News from Our Schools: April 16, 2026

News from Our Schools April 16, 2026 New Rochelle Students Advance to International Science and Engineering Fair New Rochelle High School seniors Scarlett Hartzman and Carlos Del Aguila have earned a second straight trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair after placing in the top 20 out of 827 competitors at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. They will compete at the international fair in Phoenix, Ariz., May 9-15. Scarlett's project explored potential travel routes for rovers on Mars and identified geological targets for future human missions to Mars. Carlos’s project focused on how a federal food assistance program affects quality of life across the United States.  “I'm extremely grateful and beyond excited to represent New Rochelle High School at ISEF,” said Scarlett, who won in the physics and astronomy category. “I love my field of research and hope to one day work in the space industry where I can help bring the first humans to Mars." Carlos, who won in the behavioral science category, said “ISEF is the greatest opportunity a student can have to not only share their findings, but also to be surrounded by other science-driven students like oneself. I'm excited to meet and interact with the international community.” New Rochelle Science Research Program Coordinator Erica Curran praised Scarlett and Carlos, the first two New Rochelle students to advance to ISEF two consecutive years. “Scarlett and Carlos have worked tirelessly for years on their research, and their awards are well deserved,” Curran said. “They are both making meaningful, impressive contributions to the body of research in their field. We are so proud that they will be representing New Rochelle High School and our research program.”  New Rochelle Science Research sent 48 research students to WESEF, the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair, this year, the highest number in the program’s history. In addition, New Rochelle had the greatest number of students winning first through third place medals, and the greatest number of first place winners of any participating school with five overall. Scarlett, salutatorian for the Class of 2026, has devoted much of her time in high school to science research and musical pursuits, but she has made time for fun. Among other things, she founded the Crochet Club and the Robotics Club, and participates in the Chess Club.She has also won numerous awards for her science research. Carlos, who will be the first in his family to attend college, is a Questbridge Scholar and will attend Harvard University to study applied mathematics with a focus on sociology. He is President of New Rochelle High School Student Government. Davis Students Advance to Destination Imagination Finals A team of George M. Davis Elementary School second graders earned second place in the New York State Destination Imagination competition, earning a place in the global finals in Kansas City, Mo., next month. Destination Imagination is a not-for-profit educational program that promotes creativity by having students solve open-ended challenges that blend science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Teams develop a solution to a challenge over a three- to six-month season, then present it at a tournament. The Davis team, known as the Color Whirl Kids, chose the Fine Arts challenge titled "Becoming Super." They were to create an origin story about how one character becomes a superhero and another character becomes a supervillain when placed in the same situation.  The team also had to create a technical costume using the principles of STEM and use stage makeup to enhance the performance. All teams had a budget of $175 and eight minutes to present their performance. The Color Whirl Kids team formed in October with seven students who meet weekly for two hours to develop their solution to the DI challenge. A key element of DI is that students create their solution without adult assistance. They design all props, costumes and other artistic and/or technical elements necessary to bring the presentation to life.  The Color Whirl Kids gave an inspiring performance about a Wacky Wednesday Parade at their imaginary school of "Rainbow Tornado Academy" where one character ate rainbow candy to become a superhero who could make objects colorful. Meanwhile, the supervillain eats a black and white candy to be able to steal the color from anything he touches. The performance involves music, dancing, singing, and a four foot tall backdrop that transforms into their classroom with a light up "smart board." Their technical costume- a backpack "cape" of pool noodles shaped like the rainbow has over 100 lights individually wrapped in colorful cellophane to create a rainbow light effect. Not to mention a "rainbow tornado" headband that spins on a repurposed wand toy.  In the end the students created a happy ending in which the superhero and class work together to give rainbow powers to their supervillain classmate with their rendition of "we're all in this together." “The Color Whirl Kids were the youngest team in their division this year in the state of New York, largely competing against students from third, fourth and fifth grades across the elementary age level,” said parent Marissa Beattie, one of the group's leaders and a Destination Imagination alumnus. “Through months of hard work and teamwork, they have shown that age is no barrier to innovation.” Trinity Elementary Students Raise and Release Trout Fourth graders from Trinity Elementary School journeyed to Rockefeller State Park on April 8 to release 125 trout fingerlings into the Pocantico River.  The trip marked the completion of a six-month “Trout in the Classroom” project that saw the students raise the juvenile brown trout from eggs. Along the way, students learned about the life cycle of trout, the need to protect our waterways, and the connection between humans and the ecosystem. On release day, students from Griselda Pena’s class and Terri Agravat’s STEAM class were joined by partners at New York State Parks and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, who helped them acclimate and release the trout. Students learned about how the trout's needs will be met in their new natural habitat. They also observed macroinvertebrates that the trout eat in the wild, such as caddis fly larvae, scuds, and threadworms. Now in its seventh year at Trinity Elementary, the Trout in the Classroom program, sponsored by Trout Unlimited, a nationwide not-for-profit dedicated to conservation, teaches students the importance of protecting water quality.  For a period of six months, students help feed the trout and monitor the water quality of the tank. They test levels of pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in the water and learn about stream ecology, aquatic habitats, watershed protection, trout anatomy and life cycle, and the food chain. “This amazing first-hand experience allows students to make connections between the trout, the environment, and our precious water resources. It helps to foster a sense of environmental stewardship in our students,” said Agravat. The students were excited and protective of the fingerlings they had raised. "I think it was so much fun. I learned that the trout need it to be around 50 degrees,” said Catherine A. “Hopefully, no one eats my trout."  Idris M. said, "It was fun and different. I liked releasing the fish."  Like a proud parent, Amelia A., declared the fish “really cute.” Jefferson Students Share Civic Science Projects at Blue Schools Symposium Have you ever wondered how snow melt affects local water systems? Or why pollinator gardens are important? If so, Jefferson Elementary School students have some answers for you. Fourth and fifth graders from Jefferson Elementary recently presented on these and other topics at the Blue Schools Symposium at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The symposium showcased civic science projects focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability. After researching their subjects throughout the school year, students had the opportunity to present their findings to peers, educators and community members at the symposium.  “I felt nervous and worried and also excited at the same time when presenting,” said Ghaby. “But (presenting) is important because it tells people our opinion about different things that we know about.” Students presented on a wide array of topics. One group discussed the development of a pollinator garden, explaining how native plants support bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators while improving local ecosystems. Another group highlighted its work with tower gardens, showing how vertical growing systems conserve space and water while producing healthy crops.  “The Blue Schools Symposium provided a meaningful platform for Jefferson students to build confidence, practice public speaking, and engage with environmental science in an authentic setting,” said teacher Lucia Brea. Other projects that showcased student creativity and scientific inquiry included a study on snowmelt, examining how melting snow affects local water systems and what that means for environmental planning and safety. Fifth grade students Yudesh and Ximena presented a large-scale project centered on cleaning and protecting the environment. Their work focused on identifying sources of pollution, understanding the effects on local habitats, and proposing actions that individuals and communities could take to reduce their environmental footprint. Students emphasized the importance of responsibility and teamwork in creating lasting environmental change. All of the projects presented were part of the school’s civic science curriculum, which encourages students to research real issues, ask meaningful questions, and design solutions that can positively impact their community. Some projects have already been completed, while others are ongoing, allowing students to continue refining their ideas and collecting data beyond the symposium. For many students, the experience made them eager to learn more.   “I loved sharing what I learned, and while in the aquarium, I wanted to ask them, what is the pH for different tanks, do they test their waters? I am still curious about so much information. I wish I had more time at the aquarium,” said Paulina. Teachers and organizers praised the students for their preparation, curiosity, and dedication to learning.  “Jefferson Elementary is proud of its students for their thoughtful work and commitment to caring for the environment, and the school looks forward to continuing its civic science initiatives in the months ahead,” said Principal Nieves. New Rochelle High School Civics Fair 2026 In celebration of both the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Seal of Civic Readiness, New Rochelle High School hosted its annual Civics Fair on March 25, sponsored by the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence.   The event focused on the political ideals promised in the Declaration of Independence and whether those promises are being upheld for young people and immigrants today. In the morning, teachers brought their classes to the library to view students’ Civic Participation Projects, a component of the Seal of Civic Readiness, and discuss students’ ideas for change. Volunteer New York also participated, hosting a voter registration drive and sharing information with students about local volunteer opportunities. The afternoon portion of the event featured a panel discussion with local leaders, including Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Assistant Principal Valerie Cadet-Simpkins, and Chief of the Rackets Bureau at the Manhattan District, Christopher Conroy.   For each topic, four students joined the expert panel to discuss their ideas in relation to the broader theme. For issues related to young people, Abigail Shammas and Alani Galvan addressed equal access to education, Ian McCloskey addressed gun violence, and Cory Seelenfreund raised issues around the impact of AI on the future of young people.   The immigration discussion featured Isabella Simons, who is currently completing an AP Capstone project on the topic; Areli Morgado, and Melany Gallardo, who addressed the issues around asylum; and Celeste Rogove, who discussed ICE enforcement. Panelist Cadet-Simpkins praised student participants. "I relished the opportunity to answer student questions about their genuine civic interests and help them make authentic real-world connections to the policies and procedures we have put in place as a school community,” she said. “The event was a thoughtful forum to hold complex discussions, and I hope more students get to experience learning in this powerful way." Senior Areli Morgado said, “We were happy to have our voices heard on a subject that we care deeply about.”   Areli, a member of the Social Studies Honors Society, is one of many seniors on track to earn her Seal of Civic Readiness. Areli is considering studying political science in college for a possible career in law.   Albert Leonard Middle School Peer Leaders Teach About Human Rights Clean water. Freedom from bullying. Equal education for girls. These are just some of the human rights issues that Albert Leonard Middle School students learned about on March 27 during public service presentations by their peers.  Seventh graders Emilia, Kensie, Julia, Leah, Maevah, Kayleigh, and Simon underwent special training at the 11th Annual Human Rights Institute for Middle School Leaders sponsored by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) back in November.  As part of their training, the students pledged to create public service presentations to educate their peers about human rights. Two students presented to each seventh grade social studies class on enduring issues in connection with human rights and organizations working to protect those rights. The students highlighted work by Water.org; the World Wildlife Fund; Digital Promise; Stomp Out Bullying; the Malala Fund; and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. In addition to offering information, the presenters led students in a Jeopardy game to test their recall of important facts about the highlighted organizations.     By all accounts, the presentations were well-received.  “This was a fantastic presentation. It was one of the best I’ve seen in my 11 years of teaching,” said social studies teacher Mary Bongo. “The enduring issues connection makes it really applicable for the Regents exams.”  Presenters benefited as well. “We have worked hard, we have practiced, and we have prepared,” said student presenter Kensington. “Now we get to put these skills to use and use them to the best of our abilities.”  Student presenter Julia called the effort “one of the most fun and educational experiences of my life,” and student presenter Emilia said she was “honored to have been chosen for this program.”  Lastly, student presenter Simon summed it up, saying, “It’s a fun experience. You get to work with nice people and learn things you wouldn’t learn in your regular classes. It’s a different way to present to your peers.”  Faculty Advisor Jesse Timpanaro said he was particularly impressed by the collaborative efforts of the students working together to create this presentation.  “Overall, this whole experience has been wonderful; these students have really worked hard gathering research and incorporating their own experiences and perspectives,” Timpanaro said. “The whole Peer Leader Team did a magnificent job of empowering their classmates with the information and motivation to become active citizens and upstanders in their community.”   New Rochelle High School Hosts Second Black Leadership Conference Nearly 250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and 163 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans continue to work for equal opportunity and equal recognition in the United States. That was the theme of New Rochelle High School’s second Black Leadership Conference, “Our Social Dilemma: From Jubilee to Today,” which was held on Feb.28 at the conclusion of Black History Month. Upperclassmen in the My Brother’s Keeper and My Sister, Keep Her programs planned the event in collaboration with the New Rochelle NAACP Youth Chapter and Youth Council. Aisha Cook, president of the New Rochelle NAACP chapter and fourth grade teacher at Columbus Elementary, kicked off the conference with a presentation on the Emancipation Proclamation and what it actually accomplished.  Then the visitors split up to experience two of the four student-led (plus one teacher-led) breakout sessions about how African Americans have wrestled with “freedom” since the end of slavery in this country: Educational Freedom & Young X  Social Media: Mind, Soul, then Body - The Physical Effect Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Beauty Standards, & Black Women’s Mental Health Black Inventors Contributions to American Fashion & Music The Pipeline to Health Equity: How STEM Access Shapes Black Health Outcomes. Jaden Cooper, a member of the Gospel choir, led the group in “Lift Every Voice & Sing” to start the program. New Rochelle Councilpersons David Peters and Matthew Stern were in attendance, as well as New Rochelle Police Commissioner Neil Reynolds and a representative from state Sen. Shelley B. Mayer’s office.  Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of the late Malcolm X, Visits New Rochelle High School Award-winning author, educator and daughter of Malcolm X, Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz visited New Rochelle High School on March 11 to speak about her father, her parent’s legacy and the importance of telling African American stories. Dr. Shabazz spoke about growing up and attending private school in Westchester County while trying to preserve her father’s civil rights legacy. She urged students gathered in the Linda Kelly Theater to take care of themselves and their community and to determine their own futures. “You are important,” she said. “You are important.” Her visit to the high school, bridging Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March, was sponsored by the New Rochelle High School Black History Month Committee, the high school administration and the Greater Hudson Valley NY Chapter of the Links, Incorporated.  “Today was a very important day for our young people, to hear the true message of Malcolm X and its relevance today. The message of human rights, focused on love, education, and humanity, is a message that all need to hear,” said Laurie Collins-Thomas, a 29-year veteran teacher at the high school and the president of the GHV Links Inc.    “Young people need to realize their self-worth and be able to advocate for themselves and those who are marginalised and can not advocate for themselves,” she said, adding that it had been an honor to bring Dr. Shabazz, a community leader, activist, and national figure to speak with the students. After her general remarks, Dr. Shabazz, who has written a memoir, “Growing Up X,” participated in a book talk with Harmony Hopwood. Harmony is the president of the school poetry club and Westchester Poet Laureate.  “The event was wonderful and inspirational,” Harmony said. “Dr. Shabazz was really articulate and shared great anecdotes about how activism and self-confidence impacted her life.”   Prior to the event, students in several literature and government classes were assigned to read the Prologue and first Chapter of “Growing Up X” and to prepare questions for Dr. Shabazz. The high school Gospel Choir kicked off the event with the inspired lyrics of the first verse of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson. Dr. Shabazz’s visit concluded with a book-signing where each student in attendance had the opportunity to interact with her. Attendees were impressed.  “When the gospel choir students hijacked Dr. Shabazz to take pictures, she was so lovely and open to interacting with each of us,” said senior Katlego Mokome. “Even though she was too young to remember what happened, she is still carrying on the legacy of her father, Malcolm X, which was so inspiring.”  Class of 2026 president Stone Pride said he “enjoyed how she used the teachings of Malcolm X and adjusted them so they could be beneficial to us students.”   Huguenot Academy Students Get Close-Up View of the Future Huguenot Academy students had a hands-on lesson in alternative energy and a glimpse of what their future could be during a visit to our partners at Soulful Synergy on March 25. Students participated in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), technical class and learned about the various certification options in the field. They also networked with current students who are New Rochelle High School alumni, as well as with instructors and potential employers.  The students who participated were junior Joe Cilento and seniors Jawan Jackson, Jonathan Phillips-Blades, and Gerardo Yoguez. They returned to Huguenot Academy excited about the future and could be heard encouraging younger peers with statements like, "Time. Dedication, Effort! or "Anything you put your mind to, you're capable of doing it. No distractions!"  "I appreciate Soulful Synergy opening up their doors to our students. This was a real-life, eye-opening, life-changing experience,” said Christopher Tuck, school counselor. “To have a facility like this steps away from our door, that is free and available, is awesome." Huguenot Academy Director Dr. Merica Neufville said, "I appreciate Soulful Synergy for partnering with us. This is another example of how Huguenot Academy shows our students that their success in school, in the community, and in life beyond high school matters a great deal to us all." Soulful Synergy was the recipient of a $450,000 grant from the New York Power Authority to train students to work in weatherization, energy efficiency, building electrification, and other fields. Soulful Synergy was founded in 2013 to train workers in underserved communities. “By advancing equitable economic systems, protecting our environment, and strengthening local capacity, we aim to build a world where resilience, justice, and shared prosperity are the foundation of thriving societies,” NYPA’s mission statement says. NRHS DECA Members Take On State Business Competition in Rochester From March 4-6, 22 students from the New Rochelle High School DECA Club traveled to Rochester to represent the school at the DECA State Competitive Events Competition. Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is an international organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.  Competing against peers from more than 120 high schools throughout New York State, NRHS students participated in both individual and team events. The rigorous competition included a written test and an interactive role play, where students solved real-world business dilemmas on the fly, judged by industry professionals.  “This is what we think of when we talk about cooperative and project-based learning, bringing real-world experiences to our students. I can’t think of any better way to do it than what DECA is offering as a program,” said DECA advisor Gary Weed.  “DECA was a positive experience for me because it pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and apply real-world business and communication skills,.” said junior Naolin Concha, who is Chapter Secretary. “Competing required me to think quickly, present ideas clearly, and respond to questions in a professional manner. It was also highly rewarding to see our preparation and effort come together in a finished product.”     Senior Vanessa Vera said, “DECA has been a very exciting and engaging experience for me. Over these past two years, I have been able to make connections and network with students from all around the state. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to test my skills and grow both academically and personally, as well as gain a deeper appreciation for Business and entrepreneurship."  Senior Justin Craig said, “Competing was an amazing and insightful experience. I enjoyed the competitive nature of DECA. I feel the experience has better prepared me to be successful in college, my future career, and in life in general.”  The event was sponsored by The New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence; My Money Workshop and the Richard Yaffa family; and the Martin Silver Fund. This is NRHS DECA’s fourth year. Membership is open to all. Contact gweed@nredlearn.org or click this link for the DECA guide https://issuu.com/decainc/docs/deca-2022-hs-guide?fr=sNGM4NDUxNzA3NDk Congratulations Tenured Teachers and Staff! Davis Elementary School At the March 26 Board of Education meeting at City Hall, Principal Anthony Bambrola honored two Davis Elementary School Teachers who have earned tenure: General Education Teacher Arielle Lowe, and Special Education Teacher Francesca Perticaro. Mr. Bambrola presented them with certificates and words of praise for all they do for our students. Congratulations to both! Principal Anthony Bambrola and Elementary Teacher Arielle Lowe Principal Anthony Bambrola with Teacher Francesca Perticaro   Jefferson Elementary School Five Jefferson Elementary School teachers were recognized in the Board of Education Chambers at City Hall at the Board's April 9 meeting. Principal Kimmerly Nieves highlighted the newly tenured staff, detailing their accomplishments and sharing what makes them special to their students and colleagues. Left to Right: Jefferson Assistant Principal Salvatore Spataro, Teacher Jacky Contreras, Speech and Language Teacher Lesley Solinger, Teacher Gina Gunther, Teacher Victoria Vallaro, Teacher Daniela Cocucci, and Principal Kimmerly Nieves Schools Closed on May 26 and May 27 - Unless We Have Another Weather Day Many are asking whether there will be weather make-up days on May 26 and May 27. As of today, April 16, schools will be closed on both dates. The district calendar for this school year includes 180 student instructional days, along with three Superintendent’s Conference Days, for a total of 183 session days eligible for state aid. To date, the district has utilized three snow days. Following the winter storm on February 22–23, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency. As a result, school districts that closed on February 23 to ensure the safety of students and staff were granted a waiver from the 180-day requirement for that day. Additionally, districts forced to close for additional days - like ours - could apply to waive an additional day, which we did. With only two countable weather-related closures this year, the district remains in compliance with the state’s 180-day instructional requirement. In the unlikely event that schools must close for two or more additional days between now and May 22, the district may need to utilize May 26 and/or May 27 as instructional days to meet state requirements. Should any additional closures occur, the district will promptly communicate any updates regarding the status of May 26 and May 27. Sights and Sounds from Around the District World Read Aloud Day Henry Barnard School celebrated World Read Aloud Day and Read Across America Day! Parent volunteers read books aloud to students. Some parents even came with activities to follow! It was a special experience to see families actively participating in the classroom. The students were excited and engaged, and it created a meaningful connection between home and school. Events like these highlight the importance of parent involvement in a child’s education. When families take part in activities like reading in the classroom, it reinforces the value of literacy and shows students that reading is something to be celebrated both at school and at home. The event was organized by the Barnard Reading Department, under the direction of Kimberly Purzewski. Barnard's Read-A-Thon Barnard is celebrating its first-ever Read-A-Thon! The school set a goal to raise funds to support end-of-the-year events and to promote reading among its youngest students. They had an assembly to kick off the April event with Iona University Spirit Teams, including: Iona University Cheerleaders Iona University Dance Team Iona University Gold Line Director: Mrs. Kristie DiZenzo  Asst: Mr. Sherquan Dailey AND Iona University's Mascot Killian! There are weekly prizes for students who fill in their Read-A-Thon bingo cards, for the top readers in each grade, and for the top class in each grade. Take Home Science Kits The New Rochelle High School Science Honor Society, led by advisor Valerie Zumbo, created take-home science experiment kits for some third through fifth grade Trinity and Jefferson Elementary students.   The idea originated with Science Honor Society member Jessenia Abrego and is meant to make science enrichment opportunities available to elementary students. Each kit contains the supplies needed for one easy experiment, plus instructions. Students took the kits home over break to have something fun and educational to do outside of school.  The kit challenged students to create a Balloon-Powered car. The Honor Society, led by senior Abigail Woodruff, created a video explaining how to create the car and the physics behind its movement. The students had fun creating their cars and learning about forces, motion, and energy! Aladdin Jr. Congratulations to the Daniel Webster Elementary School cast of Aladdin Jr. on an outstanding performance! Fourth and fifth grade students practiced the play for 10 days, then performed on stage in late January to delighted audiences who gave them standing ovations. Third graders also put in 10 days of hard work on the choral songs, wowing attendees with their music. Following the performance, families were able to stream the video to again enjoy the performance at home. Brava and bravo to all the Webster cast members! Alumni News NRHS alumnus ('25) and current Monroe University student Philip Surpis recently traveled to Albany for a Student Lobby Day. Surpis and other Monroe students met with elected officials to discuss issues such as support for state tuition assistance programs, sharing his story and perspectives with state senators and assemblymembers. Surpis is studying Computer Networks and Cybersecurity at Monroe and currently holds a perfect 4.0 grade point average after his first semester. Athletics Flag Football New Rochelle 46, Port Chester 0 New Rochelle 19, Brewster 0 New Rochelle 21, Clarkstown South 0 Photo credit: Bobby Begun   Girls Lacrosse New Rochelle 8, Putnam Valley 18 New Rochelle at Byram Hills April 16 at 4:30 p.m. Photo credit: Bobby Begun   Ward Basketball For the fourth time in school history, William B. Ward Elementary won both the Boys and Girls Winter Elementary Basketball Leagues. The Liberty and Warriors completed their sweep of the city championship in a thrilling double header at New Rochelle High School on March 14. The Ward Liberty had an undefeated season and won its 15th title with a 36-point effort. For the sixth time in seven games, all five starters scored multiple baskets. Coco, Violet, Kayla, Emilia, and Chizara each scored at least 30 points in the season. Fifth graders Stevie, Bria, and Zoe provided great minutes off the bench. Fourth graders Emily, Sofia, Ava, Adriana, and Ava played a huge role in each winning effort.  The Ward Warriors completed their second consecutive undefeated season. Led by MVP captain Christian, alongside back-to-back champions Matthew and Chioma, the team showcased outstanding teamwork, discipline, and dedication all season. Key contributions from Tonio, Roosevelsen, Brody, Colin, Frankie, Logan, Johnny, Max, Dominick, and Kaiyan helped solidify a true championship culture. Special thanks to team managers Gabe and Greyson for their support. Under the leadership of Coaches DeParis Banks and Dylan Erber, the Ward Warriors’ historic back-to-back undefeated seasons are a testament to hard work, unity, and excellence. Congratulations to the Ward Warriors on an unforgettable achievement!   New Rochelle Pioneers Track and Field The New Rochelle pioneers traveled to Mahopac on Saturday, April 11, to compete in time trials for track and field in preparation for spring games at West Point Military Academy on April 26. Athletes competed in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the 4 x 100-meter relay turbo, javelin, and multiple unified events.   Pioneers Host Basketball Tournament New Rochelle Pioneers participated in the regional basketball tournament at New Rochelle High School on March 14. This is the 11th year New Rochelle has hosted this event. The Pioneers' White Team placed second in their division, and the Purple Team placed fourth. Coach Boychew thanks the Varsity and JV teams, and many honor society students who showed up to volunteer at the event. Parents and Coaches praised the wonderful job they did. Congratulations to all! Pioneers Basketball The Pioneers played a close basketball game against Mt. Vernon on March 17. Ashley Vasquez scored 20 points, and Anderson Alvarez and Stephen Cortalano each scored 8 points. The Pioneers beat White Plains 26-20 on March 24 and continued the winning streak against Tuckahoe, finishing 12-8. Ashley, Anderson, Bryce, Khiry, Jerry and JJ were top scorers. Luis and Selvin were top rebounders. Ruth and Noah were top in assists. Fernando scored his first 4 points of his career.   Solomon Sets Record Olivia Solomon has become the fastest Sophomore in NYS history by breaking the 800-meter run with a time of 2:07.11, March 14-15 at the Nike Nationals held at the Armory in NYC. The previous record was held by Mary Cane from Bronxville in 2012.  Girls Track and Field The NRHS Girls Track Team won the Freshman Sophomore Championship and the Varsity Championship at Uniondale High School on Long Island on April 11. Well done, teams! Nike Nationals Girls Track Congratulations to Alexis Smith, Alivia Smith, Elisa Crisp, and Olivia Solomon, who became Nike Nationals All Americans, finishing second with a time of 3:57.4 in the girls Sprint Medley Relay at the Nike Nationals! The team finished second in the state and in the nation.  George Greene named Westchester Indoor Coach of the Year Congratulations to George Greene, Teaching Assistant at New Rochelle High School, for being named Coach of the Year—for the second year in a row! This back-to-back honor is a testament to George’s dedication, leadership, and positive impact on students and the school community. Check out all the great community events happening now! Click here for community events   Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2026 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Thursday, Apr 16 2026

