Community Check-In

Today kicks off Memorial Day weekend in North Rockland!

This year the North Rockland Central School District’s Memorial Day break has been extended. The District used only one (1) of the three (3) emergency days that were built into the 2022-2023 school calendar. Please note the following schedule:

• Thursday, May 25 - half day for students.

• Friday, May 26 - schools closed (give back emergency day)

• Monday, May 29 - schools closed in observance of Memorial Day

• Tuesday, May 30 - schools closed (give back emergency day)

Schools will reopen on Wednesday, May 31. This long weekend is the final downtime before the final four weeks of the 2022-23 school year! Any parent, educator or student knows that the last month of school is like a marathon. An exciting marathon your child has been training all year to take part in. June is a whirlwind of awards ceremonies, events, celebrations, trips, final projects and graduations, it feels like the holiday season in terms of busyness.

Here are some of my best tips for making the most of the end of the school year!

1. Reflect on your year together! It’s a team effort to successfully complete a full year of education. This goes for parents, caregivers, students and parents. Look at the goals you have hit and what you’ve accomplished.

2. Take in these moments! If you can, try to unplug and be fully present in each of these activities. For some of you, it will be the last stop on your educational journey with North Rockland. Make it count!

3. Cleaning, catching up and all things mental health. Start organizing and taking care of yourself now! As you begin to bring home or return your school supplies make a list to check off each completed task. This will not only help you get organized to take on the summer, but to kick of the 2023-24 school year as well!

I hope you found one of these tips helpful as you wrap up your year. Thank you to our entire school community, wonderful teachers and all our faculty and staff as we embark on yet another epic end of the academic year in North Rockland.

While we enjoy the long weekend, warm weather, break from routine and time with loved ones, let us also take the opportunity to not only remember, but express our gratitude to all those who have served and sacrificed for our country. That includes our own family members, friends, neighbors and ancestors. Full Memorial Day letter linked here.

See you back on May 31!

North Rockland’s Academy of Art is a program of study for students in grades 11-12 who wish to broaden their knowledge and stimulate their passion for Art in a more defined and engaging way, seeking to connect what they learn in school to that which they learn outside of school. The Academy of Art will help students investigate various artistic career paths, broaden their knowledge of the arts, bolster their college profile, as well as learning how to access local community artistic groups to foster lifelong love and learning of the arts.

The North Rockland High School Academy of Art is looking for partnering companies and organizations to provide summer and after-school employment or internship opportunities for North Rockland students. The students have excellent academic and interpersonal skills that could benefit any employer. For additional information, please contact Karen Baumann at kbaumann@northrockland.org.

NRCSD is excited to announce that Edcamp Rockland (the unconference) will be held on June 3, 2023 at Fieldstone Middle School from 9:30 am - 1 pm. This year's theme is "Educators are ONE-IN A-MELON!" All interested Rockland educators and beyond are invited to attend the free day of collaborative shared educational experiences for K-12 teachers led by teachers.

• Edcamp is a FREE, participant-driven, shared educational experience open to all interested educators.
• Food and beverages will be provided and there'll be lots of swag and amazing sponsored prizes.

Join us on Saturday, June 3rd for an exciting, shared learning experience!

To register for Edcamp Rockland visit our Eventbrite page.

The district is opening a limited number of enrollment spots for Camp Adventure, a district summer enrichment program. This program is for current 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. The camp will run weekdays from July 10-28 from 9AM-3PM at Fieldstone Middle School. Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided.

If you would like your child to be considered for the program, please make sure:

• Your child is in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade.
  
• Has not already been selected for the program.
  
• Is not enrolled in any other summer program.

The survey will close on Wednesday, May 31. You will be notified of enrollment status through the email used to complete this survey by Wednesday, June 7. Survey link.

North Rockland students have hand written 121 letters of gratitude, which were flown down and distributed to Veterans this past weekend on their Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Since the launch of our Honor Flight Run, Skip, Walkathon, students across the district have completed almost 300 laps to raise fund for heroes NR Strong!

Please join us in supporting our local Veterans NR Together by making a donation through the link below, or nominating a Vet, by Thursday, May 25, 2023! The donation will be presented to the Honor Flight Organization that day at the Memorial Day Celebration at Farley Elementary School. TIA!
🔗 Link to donate

We remember freedom isn't free.

Each year, in honor of this day, Farley Elementary School hosts an annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Students, staff, local veterans, soldiers and officers, the Stony Point Police Department and the Wayne Hose Company #1 Stony Point Fire Dept gathered to raise the nation's flag and pay tribute to our fallen troops together. More photos.

