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Spring Recess April 11-15

City School District of New Rochelle schools will be closed for Spring Recess from Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15. School district offices are closed Friday, April 15. Schools and offices reopen on Monday, April 18. This Newsletter will next publish on Thursday, April 21.

Board of Education Approves Proposed Budget

for 2022-2023; Public Votes on May 17

Dear City School District of New Rochelle Community:

I am pleased to report that, at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, our proposed City School District of New Rochelle 2022-23 budget was approved unanimously, paving the way for a public vote on May 17. The budget reflects valuable input received over the past several weeks from city residents, our school community, and the Board of Education. It prioritizes our collective commitment to pandemic-related unfinished learning and wellness.

Our proposed school budget seeks to support our students’ academic, social, and emotional learning needs while balancing fiscal responsibility for our community. It is consistent with the school district’s values of excellence and equity for all students, and makes judicious use of federal, state, and local resources to keep the tax levy increase at 0.98%, significantly below the 2.61% average over the past 15 years.  

The budget makes strategic investments to help make our schools safer, get our students to school, and enhances access to some of our finest programs while further supporting our English-language learners and special education. The budget covers our contractual responsibilities to our staff, which account for nearly three-quarters of our total budget. Included with this budget proposal is a bond proposition to provide necessary cash flow to complete post-Hurricane Ida repairs to our high school library, pool, and Isaac E. Young Middle School until we receive state and federal reimbursement. 

Highlights of the proposed $298,760,957 operating budget include:

• Leveraging pandemic relief dollars to support the addition of 15.2 teaching/staff positions across schools to further address unfinished learning and wellness, including creating a Dean of Students position for each of our middle schools to focus on attendance, conflict resolution, restorative practices, and social-emotional learning.
• Funds to support the addition of a Dance Teacher at Isaac E. Young Middle School to open pathways for more students to access our Performing and Visual Arts in Education (PAVE) program.
• Funding to support a second Science Research Teacher at New Rochelle High School who will also expand the program’s reach into middle and elementary schools. 
• Adding teachers at Huguenot Academy to create access for more ninth-graders.
• Increasing resources for expanded after-school and summer school programs. 
• Adding laptops, iPads and smart boards for our students and classrooms.
• Retaining newly hired full-time security staff for our middle and high schools. 
• Expanding support for family engagement, including Parent University and home visits. 
• Investing in Metro Cards to eliminate transportation as a barrier to school attendance for students in need.

The board-approved budget aligns with the school district’s current Strategic Roadmap, which supports investment in Student Learning, Safe and Supportive Schools, Superb Staff, Engagement and Outreach, and Resource Management.  

We have held, and continue to schedule, meetings with various school and community groups to discuss the proposed budget and how it supports our students, teachers, and staff in addressing unfinished learning, wellness, and other priorities. Should you wish to schedule a group presentation and discussion, please call (914) 576-4219. 

For more information on the proposed budget, please review the budget presentation; additional information is available here on the school district website, nred.org. 

I thank our Board of Education, families, and community for their input during this budget process, and for their continued support of the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our children. 

Sincerely,

Jonathan P. Raymond

Superintendent

Student Voices and Achievement Shine at Board of Education Meeting;

Public-Comment Options Expand

The voices of New Rochelle High School students were prominent and powerful during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, which also included news about a change in the public-comment policy and tenure recognition for a William B. Ward Elementary School educator.

New Rochelle High School Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles introduced several students as part of the Board’s renewed commitment to hear the student voice at every regular meeting.

Senior Nila Roper and ninth-grader Luca Lazzarini provided an overview of activities such as the FEMpowerMENt Club, which is working with high school and school district administrators to ensure a safe environment for all students; a recent job fair featuring more than 20 companies with summer employment opportunities; autism awareness; a show of support for lives impacted by the conflict in Ukraine; TheatreWorks’ recent “Theory of Relativity” musical; and Spring Spirit Week. View a video here: Facebook.com/newrochelleschools/videos/552816916074209.

