As Rye Neck High School Principal Barbara Ferraro walks around campus, she can’t help but feel exhilarated. She may be starting her 22nd school year here, but the novelty never seems to wear off. “Already all varsity sports have started and the fields look great,” she observed. “We’re going to start the school year off strong.”
By Janice Llanes Fabry
As Rye Neck High School Principal Barbara Ferraro walks around campus, she can’t help but feel exhilarated. She may be starting her 22nd school year here, but the novelty never seems to wear off. “Already all varsity sports have started and the fields look great,” she observed. “We’re going to start the school year off strong.”
Indeed, having been moved up to September, Rye Neck’s Open Houses and Homecoming are all starting earlier than in years past. “We are kicking off the year with Homecoming September 14 and 15, and creating school spirit throughout the community right from the beginning thanks to our Booster Club,” the principal said.
Coming up soon, the students will be involved in national election activities, organized by Social Studies Department Chair Karen Parisi. In addition this fall, RNHS will be hosting the annual Harvard-Yale-Brown Debate for high school students in Westchester County November 2. Traditionally, college students from each university’s debate teams present a lively discussion about a topic that high school students find relevant and engaging.
Dr. Ferraro, who’s also Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, is extending the AP program, as well as two courses piloted last year: Sports Management and Global Business Practices. Project-based learning, which has yielded astounding results at Rye Neck, will also be expanded.
“We are embracing the changes carried from the State Education Department and continuing to provide students with a rigorous and challenging curriculum to give them the skills set needed for this hyper-connected world,” she explained. “We will always couple that with our personalized programs that build on each child’s strengths and moves them forward to learn a skill, and master and achieve it and become leaders.”
Through district board meetings and curriculum presentations throughout the year, the community will be updated on the State Education Department’s initiatives, the Singapore Math program, literacy, and the arts.
Rye Neck School District Fast Facts
Rye Neck High School
300 Hornidge Road
Mamaroneck
777-5200
Year Founded: 1885
Principal: Dr. Barbara Ferraro
First Day of School: September 4
Graduation: June 20
Rye Neck Middle School
300 Hornidge Road
Mamaroneck
777-4700
Grades 6-8
Year Founded: 1885
Principal: Dr. Eric Lutinski
F. E. Bellows Elementary
200 Carroll Avenue
Mamaroneck
777-4600
Grades 3-5
Year Founded: 1923
Principal: Margaret Longabucco
Daniel Warren Elementary
1310 Harrison Avenue
Mamaroneck
777-4200
Grades K-2
Year Founded: 1931
Interim Principal: Jane Scheinman
