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Schools
School District In Putnam County Taps New Superintendent School District In Putnam County Taps New Superintendent
Garrison Union Free School District Taps New Superintendent After an intense vetting process, a Hudson Valley school district has selected a new superintendent with more than two decades of leadership experience.  In an announcement on Tuesday, April 9, the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County revealed that Gregory Stowell was offered the position of superintendent.  Stowell is expected to be officially appointed to the role at the next Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.  Once he takes the district's helm, Stowell will replace Carl Albano, who officially retired from the role in September…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By Northern Westchester High School 'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By Northern Westchester High School
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By Northern Westchester High School Edie Falco, one of the stars of "The Sopranos," took some time to give some advice about acting and life to students during a visit to a Northern Westchester high school. In a 90-minute visit to John Jay High School in Cross River on Tuesday, March 19, Edie Falco, known for playing Carmela Soprano in "The Sopranos," spoke to over 100 students as part of the school's Social and Theoretical Criticism in the Serial Narrative elective.  During the visit, which took place in the school's auditorium, Falco answered students' questions about her life and career and told the story of how …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Carmel Central School District Spark Outrage Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Carmel Central School District Spark Outrage
Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Carmel Central School District Spark Outrage A Hudson Valley school district has sparked outrage among residents by proposing a budget for the next year that contains at least $6 million in cuts, which could affect many student programs and teaching jobs.  At a Board of Education meeting in Putnam County held on Tuesday night, March 12 at Carmel High School, countless community members spoke out about the budget, proposed by the Carmel Central School District for the 2023-2024 school year.  According to district documents, the budget could include at least $6 million in cuts to teaching jobs, after-school programs, fie…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure Funnyman Jimmy Fallon ginned up plenty of online buzz after crashing a college party in upstate New York. The 49-year-old “Tonight Show” host and “Saturday Night Live” alum made a surprise appearance at what appears to be a frat party at a house near the UAlbany campus on Saturday, March 9. Video shared on TikTok shows dozens of students screaming with excitement while trying to snap selfies as Fallon is led through a crowd and into the residence. It was not immediately clear how long he stayed at the party. @victoriaspadaro Kegs & Eggs 🍀 #jimmyfallon #ualbany #upstateny #capital…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found At School In Hudson Valley Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found At School In Hudson Valley
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found At School In Hudson Valley The discovery of two swastikas on a high school wall in the region is being used as a learning experience regarding anti-Semitism. The swastikas were found in Dutchess County on Monday, March 4 at Rhinebeck High School, said the principal Edwin Davenport. Davenport, who happened to be in the classroom when the symbols of hate were discovered by another student, said he is investigating to find who may have drawn the symbols in chalk on a wall, but also immediately called out the action for what it was -- "It's evil, and will not be tolerated," Davenport said. It is not the first time …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Elementary School Student Walks Out Of Her Classroom, Building In Northern Westchester Elementary School Student Walks Out Of Her Classroom, Building In Northern Westchester
Elementary School Student Walks Out Of Her Classroom, Building In Northern Westchester A school district in Northern Westchester is implementing additional safety protocols after a young student was able to walk out of her classroom and leave the building, officials said.  The incident happened on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5, when a student at Hawthorne Elementary School walked out of her classroom and then the building, Mount Pleasant Central School District Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo said in a letter to families on Tuesday, Feb. 6.  Luckily, the girl was soon found and safely returned to the school by staff members, and Mount Pleasant Police, distinct offici…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
US Presidential Scholar: Northern Westchester Student Named Candidate For Top Honor US Presidential Scholar: Northern Westchester Student Named Candidate For Top Honor
US Presidential Scholar: Northern Westchester Student Named Candidate For Top Honor A senior at a Northern Westchester high school has been nominated for one of the nation's highest honors for students.  Daniel Ndocaj, a senior at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, has been selected as a candidate for the US Presidential Scholars Program, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30.  The federal program, created in 1964, recognizes the country's most distinguished graduating seniors and is one of the nation's highest honors for a high school student.  According to district officials,  Ndocaj was one of the more than 5,000…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays A Connecticut school board's decision to remove two holidays that have traditionally given students a day off has sparked debate amongst community members, according to a report by ABC 7 New York.  The controversy began in Fairfield County following the Stamford School Board's decision to remove Veterans Day and Columbus Day from their calendar, which means students will not have them off for the next two years, according to an ABC7 report from Friday, Jan. 26.  Board members, who passed the decision in a 5-3 motion, have defended the decision by saying students should remain in s…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage' NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage'
NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage' Leaders in New York are making it easier for people to become school bus drivers in an attempt to tackle a growing national shortage. The Department of Motor Vehicles has implemented a federal waiver allowing school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment component – known as the “under the hood” part – of the commercial driver license road test. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the move will make it easier to get a commercial license at a time when school bus drivers are “desperately needed.” “The job of transporting and caring for our children is so important, and the need for more dr…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Garrison School District Vulnerable To Online Security Disruptions: Report Garrison School District Vulnerable To Online Security Disruptions: Report
Garrison School District Vulnerable To Online Security Disruptions: Report A new report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller has discovered a Hudson Valley school district is particularly vulnerable to online security disruptions.  The report, issued earlier in January by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli following an audit performed by his office, found that the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County did not adequately secure its online network user accounts and has sensitive information technology control weaknesses.  Additionally, the report found that the district's staff did not have sufficient guidance or plans i…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Schools Superintendent In Northern Westchester Announces Retirement Schools Superintendent In Northern Westchester Announces Retirement
Schools Superintendent In Northern Westchester Announces Retirement A superintendent at one of the largest school districts in Northern Westchester has just announced he will be retiring. Andrew Selesnick has been in his post at the Katonah-Lewisboro School District since 2015, when he accepted the position after serving as principal at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. His retirement will be effective Friday, July 12. "It is hard to express how grateful I am to have been your superintendent for nine years and an educator in Northern Westchester for 32 years," Selesnick said in a statement. "Though I’m retiring as superintendent, I will seek new way…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Brewster School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record' Brewster School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record'
Brewster School District Taps New Superintendent: 'Has Proven Record' A school district in the Hudson Valley has officially named a new superintendent who is already a very familiar face.  The Brewster Central School District in Putnam County announced the appointment of Michelle Gosh as its next superintendent on Friday, Jan. 12. Gosh will officially take over the position on Monday, July 1 following the retirement of her predecessor, Laurie Bandlow.  Earlier Report - Brewster Central Schools Superintendent To Step Down: Decision Made With 'Very Heavy Heart' Although Gosh will be taking on a new role, she is a familiar face in Brew…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
NY Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Science Competition NY Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Science Competition
NY Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Science Competition Dozens of students from New York have been named semifinalists in the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The Society for Science announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search for 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Participants were whittled down from 2,162 applicants from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico, and 10 other countries. Students were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, and community involvement, as well as a commitment to academics and creativity in asking scientific …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports
Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports Claudine Gay is set to resign as Harvard University president after facing plagiarism accusations over her academic work and heavy criticism during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Gay is stepping down on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 2, after just six months and two days since being appointed president of the university, according to the Harvard Crimson. Her tenure is the shortest ever for a Harvard president, the newspaper reported.  Related: Harvard President Claudine Gay Gets Support From Faculty Her resignation comes after mounting allegations of plagiarism of her…