News from Our Schools: March 26, 2026

News from Our Schools March 26, 2026 The City School District Of New Rochelle Awarded for Energy Conservation It pays to be energy conscious! The City School District of New Rochelle received a $107,195 GridRewards rebate check in recognition of its leadership in energy conservation during peak-use hours.  The check was presented to student members of the Green Schools Committee at a celebration in the Board of Education Chambers at City Hall on March 18. Committee members were joined by representatives of Sustainable Westchester and Logical Buildings, a climate technology provider, along with local elected and school district officials.  “Our partnership with Sustainable Westchester and Logical Buildings continues to deliver results for the taxpayers and community of New Rochelle,” said Keith W. Watkins, CDF, director of facilities, City School District of New Rochelle. “We are thrilled to have earned a record-setting amount during the past year, even as we demonstrate the importance of environmental and energy leadership to our students.” Logical Buildings’ SmartKit AI technology alerted the facilities staff of key peak energy demand hours during the summer of 2025, and the school district reduced energy usage at 10 schools in the district by approximately 1 MW, a 22.8% increase in savings from 2024. This reduction helped avoid the need to power up fossil fuel peaker power plants, which are extremely costly to operate and highly polluting. New Rochelle was the first school district in New York to participate in Logical Buildings’ Demand Response Program, starting in 2023.  Facilities Director Watkins joined students in accepting the $107,195 rebate presented by Lauren Brois, Director of Programming at Sustainable Westchester, and David Klatt, COO of Logical Buildings. Klatt also presented Watkins with a Climate Community Leader Excellence Award for his leadership in conservation.  “I am proud that the New Rochelle City School District is setting the pace for our county,” said City of New Rochelle Council Member Sara Kaye. “Thanks to the commitment of students, teachers, faculty, and staff, New Rochelle is doing its part to cut pollution, improve public health, strengthen the grid, and save money.” Members of the City of New Rochelle High School’s Green Club spoke at the celebration, showcasing the passion and leadership of young people in addressing climate and energy challenges. The students have been instrumental in educating parents and residents about the GridRewards program, achieving the highest number of sign-ups among all Westchester towns.  Ten schools were activated on the platform in 2025: Albert Leonard Middle School, Columbus Elementary School, Daniel Webster Elementary School, George M. Davis Elementary School, Henry Barnard School, Isaac E. Young Middle School, Jefferson Elementary School, New Rochelle High School, Trinity Elementary School, and William B. Ward Elementary School. Erber Headed to International Business Competition in Atlanta New Rochelle High School sophomore Emily Erber took the top prize in her respective competitive event category at the Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA) competition for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, which was held from March 4 through March 6 in Rochester.  DECA prepares students to become emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges across the country and abroad. An integral part of the curriculum, DECA’s industry-validated competitive events are aligned with the National Curriculum Standards in the career clusters of marketing, business management and administration, finance, and hospitality and tourism. Emily will now become the first New Rochelle High School student to represent New York State at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in late April.  She said winning the award was surreal. “There were so many incredibly talented students there, and everyone was so prepared and passionate about what they were doing, so just being part of that environment was really inspiring. Hearing my name called made all the preparation worth it, and I felt really grateful for the opportunity.” Students competed as a team or individually against more than 120 high schools throughout the state. The event involved a written test and an interactive component with a real-world role-play scenario judged by an industry professional. Events are classified by industry and career cluster and contribute to students’ college- and career-readiness when they graduate.   “The DECA program allows our students to transform classroom theory into professional practice,” said NRHS Business Teacher Gary Weed, who has advised the DECA club since its founding three years ago. “Beyond the competition, it provides Emily and her peers invaluable access to a global network of ambitious students and established industry leaders.”   Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles said, “I congratulate Emily on this historic achievement. She is the first student in New Rochelle High School’s history to represent our school at the international event. We could not be more proud of her and will be cheering her all the way to Atlanta.”  As an international competitor, Emily will compete for scholarship money in front of an audience of some 20,000 people. She is still exploring potential college majors and career fields. She credited her involvement in DECA, the Science Research Program at NRHS, and her advisors and family for boosting her success so far.  Emily is also a community volunteer with a non-profit she founded with her brother called The Celiac Shelf, which focuses on addressing food insecurity and the high cost of gluten-free food by providing safe, accessible options to people who need them. She says the experience has taught her how business and science come together to solve real problems and make a direct impact.  High School Senior D’Erasmo Wins Emerging Young Artist Award New Rochelle High School senior Sophia D’Erasmo has been named an Emerging Young Artist by the Palace Theater in Stamford, CT, for her one-act play, “Tape and a Timer.”  The play, which follows a stage manager in the chaotic lead-up to a show’s opening, will be read on stage at the Palace Theater with a professional director and actors on April 20. Sophia was one of three students recognized for playwriting. During rehearsals, the students will further develop their plays and characters with guidance from Luis Salgado, director/producer/choreographer. “I actually didn’t go into writing this with any inspiration in particular. It started off as a bunch of kids in a rush line to see a show and then I decided I wanted to shed light onto stage managers,” said Sophia. “I was shocked when I found out that I had won the award. I was really nervous to submit it, I wasn’t sure how many people would want to read it, never mind want to see it come to life!” Scott Harris, high school PAVE acting teacher and Isaac E. Young Middle School theater teacher/director, said “Sophia wrote a truly excellent play. It was a pleasure to read, and I was happy to support her through the writing, editing, and workshopping processes … The play tumbled out so quickly. It was a story she clearly wanted to tell, and it reflects her passion for all things theatre and Broadway.”  Sophia, who is stage managing the high school musical, “Firebringer,” said she has been writing short stories, film plots and scripts for a long time but lacked the confidence to share them. “I was really insecure about my writing but PAVE helped me with being more comfortable and confident,” she said. “In my first year of PAVE, we wrote a lot of scripts and read them for each other, which helps everyone get used to having people read their work … and we get lots of tips from classmates, teachers and senior mentors.” Sophia said she is looking forward to seeing other winners’ work and learning from professionals at the reading, and hopes her family and friends will be able to attend. In her free time, Sophia stage manages at 54 Below, a cabaret theater in New York City committed to supporting emerging and established artists. She plans to attend Pace University in the fall, where she will major in stage management. Photo credit: Charlie Webb CJW Photos From Pain to Print: Alumnus Ted Meyer Transforms Trauma into Art New Rochelle High School’s Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) recently transformed into a space of healing as world-renowned artist Ted Meyer (NRHS ‘76) returned to his alma mater. His acclaimed exhibit, “Scarred for Life: Every Scar Tells a Story,” on display at the MAC, offers a visceral look at the intersection of medical trauma and resilience.  For Meyer, the subject matter is deeply personal. Having lived with Gaucher Disease - a rare condition affecting the bones and joints - Meyer spent 16 years documenting the physical marks left on others by accidents and illness. The exhibit features nearly 100 artistically enhanced prints taken directly from the scarred skin of his subjects, paired with photographs and the raw narratives of the survivors themselves.  During a March 9 visit with PAVE Visual Art students, Meyer spoke about the philosophy behind the ink.  “For me, the scars are their stories. Everybody has their story. The scar represents the absolute second when someone’s life changed. From that point on, their life is different, how they look at themselves is different, and sometimes how people look at them is different,” said Meyer.  “Scarred for Life” is the depiction of how scars have a lifelong impact on a person, and how they represent overcoming trauma and healing. The scars are powerful symbols of regeneration, life, and learning. Meyer’s art becomes a part of that process, beautifying the symbols of personal resilience.  By beautifying the marks of survival, Meyer’s work shifts the narrative from disfigurement to regeneration. Meyer’s visit and exhibit, which ran through March in the MAC, was made possible through the support of the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence.    Second Place at SkillsUSA: Senior Matthew Caltenco Shines in Collision Repair New Rochelle High School senior Matthew Caltenco has proven that precision and passion are a winning combination. In late February, Southern Westchester BOCES selected its best students to represent the southern region at the Skills USA Area IV Regional Competition, and Matthew excelled in the competition of students from 14 schools.   Competing in the Collision Repair Technology category, Matthew clinched a prestigious 2nd-place finish, narrowly missing the top spot.  “This program prepares you. Our instructors show you how to do hands-on work with tools and equipment that are similar to what is used in outside work,” said Caltenco. “Skills USA was a fun time. I wouldn’t have ever gotten second place without my teachers. With the knowledge that I have gained in my junior and senior years, I was confident that I would place in the top three, at least.”  And place he did. Next, Matthew will go on to represent the region at the State Championships, which will be held April 22-24 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.  With a career in auto body work already in motion and a regional silver medal under his belt, the future looks bright for Matthew.   Unlock a Summer of Discovery: 2026 Expanded Learning Opportunities The City School District of New Rochelle is excited to share Summer 2026 Expanded Learning Opportunities, a wide range of free and low-cost summer learning, enrichment, and recreation programs available to our students and families. A partnership of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, New Rochelle Parks & Recreation, the New Rochelle Youth Bureau, and our school district is proud to offer programming that supports students academically, socially, and emotionally, while keeping them engaged in meaningful opportunities throughout the summer months. Explore the programs to find the best fit for your child this summer. For the most up-to-date information, registration links, and program updates, please visit the respective providers’ websites. Families are encouraged to review the program descriptions and select the opportunities that best match their child’s needs and interests for a safe, enriching, and engaging summer for students. Student Business Showcase: A Celebration of Young Entrepreneurs On Friday, Feb. 27, the Business Honor Society at New Rochelle High School hosted its second Annual Student Owned Business Showcase—a school-wide event designed to highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of our students.  Fifteen students showcased businesses selling hoodies, chocolate-covered strawberries, custom-designed press-on nails, and silk flowers, among other things. Students shared their business plans and insights into their entrepreneurial journeys. “From handcrafted goods to specialized services, the diversity of ideas on display was truly inspiring,” said Johana Sanchez, business teacher and Business Honor Society advisor. “Attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with student business owners, learning firsthand about the challenges and successes of starting and running a business. The event fostered meaningful conversations about creativity, perseverance, and the skills needed to turn an idea into reality.” The showcase displayed a wide range of student-led businesses, including apparel brands, photographers, nail technicians, baked goods, candle makers, jewelry and silk florists. Attendees had the chance to talk with these young entrepreneurs, learn about their creative processes, and gain insight into the dedication it takes to turn a passion into a profitable business. In addition to highlighting student businesses, the showcase is designed to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the high school that will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. “It was inspiring to see peers supporting one another, exchanging ideas, and even networking for future collaborations,” Sanchez said. “The enthusiasm and engagement from both presenters and attendees made this event a resounding success.” Sanchez said she wanted to thank the student business owners, Business Honor Society students, attendees, and supporters who helped make the event possible. Business teachers were also critical to the success of the fair.  Learning Expo Explores Black History In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month, the New Rochelle High School Library hosted its 2026 Black History Month Learning Expo on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 25 and 26.  This year’s Learning Expo focused on the “Life and Ideas of Malcolm X,” one of the most influential figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X played a key role in expanding the knowledge and practice of the Islamic faith in the United States. His seminal literary work, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley,” was named by Time Magazine as one of the 10 most influential nonfiction books of the 20th Century.  The Learning Expo highlighted the life of Malcolm X through a series of learning stations that encouraged students to read excerpts from his autobiography, view videos of his narration, and explore the sociological factors that informed Malcolm’s ideology over the course of his life. Malcolm X would have celebrated his 100th birthday last May. Earlier this month, Ilyasah Shabazz, the award-winning author and daughter of Malcolm X, visited New Rochelle High School where she spoke about growing up as a child of Malcolm and Betty Shabazz. She discussed her father’s legacy in a talk sponsored by the Greater Hudson Valley Chapter of The Links Inc., a community service organization. Isaac E. Young Middle School Teacher Honored Angela Carrasquillo, Isaac E. Young Middle School media teacher, recently received a TELL Award from the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center for being an innovative instructional technology teacher. The award was presented at the annual Technology in Education through Leadership and Learning Event at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff on March 16. The event allows other technology teachers to celebrate and learn from leaders who transform education. “This award is incredibly meaningful to me because it represents more than just recognition—it reflects the journey of building something that truly gives students a voice,” said Carrasquillo. “When I created my Media Technology classes, my goal was never just to teach students how to use cameras, microphones, or editing software. It was to create a space where they could discover who they are, what they care about, and how to express that in powerful, authentic ways.” In Carrasquillo’s Media Technology classes, students are given numerous opportunities to better understand the world around them. During the Digital Citizenship PSA project, students research real issues and create powerful public service announcements that promote safe, responsible, empathetic digital behavior. In the Advertising unit, the students explore branding, target audiences, and persuasive techniques by developing their own ad campaigns. Through Storytelling Through Sound, the students craft original audio pieces, using voice, sound effects, and music to tell meaningful stories that connect with listeners.  “From our ‘All About Me’ multimedia projects to these deeper, real-world applications, my classroom is a space where student voice drives learning and creativity fuels engagement. This award recognizes not just innovation, but the impact of giving students the tools, confidence, and platform to create, communicate, and be heard,” Carrasquillo said.  In her acceptance speech at the awards event, Carrasquillo thanked the City School District of New Rochelle leadership, including Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Olivine Roberts, Isaac E. Young Middle School Principal Dr. Tawanda Robinson, and Assistant Principals Plinio A Trujillo and Robert “John” Van Dunk for championing innovation and empowering teachers. Barnard, Webster Staff Granted Tenure Congratulations to six newly tenured staff at Henry Barnard School. The six were lauded at the March 12 Board of Education meeting held at their school. They are Teaching Assistant Christina Cioppa, Teacher Daisy Corona, Reading Teacher Nancy Ebrech-Mack, Teaching Assistant Evelyn Hernandez, Teacher Nancy Semenza, and Assistant Principal Malikh Ifill. Kudos to all!  Left to right: Assistant Principal Malikh Ifill, Christina Cioppa, Nancy Ebrech-Mack, Evelyn Hernandez, Nancy Semenza, Daisy Corona, Principal Shelli Owens Congratulations to the following Daniel Webster Elementary School teachers who were recently granted tenure, having proven their exceptional skill and dedication to our students. They were honored at the March 17 Board of Education meeting. Congratulations to all of you! Left to right: Principal Melissa Passarelli, Sarah Chickery, Eileen Goldberg, Valentina Gjidoda, and Amy Cosentino, Assistant Principal Gregory Middleton   New ParentSquare Feature Available There is a new update to our communication platform! Starting March 27, 2026, we are rolling out the Class Enrollment View in ParentSquare. This feature is designed to give you a clearer window into your student’s learning environment. This update provides a simplified list of every course your student is attending during the current school year or term. You can double-check a course name or identify which teachers are connected to your child using this tool. What you’ll see at a glance: Elementary (Pre-K–Grade 3): Homeroom and CAMPEL classes. Elementary (Grades 4–5): Homeroom, Math, ELA, and CAMPEL classes. Secondary: A full list of active courses (e.g., Algebra I, World History, Biology Lab). Teacher Connections: Quickly confirm which educators are linked to your student within the ParentSquare app. It is important to note that this feature is a Class List, not a daily schedule. To keep things simple and secure within ParentSquare, specific logistical details are not included here. Please Note: This view will not display class periods, specific times of day, or room numbers. For your student’s detailed daily schedule, please continue to use Home Access Center as your primary resource. Follow these simple steps starting March 27: Log in to your ParentSquare account (on the web or via the mobile app). Navigate to the "Student Info" section. Select the "Classes/Enrollment" tab to see the list. We hope this added visibility helps you feel even more connected to your student's academic journey. Athletics   Boys Lacrosse Team Scores Big for Inclusion Photo by William Moscowitz-Urbas The New Rochelle Varsity Boys Lacrosse team this past weekend made an impact off the field as well as on. The team participated in the ABLE Athletics Lacrosse Scrimmage hosted by the Lakeland/Panas team. The March 21 event promoted disability inclusion in sports. ABLE Athletics is a nonprofit focused on breaking down barriers and providing sports opportunities for athletes of all abilities. The team had a strong showing on the field, but made an even bigger mark off the field by raising more than $400 to support youth sports opportunities for students. The funds go directly to removing financial or physical barriers to youth participation in organized sports. The team's top goal scorers were Jeremiah Fosu and Alex Orozco. Leon Yu played a solid defense against the offensive threats. Congratulations team and Coach Jordan Woo! Check out all the great community events happening now! Click For Community Events   Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2026 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Thursday, Mar 26 2026

