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Community Check-In
North Rockland Central School District - April 19
Hello North Rockland Families:
Today begins the NRCSD Spring Recess #2 (April 22 - April 24). Instruction will be resuming on Thursday, April 25.
To make the most of a short week (Thursday-Friday) when we return to school, interactive learning experiences are planned for every grade level such as the āNo Empty Chairā teen driving safety education and enforcement campaign for NRHS students in partnership with our SROs and state and local police.
Having SROs in our buildings, adding differentiated instruction, adopting adaptive learning technologies and expanding individualized opportunities has yielded great results. In NR Schools we have pioneered several programs in the last five years that have now put us in a position to begin to assess and expand. New ventures will be a key theme of the 2024-25 school year.
The North Rockland Central School District Board of Education approved a $284 million spending plan on Tuesday, April 16. The 2024-25 budget adds extracurricular activities, student supports and maintains all staff while enhancing current programs and implementing new ones.
The District has developed a long-term plan to strategically allocate those resources to sustain programming and initiatives that effectively meet students' increasing needs in areas like mental health, wellness, special services, Dual-Language and ENL ā all while providing an enriching learning environment that promotes academic and personal growth.
North Rockland is also increasing services such as tutoring, mentoring and career counseling to support students academically and in planning for the future. Investing in technology and infrastructure as well as integrating technology into classrooms will improve teaching and learning, facilitate digital literacy, promote authentic, relevant and rigorous educational experiences, meet the needs of all learners and adhere to community expectations for fiscal responsibility.
The District will be making several capital improvements to our buildings in the upcoming months including heating and cooling installations, door replacements, paving and a revamp of our Auditoriums. Seeking alternative funding sources, such as grants, community partnerships and state and federal aid has supplemented the District's budget growth and allowed us to keep the tax levy at 0% for the 5th consecutive year! We are excited about the benefits these projects will bring to our school community at NO additional cost to taxpayers. It is also important to remember that NR receives 80% state aid for capital improvement projects.
Our students are incredible young people who are growing, learning and finding at where their passion lies. This budget fully supports our students with the intent of providing young families a community in which they can successfully raise their children and a school district we can all be proud to call home! On May 21 the community can vote for the 2024-25 school budget and Board of Education candidates seeking election. We encourage you to have your voice heard!
End of the year recognitions and celebrations have started. Traditional events like the NRHS Honor Society Induction and new ones like Music Celebration Night or Purple Up have been scheduled now through June. Please check your school buildingās calendar and our social media channels for the most updated information.
We look forward to making memories and finishing the school year with Raider Pride!
Kris Felicello
Superintendent of Schools
FES Kindness Challenge Makes an Impact
Budget
2024-2025 School Year
Effectively meeting the needs of all learners is the premise on which the Board of Education developed the proposed 2024-25 budget maintaining an academic program that will support success, staff development, communication, community collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Through a multi-year plan and strategic budgeting, North Rockland has comprised a fiscally responsible budget that utilizes every available revenue source.
View the April 16, 2024 Budget Presentation Linked Here.
Upcoming Budget Presentation Dates
May 7, 2024 (BOE Meeting) Public Hearing/Final Budget
May 21, 2024 Budget Vote
Recognizing Red Raiders
Isabella Matias is our Red Raider Recognition!
The NRHS senior will be leaving behind a lasting legacy for generations of Red Raiders to come. For her recent Girl Scout Gold Award service project, she collaborated with NR Schools to create and introduce the ā4-H 4 Kids Clubā to WGEās after-school program. 4āH is a national program that empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Student members complete hands-on projects in areas like Foods and Nutrition, Arts & Crafts, STEM and Community Service as well as work on leadership skills and creativity.
Throughout the school year, Matias has been working closely with the group on developing programming that will ensure the club continues long after she has graduated. Before getting the NR 4-H up and running our NRHS Youth Police Academy and NR NJROTC member researched, planned and took training in launch and development. Isabella shared she has enjoyed every minute of the program with the help of the coordinator of 4-H/Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland of Rockland County, Mrs. Ruggiero and WGES Home Economics Educator Mrs. Rutigliano-Koval. For her hard work, school community contribution and the difference she has made for upper elementary schoolers, we are NR Proud to share that she is our #RedRaiderRecognition! Send A Shoutout Here.
Music Celebration
NRCSDās First-Ever Music Celebration Night Hits the High Note!
North Rockland Central School District's State Champion Marching Band and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) participants were invited, along with their families, to a special Music Celebration Night to recognize their achievements, NR Together.
At the reception hosted inside the NRHS Library Media Center, NR Leadership, Board of Education Members and music educators toasted our elementary through high school level students. The musicians recognized were selected by NYSSMA for Junior, Intermediate and Senior All-County and Area All-State, as well as our State-Champion Marching Band. Each honoree was called up by name and asked to take a well-deserved bow.
āThis is the first year we are doing this for our studentsā Superintendent Dr. Kris Felicello explained to the 200+ guests in attendance. āWe really wanted all our students and their families to know how much we value you and what you do.ā Full Story/More Photos.
Points of Pride
Reading - Belkys Benison Nominated for Teacher Global Award
NR Proud to share that WGES Special Education Reading Interventionist Belkys Benison has been nominated for Teacher of the Year in the Science of Reading segment.
The annual award given by Nessy in partnership with Dyslexia Trust searches for educators worldwide who provide the most effective and inclusive instruction for their students. This prestigious nomination is given to teachers who go above and beyond to educate others about the Science of Reading (Structured Literacy approach) in their local community or a wider and more global capacity (i.e. social media, blogs, groups, etc).
Benison has been a special education teacher for 25 years in the North Rockland Central School District. Currently, she is the district's reading interventionist for special education students. She has also served as an evaluator, a co-teacher and a self-contained teacher.
Of the nomination, Belkys shared "My advocacy for students' rights to receive evidence-based foundational reading instruction does not require recognition. It is my passion and personal and professional mission and I do it because I believe that is the right thing to do."
She is now in the running to be one of the two winners of the Teacher of the Year Awards which will be announced later this year. Join us in congratulating her here!
Join Our Cause
In support of military children North Rockland Purples Up!
Many of us in NR know of the sacrifice and resilience of military children. In honor of those in our community, we ask all our staff and students to wear shades purple to school on Tuesday, April 30 - NRCSD's official PURPLE UP Day - to raise awareness and demonstrate support. The day encompasses all service branches, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard and Veterans. We go purple as it symbolizes combining each branch's colors into one: the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard all use shades of blue, the Army uses green and the Marines use red. Shirts are available (cash only) through the school building's main offices. All proceeds raised go towards Honor Flights for Veterans taking place May 18.
To our community members who want to join our mission, please tag us in your photos and use #NRPurpleUp2024!
Sponsored by: NRCSD Honor Flight Committee
District Highlights
April is Occupational Therapy Month š
NR is celebrating the occasion with passion, purpose and possibility. There are over 230,000 Occupational Therapists nationwide and somehow North Rockland has the best! OTs in schools play a crucial role in enhancing studentsā academic, physical, social and emotional well-being. They help children participate in all facets of school, whether it be academically or interacting with their friends. By addressing barriers to learning and promoting independence, they help students reach their full potential. Their dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment ensures that every Red Raider has the opportunity to thrive. Help Us Thank Our OTs!
Trip to the Trades š§
The NR College and Career Center took interested High Schoolers to the Hudson Valley Construction Career Day at Rockland Community College for the next installment of our Spring Workshops. The trip was a great opportunity for students to learn about various construction careers from plumbing to masonry and everything in between. While visiting information booths they met professionals from the field, inquired about apprenticeships and participated in hands-on activities to explore what skills different jobs entail. Thereās so much opportunity in the trades industry and we're excited for learners to tap into the resources available to get them started. Full Story/More Photos.
#FieldTripFriday - Service and Sky š«
Continuing NRCSDās Spring Workshops, NJROTC cadets took a trip to the 3,500-acre McGuire Air Force Base (MAFB) in rural Burlington County, New Jersey for their Student Engagement/Career Day. Throughout the day cadets learned of MFABās history and purpose, sharing it was interesting to learn itās only joint base in the U.S. Air Force and the Air Mobility Command that has three AMC-gained flying wings from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Regular Air Force. McGuire's mission is to support the transportation of equipment, passengers, cargo, mail and troops as well as provide aerial refueling worldwide. Full Story/More Photos.
