A Few Clouds 34°
Schools
New Superintendent Takes Command At One Of Hudson Valley's Largest School Districts New Superintendent Takes Command At One Of Hudson Valley's Largest School Districts
New Superintendent Takes Command At One Of Hudson Valley's Largest School Districts An educator with decades of experience is following in the footsteps of her father and stepping up to lead a large Hudson Valley school district.  On Monday, July 1, Erin Meehan-Fairben officially began her position as superintendent of Putnam County's Carmel Central School District, to which she holds deeply personal ties.  A native of the area, Fairben was born in Putnam County Hospital and was raised within the Carmel community until she was around 5 years old. As a child, she used to play on the steps of Carmel's one-room schoolhouse as her father, Richard R. Meehan,…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
2023 Valedictorian, Salutatorian Announced By Byram Hills High School 2023 Valedictorian, Salutatorian Announced By Byram Hills High School
2023 Valedictorian, Salutatorian Announced By Byram Hills High School Two high-achieving seniors at a Northern Westchester high school are being recognized for landing at the top of their class.  In an announcement on Wednesday, June 12, Byram Hills High School revealed its valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2024 are Grace Lin and Daniel Ndocaj, respectively.  The school's administration and faculty celebrated both students' accomplishments. "The achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and excellence throughout their four years at BHHS," said Principal Christopher Walsh, who revealed the top-ranked stu…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Superintendent Named At Northern Westchester School District New Superintendent Named At Northern Westchester School District
New Superintendent Named At Northern Westchester School District A Northern Westchester superintendent will soon transition to leading another nearby district in the county. In an announcement on Friday, June 14, the Katonah-Lewisboro School District revealed its next superintendent would be Raymond Blanch, who will be formally appointed in the role by the Board of Education on Thursday, June 20.  Blanch, who has served as superintendent of the Somers Central School District since July 2010, will officially begin in his new role on Monday, July 15.  Blanch's selection follows multiple rounds of interviews conducted by the school board in an ef…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
Westchester Students Help Name Baby Falcons Born On Top Of New Tappan Zee Bridge Westchester Students Help Name Baby Falcons Born On Top Of New Tappan Zee Bridge
Westchester Students Help Name Baby Falcons Born On Top Of New Tappan Zee Bridge Thanks to elementary school students in Westchester and Rockland counties, several baby peregrine falcons born on top of the new Tappan Zee Bridge have been bestowed with creative names.  To name the falcons, which were born in late May on top of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the New York State Thruway Authority and Veolia Water held a contest in which voters could decide between several names chosen by schoolchildren throughout the region. Nearly 200,000 votes later, the results are in — the four winning names are:  Beakoncé, which earned 26 percent of votes and was the idea of Ms…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President The president of Long Island’s Stony Brook University has been selected to first permanent female president of Yale University. Maurie McInnis was named Yale’s 24th president in an announcement by the school. The 58-year-old cultural historian, currently serving as the president of Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, graduated from Yale with a Ph.D in art history in 1996. In the years since her graduation, McInnis has served in senior positions at the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin before moving to Stony Brook University in 2020. She became a Yale trus…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Schools
New Assistant Superintendent Named At Northern Westchester School District New Assistant Superintendent Named At Northern Westchester School District
New Assistant Superintendent Named At Northern Westchester School District A Northern Westchester school district has selected a new assistant superintendent who will soon be leaving his current role at another municipality in the county.  In an announcement on Thursday, May 23, the Hendrick Hudson Central School District revealed the appointment of Steven Garcia as its new Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Leadership Development.  Garcia, who currently serves as Executive Director for Human Resources & Leadership in the Pelham Public Schools, will begin his three-year probationary term with the Hendrick Hudson District on Mo…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl
How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl Forget the apple; this distinguished New York teacher is getting a cookie party. Just in time for National Teacher Appreciation Day, cookie chain Crumbl announced the winners of its “Teacher of the Year” awards, given to educators “for their extraordinary commitment to their classrooms.” In New York, the honor went to Monroe County teacher Dan Graf at State Road Elementary School in Webster. Recipients were selected from a pool of over 6,000 nominations that included testimonials from parents, students, colleagues, and friends. They were chosen from each state, the District of Columbi…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Schools
HS Senior From Northern Westchester Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist HS Senior From Northern Westchester Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
HS Senior From Northern Westchester Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist A high school senior from Northern Westchester has won a $2,500 scholarship after being selected as a finalist in a prestigious national program. Samara Brown, a senior at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, has been named one of 2,500 Merit Scholars in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Monday, May 13.  The program's finalists, who all earn $2,500 scholarships, were chosen for their strong mix of accomplishments, skills, and college potential.  The winners are chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and h…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor These students have a date with the president. Six graduating seniors from New York were among just 161 high school students across the country to be selected as a US Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for students. Established in 1964, the award recognizes distinguished seniors who have shown exceptional accomplishments in areas like academics, leadership, and service to their school and communities. The program was later expanded to include students in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and in career and technical education fields. In the Empire State, the…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Schools
School District In Westchester Taps New Superintendent: 'Honored, Humbled' School District In Westchester Taps New Superintendent: 'Honored, Humbled'
School District In Westchester Taps New Superintendent: 'Honored, Humbled' A current assistant superintendent in Westchester has accepted the top post at a nearby district, officials announced.  In an announcement on Monday, May 13, the Irvington Union Free School District revealed it has selected Mara Ratesic as its new superintendent.  Ratesic, who will begin in the position on Monday, July 1, will be formally appointed to the role during a special Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m.  The current Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at the Bronxville Union Free School District, Ratesic was chosen …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
9 Byram Hills HS Seniors Commit To College Programs 9 Byram Hills HS Seniors Commit To College Programs
9 Byram Hills HS Seniors Commit To College Programs Nine standout student-athletes at a Northern Westchester high school are taking the next steps in their sports careers, including several who will join Division I college programs. Nine seniors at Byram Hills High School in Armonk committed to playing their sports at college programs during a ceremonial signing day event, Byram Hills Central School District officials announced on Monday, May 6.  The nine students and their programs were: Dario Amicucci, who committed to High Point University's Division I track and field program; Anastasia Byrnes, who committed to American Univer…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Schools
Valedictorian, Salutatorian Announced By School District In Westchester Valedictorian, Salutatorian Announced By School District In Westchester
Valedictorian, Salutatorian Announced By School District In Westchester Two high-achieving high school seniors from Westchester who placed at the top of their class are being recognized for their impressive accomplishments by district officials.  In an announcement on Tuesday, May 7, the Ardsley School District revealed seniors Derek Xu and Lydia Lung have been named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.  District officials said both students consistently made valuable contributions during their four years at Ardsley High School to earn the prestigious positions.  Xu, a talented mathematics student who also plays the violin, serves …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic