Community Update

October 21, 2022

Hello North Rockland Families:

It’s been a wonderful week coming together as a school community for celebrations, competitions, senior nights and causes.

So many exciting things are taking place: Traditional and new student clubs are being formed, our high school actors are preparing for the fall drama production, athletic teams are continuing to show their Raider Pride entering the playoffs season and our community rallied to support our schools and causes in so many ways.

We return Monday for another week of valuable learning and lessons as well as fall festivities, spooky events and of course time for play. Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning. I see the kindness, empathy, care, inclusion and understanding being taught inside our classrooms and out being applied by our students during activities.

With colder weather rolling in and the holiday season on the horizon it’s a good time to review the District’s Snow Day Policy. North Rockland will utilize traditional snow days until the three that are built into our calendar are exhausted. Once all of our traditional snow days have been used the District will utilize the remote option when possible.

In closing, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the District Wide Pink Out and Volley for a Cause events to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer and support two of our educators. Both are causes that our District, students and community are very passionate about supporting. Reflecting on our collective efforts over the last month, we raised more awareness and funds for breast cancer NR Strong than ever before.

Wishing everyone a fun and safe Halloween week!

Ed Day honored four local Latino leaders for their outstanding contributions to Rockland for Hispanic Heritage Month. We are so NR Proud to share that a member of NRCSD's Board of Education was among them!

Organization, the Rockland Road Runners, the North Rockland Community Day Race Committee, and other various charitable events committees.

Congratulations Rich - this honor is well deserved! Congratulate him here.

We want to thank the wonderful transportation team at NRCSD who keep our students and staff safe as they bring them to and from school. Our bus drivers are the first ones to greet our learners and drop them off each day. They continue to go above and beyond for our students. Don't forget to show your appreciation for their hard work this week!

A special shout out to these three drivers, Karen, Charlie and Luz, who have roughly 100 years of combined service and still going strong!! NR couldn't be more grateful for bus drivers like you. Show them your appreciation here.

Run as one. Work as a team, Finish as family!

For today’s Feature Friday Highlight we introduce the defending county champions – NR’s Varsity BoysCross Country Team, led by head coach Chris Lent.

Beyond the performance, the bond of this group is special, with constant smiles, encouragement and even ultimate frisbee. Practice is the highlight of their days, as the group just enjoys being together. Make some noise for our Red Raiders to wish them luck Oct 27 at Counties and States Nov 5! - Both Boys and Girls are competing on those dates. Let’s go Red and White.

North Rockland High School art students understood the assignment. New Main Street's merchant windows along with Town Hall in the Village of Haverstraw have gone from homey to haunted thanks to the wicked talent of the Red Raiders. Our artists captured this year's theme, “Ghouls just want to have fun” perfectly.

Special thanks goes out to our partners in the Village of Haverstraw for helping us continue this ghostly tradition. The village awards prizes for Scariest Window, Most Creative and Funniest Window. They also supplied the students with pizza, drink, and hot chocolate on such a COLD and windy day! More windows linked here.

NR Together we discovered the pink ribbon does much more than just increase awareness, it leads to advocacy and action. Thank you to everyone who participated in our various Pink Out events, school wide, districtwide and during athletics! Breast cancer is not a one-month endeavor. We don’t simply wear pink during October, but rather, we remember breast cancer and those we’ve lost, those we’re fighting to save, and those who will be diagnosed in the future, each and every day. For many, breast cancer awareness begins on October 1st and ends on October 31st. But for NR and those touched by the illness, it never ends!

The Red Raiders want you to always remember:

-- Early detection saves lives

-- Get screened regularly

-- Practice self-awareness

-- Know your risk

-- Don't give up!

PANS/PANDAS is a medical condition that causes an autoimmune encephalopathy, resulting in varying degrees of psychiatric symptoms, learning issues and motor coordination disruptions. PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, or PANS-Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. www.pandasnetwork.org. NR has joined forces with local families to participate in the PANDAS Network shoe fundraiser. The fundraiser is to increase awareness and provide support for PANDAS Research. We'll be sharing more details regarding our upcoming "shoe drive" from October 28 thru December 21 soon so stay tuned and save your gently used or new shoes!

Mark your calendars for spooky season in NRCSD! More events will be added as they are finalized.