News from Our Schools: March 12, 2026

News from Our Schools March 12, 2026 Four New Rochelle High School Seniors Advance to National Merit Finals L to R: Ian McCloskey, Paxton Rogove, Cory Seelenfreund, Regina Teran Photo credit: Ryan Paulsen Photography All four New Rochelle High School seniors named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists last September have advanced to Finalist standing in the competition and will be considered for National Merit Scholarship Awards.  Ian McCloskey, Paxton Rogove, Cory Seelenfreund, and Regina Teran are among an elite 15,000 academically talented students nationwide who are under consideration for one of 6,870 Merit Scholarships totaling $26 million. The scholarship awards will be announced soon.   “I’m incredibly honored and grateful to be named a National Merit Finalist. I'm so thankful for the immense support I have received from my teachers, family, and friends who encouraged me along the way - it could not have been possible without all of them,” said Seelenfreund. “I’m super excited to keep learning and exploring new opportunities!” "I'm very happy to be named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist! It's amazing to see my work pay off, and I'm very happy to represent New Rochelle High School by being named. I want to thank the faculty and staff at New Rochelle High School for creating a learning environment conducive to my scoring highly, and my family for supporting me every step of the way.” The four Finalists were selected from 1.3 million juniors in 20,000 high schools who entered the NMSP when they took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in 2024. They represent less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide.  Congratulations, Finalists!  Robotics Team Heads to State Competition One New Rochelle Robotics Team will head to the state competition at Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School in Somers on March 14, where they will compete for a spot at the World Championships. The junior team comprises Daniel Goncalves, Vincent Chen, Noor Abdalla, Penelope Conway, Paul Gallagher, and Cesar Hernandez. The team qualified for state competition through its performance at a regional competition at the Harvey School on Feb. 15. Junior Noor Abdalla said the team’s progress has been a remarkable journey to the State competition this weekend.  "Watching our team improve has been incredible. We climbed 33 places and 23 regional skills rankings since the NRHS competition. Our performance reassured me that dedication paves the road to success. Seeing that kind of rapid growth inspired me to work even more diligently," he said. The team’s competition was made possible by support from the New Rochelle Fund for Excellence and the New Rochelle High School PTSA. Best of luck to the team!!  A Slam Dunk Celebration! Trinity's Black History Month Family Fun Night In an incredible evening of movement, memory, and magic, Trinity Elementary School's gymnasium was abuzz Feb. 26 as the school community gathered to celebrate Black History Month through the lens of athletic excellence. The Trinity PTA event focused on trailblazers who broke barriers and redefined the world of sports. But students did not just read about the history—they stepped into it! With Committee Chair Amanda Moody leading the way, the PTA transformed the gym into a series of high-energy interactive stations. Students rotated through each area, mastering new skills and discovering the legacies of true icons, including: Arthur Ashe (Tennis) Jackie Robinson (Baseball) George Franklin Grant (Golf) Bubba Wallace (Racing) Toni Stone, Connie Morgan, and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson (Women’s Negro League Baseball) PTA President Brooke Mueller said, "It was a night where history truly came to life. Seeing the students connect perseverance in sports to their own movements in the gym was a beautiful thing to witness." Third grade teacher Mrs. Quinn added to the fun with a coding activity, and several teachers proudly showcased their students' Black History Month projects and artwork. NRHS BHM Read-In On Feb. 27, the New Rochelle High School English Department proudly hosted its fifth annual African American Read-In in the Whitney Auditorium. Rooted in the National Council of Teachers of English African American Read-In initiative, the event honors the legacy of Black writers while connecting to the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement sit-ins, which were moments when young people gathered peacefully to claim space, dignity, and voice. In that same tradition, students came together to uplift literature as a form of affirmation and empowerment. Dedicated to the joys of the Black experience, this year’s Read-In invited students to read their own original poems inspired by literary giants such as Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Lucille Clifton, and James Weldon Johnson. Through their writing, students celebrated beauty, resilience, creativity, faith, humor, and pride—capturing the richness and vibrancy of Black life in their own authentic voices. The event also provided an opportunity to recognize four seniors who have participated in the African American Read-In throughout their high school careers: Harmony Hopwood, Justina Carter, Isaac Evans, and Miles Pamplin De Irish. Reflecting on the experience, 10th grader Sayra Lopez shared, “The best part of the African American Read-In was just sharing the love for poetry and being able to share our voices and the creativity we have.” The program opened with a powerful student choir rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing and closed with a student-choreographed dance, elevating the event to a new level of artistry and celebration. English Department Chair Lydia Adegbola said, “This was a remarkable display of excellence from both our teachers and our students. Every year I say it cannot get any better, and every year they prove me wrong. What they created on that stage was truly special.” Thank you to all the teachers who brought their classes, and to Ms. Knott and Ms. Thompson for organizing such a meaningful tribute.   Best-Selling Author Visits Webster Elementary Growing up, Gale Galligan loved reading and drawing comics. But they had no idea that creating comics could be a profession. Now a New York Times best-selling cartoonist and graphic novelist, Galligan loves to share the joys of their job with today’s young students.  During a Feb. 27 visit to Daniel Webster Elementary School, Galligan demonstrated how they draw a character, talked about the art of cartooning and gave students a preview of their latest book, “Fresh Start.” Students also participated in an Author’s Luncheon and had the chance to get their books signed by Galligan. “Gale was spunky, fun and highly interactive during her presentation,” said Lauren Price, library media/reading specialist.”She was a natural with students and kept them fully engaged throughout the visit.” Galligan, who holds a masters degree in Sequential Art, is the author of four Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, and two books about middle schoolers, “Fresh Start,” and “Freestyle.” They are passionate about the many ways in which comics can broaden our understanding of the world and help us to critically view the media. Plus, they said, comics are fun.  Price said Galligan was chosen for an author visit because so many Webster students enjoy graphic novels, especially “The Baby-Sitters Club.” She added that “author visits are important because they inspire students to tell stories, read more deeply, write creatively and express themselves through art.” Galligan was a hit with Webster students. “I liked how it was so interactive,” said Kissarah Clarke. Students were impressed with how much time Galligan spent with each of them when signing their books. They were most surprised by how much work goes into developing a graphic novel and they loved seeing Galligan draw characters in front of the class.    “I liked when Gale showed the process of cartooning – outlining, writing and drawing,” said Conor Plunkett.  Muslim History Exhibit at NRHS Library A traveling exhibit on America’s Muslim History recently arrived at New Rochelle High School, allowing students to explore the West African roots, military service and modern contributions of Muslim people.  The exhibit, which was at the high school library on Feb. 5 and 6, was presented by the American Islamic Heritage Museum and made possible by the American Muslim Women’s Association. It was visited by social studies classes throughout the two days and featured photos and information about early settlers, explorers, the African diaspora, and African American Muslim history. Amir N. Muhammad, president, co-founder and curator of the museum, is an internationally recognized historian, researcher, author, and poet. He has said that the museum’s exhibits are designed to help communities learn, connect, and build understanding. The exhibit, entitled “Forgotten Roots,” showcases the history, culture, and contributions of Muslims in America through curated displays of historical artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia. Key items include newspaper clippings, letters from prominent figures, and interactive, multimedia presentations documenting early Muslim settlers, the slave trade, and modern American Muslim life.  Among other things, it includes references to notable figures such as Yarrow Mamout, a Guinean freedman, entrepreneur and property owner in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.; and Omar ibn Said. Said, who was born into a wealthy West African family, was captured and sold into slavery in his 30s during a military conflict. Omar wrote his autobiography in Arabic, the only such work written by an enslaved person in his native language. Photos, official documents and narrative explanations highlighted Muslim women in American history, Muslim mayors and elected officials, Muslims in the military, Muslims in the judicial system, and Muslims in American Sports. The museum also makes note of several towns with Islamic names including Mahomet, Illinois; Mahomet, Texas; Mecca, Indiana; and Elkader, Iowa. Lego League Competition Trinity third graders Dominico Petrini and Isaiah Irwin placed third and won the Best Innovation Award at the FIRST Lego League Hudson Valley Championship on Feb. 7 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. As a result of their outstanding performance, Domenico and Isaiah have qualified to compete in the American Robotics Open Championship in June, which brings together top-performing teams from across the U.S. and around the world. The students earned the Best Innovation Award for the depth of their research and clarity of their thinking. This year’s UNEARTHED™ theme challenged teams to identify a real problem faced by archaeologists and propose a research-based solution.  “They walked judges through how they researched cave archaeology, identified two core risks — unstable rock formations and unsafe air quality — and developed a rover concept equipped with environmental sensors to address those dangers,” said Barath. “Their idea was grounded in real research and directly aligned with the problem they chose to solve. For such a young team competing alongside many older students, their clarity and depth of reasoning made a strong impression,” Barath said.  For the young problem solvers, the competition was inspiring.  “I really enjoyed working together with my teammates to learn new things and solve hard challenges,” said Domenico. “I loved presenting our project, and I tried my best to stay calm and handle the pressure during our robot match so we could score high.” For his part, Isaiah found the presentation the most challenging.  "The hardest part was the presentation because I had to talk in front of judges I didn’t know, and I was a little nervous. The most fun part was watching our robot finish the missions we worked really hard on building and coding. It was so exciting when it worked!" Barath said the team was especially grateful to third-grade teacher, Ann Marie Manganiello, who played an instrumental mentoring role. “She coached the boys,helping them rehearse their presentation, and building their confidence along the way. Her guidance truly mattered,” Barath said.  FIRST LEGO League helps students build real-world skills at an early age. They research complex problems, evaluate information, interview experts, and turn what they learn into practical solutions. At the same time, they design and program an autonomous robot to compete in timed 2.5-minute matches.  Congratulations, Columbus Tenured Teachers! L to R: Michael Galland, Principal; Maritsa Valencia, Teaching Assistant; Alicia Parrino, Fourth Grade Teacher; Christina Araque, Special Education Teacher; Francis Cruz, Assistant Principal; Alexis Candelario, English as a New Language Teacher; Sebastian Arango, Second Grade Teacher; Mike McGowan, Fifth Grade Teacher At the Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting, eight outstanding educational professionals from Columbus Elementary School were honored for achieving tenure. They are: Alexis Candelario - English as a New Language Christina Araque - Special Education  Mike McGowen - 5th Grade Alicia Parrino - 4th Grade  Sebastian Arango - 2nd Grade  Maritsa Valencia - Special Education Teaching Assistant  Ashley Ramirez - School Psychologist  Francis Cruz - Assistant Principal Congratulations, all! NRHS Sophomore Named Moroccan Junior National Figure Skating Champion New Rochelle High School sophomore Lilia Hafid has been named the Moroccan Junior National Figure Skating Champion for her outstanding performances at the Open du Maroc 2026 in February. “We congratulate Lilia on her remarkable achievement, recognizing that her success reflects her hard work, unwavering dedication, countless hours of practice, and a commitment to excellence as both a devoted student and an accomplished athlete,” said New Rochelle High School Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles. A Moroccan-American, Lilia was invited to compete by the head of the Moroccan Association of Ice Sports. The event, held at the Mega Mall Ice Rink in Rabat, Morocco,on Feb 13 through 15, featured rhythmic/short programs and free skating for multiple levels including juniors. Asked how it felt to win first place, Lilia said, “Amazing! I had never won like that before, and to have won in Morocco, with my family there to celebrate, was an incredible experience. It felt so good to have my hard work validated. It was also a huge relief to be done after months of intensive training.”  Lilia began working on her programs in September at the same time that she was preparing a routine for the Empire State Winter Games in New York. A skater for the past nine years, Lilia began her journey with a learn-to-skate class at Hammocks Park Ice Rink in Mamaroneck. Judges at the Moroccan event gave Lilia the highest marks for artistry and presentation, something she credits to her skating coach, Linda Villella; Christine Coleman at the Coleman School of Dance; and Julie Preston at the PAVE program at the high school. “They all encouraged me this year to tap into the artistic side of skating, which gave me an edge over the other competitors,” Lilia said. Although it was her first time competing in Morocco, it was not the first time she had been skating there. Lilia, whose father is Moroccan, spends summers in Casablanca with her family. To keep up with her training, she said she began working with a coach there a few years ago. Lilia’s mom was thrilled to share her daughter’s success. “It was such an amazing experience. I am beside myself with joy for my daughter,” said Molly Schultz Hafid. All in all, it was an incredible experience for Lilia. “I loved the hard work and the reward. I also made wonderful friends in the Moroccan skating community,” she said.”It was incredible to have so much support on and off the ice. I can’t wait to get back, see everyone, and continue training this summer.”   Sights and Sounds from Around the District Trinity Elementary Artwork Travels to Albany for Black History Month Exhibit at Empire State Plaza A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community! We are still floating on air after the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Gala! Thank you to all members of our school community who supported the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence gala. Your incredible generosity and support will provide inspiring arts and enrichment programs to ensure that every student in New Rochelle has the tools to dream big and achieve even bigger. Pictured: String quartet Penelope Conway, Adriana Valencia, Christian Sanchez, and Enzo Confalone New Rochelle High School Principal, Dr. Dagoberto Artiles; Science and Technology Awardee Cory Seelenfreund; Arts and Culture Awardee Harmony Hopwood; David A. Garfinkel Citizenship Awardee Kyra Mulraine; Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds. Not picutred: Eric Tutera Sports Leadership Awardee Samuel Cave. Master of Ceremonies Shannon LaNier with New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Executive Director Anne Todd Distinguished Public Service Award Kelly Johnson, Jr. NRHS '76 Distinguished Alumni Award New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Executive Director Anne Todd, George Hirsch, NRHS '52, and New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Board of Directors Chair Laurie Forkas New Rochelle High School Jazz Ensemble New Rochelle High School Chorus Athletics   Sam Cave Sets New School Record, Finishes 9th in Freestyle Congratulations to swimmer Sam Cave, a senior who had an outstanding performance at last weekend's New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) swim and dive championships.  Sam swam both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events and qualified for finals in both. He finished an impressive 9th in the federation in the 50-yard freestyle, setting a new school record in the event.  Unfortunately, Sam was unable to be honored in person for receiving the Eric Tutera Sports Leadership Award at the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence gala, but made up for it with an incredible performance at States. Sam will continue his swim and academic career at American University in Washington, D.C. Congratulations, Sam!   Elementary Girls Basketball Ward 21, Webster 1 Ward 40, Columbus 2 The Ward girls basketball team was undefeated in the regular season. Congratulations, Wolves! Championship Games Saturday, March 14 Girls city title 3:30 p.m. Boys city title 5:00 p.m. Good luck, athletes! Come and Cheer On Our Pioneers! Hudson Valley Regional Basketball Tournament Saturday, March 14, at New Rochelle High School Gym, 9:00 a.m. Lady Huguenots and Jr. Huguenot Boys Impress at Tri-County Basketball Championships Lady Huguenots The Lady Huguenots 7th grade team beat Scarsdale 42-37 in the semi-finals to advance to the Tri-County Championship game. In the finals, they faced an undefeated Bronxville team in a highly contested game that went back and forth. New Rochelle's Faith Ziogas hit some timely 3-point shots to keep the game close., but the girls unfortunately lost 47-40. Despite the final game, it has been a great season for our New Ro girls. Jr. Huguenot Boys The 7th grade Jr. Huguenot Boys basketball team played in the championship game in the Tri-County Basketball League, leading the game from beginning to end to beat Hastings 50-40. The boys finished the season at 17-1.  Amari Richardson, Nicholas Brown, and AJ Godfrey led the Jr. Huguenots to victory as they did all season. Congratulations boys! Check out all the great community events happening now! Click here for community events  Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2026 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Thursday, Mar 12 2026

News from Our Schools: February 26, 2026

News from Our Schools February 26, 2026 Crino is Section 1 Champ - Headed to States New Rochelle High School junior and standout wrestler Matteo Crino dominated the Section 1 Division 1 Boys’ Wrestling Championships February 6-8 and walked away with the top honor in his 132-pound weight class. In the final match, Crino pinned Clarkstown North’s Alex Perez to win. The victory was especially sweet after finishing in second place last year.  “I came into the match as I came into this season: knowing I had to stay focused and calm. Last year taught me what I had to do to win in the finals. I wanted the win badly, and I’m thankful to my teammates and my coaches for supporting me through the season to get to this place,” said Crino.  The coaching staff was happy to see Crino achieve his goal after a season filled with highs and lows.  “His persistence is a testament to his character and work ethic,” said coach Eddie Ortiz. “A four-year varsity starter and now a four-time All-Section wrestler, Matteo has continued to finish higher each season—sixth as an eighth grader, fourth as a freshman, second as a sophomore, and now Section One champion as a junior.” Crino’s focus now is the New York State Championships, which will take place at the MVP Arena in Albany on February 27 and 28. Go, Matteo! We’re all so proud of you!  High School Students Make Their Cases at Model UN Conference A team of 20 New Rochelle High School students participated in the 25th annual Boston University Model United Nations Conference (BosMUN) Feb. 6 to 8, joining about 3,000 delegates from around the world. This program was sponsored by the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence. Freshman Samantha Aisner received a Diplomatic Commendation award from the three-day conference. The New Rochelle Model UN members participated in a variety of committees, engaging in debates to get their resolutions passed. Samantha represented San Marino in the UNESCO committee, arguing about the impacts of tourism on world heritage sites. In advance of the Model UN conference, students are assigned a country and a committee and prepare to present a position paper, role-playing how the country would handle that committee. They meet with the committees, in which students from other schools represent multiple countries, and work together to solve the issue at hand. At the end of the weekend, a resolution is approved and passed by the committee and the moderating board. "I believe Model UN is extremely valuable to our students,” said social studies teacher Francisco Sandoval, who advises the Model UN Club with Alexis Velez, also a social studies teacher. “It teaches them how to work in collaboration to solve the world's problems and creates confident speakers who will advocate for their ideas. We know our students will use these skills well beyond their time here at Model UN,” Sandoval added. The students agree. “Model UN has strengthened my public speaking abilities and broadened my understanding of global politics and international affairs," said senior and Club Co-President Charlotte Fusco. "My time at New Rochelle High School wouldn't have been the same without the amazing Model UN community."  Senior and Club Co-President Mollie Aisner said, "Model UN gave me confidence in public speaking, collaboration, and problem solving. I am so grateful for all the people I have met through this club and the experiences that we had together!"  The Model UN Club meets every Thursday at New Rochelle High School in room 367. Micahia Simpkins Honored New Rochelle High School student Micahia Simpkins was recognized earlier this month by the Westchester County Youth Service Board for her leadership, resilience and dedication to uplifting others. “Known for her humility, compassion, and dedication to uplifting others, Micahia has consistently used her talents to make a positive impact on her school and community,” said School Counselor Maria Nunez, who nominated Micahia. “She has challenged herself academically while also leading initiatives that empower youth and strengthen her community.” Micahia’s achievement is noteworthy because this year the Youth Board received the highest number of nominations in its history. She was one of 12 students recognized at a ceremony on Feb. 12 at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains.  Micahia co-founded her school’s first Black Student Leadership Conference, coordinated workshops on literacy and social justice, and presented at the Girls Leadership Conference, inspiring younger students to pursue their goals while balancing academic achievement and emotional well-being. As Co-President of HOSA, an organization of future healthcare professionals, she organized one of the most successful blood drives at her school, motivating more than 200 students and faculty to donate. She is a member of the leadership group, My Sister Keep Her, and helps to coordinate school-wide activities and events for minority students. A self-starter, Micahia is always looking for ways to enrich her school experiences. For example, to expand her knowledge outside the classroom, she attended The Future Doctors Summer Program offered by Harvard Student Agencies in 2022. The program introduced her to pre-medical studies. To gain clinical experience, she independently secured a shadowing position with a local pediatrician. At school, Micahia is a member of the competitive PAVE Dance program; a member of the National, French, Math, and Science Honor Societies; a peer tutor; and a member of the Varsity Cheerleading team. She is also a member of the Leadership Group, My Sister Keep Her, and volunteers at the New York Covenant Church.  The Youth Board recognition was not the first honor Micahia has received. In 2025, Micahia received the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Youth Vision Award. She also received the Youth Passion Social Justice Project Award for her innovation and community impact.  Kids4Tech Makes Scientists Out of Fourth Graders at Webster Fourth graders at Webster Elementary School had the chance to explore STEM careers such as cryptologist, fraud detective, data scientist, and design engineer at the Kids4Tech event held on Feb. 11. The event, made possible by Mastercard with support from Iona University students, featured hands-on STEM activities such as decoding information, learning about evolving technology, and collecting and analyzing data. The event takes complex, adult subjects and breaks them down into language and activities that young students can understand. For example, to understand how technology has evolved, students were exposed to the ways that music has been captured and played from vinyl records to cassette tapes to compact discs (CDs) to digital files that can be played on a phone or computer. That illustration serves as an introduction to binary code, the programming language that enables phones and computers to perform many functions.  To learn about data, students talked about the weather: What is it like outside today? Is it cold or hot? Is it raining or snowing? The answers to these questions, they were told, are data. That data can help solve problems, such as what type of clothing should be worn.  “I loved that the students were exposed to real-world applications of so many different STEM concepts,” said fourth grade teacher Melissa Landau. “In addition, many of the activities were directly connected to our curriculum and provided students with hands-on connections to help make their understanding more concrete. For example, in reading, we had recently learned about the Navajo code talkers, and in science, we are in the midst of a unit on sound waves.” It was the fifth time Kids4Tech, formerly Girls4Tech, has been held at Webster Elementary. Approximately 70 fourth graders attended the 90-minute event, which was run by Mastercard employees and about 10 Iona University students. Students were impressed. “I liked the coding station and how to send messages. It was fun to figure out what each code meant,” said fourth grader West Guermann, adding that the event made him even more interested in STEM-related fields. Kids4Tech has reached millions of students in 65 countries across the globe, allowing students to discover how their strengths and skills could be used in STEM careers. The program’s mission is to find the next generation of problem solvers and creative thinkers.  TheaterWorks Presents “Firebringer” On March 12, 13, and 14, New Rochelle High School TheaterWorks will present “Firebringer,” an uproarious musical comedy set in the Stone Age and featuring two life-size puppets. The show depicts humanity’s discovery of fire. It follows Jemilla, a skeptical tribal leader, and Zazzalil, a curious and rebellious young inventor, as they clash over the new, dangerous, and powerful technology. “This show represents the collaborative artistry of so many of our students,” said Anthony Stirpe, ELA/PAVE teacher and director of the production. “Their work extends far beyond performance and showcases leadership, design, and creative vision across grade levels.” The show also discusses mature ideas of blind faith, authoritarian power, and human destruction. Younger viewers can appreciate messages of togetherness, standing up for yourself, and the importance of working hard.  New Rochelle alum and professional puppeteer Sam Kendall taught students how to design and build life-size puppets – a woolly mammoth and a sabre-toothed tiger – for the show. The students were hands-on in the process, learning fabrication techniques and performance skills. Kendall trained with Jim Henson and has worked professionally with Sherri Shepherd, Busy Phillips, and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He spent weeks working with students to bring the show’s puppets to life. The show rests on the creativity and leadership of students, including: Junior Julianna LoPresti, who assisted with choreography. Senior Gabby Cohen, who helped with staging. Seniors Isabella Simmons and Justina Carter, who designed many of the costumes audiences will see on stage. Stirpe calls the show “truly hysterical” but notes that it is rated PG13 for language. A free dress rehearsal performance will be held for faculty and staff on March 9 at 4 p.m. Showtimes are March 12 at 7 p.m.; March 13 at 7 p.m.; March 14 at 1 p.m.; and March 14 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. NRHS Orchestra Plays with the Pros Students in the New Rochelle High School Symphonic Orchestra had the chance to perform live, side-by-side with professional musicians in the Symphony of Westchester at Iona University on Feb. 1. The performance of the " Finale " movement of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, was made possible through support of the local community. New Rochelle students brought months of preparation to the collaboration. “The partnership provided students with firsthand insight into the discipline, musicianship, and teamwork required at the professional level,” said PAVE Orchestra Director Claire Stancarone. “Performing side-by-side with experienced musicians challenged students to listen more deeply, play with greater confidence, and rise to a higher standard of excellence.” The students clearly benefited from the experience. “Playing with a professional boosted my confidence because it instilled within me that we all contain the potential to play at their level,” said one student. “However, it did open my eyes to challenges and issues I should fix with my playing, such as tone, bow usage, and musicality.” Another student commented on the power of music to unite. “(I) was looking around and seeing how much the music connected us all. Although we were all different ages, it was incredible to see how music was able to bring everyone together and allow for some of us to meet some very talented people.”   Prior to the performance, Maestro Barry Charles Hoffman, founder and artistic director of the Symphony of Westchester, had three separate rehearsals with the PAVE orchestra at New Rochelle High School, and then rehearsed the NRHS orchestra with the Symphony of Westchester for one rehearsal before the concert. The orchestra was arranged so that most student musicians sat next to their professional counterparts for both rehearsal and concert.   Maestro Hoffman has a special relationship with the New Rochelle Public Schools, as he was a strings teacher in Webster, Trinity, and Jefferson Elementary Schools from 1984 to 1986. He proudly noted that he both introduced and taught Stancarone to play the cello when she was in third grade. Maestro Hoffman said he looks forward to more collaborations with New Rochelle students in the future. Click below to see the performance. New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Announces 2026 Gala Honorees George A. Hirsch, Kelly Johnson, Jr., and Eric Turkewitz will be honored at the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence 2026 Gala, an evening that brings the community together to celebrate inspiring people, public education, and the spirit of New Rochelle. The annual fundraising gala will take place on Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Surf Club on the Sound, and will honor two distinguished New Rochelle High School alumni and a dedicated community leader whose work has helped shape and elevate our city. Hirsch, a 1952 New Rochelle High School graduate, is a legendary figure in the running world and a proud New Rochelle native. A U.S. Navy veteran, magazine publisher, and lifelong runner, Hirsch was a founder of the New York City Marathon and a longtime leader of New York Road Runners. Over decades, he has championed inclusion, youth participation, and the joy of sport — sharing his passion through writing, broadcasting, and community engagement. Johnson, a 1976 New Rochelle High School graduate, has devoted more than four decades to serving the young people of New Rochelle. Beginning his career with the New Rochelle Youth Bureau in 1979, he has served as its Executive Director since 1992, expanding opportunities in sports, education, and career readiness. A mentor, coach, and civic leader, Johnson is widely respected for his lifelong commitment to empowering youth and strengthening the community he calls home. Turkewitz is an attorney, runner, and community builder whose work has connected people across New Rochelle and Westchester — both literally and figuratively. He played a key role in creating the Colonial Greenway trail system and founded the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon, which supports local parks and trails. Through civic leadership, youth sports, and volunteer advocacy, Turkewitz continues to give back to the community in meaningful ways. The honorees will be celebrated alongside the Fund’s Class of 2026 Student Achievement Award recipients, who exemplify excellence across disciplines: Harmony Hopwood, Arts and Culture Award Kyra Mulraine, David A. Garfinkel Citizenship Award Sam Cave, Eric Tutera Sports Leadership Award Cory Seelenfreund, Science and Technology Award “The Gala is really about connection — between generations, between our schools and the broader community, and between the people who believe deeply in public education,” said Laurie Forkas, Chair of the Fund’s Board of Directors. “It’s a joyful night that celebrates what’s possible when a community shows up for its students.” The NR Fund Gala celebrates the excellence of New Rochelle’s public schools while raising vital support for grants and student programs, including Afterschool Chess, Poetry Out Loud, the Civics Fair, the Museum of Arts and Culture, SAT Prep, and many more initiatives that enrich learning across the district. The celebration will be emceed by Emmy Award–winning media personality Shannon LaNier, a proud parent of three students in our schools. Tickets and more information about the March 5 celebration are available at www.nredfund.org. Sights and Sounds from Around the District   Read Aloud Day at Ward   Davis Unity Day and Spirit Week Students at Davis Elementary School celebrated Unity Day and school spirit earlier this month. As a follow-up, they learned about problem-solving. Students focused on stopping and thinking before acting, using words to solve problems, finding more than one solution to a problem, asking for help, staying calm when it's hard, and solving problems fairly, among other important life lessons.   Staff Appreciation Students in the New Rochelle High School S.A.I.L. culinary program spread some love with a staff brunch for employees at the district administrative offices on February 11. The students prepared and served food, and gave each attendee a red carnation to show their appreciation. Thank you, S.A.I.L. students! Athletics Freshman Boys Basketball Undefeated! Congratulations to the Freshman Boys Basketball team on an undefeated season! The 14-0 season ended with a dramatic comeback win over Mamaroneck. After being down 21-16 at the half, they rallied and won with a final score of 47-41. Great job! The season's final games also included these wins: New Rochelle 71, Horace Greeley 43 New Rochelle 66, Eastchester 21 Varsity Wrestling Sectionals Matteo Crino Section 1 Championship at 132 pounds State Championships Enrique Garcia 6th place at 165 pounds All-Section Boys Varsity Basketball Congratulations! Fynn Bowman, Guard, named All-League and All-Class Bryce Seward, Guard, named All-League and All-Section New Rochelle 59, White Plains 36 New Rochelle 73, Ramapo 36 New Rochelle 46, Mount Vernon 63 Junior Varsity Boys Basketball The Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Team also had a great season, finishing with a 15-2 record! New Rochelle 64, White Plains 42  New Rochelle 61, Mount Vernon 54 Varsity Girls Basketball New Rochelle 67, White Plains 46 New Rochelle 47, Mamaroneck 58 Grabel and Chiu Representing on Green Wave New Rochelle High School freshman Layla Grabel and sophomore Chloe Chiu were part of the Section 1 Championship Green Wave Girls Hockey Team. Congratulations, girls, and to the entire East Green Wave team! Modified Ice Hockey New Rochelle 9, Corlandt 3 Varsity Cheer Finishes 11th in the Nation for Small Coed D1 Game Day Boys Basketball Senior Night Varsity Swimming Boys Varsity Swim had an outstanding night February 10, wrapping up sectionals. Ben Fusco, Mac Bach and Sam Cave, swam their fastest 200 free relay, placing 6th overall. Mac Bach had his fastest swims in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, placing in the top ten of the section. Sam Cave qualified for New York State competition in the 50 and 100 free, swimming personal bests. Congratulations to all! Check out all the great community events happening now! Click Here for Community Events  Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2026 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Thursday, Feb 26 2026

