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These Westchester School Districts Holding Early Dismissal, Cancelled Afterschool Activities These Westchester School Districts Holding Early Dismissal, Cancelled Afterschool Activities
These Westchester School Districts Holding Early Dismissal, Cancelled Afterschool Activities The following school districts have scheduled early dismissals and canceled afterschool activities on Friday, Dec. 20 as snowy conditions prepare to blanket the region.  Westchester County:  Peekskill City School District, dismissing one hour early Lakeland Central School District, dismissing one hour early Hendrick Hudson School District, dismissing one hour early North Salem Central School District, dismissing one hour early Yorktown Central School District, dismissing one hour early Bedford Central School District, dismissing one hour early Somers Central School District,…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Employee Caught Stealing Student Medication At Middle School In Westchester: Officials Employee Caught Stealing Student Medication At Middle School In Westchester: Officials
Employee Caught Stealing Student Medication At Middle School In Westchester: Officials An employee accused of stealing student medication from a secure nurse’s office at a Westchester middle school has been removed from the district, officials said. The theft occurred at Louis M. Klein Middle School in the Harrison Central School District, Superintendent Louis Wool informed families in a message sent on Tuesday, Dec. 10.  Wool explained that missing doses of prescribed medication were discovered during routine monitoring and recording by nursing staff. After confirming the discrepancies, district officials collaborated with the Harrison Police Department to identify the …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Proposed School Closures, Reconfiguration Considered In Westchester District Proposed School Closures, Reconfiguration Considered In Westchester District
Proposed School Closures, Reconfiguration Considered In Westchester District Administrators in a Westchester school district have unveiled plans that could see the closure of three schools as part of a broader effort to reorganize district buildings amid declining enrollment and fiscal distress. During a town hall meeting on Friday, Dec. 6, Mount Vernon City School District officials discussed reconfiguration options that include the potential closures of Cecil H. Parker School, Mount Vernon Honor Academy, and Mount Vernon Leadership Academy.  The session, held at Graham School and on Zoom, marked the second community forum on the topic, district officials said…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Longtime Educator Tapped To Lead School District In Westchester Longtime Educator Tapped To Lead School District In Westchester
Longtime Educator Tapped To Lead School District In Westchester A new superintendent has been chosen to lead a school district in Westchester, officials announced.  The Elmsford Union Free School District has appointed Susan Yom as its new Superintendent of Schools, officials announced on Monday, Dec. 9.  Yom will officially step into the role on Thursday, Jan. 2.  Yom, a seasoned educator with 29 years of experience, has held leadership roles in several districts, including serving as Superintendent of Schools in Nyack and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Clarkstown. She also previously worked in New Rochelle as…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
West Point Cadet Among Elite Group Of Rhodes Scholars Headed To Oxford West Point Cadet Among Elite Group Of Rhodes Scholars Headed To Oxford
West Point Cadet Among Elite Group Of Rhodes Scholars Headed To Oxford A West Point grad from the region is one of only 32 students nationwide to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford in the fall of 2025. Orange County resident Shepherd Dzina of Tuxedo Park and three other cadets were awarded the scholarship on Saturday, Nov. 16. Dzina is an economics major currently serving as the Brigade Executive Officer at West Point, managing logistics and operations for over 4,400 cadets. He also leads the Finance Club and conducts research with the Army’s Office of Economics and Manpower Analysis. He has interned with the US International Develop…

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by Daily Voice
Schools
Westchester HS Volleyball Team Wins State Championship, Capping Off Remarkable Season Westchester HS Volleyball Team Wins State Championship, Capping Off Remarkable Season
Westchester HS Volleyball Team Wins State Championship, Capping Off Remarkable Season A Westchester volleyball team clinched a 2024 New York State championship in a victory that solidified its place as a dominant force in its league.  The Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE) Owls, based in Yonkers, defeated AECI2 of the Bronx on Saturday, Nov. 9, with a decisive 3-1 victory in the City Schools Sports Association (CSSA) 2024 High School Varsity New York State championship game. The win avenged a narrow defeat the Owls suffered against AECI2 during their homecoming game in October and cemented their status as a "dominant force" in the league, school officials …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
AD At School District In Westchester Accused Of 'Sextortion' Of Teen AD At School District In Westchester Accused Of 'Sextortion' Of Teen
AD At School District In Westchester Accused Of 'Sextortion' Of Teen This story has been updated. An athletic director at a school district in Westchester County has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly extorting a teenager to send sexually explicit images and videos. Thomas James Puccini, 28 years old and employed as the Interim Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics by the Eastchester Union Free School District, was arrested on Friday, Nov. 1. He was charged with felony grand larceny in the fourth degree and was arraigned in White Plains City Court by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Puccini has been pla…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Past Athletes Inducted Into Northern Westchester High School's 2024 Hall Of Fame Past Athletes Inducted Into Northern Westchester High School's 2024 Hall Of Fame
