The winter athletic season is underway in the Clarkstown Central School District.

Following a pre-season of practices that began in early November, varsity and junior varsity teams from North High School and South High School are now busy with a full slate of games.

I had the opportunity to see the South Varsity Boys Basketball team improve to 2-0 with a 38-34 win over visiting Nyack High School on Saturday afternoon.  South's Jack Tucek scored 10 points, Luke Palligudis scored nine and Tony Hastings had seven.  The game was tied 17-17 at the half and remained close right to the very end when South pulled ahead by four points in the last minute of play.

South is coached by Matt Backs.

Please consider coming out to support our student-athletes and their coaches during the winter athletic season.

The links below reveal games for our teams at North, South and Felix Festa Middle School.

http://www.clarkstownnorthathletics.org

http://www.clarkstownsouthathletics.org

http://www.felixfestaathletics.org

Rockland BOCES Culinary Arts students showed their guests what they have learned during the annual Services Guide Dinner last night.

The Culinary students provided four separate buffet stations during last night's dinner which featured music entertainment as well as testimonial speeches by BOCES students and parents.

Four of the 30 Culinary students, under the direction of Chef Kendell Brenner, are from Clarkstown: Maria Barrera Giron (North High School), Nulvis Barrera Giron (North High School), Domenick Leone (North High School) and Gianna Sammarco (South High School).

BOCES Chief Operating Officer Dr. Mary Jean Marsico opened the program for invited guests that included Board of Education members, superintendents and administrators from the eight BOCES component Districts in the county.

Throughout the evening there was live music provided by the River View High School Music Ensemble.  BOCES student speakers included Matthew Barry of Hudson Valley P-Tech (South Orangetown), Amanda Matos of CTEC (East Ramapo) and Jefferey Babcock of CTEC (Pearl River).  All three students provided inspiring stories about their journey at BOCES and the rewarding learning opportunities they have experienced within their programs.

Nyack parent Laurent Szanto also spoke about the positive experiences of her elementary child who is enrolled in a BOCES program.

Attending the event representing Clarkstown were Board of Education President Tammy Bierker, Board Members Zizette Deutsch, Irene Tagaris, and Assistant Superintendent for Business/Chief Administrative Officer John LaNave.

Special thanks to the Rockland BOCES administration, faculty and staff for providing learning opportunities, programs, services and support designed to meet the needs of all students!