The City School District of New Rochelle received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from both the Association of School Business Officials and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) ending June 30, 2008. Superintendent of Schools Richard Organisciak presented certificate awards to District Treasurer Carol Amorello at the meeting of the Board of Education held September 8, 2009. The award is the highest recognition for school district financial operations offered by ASBO, and is conferred to school systems that have met or exceeded the standards of the program.

Four NRHS Science Research students were selected to present at the Westchester Rockland Sub-regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at Purchase College in February. The students have set their sights for the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), one of the most prestigious forums for young scientists in the country. Students in the competitive presentation section represent the High School in the competitive poster session.

A unique Life Skills Culinary Arts Program was recently recognized by FOX Broadcasting Teen News as a newsworthy feature, and was highlight in a broadcast by Teen News in March. Since the 2005-2006 school year, through a unique collaboration with Chefworks, the City School District of New Rochelle has offered a program using a modified curriculum of Life Skills Culinary Arts instruction tailored specifically for students with Special Needs. The program is remarkably successful. Outcomes include increased job readiness, increased kitchen skills, and improved social functioning. This exemplary program meets the needs of students with moderate to severe disabilities, providing the environment for them to gain vocational skills, life skills and through the shared friendship of the community, a better quality of life. In order to continue offering Life Skills Culinary Arts instructional program next Fall, the District plans to issue Requests For Proposals to develop a comparable community-based program in collaboration with a educational facility and business partnership.

The Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild’s annual “Young Artists on the Rise” exhibit in January featured the artworks of 107 students from New Rochelle and Mamaroneck high schools. New Rochelle High School students received 11 out of 19 awards.
Two students who attend Albert Leonard Middle School, won first and second place in the New York State Radon Poster Contest. Students received gift certificates to Barnes & Noble. The competition is sponsored by the National Safety Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Four students who attend New Rochelle High School exhibited their work in the seventh annual “Student Studio: Emerging High School Talent” at the Rye Arts Center in March.

Three teams of New Rochelle High School students were among 30 regional groups to compete in the Science Olympiad Lower Hudson Regional Competition held in February at Byram Hills High School.
New Rochelle High School Team A earned regional champion status in the contest, taking first place with a total of 425 points by successfully completing 12 out of 16 events. Team B won five events, placing 11th overall, and Team C won three events, placing 15 out of 30. The A group, along with teams from John Jay, Bryam Hills and Yorktown high schools, advanced to the New York State tournament at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, which took place March 20 and 21. NRHS Science teacher Mr. Tom Byrne advises the Science Olympiad Team.
Science Olympiad is one of the premiere science competitions in the country, with students competing in several categories, including astronomy, cell biology, fossils, forensics, technical problem solving, and much more.

Martin Daly, teacher at Isaac Young Middle School and President of the New Rochelle F.U.S.E. and Nona Grady, a retired New Rochelle educator, are featured in a new documentary film "No Teacher Left Behind" produced and directed by Dr. Maurice M. Martinez of the University of North Carolina - Wilimington. Dr. Martinez is a formerly New Rochelle resident. Executive producer is Mae Gamble, Ed.D., professor emeritus of Hunter College. A New York premiere screening was held March 14 at Hunter College's Lang Recital Hall.

The Columbus Elementary School hosted a National Scholastic Chess Foundation chess tournament on Saturday March 7 when 170 students from Westchester, the Bronx, and Connecticut participated. Twenty Columbus Elementary School students competed in this tournament. Columbus chess players participated in three sections and won two first place team trophies and a second place team trophy. A Columbus team came in first place in the Elementary section for students in grades four to six as well as the Primary section for second and third grade students. Three students won individual awards in the Elementary section, and two students won individual awards in the K-5 Novice section. Columbus Elementary School's team in the K-5 Novice section placed second in their category in this tournament. The Columbus teams are making plans to participate in the SuperNational IV event in Nashville, Tennessee during April.

Seven members of the NRHS Jazz Band have been selected to perform with one of the two All-County Jazz Bands in March in Mamaroneck. In addition, eleven members of the Symphonic Band were selected to participate in the Area All-State Music Festival last fall. More students were selected from New Rochelle High School for both events than from any other Westchester area high school, noted Band Director Robert Freeberg.

Two New Rochelle High School students were runners-up in the Manhattanville College Scholarship Essay Contest open to select high school students in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester and Rockland counties who meet grade point requirements. On Feb. 25, 180 students from the region also participated in the college sponsored daylong program, “Invest in Success: A Partnership for Access to Higher Education” designed to increase collaboration between community organizations and college, as well as encourage high school students to pursue a college education. Workshops included “Finding Your Fit: Choosing the Right College,” “Campus Life, Getting Involved,” and “The Importance of Service & Volunteering.”

A total of 128 students who attend New Rochelle High School recently received Advanced Placement Scholar awards. Two students received the top honor and were named National AP Award Scholars.
39 students were named AP Scholars with Distinction.
29 students are AP Scholars with Honor, and 58 New Rochelle High School students were named as AP Scholars.

Two New Rochelle High School students - a junior and senior - won “Best Speaker” awards at the Junior Statesmen of America Winter Congress held in Washington, D.C. area from February 6 to 8. More than 800 students from high schools in the northeast region attended the conference, with only 24 ultimately selected as “Best Speakers.” In addition to rigorous debate on a variety of bills that were submitted to committees and then presented to the full Congress, participants in the Winter Congress heard a keynote address by Hilary Shelton, Director of the NAACP’s Washington Bureau, and had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill where they met with political leaders.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the mission of Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) is to strengthen American democracy by educating and preparing high school students for life-long involvement and responsible leadership in a democratic society. In JSA students organized every aspect of the organization, from the chapter level to state to national administration, planning and executing conventions, conferences and political awareness events.

The New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA) has presented the City School District of New Rochelle the 2009 School/ Community Partnership Certificate – Quality System Recognition Award. The award recognizes the School District’s work in Special Education Transition Planning, “because it is clear that there continues to be a school culture of acceptance of school to work goals and transition services being provided to students with disabilities,” complimented Jeff Wise, NYSRA President and CEO. Credited for obtaining this award is Transition Coordinator Greg Lau and Director of Special and Alternative Education Yvette Goorevitch.

Two New Rochelle High School athletes signed National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day on February 4. They were among high school athletes across the nation who officially accept scholarships and will play sports on the college level next year.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded a New Rochelle High School an Honors Scholarship which over the course of four years is valued at $44,000.

The Mamaroneck Artists' Guild hosted the annual "Young Artists on the Rise" exhibit from January 7 to 16, 2009 featuring the artworks of 107 students from New Rochelle and Mamaroneck High Schools. New Rochelle High School students received 11 out of 19 awards, as follows: Best in Show ceramic sculpture; Ceramics - First; Ceramic Sculpture - First; Photography & Graphics - First, Second, and Third; Mixed Media - First and Second; Painting - Third; Sculpture - First and Second. Participating New Rochelle High School Art teachers include Alexi Brock, Kerry Sharkey, Joanna Schomber, Scott Seaboldt, Michael Fry, Moira McCaul, AnnMarie Funigiello and Grace Fraioli.

Children's letters to President-Elect Barack Obama written by two students in Ms. Sabrina Watkins' third grade class at the Columbus Elementary School were published by the Daily News in a special pre-Inauguration Day edition on January 19.