Collaboration Creates Community š¤²
The Elementary Science Curriculum Council visited the revamped planetarium at NRHS. Under the leadership of Caroline Gizzi, Program Administrator of Science at Rockland BOCES Professional Development Center, the group is made up of elementary teachers from districts in the county, Nanuet, Nyack, South Orangetown, Pearl River and of course, North Rockland. During these site visits, the group travels to different schools to share resources, collaborate on the curriculum, discuss new and exciting technologies and more! Full Story/More Photos.
uNReal Brings Home a New Record š¦¾
The NRHS uNReal Robotics Team made their first-ever playoff appearance this month! The team headed down to a competition at The Armory in New York City for a multiday competition. The team started in the top 20 early on and eventually crept up into eight place, which is a career-high for the team. They were also captains for their playoff appearance for Alliance 8. We are so incredibly proud of this team and the strides they continue to make! Full Story/More Photos.
Learn a New Tool Each Month
From The Nurses Office š
Immunizations Information
Important reminder for the 2024/2025 school year. It is never too early to think ahead about what your child will need for the following school year, including immunizations.
The North Rockland Central School District maintains strict compliance with New York State Immunization laws. New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164 requires that schools will not permit a child to attend school unless the parent provides the school with a certificate of immunization or proof from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant that the child is in the process of receiving the required immunizations. More information can be found linked here.
NR Athletics
Raiders of the Week
RED RAIDER OF THE WEEK š¾
Angelo Amoros is our RED RAIDER OF THE WEEK!!! Angelo is a senior student-athlete in North Rockland High Schoolās ACCESS-NR Program. This is his second year competing on North Rocklandās Unified Bowling Team and he truly exemplifies what it means to be a Raider! He comes to the bowling lanes with great spirit and energy, demonstrating great team leadership and inspiring his team in the team huddles with his very enthusiastic āNR cheerā. Angeloās enthusiastic nature and positive spirit have a great impact on the team, coaches, and fans. He is also a member of the āBEST BUDDIES ā program at NRHS and participates in Special Olympics and Challenger Baseball. Angelo is always excited to compete for the Raiders! He represents the Raiders with great enthusiasm and Raider Pride! Let's make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Angelo!!
LADY RAIDER OF THE WEEK š¾
Molly is a junior on the North Rockland High School varsity girls golf team.During her match against Nyack, Craffey shot an impressive 40. Molly has been on the team since her freshman year and has been a valuable asset to the team. Just last year she won the Rockland County Championship which led the team to an overall second place. When sheās not dominating on the course, sheās an A-student who is balancing her focus on both school and golf. Her coach said, āSheās a great athlete, leader, and teammate. She has a positive, infectious energy that has a great impact on the team.ā Letās make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Molly!!
Raider Rankings
- Baseball: 4-0
- Boys Lacrosse: 6-2
- Girls Lacrosse: 3-4
- Softball: 7-0
Upcoming Home Games
Varsity:
Monday, April 2
Baseball vs. Suffern
11:00 AM
Tuesday, April 23
Boys Golf vs. Albertus Magnus
3:15 PM at Rotella
Flag Football vs. Mount Vernon
4:30 PM at TOH Turf
Wednesday, April 24
Girls Lacrosse vs. Byram Hills
4:30 PM
Thursday, April 25
Boys Golf vs. Suffern
3:15 PM at Rotella
Unified Basketball vs. Pearl River
4:30 PM
Saturday, April 27
Wounded Warrior at Warwick High School
11:00 AM
Baseball Senior Night vs. Suffern
7:00 PM at Clover Stadium (Boulders)
JV:
Tuesday, April 23
Softball vs. Arlington
4:30 PM at TOH Turf
Wednesday, April 24
Baseball vs. Suffern
4:30 PM
Thursday, April 25
Boys Tennis vs. Clarkstown North
4:30 PM
Friday, April 26
Softball vs. Clarkstown South
4:30 PM
Freshman:
Thursday. April 25
Baseball vs. Nanuet
4:30 PM at SP Little League
Friday, April 26
Baseball vs. Clarkstown South
4:15 PM at SP Little League
Modified:
Friday, April 26
NR Red Baseball vs. Felix Festa Gold
4:30 PM at Fieldstone
NR White Softball vs. Felix Festa Blue
4:30 PM at Willow Grove
Spring Coaches Corner
Community Opportunity
2024 NR Family Charity and Law Enforcement Sports Day
Come join us for the 2024 Family Charity and Law Enforcement Sports Day on April 27 at 10 AM. This yearās Sports Day will be held at the Town of Haverstraw Recreation Facility. Click these links to get involved as sponsor or volunteer. We canāt wait to have you at this FREE and INCREDIBLE event. See you there!