March 25, 2022

Hello North Rockland Families,

The week began with the first official day of spring (March 21)!

We welcome this new season of growth and renewal, excited to take advantage of the changes it brings by: spending time outside, encouraging curiosity, and expanding outdoor learning.

During the coming warmer months, North Rockland will be busy developing cross-curricular units, including lessons where students get to move about, be active or explore, engage in group work and nature-based programs, and have additional opportunities to be creative and make choices about what they want to study.

The sunny switch from winter to spring can also help improve students’ moods, emotional well-being and increase their energy levels. As a District, we will continue to focus resources on the social-emotional aspect of our students' lives and promote empathy in a variety of innovative ways.

As we adjust together to the first full year of full-time in-person instruction since the 2018-2019 school year, it's important to have conversations, workshops and assemblies about the importance of respect and anti-bullying, prompting compassion and understanding. Our goal in North Rockland to ensure that every child has a safe, nurturing school environment that respects their dignity.

While the pandemic is not yet behind us, District leadership is focused on ways to combat learning loss through persistence, perseverance, and the implementation of new strategies to help learners recover from things that have disrupted our society for the last three years. Unfortunately, many of us are finding that learning loss was not the only implication of the pandemic. North Rockland Central School District understands the importance of addressing other equally significant consequences such as mental health, socialization, behavior and substance abuse. The District will continue to expand programs that support learning, address bullying and help students make positive choices particularly in regards to drugs and alcohol.

Details regarding upcoming offerings can be found in the Community Information section of the update.

This school year has shown that we are strongest together. Working hard, putting in effort to accept that which makes us unique as individuals, and caring for one another is what truly makes us Red Raiders!

We sat down for a Q & A with North Rockland Board of Education Trustee Debbie Gatti to talk about her passion for education and her community!

Q: What do you admire most about the North Rockland Central School District?

“I admire the dedication of everyone who works for the district. We are a student centered district and we don’t just say that, we live it! Everyone takes pride in our students and their accomplishments, and you see that play out every day. We all make decisions based on what is best for our students. Even through the lean and difficult years, we focused on what was needed to give our students the best educational experience possible." Debbie said proudly. "I also admire how well we all work together. Our teachers, support staff, administration and PTA all work together. Everyone has the same goal: to do what’s best for kids. It is not like that in other places. Good communication is at the heart of this. Everyone knows that their voices are heard and everyone is treated with respect. It really is a team effort and it makes me proud to be a part of this wonderful district!”

Q: What inspired you most about the community before and during the pandemic?

"This community is special. Everyone pulls together when that’s what's needed. Just look at the effort that went into the Mirant problem. Everyone was willing to help. It was amazing and that’s been my experience for my entire life. This is a caring, giving community." Gatti who is a North Rockland graduate herself, as well as all her children, explained.

"When COVID hit everyone was cooperative. Folks came and picked up work and food for their children. People wore masks and checked on each other. Everyone you encountered in a store was polite and kind. It was a very stressful time and things could have been awful. But this community was compassionate and caring towards each other." she recalled. "When we were finally back in school no one complained about doing their part. This is a hard working community. Many families lost loved ones or jobs and people did their best to help. Our churches held drives and helped distribute food to those in need. Everyone tried to do their part."

"As things are hopefully returning to normal, I still see children at bus stops wearing masks and that means that they feel comfortable enough on our buses and in our buildings to do so. That’s a respectful community." Debbie continued. "We don’t know what others are dealing with. We have many children with elderly grandparents and aunts and uncles who might be immune compromised and they need those around them to still be careful. This community is known for having generations of families living here and to know that you can still wear a mask and not be judged is heartwarming. That’s the true spirit of this community. We care for our neighbors and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else." she stated.