Also presenting were seniors Fabian Valderrama and Barbara (Gaby) Meda, who noted the tremendous benefits in attending the student-led 9th Annual Latinx Youth Leadership Conference last month. Serving as an expression of cultural pride, the event provided a forum for teens to build skills, celebrate strengths, hear from Latinx role models, and become inspired to follow their dreams and pursue a future full of opportunities. Video: Facebook.com/newrochelleschools/videos/961389951027103.

The Board of Education also celebrated New Rochelle High School’s acclaimed Science Research Program, whose talented students again excelled at the annual Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. Out of 39 schools at the competition, New Rochelle ranked fourth-highest in honors, with 20 students taking home 24 awards.

Program Director Jeff Wuebber and students Anna Barlis and Izzy Balachandran spoke about the program and the exceptional research experiences it offers. Video of Wuebber, Barlis and Balachandran: Facebook.com/newrochelleschools/videos/2886716238299188.

The Board of Education also approved a resolution regarding public comment at board meetings. It allows for members of the public to sign up in person at the meeting. This is in addition to the current availability of signing up before 3:30 p.m. the day of the meeting. Learn more here.

The meeting was hosted by William B. Ward Elementary School, and Principal Franco Miele delivered a presentation about how the school is addressing unfinished learning – particularly in math and literacy – as well as fostering a healthy social-emotional learning environment.

In addition, the Board of Education recognized Ward social worker Alicia Hardy-Josephs (pictured) for receiving tenure earlier this year. Miele commended Hardy-Josephs as “hardworking and passionate, a team player who has built fantastic relationships with students and families.” He added, “She is always willing to go the extra mile and has been instrumental in the success of our students.”

Dear New Rochelle Community,

By Friday, April 8, 2022, every City School District of New Rochelle student and employee will be provided with three (3) boxes of "iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test” so they will have the resources to self-monitor for health purposes during the upcoming Spring Recess. It is especially intended for all students and employees to utilize at least one test on Sunday, April 17, the day before our return to school on Monday. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 on or after Jan. 17, 2022 are asked not to take the Antigen Rapid Test.

Each Antigen Rapid Test box contains two tests. Individuals with negative test results will be allowed to enter schools/buildings on Monday, April 18, 2022 if they are asymptomatic. All positive test results for students must be immediately reported to the school’s Medical Office and the student may not enter the school environment until notified by the School Nurse. All positive test results for employees must be immediately reported to the Tracking Nurse and the employee may not enter the school environment until notified by the Tracking Nurse’s Office. Please note: The at-home kits with a printed expiration date of January 2022 now have an extended shelf life through April 30, 2022, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Finally, please be reminded that according to current City School District of New Rochelle protocols, persons returning from international travel who are:

• Unvaccinated: Must subscribe to an automatic five-day exclusion from school. (Viral test on day three to five after returning to the United States. In addition, even if the person tests negative, he/she/they must stay home and self-quarantine for the full five days. If the person does not get tested, he or she must stay home and self-quarantine for five days after travel).
• Vaccinated: Get tested with a viral test three to five days after travel. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.

Have a safe and healthy break next week, and we look forward to seeing everyone when school is back in session.

Regards,

Dr. Corey W. Reynolds

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

Superintendent Raymond’s Next Town Hall is April 20

Please set aside Wednesday evening, April 20, to attend Superintendent Jonathan Raymond's next Town Hall at 7 p.m. The Town Hall will last about an hour and will be held at the New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza. Attendance also is welcomed via Zoom at this link: https://zoom.us/j/93620469522. The proposed school district budget for 2022-2023 will be presented and discussed. Learn more in the first story in this Newsletter.

Tutor.com’s Growth Continues –

and It Helps With Much More Than Homework!

“My tutor was really helpful and didn't just give me the answers; she actually had me think about what the next step would be. Now I understand it, thanks to her!!”

