Community Update

January 27, 2023

Hello North Rockland Families:

As we close out January and head into the second month of 2023, let's reflect on how much we accomplished in the last four weeks.

Winter concerts, national and league titles, placing in state-wide competitions, college and career workshops, record turnout at the spelling bees, local hands-on field trips and district-wide Kindergarten Orientation are just some of the wonderful accomplishments and experiences we had over the course of just this week.

I am constantly amazed by the efforts and talents put forth by NRCSD learners. Their accolades are a direct result of what can happen when students not only put in the work, but feel a sense of acceptance, respect, inclusion and support in a conducive learning environment.

Many of our students will be together on their academic journey from lower elementary school through high school graduation. When they feel a sense of belonging in their classroom, it can have beneficial and motivational outcomes. One way our educators help create this feeling of belonging is by building connections between classroom, community and home.

In North Rockland our mission is to engage every learner and ensure they reach their full potential. While attending and meeting our new prospective kindergarteners during orientation, I was reminded that the relationships we develop with your child and with your family help us to know your student better as a whole so that we can customize learning pathways to fit their needs and support their success.

Over the next few months there will be many more traditional and non traditional family involved events and activities for our school community to actively engage as partners in the learning process. We want you to feel you are part of our North Rockland family.

From leadership to faculty and staff, we all have a relentless passion to ensure that all students have an exceptional education and appreciate every opportunity to build on the District’s strong foundation NR Together.

I’m looking forward to what February will bring!

For the Board of Education and Administration, developing a budget that is both educationally sound and fiscally responsible is an important and comprehensive process. The 2023-24 budget continues our mission of providing a safe, caring, and positive learning environment in which all students can achieve their maximum potential and acquire the skills, attitudes, and abilities needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. It is the District's goal to provide our students with an exemplary experience while controlling taxes for our community. We understand the fiscal challenges that living in Rockland County pose.

As always, our budget fully supports the curriculum, instruction, and professional development that addresses the needs of all learners. Our budget also includes the expanded use of certain “green technologies” and facility improvements to enhance our learning and working environments while achieving real cost savings. View the Budget Presentation linked here.

The word of the day is.. success!

Can you use it in a sentence?.. "The Red Raiders had tremendous success onstage at North Rockland's Spelling Bees!"

This year marked the return of one of our favorite NR traditions, the District's in-person Spelling Bees, with a HUGE turnout in 2023!

Over the last two weeks of resumed competition at HES, Farley and Willow Grove Elementary, grades 4,5 and 6, learners have been fiercely facing challenging rounds of spelling and vocabulary questions with special spectators in attendance. Other supporters were able to cheer on the spellers from their classrooms “Watch Parties” complete with treats and popcorn as the event was also live-streamed to the entire student body.

The last competitor standing took home the trophy, the title, and the glory of being crowned the best speller in each school. The top finishing students from each grade level also will move on to the NRCSD Championship Spelling Bee.

Congratulations to our WINNERS and thank you to our hosts for all the work you put into to making this happen!

Use the links below to have your own watch party NR Together!

FES Bee - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xFrahf7T7o

HES Bee - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LDSS1pl6o0

WGES Bee - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBnSNukSObA

More photos

Check back for the lower elementary and Fieldstone Spelling bees!

NR in partnership with the NRTA is collecting soup in all our elementary schools for the community. Drop off boxes are located in the front of the school.

SPE is also collecting gently used books for their upcoming book swap.

Friday Facts from Red Raiders turned entrepreneurs: Your community is your foundation for success!

North Rockland has been inviting back our successful alumn to hold workshops for our students as part of a Districtwide initiative to inspire and remind every learner that - they can do anything. No dream is too big.

Recently three NRHS graduates and founders of the popular fashion brand “New York is a Nationality” (NYIAN) returned to the planetarium to share their experience since taking a risk, and making it BIG. The clothing company spoke to students about entrepreneurship and business through NRCSD’s Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) with Rockland Community College - where NRHS students receive extra academic, leadership and counseling support.

RCC Project Manager, Kathy Nguy, helped us schedule the monumental event with our former students turned fashion moguls about opportunities beyond high school.

The brand (who has a pop up shop at the Palisades Center this month) is taking not only New York by storm, but the entire fashion industry, become a staple in celebrity and influencers wardrobes. Turns out that being from North Rockland, roughly 30 minutes from NYC – the gateway for opportunity in America – is pretty iconic. Read more.

No matter where you go, you’ll always have a pizza NR in ya!

