Mohansic first graders recently took a field trip to Yorktown Justice Court to learn all about the criminal justice system.

In honor of Law Day, which is celebrated every year on May 1, students heard first hand about the roles of police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges before participating in a mock trial inspired by the classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Presiding over the case were Yorktown Town Justices Gary Raniolo and Aviah Cohen Pierson.

A jury of Mohansic first graders saw evidence and heard testimony from Mom A. Bear, Pop A. Bear, Babe E. Bear, and Gold E. Locks, who was accused of breaking into the Bear family’s home, eating their porridge, and destroying a chair. In her defense, Gold E. Locks said the door was already open and that she was drawn into the home by the irresistible aroma of the porridge. She admitted to sitting in the chair but denied breaking it.

Despite her testimony, the jury voted, 9 to 3, that Gold E. Locks was guilty on all charges!

Thank you to first-grade teacher Mrs. Cusano, who organizes this wonderful event every year, and the many law-enforcement officials, lawyers, and judges who helped make today such a special learning experience for our students.

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Brookside second graders showed off their tech-powered writing skills at the April 29 Board of Education meeting.

The young authors from Mrs. McGarvey’s class tackled non-fiction writing through an animal research project, in which they learned about their favorite Arctic creatures, uncovering facts about habitats, diets, and more. They then crafted informative texts, focusing on attention-grabbing introductions and smooth transitions.

After peer review and editing, students used an online application to develop their books, complete with glossaries, formatting, and creative touches.

Thank you to YCSD tech specialist Mrs. Arroyo, who worked with Mrs. McGarvey's class on this wonderful writing project!

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This year marked a significant milestone for the Yorktown Central School District. Recognizing the importance of a safe and secure learning environment, the Board of Education made the strategic decision to add School Resource Officers (SROs) to all five schools. This resulted in the 2023-24 school year marking the first with full-time police presence in every building.

School board members were delighted to see the results of that decision at last week's meeting, as Mohansic celebrated SRO Danny David and discussed the positive impact he has had on their school.

School Resource Officers go beyond providing safety and security. They are valuable members of the school community, regularly interacting with students in classrooms, offering safety education, and building connections during lunch and recess. By all accounts, Officer David has seamlessly integrated himself into Mohansic, exemplifying the traits of an ideal SRO.

In honor of National SRO Day, students across all grade levels collaborated on a creative project for Officer David. They created a “hero sandwich,” with each layer representing a different aspect of his role and positive influence.

• “Lettuce” Get to Know You: Kindergarteners drew a picture of Officer David and described him in a sentence.

• A “Slice” of His Duties: First graders tackled the question: "What does an SRO do?"

• Let's “Meat” Our SRO: Second graders highlighted Officer David's personality traits, using words like kind, brave, and friendly.

• Feel Good and Say “Cheese”: Third graders expressed their appreciation for having Officer David in the school.

Officer David, who joined the Yorktown Police Department in 2018, shared his enthusiasm for his first year as an SRO. “Everyone has been incredibly welcoming.” He stated that his focus is on building relationships and ensuring students feel safe.

Police Chief Robert Noble echoed these sentiments, highlighting the “special partnership” between the Yorktown Police Department and the Yorktown Central School District.

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What a wonderful time celebrating senior Emily Gnerre at our Pioneer League team’s final home game of the year. We are so proud of you!

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MESMS students wowed judges on April 12 with their tasty treats and incredible food truck designs!

This hands-on Home & Careers project challenged students to think creatively while honing their culinary, design, and marketing skills. They were tasked with conceptualizing their own food truck, selecting a theme, preparing a dish, and designing menus, flyers, and t-shirts.

Staff members and visiting senior citizens stopped by Mrs. Gannon’s classroom throughout the day and judged the teams on presentation, design, theme, and taste. Great job by all!

On April 11, Mildred E. Strang Middle School celebrated cultures from around the globe with the return of International NIght.

The event featured delicious food from local restaurants and spectacular performances from our students. A huge thank you to everyone who made this event a success!