MSHS Tuesday Newsday

Dear NS Families,

I hope this finds you all well and warm...wow we went cold quickly!

Thank you to all of those who attended both the combined PTO meeting of PQ and the MSHS and those who attended the Board of Education Community Conversations. I attended both and appreciated the dialogue.

The second semester ends this Friday 1/24 and grades will be posted to the portal on 1/30. Dr. Murphy and I will be meeting with all grades levels in the next two weeks, as we do yearly upon return to school in the Winter, to review policies and procedures and touch base with all students.

All the best,
Mr. DiGrandi

1/22- BOE Meeting, 7:30pm

1/23- National English Honor Society Induction Breakfast

1/24- End of Marking Period 2

1/29- Schools Closed - Asian Lunar New Year

1/30- Report Cards posted to Parent Portal

How has a play-based childhood turned into a phone-based childhood? Has "The Great Rewiring" changed the way kids & teens are growing up? What can families and schools do to protect kids and teens from easily accessed, attention-stealing devices and content?

Join us for an evening of thoughtful discussion on the new book, "The Anxious Generation," by Jonathan Haidt. Explore how today's digital world affects children's well-being, setting healthy technology boundaries while nurturing children's independence, and how unstructured play builds essential problem-solving skills and resilience. Share your experiences and learn from other families who are navigating similar challenges.

Take part in this insightful conversation on Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 PM at the North Salem Middle/High School. The National Honor Society members will provide childcare.

Ruth Keeler Memorial Library and the MSHS PTO have limited copies of the book to borrow.

Please see the below attached information for the

2025 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Festival.

Breakfast & Lunch Menus and our new MSHS Deli Order Form

Strategies for Communicating With Kids

It’s an age-old problem for parents — your kid doesn’t listen or seems to deliberately ignore your request, or every conversation somehow spirals into an argument. But you can improve communication with them by practicing skills taught in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). These skills — steps for effectively communicating and building better relationships — use acronyms such as DEAR MAN, GIVE, and STOP to help you remember what to do. And following the steps makes it more likely that you and your child can talk to each other calmly, avoid misunderstandings, and connect more effectively.

This week we are sharing resources to help when you and your child have a conflict, even a routine one. Any conflict can heighten emotions, and using DBT skills can help de-escalate. And because parent-child conflict can follow patterns, we also have pointers for recognizing common causes of problem behavior in kids and teens, including the ways anxiety, depression, and ADHD get expressed in defiance. We also have tips for how to model healthy coping skills to help kids understand that they aren’t the only ones who struggle with big feelings.

— Michelle Shih, Managing Editor

Do you have an interesting career or a job that you love? Come share your experiences with our 10th grade students at our annual Career Fair on Thursday, March 20. For more information or to sign up, please contact Sharon Verdejo at SVerdejo@northsalemschools.org or 914-669-5414 x1061.

New Visions Health will be holding an open house at Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital on Thursday, January 23rd from 5pm to 7pm. Program requirements and prerequisites are listed on the flyer. For more info, please click here. Students, parents, and school personnel are all welcome!

The Counseling Office will be hosting a virtual college admissions information panel January 16th 7:00 - 8:30pm. Topics will include the SUNY School System, How to Make a Big School Feel Small,

Financial Literacy, Accessing Supports on a College Campus, the Selective Admissions Process and NCAA. We hope you'll be able to join us. Please click HERE for more information and to join the session.

Northern Westchester Hospital’s President’s Junior Leadership Council (PJLC), a student healthcare leadership program, is now accepting applications from current 8th-10th graders for the 2025-2026 school year, which will begin in September 2025. The President's Junior Leadership Council (PJLC) is a youth leadership group that promotes the health, safety and well-being of adolescents in Northern Westchester. PJLC members identify health issues affecting their peers and work collaboratively to create awareness projects to improve community health and wellness. Students explore healthcare careers, gain experience in public health, and learn leadership skills. This program is open to students in grades 8-12. For more information click here.