West Haverstraw Elementary first graders got an opportunity to learn how pizza is made. Throughout the week, different classes took a trip to Calabria Pizza in Garnerville, where Marco and Franco aka “The Mozzarella Brothers” gave a behind the counter guide on how pizza gets from dough to table. The students each got their own piece of dough and practiced alongside the professionals as the pizza was made. Shortly after, the classes got to dig into a fresh slice. Upon returning back to school with smiles and full stomachs, the students practiced “pizza pie math” and reflected on everything they learned! More photos.

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

2022-23 School Start, End and Bell Times ⏰

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

NRCSD's 23-24 Universal Pre-K (UPK) Program and the Full Day Pre-K program is now open for registration!

**Applications will be accepted now - March 1

The program begins in September for children who will be four years old by December 1, 2022, and live in district. Children in UPK attend five (5) half days for 2½ hours each day; 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. Parents have a choice of several center locations throughout the county. Please note that transportation is not provided and there are limited slots. Application Link

The North Rockland Central School District is happy to report that it was awarded a 2022-2023 Universal Prekindergarten Expansion grant for new full-day and half-day to full-day placements for four-year-old students. This allows the district to convert 60 current half-day UPK students to full-day at no cost to parents starting on February 1, 2023! The grant also allows us to add an additional ten full-day students who can start on February 1st, 2023.

We know that this will make a substantial difference for our families. We contacted UPK service providers to see how many had the space and required staffing to convert half-day to full-day students. The Jan & Niles Davies Learning Center, Benim Academy of Haverstraw, and St. Gregory Barbarigo can accommodate additional students. The district is reaching out to parents of half-day students in these centers to see if they are interested in being added to a lottery that will be pulled on the morning of January 27, 2023.

The district is currently applying for additional grants that increase the number of UPK students served by our UPK service providers. We look forward to the day when ALL of our students have the opportunity to attend UPK!

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.

Chromebook Care

Getting a Parent Portal account

• The November Issue has updated information on K-6 Report Card procedures and information about obtaining professional development.

Click here for the Flocabulary One-Pager!

• Want to see tutorials, make an appointment with a technology coach, and see available tech courses Click Here!

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.

NR Athletics brought home three new titles to add to our hallway of fame this week!

The NR Varsity Cheerleading team took home the 2023 National title from Dallas Texas.

& The NR Varsity Girls AND Boys Winter Track Team both took home the 2023 League Championship for the the District.

It takes a tremendous amount of practice, determination and teamwork to finish an athletic season on top. We are so incredibly proud of our athletes! Let's make some RED AND WHITE noise in the comments section!

Saturday’s Coaches Vs. Cancer was a slam dunk!

This past Saturday, NR Varsity Basketball hosted seven other teams for Lower Hudson Basketball Coaches Association’s annual Coaches Vs. Cancer Showcase. Through fundraising and education initiatives, the Coaches vs. Cancer program has supported the American Cancer Society in its efforts to save lives from cancer in the US and worldwide.

The Red Raiders had the last game of the day, defeating Arlington 51-36. North Rockland’s Connor Wein was named the Most Outstanding Player. He ended up with 18 points, weaving through the defense and hitting some off balance fadeaways.

Thank you to everyone in attendance and all the teams who participated! Special shoutout to Mr. Pena, who showcased his incredible arm strength by launching t-shirts into the crowd in between quarters. More photos.

Red and White News

Athletics Update - Spring Sports

1. NRHS Spring sports will start March 13, 2023
2. Fieldstone Spring Sports will start March 20, 2023

NR Athletic Online Registration for Spring sports will open on February 13, 2023.

Our unique online store offers athletic apparel totally dedicated to NR athletics with a share of the sale proceeds going to our dept.

Thank you all again for support of NR Athletics!

https://north-rockland-athletics-powered-by-fleet-fundraising.myshopify.com/

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

Follow us on Twitter @NRockathletics

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.

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!!!

"Vulcan has been with us since april. He was found outside by the police and brought here.

Vulcan was very scared and apprehensive towards us but soon became comfortable. He is

estimated to be 3 years old and is FIV+. Vulcan loves head scratches and if you try to stop, he

quickly grabs your hand and pulls it towards his face. If you are interested in adopting please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

"Life was surrendered to us in May. He is a beautiful white pittie who has the most angelic face. He is a senior who loves his walks and his people. He deserves to be in a home where he can share his smile and love of "Life." If you are interested in adopting him please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

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.

SCHOOL MENUS

Elementary Lunch Menu

Upper Elementary Lunch Menu

Fieldstone Middle School Lunch Menu

North Rockland High School Lunch Menu

School Breakfast and Lunch Remains FREE in NR!

***Each child is entitled to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch meal per day in NR. No sign up is required.

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.

- For additional meals students are encouraged to use My School Bucks.

School Meal Sign Up! 🍽️

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.