News from Our Schools: February 6, 2026

News from Our Schools February 6, 2026 Food Waste Initiative Kicks Off at Trinity Elementary It’s a messy job, but someone has to do it! Fifth graders at Trinity Elementary sorted through lunchroom waste as part of a district-wide initiative aimed at reducing waste, alleviating hunger, and maximizing the use of resources. The initiative is a collaboration between the Green Schools Committee and the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation, made possible by a grant from the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute. The first session of food waste monitoring took place at Trinity Elementary on Jan. 23, with additional sessions on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5. Students wore gloves and sorted waste by category: uneaten and unopened foods, fruit and vegetable scraps, other food scraps, non-organic waste (plastics and drink cartons), and liquids. After each session, the waste was weighed by category. The students also conducted interviews to gather data on why food items were discarded. Other food waste labs will be held during the next four to six weeks at Davis Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Ward Elementary, and Columbus Elementary Schools, the middle schools, and the high school. The Green Schools Committee will process the findings and develop a plan to reduce lunchroom waste across the district. “All of us are part of the solution. By participating in this, we’re helping not only our school, but our entire school community,” said Trinity Principal Michael Hilderbrand. “We’re going to use the data we collect to reduce food waste right here at Trinity Elementary School.” The job was a bit messy for the sorters, but fifth grader Liliana Brooks said it was worth the effort. “It was pretty gross. People were throwing out food where nothing was touched, and some of it had no bites taken out,” she said. “But it’s important to prevent food waste from happening to make the world a better place.” Fifth graders are learning about the effects of food waste on the environment. Olivia Renda, grade five, said, “I like how it helps the environment, and it helps decrease food waste. Food waste creates pollution and increases climate change.” Davon Vernon, another sorter, was focused on the way excess food could help others. “We want to help out kids that don’t have enough to eat, so they can eat good food and have lots of healthy stuff,” he said. “The first time we did this, people threw away a lot of food, and a lot of food (went to the share table). But now people are eating it because they realize they can take (the food from the share table).” New Rochelle Alum and Celebrated Artist Returns to Inspire Today’s Students Luis M. Diaz, a New Rochelle alum and Mexican-born visual artist whose work has appeared in “The Nation,” “The Atlantic,” and “The New Yorker,” returned to his alma mater recently, where he spoke to art students about his career, his journey as an immigrant, and his artwork. Diaz’s visit was combined with a solo exhibit of the photographs he created for his master’s thesis at Yale University, which are on display at the Museum of Arts and Culture through Feb. 13. The black-and-white photographs trace the internal and external consequences of migration. A gifted art student inspired by his City School District of New Rochelle teachers, Diaz went on to earn full scholarships from both Parsons School of Design, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and Yale University, where he earned a master’s in fine art. He was the first in his family to graduate from college or graduate school. Diaz is a recipient of the Yale School of Art Dean’s Prize (2025), the Alice Kimball English Travel Grant (2024), the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Photography (2022), and the Magnum Foundation US Dispatches Grant (2020). He has exhibited at Gladstone Gallery in New York, the Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, Oregon, and the Bronx Art Space, among others. “Diaz’s story is truly inspiring,” said junior Danica Batista, a PAVE 3 Visual Arts student. “Diaz has helped me to see that anything is possible as long as you put your heart into it.” As for the exhibit at the MAC, Danica said she particularly liked that the images tell a story that moves with the viewer. Diaz, who attended Jefferson Elementary School and Isaac E. Young Middle School, said art teachers Paulo Fiorino and Sonia Dellaripa inspired his early interest in art. During his high school years, Diaz took AP Art, was in PAVE Art, and served as co-president of the National Art Honor Society. He said his photography class with Moira McCaul solidified his passion. Over the course of two days, Diaz spoke with students in 12 classes, not only discussing art but offering first-hand advice on college applications, scholarships and managing it all. “For me, it's important for people to understand that there's a whole process behind making photos,” Diaz has said. “There are images that I think about, and sketch out, but I still allow air to flow in between image making to create flexibility. There's also images that happen by complete accident, where everything aligns and you just press your shutter.” PAVE 3 student Muhammad Arhum was most impressed by Diaz’s work ethic. “The main thing I noticed … was the amount of work he put in after getting into college. I was particularly impressed by how he commuted to Parsons for a while and somehow managed his other responsibilities.” Muhammad added that Diaz’s experience as an RA (resident assistant) in college also resonated because it showed that he took advantage of opportunities. Prior to hearing Diaz talk, Muhammad saId he was not aware that RAs receive benefits that sometimes include free housing in college. “I enjoyed hearing about all types of work and specifically enjoyed the exhibit shown in the gallery,” said Naomi Shechter, also PAVE 3. “Learning that the motion and placement of each photo was intentional to create this sort of timeline made the whole exhibit more enticing.” Naomi added that she was most drawn to an image that appeared to be a shadow of a man because of its emotional power. “Luis shared some of his photographs from his Yale MFA Thesis and explained his thoughts on the work, how he planned the installation, and the story line linking the imagery,” said New Rochelle High School art teacher Alexi Brock. “He also brought in and explained how he uses a large format camera for some of his work.” Brock added that she was grateful to Diaz “for being so open about his life and inspiring the next generation of New Rochelle artists.” Science Comes to Life at Jefferson Elementary Gas exploding. Robots moving. Bubbles bursting. It all happened on Jan. 23 at Jefferson Elementary School’s Mad Science, an interactive science show combined with hands-on activities for students and families. Mad Science was presented in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle and the Jefferson Parent Teacher Association. “The Mad Science program encouraged students to think, ask questions, and experiment as they explored concepts such as oxygen and motion. Through demonstrations and interactive stations, youngsters were able to learn by doing: building, testing, and discovering alongside their peers and family members,” said third grade science teacher Aimee Ferguson. “Smiles and laughter filled the room as participants of all ages explored science in fun and engaging ways.” “I think it was really fun, and it inspired me to do science at home and make a robot,” said third-grader Olivia. Fourth-grader Jocelyn shared her favorite moments as well. “I loved when they put the toilet paper on me. It was fun!” By using toilet paper and a leaf blower, Mad Science demonstrates scientific principles like Bernoulli’s principle, which explains air pressure and lift. Jocelyn said she “also liked building with the blocks because I made a really tall tower.” Tower building helps students explore principles of physics like gravity, balance, stability, and weight while developing spatial reasoning, motor skills, critical thinking, and perseverance. The evening began with a Mad Science show for students and parents in which many students were called up to participate. In one experiment, children rode a hovercraft. After the show, families moved into the gym for hands-on activities at stations exploring different science concepts. Students controlled various robots with remote control devices, watched bubbles form from dropping dry ice into water, and took home color-changing cups for keepsakes. “Events like Mad Science support Jefferson Elementary’s ongoing goal of making science meaningful, engaging, and accessible to all students,” Ferguson said. “By providing hands-on experiences that connect learning to real-world curiosity, the school continues to foster a love of science while bringing the school community together through shared joy and discovery.” Robots Take Over New Rochelle High School in High-Stakes Engineering Duel Forty-six teams from 24 schools across the region gathered on Jan. 24 at New Rochelle High School for an action-packed, academic engineering event known as a VEX V5 Robotics Competition. This engineering contest challenges students to design, build, and program robots to compete in two-on-two matches with randomly assigned alliances. A standard match lasts just two minutes and takes place on a 12-foot-square playing surface. The objective of this year’s challenge is to move as many blocks as possible into four goals placed around the playing area. The game includes both autonomous play, where the robots move based on pre-programmed directions, and manual play, where students move the robots using remote control devices. Students come to the tournament with different perspectives. Some find designing and building robots at home to be more challenging than competing, while others say the pressure to drive successfully can be intense. Regardless of their perspective, all participants must use critical thinking skills, communicate well with teammates, and persevere when obstacles are encountered. New Rochelle participants were inspired by the event. “The NRHS competition was very exciting as it was spontaneous and highly competitive. A new match began every few minutes, and all the while there was compelling music in the background,” said Noor Abdalla, a junior. “From the tournament, I gained some important strategy tips, as well as ideas for design changes and mechanisms that could help my team be more successful.” Noor said the tournament made him more passionate about mechanics and inspired him to improve his CAD (computer-aided design) skills. Sebastian Ramos, also a junior, said the tournament made him reflect on “how other people’s robots worked, what made other teams successful that we could use on our team to be more successful.” He added that the event opened his eyes to new strategies and game plans that could benefit the team. This was the sixth year that the NewRoBots team competed in the event, which is part of the world’s largest robotics competition. Some of the robots used were built with VEX designs, while others were customized by students using approved parts.   New Rochelle Students Shine in 2026 Scholastic Art Awards The above painting, titled "Autophobia," by junior Naomi Shecter, earned a Gold Key award in the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  Several New Rochelle High School students won honors in the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the nation’s longest and most prestigious recognition program for creative students in grades seven through 12. The awards recognize students in 29 categories of art and writing. Five students were honored, with one earning a Gold Key, which automatically enters the student in a national competition for scholarships awarded in the spring. The following New Rochelle students were honored: Naomi Shechter, a junior, GOLD KEY for “Autophobia” (Painting)- PAVE 3- Alexi Brock. Naomi will be considered for National Awards and scholarships to be announced in the spring. Arianna Larios, a junior, Honorable Mention for “Good Grief” (Painting)- PAVE 3- Alexi Brock Abilene Wang, a sophomore, Honorable Mention for “Tiger Scream” (Printmaking)- PAVE 2- Moira McCaul Alexandra Franco, a junior, Honorable Mention for “Disconnected” (Painting)- AP 2D- Alexi Brock Mia Mendoza, a junior, Honorable Mention for “Views” (Painting) and “Ignorance” (Sculpture)- PAVE3- Alexi Brock This was also the first year for a new category of Editorial Cartoon– Mia Mendoza was also recognized for her piece “American Halloween,” which was printed in the NRHS Herald with Rachel McCain as the advisor. Congratulations to our student winners and their teachers, Alexi Brock, Moira McCaul, and Rachel McCain, on this amazing accomplishment. Serving Up Safety: SADD Club Partners with Gemelli’s for Super Bowl Weekend This Super Bowl weekend, as families across New Rochelle gather for the big game, our SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is ensuring that "prevention" is part of the play-by-play. In a powerful collaboration with the Westchester County Youth Leadership Task Force (YLTF), our students hit the pavement to participate in the annual Pizza Initiative. This countywide campaign aims to reach families directly at the dinner table to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and gambling. Our SADD students visited Gemelli’s Pizzeria on North Avenue, where they worked with the staff to place special prevention stickers on pizza boxes slated for delivery during the busy Super Bowl weekend (Feb. 6–8). These stickers serve as a vital reminder for parents and guardians to use their influence in preventing youth alcohol use. They also feature a link to PowerToTheParent.org, a resource-rich site dedicated to helping local families keep their children alcohol-free. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest social events of the year, but it also carries increased risks for underage exposure to alcohol and gambling. By bringing this message to local businesses, our students are: Promoting Healthy Choices: Highlighting the risks associated with youth gambling and drinking. Building Community: Partnering with local staples like Gemelli’s to create a unified front for student safety. Developing Leadership: Empowering our SADD members to lead professional outreach with local business owners. "We are incredibly grateful to the management and staff at Gemelli’s Pizzeria for their warm welcome and their commitment to the health and safety of New Rochelle’s youth!" The initiative is sponsored by the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth. This effort is a testament to the hard work of the Youth Leadership Task Force, a group of dedicated high schoolers from across the county who plan events to keep our communities safe and informed. Unity and Spirit Shine at Davis Davis Elementary School kicked off Unity Day on Jan. 9 - a celebration of the school community, united by its commitment to the 4 Be’s: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind.  Daily announcements and lessons focused on tips for practicing self-control by making thoughtful choices, using problem-solving skills to work through challenges, and showing empathy by listening to and supporting one another. Class activities and discussions emphasized the importance of safe and ethical behavior, helping students understand how their actions affect others.  Unity Day reminded everyone that when we follow the 4 Be’s and lead with kindness and respect, we create a school environment where all students feel safe, valued, and included. Unity Celebrations progressed to Spirit Week.   Spirit Week brought a focus to celebrating our differences, honoring what makes us each special, and what each individual brings to Davis every day. It included United Colors Day, Mismatch Day, Word Power Day, Inside Out Day, and ended on a high note with Superhero Day. First grader Evan Davis said his favorite part of spirit week was Inside Out Day because, "You got to show people that you can all be different and still be kind to one another."  Classmate Georgia Caldwell agreed but thought Word Power Day was the best because, "You can change a person's day just by using one positive word."  Fifth grader Ashley Hernandez Temaj said Word Power Day was "so much fun because you got to think about all the things you like about yourself." Isaac E. Young Middle School Faculty and Staff Honored for Earning Tenure Photo L to R: Jason Roberts, School Counselor; Kyani Lawrence, School Psychologist; Nicole Neto, ENL teacher; Gia Saul, Physical Education and Adaptive Physical Education Teacher; Tasha Brown, Teaching Assistant; Michelleann Defilippis, Special Education Teacher; Scott Harris, PAVE and Theater Arts Teacher; Dr. Divya Deshpande, Special Education Teacher; Amber Singleton, Science Teacher. Ten Isaac E. Young Middle School (IEYMS) faculty and staff members who achieved tenure were honored at the Board of Education meeting held at their school on Jan. 22. Principal Dr. Tawanda Robinson congratulated the group before presenting them with certificates. “You are so talented,” said Dr. Robinson. “I challenge you. I ask that you continue to contribute to this school in the ways that have brought you to this point where you are being recognized, and that you use your talents, strengths, and interests to add value to the Isaac E. Young Middle School community for years to come.” The newly tenured teachers are: Nicole Neto, ENL teacher Gia Saul, Physical Education and Adaptive Physical Education Teacher Tasha Brown, Teaching Assistant Michelleann Defilippis, Special Education Teacher Scott Harris, PAVE and Theater Arts Teacher Kyani Lawrence, School Psychologist Dr. Divya Deshpande, Special Education Teacher Amber Singleton, Science Teacher Joshua Akandu, Teacher (not pictured) Elementary Teacher Jason Roberts, School Counselor “Thank you to a phenomenal group, and I look forward to many more years of watching you grow and develop as amazing educators,” Dr. Robinson said. Seven Trinity Faculty and Staff Tenured Photo L to R: Femi Wheeler, Physical Education Teacher; Maria Velez, Teacher Assistant; Mariahelena Ruiz, General Education Teacher; Sinead Deans, Special Education Teacher; Jennifer Betz, General Education Teacher; Nicole Barney, General Education Teacher; Brittany Anderson, School Psychologist; Michael Hilderbrand, Principal Congratulations to the seven Trinity teachers and staff members who were honored for achieving tenure at the Board of Education meeting held at Trinity on Tuesday, Feb. 3.  The honorees are:  Brittany Anderson, School Psychologist Nicole Barney, General Education Teacher  Jennifer Betz, General Education Teacher  Sinead Deans, Special Education Teacher Mariahelena Ruiz, General Education Teacher Maria Velez, Teacher Assistant  Femi Wheeler, Physical Education Teacher  “These seven educators are a powerful force, and we are so fortunate to have them as part of the Trinity team,” said Principal Michael Hilderbrand. “We often say ‘Everything you do matters,’ each of these seven is doing the work that matters; each and every day.”  Congratulations to the tenured Trinity faculty and staff!  Take-Home Meals to be Provided for Students Who are Fasting for Ramadan From Feb. 23 through March 19, take-home meals will be provided to students who are fasting in observance of Ramadan so they may consume the food at a time that honors their religious beliefs. Parents/guardians who wish for their children to participate are asked to opt in using the following Meal Request Form no later than Tuesday, Feb. 17.  As we approached the observance of Ramadan for many of our New Rochelle families, the City School District of New Rochelle applied for, and received, a waiver from the state Department of Education Child Nutrition program that allows our food service department to provide grab-and-go meals for both breakfast and lunch to students who are actively fasting. These students will be able to receive a breakfast and/or lunch to take home to eat before dawn breaks the following morning or after sunset. These meals are being provided at no cost due to the district's current CEP status: Breakfast: One of the options below will be available daily Bagel Meal: Bagel, Cream cheese, fruit, milk Muffin Meal: Muffin, fruit, milk Cereal Meal: Cereal, Belly Bear, fruit, milk Lunch: One of the options below will be available daily Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich w/ Baby Carrots, milk & fruit Bagel Meal: Bagel, Cream cheese, String cheese, Baby carrots, fruit, milk Muffin Meal: Muffin, String cheese, Baby carrots, fruit, milk This non-congregate meal offering for students is in lieu of students receiving breakfast and lunch during the school day due to active fasting during Ramadan. If your student also takes a breakfast or lunch from the service line during school hours, and then receives the non-congregate meals to take home, their food service account will incur an additional charge for the additional meal(s). Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, a time for spiritual reflection, increased prayer, and fasting from dawn to sunset, commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims fast during daylight hours as an act of worship, self-discipline, empathy, and drawing closer to God, culminating in the festival of Eid al-Fitr.   Sights and Sounds from Around the District   Trinity Marching Band Revs up the Crowd at Board of Education Meeting   Harmonizing Talent: Success at the 2026 Secondary Music Festivals! Our talented musicians performed spectacularly last week at the Secondary Music Festivals for Strings, Band, and Chorus. It wasn't just about the music; it was about building the future of our performing arts community. New Rochelle High School was thrilled to welcome eighth-grade students from Albert Leonard Middle School and Isaac E. Young Middle School to campus. The annual tradition offers middle schoolers an "all-access pass" to the high school experience, easing their transition and fueling their excitement for the years ahead. The highlight of the festival was the vertical alignment in practice. Eighth graders jumped right into the mix, rehearsing and performing side-by-side with the seasoned high school musicians. This mentorship creates a powerful, authentic environment where younger students can see exactly where their dedication can take them. "The energy of each performance was incredible! Watching our high school musicians mentor and play alongside the incoming freshmen perfectly illustrates the strength and continuity of our district's music programs," said K-12 Performing and Visual Arts Director Matthew Lucero.  The seamless coordination would not be possible without the visionary leadership of the music faculty. Thank you to Claire Stancarone, Scott Byers, Matt Henry, and Christopher Russo for their tireless dedication to our students’ growth and for orchestrating such a meaningful week. Secondary Strings Festival Secondary Band Festival Secondary Choral Festival Ms. Brock's Students Visit the Met Webster Students are Magical in Aladdin Athletics Good Luck at Nationals! The New Rochelle cheerleading team had a rousing send-off to nationals at New Rochelle High School The team left for the national competition in Florida this week.   Section One Champions!!!!! The merged East Green Wave girls varsity ice hockey team won 1-0, capturing their first Section 1 title, defeating North Avalanche. The team is a merged ice hockey team consisting of students from New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Rye Neck, White Plains, Ursuline, Ardsley, Sleepy Hollow, Pelham, and Rye. The team was established only last year, and has already captured the championship! Congratulations, Green Wave and Coach Jed Shahar! Wave to go!    Varsity Hockey Senior Night On Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Ice Hutch, the Boys Varsity Hockey Team honored its seniors:  Nathan Greenberg, Brandon Stramiello, Luca Pitocchi, Ethan Menkes, and Spencer Gray. Congratulations seniors!    Girls Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 55, Clarkstown South 70 New Rochelle 46, Mamaroneck 53 Congratulations, seniors Stella Ziogas and Xarlee Gilyard!   Varsity Girls’ Track Team Shines in Westchester County Championship Congratulations to the New Rochelle High School Girls’ Varsity Track Team, who had an impressive showing at the Westchester County Championship meet on Jan. 24 at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York. Junior Alexis Smith was the County Champion in the 55-meter hurdles. Senior Sophia Ochoa was the County Champion in the triple jump, and sophomore Olivia Solomon took the County Championship in the 1500-meter run. Great job, ladies!  Millrose Games Winners Alexis Smith, Sophia Ochoa, Olivia Solomon, and Alivia Smith, won the suburban 4x400 relay at the Millrose Games with a time of 3:56. Congratulations on a great win!  Pioneers Floorball The New Rochelle Pioneers placed fourth at the Super Regional Floorball tournament on Saturday, Jan. 31. It was a tough loss in the final game, but the team had much to be proud of. In the last period, the Pioneers ratcheted up the intensity and tightened their defense to fight their way back. With 52 seconds remaining, the team was down by one goal, but the final breakthrough never came before the clock ran out. The late comeback showed resilience and a refusal to give up when it mattered most.  The Pioneers now look forward to starting the basketball season. New Rochelle High School will host the Hudson Valley Regional Basketball Tournament on Mar. 14, at 9:00 a.m.  Be there! Smith is Best in Class New Rochelle High School sophomore and lacrosse player Milan Smith was selected as an All-Star in the Best in Class Showcase held Jan. 10 and 11 in Bardenton, Florida. The showcase is an opportunity for lacrosse players to showcase their skills in front of recruiting coaches from across the country. Smith was one of 20 players who stood out to the scouts, receiving an impressive evaluation score of 83. And, she was one of only 10 defenders selected for the two All-Star teams.  “Smith's raw athletic talent allows her to go head-to-head with the fastest dodgers and shuts them down by matching them step for step through every change of direction. She plays with an incredible amount of energy that turns heads and creates unity with any defensive group,” said the Inside Lacrosse Women article featuring her.  Milan was one of only three defenders selected to be highlighted in the Inside Lacrosse Journal.  Scores Elementary Girls' Basketball Ward 40, Trinity 8 Ward 43, Jefferson 2 ALMS Boys Basketball ALMS 58, Mamaroneck 59 ALMS 63, Mount Vernon 33 Freshman Boys’ Basketball New Rochelle 52, Scarsdale white 19 New Rochelle 91, Scarsdale Maroon 48 New Rochelle 51, White Plains 44 The team is still undefeated this season!  Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball New Rochelle 78, North Rockland 59  New Rochelle 54, Mamaroneck 32 Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball New Rochelle 48, Mamaroneck 37 New Rochelle 52, Mount Vernon 27 Varsity Boys’ Basketball New Rochelle 60 , North Rockland 78 New Rochelle 37, Mamaroneck 50 New Rochelle 64, Mount Vernon 65 Photo credit: Bobby Begun Varsity Wrestling New Rochelle 49, White Plains 30 - Senior Night Varsity Swim Team The Varsity Swim Team had a great showing at the League Championship Swim on Jan. 31. Sam Cave New York State and Sectionals for 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and relays. Mac Bach sectionals for 50 freestyle, 100 breast stroke, and relays. Ben Fusco sectional relays, contributing in backstroke and freestyle.  Check out all the great community events happening now! Click here for community events   Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2026 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Friday, Feb 06 2026

