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Westchester School District Earns Best Community For Music Education Award Westchester School District Earns Best Community For Music Education Award
Westchester School District Earns Best Community For Music Education Award A school district in Westchester has been recognized as one of the best in the country for its dedication to music education, officials announced. The Irvington Union Free School District has been named a winner of the Best Communities for Music Education Award for 2024 by the NAMM Foundation, district officials announced on Tuesday, April 9.  The district is one of only 975 school districts nationwide to receive the award and one of six in Westchester, officials added.  The award recognizes "outstanding" efforts from teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community lea…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent
Hudson Valley School District Taps New Superintendent After an intense vetting process, a Hudson Valley school district has selected a new superintendent with more than two decades of leadership experience.  In an announcement on Tuesday, April 9, the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County revealed that Gregory Stowell was offered the position of superintendent.  Stowell is expected to be officially appointed to the role at the next Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.  Once he takes the district's helm, Stowell will replace Carl Albano, who officially retired from the role in September…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Westchester HS Student Leads Art Exhibition To Help Support Hudson River Westchester HS Student Leads Art Exhibition To Help Support Hudson River
Westchester HS Student Leads Art Exhibition To Help Support Hudson River A high school student from Westchester is looking to drum up support for the preservation of the Hudson River through the power of art.  To raise funds for environmental conservation efforts, Irvington High School Junior Minori Furtado has organized an art exhibition that will include works from students and seasoned artists, the Irvington Union Free School District announced on Thursday, April 4. The exhibition, titled "Ebb & Flow," will be held at the Studio 8 art gallery in Irvington at 8 North Dutcher St. from Thursday, April 11 to Wednesday, April 17.  The effort wi…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School District Taps New Superintendent In Westchester: 'I Am Very Excited' School District Taps New Superintendent In Westchester: 'I Am Very Excited'
School District Taps New Superintendent In Westchester: 'I Am Very Excited' A school district in Westchester has announced who will succeed its outgoing superintendent after his upcoming retirement.  In an announcement on Monday, April 1, the Ardsley Union Free School District revealed that Matthew Block would take over as superintendent effective on Monday, July 1. Block will succeed Ryan Schoenfeld, who will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year after serving in the position for six years.  In their announcement, the Ardsley Board of Education, which will formalize Block's appointment during a meeting on Tuesday, April 2,  said …

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

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By Northern Westchester High School 'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By Northern Westchester High School
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By Northern Westchester High School Edie Falco, one of the stars of "The Sopranos," took some time to give some advice about acting and life to students during a visit to a Northern Westchester high school. In a 90-minute visit to John Jay High School in Cross River on Tuesday, March 19, Edie Falco, known for playing Carmela Soprano in "The Sopranos," spoke to over 100 students as part of the school's Social and Theoretical Criticism in the Serial Narrative elective.  During the visit, which took place in the school's auditorium, Falco answered students' questions about her life and career and told the story of how …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Educator In Westchester Named NYS Principal Of Year Educator In Westchester Named NYS Principal Of Year
Educator In Westchester Named NYS Principal Of Year The principal of an elementary school in Westchester has earned one of New York State's top honors for educators.  Farid Johnson, the principal at Siwanoy Elementary School in Pelham, has been named the 2024 New York State Elementary Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State, the organization announced on Thursday, March 21.  The award is doled out to a member of the organization who is committed to excellence, has helped develop programs that meet the academic and social needs of all students, and has strong ties to parents and com…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Carmel Central School District Spark Outrage Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Carmel Central School District Spark Outrage
Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Carmel Central School District Spark Outrage A Hudson Valley school district has sparked outrage among residents by proposing a budget for the next year that contains at least $6 million in cuts, which could affect many student programs and teaching jobs.  At a Board of Education meeting in Putnam County held on Tuesday night, March 12 at Carmel High School, countless community members spoke out about the budget, proposed by the Carmel Central School District for the 2023-2024 school year.  According to district documents, the budget could include at least $6 million in cuts to teaching jobs, after-school programs, fie…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
2 HS Students From Ossining, Irvington Place In Top 10 Of Prestigious Regeneron Competition 2 HS Students From Ossining, Irvington Place In Top 10 Of Prestigious Regeneron Competition
2 HS Students From Ossining, Irvington Place In Top 10 Of Prestigious Regeneron Competition Two high school students from Westchester won top awards and took home tens of thousands of dollars in the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.  The two 17-year-old students, Ossining resident Thomas Cong and Irvington resident Christopher Zorn, placed No. 2 and No. 6 in the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search, respectively, the Society for Science announced on Tuesday, March 12.  In addition to placing in the top 10 in the prestigious competition, Cong took home $175,000, while Zorn took home $80,000 as part of their awards.…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure Funnyman Jimmy Fallon ginned up plenty of online buzz after crashing a college party in upstate New York. The 49-year-old “Tonight Show” host and “Saturday Night Live” alum made a surprise appearance at what appears to be a frat party at a house near the UAlbany campus on Saturday, March 9. Video shared on TikTok shows dozens of students screaming with excitement while trying to snap selfies as Fallon is led through a crowd and into the residence. It was not immediately clear how long he stayed at the party. @victoriaspadaro Kegs & Eggs 🍀 #jimmyfallon #ualbany #upstateny #capital…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
HS Student From Northern Westchester Advances To National Science Competition HS Student From Northern Westchester Advances To National Science Competition
HS Student From Northern Westchester Advances To National Science Competition Several high school seniors from Northern Westchester met success at a New York science and humanities symposium, including one who advanced to a national competition.  Five seniors from Byram Hills High School in Armonk won awards at the two-day Upstate Junior Science and Humanities Symposium held at the University of Albany on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and Thursday, Feb. 29, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Tuesday, March 5.  Three of these students, Ayaka Ammon, Jake Fenster, and Yicheng Yang, presented their work in the speaker presentation competition,…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Police To Conduct Training With Simulated Weapons At School In Westchester Police To Conduct Training With Simulated Weapons At School In Westchester
Police To Conduct Training With Simulated Weapons At School In Westchester A police department in Westchester is advising residents that it will be conducting training with simulated weapons at a school in the county.  The Port Chester Police Department will be conducting the training on Tuesday, Feb. 20, and Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the Park Avenue School, authorities said.  The training exercises will include the use of simulated weapons, but there is no concern to the public, the department added.  "We thank the Port Chester School District for use of the building," the department said. 

