Announcements / News

Clarkstown High School North was transformed into a hub of curiosity and discovery today, as it hosted its third annual Science Research Showcase. High schoolers from both North and South represented CCSD as they presented their findings to peers in neighboring districts, including Nyack Public Schools, South Orangetown Central School District and Suffern Central School District. For the first time, Felix Festa Middle School students attended the showcase, getting an inside look at the commitment and creativity behind science research.

For Immediate Release

Public Hearing and Comment Period for amendments to District-Wide Safety Plan to add Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Annex and revised Code of Conduct related to AI use.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education will conduct a Public Hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the Districtwide Safety Plan and the Code of Conduct.

The proposed amendments to the Districtwide Safety Plan will add a Cardiac Emergency Response Annex to the Districwide safety plan in accordance with Desha’s Law and amendments to Education Law §§ 917, 2801-a(2), and 2801-a(3)(a).

The proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct address the use of AI.

The hearings will be held on December 11, 2025 at the Board of Education Meeting, Chestnut Grove District Office at 7:30pm.

In accordance with state regulations, the revised District-Wide School Safety Plan and Code of Conduct amendments are available for public comment for a minimum of 30 days prior to its adoption. The proposed change are available on the district website or you can request copies by emailing the District Clerk.

• Cardiac Emergency Response Annex and is available for review on the District website: www.ccsd.edu/safety.
• Code of Conduct will be available for review Code of Conduct Revised Sections

Written comments may be submitted to the District Clerk at districtclerk@ccsd.edu no later than Wednesday December 10, 2025. Members of the public are also invited to present comments in person at the scheduled public hearing.

Sincerely,

Lucy Crosbie

In the presence of their families, friends and athletics staff, three Clarkstown Central School District student-athletes signed letters of intent during a National Signing Day event yesterday at Clarkstown High School South. The following individuals will be continuing both their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level next year. Clarkstown high schools North and South will celebrate more post-secondary decisions in the spring. Congratulations to our Vikings and future Leopards and Skyhawks!

• Kayla Dwyer | Lafayette College | Swimming | Division I
• Joseph Price | Stonehill College | Cross Country/Track | Division I
• Carley Voce | Lafayette College | Basketball | Division I

Clarkstown Central School District is proud to share that Tait Abraham, Yash Agrawal and Derek Eng earned second place in the grades 9-12 division of the 2025 New York State (NYS) Archives Student Research Awards for their documentary, “Tiananmen Square: Rights Forgotten, Responsibility Ignored.” The Clarkstown High School South students recently met with Zhou Fengsuo, a survivor of the Tiananmen Square massacre who now resides in New York City. They found Fengsuo through their research, after which he invited them to view his collection honoring the 1989 demonstrations.

The NYS Archives Student Research Awards competition encourages learners in grades 4-12 to explore the wealth of historical records and primary sources held in repositories in NYS, and asks participants to develop original research projects that connect the past to the present through analysis and creativity. Congratulations to Tait, Yash and Derek for their meaningful storytelling!

Clarkstown Central School District is pleased to announce that it will once again be partnering with the interactive Holocaust-education program, Names, Not Numbers®. Today marked the start of this year’s collaboration, featuring remarks from creator Tova Fish-Rosenberg and Dr. Marc Baiocco. “The survivors are people who bring such tremendous experiences to life…in the areas of innovation, creativity and empathy. All of the hallmarks that we’re working on within that Clarkstown Commitment,” said Dr. Baiocco. “So, this year is more special than ever for me, because it’s starting to take all of the tenets of the #ClarkstownCommitment and make them come alive through our Names, Not Numbers® partnership. This is going to be a very unique and authentic learning experience.”

Jeffrey Salgo, a retired associate director and producer with CBS News, coached students on interviewing techniques and tips, including the three major responsibilities an interviewer has to their interviewee — history, research and empathy. CCSD is excited to see how the Falcons, Rams and Vikings use their journalism, research and video production skills to create their very own documentaries.

Superintendent Dr. Marc Baiocco engaged in mutually-beneficial conversations with students from both Clarkstown high schools North and South during a Student Advisory Council session. The group convenes every month with the goal of not only identifying areas for continuous improvement — either spanning the District or specific to one building — but also creative approaches for funding or implementing suggested changes.

