Hello North Rockland Families:
On Tuesday, we welcomed new and returning students for another year of learning. Despite challenges brought on by the late-summer heat wave, I was thrilled to see our students, faculty and staff re-connect with a renewed outlook and plenty of energy.
The start of a new school year is always an exciting time and one that ushers in opportunities for new beginnings and a chance to start fresh while building on the foundation set in previous school years.
Whether it was a kindergarten teacher holding a new student’s hand (their first day away from mom and dad) or a high school teacher welcoming an anxious, incoming ninth grader, I am always humbled by the support and "community" demonstrated in our district. When teachers genuinely care, students sense it and respond by optimizing their commitment to learning and putting forth greater effort to reach their potential.
Many thanks to our amazing buildings and grounds crews and security team for their tireless efforts throughout the summer and into the new school year. Our facilities have never looked better.
If the first week of our yearlong journey was any indication of what's to come, 2023-24 will be busy and full of possibilities. To get a head start, it's important to organize, review and focus on the goals your child wants to accomplish. Some tips for working towards a successful first quarter include:
- Set goals. Asking your child to identify the achievements they want to obtain in the next ten months. Setting up a vision board for the year helps create a plan to reach them.
Encourage class participation. Speaking up is a great way of showing that you’re engaged and that you want to deepen your own understanding. Show interest and seek clarity when confused.
Help students adopt a positive attitude towards their school work. It will lead them to attaining their academic goals and planning. There are many extra curricular events and college fairs in the coming weeks. Help your child mark their calendars.
Establish routine. It’s important to create a healthy daily routine that incorporates being organized, good nutrition, exercise, a good night’s sleep and study time to ensure not only a healthy brain but that students are sticking to their programs.
Here’s to a new school year – let’s make it the best yet!
Kris Felicello
Superintendent of Schools
NR Officially Opened the Doors of our New Behavior Center this Week.
The first of it's kind in not only Rockland County, but the Hudson Valley the center will serve students in grades K-12. Establishing this special place is a major part of the district's 2023-24 priorities to provide more specialized services that address what kids need, post-pandemic, to be ready to learn.
Thank you to News 12 Hudson Valley's Diane Caruso for visiting and getting to know the North Rockland Behavior Center. Full story.
Introducing: Learn To Swim
The NRAC “Splash and Swim” Program will be starting this October and year-round at the North Rockland High School Pool.
The NRAC will be resuming our learn-to-swim duties at the NRHS pool. We are a “premier” USA Swimming Club established in 1987 and the oldest, most successful swim program in the district. Our mission is to unify all the North Rockland swimming programs together, over a variety of skill levels, for a better, more inclusive educational experience.
The school district understands the importance of learning to swim for the community and has always been a great supporter of competitive swimming. NRAC has decades of experience and offers exemplary learn-to-swim programs including:
• New youth swim programs for younger children
• Opportunities to learn for late starters in the sport.
• Potential to advance into Varsity swimming or year-round USA Swimming.
The new program will be outlined and advertised within the next couple of weeks. Please visit
SwimNrac.org soon for details and how to enroll.
