Community Update

November 4, 2022

Hello North Rockland Families:

The first week of November included District-wide Halloween celebrations, some big wins for our fall sports teams and plenty of classroom learning and discovery. We’re about one-third of the way through the 2022-23 school year - and, I’m so proud of all that our students have achieved in just three months.

November in North Rockland is School Board Appreciation Month. Our board members play a critical role in serving our students, our communities and our state. In North Rockland, we are so grateful for the extraordinary individuals who voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing our district. We recognize the vital contributions these elected officials play in the education and lifelong success of our children. We are blessed that our caring, selfless and experienced BOE members are always there, always involved and always fighting for our school community.

To thank our Board of Education, we have produced a video series that spotlights several innovative initiatives that our BOE has been instrumental in developing. Please watch for these videos to roll out throughout the month of November.

The first video in the series highlights the new turf fields and sports complex at North Rockland High School. Once complete, the term “Friday Night Lights” will officially take on a very special meaning in our District. We look forward to welcoming our student-athletes and sports teams to their “new home” via an unveiling of the new turf, lights, eight-lane track, weight room and training facilities in the familiar location - with a brand new look and feel.

In addition to the new scoreboards installed last year at Cordisco Field, we anticipate new end zone nets, padding for fences, future sidewalk work, as well as an upgraded snack shack. Continued thanks to everyone, especially our students, for patience and understanding as we work toward the opening of this improved facility for our entire community - from our Red Raiders and local residents to pop warner teams to enjoy.

To our Red Raiders, thank you for your dedication, commitment to team, your #NRStrong representation on our campus and respect as you travel to host schools. You continue the tradition of excellence when you represent our school community positively, both on and off the fields. I am so grateful that together, with our Board of Education, we are able to provide our athletes, coaches, students and fans the facilities we truly deserve.

Raider Pride!

As a reminder - Parent Teacher Conferences are next Tuesday, November 8 (no student attendance) and North Rockland Schools are CLOSED Friday, November 11 for Veterans Day.

Day Light Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, clocks are set back one hour (i.e., gaining one hour) to “fall back.”

Section Finals Bound!

Proud to highlight our next fall sports team and tonight’s Semi-Finals winners, the NR Girls Varsity Volleyball Team! The girls hit their RED AND WHITE goal for the fifth year in a row -- earning a spot in the Section Finals with tonight's big 3-0 victory against Scarsdale.

Make some noise for our lady Raiders through the link here!

Red Raiders brought down the house at the annual North Rockland High School and NRHS Extension Senior Costume Contest today! Check out all the costumes linked here.

Administrators from the North Rockland Central School District this week joined Rockland BOCES, neighboring school districts and local law enforcement agencies for a daylong active shooter preparedness session - (Channel 12 news story) - at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona. Much of the exercise focused on response and recovery - training designed to ensure the district's readiness in the aftermath of a tragic event. This week's session - along with the August first responder "real world" active shooter drill staged at our Fieldstone Middle School - will ensure that our administrators, faculty and staff are working collaboratively with local police and other agencies to prevent school violence and support our school community in the unlikely chance of an armed event.

In honor of National Principals Month Superintendent Dr. Kris Felicello partnered with local It's Coffee Barista (who knew our principal's orders by heart) for a cup of joe for each one of our wonderful building leaders as a thank you for all they do for North Rockland Students. After dropping off the “principal fuel” we sat down during their favorite part of their day to talk about what led them to become a building leader. Click on each one's picture for their interview and coffee order!

Welcome to the October Edition of The Rambling Raider!

For this spooky month, we present to you a variety of Halloween-themed articles, including must-watch Halloween classics and the recollection of the spirits influencing Spirit Week! Enjoy our gholish writing that will leave you awestruck! Please share our website to spread our haunting articles! - Christina Muttavanchery

PANS/PANDAS is a medical condition that causes an autoimmune encephalopathy, resulting in varying degrees of psychiatric symptoms, learning issues and motor coordination disruptions. PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, or PANS-Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. www.pandasnetwork.org. NR has joined forces with local families to participate in the PANDAS Network shoe fundraiser. The fundraiser is to increase awareness and provide support for PANDAS Research. We'll be sharing more details regarding our upcoming "shoe drive" from October 28 thru December 21 soon so stay tuned and save your gently used or new shoes!

NRHS Interact club is sponsoring a blood drive and also asking for donations of toiletries and new socks during the drive. In turn these donations will go to the RC Marine Corp and they will distribute to our Veterans during the holidays.

Tomorrow - November 5 from 9A.M. - 2P.M.