“Amazing; really grateful I can get help at any time -- super useful!! :))”

Those are just a few examples of students’ recent feedback about Tutor.com, now available 24/7 to all City School District of New Rochelle students. For the second straight month since being launched, use of this free service has increased! Several schools, such as Albert Leonard Middle School and George M. Davis Elementary School, more than doubled their usage in March compared to February. At Jefferson Elementary School, eight times as many students took advantage during that time span.

Tutor.com’s services are free, and access is unlimited. Students connect with live, one-to-one tutors in English or Spanish. But it’s not just for homework! Students also can take advantage of Tutor.com’s assistance when working on extra-credit projects. They can submit written reports for critiques before submitting them in class. Practice tests can be taken to gauge mastery on subjects or prep for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT or Advanced Placement exams. If a student is absent but well enough to do schoolwork, and doesn’t have access to a teacher, Tutor.com can help. And tutors also can guide students regarding best practices for studying or how to best understand and tackle an assignment.

To promote Tutor.com, schools are providing reminders during morning announcements. Banners have been hung up in schools, and magnets (see photo) have been issued to all students across the district.

Connecting with a tutor is quick and easy: students can access Tutor.com by signing into their school district devices, accessing the school district’s launchpad, and simply clicking the Tutor.com icon to start a live tutoring session. Students using a non-district-provided device must sign into Launchpad (https://launchpad.classlink.com/nredlearn) first, then click the Tutor.com icon to access Tutor.com.

The students in New Rochelle High School’s Science Research Program explore a dazzling range of topics under the mentorship of experts from some of the top institutions of learning and exploration. Students’ projects are regularly be featured in this Newsletter.

Student: Ariel Rosencrantz, Junior

Mentor: Jeff Wuebber, Science Teacher, Science Research Program Director, New Rochelle High School

Anxiety is a mental disorder affecting over 40 million adults in the United States, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. The cause of this disorder can vary from person to person. To better understand one possible cause, Ariel Rosencrantz studied the correlation between food allergies and anxiety.

To collect data, Rosencrantz created an Institutional Review Board-approved survey and posted it onto the crowdsourcing marketplace known as Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk).

“Patient demographics were obtained using a questionnaire that included age and other medical comorbidities,” said Rosencrantz. “The survey asked participants ages 18 years and older to report medical symptoms of anxiety, but did not query if these conditions were physician-diagnosed.”

Upon receiving more than 1,000 survey responses, Rosencrantz used both the Spearman Correlation and an unpaired student’s “T-test” to analyze the data. The Spearman Correlation tests the association between two variables, while an unpaired student’s T-test compares the averages of two groups or populations.

“The Spearman Correlation was used to assess relationships between medical and psychosocial data,” she said. “The unpaired student’s T-test compared two groups: one being the number of food allergies, and the other being the number of food allergy symptoms.”

Rosencrantz referred to the Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores, a 21-item self-reported inventory that assesses common symptoms of anxiety over a one-week period, to measure the correlation between anxiety and food allergies. Her results showed a possible connection.  

“The major finding of my research was that the number of food allergy symptoms correlates more closely to anxiety than the number of food allergies,” she said. “Therefore, recognizing the number of food allergy symptoms may help discover the severity of anxiety in individuals with food allergies.”

Rosencrantz put months of hard work into her project, which would eventually earn her a fourth-place award in Best of the Behavioral & Social Sciences category at the prestigious Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair.

Moreover, she offered a special thanks to her classmates in the Science Research Program and Program Director Jeff Wuebber.

"I would like to thank Mr. Wuebber and my classmates in the Science Research Program at New Rochelle High School for giving me the opportunity to express my interest in science in this supportive forum."

Using the skills she learned through this experience, Rosencrantz plans to study biology in college and pursue a career in immunology.

3 Vaccine Clinics Coming Up, Starting Friday at Ward;

$100 Gift Card After Second Doses for Ages 5-11

The City School District of New Rochelle has partnered with the Westchester County Department of Health to host three COVID-19 vaccination clinics:

• Friday, April 8, William B. Ward Elementary School
• Wednesday, April 20, New Rochelle High School
• Friday, April 29, William B. Ward Elementary School

All are from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and are free. Students ages 5-11 will earn a $100 gift card after receiving their second dose. The City School District of New Rochelle encourages vaccinations to help keep our students, families, faculty, staff, and community safe.

