Community Update
September 27, 2024
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Hello North Rockland Families,
As we move into a new season, I want to take this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We continue to work closely with our local law enforcement partners, who have been incredibly supportive and responsive to the needs of our school community. Our collaboration with the Haverstraw and Stony Point police departments ensures we remain vigilant and proactive in creating a secure environment for everyone.
Led by Deputy Superintendent Anthony Zollo, NRCSD's Threat Assessment Team plays a crucial role in evaluating potential threats to our schools. This team, comprised of district and building administrators and local police officials, collaborates to determine whether any perceived threats are credible or transient (non-credible). Our approach is thorough and measured - ensuring that communications with families and the community are shared once law enforcement deems appropriate.
With so much uncertainty in our world, please take a few moments this weekend to remind your child about the safe use of all social media platforms and reinforce the “see something, say something” approach. Remember, we take all reports seriously, including false claims, which can undermine our efforts and create unnecessary panic.
To bolster our efforts, the district is taking additional steps to enhance campus security. We are in ongoing discussions regarding the increased presence of School Resource Officers (SROs) and our security team has been strengthened. This includes two additional Allied Security officers who will patrol our district at night, further enhancing our safety measures. Safety remains at the forefront of our mission and together, we can create a supportive community where our students can focus on what matters most: their education.
On a much different note, please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 5. NRCSD faculty and staff will join North Rockland residents and local elected officials for the ribbon-cutting at the spectacular Casarella Field at Cordisco Stadium at North Rockland High School. This new field is more than an enhancement to our campus; it represents a significant investment in our student’s future, providing them with enhanced resources and opportunities for growth. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in making this happen and we look forward to celebrating this milestone together at 1:45 p.m. on October 5.
Additionally, please remember that schools will be closed on Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4 in observance of Rosh Hashanah. We wish all of our families observing Rosh Hashanah a meaningful and joyous holiday.
Thank you for your continued support and trust as we work together to maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff.
-Dr. Kris Felicello
Superintendent of Schools
#PointsOfPride - Transportation
A huge shoutout to our incredible Transportation Department and Haverstraw Transit for going above and beyond during the ongoing construction! Your dedication and hard work ensure our students get where they need to be safely and smoothly every day. We appreciate you!
Red Raiders Set Sail
All Aboard! This week the NRCSD partnered with the Town of Haverstraw to give our Red Raiders a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Two classes from each of our three upper elementary schools experienced the thrill of sailing on the Schooner Pioneer, a vessel that dates back to 1885. This immersive learning experience allows students to connect with history firsthand, deepening their understanding of maritime life, trade and the industrial era. Along the way, they also developed essential skills like teamwork and problem-solving, bringing history to life in a truly memorable way.
Maybie Visits Willow Grove Elementary
Paws and Applause: Maybie Visits Willow Grove
Willow Grove Elementary School recently welcomed a furry visitor—Maybie, Fieldstone Middle School’s beloved facility dog! Soon to be a familiar face when students move up next year, Maybie stopped by to meet her future friends. Unlike therapy dogs, she’s trained to serve in group settings with individuals who need assistance, so schools are her specialty! Maybie can open doors, fetch items and even sense when a student needs comfort. After learning about her impressive skills, students enjoyed petting this local celebrity, leaving everyone smiling!
Around the District
STEM Cup Stacking
Our kindergarteners are getting hands-on with STEM through a fun and challenging cup stacking activity—without touching the cups! Young learners used rubber bands and pipe cleaners to grip the cups using critical skills like teamwork, problem-solving and creative thinking to accomplish the task at hand.
Engineering in Action
Our middle schoolers are off to an incredible start in STEM! In their first challenge of the school year, seventh-graders were tasked with building a free-standing tower using only two pieces of paper and twelve inches of tape. The twist? Their building needed to reach a minimum height of 24 inches! This was no challenge to our young learners, though, with some student's creations reaching an astronomical height of up to 56 inches!
Microscope Magic
Our Fieldstone Middle School scientists got up close and personal with the microscopic world this week, using high-powered microscopes to differentiate between organic and inorganic matter in varying objects from the world currently around them.
Athletics
Gabby Cabrera
Gabby Cabrera, a senior and captain of the girls' varsity soccer team, has had a standout season. She’s worked tirelessly to lead her team to victories against formidable opponents such as New Rochelle, Ossining and White Plains. Gabby was instrumental in their 2-0 win over New Rochelle, scoring both goals. She also scored a goal against Ossining and secured the game-tying goal against White Plains. Gabby is proud to announce that she has accepted an offer to continue her soccer career at Central Connecticut State University next fall. Her coach praised her leadership, saying, "Gabby takes on a significant role in helping younger players, demonstrating leadership and teamwork that inspires her teammates."
Phenix Miller
Phenix is an eighth-grader at Fieldstone Middle School who plays on the modified boys' soccer team. Returning as a goalie, he was also named Raider of the Week last year for his integral role throughout the season. This summer, during tryouts, Phenix went above and beyond to help new players, even though he was sidelined with an injury for a few days. Despite being unable to participate, he attended practices to explain drills to those who needed assistance and was a great support to Coaches Metcalf and Dwyer. His coaches praised him, saying, "Phenix is the definition of unselfish. He demonstrated this during tryouts by assisting his teammates and coaches with drills and offering encouragement. I’m proud to have someone like Phenix as a part of the modified boys' soccer program."
Raider Rundown
Check out this season's Raider Rundowns! Raider Rundowns, formerly known as Coaches Corner, provides an inside look at each of our Varsity sports teams from the coach's eyes.
This week, athletics featured varsity girls cross country, boys soccer and boys volleyball. Tune in to learn more about our varsity team's goals, advice and more!
Girls Swim is Undefeated!
Varsity girls swim has been doing great this season with a current record of 5-0! They were up against Ossining at the NRHS pool this week and worked incredibly hard in the water to secure the win. Read more HERE!
Weekend Wins
Our Red Raiders were busy last weekend making us proud to be a Raider! Check out the varsity boys volleyball, girls volleyball, boys soccer and field hockey teams' individual accomplishments HERE!
Celebrating International Sign Languages Day
Ava DeBacco is Lohud Player of the Week
We're super proud of senior field hockey player Ava Debacco who won Lohud's Field Hockey Player of the Week! Read about the post on the NR Field Hockey Instagram HERE!
Varsity Rankings as of 9/26
🏈 Football: 1-1
🏑 Field Hockey: 2-5
⚽ Boys Soccer: 5-1-1
⚽ Girls Soccer: 3-2-2
🏊 Girls Swimming: 5-0
🏐 Boys Volleyball: 6-1
🏐 Girls Volleyball: 4-3
Athletic Events
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Casarella Field at Ralph Cordisco Stadium
We warmly welcome alumni, community members, and fans to the grand opening of Casarella Field at Ralph Cordisco Stadium on Saturday, October 5. The ceremony begins at 1:45 PM, followed by the North Rockland football game against Carmel at 3:00 PM. Come be a part of history and cheer on the Red Raiders! If you are a student-athlete state champion alumni, please click here to fill out the form.
Honoring Coach Lauren Bunyan Gould: Memorial Plaque Dedication Ceremony
On Friday, October 18 the NR community will come together to honor Coach Lauren Bunyan Gould with a special Memorial Plaque Dedication Ceremony. The event will be held at the entrance to Casarella Field at Cordisco Stadium at 3:15 pm, where we invite friends, family, former athletes and the North Rockland HS Cheerleaders to gather to pay tribute to a coach who made a lasting impact on the lives of many.