Announcements / News

From page to imagination, today was all about the joy of reading! Across CCSD, students took part in the 42nd Annual Rockland Read-In. Through engaging read-alouds and quiet moments of independent reading, our learners dove into age-appropriate stories that sparked joy. Sponsored by the Rockland BOCES School Library System, this annual event promotes literacy and inspires lifelong learners by encouraging children to read for pleasure. From CCSD principals and administrators to local Rockland County lawmakers, officials and community partners, there was no shortage of special guests who bookmarked their busy schedules to share in the celebration. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Rockland Read In such a special chapter in our story!

Global School Play Day came to life at Bardonia, Little Tor and Woodglen elementary schools, where CCSD students turned their ideas into action. After getting a sneak peek in last week’s preview video — showing WG learners using the design engineering process to imagine and build their own games — today was all about trying out the final products together. From creativity and problem solving to teamwork and persistence, our students showed that play can be powerful learning.

“Prior to the Nazis, did you or your family experience any antisemitism?” “Can you describe when your family began to think about fleeing Germany?” “What does being Jewish mean to you?” These are just a sampling of the meaningful, student-crafted questions driving the Names, Not Numbers® projects at Felix Festa Middle School. This week, CCSD had the honor of welcoming Miriam Edelstein, Denny Herzberg and Alex Levy — Holocaust survivors and the subjects of this year’s documentaries — into one of our schools. Hearing their stories firsthand offers our students an experience that is both rare and deeply impactful, transforming history from something learned into something felt.

While our eighth graders sharpen skills such as responsible journalism and inquiry, the most profound lesson goes beyond academics: learning to seek truth, preserve memory and understand their place in a larger story. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Miriam, Denny and Alex, who so generously shared their time and experiences over the past few days. We are grateful for the opportunity to help ensure their stories live on and look forward to sharing them with our community.

Two buildings, two classes, two systems — one shared goal! Dawn McCarthy’s sixth grade science class and Heidi Bernasconi’s high school Sports Exercise class teamed up after discovering that both were preparing for upcoming tests on the circulatory and respiratory systems. The Falcons and the Rams worked through four stations designed to collect data and help prepare for their respective exams. The cross-grade collaboration encouraged peer learning and helped CCSD students feel more confident heading into test day.

High school will be here before they know it — at least for the Class of 2030, who headed to Clarkstown high schools North and South to tour their future campuses. In addition to meeting Principal Tarantino (CHSS) and Principal Reim (CHSN), eighth graders also had the chance to walk the hallways and hear from current students on what high school is really like. One South senior summed it up best: "Don't be afraid. Join the club, join the team, make new friends."

The sounds of the season are filling our schools as students across the District showcase their talents during the winter concert series. From choral performances and band concerts to orchestral showcases, these events highlight the hard word, creativity and dedication of our student-musicians. Families are invited to join us in celebrating the arts as we continue performances into the new year. 

Earlier this week, Felix Festa Middle School students had the privilege of hearing from motivational speaker Tommy McGuire, a CCSD alumnus (Class of 2011) and brother of FFMS Athletic Coordinator Andrew McGuire. Tommy’s story — rooted in resilience — reminded the sixth graders that even life’s hardest moments can help us grow stronger.

Tommy grew up much like many of the current Falcons: navigating the hallways, playing sports and building lifelong friendships. At Clarkstown High School South, those friendships only deepened as he played basketball, baseball and football — serving as the starting quarterback and a team captain — alongside some of his closest friends.

But after suffering a life-changing spinal cord injury just weeks after graduating from Manhattan College, Tommy discovered a new side of strength — one grounded in patience and perspective. With the support of family, friends and the community, Tommy found new ways to move forward with purpose and positivity. This week, he brought that spirit to FFMS’s Falcons Foundations classes. Students heard about Tommy’s journey from an able-bodied athlete to navigating life with a drastically changed body, and how resilience helps when life doesn’t move as fast as we want it to. They also explored practical tools for handling challenges that feel out of our control, discovering how shifting our mindset can turn obstacles into opportunities. “My message to all of you is: welcome challenges with confidence, practice having patience and think about the word ‘perspective’ that I talked about,” said Tommy. “And the last thing, always have a support person or group when times in your life are tough or challenging.”

We are grateful to Tommy for returning to CCSD to share his message that aligns perfectly with the District’s Portrait of a Clarkstown Learner initiative. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he continues these conversations with more Falcons.

It’s Computer Science Education Week, and this year’s theme, “CS Powers AI Innovation,” highlights why computer science skills are essential for today’s learners. As AI continues to shape the world around us, CCSD is exploring thoughtful, classroom-centered uses of technology that strengthen student learning while maintaining teachers’ leadership in instruction.

At Felix Festa Middle School, Fiona Sia’s seventh grade class recently used NotebookLM to prepare for a test on Colonial America. NotebookLM is an AI-supported tool within Google Classroom, that helps users make sense of materials. Educators can create a unit by uploading resources from their lessons, ensuring students only work from teacher-approved content. Students can then use the tool to build study and visual guides, generate summaries and create quizzes or flashcards, helping them see connections and practice computer science habits like organizing information and problem-solving. In class, Fiona guided the seventh graders through practice questions generated from her materials before they moved on to their next task.

As we mark #CSEdWeek (December 8-14), the District is celebrating the ways our learners are building the foundational skills needed to understand and use these technologies responsibly.

Clarkstown High School North was transformed into a hub of curiosity and discovery today, as it hosted its third annual Science Research Showcase. High schoolers from both North and South represented CCSD as they presented their findings to peers in neighboring districts, including Nyack Public Schools, South Orangetown Central School District and Suffern Central School District. For the first time, Felix Festa Middle School students attended the showcase, getting an inside look at the commitment and creativity behind science research.

Clarkstown High School North today welcomed three visitors from the Consulate General of Japan in NY, who spent the morning learning about CCSD's Japanese language program and meeting with students and staff. The group first joined Akiko Uchiyama, the Japanese teacher at both CHSN and CHSS, for a conversation about language study, cultural exchange and the pathways learners can pursue through world-language learning. Following that, they observed the AP/IB students as they presented their Career Projects while speaking Japanese — a chance for the Rams to demonstrate their skills and see how their classroom learning connects to the wider world. This type of exchange embodies the #ClarkstownCommitment to help students build the knowledge and awareness they need to thrive beyond the classroom.

For Immediate Release

Public Hearing and Comment Period for amendments to District-Wide Safety Plan to add Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Annex and revised Code of Conduct related to AI use.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education will conduct a Public Hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the Districtwide Safety Plan and the Code of Conduct.

The proposed amendments to the Districtwide Safety Plan will add a Cardiac Emergency Response Annex to the Districwide safety plan in accordance with Desha’s Law and amendments to Education Law §§ 917, 2801-a(2), and 2801-a(3)(a).

The proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct address the use of AI.

The hearings will be held on December 11, 2025 at the Board of Education Meeting, Chestnut Grove District Office at 7:30pm.

In accordance with state regulations, the revised District-Wide School Safety Plan and Code of Conduct amendments are available for public comment for a minimum of 30 days prior to its adoption. The proposed change are available on the district website or you can request copies by emailing the District Clerk.

• Cardiac Emergency Response Annex and is available for review on the District website: www.ccsd.edu/safety.
• Code of Conduct will be available for review Code of Conduct Revised Sections

Written comments may be submitted to the District Clerk at districtclerk@ccsd.edu no later than Wednesday December 10, 2025. Members of the public are also invited to present comments in person at the scheduled public hearing.

Sincerely,

Lucy Crosbie

In the presence of their families, friends and athletics staff, three Clarkstown Central School District student-athletes signed letters of intent during a National Signing Day event yesterday at Clarkstown High School South. The following individuals will be continuing both their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level next year. Clarkstown high schools North and South will celebrate more post-secondary decisions in the spring. Congratulations to our Vikings and future Leopards and Skyhawks!

• Kayla Dwyer | Lafayette College | Swimming | Division I
• Joseph Price | Stonehill College | Cross Country/Track | Division I
• Carley Voce | Lafayette College | Basketball | Division I

Clarkstown Central School District is proud to share that Tait Abraham, Yash Agrawal and Derek Eng earned second place in the grades 9-12 division of the 2025 New York State (NYS) Archives Student Research Awards for their documentary, “Tiananmen Square: Rights Forgotten, Responsibility Ignored.” The Clarkstown High School South students recently met with Zhou Fengsuo, a survivor of the Tiananmen Square massacre who now resides in New York City. They found Fengsuo through their research, after which he invited them to view his collection honoring the 1989 demonstrations.

The NYS Archives Student Research Awards competition encourages learners in grades 4-12 to explore the wealth of historical records and primary sources held in repositories in NYS, and asks participants to develop original research projects that connect the past to the present through analysis and creativity. Congratulations to Tait, Yash and Derek for their meaningful storytelling!

Clarkstown Central School District is pleased to announce that it will once again be partnering with the interactive Holocaust-education program, Names, Not Numbers®. Today marked the start of this year’s collaboration, featuring remarks from creator Tova Fish-Rosenberg and Dr. Marc Baiocco. “The survivors are people who bring such tremendous experiences to life…in the areas of innovation, creativity and empathy. All of the hallmarks that we’re working on within that Clarkstown Commitment,” said Dr. Baiocco. “So, this year is more special than ever for me, because it’s starting to take all of the tenets of the #ClarkstownCommitment and make them come alive through our Names, Not Numbers® partnership. This is going to be a very unique and authentic learning experience.”