Seniors:

• The 2025-26 FAFSA form is live! The U.S. Department of Education has now expanded access to everyone during the current beta testing period prior to the official launch on Dec. 1. Students can now file and submit their FAFSA form. They are encouraged to log in to their studentaid.gov account and get started today. Students and their parents will need to create their FSA ID before completing the FAFSA; to do so, please go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
• Lots of updates have been made! To view available scholarship opportunities, please click here.

NY State Financial Aid Agency

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is New York State’s student financial aid agency. They award nearly $1 billion in financial aid to students each year. Please click here to learn more about what programs they offer.

Hello MS/HS Families,

If you think that you or your child has a Norovirus, you may be right!

According to the Cleveland Clinic:

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It's a common and very contagious virus that occurs most often between November and April. Symptoms may be similar to the stomach flu "viral gastroenteritis". Norovirus spreads easily through close contact or on contaminated food or surfaces. The illness runs its course in a few days.

Symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain

You may also have:

• Headache
• Fever
• Body aches

Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus and last one to three days. It can also stay in your system for up to two weeks after your symptoms have resolved. You’re only contagious after you become infected for 48 hours after your symptoms stop.

Click on the link from the CDC for further information:

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

One way to prevent the spread? WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS!

BMI Opt-Out Letter (English)

Optar por no participar en el IMC (Spanish)

Please click here for important information regarding Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Important Nutritional Information:

Ex-FDA Food Expert Reveals Worst Cereal In America with Link to Cancer.

Please click on the YouTube link for further information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPzjspzVpLg

Social Media:

Time To Break Our "Tik" Fever-Addictive app knows US kids at risk.

As TikTok gains more acceptance among youth, there is growing concern among parents, policymakers, and clinicians about the actual impact the platform is having on the mental health of youth. Click Here for important information.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Each household is eligible to receive four at-home test kits, which can be requested from COVIDTests.gov. They’ll be shipped for free through the US Postal Service.

FLU SEASON IS HERE! - Click here for important information

Helpful Information:

• Absence from School: Contact the attendance office at x 2165 or mshsattendance@northsalemschools.org to report your student's absence. Do not hesitate to contact me at x 2017 to discuss your child's illness. I'm happy to answer any questions and address our concerns.

• When to keep your child home from school: Please click here for information about when you should keep your child home from school.

• Immunization Requirements for Students in Grades 6-12: Click here for information regarding the "2024-2025 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance.

• Mandatory Physical Examinations: The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires a physical exam for new entrants and students in Grades: Pre-K, K 1,3,5,7,9, and 11. Students who wish to participate in interscholastic sports (Grades 7-12) and for working papers require an annual physical.

Click here to read important information and access forms pertaining to Health Examinations, Medication Administration and Allergy Action Plans.

I know this information can be confusing. Please don't hesitate to contact me, I'm happy to answer any questions and address your concerns.

Stay well,

Rita Driscoll, R.N.BSN

MSHS School Nurse / 914-669-5414 x2017 / rdriscoll@northsalemschools.org

Athletic News for Week of January 20-

Bowling Updates

From Coach Moste- Boys Coach

The boys team bowled incredible on January 15th vs. Hen Hud at Cortlandt Lanes- The team stole 2 points from Hen Hud, the first points the team has taken from them in many years. The team was led by sophomore Ben Giuliano. The team swept John Jay on January 16th. All team members had great contributions to winning the match.

From Coach Dzubak- Girls Coach

The girls won two points from hen hud - the team is in 5th place and holding the position to be attending the Sectionals. Both Maddy Killeen and Erika Saez were ranked in top three again last week for top score and series. The girls team won 2points against John Jay and won the last game.

Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Bowling teams for a great two matches last week!

BASEBALL INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS SPRING 2025

There will be a Mandatory Interest meeting with Coach Gilchrist and Coach Mackenzie on Tuesday, January 21st at 2:15pm for all students in grades 7-12 who plan on playing baseball in the HS Cafeteria.

