![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-6307cd64e70fea7114c9fc7c-6cc0519cfb18.jpg)
The Clarkstown Connection
March 2024
![The Clarkstown Connection March 2024](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/2ad5/thumb-2a8a57811f776d34b6bf98d60fdb7977.png)
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Clarkstown Central School District Families and Staff,
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the final few months of the school year. So much has been learned, explored and achieved, yet there is still more to be done!
The District applied for, and was awarded, a $50,000 New York State Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant! Made possible through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, this Grant program supports the development of such farms and gardens as well as projects focused on food production, safety and distribution. Each of our elementary schools will benefit from these funds.
The junior and senior classes at Clarkstown High School North recently attended a presentation given by local attorney and CCSD parent Brian Berkowitz. Brian spoke about the potential life-changing consequences of drinking and driving, provided insights from his work with DWI and traffic violations, and answered questions alongside CHSN's school resource officers (SROs). Thank you to the Student Leaders Against Destructive Decisions (S.L.A.D.D.) Club for sponsoring this event, and to Brian for sharing in our mission to educate and encourage our children to make good choices.
On Wednesday evening, seven students were inducted into the Clarkstown High School South's chapter of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). Eligibility is determined based on a number of factors including a portfolio review, a statement about what art means to the candidate and why they would be an asset to NAHS, and 10 hours of related community service. Congratulations to all of our newest honor society cohorts — including Abigail Carchi, Han Conlee, Anna Gregoriev, Ananya Mathew, George Melis, Ysabella Parrilla and Emma Velarde!
Please be reminded that the District will be closed tomorrow, March 29. In addition, all schools will be closed from Monday, April 1-Friday, April 5. Wishing a Happy Easter to those who celebrate and a restful spring recess!
Now, let’s take a look at some more memorable moments and accomplishments from March.
Sincerely,
Marc P. Baiocco, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Clarkstown Central School District
March Highlights
As part of their Grade 2 curriculum, students at Strawtown Elementary School on March 26 were visited by guest speaker Wendy Baker for a presentation on, "Helen Keller: Exploring Through Doing." Second graders took part in various, hands-on activities that challenged them to communicate with one another without speaking. Our children loved the opportunity to learn a new skill!
A Look Ahead
In the second installment of our future-ready video series, Felix Festa Middle School Campus Principal Dr. Michael St. John joins Superintendent Dr. Marc Baiocco for a conversation about financial literacy and cultural/global competence. Dr. St. John explains plans to improve FFMS' Falcon Foundations Economics unit in Grade 6 by focusing more on how to save, invest and earn money. Simultaneously, the benefits of forming global connections will be felt initially in our Japanese and Spanish World Language classes.
Click here to watch on our YouTube channel, and don't forget to subscribe!