One Mount Vernon Digital Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Greetings MVCSD Community,
Read Across America was celebrated this entire week throughout the district. Reading is an essential part of learning, as it builds the foundation to think critically and creatively, creating lifelong learners. This initiative supports the District’s priority areas for our scholars’ education in reading, writing and arithmetic (RAW). At Benjamin Turner Academy and Mount Vernon Honor Academy, scholars were treated to author read-a-louds and visits. Some of the authors who came are local Mount Vernon and Yonkers natives. Having members within our community share their talents and love for reading with our students is inspirational to their success and dreams.
Congratulations to STEAM Academy Mock Trial Team, who competed and won in their first round of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Mock Trial Tournament! This after school program allows students to gain valuable experience in the field while meeting with legal professionals. In their first year, the team is doing exceptionally well, and I look forward to seeing them continue on their path of achievement.
Career and Technical Education recently kicked off their automotive after school program for Denzel Washington School of the Arts, Rebecca Turner Academy and STEAM Academy students. In their most recent session, Instructor Michael Malocsay taught students how to change a tire, teaching our scholars valuable lessons in car mechanics and safety. Expanding our Ford Automotive Career Exploration program to each high school creates opportunities for all scholars to explore career options while still in high school and to gain more insight on their professional development and desires.
This week’s Senior Spotlight is Franyeli Fabian Rojas of Mount Vernon High School. Franyeli is a phenomenal student in and outside the classroom. She has earned numerous academic achievement awards and is consistently on the High Honor Roll for her exceptional grades. In addition to this, she has strived as vice president of the school’s National Honor Society and in our Smart Scholars Program. Outside of her academics, she is a player of the varsity softball team and a member of the Etymology club. I wish her all the best during the remainder of senior year and in all her future adventures!
Kindest Regards,
Dr. K. Veronica Smith
Acting Superintendent of Schools
MVCSD PRE-K LOTTERY OPEN FROM MARCH 3 TO JUNE 27
The Mount Vernon City School District has opened its pre-K3 and pre-K4 lotteries from March 3 to June 27, 2025. Lottery winners will be announced July 10 at 11:00 am via Facebook Live.
AUTHORS VISIT BENJAMIN TURNER FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA
On Monday, March 3, 2025, the Benjamin Turner Academy invited guest authors for “Read Across America,” an event to promote literacy in children. Students at BTA excitedly lined up in the middle of the gymnasium to speak affirmations such as “I am smart” and “I am talented” into a microphone held by a young author.
MOUNT VERNON HONOR ACADEMY CELEBRATES READ ACROSS AMERICA WITH AUTHOR VISIT
Hands raised enthusiastically by second, third and fourth graders at Mount Vernon Honor Academy on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when asked “What are your goals?”, sharing their admirations with visiting author Jackie Agossa in honor of Read Across America.
STEAM MOCK TRIAL TEAM WINS FIRST ROUND OF TOURNAMENT
The Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Mock Trial Team competed in the first round of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Mock Trial Tournament. The scholars at STEAM are competing against students from high schools throughout Westchester County. On Thursday, February 27, students faced off against the Briarcliff High School Mock Trial Team.
STUDENTS FROM DWSA, STEAM AND RTA ENJOY FORD AUTOMOTIVE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Instructor Michael Malocsay led a group of students from Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, Rebecca Turner Academy and Denzel Washington School of the Arts through an engaging lesson on the right and safest way to change a tire during the Ford Automotive Afterschool Program this week.
MVHS SENIOR DISPLAYS HIGH ACHIEVEMENT IN IB COURSES AND SPORTS
Franyeli Fabian Rojas is an exemplary Mount Vernon High School senior whose focus towards her academics, extracurriculars and sports has created her into an all-star student. As a student of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, Franyeli has spent countless hours committed to being the best student she can be.