For October, discussion topics included a rotational drop schedule, school spirit and the Portrait of a Clarkstown Learner framework. “Can you define a specific school-wide initiative, whether it be a program or an idea, that would strengthen the assigned characteristics?” asked Dr. Baiocco. “Take one of the characteristics for #Empathetic. ‘Collaborate via active listening with consideration of diverse viewpoints.’ What does that look like?” Through the #ClarkstownCommitment, we work together to cultivate learners who think critically, adapt confidently and lead with empathy in the world.

Bardonia Elementary School kindergarteners are exploring more than just the changing seasons this fall — they’re delving into an in-depth study of apples, a fruit deeply rooted in both learning and local history here in Rockland County. In the classroom, the Bobcats have been busy counting apples, discovering how they’re used in a wide range of foods and reading stories centered around this seasonal staple. But today, the learning moved beyond CCSD’s walls. Along with students from Clarkstown High School South’s Infants and Child Development class, the kindergarteners visited Dr. Davies Farm for a day of apple picking.This partnership is more than just a field trip — it’s a multi-week collaboration that connects our youngest learners with older student-mentors. Later this month, the Bobcats will visit CHSS to make applesauce with the Vikings, and soon after, the high schoolers will return the visit — helping the kindergartners write and illustrate their own apple-inspired stories.

Throughout the District, our students exercised their creativity #BecauseofArtsEd. Whether through painting, drawing, sculpting, singing, or playing strings and band instruments, CCSD learners have a variety of options available to them in the fine and performing arts space. 

CCSD this evening celebrated the achievements of 307 students during Clarkstown High School South’s Commencement Ceremony. Met with roaring applause from families, teachers — past and present — and fellow graduates, our newest alumni took in their final moments together as Vikings before officially turning the tassels and pages in their unique stories. “Never underestimate the power of effort,” said Principal Debra Tarantino. "Talent may open doors, but it is perseverance that will keep them open. Whether you are heading to college, joining the workforce or exploring another path, remember that consistent and hard work, especially when no one is watching, builds the foundation for real success." Congratulations!

The Clarkstown Central School District is incredibly proud of each of our learners this academic year, who have put countless time and energy towards achieving these and other educational milestones. To those who moved up, we cannot wait to welcome you back in September. To the classes of 2025, we wish you all the best in the future!

And they're off! Congratulations and good luck to Clarkstown High School South's softball team — currently on their way to Binghamton to play in the Class AA Semifinals against Horseheads. CCSD this morning cheered on these and other Vikings (pictured) who either won their section or qualified for states during the Spring 2025 season. In addition, Clarkstown High School North also had some RAMarkable student-athlete standouts. See the lineup for both below.

South:

Boys Tennis -
Christopher Cho and Pratik Nayak (FIRST-EVER state champions; third place at sectionals)

Softball -
Kiera Butler, Mary Grace Brangaccio, Giada Dello Russo, Kayla Dwyer, Emily Lappetito, Riley Lappetito, Valentina Luciano, Cara Luna, Lucianna Magnotta, Marina Piccininni, Eama Rosario, Kaitlyn Rose, Gillian Ulrich, Shea Ulrich and Carley Voce (state qualifiers; regional and sectional champions)

Girls Golf -
Maura Forde (state qualifier)

Track-
Maggie Hansen (discus and shot put), Connor Sullivan (shot put) and Grace Camerlingo (100M and 400M; state qualifiers)
 

North:

Track and Field -
Alysha Calvo (pentathlon) and Caleb Lewis (discus; sectional champions)

Girls Golf -
Gianna Maltbie (state qualifier)

CCSD elementary schools on June 9 welcomed back a special group of visitors — graduating seniors! Dressed in their caps and gowns, students from Clarkstown high schools North and South walked the halls (pictured: Lakewood and Laurel Plains elementary schools) they once knew so well, greeted by applause from their former teachers and the next generation of learners. For our younger students, it’s a glimpse into the future. For our seniors, it’s a reminder of where their journey began and how far they’ve come.

