Hello North Rockland Families,

I start this week with a congratulations and “good luck” to our North Rockland High School Varsity Boys Volleyball, Varsity Football and Cross Country teams as they head into historic contests this Saturday, November 16! This is a HUGE moment for all teams and I encourage everyone in our community to cheer them on! Go Raiders! Make us proud!

A related reminder: winter athletics officially begin on Monday, November 18. If your child plans to participate, please ensure that all registration forms, including updated physicals, are submitted by this date. This is essential for eligibility and provides a smooth start to the season.

At the North Rockland Central School District, we are always striving to provide our students with the best learning environment possible - one that fosters focus, engagement and personal growth. As we all know, smartphones in the classroom can be a significant distraction, easily pulling students from their work and interactions with peers and teachers. In an effort to reduce this digital distraction, NRCSD is excited to introduce a unique pilot program for seventh-grade students at Fieldstone Middle School utilizing Yondr pouches. Starting in January, this pilot program will help students focus with a system that secures iPhones and Androids in individual pouches during class time, ensuring a phone-free environment. To learn more about this program and its benefits to our classrooms, we invite parents to join us for an information night on November 21 at 6 p.m. at Fieldstone Middle School.

In light of recent events, I want to address an issue rearing its ugly head in communities nationwide. Many of our families have heard about - or, have been impacted by - text messages sent to individuals, particularly people of color, that are racially-charged and hateful. These disgusting acts remind us that we all have a responsibility to foster understanding, respect and empathy in our community. We must take the time to have conversations with our children about tolerance, the importance of healthy debate and the value of respecting differing opinions. One of North Rockland’s greatest strengths is our diversity. When we embrace and celebrate our differences, we are stronger and better together. Please take the time to engage in these important discussions with your children - let us continue to support one another and work together to create an environment in which everyone feels safe, valued and heard.

Looking ahead to the January 6 referendum vote, I remind our community of the opportunity to approve the purchase of the property at 28 Miller Drive in Stony Point for $700,000. This acquisition is critical to improving safety at Stony Point Elementary, easing congestion during drop-offs, pick-ups, and school events. Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority and this initiative will help make arrival and dismissal times safer. This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to reduce traffic issues at all North Rockland schools, as demonstrated by recent upgrades at Fieldstone Middle School, including additional parking and the repaving of Fire House Road to improve bus access. The purchase of the Miller Drive property will come at NO ADDITIONAL COST TO LOCAL TAXPAYERS, thanks to careful financial planning.

Don’t miss your chance to see the North Rockland High School fall play, “She Kills Monsters”—this is the last weekend of performances! It’s a fantastic production and I encourage you to support our talented students by attending.

-Dr. Kris Felicello

Superintendent of Schools