Past Athletes Inducted Into Northern Westchester High School's 2024 Hall Of Fame Several standout athletes from years past, including three complete teams, were honored by being inducted into a Northern Westchester high school's hall of fame. The honorees were recognized during a halftime ceremony held at the Lakeland-Somers football game on Friday evening, Oct. 25, Lakeland Central School District officials said.  Those inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame included:  Basketball player Jen Ritz, who graduated in 2004 and was the first Lakeland High School basketball player to play for a Division I team at Iona College (now Iona University). A captain for…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School District Names New Superintendent In Northern Westchester School District Names New Superintendent In Northern Westchester
School District Names New Superintendent In Northern Westchester A Northern Westchester school district has selected its next superintendent months after placing its previous leader on administrative leave.  During a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Adam VanDerStuyf was named Superintendent of the North Salem Central School District.  VanDerStuyf had been serving as Acting Superintendent since Monday, July 22 after his predecessor, Duncan Wilson, was placed on administrative leave. The reason for this was not revealed by the district.  In a statement, VanDerStuyf said his appointment is …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Northern Westchester High School Student To Perform At Internationally-Known Concert Venues Northern Westchester High School Student To Perform At Internationally-Known Concert Venues
Northern Westchester High School Student To Perform At Internationally-Known Concert Venues After years of hard work, a Northern Westchester high school junior will be showcasing their talents at two iconic concert venues along with other gifted singers.  Alexandra Numeroff, a junior at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, will be performing at Manhattan's Carnegie Hall and Australia's Sydney Opera House after being accepted into the WorldStrides Honors Performance Program as an Honor Choir member.  According to Hendrick Hudson School District officials, the Honors Performance Series recognizes students for their talent, dedication, and achievements shown i…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of NY Schools That Received Products Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of NY Schools That Received Products
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of NY Schools That Received Products A preliminary list has been released of schools that received items that were part of a nationwide recall of millions of pounds of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Earlier this week, the recall was expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds of products, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspectio…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings
Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings New York is well-represented in brand-new rankings of the best high schools in New York. The first four in Niche's 2025 selections are all from New York City: Stuyvesant in Manhattan, the Bronx High School of Science, Staten Island Technical High School, and Townsend Harris High School in Queens. Checking in at No. 5 and the first Westchester County selection is Scarsdale High School. The first Long Island school picked is No. 7 Half Hollow Hills West in Dix Hills. Long Island schools also make up spots 10 through 13: They are Jericho, Syosset, and Great Neck South high schools. Four mor…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
New Film, Television School Celebrates Opening In Westchester New Film, Television School Celebrates Opening In Westchester
New Film, Television School Celebrates Opening In Westchester An all-new academy in Westchester has started teaching the next generation of television and film talent, officials announced.  The Robert Halmi Sr. Academy of Film and Television in Yonkers at 463 Hawthorne Ave. celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 23, city officials announced.  The school will teach film industry-centered courses, including production design, performance, sound design, and editing.  It's named after Robert Halmi Sr., a movie director and producer who produced more than 300 television series, miniseries, and fi…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Leader Of Westchester School District Named NYS Superintendent Of Year Leader Of Westchester School District Named NYS Superintendent Of Year
Leader Of Westchester School District Named NYS Superintendent Of Year The head of a Westchester County school district has been awarded a top honor for superintendents in New York State.  Tarrytown Union Free School District Superintendent Raymond Sanchez was named the Superintendent of the Year for 2025 by the New York State Council of School Superintendents, the organization announced on Monday, Sept. 23. Council President Lars Clemensen, the superintendent of the Hampton Bays School District on Long Island, explained the reasons why Sanchez was chosen:  "Ray’s recognition as the New York State Superintendent of the Year is a testa…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
These Westchester Schools Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Winners These Westchester Schools Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Winners