News from Our Schools: January 22, 2026

News from Our Schools January 22, 2026 New Rochelle High School Earns Silver Award for AP Progam New Rochelle High School has earned Silver recognition on the 2025 Advanced Placement® Program (AP) School Honor Roll. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.  For a school to be recognized at the Silver level on the AP School Honor Roll in a given year, it must meet or exceed the following criteria for its students in the most recent graduating class: College Culture: 50% or more of the graduating class took at least one AP Exam during high school. College Credit: 35% or more of the graduating class scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school. College Optimization: 5% or more of the graduating class took five or more AP Exams during high school. At least one of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year. The school exceeded Silver status in the college credit category with 43% of students earning college credit by scoring a 3 on an AP Exam. Some 19% of New Rochelle’s Class of 2025 took at least five AP classes during their high school years, placing the high school in the Platinum category for college optimization.  “AP courses offer our students the ability to get an idea of what their post-secondary education will look like. This is just the beginning of our success, purple pride,” said Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles. “Our students, teachers and school leaders should be proud of this accomplishment.” Innovation in Action: STEM at the Forefront of New Rochelle Middle Schools Pictured front row from left to right: Daphne Platt (ALMS Special Education Science Teacher), Carmen King (Mercy University Center for STEM Education) & Julie Verville (IEYMS & ALMS Science Chairperson)  Pictured back row from left to right: Dr. Amanda Gunning (Mercy University Center for STEM Education), Walter Grosvenor (ALMS Technology Teacher), Jason Corbett (IEYMS Science Teacher), Claudia Gianserra (IEYMS Science Teacher), Ana Weisner (Team Advisor), Natika Jones (IEYMS Science Teacher) & Leidy Rodriguez (IEYMS Special Education Science Teacher) Issac E. Young Middle School and Albert Leonard Middle School will be hives of scientific inquiry this April as students showcase work made possible by a grant from Mercy University Center for STEM Education. The grant, designed to foster leadership and teaching in Science Education, is funded by the Wipro Organization, an international information technology company. The Wipro Reimagined Fellowship seeks to improve STEM teaching and leadership skills of K-12 teachers through collaborative STEM projects designed and led by Fellows and supported by district administrators.   This year, Mercy University Center for STEM Education was able to fund three projects in total; two of which are at New Rochelle middle schools. Albert Leonard Middle School’s project is titled STEMagination. The project promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and literacy skills by challenging students to design solutions for real-world problems in four categories: Biology/Health, Ecology/Environmental Science, Technology/Engineering, and Mathematics. Students will tackle real-world problems like building water filters, seed dispersers, solar-powered devices, mobility aids, and more through the process of designing, building, and testing solutions.  The event will be exhibit-style, and students will pitch their solution models and/or demonstrations to a panel of judges. The culminating event will take place on Saturday, April 11 at Albert Leonard Middle School and be open to the community as students showcase their research and project-based talents.   “STEMagination is a place where imagination meets application,” said Special Education Science Teacher Daphne Platt. “It’s more than a science fair - it’s a celebration of how learning comes alive when students explore ideas that matter to them. We are excited to join that journey.”   Platt and Technology Teacher Walter Grosvenor are the Fellows for Albert Leonard Middle School. Isaac E. Young Middle School’s project is titled IEYMS Ignites Innovation: STEAMfest. In addition to engineering design challenges, the event will feature interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) experimental stations for families to enjoy and engage in all aspects of STEAM.   Both STEM and STEAM use sciences and math to create solutions for better living, but STEAM integrates the arts as well, fostering creativity. For example, a STEM approach would focus on function or how something works, while a STEAM approach would also include aesthetics like the look and feel of a device. Students will showcase their talents and work in multiple areas, including a Mars Rover Challenge, Lego Robotics and Coding, and a Student Research Project Exhibit, which offers students a chance to explore their interest in STEAM from scientific studies to novel inventions. This event will be held on Friday, April 17, at Isaac E. Young Middle School and is open to all students and their families to enjoy.   Isaac E. Young Middle School Ignites Innovation team is made up of Leidy Rodriguez (Special Education Science Teacher), Jason Corbett (Science Teacher), Claudia Gianserra (Science Teacher), and Natika Jones (Science Teacher).   The team is excited to spotlight student ingenuity and said, “STEAMfest brings our community together to celebrate student creativity, curiosity, and innovation through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. This event highlights family-school partnerships and showcases how collaboration supports student confidence, learning, and future success. We are thrilled to provide this unique and exciting event to our school community.” “Receiving the Wipro grant for our middle schools is a tremendous honor,” said Julie Verville, Middle School Science Chairperson. “These projects exemplify our commitment to providing students with opportunities to showcase their talents. We believe that by emphasizing the importance of both STEM and STEAM, we are laying the foundation for future success and inspiring a generation of thinkers and leaders who will drive progress and innovation.” A World of Pure Imagination: Columbus Students Bring Wonka to Life Columbus Elementary School students have the Golden Ticket to fun.  Antoinette Koehler’s fifth graders and Stefanie Cordo’s kindergarten and first graders enjoyed sweet success in their Jan. 16 production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Under the direction of their teachers, the fifth graders handled the main characters, while the kindergarteners played the all-important Oompa Loompas.  Koehler said that participating in the play was not only fun for students but also enhanced their educational experience.  “Theater production allows all students to develop expressive language and build self-confidence. Students were given agency to design the sets and make decisions about the production,” she said.    Cordo said it was wonderful to see young students and older students collaborating on the play, learning from one another, older students supporting the younger ones, and all students building confidence together.   “Their teamwork created a warm, supportive environment that made the final performance even more meaningful. And for young students, this early start marks just the beginning – who knows where this first performing arts moment might take them in the future!” Parents were impressed. “The costumes and the decorations all looked so beautiful! Congratulations and beautiful work,” said one parent. Another parent said, “I felt so proud! This play exceeded my expectations of seeing my son focused on his role. I felt grateful for how fortunate my son is to have a great teacher who guides him to overcome his fears and believe in himself.” County Educators Honor My Brother’s Keeper Coordinator Nate Adams Nate Adams, program coordinator of My Brother’s Keeper of New Rochelle, was honored by the Westchester Alliance of Black School Educators on Jan. 11 for his work elevating and empowering youth in the community. Adams was recognized at the group’s Third Annual Winter Wonderland Scholarship fundraiser supporting black, college-bound students. The recognition goes to those who embody service, advocacy and excellence in education that goes beyond the classroom. Through his role with My Brother’s Keeper, Adams works with more than 450 students within the City School District of New Rochelle. He is also an active member of the New Rochelle African American Advisory Committee, the New Rochelle Youth Justice Advisory Committee, and the New Rochelle School District’s Safety and Code of Conduct Committees. High School SADD Club Teaches Middle School Students How to Refuse Harmful Choices A simple, but firm, “No, thanks”... Suggesting another activity like grabbing a pizza or playing a game... Making a joke... Blaming your parents... These are all refusal tactics teens and tweens could use if friends suggest a harmful activity like taking drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking, or vaping. To help younger students make healthy decisions, the New Rochelle High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D) Club recently performed skits on refusal skills for eighth graders at Isaac E. Young Middle School. The goal of the performance on Jan. 14 was to suggest ways that students could avoid situations they do not want to participate in while maintaining friendships. With each of the skits, students also learned about the Good Samaritan Law, facts about today's nicotine, marijuana, alcohol, and other products. “We work really hard to create and perform realistic skits demonstrating positive ways to ‘get out of’ difficult situations without creating conflict. That is crucial in life, especially in adolescence,” said SADD Co-President Carmen Ayala, a senior. SADD Co-President Julia Baumoel, also a senior, shared that the high schoolers take being role models seriously. “Reinforcing healthy communication and decision-making skills is our end goal. We strive to be credible messengers for the middle school students and are happy that we get this opportunity each year.” Erin Palermo, also SADD co-president, added, “Performing at both New Rochelle middle schools is the most important educational activity that we do. Teaching younger students the importance of making healthy choices is key to prevention.” Audience members got the message. Fahima Khan, an eighth grader, said "The presentations were great. They showed how people can impact your decisions and how important it is to stand up for yourself." Student Assistant Counselors Pina Palmisano and Ryan Leak both called the performance a success.   Voices of Common Sense: Historical Association Celebrates Thomas Paine’s Clarion Call for an Independent and Democratic America “Where, say some, is the king of America? I’ll tell you, Friend…in America the law is king.” – Thomas Paine On Saturday, Jan. 10, the Thomas Paine Historical Association (TPHA) hosted a community reading of selected portions of Thomas Paine’s transformative work, “Common Sense.” The one-hour event featured live readings by various members of the New Rochelle community, including elected officials and civic leaders. New Rochelle High School students Zachary Schwartz and Lauren Samuel, both from Eric Wood’s AP U.S. History class, were among the Thomas Paine enthusiasts who participated.      “Getting to read Common Sense together made it feel more real and meaningful than just reading about it in a textbook,” said Lauren. “I’m also glad I got to be part of it because ‘Common Sense’ is so tied to both the independence of the United States and to New Rochelle. Participating made the history feel more connected to the present instead of just something from the past”. Zachary described the importance of re-examining Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. “Paine argued that Americans should break from Britain to reject the idea that anyone could rule above the people. That message remains deeply relevant today, as the rule of law is increasingly challenged,” Zachary said. “Paine reminds us that a democratic republic depends on citizens holding leaders accountable and insisting that no individual is above the law. Paine also viewed America as a refuge for the oppressed, believing the nation should offer opportunity to those fleeing persecution and tyranny. Paine understood that America’s strength comes from welcoming new people, ideas, and perspectives, and that independence was necessary to allow the nation to grow through diversity.” This Celebration of the 250th anniversary of “Common Sense” focused on the words of Thomas Paine that spoke to the ongoing debate on the rights and role of citizens in a democratic republic. TPHA Board member Lisa Burton moderated the event. 25th Annual African American Men of Westchester Legacy Youth Awards On Jan. 19, three New Rochelle High School seniors were awarded $2,500 scholarships at the 25th Annual African American Men of Westchester Legacy Youth Awards held at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel. African American Men of Westchester is committed to developing and encouraging collaborative actions to strengthen the economic, cultural, and educational foundations of the greater Westchester community.  This annual event commemorates the work of Dr. Martin Luther King and celebrates 10 students throughout Westchester who embody his principles through service, leadership, and community impact. This year's New Rochelle recipients were: Ramya Archbald - The Brad Lomax Award This award was named in honor of civil and disability rights pioneer Brad Lomax, recognizing a Westchester County public school student who exemplifies strength, resilience, and dedication to empowering students with disabilities.   Using a power wheelchair and assistive technology, Ramya refuses to let her disability define her. She volunteers at nursing homes, libraries, summer camps, and disability advocacy programs. Harmony Hopwood - Vision Award This award recognizes a young adult who has raised awareness and implemented a plan to provide adequate services to individuals, while crossing race, class, and gender barriers. Harmony made history as the youngest Youth Poet Laureate of Westchester County and is a multi-time NAACP ACT-SO Gold Medalist, using poetry, film, and visual arts to uplift voices and address issues of equity, identity, and justice. Stone Pride - William L. Carter Perseverance Award This award is presented to a student who reflects a strong commitment to community service and takes a leadership role in their community. This award is given in memory of the character and life of William "Bill" Carter. A lifelong resident of New Rochelle, Stone leads with integrity as senior class president, a member of the New Rochelle Youth Bureau Youth Council, NAACP Youth Council, MBK Fellows and multiple honor societies. Jefferson Science Teacher Honored for Humane Education Practices Jefferson Elementary School third grade Science Teacher Aimee Ferguson has been awarded a 2025 Humane Science Educator of the Year Honorable Mention from Animalearn for her humane science teaching practices in the classroom. Animalearn is a humane science education association that collaborates with educators, students, and policymakers to promote science education without the use of animals in harmful ways.  “It gives me great pride to recognize this influential cohort of science educators who are taking the necessary steps to make an impact for animals who are commonly discounted in the classroom,” said Animalearn Director Nicole Green.  Ms. Ferguson said, “Animals play an important role in education by helping us understand the natural world. Learning about them with respect through platforms like Animalearn builds curiosity and strengthens our connection to nature.”  Alisa Brooks, Associate Director of Animalearn, reflected that “these humane educators are doing incredible work bringing alternatives, technology, and a compassionate mindset to their students. They are proof that science education can be taught without harm.”  As one of six honorable mention educators selected nationwide, Ms. Ferguson will be awarded a $750 grant to use for humane science education resources for her classroom.   Sights and Sounds from around the district Albert Leonard Art Featured Artwork from Albert Leonard Middle School is featured at the Empire State Plaza Martin Luther King Art and Essay Exhibition at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The art was also featured in the NYSED newsletter. The art was selected out of nearly 3,500 submissions. The exhibit opened Jan. 12 and will be on display through February's Black History Month.   Athletics Way to go, Jero! New Rochelle High School senior Jeronimo “Jero” Velasquez was honored at the United Soccer Coaches 2026 Convention on Jan. 17 at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. Jeronimo is only the third soccer player in New Rochelle High School’s history - and the first one in 40 years - to be selected for the prestigious United Soccer Coaches’ 2025 High School All-America Team, placing him among the top 110 high school boys’ players in the United States.   “I had a great experience, it was humbling to be around so many great players from all over the country," said Jeronimo. "To represent New Rochelle at the highest level of high school sports has always been a dream of mine, and it was motivating to get ready for the next level.”  As team captain and goalie, Jeronimo anchored the Huguenots' defense, leading the team to a Section 1 Class AAA Co-Championship and a final record of 14-2-3. This was only the fourth Section title for the New Rochelle High School Varsity Soccer Team, which they also won in 2016, 1996, and 1986.  The All-America recognition is the crowning achievement in a spectacular season for Jeronimo, whose honors also include:  The United Soccer Coaches’ All-East Region Team The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Section 1 Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year Three-time All-League Player Three-time All-Section Player  Two-time All-State Player  League Most Valuable Player  “It was a great experience to see my son accomplish so much this year," said Jeronimo's mother, Janeth Castellon. "The event was very nice, well planned, and to see my son up there makes all of our sacrifices worthwhile. When we came from Colombia eight years ago, we could have never imagined he would accomplish all these goals. We are grateful to all his coaches, teachers, and administrators who helped him on his path.” Coach Jarohan Garcia, who was named League Coach of the Year and was a finalist for Section 1 Coach of the Year, said the NRHS coaching staff recognized Jeronimo’s superior talent the first time he took the field for practice.  “We are incredibly proud of Jero. He was a remarkable leader for his teammates and just magical to watch on the field,” said Coach Garcia. “His accuracy, his energy, and his passion for the game are spectacular. He is unmatched by any player we have coached, and we look forward to all that lies ahead for him.”  Jeronimo plans to continue his career at the collegiate level, committing to NCAA Division I Iona University in New Rochelle this fall.    Stella Ziogas Earns 1,000th point! Congratulations, Stella Ziogas, for reaching the 1,000-point milestone in her athletic career at New Rochelle High School. She achieved the remarkable feat in the first quarter of the Jan. 21 game against Harrison, which the Huguenots won, 54-28. Stella is just the second girls' basketball player to attain the distinction in New Rochelle High School's history. April McBride was the first to hit the 1,000-point mark in 2006. Congratulations to Stella, Coach Joe Triolo, Coach Carolyn Sabitini-Fay, Coach Bill Savarese, and the varsity girls basketball team, as well as the entire Ziogas family! We are all very proud of Stella on this tremendous accomplishment.  Stella will play Division 1 basketball on a full athletic scholarship next year at Siena University.    Girls' Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 44, Yorktown 38  New Rochelle 37, Arlington 45 New Rochelle 54, Harrison 28 Girls Junior Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 56, Arlington 37 New Rochelle 30, Ursuline 47 New Rochelle 45, John Jay/East Fishkill 49 Boys' Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 78, John Jay/East Fishkill 35 New Rochelle 40, Arlington 41 New Rochelle 74, Spring Valley 54 Boys' Freshman Basketball New Rochelle 56, Scarsdale Maroon 18 New Rochelle 63, Horace Greeley 43 New Rochelle 73, Eastchester 21 New Rochelle 70, Mount Vernon 38 Freshman boys are 8-0 for the season!  Boys' Junior Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 64, Arlington 39 Middle School Boys' Basketball ALMS 34, Eastchester 43  ALMS 45, IEYMS 23 ALMS 59, Harrison 29 Varsity Hockey New Rochelle/ETBE 11, Pearl River 1 Modified Ice Hockey New Rochelle 11, Pelham 2 New Rochelle 7, Rye 4 Ward Girls Liberty Ward 37, Davis 3  Varsity Wrestling New Rochelle finished fourth of 28 teams in the Hendrick Hudson Wrestling Tournament on January 10 in Montrose, N.Y. Congratulations to Enrique Garcia on winning the 165 lb weight class!   New Rochelle 46, North Rockland 30 Congratulations, wrestling team, on the first victory over North Rockland in a dual meet in more than 20 years!  Pioneers Floorball The NRHS Pioneers are gearing up for a floor ball tournament on Jan. 31. The sport is like indoor hockey and was adopted as an official Special Olympics sport in 2014. Last year was the Pioneers' inaugural floor ball season, and they ended with an impressive second-place division finish in the Super Regional tournament. This year's tournament will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, NY. Good luck, Pioneers!  Girls' Varsity Track Congratulations to the girls’ 4x400 varsity track team members Alexis Smith, Alivia Smith, Olivia Solomon, and Sophia Ochoa for qualifying for the 118th Millrose Games, which will take place on Feb. 1 at the Armory in New York City.  Varsity Swimming The Boys Varsity Swim defeated Yorktown/Somers 49-39. Matthew Loayza, Luke Rende, and Jahmal Brown all had personal bests. Matt Memel achieved a season best in the 100 free, shaving off 6 seconds. Well done, swim team!  New Rochelle Cheerleading Congratulations, Modified and Varsity Cheerleading, on earning first place at the Port Chester competition! Check out all the great community events happening now! Click Here for Community Events Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2025 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Thursday, Jan 22 2026