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

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
High School Cheerleading Team From Westchester Wins National Title: 'Hard To Put Into Words' High School Cheerleading Team From Westchester Wins National Title: 'Hard To Put Into Words'
High School Cheerleading Team From Westchester Wins National Title: 'Hard To Put Into Words' A Westchester high school cheerleading team's hard work has paid off with some spectacular results.  After a long journey, the members of the Harrison High School Cheerleading Team are now national champions after competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association's 2024 National High School Championships.  The team emerged as the top victors in the Small Varsity Division II Game Day championship along with Union-Endicott High School from Endicott, New York.  In an Instagram post celebrating the win, the team thanked everyone who lent their support along the way.&…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester New Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester
New Superintendent Named At School District In Westchester A school district in Westchester has named its next leader after an extensive nationwide search.  The Yonkers Board of Education unanimously voted to confirm Anibal Soler Jr. as the city's next superintendent of schools, Yonkers school officials announced on Friday, Feb. 9.  Soler, who was selected as part of a "rigorous national search process" that began in July 2023, will begin serving in the role on Wednesday, May 1.  Yonkers school officials said that Soler will bring plenty of experience to the role, as he has served as Superintendent of Schenectady City Scho…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
US Presidential Scholar: HS Senior From Westchester Nominated For Prestigious Honor US Presidential Scholar: HS Senior From Westchester Nominated For Prestigious Honor
US Presidential Scholar: HS Senior From Westchester Nominated For Prestigious Honor A high school senior from Westchester has been named a nominee for one of the country's top honors for students.  Christopher Zorn, a senior at Irvington High School, has been nominated for the 2024 US Presidential Scholars Program, the Irvington Union Free School District announced on Friday, Feb. 9. The prestigious program, which was established in 1964, recognizes the country's most distinguished graduating seniors for their impressive accomplishments, including leadership, academic success, and community service.  Zorn is one of the more than 5,000 students nationwide to be n…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Elementary School Student Walks Out Of Her Classroom, Building In Northern Westchester Elementary School Student Walks Out Of Her Classroom, Building In Northern Westchester
Elementary School Student Walks Out Of Her Classroom, Building In Northern Westchester A school district in Northern Westchester is implementing additional safety protocols after a young student was able to walk out of her classroom and leave the building, officials said.  The incident happened on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5, when a student at Hawthorne Elementary School walked out of her classroom and then the building, Mount Pleasant Central School District Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo said in a letter to families on Tuesday, Feb. 6.  Luckily, the girl was soon found and safely returned to the school by staff members, and Mount Pleasant Police, distinct offici…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
US Presidential Scholar: Northern Westchester Student Named Candidate For Top Honor US Presidential Scholar: Northern Westchester Student Named Candidate For Top Honor
US Presidential Scholar: Northern Westchester Student Named Candidate For Top Honor A senior at a Northern Westchester high school has been nominated for one of the nation's highest honors for students.  Daniel Ndocaj, a senior at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, has been selected as a candidate for the US Presidential Scholars Program, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30.  The federal program, created in 1964, recognizes the country's most distinguished graduating seniors and is one of the nation's highest honors for a high school student.  According to district officials,  Ndocaj was one of the more than 5,000…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays A Connecticut school board's decision to remove two holidays that have traditionally given students a day off has sparked debate amongst community members, according to a report by ABC 7 New York.  The controversy began in Fairfield County following the Stamford School Board's decision to remove Veterans Day and Columbus Day from their calendar, which means students will not have them off for the next two years, according to an ABC7 report from Friday, Jan. 26.  Board members, who passed the decision in a 5-3 motion, have defended the decision by saying students should remain in s…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage' NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage'
NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage' Leaders in New York are making it easier for people to become school bus drivers in an attempt to tackle a growing national shortage. The Department of Motor Vehicles has implemented a federal waiver allowing school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment component – known as the “under the hood” part – of the commercial driver license road test. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the move will make it easier to get a commercial license at a time when school bus drivers are “desperately needed.” “The job of transporting and caring for our children is so important, and the need for more dr…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Hudson Valley School District Vulnerable To Online Security Disruptions: Report Hudson Valley School District Vulnerable To Online Security Disruptions: Report
Hudson Valley School District Vulnerable To Online Security Disruptions: Report A new report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller has discovered a Hudson Valley school district is particularly vulnerable to online security disruptions.  The report, issued earlier in January by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli following an audit performed by his office, found that the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County did not adequately secure its online network user accounts and has sensitive information technology control weaknesses.  Additionally, the report found that the district's staff did not have sufficient guidance or plans i…

