The Knight Times

Mount Vernon City School District 165 N. Columbus Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10552

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 5140 White Plains, NY

Board of Education Adriane G. Saunders, President Wanda White, Vice President Serigne M. Gningue Rosemarie Jarosz Micah J.B. McOwen Stanley Russo Arlene Torres Israel Williams

***ECRWSS*** Postal Patron Mount Vernon, NY

The

KNIGHT TIMES

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

Volume X: August 2017

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!

Lesly Zamor

MOUNT VERNON HIGH SCHOOL ECO-CLASSROOM IMPROVES, CLEANS UP WILLSON’S WOODS PARK

Becomes First High School in Westchester County to Adopt a Park their hands dirty. It’s very cool to see environmentalism and education in action.”

The Mount Vernon students have cleaned up the park, raised and released trout into local waters, conducted water and soil purity testing, built a blue bird box to bring back the native species and even planted edible blueberry bushes.

Students are learning about their local ecosystem while improving and cleaning up the county park with Westchester Parks Foundation.

Mount Vernon High School has become the first high school in Westchester County to adopt a park. About 20 regular and special education students are part of an eco-classroom that has a mission of improving Willson’s Woods Park. The young environmentalists were honored for their volunteerism with an official proclamation from Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino.

“These Mount Vernon students are trailblazers,” said Astorino during a ceremony at the park in late May. “We hear a lot about conserving the environment, but this next generation is getting

Mount Vernon High School

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School

“I got involved because I’m a photographer, and I really like nature,” said 11th grader Alex Lewack. “This experience has made me more environmentally friendly. I hope since we’ve cleaned up the park, people will have a better feeling about it and come here all the time.”

The “Adopt-a-Park” program is run by Westchester Parks Foundation and provides volunteers with an opportunity to maintain, preserve, develop, and improve parks and trails within the Westchester County Parks System.

Thornton High School

By adopting a park, a group commits to enhance and maintain a designated park within the county park system through clean-up efforts, trail maintenance, tree plantings, weeding, and any other approved projects which would enhance the beauty of the park.

Thornton High School

Mount Vernon High School

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!

Mount Vernon High School Graduates ‘Can’t be Stopped’ Pomp and circumstance was in the air at the Westchester County Center as 214 graduates of Mount Vernon High School walked across the stage to receive their diplomas from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton.

The commencement ceremony marked both an ending and a beginning for the students. Some will go on to college; others the workforce; and still others, the military. Keynote speaker and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino told the graduates that they are prepared for whatever lies ahead.

“Mount Vernon is a city of people who beat the odds and silenced challengers,” Astorino said. “Wherever life takes you, be proud of your Mount Vernon roots.”

Mount Vernon High School Principal Ronald Gonzalez told the students that they’ve made an indelible impression on him. He congratulated them on their accomplishments and encouraged them to forge ahead with confidence.

“You have a Mount Vernon education; you can’t be stopped,” said Gonzalez to a round of applause. “Go into the world and change everything people think about you!”

Valedictorian Brenda Bertanholi and Salutatorian Bryce Kennedy were each presented awards for their academic accomplishments that included laptop computers. They each had the opportunity to address their classmates, family and friends.

At the podium, Bertanholi reflected on her early high school years when she felt self-conscious and encouraged her classmates to have the courage to be themselves.

Thornton High School Graduates Shine Bright One-hundred fifty-three graduating seniors accepted their diplomas from Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton at the Nellie A. Thornton High School commencement ceremony at SUNY Purchase’s Performing Arts Center.

“My message is really very simple, and that is to leave the halls of Thornton High School with a purpose,” Dr. Hamilton said. “Recognize your responsibilities to make the world a better place. … I hope you are that generation of people who embrace the differences in us and do not create more division in our nation.”

Valedictorian Judy Xiao Lin Yu and Salutatorian Amy Mei Xiu Zhang addressed their classmates and attendees, reflecting on their four years at Thornton and looking forward to the future. Yu will be attending Carnegie Mellon University, while Barnard College is Zhang’s college of choice.

“What transition are you going to make as 2016-2017 graduates?” Yu asked her classmates. “College, the military, the workforce? You have all changed since the day you first walked through the door of high school. … But high school is only part of our journey. Today is one of the biggest transitions in your life so far.”

Dr. Hamilton presented three awards, two of which were Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent’s Awards for Academic Excellence to Yu and Zhang. Janea Herbert received the Superintendent’s Award for Most Improved Student, which recognizes dedication and hard work.

