One Mount Vernon Digital Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Greetings MVCSD Community,
This week’s Let’s Talk: Conversations with Dr. Strickland was the first opportunity for the community to engage with incoming Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland, and he presented a clear and ambitious vision for his first year in the District. The next Let’s Talk session will be at Graham School at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18. These discussions are a great opportunity for all stakeholders to have their feedback heard as the District transitions to a new administration.
Cecil H. Parker School held a wonderful celebration for Parker Day, recognizing the first Black teacher in Westchester County, Cecil H. Parker. While it was a bittersweet celebration due to the closing of the school at the end of the school year, it was a nice occasion for current and former staff and students to hold a final celebration. Cecil H. Parker’s impact on our schools and the entire county cannot be overstated, and this celebration was a fantastic way to honor her.
Congratulations to Charlotte Watson and Elizabeth deGrandpre for being named as valedictorian and salutatorian at Denzel Washington School of the Arts! Charlotte and Elizabeth have accomplished so much at DWSA, all while keeping up their grades to become the top scholars at their school. We are all looking forward to hearing from you at graduation!
Pennington School hosted a Gentlemen’s Brunch this week for male students to hear from positive and successful male role models from within the school district and the community. It takes a village to raise a child, and these outstanding men are stepping into their role as a positive example for our young men. Thank you for pouring into these students and helping to guide them on the right path.
Kindest Regards,
Dr. K. Veronica Smith
Acting Superintendent of Schools
FIRST SESSION OF LET'S TALK: CONVERSATIONS WITH DR. STRICKLAND HELD AT MVHA
Community members learned more about Incoming Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland’s background, qualifications, goals and plans during the first edition of Let’s Talk: Conversations with Dr. Strickland, which took place in the Mount Vernon Honor Academy auditorium on Monday evening. Dr. Strickland steps into his new role starting July 1.
CECIL H. PARKER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF CELEBRATE THEIR SCHOOL
Cecil H. Parker School held a Parker Day celebration Wednesday for its students, who bid farewell to each other with food, music and games – as several former students and retired staffers joined to honor the school for the last time before the school closes at the end of the school year.
MEET THE CLASS OF 2025 DWSA VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
While senior students at Denzel Washington School of the Arts prepare for the end of the year and most importantly, graduation, two students are gearing up to lead their class into the real world. DWSA has named Charlotte Watson and Elizabeth deGrandpre as its Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian.
PENNINGTON GENTLEMEN'S BRUNCH IGNITES THE FIRE WITHIN YOUNG MEN
About 60 students at Pennington School gathered Wednesday morning for the second-annual Gentlemen’s Brunch to receive inspiring messages – including from incoming Superintendent Demario Strickland – about “igniting the fire within.”
LET'S TALK: CONVERSATIONS WITH DR. STRICKLAND JUNE 18 AT 5:30 PM AT GRAHAM
Incoming Superintendent of Schools Dr. Demario Strickland is inviting the Mount Vernon Community to participate in his upcoming “Let’s Talk: Conversations with Dr. Strickland” community forums. The next forum will take place at Graham School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
2025 MVHS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION ON JUNE 28
Congressman George Latimer and Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson will be inducted into the 2025 MVHS Hall of Fame. Meteorologist Elise Finch Henriques will be bestowed with this prestigious award posthumously. These trailblazers will receive their induction at Mount Vernon High School at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Tickets are $40 and can be paid by clicking here.