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The Clarkstown Connection

February 2025

The Clarkstown Connection February 2025
Picture of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Baiocco

A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Clarkstown Central School District Families and Staff,


I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating mid-winter recess. As our students returned this week, they came back energized and ready to make their mark. I am proud to share some of their milestones:


  • Mark Altman, Andrew Jaynes, Angela Xu (Clarkstown High School North), Steven Varghese and Anna Xie (Clarkstown High School South) were named National Merit® Finalists — a prestigious recognition that highlights their exceptional academic achievements.

  • Abigail Koshy (North) received second-place honors in the Nyack Center's 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest. Abigail has not only competed, but placed in each of her five years of participation while also earning scholarship money.

  • South’s Science Olympiad Club helped Felix Festa Middle School’s team prepare for the upcoming Regional Tournament in March, fostering a spirit of collaboration across grade levels.

  • North’s Band Department hosted the 10th-annual Bandapalooza event — bringing together talented student-musicians and educators from Festa as well as Lakewood, Little Tor, New City and Woodglen elementary schools for an evening concert.


Festa students also engaged in thoughtful reflection during a Names, Not Numbers® roundtable discussion. I had the honor of facilitating the conversation between them, and I enjoyed hearing their experience about the profound stories our guests shared. The program allows our learners to create a documentary that will preserve the survivors’ testimonies. A sneak peek and more information can be found in the A Look Ahead section.


Now, let’s take a look back at some of the memorable moments and accomplishments from February!



Sincerely,


Marc P. Baiocco, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Clarkstown Central School District

February Highlights

student engaging in day of play activity
Global School Play Day at Bardonia Elementary School provided learners with an opportunity to engage in creative, screen-free activities, while promoting collaboration and offering a refreshing break from classroom routines.
student learning about notable figures during Black History Month
Children across the District learned about notable figures and their contributions to society during Black History Month. At Laurel Plains Elementary School, Grade 2 narrowed their focus on inventors like George Washington Carver and Marie Van Brittan Brown. Inspired by their success stories, second graders came up with ideas of their own that could potentially improve the lives of others.
Student celebrating the 100th day of school

The 100th day of school marks a key point in the academic year, celebrating the progress students have made in their learning. At Link Elementary School, grades K-2 paraded through the hallways and took part in themed activities to highlight the significance of being 100 days wiser.

student reading in fort
During the week of February 10, several of our schools took part in the 41st Annual Rockland Read-in. Sponsored by the Rockland BOCES School Library System, the event advocates for lifelong learners by encouraging children to read for pleasure. The Birchwood School kept the celebration going and included forts as a fun twist.
two students holding up their culture stripes

New City encouraged students to appreciate their community's cultural richness with a mosaic project. The third-grade class created individual stripes, decorated to represent each student's unique background, which were then combined to form an American flag.

students marching
Heroes in the form of kindergartners landed in CCSD just in time for the annual Super Reader parades on February 27 and 28. Lakewood students celebrated their newfound sight word, pattern, word part and other "powers," while Bobcats at Bardonia flew through the halls to live music performed by South's marching band.

A Look Ahead

2024-25 calendar cover

CCSD's school calendar for the 2025-26 academic year is expected to be approved at the March 6 Board of Education meeting and will be available to view on our website here. Important dates will include: first and last days of school, superintendent and parent/teacher conferences, early release and snow make-up days, District and school closings, holidays and recesses. The print calendar will be mailed home this summer.

student working camera
Students at South and Festa have been hard at work on their Names, Not Numbers® projects. We are honored to provide our learners with the unique experience of hearing first-hand accounts of the Holocaust from survivors and giving them the chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves, all while practicing responsible journalism skills. Their final documentaries — tentatively scheduled for April 8 and May 12, respectively — will once again be shared with the CCSD community. More to come!

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