“Your passion is your power. Don’t waste it. There are passions for everyone,” Zhang said.

Mandela/Zollicoffer Graduates Encouraged to Follow Their Dreams Following a traditional African drum ensemble, 50 students from Mandela/Zollicoffer High School processed into Mount Vernon High School’s auditorium as students, and left as official graduates.

Elder Rosalind Lattimore of Christian Love Tabernacle in Yonkers gave the invocation speech. She recalled when she was told by a high school guidance counselor that she was “not college material.” Lattimore had always dreamed of being a teacher and went on to be just that.

“Don’t be swayed from your dreams,” Lattimore told the students. “Overcome your fears and as the Nike slogan says ‘Just Do It!’” 2

Valedictorian Shane Washington and Salutatorian Lawrence Belcher made school history as the first male students to achieve the No. 1 and 2 class rankings. Principal Ralph Burts told the crowd gathered that both Washington and Belcher entered his school as quiet boys who became leaders among their peers by the positive examples they set.

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School provides an alternative learning environment for students in the Mount Vernon City School District. Board of Education President Lesly Zamor encouraged the students to see their differences in a positive light.

“Albert Einstein, Bill Gates; they thought differently. Embrace your differences,” Zamor said. “And show others how to think differently.”

Volume X: August 2017

STUDENT SCIENTISTS PUT WHAT THEY KNOW ON SHOW Lincoln Elementary School’s annual Science Fair took place in May, beginning with a grand opening event that attracted hundreds of parents and supporters. The annual Science Fair is among the school’s most popular events, and is the culmination of months of hard work by the students.

BREAKFAST RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WHO GAIN SKILLS FOR THE WORK WORLD

“The science fair is a feather in our cap,” said Lincoln Elementary principal Rebecca Jones. “The students love it, their families love it, and it engages the students in important hands-on, inquiry-based research.”

This year, the fair was themed to coincide with each grade level’s standard science curriculum. Every project coheres with common core and allows the students to dive deeper into the subjects that interest them. Grade 3 had endangered species; Grade 4, simple machines and electricity; Grade 5, engineering; Grade 6 chose topics that integrated science, technology and society.

True to the scientific process, students researched their topics, developed and tested their hypotheses, and then reported their findings in visual and verbal presentations. One team of sixth-graders weighed whether social media has become helpful or too intrusive in people’s lives. Other projects looked at the plight of the green sea turtle, historic uses of simple machines, how to engineer an infinity mirror, the many impacts of environmentally friendly homes, and even how to create homemade slime that’s better than the toy store stuff.

Third-grader Mathaus Generoso expanded upon this year’s study of endangered species to focus in on the five subspecies of sloths.

“The main subspecies are three-toed and two-toed sloths,” said Generoso. “It’s been fun seeing that people are interested about endangered animals, and that we need to protect our wildlife and forests so they can live on and not become extinct.”

The inaugural Rising Stars Vocational Program Awards Breakfast recognized the hard work of 49 students who took on district jobs, all aligned with their interests, to gain personal and professional and skills they will one day carry into the real world. The event took place at Mount Vernon High School in June.

The Rising Stars program is an off-shoot of Mount Vernon’s existing vocational education offerings and part of its Life Skills Program, which meets the needs of students with Individual Service Plans (ISP).

“We strive to help our students become as independent as possible, and promote optimal post-school outcomes,” said program coordinator Felicia Gaon, Mount Vernon’s Director of Student Services.

Each ISP details an individualized set of supports, activities, and resources required for a student to achieve their personal goals and convey the choices and agreements made during a process called person-centered planning. The group began the year with person-centered planning led by Rebecca Ryan, an independent Vocational Program Developer working with the district on this program.

“From there, we matched each student up with different jobs throughout the school,” said Ryan.

Rising Star participants held positions in the many different departments and offices throughout the high school, including: food service; the Pre-K program; the homeless center; the photography department; the automotive department; cosmetology; the Phys Ed office, and others.

One young man, who wants to be a veterinarian, even learned to raise trout.

“We’re very proud of this program, and the students really benefit from being out in the field,” said Gaon.

7

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

READING CHALLENGE CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENT

Volume X: August 2017

56 THORNTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY

The Mount Vernon City School District gave away more than 200 NOOKS tablets to students at the Superintendent’s Third Annual Reading Challenge Carnival on the football field at Mount Vernon High School in early June.

