Mount Vernon's Jewel Collection
Dear Mount Vernon School Community,
I am pleased to share the important strides our district is making toward our 2026-27 theme, Excellence by Design.
With the marking period ending today, I encourage all our families to log in to Infinite Campus in the coming weeks to check their children's progress. I am so proud of our teachers and students for all the hard work they have put in this marking period. Starting this marking period, report cards will also be mailed to families.
Thanks to the community’s support of our 2026-27 budget, we relaunched the ATLAS Gifted and Talented Program, restoring advanced learning opportunities for 326 third through sixth graders across 11 schools. We have also been able to continue offering Community Swim at Mount Vernon High School.
We are strengthening support for our special education students, who represent 21 percent of our student body. By investing in special education training for teachers, supervisors, and support staff, we are prioritizing their success. Most notably, we have implemented new Individualized Education Program (IEP) writing days. This reserved time allows teachers to draft their reports in private, quiet, distraction-free environments, ensuring the highest quality plans for students.
To enhance the school environment for everyone, we updated our Code of Conduct. The revised code features clearer language, updated visual elements for easier family understanding, expanded restorative practices that focus on repairing harm, and clear guidelines on electronics use. The full Code of Conduct can be seen on the district website.
As we enter the holiday season, I wish every family joy and togetherness. Strong families are our most important partners, and we appreciate your unwavering support.
Best regards,
Dr. Demario Strickland
Superintendent of Schools
F.A.C.E Meeting - Wed., Nov. 12
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Parent Portal Power Hour
The Mount Vernon City School District is hosting an Infinite Campus workshop for high school parents and guardians from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 at Denzel Washington School of the Arts. Parents and guardians of Students from DWSA, MVHS, and STEAM are invited! Click here to register.
DWSA Auditions
Find Student Grades
Be sure to download the Infinite Campus app to find student grades and see how your child is achieving! Your involvement in your children's education is so valuable to our school district! The marking period ends Friday, November 6. Click here for more information on Infinite Campus.
DR. JAMAL DOGGETT RECEIVES NAACP AWARD FOR DEDICATION TO PUBLIC EDUCATION
The Mount Vernon NAACP Branch #2161 honored Dr. Jamal Doggett, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Administration with the Distinguished Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. He was selected for his distinguished leadership, unwavering dedication to public education, and commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. Through his work in the Mount Vernon City School District, he has advanced educational opportunities, supported educators, and inspired young minds.
MVHS COUNSELOR JASMINE CRISS RECEIVES AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
Jasmine Criss, school counselor at Mount Vernon High School, was recognized with the Award for Achievement in Educational Excellence by the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Westchester Section. Join us in wishing her congratulations!
Board Recognition Week
Hispanic Heritage Month
Student Advisory Council
ATLAS RETURNS: $1.1M INVESTMENT RESTORES GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM
A $1.1 million investment secured in the 2026-27 budget has brought the ATLAS Gifted and Talented Program back to life, restoring advanced learning opportunities for third-through-sixth-graders after the popular program was eliminated last school year.
MOUNT VERNON SCHOOLS INVEST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION TRAINING
Mount Vernon City School District psychologists and special education supervisors gathered at the district’s headquarters for a second installment of important professional training.
MOUNT VERNON COMMUNITY SWIM RUNS THROUGH DEC. 21
Mount Vernon Community Swim is underway, offering residents a great way to stay active and enjoy the water through December 21.
These beloved community swim sessions are made possible directly by public support for the 2026–27 budget. Without the community’s votes to adopt the annual budget, these events would not be possible.
NEW ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL LEAGUE HITS ITS STRIDE
The district’s new co-ed elementary basketball league held the second Friday night of a six-week run at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy with enthusiastic reviews from participants and parents.
SUPERINTENDENT DR. DEMARIO STRICKLAND VISITS SCHOOLS AS KNIGHT FOR HALLOWEEN
As students and staff celebrated Halloween with their costumes, several schools were visited by the Mount Vernon Knight: Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland. During the morning, he visited Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, Lincoln School, Graham School, Rebecca Turner Academy and Benjamin Turner Academy. At BTA, Dr. Strickland took a tour of the haunted house installed by the PTA.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS FOR FIRST TIME OF SCHOOL YEAR
Families met with school district staff for the first in person Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Committee meeting of the school year. While being served food and mocktails prepared by Mount Vernon High School Culinary and Hospitality students, families got to know each other and learned about FACE goals and priorities.
KNIGHTS CELEBRATE HOMECOMING WITH FOOTBALL, FAMILY AND SCHOOL PRIDE
Hundreds of maroon-and-gold fans filled Memorial Field as the Mount Vernon Knights took on Ramapo in an exciting Unified Homecoming football game.
GRAHAM COMMUNITY CELEBRATES THE SEASON AT FIRST AUTUMN MAROON AND GOLD FESTIVAL
Graham families, community members, and staff celebrated all things fall at the first Autumn Maroon & Gold Festival. Children and families made fall sun catchers, spooky slime, got tattoos and face paintings, all while enjoying a BBQ community lunch.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS MEET TO DISCUSS DATA STRATEGY
Assistant principals and special education supervisors dove into data in a professional development session led by Dr. Jamal Doggett, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Administration.
HAMILTON STUDENTS LEARN THERAPEUTIC DRUMMING FROM ARTSWESTCHESTER
Hamilton School third- and fourth-grade students learned a unique social-emotional skill – therapeutic drumming! The ArtsMobile of ArtsWestchester visited the school, and instructors gave lessons on drumming to each class using simple buckets. The program was offered to students because drumming has been shown to boost self-esteem, improve focus, and foster emotional regulation. Additionally, it can be an excellent stress reliever.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA HOSTS SECOND ICE CREAM SOCIAL
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! The Mount Vernon City School District Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) hosted their second ice cream social of the year at Mount Vernon High School, bringing together families of students in grade 9-12 for an afternoon filled with sweet treats and community connections.
GRAHAM PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN INTERACTIVE INFINITE CAMPUS WORKSHOP
Graham families gathered at the Parent Resource Center for a hands-on, personalized Infinite Campus workshop led by Sarah McGarty, Data Analyst and Infinite Campus specialist, to further familiarize themselves with the platform.
CULINARY ARTS STUDENT SKYLER MACK RECEIVES FIRST CTE STUDENT OF THE MONTH
The Career and Technical Education Department awarded senior Skyler Mack as the first CTE Student of the Month! Skyler, who has been in the Culinary Arts program for three years, received a certificate and medal in Mount Vernon High School Principal Dr. Pauline Pearce’s office. Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland, Work-Based Learning Coordinator Enmely Soriano, and Assistant Principal Liora Saat also joined to congratulate her on the honor.
REBECCA TURNER ACADEMY HOLDS FIRST SURPRISE ATTENDANCE DAY
Students at Rebecca Turner Academy received a special welcome for Surprise Attendance Day. Assistant Principal Tamisha Grey and the Attendance Team greeted students and celebrated their timely arrival with a punch on their “Eagles on Time” punch card and a prize from the treasure box. Held once a month on a randomly selected day, the initiative reinforces the importance of both coming to school and arriving on time. Students who earn eight or more punches by the end of the year will join a schoolwide celebration.
Revisions focus on inclusive family language, restorative practices and personal technology
The Mount Vernon City School District is updating its Student Code of Conduct to be more inclusive, consistent and clearer for students, families and staff. LaJuan White, Assistant Superintendent for Student Personnel Services, presented proposed revisions to the Board of Education. The Board is expected to vote on the updated code at its next meeting.