The final stretch is upon students at schools throughout the Ramapo Central School District, and that means plenty of academic and extracurricular activity. Continue Reading

Costumes, complete with crew t-shirts are ready, the stage is ready, and after Thursday’s in-school preview, cast is ready. Thursday night kicks off the Suffern High School production of Stephen Sondheim’s fairytale musical Into the Woods.

The show includes a witch, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Little Red, a prince and wolf, Giantess, and many other characters — all exploring wish fulfillment and having a bit of tolerance for those things you don’t really understand.

The production staff includes Randy Schwartz as Director, Musical and Technical direction by Dan McCarter, Choreographer by Perry Hammershlag, Vocal direction by Alison Meyer, and Set/Crew direction by Rich Murray.

Into the Woods runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which has a matinee show at 1 p.m. All other shows start at 7 p.m. and take place at the Suffern High School auditorium. Tickets can be purchased online here or at the door.

Preview of Suffern High School’s Into the Woods @SuffernMS! pic.twitter.com/xb6fdv4fPK

— Julia Jaffee (@jbjaffee) March 14, 2016

This is how happy you’ll be if you come see Into The Woods at Suffern HS. #itwshs16#rcsdmountiepridepic.twitter.com/xKG4xjF6IZ

— Randall Schwartz (@SuffernMusical) March 14, 2016

Suffern HS stages “Into the Woods,” 7 p.m., 3/17-18; 1 and 7 p.m., 3/19; $15, $10. #lohudmetrospic.twitter.com/mP0szThhNm

— Peter D. Kramer (@PeterKramer) March 16, 2016

 

Folowing on the heels of its successful 21st annual D.A.R.E. Spaghetti Dinner this past Saturday, Sloatsburg Elementary School 5th graders participated in a D.A.R.E. program ceremony. Continue Reading

Sloatsburger and Suffern High School senior Kevin Jefferson just topped 1000 career points in a recent Mountie basketball win over Clarkstown South. Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright congratulated Jefferson’s winning effort, giving a bit of game night color commentary of the occasion in a letter to Sloatsburg Elementary School Principal Mr. Joseph Lloyd, present and past teachers, schools, staff, and students. 

Letter from Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright: Continue Reading

Sloatsburg Elementary School second grade students embraced the holiday spirit this season, pitching in to the local food pantry and donating pajamas for the Scholastic pajamas drive — donations of books and pajamas help children in need and encourage a nice bedtime story. Continue Reading

Young Suffern speedster Mary Hennelly continued her cross country success by placing 4th at last Saturday’s New York Federation Championships, the big cross country meet held at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls.

Suffern’s Mary Hennelly a remarkable 4th in state Federation Championships. North Rockland’s Katelyn Tuohy 5th. Both are 8th-graders. Wow!

— Nancy Haggerty (@HaggertyNancy) November 21, 2015

Mary Hennelly at it again today – 4th at NYS XC Federation Meet, fastest time for an 8th grader ever at this meet!!! — Suffern Sports (@SuffernSports) November 21, 2015

An 8th grader at Suffern Middle School, Hennelly already is considered a state and national standout. She and her brother Patrick Hennelly, a senior at Suffern High School, became the first brother/sister duo in Rockland County history to win county championships back at the end of October.

It’s easy to see where Mary gets her speed as brother Patrick took the boys county championship in 16:17.25. In the county meet, Hennelly outpaced North Rockland’s Katelyn Touhy (also just an 8th grader) to win the three mile race and become Rockland’s female champion in a blistering 17:21.67.

Rockland County history-makers, brother and sister county cross-country champions Suffern’s Patrick & Mary Hennelly. pic.twitter.com/ic2lH9fYBQ

— Nancy Haggerty (@HaggertyNancy) October 29, 2015

Congrats to Suffern High School and the local running community which will get to witness four more years of Hennelly/Touhy races.  

Congrats to Mary and Patrick Hennelly, 1st siblings to win #Rockland cross country varsity championship in same year https://t.co/Yl0jE6VHcM — David Carlucci (@davidcarlucci) October 30, 2015

To paraphrase master Dickens, it’s both the best of times in the Ramapo Central School District and the worst of times. We have everything before us, student achievement in the classroom and beyond, dedicated teachers, residents with a vested interest in the district’s success. Hopefully, it won’t be a winter of despair. Continue Reading

The Tuxedo Lady Tornadoes showed spirit and capped a winning season with a gritty showing in the Section 9 Class D Volleyball Finals in early November. 

Emily Dowling of the George Baker High School Lady Tornadoes Vollyball team goes up high for a block in recent tournament play. The Lady Tornadoes finished the year with a winning season.

After taking the OCIAA Division III volleyball title, the George Baker HS girls team then beat Webutuck in three sets on November 6 for their first Sectional Semifinal Game at the Mount Saint Mary College tournament.

Next for Tuxedo was Pine Plains. The Tornadoes gave up a distinct height advantage, more so when senior outside hitter Emma Meore left the court due to a health issue.

Tuxedo girls were game and fought Pine Plains in the sectional games to near ties, losing in four tough sets 3-1: 23-25, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-18.

Coach Michelle Hines praised the team’s tenacious tournament play.

“We are so proud of these girls,” Hines said. “They never gave up. They fought until the very end. This is what Tuxedo is all about.”

George F. Baker High School Principal Jason Schrammel said the team serves as an inspiration to all Tuxedo students.

“This team’s work ethic is an example for all of our students,” Schrammel said.

“Tuxedo consistently demonstrates its ability to excel with dedication and perseverance. Our team’s Division III volleyball title (the 1^st since 2003), and advancement to Class D finals, shows this school can hold its own against other schools in sports.”

Article contributed by Nancy Kris via FocusMediaUSA.com.

Educator Chuck Stead with Ramapo College students at the Torne Valley Medicine Garden braiding newly harvested ceremonial Sweet Grass.

Add the fresh aroma of newly cut Sweet Grass to your list of good Fall things. Continue Reading

Tuesday’s Ramapo Central School Board meeting marked the end of an era as Sloatsburg’s Thomas F. Bollatto, Jr. took his last turn as a Board of Education member. Continue Reading