Community Update

January 26, 2024

The second marking period officially came to an end with Regents testing this week.

As the first month of the new year draws to a close, it’s a good time to check in with your child and their teachers on their academic progress. The transition time between the second and third marking periods is an excellent time to check your child's academic progress.

We are always looking for opportunities to strengthen the home-school connection. One strategy for accomplishing this is through Parent/Family School Workshops or Informational Nights, which kicked off this month. The events are organized to be a space where children can participate in activities together, the entire family can attend and aside from just gaining valuable resources, parents have the chance to meet other parents in the same school. Cultivating school-community connections and aiding the formation of support networks is important and beneficial for both parents and children.

When educators, parents and students can connect through events such as the recent Remote Academy Curriculum and Classlink Session or Thiells Elementary Literacy Night, our school community is strengthened and students' achievements increase. The more we are actively engaged as partners in the learning process, the stronger we foster a collective commitment to excellence. When we empower our students to succeed NR Together, there is truly no stopping them.

Another way our District is supporting students is through a variety of Wellness Workshops during the school day. The assemblies, fairs, speakers or special events scheduled now through Spring, provide a safe, supportive environment to focus on well-being, address mental health, promote anti-bullying and anti-drug strategies and boost confidence building, success, growth and academic performance.

When students feel their best they do their best. The assembly series is geared towards helping learners of all ages manage challenges, reduce stigma surrounding the roadblocks they may be facing and providing essential tools, time management techniques and useful learning practices to help every student develop important life skills, good character, self awareness and a positive growth mindset.

We look forward to providing impactful resources that will help to shape the future of NRCSD students and support families. I know in working together we can help our kids become the best version of themselves and put them in a position to make all of their dreams come true!

Kris Felicello

Superintendent of Schools

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 2024-25 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 significant facility improvements to enhance our learning and working environments while achieving real cost savings.

View the January 25, 2024 Budget Presentation Linked Here.

Upcoming Budget Presentation Dates

February 6, 2024 (BOE Meeting) Budget Update

February 27, 2024 (COTW Meeting) Budget Update

March 5, 2024 Tax Levy Limit to State

March 5, 2024 (BOE Meeting) Budget Update

March 19, 2024 (COTW Meeting) Budget Update

April 9, 2024 (BOE Meeting) Budget Update/Public Input

April 16, 2024 (COTW Meeting) Adoption of Budget

May 7, 2024 (BOE Meeting) Public Hearing/Final Budget

May 21, 2024 Budget Vote

NRCSD 5th grader Faireli has been inspiring students at Farley Elementary with her positivity and perseverance all school year. Her teacher and principal shared that Lopez Lora is simply unstoppable, excels at everything she tries and always has words of support and encouragement for her peers. Over the last few months, Faireli has been sharing her story with her school and now her community to help teach others about acceptance, inclusion, bravery and tenacity. Through amplifying her voice she found her passion for education and plans to become a teacher and advocate for other kids just like her. For her drive, determination and persistence, the difference she has made and her ever-beaming smile, we are NR Proud to share that she is our #RedRaiderRecognition!

Hometown: Stony Point, NY

NRHS Graduate: 1994

Profession: NFL Lineman / DEA Agent

Time at North Rockland: Dennis shared he had a wonderful childhood growing up in North Rockland, participating in numerous community programs including; NR Soccer Association, Stony Point Little League, St. Gregory's CYO and Cub Scouts. As a North Rockland Central School District (NRCSD) student from kindergarten through high school, O'Sullivan was fortunate to be influenced by many teachers, coaches and staff. He played on Red Raider Varsity football for four years and was part of the first-ever NYS Championship Football Team for NR in 1993. Dennis also played as a junior on NR's 1992 NYS Champion Baseball Team. His accolades include All-County, All-Section, All-State - Football, All-County, All-Section - Track and Field and the 1993 New York Athletic Club Junior Heisman Winner. The lessons learned in the classrooms and playing fields of North Rockland prepared Dennis for not only the NFL but a career in service.

College Career: Dennis accepted a full football scholarship to Tulane University and went on to have a remarkable college career. He started all four years for Tulane Football, was Captain and All-Conference for the undefeated 1998 Green Wave football, 1998-1999 Tulane Male Student-Athlete of the Year and 1999 inductee of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He graduated in 1999 to go pro.

