Superintendent's Update

January 2025

Dear Rye Neck Families,

On the evening of December 18th, right before break, I announced at our Board of Education meeting that I would be retiring at the end of this school year. In my verbal remarks I expressed that Rye Neck has been my home for three decades and that the deep sense of love and respect I have for this exceptional place made this decision possible only after much reflection. I have seen many moments of joy and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles over that time. There are thus parts of the announcement that I want to repeat here to take another opportunity to enumerate why we all love Rye Neck.

Looking back to when I started here in 1995 there were no computers in any classrooms, newsletters were made of paper, and parents had to watch the bottom of the TV to see if there was a snow day. Life was simpler before Columbine, 9/11, and COVID, and of course Whole Language, the Common Core and social media. But throughout the challenges we faced as a district and community, the one constant that has ensured Rye Neck’s success is the cooperative, familial spirit that defines us as a whole and is manifested in its people.

During my time here as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, I have been inspired by our incredible students who have kept me both young at heart and confident in our future; our dedicated faculty and staff, who have given me pride in our work and a collegial sense of purpose; our wonderful families, who have provided support and a true sense of community that overcomes the boundaries of our two municipalities. Members of that close-knit community step up every year and all year in the form of Board service, and I’m grateful for the partnership I have enjoyed from our committed and dedicated trustees, past and present.

I feel that I could spend the next six months struggling to convey adequate thanks to our extended Rye Neck family for giving me that 30-year home. I may not always be the most talkative or animated person (see: any of my COVID rules videos), but I want everyone to know how deeply grateful I feel to have been part of this special community.

I was warned beforehand that I would be asked “now what are you going to do?” My quote in the announcement blast was “I’m eager to try new challenges and otherwise embrace the excitement of each day’s uncertainty” because I have not made definitive plans. However, after 30 years of the same commute (seven right turns, three lefts), parking four cars (the current one has almost 230,000 miles on it) into only six different staff parking spots, I am ready for some exciting uncertainty. Until then, I will continue to work for our students.

You have my highest regards,

Dr. Eric Lutinski

Superintendent of Schools

Cell Phones

To help inform our ongoing conversation about cell phones in school, we have surveyed our middle and high school staff about “to ban or not to ban”. This month, we will also be providing surveys to our high school students and parents at all grade levels.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 7th at 6:00 PM in the MS/HS PAC for a Digital Wellness and Safety presentation by Katie Greer, former Director of Internet Safety for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Ms. Greer will spend the day visiting each of our schools for student presentations prior to the evening time slot for parents.

Parent Square

We announced earlier this fall that Rye Neck Schools is switching its communications system to ParentSquare. Through this unified platform, you will be able to:

Receive all District, school and classroom communications via email, text, or app
Easily sign up to volunteer and/or bring items to classroom events
Communicate with teachers and staff safely in your preferred language
And so much more as we slowly roll this out over the next few months

On Wednesday, January 8th, you will receive an email inviting you to join us on ParentSquare. Mary Lanza, our Director of Technology and Communications, will also send out brief information emails about using key features and personalizing your settings. Watch this Introductory Video to learn more.

Jimmy Carter

Since this Thursday, January 9th, had been declared a National Day of Mourning for President Carter I was asked if schools would be closed. School will be open on that day because it is a “holiday” only for Federal agencies. US Flag Code indicates a 30-day period of US flags at half-staff for US presidents, so our outdoor flags at Rye Neck will be at half-staff until January 30th to honor President Carter.

Ida Assistance

This week, on January 9th and 11th, volunteers from the Village of Mamaroneck’s Affordable Housing Task Force and the Mamaroneck Coalition for Affordable Housing are offering help in applying for the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal homeowner grant program for Hurricane Ida repairs and reimbursement. Please see this Grant Application Flyer for information about who qualifies, what kind of documentation you may need, and what type of assistance is available.

Student Spotlight

In each monthly message, we spotlight high school students who are doing interesting things in or out of school. Based on the relationships our staff members forge with their students and their knowledge of what’s going on in their lives, our teachers suggest students for consideration. Mary Lanza, our Director of Technology and Communications, then interviews the students to “get their story.” Here are the students for January. To read about the students, click on the name below their picture.

OLEXANDR POPOVYCH

JEDD AMOS

Staff Spotlight

We also like to highlight teachers and other staff members each month. Each shares personal reflections on how they got into education, memories from their time as students, and their favorite activities outside of school. To read about a staff member, click on the name below their picture.