News from Our Schools: January 8, 2026

News from Our Schools January 8, 2026 New Rochelle Fund Names Class of 2026 Student Achievement Award Winners The New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence is proud to announce four outstanding New Rochelle High School seniors who will be honored with Student Achievement Awards at the Foundation Awards Gala on Thursday, March 5, at the Surf Club on the Sound. Celebrating Our Rising Stars Each year, the high school Guidance Department partners with the NR Fund to select exceptional seniors based on their achievements. This year's award winners exemplify the dedication, talent, and skills of our students, reflecting the strength and opportunities within New Rochelle's schools," said NR Fund Executive Director Anne Todd. Arts and Culture Award: Harmony Hopwood began writing poetry in fourth grade through the NR Fund's Poetry Out Loud program and made history as the youngest Youth Poet Laureate of Westchester County. A three-time Gold Medalist in the NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program, Harmony serves as president of both the Poetry Club and NAACP Youth Council and plans to study film in college. David A. Garfinkel Citizenship Award: Kyra Mulraine exemplifies civic leadership through her environmental advocacy work. As a student researcher for the Air of Truth exhibit at the NRHS Museum of Arts and Culture, she analyzed local air-quality data and now serves on the City's Ecology and Natural Resources Advisory Committee. Kyra plans to major in international relations. Eric Tutera Sports Leadership Award: Sam Cave is a four-year Varsity Swim Team member, two-year captain, and three-time MVP with All-League and All-Section honors, competing in States on March 6. As a lifeguard, assistant swim coach, and youth baseball instructor, Sam mentors young athletes while excelling academically as a National Honor Society member and National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student. He will swim Division I at American University. Science and Technology Award: Cory Seelenfreund, the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, earned First Place in Mathematics at the International Science and Engineering Fair. An accomplished clarinetist selected for the NYSSMA All-State Symphony Orchestra, Cory serves as president of Tri-M Music Honor Society and volunteers as a music teacher and math tutor. He will attend MIT to study mathematics and music. Join Us at the Gala The 2026 Gala will also honor distinguished alumni and community leaders: George A. Hirsch (NRHS '52), a pioneering magazine publisher and NYC Marathon founder; Kelly Johnson Jr. (NRHS '76), longtime New Rochelle Youth Bureau Executive Director; and Eric Turkewitz, founder and race director of the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon. Everyone is invited to attend this inspiring evening featuring musical performances by NRHS students and supporting innovative programs throughout our schools. Special pricing for school staff: $150 (Early Bird ends Feb. 25) | Tickets: www.nredfund.org Mayor Ramos-Herbert Visits Huguenot Academy New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert is the first woman and the first person of color to hold her post. But she didn’t get there by accident. Ramos-Herbert told students in the Law and Government class at Huguenot Academy that her success came about because “other people cared.” Although she did not mention a specific teacher, Ramos-Herbert said there were a few teachers who cared and made her feel that anything was possible when she was growing up in Queens, N.Y. That confidence propelled her to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College, a law degree from SUNY Buffalo Law School, and a master’s in education from Northeastern University. Ramos-Herbert was invited to speak to the class because the students have been learning about local government and researching the ways that the development of Memorial Highway affected a once-thriving African American neighborhood in New Rochelle. The city hopes to create an elevated park and linear green space to re-connect the neighborhood that was divided by the highway’s construction in the 1960s. Social studies teacher Francisco Sandoval said having the mayor speak to the students was important because it drove home that elected officials work for us, a point the mayor stressed during her visit. At one point, the mayor told students, “If I get any money, I want to invest in you.” When asked what motivated her to run for office, Ramos-Herbert said when she first moved to New Rochelle, she noticed that parks in her neighborhood were not as well maintained as parks in some other areas. That made her want to do something to improve the quality of life for all residents. Prior to being elected mayor, Ramos-Herbert served on the New Rochelle City Council. The mayor's visit is an example of how social studies teachers connect classroom lessons to real historic and current events to increase student understanding.  Knowledge is Power: New Rochelle High School Students Learn Critical Law Enforcement Safety Strategies Imagine you are driving home from a school basketball game and a police officer pulls you over. What do you do?  Is it safe to stop? Do you ask the officer why you were stopped? What rights do you have? Eighteen New Rochelle High School students recently attended a seminar at Sarah Lawrence College titled, “From the Streets to the Courtroom and Beyond,” sponsored by the African American Men of Westchester to strengthen students’ understanding of their legal rights. The event focused on common misconceptions experienced by students of color. Speakers discussed best practices during encounters with law enforcement, informed students of their rights, and shared ways to identify reliable legal resources. The event was made possible thanks to a partnership between the New Rochelle High School social studies department and My Brothers Keeper (MBK). The students were accompanied by teacher Ramon Rosado and MBK Program Coordinator Nate Adams. Students were advised, among other things, to remain calm, turn on the lights inside the vehicle, keep their hands on the steering wheel in plain sight, behave respectfully at all times and note the officer’s name and badge number. The advice resonated deeply with students. “The trip to Sarah Lawrence College gave me insight on the basics and lives of people operating within the justice system,” said senior Justin Southwell. “The passion behind each speaker's words both gave me inspiration and hope for the equality and fairness provided by (at the very least) the local courts in Westchester.” MBK Program Coordinator Adams was impressed by a story that was told through a singular case study that displayed the connectivity between all aspects of the criminal justice system. The students were very attentive to each breakout room that provided greater insight into the justice system and how it plays out in the most basic scenarios.  “Students left the seminar with a stronger sense of confidence and empowerment, equipped with information that supports both their personal safety and their ability to advocate for themselves and their communities,” said Rosado.  The partnership between New Rochelle High School and Sarah Lawrence College reflects a shared commitment to educational equity and to ensuring all students have the tools they need to navigate the world with knowledge and assurance. Ivy-Bound QuestBridge Scholars Commended On December 18, the Board of Education presented commendations to the five New Rochelle High School seniors who were named QuestBridge Scholars, receiving a full scholarship to prestigious universities. They are Daniella Anane-Sarfo, who will attend Colgate University; Sophia Fuentes, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania; Bryan Mesajil, who will attend MIT; Melony Escobar, who will attend Northwestern University; and Carlos Del Aguila, who will attend Harvard. A Sweet Surprise for Board of Education Members The New Rochelle High School Apiary program proudly presented Board of Education members with a jar of honey harvested from the high school's apiary. The Apiary program is one of only three such programs in Westchester County and is supervised by Science Teacher Dr. Patrick Cushing. The program integrates science, business, and culinary arts with hands-on bee care. Program participants appreciate and honor the vital role bees play in the food chain. Beekeeping Club President Aurora Baeza presented each Board Trustee with a jar of honey from the 2025 batch produced by the high school's bees.   Holiday Card Art Contest Winners Spread Joy Throughout the School District First row: Greta Sigel, Grade 2, William Ward Elementary; Liliana Mitchell, Grade 2, Henry Barnard School. Second row: Miriam Lieberson, Grade 3, Daniel Webster Elementary; Kaitlyn Yang, Grade 5, Davis Elementary; Miguel Araujo, Grade 4, Jefferson Elementary. Third row: Marilyn Ferrante, Grade 9, New Rochelle High School; Aizah Aroos, Grade 4, Columbus Elementary; Katerina Dedvukaj, Grade 5, Trinity Elementary; Adele Scardovi-Mounier, Grade 6, Albert Leonard Middle School. Back row: Summer Garcia, Grade 6, Isaac E. Young Middle School; Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds   Congratulations, ALMS Tenured Staff! Left to right: Performing and Visual Arts Director Matthew Lucero, Orchestra Teacher Karly Masters, Assistant Director of Special Education Clara Reyes, Special Education Reading Teacher Gloria Boyce, Principal Dr. Camille Edwards-Thomas, Humanities Chair David Luhman, Mathematics Teacher Remy Weisbrot, Mathematics Chair Rana Hafiz, English Language Arts Teacher Briana DeGeorge   Students Share Love of Art Albert Leonard Middle School art students Emma Lizzo, Ella Thompson, and Minami Tsuda read poetry and shared the importance of the visual arts with Board of Education members at their December 18 meeting. Ella Thompson read an original poem titled "Dear Artist." "Art is a way of expressing your feelings. The canvas is like a white blanket of snow with all your emotions under it. It's a mirror that reflects life," read Thompson. The students shared information about the art programs available to middle school students and discussed the importance of art in creating, performing, connecting, and expressing themselves.   Talent on Display at Board of Education Meeting Hosted by Albert Leonard Middle School Albert Leonard Middle School Orchestra The ALMS Chamber Orchestra, directed by newly tenured Orchestra Teacher Karly Masters, performed "Gargoyles" by Doug Spada for attendees of the December 18 Board of Education meeting. Albert Leonard Select Chorus The ALMS Select Chorus, under the Direction of Mary DiTargiani, performed Felix Bernard's and Richard Bernhard Smith's "Winter Wonderland" at the December 18 Board of Education meeting. BOE Honors Soccer Team and Captain Section Co-Champions The New Rochelle High School Varsity Boys' Soccer team was commended for an outstanding season in which they earned the Section 1 Co-Championship. Congratulations to players Jeronimo Velasquez, Jayden Ayala, Josemiguel Ayala, Adrian Almanzar, Nicolas Rivera, David Lore, Juan Aguilar, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Rayan Pierre-Louise, Nicolas Canales, Jesus Medina, Angel Magaña, Joaf Barrantes, Jhancarlo Fernandez, Lucas Rodrigues, Ivan Oceguera, Ismael Philidor, Julian Oceguera, Adrian Medina, Cristian Navarro, Nathan Grandwetter, Cristofer Santos, Aidan Shaw, Ethan Shaw, and Damian Torres, and to coaches Jarohan Garcia, Gustavo Barbosa, Francis McCarthy, Joao Paulo Goncalves, and Luis Ayala. All-America Soccer Team The Board of Education also presented a commendation to soccer team Captain Jeronimo Velasquez for his individual accomplishments this season. Jeronimo was selected for the United Soccer Coaches' All-America Team. He is only the third soccer player in New Rochelle High School's history to achieve that honor. Jeronimo was also selected for the United Soccer Coaches' All-East Region Team and was named the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's Section 1 Boys' Soccer Player of the Year. He is a three-time All-League Player, a two-time All-State Player, and the League's Most Valuable Player. Sights and Sounds from Around the District Wet Bandits Invade Webster Check out this brilliant video that opened Webster's winter "Home Alone"-themed concert. The video stars third grade teacher Adam King and special education teacher Matthew Halem, and was produced by music teacher Heidi Jaye. Merriment at Ward Athletics Varsity Girls' Track Team Spring Medley Relay finishes #1 in US at Hispanic Games The New Rochelle High School Girls' Varsity Track team had an incredible showing at the Hispanic Games, finishing the Spring Medley Relay with a time of 4:04.80 - 18 seconds ahead of the second-place finishers. The team took first place in the state and in the country! The event took place at the Nike Track and Field Center at the Armory in Washington Heights, N.Y., on Friday, January 2. Congratulations to junior Alexis Smith, sophomore Elisa Crisp, junior Alivia Smith, and sophomore Olivia Solomon. You make us proud!   Game On! Prepares Students for College Athletics More than 30 student-athletes, along with parents, coaches, and counselors, attended a "Game On!" college athletics information session on Monday, January 5, at New Rochelle High School (NRHS). Student-athletes received guidance from counselors on eligibility requirements for college sports, from coaches on the physical and mental preparation necessary for recruitment, and from New Rochelle High School alumni who are currently college athletes. The event helps families build pipelines between high school athletics and college programs. Class of 2025 alumnus Manasi Simpkins, a track and field athlete at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., shared his advice and his experience. "By sharing my personal experience, I hope to steer students in the right direction on how to reach out to college coaches and how to get their names out there," said Simpkins. "While performing athletically, it is also extremely important for athletes to keep their grades up, as coaches look for strong students, not just strong athletes." Students and families learned the differences between D1, D2, and D3 schools, received tips on how to attract college coaches' attention, and were informed about important timelines for college sports recruiting. The event was organized by NRHS Assistant Principal Valerie Cadet-Simpkins, in collaboration with  CSDNR Director of Guidance Leah Lugoviña-Freitas. and CSDNR Director of Athletics Joe Donaldson. NRHS junior Kelechi Njoku helped coordinate event planning and panelist questions. Photo L to R: Assistant Principal Cadet-Simpkins, NRHS Counselor Kevin Austin, NRHS Counselor Claire Mayer, Former Iona College Athletic Director Rich Petriccione, Assistant Athletic Director Claude Balliet, NRHS alumnus Manasi Simpkins '25 and Division 1 Marist University Track Athlete, Business Teacher and former Varsity Baseball Coach Darren Gurney, NRHS track team member Kelechi Njoku, CSDNR Athletic Director Joe Donaldson, and CSDNR Director of Guidance Leah Lugoviña-Freitas.   Judy Petrone Wins Award of Excellence Congratulations to the New Rochelle High School Athletic Department's Judy Petrone on being awarded the Judith A. Martens Secretarial Award of Excellence from the New York State Athletic Administrators Association! The award recognizes a secretary of an athletic administrator who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to local athletics. Mrs. Petrone will receive the award at the NYSAAA Conference in Saratoga Springs in March.   Scores Boys’ Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 68, Ithaca Little Red 48 New Rochelle 42, Woodlands 39 New Rochelle 41, Rye 50 Freshman Boys’ Basketball New Rochelle 53, White Plains 33 Photo by Bobby Begun JV Boys' Basketball New Rochelle 61, Rye 36 Albert Leonard Boys' Basketball Albert Leonard 67, Eastchester 29 Girls’ Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 69, Mt. Vernon 27  Girls’ Junior Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 47, White Plains 33 New Rochelle 53, Albertus Magnus 23 Wrestling New Rochelle 62, East Ramapo 17 Modified Ice Hockey New Rochelle 9, RTH 3 Varsity Bowling Halfway through the season, our bowling teams are in second place! The Boys' Varsity Bowling team's record is 47-9, only two points behind defending champion Mamaroneck Tigers. The Girls' Varsity Bowling team's record is 46-10. Check out all the great community events happening now! Click here for community events  

Thursday, Jan 08 2026

News from Our Schools: December 18, 2025

News from Our Schools December 18, 2025 Seelenfreund's Successes Mount with MIT Acceptance, NYSSMA All-State He is the Second Class of 2026 Student Accepted to MIT The hits keep coming for New Rochelle High School senior Cory Seelenfreund. In October, he was named valedictorian for the class of 2026. Early December saw him perform with the All-State Symphonic Orchestra. Now, he has been accepted into MIT, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. “MIT was my dream school and has been since around fourth grade,” said Seelenfreund. “Getting accepted to MIT was incredible. I truly felt like all my hard work since the beginning of high school was finally worth it. I felt honored to know I was one of only a select few hundred that got accepted, and I am extremely grateful.” At MIT, Seelenfreund said he hopes to study mathematics with a minor or double major in music. “I would like to focus on applied mathematics, which takes pure math concepts and applies them to understand real-world issues…I am also extremely passionate about music.” Seelenfreund’s love of music was evident when he was chosen to perform recently with the All- State Symphonic Orchestra at the New York State School Music Association Winter Conference. A clarinetist, Seelenfreund was chosen from among thousands of student musicians who auditioned last spring. All-State chorus, band, and orchestra ensembles comprise the top student musicians in the state. “Being a part of the All-State Symphony Orchestra was incredible. I was overwhelmed by the skill and musical passion of the musicians around me, and it made me realize how lucky I was to perform with such an extraordinary ensemble,” said Seelenfreund. “It was truly the most impactful musical experience of my life.” Matthew Lucero, director of PreK-12 Performing and Visual Arts, said, “We are incredibly proud of Cory's acceptance into this year’s NYSSMA All-State Symphony Orchestra. Cory’s achievement reflects not only extraordinary musical dedication and talent, but also the strength, diversity, and commitment to excellence that define our students and our school community. It is an honor to see our school represented at this high level of music-making in New York State.” When he received the news about MIT, Seelenfreund said his parents reacted “as you would expect – some screaming, some crying, and lots of hugs.” A modest young man, Seelenfreund credited New Rochelle High School with much of his success. “The school offers so many valuable resources that I could not have succeeded without,” he said, citing the number of advanced courses, the diverse student population, and the school’s exceptional science research program. “I would really like to thank science research. Mr. (Jeffrey) Wuebber and Ms. (Erica) Curran have been instrumental in giving me my most important skills, teaching me how to do research, how to design appealingly, and most importantly, how to communicate ideas well,” he said. “I don’t believe I would be the person I am today if I had not joined science research.” New Rochelle’s Margaret Chan Shines at State Conference Isaac E. Young Middle School’s orchestra teacher Margaret Chan recently presented to fellow music educators and served as a featured conductor at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference. As a member of NYSSMA’s Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Representation Committee, Chan shared her expertise on closing the gap for students who cannot afford private lessons. Her presentation, “Bornoff for All: Differentiation & Equity in Orchestra,” drew on George Bornoff’s group strings approach. Chan demonstrated how Bornoff’s methods for teaching strings embed differentiation, promote deeper understanding, and foster student choice, ensuring equitable opportunities for all learners. She co-presented with Ossining UFSD orchestra teacher Mahum Qureshi, highlighting collaborative efforts among Westchester music educators. She was also featured as a conductor during a strings reading session, as she is on the board of the New York State chapter of the American String Teachers Association.  "Presenting at the NYSSMA conference was an incredible experience. I have run professional development for educators in the past, but it was truly an honor to share ideas with fellow music educators from across the region,” Chan said. “Preparing for the presentation took a lot of collaboration and organization, especially given it was less than 24 hours after finishing my first concert in the New Rochelle Community.” Margaret also organized and moderated a panel discussion titled “Navigating Identity & Imposter Syndrome: A Roundtable Discussion,” featuring diverse educators from the Westchester and NYC area. This session was aimed at early-career music educators who often face unique challenges entering and staying in the profession.  “One of the most rewarding parts was facilitating my first panel discussion in front of a diverse audience of collegiate students, new and veteran educators, and leaders in the music education space,” Chan said. “I was able to connect with colleagues, exchange strategies, and learn from their perspectives. It reminded me how important it is to keep growing professionally and bringing fresh ideas back to our students. Overall, the experience reinforced why I love what I do—helping students discover their potential through music."  The panel featured Alia Naqvi, the new band director at Albert Leonard Middle School, and explored personal stories and shared research-backed strategies for navigating imposter syndrome, building supportive communities, and affirming cultural identity within the teaching profession and the classroom. “We are so proud of Ms. Chan for representing New Rochelle at this year's NYSSMA Winter Conference. Her passion for music education and her drive to grow, collaborate, and inspire others embodies the very best of our district’s values,” said PAVE Director Matthew Lucero. “When our educators shine on statewide stages, our students, and our entire community benefit." New Rochelle My Brother's Keeper Highlighted for Justice Work New Rochelle’s My Brother’s Keeper has been named a “Spotlight” program for its work in youth justice, one of only six communities nationwide to earn this distinction. “We are being recognized for our work in partnership with the City Court of New Rochelle, Probations, Family Court, the Center for Justice Innovation and the New Rochelle Justice Center,” said Program Coordinator Nate Adams.  The program works with about 50 New Rochelle students who have high rates of suspension and absenteeism, and lack of engagement in school as well as with a growing number of rising adults in the community. Social workers and counselors in the City School District of New Rochelle assist students and implement supports to help them better navigate the school system. My Brother’s Keeper also has groups for parents to help them heal from trauma and gain a voice in their lives and the lives of their children. “We find that many parents of at-risk youth have had challenging experiences with school themselves,” Adams said. “They need a place to voice their concerns.” One of the programs that My Brother’s Keeper has implemented is called Learn and Earn, which provides students with access to summer school to strengthen their academic performance and access to part-time jobs where they work on their emotional and personal development. The program makes summer school more attractive by combining it with job opportunities and more personalized attention.  Adams said New Rochelle has welcomed many newcomers in recent years, some of whom have suffered trauma in their journey to the city. By providing support before they enter the justice system, it is hoped that students and families will be more successful.  Leadership Summit Empowers Youth The Westchester County Youth Bureau, in partnership with Lower Hudson Valley My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, the Obama Foundation, and SUNY Westchester Community College, hosted the Youth Leadership Summit aimed at overcoming obstacles and fostering leadership and empowerment for youth of color. The event kicked off with inspirational messages from education, community, and sports leaders and featured student-led panel discussions on personal branding and the impact of social media on youth culture. Attendees, called “fellows,” also heard from a panel of MBK alumni and members of WCC’s Black and Hispanic Male Initiative who shared their experiences since graduating high school.  New Rochelle’s fellows were joined by fellows from Greenburgh, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, Southern Westchester BOCES, White Plains, and Yonkers. “Your generation is redefining what leadership looks like: collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and unafraid to imagine something better,” said Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden. “In a world that often tells young people to wait your turn, you are proving that your turn is now.” My Brother’s Keeper New Rochelle Program Coordinator Nate Adams said, “It brought me great joy to bear witness to such a dynamic room of motivated young men of color who represented so many communities from our MBK Hudson Valley school districts.” Student attendees got the message. “I honestly loved it. It’s not often where you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by people who think and look like you,” said New Rochelle High School junior Kelechi Njoku. “There’s no better encouragement than seeing people like you succeeding and thriving in an array of ways. I learned so many valuable lessons from my peers, and I can’t wait for another opportunity like this.” The Alliance is a consortium of municipalities, local educational agencies, and non‐profit organizations that have accepted former President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Community MBK Challenge. Since 2018, Westchester County and the Youth Bureau have partnered with fourteen local MBK programs to improve life outcomes of boys and young men of color and help change the narrative too often associated with this demographic. New Rochelle Alum Details Flight Path from Paper Airplane to Boeing Left to Right: Bryan Mesajil, Elnaz Sadeghi, Danica Batista, Carlos Del Aguila, Kalpana Daniel, Melony Escobar, Sophia Salomon, Maxwell Smith It started with a paper airplane.  During her freshman year of college, Anaqhelly Cisneros was asked to design a paper airplane. She said that was when she first felt like an engineer and knew what career she wanted to pursue. Today, Cisneros is employed as an avionics engineer for Boeing Commercial Airlines in Everett, WA. On Dec. 2, the 2015 graduate returned to New Rochelle High School to speak to members of the Math Honor Society she once led.  After graduating, Cisneros went to Dartmouth College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 2019 and a master’s degree in engineering management in 2020. She is currently working on ways to mitigate interference from 5G networks with aircraft systems. Her work is critical to ensuring accurate altitude readings during flight. Math Honor Society members peppered Cisneros with questions during her visit. They were particularly interested to know if she had always planned to pursue avionics. Cisneros explained that engineering had always been meaningful to her, and avionics cemented that feeling.  Cisneros' professional journey resonated with honor society members. "Knowing a Math Honor Society alum and former executive board member went on to not only use math in her everyday life, but also work in a math-heavy field, gave me hope for my future career plans," said one student. Another said, "Learning about her journey as a Latina in STEM helped me feel confident in my future." In her personal life, Cisneros said she was a passionate marathon runner. She often trains with her dog, Max, and she completed her first marathon in Hawaii. Now, she said, she is determined to discover new running routes in the Pacific Northwest. Members of the Math Honor Society, advised by Kalpana Daniel, pursue mathematical excellence at their weekly meetings, spread knowledge via peer tutoring, tackle challenging mathematics problems with innovative solutions, and foster a supportive learning environment throughout the building. The program allows students enrolled in any math course - from Algebra I to AP Calculus BC - to feel confident in their studies with the guidance of an encouraging and skilled academic mentor to help them along the way. Non-Speaking Students Find Their Voice Mom Paola Zamora calls Spelling to Communicate, or S2C, life-changing.  It looks like a simple, laminated board with letters on one side and numbers on the other. But it is the instrument her son, Erik, uses to share his thoughts, ideas, and preferences, which she had never heard until high school Foundations special education teacher Cynthia Milite introduced him to S2C.  Milite became S2C certified on her own to help non-speaking students communicate. In the classroom, Milite holds a letterboard while students point to letters to spell. She has been using this method for the past two years so that the students can contribute to class discussions, answer questions, and voice their opinions. Erik Lopez-Torres and former classmate Tai Johnson use S2C to overcome apraxia, a motor planning disorder in which the brain and body are not in sync. Both were eager to share their stories.  “Spelling to communicate has changed my life,” said Erik via S2C. “Before I lived in silence. And no one gave me a chance to show them how smart I really am.”  Tai, who had been in the program for seven years but aged out earlier this month to an adult placement, shared his frustration at living with apraxia. “Nobody sees what hell it is on the inside,” he said. “You really need to experience the turmoil that this creates.”   Teacher’s aide Ron Oliver faithfully transcribes communication from both students. They describe him as an important and loving figure in their lives.  The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association advises against using S2C on the grounds that there is a lack of scientific evidence to prove its validity and concerns about message authorship. Milite makes the method available to students whose families want it.   Milite said some students prefer S2C over other augmentative and alternative (AAC) methods such as iPads, which they find clunkier and slower to use.  During a recent visit to Milite’s classroom, Erik and Tai used S2C to discuss their role model, Einstein, and talked about their interests, which include literature and poetry. Erik, who participates in mainstream English classes, said he hoped to earn his GED and go to college to study mathematics.  Mom Paola said, “I always knew he was smart. S2C has unlocked the barrier to communication. He is bilingual. He just read ‘Animal Farm,’ ‘Of Mice and Men,’ ‘Kite Runner,’ ‘Lord of the Flies,’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ He loves museums and Indian music.”  With Tai’s departure from the high school, Erik is now the only student using S2C until his graduation in May. Milite said she hoped to introduce the method to other minimally communicative and non-speaking students.  “Non-speakers have been underestimated and misunderstood most of their lives,” she said. “Spelling to communicate allows students to have their voices heard finally.” Congratulations, Holiday Art Contest Winners! One Student from Each School Featured on District Holiday Greeting The student-submitted art was selected by a panel of art teachers from throughout the school district to be highlighted on the holiday greeting. Winning artists were honored at the December 18 Board of Education meeting at Albert Leonard Middle School with a framed copy of their artwork. Each school also received a copy to hang in the building. Congratulations, talented artists! Sights and Sounds from Around the District Project SEARCH Holiday Celebration   Victory: It's Their Code Congratulations to the New Rochelle High School Robotics Team, who took home the Energy Award from the Vex Robotics competition at The Mount Academy on December 13. We’re so very proud of your achievement and wish you continued success in upcoming tournaments!  Athletics All-American Jero New Rochelle High School senior Jeronimo “Jero” Velasquez has cemented his legacy as only the third soccer player in New Rochelle High School’s history - and the first one in 40 years - to be selected for the prestigious United Soccer Coaches’ 2025 High School All-America Team. The honor places him among the top 110 high school boys’ players in the United States.   “I am so honored and so grateful to receive this recognition,” said Velasquez. “I have had a year like no other, first taking home the gold ball with the brotherhood that is our team this year, and now to be named one of the best high school players in the nation. It’s a dream come true for me.”  As team captain and goalie, Velasquez anchored the Huguenots' defense, leading the team to a Section 1 Class AAA Co-Championship and a final record of 14-2-3. This was only the fourth Section title for the New Rochelle High School Varsity Soccer Team, which they also won in 2016, 1996, and 1986.  The All-America recognition is the crowning achievement in a spectacular season for Velasquez, whose honors also include:  The United Soccer Coaches’ All-East Region Team LoHud Player of the Year The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Section 1 Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year Three-time All-League Player Three-time All-Section Player  Two-time All-State Player  League Most Valuable Player   Congratulations, Varsity Football Honorees! Three Varsity Football players were honored at the Section 1 Banquet held at the Pearl River Hilton on December 14. Congratulations, All Section Players Joel Rivera (left), Daniel Elliot (right), All Conference Player Vasslon Ingram Jr. (center), and Coach Ray Rhett! Ziogas Makes All-State Congratulations to Stella Ziogas on being named high school soccer All-State by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls' Sports. The accolade is in addition to: NRHS Soccer MVP Section 1 Class AAA All-Section All-League  Pioneers Soccer New Rochelle 4, Tuckahoe 2 New Rochelle 4, Port Chester 3  New Rochelle 1, White Plains 2 New Rochelle 2, Mount Vernon 0 New Rochelle 2, Port Chester 1 Anderson Alvarez and Luis Tellez scored goals. New Rochelle 4, Woodlands 1 In the win against Woodlands, Ashley Vasquez, Anderson Alvarez, and Olman Zuleta all scored goals, and Luis Tellez provided key assists. JV Girls' Basketball New Rochelle 81, Saunders 27 New Rochelle 36, Ursuline 38 New Rochelle 49, Scarsdale 14  Varsity Girls' Basketball New Rochelle 16, Scarsdale 50 JV Boys' Basketball New Rochelle 55, Ossining 28 Freshman Boys' Basketball New Rochelle 46, Mount Vernon 31 Albert Leonard Basketball Albert Leonard 54, Tuckahoe 23 Varsity Boys' Basketball New Rochelle 76, Ossining 53 New Rochelle 51, Scarsdale 43 Photo credit: Bobby Begun Varsity Hockey ETBE/New Rochelle 7, Rye 1 ETBE/New Rochelle 4, Mount Pleasant 0  ETBE/New Rochelle 2, Mamaroneck 6 ETBE/New Rochelle 7, Scarsdale 4 ETBE/New Rochelle, North Rockland Boys' Varsity Swimming New Rochelle 96, Lakeland/Panas 70 New Rochelle 91, Mount Vernon 76 Senior Sam Cave qualified for states in the 50 swim with a time of 22.0. Congratulations, Sam! Check out all the great community events happening now! Click here for community events   Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2025 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.  

