Community Check-In

This week was filled with new experiences, especially for NR Special Services.

In North Rockland it’s imperative that we meet the needs of every student. I think we can all agree school is not just about learning but growing – it's a place children look forward to. Somewhere there's always something fun to do. A place where they prepare for work and life at the same time. After all, in these important developmental years, friendships have to be cultivated, adventures need to be experienced, memories need to be made and new places must be explored.

Field trips and Fire Safety Month demonstrations are something that all students were able to take part in across NRCSD this week. Our high school ACCESS-NR and upper elementary Focus classes participated via sensory safety workshops in collaboration with the RC Health Dept and trips to Maple Farms and LifeTown. Our hope is that the fun, customized new life skills curriculum allows them inclusion and ownership over their education.

A myriad of opportunities for recreation, education and therapeutic play offer every NR special education student choices in the way they learn or demonstrate their knowledge. We see the unique skills each learner brings to the world and through our specialized, expanded and comprehensive slate of programming for individuals with special abilities and their families, we are eager to do everything in our power to help them thrive.

Next week kicks off chilling and thrilling District Halloween celebrations. This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday and students will be participating in school festivities with parades, costume contests, haunted houses, eerie history and science lessons and more. NR likes to take part in a wide variety of Halloween activities as long as it’s all good-natured and safe. We’ve found that our students are excited about the holiday and have implenmented ways for all children (even those from cultures that may not celebrate) to be able to be included in some way.

As part of a district-wide commitment to equity, we are focused on community and creating inclusive, welcoming environments for all. Our schools are exceptional because of the people that are part of them. Thank you to our administrators, educators and staff members who continue to do their best for the students and families that they serve and for all the extra time/efforts put forth to make this week/next week so memorable.

In closing I want to shout out our principals and campus leaders who give so much to ensure our students are safe, happy and receive the best possible education. Please join me in thanking our wonderful leadership team in recognition of National Principals month!

Kris Felicello

Superintendent of Schools

In honor of School Bus Safety Week NRCSD is sharing a behind the scenes look of how our bus routes and dismissal operations work. NR’s Transportation Office and partners at First Student have it down to an exact science. Utilizing an angled and strategic parking design, every bus exits North Rockland High School’s parking lot in under six minutes each day. This ensures that all our students get some safely, efficiently and on time as well as preventing congestion around town. With student stops planned out to be nearest to drivers' next designated school dismissal, our bussing operation is actually setting a cutting edge example nationwide. Take a look!

An eigth grade Fieldstone Middle School student just unveiled her first Art Exhibition! This week at the District's Gallery 65 Art Reception Mahibah Waheedullah was celebrated for her talent and drive to break into the art scene. The showing included Mahibah's breathtaking framed and hung pencil drawings series. Every piece captured a wide range of textures and the unique personalities of eight different animals with skill and precision. She's been working on the nature themed collection for several months outside of school. The night was inspiring and just the start of the many creative big successes to come for the budding artist. This week she is NRCSD’s Red Raider Recognition. Go Mahibah!

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October 21 2023 - Save the date!

Fieldstone Middle School

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In honor of National Principals Month North Rockland’s Cabinet and Board of Education partnered with local Boxer Donut and Espresso Bar to recognize each of our wonderful campus leaders for the "DOZENS" of things they do for our students. After dropping off the "A-DOUGH-ABLE" treats we sat down to talk about what makes their school go "ROUND."

What's at the "CENTER" of your school culture?

The center of our school is to educate the students about respect for all. In and outside of school. NRHS Ext's new initiatives this year that support that are “Operation Get To School” and launching our first “Student Council.” I am very excited about it and looking forward to whats to come. Full Story/Thank A Principal Here.

How to you "SPRINKLE" purpose into your day?

I love greeting our students every morning as they enter the building. When the school year started, I was greeting each student. Now they are also greeting me as well, wishing me a good morning and telling me to have a great day. I feel it is so important that students feel welcomed and loved to start their school day. My intention is to brighten their day, but in turn they brighten mine. Full Story/Thank A Principal Here.

One thing your school day is "JAM-PACKED" with?

LOVE. We show students we care from the moment they arrive with music playing in the bus lane and in the center hall. Between the ages of 8 and 12, we strive to instill the love of learning for all of our children. Full Story/Thank A Principal Here.

OCTOBER 23

TES

TES PTA Halloween Event 10/19 at 6:30PM and Halloween Parade 10/31 at 9:30AM

WHES

WHES Fun Run 10/23, WHES and HES Trunk or Treat 10/26 at 6PM @ HES

WHES Fall Pumpkin Festival and Parade 10/31

SPES
SPES PTA Halloween Glow Bubble Bus October 26 at 6:30
Halloween Parades 10/31

Kindergarten and 1st grade classes’ parade 9:45am.

2nd and 3rd grade classes' parade 2:20pm.

