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Community Message - May 16, 2025

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Community Message - May 16, 2025

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. 

Although neither Mr. Murray nor the Junior Knights have any current affiliation with the District, we will fully cooperate with what appears to be an active and ongoing law enforcement investigation. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and the victim’s family at this time. 

We will continue to keep the community apprised of any developments regarding this matter to the extent necessary and legally appropriate.
 

Aidan and Isaac
Meet the Class of 2025 Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Valedictorian and Salutatorian

In just two weeks, seniors of the Mount Vernon City School District will be celebrating their final days as high school students and walking across the graduation stage and into the real world. At Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, two students who have molded themselves into well-rounded scholars will lead their class. STEAM has chosen Isaac Alvarado Calderon and Aidan Forman as its Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian. 

Slide with information of orientation members
NYS Department of Labor Rapid Response team holds orientation for MVCSD Employees

Representatives from the New York State Department of Labor’s (NYS DOL) Rapid Response team held an orientation for employees affected by layoffs last Thursday, providing them with information about personalized job placement services that are available at zero cost. They will also hold a meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, in the boardroom of the Mount Vernon Board of Education to address questions by Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) staff affected by layoffs. Click to view the full presentation.

Pre-K Social Workers
UPK social workers chosen to present at conference for their success in building early childhood mental health program

Social workers in the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Department were chosen to present at the Division for Early Childhood’s International Conference for Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families this October. Social workers Andrea Marano and Elena Lupo will discuss pre-K mental health initiatives in the Mount Vernon City School District with a presentation titled “Creating a Comprehensive Early Childhood Mental Health Program.”

(Reminder: Pre-K lottery registration closes on June 27, visit https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/family-community/registration/online-registration to learn more)