MSHS Tuesday Newsday

Dear NS Families,

Happy Tuesday and sorry this is a bit late getting out today. Thank you for your patience as we worked through an area-wide safety issue. The students, although some inconvenienced, were able to be flexible and we worked through until the "all clear" later this morning.

We had a very well attended Friday night grades 6-8 Halloween Dance and thank you to our PTO and Student Forum for all their work in organizing and for the HS students who volunteered their time in various ways. It was greatly appreciated.

Check our Athletics section below as several of our Fall teams are entering the Sectionals and we want to wish them all the best! Go Tigers!

Halloween is this Thursday and I wanted to ensure my expectations were communicated clearly to families with regard to costumes. Please be reminded that all costumes should be appropriate for school. Students should take into account:

• Consider the costume size and shape and if it is culturally appropriate.
• All costumes are to be appropriate for school and should not be offensive in design or intent.
• Costumes cannot mock or resemble another student, faculty member, or religious preference.
  
• Costumes cannot feature inappropriate themes or characters or reference drugs/alcohol etc.
  
• Costumes cannot include masks, face paint that impedes the identification of a student as well as no weapons, plastic or otherwise.
• Face/hair paint must be applied at home.
• No inflatables as they are a safety hazard.
  
  

The administration will make the final determination on all costumes.

More information regarding Parent/Teacher Conferences (12/5/24) will be coming out shortly. In the meantime, please be sure to log on to your PTC Wizard account to ensure you have your correct login information.

Have a great week,

Mr. DiGrandi

10/30 - Conversation with the Board

10/31 - 6th Grade Historical Halloween Contest

11/6 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm

11/8 - End of Marking Period 1

11/11 - Schools Closed - Veteran's Day

11/12 - PQ & MSHS Combined PTO Meeting, 9:30am, MSHS Library

11/14 - Report Cards Posted to Parent Portal

11/18 & 11/19 - Sign-ups Open for Parent/Teacher Conferences (more info to follow)

11/20 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm

11/21-11/23 - HS Drama Club Production

11/27 - Early Dismissal, 10:30am

11/28 & 11/29 - Schools Closed - Thanksgiving Recess

The Board of Education invites the North Salem community to join a Community Conversation with the Board to discuss their goals for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.

Join the discussion on Wednesday, October 30, at 7:00 PM in North Salem High School cafeteria. Childcare will be provided by National Honor Society members.

October Breakfast & Lunch Menus and our new MSHS Deli Order Form

https://pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/what-is-bullying/

https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect

Please see the attached letter for more information regarding the AP Exams and payment.

Free/Reduced Application

Guess Our Next Musical is back! Scan the QR code to enter your answers by November 1.

What show are we doing? Also, vote for the show you most WANT us to do! Watch as we use each CLUE to eliminate the options until the show is revealed on November 22. Then come see the North Salem High School Drama Club production of CLUE, on Friday, November 22 at 7pm and Saturday, November 23, at 2pm! Don’t miss the fun!

Positive Parenting

We’re all rooting for our kids to be their best selves, but it’s not going to happen all the time. So it’s easy to be frustrated when they’re not cooperating, whether it’s avoiding homework, ignoring instructions, fighting with a sibling, or goofing around at soccer practice. But calling out kids on the behavior you want to stop doesn’t work very well. What does work? Giving positive attention.

This week at childmind.org, we’re talking about the power of praise, and how giving positive attention to the behavior you want to see in your child creates more of the same. We have suggestions to make your praise more effective as well as common traps that lead parents to inadvertently reward the behavior they are trying to discourage. We discuss how to identify triggers for problem behavior, so you can change the dynamic before it develops. And since focusing on good behavior doesn’t mean eliminating consequences when kids misbehave, we have tips on how to use time-outs effectively.

— Michelle Shih, Managing Editor ChildMind.org

Senior Portraits-

Seniors and parents should have received an email from Prestige Portraits with their 8-digit code and information on how to schedule senior pictures. If you did not receive the email, please visit https://prestigeportraits.com/ and use the "Don't have your appointment code?" option. This will help you search for our school and make an appointment. *Please be aware that some dates say "Makeup Date", you should not book your initial appointment on these dates, they are reserved for makeups only.

NORTH SALEM HIGH SCHOOL, SENIORS, CLASS OF 2025

IT’S TIME TO ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN FOR GRADUATION!!

Please place your order online by Nov. 15th

1. Go to herffjones.com (Choose North Salem High School, North Salem, NY)

or scan the QR code on the attached flyer

2. Input your information & select your Grad Pack. You must purchase the minimum package- Cap , Gown and Tassel Only, which can be found under the Cap & Gown Grad Packs

3. Make your payment.

Only online orders will be accepted.

All cap and gowns packages will be delivered to the school for distribution in the Spring.

All Grad Essentials and extra memory tassels will be delivered to your home.

Parents of AP Students – AP exam payments are due by November 8th. Please click here for details.

