Community Update

November 18, 2022

Hello North Rockland Families:

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week. As we prepare for the holiday, please be reminded of the North Rockland Central School District calendar: early dismissal on Wednesday, November 23, with no school on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 25.

I want to congratulate our talented North Rockland High School Drama Society, our musicians, stage crew members and production team who produced a witty, heartfelt and mysterious performance of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None during the past two weeks. The distinctive talents of our students left the community raving about our NRHS adaptation of the famous murder mystery. Bravo!

Among the many unique lessons, activities and initiatives taking place throughout NRCSD this month, I want to make a special mention of the good work of our Fieldstone Middle School family. Seventh and eighth grade STEM students successfully built and launched model rockets this month, while Fieldstone’s modified football team closed out their season with an amazing record 5 and 1!

In the video linked below, you will get to know North Rockland’s new afterschool programs at the middle school level. Cornhole, Fishing and Drone clubs are the latest additions for our students to enjoy, made possible by the hard work and dedication of our teachers, administrators and Board of Education.

In North Rockland, we recognize that middle school is a key time for social, emotional and academic development. It’s a life stage in which “tweens” are more clearly defining their identities and unique personal interests, while building the foundation for future success in high school and beyond. All of our district's extracurricular clubs and organizations support positive outcomes for students’ academic performance and emotional development - we are NR Strong and NR Together.

With colder weather in the forecast, I'd like to remind our school community how NRCSD communicates weather-related announcements, including closings, delays and early dismissals.

Once the decision is made to change the school district’s regular operating schedule, that information is shared in several ways:

ConnectEd Mass Notifications:

Closing information will be sent directly to a parents/guardian’s email account and cell phone via text message. In order to receive a text message, parents/guardians must sign up for SMS text message alerts linked here or download our free app.

NRCSD Website:

Weather notices are posted to the northrockland.org homepage in the special alert bar.

Local Media:

Closing and delay notifications will be carried on local media outlets and websites including WRCR (1700 AM), WHUD (100.7 FM) and News 12 Hudson Valley.

It is best to rely on more than one source of information when it comes to weather-related announcements. This is particularly true in situations that may involve power outages. Emergency preparedness agencies have advised that residents have access to a battery-powered radio so that they can receive information if other communication channels are unavailable. As always, the district will make every attempt to announce weather-related closings or delays by 5:30 a.m.

As of today, we have started planning for holiday activities and celebrations. Next month will be the first December since 2019 that our Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa festivities will operate in full-force. To make certain these events are safe, healthy and spectacular, please remember that proper handwashing is the number one way to keep germs from spreading. Masks and face coverings in our schools are optional, and we continue to respect the decisions by students and staff on whether they choose to wear masks or not. More information on NRCSD holiday events is forthcoming - stay tuned!

The Town of Haverstraw Police Department is alerting the NRCSD community to a telephone scam reported this week in our school district. In the scam, a parent, guardian or close family member receives a call from a fictitious/spoofed phone number. The male caller then states their child (student) has been or will be kidnapped and demands money, typically $7,000. The caller states that the child will be returned upon receipt of the money. In some cases, the suspect uses a young child’s voice to say, “help me.” If you receive this type of call, please contact police immediately with details.

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.

A rocket won’t fly unless someone lights the fuse.

Begin the ignition sequence! 3.. 2.. 1..

Aiming for the stars is how 7th graders in Matt Powers and Mark Miliscis’ classes at Fieldstone Middle School spent their week. The campuses softball fields became students official site to launch the aerodynamic rockets they’ve been constructing together in teams NR Strong!

The project was designed to capture learners interests as they closely examined their handcrafted model rocket's three flight phases: powered flight, coasting flight and recovery. Completing a full aviation cycle tests out the aircraft's design, construction, launching and operation.

After setting the launch angle and factoring in the wind, students predicted where their rockets would land. For 10 bonus points on their grade and well.. the glory — team members tried to catch the projectiles as their properly deployed parachutes slowed their fall back to earth. Looks like we've got both future engineers and pro catchers in our mix.

Thanks goes out to our STEM educators for developing such high-level and interesting projects for students to develop their skills as they take part.

Fun fact: The birds-eye film in this video was captured by our students and teachers utilizing the District’s instruction drone!

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. We'll be sharing more details regarding our upcoming "shoe drive" from October 28 thru December 21 soon so stay tuned and save your gently used or new shoes!

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

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

Redesign and Changes

Through NR's Elementary Report Card Committee the district has overhauled how report cards are structured.

Key shifts beginning in 2022-23:

• We are now reporting three times a year - trimesters.
• We are reporting on behaviors that support student learning.
• Simplified language for a better universal understanding.

Specific changes by level:

• Numeric Key for Kindergarten

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.

As parents and educators, it is important to take the time to talk to our children about personal body safety. New York State passed the Erin Merryn Law, which requires all school districts to implement lessons that teach children about personal body safety. The purpose of this law is to protect children if approached by known or unknown individuals who intend to harm them.

Starting this school year, K-6 social workers will teach two lessons using the, “Play it Safe!” curriculum. These lessons ensure our K-6 students learn vital skills that will keep them safe. Students will learn the 3-part safety rule: Saying No!, Getting Away from Danger as Soon as They Can, and Telling a Trusted Adult.

Students in Grade 7-8 will participate in two grade-appropriate lessons in their health education classes. These lessons will teach them strategies to stay safe. If you want to learn more about Erin’s Law, please click here. Erin's Law Parent Notice.

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.

***Each child is entitled to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch meal per day. For additional meals students are encouraged to use My School Bucks.

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.

November Newsletter

• Earlier this month we sent out information about Flocabulary which is available to buildings. Flocabulary has something for all classes.

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!

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/

Important Information

As Winter sports are set to begin:

NRHS Nov 14, 2022 - Started!

FMS (mod) Nov 28, 2022

Reminder- that NRCSD will offer late sports buses!

Sports late buses start edMonday Nov 14 at NRHS 5pm departure from the annex parking lot.

Starting Nov 28, they will also start stopping at Fieldstone and Willow Grove at 5:10pm..

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.

2022-23 Winter Sports Start Dates

November 14, 2022: High School Winter Sports Start

November 28, 2022: Modified Teams Start

2023 Spring Sports Start Dates

March 13, 2023: High School Spring Sports Start

March 20, 2023: Modified Teams Start

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!!!

"Sweet Pea is a lovely 2 year old cat. She was found wandering around an apartment complex in

December of 2021. Since she was friendly she was brought to us so we could find her a furrever

home. Sweet Pea loves to climb around and explore. She also loves to be pet down her back

and have her neck scratched. If you are interested in adopting please fill out an application on our website Hitor.org."

"Jack is a handsome young man who came to us as a stray in June. He is a beautiful chocolate brown with eyes to match. He is energetic, loves to play and would be a great companion for long walks. His ears, one up and one down, add to his overall cuteness. Jack is a character who would add fur and love to any family. 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.

The Academy of Law and Society along with the NRHS Girls' Basketball team is hosting a three-on-three tournament open to FMS and NRHS students and faculty on Saturday, November 12th from 9AM - 1PM.

Additionally, Erin Miller, the Chief Transformation Officer of the Center for Safety and Change will be in attendance with a table for educational purposes as they are our service outreach partners. Register here.

SCHOOL MENUS

Elementary Lunch Menu

Upper Elementary Lunch Menu

Fieldstone Middle School Lunch Menu

North Rockland High School Lunch Menu

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.