Inside Yorktown CSD
Yorktown Schools Community Newsletter | April 2025
Welcome to Our Newsletter
Welcome to the April 2025 edition of “Inside Yorktown CSD.” This newsletter will take you inside our schools by sharing photos, stories, announcements, upcoming events, and more — all with the goal of creating a more connected school community.
Dates to Remember
- May 1 – YHS Science Research Symposium
- May 3 – Crompond PTA & KJK Productions Present Willy Wonka Jr.
- May 9 – Brookside PTA Color Run
- May 12 – Board of Education Meeting (Tenure Recognition Night)
- May 13 – Senior Citizens Breakfast at Central Admin
- May 13 – YHS Spring Band Concert
- May 14 – YHS Wise Spring Presentations
- May 14 – Crompond Art Show
- May 14 – Crompond ESTEAM Family Night
- May 14 – Mohansic Art Show
- May 15 – Brookside Art Show
- May 15 – YHS Spring Choir Concert
- May 16 – Crompond PTA Spring Fling Dance
- May 17 – YHS Music Festival
- May 19 – Mohansic Grade 2 Concert
- May 21 – Brookside Kindergarten Concert
- May 22 – YHS Spring Orchestra Concert
- May 26 – Memorial Day (Schools Closed)
- May 28 – Crompond Grade 5 Concert
- May 28-June 3 – YHS Art Show
- May 29 – MESMS Spring Choir & Orchestra Concerts
- June 2 – Board of Education Meeting (School Partner Recognition Night)
- June 3 – YHS Senior Awards
- June 4 – Crompond Grade 4 Concert
- June 4 – Brookside Kindergarten Parent Orientation
- June 4 – MESMS Band Spring Concert
- June 5 – Mohansic Kindergarten Parent Orientation
- June 5 – Mohansic PTA Color Run
- June 5 – Crompond Band & Orchestra Concert (at YHS)
- June 9 – Tri-M Honor Society Induction Ceremony
- June 11 – Husker Senior Sports Award Dinner
- June 12 – YHS Senior Day
- June 13 – Mohansic PTA End of Year Celebration
- June 16 – Board of Education Meeting (Retirees/Anniversaries Celebration)
- June 17 – Brookside Moving-up Ceremony
- June 17 – YHS Senior Prom
- June 18 – Mohansic Moving-up Ceremony
- June 19 – Juneteenth (Schools Closed)
- June 21 – YHS Graduation
- June 23 – Crompond Moving-up Ceremony (at YHS)
- June 25 – MESMS Commencement Ceremony (at YHS)
Athletic schedules can be found here.
Announcements
Pre-K, Kindergarten, and New Student Registration
2025-26 School Budget Update
At the April 21 Board of Education meeting, our Board adopted the school budget for the 2025-26 school year, and we look forward to the community voting on the budget on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at French Hill.
Each year we engage in a comprehensive budget development process to ensure that we can fully and appropriately meet the needs of our students while demonstrating a genuine effort to limit the impact to the tax levy. Year after year, we have been able to build upon our robust academic and extra-classroom offerings while also maintaining one of the lowest average tax levy increases in the region. In fact, over the last eight years, we have the 4th-lowest average tax levy increase in Westchester and Putnam counties.
We believe that we have once again been able to develop a budget that provides students the excellent educational opportunities that have become synonymous with Yorktown while limiting the increase to the tax levy. Most notably, the 2025-26 school budget:
Maintains class sizes at, or below, Board of Education guidelines;
Keeps all of the outstanding programs currently offered to students intact;
Reduces our dependence on fund balance which will provide long-term fiscal strength for our district;
Adds two (2) Literacy Coaches;
Adds one (1) MESMS Academic Intervention Services Teacher in English Language Arts (ELA);
Expands our FlexPath Program at YHS from 14 to 18 seats;
Provides for additional American Sign Language (ASL) sections;
Adds 1.0 FTE District-wide Tech Support; and
Provides additional office support for our Facilities Department.
We deeply and sincerely believe the proposed 1.74% increase to the tax levy demonstrates a profound sensitivity to taxpayers while providing our students the best possible educational experience. Our budget is below the tax levy cap, and results in an estimated tax rate increase of 1.12% for the Town of Yorktown (which comprises over 96% of our tax base). We estimate a 9.46% tax rate increase for New Castle and 7.59% increase for Cortlandt. It is important to note that the estimated tax rate increases are a result of state equalization rates and are not set by the District.
The budget vote and trustee election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the French Hill School.
Ex-Officio Student Member to the Board of Education
As part of our Board of Education's ongoing effort to engage with students, hear their perspectives, and enhance the operations of our school district, we are inviting students to apply to be considered for the position of Ex-Officio Member to the Board of Education.
We are pleased to invite students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 to apply for the position of Ex-Officio Member of the Yorktown Central School District Board of Education for the upcoming year. This is a unique opportunity for students to engage with our school district's leadership and share their perspectives with the Board of Education.
The responsibilities of an Ex-Officio Board Member include reporting on events and offerings within our district, as well as offering a student perspective during Board meetings. We will be selecting one Ex-Officio member and one alternate to serve for the 2025-26 school year. The students selected will be expected to attend all Board of Education meetings, where they will have the chance to communicate important student viewpoints and contribute to discussions regarding various aspects of our schools.
We encourage students who are passionate about their school community, and who are eager to have their voices heard, to apply using the enclosed application form. Students interested in applying must submit their application on or before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2. Unfortunately, we are not able to consider late applications.
Bond Update
At the April 21 Board of Education meeting, the District’s architects provided the Board and community with a comprehensive update on our bond project. As you recall, the community overwhelmingly approved two bond propositions in February of 2024 and we thought it appropriate to provide the community with a status report. Things are moving along well and we remain on schedule. A link to the video of the presentation can be found here.
Important Information from District Attorney Cacace
Westchester County District Attorney, Susan Cacace, recently sent a letter to school superintendents regarding the hosting of gatherings that include underage drinking. She asked that superintendents share this letter with our respective communities. Please take a moment to review it. The letter is enclosed here.
Free Virtual Presentation on Internet Safety
Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES is hosting a virtual “Internet Safety for Parents” presentation at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. The presentation is free but registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent to the email provided during registration. The event's keynote speaker will be Thomas Roidl, a retired state police investigator.
School Board Update
The YSCD Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, April 21. A video replay is available on the District's YouTube channel.
The board will hold its next meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, in the Yorktown High School auditorium. At the meeting, the board will recognize this year's tenure recipients.
You can find agendas and upcoming meeting dates by visiting the following link: BOE Agendas.
Latest News and Headlines
You can visit the District's Communications website to keep up with the latest news and to read archived stories.
Pioneer League Team Celebrates Senior Day
Join us in celebrating seniors Brian Dunn and Xavier Amancio, who played their final home game on April 23 for our Pioneer League team!
Thank you to all the community members, students, and staff who came out for this special Senior Day celebration.
MESMS Celebrates International Night
On April 10, Mildred E. Strang Middle School celebrated cultures from around the globe with the return of International Night!
The event featured delicious food from local restaurants and spectacular performances from our students. A huge thank you to everyone who made this event a success!
Crompond Celebrates New Outdoor Classroom
Crompond Elementary School’s new outdoor classroom is already buzzing with activity!
Named “Nature’s Nook” by students, this vibrant learning space was designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and hands-on exploration. Whether launching drones, conducting science experiments, writing stories, or practicing yoga, students across all grade levels have embraced this unique environment.
The space, funded through a generous PTA grant and built by the district’s incredible facilities team, is more than just an outdoor classroom — it is a hub for discovery, connection, and growth. As a finishing touch, students designed kindness rocks with uplifting messages, reinforcing the school’s commitment to community.
How did Nature’s Nook get its name? Each fourth- and fifth-grade class submitted a vote, and the winning entry, submitted by Ms. Lauren Reid’s fifth-grade class, perfectly captures the spirit of the space with an alliterative nod to nature. The class worked with Tech Integration Specialist Ms. Amanda Burns to design a custom 3D laser-printed sign to mark the space.
Students recently highlighted Nature’s Nook at the March 24 Board of Education meeting, where they presented the new sign, demonstrated their yoga poses, performed a song, and invited board members to paint rocks to be included in the garden.
An official unveiling ceremony is set for this spring. Stay tuned!
Brookside First Graders Bring Folk Tale to Life
“I think we have a Broadway play in the making!”
School board members raved about the April 7 “Good News” presentation from Brookside first graders, who performed a lively skit filled with songs and props to showcase what they learned from a folk tale they read in class.
Mrs. Eames' first-grade class collaborated with ELL teacher Mrs. Miraglia to bring the story to life, with support from art teacher Mrs. Bordes, music director Mrs. Berger, library media specialist Mrs. Breen, and teacher Mrs. DeBrino.
The students read "Too Much Noise," a folk tale about a man who complains that his home is too noisy. Seeking help from a wise person, he’s told to bring various animals into the house. The situation becomes even more chaotic until the animals are removed, teaching the man a powerful lesson in perspective and gratitude.