Jeffrey Salgo, a retired associate director and producer with CBS News, coached students on interviewing techniques and tips, including the three major responsibilities an interviewer has to their interviewee — history, research and empathy. CCSD is excited to see how the Falcons, Rams and Vikings use their journalism, research and video production skills to create their very own documentaries.

Felix Festa Middle School hosted a D.A.R.E graduation, marking an important milestone for students — and for the first time, it was CCSD sixth graders who proudly took to the stage! The D.A.R.E program plays a vital role in equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to make safe and responsible decisions. Through meaningful discussions and lessons with D.A.R.E. officers, participants strengthen their understanding of good citizenship, sound judgement and personal responsibility — qualities that extend far beyond the classroom. Thank you to the Clarkstown Police Department, our dedicated D.A.R.E. officers, and the local representatives who joined us to celebrate this special occasion. Your partnership and continued support make a lasting impact on our students and schools.

Over the past 14 months, Daiana Amieiro has brought both heart and expertise to her role as supervisor of Elementary Special Education — shaping the position into one deeply grounded in student-centered, culturally responsive leadership. Daiana has been a valued member of CCSD for over five years, beginning as a bilingual speech-language pathologist. In that role, she led efforts to reimagine how the District approaches special education referrals, helping to establish the District Referral Team that now reviews all referrals through a cultural and linguistic lens. That work laid a foundation for the initiatives she would later carry forward as an administrator.

After becoming interim supervisor in August 2024, and officially into the role in April 2025, she continued to expand services and elevate collaboration across departments. Her experience, which spans early intervention through K–12 settings in both public and private schools, has been essential in launching new programs and strengthening existing ones. She has worked closely with school leaders, psychologists, ENL staff and speech-language pathologists to ensure that all students — particularly multilingual learners and those with diverse needs — have equitable access to support.

As part of a collaborative district team, Daiana helped develop the new STEPS class at Woodglen Elementary School — a 10:1:2 program designed to support learners in a more personalized and nurturing environment, promoting independence and strong peer relationships. Daiana visits regularly to meet with staff and ensure programming is aligned with students’ needs. Her presence is equally felt in other areas — whether supporting SPIRIT and STRIVE teachers or personally welcoming new students, including meeting with families in their home language to help guide placement decisions.

Her vision this year is clear: to be consistently present in classrooms, working alongside educators and connecting directly with students. She continues to lead the Speech Department, helping to streamline practices and implement a new, research-based protocol for building-level services. At the core of her work is a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and the belief that all decisions should begin with students in mind. As Daiana herself says, “Everything we do is for the students.” CCSD thanks Daiana for her leadership, and for the thoughtful and lasting impact she continues to make across our schools.

Superintendent Dr. Marc Baiocco engaged in mutually-beneficial conversations with students from both Clarkstown high schools North and South during a Student Advisory Council session. The group convenes every month with the goal of not only identifying areas for continuous improvement — either spanning the District or specific to one building — but also creative approaches for funding or implementing suggested changes.

For October, discussion topics included a rotational drop schedule, school spirit and the Portrait of a Clarkstown Learner framework. “Can you define a specific school-wide initiative, whether it be a program or an idea, that would strengthen the assigned characteristics?” asked Dr. Baiocco. “Take one of the characteristics for #Empathetic. ‘Collaborate via active listening with consideration of diverse viewpoints.’ What does that look like?” Through the #ClarkstownCommitment, we work together to cultivate learners who think critically, adapt confidently and lead with empathy in the world.

At Woodglen Elementary School, the new STEPS class supports CCSD students by meeting them where they are — using a 10:1:2 setup to build foundational and readiness skills while promoting independence and strong peer relationships. Through supporting, teaching and empowering a path to success, learners gain the tools and confidence to take the next STEPS forward. From creating fall wreaths in the classroom to active gym lessons, STEPS offers engaging opportunities for growth every day.

The New York State School Boards Association acknowledges October 13-17, 2025 as School Board Recognition Week. Comprised of seven members who are elected by residents, the Board of Education is responsible for school district management and policy-making in Clarkstown. CCSD appreciates your dedication to and leadership in K-12 education, and for striving to work in the best interests of all learners: Tamara Bierker, president; David Gosman, vice president; Jason Bass; Christopher Conti; Zizette Deutsch; Yelena Glukhova; and, John Maltbie! During a November school board meeting, student-musicians will perform as a “thank you,” to honor the Board’s support and the #ClarkstownCommitment to arts education.