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Schools
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday morning, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school outside New York City is on Long Island: Jericho, at No. 13 statewide and 104th nationally. The top-rated high school in Westchester County is Edgemont at No. 14 in the state and 128th in the nation, with Bronxville, at No. 16 in the state and 151st nationally. Another W…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Westchester Non-Profit HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Westchester Non-Profit
HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Westchester Non-Profit A Northern Westchester non-profit organization has honored several accomplished high school students as outstanding teens.  The students were announced as winners during the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester's Annual Youth of the Year Award Ceremony on Tuesday, March 26 at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua, the organization announced on Friday, March 29.  The three winners chosen by the ceremony's judges were:  Pleasantville High School junior Grace Gerosa, who won the Youth of the Year Award. Gerosa, who has been a club member for a decade, manages…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Threat Made To Middle School In Westchester Causes Lockdowns Threat Made To Middle School In Westchester Causes Lockdowns
Threat Made To Middle School In Westchester Causes Lockdowns Several schools in a Westchester village were put into lockdown after one of them received a threat, officials said. New, updated report - New Update: Threat To Port Chester Middle School Came From Student Inside Building The threat was made to Port Chester Middle School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, the school district announced.  After the threat was received, all Port Chester schools were immediately put into lockdowns, which were eventually lifted later in the day.  Police are continuing to investigate the incident, school officials said, adding that students and staff would r…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
These Westchester HS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists These Westchester HS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists
These Westchester HS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists Half a dozen high school seniors from Northern Westchester have been selected as finalists in a prestigious national program.  Six seniors from Byram Hills High School in Armonk have been named as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Thursday, Feb. 15.  The six students are:  Cyrus Aly; Samara Brown; Aaron Lestz; Daniel Ndocaj; Alexander Woodworth; Yicheng Yang. All six students entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT as an initial screening. They were then announced as among the 16…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Schools Superintendent In Westchester Announces Retirement Schools Superintendent In Westchester Announces Retirement
Schools Superintendent In Westchester Announces Retirement A superintendent at one of the largest school districts in Northern Westchester has just announced he will be retiring. Andrew Selesnick has been in his post at the Katonah-Lewisboro School District since 2015, when he accepted the position after serving as principal at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. His retirement will be effective Friday, July 12. "It is hard to express how grateful I am to have been your superintendent for nine years and an educator in Northern Westchester for 32 years," Selesnick said in a statement. "Though I’m retiring as superintendent, I will seek new way…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat
Poll Shows Tight Race In Special Election For George Santos Congressional Seat New polling is showing a tight race ahead of New York’s special election to fill George Santos’ vacant House seat. An Emerson College/PIX11 poll of 3rd District voters released Thursday, Jan. 18, shows Democrat Tom Suozzi narrowly leading Republican Mazi Pilip 45 percent to 42 percent. Five percent of voters want someone else for the job while nine percent are still undecided, the poll found. Earlier Report: Election Date Set To Fill George Santos' Vacant House Seat The 3rd District seat – which represents parts of Nassau County and Queens – has sat vacant since Santos was ousted i…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record' Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record'
Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record' A school district in the Hudson Valley has officially named a new superintendent who is already a very familiar face.  The Brewster Central School District in Putnam County announced the appointment of Michelle Gosh as its next superintendent on Friday, Jan. 12. Gosh will officially take over the position on Monday, July 1 following the retirement of her predecessor, Laurie Bandlow.  Earlier Report - Brewster Central Schools Superintendent To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' Although Gosh will be taking on a new role, she is a familiar face in Brew…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Assistant Superintendent Named At District In Westchester: 'One Of Most Critical Roles' New Assistant Superintendent Named At District In Westchester: 'One Of Most Critical Roles'
New Assistant Superintendent Named At District In Westchester: 'One Of Most Critical Roles' A school district in Westchester has appointed a new assistant superintendent who will bring plenty of administrative experience to the role.  The Mamaroneck Union Free School District has named Jeffrey Moore as its new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, officials announced on Wednesday, Dec. 20.  Moore, whose contract was officially approved by the district's Board of Education on Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, will begin in the role on or before Monday, April 1.  According to district officials, Moore emerged as the best fit for the position duri…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Update: Interim Superintendent Named At Elmsford School District After Predecessor Leaves Update: Interim Superintendent Named At Elmsford School District After Predecessor Leaves
Update: Interim Superintendent Named At Elmsford School District After Predecessor Leaves A school district in Westchester has selected an interim superintendent following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor after only a few months in the position.  The Elmsford Union Free School District has appointed James M. Ryan as Interim Superintendent, district officials announced on Friday, Dec. 8.  Ryan, who will serve through the rest of the 2023-24 school year, replaces the former superintendent Ronald Gonzalez, who resigned on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Gonzalez had been appointed superintendent in March 2023 after joining the district in July 2022 as…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Westchester School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Westchester
School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Westchester A film school in Westchester is making history by opening the first-ever "hologram studio" for educational purposes, officials announced.  The grand opening for the world's first-ever hologram studio for youth and education was held on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the S.I.C. Film School located at 1 Larkin Pl., Yonkers city officials announced.  According to the school, the studio is the first to be made specifically for educational purposes and is part of the institution's focus on using virtual reality and the metaverse in arts education.  Students will be able to use the studio to…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Mother Of Mayor In Westchester, Former NY State Senator Dies: 'She Inspired Us' Beloved Mother Of Mayor In Westchester, Former NY State Senator Dies: 'She Inspired Us'
Beloved Mother Of Mayor In Westchester, Former NY State Senator Dies: 'She Inspired Us' The beloved mother of a Westchester County mayor and a former New York state senator is being remembered for her life-long dedication to her family.  Josephine Spano, the mother of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and former New York State Sen. Nicholas A. Spano, died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 6 at the age of 89, according to an announcement by Mayor Spano's office.  In a statement, Spano said that his mother helped give him and his siblings the drive to succeed.  "We all just wanted to make her so proud," Spano said, adding, "She inspired us. She educated us. She dedicated he…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
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
News
Beloved 36-Year-Old Mom From Irvington Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car Beloved 36-Year-Old Mom From Irvington Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car
Beloved 36-Year-Old Mom From Irvington Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car The family of a beloved mother originally from Westchester is in mourning after she was shot and killed inside her parked car by a 32-year-old man, according to police.   Former Irvington-on-Hudson resident Kaitlyn Ashley Lynch was killed on Friday, Aug. 18 at the age of 36 while sitting in her parked car outside her home in Cincinnati, Ohio, according to the city's police department.  On the day of her death, just before midnight, Cincinnati officers responded to Lynch's home and found evidence that suggested there had been a shooting and possible kidnapping, and b…