“The moral of this story is to be thankful and happy for what you have,” one student shared.
To bring the tale to life, students wrote a script, designed animal masks, built a model house, sang a song, and acted out the entire performance. Mrs. Eames and Mrs. Miraglia explained that multidisciplinary projects like this help students become more engaged readers and learners.
Dr. Hattar and the Board of Education applauded the students for their teamwork, public speaking, and enthusiasm. They also thanked the Brookside staff for creating such a meaningful and memorable learning experience. Amazing job!
Crompond Hosts 'Trashion' Show
Crompond students hit the runway on April 25 to showcase their sustainable styles!
To celebrate Earth Day, Mrs. Statler's and Ms. Grutzmacher’s 4th-grade classes hosted a “Trashion” Show, where students modeled incredible outfits made from recycled materials. We were so impressed by their creativity and their message of sustainability!
Mohansic Kindergartners Shine in First Concert Performance
Mohansic’s kindergartners took center stage on April 9 for their very first YCSD concert, and what a debut it was!
Under the direction of Mrs. Peters, students performed “I Like School,” a joyful celebration of their first year filled with fun, music, and learning. From “The Ballad of Johnny Appleseed” to “Ladybug in My Soda,” each song showcased their growing confidence and creativity, even incorporating tambourines and kazoos!
Congratulations to our kindergartners on a great performance!
Please click here to see more photos.
MESMS Students Become Meteorologists for ESTEAM Project
Mr. Nansen's sixth-grade science class transformed into a TV production studio this month!
Students acted as meteorologists, researching and filming five-day weather reports for U.S. cities of their choice. They explored how weather systems are created and predicted, using data to explain how air masses cause changes in weather.
This exciting ESTEAM project gave students hands-on experience in meteorology and video production, as they learned to gather, evaluate, and communicate information in a creative way!
Mohansic 3rd Graders Stand up for Wolves, Raise $800
Are you afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Mohansic 3rd graders say you shouldn’t be!
At the April 21 Board of Education meeting, students shared what they learned about the vital role that wolves play in our ecosystem, challenging fairy tale misconceptions through persuasive writing, logo design, and video PSAs. As part of this mutli-faceted ESTEAM project, each class voted on a favorite logo, created t-shirts, and raised $800 for the Wolf Conservation Center located in South Salem.
Students also presented the BOE with a special gift: a wood plaque featuring the winning logos, etched using a Glowforge laser printer. It’s now proudly displayed at Central Office!
Brookside Families Enjoy Math & ESTEAM Night
Brookside’s Family Math & ESTEAM Night on April 23 was filled with excitement, creativity, and plenty of smiles as students and families came together for an evening of hands-on learning and fun.
Children rotated through a variety of engaging stations featuring puzzles, coding, logo design, and engineering tasks. One popular challenge asked students to build a lookout tower sturdy enough to support a miniature Bernie the Bulldog!
Crompond Kicks off One School, One Book Assembly
Crompond kicked off its One School One Book campaign on April 24 with a magical assembly featuring Joe Holiday and his “Reading Rocks” show. The high-energy performance helped set the stage for a month-long celebration of reading, as fourth- and fifth-graders each received their own copy of "Because of the Rabbit," generously provided by the Crompond PTA.
Reading specialist Mr. Flanagan and Crompond’s One School One Book Committee organized the event to launch a series of activities designed to spark excitement around the book. From trivia games to themed events, students can look forward to a variety of engaging experiences that will bring the story to life and inspire a love of reading.
Crompond Celebrates National Poetry Month with Special Visit
On April 3, Crompond welcomed poet Douglas Florian in celebration of National Poetry Month!
Florian, an author and illustrator of many children’s books, spoke with fourth and fifth graders about the building blocks of poetry — playing with rhyme, rhythm, wordplay, and structure. He also brought his art to life, sketching animals while students excitedly guessed what they might be.
The Yorktown Minute
Welcome to The Yorktown Minute!
On Mondays throughout the school year, Dr. Hattar will update the community on important information and preview the week ahead. Videos will be posted to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts (@YorktownCSD). Videos are also being archived on our YouTube channel.
Employment Opportunities
YCSD in the News
- Yorktown News – Arts Spotlight: John Mahanna
Stay Connected
You can read more District highlights by visiting our website and social media pages, which are updated regularly with stories, photos, and announcements.
Yorktown Central School District
Website: www.yorktown.org
Location: 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA
Phone: 914-243-8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorktownCSD/
Twitter: @YorktownCSD