Schools to Open on Monday; Testing and Vaccination Initiatives Seek to Enhance Safety for All |
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Swing open those school doors!
After a week of virtual learning, City School District of New Rochelle schools will be buzzing with activity again Monday as students, faculty, and staff return to in-person education after a week of virtual learning.
The switch from in-person learning was necessary to protect our community during the post-holiday spike in COVID cases. It also gave our school district time to develop additional COVID safety programs to help keep school buildings open for in-person learning that’s so crucial to students’ development.
On Monday, the school district will launch its Test-to-Stay Program, one of two key safeguards for health and to keep schools open. Under the program, unvaccinated students and employees who have had direct contact at school with a person who is positive for COVID-19 takes a rapid-result COVID test administered by trained personnel. If negative, the student or employee will be permitted to remain in school while asymptomatic. The program is outlined in a letter today from Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. (Please click on the graphic to learn more.)
The school district also refined its Saliva-Testing Program with an easier way to register online. To protect public health, it is imperative that we vastly increase participation in this testing program. Please do your part by signing up as soon as possible. Parents/guardians can visit this link to complete consent and authorization. Students also can pick up printed consent and authorization forms when school buildings reopen next week. Further details: https://conta.cc/3EXj4q1.
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Sign Up! Vaccinations Available for Ages 5 - 11 at Trinity Monday |
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Almost 150 children received vaccinations at a clinic held at Columbus Elementary School this week (please see the photo.) Another opportunity to vaccinate your child against COVID-19 is coming up on Monday, Jan. 10; details are below or view this flyer.
The City School District of New Rochelle, in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health, is providing a free Vaccination Clinic for children ages 5-11. Vaccinations are safe and research has shown that vaccinations are nearly 91 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in this age group. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the health risks of COVID-19 infection.
When: Monday, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Trinity Elementary School, 180 Pelham Road, New Rochelle
Cost: Free
Who can be vaccinated? All children ages 5-11. You do not have to be a Trinity Elementary School student to receive a vaccination at this clinic.
Requirements: Parents must accompany their children. After the vaccine has been administered, your child will be required to remain in an observation area for 15 minutes.
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To register: Click here to register. Registration in advance is highly preferred, though walk-ins will be accommodated if possible.
To address inquiries about children’s vaccinations, Westchester County has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. Please visit https://5il.co/128fk. Vaccinations for ages 5-11 also are available at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital; (call (914) 701-1700, ext. 1, for an appointment) and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. Appointments: Am-I-Eligible.COVID19Vaccine.Health.NY.gov.
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Busing Preparation Seeks to Enhance Safety, Student Experience |
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The City School District of New Rochelle has worked closely this week with our busing vendor on initiatives designed to smooth transportation services when school buildings reopen on Monday.
Efforts included disinfecting and deep-cleaning buses, ensuring cameras are operable, verifying that COVID safety protocols are posted, having attendance sheets and seating charts available, and completing training for bus monitors. Discussions also emphasized the importance of timely communications Monday, next week, and in the future.
Members of the school district leadership team are in direct and frequent contact with the vendor to seek solutions and ensure that each student’s transportation is safe, smooth and on time.
For information about busing issues, call the school district's Office of Transportation at (914) 576-4230 or email [email protected]. For information on First Mile Square buses, call (914) 423-7777. For information regarding First Student, call (914) 668-2700. For information regarding Bee-Line bus routes, call (914) 813-7777.
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Teen Anxiety: Student Study Seeks Insights |
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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 will regularly be featured in this Newsletter.
Student: Lila Ferrucci, junior
Mentor: Dr. Katherine Durham, clinical psychologist, Columbia University
One day, while experiencing a bout of anxiety, New Rochelle High School student Lila Ferrucci agreed to do meditation with her mother to achieve calmness.
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“I saw how the meditation helped me feel less anxious, and decided I wanted to study how this might affect teenagers in a clinical setting,” said Ferrucci. had been interested in science and experiments since elementary school, which drew her to the Science Research Program. For her project, Ferrucci investigated the effects of a one-minute mindfulness video on present-moment anxiety in teenagers.
The subjects in the study (ranging from 13 to 18 years old) were asked to fill out two psychological questionnaires that examined overall anxiety and in-the-moment anxiety, and then watch a short mindfulness video. They then were asked to fill out a second psychological questionnaire to determine if their in-the-moment anxiety had been affected by the video.
“My results showed that no matter the level of overall anxiety, the brief mindfulness video was able to affect in-the-moment anxiety,” Ferrucci said.
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The study was a positive experience for Ferrucci, who felt it provided skills to “create great presentations and the confidence to present” them. She believes the experience will continue to influence her after high school.
“In this course, I have had an introduction to psychology, which has influenced what I would like to study in college,” she said. “I now would like to be a psychologist, and this program has inspired me to do so.”
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High School Performing and Visual Artists: Apply for the PAVE Program! |
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PAVE, New Rochelle High School’s acclaimed performing and visual arts program, welcomes applications from students!
The PAVE program, begun in 1999, is an intensive four-year program for students excited about the arts. Many students completing our PAVE program have established successful careers in the arts. Students who did not pursue the arts as a career report back that their time in the PAVE program helped them develop the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen career path.
PAVE is valuable for students in all academic situations; participation helps them thrive by developing their creative talents, interest and promise in the arts. Applications are due on Feb. 7. The application, audition information, important dates and more can be found at this link.
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Learn about High School's Advanced Placement Courses |
New Rochelle High School students in grades 9 through 11 are invited to attend Advanced Course Information Night via Zoom Jan. 12 from 7-9 p.m.
The program will offer details on Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses. Register here and click on the flyer to learn more.
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Mobile Food Pantry Jan. 12 |
A lack of food means a lack of consistent nutrition, which can hinder students’ success. That’s one reason why the City School District of New Rochelle’s Pupil Personnel Services Department and Feeding Westchester 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, Jan. 12, from 4-5 p.m. All are welcome. Click the image for more information.
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New-Student Registration Paused |
Due to the escalation in COVID-19 cases, the City School District of New Rochelle is pausing Central Registration for new students. This pause is temporary; further information will be shared when available.
For information, email Director of Pupil Services Millicent Lee, [email protected] or Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Jackielyn Manning Campbell, [email protected]. |
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Pre-K Lottery Begins Jan. 11 |
The City School District of New Rochelle, in partnership with several community agencies, is offering residents prekindergarten options for the 2022-2023 school year.
Entry for a pre-kindergarten lottery seat will be made available on Jan. 11. Families will have until Jan. 28 to enter and rank their preferences for programs and locations. Parents may choose from Universal Pre-Kindergarten or Magnet Pre-Kindergarten.
Entries will be processed during the first week of February, and every effort will be made to accommodate families’ choices. Families then will be notified about next steps, including how to navigate the school registration process.
For additional information, please visit nred.org. Click on Menu, then Academics, then Programs. You also can contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction at (914) 576-4622 or email [email protected]. A list of community-based collaborators and their contact information, along with their programs:
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City School District of New Rochelle | nred.org
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