It was a full week of excellence and excitement in North Rockland.

With fun and competitive nights such as the Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game, a Taylor Swift-themed SEL Family workshop, physically active lessons for March Forward RC and NR Athletic’s first Unified Bowling match of the season.

Congratulations go out to the Top 5% of the Class of 2023! It is an incredible accomplishment to achieve this honor. I hope each one of you knows how proud your teachers, coaches, parents, families, principals, administrators and the Board of Education are of you.

As the warmer weather rolls into North Rockland several important initiatives are blooming that aim to enhance the learning experience, foster community involvement and spark an interest in nature.

Spring is a time for growth and renewal, making it the perfect season for hands-on outdoor learning experiences that take advantage of our district wide outdoor learning pavilions as well as the wondrous natural world around us. Students began open-air activities this week including school and community clean-ups like the Green Team’s annual event at Farley Elementary, planting seedlings to be transferred to community gardens, nature walks, botany studies and identifying the first tell-tale, budding signs of springtime.

Community and school clean-up efforts let kids at all grade levels make a tangible impact on their surroundings while instilling values of earthly stewardship and community pride. Contributing to a healthier, cleaner, local environment shows students the importance of being respectful of the living world, emphasizes responsibility and allows ownership of their school and neighborhoods. Working NR Together to keep the grounds or places they know and love clean and thriving develops an even stronger connection to their hometown and deepens their understanding of science and ecology. Incorporating spring learning lessons into the curriculum is a tradition in North Rockland Schools.

Unique and tailored Special Education programs play a vital role in ensuring that ALL students have access to a high-quality education. In North Rockland, we are committed to inclusivity, opportunity, skill-building, confidence-building and the end goal of employment based on interests. You will find a video on the ACCESS-NR program for secondary students below that not only provides real-life school-to-work possibilities but also support for lifelong success.

When we return Monday, NR will be partnering with the County of Rockland once again to celebrate National Civics Education Week. Guest speakers, mock elections and community service projects will be at the forefront of lessons that celebrate student voice and the importance of civic participation, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of democracy.

This month is prime time for engaging lessons in NRCSD! The best is yet to come.

Kris Felicello

Superintendent of Schools

Please consider using the template linked here to let Governor Hochul know how important it is to North Rockland that the "hold harmless" legislation is protected in the NYS 2024-25 budget. The Governor removed "hold harmless" language in her 2024-25 budget proposal. This language prevents districts from receiving a reduction in the amount of Foundation Aid they receive on a yearly basis.

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. 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.

***North Rockland has announced a 0% Tax Levy increase for the 5th year in a row! With this unprecedented decision by the Board of Education to control taxes NR becomes the first District in NYS to forgo a tax levy increase for half of a decade!***

View March 5, 2024 Budget Presentation Linked Here.

Upcoming Budget Presentation Dates

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 High Schooler Vincent has made getting outside this spring season easier for North Rockland residents. For his recent Eagle Scout service project, Verzi created a stunning graveled scenic sitting area for patrons to enjoy, complete with a picnic table, bench, a large raised planter bed and a historical sign commemorating the history of the Tomkins Cove Library building. The location is a tranquil outdoor space where everyone from children to adults can sit and read, relax, get back to nature and learn. Already library goers have been raving about the added amenity to a hometown favorite place. Vinny was honored for his dedication last month during the Eagle Court of Honor at the Haverstraw Elks Lodge 877. For his thoughtfulness, hard work, community-centered attitude and the difference he has made, we are NR Proud to share that he is our #RedRaiderRecognition! Send A Shoutout Here.

North Rockland Central School District is proud to present "Chicago: Teen Edition" on March 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16. All shows start at 7pm.

Tickets can be purchased online at nrhsdrama.booktix.com or at the door. Adult tickets are $15. Tickets for students and senior citizens (65+) are $12.

Thursday, March 14, will be our annual student 2-for-1 night.

This week a crowd of proud students, staff and families gathered to celebrate the achievements of The Honor Roll, Principals Roll and The Top 5%. Principal Lauren DaPonte spoke to the students about their perseverance and how honored she was to be their principal. Both DaPonte and Superintendent Felicello told the students to cherish their time in NR but to also look to the future and all the opportunities that will present themselves.

1. With an overall grade of 102.4 the Class of 2024 Valedictorian is Hannah Linhart.
2. With an overall grade of 101.3 the Class of 2024 Salutatorian is Kristen Stuart.

