Students share suggestions at Superintendent's Advisory Council meeting
Students from several K-8 schools visited the Education Center on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, with ideas for improvements in their schools. The Superintendent’s Advisory Council held their monthly meeting and discussed ways they can continuously improve the educational experience for students throughout the District.
To spark the conversation, Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith asked students what they wanted to be when they grow up. She encouraged them to think about their goals as they go through school and to stay motivated to achieve them.
I want each one of you to think about what you want to be when you grow up,” said Dr. Smith. “If you know what you want to be, the more likely you will become successful, and I know that each one of you will be successful. I also know that if you plan a career path, and that’s what you really want to do, you have to work at it. So, I encourage you to do so.”
Dr. Jamal Doggett, assistant superintendent of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and Administration, also spoke to the students and reminded them that some of the changes in their schools were made because of last year’s Superintendent’s Advisory Council’s suggestions.
Students then completed an exercise where they wrote suggestions for how to improve math and English programs, make learning fun and improve instruction in their schools. Poster paper was taped to the wall and each student went around the room and wrote a suggestion for how academic instruction could be enhanced.
“I feel happy because I get to share other students’ opinions,” said Samuel McOwen, fifth grade student at Traphagen School. “They help me, I take notes in my brain and I take their opinions and share them here. I feel like I’ve made a big impact.”
On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, the Mount Vernon City School District partnered with Aramark and the Masonic Progressive Lodge #64 of Mount Vernon in a Thanksgiving turkey drive. The drive provided a free full Thanksgiving meal to the members of the community.
Ndaba Mandela continues to follow in his grandfather, Nelson Mandela’s, footsteps and visited two Mount Vernon City School District schools to discuss how students can foster change in the world themselves on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
Students at Mount Vernon Honor Academy rejoiced with one another as they celebrated Thanksgiving with a brunch before the holiday break on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. The feast included an assortment of food including bagels, sausages, muffins, pasta, complete with a charcuterie board and a sandwich station.
Students at Hamilton School gathered around to give thanks and appreciate one another before Thanksgiving break with a feast on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. The arrangement of food included turkey, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and various desserts brought by families from the school community.
Coach Robert Cimmino was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Coach Cimmino received this recognition for his exceptional career coaching the Mount Vernon Knights varsity boys' basketball team.