Announcements / News

For Immediate Release

Public Hearing and Comment Period for amendments to District-Wide Safety Plan to add Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Annex and revised Code of Conduct related to AI use.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education will conduct a Public Hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the Districtwide Safety Plan and the Code of Conduct.

The proposed amendments to the Districtwide Safety Plan will add a Cardiac Emergency Response Annex to the Districwide safety plan in accordance with Desha’s Law and amendments to Education Law §§ 917, 2801-a(2), and 2801-a(3)(a).

The proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct address the use of AI.

The hearings will be held on December 11, 2025 at the Board of Education Meeting, Chestnut Grove District Office at 7:30pm.

In accordance with state regulations, the revised District-Wide School Safety Plan and Code of Conduct amendments are available for public comment for a minimum of 30 days prior to its adoption. The proposed change are available on the district website or you can request copies by emailing the District Clerk.

• Cardiac Emergency Response Annex and is available for review on the District website: www.ccsd.edu/safety.
• Code of Conduct will be available for review Code of Conduct Revised Sections

Written comments may be submitted to the District Clerk at districtclerk@ccsd.edu no later than Wednesday December 10, 2025. Members of the public are also invited to present comments in person at the scheduled public hearing.

Sincerely,

Lucy Crosbie

You’re on your way to new adventures and new challenges, Leopards! Congratulations to the Link Elementary School Class of 2025! CCSD this morning celebrated the academic achievements of 72 fifth graders during a Moving-up Ceremony. "Try, fail, learn — then try again. That’s how you’ll grow into the amazing people you’re meant to be," said Principal Mary Bish. Good luck in middle school!

Thank you to the Clarkstown community for your continued support of our District! The following are the official results of the annual School Budget Vote and Board Election held on Tuesday, May 20.

The 2025-26 Proposed Budget passed with 2,798 "yes" votes or 76% of the vote; there were 879 "no" votes. The budget totals $265,386,114 - reflecting a 4.82% budget-to-budget increase and a 2.45% tax levy increase.

John Maltbie was reelected and Christopher Conti was elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2025 and concluding on June 30, 2028. We congratulate and thank them for serving our students and learning community.

Thank you once again for prioritizing this year's vote and election. Your continued involvement in, and support of, a CCSD education is greatly appreciated.

CCSD's Spring 2025 Concert series continues this week! Here's a sneak peek of Grade 4 rehearsing — under the direction of teacher Cynthia Kimmel — ahead of TONIGHT's (May 12) performance at Link Elementary School at 7pm; Link will also hold its recorder concert on June 2 at 9am.

SNOW many good deeds are happening this Giving Season!

Kindness ambassadors and the Student Advisory Council at Bardonia Elementary School joined forces with STRIVE students at Clarkstown High School South to create Blizzard Boxes for Meals on Wheels. These festive boxes, filled with an assortment of non-perishable items collected during a food drive, will help ensure that recipients stay nourished if inclement weather disrupts normal deliveries.

Meanwhile at Link Elementary School, the Student Council held their annual Mitten Tree holiday drive — decked out in donations. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our K-5 children and staff, they were once again successful in collecting new winter-weather attire for those in need.

These are just two of the many heartwarming examples of how our CCSD learners work together to spread holiday cheer, while making a difference in the greater Clarkstown community!

The New York State Education Department recognizes October as National Principals Month. In CCSD, we are fortunate to have an amazing team of 13 principals who work tirelessly to support our students and staff, while fostering a culture of excellence in our schools and throughout the District. Our building leaders are passionate about their work with learners so, this year, we asked each of them to share their favorite thing about the age group at their school. See below for what each one had to say!