To register for any of the clinics, click on the photo, then on the appropriate link in the flyer that opens.

A Salute to our Dedicated Assistant Principals!

April 4-8 is National Assistant Principals Week nationwide. Please join our school district in saluting these talented administrators who have dedicated themselves to our students’ futures and work tirelessly to support school faculty, staff, and families! This year’s celebration is even more significant as we recognize assistant principals’ enormous contributions in helping schools navigate the pandemic and support well-being. That unwavering leadership has been an admirable source of strength and inspiration. Superintendent Jonathan Raymond paid tribute to all New Rochelle assistant principals during a visit to Albert Leonard Middle School this week, and he spotlighted Assistant Principal Matthew Lucero. Watch it here: Facebook.com/newrochelleschools/videos/236380041997449.

Please join us in saluting all of our schools’ assistant principals:

• Albert Leonard Middle School: Matthew M. Lucero; Christopher A. Salinas
• Barnard Early Childhood Center: Malikh Ifill
• Columbus Elementary School: Francis Marie Cruz (Interim)
• Daniel Webster Elementary School: Gregory A. Middleton
• George M. Davis Jr. Elementary School: Laurie Marinaro
• Isaac E. Young Middle School: Christopher M. Francaviglia; Plinio A. Trujillo
• Jefferson Elementary School: Paul A. Roncagliolo
• New Rochelle High School: Rachel L. Cornelius (Interim); Zahida Aminy (Interim)
• Trinity Elementary School: Bridget Merturi-Jankovic
• William B. Ward Elementary School: Kimberly Peluso; Rudelina Murray

Cruz Joins “One Big Family” at Columbus Elementary

Francis Cruz was attracted to the role of interim assistant principal at Columbus Elementary School because of its reputation as a community school.

“There’s something very charming and beautiful about standing on the sidewalk in the front of the school building and greeting all the parents walking their kids to school and dropping them off, getting to see the kids’ little siblings that’ll be joining the school when they get a little bit older,” says Cruz, nearly a month into the job after three years as House II Principal at New Rochelle High School.

Born and raised in Yonkers, Cruz brings 13 years of experience as an administrator, special education teacher and instructional coach. Trained in elementary education, Cruz has worked with high school students her entire career. She laughs, saying this is her first time back in an elementary school since she graduated in the 1990s.

While she appreciates Columbus’ “intimate setting” of 700 students compared to the 3,100 enrolled in the high school, she says it’s really one big family.

“I’m serving my students’ younger siblings now. The kids come up to me, ‘Ms. Cruz, do you know so-and-so, that’s my big sister at the high school,’ and I say ‘yes,’ and they send messages back and forth with their siblings. Once they tell me who their big siblings are, it’s impossible not to see it. You can see it in the eyes, the face, 'you’re a spitting image of your big sister or your big brother'.”

Cruz hopes to stay in Columbus to help foster some sort of new normalcy for them after the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “These kids have been heavily impacted by interrupted learning and it would be great to be here and support them.” 

Task Force Exploring How to Increase Achievement

The African American/Latino Opportunity/Achievement Gap Task Force continues to meet every two weeks with the objective to address the persistent opportunity and achievement gaps between our African American and Latino students and those of their Caucasian peers.

This task force has 28 members, including parents, students, community members, plus school and central office staff. The goal of this broad-based coalition is to identify the root causes and propose recommendations that will be used to address practice and policy. Findings will be shared with the Board of Education and community later this spring.

Under the leadership of facilitator Dr. Mark Gooden, the task force has met four times and has engaged in collective learning and the analysis of a series of data, including graduation rates, Advanced Placement access, special education, attendance, suspensions, and student achievement. During upcoming weeks, the Task Force will continue to deepen its understanding and will craft a set of evidenced-based recommended practices and actions intended to help transform the system. These will be available in June.

April 20 Workshop for Spanish Speakers

Explores Dangers of Vaping

An April 20 workshop will help Spanish-speaking families learn more about the dangers of vaping among teenagers. The program will help parents identify risk factors and speak to their children about this topic. The event, in Room 207 at New Rochelle High School from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., is being made possible thanks to a partnership between Student Assistance and the New Rochelle High School Parents Academy. Learn more by clicking the flyer; to confirm attendance, please email Gustavo Barbosa at gbarbosa@nredlearn.org.

Workshops to Help Parents

Refine Kids’ Organization Skills

William B. Ward Elementary School kindergarten teacher Melissa Almonte is presenting free workshops to families district-wide via Zoom.

“How Can I Help My Child Stay Better Organized?” will be held in English on April 26. ¿Cómo puedo ayudar a mi hijo a organizarse mejor?” is in Spanish on April 28; both programs are at 6:30 p.m. Families will learn to use charts and strategies to help their child with homework completion, morning, afterschool and nighttime routines, chores, bedroom organization, and more. These important skills will benefit students in a classroom setting as well.

To learn more, email malmonte@nredlearn.org.

Next Mobile Food Pantry is April 20

There’s a direct connection between students’ success and the availability of consistent food and nutrition. That’s why the City School District of New Rochelle’s Pupil Personnel Services Department and Feeding Westchester continue to team up to sponsor the Mobile Food Pantry, providing assistance and healthy options. The Pantry will return to Isaac E. Young Middle School on Wednesday, April 20 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome. Click the image for more information.

Spring – and Sports – Are in Bloom!

We’ve made it through winter, and New Rochelle High School outdoor Huguenot sports are back! Our talented young men and ladies are again seeking athletic glory, and exhibiting great sportsmanship while doing so! Check out these photos, taken this week by Superintendent Jonathan Raymond during his travels around the school district, and come out and support our scholar athletes! 



If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Department at (914) 576-4586. More sports news is below!



Creativity at Jefferson: Mugs, Pottery and First-Graders

Jefferson Elementary School first-graders visited The Pottery Palace in Larchmont last week. Children (including Riley Sylvain, in the photo) had a great time painting a mug that will be fired and safe for use at home for years to come. Some children painted animals or super heroes on their mugs; others made colorful geometric designs! After designing and painting their creations, they had fun dancing and eating pizza. Children and teachers enjoyed the creative aspect of this trip. “It was so much fun and I really want to go back again!” said one first-grader.

Trout and STEAM: For Trinity, A Good Team!

Fourth-grade STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) students at Trinity Elementary School ventured out Thursday to release trout into the Pocantico River at Rockefeller State Park in Sleepy Hollow – part of the “Trout in the Classroom” project that has taken place the entire school year.

The students were joined by partners from the New York State parks department and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. They helped acclimate and release the trout into the stream. Students learned about how the trout's needs will be met in their new natural habitat.  

Last October, students in Terri Agravat’s and Griselda Pena’s classes received 100 brook trout eggs to raise in a classroom aquarium. Over the months, students fed the trout and monitored the tank’s water quality while learning about stream ecology, aquatic habitats, watershed protection, trout anatomy and life cycle. This first-hand experience helped foster environmental stewardship in students. The project was a team effort, and appreciation is extended to the administration, PTA, colleagues, and custodial staff for their assistance. 

Think Ahead to Summer – and an Array of Programs! Click to Learn More

Celebrate Earth Day at a Rally

and Through a Poster Contest on April 23!

Downtown New Rochelle will be the setting for an Earth Day celebration Saturday, April 23 at 3 p.m. Students are invited to enter a poster contest by bringing an Earth Day poster to the event. Prizes will be awarded. Register and learn more by clicking on the posters, emailing contact@newrochelleearthday.org or visiting https://2022.newrochelleearthday.org/