The Newburgh Free Academy Dance Department recently presented an all-dance production of Romeo and Juliet on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8, 2012 in the NFA Main Campus Auditorium. Over 170 NFA students were involved in the production which was directed and choreographed by NFA Dance teacher Mandy Clifford.
–Photos and press release from Kerry Butrick
Fostertown ETC Magnet School students in Newburgh opened their hearts and their kitchen cabinets to show support for the New York and New Jersey families that were affected by Super Storm Sandy. Students collected non-perishable foods and paper products during the week of November 12, 2012. In addition, fourth and fifth grade students had another opportunity to contribute to the collection during the school dance hosted on Friday, November 16, 2012. Several hundred items were collected. The donations are being distributed to the families in need with the assistance of Battalion 3 Fire Department in the Town of Newburgh.
-Press release by Kerry Butrick
On Saturday, August 18, 2012, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District distributed 968 backpacks filled with school supplies to NECSD students during School Is Cool 2012. Prior to Saturday’s event, an army of volunteers from the NECSD and the community came together Friday morning at Newburgh Free Academy’s Main Campus to prepare backpacks and school supplies for distribution.
Supporters of the event this year include Tommy Hilfiger of Woodbury Common Premium Outlets for the generous donation of 75 backpacks filled with school supplies. In addition, Local 417 and Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades, the Newburgh Teachers’ Association, SUNY Orange Center for Youth Development, Liberty Partnerships Program and Best Resources Center, Inc., Samaritan’s Way, Delta Kappa Gamma, Union Church, St. Mary’s Youth Group, Kingdom Life Church International, Inc., Literacy Orange, City of Newburgh Youth Bureau and the Recreation Department, for donations of backpacks, school supplies, and books and for providing volunteers for the event.
Superintendent of Schools Ralph A. Pizzo, Board of Education President Dawn Fucheck and Board of Education member Thomas Woodhull were on hand representing the NECSD on Saturday. Additionally, NECSD Acting Homeless Liaison was able to identify and support families in transitional housing, and community-based organizations as well as Supplemental Educational Services providers. These agencies provided families with information about after-school programs, tutoring, and services and programs for children, youth and families.
-Press release by Kerry Butrick
Abraham’s Table, a non-profit group started out because community members were worried that Newburgh district children would go hungry during the summer when free and reduced lunches are no longer available because of school recess. Last year in 6 weeks’ time, they served more than 12,000 lunches. This summer they anticipate serving as many as 1,000 lunches EACH DAY (Gulp!). Abraham’s Table is funded by the USDA (just like the free and reduced lunch program during the school year), funneled through the NY State Education Department. They serve ALL children, from age 2-18, a nutritious bag lunch prepared by the NECSD kitchen staff at Meadow Hill and served at multiple sites throughout the city.
Volunteers are needed! Email vhubbard@abrahams-table.org or smtarallo@hotmail.com if you would like to contribute.
Lunches will consist of a sandwich wrap, fresh fruit, juice and milk and will be served at the sites listed below, Monday through Friday, 11:00-1:00, beginning July 2 through August 17. (Closed July 4) Children MUST eat their lunch at the site; no food may be taken away, according to NY State requirements. Neither documentation nor ID will be required.
Meals will be provided to all children 18 years and under without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Recently, students from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s Heritage Middle School Law and Forensics House celebrated Law and Forensics Week, as part of their ongoing study of the principles of forensics and law. Students worked on fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, hair analysis, and forensic investigative fundamentals.
Teacher Aileen Toback’s beloved classroom skeleton went missing and it was up to the students to solve the crime and decipher what happened to him during the course of the week. Students worked to protect the crime scene, log evidence, and conduct a scientific based investigation to determine which of the ten suspects stole “Mr. Bones-Apart”. In the end, the students solved the crime and determined that Principal Raul Rodriguez was the guilty party.
According to Toback, special visitors during the weekend included: the City of Newburgh SWAT Team, New Windsor Police Department’s K9 Officer Frank Volpe and partner Roscoe along with New Windsor Police Department’s Detective Chris Sager, the Vails Gate Fire Department and the LifeNet New York Air 2 helicopter.
-Press release by Kerry Butrick
Temple Hill Academy School Social Worker Craig Altmann and School Counselor Juana Rivera recently collaborated with the Liberty Partnership Program to enroll twenty Temple Hill students into the program’s college readiness program. The students visited both Mount Saint Mary College and Orange County Community College in an attempt to bridge the big gap that exists between grade school and higher education. “This was the second year in a row that we have made this very important connection and hope to continue,” explained Altmann of the partnership.
-Press release by Kerry Butrick
