Rye Neck Schools broke ground for the two-story Collaborative Science Center and middle school gymnasium during a ceremony on March 10. The celebration was attended by administrators, teachers, students, Board of Education members and community members. 

“The groundbreaking symbolizes the community’s commitment to excellence in education, giving our students the opportunity for learning to take place in a beautiful campus setting,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barbara Ferraro said. “The anticipated state-of-the-art facilities will expand, enhance and enrich the learning environment for our students, benefiting generations of Rye Neck students. A special thank-you must be given to the Rye Neck community for its ongoing support of its schools.” 

The Collaborative Science Center will feature eight classrooms/labs, designed and equipped for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The open, flexible spaces will encourage collaborative teaching and learning. Building the new middle school gymnasium – which will feature lockers and bleachers and host modified sports and other special events – will eliminate chronic scheduling bottlenecks across campus. In addition, building the middle school gymnasium is key to ensuring that high school students gain full access to the Collaborative Science Center to strengthen their credentials for college admission and eventual career opportunities.  

During the ceremony, Board of Education President Pietro Fasolino addressed the audience and thanked the community for its continued support of the schools.

“Thank you to our facilities committee and to previous Board of Education members for their time and dedication over several years to get us to this point,” Fasolino said. “To our dedicated administrative team led by Dr. Ferraro and [Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance] Dr. Kim Bucci, thank you for your unyielding efforts in support of our district.” 

Student Senate President Juliana Silva provided the closing remarks to the ceremony, thanking members of the community and administration for making education a priority. 

“As the project builds, both figuratively and literally, we are excited to continue working as partners with the administration and the rest of the student body in ensuring this project comes to fruition to benefit all students in the Rye Neck Schools,” Silva said. 

The projects are part of Phase 2 of the district’s approved capital project and will greatly enhance the quality of education that children and the future generations of Rye Neck students will experience. In 2018 voters passed two spending propositions – to replace and repair school roofs and to build a Collaborative Science Center and middle school gymnasium. The first phase of the capital project – the roof work – was completed in 2019 and came in under budget by about $1.2 million. In 2020, voters authorized the district to apply the $1.2 million in savings from the roof work to the second phase of construction and authorized an additional $2.9 million in borrowing capacity to ensure that sufficient funds will be available, if needed, to complete the science center and gymnasium.

Members of the Rye Neck High School Mock Trial team won the first preliminary round against Ossining High School in the coveted Westchester County competition, held at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains on Feb. 27.

Under the guidance of social studies teacher and team coach Marcella Scalise, the students have been diligently examining this year’s case of the United States vs. Phoenix Jones and preparing to act as attorneys and witnesses as they present their case in a courtroom setting. The case is about Phoenix Jones, who is accused of conspiracy to receive and sell stolen goods under the alias of Emery Rose.

Seniors Lucas Pasquina, Lucas Vienne and Grace West took on the roles of attorneys and presented a well-argued case for the defense side of the case. Their strong case was supported by senior Tiana Colon, junior Harrison Du and sophomore Abby Andrade as convincing witnesses.

The team will compete against Scarsdale High School in the second round of the competition at the Westchester County Courthouse on March 5. 

Rye Neck High School will host its second independently organized, licensed, youth TEDx conference on March 20 from 6-9:30 p.m. TEDx conferences include talks, participatory activities and presentations that encourage the audience and speakers to share ideas and perspectives around global themes. 

Seventeen students in grades 8-12 will present this year’s theme, “#CLIMATE.” The theme was chosen by the speakers because it reflects their deep concern for moving the community from apathy to action. The students will share their ideas in short, concise talks, and the audience will have a chance to participate and exchange their thoughts in breakout discussion groups. 

The presentations represent a wide range of climate change topics, from large-scale impacts, such as global migration and economic divestment, to the importance of meatless family dinners and youth leadership. The students will share new and surprising ways of thinking and will present well-known basic facts from new perspectives. 

The school will also host various local resources and organization exhibitors, who are committed to working with the community to help save the environment on a more microcosmic level. TEDxRyeNeckHigh #CLIMATE is about sharing ideas and to have everyone who attends make a commitment to go above and beyond what they are already doing to live sustainably and to inspire others to do the same. Exhibitors at the event will share their mission and further engage with audience members to work together to combat the detrimental effect of climate change. 

Tickets are limited to 200 and are available on the district’s homepage at www.ryeneck.k12.ny.us. For more information, contact Dr. Valerie Feit at vfeit@ryeneck.org. 

Rye Neck High School will present “The Little Mermaid” as its musical production from Feb. 27-29 at the Performing Arts Center. Directed by theater director Scott Harris, the musical features 40 students in the cast and 51 students in crew who will take audience members on an underwater adventure and play larger-than-life characters on stage. 

“So much of this production is color, light, costumes and effects to give the audience that underwater feeling,” Harris said. “We’ve got some amazing sets, and a lot of thought went into how to create this feeling of truly being part of a different world once you walk into the theater. Plus, we’ve got some of the most talented singers I’ve ever worked with at a Rye Neck production. Just beautiful voices, all around.” 

“The Little Mermaid” – the Broadway musical based on the classic 1989 animated film – tells the story of a young woman who wants more than what she has. She loves her family, but is uneasy, discontent. She wants to explore beyond her borders, see what else is out there and learn more about herself.

“The production is a massive undertaking, and so much of it is accomplished by our talented and professional theater students,” Harris said. “I’m very proud of the theater program we have at Rye Neck, all the pieces of it functioning together to create these beautiful productions. I think our audiences will truly enjoy the fruits of their labor.” 

Over the last three months, the students have been diligently working on their lines, choreography and vocals, while crew members have been designing and creating sets and building a 24-foot boat. In addition to Harris, the students are assisted by choreographer Francesca DeAngelo and Kathryn Krull on vocals. Taking on the role of Ariel is student Sophia Gennusa, who has several Broadway credits, including Matilda Wormwood in “Matilda the Musical.” She recently appeared in NBC’s “The Enemy Within” and has multiple other credits to her name.

As a special treat to its youngest audience members after a Saturday matinee performance, Rye Neck High School will invite children to meet the cast and have their picture taken with them. Then, children who are interested will be treated to a backstage tour, where they’ll be invited to see how the musical is put together. 

Performances are Thursday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and children, and are available at www.rnhssm.booktix.com.

Members of the Rye Neck High School Science Olympiad team had a strong showing at the Lower Hudson Regional Competition, held at Byram Hills High School on Feb. 1. They competed in academic and engineering challenges across all sciences and earned several medals. 

Heonjae Lee and Gabriel Miller placed first in Chemistry Lab, and Ava Liebmann and Mirabelle Brown placed fourth in Forensics. Brown, Phillip Buettner and Liebmann placed seventh in Codebusters, and Simon O’Rourke and Jessica Park placed eight in Ornithology. 

Team co-advisers Dan Moy and Lori Penesis said they are proud of their team’s efforts and successes.

Members of the middle and high school counseling departments worked together to bring a special presentation to eighth graders on Feb. 3 to prepare them for their transition to high school in the fall. During their visits, counselors reviewed graduation requirements and discussed focus electives. 

“This is an important component for the students’ transition to high school because it puts them in the driver’s seat of their high school careers,” middle school counselor Samantha Chu said. “We believe that the more students are informed of their expectations as well as the opportunities available to them, they will be excited about their future and be an active part of their curricula planning.” 

Chu said that while school always comes with work and responsibilities, it is an exciting experience and journey. She and her colleagues are committed to continue to offer students firsthand information about their future and connect them with teachers and peers to learn more about classes. 

“I am very impressed with my students’ diligence to the transition timeline,” she said. “They have been great about high school-related deadlines and advocating for themselves in regard to future opportunities. Little things like stopping by to ask a quick question demonstrates to me how excited and prepared they are for next year.”