Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Westchester, Encourages Students To Serve Community Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Westchester, Encourages Students To Serve Community
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Westchester, Encourages Students To Serve Community Students at two Westchester schools were treated to a visit from the grandson of famed activist and politician Nelson Mandela, who encouraged them to take some time to give back to their communities and stand up for others.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, visited the Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School and Mount Vernon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced. During his visits to the schools, Mandela discussed his grandfather's legacy and his activism efforts and also participated…
College In CT Shows Support For Palestinian Student Shot In VT In Apparent Hate Crime College In CT Shows Support For Palestinian Student Shot In VT In Apparent Hate Crime
College In CT Shows Support For Palestinian Student Shot In VT In Apparent Hate Crime A college community in Connecticut, alongside many nationwide, has been left reeling after a student of Palestinian descent was one of three shot in what appears to be a hate crime. Tahseen Ali Ahmad, age 20, who attends Trinity College in Hartford, was one of three men of the same age shot outside of a house in Burlington, Vermont on Sunday, Nov. 26, the school announced. Ali Ahmad and the two other men — Kinnan Abdalhamid and Hisham Awartani, also of Palestinian descent — were lifelong friends visiting a relative’s house near the University of Vermont's campus for the Thanksgiving holid…
This Westchester School District Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings This Westchester School District Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings
This Westchester School District Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings Several school districts in the region rank among the best in the nation in brand-new rankings. TeachSimple analyzed reviews and ratings of each US school district and ranked them from highest to lowest, with 1 being the lowest, and 5 being the highest.  The scores are based on reviews from parents and students, statistics from the US Department of Education, and user-submitted information from schools.  The two top-ranked districts in New York and Connecticut are both in Nassau County on Long Island: No. 3 Roslyn Union Free SD has a high proficiency in both reading and math. T…
High School In Hudson Valley Closed After Student Brawl Breaks Out High School In Hudson Valley Closed After Student Brawl Breaks Out
High School In Hudson Valley Closed After Student Brawl Breaks Out A physical altercation involving students has resulted in the closure of a high school in the Hudson Valley. In Orange County, Middletown High School will be closed on Friday, Nov. 17 following the fight on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 16. The closure for grades 9-12 only. All K-8 campuses will be open. There will be no after-school or evening activities on Friday for grades 9-12. Creeden said in a statement to the community that Superintendent of Schools Amy Creeden said in a statement to the community: "The high school closure is being implemented out of an abundance of caution an…
Superintendent Abruptly Resigns In Westchester After Only Months In Position Superintendent Abruptly Resigns In Westchester After Only Months In Position
Superintendent Abruptly Resigns In Westchester After Only Months In Position The superintendent of a Westchester school district has stepped down from his position just months after joining the district.  Elmsford Union Free School District Superintendent Ronald Gonzalez announced his resignation, effective immediately, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, according to a statement released by the district's Board of Education.  Gonzalez's departure comes only months after he was named superintendent in March 2023. Before that, he joined the district in July 2022 as interim superintendent. Gonzalez issued a statement on Wednesday addressing his decision.  "It has been a pleasure…
21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell 21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell
21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell A student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York has been accused of threatening to shoot, stab, and rape Jewish students at the Ivy League school. Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old junior originally from Pittsford, New York, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 31 on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications, according to prosecutors in the Northern District of New York. Dai allegedly posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, including posts calling for the deaths of Jewish peopl…
Teacher Hired In New District After Alleged Sexual Relationship With Student In Westchester Teacher Hired In New District After Alleged Sexual Relationship With Student In Westchester
Teacher Hired In New District After Alleged Sexual Relationship With Student In Westchester A Hudson Valley school district is defending its decision to hire a teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted a student in another district just days before a civil suit was filed.  The lawsuit accuses the former teacher in Northern Westchester of grooming a then 16-year-old student at Walter Panas High School in Cortlandt to have sexual relations on school grounds. The tenured teacher, identified as Alex Mendoza, age and hometown unknown, resigned in June after the filing lawyer contacted the Lakeland Central School District about the claim and he was removed from the classro…
Student Hospitalized After Altercation Breaks Out Following HS Football Game In Westchester Student Hospitalized After Altercation Breaks Out Following HS Football Game In Westchester
