RCSD Community Update: 5/5/23

Dear RCSD Community,

On Wednesday morning, I sent an email out to the community notifying them that all RCSD schools and offices will be closed on Friday, May 26, resulting in a four-day Memorial Day weekend. May 26 is an unused snow/emergency day that was built into the calendar and is not needed this year. I hope this makes for a nice break for all as we hurtle towards the end-of-year busy season in the school district. Those of you who have high school students taking AP exams might say we are already there!

RFE Event

Last night was the spring gala hosted by the rejuvenated Rye Fund for Education. The Fund’s mission is to support the school district with grants for innovative programs and technology in the areas of academics, arts, and athletics -- those extras that the school district budget can’t cover but that make a huge difference in our students' lives. Thank you to all of you who came out to support this vitally important cause and listened to my speech. It was a great night all around. If you weren’t able to attend and still want to donate, the link is here. 

Unified Basketball Games

On Monday afternoon, the new RHS Unified basketball had its first-ever home game of the season versus Mamaroneck in front of a hugely enthusiastic audience. Their second - and last - home game of the season is coming up this Tuesday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. in the main gym at RHS. Henceforth, the team is on the road for games versus Byram Hills, Eastchester, Chappaqua, and North Rockland, so come out to support the team on their home court if you can!

Net-Zero Cities Event May 13

Next Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., RMS is playing host to a clean energy fair hosted by Rye Sustainability. Come learn about Net-Zero Homes and how electrification can drive cost savings for you and your family. There will be an Electric Car Show, an Easy Steps to a Climate Friendly Yard panel, vendor exhibits, live music, and food trucks. Two Rye Academy juniors, Jack Acciavatti and Eamon Bagley, will be presenting their research on solar panels at the event and the Gordon Hargraves Band (comprised of RHS juniors) will be performing at 1 p.m. There’s also a Carbon Footprint Poster Contest our students have been encouraged to enter. For full details about the free event and student poster contest go to: www.westchester.climatenowevents.com

RCSD 2023 - 2024 Budget Vote and BOE Election

Thank you to those members of the community who joined us at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting for the Budget Hearing. We had several parents come and talk about how the District’s new pathways, including The Academy, have made a huge difference in their children’s educational experience. To watch it, click here. 

You may also learn more about the Budget and the two Board of Education candidates, Tom Stein and Shaun Kloepfer, by reading the Focus on Excellence budget newsletter here. A hard copy will arrive in your mailboxes shortly, but you get an early look at it now. Please mark your calendars to vote on Tuesday, May 16, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Rye Middle School Gym. 

If you, a spouse, or family member will be out of town during the voting hours for any reason, be it work or travel, please vote via absentee ballot; applications for ballots are available here and can be returned to District Clerk Lauren McGowan by mail at 555 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Ste. B101, or by email to: mcgowan.lauren@ryeschools.org. If you’re new to Rye or recently moved within Rye, you will need to update your voter registration in order to vote in this and other elections. Voter registration materials can be found on the RCSD website here. 

RMS Spring Musical

If you’re looking to add a little live Disney music to your little ones’ (or your own) weekend, head on over to the Rye High School Performing arts center for the Rye Middle School spring musical review, “Disney: An Evening of Music.” Shows are Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.

National Teacher Appreciation Day/Week

This week marked National Teacher Appreciation Day (on Tuesday, May 2). National Teacher Appreciation Week is usually the same week, but this year it is being held next week as that is the first full week in May. Strange, I know. Hopefully, our teachers are feeling celebrated and appreciated; they are so deserving of our thanks each and every day and week!

National School Nurse Day May 10

Next Wednesday is National School Nurse Day. Our nurses aren’t having quite as busy a year as they did in, say, 2021 or 2022 (and yes, I am knocking wood here), but they continue to play a vital role in keeping our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy. They are:

Tracey Barnett
Director of Health Services and District Wellness Coordinator

Tricia Pearson
Midland School Nurse

Caroline Robertson
Milton School Nurse

Kimberlee Potter
Osborn School Nurse

Elizabeth Carty
Rye Middle School Nurse

Samantha Anfuso
Rye High School Nurse

Roberta Billington
District-Wide Nurse

Amy Kesavan
District-Wide Nurse  

Henry Snyder
District-Wide Nurse

Desiree Sannino
Resurrection School Nurse  

It looks to be a good weather weekend at long last. Get out there and enjoy!

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