HES

HES Trunk or Treat on 10/26 at 6:30PM

NRHS

NRHS Trunk or Treat 10/27 from 4 - 6pm in the NRHS parking lot

The challenges we experience and how we navigate through them become part of our identity. We invite each family member to share how a THORN bloomed into a ROSE.

• October Activity
  

The Rockland County Department of Health held a "Fire Safety" and "Calling 911 During an Emergency" interactive Healthy Neighbors workshop (in English and Spanish) for the ACCESS-NR classes in the NRHS Library Media Center this afternoon.

NR Together students learned and sang the "911 Song," practiced crawling below smoke level to safety, used a sensory board key pad to rehearse dialing and strengthened emergency call conversation skills as well as identifying the sounds smoke detectors make when there's a fire vs. needing new batteries. More photos.

North Rockland Focus program students at Willow Grove Elementary School went on an exploration trip to West Maple Farms this week. Grades four and five learners were able to follow an agricultural lesson and tour on farming. Students learned about growing fruits, vegetables and grains, tending fields, caring for animals and had a blast while doing so. The Hands On in-person visit is part of the 2023-24 district nutrition education expansion, allowing our kids to can see where food production begins, which helps them develop an understanding of the entire food supply chain. More photos.

ACCESS-NR high school classes went on an exciting trip to LifeTown Village. Immersing themselves in the ‘Lessons for Life’ program, students were able to visit 15 different storefronts inside the 11,000-square-foot shopping center, specifically designed to fill the gap between classroom learning and real-life experiences for students of different ability levels to live a confident, independent life. The educational trip is part of NRCSD's new Special Services Curriculum that allows students take ownership in their education hands on and helps them thrive NR Strong! All in all it was an incredible adventure. Full Story/More Photos.

The Red Raiders go PINK! There was pink as far as the eye could see as part of the district-wide PinkTober. The Pink Out was to raise awareness, show our love and unite in the fight against breast cancer. Safe to say it was a big success! More photos.

As Fire Safety Month rages on across NRSCD this week we want to share some important tips for this time of year:

1. Check smoke alarms - it never hurts to replace the batteries.
2. Give space heaters - space. That goes for candles, fireplaces and campfires as well.
3. Consider glow sticks or battery-operated candles instead of real candles when lighting your jack-o’-lanterns or other luminaries.
4. Go over or practice your fire escape plan including identifying exits.
5. Check that no decorations are blocking your home’s exits or pathways, so you have a clear escape route in case of an emergency.

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.

The North Rockland Central School District is currently seeking candidates for several full-time School Nurse positions for the 2023-2024 school year. Salary and benefits are regionally competitive.

** Candidates must have their Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Apply online at olasjobs.org and/or send a copy of your resume and cover letter to Mr. Eric Baird, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Community Relations at the address below.

North Rockland Central School District

Attn: Personnel Office

65 Chapel Street

Garnerville, NY 10923

The North Rockland Central School District is seeking candidates for Food Service Helper positions at various school buildings for the 2023-2024 school year. Candidates who are interested in these positions should contact the Personnel Department at (845) 942-3017.

The North Rockland Central School District is seeking candidates for part-time and full-time 10-month security aide positions for the 2023-2024 school year. Candidates who are interested in these positions are encouraged to apply via OLAS at olasjobs.org and/or contact the Personnel Department at (845) 942-3017.

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

NR Athletics modified, junior varsity and varsity winter sports registration is officially open on our athletics website!

Registration Checklist

1. Create/login to our athletic portal to start the "Athletic Participation Packet"
2. Print the medical forms to complete and get a doctor's signature
3. Upload the medical forms online to the "Athletic Participation Packet"
4. Check to make sure you are approved a couple days after everything has been uploaded

For more information, please visit our website:

https://sites.google.com/northrockla.../nr-athletics/home...

To register, please visit our athletic portal:

https://northrockland.powermediallc.org

Junior varsity and varsity sports start November 13th, and modified sports start November 27. We can't wait to see our Raiders return this winter!

Christian Obergfell is our Red Raider of the Week! Christian is a junior at North Rockland High School on the varsity boys volleyball team. As a first year member of the team, he has been a valuable asset to the team as a middle blocker with multiple kills and blocks during each match. “Not only is Christian a great athlete, he is a very kind person. He is supportive of his teammates and constantly has a smile on his face,” said his coach. Obergfell is also a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers in the community. Let’s make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Christian!

Madison Fulgencio is our Lady Raider of the Week!! Madison is a sophomore varsity volleyball player at North Rockland High School and has been very impressive this season. As a first year varsity player, Fulgencio hasn’t shied away from making her mark on the court. With each game this season she has a number of kills, aces, and digs that have contributed to the successful 7-1 record the team has this season. Her best stats were both matches against Clarkstown South with an overall average of 34 kills, 11 digs, and 9 aces. Number 19 has an A average and is involved with the Wonder Girls Club at NRHS. Her coach said, “Madison is an integral part of the team both offensively and defensively.” Let’s make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Madison!!