Student Hospitalized After Altercation Breaks Out Following HS Football Game In Westchester One student was hospitalized after an altercation broke out following a varsity football game in Westchester. The incident happened at Port Chester High School, which hosted Poughkeepsie High School on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 21. According to authorities, officers from the Port Chester and Rye Brook police departments were able to separate the parties involved and restore order. Further information on the injured student has not been released. All those involved in the altercation were juveniles, Port Chester Police detectives said, noting that  they are working to "identify th…
Gun Violence Threat Leads To Postponement Of Homecoming HS Football Game In Hudson Valley Gun Violence Threat Leads To Postponement Of Homecoming HS Football Game In Hudson Valley
Gun Violence Threat Leads To Postponement Of Homecoming HS Football Game In Hudson Valley A homecoming high school football game in the region was postponed because of a threat of gun violence. The threat was received several hours before the varsity contest in Dutchess County between rivals John Jay of East Fishkill and host Roy C. Ketcham in Wappingers Falls was scheduled to start Friday night, Oct. 20. The threat was reported to the Ketcham High School Building Administration at approximately 4:30 p.m. Friday which "necessitated the postponement" of the game, "as well as the quick and safe evacuation of the entire Roy C. Ketcham HS campus," Wappingers Central School Dist…
Retiring Superintendent Returns To Fill Interim Position At Hudson Valley School District Retiring Superintendent Returns To Fill Interim Position At Hudson Valley School District
Retiring Superintendent Returns To Fill Interim Position At Hudson Valley School District The superintendent of a Hudson Valley school district who originally intended on retiring is now returning to fill in for another year.  Carl Albano will return to the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County to serve as interim superintendent after announcing his intention to retire on Friday, Sept. 15, district officials announced on Wednesday, Oct. 4.  After Albano announced that he was looking to retire, the district's Board of Education began searching for an interim superintendent to fill in for the rest of the 2023-2024 school year. However, after conducting int…
New Superintendent Tapped At Westchester School District New Superintendent Tapped At Westchester School District
New Superintendent Tapped At Westchester School District After a thorough search process, a Northern Westchester school district has selected a new superintendent who comes from a school system close to home.  The Hendrick Hudson School District has named Michael A. Tromblee as its new superintendent of schools, who will be appointed to his new position during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Hendrick Hudson High School library.  Tromblee, who will officially begin his new role on Friday, Dec. 1, will come from the nearby Mahopac Central School District, where he has served as Assistant Sup…
Top Honors: These Westchester Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award Top Honors: These Westchester Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award
Top Honors: These Westchester Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award When it comes to overall excellence, these New York schools are at the top of the class, and they have the hardware to prove it. Twenty-two schools in the Empire State are among just 353 across the country to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award from the US Department of Education. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools, as well as those making strides in closing “achievement gaps” among student groups. “Their leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, they stay close to the real action of teachin…
These Hudson Valley Liberal Arts Colleges Ranked Among Top 20 In US, New Report Says These Hudson Valley Liberal Arts Colleges Ranked Among Top 20 In US, New Report Says
These Hudson Valley Liberal Arts Colleges Ranked Among Top 20 In US, New Report Says The grades are in, and these colleges are a cut above the rest. Of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the United States, four can be found in Massachusetts, three in New York, and one in Connecticut, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings. They are: No. 1 - Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts No. 2 - Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts No. 4 - Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts (Tied with Pomona College in Claremont, California and Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania) No. 8 - United States Military …
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Led by a strong showing downstate, New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's brand-new rankings of the nation's best high schools. The rankings were released on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Top-ranked in the Empire State is the High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY, with a 100-percent graduation rate and college readiness rating of 98.9, placing it at the No. 22 spot nationally. The top five-ranked Long Island high schools are: Jericho High School (13th in NY, 104th nationally) Garden City High School (21st in the state, 199th nationally) Great Neck South H…
Retired Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave At District In Westchester Retired Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave At District In Westchester
Retired Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave At District In Westchester A school district in Westchester has announced that a retired former superintendent with over 40 years of experience will be filling in for its current leader, who is out on medical leave.  Longtime educator Joel Adelberg has been appointed as acting superintendent of the Irvington Union Free School District and will fill in for Kristopher Harrison, who is out on medical leave, officials announced on Monday, Aug. 28.  Adelberg, who has an educational career spanning over 40 years and served as the superintendent of the Bedford Central School District before retiring, was…
