Community Update: 3/14/25

Dear RCSD Community,

Students were off today for Superintendent’s Conference Day, but RCSD teachers and staff were busy taking courses on technology related to AI as well as critical thinking, grades 4-8 math instruction, and the Canva and WeVideo apps. Workshop sessions throughout the day were facilitated by our instructional coaches, teachers, and administrators. It was an engaging and productive day of learning. 

Budget Presentation

At Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, the Board heard presentations on the 2025-26 school year budgets for Curriculum (start watching at 2:23) and the Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education portions of the budget (start watching at 27:07). On March 25, we will learn about the Technology, Athletics, and Facilities portions of the budget.

New Wings at Midland and Osborn

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Board approved bids for the contracts to complete the construction of the new wings at Midland and Osborn Schools. Site prep, including drainage and foundations, will begin in the next few weeks, with the modular components of the new structures being delivered immediately after the end of school in June. We are excited to see the children using the new wings this coming fall.

Sports Action 

The girls varsity basketball team won the Section 1 Class AA Golden Ball by defeating #1 seed Walter Panas 53-47 last Saturday. They play in the regional finals tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at Yorktown High School versus Baldwin High School. Watch the action here (subscription required). If you’re traveling to Yorktown, tickets can be purchased here.  Go Garnets!

The varsity hockey team lost in a tight New York State quarterfinal game last Saturday against Ogdensburg Free Academy 3-2. They ended the season as Section 1 Division B champions. The #3 seeded boys varsity basketball team dropped their Class AA Section Championship game 44-32 to #1 Tappan Zee, also on Saturday. They ended the season with a 17-7 record. Congratulations to the teams and coaches on an incredible season!

RMS Squash Team are FairWest Champs, Too!

The high school boys squash team is not the only FairWest Cup champs to be walking the halls of Rye High/Middle School -- the Rye Squash Club for Middle School finished their winter season by winning the FairWest Cup at Chelsea Piers in Stamford.  The team beat Bronxville in the semi-finals and defeated Greenwich to win the Cup. The Rye Squash Club is a parent-run organization with almost 60 boys and girls from 6th - 8th grade signed up for the 2024-25 season! 

RHS/RMS Softball Field Reno

We are in the final stages of the renovation of the softball field at the High School/Middle School. The next big step is the delivery of the sod, which is due to take place the week of March 17 or March 24, depending on sod farm availability! We are looking forward to seeing softballers out there practicing on the brand new, sparkling green field in the coming weeks.

And speaking of green, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those wearing the green on Monday!

Have a terrific weekend.

Sincerely,
Eric Byrne, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools