The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Ossining

Ossining Union Free School District

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Dear Community Members,

ossining schoolIt is my pleasure to describe our outstanding school district. The Ossining Union Free School District, nationally recognized for its award-winning and innovative programs, serves about 4,900 students in six schools that are organized by grade level: Park Early Childhood Center (pre-kindergarten and kindergarten); Brookside School (grades 1 and 2); Claremont School (grades 3 and 4); Roosevelt School (grade 5); Anne M. Dorner Middle School;
and Ossining High School.

The district sets high standards and expectations and believes all students can learn. It has distinguished itself for its academics, athletics and cultural programs. The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation named Ossining a Best Community for Music Education in 2015 for the fifth consecutive year. Fundamentals of Science Research Program students have received national and international awards for their work.

The district, which is governed by a seven-member board, embraces the diversity of its student body and boasts a dual-language program. Ossining recently expanded pre-kindergarten to a full day. The school system continues to make improvements to facilities, thanks to a $41.5 million bond voters approved in 2012.

The Ossining MATTERS education foundation provides financial support to augment school programs. The district has secured millions of dollars in competitive grants in recent years for the same reason.

Ossining schools place a strong emphasis on communicating with parents/guardians and the community through email, newsletters, social media and other means. Keep up with our activities and news at OssiningUSFD.org, on Facebook at facebook.com/oufsd, and on Twitter at twitter.com/ossiningschools.

Raymond Sanchez
Superintendent of Schools

Ray and Children

Inside my New Castle: Welcome to the Neighborhood!

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INSIDE-my-New-Castle-logo-onlyDear New Castle Neighbor,

After 12 years of faithfully publishing Inside Chappaqua and benefitting enormously from being an 18-year citizen of New Castle myself, I am engaging in a unique collaboration with the Town of New Castle.  Together with the fantastic cooperation of multiple departments in Town Hall , the Chappaqua Central School District, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce and an array of other organizations from in and around town, I am thrilled to be managing a team of contributors who have been hard at work this spring producing pages for a quintessential welcome guide for families just moving into the neighborhood but useful for any one residing here already too!

I have always been dazzled by the vast array of programming available in the larger New Castle community, and heartened by the vote of confidence from so many corners as we create this exciting new resource.

It is such an exciting time when you first arrive–exploring offerings in and around town, understanding the lay of the land and forming new, life-long friendships for you and your children!  There can be challenges too, so this guide is being produced as a handy free resource for present and prospective residents–and will shortly be offered to New Castle and Chamber merchants next for sponsorships too!

Inside my New Castle  will be chock full of relevant information to take advantage of as a year-round reference rounding up and highlighting programming here and near, in our town and in our schools, and so capturing “The Spirit of New Castle.”  The guide will be available online too post print publication via Town Halls’s site, www.mynewcastle.org and my own, www.theinsidepress.com.

A Key Feature:  “What New Castle Residents are Saying!”

I need your help for the guide too!  I would really love to hear and include what you are thinking about your years living in New Castle.

Inside the guide, I hope to include different quotes from many of you too so that TOGETHER  we can help explain to any prospective resident why choosing New Castle to raise your family is the best decision you will ever make!   Please send your comments ASAP in confidence by May 20 to insidemynewcastle@gmail.com or “speak to me” openly on “Chappaqua Moms” where I will be asking too!

— Grace

*The guide’s launch has already been made possible due to generous merchant cover support, and via the generous sponsorships of area realtors who will be distributing thousands throughout the year to prospective residents too.