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

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

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Westchester Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Regeneron Competition Westchester Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Regeneron Competition
Westchester Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Regeneron Competition Dozens of students from New York have been named semifinalists in the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The Society for Science announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search for 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Participants were whittled down from 2,162 applicants from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico, and 10 other countries. Students were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, and community involvement, as well as a commitment to academics and creativity in asking scientific …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports
Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports Claudine Gay is set to resign as Harvard University president after facing plagiarism accusations over her academic work and heavy criticism during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Gay is stepping down on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 2, after just six months and two days since being appointed president of the university, according to the Harvard Crimson. Her tenure is the shortest ever for a Harvard president, the newspaper reported.  Related: Harvard President Claudine Gay Gets Support From Faculty Her resignation comes after mounting allegations of plagiarism of her…

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports
Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports As the US House of Representatives is digging deeper into Harvard University President Claudine Gay’s academic work, the university said it had found more issues in connection to the matter. The Harvard Corporation, which oversees the university, said on Wednesday, Dec. 20 that Gay would request three corrections to her 1997 Ph.D. dissertation, the Harvard Crimson reported. The corrections follow an independent review by the corporation, which found that Gay had not properly attributed some of her sources but the incidents didn't rise to the level of serious wrongdoing, the Crimson reported…

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

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Northern Westchester HS Senior Ranked Top Cellist In New York State: 'Incredibly Proud' Northern Westchester HS Senior Ranked Top Cellist In New York State: 'Incredibly Proud'
Northern Westchester HS Senior Ranked Top Cellist In New York State: 'Incredibly Proud' A high school senior from Northern Westchester has earned state-wide recognition for her musical chops. Cameron Bly, a senior at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, won the principal cellist seat at the All-State Orchestra Winter Conference held in Rochester by the New York State School Music Association, Bedford Central School District officials announced on Wednesday, Dec. 6.  This win officially names Bly as the top-ranking cellist in the state of New York, according to the district. "We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment!" district officials said.

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Hochul Vows 'Aggressive' Discipline For Colleges Letting 'Jewish Genocide' Calls Go Unchecked Hochul Vows 'Aggressive' Discipline For Colleges Letting 'Jewish Genocide' Calls Go Unchecked
Hochul Vows 'Aggressive' Discipline For Colleges Letting 'Jewish Genocide' Calls Go Unchecked New York colleges that fail to swiftly punish calls for Jewish genocide will face “aggressive” repercussions, including potentially losing their funding, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. In a letter to New York State college and university presidents on Saturday, Dec. 9, Hochul said she had reached out to SUNY Chancellor John King “to ensure that it is SUNY’s policy that calling for the genocide of any group of people” on campuses violated the university’s code of conduct and would lead to “swift disciplinary action.” “Chancellor King affirmed that was the case, and that SUNY will not tolerate …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At Elementary School In Westchester New Assistant Principal Named At Elementary School In Westchester
New Assistant Principal Named At Elementary School In Westchester Following an intense selection process, an elementary school in Westchester has selected a new assistant principal who brings plenty of experience to the role. The Ardsley Union Free School District has appointed Tiffany Babb as the new assistant principal of the Concord Road Elementary School, officials announced on Thursday, Dec. 14.  Babb will officially begin serving in the role on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Babb was selected for the position after emerging as a "standout candidate" during the rigorous selection process led by an interview committee that included parents, district and…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
NY Giants Give Award To Putnam Valley HS Student: 'He Always Wanted To Push Himself' NY Giants Give Award To Putnam Valley HS Student: 'He Always Wanted To Push Himself'
NY Giants Give Award To Putnam Valley HS Student: 'He Always Wanted To Push Himself' A Hudson Valley high school student who has become an invaluable football team member despite his cerebral palsy diagnosis is being celebrated for having the true heart of a giant.  Putnam County high schooler Eduardo Recinos, a student at Putnam Valley High School, was presented with the 2023 Heart of a Giant award by New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones on Wednesday, Dec. 6, school officials announced.  The award, presented by both the Giants and the Hospital for Special Surgery, highlights high school tackle and flag football athletes, student managers, stude…

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by Ben Crnic