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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
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
Greenburgh Ranks Ninth Nationally Among Best Places For Families, Fortune Says Greenburgh Ranks Ninth Nationally Among Best Places For Families, Fortune Says
Greenburgh Ranks Ninth Nationally Among Best Places For Families, Fortune Says Of all the towns in New York State, this community was decided the best for families and one of the best in the country. In Fortune Magazine's 2023 “50 Best Places to Live for Families” ranking, the Westchester County town of Greenburgh came in at No. 9, beating out dozens of other municipalities around the country, and ranking as best in the Empire State. What makes Greenburgh one of the best in the nation, Fortune claims, includes its proximity to New York City while still delivering a “small-town charm in a leafy landscape of rolling hills.” With historic residences to visit, outdoor r…

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by Sophie Grieser
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
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…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
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…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Migrants Arrive In Yonkers: 'We're Going To Treat Them Right,' Mayor Says Migrants Arrive In Yonkers: 'We're Going To Treat Them Right,' Mayor Says
Migrants Arrive In Yonkers: 'We're Going To Treat Them Right,' Mayor Says As over a dozen migrant families make a new home at a hotel in Westchester, city officials are calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to come up with a plan to provide the funds needed to give them the proper care and services they require.  The 38 asylum seekers, 14 families in total, arrived in Yonkers on Monday night, May 15 at the Ramada Inn at 125 Tuckahoe Rd., according to Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.  City officials said that the migrants who arrived Monday are mostly women with young children who were sent from New York City, which will be paying for their room and board. …

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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
Ardsley Administrator Named Superintendent At District In Northern Westchester Ardsley Administrator Named Superintendent At District In Northern Westchester
Ardsley Administrator Named Superintendent 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
Lifestyle
Here's Where NY Ranks Among Best States In US, And Why Here's Where NY Ranks Among Best States In US, And Why
Here's Where NY Ranks Among Best States In US, And Why A brand-new report ranks all 50 states from top to bottom based on a variety of factors. U.S. News & World Report released its annual best states rankings on Tuesday, May 2, and New York came in at -- drumroll, please -- No. 20. Rankings were based on statistics in several categories, including economy, crime, health care, infrastructure, and education. A total of 48.8 percent of New Yorkers are college educated, the report said. New York has a median income of $43,462 and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of just over $2 billion. Utah is the top-ranked state in the rankings. …

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by Joe Lombardi