The carnival was held for the 2,000 students who reached their reading goals this school year. At the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton challenged students to reach his goal of reading 150,000 books collectively during the school year. Pre-kindergarten8th-grade students were challenged to read books during the year – students in pre-K, total of 15 books each; students in K-grade 2, 40 books each; and students in grades 3-8, 30 books each. Dr. Hamilton invited students who achieved these goals to the end-of-year carnival and students in these grades far surpassed the superintendent’s challenge, reading more than 156,000 during the school year.

The program and the district’s own innovative reading programs have been quite successful at raising reading levels for students. The district collected data showing the change in the percentage of students on or above level for grades 2 through 8 from the beginning of the school year testing (performed between Sept. 6 and Oct. 7, 2016) to the midyear testing (performed between Jan. 3 and 27, 2017). Grade 2 students increased from 20 percent at the beginning of the year to 45 percent at mid-year. Grade 3 students rose from 31 percent to 52 percent. Grade 4, from 20 percent to 31 percent. Grade 5, from 20 percent to 26 percent. Grade 6, from 15 percent to 23 percent. Grade 7, from 22 percent to 29 percent. Grade 8, 24 percent to 26 percent.

The 200 NOOKS and Barnes & Noble gift certificates given to the students were purchased with money from Superintendent’s Reading Challenge fundraisers during the year. To help students avoid the “summer slide” – learning or reading skill loss during the summer months – the district also provided more than 8,400 students in grades Pre-K-12 with take-home book packs customized by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company.

Mount Vernon High School

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School

Fifty-six students at Nellie Thornton High School have been inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society. Society inductees are students who have shown a deep interest in their study of the Spanish language. These students range from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds with a gift of learning another language. These students have achieved and maintained a 90 or above average in their Spanish classes for at least two consecutive years at Thornton.

The National Spanish Honor Society was founded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in 1953, for the students of North American secondary schools.

This chapter is due to the efforts of Dr. Bennet Conroy who initiated this organization in Mount Vernon with the chapter “Fernando Ferrel” at Mount Vernon High School. The legacy continued at Thornton High School with the chapter “Los Jóvenes del Futuro.” The chapter’s motto is: “Opening Doors” and its colors are red and gold.

Thornton High School

Mount Vernon High School

“Each of these 56 students from Nellie Thornton High School should be very proud of their own, individual, wonderful academic accomplishments as newly, inducted, members of the Spanish Honor Society,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. “It is heart-warming to see this level of hard work and dedication by our Mount Vernon students.”

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School

Thornton High School

6

Mount Vernon High School

3

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

Volume X: August 2017

NEW COUNTRY. NEW SCHOOL. NEW 6TH GRADE VALEDICTORIAN Grimes Elementary student Kevin Cuellar immigrated to America from the Dominican Republic just in time to begin sixth grade this past school year. Speaking little to no English, Kevin was determined not to let a language barrier hold him back. He faced down his challenge, and initial frustrations, with resolve.

He studied hard to understand his school work and socialize with his new classmates, and by June had become not only the class speaker for sixth grade graduation, but its valedictorian, too.

Kevin’s speech that day began, “I am new to this school and also to this country. I am an immigrant.”

It had been less than eight months since Kevin arrived from the Dominican Republic on his birthday, September 13th, when he first said of arriving in the United States, “It was my birthday present!”

While the transition to a new country was difficult, Kevin worked hard right away to begin learning the language. Early test assessments showed Kevin’s aptitude for math – he worked out complex word problems that proved difficult even for some of his English speaking classmates. Early encouragement from his math and science teacher, Mr. Casey, went a long way toward pushing Kevin even farther.

and hangs in the school hallway, Kevin’s rendition of Drexel appeared on the sixth grade graduation tee shirts.”

Kevin flourished academically, made plenty of friends and earned the respect of his peers – many of whom began approaching him for tutoring. He never missed an assignment and earned prizes for the quality of his work.

“Kevin has been an inspiration to everyone at the school,” said Grimes Elementary principal Erik Van Gunten.

“He exemplifies the growth mindset through both his determination and his belief that he could overcome these obstacles. He saw challenges as learning opportunities, and that is what we nurture here at Grimes Elementary.”

Kevin let his teachers know early on that his goals included college and a great career. He was given the encouragement and resources he needed to set him on that path, but it was his dream backed by an unflagging work ethic that ultimately earned him his honors.

“There is no greater joy than to see a student beat the odds,” said Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of Schools.