Thursday, Dec 18 2025

News from Our Schools: December 4, 2025

News from Our Schools December 4, 2025 Five New Rochelle High School Seniors Awarded QuestBridge Full-Ride Scholarships Valued at Nearly $2 Million Left to Right: Sophia Fuentes, Melony Escobar, Daniella Anane-Sarfo, Carlos Del Aguila, and Bryan Mesajil Five New Rochelle seniors are headed to prestigious universities on full, four-year QuestBridge Scholarships. QuestBridge matches high-achieving students with the nation’s top colleges to provide “transformative educational, career, and life opportunities.” The five are among 2,550 finalists nationwide recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients. The New Rochelle students are matched to Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, and Colgate. They will receive early admission and scholarships for the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses.  “This year’s Match Scholarship Recipients embody excellence in so many ways, and we're excited to support them as they continue to dream big,” said Ana Rowena Mallari, Co-Founder and CEO of QuestBridge. “Since QuestBridge’s founding over 30 years ago, we've witnessed the incredible impact our Scholars can make in their lives, families, and communities, and we know that this year's students will make a positive impact, too.” Student Government President Carlos Del Aguila is the first in his family to attend a university, and is headed to Harvard to study applied mathematics with a focus on sociology. He attributes his success to the connections, encouragement, and guidance he received from his teachers and counselors during his 12 years in New Rochelle schools.  “Even if you don’t come from a position of privilege in college admissions, and even if you don’t believe you’re the one to do it, just give it a shot. It’s possible. Being surrounded by excellence and world-class faculty with opportunities for research and networking, it’s opening a whole new set of doors for my future that I never would have had without them. This opportunity will change my life immeasurably,” Del Aguila said.   His friend since their Jefferson Elementary School days, Bryan Mesajil, echoed his sentiments. Mesajil has been awarded a full scholarship to MIT, where he plans to study mechanical engineering. He, too, is the first member of his family to attend a university.  “I wouldn’t have expected in a million years to match to MIT. From early on in fifth grade, my teachers told me they had really high hopes for me. I don’t think of myself the way they see me. I never would have expected anything as great as MIT. It’s an unbelievable outcome.”  Daniella Anane-Sarfo learned about QuestBridge from TikTok. She researched the opportunity and took a chance that gained her admission to Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., where she will study biology or neuroscience in pursuit of her dream of attending medical school.  “I look forward to being part of the tight-knit Colgate community. It will help me grow more emotionally and academically, and will be the perfect place for me to learn, be more curious, and connect with people from different backgrounds. I know it will prepare me for what is ahead,” said Anane-Sarfo. Motivated to study biomedical engineering by her mother’s illness, Melony Escobar applied to QuestBridge at the encouragement of her counselor. She will attend Northwestern University - a dream come true for a girl who had only envisioned going to school in New York and working hard to pay for it.  Escobar said, “Now I know that there is no limit. I never thought I could leave New York to study. All the support from my administrators and counselors has opened many doors. People in the school helped me branch out and do the most I can with my opportunities for success.”  Sophia Fuentes will study neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, which she feels is the perfect fit. She wants to study neuroscience so she can help people like her grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s.  “The New Rochelle Science Research Program has had the biggest impact on my academic career. Without it, I would not be where I am now,” said Fuentes. “They tasked me with finding a mentor in the research program that I wanted to pursue, which I found at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. I have hands-on experience with what I want to work with in the future.”  “New Rochelle schools are elated to celebrate this extraordinary milestone. To cultivate five QuestBridge Scholars in a single graduating class shatters our wildest expectations,” said Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds. “This is the powerful culmination of the tireless collective work and unwavering commitment of our K-12 educators and support professionals, ensuring each of our students realizes their highest potential.” Four of the five QuestBridge Scholars are involved in the Science Research Program.  “We are beaming with pride,” said NRHS Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles. “Our students are our driving force - they are our ‘why.’ Their success and this prestigious recognition validate the rigorous, high-caliber education we deliver every day. It is a highlight for our Science Research Program, which pushes boundaries with opportunities typically only available in college, and has earned national recognition for both our program and our incredible students.”  NRHS Science Research Program Coordinators Jeff Wuebber and Erica Curran seek to foster scientific curiosity in students. Through the program, students gain professional experience and develop a deep understanding of current research trends.  “What these students have accomplished is truly life-changing. We are so proud that the Science Research Program was able to contribute to their personal and academic growth that might not have otherwise been possible. This has been our vision since our program’s inception, and we look forward to its continued growth and success for future students,” said Wuebber.   "These students have consistently shown up, worked hard, and have overcome significant challenges,” said Curran. “QuestBridge has opened a door for them, and I am confident they will excel in this opportunity. We are incredibly proud of all of them."   Flippin' for the Fund Thanks to all who supported the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Pancake Breakfast. More than 345 guests attended! It was a wonderful day to celebrate the New Rochelle school community, and the event raised more than $500 in direct donations for student programs. We appreciate your participation and are deeply grateful for your leadership, partnership, and support of the NR Fund.   Health Teacher Receives Statewide Award Health Education teacher Richelle Calderon should be feeling pretty good about herself, having been named a “Health Education Section Amazing Person” for New York State for her work with the Dove Self-Esteem Project. The project, celebrating its 20th anniversary, promotes body confidence and self-esteem in students through a curriculum that focuses on what the body can do, rather than what it looks like. Calderon was honored by the New York State Association for Physical Education, Health, Recreation, and Dance at its annual conference on Nov. 20. Calderon, who teaches at Isaac E. Young Middle School, is part of the self-esteem project’s national cadre of trainers, and recently filmed a 45-minute class for teachers to use to introduce the curriculum in their classrooms. In October 2024, Calderon was featured on the Drew Barrymore Show as a “Drew Gooder” for her work on student self-esteem.  “I have always loved school,” Calderon said. “I’ve always loved learning. I have had some amazing teachers. School was my happy place. I want to be that for my students.” Calderon said she first learned about the self-esteem project at an education conference where teachers were asked to think about something they liked about themselves that was not physical. Calderon said the exercise resonated with her and spurred her to learn more about the curriculum. The Dove Self-Esteem Project offers written and video lessons for teachers to help students build body confidence and stand up against discrimination. Lessons cover topics including how images of people in professional media are manipulated to reflect appearance ideals; how focusing on appearance often leads to unhelpful comparisons; and how conversations can be reframed for a more positive impact on body confidence. Davis Elementary Celebrates American Education Week George M. Davis Jr. Elementary School parents had the chance to be the students recently as they were invited into classrooms for American Education Week. From Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, parents were permitted to visit their child’s classroom for an hour to observe a lesson in action, often learning something they could put into practice at home. And that was just the beginning.  Throughout the week, workshops were held for parents on navigating Chromebook and ClassLink, understanding the academic rigor of the elementary school, and understanding how teachers and staff support ENL families. The PTA also hosted a book fair, and staff members hosted storytime sessions in the school library. "It was a great opportunity to visit each of my children's classrooms. Having a chance to see learning from the student perspective was really powerful and allowed for some takeaways for helping my kids at home," said Josh Rehr, a parent of kindergarten and third grade students. The week culminated with a PTA Talent Show and the City of New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade. "Amongst other events, American Education Week offers us an opportunity to make the teaching and learning process visible to our families, allowing them to take some strategies home to work with their dolphins, said Principal Anthony Bambrola. “It's a wonderful week to celebrate school engagement and build community."  American Education Week is an annual event that takes place at schools across the nation to honor and celebrate public education.  Dance Teacher Comes Full Circle When Kristine Ferreira was a student at New Rochelle High School, she had the good fortune to study dance with teacher Lisbeth Lynn. At the time, Ferreira said, she thought “One day, I want to be in her position.” Now, years later, her dream has come true. Ferreira teaches physical education, yoga, dance and health in the same studio where her passion for movement began. And New Rochelle HIgh School students are benefitting from her dedication. “I love the fact that she is teaching at New Rochelle High School now,” said Lynn, who retired from teaching in 2023 after 45 years. “In high school, Kristine was a great dancer and cheerleader who was very conscientious.”  Now, as a teacher, Lynn said, Ferreira brings her technical skills, dedication and compassion for students to the job. “She has worked really hard to bring the best classes to her students and will always go out of her way to help a student.” Before becoming a teacher, Ferreira spent years gaining experience and certifications in health and fitness. She is certified by the Athletics and Fitness Association of America as an instructor in fitness, Zumba and kickboxing, has taught yoga abroad, and has worked as a personal trainer.  “Now, I bring all of that experience into the classroom — helping students develop flexibility, coordination, and mindfulness, while also learning how movement supports mental health and self-awareness,” Ferreira said. “Outside of class, I’ve been leading restorative practice workshops and offering self-care sessions for teachers to help reduce stress and prevent burnout.” Whether she’s demonstrating a dance step or landing a kick on a punching bag, Ferreira is in non-stop motion in the classroom. In addition to teaching yoga and health, Ferreira has served as advisor to the freshmen PAVE Dance students, a role she said was incredibly meaningful.  “I especially love teaching Latin dance, where students can celebrate culture, rhythm, and confidence through movement,” she said. New Rochelle High School Teachers, Administrators, and Staff Celebrated for Achieving Tenure Twelve teachers, staff, and administrators who have earned tenure were honored at the November 20 Board of Education meeting at New Rochelle High School. They are:  Kristen Baum, Science Teacher George Greene, Teaching Assistant Alyse LaPadula, Special Education Teacher Megan Melaniff, Social Studies Teacher  Gabriella Musto, Science Teacher  Ramon Rosado, Special Education Teacher  Kim Warek, Special Education Teacher Gina Summa-Egan, ENL Teacher  Diane Tual, Special Education Teacher  Maureen Avione, Assistant Director of Special Education Valerie Cadet Simpkins, Assistant Principal Leah Lugoviña Freitas, Director of Guidance  Congratulations, all!   Seventh Graders Visit Museum of Natural History Seventh graders from Albert Leonard Middle School had the chance to see a 3.2-million-year-old cast of the skeleton known as “Lucy,” and a 1.7-million-year-old cast of the famous “Turkana Boy” during a recent visit to the American Museum of Natural History. The artifacts were part of the museum’s exhibit in the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins, which showcases early human evolution and migration through fossils, artifacts, and life-sized dioramas. The exhibit traces human evolution over six million years and features interactive displays to illustrate how humans have changed and spread across the globe. “Trips like this are extremely important for our school community. The students were able to see the amazing artifacts in real time and in person rather than through a screen or an article,” said Timothy Collins, social studies teacher. “It makes everything come to life for them and gives them a better understanding of our world and history. They also interacted with each other about the fossils, gems, stars, etc. in real conversation instead of sitting in a classroom and answering questions off of a screen or reading.” Mary Bongo-Brescia, another social studies teacher, said taking trips to the museum “encourages cultural empathy and global awareness. Seeing representations of diverse cultures helps students understand that humans across time and place share needs, creativity and struggles. This builds respect for different societies and perspectives.” The trip left an impression on students. "I liked the museum because it made what we learned about in class more realistic,” said seventh grader Rodney Bynum. “We learned in class about how many different first Americans adapted to their environment, and in the museum, we got to see real artifacts that the first Americans left behind. " Kee Kee Conneely, another seventh grader, said, "The museum was fun to go to because it was cool to see what we learned about in Social Studies right in front of my eyes. I was amazed by the dinosaur skeletons and how big they were compared to how I thought it would be."  Thanksgiving-in-a-Box Initiative Unites Davis Community George M. Davis Jr. Elementary School came together again this year for its Thanksgiving-in-a-Box initiative, linking families needing support and school families eager to help. This year, organizers purchased 65 complete Thanksgiving dinners through Manor Market in Pelham Manor. The initiative has been a collaborative effort between the Davis clinical staff and Davis PTA, in partnership with Manor Market.  The PTA manages the collection of donations from Davis families, while the Davis clinical team identifies families who would benefit from receiving a Thanksgiving box. In the days leading up to the event, teachers and students join in the spirit of giving by coloring Thanksgiving-themed worksheets, writing heartfelt letters, and decorating the boxes to make each delivery feel personal and special.  On pick-up day, members of the clinical team and PTA volunteers meet at Manor Market to collect the boxes and bring them back to Davis, where students complete the final touches before delivery. The clinical team then hand-delivers the boxes to families. Davis also hosts a year-round food pantry to help families in need. The food pantry relies on donations from the community and the generosity of teachers, staff, and parents. In addition to the Thanksgiving-in-a-Box drive, the food pantry was also able to send more than 20 bags of food to families, along with numerous Stop and Shop gift cards. When possible, Davis shares food pantry items with other schools that may also have a need.  “These collaborative efforts truly embody the Davis commitment to community, compassion, and gratitude—uniting staff, students, and families in a tradition that nourishes both body and human spirit,” said school psychologist Sandra Zupicich.  World Kindness Starts at Home Trinity Social Worker Nelsie Febles helped Trinity Elementary School celebrate World Kindness Day with a school-wide food drive for HOPE Services in New Rochelle. Mrs. Feblees and Principal Hilderbrand distributed a flyer asking the Trinity community to help. Kindness is at the heart of Trinity's spirit, and the entire Trinity family - students, staff members, monitors, and parents - quickly filled 28 boxes to the top with donations of canned items, rice and pasta, and other non-perishable foods. Before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Febles, counselor Mrs. Kelly, and second grade teacher Mrs. Castiglia, sent the food to HOPE.  Students and staff are grateful for the opportunity to give the gift of food. “Serving others is a fulfilling way to find purpose,” said Mrs. Febles. Fourth Graders Bring the Middle Ages to Life at Medieval Times Jefferson Elementary School’s fourth graders recently stepped out of the pages of their books and into the world of knights, castles, and jousting as they celebrated the end of their Middle Ages reading unit with a trip to Medieval Times. Throughout the unit, students read rich, grade-level texts that explored the empires of the Middle Ages in both Europe and North Africa. In the process, they learned about the complex relationships between lords and serfs, the responsibilities and training of knights, the structure and purpose of castles, daily life of the people, and the major battles that shaped the era. The unit culminated with a writing assignment in which students demonstrated their knowledge. But the true highlight came with a trip to Medieval Times, where they became knights, lords, and ladies for the day.  They enjoyed eating their feast with their hands “just like they did in the Middle Ages,” and they were thrilled by the live jousting, horseback riding, and choreographed battles. One student even joked when an actor coughed, “I bet he has the Black Plague!”—a comment that showed just how deeply they had connected classroom learning to their real-world experience. This trip brought history off the page and into reality. According to teachers, students had such an incredible time that they haven’t stopped talking about it since returning to school. The Medieval Times experience was not only a celebration of their hard work but also a powerful extension of the curriculum—deepening their appreciation of history and reinforcing concepts they will continue to build on throughout the years. IEYMS Students Trace America’s Journey from Ellis Island to Civil Rights, Fostering Empathy and Action Students from Isaac E. Young Middle School recently explored two important symbols of American history and immigration during a field trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and connected their learning to an on-campus visit by the Mobile Museum of Tolerance. Together, the events connected two chapters of U.S. history, fostering discussions about immigration, civil rights, and community action. On the ferry ride to Liberty Island, students viewed the iconic New York Harbor before getting an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty. The statue symbolizes hope, freedom, and liberty for many people emigrating to the United States. Students then traveled to Ellis Island, the historic immigration station where millions of people entered the country. Inside the Immigration Museum, students visited the Great Hall, where newcomers waited to be processed. They saw personal artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that illustrated how life was for people emigrating — their challenges, hopes, and journeys. The exhibits helped students understand Ellis Island’s powerful role in shaping America's cultural diversity.  "It was interesting to see how most immigrants who came through Ellis Island, regardless of nationality, had mostly the same struggles and similar lives once they arrived," said eighth grader Iggy Bianco. The trip offered an in-depth look into U.S. history, immigration, and the experiences of the people who helped build the nation. It was both educational and inspiring, connecting historical events to the stories of real individuals. Inside the Mobile Museum of Tolerance, students visited interactive displays and viewed archival footage illuminating the impact of segregation. Students learned the importance of respect, empathy, and standing up against injustice. A museum workshop introduced students to the Civil Rights Movement and explored identity and commonality. Students discussed the impact of segregation, discrimination, and dehumanization after viewing a short documentary featuring American civil rights heroes and their struggle for equality in the 1950s and 1960s, while making connections to ways to solve similar injustices today. "During the mobile museum, I learned that kids faced discrimination due to their race,” said eighth grader Joell James. “I felt sad for those kids who suffered, all because of their race." Mya Marrero said, "I learned a lot about Civil Rights; how it started and why it started. Racism is still around, and so is dehumanization." The combined experiences encouraged students to think about how their actions can affect others. Through guided discussions and multimedia presentations, students learned how prejudice divided the United States and how people of all races united to address these challenges. While Ellis Island was a gateway for United States-bound immigrants, based on laws and perceived fitness for citizenship, it also led to exclusions, and it became a symbolic location for civil rights issues after its closure. Students drew parallels to ongoing struggles for immigrant rights and civil liberties.  "The video we watched during the mobile museum visit really changed my viewpoint on the challenges of the civil rights movement," said Marrero.  The out-of-classroom learning experiences helped students better understand the impact of intolerance and inspired them to become informed, responsible citizens who practice kindness, responsibility, and respect for all in their daily lives and beyond.  Sights and Sounds from Around the District Purple Pride at Barnard for World Pancreatic Cancer Day Barnard celebrated Purple Day for pancreatic cancer in honor and in memory of teacher Tara Shanes-Knebel's mom, Gigi. The day raises awareness about the need for pancreatic cancer research.   Hoops and Helps The NRHS boys' varsity basketball team serves a Thanksgiving lunch at the Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center. A community service event is the team's annual tradition at the start of the basketball season.   HBCU Fair In NYC Fifteen New Rochelle High School Students attended the 38th annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair at Riverbank State Park. Four of them received on-site acceptance letters and scholarship opportunities. Congratulations to all four students!   Thanks to organizers and chaperones Joe Andrews, Janei Foster, Myriam Decime, Shalese Dupree, Josephine Dobbins, and Iman Sabree.    Slam Dunk Breakfast: Fueling up for the Festivities! The varsity girls' basketball team gobbled up some pancakes at the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence breakfast before the Thanksgiving parade. Saint Stella! Congratulations, senior Stella Irene Ziogas, who has committed to play basketball starting in June 2026 at Division 1 Siena University! Theatreworks 'A Trip to the Moon'   Checkmate: Chess is a Winner in Elementaries Thanks to the support from the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence, the after-school chess program is back in our elementary schools for students in grades three and four. At right: Ward students begin their 10-week session. A second 10-week session will be offered in the spring for $100 per student. Scholarships are available.   Board of Education Meeting at New Rochelle High School High School and Trinity Robotics Teams, Band Featured Athletics Pioneers Soccer The Pioneers played a very competitive first soccer game against the Port Chester Rams. Winning 8-7 on a goal from Anderson Alvarez. Varsity Basketball New Rochelle 60, Scarsdale 57 JV Boys Basketball New Rochelle 55, Scarsdale 45 Varsity Girls Basketball New Rochelle 44, Scarsdale 49 Varsity Hockey ETBE/New Rochelle 2-0-1 at White Plains Thanksgiving Tournament ETBC/New Ro 7, Rye 1 JV Girls Basketball New Rochelle 41, Scarsdale 27 Check out all the great community events happening now! Click Here for Community Events   Copyright and Ownership Notice ©2025 City School District of New Rochelle All content, including text, photographs, graphics, and other materials in this newsletter, is the sole and exclusive property of The City School District of New Rochelle. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the City School District of New Rochelle. For permission requests, please contact Monica Mahaffey, Public Information Officer, at mmahaffey@nredlearn.org.

