With students home for the holidays this week, here’s a look at recent activities from the local elementary school. Continue Reading

Students at Tuxedo Park School celebrate their “Canstruction” project which was donated to the Sloatsburg UMC Food Pantry.

There are many different ways helping hands reach out and assist the local food pantry. Whether it’s a food drop off at the Sloatsburg Library, the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce’s Have A Heart drive or through the giving of local businesses, such as Hayward’s Deli along Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg. Continue Reading

Pore Jud is daid.

The drama crowd from Suffern High School will put on their boots and bonnets next week as they audition for this year’s Spring Musical, which will be the Rogers and Hammerstein classic Broadway musical Oklahoma! Continue Reading

The Ramapo Central School Board has experienced some topsy turvy this year with the departure of two board members.

Ramapo Central BOE during 2013 budget meetings. Board President Craig Long sits in the middle of the table.

The recent resignation from the BOE of Suffern Police Chief Clarke Osborn caused some community concerns about the district’s direction, especially coming in conjunction with the recent NY State Comptroller audit report that stated the district   had some $16 million dollars on books in “excess funds,” representing some 13% of the “subsequent school year’s budget.” Continue Reading

The best and brightest gathered this past week as Suffern High School passed the candle and welcomed new National Honor Society members.

Junior and senior inductees proceeded down the auditorium aisle to music from the SHS Chamber Orchestra, conducted by music wizard Daniel McCarter. After the procession, some of the orchestra students themselves took their place with other National Honor Society inductees.

Sitting around the perfect size table for small people, Sloatsburg Elementary third grade teacher Francine DiGiacomo looked around and asked, “What does a good reader do?”

Local teacher Francine DiGiacomo at the round table for a small group reading discussion with third graders.

Hands were thrust into the air, vying for attention and eager to answer the teacher’s question.

“Comprehend the book,” answered Jorge.

“Re-read it to get the gist and character, setting, motivation, problem and solution,” Riley added. Continue Reading

Here’s one way a highly motivated individual interested in community service can dodge the electoral process and pin his or her hopes on an appointment. The Ramapo Central School District Board of Education is seeking applicants for a position recently vacated due to resignation.

The term of appointment will expire with the May 20, 2014 school board election. The deadline to submit a letter of interest and resume to the District Clerk has been set for Friday, October 18. Continue Reading

Ken Wojehowski has worked his gym magic in the Ramapo Central Schools outpost of Sloatsburg Elementary School for a few years now — long enough to have a legend. Mr. Woj, as he’s popularly known, is often the first person to introduce many Sloatsburg kids to serious physical and sports activity via his innovative gym programs.

And it’s run, run, run leading up to the annual Ramapo Central elementary school cross country meet at Suffern High School, where Mr. Woj’s Sloatsburg teams are known monsters. Continue Reading

Next week at this time it will be up early and off to school. And don’t forget those school lunches. Now parents can prepay for school lunches and track their kid’s lunch account — no more Jr. pitching pennies with his lunch money. The only hold-up might be the $1.95 that will be charged for each credit card transaction. Continue Reading

With Suffern High School sports teams getting top rankings in a recent Rockland County coaches poll, it’s that time of year again for physicals and to get recertified.

Sports physicals and recertifications for fall high school sports begin at Suffern High School, starting Wednesday, August 14. Continue Reading