The North Rockland High School Drama Society is proud to present for the first time And Then There Were None, the fascinating story, by Agatha Christie.

Prepare yourself to enter the haunting world of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. This show is a murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. You’ll be shocked and thrilled by the deceptions in store. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen so prepare to reel over the twists and turns. Audiences have raved and you’ll be screaming for more!

Ticket prices:

Tickets can be purchased at nrhsdrama.booktix.com or at the door.

$12 for students and seniors and $15 for adults.

We will offer two-for-one student nights:

Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday, November 10.

Each performance will run approximately 105 minutes with two ten-minute intermissions.

Performances:

November 4, 5, 9, 10 and 12 - 7 PM

NR has partnered with the YMCA to offer our youngest residents an affordable way to learn how to swim. The program will be offered on weekends.

A digital version of the North Rockland 2022-23 Print Calendar you should receive in the mail can be found linked here.

Grades K-3: 9:05AM - 3:44PM

Stony Point Elementary

Thiells Elementary

West Haverstraw Elementary

Grades 4-6: 8:42AM - 3:21PM

Farley Elementary

Haverstraw Elementary

Willow Grove Elementary

Fieldstone Middle School: 8:00AM-2:46PM

Bell Schedule

North Rockland High School: 7:20AM-2:06AM

Bell Schedule

Redesign and Changes

Through NR's Elementary Report Card Committee the district has overhauled how report cards are structured.

Key shifts beginning in 2022-23:

• We are now reporting three times a year - trimesters.
• We are reporting on behaviors that support student learning.
• Simplified language for a better universal understanding.

Specific changes by level:

• Numeric Key for Kindergarten

The New York State Department of Education ruled that School District’s are able to utilize the remote-learning technology implemented during the coronavirus pandemic to allow students to continue their studies on days when the snow is too heavy for them to commute to school. Some Districts across the state have adopted a policy that will eliminates traditional snow days all together, opting for a remote learning day During inclement weather. North Rockland will utilize traditional snow days until the three that are built into our calendar are exhausted. Once all of our traditional snow days have been used the District will utilize the remote option when possible.

As parents and educators, it is important to take the time to talk to our children about personal body safety. New York State passed the Erin Merryn Law, which requires all school districts to implement lessons that teach children about personal body safety. The purpose of this law is to protect children if approached by known or unknown individuals who intend to harm them.

Starting this school year, K-6 social workers will teach two lessons using the, “Play it Safe!” curriculum. These lessons ensure our K-6 students learn vital skills that will keep them safe. Students will learn the 3-part safety rule: Saying No!, Getting Away from Danger as Soon as They Can, and Telling a Trusted Adult.

Students in Grade 7-8 will participate in two grade-appropriate lessons in their health education classes. These lessons will teach them strategies to stay safe. If you want to learn more about Erin’s Law, please click here. Erin's Law Parent Notice.

For the past two years, every student has been eligible for free school meals, regardless of how much their parents made in Rockland County. That program expired at the end of the summer and has created confusion. In North Rockland we are proud to share that all our schools qualify for free breakfast and lunch. Our dedicated Food Service Department has worked to get all our schools eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the next four years.

***Each child is entitled to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch meal per day. For additional meals students are encouraged to use My School Bucks.

***Remember to charge your device before the first day of school!***

Chromebook Care

Getting a Parent Portal account

1. Parents can retrieve their child's schedule via the Parent Portal at Fieldstone and North Rockland High School.

2. Kindergarten students will receive their chromebook during the month of September.

Did you know NRCSD now offers a FREE App?

The North Rockland Central School District App is now available for download in the App Store or Google play! Just search North Rockland CSD and tap to download. Save time and find all the latest District information all in one convenient, easy use location.

Steps to download:

1. Visit iTunes App Store ® or Google Play ®
2. Search North Rockland CSD
3. Then select North Rockland CSD App for FREE download
4. Open the App enable push notifications and select the school(s) you want to subscribe to.

Stay connected!

• Get the latest district and school news
• Select the schools you want to follow
• Get push notifications about breaking news, closures, weather, events, and more
• Tap to see school locations, phone numbers, and staff information, fast

For a tutorial and navigation overview on the NRCSD App check out the YouTube video linked here.

Support our sports teams who are trying to raise funds for uniforms, equipment, travel and social activities for the team.

