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The New Rochelle High School Class of 2018 graduated Thursday afternoon in a commencement ceremony filled with advice, encouragement and challenges for the students to be the best that they can be.

“I call on the Class of 2018 to find a path that each of you finds genuinely purposeful,” valedictorian Elijah Pomerantz said to the sea of 670 fellow purple-robed seniors on the high school’s McKenna Field. “Standing on the precipice of adulthood, we all have to decide what this next chapter of our lives will bring. Whether we are heading off to college, to work or to serve our nation, we are all poised to begin our adult years auspiciously.”

An incoming member of Princeton University’s freshman class, Pomerantz was one of 15 graduating seniors who will attend Ivy League colleges in the fall. The class completed a sweep of the prestigious schools, sending at least one student to each of the eight ivies – including eight students to Cornell University alone.

Pomerantz and salutatorian Randall St. Louis remarked on the wide range of passions and skills exhibited by the class.

“As I look out at this crowd in front of me,” said St. Louis, who will attend Harvard University, “I see future scientists who have grown out of the Science Research Program, future athletes who have started their careers with championships here, future artists and performers from the PAVE program who will soon be walking red carpets, future engineers who will take us deeper into the age of technology and future leaders who I hope to see on ballots later in life.”

Class President Ever-Maat Mack challenged her fellow graduates and the families and friends present to think about “privilege and perspective.”

“If you can’t understand where others are coming from, you can’t empathize,” she said. “We should strive to treat each other with a certain level of unconditional respect.”

Principal Reginald Richardson said the seniors had faced challenges and had shown themselves to be “passionate, intelligent, articulate and resilient.”

“Because of you, I am filled with hope and optimism for the future,” he said. “Because of you, I can see a world much better than the one we have today.”

Board of Education Vice President Jeffrey Hastie also addressed the graduates, telling them that they have shown courage and kindness this year.

“The most impressive takeaway for me is your sense of now,” Hastie said. “Now is your time to action. Now is your time to speak. Now is your time to do. You are not waiting your turn, asking for permission. Nor should you. You will shape your future and no one else. Such a conviction at any age is inspiring, but more so in the young.”

Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne told the graduates that they are ready to shape, “even radically alter,” the world.

“Graduates, whatever you do next, learn as much as you possibly can in every possible way,” he said. “Your education is not a place you attend or a class you take. It’s how you ultimately make sense of the world and your place in it. May you take the critical thinking and deeply held core values that are so embodied by New Rochelle, and bring all your joy, creativity and compassion to lead us to a better tomorrow.”

Voters Approve 2018-2019 proposed budget for City School District of New Rochelle

The $270,381,160 spending plan maintains existing programs, invests in social-emotional supports, safety and security measures, and adds teaching positions

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (June 19, 2018) – Residents today approved the City School District of New Rochelle’s proposed $270,381,160 budget for the 2018-2019 school year that stays within the state tax cap. The plan preserves programming and includes funds for several positions and safety measures.

The vote was 1,757 – 1,004. The results remain unofficial pending the counting of absentee ballots.

The cap on the increase in the tax levy – the amount of money to be raised by property taxes – was 2.231 percent. The budget kept the increase to that level by cutting $3.4 million from the tax levy that was included in the $272.8 million budget that voters rejected in May.

The tax levy in the now-approved budget is $209,002,162. That is an increase of $4,560,520 over the levy of $204,441,642 in the 2017-2018 budget.

“This budget will serve the District well,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne. “By allocating resources responsibly, the budget preserves our programs, provides for necessary additions and also protects the fiscal health that we have worked so hard to improve in recent years.”

The newly adopted budget carries an estimated tax rate of $785.72 per $1,000 of assessed value. That’s an increase of $21 per $1,000, or 2.75 percent. The current rate is $764.72 per $1,000. The tax bill for a home assessed at $16,000, the city average, will be an estimated $12,571.52, an increase of $335.95. Such a home has an estimated market value of $695,000.

All necessary programs, faculty and staff positions currently in place for this school year are maintained in the proposed budget. It adds four school counselors at New Rochelle High School, one in each house. It also adds teaching positions to address pressing student needs. They include 2.1 English as a New Language teacher FTEs split among Albert Leonard Middle School, Isaac E. Young Middle School and William B. Ward Elementary School); three special education teachers (one each at New Rochelle High School, ALMS and IEYMS); and one special education teaching assistant and one special education aide (both at the high school).

A sum of $200,000 is included for additional safety measures that have been recommended by the Task Force on Reducing Violence in the Lives of Children and Youth and that will be recommended in a security assessment being conducted by the global firm Guidepost Solutions.

About the City School District of New Rochelle

With nearly 11,000 students in 10 schools, the City School District of New Rochelle, through an active partnership amongst community, parents, staff and students, provides a high-quality and challenging education for every child, in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces rich diversity and drives success.

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5th Grade Graduation

Our Mission

"Together, we will accept the diversity of all children, taking them forward on their educational journeys to reach their fullest potential, and encouraging their curiosity so they become successful lifelong learners.

Together, we will foster partnerships with the goal of encouraging student achievement by building on students' strengths and supporting their social and emotional development.

Together, we will continue to promote and enhance the educational development of every member (staff, students and parents) of the Jefferson Community."

Jefferson Elementary School

"A High Performing School that C.A.R.E.S."

District Announcements

NRHS Offices Move to House 4 Temporarily; Most Summer School Classes at ALMS

Congratulations, Class of 2018!

Voters Approve 2018-2019 School Budget

ALMS PTA Hosts Science Festival

Seniors Receive Awards in Two Ceremonies

IEYMS Choir Earns Second in Regional Competition

Watch May 30 Task Force Meeting Here

Adopted 2018-19 Budget Stays Within Tax Cap

Message on Task Force Report from Board President Rachel Relkin

Watch Tonight's Board of Education Meeting

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Supply List for 2018-19 School Year

Message from the Principal

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5th Grade Graduation

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