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The Billboard - What You Need to Know

No Place
For HAte

Benjamin Turner Academy has been designated as a No Place for Hate School. 

No Place for Hate an ADL Education Program

 

Regular Board of Education Meeting: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Regular Meeting of the Mount Vernon Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at The Board of Education, 165 N. Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553.  

Members of the public may view the meeting LIVE on our website:  
https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/our-district/board-of-education/meeting-video-library

Read More about Regular Board of Education Meeting: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Districtwide Autism Acceptance Day at Benjamin Turner Academy - Tues., April 29 at 3:15 p.m.

Districtwide Autism Acceptance Day will be held at Benjamin Turner Academy at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The free event will feature cotton parent resources, popcorn, pizza, sensory stations and more! If you are interested in buying a shirt of donating, click here or scan the QR code. Come out to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with the Mount Vernon City School District and the Special Education PTA!

Read More about Districtwide Autism Acceptance Day at Benjamin Turner Academy - Tues., April 29 at 3:15 p.m.
Benjamin Turner Academy Red Ribbon Week

Benjamin Turner Academy will be participating in Red Ribbon Week during the week of October 21. Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. Each day for the week, the school will be hosting various spirit days for students and staff to patriciate in. 

Read More about Benjamin Turner Academy Red Ribbon Week
Benjamin Turner Academy hosts Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event for grades K - 4

Benjamin Turner Academy will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event for K-4 students on October 31, 2024 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the BTA Media Center. This event is exclusively for BTA elementary school students. It is greatly encouraged that students dress up in their best Halloween costumes and bring treats for all to enjoy during the celebration. 
 

Read More about Benjamin Turner Academy hosts Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event for grades K - 4

see The PRC

The Parent Resource Center is a place for parents, students and families to receive support. Click the link below for more information! 

Parent Resource Center

School News

 

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Two siblings posing with the easter bunny.

In celebration of Easter, students took photos with the Easter Bunny in the Benjamin Turner Academy lobby on April 9. The lobby was decorated with a bench and a backdrop, and students were excited to enter the space and pose for pictures with the Easter Bunny. In some photos, students are holding the book “How to Catch the Easter Bunny,” a book by children’s author Adam Wallace. 

View the full photo gallery here.
 

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The 2025-2026 proposed budget for the Mount Vernon City School District will be presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business Jose Formoso at the Board of Education meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Click here to access Board of Education videos and streams to view the presentation virtually. This will be the first presentation of the proposed budget, and a budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 20. 

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Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith presented the second State of the District Address to staff at their monthly staff meeting on Wednesday. She provided updates to employees about the developments in the school reconfiguration process and what they can expect in the next few months.

MVCSD highlight APs for Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

This week, the Mount Vernon City School District celebrates all assistant principals who play a major role in making schools a beacon of learning and safety. From April 7 to 11, schools around the country are showing love and well-deserved praise for National Assistant Principal Week, highlighting the heavy impact these people have on schools.

Students cutting hair with News 12 banner under

Mount Vernon High School barbering and cosmetology students visited the Doles Center to provide free haircuts to the over 30 people in the community on Wednesday. Their charitable visit, which also earned them class credit and valuable experience, was even featured on News 12!

Click here to view the story on News 12

Thank you to News 12 for featuring our students using their talents and education to help the community!

ParentResourceCenter

Parent liaisons are continuing their series of monthly workshops at the Parent Resource Center (PRC) with the We Bloom Together workshop in celebration of Earth Day on Thursday, April 10, at 11 a.m. Parent liaisons also offer daily support on school days to share information about what is available at the PRC and how parents can support their children. 

School Calendar

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High Schools
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High Schools

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Daniella Costa Dos Santos, MV STEAM Academy valedictorian 2023

I'm forever grateful to everyone who stood by my side and the memories made throughout my time at STEAM Academy. Memories are the stories we will share and look back on to reminisce about the good times.

Daniella Costa Dos Santos, MV STEAM Academy Valedictorian 2023

Alexia Angel​​​​​​​, Benjamin Turner Academy

I love being at BTA because I love my Teacher Assistant, Ms. Johnson and my ELA teacher, Ms. Odindo. They are hard on me and push me to do my best.

Alexia Angel, Benjamin Turner Academy

Morgan Bowen, Edward Williams School

My teacher Mrs. Creighton makes school fun. With all the teachers, principals and AP they do fun stuff.

Morgan Bowen, Edward Williams School

Daren Lu, Mount Vernon High School valedictorian 2023

It was because this school has so many opportunities for all of us. I was inducted into the International Baccalaureate Programme as a Diploma Candidate and I’ve got to say, I was a little nervous to take those classes. But I’ve got no regrets. Thank you, Mount Vernon High School, for the opportunities you have provided me and the rest of the students.