Baseball Team Fundraiser:

buynowcc.com/edge

NRHS Cheer Team Fundraiser:

We are very excited to host our first annual Raider Rumble Fundraiser at Lynches Restaurant on Thursday November 10th from 7-10pm. This is going to be a great night with a DJ and lots of raffles to give away! The event will be held at Lynch's Restaurant 79 S. Liberty Drive Stony Point NY. Tickets will be $60 per person. No one under 21 will be allowed to attend . The cost will include a buffet dinner, draft beer, house red and white wine, soda, coffee, tea and dessert. A cash bar will be available for mixed drinks, Sangria and bottled beer.

Direct Link to Purchase Tickets--here

Please check the NR Athletics website for schedules, information and updates.

Follow us on Twitter @NRockathletics

Winter Sports Update

HS Winter Sports start on Nov 14, 2022

Modified (MS) Sports start on Nov 28, 2022

Online Registration is now open

Be sure to check NR Athletics Website for Schedules and information.

Click here for starting dates for: Winter Sports 2022-23, and Spring Sports 2023.

2022-23 Winter Sports Start Dates

November 14, 2022: High School Winter Sports Start

November 28, 2022: Modified Teams Start

2023 Spring Sports Start Dates

March 13, 2023: High School Spring Sports Start

March 20, 2023: Modified Teams Start

North Rockland has partner with Hi-Tor Animal Shelter to feature one dog and one cat to help them find a loving home each week. Check out the Shelter Wish List linked here. Red Raiders to the Rescue!!!

"Alexander has been with us when he was only a few days old back in May of 2021. He came in

with his mother Eliza after they were found outside in the Bronx. His mother is a beautiful black

medium haired persian. Alexander very much takes after his mother. He loves head butts and

being rubbed down. He is a little shy at first but once you start petting him he will open right up.

Alexander was briefly adopted but had to be returned when the family was moving. He just

wants a stable home where he can lay in the sun and sleep on your lap all day. If you are interested in adopting please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

"Tulip is our beautiful black and white pittie girl. She can get a bit anxious while in her kennel, but when she comes out of it, her personality shines through. Tulip is 3 years old and has been with us for over a year. She deserves a very special family of her own. A special home for a special girl. If you are interested in adopting her please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

Last week's adoptable friends can be found linked here.

At North Rockland Central School District we take internet safety very seriously. It is important that we all have access to information on how to keep our students safe. Here are a few web resources:

1. Common Sense Media - click here

2. Connect Safely - click here

3. Internet Safety Tips - click here

The NRCSD has partnered with Peachjar. This new platform will enable us to send important school and community flyers to parents/guardians digitally, saving our schools time, money, and paper. School-approved digital flyers will be sent to your email inbox. Please click here for more information.

The Academy of Law and Society along with the NRHS Girls' Basketball team is hosting a three-on-three tournament open to FMS and NRHS students and faculty on Saturday, November 12th from 9AM - 1PM.

Additionally, Erin Miller, the Chief Transformation Officer of the Center for Safety and Change will be in attendance with a table for educational purposes as they are our service outreach partners. Register here.

SCHOOL MENUS

Elementary Lunch Menu

Upper Elementary Lunch Menu

Fieldstone Middle School Lunch Menu

North Rockland High School Lunch Menu

NRHS Seniors who enroll in the free/reduced breakfast & lunch program qualify for college application fee waivers, free ACT and SAT exams and reduced AP exam registration fees! To qualify please complete the Free or Reduced Price Meal Application Form linked here as soon as possible.

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 further below in today’s update. Please click on the job image to apply through the District Form.

North Rockland is currently seeking candidates for full-time and part-time Security Aide positions for the 2022-2023 school year. School Security Aides are committed to ensuring students are learning in a safe and supportive environment.

Full-time positions include - A regionally competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Part-time positions are - 4.5 hours per day and starting pay is $19.83/hour.

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

Applications can be submitted on OLAS at olasjobs.org. Resumes can be submitted through our Facebook job posting linked here, sent to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Community Relations Mr. Eric Baird, North Rockland CSD, 65 Chapel St., Garnerville, NY 10923 or emailed to ebaird@northrockland.org.

The North Rockland (Haverstraw-Stony Point) Central School District is seeking candidates for Food Service Helper positions at various school buildings for the 2022-2023 school year. The starting rate of pay is $14.28/hour. Apply here

The North Rockland (Haverstraw-Stony Point) Central School District is seeking candidates for School Nurse substitutes for the 2021-2022 school year. All candidates must be licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse. The starting rate of pay is $150 per day. Candidates can apply here.

Haverstraw Transit has informed us that they are currently seeking and accepting applications for: DRIVERS AND MONITORS. Apply here.