Nyack, August 25 — When Nyack’s Board of Education voted 5-2 on July 6 to limit off campus lunch privileges to juniors and seniors, the trustees were criticized for making a quick decision without taking the time to hear from the public. Last night about 100 parents and students attended a meeting where critics questioned the process and the data used to make the decision while supporters loudly applauded the board’s actions.

Nyack High School Principal Joe Spero told the board he will hire up to eight new security staffers and add 10 additional cameras to 24 already installed to enforce the policy which suspends “open campus” for 9th and 10th graders.  The costs for the new security measures were not disclosed at Tuesday’s meeting. Spero says they are also looking at a card swipe system and security booths for the two entrances to the high school.

The board has positioned the change as a pilot program for 9th and 10th graders that will run through the end of October. Upperclassman will still be allowed to leave campus for lunch and study hall periods.

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Nyack, August 24 — Nyack’s Board of Education will hear from the public tonight on a proposed change to the high school’s “open campus” policy which lets students leave the property for lunch. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30p in the Nyack High School cafeteria.

Over 60% of respondents to a NyackNewsAndViews survey conducted earlier this month favored changing the current policy which lets all grades go out for lunch. A little over half of all respondents agreed that “open campus should be restricted to juniors and seniors.”  Continue reading →

Most people agree with the new “open campus” policy, but not on how it has been decided.

On July 6, the Board of Education voted to adopt a pilot program to limit open campus to Juniors and Seniors.  There has been a negative response to the move,  (see “Nyack HS: Open and Shut Campus“, “Open Campus Needs to Be Open Discussion“, “Survey on NHS Open Campus Policy“).

The push back has been more about the process than the actual policy.  Of the 89 people who responded to our survey, 60% agree the current policy needs to be changed.

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After School Art Club for Kids

Every Tuesday, 4-5 pm ages 8-13

Resumes in October (check www.hopperhouse.org for details)

Attendance is open and does not require weekly participation.  Come whenever you are free. There will be guest artists each week to offer tips and ideas and help guide students through their art projects.  Bring your favorite sketch pad and pencils or use materials that will be available at the Edward Hopper House.  Bring friends and share ideas, meet with other kids who are art fans and get inspired. Please contact Edward Hopper House if you are interested in attending.

Suggested Fee/Donation: $5.00 per session

*This program is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Edward Hopper House Art Center- 82 N Broadway Nyack NY 10960-845.358.0774-www.hopperhouse.org

There has been a strong response to the Nyack High School’s July 6 decision to change the “Open Campus” policy (see articles by Kendi Kajago and Dave Zornow).

We would love for you to take a 5 question survey to find out what more people think.

Click HERE to take the survey.

By Kendi Kajogo

The Board of Education’s recent decision to change Nyack High School’s open campus policy for freshmen and sophomores came as surprise to students and the administration alike. With no prior announcement that they were planning to hold a vote on the matter, and going against the advice of both the principal and the superintendent, the board passed the motion, five to two, on July 6.

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by Dave Zornow

School might be out for summer, but a schoolyard fight at Nyack High School is kicking up lots of dirt. A group of parents is speaking out about a pilot program passed by the Board of Education which will curtail a long-standing policy letting students leave campus for lunch. Much like a freshman English assignment, you have to read between the lines to understand the true meaning of the story.

At the July 6 Nyack Board of Education meeting, the trustees voted to adopt a pilot program to limit open campus — the student privilege of leaving campus for lunch and study hall — to just juniors and seniors.

Last March, a committee of school faculty and staff and a community member was formed to evaluate school safety issues. Nyack High School principal Joe Spero told the board, “There were a number of people concerned about open campus as a safety issue.”

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by Samuel Anderson

Nyack, July 10 — The Nyack Library celebrates Chopin’s 200th birthday on eight consecutive Saturday nights in July and August. National Chopin Piano Competition winner Mei-Ting Sun will perform at 7:30p each Saturday in the Carnegie Room of the Nyack Library beginning tonight.

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by Terri Kayden

Summer Play, a five week program for children ages 4 through 10 at Blue Rock School,  is a fun and enriching place for kids to spend summer days with a talented veteran staff engaging in a variety of creative and playful activities. Continue reading →

Nyack, May 29 — A trio of Upper Nyack Elementary students are doing their part to focus attention and raise funds for two communities in need on Sunday.

Three fifth graders will perform various pieces of music on keyboard, flute, clarinet & cello to benefit the Rockland Haitian Relief Fund and the Gulf Oil Spill Fund (Greater New Orleans Foundation). The performance will take place at Maria Lusia Boutique, corner of Broadway & Burd St. in Nyack on Sunday, May 30 from 12-1pm. Continue reading →