Ashley McDonald is giving back to South High School.

The Class of 2019 graduate has spent considerable time in recent weeks producing South's virtual National Honor Society presentation.

"Returning to the Viking Family has been an amazing opportunity," said Ms. McDonald, who is a Substitute Teacher Assistant at South.

And the opportunity she has had connects directly to her interest in the field of film.  Ms. McDonald is currently completing her Associates degree in Liberal Arts at Rockland Community College with plans to begin studies at a university in September toward a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Writing for Film.

"When Ms. Fishkin asked if I would be interested in returning to the TV Studio, there was no doubt in my mind," said Ms. McDonald. "Being in this program gave me some of my best friends, amazing memories and furthered my love for communications and film."

Ms. Fishkin noted that she and Ms. McDonald have been busy behind the scenes producing and editing virtual videos for organizations such as Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. As for the NHS Virtual video, the project was recently completed and shared with the South community on April 16. A total of 104 students were inducted into the NHS, the highest number ever at South High School.

"It was so rewarding working with hardworking and dedicated students showcasing their accomplishments," said Ms. Fishkin.

"When Ashley first applied to be a long-term substitute teaching assistant in the TV studio, Ms. Fishkin and I were thrilled," said Deb Tarantino, South High School Principal. "When she was a student at South, Ashley was a star in the TV studio classes. Now that she has come back to South, her expertise and experiences she has learned and enhanced in college are benefitting future alumni at South. The National Honor Society Induction video that Ashley put together is only one example of the difference she is making in helping us celebrate our students using the technologies in the TV studio where she first started."

By Martin D. Cox, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Elementary classrooms in the Clarkstown Central School District are prepared for the return of more students on April 7.

I want to express my thanks to several people for making this happen.

The tri-fold polycarbonate desk barriers and additional desks were ordered by John LaNave (Assistant Superintendent for Business) and Anthony Valenti (Director of Facilities). Upon the arrival of the desks and barriers, the District Buildings and Grounds members, in partnership with building custodians, were coordinated by Mr. Valenti to unpack, set up, and install the barriers as well as additional desks in classrooms at our nine elementary schools.

As a result of those collaborative efforts on the part of several people, classrooms today include desk barriers, where necessary, based on student enrollment.

Tomorrow, more students will arrive in all of our nine elementary schools, and in several classrooms, social distancing will be inside 6-feet with the barriers mounted on top of the desks.

This work by the aforementioned invdividuals is respected, valued, and appreciated. I am thankful for their efforts, and I look forward to seeing more students in our elementary schools tomorrow.

I wish our students, teachers, staff, bus drivers, and administrators good health and safety as we continue to navigate teaching and learning during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.