Full Story/More Photos.

To wrap up an amazing Black History Month, Haverstraw Elementary held its first-ever wax museum. The students who participated were able to choose the person they wanted to showcase and their significance in our society. Full Story.

The event at Farley Elementary was hosted by School Social Workers Ms. Lopez, Ms Williams and FRC Ms. Ureña and was creatively designed with SEL skills at the core of each activity. To kick off the night, students were encouraged to write one thing they love about themselves and one thing they love about a friend on a star before they entered the auditorium. Once inside, different activities were set up for the students and their families, like the fan-favorite friendship bracelet stations. Full Story/More Photos.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That is a question students at Haverstraw Elementary were able to explore during Career Day. Educators Mrs. Anfang, Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Jessie worked together to bring in a wide array of special guests who spoke to the students about their professional journeys. Some of the guests are current Red Raiders like Superintendent Felicello who shared his path from teacher to Superintendent. Full Story/More Photos.

NRHS Class of 2024 held their annual Student vs. Faculty game this week and every single second was action-packed! Officiated by Coach Hanlon, the game lasted well over the hour allotted time, but no one seemed to notice based on how positively chaotic the annex gym was. From dunks, to suspect calls, to passing steals, to constant substitutions our Raider Faculty and Raiders were showing no mercy on the court and the crowd was going wild. The students came out victorious right down to the wire and couldn't contain their excitement over their big win. I'm sure this game will be talked about for weeks to come. Full Story/More Photos.

This month NRCSD is participating in the annual celebration of visual arts with art shows, special exhibits and school and community art education activities for grades K–12. One of the amazing local arts organizations NR has partnered with for creative workshops and student socialization activities is the Rockland Center for the Arts (RoCA). NR Remote Academy students’ colorful artwork was exhibited at RoCA as part of the 2024 Students and Members Exhibition. Full Story/More Photos.

The Amazing Shake Competition at Haverstraw Elementary kicked off a record-breaking first round with incredible 310 students participating. The annual event is a dynamic and exciting competition that rallies leaders and role models in a school’s community together to teach students professional and interpersonal skills while practicing how to be professional. In the first round, there were four stations, each having a different scenario for the students to respond to. Full Story/More Photos.

Social Workers are an integral part of the school ecosystem. They take on many roles while providing counseling services to students individually and in groups, do classroom push-in lessons, advocate for students' social and emotional well-being, support families, facilitate after-school clubs and host student engagement events, among many other things. This week Farley’s Social Workers Ms. Sheila Lopez and Ms. Brianna Williams hosted a group of students to create calming glitter jars and spearheaded the Green Team's recycling and cleanup of the school grounds. Full Story/More Photos.

Across NR schools today our students participated in physically active lessons that got them on their feet while improving learning. NRCSD PE and Health Coordinator/Assistant Athletic Director Mike Castaldo stopped by lower elementary schools like Thiells Elementary to surprise students with fun hallway challenges, in addition to their “brain break” move-of-the-hour announcements, check out their killer moves and talk about the importance of being active.

In PE and classrooms this March kids will be engaging in new exercises, playing games and even tackling obstacle courses – all designed to focus on making athleticism a fun part of their daily routine. It’s going to be a lively month celebrating wellness and working on our fitness NR Together! More Photos.

Sebastian Martinez is our #REDRAIDEROFTHEWEEK!!! Sebastian is a freshman at North Rockland High School on the freshman basketball team. During the season number 21 was known to clutch defensively in every game. For the Freshman Semi-final game against Tappan Zee, he showed his defensive skills in the final minutes by icing the game with his defense and hustle leading them to the finals. He is also known to be a great student in the classroom. His coach said, “Sebastian is a tenacious athlete and a very respectful person. He is eager to give 100% effort and do the things that make the team better.” Let’s make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Sebastian!

Giannie Manon is our #LADYRAIDEROFTHEWEEK!!! GiGi is a sophomore on the JV girls basketball team at North Rockland High School. Number 3 is known to be a force on the court without any fear. She takes hard shots, plays defensively, and is always working to get better every single day. She is a hardworking student who makes sure she stays on top of her studies during the season. Her coach said, “GiGi is one of the hardest-working players I have ever coached in any sport over the past 28 years of coaching.” Let’s make some REDANDWHITENOISE for GiGi!

Spring Sports Tryouts start Monday, March 11th

Make sure you are cleared to tryout by checking the portal

https://northrockland.powermediallc.org

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.