These Westchester Schools Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Winners Two schools in Westchester County have received national recognition for their academic performance.  Both Blind Brook High School in Rye Brook and Scarsdale High School were named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, the US Department of Education announced on Monday, Sept. 23.  The National Blue Ribbon Program, which was created in 1982, celebrates high-achieving public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Schools are chosen based on their student academic achievement measures and progress toward closing gaps among diverse groups of pupils.  Both Westchester sch…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools With the new school year comes renewed debate over the use of cell phones in the classroom. Among New York parents of school-age children, 77-percent support barring cell phone use in schools during the day, a Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” poll found. Most parents, 72-percent, said they still want their child to have their phone on them in case of an emergency, the poll found. Earlier Report: Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children The poll was conducted by 600 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in New York Cit…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
School District In Westchester Marks Highest Graduation Rate In Over 20 Years School District In Westchester Marks Highest Graduation Rate In Over 20 Years
School District In Westchester Marks Highest Graduation Rate In Over 20 Years A school district in Westchester has bounced back from a turbulent year by recording its highest graduation rate in more than two decades.  In an announcement on Friday, Sept. 20, the Mount Vernon City School District revealed its 2023-2024 graduation rate had climbed to 79.9 percent, a level not seen in over 20 years, according to the district.  The rate increased 5.6 percentage points over the previous school year, officials added.  Graduation rates for individual schools in the city were recorded as: Mount Vernon High School: 82.7 percent; Denzel Washington School of th…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
These Pleasantville Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists These Pleasantville Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
These Pleasantville Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Several talented high school seniors in Westchester and Putnam have been recognized for their impressive achievements by being named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.  Those who earned this title join more than 16,000 other students across the country also named as semifinalists after earning high marks on the Preliminary SAT during their junior year.  Now, each semifinalist must fulfill requirements to advance to the finalist level, including submitting an application including information about their academic record, school and extracurricular activities, leadership abil…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY There will soon be a student on every school board in New York.A new law requiring all state boards of education to have at least one student member will take effect on July 1, 2025. The students will attend public meetings, but not executive sessions, and won't be allowed to vote. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Thursday, Sept. 5. It will also remove the current law requirement that a student member seat be authorized by referendum of the voters of the district.  The bill would also remove the requirement that a student member be a senior at the school and instead require only …

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
This City In Westchester To Put $5.8M Toward Air Conditioning In 39 Schools This City In Westchester To Put $5.8M Toward Air Conditioning In 39 Schools
This City In Westchester To Put $5.8M Toward Air Conditioning In 39 Schools A city in Westchester is committing millions of dollars toward putting air conditioning in all of its school buildings to help students deal with rising temperatures.  In an announcement on Wednesday, Aug. 28, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr. revealed that $5.8 million in capital funding would be spent on air-conditioning in the city's 39 public school buildings over the next three years.  The initiative is part of an effort to improve all aspects of the school experience for the city's students, Spano and Soler said.  "Investing in the…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
County Equips School Buses With Stop-Arm Cameras In Hudson Valley County Equips School Buses With Stop-Arm Cameras In Hudson Valley
County Equips School Buses With Stop-Arm Cameras In Hudson Valley A Hudson Valley county is ensuring drivers are fined for not stopping for a stopped school bus by installing new stop-arm cameras. Rockland County Executive Ed Day announced on Tuesday, Aug. 27, that stop-arm cameras have been installed on nearly all school buses countywide in time for the 2024 school year. “These cameras will automatically record any vehicle that illegally passes a stopped school bus, capturing crucial evidence that will be used to enforce traffic laws and hold offenders accountable,” explained Day. “But this program is not about enforcement; it’s about saving lives, and n…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
This Hudson Valley School District Latest To Ban Students' Cell Phones: Here's Where This Hudson Valley School District Latest To Ban Students' Cell Phones: Here's Where
This Hudson Valley School District Latest To Ban Students' Cell Phones: Here's Where Students in another Hudson Valley school district will be forced to look up from their phone screens, as officials will be requiring them to lock up their devices for the entire day.  In its end-of-summer newsletter, the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County announced that it will no longer allow cell phone use during the instructional day between 8:25 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.  During this time, students will have to store their devices in lockers and keep them powered down or in silent mode. More information about the policy will be contained in the district's updated&nb…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Westchester School District Taps New Technology, Innovation Director Westchester School District Taps New Technology, Innovation Director