Celebrating our student-athletes is a team effort! In the presence of CCSD families and athletics staff, 26 Vikings today committed to continuing both their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level during a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Signing Night at Clarkstown High School South. Congratulations and good luck to:

 

Football –

Angel Abreu (Hartwick College)

Jason Ardizone (Western Connecticut State University)

Jake Teitel (Kutztown University)

Alex Velazquez (Hartwick College)

 

Track and Field –

Chris Barone (Susquehanna University)

Grace Camerlingo (Bucknell University)

Maggie Hansen (Monmouth University)

Leah Martin (Sacred Heart University)

 

Baseball –

Johnny Belz (SUNY Cobleskill)

John Olivieri (Adelphi University)

Robert Pfister (Rockland Community College)

Joseph Rosario (Dominican University)

Kyle Sperring (SUNY Plattsburgh)

 

Cheerleading –

Juliana Belz (University of Rhode Island)

Tegan Driscoll (UNC Wilmington)

 

Track and Cross Country –

Harrison Caprara (Fairfield University)

 

Lacrosse –

Jack Distefano (Eastern Connecticut State University)

Tommy McCullagh (Western Connecticut State University)

Ana Schroer (Ohio Wesleyan University)

 

Soccer –

Audrey Fenninger (St. Thomas Aquinas College)

 

Swimming –

Isaih Francis (Binghamton University)

 

Swimming and Diving –

Kaitlyn Sperring (SUNY Oneonta)

 

Softball –

Valentina Luciano (Emerson College)

Lucianna Magnotta (Delaware State University)

Gillian Ulrich (University of Hartford)

 

Golf –

Vincent Michello (University of New Haven)

And the award for Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design goes to...Callum Iorio! Clarkstown High School South's Spring 2025 musical, Mystic Pizza, is officially an award-winning production thanks to Callum's menu-themed playbill. "He is a great artist and we are very happy for him," said CCSD teacher and CenterStage advisor Lisa Imperial-DiNardo. 

Several of our CCSD students, staff and administrators from Felix Festa Middle School and Clarkstown High School South this week were recognized in Albany for their work with the Holocaust Education program — Names, Not Numbers®. "These projects transform the traditional study of the Holocaust into an experiential learning journey," said attendee and Superintendent Dr. Marc Baiocco. "Assemblyman Patrick Carroll's recognition highlights the importance of this work in fostering empathy, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of history, particularly in combating antisemitism and other forms of hatred." We are so proud of our educators and learners for this well-deserved recognition!

Thank you to the Clarkstown community for your continued support of our District! The following are the official results of the annual School Budget Vote and Board Election held on Tuesday, May 20.

The 2025-26 Proposed Budget passed with 2,798 "yes" votes or 76% of the vote; there were 879 "no" votes. The budget totals $265,386,114 - reflecting a 4.82% budget-to-budget increase and a 2.45% tax levy increase.

John Maltbie was reelected and Christopher Conti was elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2025 and concluding on June 30, 2028. We congratulate and thank them for serving our students and learning community.

Thank you once again for prioritizing this year's vote and election. Your continued involvement in, and support of, a CCSD education is greatly appreciated.

The Spring 2025 productions at Clarkstown high schools North and South recently earned CCSD a combined EIGHT Metropolitan High School Theatre Award (Metros) nominations! This year, the Metros shined a spotlight on the exceptional talents of dozens of participants from Westchester, Putnam, Bergen and Rockland counties — the last of which only seven schools were recognized. The winners will be announced during a ceremony on June 2 at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Congratulations and good luck to:

North (The Music Man)

• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Group (the Barbershop Quartet — Aydin Bacharach, Alex Brewer, Gabby Chazan and Bayani Medina)
• Outstanding Performance by a Student Orchestra
• Outstanding Performance by a Student Pit Musician (Reed 2 — Valerie Silverman)
• Outstanding Performance of a Production Number (“Shipoopi”)
• Outstanding Performance by a Child Performer (Winthrop Paroo — Hunter Zhou)

South (Mystic Pizza)

• Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design (Callum Iorio)
• Outstanding Vocal Performance by a Female-Identifying Performer (Kat Arujo — Juliana Rand)
• Outstanding Comedic Performance by a Female-Identifying Performer (JoJo Barboza — Autumn Nardini)

 

During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month (May), CCSD's very-own Akiko Uchiyama Wolham was recognized by the Rockland County Legislature. According to the press release, the "annual observance provides an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the community in our nation’s history." Congratulations on this well-deserved acknowledgment!