SUNY is excited to bring back Free Application Week! Beginning Monday, October 21st, and ending Sunday, November 3rd, students can apply to up to five SUNY campuses with no application fee! This includes all campuses, no matter which application vehicle the student uses. Details are available here: www.suny.edu/apply

Upcoming NACAC Virtual College Fairs. For more info click here.

• Sunday, Nov 3

SUNY Financial Aid Sessions

Prospective students and families are invited to join SUNY for an online workshop. General financial aid sessions will provide information about the cost of attendance, the types of financial aid available and the financial aid application process. Timely walk throughs will focus on steps you can take now to prepare for FAFSA completion.

During all sessions, you will be able to send us your questions via live chat.

• Prepare for FAFSA 2025-2026 - Friday, November 1 at 12:00 PM

• Financial Aid Session - Tuesday, November 5 at 6:00 PM

• Prepare for FAFSA 2025-2026 - Friday, November 8 at 12:00 PM

• Prepare for FAFSA 2025-2026 - Friday, November 15 at 12:00 PM

• Financial Aid Session - Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00 PM

• Financial Aid Session - Tuesday, November 26 at 6:00 PM

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is New York State’s higher education student financial aid agency. HESC awards nearly $1 billion in financial aid to more than 330,000 students each year.

HESC helps New Yorkers attain their higher education through the administration of:

• New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
• 25+ State scholarship and loan forgiveness programs
• New York’s 529 College Savings Program
• Financial aid outreach programs for students and families

For additional information, please click here.

The Putnam Transition Consortium and Brewster High School are co-hosting a Resource & Transition Fair for families and students with an IEP or 504 Plan. Tuesday, November 19 at Brewster High School from 4p to 7p.

• Explore Putnam County resources for education, recreation, training and employment, advocacy and much more!
• Meet representatives from a variety of agencies and service providers.
• Join break-out sessions for detailed information on diverse topics.
• For more information contact Jessica Baumann at jbaumann@putnamils.org or 845-228-7457.

Hello MS/HS Families,

Important Nutritional Information:

Ex-FDA Food Expert Reveals Worst Cereal In America with Link to Cancer.

Please click on the YouTube link for further information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPzjspzVpLg

Social Media:

Time To Break Our "Tik" Fever-Addictive app knows US kids at risk.

As TikTok gains more acceptance among youth, there is growing concern among parents, policymakers, and clinicians about the actual impact the platform is having on the mental health of youth. Click Here for important information.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

COVID-19 tests are once again free from the federal government as the country heads into respiratory virus season with high levels of the coronavirus already circulating. Each household is eligible to receive

four at-home test kits, which can be requested from COVIDTests.gov. They’ll be shipped for free through the US Postal Service.

FLU SEASON IS HERE!

Flu season in New York State (NYS) is typically from October through May. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot by the end of October, but it's still worth getting vaccinated even if you miss that window. Protection from the flu shot peaks about a week or two after receiving the vaccine and lasts approximately five or six months.

A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from the flu! Before each flu season, the CDC determines which strains of influenza appear to be most likely to occur that year. The vaccine will significantly reduce the severity of your symptoms. Because flu viruses evolve so quickly, last year's vaccine may not protect you from this year's virus. New flu vaccines are released yearly to keep up with rapidly changing flu viruses.

Important notice from the Department of Health:

• Department of Health - Fight Flu English Version - (Spanish Version)

Helpful Information:

• Absence from School: Contact the attendance office at x 2165 or mshsattendance@northsalemschools.org to report your student's absence. Do not hesitate to contact me at x 2017 to discuss your child's illness. I'm happy to answer any questions and address our concerns.

• When to keep your child home from school: Please click here for information about when you should keep your child home from school.

• Immunization Requirements for Students in Grades 6-12: Click here for information regarding the "2024-2025 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance.

• Mandatory Physical Examinations: The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires a physical exam for new entrants and students in Grades: Pre-K, K 1,3,5,7,9, and 11. Students who wish to participate in interscholastic sports (Grades 7-12) and for working papers require an annual physical.

The NYS Health Examination form is REQUIRED for those grades or the health examination form is considered invalid. The healthcare provider's electronic version of this form is also acceptable

(please click here ).

All medical forms are available on the school website under the Health Office tab.

• Medications in School: Important and REQUIRED Health Office Forms: Provider and Parent Permission to Administer Medication at School/School Sponsored Events: REQUIRED for students who need medication in school, such as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription medicine, or inhalers (except for Epi-Pens/Auvi-Qs). Please remember to complete the parent section.

Allergy/Anaphylaxis Action Plan: REQUIRED for students who require an EPI-PENS/AUVI-Q. Please remember to complete the parent section.

Provider Attestation and Parent Permission for Independent Medication Carry and Use: REQUIRED for students considered ready and capable of self-carrying an Epi-Pen/Auvi-Q and/or Inhaler ONLY.

I know this information can be confusing. Please don't hesitate to contact me, I'm happy to answer any questions and address your concerns.