Thursday, Dec 04 2025

News from Our Schools November 20, 2025

News from Our Schools November 20, 2025 Don't miss the New Rochelle Fund for Excellence in Education Pancake Breakfast Saturday at 8 in House 4 Cafeteria! New Rochelle High School Standout Jeronimo “Jero” Velasquez Named Section 1 Soccer Player of the Year Varsity Soccer Coach Jarohan Garcia is League Coach of the Year In a first for the school, New Rochelle High School senior Jero Velasquez is the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Section 1 Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year.  Velasquez, the team’s captain and goalie, is a three-time All-Section player, two-time All-State, and the League’s Most Valuable Player. He is nominated for the All-Region and All-America Teams as well. If he is selected as an All-America, Velasquez would be distinguished as one of the top 50 high school players in the nation.    Velasquez led the Huguenots to a Section 1 Class AAA Co-Championship, finishing the season with a 14-2-3 record. This is the New Rochelle High School Varsity Soccer Team’s second section title, which they last won in 2017.  “From the moment we had our first training session in the summer, I could feel something was different. There was energy, hunger running through all of us that made me realize that this year was going to be unforgettable,” said Velasquez. “We won as one, we lost as one, and did everything as one big family every day. We created memories that will last forever.” In addition to Velasquez, Adrian Medina and Josemiguel Ayala were named All-Section players; Julian Oceguera and Damian Torres received All-Section Honorable Mentions; Nicolas Canales and Rayan Pierre-Louise received All-League nominations.  Coach Jarohan Garcia was named League Coach of the Year and was a finalist for Section 1 Coach of the Year. He praised his team members for their athleticism, academics, and character, and thanked the assistant coaches who helped lead the team to victory. “To us, this program is more than just soccer. It’s our community and we’re proud of it. The boys are a perfect example and personify that spirit every time they come to school or step on the soccer field,” said Garcia.  Varsity Soccer Celebrates Section Championship With Gold Ball Ceremony Varsity Soccer players, families, coaches, teachers, and supporters celebrated the team’s Section 1 Co-Championship at a ceremony on Tuesday at New Rochelle High School. City School District of New Rochelle Athletic Director Joseph Donaldson praised the players and families for an outstanding season.  “Our parents are the primary educators of our students, our most valuable asset. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude for supporting your student athletes and for being coaches as well. We notice that you’re there, cheering on our teams, recognizing our players, and that goes a long way,” said Donaldson.  “We’re proud of what this team did both academically and on the field,” said high school Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles. “You worked hard, and it showed. You are not only leaders in athletics, but leaders and role models in the school and community. You are good students, good citizens, and you exemplify the best of New Rochelle.”  Team captain and goalie Jeronimo “Jero” Velasquez highlighted the team’s unity. “From the moment we had our first training session in the summer, I could feel something was different. There was energy, hunger running through all of us that made me realize that this year was going to be unforgettable,” he said. “We didn’t just become a team. We became a brotherhood. The chemistry we had was not something that could be coached or forced. It came from trusting each other, showing up for each other every single day, and pushing each other through thick and thin."   Head Coach Jarohan Garcia thanked Assistant Head Coach Gustavo Barbosa, and Assistant Coaches Francis McCarthy, JP Goncalves, Luis Ayala, and Alejandro Ramirez, with whom he has coached the team for eleven years. “To us, this program is more than just soccer. It’s our community and we’re proud of it. The boys are a perfect example and personify that spirit every time they come to school or step on the soccer field.” Building a STEM Pipeline: New Rochelle High School Robotics Team Partners with Jefferson Elementary Students and educators across New Rochelle are teaming up to inspire the next generation of innovators.  This fall, the New Rochelle High School Robotics Team partnered with Jefferson Elementary School to show teachers how to use Dash robots in the classroom. Dash robots are programmable, interactive robots designed for ages six and up. They can be connected to devices like smartphones and tablets and can be controlled with apps that allow users to program movements, lights, sounds and other features. During the workshop, the high school robotics students showed Jefferson teachers how to incorporate coding and robotics into everyday lessons. Teachers learned to program Dash robots to move, light up, and respond to commands–hands-on experiences that they can now bring to their own students. “It's always amazing to me that our students have such a love for STEM that they want to teach everyone the value of experiencing this type of learning,” said Maria Walsh, physics teacher and co-advisor of the NRHS Robotics Team. “The teachers and students really looked up to these patient, truly inspiring teaching assistants.” The collaboration extended beyond the classroom, too. The robotics team joined Jefferson’s after-school Family STEM Nights, where students and their families explored coding challenges together. High school mentors helped younger students and parents experiment with Dash robots, sparking excitement and curiosity throughout the event. "STEM is not just for students-- it's a bridge to community growth. Our team loved sharing robotics and inspiring curiosity across New Rochelle," said former Jefferson Elementary School student and now high school senior Valeria Bances.  The New Rochelle High School Robotics Team continues to build community connections, supporting teachers and families while helping to make STEM learning fun and accessible for all. "Students at Jefferson are energized by computer science. Through hands-on learning and creative challenges, they're building skills that connect curiosity with innovation,” said Technology Facilitator Moises Freja. “Through engaging lessons, activities, and events they're developing critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills that prepare them for success in a technology-driven world." One Family's Story Helps Students Better Understand the Holocaust Stefan Rozenfeld’s harrowing true story of escaping Nazi-occupied Poland reads like a thriller, but it isn’t entertainment; it is part of New York State’s Holocaust curriculum for high school students.  And Francisco Sandoval, a New Rochelle High School teacher, played a key role in getting Rozenfeld’s story out. The lesson, which can be found in the state’s online resource platform for educators, tells the tale of Rozenfeld’s escape at age five from his hometown of Lodz, Poland. The family traveled to France, Belgium, Portugal, and eventually to the United States, evading the Nazis through the kindness and courage of others. As an adult, Stefan settled in New Rochelle, where his daughter, Leah Sills, and other family members still live.  “My plan is to teach the lesson and then invite Leah to my class,” said Sandoval, who has been fascinated by the Holocaust since his own high school days in New Rochelle. “To show kids, it is local, it is here, it is our history." Sandoval was approached by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center to help tell the stories of Holocaust survivors by researching the Rozenfelds. Along the way, he met with family members and spoke with key figures in Europe about the Rozenfelds’ escape. The first part of Stefan’s journey, from Lodz to Hamburg, Germany, was made possible because his father purchased transit visas from the Bolivian Consul General. Bolivia was one of the few countries accepting Jewish immigrants. Stefan and his mother, Eugenia, were accompanied to the Belgian border by the Bolivian Consul’s wife and son. But they were not safe for long. The Nazis invaded Belgium and Holland just months after the Rozenfelds arrived. So they fled again. This time, they went to France, hoping to obtain visas to England. But they were denied. They traveled next from Paris to the French city of Bordeaux, where they learned that visas might be granted by the Portuguese consulate. Consul General Aristides de Souza Mendes issued the visas in defiance of Portugal’s dictator, who forbade visas to Jews, Russians, and other so-called “undesirables.”  By the time they reached Portugal, the Rozenfelds had no money. Once again, their fate turned because of the kindness of a stranger. A New Jersey woman who was vacationing with her granddaughters loaned the family money and helped arrange their passage to America.  Stefan married his wife, Linda Schoengold, in 1959, and the couple settled in New Rochelle, where they raised their children.   New Rochelle Teachers Contribute to NYS Holocaust Education Thanks to two New Rochelle teachers, Alyse LaPadula and Francisco Sandoval, students across the state will have a better understanding of the Holocaust.  The educators were tapped by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center to research and create lessons for New York’s online Holocaust curriculum. Steven A. Goldberg, the center’s Director of Education and a retired New Rochelle social studies teacher, served as project manager. Twenty-six other active and retired teachers from across the state also participated. The extensive collection, designed for both social studies and ELA teachers, is available on ConsiderTheSourceNY.org, a free online educational platform managed by the New York Archives Partnership Trust. The online resource focuses on the personal stories of those affected by the Holocaust. Sandoval researched the story of Stefan Rozenfeld, a New Rochelle man whose family escaped Nazi Germany when he was a small child. LaPadula focused her research on German adolescent resistance groups, the White Rose, and the Edelweiss Pirates.  “Learning about teen resistance during the Holocaust is important because it shows how the actions and decisions of young people can make a real impact,” said LaPadula. “Their actions teach valuable lessons about moral courage, independent thinking, and standing up against injustice.” HHREC’s Goldberg said, “One of the guiding principles is the notion of unique people rather than anonymity, reflecting the importance of case studies of individuals as lenses into a better comprehension of the enormity and complexity of these historical events.” In addition to chronological segments on the Holocaust, the Resource Guide also includes sections on the Nature of Human Behavior, Literature and Art, The United States and the Holocaust, and “other genocides,” such as Armenia (1915-17), Holodomor (1932-33), Rwanda (1994), and Rohingya (2016).  “The collaboration between NYSED, The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, and New York State educators is essential to supporting teachers who are responsible for educating students about the Holocaust and other genocides and human rights violations,” said LaPadula.   Webster Celebrates Ruby Bridges On Friday, Nov. 14, Daniel Webster Elementary students walked, talked, and dressed in honor of a very important six-year-old: Ruby Bridges. Bridges made history when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960, becoming a national icon for the Civil Rights movement. Schools across the nation commemorate Ruby’s historic steps each year on Nov. 14 with Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day. "The entire Webster student body and staff participated in Ruby Bridges Day by wearing purple, walking to school, or keeping Ruby’s courage in their hearts,” said Webster PTA President Hannah Emmerich. “Webster’s stellar kindergarten teaching team does a fabulous tee-up, and the tradition is kept alive in age-appropriate discussions for each grade. Webster has a rich heritage of inclusion, and Ruby Bridges is celebrated at Webster for being a courageous Black leader and icon.” Teachers were encouraged to lead students on a walk around the school grounds since many students take the bus to school. Students then continued the conversation about bringing an end to racism and bullying in their classrooms.  NBC Technical Director Visits Media Class Most people know that before a news program is aired, a producer must create the segments and a director must determine how those segments are shown. But what they may not know is that the final piece of production relies on the technical director. Students in Angela Carrasquillo’s media arts/tech class at Isaac E. Young Middle School recently had the chance to learn from Jessica Garriga, a seasoned technical director at FOX whose work includes Cheddar News. Garriga brought students behind the scenes of live television, offering a rare look at what it is like inside a control room during a live broadcast. In a Zoom lecture, she walked students through the fast-paced decision-making, teamwork, and technical precision required of a technical director, sharing both the challenges and the adrenaline of bringing a show to air. “Sessions like this are invaluable for our students,” said Carrasquillo. “They not only help young creators understand the wide range of careers available in the media industry, but also show real-world applications of skills they’re developing in class. By hearing directly from professionals, students gain inspiration, clarity, and confidence as they begin to envision their own futures.” Seventh grader Melissa Pulido said the lecture made her aware of another path she might take in the media business. Isabel Ayala, another seventh grader, said she enjoyed getting an inside look “at the control rooms and the work that is done before performances. I liked how she shared her experiences with us.” Students in the class, being offered for the first time this fall, learn about all aspects of media, including public service announcements, digital citizenship, advertising, podcasting, broadcast journalism, and more. Jefferson Vending Machine Dispenses Page Turners Jefferson Elementary School recently cut the ribbon at the grand opening of its new Book Vending Machine. Assistant Principal Sal Spataro and Jefferson’s “Book Fairy,” third grade teacher Vicky Vessecchia, led the celebration, where students, staff, and volunteers gathered to mark this exciting addition to the school’s literacy initiatives. Jefferson students earn “Paws Applause” each week by demonstrating C.A.R.E.S. behavior: Considerate, Appropriate, Responsible, Empathetic, and Selfless. These positive behaviors provide students with an opportunity to win a token for a free book from the vending machine, promoting both character development and a love of reading. Each week, members of the PAW Club — a team of dedicated fourth and fifth grade volunteers — collect Paws Applause from classrooms. One Caring Tiger is then selected from each grade level to receive a book to take home and add to their personal library. Third grader Juliet Sekyere was one of Jefferson’s first Caring Tigers. “I loved the new book I got! It was fun to experience cutting the ribbon!” she exclaimed.  Jefferson Elementary is proud to foster a community of caring and curious readers through initiatives like the Book Vending Machine — where kindness and literacy go paw in paw. New Rochelle Athletes Raise Funds for their Special Olympics Compatriots Athletes and coaches from New Rochelle High School were “freezin’ for a reason” at the Polar Plunge Nov. 8 at Rye Playland Beach. The event, sponsored by Curry Automotive, is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. The $250,000 raised ensures that none of the Special Olympians have to pay to participate in the games. The New Rochelle team raised nearly $3,000 and made the list of the top five public school teams in Westchester.  Special guest, City School District of New Rochelle Facilities Director Keith Watkins, joined the fun and was a top fundraiser, plunging with $1,800 in donations.  “Special Olympics holds an important place in my heart, and I’m happy to support an event that ensures our athletes can compete without having to worry about cost. I look forward to seeing the Pioneers have fun and win medals at the Games this spring,” said Watkins.   Other members of the New Rochelle team were athletic director Joe Donaldson, swim coach Kip Fierro, football coach Tom Drago, and the junior varsity and varsity football teams. Players who plunged included Joe Morello, Nick Morello, Luke Zaccagino, Landon Walsh, Rob Clark, John DiGiacomo Jr., Bryce Cunningham, and Zaire Perez.  “I’m so proud of our student athletes,” said Donaldson. “They demonstrate character on and off the field and support our community in many positive ways. I’m happy to see our teams supporting our Special Olympics athletes, and we look forward to another impressive year at the Games.”  In addition to the warmth of helping out their fellow athletes, the plungers got a hoodie that came in handy after the icy plunge into the frigid Long Island Sound.    Phenomenon-based learning at IEYMS Did you know that not all plants need soil to grow? Eighth graders at Isaac E. Young Middle School are discovering plants like this through phenomenon-based learning, a teaching approach that uses interesting, observable events to drive student curiosity and learning.  Isaac E. Young Middle School frequently takes advantage of phenomena to introduce science topics, using them as starting points for students to investigate and tap into their inquisitiveness. This piques interest and can establish personal investment in learning for the students.   For example, to launch a unit on “Energy for Life” this spring, eighth grade science teacher Megan Reed plans to introduce her classes to “air plants.” These unique species of plants are aerophytes that do not require soil to grow.  “Before the unit, students will explore their own ideas about what plants actually need to survive,” said Reed. “This will assist the students as they develop models that deepen their understanding of photosynthesis and the role of plants in the carbon cycle.”   Over the course of the unit, she said, students will deduce that air plants have unique adaptations that allow them to obtain the water they need to survive from the environment. As a result, they can live without soil. Extending their learning, students will then be able to consider what the unexplored possibilities of air plants might be. Benefits of phenomenon-based learning include increased student engagement, deeper understanding of complex topics, and the development of high-leverage science and engineering skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Students Solve a Huguenot Whodunit It was a Halloween Spooktacular event at Huguenot Academy, as students were confronted with a murder mystery, “The Case of the Haunted Manor.” Students arrived at school on Halloween and were charged with solving the mysterious disappearance of Professor Thistlewood.  The elaborate hands-on game of clues combined a cast of quirky suspects–including an eccentric historian, a paranormal investigator, and a chemistry teacher with a dark past–with critical thinking as students traveled from class to class to sleuth out the day-long puzzle.  In math class, students used fractions and a series of calculations to determine who was present and who had motive the night of the disappearance.  History class immersed students in the context as they examined a photograph and discussed Victorian spiritualism. In English class, students debated the validity of eyewitness accounts, analyzing them for tone. And when they got to science class, students discovered a mysterious substance in the chemistry lab, which they pH tested and analyzed to determine it was hydrochloric acid. Finally, the last clue came in the chemistry lab, which they used to compile an evidence-based argument describing Professor Thistlewood’s demise. Then they concluded that Dr. Hexley - their very own teacher - was the guilty party, as she had blood on her back and had access to hydrochloric acid.  The exercise was a fun day of learning that required critical thinking, text, and data analysis, and academic discourse to unveil the disappearance of Professor Thistlewood.  “I didn’t expect to have such a fun day at school on Halloween; we’ve never done an activity like this before. It made school fun today. Ms. G is so in character! Class was so funny going through the clues with her,” said one student. “This was lowkey tough.” “Special thanks go to all our staff for working collaboratively to develop this interdisciplinary learning experience for our students,” said Huguenot Academy Director Dr. Merica Neufville. “Kudos to Ms. Jessica Gallery, who led the charge. Students were still talking about it as they left for the day.”  But the day wasn’t all hard work. Students also enjoyed some downtime with Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles and Performing and Visual Arts Education Director Matthew Lucero, who stopped by for an SEL activity at lunchtime called “Pumpkin Perspectives.” They painted pumpkins that represented either themselves, the New Rochelle community, or Huguenot Academy, which generated a lot of laughs.  Jefferson Elementary Recognized as a STEM Network School! Jefferson Elementary School is proud of its new status as part of the STEM Network through Mercy University, a recognition that celebrates schools committed to innovative science, technology, engineering, and math education. The exciting honor is the result of Jefferson’s ongoing involvement in several key STEM initiatives, including the Wipro Science Education Fellowship, the Blue School Network, and the district’s Westchester STEM Ambassadors partnership. Together, the programs have strengthened Jefferson’s focus on inquiry-based learning, collaboration, and hands-on exploration for all students. School psychologist Dr. Michelle Memoli plays an integral part in all three programs. “We are thrilled to receive STEM School recognition from Mercy University,” said Dr. Memoli. “Mercy University has been an invaluable partner in advancing Jefferson School’s mission to provide enriching educational experiences for all stakeholders and to promote STEM education for every one of our students and families.” Through this partnership with Mercy University, Jefferson teachers will have access to professional development, collaborative learning opportunities, and new resources to enhance STEM instruction. Congratulations to the entire Jefferson community—students, teachers, and families—on this achievement! Sights and Sounds from Around the District S.A.I.L. Culinary NRHS S.A.I.L. culinary students held their first event of the year last week with a fall breakfast at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Remington Clubhouse. We look forward to your continued success! Mental Health Support Congratulations to Student Assistance Counselor Pina Palmisano and the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club on a very successful mental health awareness campaign. They created and funded shirts for the entire NRHS staff that raise awareness and share the mental health crisis line number.   Cool to be Kind Albert Leonard Middle School celebrated World Kindness Day Nov. 13, reminding our students that kindness is a choice we make every day. Our “Be the I in Kind” display brought many smiles, and during lunch, students wrote heartfelt messages about what kindness means to them and how they can show it to others. Their words were thoughtful, honest, and inspiring. Thank you to the Albert Leronard SEL Team for inspiring personal growth and development in students. Isaac Students Master Advertising Production Photography Check out all the great community events happening now! Click here for community events  

Thursday, Nov 20 2025