A Japanese World Language teacher at Clarkstown high schools North and South, Akiko was presented with the Distinguished Service Award — the highest honor bestowed by the County Legislature — for her achievements in, and contributions to, the AAPI and greater Rockland communities. The press release continues, "She has taught [...] for the past 28 years in the Clarkstown Central School District [...] led numerous international exchange programs [...and] takes pride in the [...Japanese Club's] Mugen Taiko Drum Team at North and South."

In its second year, the now annual Heroes' Pot of Gold Veterans Drive sponsored by Clarkstown High School South's Stars and Stripes Club far exceeded expectations. The Club (which has since grown to close to 100 members!) led a month-long effort back in March to collect various essential items — including non-perishable foods and toiletries — and officially donated them this week at Town Hall. Among those present were Rockland County Veterans Service Agency Director Susan Branam, representatives from our local leaders' offices, Club Advisor Jacklyn Ryan and CCSD Board of Education President Tamara Bierker — all of whom commended our students for their dedication and contributions to the community.

"Our Club has grown exponentially," said Founder and President River Francella. "I really want to thank everyone here for playing a small role in helping to get our name out there, so that we can do great things for veterans in our community." Well done!

They're moving on! Clarkstown high schools North and South recently celebrated their seniors' exciting next steps. Typically held each year on May 1, Decision Day is recognized throughout the country and highlights students' post-graduation plans. No matter where our CCSD learners' college and university selections may take them, we are so proud to have been an important first stop on their academic journeys. Remember: before you become Huskies, Explorers and Ravens (just to name a few), you were — and will always be — Rams and Vikings. Congratulations! 

CCSD proudly celebrated April as the Month of the Military Child with a special event that brought one family’s story to life — right in the heart of our school community. Hosted by Clarkstown High School South’s Stars and Stripes Club at Lakewood Elementary School, the occasion featured a visit from Chief Warrant Officer Ryan Fuller — a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and parent in the District. He, along with one of his sons, shared their experiences of military life, the challenges and rewards of service and what it's like to grow up in a military family.

Students asked thoughtful questions, engaged with Stars and Stripes members and left with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members. To show support for military children, Lakewood was encouraged to wear purple — a blend of each service branches’ color and, in a special way, a perfect fit for the Lions, as it’s their school color. Thank you to all who serve and support, especially the Fuller family. The District is proud to honor its military families and their children — this month and every month.

We have amazing news to share! Anna Xie and Christina Yan have been named the Clarkstown High School South Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian! CCSD students Anna and Christina celebrated their achievements during the annual Academic Excellence Awards.

Anna possesses a 103.29 GPA and has completed 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and numerous college classes — earning an A+ in each one. Anna serves on the Mu Alpha Theta Math (co-president) honor society and Student Council (G.O. treasurer), has been a member of the tennis team for four years and is the editor-in-chief of Mad About Mu — the math newspaper — where she shares her passion and commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She is an avid competitor in the American Scholastic Mathematics Association (ASMA) and Math League contests, where she has achieved perfect scores. Anna has participated in prestigious summer camps, distinguished STEM Olympiad competitions and has attended the Columbia University Science Honors Program throughout high school. She also excels in liberal arts, having placed first in the regional National History Day Contest two years in a row. Apart from her studies, Anna gives back to her community through volunteering and tutoring.

Christina possesses a 102.5 GPA and will have completed 12 AP courses by graduation, scoring 5s on eight of the completed courses so far. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Multilingual Mentor Club (president), has served on the Student Council for three years and was elected G.O. vice president this year. She is an accomplished pianist and clarinetist who has been selected for New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-County for 7 consecutive years, NYSSMA Area All-State for 4 years and NYSSMA All-State this year. Additionally, she has placed at both Regionals and States for the Science Olympiad Competition’s Microbe Mission. Christina interned at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University during the past two summers, where she researched global warming's impact on phytoplankton growth and enzyme depolymerization of microfibers from laundry. Using the results from her research, Christina lobbied congressional lawmakers to support the Fighting Fibers Act of 2024 and presented at the International Ocean Sciences Meeting in New Orleans. Apart from her studies, Christina has played piano for her church for 6 years and danced ballet for over a decade.