Stay well,

Rita Driscoll, R.N.BSN

MSHS School Nurse / 914-669-5414 x2017 / rdriscoll@northsalemschools.org

Athletic News for Week of October 21-

Fall 2024 SECTIONAL INFORMATION-

Cross Country Westchester CC Championships 10/26th @ Milton Results:

Congratulations to the Girls Team, they won the Class D in the 5K!!!

Marissa Ferrara-57th Place

Freyja Smith 99th Place

Emma Gautier 100th Place

Erika Saez 159th Place

Veronica Benvenuto 164th Place

Congratulations to the Boys Team, who placed 2nd in Class D in the 5K!!

Drew Karam-73rd Place

Jack Fryer- 101st Place

Skyler Smith 112th Place

Tyler Spar-181st Place

Dean Ellicott- 221st Place

Jack Roche-223rd Place
Dylan-230th Place

Girls Swimming Sectionals November 12th and 13th @ Felix Festa Middle School

Field Hockey 10/29th Quarter Finals @ Bronxville 3:00pm

Varsity Girls Soccer 10/30 Semi Finals vs. Haldane 6:30pm

Varsity Boys Soccer 10/30th Semi Finals vs. Haldane 4:30pm

Volleyball 11/2nd Quarter Finals @ Higher Seed TBA

FALL END OF SEASON AWARDS
Varsity Awards- Wednesday, November 6th

High School Gymnasium 5:30pm

*More Information to Follow

JV End of Season Thursday, November 7th

Pizza Parties 3:00-3:45

JV Boys Soccer

JV Girls Soccer

JV Volleyball

Modified End of Season, Tuesday November 12th

Ice Cream Parties 3:00-3:45

Modified Cross Country

Modified Field Hockey

Modified Boys Soccer

Modified Volleyball

WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION INFORMATION

We are excited to announce that Winter High School Sports Registration through Family ID will open on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 and will close on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024.

The link to register once registration opens is here:
Winter Sports Registration 24-25

High school sports begin on Monday, November 18th, 2024
Registration Period: 10/19th- 11/2nd

(Boys and Girls Basketball, Bowling, Indoor Track, Skiing, Wrestling, and Boys and Girls Ice Hockey)

Registration for Winter Modified School Sports Registration through Family ID will open on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 and close on Saturday, November 16th, 2024.

Modified Sports (7th and 8th Grade) begin on Monday, December 2nd, 2024
Registration Period: 11/2nd-11/16th

(Boys and Girls Basketball, Indoor Track, Boys Ice Hockey, and Wrestling)

All registration must be completed through our online platform Family ID. Late registrations will not be accepted. The registration portal will not open until the designated date of the registration period.

Please note that NYSPHSAA requires a physical exam date within one year calendar of the sports start date.

If you have any questions, please contact the athletic office at 914-669-5414 Ext. 2180

Visit the athletic calendar for more information:

Winter Schedule 24-25

North Salem Athletic Calendar: https://northsalemcentral.tandem.co/

*All practices and games are posted on the Athletic Calendar. Subscribe for notifications regarding date/time/locations.

FITNESS CENTER- OPEN!

The fitness center will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the school year from 3:00-4:00pm for students in Grades 7-12. All students are required to sign in with the teacher and remain in the Fitness Center until the end of the session. In the event that transportation is needed, there is a late bus at 3:45pm. Sneakers and athletic attire are required.

LIVE STREAMING- Live streaming is available at both the HS Gymnasium and Tiger Stadium- Turf Field Local Live Link

TIGER STADIUM- Tiger Stadium Rules

SPORTS YOU: Please subscribe to Sports You and enter your code for the sport that you have signed up for in Family ID. All HS and MS coaching staff will be communicating to our families through this platform.

Link: sportsyou.com

**The codes are the same from each school year for each level of the sport.

GO TIGERS!

Sincerely,

Denise M. Kiernan, CAA

Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics

North Salem Middle / High School is looking for full-time One-to-One Paraprofessionals for the 24-25 school year. Our 1:1 Paraprofessionals work individually with students with special needs and provide assistance (academic, social, and emotional) throughout the day in specialized classrooms.

The schedule follows the school calendar (Sept - June) and the hours are 7:15 am to 2:15 pm.

If you are interested in applying for this position or would like to know more about this rewarding work experience, please contact Dr. Kathleen Murphy, Assistant Principal by email: kmurphy@northsalemschools.org.

Register to become a PTO Member to have access to our directory, signups and store.

MSHS PTO MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT

Put on your running shoes and join us for Run of the Mills Jingle Jangle 5K, brought to you by the North Salem LIONS Club! It’s a family fun run where strollers are welcome, and festive costumes are encouraged!

When: Saturday, December 7th
Where: NS Lions Community Center
Time: 8:30 AM Check-In

What’s in Store:

• $10 Early Registration includes a cozy mug or festive T-shirt!
• Hot Chocolate and Treats waiting for you at the finish line!
• Food and Coat Drive to benefit the Local Pantry!

Let’s spread joy and community spirit together! Sign up now for a day filled with fun, laughter, and holiday cheer!

Details and Registration:
www.northsalemlions.club

Get ready to jingle all the way to the finish line!