Westchester School District Taps New Technology, Innovation Director An educator who has led learning communities on modern concepts such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality has been selected as a Westchester school district's new technology director. Jerrod Blair's appointment as the Irvington Union Free School District's new director of technology and innovation was announced by the district on Thursday, Aug. 22.  Blair, who was chosen after a long search process, will start in the position on Friday, Sept. 6. According to the district, he is a "standout" in the field and has led professional learning communities on topics including AI an…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
HS Club From Northern Westchester Wins National Championship HS Club From Northern Westchester Wins National Championship
HS Club From Northern Westchester Wins National Championship Only two years after it was first started, an aeronautics club from a Northern Westchester high school emerged victorious in a prestigious national competition. The Yorktown High School Aeronautics Club competed in the finals in the Beginner Division of the UAS4STEM competition held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from Monday, July 22 to Wednesday, July 24, school officials announced on Wednesday, Aug. 14.  The club was one of only five teams of drone enthusiasts to qualify for the finals, which took place during AirVenture, an aviation celebration that garners over a half-million visitors …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School Announces Sudden Closure After Almost 30 Years In Westchester School Announces Sudden Closure After Almost 30 Years In Westchester
School Announces Sudden Closure After Almost 30 Years In Westchester After nearly three decades, a nursery school in Westchester has announced that it will shut its doors for good.  New Beginnings Nursery School, located in Tarrytown at the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns at 42 North Broadway (Route 9), is now closed, owner Patricia Kreamer announced on Wednesday, Aug. 14.  According to Kreamer, the church's consistory voted on Tuesday, Aug. 6 to close the school "without any regard" to the school's staff or families.  "I was not allowed to voice my concerns or advocate for our school since it was behind closed doors,"&n…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School Board Member In Hudson Valley Under Fire For Comments On Israel-Hamas War School Board Member In Hudson Valley Under Fire For Comments On Israel-Hamas War
School Board Member In Hudson Valley Under Fire For Comments On Israel-Hamas War Elected officials and community members are calling for a Hudson Valley school board member to step down following alleged antisemitic remarks made at a board meeting.  The outrage was prompted following a school board meeting in Putnam County on Tuesday, July 9, when Carmel Central School District Trustee Jim Wise allegedly controversy within the town over a comment on the Israel-Hamas war. The statement in question, "From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free," was defended by Wise in a post on social media on Wednesday, Aug. 7.  "I also reject absolutely the idea that …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Pair Of New Principals Named At School District In Hudson Valley Pair Of New Principals Named At School District In Hudson Valley
Pair Of New Principals Named At School District In Hudson Valley Two new principals will soon take the lead at two Hudson Valley schools. In an announcement on Thursday, July 25, the Carmel Central School District in Putnam County revealed that new principals were hired for both Kent Primary School and Kent Elementary School.  Vincent Fino, the former Assistant Principal at Carmel High School, will take over at Kent Primary School. He replaces Dan Brown, who retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year, the district said. Meanwhile, John Fratto will be the next principal at Kent Elementary School and replace Michael Setaro, who will begin a new ro…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Superintendent Put On Administrative Leave In Northern Westchester Superintendent Put On Administrative Leave In Northern Westchester
Superintendent Put On Administrative Leave In Northern Westchester A Northern Westchester school district has appointed a new acting superintendent after putting its previous leader on administrative leave.  The North Salem Central School District announced on Wednesday, July 24, that Superintendent Duncan Wilson had been placed on administrative leave.  In his place, Adam VanDerStuyf was named Acting Superintendent on Monday, July 22, according to the school board.  VanDerStuyf, who has been with the district since 2015, has held roles such as Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Se…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
High School Near Westchester Border To Permanently Close After 100 Years High School Near Westchester Border To Permanently Close After 100 Years
High School Near Westchester Border To Permanently Close After 100 Years A high school near the border of Westchester will cease operations and not re-open in September of 2024. St. Barnabus High School in the north Bronx said the decision was made "with a heavy heart." "Despite such a beautiful and successful celebration of our 100th anniversary, our school is unable to overcome the financial strain it has been under for many years," the school said in announcing the news. "Enrollment levels over the past several years have challenged our ability to meet the costs of providing a quality curriculum.  "In addition, the rising costs of operating the building…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Cyberattack Hits School District In Hudson Valley Cyberattack Hits School District In Hudson Valley
Cyberattack Hits School District In Hudson Valley A school district in the Hudson Valley was the target of a cyberattack that disabled computer services and access to phones and email. In Orange County, the Goshen Central School District announced on Thursday, July 11, that it was the subject of the ransomware incident. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kurtis Kotes said the district notified law enforcement and is working with cyber security experts to determine the source of the attack and take the necessary steps to repair the problems as quickly as possible. In an update late Friday afternoon, July 12, Kotes said: "The disaster reco…

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by Joe Lombardi