MSHS Tuesday Newsday

Dear NS Families,

Poisson d'avril. The typical French April Fools’ prank consist of discreetly attaching a paper fish to the back of your unknowing victim… But all kinds of pranks are possible on “le premier avril”, especially fake news. When the prank is revealed, we shout: “poisson d’avril”!!! Ask your middle schooler about their fish and how Mrs. Drumm integrated the day into their learning. It did take a lot of personal self-control not to join into the fun but Mrs. Ticker did not miss the opportunity and had one class believing that students' parents were coming in to "substitute teach for the next several weeks as I hurt my knee". All in good fun.

The end of Marking Period 3 is April 4th, this Friday. Please check Parent Portal and email your child's teacher or counselor with any questions about grades, missed assignments, etc.

Although Mrs. Brent has retired we still ask that you email your absences, late arrivals and early dismissals to the mshsattendance@northsalemschools.org. Also, please be sure when picking up your student early you bring your photo ID. If you are sending someone other than the student's parent to pick-up your student, make sure those individuals are listed as an emergency contact (you can update this in ParentPortal) and they bring photo ID.

Middle school parents, please take a moment to read the information below on the NY State Assessment in Math and ELA coming up in the next few weeks. Thank you.

All the best,

Mr. DiGrandi

4/4 - End of Marking Period 3

4/8 - PQ/MS/HS PTO Meeting, 9:30am

4/9 - MSHS Report Cards Posted to ParentPortal

4/9 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm

4/14-4/18 - Schools Closed, Spring Recess

4/21 - Community Service Hours Due

4/22 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm - Athletics Work Session

4/23 - HVHRHS Holocaust Remembrance Evening, 7:00pm (more information below)

4/24 - Student Council Blood Drive, 1-6pm

4/28 - Conversation with the Board - Facilities Capital Project, 7pm

4/30 - MS Honor Roll/High Honor Roll Breakfast

New York State Assessments for grades 3-8 in Math and ELA will be given in the next few months. Please realize, according to State guidelines, all children enrolled in grades 3-8 are expected to participate in State of New York assessments as part of their educational program.

Please read the attached letter for more information.

The Y program provides before and after school program at Pequenakonck (PQ) Elementary for both elementary and middle school students. The change in start times beginning in the 2025-2026 school year may provide opportunity for your child to participate. The District will provide transportation from PQ to the MSHS for the beginning of the school day . Please click here for more information from the YMCA.

Breakfast & Lunch Menus and our new MSHS Deli Order Form

The North Salem Jr/Sr prom is scheduled for Thursday June 5, 2025. As costs have risen for the venue, food, and entertainment the Jr/Sr class has increased its fundraising efforts to defray costs as much as possible. Even the smallest donation can make a difference!

• Premier Plus: $1000+
• Platinum Sponsor: $500
• Gold sponsor: $250
• Silver sponsor $100
• Friends of North Salem (any denomination up to $100)

Please contact Allie Bratt, albratt@northsalemschools.org or Anne Bratt, abratt@northsalemschools.org to support our junior/senior prom.

Thank You to those who are able to donate to support our students and bring the price of the prom down! As prices continue to rise for the venue, the entertainment, and decorations, your support is so appreciated!!

Platinum Sponsor:

North Salem Teacher's Association (NSTA)

Friends of North Salem:

Anonymous Donor

Linda Newman

Support North Salem MS/HS PTO
Fuss, Just Impact!

Dear North Salem Families,

We know how busy life gets, and we appreciate all you do for our school community. That’s why we’re making fundraising simple this year with our No Fuss Fundraiser!

No selling. No volunteering. No extra effort. Just a quick, tax-deductible donation that goes 100% toward enhancing student programs, sponsoring school events, and supporting our amazing teachers.

Make your impact today! Click here to contribute: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/nsmhpto/campaigns/fa190b9fbb3d54

Every dollar counts, and together, we can make a huge difference for our students and school. Thank you for your generosity and support!

With gratitude,
Jenna Doering

MS/HS PTO President

The NSHS Business Club Needs Your Help!

The NSHS Business Club, which was founded last year, is officially launching their first student-led business! Help support the club by purchasing their new product: the customizable snack bundle! This is a great way to treat your child, whether it be they're preparing for long sports practices or they deserve a reward after a difficult test. Each bundle will be $5, which includes your child's choice of a drink, chips, cookies, and candy!

To pre-order a snack bundle, send your child in with CASH or a CHECK and they can customize their bundle at the Business Club booth during a free period/lunch! The booth will be open Tuesdays starting April 1st.

If there are any further questions, feel free to reach out to us through our socials or email our advisor, Ms. Willis, at mwillis@northsalemschools.org:

Instagram: nsbusinessclub

Facebook: Search "NS Business Club"

Sincerely,

Sean Canellos and Samantha Tello

NSHS Business Club Co-Presidents

Anxiety and Stomachaches

If your kid says their stomach hurts on more days than not, you might take them to the pediatrician to get checked out. But if the doctor rules out physical reasons like an infection, it doesn’t mean they’re faking an illness. Stomachaches and headaches can be caused by anxiety, and the child is feeling real pain — pain that might disappear when whatever triggered it goes away, like staying home instead of taking a test at school.

This week at childmind.org, we are talking about anxiety and how it can connect to physical symptoms, real or imagined. For example, some kids have a minor stomachache and worry there’s something seriously wrong with them, while others are afraid they will get sick even when they have no symptoms. But whatever the source of anxiety, letting kids stay home from school can be a tricky decision — if it gets to be a habit it can lead to school refusal. We also have tips on how to cope with test anxiety and help kids manage their worries instead of avoiding them. And if your kid wants to stay home to take a mental health day, we help you decide if that might be just what they need to recharge.

