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Community Message - May 10, 2024

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Community Message - May 10, 2024

5-10-2024
Acting Superintendent of Schools Dr. K. Veronica Smith:

There have been rumors and social media reports as to further student violence today at Mount Vernon High School after yesterday’s assault. Reports of a female student being stabbed are not true. There was an unrelated minor altercation on a school bus with no serious injuries after school. 

Today, there was an increased security presence as well as a Mount Vernon Police Department presence at Mount Vernon High School throughout the day. We appreciate our partnership with the Mount Vernon Police. Additional school district security guards, including a supervisor of security, school district administrators, and a clinical team of the district’s counselors were at the school. This increased presence of school security, administrators and clinical team will continue at the school next week.

Principal Dr. Pauline Pearce and her administrative team met with teachers before the school day to discuss safety measures. Dr. K. Veronica Smith, acting superintendent, and Mark Raimondi, associate superintendent for operations and accountability, were also present at the school at the beginning of the day to provide support.

 

 

Dr.DemarioStricklandSuperintendent
Community Message: Welcome Address from Dr. Demario A. Strickland, Superintendent of Schools

Greetings Mount Vernon, 

Thank you for entrusting your children’s education to me as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Over the past few weeks, I have spent time getting to know the community of Mount Vernon, and I am impressed with the pride that fills the city. I am looking forward to making sure that residents are filled with that same pride for the schools that their children attend. I am excited to step in and get right to the important work of improving our District and achieving our shared vision of success. 

Inductees during hall of fame ceremony.
State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thomspon, Congressman George Latimer and the late Elise Finch-Henriques get inducted into the MVHS Hall of Fame

The Mount Vernon City School District inducted former State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thomspon, Congressman George Latimer and the late Elise Finch-Henriques into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame Saturday morning. Families, loved ones, administrators, educators, colleagues and community members gathered at Mount Vernon High School to celebrate this prestigious induction.

Photo left to right: Dr. Smith, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, Trustee Adriane Saunders, In-House Counsel Royce Russell, Trustee Helene Thompson Njenga
Community Message: Thank you message from Acting Superintendent to outgoing trustees

Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent:

As their terms as trustees of the Mount Vernon City School District come to an end, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Trustee Adriane Saunders, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, and Trustee Helene Thompson-Njenga for all they have done for our District during their time in office. They served as champions for education, always making decisions to better serve the children of Mount Vernon. Our District will wear the mark of the work they have done for years to come, and I am so appreciative of everything we were able to accomplish together for our scholars.

Valedictorian giving speech at graduation.
MVHS and RTA graduate 274 from the Class of 2025 at Memorial Field ceremony

Graduates from Mount Vernon High School and Rebecca Turner Academy walked the stage at Memorial Field on Wednesday evening, as 274 from the Class of 2025 received their diplomas. Students waved and smiled to their families and friends in the packed stadium as they took their places at the front of the ceremony, accompanied by percussion from the Ice Cold Performing Arts, a group made up of Mount Vernon students.

Click here to view the full photo gallery!