Community Check-In

A new year is right around the corner!

Today kicks off North Rockland’s winter break. There is no school Monday, December 26, 2022 - January 2, 2023. Schools will reopen Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

As we close out 2022 and look forward to the promise of a new year - a time for reflections and celebrations before new beginnings - I want to take the opportunity to express my gratitude for all the hard work students and staff have put into not only this week, but the entire first half of the school year.

With the start of a new year I would like to remind students that their personal goals often go hand-in-hand with effective academic progress. Connecting educational goals with the rest of your new year resolutions is crucial to goal setting. This break is a time to slow down and maintain that school - life balance. Stay positive and motivated and you'll see a great end result.

One way our high school students can make forward progress in their future goals is through the NRCSD Academic Academies offered at the high school to grades 10-12. You will find a video linked at the end of this message about the unique college and internship experiences offered by each Academy.

Seeing local fire departments, charities, organizations and our PTA’s come together to make celebrating holidays in and out of the classrooms meaningful, memorable and magical, our educators craft curriculum to be an exciting way to spread cheer, make memories and explore different cultures' important lessons about kindness, gratefulness and selflessness and our students work together to give back to so many – I am inspired by and deeply appreciative of the entire school community's commitment to ensuring that our students thrive.

Upon our return from break, more initiatives and activities will be launched with more support to ensure our students have everything they need to finish the school year the same way it started - strong.

On behalf of the North Rockland Board of Education and Administration, we wish everyone a wonderful season of celebration, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Las Posadas, Happy Kwanzaa and a Peaceful and Joyous New Year.

I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Did you know that only 50% of family dinners are eaten together? The holiday season sparks a time for families to gather and share a meal. The conversations had and memories made around the dinner table are truly some of the most cherished moments.

NRCSD has partnered with The Family Resource Center, NRHS G.O. and Deli Central 9W to provide local families with hot meals. $25 feeds a family of four! One thing we can always rely on in North Rockland is one another. Thank you in advance for your support and happy holidays!

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. Gently used or new shoes can be dropped off to our schools collection boxes like the on pictured below at Thiells Elementary. We are up to over 900 pairs already and will continue the collection after break.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Thanks to the entire community, our NR Athletics store was a huge success last year and our store is back just in time for the holiday season!

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 and Happy Holidays from NR Athletics!

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

"Dodger is another one of Hi Tor's big boys with a heart and personality to match. He is a young 3 and a half year old who came to us as a stray back in May. He loves all of our other dogs and gets along well with people. He is a handsome brown hound with big youthful eyes. Once you meet him, Dodger will steal your heart and then your couch. If you are interested in adopting him please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

"Cookie is a gorgeous 7 year old white and black cat. She was brought to us just over a year ago

when her owners were moving and couldn't take her with them. She was very nervous when

she first came to us but has since opened up. She loves butt scratches and treats. She is

however a one cat household. She doesn't want to share her human with anyone else. She also

gets very offended when you take pictures of her fat belly but it's easy to smooth things over

with a good petting. If you are interested in adopting please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."