— Michelle Shih, Managing Editor

SAVE THE DATE!! Come learn about career opportunities with Union Apprenticeships. See attached flyer for the upcoming Union Event at BOCES, taking place on Wednesday, April 2 from 5-7pm in the Walden Gym.

College Acceptances are rolling in! To see a list of Acceptances please click here. Seniors, don’t forget to update your college outcomes on SCOIR.

Summer Opportunities: Looking for something to do this summer? Check out some options by clicking here.

Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors

On Wednesday April 30, 2025 the League of Women Voters of Westchester County and the American Association of University Women Westchester will host Running & Winning, a unique program for young women* in high school. Running & Winning is designed to give these female* students the opportunity to explore public service as a career. This workshop will bring students together from high schools in Westchester County for an active political experience. Starting off with a panel presentation of a cross-section of elected officials, student attendees will then work in small groups with students from other schools. Attendees will meet with local female elected officials to learn about their experiences seeking and holding public office. After meeting, the student groups will take on roles of a campaign team (candidate, campaign manager, etc.), produce a campaign video/speech on a campaign platform issue out of three preselected options. The event will be held at Manhattanville University in the Reid Castle’s West Ballroom, and will run from 9am-2pm. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served to all participants. Registration form can be found here. Form must be returned by April 2, 2025.

The Southern Westchester College Fair will be held at the Westchester County Center in White Plains on Tuesday, April 29 from 6-8:30 pm. This event is hosted by Westchester-Putnam College Conferences, Inc. For information please email wpccfairs@att.net or call 914-739-2313. For a list of attending colleges click here.

The Northern Westchester College & Career Fair will be held at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown on Wednesday, April 30 from 9am-12 noon and 5:30pm to 8 pm. For more information please email dlividini@pnwboces.org or call 914-248-2450. A list of attending colleges will be available soon.

Juniors:

Which SUNY are you?

You and your family are invited to join SUNY for an online group information session. You will have the opportunity to explore The State University of New York -- the campuses, academic programs, application and admissions process, financial assistance, the Excelsior Scholarship and more! During the session, you will be able to send your questions via live chat. Links to various dates can be found here.

Seniors:

· Scholarship Opportunities - Lots of updates have been made! To view available scholarship opportunities, please click here.

· The 2025-26 FAFSA form is live! The U.S. Department of Education has now expanded access to everyone during the current beta testing period prior to the official launch on Dec. 1. Students can now file and submit their FAFSA form. They are encouraged to log in to their studentaid.gov account and get started today. Students and their parents will need to create their FSA ID before completing the FAFSA; to do so, please go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch . The deadline to file is June 30, 2025.

· NY State Financial Aid Agency

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is New York State’s student financial aid agency. They award nearly $1 billion in financial aid to students each year. Please click here to learn more about what programs they offer.

Hello MS/HS Families,

WHAT'S IN YOUR FOOD WHEN YOU HEAT IT IN PLASTIC? MICROPLASTICS!

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5 millimeters in size, originating from the breakdown of larger plastic items and found in various environments, including water, soil, and even our bodies.

Microplastics in humans may lead to serious health issues, including various cancers, respiratory disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Please click on the link for important information :

"Parenting in the age of Microplastics"

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:

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! - Click here for important information

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.

Click here to read important information and access forms pertaining to Health Examinations, Medication Administration and Allergy Action Plans.

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 March 31-

SAVE THE DATE- SALEM FEST MAY 3rd 2025

***More information TBD

ATTENTION- SPRING 2025 SPORTS REGISTRATION IS OPEN for MODIFIED!

Registration for Spring 2025 Modified sports is open as of Sunday, March 9th, and will remain open through Friday, April 4th. Please be sure to register in advance. You will receive an email with specifics on the first day of the season once you register. Here you will also receive the Sports You Code for your team.

The Modified Season begins on Monday, April 7th.

Modified Athletic Open House Monday, April 7th 5:00pm

This important meeting will provide important information pertaining to the season. This is for all Spring Modified Athletes and families.

There will be a brief presentation by the AD from 5:00-5:30pm followed by meetings in the locations below with the coaches from 5:30-6:00pm.

Girls Lacrosse- Room 104- Middle School

Boys Lacrosse- MS Cafeteria

Boys and Girls Outdoor Track- HS/MS Auditorium

Baseball- HS Cafeteria

MS Spring Sport Offerings:

Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Baseball, Boys and Girls Track and Field

Spring Sports Registration

FOOTBALL UPDATE : SAVE THE DATE

Section One approved the Football Merger on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 for the Fall of 2025. *** The coaching staff from Somers will be hosting a meeting for families and prospective players for grades 9-12 at a Somers HS on Monday, 4/28th from 6:00-7:00pm

The Taconic Youth Football League is permitting students from North Salem to participate. Registration is anticipated to open in April 2025. We anticipate the TYFL to provide us with more information at the 4/28th meeting.

Stay tuned for further information.

2025-2026 TENTATIVE START DATES

Fall Season 2025

Football August 23, 2025 Section One Approved to start 8/23rd

High School August 25, 2025 Section One Approved to start 8/25th

Modified September 8th, 2025

Winter Season 2025-2026

High School November 17th,2025

Modified December 1, 2025

Modified Ice Hockey TBA

Unified Sports 2026
Bowling March 3rd, 2026

Basketball April 7th, 2026

Spring Season 2026

March 16th, 2026 ***Pending NYSPHSAA and Section One Approval 3/9/25

Modified April 6th, 2026

ATTENTION COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT ATHLETES
If you will be playing a sport at the college level, please contact Ms. Kiernan asap.

College Bound Recognition Day is Monday, May 5th, 2025

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

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