Daren Lu, Mount Vernon High School valedictorian 2023
 

Raven "Madison" Arce-Harris, Cecil H. Parker School 

If you follow your dreams, they will come true.  When I first came to this school, it was hard.  Now I'm doing better with my work and making friends.

Raven "Madison" Arce-Harris, Cecil H. Parker School

Violet Cleary, Denzel Washington School of the Arts valedictorian 2023

To all of the faculty and staff at DWSA, I thank you for providing me with the education and discipline needed to survive in the adult world.

Violet Cleary, Denzel Washington School of the Arts valedictorian 2023

Tran Chau, MV STEAM Academy salutatorian 2023

To my lifelong friends I have made at STEAM, thank you for making high school memorable. I will never forget the memories we made, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without you guys.

Tran Chau, MV STEAM Academy salutatorian 2023

Hillary Vallecillo, Lincoln School

I like Lincoln because all the teachers care about their students, not just about their classes but also about how the students feel. It is important for students to feel confident and happy in their own skin.

Hillary Vallecillo, Lincoln School

Lesley Iyamu, Mount Vernon High School salutatorian 2023

As the Class of 2023, we have witnessed both the best and the worst of times but in those moments of uncertainty, it was the educators who pointed us in the direction of success that helped us discover our purpose and find our voices. Our teachers, beloved by many, played an instrumental role in our growth.

Lesley Iyamu, Mount Vernon High School salutatorian 2023

Abigail Swift, Denzel Washington School of the Arts salutatorian 2023

High school is a small world, especially ours. We’ve made memories and lifelong friends, but now it is time to encounter new people and experience new things. The word is much bigger than you can imagine. Class of 2023, you are capable of much more than you think. Always strive for more. Congratulations Class of 2023!

Abigail Swift, Denzel Washington School of the Arts salutatorian 2023

Alistair Bell, Traphagen School 

Everyone knows everyone. It’s like a family here at Traphagen.

Alistair Bell, Traphagen School

Amelia Toppin, Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School

l like NMHZ School because we do fun activities in my class. My teacher taught me cursive handwriting. I am learning multiplication and I like when we made an array of sunshine showing different arrays. I love my new teacher because she makes me understand what I am learning.

Amelia Toppin, Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School

Amanda Outen, Denzel Washington School of the Arts

DWSA has really helped me to reach my potential or at least helped me to see my true potential as an actor. I can use this experience to develop my public speaking skills so I can eventually use my voice to change the world.

Amanda Outen, Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Timari Jenkins, Benjamin Turner Academy

“We are learning to code the robot to play tug-of-war against another robot. My favorite part of this program so far is driving the robot.”  

Timari Jenkins, Benjamin Turner Middle School

Dylan Taylor, Graham School 

My school is special because the teachers slow down and help you if you need help.

Dylan Taylor, Graham School

Skylar Savariau, Parker School 

I do band lesson and I'm getting better at it. 

Skylar Savariau, Parker School

Emily Galindo, MV STEAM Academy

We are strongly encouraged by teachers and the staff to work hard and try our best with all the work we do.

Emily Galindo, MV STEAM Academy

Vera Wreh, Mount Vernon Honor Academy

My journey here at the Mount Vernon Honor Academy has been an amazing thrill for my education. Being able to be offered wonderful opportunities like participation in the National Junior Honor Society has really made me grateful. I am proud I have made it this far. Thank you MVHA!

Vera Wreh, Mount Vernon Honor Academy
 

Tristan Paul, Edward Williams School

I like that my school has a drumline. I have a chance to practice doing something that I LOVE!!

Tristan Paul, Edward Williams School

Eliana Dewar, Traphagen School 

I like the preps because I get to learn different things about art, music, PE, and media. In every activity, I learn more and more about music and art. I learn about abstract art, how to play the ukulele, how to play basketball, and poems.

Eliana Dewar, Traphagen School

Naomi Hooks, Mandela/Zollicoffer School 

What makes my school special is that some of the staff have great qualities to have the students look up to them.

Naomi Hooks, Mandela/Zollicoffer School

Kimberly Munguia, Lincoln School

Lincoln is a great school for learning and making friends. The teachers are amazing at their jobs and help give you so many opportunities to get ahead in life.

Kimberly Munguia, Lincoln School

Lily Cudjoe, Graham School 

My school provides us programs to help us, like African dance, the Boys Club, and My Sister’s place.

Lily Cudjoe, Graham School