MSHS Tuesday Newsday
January 23, 2024
Principal News
Dear NS Families,
All North Salem Middle / High School after-school activities are canceled today, Tuesday, January 23, due to the inclement weather and potential for icy roads forecasted for this afternoon. Please drive safely if you have to be out.
The North Salem Student Council Blood Drive will be rescheduled for a later date.
Congratulations to our Model UN students who did an amazing job this past weekend at Yale University. It was not only a great learning experience for our students, but it also provided another venue to show how our North Salem critical and creative thinking is implemented in authentic ways. Thank you to our chaperones for taking time away from their families to supervise our students.
This is the last week of the second quarter and report cards being posted on January 31, 2024.
Please don't forget we have an early dismissal at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2024 for professional development.
Students in grades 9-11 will soon be having conversations with teachers and counselors regarding next year's scheduling process and selection of classes. The recommendations and class requests helps us determine classes for next year as we develop our schedule and budget.
Be sure to check out the College Panel session on Thursday, 1/25/24 at 6:30pm. For more information, contact the Counseling Department, or see the Counseling Department section below.
Have a safe rest of the week,
Dr. Murphy
What's Happening - Upcoming Events
1/23 - Student Council Blood Drive, 12-5pm (canceled)
1/25 - College Panel Night, 6:30pm
1/29 - Early Dismissal - Half Day Professional Development
1/29 - Pre-ACT, 11am-2pm
1/31 - Report Cards Posted to Portal
1/31 - Community Conversation with the BOE, 7pm
From the Superintendent's Office
Community Conversation with the BOE
What does it mean for the North Salem Central School District to be a thriving school district? What should success look like for North Salem schools in the next five years? Ten years? Beyond? What concrete steps could propel our talented students to reach outstanding academic, arts, and athletics achievements?
If you have a stake in our district and a vision for our children's future, the Board of Education needs you at the next Community Conversation. Parents, teachers, staff, students, and residents are invited to join us to lay the foundation for a district strategic plan.
We need your voice and vision to shape our schools' future. Let's build the next steps together.
Join us on Wednesday, January 31, at 7:00 PM at the Middle/High School. North Salem High School students will provide childcare. RSVP at https://forms.gle/6c7tgQ9TWKUoLQxH9
Mission Communication to Parents/Families
Student Council Blood Drive
Student Council Blood Drive has been postponed. More Information to follow.
NYSSMA Solo Festival 2024 Information
Mental Health Information
Social Media and Depression
Studies show that depression among teenagers and young adults has gotten more common over the past decade. Social media use has also increased during the same time. It’s hard to say for sure that social media causes depression. Still, there are several ways that using social media could harm kids.
Some experts think that connecting with peers online is less emotionally fulfilling than connecting in person. Research shows that teenagers who spend more time on social media also feel more isolated. It could be that kids who already feel isolated use social media more. But it could be that using social media actually makes kids feel isolated.
Read the full article along with other links/resources here.
Social Media & Technology Parent Corner
Resources to Help Our Kids Thrive from the Child Mind Institute.
From The Counseling Department
College Acceptances are rolling in. To see the current list, click here. Students, remember to update SCOIR and/or Guidance Counselor regarding your college application outcomes.
College Admissions Panel:
The Counseling Office will be hosting a virtual college admissions information panel January 25th 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Topics will include the SUNY School System, How to Make a Big School Feel Small, Financial Literacy, Accessing Supports on a College Campus and the Selective Admissions Process. We hope you’ll be able to join us.
Please click HERE for more information and to join the session.
Juniors:
Digital SAT Exams
The SAT will transition to a digital test starting in March 2024:
What You Need to Know About the Digital SAT
New Visions Health
New Visions Health is having an open house at Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital on Wednesday, January 24th from 5pm to 7pm. Additional information can be found on the flyer. Students, parents, and school personnel are all welcome! The deadline for applications to New Visions Health will be March 31st.
Student Essay Contest Grades 7-12
Students are encouraged to enter the 7th Annual Lifting Up Westchester Student Essay Contest. The contest is open to all students in grades 7 through 12 who live in Westchester and go to school here. This year’s topic, Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes, invites students to learn about the many programs offered by Lifting Up Westchester (LUW), and to draft a fictional story about someone who needed to access one of the programs. Students can enter through the dedicated portal. We give Appreciation Certificates for everyone who enters and cash prizes for winners in each grade category. The stories should be between 750 and 1,000 words and describe an individual or family who needed to access one of LUW’s many programs including: Emergency Housing, Housing Services, Food, Health and Life Skills Support and Next Generation Youth Programs. This will help encourage understanding and empathy and hopefully dispel myths and stereotypes about what causes individuals and families to seek help.
Students can enter until February 16, 2024, at 5 PM. Any questions can be directed to luwessaycontest@gmail.com.
News from the Nurse
Hello, North Salem Middle/High School Families!
GET FREE AT- HOME COVID-19 TESTS!
You can order four free at-home rapid tests to be delivered to your home. Visit COVID.gov. Testing remains an important part of reducing the spread of COVID-19. All New Yorkers should get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19. Click on the link to Covid Tests
Absence from School: Please contact the attendance office at x2165 or mshsattendance@northsalemschools.org to report your student's absence. Do not hesitate to contact me at x2017 to discuss your child's illness. I'm happy to answer any questions and address any concerns.
Important Information -- When to keep your child home from school
Please click here for IMPORTANT information about when you should keep your child home from school.
