City School District of New Rochelle

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Fund Accepting Grant Applications
Got an idea for an enrichment program in the City School District of New Rochelle?

The New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence is accepting applications for its third annual grant program. This year, the Fund is allowing participants to apply for grants of up to $2,500 each, up from $2,000 last year.

Any teachers, parents, administrators or students who have ideas for enrichment programs or projects are encouraged to apply.

"We're looking for programs and activities that will build students' self-confidence, encourage them to discover and show their true selves, and broaden their educations," said Fund Executive Director Sabrina Toback.

Over the past two years, the grant-making initiative has become one of the organization's hallmark programs.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 27. Find more information and full guidelines here. 
Hispanic Heritage Celebrations Continue
Hispanic Heritage celebrations and activities continued throughout the City School District of New Rochelle with a Latino Literature presentation at New Rochelle High School and activities in both middle schools.
 
Students in the NRHS Latino Literature class offered the presentation, which has become a popular annual tradition, in the Linda E. Kelly Theater on Oct. 11. St udents shared the vignette "My Name" from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the short story "Names" by Julia Alvarez, the poem "Name" from the novel Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo and an excerpt from the chapter "College Bound" from Reaching Out by Francisco Jimenez.
 
Students shared their original works, then invited audience members on stage to share the history of their own names.
 
Schools throughout the District observed the month with activities, performances and more. Students in both middle schools - Albert Leonard and Isaac E. Young middle - created posters of Hispanic achievements in America.
 
"The colorful posters created by our students not only celebrated the achievements and contributions of the Hispanic community but also expressed the importance of promoting an accepting and open-minded society that allows all students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams," said Christopher Francaviglia, the middle schools social studies chairman.
 
On Friday, Sept. 27, students from IEYMS joined the Hispanic Heritage celebration at the nearby Hugh A Doyle Senior Center, presenting a Hispanic heritage slide show.
Text Messaging
 Service to Begin Monday
The City School District of New Rochelle will begin using text messaging next week as another way of communicating with residents through the same system used for emails and robocalls.

At noon on Monday, Oct. 21, families, District employees and others will receive a text that they can respond to in order to sign up. Anyone who does not get the message can text "Y" or "Yes" to 67587. You will also be able to use the QR code here to opt in to the system.

The service is only available to those who already have a cell phone number on file with the District. If you do not have a child in the District and have not signed up to receive notifications,  sign up here .

The District will continue to send community members important announcements via email and robocall. Texting adds another layer of notification to enhance communications.

To stop receiving texts, reply to one of the text messages with the word "Stop."
Sports Schedule
For upcoming New Rochelle athletic competitions, check out  NewRochelleAthletics.org*

* This link connects to an outside website
Dates to Remember
Monday, October 21:  Trinity PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.
 
Monday, October 21:  SEPTA Meeting, NRHS Room 207, 7:30 p.m.
 
Monday, October 21:  Webster Scholastic Book Fair Begins
 
Wednesday, October 23:  Half Day, All Schools. Professional Development
 
Wednesday, October 23:  ALMS Red Ribbon Week Begins
 
Wednesday, October 23:  Area All-State Rehearsal, White Plains High School, 7 p.m.
 
Thursday, October 24:  Jefferson Spanish/Italian Celebration, 7 p.m.
 
Thursday, October 24:  Trinity School Picture Day
 
Thursday, October 24:  NRHS Sophomore Guidance Overview, 7 p.m.
 
Friday, October 25:  Trinity Fall Festival
 
Friday, October 25: Trinity School Picture Day
 
Friday, October 25:  Ward PTA Halloween Party; K-2, 6 p.m.; 3-5, 7 p.m.
 
Friday, October 25: Columbus Halloween Party, 6 p.m.
 
Friday, October 25: IEYMS Halloween Party, 6 p.m.
 
Friday, October 25: Davis Halloween Party, 6 p.m.
 
Friday, October 25: Barnard PTA Halloween Party, 6:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, October 19:  SAT, 8 a.m.
Abigail Kazakov and Stephen Bartell
NRHS Names Class of 2020
Valedictorian, Salutatorian
New Rochelle High School announced this week that senior Abigail Kazakov is the Class of 2020 valedictorian and Stephen Bartell is the Salutatorian.

