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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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
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 …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Retired Northern Westchester Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave Retired Northern Westchester Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave
Retired Northern Westchester Educator To Fill In For Superintendent On Medical Leave 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
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” …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
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…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Schools
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,…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Northern Westchester New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Northern Westchester
New Assistant Principal Named At Middle School In Northern 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
School Worker Saves Choking Student In Northern Westchester School Worker Saves Choking Student In Northern Westchester
School Worker Saves Choking Student In Northern 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
HS Senior In Northern Westchester Wins Award For Short Film HS Senior In Northern Westchester Wins Award For Short Film
HS Senior In Northern 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
HS Seniors In Northern Westchester Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program HS Seniors In Northern Westchester Awarded $2.5K Each From National Program
HS Seniors In Northern Westchester 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 …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Ossining Public School District Names Interim Superintendent Ossining Public School District Names Interim Superintendent
Ossining Public School District Names Interim Superintendent 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Principal Named At School In Northern Westchester New Principal Named At School In Northern Westchester
New Principal Named At School In Northern 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Principal Named At School In Northern Westchester New Principal Named At School In Northern Westchester
New Principal Named At School In Northern 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Success Stories: 6 HS Student-Athletes From Northern Westchester To Join College Programs Success Stories: 6 HS Student-Athletes From Northern Westchester To Join College Programs
Success Stories: 6 HS Student-Athletes From Northern Westchester To Join College Programs Half a dozen standout student-athletes from a high school in Northern Westchester have committed to officially joining NCAA Division I and Division III programs throughout the country. The six seniors, who all attend Byram Hills High School in Armonk, were honored in the school's gym during a ceremonial signing day event held on Tuesday, April 25 that was attended by students, faculty, and staff, the district announced on Tuesday, May 16. The six athletes who will be joining Divison I and Divison III programs include:  Anthony Cozza, who will be joining Marymount University's l…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Ossining Superintendent To Take Command At Neighboring District Ossining Superintendent To Take Command At Neighboring District
Ossining Superintendent To Take Command At 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
New Athletic Director Named At School District In Northern Westchester New Athletic Director Named At School District In Northern Westchester
New Athletic Director Named At School District In Northern Westchester A school district in Northern Westchester has named a new athletic director who is determined to work together with school staff to foster the growth of student-athletes on the field and in the classroom.  Shawn Baumann is set to be appointed as the new Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics for the Mount Pleasant Central School District at the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 24, Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo announced on Wednesday, May 17.  Baumann, who is replacing Donna Pirro who announced her retirement in early Spring, will take on …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
US Presidential Scholar: HS Senior From Northern Westchester Gets Top Honor US Presidential Scholar: HS Senior From Northern Westchester Gets Top Honor
US Presidential Scholar: HS Senior From Northern Westchester Gets Top Honor A high school senior from Northern Westchester has received one of the nation's highest honors for students.  Byram Hills High School senior Samantha Milewicz of Armonk is one of only 161 students nationwide to be selected as a US Presidential Scholar, school district officials announced on Friday, May 12.  The US Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964 and recognizes a few of the country's most distinguished graduating seniors. As part of the program, Milewicz will receive a medallion and will also be included in an online recognition program. While…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School Staffer Arrested, Banned From Property At District In Westchester School Staffer Arrested, Banned From Property At District In Westchester
School Staffer Arrested, Banned From Property At District In Westchester A school staff member in Westchester has been arrested and banned from stepping on district property as officials investigate his alleged inappropriate interactions with an elementary school student.  The Mount Vernon Central School District announced the arrest and ban in a statement released on Thursday, May 11, in which officials outlined that the staff member had allegedly taken part in inappropriate interactions with an elementary school student in Mount Vernon.   Once the district became aware of these allegations, they then "took immediate steps" to advise the staff me…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Northern Westchester New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Northern Westchester
New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Northern Westchester 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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
This Westchester School District Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says This Westchester School District Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says
This Westchester School District 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 …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Assistant Superintendent Of HR Named By Hudson Valley School District New Assistant Superintendent Of HR Named By Hudson Valley School District
New Assistant Superintendent Of HR Named By Hudson Valley School District A school district in the Hudson Valley has selected its next assistant superintendent of human resources.  The Mahopac Central School District in Putnam County has picked Jennifer Pontillo to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, officials announced on Friday, April 28.  Pontillo, who is currently the principal of the district's Lakeview Elementary, has worked in Mahopac since 1994, beginning as a first-grade teacher.  She then became the principal of Lakeview Elementary in 2000 and has remained in the pos…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
BOCES Names New Superintendent For Northern Westchester, Putnam BOCES Names New Superintendent For Northern Westchester, Putnam
Boces Names New Superintendent For Northern Westchester, Putnam The Board of the Putnam and Northern Westchester BOCES has named its next superintendent as the current one plans to retire.  Neil Boyle, who previously served as the organization's Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, will serve as the next District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of PNW BOCES, officials announced on Thursday, April 27.  Boyle will succeed James Ryan, who is retiring from the position this year.  Already having a long history with BOCES and other school districts in the area, Boyle has previously served as the coordinator …

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by Ben Crnic