“Language acquisition is essential to a well-rounded school experience.”

In his speech, Kevin namedropped both his ELA teacher, Ms. Bryant, and his ESL teacher, Ms. Bergins, with gratitude. He credited them for their patience and giving him the extra classroom time, which he requested, so he could stay focused as he pushed himself to do a little more every day to meet his goal – to score on grade level for ELA.

F

Please join us RE E for the Mount Vernon City School District

Family Fun Day

“The last [assessment] test that Kevin took, his ELA score was on a mid-sixth grade level,” said Bryant. “Kevin was an overachiever!”

4

To see what excellence looks like, look no further than the Mount Vernon City School District. That was the message presented by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton in his “State of the District” address.

Games and prizes for the whole family!

Scavenger hunt, Bounce houses Rock climbing wall, Obstacle course Group line dancing and Zumba lessons

Sat., Sept. 16, 2017 Rain Date September 23

Mount Vernon High School Fields

#mvcsdhealth

100 California Road, Mount Vernon, NY

Noon to 4 p.m.

$108 MILLION BOND CREATES NEW PARK AT GRAHAM

Dr. Hamilton and his team of administrators and principals addressed community members in early June. The presenters shared the district’s accomplishments over the last 12 months including passage of the bond refinement, increased student achievement, and progress associated with implementation of the 20/20 Vision.

Some highlights of the presentation included:

• Musician/actor Wyclef Jean led a momentous Mount

Vernon My Brother’s Keeper summit in an effort to ensure that all young people, no matter what their circumstances, will have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

• The Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School successfully

transitioned into Mount Vernon High School with 155 students in grades 6-8. The program attracted 125 new students for enrollment in grades 6-9 in 2017-2018 including the return of families to the district from private, Catholic and charter schools.

• District leadership was enhanced with the hiring of an

Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and a Director of Health and Physical Education.

Instructional Coaches were also hired to provide professional development for teachers in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

• Student Proficiency Rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics increased on New York State (NYS) assessments and I-Ready district assessments.

• A new math curriculum, enVision Math 2.0, was

implemented and will provide personalized problembased learning of rigorous mathematics.

• Prekindergarten program was successfully launched. End of Year Student Proficiency was at 75 percent overall.

• Completed assessments in the Gifted & Talented program

Besides being a self-made scholar, Kevin is also an artist.

He shared some of his work with Ms. Bryant, who quickly helped him show it off to more people at the school.

“He could draw anything and his handwriting looked like calligraphy,” she said. “Our principal asked him to draw the school mascot, Drexel the Dragon. The original is framed

SUPERINTENDENT DELIVERS STATE OF THE DISTRICT

identified 60 additional students in grades 3-5 for enrichment classes in all 11 elementary school. The program will grow to 300 children in grades 3-6 in 2017-2018.

• Completion of $44 million Energy Performance Contract.

This was at no cost to the taxpayers.

To view Superintendent Hamilton’s “State of the District” address in its entirety, please visit the district website at www.mtvernoncsd.org.

Under sunny, blue skies and a few wispy clouds Graham Elementary School was the star of the show with a ribboncutting to open its new, expansive park and play area. The ribbon cutting marked another successful project near completion as part of the Mount Vernon City School District’s $108 million bond, which was passed in March 2016 and is powering the school district’s 20/20 Vision.

Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of Schools, was joined by Lesly Zamor, President of the Board of Education; Adriane G. Saunders, Vice President of the Board of Education; Dr. Natasha Hunter-McGregor, Graham Principal; Richard Thomas, City Mayor; and Nadine McKenzie, mother of Shamoya McKenzie.

Graham now has a park adjacent to the building that includes a new soccer field with artificial turf, basketball court, three playground equipment stations; two oval walking paths, and raised garden beds as well as new landscaping and a new parking lot. Inside, there are new interior hallway doors, a newly renovated auditorium and a new middle school science lab. This summer, the school district will begin work on a new main entrance, offices, main floor corridor and stairwell, and lockers. The work will be complete in the fall. There is also more work being done to repair the failed exterior building cornice, walkways, existing fencing and sidewalks.

“Our top goals are to improve what happens behind the walls in our schools with the education of our students and to become excellent at that, we must also be a source of community pride and developing Graham School as a center in this community was very important,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton.

The occasion also marked the unveiling of a marble park bench dedicated to the memory of Graham student Shamoya McKenzie. Shamoya died tragically on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve in downtown Mount Vernon.