North Rockland High School

• October 28 - NRHS Trunk or Treat 4 - 6:00 PM / NRHS PARKING LOT - Flyer

Farley Elementary

• October 31 - FES PTA Trunk-Or-Treat during the School Day - Flyer

Thiells Elementary

• October 31 - Thiells Halloween Parade 9:30AM (live streamed and parent viewing)

West Haverstraw Elementary

• October 26 and 27 - Pumpkin Fest (PTA sponsored in school event)
• October 26 - Trunk or Treat with HES
• October 31 - Halloween Parade 2:30PM

Haverstraw Elementary

• October 26 - Trunk or Treat with WHES

Willow Grove Elementary

• October 31 - PTA is sponsoring a popcorn/water scary music/dance event during our recess periods. Students and staff will be wearing costumes.

Stony Point Elementary

• October 31 - Kindergarten and 1st grade parade at 9:45AM - 2nd and 3rd grade parade will be at 2:20PM - Halloween Dance Party during the school day.

The North Rockland High School Drama Society is proud to present for the first time And Then There Were None, the fascinating story, by Agatha Christie.

Prepare yourself to enter the haunting world of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. This show is a murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. You’ll be shocked and thrilled by the deceptions in store. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen so prepare to reel over the twists and turns. Audiences have raved and you’ll be screaming for more!

Ticket prices:

Tickets can be purchased at nrhsdrama.booktix.com or at the door.

$12 for students and seniors and $15 for adults.

We will offer two-for-one student nights:

Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday, November 10.

Each performance will run approximately 105 minutes with two ten-minute intermissions.

Performances:

November 4,5, 9, 10 and 12 - 7 PM

NR has partnered with the YMCA to offer our youngest residents an affordable way to learn how to swim. The program will be offered on weekends.

A digital version of the North Rockland 2022-23 Print Calendar you should receive in the mail can be found linked here.

Grades K-3: 9:05AM - 3:44PM

Stony Point Elementary

Thiells Elementary

West Haverstraw Elementary

Grades 4-6: 8:42AM - 3:21PM

Farley Elementary

Haverstraw Elementary

Willow Grove Elementary

Fieldstone Middle School: 8:00AM-2:46PM

Bell Schedule

North Rockland High School: 7:20AM-2:06AM

Bell Schedule

The New York State Department of Education ruled that School District’s are able to utilize the remote-learning technology implemented during the coronavirus pandemic to allow students to continue their studies on days when the snow is too heavy for them to commute to school. Some Districts across the state have adopted a policy that will eliminates traditional snow days all together, opting for a remote learning day During inclement weather. North Rockland will utilize traditional snow days until the three that are built into our calendar are exhausted. Once all of our traditional snow days have been used the District will utilize the remote option when possible.

As parents and educators, it is important to take the time to talk to our children about personal body safety. New York State passed the Erin Merryn Law, which requires all school districts to implement lessons that teach children about personal body safety. The purpose of this law is to protect children if approached by known or unknown individuals who intend to harm them.

Starting this school year, K-6 social workers will teach two lessons using the, “Play it Safe!” curriculum. These lessons ensure our K-6 students learn vital skills that will keep them safe. Students will learn the 3-part safety rule: Saying No!, Getting Away from Danger as Soon as They Can, and Telling a Trusted Adult.

Students in Grade 7-8 will participate in two grade-appropriate lessons in their health education classes. These lessons will teach them strategies to stay safe. If you want to learn more about Erin’s Law, please click here. Erin's Law Parent Notice.

For the past two years, every student has been eligible for free school meals, regardless of how much their parents made in Rockland County. That program expired at the end of the summer and has created confusion. In North Rockland we are proud to share that all our schools qualify for free breakfast and lunch. Our dedicated Food Service Department has worked to get all our schools eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the next four years.

***Each child is entitled to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch meal per day. For additional meals students are encouraged to use My School Bucks.

***Remember to charge your device before the first day of school!***

Chromebook Care

Getting a Parent Portal account

1. Parents can retrieve their child's schedule via the Parent Portal at Fieldstone and North Rockland High School.

2. Kindergarten students will receive their chromebook during the month of September.

As a reminder: If you have received notification that your child is missing a vaccination, please contact your child's Healthcare Provider as soon as possible to get them caught up.

If you need further assistance please contact North Rockland Central School District Health Services Facilitator Kathy Varieur, MST, BSN, RN, NCSN at (845) 942-3418.

Did you know NRCSD now offers a FREE App?

The North Rockland Central School District App is now available for download in the App Store or Google play! Just search North Rockland CSD and tap to download. Save time and find all the latest District information all in one convenient, easy use location.

Steps to download:

1. Visit iTunes App Store ® or Google Play ®
2. Search North Rockland CSD
3. Then select North Rockland CSD App for FREE download
4. Open the App enable push notifications and select the school(s) you want to subscribe to.

Stay connected!

• Get the latest district and school news
• Select the schools you want to follow
• Get push notifications about breaking news, closures, weather, events, and more
• Tap to see school locations, phone numbers, and staff information, fast

For a tutorial and navigation overview on the NRCSD App check out the YouTube video linked here.

Please check the NR Athletics website for schedules, information and updates.

Follow us on Twitter @NRockathletics

Winter Sports Update

HS Winter Sports start on Nov 14, 2022

Modified (MS) Sports start on Nov 28, 2022

Online Registration is now open

Be sure to check NR Athletics Website for Schedules and information.

Click here for starting dates for: Winter Sports 2022-23, and Spring Sports 2023.

2022-23 Winter Sports Start Dates

November 14, 2022: High School Winter Sports Start

November 28, 2022: Modified Teams Start

2023 Spring Sports Start Dates

March 13, 2023: High School Spring Sports Start

March 20, 2023: Modified Teams Start

Please join us in celebrating our senior athletes. "There is no substitute for hard work."

North Rockland has partner with Hi-Tor Animal Shelter to feature one dog and one cat to help them find a loving home each week. Check out the Shelter Wish List linked here. Red Raiders to the Rescue!!!

"Countess and Donovan are two lovely sisters that were just brought back to us earlier this year.

They were adopted when they were only 4months old but unfortunately had to be returned when

the health of their owner declined and made them unable to care for the girls anymore. Despite

losing their home these sisters are still the most caring balls of fluff. Countess loves to be

brushed while her sister Donovan wants to be scratched all over. Both girls are almost 5 years

old and on the heavier side. But that just gives us more of them to love. If you are interested in adopting please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

"Bella is a beautiful brindle pittie. She came to us as a stray and then surrendered when the owner was found. Bella has the best smile. She is a bit anxious when in her kennel but reverts into her puppy pursona as soon as her feet hit the grass. She is definitely one of our precious Hi-Tor pups.. If you are interested in adopting her please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

Last week's adoptable friends can be found linked here.

At North Rockland Central School District we take internet safety very seriously. It is important that we all have access to information on how to keep our students safe. Here are a few web resources:

1. Common Sense Media - click here

2. Connect Safely - click here

3. Internet Safety Tips - click here

The NRCSD has partnered with Peachjar. This new platform will enable us to send important school and community flyers to parents/guardians digitally, saving our schools time, money, and paper. School-approved digital flyers will be sent to your email inbox. Please click here for more information.

The Academy of Law and Society along with the NRHS Girls' Basketball team is hosting a three-on-three tournament open to FMS and NRHS students and faculty on Saturday, November 12th from 9AM - 1PM.

Additionally, Erin Miller, the Chief Transformation Officer of the Center for Safety and Change will be in attendance with a table for educational purposes as they are our service outreach partners. Register here.

SCHOOL MENUS

Elementary Lunch Menu

Upper Elementary Lunch Menu

Fieldstone Middle School Lunch Menu

North Rockland High School Lunch Menu

NRHS Seniors who enroll in the free/reduced breakfast & lunch program qualify for college application fee waivers, free ACT and SAT exams and reduced AP exam registration fees! To qualify please complete the Free or Reduced Price Meal Application Form linked here as soon as possible.

The District is looking for more great employees to work with our students. If you are looking for a rewarding position, please consider applying with NRCSD further below in today’s update. Please click on the job image to apply through the District Form.

North Rockland is currently seeking candidates for full-time and part-time Security Aide positions for the 2022-2023 school year. School Security Aides are committed to ensuring students are learning in a safe and supportive environment.

Full-time positions include - A regionally competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Part-time positions are - 4.5 hours per day and starting pay is $19.83/hour.

**Candidates with prior law enforcement, security or military experience are preferred.**

Applications can be submitted on OLAS at olasjobs.org. Resumes can be submitted through our Facebook job posting linked here, sent to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Community Relations Mr. Eric Baird, North Rockland CSD, 65 Chapel St., Garnerville, NY 10923 or emailed to ebaird@northrockland.org.

The North Rockland (Haverstraw-Stony Point) Central School District is seeking candidates for Food Service Helper positions at various school buildings for the 2022-2023 school year. The starting rate of pay is $14.28/hour. Apply here

The North Rockland (Haverstraw-Stony Point) Central School District is seeking candidates for School Nurse substitutes for the 2021-2022 school year. All candidates must be licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse. The starting rate of pay is $150 per day. Candidates can apply here.

Haverstraw Transit has informed us that they are currently seeking and accepting applications for: DRIVERS AND MONITORS. Apply here.