Top Honors: These Hudson Valley Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award Top Honors: These Hudson Valley Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award
Top Honors: These Hudson Valley 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: NY Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: NY Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: NY 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 Hudson Valley Retired Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave At District In Hudson Valley
Retired Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave At District In Hudson Valley 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…
This High School Ranks No. 1 In Rockland County, Report Says This High School Ranks No. 1 In Rockland County, Report Says
This High School Ranks No. 1 In Rockland County, Report Says The grades are in and these Hudson Valley high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, the following schools were ranked top in their respective county in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools” report: Dutchess County: Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie Orange County: Cornwall Central High School in New Windsor Putnam County: Carmel High School Rockland County: Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg Ulster County: New Paltz Senior High School All of the high schools earned an overall…
These Hudson Valley School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says These Hudson Valley School Districts Among Top 10 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says
These Hudson Valley 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…
School District In Hudson Valley Names HS Alum As New Superintendent School District In Hudson Valley Names HS Alum As New Superintendent
School District In Hudson Valley Names HS Alum As New Superintendent A new school superintendent has been named to take over a Hudson Vally school district after the former leader resigned. Dr. Daniel Erceg was unanimously approved to take the helm of the Saugerties Central School District in Ulster County at a special Board of Education meeting held on Tuesday, June 27.  A Saugerties resident, Erceg graduated from Saugerties High School in 2002, officials said. "We are confident that Dr. Erceg's experience, expertise, and vision will greatly contribute to the success and growth of our schools," said Board President Robert Thomann. Erceg is …
Roof Ripped Off High School In Orange County During Round Of Severe Storms Roof Ripped Off High School In Orange County During Round Of Severe Storms
Roof Ripped Off High School In Orange County 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…
HS Senior In Hudson Valley Wins Award For Short Film HS Senior In Hudson Valley Wins Award For Short Film
HS Senior In Hudson Valley 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 Hudson Valley Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides HS Senior In Hudson Valley Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides
HS Senior In Hudson Valley 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…
Hudson Valley HS Seniors Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program Hudson Valley HS Seniors Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program
Hudson Valley 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 …
East Ramapo Central School District Monitor Named To New Post East Ramapo Central School District Monitor Named To New Post
East Ramapo Central School District Monitor Named To New Post 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…
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…
Tarrytown Public Schools' New Superintendent Comes From Neighboring District Tarrytown Public Schools' New Superintendent Comes From Neighboring District
Tarrytown Public Schools' New Superintendent Comes From Neighboring District A school district in Westchester has named their next leader who will be coming from a neighboring district in the county. Raymond Sanchez will serve as the next superintendent of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, district officials announced on Wednesday, May 17.  Sanchez's appointment will be officially finalized during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 30. He will succeed Chris Borsari, who announced his retirement in November and will serve his last day on Friday, June 30.  Sanchez will be coming to Tarrytown from the Ossining Union Free School D…
Student Turned Politician: 18-Year-Old Elected To NY School Board Student Turned Politician: 18-Year-Old Elected To NY School Board
Student Turned Politician: 18-Year-Old Elected To NY School Board A New York high school senior is going from the classroom to the boardroom - the school boardroom that is. Long Island’s Quinn Bedell, an 18-year-old senior at West Islip High School, was elected to the West Islip Board of Education as a write-in candidate in the election held Tuesday, May 16. “I would like to thank the West Islip community for choosing me to be a trustee on the Board of Education. I am truly honored,” Bedell wrote on Facebook Wednesday, May 17. “I could not have done this without the overwhelming support of this community. I am forever grateful to every one of you and I p…
New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Hudson Valley New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Hudson Valley
New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Hudson Valley After an extensive search, a school district in Northern Westchester has named its next superintendent.  Duncan Wilson has been selected as the new Superintendent of the North Salem Central School District and will take over the position on Saturday, July 1, district officials announced.  Wilson will take over the position from Ken Freeston, who will be retiring at the end of the school year.  Wilson comes to North Salem from the Ardsley Union Free School District, where he was assistant superintendent. Prior to that, he was director of instruction and human resources a…
