Hello North Rockland Families,

As we approach the long holiday recess, I want to take this moment to update our community on the latest steps we’ve taken to ensure our schools are as safe and welcoming as possible. Safety continues to be our top priority and we’re committed to protecting the well-being of our students, staff and families throughout the North Rockland Central School District.

To that end, I met this week with our NRCSD safety team and the Rockland BOCES Health, Safety and Security Services division to assess current procedures and to explore additional opportunities to harden our properties and enhance emergency response protocols. We will evaluate regular school day response plans, while also working to improve access for school activities and events. Whether it's for a concert, a parent-teacher meeting or a commencement celebration, we are reviewing all safeguards to make certain we prioritize day-to-day safety while remaining mindful of our role as good neighbors in the community.

Working closely with Rockland BOCES, Stony Point and Haverstraw police departments and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, we’ll explore the most effective, long-term solutions to address safety concerns district-wide - from additional security cameras in all buildings to improvements in parking lot traffic flow. We will keep you informed as we move forward with these plans.

On a separate note, this month has been filled with wonderful celebrations of the arts. North Rockland High School, Fieldstone Middle School and the lower elementary schools have wrapped up their winter concerts and we’re grateful to everyone who attended and supported our talented musicians and vocal performers. We also concluded our FLEP (Formerly Limited English Proficient) celebrations this week, which highlighted students' language skills and cultural diversity - another reminder of what makes our North Rockland community so special. Next week, our upper elementary schools will host winter concerts and we invite you to join us in celebrating the season with more fantastic performances.

I would like to congratulate NRHS students Nadia Horowitz and Sarina Neset - recognized for their acceptance into the 2024 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Annual Winter Conference. Nadia and Sarina had the opportunity to perform in upstate Rochester alongside top high school musicians from across New York State. It's always wonderful to see our students honored for excellence among peers. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and talents!

In addition, a big congratulations to Team LaBier from Stony Point Elementary School for its impressive win in the Greg Tang Math Global Thanksgiving Challenge! This marks their second win and their continued success is a testament to their teamwork and determination.

Finally, the annual cold and flu season is upon us. To prevent widespread flu in our schools, we recommend that your child stay home if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the guidelines from the New York State Department of Health. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.

As we head into the final week before Winter Recess, there will be plenty of holiday-themed activities, classroom parties and fun dress-up days across the district. We’re so grateful to our students, staff and families for making this time of year memorable.

-Dr. Kris Felicello

Superintendent of Schools

Congratulations to Nadia Horowitz and Sarina Neset from North Rockland High School for being accepted into the 2024 All-State NYSSMA Festival and performing this past weekend in Rochester, NY! Nadia was a part of the Wind Ensemble, while Sarina took the stage in the Mixed Chorus. Their exceptional talent and dedication were on full display as they represented North Rockland with pride.

Thiells Elementary's Carol Club spread joy and warm holiday vibes by serenading everyone in the drop-off line with festive tunes! Their sweet voices and cheerful songs brought smiles to students, parents, and staff alike—what a fun way to start the day!

Congratulations to Our Exceptional FLEP Students at Haverstraw Elementary School! We’re thrilled to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the nine HES students who have reached the highest level of English proficiency! Their dedication, perseverance and growth are truly inspiring.

The North Rockland Central School District uses multiple communication channels to ensure families are informed about weather-related school closings, delays and early dismissals. Here's how you can stay up-to-date:

1. ConnectEd Mass Notifications

• Weather-related updates are sent directly to parents' and guardians' email accounts and cell phones via text message.
• To receive text alerts, parents/guardians must sign up for SMS notifications here or download the NRCSD app by searching for North Rockland CSD in the App Store.

2. NRCSD Website

• Weather alerts are posted in the special alert bar on the homepage of northrockland.org.

3. Local Media

• Announcements about closings and delays are shared on local media outlets, including:
  • WRCR (1700 AM)
  • WHUD (100.7 FM)
  • News 12 Hudson Valley

4. Social Media

• Stay informed through the district’s social media pages:
  • Facebook: @NRCSDistrict
  • Instagram: @NorthRocklandCSD

For the most reliable updates, use multiple sources to verify information, especially in cases of power outages. Emergency preparedness agencies recommend having a battery-powered radio on hand to stay informed if other communication channels are unavailable.

Please note: The district strives to make weather-related announcements by 5:30 a.m. whenever possible.

Stay safe and prepared this winter season!

A new, outdoor learning structure has been installed at Thiells Elementary School, offering students a vibrant and safe space for outdoor play and social interaction. While it may be a bit too cold for play just yet, we know that when the weather warms up, students will be thrilled to explore and enjoy the new space! These enhancements contribute to creating a more welcoming and functional environment for learning and recreation. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance our district’s facilities!

Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) and Statewide Full-Day Prekindergarten are special early childhood programs established by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and contracted by School Districts to provide an early learning experience for the children of eligible families. Eligible families are those who live in the North Rockland Central School District and have children who will be four years old by December 1, 2025. UPK and Statewide Full-Day Pre-K are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year. There is a qualified teacher and teaching assistant in every class. Universal Pre Kindergarten students attend for five (5) half days for 2½ hours each day; the children in Statewide Full-Day Prekindergarten attend five (5) days a week for 5 hours each day for 180 days per school year, at no cost to you. Apply for NRCSD's Pre-K program HERE!

Last week, NRHS bowling had their first match against Suffern and Clarkstown. NR Red beat Suffern 7-0. The NR girls defeated Clarkstown 7-0. Although NR White, fell short CJ Robinson and Aiden Vazquez both shot 242. Check out specific stats for NR Red and NR Girls and photos HERE!

The Red Raiders varsity boys basketball started the season strong with a 52-40 win over Pearl River in their home opener! From buzzer to buzzer, they brought the energy and left it all on the court. Check out more pictures HERE!

North Rockland High School wrestling had their first tournament over the weekend at Horace Greeley. They went 2-2 finishing 5th out of the 12 teams entered. Senior wrestler Amari Payton was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler after an incredibly successful day. Check out the video HERE!

After taking the win at their first home game of the season, varsity girls basketball coach Kevin Metcalf got his 200th win as the NRHS varsity girls basketball coach! We are so #RaiderProud of him! Check out the post and more pictures HERE!

This week, freshman and sophomore girls and boys winter track competed in their first meet of the season at RCC! Check out specific stats and more pictures HERE!

Redemption tastes sweeter when it’s earned! After last year’s quarterfinal loss to Ossining in the Section One Duals, our wrestlers showed grit, determination, and unwavering perseverance to come out on top this time. With a 41-33 victory, the team proved that hard work and heart can turn any setback into a comeback. Check out specific stats HERE!

Big Red Raider congratulations to the smart, dedicated and incredible woman who keeps North Rockland Athletics running like clockwork, Ms. Sheila Sydnor! Ms. Sydnor has been awarded the prestigious New York State Athletic Administrators Association "Judith A. Martens Secretarial Award of Excellence"! This honor is given to a secretary of an athletic administrator who has made remarkable contributions to local athletics for at least five years and Ms. Sydnor has been an invaluable asset to North Rockland Athletics. Her tireless dedication ensures everything runs smoothly: from coordinating buses and booking referees to managing schedules and tackling every challenge that comes her way. Athletic Director Mike Castaldo said, "Sheila’s contributions and the work she consistently does are so valuable to our athletic program, she wears so many hats! She truly is the backbone of the North Rockland Athletic Department and this recognition is so well-deserved and overdue!"

We are beyond grateful for everything you do, Ms. Sydnor. Your hard work never goes unnoticed, and we can’t wait to celebrate you as you accept your award at the 2025 ceremony!

Check out varsity boys basketball Raider Rundown where they discuss their upcoming season!

🏐Check out girls volleyball accolades HERE!

⚽Check out boys soccer accolades HERE!

Save the date: Saturday, February 1, 2025

Elks Lodge #877

6:00 PM

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open. See the directions and information for completing the FAFSA below. If you need any assistance, contact Tonianne DeSimone in the College and Career Center at 845-942-3523 or tdesimone@northrockland.org.

Directions for setting up a studentaid.gov account

Directions for completing the FAFSA