5

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

Volume X: August 2017

NEW COUNTRY. NEW SCHOOL. NEW 6TH GRADE VALEDICTORIAN Grimes Elementary student Kevin Cuellar immigrated to America from the Dominican Republic just in time to begin sixth grade this past school year. Speaking little to no English, Kevin was determined not to let a language barrier hold him back. He faced down his challenge, and initial frustrations, with resolve.

He studied hard to understand his school work and socialize with his new classmates, and by June had become not only the class speaker for sixth grade graduation, but its valedictorian, too.

Kevin’s speech that day began, “I am new to this school and also to this country. I am an immigrant.”

It had been less than eight months since Kevin arrived from the Dominican Republic on his birthday, September 13th, when he first said of arriving in the United States, “It was my birthday present!”

While the transition to a new country was difficult, Kevin worked hard right away to begin learning the language. Early test assessments showed Kevin’s aptitude for math – he worked out complex word problems that proved difficult even for some of his English speaking classmates. Early encouragement from his math and science teacher, Mr. Casey, went a long way toward pushing Kevin even farther.

and hangs in the school hallway, Kevin’s rendition of Drexel appeared on the sixth grade graduation tee shirts.”

Kevin flourished academically, made plenty of friends and earned the respect of his peers – many of whom began approaching him for tutoring. He never missed an assignment and earned prizes for the quality of his work.

“Kevin has been an inspiration to everyone at the school,” said Grimes Elementary principal Erik Van Gunten.

“He exemplifies the growth mindset through both his determination and his belief that he could overcome these obstacles. He saw challenges as learning opportunities, and that is what we nurture here at Grimes Elementary.”

Kevin let his teachers know early on that his goals included college and a great career. He was given the encouragement and resources he needed to set him on that path, but it was his dream backed by an unflagging work ethic that ultimately earned him his honors.

“There is no greater joy than to see a student beat the odds,” said Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of Schools.

“Language acquisition is essential to a well-rounded school experience.”

In his speech, Kevin namedropped both his ELA teacher, Ms. Bryant, and his ESL teacher, Ms. Bergins, with gratitude. He credited them for their patience and giving him the extra classroom time, which he requested, so he could stay focused as he pushed himself to do a little more every day to meet his goal – to score on grade level for ELA.

F

Please join us RE E for the Mount Vernon City School District

Family Fun Day

“The last [assessment] test that Kevin took, his ELA score was on a mid-sixth grade level,” said Bryant. “Kevin was an overachiever!”

4

To see what excellence looks like, look no further than the Mount Vernon City School District. That was the message presented by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton in his “State of the District” address.

Games and prizes for the whole family!

Scavenger hunt, Bounce houses Rock climbing wall, Obstacle course Group line dancing and Zumba lessons

Sat., Sept. 16, 2017 Rain Date September 23

Mount Vernon High School Fields

#mvcsdhealth

100 California Road, Mount Vernon, NY

Noon to 4 p.m.

$108 MILLION BOND CREATES NEW PARK AT GRAHAM

Dr. Hamilton and his team of administrators and principals addressed community members in early June. The presenters shared the district’s accomplishments over the last 12 months including passage of the bond refinement, increased student achievement, and progress associated with implementation of the 20/20 Vision.

Some highlights of the presentation included:

• Musician/actor Wyclef Jean led a momentous Mount

Vernon My Brother’s Keeper summit in an effort to ensure that all young people, no matter what their circumstances, will have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

• The Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School successfully

transitioned into Mount Vernon High School with 155 students in grades 6-8. The program attracted 125 new students for enrollment in grades 6-9 in 2017-2018 including the return of families to the district from private, Catholic and charter schools.

• District leadership was enhanced with the hiring of an

Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and a Director of Health and Physical Education.

Instructional Coaches were also hired to provide professional development for teachers in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

• Student Proficiency Rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics increased on New York State (NYS) assessments and I-Ready district assessments.

• A new math curriculum, enVision Math 2.0, was

implemented and will provide personalized problembased learning of rigorous mathematics.

• Prekindergarten program was successfully launched. End of Year Student Proficiency was at 75 percent overall.

• Completed assessments in the Gifted & Talented program

Besides being a self-made scholar, Kevin is also an artist.

He shared some of his work with Ms. Bryant, who quickly helped him show it off to more people at the school.