This School District In Hudson Valley Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says This School District In Hudson Valley Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says
This School District In Hudson Valley Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says A school district in Westchester has been recognized as one of the best in the entire country, according to new rankings.  The Scarsdale Union Free School District has placed No. 11 in America, according to Niche's new 2023 rankings of the top school districts in the country.  According to Niche, the organization uses "a series of steps to ensure statistical rigor and useful guidance in the school choice experience," according to its website. A detailed explanation of the criteria used to rank the school districts can be read by clicking here.  In addition to ranking as one …
School Superintendent In Hudson Valley To Retire: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' School Superintendent In Hudson Valley To Retire: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart'
School Superintendent In Hudson Valley To Retire: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' The superintendent of a Hudson Valley school district has made the unexpected decision to retire in order to take care of a family member. Laurie Bandlow of the Brewster Central School District in Putnam County is set to retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year, according to an announcement by the school district.  The "unexpected" decision came after Bandlow's mother died in September 2022 and she realized that she would soon need to care for her aging father, according to district officials.  Because of this, she decided to give notice to the district a year in advance…
Support Pours In For Teens Severely Injured After School Bus, Car Crash In Hudson Valley Support Pours In For Teens Severely Injured After School Bus, Car Crash In Hudson Valley
Support Pours In For Teens Severely Injured After School Bus, Car Crash In Hudson Valley A community is pulling together to help several teenagers who are fighting for their lives after suffering severe injuries in a head-on crash between a car and a school bus in Northern Westchester.  The crash happened on Wednesday, April 26 just before 3 p.m. in New Castle on Lake Road, New Castle Police said.  Earlier Report - New Update: At Least 9 Injured After Head-On New Castle Crash Between School Bus, Car The incident involved a head-on collision between a school bus and a Honda Accord that somehow veered into the southbound lane on Lake Road near Crow Hill Road, inju…
School District In Hudson Valley Didn't Properly Monitor, Account For Fixed Assets: Comptroller School District In Hudson Valley Didn't Properly Monitor, Account For Fixed Assets: Comptroller
School District In Hudson Valley Didn't Properly Monitor, Account For Fixed Assets: Comptroller A school district in Northern Westchester was found to have maintained inaccurate records of fixed assets by an audit performed by state officials.  The audit, performed by the Office of the New York State Comptroller between July 2020 and April 2022, found that the Chappaqua Central School District did not "properly monitor and account for" several fixed assets, and had not performed a physical inventory count since 2018, state officials said.  According to a report released by the Comptroller's Office, of the 164 assets reviewed by the audit, 148 assets totaling over $220,0…
Police Charge Teacher In Hudson Valley Over Alleged Criminal Behavior Police Charge Teacher In Hudson Valley Over Alleged Criminal Behavior
Police Charge Teacher In Hudson Valley Over Alleged Criminal Behavior Police are investigating alleged criminal behavior by a public school teacher in Westchester County. It is alleged by a student that William  Archacki, age 50, a teacher at Yonkers Public School  No. 21, had caused a student to fear for their safety by walking up behind this student while holding a paring knife during school hours on Wednesday, Feb. 8 Archacki is a Northern Westchester resident of Buchanan, and was a fifth-grade teacher at Public School No. 21, located on Lee Avenue in Yonkers, at the time of this incident, Yonkers Police said.  He was placed on modified dut…
School Swatting Threats: 50 NY Districts Report New Round Of Incidents School Swatting Threats: 50 NY Districts Report New Round Of Incidents
School Swatting Threats: 50 NY Districts Report New Round Of Incidents More than 50 school districts across New York reported receiving swatting threats of an active shooter. The districts reporting the incidents on Tuesday, April 4 were located on Long Island, in Central New York, the Southern Tier, and the North Country, authorities said.  "I want to reassure parents that their children are safe at school - swatting threats are false and intended to cause panic and scare students, teachers, and families," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement on Tuesday. On Thursday, March 30, numerous school districts reported receiving swatting calls of…
Swastikas Found At High School In Rockland Swastikas Found At High School In Rockland
Swastikas Found At High School In Rockland Police in the Hudson Valley are investigating after several swastikas were discovered at an area high school. The incident took place in Rockland County on Wednesday, March 22, when a school resource officer assigned to Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack was informed that swastikas were discovered in a classroom, said Clarkstown PD Det. Norm Peters. Peters said the drawings were reported by a teacher who stated that she observed the two swastikas over the past month in her classroom.  The first was observed on a wall near the exit door accompanied by the words “…