Career Now: After college Dennis went on to play in the National Football League from 1999 to 2004. He played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets as a defensive lineman and then switched to play offensive line for the Jets and the Houston Texans. He also played for the NFL Europe Amsterdam Admirals. Following his professional football career, Dennis went to work as a NYC Government Liaison for the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. After working for New York State, Dennis became Executive Director for Professional and College Development of the American Athletic Institute. He was awarded the 2010 Recipient of the USA Hockey - Science Award. He is currently working as a Supervisory Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Dennis is living proof that you can achieve your WILDEST DREAMS. Never give up and never stop believing. Keep making us proud!

To nominate a North Rockland graduate to be spotlighted please click here to fill out this form.

To kick off the new year, we invite you to roll some dice or choose a numbered prompt to explore with your family how each of you would respond with empathy.

• January Activity

District Activity Nights and Informational Sessions are a great way for families to get involved in school and community while learning together. At this month’s Remote Academy “Party with a Purpose” event, students engaged in structured social, educational and fun games while parents simultaneously attended informational workshops on the current curriculum and navigating Classlink. NR Parent Workshops create a place where the whole family is collaboratively supported in our partnership. We have a robust new lineup of events coming up now through Spring so be sure to check in with your child’s building for dates.

Platypus...Who knew being so familiar with the duck-billed mammal would come in handy. Luckily for West Haverstraw Elementary School Spelling Bee Champion Jace, knowing how to spell the peculiar word brought him the championship. West Haverstraw will be sending seven students to the district bee on February 13th. Congratulations to all who participated! More Photos

All about the HEART… Stony Point Elementary students put on a display of love, courage and sportsmanship during their spelling bee. Although in competition with the other participants, they endearingly cheered them on. In the first picture, you can see the contestant who ended up in second place jumping for joy when the champion Elijah nailed the final word. Full Story/More Photos

Thiells Elementary had roughly 20 students participate in their spelling bee. The precise number was 22. The winner Joshua was precise with his spelling, especially with the championship round word “roughly.” As you can tell by the pictures, the students had a blast. It was amazing to see the students cheer on their competition. Full Story/More Photos.

In the NRHS cafeterias, fresh Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses, romaine lettuce, veggies, fruits and bread are sliced daily for school meals. NR Schools kitchens have been upgrading their offerings in 2023-24. The Main and Annex lunchrooms now include increased choice, expanded healthy options, a salad/smoothie/parfait bar, the addition of a Boar's Head panini station and a pizza stromboli/station where everything is made to order. Full Story/More Photos.

Michael Leach is our RED RAIDER OF THE WEEK!!! Mickey is a junior on the varsity boys swimming team at North Rockland High School. Leach has been phenomenal this season. He continues to drop time in leaps and bounds this season in his two main events; the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. At the Rockland County Championships, he dropped nearly 3 seconds in each individual event and contributed to their third place win. He is also a member of our winning 200 medley relay. This season the swim team entered a new division with harder competition, but it certainly hasn’t deterred Mickey from excelling this season! Let’s make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Mickey!

Kiersten Daly is our LADY RAIDER OF THE WEEK!!!Kiki is a sophomore at North Rockland High School on the varsity girls basketball team. Kiki has been a great asset to the team and one of the leading scorers since she joined last year. In their win against Arlington, she scored 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists over the winter break. When up against St Joseph Hill from Staten Island who is ranked in the top 20 in the state she managed to score 20 points. During their game against Ossining, she contributed 26 points with 10-14 from the foul line with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Last year she was recognized as All-League. She also volunteers at the basketball clinics with the young players of the North Rockland community. Her coach said, “Kiki is a hard worker who wants to always help all of her teammates.” Let’s make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Kiki!

Boys Basketball: 11-5

Girls Basketball: 7-7

Ice Hockey: 5-7-1

Boys Swim: 2-7

Girls and Boys Track: League Champions

Wrestling: 11-6 in dual meets, Rockland County Champions for the first time since 2019

Wednesday - January 31 at 6PM

Boys Basketball vs. Clarkstown South

Friday - February 3 at 6PM

Boys Basketball vs. Spring Valley

North Rockland will utilize traditional snow days until the three that are built into our calendar are exhausted. If all snow days are used the District will consider remote days when there is inclement weather.

Chromebook Care

Getting a Parent Portal account

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!

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 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.

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

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