Community Update: 5/16/25

Dear RCSD Community,

A reminder that there is no school next Friday, May 23. This is the second (and final) of our two giveback snow/emergency days. Hopefully, this will make for a nice, extended Memorial Day weekend for you and yours!

Budget Vote and Election is this Tuesday!

Please, please mark your calendars to come out and vote this Tuesday in the 2025-2026 school district budget and Board of Education election. I will be sending you lots of reminders, for which I apologize in advance. We truly do need everyone to vote on Tuesday. In Rye, this is traditionally a super low voter turnout event - every vote really does count! Please grab a friend, bring your children (free civics lesson), and head to the polls! They are open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the RMS Gym.

The RCSD 2025-2026 budget maintains all programs, adds the new International Baccalaureate Programme, and updates security with minimal staff additions.  We have two candidates running for two seats on the Board of Education, making for an uncontested election. The candidates are Jane Anderson and Jennifer Boyle. Jane is currently completing her second term on the Board of Education and is President; Jenn is concluding her third term and is serving as Vice President for the second time.

To learn more about the budget and the candidates, please click here to read the District’s annual Budget Newsletter (which hopefully made it to your mailbox this week).

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week marked Mental Health Awareness Week. Supporting the mental health of students helps them better navigate challenges, work productively, and contribute to the wider community. RCSD students engaged in a week of activities designed them explore mental health, including daily themes at Osborn, Midland and Milton (e.g., Talk it Out Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday), a weeklong scavenger hunt for mental health facts and a mental health trivia game at RMS, and an interactive Peer-to-Peer/RyeACT table event and student-created affirmation posters during AP weeks at RHS. A big ‘thank you’ to the Rye Youth Council for their collaboration in this important work!

Varsity Softball Carwash Tomorrow

The varsity softball team is optimistically planning on a carwash tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at RHS. This year, you can pay ahead of time by Zelle to ryesoftballboosters@gmail.com to save $5 off the normal day-of price of $15. Genius!

Milton Fair is Tomorrow (Mother Nature Dependent)

Tomorrow from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. is the annual Milton Fair. The fair will be canceled in the event of rain (unless it’s just light sprinkles), so keep your fingers crossed for clear skies. The fair features favorite activities including inflatables, carnival games and prizes, train rides, arts and crafts, and the Lion Den Salon. Tickets are available at the door!

Wisdom Gallery Exhibit at RFRR

If you’re in the neighborhood (and let’s face it, we are all in the neighborhood), be sure to swing by the Rye Free Reading Room to see “The Wisdom Gallery,” an exhibit featuring photo portraits and personal reflections from older Rye residents who have contributed to our community. Each portrait is accompanied by words of wisdom from these individuals. The exhibit runs all of May in celebration of Older Americans Month and is sponsored by The Osborn. 

Have a wonderful (hopefully not too wet) weekend!

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