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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…

by Michael Mashburn

05/14/2024

Schools

16-Year-Old Sets Fire To School In Region, Police Say

16-Year-Old Sets Fire To School In Region, Police Say

16-Year-Old Sets Fire To School In Region, Police Say Classes were in session when a 16-year-old allegedly set fire to a high school in the region. The Albany County incident happened Tuesday, April 23, at Bethlehem High School. According to Bethlehem Police, the juvenile suspect intentionally started a fire in a school bathroom in the C wing. No students or staff were injured, but the incident forced an evacuation of the building that lasted nearly an hour. The alleged culprit is a student at the school, according to Superintendent Jody Monroe, who said the district is cooperating with police and is conducting its own investigation. …

by Michael Mashburn

05/08/2024

News

New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why New York continues to rank among the top 25 best states in the country. The Empire State came in at No. 23 – down slightly from No. 20 last year – on the 2024 Best States list by U.S. News & World Report, released Tuesday, May 7. Rankings were determined using 71 metrics across eight categories, including fiscal stability, infrastructure, education, health care, and the economy. Data was pulled from national surveys taken by nearly 70,000 people. New York made the top 10 for natural environment and health care, coming in at No. 5 and No. 8, respectively, while placing No. 12 in educat…

by Michael Mashburn

05/07/2024

Schools

School Superintendent Accepts Post At Nearby District In Region

School Superintendent Accepts Post At Nearby District In Region

School Superintendent Accepts Post At Nearby District In Region After six years, a Hudson Valley superintendent has announced his upcoming move to a nearby district to remain closer to his family. Superintendent Phil Benante of Putnam County's Haldane Central School District announced on Tuesday, April 30 that he was appointed head of the Arlington Central School District in Dutchess County, according to a letter written to the district community. In his letter, Benante wrote that he chose to move to the Arlington district because it would allow him to work closer to his family. The Arlington district includes parts of Beekman, La Gran…

05/03/2024

Schools

Best High Schools: NY Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News 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…

by Joe Lombardi

04/23/2024

Schools

Schools Superintendent In Region Announces Retirement

Schools Superintendent In Region Announces Retirement

Schools Superintendent In Region 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…

by Joe Lombardi

01/23/2024

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…

by Michael Mashburn

01/20/2024

Obituaries

‘Beautiful Heart, Soul': National Guard Member From Region Dies At Age 33

‘Beautiful Heart, Soul': National Guard Member From Region Dies At Age 33

‘Beautiful Heart, Soul': National Guard Member From Region Dies At Age 33 Tributes are pouring in for a beloved New York Army National Guard member from the region following her untimely death. Heather St. Pierre, formerly of Troy in Rensselaer County, died at her Cambridge home in Washington County on Thursday, Jan. 11 at the age of 33, according to her obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Albany, St. Pierre graduated from Hoosic Valley Central School in 2008, where she holds school records in pole vaulting and track. She later obtained a criminal justice degree from Bryant & Stratton College. St. Pierre was a member of the Military Poli…

by Michael Mashburn

01/20/2024

Schools

School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Region

School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Region

School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Region 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…

12/11/2023

Schools

Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Region, Encourages Students To Serve Community

Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Region, Encourages Students To Serve Community

Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Region, 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…

11/29/2023

Schools

7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings

7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings

7 NY School Districts 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…

by Joe Lombardi

11/27/2023

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…

by Michael Mashburn

11/20/2023

Schools

New Superintendent Tapped At School District In Region

New Superintendent Tapped At School District In Region

New Superintendent Tapped At School District In Region 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…

10/03/2023

Schools

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…

by Joe Lombardi

08/29/2023

News

Beloved 36-Year-Old Mom From Region Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car

Beloved 36-Year-Old Mom From Region Shot, Killed Inside Parked Car

Beloved 36-Year-Old Mom From Region 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…

08/25/2023

Schools

These NY School Districts Among Top 20 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says

These NY School Districts Among Top 20 In America For Best Teachers, Report Says

These NY School Districts Among Top 20 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” …

by Michael Mashburn

08/06/2023

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…

by Morgan Gonzales

07/25/2023

Schools

Saugerties HS Grad Named District's New Superintendent

Saugerties HS Grad Named District's New Superintendent

Saugerties HS Grad Named District's 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 …

by Kathy Reakes

07/06/2023

Lifestyle

This Community In Region Ranks Ninth Nationally For Among Best Places For Families: Fortune

This Community In Region Ranks Ninth Nationally For Among Best Places For Families: Fortune

This Community In Region Ranks Ninth Nationally For Among Best Places For Families: Fortune 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…

by Sophie Grieser

06/15/2023

Schools

New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Region

New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Region

New Superintendent To Take Command At District In Region 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…

05/10/2023

Schools

This School District In Region Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says

This School District In Region Ranks In Top 15 In America, New Report Says

This School District In Region 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 …

05/06/2023

Schools

School Superintendent In Region To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart'

School Superintendent In Region To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart'

School Superintendent In Region To Step Down: 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…

05/04/2023

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. …

by Joe Lombardi

05/03/2023

Obituaries

Former Teacher From Region Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family

Former Teacher From Region Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family

Former Teacher From Region Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family A beloved Westchester County native who taught chemistry at a high school in Connecticut and made learning fun for his students is being remembered for his light-hearted nature. Richard Linden, who grew up in the city of Rye and who taught in Tolland County at RHAM High School in Hebron, died on Sunday, April 16 at the age of 69, according to his obituary. Born in 1953, Linden went on to graduate from Cornell University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. After working as a hospital administrator for …

04/29/2023

Schools

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…

04/17/2023

Lifestyle

This County In Region Is NY's Healthiest, Brand-New Study Says Those looking to improve their wellness might want to consider moving to the Hudson Valley county which has been ranked as the healthiest in the entirety of New York, according to a new study. Putnam County has been ranked as the healthiest out of the 62 counties in New York, according to a new study released on Wednesday, March 29 by researchers from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. In ranking each county, the researchers considered data relating to categories such as length of life, quality of life, health behaviors, social and economic factors, and phy…

04/02/2023

Schools

Swastikas Found At High School In Region

Swastikas Found At High School In Region

Swastikas Found At High School In Region 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 “…

by Kathy Reakes

03/31/2023

Obituaries

Already Reeling From Student’s Death, High School In Region Mourns Loss Of Beloved Teacher

Already Reeling From Student’s Death, High School In Region Mourns Loss Of Beloved Teacher

Already Reeling From Student’s Death, High School In Region Mourns Loss Of Beloved Teacher A high school community in the region already mourning the loss of a student is now dealing with more grief following the death of a beloved teacher. Mary Hoffa, who taught science for 20 years at Schenectady High School, died Wednesday, March 1, after battling an illness, according to a statement from Schenectady City Schools Superintendent Anibal Soler. Soler said several of Hoffa’s colleagues had been in contact with her and were at her bedside before she died. “Mary was known as a smart and kind woman, adored and loved by all who knew her,” Soler said. “She will be greatly missed b…

by Michael Mashburn

03/03/2023

Schools

'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands School District In Region In Hot Water

'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands School District In Region In Hot Water

'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands School District In Region In Hot Water A school district in New York is apologizing after a Facebook post about a snowman sparked allegations of racism. In a now-deleted post on Tuesday, Jan. 31, Greene County’s Coxsackie-Athens Central School District included a photo of three students standing next to a noticeably dirty snowman. The caption reads, “Today’s CE Fourth Grade Playground Fun! This snowman is just as diverse as our students!” The Coxsackie-Athens Central School District apologized over a Facebook post about a "diverse" snowman that sparked allegations of racism.Coxsackie-Athens Central School District It didn’…

by Michael Mashburn

02/04/2023

Politics

'Thrilled To Join This Community': Hillary Clinton Reveals New Teaching Gig In NY

'Thrilled To Join This Community': Hillary Clinton Reveals New Teaching Gig In NY

'Thrilled To Join This Community': Hillary Clinton Reveals New Teaching Gig In NY Hillary Clinton is ready to begin a new chapter in her professional career. Clinton will soon start teaching classes at Columbia University in New York City, according to an announcement by the university on Thursday, Jan. 5. There, she will serve as a professor of practice at the university's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and a presidential fellow at Columbia World Projects. In these roles, she hopes to help the world's next generation of leaders face upcoming obstacles, Clinton said. "Columbia's commitment to educating the next generation of policy leaders—and help…

01/06/2023

Schools

Here's Where New York Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says

Here's Where New York Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says

Here's Where New York Ranks Among States With Best Public School Systems, Forbes Says New York ranks in the top half of states with the best public school systems, according to a report from Forbes. The state ranks 22nd in the nation for its public schools, according to the news outlet. The schools in the state benefit from the cultural diversity of places like New York City, which is "widely deemed the cultural capital of the world," the Forbes report said. One advantage that this cultural diversity brings is the number of languages that are spoken in the city, which total as many as 800, according to Forbes. Click here to read the full report from Forbe…

12/26/2022