These Westchester Schools Among Top 20 In NY, Report Says These Westchester Schools Among Top 20 In NY, Report Says
These Westchester Schools Among Top 20 In NY, Report Says When it comes to getting a quality education, several New York schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. Of the top 20 best schools in the states, nine can be found on Long Island and two are in Westchester County, according to the website’s 2023 “Best Public Schools in New York,” report.  The following schools were given an overall grade of A+ when considering a number of key areas, such as academics, diversity, and college prep: No. 5 - Nassau County: Jericho Senior High School No. 6 - Nassau County: Great Neck South High School No…
These Westchester School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says These Westchester School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says
These Westchester School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says They’re arguably the most crucial component of any student’s academic career - the unsung heroes in our society - and some of the very best teachers in the country can be found right here in New York, according to a new report. Seven school districts in the state made the top 20 on Niche’s 2023 “Districts with the best teachers in America” report. The community and school ranking website looks at a number of key areas, such as academics, diversity, college prep, and sports, and assigns each category a letter grade. The following New York school districts were given an A+ in the “teachers” …
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Harvard University is under federal scrutiny for its preferential treatment of donor and legacy candidates, reports say.  The US Department of Education announced this week it had opened an investigation into the prestigious Massachusetts university's admissions practices for undergraduate applicants, according to Harvard's newspaper, the Crimson.    Related: End Of 'Legacy': Wesleyan University Halts Admissions Perk The investigation will seek to determine if the legacy or donor admissions discriminate on the basis of race, the Crimson reported. If so, the university m…
Interim Superintendent Appointed At School District In Westchester Interim Superintendent Appointed At School District In Westchester
Interim Superintendent Appointed At School District In Westchester A school district in Westchester has announced who will temporarily fill the shoes of its outgoing superintendent.  Luis Rodriguez will serve as the Interim Superintendent for Yonkers Public Schools and replace outgoing Superintendent Edwin M. Quezada, who announced his retirement in April 2023.  Earlier Report - Superintendent To Retire After 25 Years With Yonkers Public Schools Rodriguez was appointed to the position during a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday night, July 19. He will begin his new role on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and serve until Wednesday, July 31, 2024, according to the s…
New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Westchester New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Westchester
New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Westchester A middle school in Northern Westchester has a new assistant principal who will be very familiar to district families.  Theresa Outhouse has been named the new assistant principal at Westlake Middle School in Thornwood, Mount Pleasant Central School District Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo announced on Thursday, July 13.  Outhouse will likely already be known by many students and families in the district, as she has already served as assistant principal at both Columbus Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School since joining the Mount Pleasant District in 2015, Gia…
2 New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Westchester 2 New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Westchester
2 New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Westchester A high school in Westchester has named two new assistant principals, including one who has been with the district for nearly 20 years.  The Union Free Schools District of the Tarrytowns Board of Education announced the appointment of two new assistant principals at Sleepy Hollow High School during its meeting on Thursday, July 13. The two new staff members are Daniel Larkin, who was previously serving as the school's Acting Assistant Principal, and Jessica Perez.  Larkin, who has been with the district for 17 years, began as a student teacher in 2006 and offic…
Roof Ripped Off High School In Hudson Valley During Round Of Severe Storms Roof Ripped Off High School In Hudson Valley During Round Of Severe Storms
Roof Ripped Off High School In Hudson Valley During Round Of Severe Storms The roof of a high school building in the Hudson Valley was peeled off during a round of severe storms. The incident happened in Orange County when the storms swept through late Monday afternoon, July 3. The building affected in the village of Chester was the old Chester High School on Maple Avenue, which is currently used for BOCES classes. No one was in the building at the time and no injuries were reported, according to Mark Lieb of Rockland Video Productions.  After the incident, Chester Union Free School District Superintendent Catherine O'Hara said safety measures wer…
School Worker Saves Choking Student In Westchester School Worker Saves Choking Student In Westchester
School Worker Saves Choking Student In Westchester A custodian is being hailed as a hero by school district officials in Northern Westchester for saving the life of a choking elementary school student.  Custodian Craig Nelson was honored by the Yorktown Central School District's Board of Education for his life-saving actions during their meeting on Monday, June 12.  Nelson was recognized for his quick thinking on Thursday, May 11, when a student at Mohansic Elementary School experienced a choking incident while eating. After noticing this, Nelson ran over and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the food object was succ…
New Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester New Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester
New Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester After a six-week nationwide search process, a school district in Westchester has named a new superintendent who will be arriving from a district in a neighboring state.  The Mamaroneck Union Free School District has named Charles B. Sampson as its next superintendent, the district's school board announced on Tuesday, June 13.  When he begins his position on Wednesday, Nov. 1, Sampson will replace Robert Shaps, who will be retiring in December 2023, district officials said. Sampson will be coming to the district from his current position as Superintendent of the Freehold…
HS Senior In Westchester Wins Award For Short Film HS Senior In Westchester Wins Award For Short Film
HS Senior In Westchester Wins Award For Short Film A young aspiring filmmaker and high school senior from Northern Westchester has received recognition for his creative short film made for a moviemaking class.  Armonk resident Ethan Sutton, a senior at Byram Hills High School, was named a recipient of the President’s Award for film from the Lower Hudson Region of the New York State Media Arts Teachers Association earlier in May, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Tuesday, May 30.  Sutton won the award for his short film "Doll," which was inspired by the work of Marge Piercy, a poet and women's righ…
HS Senior In Westchester Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides HS Senior In Westchester Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides
HS Senior In Westchester Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides A high school senior from Westchester diagnosed with a learning disability proved anything is possible by being offered a total of $500,000 in scholarships and five full rides from 15 colleges.  Mount Vernon High School senior Mia Vaquero, who will be graduating in June, was accepted into 15 schools and offered a cumulative $500,000 in scholarships, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced on Wednesday, May 24.  The first person in her family to pursue a college education, Vaquero was inspired to work hard in school after seeing how much her parents, who cam…
2 Westchester HS Seniors Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program 2 Westchester HS Seniors Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program
2 Westchester HS Seniors Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program Two hard-working high school seniors from Northern Westchester have been awarded $2,500 scholarships each as recognition for their impressive academic achievements.  Armonk residents Remi Matza and Kelsey Vaquero, both seniors at Byram Hills High School, were awarded the funds after being chosen as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, school district officials announced on Thursday, May 25.  Matza and Vaquero were among the 2,500 scholarship recipients nationwide and were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists.  The program recognizes students …
Interim Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester Interim Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester
Interim Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester As a Northern Westchester school district's superintendent prepares to take over at a neighboring village, officials have named his temporary replacement.  Mary Fox-Alter will take over as Interim Superintendent of the Ossining Union Free School District beginning on Saturday, July 1, district officials announced.  She will replace Raymond Sanchez, who will depart to begin leading the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns on the same date.  Earlier Report - Tarrytown Public Schools' New Superintendent Comes From Neighboring District The former superintendent of th…
New Principal Named At School In Westchester New Principal Named At School In Westchester
New Principal Named At School In Westchester An elementary school in Northern Westchester will soon have a new principal who says he is dedicated to making sure families are involved in their children's education.  Rob Schliessman has been named the new principal of the Kensico School located in Valhalla, according to Valhalla Union Free School District officials.  Schliessman will be officially appointed by the district's school board during their meeting on Tuesday, June 6, and will start on Saturday, July 1. He will be taking over the position from the longtime principal Matt Curran, who will be retiring at the end o…
Hudson Valley Student Admitted To West Point: 'Every Challenge Is Good' Hudson Valley Student Admitted To West Point: 'Every Challenge Is Good'
Hudson Valley Student Admitted To West Point: 'Every Challenge Is Good' A high school senior from the Hudson Valley will attend West Point after pushing through a rigorous application process in search of opportunities that his parents never had.  Senior Suhaan Akula from Brewster High School in Putnam County is one of the over 1,000 students across the US who was admitted into West Point for the 2023-24 school year, Brewster Central School District Communications Specialist Jessica Medoff announced on Thursday, May 18.  In order to attend the school, located in Orange County in the town of Highlands, Akula had to endure a competitive application proc…
New Principal Named At Middle School In Westchester New Principal Named At Middle School In Westchester
New Principal Named At Middle School In Westchester The search for a new middle school principal in a Northern Westchester district ended up settling on a candidate very close to home.  Donald Peters has been named the new principal of Peekskill Middle School, Peekskill City School District Superintendent David Mauricio announced on Wednesday, May 17.  Mauricio's recommendation of Peters, who was already serving as interim principal at the school, was accepted by the district's school board during their meeting on Tuesday, May 16.  Before serving as the school's interim principal, Peters held the position of assistant pr…