Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of All Students, Including Immigrant Students
Dear Mount Vernon City School District Community,
In recent weeks, there have been significant changes within the government and to decades long existing policies. Among those policy changes is enabling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out immigration enforcement actions in churches and schools. This is of grave concern for our school community as this action threatens the sanctity of the safe learning environment that we seek to provide to all of our students, including noncitizen students. We seek to preserve our schools as a sanctuary for all our students. Every child, regardless of their immigration status, has the right to public education under the landmark Plyler v. Doe | 457 U.S. 202 (1982).
The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG), Office of the New York Governor and New York State Education Department, issued joint guidance in support of safeguarding the rights of all students, including noncitizen students. The District is devoted to following these guidelines in order to protect all students and staff to the extent possible by the law. See link to the guidance below.
The Mount Vernon City School District is dedicated to ensuring all students have equal access to an education, no matter their immigration status, race or ethnicity.
The District is committed to keeping our scholars and staff safe while continuing to foster an environment that is inclusive to all.
Kind Regards,
Dr. K. Veronica Smith
Acting Superintendent of Schools
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On Thursday, February 13, the Mount Vernon City School District Parent Liaison Team hosted a parent and guardian workshop entitled Chronic Illness, Loss, and the Impact on Your Child. Their guest presenter was Ms. Jennifer Ricca, MS, CCLS, Children, Teens, and Family Manager for the Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT.
Today, Friday, February 14, 2025, marks the two-year anniversary of Dr. K. Veronica Smith’s first day as Acting Superintendent. Join the Mount Vernon City School District in wishing her a happy anniversary! In these two years, the District has emphasized its commitment to its scholars. Through the Back to Basics, Forward to Mastery approach, where teachers are getting back to the fundamentals of teaching and learning, the District has seen great academic improvements, leading graduation rates and test scores to trend upward.
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Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith celebrated her birthday (February 9) at The Education Center with staff and administrators of the Mount Vernon City School District. Staff dressed down for the day, enjoyed cake and wished Dr. Smith a happy birthday. Happy Birthday Dr. Smith!
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