Greetings MVCSD Community,

Thank you to the community of Mount Vernon for coming to Graham School for our Building Reconfiguration Town Hall last Friday. While these are difficult conversations, and I understand the worry they may cause, it is vitally important for us to make this decision with the input of the community. We are looking for a path to fiscal sustainability, while also understanding that every decision we make must be made in the best interest of our students. We appreciate your contributions, and we will continue to provide updates as the District moves closer to making a decision. You can share any questions or concerns you have via email to contactus@mtvernoncsd.org, and you can find the most up to date information at https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/our-district/building-reorganization-info.

Please join me in celebrating Dr. Jacqueline Green for successfully defending her dissertation to complete her doctoral program at Manhattanville University! Dr. Green has been a great principal at Cecil H. Parker School and will now hold a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership. Congratulations!

I am so proud of our Benjamin Turner Academy scholars, who were recognized for their academic achievements this week in a wonderful ceremony in front of their families. Congratulations to all our students who were awarded! Hard work pays off, and students at BTA and across the District commit a tremendous amount of time and effort into their studies. Keep on striving for greatness!

One student who has strived for greatness during her time in the District is Nasma Mohammed, who we are featuring to kick off our Senior Spotlight Series of the Class of 2025. We have a large group of fantastic, hardworking seniors who will go on to achieve great things. Nasma has been a fixture in DWSA’s performances during her time at the school, and I am sure you will be able to see her in future performances this year. Keep up the great work, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish!

This week, we are featuring an alum who has been teaching in our District for 30 years. Jeanne Casino does great work with her students at BTA, and she is an important member of our outstanding faculty. She is a teacher that always tries to make learning fun, which I believe is one of the best ways to foster a lifelong love of learning. Thank you for everything you do Ms. Casino!

Meredith Jaffess, a physical education teacher at STEAM, also deserves recognition for being honored as one of the Heroes of Education by the Westchester-East Putnam Region PTA. Thank you for all you do to help our scholars succeed!

Kindest Regards,

Dr. K. Veronica Smith

Acting Superintendent of Schools

Mount Vernon City School District administrators met with parents, teachers and other community members at Graham School and on Zoom on Friday, December 6, 2024, to discuss the district’s school building reconfiguration. It was the second town hall meeting the district has held as the district’s Reorganization Committee considers its options for realigning its school buildings. Its most recent discussions are considering the closures of Cecil H. Parker School, Mount Vernon Honor Academy and Mount Vernon Leadership Academy.

MORE

Scholars at Benjamin Turner Academy made their way down the red carpet in the gymnasium to receive their awards for their accomplishments during the first quarter on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Families gathered to cheer on and watch their loved ones' faces light up as they were recognized for their achievements and character.

MORE

Nasma Mohammed, a senior acting major at Denzel Washington School of the Arts, maintains a 4.0 GPA and has accomplished remarkable things personally and academically during her time at the school. She has been on the principal’s honor roll, with an average over 95%, for every marking period of high school and has been involved in many of the school’s performances.

MORE

Jeanne Casino, a class of 1988 Mount Vernon High School graduate, has been teaching in the Mount Vernon City School District for 30 years. She joined the District as a substitute teacher soon after graduating college. Ms. Casino is currently an elementary teacher at Benjamin Turner Academy. She previously taught at Rebecca Turner Elementary School, formerly Longfellow. She values the opportunity to work in her hometown and make school enjoyable and exciting for her students. She also serves as the vice president of the Mount Vernon Federation of Teachers.

MORE

Meredith Jaffess, physical education teacher at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, received the Heroes in Education Award at the Westchester-East Putnam Region PTA Winter

MORE