June 3, 2022

Hello North Rockland Families,

Last week was a very challenging week for not only our District, but our nation. We join together as a community in grief but also in solidarity. Our hearts and thoughts are with the family members and Uvalde, Texas Community as well as anyone shaken by this horrible incident.

Our community’s concerns are taken very seriously and we continue to make security the top priority at all of our schools. In North Rockland every building has a Safety Team that works in conjunction with the District’s Safety Team. The District plans to hold working sessions this summer to ensure our buildings are as secure as possible. The result will be an enhancement of security through a multi-layered approach to school safety, including high-level security, surveillance, emergency preparedness, and well-trained staff.

As safety and security remain at the forefront of our planning, all of the District’s crisis and safety teams are collaboratively enforcing the additional safety measures put in place for the remainder of this year and exploring upgrades for next year.

North Rockland’s current Emergency Response and Safety plan can be found linked here and is designed to help students, families and staff understand how they can help support safety in our schools through preparedness, awareness, risk reduction, and prevention/intervention strategies, programs and initiatives.

Another way parents can help is by talking with your children. Remind them that their school is a safe place and space where we are all united in and committed to ensuring a secure environment. Prevention and early intervention are key factors, so we have been advising students that if they see something suspicious, say something. Building security protocols and procedural safeguards have been raised, so please be understanding/patient with our schools while you are signing kids out. Together it is our responsibility to watch out for each other and the safety of our school communities.

I want to express my deep appreciation to police departments in Stony Point and Haverstraw, the Rockland County Sheriff's Office and our Town Supervisors for their immediate calls to us and support in doing everything possible to increase law enforcement presence in our schools. The District is currently in discussions with local officials in an effort to bring on School Resource Officers for the 2022-23 school year.

Finally, thank you to all of our staff who ensured the celebrations, milestones and events we shared this week were safe and a good way to lift spirits while supporting one another during a difficult time. We are looking forward to all that’s still to come as we close out the 2021-22 school year NR Strong and NR Together!

This week the Rockland County School Boards Association (RCSBA) recognized and honored education leaders and school staff from throughout our community. The honoree of the evening was Rockland BOCES Board of Education President, President of the New York School Boards Association, RCSBA Treasurer and North Rockland Central School District BOE Vice-President Peggy Zugibe, recognized for her tireless efforts and advocacy on behalf of the students and school staff in Rockland County - and, families across New York State!

Congratulate her here.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

During Awards Night, 230 North Rockland High School graduating seniors were presented with over 700 prestigious scholarships totaling: $400,000+!

Congratulations to everyone who crossed the auditorium stage to be recognized and officially awarded with state, local, or memorial scholarships. Every envelope given honors achievements of our learners during their journey at NRHS and all the effort they have put into furthering their education. More photos.

• Try to keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
• Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things.
• Families and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.

Article: Talking to Children about Terrorist Attacks and School and Community Shootings in the News

Did you know NRCSD now offers a FREE App?

Steps to download:

1. Visit iTunes App Store ® or Google Play ®
2. Search North Rockland CSD
3. Then select North Rockland CSD App for FREE download
4. Open the App enable push notifications and select the school(s) you want to subscribe to.

Stay connected!

• Get the latest district and school news
• Select the schools you want to follow
• Get push notifications about breaking news, closures, weather, events, and more
• Tap to see school locations, phone numbers, and staff information, fast

For a tutorial and navigation overview on the NRCSD App check out the YouTube video linked here.

The North Rockland Central School District Universal Pre-K program has only a few spots remaining. Registration is open to children who will be four years old by December 1, 2022

and live in the district! Sign up now through the link here.

In extra innings, and in Red Raider Country, North Rockland won the Section 1 Class AA Championship game last Saturday. A bases loaded hit by Olivia Leon in the bottom of the eighth inning scored pinch runner Bella Guerra and gave the Red Raiders a 2-1 victory over White Plains. Make some noise for our athletes and Head Coach Jackie DiNuzzo on their new title through the link here. Congrats!

More on the epic game from lohud here.

Congratulations to North Rockland's Girls Track Team, the 2022 Section 1 Class AA Champions! The Red Raiders hurdled passed the competition during last Saturday's finals, earning the plaque and securing NRAthletics second Section title of the day. We are so proud of the work our athletes have put in during this Spring season. Let’s hear it for the CHAMPS!

Lohud article about the win

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

• North Rockland Coalition /Drug Awareness & Prevention (website)

  NRC/DAP Parent Support

• 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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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