***There will be a late bus at 3:45pm.

In addition, there will be a baseball meeting on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 5:00pm in the MS Cafeteria for all families and student athletes in grades 7-12. We will be meeting to discuss the current status of the baseball program, specifically high school for the Spring of 2025.

UNIFIED SPORTS 2025 Players and Partners Welcome!

Bowing Begins on March 3rd

Family ID Registration is February 8th through February 22nd

Boys and Girls Basketball Begins on April 8th

Family ID Registration is March 8th through March 22nd

WINTER END OF SEASON AWARDS

Varsity Dinner: March 5th, 2025

JV: TBA
Modified: TBA

SPRING 2025 START DATES
Varsity/JV March 17th, 2025
Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Track and Field, Boys Golf

Family ID Registration: February 15th through March 1st

Modified Sports April 7th, 2025

Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Baseball, Track and Field

Family ID Registration: March 8th through March 22nd

2025-2026 TENTATIVE START DATES

Fall Season 2025

Football August 23, 2025 **Pending NYSPHSAA and Section One Approval 8/18/2025

High School August 25, 2025 **Pending NYSPHSAA and Section One Approval 8/18/2025

Modified September 8th, 2025

Winter Season 2025-2026

High School November 17th,2025

Modified December 1, 2025

Modified Ice Hockey TBA

Unified Sports 2026
Bowling March 3rd, 2026

Basketball April 7th, 2026

Spring Season 2026

March 16th, 2026 ***Pending NYSPHSAA and Section One Approval

March 9th, 2026

Modified April 6th, 2026

Baseball Offseason Workouts December 2024- February 2025

The North Salem High School Baseball program will be hosting off season workouts for any student interested in baseball in grades 7-12. This is not mandatory.

Practice your throwing, fielding, pitching and hitting before the season begins on Monday, March 17th for High School and Monday, April 7th for Modified.

All work outs will be held in the MS Gymnasium. Players should bring their own baseball mitts, sneakers, and water.

***If you have any questions regarding the Off Season Workouts, please contact:

Rob Gilchrist, Head Varsity Baseball Coach

rgilchrist@northsalemschools.org

January - Mondays

1/13- 5:00-6:15pm

1/27- 6:30-7:45pm

February - Mondays

2/3- 6:30-7:45pm

2/10- 6:30-7:45pm

2/24- 5:00-6:15pm

March - Monday through Thursday

3/3 thru 3/6-3:00-4:30

3/10 thru 3/13-3:00-4:30

North Salem Athletic Calendar: https://northsalemcentral.tandem.co/

*All practices and games are posted on the Athletic Calendar. Subscribe for notifications regarding date/time/locations.

FITNESS CENTER- OPEN!

The fitness center will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the school year from 3:00-4:00pm for students in Grades 7-12. All students are required to sign in with the teacher and remain in the Fitness Center until the end of the session. In the event that transportation is needed, there is a late bus at 3:45pm. Sneakers and athletic attire are required.

LIVE STREAMING- Live streaming is available at both the HS Gymnasium and Tiger Stadium- Turf Field Local Live Link

TIGER STADIUM- Tiger Stadium Rules

SPORTS YOU: Please subscribe to Sports You and enter your code for the sport that you have signed up for in Family ID. All HS and MS coaching staff will be communicating to our families through this platform. Link: sportsyou.com **The codes are the same from each school year for each level of the sport.

GO TIGERS!

Sincerely,

Denise M. Kiernan, CAA

Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics

North Salem Middle / High School is looking for full-time One-to-One Paraprofessionals for the 24-25 school year. Our 1:1 Paraprofessionals work individually with students with special needs and provide assistance (academic, social, and emotional) throughout the day in specialized classrooms.

The schedule follows the school calendar (Sept - June) and the hours are 7:15 am to 2:15 pm.

If you are interested in applying for this position or would like to know more about this rewarding work experience, please contact Dr. Kathleen Murphy, Assistant Principal by email: kmurphy@northsalemschools.org.

Register to become a PTO Member to have access to our directory, signups and store.

MSHS PTO MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT