High School attendees organized and facilitated a successful Forum on Racism and White Supremacy that was attended by more than 70 of their peers.) The conference wrapped up with the nine students discussing ideas for building upon the day’s work and how to meet the challenges that we all face.
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Webpage Offers Resources for Board of Education Candidates
The City School District of New Rochelle has launched a webpage with resources for community
members considering seeking election to the Board of Education. The webpage can be viewed at
nred.org/page/candidate-resources.
The Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote takes place this year on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Two seats
on the Board of Education, each for a five-year term running from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027, will be
available. Candidates are encouraged to step forward. Candidates receiving the highest and second-highest
number of votes shall be elected.
The webpage contains documents, directions, and forms in English and Spanish. These include
information regarding steps to run for the Board of Education, a timetable of events and deadlines, and how the
election process takes place. The primary job of the Board of Education is to establish policies regarding the educational programs and management of the school district.
For information, please contact Millie Bonilla, District Clerk & Secretary to the Board of Education, at
(914) 576-4219 or [email protected].
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Albert Leonard Middle Schooler Finishes
in Top 10 at Track and Field Nationals
Rosie Palmer, an eighth-grade student at Albert Leonard Middle School, came in ninth place at the USA Track and Field Nationals in the 300 meter at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island this past weekend, with a time of 11:11. She beat her previous personal best time by eight seconds.
Jonathan Palmer, Rosie’s dad, said Rosie attributes her success to the support she gets from her high school teammates (she competes with the New Rochelle High School team) and the excellent coaching she receives from Coach Andy Capellan, and that she is grateful for all the support and encouragement she receives from her teachers and classmates.
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Modified Schedule Change for Monday
Due to early dismissal at all New Rochelle schools on Monday, March 28, all modified sports will begin on Tuesday, March 29. Registration for sports at the middle schools is still open on FamilyID. Visit https://www.familyid.com/organizations/city-school-district-of-new-rochelle-athletics-department. Sports being offered are baseball, softball, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, and track and field.
If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Office at (914) 576-4586.
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City School District of New Rochelle | nred.org
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