The accolades don't stop there. Both Anna (finalist) and Christina (commended student) were recognized earlier this school year in the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program. Anna is weighing her options for college and remains undecided, while Christina plans to pursue a major in biochemistry at Columbia University. Well done!

The third annual Blackout Poetry Contest came to a close today with an in-person ceremony. Students from the Birchwood School, Clarkstown High School North and Clarkstown High School South are invited each year to participate in this creative expression that transforms ordinary words into extraordinary art. By encouraging our learners to reimagine existing texts and give them new, profound meaning, CCSD empowers the artists to find their voices and express their thoughts, emotions and experiences in creative ways. Congratulations to all involved, especially our winners!

Birchwood School

• Grand Prize: Sam Keymer, “Hare”
• Honorable Mention: Flora Brownstein, “Silence;” Natalia DeLucia, “Fondness and its Trials;” Angel Nixon, “The Sun Set”

Clarkstown High School North

• Grand Prize: Hadiya Jumshed, “Falling Into the Void”
• Honorable Mention: Natalie Berkowitz, “fruit unripe;” Ava Davis, “Heart;” Olivia Lee, “To Be a Man”

Clarkstown High School South

• Grand Prize: Sophia Kwan, “Love’s Cursed Doom”
• Honorable Mention: Oliver Cirlin, “Thy Fear;” Han Conlee, “Alone;” Nicole Pisetzner, “Whimsical Dreams”

Fresh out of the oven! Here’s a taste of this year's spring musical at Clarkstown High School South! Students involved in the CenterStage Drama Club have been hard at work rehearsing for their upcoming production of Mystic Pizza. Here's a sneak peek at rehearsals.

Show dates are: TONIGHT, March 28 at 8pm; March 29 at 2pm and 8pm; and, March 30 at 2pm. You can purchase tickets here. Please come out and support our talented members of the cast, crew and orchestra! 

 

Introducing CCSD's  ̶s̶e̶m̶i̶f̶i̶n̶a̶l̶i̶s̶t̶s̶ ̶ FINALISTS in the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program! We are proud to announce that all FIVE students have advanced in the competition. They join 15,000 other potential awardees — who have all met academic and other requirements — of National Merit®, corporate- and college-sponsored scholarships worth nearly $26 million. Winners are chosen based on their demonstrated abilities, skills and accomplishments. Congratulations: Mark Altman, Andrew Jaynes, Angela Xu (Clarkstown High School North), Steven Varghese and Anna Xie (Clarkstown High School South, pictured)!

CCSD educator Richard Bertrand was recently named a 2025 recipient of the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center’s (LHRIC) Technology in Education through Leadership and Learning (TELL) awards. TELL honors those who have demonstrated — in one of three categories — a strategic approach to technology integration in their schools and districts. Congratulations to Richard, who was recognized as an outstanding innovative teacher!

Richard, who teaches English at Clarkstown High School South, credits both his and his students’ success in the classroom to an in-District professional development opportunity offered this past fall that helps bridge the gap between technology and the humanities. “The most wonderful aspect of Design Thinking is that it fosters empathy,” he said. “This framework aims to solve real-world problems by focusing on peoples’ experiences and needs. The approach that my tenth and eleventh graders take emphasizes having a deep understanding of users in order to not only build, but create solutions that resonate, are practical, sustainable and emotionally meaningful.”

So, what does this look like in practice? “Eleventh graders explore a variety of science fiction short stories and then craft their own,” Richard continued. “Students workshop these stories with me, a peer and an AI chatbot and then partner up to produce a podcast. The medium, which reflects society’s new normal for sharing news and other notable information, allows for meaningful conversations around student-generated work to take place. Furthermore, it fosters empathy and generates authentic discourse all while spotlighting the real-world power of literature on critical thought.”

The learning environment that Richard has created modernizes the educational experience for all through the shared use of — and access to — technology. “I seek avenues for which technology can lead to a more equitable classroom,” he said. “The projects I assign are my optimistic attempt to fathom a future where the English curriculum coexists with its STEM counterparts and moves at an efficient speed that all school stakeholders rightfully deserve. This way, no one is left behind in the process.”

Richard will join his fellow honorees, of which there are only 11, during a celebration next month in Briarcliff Manor. Thank you for your innovation and dedication to the craft!