Today NRHS hosted all incoming eighth graders for their “First Unofficial Day as a Freshmen.” The class of 2027 took a trip from Fieldstone Middle School to take a guided tour of their future school! Our soon to be high schoolers walked to hallways of the 100s - 700s, auditorium, cafeterias, courtyard, gymnasiums, planetarium, shops, locker rooms and pool. There was truly so much to see. On the guided rotation students got to meet with the many clubs and activities offered via “Clubs and Activities Fair” run by current members and ambassadors. Before they board busses back to FMS every learner got to sit down for an “Incoming Grade 9 Presentations” led by their future principals. The lesson of the day is NRHS is a place where we - MAKE IT HAPPEN! More photos.

Four local high school students will have their new plays read on May 30 by professional actors as part of the Stephen H. Grant Student Playwrights Festival conducted by Penguin Rep Theatre and the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble.

Among the students feted is our very own NRHS student Emersen Armida! Her play will be read by professional actors in front of a live audience. In addition to the readings, her playwright will be awarded a certificate acknowledging her artistic accomplishment, a monetary stipend and a copy of the how-to book Playwriting for Dummies written by Penguin Literary Manager, Angelo Parra. In addition, each of the students’ high schools will receive a copy of this resource for the school library.

The event takes place on Tuesday, May 30, at 7 PM at Penguin Rep Theatre, 7 Crickettown Road, Stony Point and includes light refreshments and a Q&A session with Emerson! Admission is free but reservations are required (845-786-2873).

Various colleges and universities will be visiting North Rockland High School to provide information sessions for students. These sessions will be great opportunities to connect with admissions representatives and learn about program offerings. Scan the QR codes on the flyer to register to attend the sessions. Flyer link.

New York State Testing

The New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science Tests will be administered to students over the next several months. These tests are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide classroom instruction. Below you will find testing date information:

Upcoming Dates:

1. Grade 8 Science: May 31st - June 1st & June 5th

Please read the full letter on testing from Dr. Felicello linked here.

Javon Lawerence is our #REDRAIDEROFTHEWEEK! Javon is a tenth grader who's smashing records and making a name for himself on the North Rockland Track Team. This season he broke a 26 year long record for the 100 meter dash with a light speed time of 10.81 seconds. The Red Raider is not only quick, he is very dedicated to the team and encourages everyone to try their best. His coach shared that "Lawerence has got so much talent and potential to grow. I can't wait to see what he does during his junior and seniors years, especially on NR's new eight lane track." It is for all these reasons that he is our Red Raider to watch this week. Let’s make some #REDANDWHITE noise for Javon!

Richara Taiit is #LADYRAIDEROFTHEWEEK! The senior has been a key player for the Unified Basketball Team this season. "She is averaging six points, three assists and two steals per game!" her Coach Charles Nardone shared of up and coming Red Raider. "She brings great energy to the games and we will miss her when she graduates!" Richara wearing a "Be Positive" shirt for her spotlight photo is very fitting, as she always looks on the bright side and cares for her peers. She is also a multi-sport athlete as she also bowls for the Unified Bowling Team where she is well known for her signature pose. We are so proud of her for all she has accomplished. It is for all these reasons that she is our Red Raider to watch this week. Let's make some #REDANDWHITE noise for Richara!

North Rockland alumni Aleya Corretjer, who had six points with two goals and four assists, beat West Chester to two loose balls and caused West Chester to turn the ball over twice, were among five Setters named to the All-Tournament squad.

Corretjer, who was named co-Journal News/lohud Rockland girls lacrosse player of the year in 2018 with then-North Rockland teammate Elizabeth Fox, who went on to play for Division I James Madison, was recruited to Pace by former coach Michael Spinner. But Molfetta replaced Spinner before the high school all-American, who's now a grad student, got to Pace.

The change never made her waiver on her choice. Corretjer, who said she considers herself lucky to have played for Molfetta and Alamprese, was recruited by multiple D-I schools but liked Pace's close location and the team atmosphere, which she described as "like family."

Full article.

Athletics Update

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

NORTH ROCKLAND ATHLETICS

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS (MODIFIED GRADES 7-8)

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS- GRADES 9-12

JULY 21, 2023 ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS FOR FALL SPORTS

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 of NR Athletics!

https://north-rockland-athletics-powered-by-fleet-fundraising.myshopify.com/

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

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.

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!!!

Meet Kya

Kya is less than 2 years old, she’s an absolute LOVEBUG! She needs a minute to warm up to people but has lived with children and did great with another dog! She would benefit from a home that has Husky experience and definitely would love a brother to play with daily. Kya, as most huskies, do have a higher prey drive, so she would not do well with cats or any type of livestock or small critters. She’s sweet, fun, loving and loves long walks. If you are interested in adopting Kya, please go to www.hitor.org to fill out an adoption application.

Meet Mary Ellen!

Mary Ellen is as cute as can be! She is about 14 years old, so she definitely is an old soul. If you’re looking for a cuddle bug that follows you everywhere, Mary Ellen is your girl! She loves to hang around your neck and get all the love and scratches you could possibly give her! She is a cat that will be your best friend for life. If you are interested in adopting her, please go to www.hitor.org to fill out an application.