Summer is Here!

This will be our last newsletter of the 2022-2023 school year. I hope that you have found the newsletters useful. As our school year comes to an end, I wish to thank our families and community partners for supporting our school. We have tried our best to provide your child with a rich middle school experience inclusive of but not limited to access to robust academic programs, social-emotional learning, cultural events, after-school enrichment opportunities, field trips, and performances. As a staff, we focused our collective work on continuous school improvement. We strived to create a welcoming and affirming community of learners where all students felt accepted.

While I know we have work to do, I am pleased with the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth many of our students have made since September. We also celebrate the partnership and dedication that our PTA has shown to IEYMS. Thank you to all the parents who have contributed to our school in small, large, and unimaginable ways. Thank you for entrusting us with your child(ren). We look forward to continuing our partnership with our returning and new parents.

Over the summer, I will be working with staff to review our practices, protocols, and procedures. We will reflect upon our successes and evaluate areas in need of improvement, as well as set goals and priorities. We will collaborate to plan for a smooth September opening of school and a successful 2023-2024 school year. As a staff, we will seek to improve and do better than the year before.

As we close out this year, the IEYMS staff wishes you and your family a happy, fun-filled, summer-soaked summer.

Congrats! You made it to the home stretch! 🌻🍉Do something you like every day!

Congratulations and best wishes to all of our retirees. Best of luck to Ms. Gitlitz, an IEYMS teaching assistant, Mr. Wayne Preston, Security, and Ms. Vickie Petrellesse, school clerical/registrar.

Life Skills Students from both Ms. Bejar's and Ms. Ropers’ classes had the opportunity to plant both fruits and vegetables. The students nurtured the garden and reaped a wonderful harvest of fruits and vegetables. Students learned about the environment through seeding, planting, and environmental career occupations through working with the land. School gardens provide students with the opportunity to gain authentic knowledge about how food is grown. It is also an opportunity for students to learn about nutrition. We look forward to seeing what the students grow next year! Thank you, Mr. Licitra for starting our first IEYMS garden.

Students in Mr. Spreter’s 8th-grade Robotics classes learn about the world of robotics. They study the history of robotics, what is currently being done, and the future of robotics. Students build robots using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot kit. They first use block programming and later program the robots using Lego’s scratch-type software with an Apple iPad. The students learn about the parts of a computer and later learn about sensors, actuators, and end effector systems that are used in the robotics industry. Two IEYMS students are shown with their robots. Aden is shown with his Gyro Boy, a robot that balances on two wheels, and Shastri with his Lego Puppy that interacts with people. There is a demand for innovative thinkers and creators in all STEAM career fields. Robotics is a great way for students to become immersed in hands-on learning. Be on the lookout for the next generation of STEAM innovators from IEYMS. Thank you, Mr. Spreter! Our students are involved in design thinking and STEAM challenges in after-school programs as well. Lesahn presented his Sneaker Challenge Design project at a district STEAM fair.

On Monday, Jun 12, 2023, a group of 37 students from Isaac E. Young Middle School participated in the New York State Judicial Institute's Middle School Introduction to Law Program at Pace University. The program was hosted by the fellows of the NY Legal Educational Opportunity Program (LEO). Students meet with law fellows to gain insight into the legal profession. They reviewed real legal cases, presented oral arguments, and participated in a mock trial around First Amendment Rights in school. Upon arrival, students were greeted by Salihah Denman, the Director of the LEO program and Alumni of Isaac E. Young Middle School. He greeted them with a huge smile and shook their hands as they walked into the building. Students mingled with other attendees before proceeding into a conference room where they sat with Law school fellows in groups of 8-10. The students were also able to hear a few words from the Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute. The dean told the students about her alma mater and her path to becoming a Deputy County Attorney with the Westchester County Law Department and then serving as Administrative Judge for the Ninth Judicial District years later. After the speech students were treated to lunch and a little more chatter with the law students before debriefing cases utilizing legal jargon and stating facts that supported their case findings. The students left the LEO day of service ranting and raving about the cases and what a great experience they had. Students felt empowered to see people from various cultures represented in the room. Many students stated that they wanted to continue to pursue a career in law. We thank the Judicial Institute and Ms. Denman for allowing our students to take part in this pilot program and we hope to be invited again next year.

The IEYMS chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 68 new members in a ceremony on June 6th. These students successfully completed an application process that highlighted the 5 Pillars of NJHS- Service, Leadership, Scholarship, Citizenship and Character. Thank you to our faculty advisors, Ms. Vivolo-Carsen, Ms. Maldonado, and Ms. Bianco.

Check out the video https://youtu.be/A3Shk2GzpOU of the cast from the Broadway production of the Lion King sending greetings and best wishes to the IEYMS theatre group. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for making this show possible and connecting with Broadway professionals to create this video!

Students from IEYMS created a beautiful literary magazine full of original works including writing pieces and drawings. This year, the theme of the Art and Literary Journal reflects the

sometimes quiet, but always powerful activism inside of each of our amazing students.

amazing students. The four R’s-resistance, refusal, restoration, and finally reclamation- represent our students’ journey toward empowerment and a demand for change in a world that does not always represent them.

In her poem, entitled “A Refusal,” our eighth-grade poet, Jordyn writes with resolve about taking responsibility for her choices and destiny. “ I refuse to let others' actions dictate mine. I refuse to be a part of the crowd, to follow others instead of leading them... I refuse to be anything but true.” She eloquently expresses the voice of her classmates, uniquely themselves standing up for their ideals and values of tolerance and justice. This journal endeavors to represent this in its artistic and poetic outcry. Click the link to read more of the fabulous creations contained in the IEYMS Literary Magazine. Thank you to the faculty advisors, Ms. Maldonado and Ms. Daniele.

Free meals are available for New Rochelle students up to age 18. No registration is required. Just stop by when meals are being served. The distribution sites are easily accessible.

The New Rochelle High School Fall season starts Monday, August 21st except football which begins Saturday, August 19th. FamilyID will open for registration on Friday, July 21st at 9:00 am. Rising Freshmen and eligible middle school students should check the New Rochelle High School Athletic Page to determine which teams they may be eligible for participation. This schedule is only for high school sports and does not include the modified program which begins in September. Department of Athletics: 914-576-4586