Community Check-In

Happy Fall! The first day of cooler weather lands tomorrow, Saturday, September 23 and will usher in a time of colorful leaves, pumpkin picking, Halloween events for the whole family and apple cider making in North Rockland. Our teachers will begin to integrate the autumn themes into their classroom lessons and activities to adapt to the changing seasons.

In addition to the harvest centered curriculum, this year we are launching new fall opportunities like school visits to Cropsey Farms, outdoor learning adventures, seasonal observation walks, spooky science, thrilling reading challenges and much more.

It’s important that the District expands these K-12 memorable moments for students to explore their community year after year while also remaining financially responsible. A major reason we are able to provide learners with so many outstanding, local, historical and unique experiences is because of our strong community partnerships. These connections not only continue to provide equitable access to quality programs and services to all students but help keep us fiscally sound while maximizing learning possibilities in and out of the classroom.

Working closely with state and local officials has been key in ensuring that our residents are not burdened with rising expenses. NR thanks the Town of Haverstraw and Supervisor Howard T Phillips Jr. for supporting athletics with use of their sports complex for our Red Raiders as well as our leadership team and Board of Education, who are dedicated to advocacy in Albany to offset the Mirant Debt settlement. Today with the help of Senator Peter Harckham North Rockland was officially award with $1 million to offset taxpayer costs and fund important programming.

As a reminder all North Rockland Schools are CLOSED Monday, September 25 for Yom Kippur. We wish all our school community members of the Jewish faith a meaningful, peaceful holiday of reflection and hope everyone has a restful long weekend. We return to school Tuesday, September 26.

Finally, NRCSD’s buildings were all filled with sparkling gold today in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The color gold represents how precious children are and the resiliency of childhood cancer heroes. I’m so proud of the effort our school community put forth to raise awareness and demonstrate support for this worthy cause #NRStrong and #NRTogether!

Kris Felicello

Superintendent of Schools

New York State Senator Pete Harckham on Friday made a stop in Garnerville to announce that NRCSD will receive $1 million from the Senate as part of a plan that provides additional funding for school districts experiencing significant financial hardships. The Senate funding for NRCSD, which was adopted by resolution in June 2023, was part of an appropriation plan in the state’s FY2024 budget supporting schools that are experiencing extraordinary changes in taxable property valuations or significant tax liabilities because of a tax certiorari settlement or judgment. The funding secured by Harckham will help offer taxpayers relief from the Mirant debt settlement in North Rockland, which is the largest tax certiorari in New York State history. Superintendent Felicello said, “This $1 million in Senate funding will go a long way in helping North Rockland pay down some of the annual debt service associated with the 2006 Mirant settlement. We appreciate the work of Senator Harckham in lessening the burden on our taxpayers.”

Hunter is a 15 year old sophomore who was awarded the Patch's Community Leader this week. He is involved in many activities and groups that make our community and his school a better place. He is the Captain of the Stony Point Ambulance Corps Inc Youth Squad. He currently rides as a trainee when he can. He is a member of the MRHS Voice Club, which is a club that looks at diversity and inclusion,Best Buddies and student government. Hunter also plays varsity golf and hockey. He is a Be String student state representative, which is an anti-bullying organization, and often squeezing in volunteering for EMS courses, Stony Point Police Athletic League events, etc. Leone-Stoll recently completed the North Rockland youth police academy. Full story.

The district was decked out in gold in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We wear gold to help raise awareness for pediatric cancer and to honor or memorialize the children who have fought this disease. More photos. At West Haverstraw Elementary, cancer survivor and first grader Jelien led the pledge of allegiance and helped out with the morning announcements. The field hockey team, with the help of Jelian, hosted their annual “Lace Up Against Childhood Cancer” game, where proceeds are donated to the cause. Fieldstone’s faculty and students were decked out in their “Hope” shirts to spread awareness. The district as a whole participated, with each school putting their own twist on it. It was another successful #GoGold in #NR. More photos.

It was a beautiful day as North Rockland High School seniors took a trip to the Larchmont Shore Club for the Kick Off Luncheon with Her Honor Mentoring. The unique organization uses a fresh approach to helping young women reach their full potential, the cornerstone being connecting public school mentees with dynamic mentors across a spectrum of industries. During the session NR students listened to welcoming remarks and words of wisdom from Nicole Sheindlin, Founder and CEO, and her mother Judge Judy Sheindlin the organizations Co-Founder. It was a great experience for our girls who are looking forward to getting involved this school year!

Volley For A Cause 2023

Girls Volleyball Match at North Rockland High School

North Rockland HS vs Clarkstown South HS

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Varsity Game ~ 5:00pm / JV Game ~ 6:30pm

Volley for the Cause opening up a merch store next week - all proceeds will benefit an NR family in need. Check back to for a link coming soon!

Desirae Hernandez is our Lady Raider of the Week! Desirae is a junior on the North Rockland High School Varsity Volleyball team. Hernandez is an outside hitter and has been a leader in numerous games this season. Number 4 started on JV and was on the team when they won County Championships her freshman and sophomore year. This year she has led the team against Arlington with 12 kills and 5 digs and against White Plains with 25 kills and 6 digs. Both games were victorious for North Rockland making their record 3-1. Her coach said, “Desirae works hard and is always focused.” Let’s make some #REDANDWHITENOISE for Desirae!

Ethan Ferrar is our Red Raider of the Week! Ethan is a senior Varsity Football player at North Rockland High School who has been a valuable piece to the North Rockland Football program since joining the team his sophomore year. As both a Wide Receiver and Defensive Back, he has started on both sides of the ball and is able to understand how each component plays a part during each play. Number six is also a two-time captain and member of the leadership council. As a 4.0 student, he has garnered interest from several collegiate programs and has even gotten attention from Lohud Sports to be nominated for football player of week 1. In a 39-23 Victory over Mamaroneck, Farrar had two carries for 25 yards and a rushing touchdown. He also had a 25 yard receiving TD and 1 interception on defense along with 2 kickoff returns totaling 93 yards. When asked about Ethan, his coach said, “he’s a valuable player to have and his leadership is what the Red Raiders will lean on this season.” Let’s make some #REDANDWHITE noise for Ethan!!

The NRAC “Splash and Swim” Program will be starting this October and year-round at the North Rockland High School Pool.

The NRAC will be resuming our learn-to-swim duties at the NRHS pool. We are a “premier” USA Swimming Club established in 1987 and the oldest, most successful swim program in the district. Our mission is to unify all the North Rockland swimming programs together, over a variety of skill levels, for a better, more inclusive educational experience.

The school district understands the importance of learning to swim for the community and has always been a great supporter of competitive swimming. NRAC has decades of experience and offers exemplary learn-to-swim programs including:

• New youth swim programs for younger children

• Opportunities to learn for late starters in the sport.

• Potential to advance into Varsity swimming or year-round USA Swimming.

The new program will be outlined and advertised within the next couple of weeks. Please visit

SwimNrac.org soon for details and how to enroll.