Bardonia Elementary School | Birchwood School | Clarkstown High School North |
Clarkstown High School South | Felix Festa Elementary School | Lakewood Elementary School | Laurel Plains Elementary School | Link Elementary School | Little Tor Elementary School |
New City Elementary School | Strawtown Elementary School | West Nyack Elementary School | Woodglen Elementary School

During Fire Prevention Month, CCSD elementary-aged children took part in a related contest — sponsored by the New City Fire Engine Company No. 1 and Auxiliary — and were recently notified of the results during Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12). This year, 601 entries depicting Exit Drills in the Home (E.D.I.T.H.) were received and judged based off of the following criteria: presentation of the theme (75%) and artistic ability (25%). Out of all the submissions, 171 earned awards — three of which also won Grand-Prize accolades.

Congratulations to Anjani Patel, Neon Vettath (Little Tor Elementary School, pictured) and Ella Zhang (Link Elementary School)! Kudos also goes to our students at New City Elementary School and Strawtown Elementary School, who had the highest percentage of participation and will be the proud recipients of the coveted Sparky Cup. Great work, everyone!

Thank you, CCSD! The following are the official results of the Clarkstown Central School District’s 2024 Bond Referendum vote held on Tuesday, October 8.

The District's 2024 Bond Referendum was approved with 1,600 "yes" votes or 79.09% of the vote. The $110 million capital improvements project — addressing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), window, flooring and electrical upgrades at all nine elementary schools and the Birchwood School — will take an estimated five years to complete and is TAX NEUTRAL. There is NO INCREASE to current taxes.

Your continued partnership and support of the bond will have a direct impact on student and staff learning, health and safety for years to come. Details regarding the upcoming project can be found here. More information will become available as the work progresses. We cannot wait to get started! 

Welcome back, CCSD! The 2024-25 school year officially kicked off this week. Good luck to all of our new and returning students and staff! See photos from across the District below.

Laurel Plains Elementary School | New City Elementary School

Birchwood School | Clarkstown High School South

Bardonia Elementary School | West Nyack Elementary School | Clarkstown High School North

Lakewood Elementary School | Woodglen Elementary School | Felix Festa Middle School

Link Elementary School | Little Tor Elementary School | Strawtown Elementary School

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

SAVE THE DATE 
APRIL 11, 2024 
6:30 pm

Get ready for a great night!!

Use the link below to sign up. Sign up deadline is February 9th.

International Night 2024 Information and Sign-up!

Students at Link Elementary School this week are getting their hands dirty with a Day in Clay — a hands-on experience that uses the medium to show the relationship between art and society. Grade 4 classes have the opportunity to meet Artist in Residence Cliff Mendelson and observe his work with clay. Cliff has a well-rounded background in painting, drawing and sculpting, but primarily focuses on ceramics and pottery.

Today, fourth graders engaged in a multicultural workshop in ceramic arts. Using their newfound knowledge of potters and proper technique, our Leopards created one-of-a-kind vessels complete with symbols, patterns and imagery that is often seen in Native American culture. Art is all around us and its influence is far-reaching all around the globe — especially in Africa, Greece, Asia and Latin and South America!

During their final year of our International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) at Link Elementary School, fifth graders have the opportunity to participate in a unique, collaborative experience. The PYP Exhibition allows students to explore, document and share their understanding of a topic of global significance and personal interest. This year's theme was “Think Globally, Act Locally.”

Yesterday, mentors and parents were invited to watch as each group confidently and passionately gave presentations on water pollution, wildfires, social media, artificial intelligence, invasive species and sports safety. Furthermore, our children provided lines of inquiry — resulting impacts and potential solutions — that guided their extensive research. "This event provides such a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the benefits of working with others for a shared purpose," said Principal Mary Bish and IB Coordinator Lauren Fox. "Our students truly showed that they are thinkers who are open-minded to the actions people make in the community and world." Well done!

We're paying tribute to the rich ancestry, traditions and contributions of Indigenous people during Native American Heritage Month. At Link IB World School, fourth graders have been learning about the Algonquian and the Iroquois and how they survived and thrived in their daily lives. Students created artifacts and hosted an exhibit that focused on recreation, survival and beliefs. They presented on and shared the culturally-important items — including tools, jewelry, art and ceremonial pieces — to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Native Americans.