“He could draw anything and his handwriting looked like calligraphy,” she said. “Our principal asked him to draw the school mascot, Drexel the Dragon. The original is framed

SUPERINTENDENT DELIVERS STATE OF THE DISTRICT

identified 60 additional students in grades 3-5 for enrichment classes in all 11 elementary school. The program will grow to 300 children in grades 3-6 in 2017-2018.

• Completion of $44 million Energy Performance Contract.

This was at no cost to the taxpayers.

To view Superintendent Hamilton’s “State of the District” address in its entirety, please visit the district website at www.mtvernoncsd.org.

Under sunny, blue skies and a few wispy clouds Graham Elementary School was the star of the show with a ribboncutting to open its new, expansive park and play area. The ribbon cutting marked another successful project near completion as part of the Mount Vernon City School District’s $108 million bond, which was passed in March 2016 and is powering the school district’s 20/20 Vision.

Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of Schools, was joined by Lesly Zamor, President of the Board of Education; Adriane G. Saunders, Vice President of the Board of Education; Dr. Natasha Hunter-McGregor, Graham Principal; Richard Thomas, City Mayor; and Nadine McKenzie, mother of Shamoya McKenzie.

Graham now has a park adjacent to the building that includes a new soccer field with artificial turf, basketball court, three playground equipment stations; two oval walking paths, and raised garden beds as well as new landscaping and a new parking lot. Inside, there are new interior hallway doors, a newly renovated auditorium and a new middle school science lab. This summer, the school district will begin work on a new main entrance, offices, main floor corridor and stairwell, and lockers. The work will be complete in the fall. There is also more work being done to repair the failed exterior building cornice, walkways, existing fencing and sidewalks.

“Our top goals are to improve what happens behind the walls in our schools with the education of our students and to become excellent at that, we must also be a source of community pride and developing Graham School as a center in this community was very important,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton.

The occasion also marked the unveiling of a marble park bench dedicated to the memory of Graham student Shamoya McKenzie. Shamoya died tragically on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve in downtown Mount Vernon.

5

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

READING CHALLENGE CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENT

Volume X: August 2017

56 THORNTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY

The Mount Vernon City School District gave away more than 200 NOOKS tablets to students at the Superintendent’s Third Annual Reading Challenge Carnival on the football field at Mount Vernon High School in early June.

The carnival was held for the 2,000 students who reached their reading goals this school year. At the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton challenged students to reach his goal of reading 150,000 books collectively during the school year. Pre-kindergarten8th-grade students were challenged to read books during the year – students in pre-K, total of 15 books each; students in K-grade 2, 40 books each; and students in grades 3-8, 30 books each. Dr. Hamilton invited students who achieved these goals to the end-of-year carnival and students in these grades far surpassed the superintendent’s challenge, reading more than 156,000 during the school year.

The program and the district’s own innovative reading programs have been quite successful at raising reading levels for students. The district collected data showing the change in the percentage of students on or above level for grades 2 through 8 from the beginning of the school year testing (performed between Sept. 6 and Oct. 7, 2016) to the midyear testing (performed between Jan. 3 and 27, 2017). Grade 2 students increased from 20 percent at the beginning of the year to 45 percent at mid-year. Grade 3 students rose from 31 percent to 52 percent. Grade 4, from 20 percent to 31 percent. Grade 5, from 20 percent to 26 percent. Grade 6, from 15 percent to 23 percent. Grade 7, from 22 percent to 29 percent. Grade 8, 24 percent to 26 percent.

The 200 NOOKS and Barnes & Noble gift certificates given to the students were purchased with money from Superintendent’s Reading Challenge fundraisers during the year. To help students avoid the “summer slide” – learning or reading skill loss during the summer months – the district also provided more than 8,400 students in grades Pre-K-12 with take-home book packs customized by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company.

Mount Vernon High School

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School

Fifty-six students at Nellie Thornton High School have been inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society. Society inductees are students who have shown a deep interest in their study of the Spanish language. These students range from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds with a gift of learning another language. These students have achieved and maintained a 90 or above average in their Spanish classes for at least two consecutive years at Thornton.

The National Spanish Honor Society was founded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in 1953, for the students of North American secondary schools.

This chapter is due to the efforts of Dr. Bennet Conroy who initiated this organization in Mount Vernon with the chapter “Fernando Ferrel” at Mount Vernon High School. The legacy continued at Thornton High School with the chapter “Los Jóvenes del Futuro.” The chapter’s motto is: “Opening Doors” and its colors are red and gold.

