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Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent of Schools: 

As has been recently reported and thereafter confirmed by the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, a former volunteer coach for the District, Dwayne Murray, has been arrested for certain alleged acts of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The organization identified as being affiliated with Mr. Murray in a recent Journal News report, the Junior Knights, is an independent entity from the District. As of this morning, the District has not been made aware that any of our students or former students are in any way connected to this matter. 

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Mock Trial Team received certificates from the City of Mount Vernon and the Commitee on Law, Youth and Citizenship from the New York Bar Association, presented by Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. These certificates recognized the team for their success in going four rounds into the New York State High School Mock Trial tournament, which is held by the Westchester Bar Association and the New York Bar Association.

View this week's edition of the One Mount Vernon Digitial Newsletter here, featuring a joint community message from Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith and incoming Superintendent of Schools Dr. Demario A. Strickland.

Students show resilience by thriving in challenging situations, and two Mount Vernon City School District students were recognized for their academic excellence and accomplishments at Student Advocacy’s Overcoming the Odds Awards. Kwanell Williams, a senior at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, and Prosper Ibeto, a senior at Mount Vernon High School, received about $700 in financial assistance to help start their post-secondary education.

Moving on up! Congrats to the seniors at Mount Vernon High School, Denzel Washington School of the Arts and Rebecca Turner Academy who celebrated their post graduation endeavors on Thursday. Students shared their future plans with classmates and teachers as they honored all the hard work they have put into their education. Click here to view photos from the day!

The Mount Vernon Board of Education unanimously selected Dr. Demario A. Strickland as Mount Vernon City School District’s new Superintendent of Schools. The appointment, effective July 1, was made during the Board’s special meeting on Wednesday. 

The aroma of essential oils filled the gymnasium at Mount Vernon Honor Academy Wednesday as mothers made their way in for a morning of meditation and mindfulness. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the school is putting on various events to educate families about the importance of social and emotional health.

Jasmine Damian is a senior at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy who balances extracurricular activities with a keen focus on academics and her education. With a little over a month left before completing four years of high school, Jasmine is ready to celebrate all of her accomplishments and walk across the graduation stage!

The Knight Times 2025-2026 school year budget newsletter is available online and can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here. The newsletter contains a comprehensive overview of the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 20, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Click here to visit the budget page for more information about the 2025-2026 budget.

Ninth graders at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy presented short stories that they wrote in class to kindergarteners at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School. This project-based learning assignment is titled “Little Readers, Big Authors” and is a part of a trilogy of events that allowed STEAM students the opportunity to interview younger students, learn about their likes and interests, and write children’s books tailored to what they’ve learned.

Last Thursday morning, the mothers of Hamilton School students enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and fun activities during the Muffin with Mom’s event. These mothers got to spend the morning with their children, engaging with arts and crafts, enjoying a breakfast put together by the Parent Liaisons of the District, and even had the chance to enter into a raffle where they could win gifts and games in celebration of  Mother’s Day. 

View the full photo gallery here!

The Mount Vernon City School District hosted a budget presentation and Q+A last Thursday at Pennington School. Parents and community members listened to the presentation and asked questions throughout to gain a better understanding of the budget in a conversational setting.

Click to view the presentation.

Click to view the budget webpage.

The Career and Technical Education Department closed out CTE Week with the CTE and Transition Fair on Friday, hosting trade schools, colleges and organizations to share a wide range of opportunities with students. 

As part of the school counselor-led Preparing for Your Future series, students at Rebecca Turner Academy took their career exploration beyond the classroom with two inspiring and hands-on events aimed at turning passions and interests into real-world aspirations. In late March, students visited the Westchester School for Medical and Dental Assistants, where they had the unique opportunity to observe and practice essential skills used daily in the medical field.

The series continued this Thursday, when students welcomed Mr. Cruz from Universal Technical Institute.

View this week's edition of the One Mount Vernon Digital Newsletter here!