Castle News Jan. 2025

Dear IEYMS Community,

I hope that you enjoyed your holiday season. We are back at the Castle and are fully engaged in learning. The students came back to school and picked up their school routines. They were most excited about connecting with their friends.

We encourage students to set personal goals as they continue with their school year. Goals can be personal, social, academic, or can impact another area of their lives. We are at the end of the second marking period which ends on January 30. It is a good time for students to check in with their teachers. They can schedule a conference and ask questions like: What do I need to work on to improve my grade? How can I improve my writing? They can also ask teachers about additional learning resources that will support their understanding of content. Remember, teachers are required to have extra school help. If your child needs extra assistance, encourage them to stay after school for help.

The Lost and Found is overflowing. There are coats, hats, gloves, jackets, sweaters, and other items. As mentioned in prior communications, we do not have the capacity to hold or store these items. The Lost and Found is located in the back of the cafeteria. Students can go through the items any day during lunch. We will donate the items to a local charity organization at the close of business on Monday, January 13.

The PTA will begin fundraising to support the costs of 8th grade activities. Please consider donating non-perishable items that they can use for concession sales at upcoming basketball events. Please click the link for donation ideas. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C45A9A62DA7FC1-54292265-snack

The last day to order a personalized 2025 IEYMS yearbook is January 31, 2025.

January 28 is a half day for students. Dismissal will be at noon for all IEYMS students.

Please note the following important dates.

1/20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

1/23 -PTA Meeting Hidden in Plan Sight Presentation

1/28 - PM Superintendent's Conference Day - Half Day for Students

1/29 - Lunar New Year - NO SCHOOL

1/30 - End of Marking Period 2

1/31 - Start of Marking Period 3

1/31- Last day to order a personalized IEYMS yearbook

Dear IEYMS Families,

I hope this message finds you well. We are preparing for the exciting months ahead, culminating in the celebration of our 8th-grade moving-up ceremony! I am sharing a very important update about this year’s ceremony, which will now be held on Wednesday, June 25, at the New Rochelle High School gymnasium. The change is being made to accommodate scheduling changes for all moving up and graduation ceremonies in our school district.

As you may be aware, due to extreme weather conditions in recent years and the unpredictability of holding an outdoor ceremony, New Rochelle High School’s graduation has been moved to the Westchester County Center. The new location is a larger venue and will enable the event to be indoors. Albert Leonard Middle School will now hold its moving-up ceremony in the high school gymnasium, just as we do.

The IEYMS 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony is being scheduled one day earlier to accommodate this change. This is a change from what is on the district calendar.

Details for IEYMS 8th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Time: 8:30 am

Location: New Rochelle High School Gymnasium

Tickets: Each family will receive five tickets for the ceremony

This thoughtful shift ensures that every school has an appropriate venue that accommodates all attendees while safeguarding against unpredictable and extreme weather conditions.

We are confident this change will make the experience more comfortable, memorable, and enjoyable for everyone involved. We are grateful for your understanding and support as we continue to make decisions that prioritize the well-being of our students and their families.

As we get closer to June 25, we will share additional details, including parking information, ticket distribution, and any other relevant updates. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the main office with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your partnership as we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our 8th graders. We are so proud of them and look forward to honoring their achievements with you on this special day!

Warm regards,

Dr. Robinson, Principal IEYMS

This is a reminder that the applications for the 2025-2026 NRHS PAVE Program are officially open!

What is PAVE?

PAVE, which stands for Performing And Visual Arts Education, is a unique opportunity for you to dive deep into the world of art and performance right here at school. During the coming days, your current 8th Grade Performing and Visual Arts Teachers will be speaking to you about this High School program

Applications and Auditions:

• Click Here for the PAVE Audition Criteria

• Any interested student who is thinking about auditioning for PAVE should complete the PAVE Application by February 3, 2025.

• This will help us secure an audition time for any interested students

• Students will receive confirmation of their in school audition times the week before Mid-Winter Recess

• Visual Art Audition Materials are submitted via Google Classroom. The art portfolio materials are due on February 10, 2025.

You can also find more info on the The District Website, which features a page for PAVE and the New Rochelle HS Performing and Visual Arts Program.

Sincerely,

Mr. Lucero

A very special thank you to our Castle Ambassadors. Inclusion and acceptance are important values at IEYMS. To ensure that everyone received a special gift the day before the break, members of our Castle Ambassadors Organization delivered 1200 Goody Bags. They volunteered to stay after school to pack the bags. A special thank you to our PTA for donating Rice Krispy Treats.

Join the IEYMS PTA on January 23 for an important interactive drug education program titled Hidden in Plain Sight. The program will provide insight into current youth substance abuse trends. The presentation is a mock setup of a teenager's bedroom and items are hidden in plain sight all around the rooms. The counselor will teach you how to become more curious, observant, and involved as well as how to respond when you uncover something that is HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT. Participants must be 21 years of age to attend.

Happy New Year students, parents, and guardians! We’re thrilled our students are back, filling our halls with energy and enthusiasm. We hope your winter break was restful and inspiring because it’s time to turn academic goals into achievements.

As we dive into 2025, remember that the key to success starts with showing up - being present, prepared, and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead. Let’s make this year unforgettable by giving our best, every day. Together, we can reach new heights and set the tone for a bright future!

Parents and guardians, your partnership is vital to our students’ success. Stay connected and informed using Home Access, your hub for progress reports, report cards, and attendance updates. Staying engaged ensures we all work together to support your student’s journey to excellence.

Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, achievements, and Purple Pride! Welcome back, let’s soar to greater heights as One New Rochelle. Here’s to an amazing rest of the year ahead!

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County Offers Free Nutrition Classes for Families in Partnership with Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse

New Rochelle, NY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County is excited to announce a series of FREE NUTRITION CLASSES designed to help parents, grandparents, and guardians of resource-limited families with children aged 19 years or younger make healthier food choices and improve their overall health.

Class Highlights: Participants will learn to:

• Prevent diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other chronic illnesses
• Prepare quick and delicious meals
• Understand food labels, sugar, and fat content
• Shop smarter and save money
• Ensure food safety at home
• Enjoy physical activity

Program Details:

• Duration: 8 weeks
• Schedule: Mondays, April 7th thru June 2nd (No classes on Memorial Day, May 26th)
• Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Location: Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse, 44 Wildcliff Road, New Rochelle, NY 10805
• 
  

Participants who attend at least six sessions will receive a certificate of completion. The teacher will often have free giveaways for class attendees.

Registration: To register, please call Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse at (914) 847-9471 and leave your name and contact number or email info@hpcgreenhouse.org.

About Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse: Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse, opened in November 2023, is a sustainable and vibrant community space offering year-round programming, including horticulture classes, garden lectures, school group hosting, and activities for children with special needs. The greenhouse also hosts intergenerational events, holiday plant shows, and small community events.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability, and social well-being.

Live a Healthier Life!

For more information, visit www.hpcgreenhouse.org.