Thornton High School

Mount Vernon High School

“Each of these 56 students from Nellie Thornton High School should be very proud of their own, individual, wonderful academic accomplishments as newly, inducted, members of the Spanish Honor Society,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. “It is heart-warming to see this level of hard work and dedication by our Mount Vernon students.”

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School

Thornton High School

6

Mount Vernon High School

3

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!

Mount Vernon High School Graduates ‘Can’t be Stopped’ Pomp and circumstance was in the air at the Westchester County Center as 214 graduates of Mount Vernon High School walked across the stage to receive their diplomas from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton.

The commencement ceremony marked both an ending and a beginning for the students. Some will go on to college; others the workforce; and still others, the military. Keynote speaker and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino told the graduates that they are prepared for whatever lies ahead.

“Mount Vernon is a city of people who beat the odds and silenced challengers,” Astorino said. “Wherever life takes you, be proud of your Mount Vernon roots.”

Mount Vernon High School Principal Ronald Gonzalez told the students that they’ve made an indelible impression on him. He congratulated them on their accomplishments and encouraged them to forge ahead with confidence.

“You have a Mount Vernon education; you can’t be stopped,” said Gonzalez to a round of applause. “Go into the world and change everything people think about you!”

Valedictorian Brenda Bertanholi and Salutatorian Bryce Kennedy were each presented awards for their academic accomplishments that included laptop computers. They each had the opportunity to address their classmates, family and friends.

At the podium, Bertanholi reflected on her early high school years when she felt self-conscious and encouraged her classmates to have the courage to be themselves.

Thornton High School Graduates Shine Bright One-hundred fifty-three graduating seniors accepted their diplomas from Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton at the Nellie A. Thornton High School commencement ceremony at SUNY Purchase’s Performing Arts Center.

“My message is really very simple, and that is to leave the halls of Thornton High School with a purpose,” Dr. Hamilton said. “Recognize your responsibilities to make the world a better place. … I hope you are that generation of people who embrace the differences in us and do not create more division in our nation.”

Valedictorian Judy Xiao Lin Yu and Salutatorian Amy Mei Xiu Zhang addressed their classmates and attendees, reflecting on their four years at Thornton and looking forward to the future. Yu will be attending Carnegie Mellon University, while Barnard College is Zhang’s college of choice.

“What transition are you going to make as 2016-2017 graduates?” Yu asked her classmates. “College, the military, the workforce? You have all changed since the day you first walked through the door of high school. … But high school is only part of our journey. Today is one of the biggest transitions in your life so far.”

Dr. Hamilton presented three awards, two of which were Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent’s Awards for Academic Excellence to Yu and Zhang. Janea Herbert received the Superintendent’s Award for Most Improved Student, which recognizes dedication and hard work.

“Your passion is your power. Don’t waste it. There are passions for everyone,” Zhang said.

Mandela/Zollicoffer Graduates Encouraged to Follow Their Dreams Following a traditional African drum ensemble, 50 students from Mandela/Zollicoffer High School processed into Mount Vernon High School’s auditorium as students, and left as official graduates.

Elder Rosalind Lattimore of Christian Love Tabernacle in Yonkers gave the invocation speech. She recalled when she was told by a high school guidance counselor that she was “not college material.” Lattimore had always dreamed of being a teacher and went on to be just that.

“Don’t be swayed from your dreams,” Lattimore told the students. “Overcome your fears and as the Nike slogan says ‘Just Do It!’” 2

Valedictorian Shane Washington and Salutatorian Lawrence Belcher made school history as the first male students to achieve the No. 1 and 2 class rankings. Principal Ralph Burts told the crowd gathered that both Washington and Belcher entered his school as quiet boys who became leaders among their peers by the positive examples they set.

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School provides an alternative learning environment for students in the Mount Vernon City School District. Board of Education President Lesly Zamor encouraged the students to see their differences in a positive light.

“Albert Einstein, Bill Gates; they thought differently. Embrace your differences,” Zamor said. “And show others how to think differently.”

Volume X: August 2017

STUDENT SCIENTISTS PUT WHAT THEY KNOW ON SHOW Lincoln Elementary School’s annual Science Fair took place in May, beginning with a grand opening event that attracted hundreds of parents and supporters. The annual Science Fair is among the school’s most popular events, and is the culmination of months of hard work by the students.

BREAKFAST RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WHO GAIN SKILLS FOR THE WORK WORLD

“The science fair is a feather in our cap,” said Lincoln Elementary principal Rebecca Jones. “The students love it, their families love it, and it engages the students in important hands-on, inquiry-based research.”