Ex-HS Principal In Rockland County Accepts New Post In Area: 'True Asset' Ex-HS Principal In Rockland County Accepts New Post In Area: 'True Asset'
Ex-HS Principal In Rockland County Accepts New Post In Area: 'True Asset' A high school in Northern Westchester is celebrating the appointment of a new principal. The Bedford Central School District announced on Thursday, March 30 that Jennifer Amos will be the next principal of Fox Lane High School.  Amos, who previously served as the Chief Academic Officer at the United Nations International School in New York City for four years, will take the position on Saturday, July 1.  Before her role in NYC, Amos also served as the principal of Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg in Rockland County for nine years.  Bedford Superintendent Rob Glass expre…
School Swatting Incidents Occurring Across NY, State Police Say School Swatting Incidents Occurring Across NY, State Police Say
School Swatting Incidents Occurring Across NY, State Police Say Authorities are investigating numerous incidents of schools in New York state receiving swatting calls claiming there is an active shooter in the building, state police said.  The threatening calls were received by schools on Thursday morning, March 30, and have all been found to be false, state police announced.  The State Police is aware of swatting incidents that have occurred across the state, in which a caller states that there is an active shooter in a school. All of the reports are unfounded. We are working alongside our federal & local partners to investigate the th…
Report Of Shots Fired Causes HS To Be Placed On Lockdown In Hudson Valley: Police Report Of Shots Fired Causes HS To Be Placed On Lockdown In Hudson Valley: Police
Report Of Shots Fired Causes HS To Be Placed On Lockdown In Hudson Valley: Police A high school in Northern Westchester was placed on lockdown and inspected by authorities after a complaint of shots fired was reported, police said.  The incident happened at 8 a.m. at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua when New Castle Police responded to an anonymous complaint of shots fired. Because of the complaint, the school was placed on lockdown, and responding officers checked the school. After a search of the building, the initial report was determined to be false, police said. The lockdown at the school was then lifted.  After this incident, all schools in t…
Person Accused Of Making Threat Against Current Student At High School In Hudson Valley Person Accused Of Making Threat Against Current Student At High School In Hudson Valley
Person Accused Of Making Threat Against Current Student At High School In Hudson Valley A former student has been accused of making threats against a current student at a high school in the Hudson Valley. On Thursday, March 23 at approximately 12:30 pm, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into threats made on social media targeting a student at Brewster High School. The suspect, who resides outside the county, was quickly identified, located, and issued an appearance ticket for Putnam County Family Court, Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville said. Out of an abundance of caution, additional sheriff’s patrols are on the scene at all of the B…
HS Senior In Hudson Valley Wins $60K Award HS Senior In Hudson Valley Wins $60K Award
HS Senior In Hudson Valley Wins $60K Award A high school senior from Northern Westchester has earned a $60,000 award after placing highly in the final round of the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious scholastic science and math competition.  Earlier Report - Byram Hills HS Seniors Get $2K Each For Being Regeneron Scholars Samantha Milewicz,  a senior at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, took eighth place in the final round of the competition on Tuesday, March 14, school district officials announced.  Milewicz, who had already won a $2,000 award for being name…
HS Student Wins $20K In Hudson Valley: 'Will Change World One Day' HS Student Wins $20K In Hudson Valley: 'Will Change World One Day'
HS Student Wins $20K In Hudson Valley: 'Will Change World One Day' A high school student from Northern Westchester has received a $20,000 scholarship after being named a 2023 Coca-Cola Scholar.  Matthew Krasnow, a student at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, is one of only 150 students across the entire country to receive the scholarship and was picked out of more than 91,000 applicants, according to the Bedford Central School District.  Krasnow was picked based on criteria such as academic excellence, leadership skills, and services in both school and community activities, school officials said. As part of the application process, he also intervi…
Teacher Injured During Fight At High School In Orange County Teacher Injured During Fight At High School In Orange County
Teacher Injured During Fight At High School In Orange County A teacher was injured during a fight between two students at a school in the Hudson Valley. The incident took place in Orange County on Monday, March 6 at Middletown High School. The fight took place in a hallway outside a classroom.  The teacher was injured while attempting to intervene, said Amy Creeden, Superintendent of Schools for the Enlarged City School District of Middletown. "This saddens our entire school community and we are thinking of the faculty member during this difficult time," Creeden said in a letter to staff.  Security staff responded immediately, arriv…