Immunization Requirements for students in grades 6-12:
Please click here for detailed information regarding the "2023-2024 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance":
Mandatory Physical Examinations: 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 physical exam must be completed by a NY State licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. A physical dated September 5, 2022 on is acceptable for the 2023-2024 school year. A copy of the health exam should be provided to the school within 30 days from the start of school.
The NYS Health Examination form is REQUIRED or the health examination form is considered invalid. The healthcare provider's electronic version of this form is also acceptable (please click on the link).
This and all medical forms are located on the school website under the Health Office tab.
Additional 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. Never hesitate to contact me, I'm happy to answer any questions and address your concerns.
Enjoy the rest of the summer, I'll see you soon!
Sincerely,
Rita Driscoll, R.N.
MSHS School Nurse / 914-669-5414 x2017 / rdriscoll@northsalemschools.org
Department of Health Notifications
Important information from the NYS Department of Health as we head into Flu season:
Parents: Fight Flu at Home and School
Athletic Department
Athletic News for January 22-
The 2024 North Salem Booster Club Basketball Tournament this year was once again a huge success! Special thanks to Teresa Randall and Sheila Denneen, the Co-Presidents, and the Booster Club Board for all of their help!
The North Salem Varsity Basketball teams were provided a tournament t-shirt with the players' names on behalf of the Booster Club. The Booster Club offered concessions and a "Pop A Shot" Contest to all who attended for small prizes. The North Salem Recreation Teams joined the North Salem boys and girls teams on Saturday to do the starting line ups.
6th Grader Honorary Captains for the Day:
Selected by a Booster Club Raffle to join the Varsity Teams on the bench during their games. Congratulations to Sadie Karam and Ryan Loftus!
Girls Basketball
Thursday, January 11th North Salem vs. Keio
North Salem WINS 74-23
Jaiden Donovan 25 points and Noemi Torres 23 Points
Saturday, January 13th North Salem vs. Woodlands
North Salem WINS 35-33
Sarafina Di Paola 13 Points
Jaiden Donovan 9 Points
Noemi Torres 9 Points
Boys Basketball -Friday, January 12th
First Round
Carmel vs. Blind Brook 4:30pm
Blind Brook WINS 59-57
North Salem vs. Pawling 6:30pm
North Salem WINS 58-40
Luke Loftus 16 Points &10 Rebounds
Reilly Denneen 14 Points
Max Cotrone 13 Points
Justin Major 11 Points
Saturday, January 13th
Consolation- Boys
Carmel vs. Pawling
Carmel WINS 70-46
Championship- Boys
North Salem vs. Blind Brook
Blind Brook WINS 76-41
Max Cotrone 14 Points
Nate Baer 8 Points
All Tournament Team- North Salem
Luke Loftus and Reilly Denneen
Special Thanks to the Custodial Staff and Workers for making this tournament a success!
Indoor Track Update
Over this pas weekend, the Varsity Indoor Track team participated in the Section 1 League 3C Championships at The Armory. Congratulations to the following individuals who placed as league champions in their events
League Champions:
Bella Fryer 1500 Meter and 3000 Meter
Zoe Elias 1000 Meter
Jack Fryer 1000 Meter
Connor Quadrini 1600 Meter
Both the Girls and Boys 4x400 Meter Relay teams placed as league champions:
Girls Team Brady Ellicott, Alexia Zamora , Emma Gautier, Bella Fryer
Boys Team Connor Quadrini, Matt Schaub, Dean Ellicott, Jack Fryer
Somers/North Salem Wrestling Update
Congratulations to the Somers/North Salem Varsity Wrestling team! The team placed Runner Up in the Westchester County Championships this weekend at Yonkers HS. Congratulations to Senior Robert Vrabel for placing 6th in Westchester County.
North Salem Boys and Girls Varsity and JV Basketball Teams
Support the Side Out Foundation by hosting "Dunk Pink Games"
Boys-January 30th vs. Haldane
Girls- February 1st vs. Croton Harmon
The North Salem High School’s JV & Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball programs are teaming up to raise money for the Side-Out Foundation’s campaign to eradicate breast cancer. The ‘Dunk Pink’ games will take place on Tuesday January 30, 2024 when the JV & Varsity Boys teams square off at home against Haldane at 4:30 & 6:15, followed two days later on February 1, 2024 when the JV & Varsity Girls teams play at home against Croton-Harmon at 5:00 & 6:15. Here is the link to donate directly to our campaign on the Side-Out Foundation’s site: https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/20399.
SPRING 2024 Start Dates
- Varsity and JV Sports Begin: Monday, March 11th, 2024
*Sport Offerings: Golf, Baseball, Softball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Boys and Girls Track
and Field, and Boys Tennis
- Modified Sports Begin: Monday, March 25th
Field
North Salem Athletic Calendar: https://northsalemcentral.tandem.co/
*All practices and games are posted on the Athletic Calendar. Subscribe for notifications.
LIVE STREAMING- There will now be live streaming at Tiger Stadium. The HS Gymnasium will continue to have live streaming. Local Live Link
TIGER STADIUM- Tiger Stadium Rules
FITNESS CENTER- The Fitness Center will be OPEN on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:05-4:05pm. Late buses are available at 3:45pm. If you go to the Fitness Center, you must remain in that location until you are leaving to go home.
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. Sports You Link: sportsyou.com
**The codes are the same from each school year for each level of the sport.
2024-2025 Start Dates for Athletics
Stay Healthy, Stay Safe, and Stay TIGER STRONG!
Sincerely,
Denise M. Kiernan, CAA
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics