MSHS Tuesday Newsday

Dear NS Families,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break. It was great to see so many smiling faces this morning. Let us embrace this year with renewed energy, creative ideas, and a collective goal to make a positive impact in the lives of our students.

I would like to use this opportunity to welcome and introduce you to Dr. Alex Levine. Dr. Levine comes with prior administrative experience and will be assisting me over the next few weeks while Mr. DiGrandi is on leave.

I know many of our Seniors have college acceptances rolling in. Parents - slow and steady as you navigate this world (some of you for the first time and some not so much). Take advantage of the Counselors and be sure to check out the College Panel session on Thursday, 1/25/24 at 6:30pm. For more information, contact the Counseling Department.

Note on your calendars that the second marking period ends on Friday, January 26 and grades will be posted via the portal on Wednesday, January 31.

Best wishes for the coming year,

Dr. Murphy

1/3 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm

1/11 - 1/13 - NS Booster Club Basketball Tournament

1/15 - Schools Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

1/16 - MSHS PTO Meeting, 9am

1/17 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm

1/18 - National English Honor Society Induction Breakfast

1/23 - Student Council Blood Drive, 12-5pm

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

December Superintendent's Letter - 12/4/23

Join us for the Preschool Parent Forum on Monday, JANUARY 8, at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.

The forum is an excellent opportunity for you to share your thoughts on how we can shape the future of early childhood education in our district. We welcome insights from parents who anticipate utilizing the district-sponsored Pre-K program as well as those whose children have already completed preschool to share the successes and challenges of their child's experiences.

Superintendent Duncan Wilson and Deputy Superintendent Adam VanDerStuyf, along with Pequenakonck Elementary School Principal Roy Martin and Assistant Principal Dawn Snowden, will discuss the potential for a North Salem Central School district-sponsored Pre-K program and answer any questions you may have.

In addition, the National Honor Society students will lead children's activities and serve pizza during the meeting. Please mark your calendars; we look forward to seeing you there.

On Tuesday, January 23, the High School Student Council will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 12pm-5pm. Please use this link to schedule your appointment.

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.

Resources to Help Our Kids Thrive from the Child Mind Institute.

Juniors:

Digital SAT Exams

The SAT will transition to a digital test starting in March 2024:

SAT registration is now open

What You Need to Know About the Digital SAT

SAT Practice Information

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.

New Visions Sports Medicine

PNW Boces is introducing a Sports Medicine class for Seniors. The Open House is Thursday, January 18 at 6-7pm in Yorktown. See brochure and invite for more information!

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.

8th/9th Grade Counselor – Leave Replacement:

Melissa Smith, 8th/9th Grade Counselor, is out recovering from knee surgery. It is hoped she will return by the end of January. In her absence, Catherine Lively (clively@northsalemschools.org) will be Mrs. Smith’s leave replacement. Please feel free to reach out to her if you need anything.

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

Important information from the NYS Department of Health as we head into Flu season:

Parents: Fight Flu at Home and School

Parents: Fight Flu at Home and School (Spanish Version)

Athletic News for December 19-

North Salem Booster Club Basketball Tournament 2024

• January 11th Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Keio 6:30pm
• January 12th Varsity Boys Basketball Blind Brook vs. Carmel 4:30pm
• January 12th Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Pawling 6:30pm
• January 13th Varsity Girls Basketball Keio vs. Roosevelt 10am
• January 13th Varsity Boys Basketball Consolation Game 12 Noon
• January 13th Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Woodlands 2pm
• January 13th Varsity Boys Basketball Championship Game 4pm

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

*Sport Offerings: Baseball, Softball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Boys and Girls Track and

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

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