"Please join me in congratulating these two outstanding students," said Interim Principal Joseph Starvaggi. "We are proud of Abigail and Stephen for consistently pursuing academic excellence and for being stellar examples of New Rochelle High School achievement."

Both students show a range of interests. Kazakov plans to enter the medical field, considering a career in internal medicine or possibly dermatology.

"I've always been fascinated by it," she said.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, secretary of the school's Spanish Honor Society (for which she also serves as a tutor) and a member of the Math Honor Society. In other interests, she plays tennis and practices taekwondo. She has played piano for 12 years, preferring Baroque and Romantic periods.

She said she appreciates the passion of Romantic-era composers such as Chopin and Rachmaninoff.

"When you play their pieces, it's like a story that you're telling," she said.

Bartell plans to major in math in college, possibly with a minor in economics, as he explores possible careers. He is president of the Math Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society and the English Honor Society. He is also active on the Math Team and the school's chapter of Junior State of America, an organization that helps develop leadership and debating skills.

To unwind from the rigors of mathematics, he plays the flute, preferring Baroque, jazz and blues.

"It's nice to unplug and be a little more expressive," he said.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Magda Parvey joined in praising the seniors.

"These two students exemplify the high-quality education our District provides," she said. "We congratulate them and we look forward to their future accomplishments."
Barnard Students Dance
With 'Italian Fairy'
In NYC Parade
The students learning Italian at Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center were enchanted this week by The Italian Fairy, who often brings them a touch of Italy, and who this week also brought them a moment of fame.

About 70 Barnard students danced a tarantella with Simona Rodano, known internationally as La Fata Italiana (The Italian Fairy), in the Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan on Monday.

"It was very, very fun," said first grader Benicio Mercado. The students danced on the red carpet, in front of the ABC TV cameras and a live audience, while Rodano sang.

"That made me feel a little bit nervous," Mercado said. "But then I saw that it wasn't that scary."

It was a fitting outing for students who learn much more than the language at Barnard. They learn about Italian culture, art, food and inventions. Rodano has visited the Italian classes at Barnard, bringing lessons about her home country. Italian teacher Anna Bruno said that the workshops and programs organized by the Italian Fairy for the Barnard students have enriched their lives and learning experiences with authentic Italian experiences.

"It kind of feels like we're there when we're with her," said second grader Sarah Godoy.

They have learned enough about Italy that some of them hope to travel there. That was the case with second grader Aisha Hameeth. She already speaks English and Spanish and is learning Tamil and Arabic from her father. She is adding Italian to her repertoire with Bruno.

"When I go to Italy, I want to know what they're saying, and I want to speak so that they understand what I say," Hameeth said.

When the Italian Fairy saw the Barnard students practice the Tarantella last May, she knew they had to be in the parade.

"The students were so enthusiastic about this dance that she said, 'OK, next year I will bring the students onto the red carpet with me,'" Bruno recalled.

When the parade was over, Rodano left a message on the school's website. The students, she said, " honored with their talent the beauty of being together on the red carpet cheering for Italy today. There are also 194 other countries in the world full of beauty that can be celebrated with gratefulness and appreciation. That's how PEACE and BEAUTY can grow, l believe."

Dr. Balchan to Help
Lead Discussion of 'Resilience' After Showing
The documentary "Resilience," which explores the ways childhood traumas can pave the way for chronic
health problems in adulthood, will be screened for a second time next week, with the City School District
of New Rochelle's Medical Director, Dr. Brooke Balchan, helping to lead a discussion on the topic.
Dr. Brooke Balchan
 
The one-hour film addresses intensely emotional topics and is recommended for a mature audience.

mindfulness exercise will follow the movie, and Dr. Balchan and Dr. Andrew Bell, a psychologist with the
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, will lead a discussion. 
 
The library hosted a morning screening of the movie in September. The showing next week will be on
Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Ossie Davis Theater at the library, 1 Library Plaza at
Report Building Issues
With Tracking System
The system for reporting issues with City School District of New Rochelle school buildings is easy to find on the District's  homepage. Look for the icon of a school building and the words "Report issues with school buildings and facilities" next to the "Quick Links" section. Access the District's condition reporting system directly here and also under SERVICES on the Health & Safety page.