She dug deeper. "I’m also proud of the forest to help our students with their mental well-being. This has been trying time for everyone and our district has put mental health in the forefront. Everybody has every child on their radar. We know that this is not something that will go away overnight either and there have been long term efforts already put into place to help our students. And it will only get better." Debbie remarked. "When people back their words with their actions things change. So I believe with the right supports, our students and our staff will mitigate the challenges we face and we will come out of this stronger then we were before. North Rockland truly is a great place to live, learn and lead."

Debbie Gatti was first elected to the North Rockland Board in 2005 and currently serves as Trustee. She previously worked as Village Clerk for the Village of Haverstraw, is a former President of the Rockland County School Boards Association, former President of the Haverstraw-Stony Point School Board of Education, and Haverstraw-Stony Point PTA Council President. Presently she serves as a prominent member of the Rockland BOCES Board and the Rockland County School Boards Association. Thank you for your dedication!

• Monday 3/28: Vaping 7PM

• Wednesday 3/30: Digital Dilemma 7PM

Click on the flyer above to access the registration links.

Watch a trailer on the Digital Dilemma Session linked here.

Following the nationwide and unfortunately countywide upwards trend in youth substance abuse, recently, there has been an increase in the number of instances involving student use of substances forbidden by the North Rockland Central School District’s Code of Conduct. The District is taking this very seriously as the safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. Subsequently, the District has set forth measures to help inform students and parents of the inherent dangers of these substances, while also deploying measures to promote a healthy school environment.

Measures being implemented include:

• A search of North Rockland High School was conducted in late February by the K-9 units from Rockland and Orange County. 15 officers and their K-9 service dogs swept the facility. Future sweeps are planned in conjunction with the Haverstraw Police Department.

• Training for faculty and staff members is being scheduled to help detect the signs of student substance use and the recognition of various forms of paraphernalia.

• Increased security in areas of schools where student misbehavior is more likely to occur.

• Educational presentations on the dangers of controlled substances are being held for students. A parent information night will be scheduled for later this month.

• Adjustment of bathroom supervision protocols

• The District will continue our partnership with the North Rockland Coalition for Drug and Awareness Prevention to support our students and families in need of assistance.

• The District will add staff to provide substance abuse counseling.

• The District is working closely with the town of Haverstraw to bring two School Resource Officer Positions (SRO) to the District.

We recognize the potential dangers associated with the use of substances by our student body and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students.

Substance abuse for families

Strategies parents can use to help their children:

• Look for signs

• Talk to your child and explain your concerns in detail.

• Seek help/resources from your family physician, school counselor or school social worker

• Get help

Helpful links:

• The Partnership For Safe and Healthy Youth

• RCADD
• Behavioral Health Response Team
• Haverstraw Reach Out Center: 845-429-5731
• High Focus Center: 1-800-877-3628
• Volunteer Counseling (VCS): 845-634-5729
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration Hotline: 1-800-622-HELP(4357)
• Samaritan Daytop Village: 845-353-2730
• Arms Acres: 845-208-0632
• Adolescent Outpatient Substance Abuse Program (Nyack Hosp): 845-348-2075

Signs parents could look for that determine if their child may be using:

• Poor performance in school

• Emotional and behavioral problems

• Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed

• Dropping old friends for a new group

• Acting despondent, aggressive or angry

• Sleeping more than usual

• Breaking rules

• Exhibiting physical changes like sudden weight loss, frequent nosebleeds, bloody or watery eyes, or shakes and tremors

More detailed signs: Linked here

Informational Articles:

• Tips for Parents of Addicted Children
• Suspect Your Teen Is Using Drugs or Drinking? A BRIEF GUIDE TO ACTION FOR PARENTS

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Red Raider Reminder

NR students who enroll in the free/reduced breakfast & lunch program qualify for college application fee waivers, free ACT and SAT exams and reduced AP exam registration fees! To qualify please complete the Free or Reduced Price Meal Application Form linked here as soon as possible.

The North Rockland (Haverstraw-Stony Point) Central School District is seeking candidates for Food Service Helper positions at various school buildings for the 2021-2022 school year. The starting rate of pay is $14.00/hour. Apply here