2008-2009 School Year
Our students have been outdoing themselves this year, going the extra mile to make the season bright for others. Thanks to them, this holiday centerpiece is lighting up Blythedale Children’s Hospital and making a difference for babies, children and their families.
Pequenakonck, Middle and High School students created this winter holiday scene to decorate the bedrooms and dining rooms at Blythedale. Middle and High School students assembled the cottage, and PQ students completed the scene with adorable snowmen, ice skating ponds, and evergreen trees. Several centerpieces were created during the students' lunch, recess and free time.
The project was jointly sponsored by the Pequenakonck and Middle/High School PTOs, and it is bringing happiness to people this very minute.
The 
secret ingredient that made the recent PQ "Special Friends" breakfast such a success was not in the delicious pancakes, or in the smooth hot chocolate. Rather, it was in the warm and caring relationship between one adult and one child. >> Read more
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America honored Ron Hendrie with the 2008-2009 NSCAA/Adidas Region 2 Soccer Coach of the Year. The region encompasses New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Mr. Hendrie, varsity soccer coach at North Salem, led his team to the Class C State Finals, and an all around outstanding year of athleticism and sportsmanship. Congratulations to Coach Hendrie and the Boys Varsity Soccer team.
Veterans and young teens know that North Salem cares thanks to an all out effort by the school community to collect pajamas, books, personal care items and more. Eighth graders "paid it forward" with new pajamas and books for young people who live in foster care, group homes, or shelters. And both PTOs joined forces with the North Salem Recreation Department to ensure veterans at area hospitals are remembered with kindness.
Walking across a bridge to the 18th century, these Pequenakonck first graders learned about “families of long ago,” during their visit to Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow. >> More
The Board of Education unanimously accepted Dr. Freeston’s recommendation to shorten the length of the school day on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 26, 2008. An early close to the school day will allow families to start holiday travel without having to remove their children from school early. Dismissal times will be:
| Early Dismissal Schedule Wed. 11/26 |
| 10:30 AM |
MS/HS |
| 11:30 AM |
PQ |
The first ever 5th Grade Social featured challenging games and friendly competition among the students. Thanks to our parents' labor of love, these good sports had a ball.
The seventh 
annual Westchester Land Trust photography exhibition showcased the artistic vision of North Salem High School students at the Bedford Historical Hall in Bedford Village. This year's theme, "Rhythms of Nature" provokes mystery and imaginative interpretation. Our students' photography was honored with a first place award, as well as a third place and honorable mention. You can see the complete student exhibit here.
The Mary I. Keefe Library of the North Salem Middle/High School will recognize Veterans' Day with a display of books and with recently donated scrapbooks that cover the events of World War II. Mr. Rocco Staino, library media specialist, said “The scrapbooks will give students an inside look into life during this period. The scrapbooks are in excellent condition and will give students the opportunity to work with primary source material.” The items were donated to the library by Mrs. Denise Frasca, special education teacher at the school.
Their votes may not count yet, but high school students in North Salem got a realistic taste of the voting experience, using voting booths loaned by the Town of North Salem in a mock election that gave a win to the nation’s now President-elect, Barack Obama. The election booths were the same ones used by town residents the next day in the actual election.
>>More
Thirty-three North Salem High School students earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board this year in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams. Twenty-three of the students graduated with the Class of 2008, and 10 are currently high school seniors and have a chance to receive further AP recognition. >> More
Did you 
know the Croton Falls Fire Department has answered 426 calls for help so far this year? Our youngest students learned just what to do if one of those calls was to any of their homes. Thanks to the volunteer fire fighters, PQ students learned important lessons that will last a lifetime.>> Read more
The Board of Education is seeking community volunteers to serve on seven District committees. Please call 914 669 5414 xt. 1011 if you are interested in service, or for more information about these committees:
Well, almost. Our well travelled 6th graders have visited more than fifty countries on every continent except Antarctica. This interesting tidbit was discovered by sixth grade English teacher Lynn Colwell and Library Media specialist Rocco Staino. Here's how they did it.
:
The monthly "Middle Years" newsletter is an information rich resource from the Guidance Department for middle school families.
A frequently updated calendar of visiting colleges is available for your reference in the MS/HS Guidance section of the website.
If you have not done so already, please return the Demographic Validation Form for your child.
Parents and visitors, please note our new visitor management system is in place. Each visitor will be issued a Photo ID badge. You will be asked for your driver’s license on your first visit to verify your identity. We ask for your patience as we all learn this new process together.
The Master Calendar helps you keep up with what's going on day-to-day, and the Athletics Schedule guides you through practice and game schedules.
Subscribe to the North Salem Central School District E-mail list and receive a timely Email
about closings, delays & more.
>> Subscribe
This wonderful guide to your North Salem year features outstanding student art, information you can use every day, and plenty of room to chart your family activities. Expect to receive your copy before school starts.
>> Calendar and Handbook
A "Welcome Back to School" menu of burgers, plain or with cheese, served on a whole wheat bun with lettuce & tomato, fresh fruit and low fat milk is planned for our middle and high school students. PQ students will also enjoy a plain or cheese burger, with oven baked fries, fresh vegetable, fruit and milk. On a final note, meals will no longer be served on styrofoam in the North Salem School District. Although it costs a bit more, meals will be served on cardboard. This accounts for the nickel increase in prices.
>> PQ Menu & Information
>> MS/HS Menu & Information
Fall Athletic Open House Thur, Sept 4
Preparation for the fall athletic season continues this week. See the schedule for times, location and level of play. Athletes and their parents are expected at the annual Fall Athletic Open House scheduled for 7:00pm Thursday, September 4, 2008 in the MS/HS auditorium. Read Mr. Sassone's invitation.
(July 2008) The members of the North Salem Central School District Board of Education elected Mrs. Katherine Daniels president at the annual Reorganizational Meeting July 2, 2008. Mrs. Judith Schurmacher was elected vice president. Both veteran Board members will serve one-year terms in these leadership positions. Mr. Stephen Bobolia and Mr. Andrew Brown, both elected by the voters of the District in May, took the oath of office as they began their three-year terms. The other members of the Board are Mr. Jonathan Freeman, Mr. Paul Giamundo and Mr. Paul Smadbeck. Dr. Kenneth Freeston serves as the Chief Administrative Officer and Superintendent of Schools.