This year, the fair was themed to coincide with each grade level’s standard science curriculum. Every project coheres with common core and allows the students to dive deeper into the subjects that interest them. Grade 3 had endangered species; Grade 4, simple machines and electricity; Grade 5, engineering; Grade 6 chose topics that integrated science, technology and society.

True to the scientific process, students researched their topics, developed and tested their hypotheses, and then reported their findings in visual and verbal presentations. One team of sixth-graders weighed whether social media has become helpful or too intrusive in people’s lives. Other projects looked at the plight of the green sea turtle, historic uses of simple machines, how to engineer an infinity mirror, the many impacts of environmentally friendly homes, and even how to create homemade slime that’s better than the toy store stuff.

Third-grader Mathaus Generoso expanded upon this year’s study of endangered species to focus in on the five subspecies of sloths.

“The main subspecies are three-toed and two-toed sloths,” said Generoso. “It’s been fun seeing that people are interested about endangered animals, and that we need to protect our wildlife and forests so they can live on and not become extinct.”

The inaugural Rising Stars Vocational Program Awards Breakfast recognized the hard work of 49 students who took on district jobs, all aligned with their interests, to gain personal and professional and skills they will one day carry into the real world. The event took place at Mount Vernon High School in June.

The Rising Stars program is an off-shoot of Mount Vernon’s existing vocational education offerings and part of its Life Skills Program, which meets the needs of students with Individual Service Plans (ISP).

“We strive to help our students become as independent as possible, and promote optimal post-school outcomes,” said program coordinator Felicia Gaon, Mount Vernon’s Director of Student Services.

Each ISP details an individualized set of supports, activities, and resources required for a student to achieve their personal goals and convey the choices and agreements made during a process called person-centered planning. The group began the year with person-centered planning led by Rebecca Ryan, an independent Vocational Program Developer working with the district on this program.

“From there, we matched each student up with different jobs throughout the school,” said Ryan.

Rising Star participants held positions in the many different departments and offices throughout the high school, including: food service; the Pre-K program; the homeless center; the photography department; the automotive department; cosmetology; the Phys Ed office, and others.

One young man, who wants to be a veterinarian, even learned to raise trout.

“We’re very proud of this program, and the students really benefit from being out in the field,” said Gaon.

7

Mount Vernon City School District 165 N. Columbus Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10552

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 5140 White Plains, NY

Board of Education Adriane G. Saunders, President Wanda White, Vice President Serigne M. Gningue Rosemarie Jarosz Micah J.B. McOwen Stanley Russo Arlene Torres Israel Williams

***ECRWSS*** Postal Patron Mount Vernon, NY

The

KNIGHT TIMES

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

Volume X: August 2017

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!

Lesly Zamor

MOUNT VERNON HIGH SCHOOL ECO-CLASSROOM IMPROVES, CLEANS UP WILLSON’S WOODS PARK

Becomes First High School in Westchester County to Adopt a Park their hands dirty. It’s very cool to see environmentalism and education in action.”

The Mount Vernon students have cleaned up the park, raised and released trout into local waters, conducted water and soil purity testing, built a blue bird box to bring back the native species and even planted edible blueberry bushes.

Students are learning about their local ecosystem while improving and cleaning up the county park with Westchester Parks Foundation.

Mount Vernon High School has become the first high school in Westchester County to adopt a park. About 20 regular and special education students are part of an eco-classroom that has a mission of improving Willson’s Woods Park. The young environmentalists were honored for their volunteerism with an official proclamation from Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino.

“These Mount Vernon students are trailblazers,” said Astorino during a ceremony at the park in late May. “We hear a lot about conserving the environment, but this next generation is getting

Mount Vernon High School

Mandela/Zollicoffer High School

“I got involved because I’m a photographer, and I really like nature,” said 11th grader Alex Lewack. “This experience has made me more environmentally friendly. I hope since we’ve cleaned up the park, people will have a better feeling about it and come here all the time.”

The “Adopt-a-Park” program is run by Westchester Parks Foundation and provides volunteers with an opportunity to maintain, preserve, develop, and improve parks and trails within the Westchester County Parks System.

Thornton High School

By adopting a park, a group commits to enhance and maintain a designated park within the county park system through clean-up efforts, trail maintenance, tree plantings, weeding, and any other approved projects which would enhance the beauty of the park.

Thornton High School

Mount Vernon High School