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports
Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports As the US House of Representatives is digging deeper into Harvard University President Claudine Gay’s academic work, the university said it had found more issues in connection to the matter. The Harvard Corporation, which oversees the university, said on Wednesday, Dec. 20 that Gay would request three corrections to her 1997 Ph.D. dissertation, the Harvard Crimson reported. The corrections follow an independent review by the corporation, which found that Gay had not properly attributed some of her sources but the incidents didn't rise to the level of serious wrongdoing, the Crimson reported…

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Northern Westchester HS Senior Ranked Top Cellist In New York State: 'Incredibly Proud' Northern Westchester HS Senior Ranked Top Cellist In New York State: 'Incredibly Proud'
Northern Westchester HS Senior Ranked Top Cellist In New York State: 'Incredibly Proud' A high school senior from Northern Westchester has earned state-wide recognition for her musical chops. Cameron Bly, a senior at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, won the principal cellist seat at the All-State Orchestra Winter Conference held in Rochester by the New York State School Music Association, Bedford Central School District officials announced on Wednesday, Dec. 6.  This win officially names Bly as the top-ranking cellist in the state of New York, according to the district. "We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment!" district officials said.

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Hochul Vows 'Aggressive' Discipline For Colleges Letting 'Jewish Genocide' Calls Go Unchecked Hochul Vows 'Aggressive' Discipline For Colleges Letting 'Jewish Genocide' Calls Go Unchecked
Hochul Vows 'Aggressive' Discipline For Colleges Letting 'Jewish Genocide' Calls Go Unchecked New York colleges that fail to swiftly punish calls for Jewish genocide will face “aggressive” repercussions, including potentially losing their funding, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. In a letter to New York State college and university presidents on Saturday, Dec. 9, Hochul said she had reached out to SUNY Chancellor John King “to ensure that it is SUNY’s policy that calling for the genocide of any group of people” on campuses violated the university’s code of conduct and would lead to “swift disciplinary action.” “Chancellor King affirmed that was the case, and that SUNY will not tolerate …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
NY Giants Give Award To Putnam County HS Student: 'He Always Wanted To Push Himself' NY Giants Give Award To Putnam County HS Student: 'He Always Wanted To Push Himself'
NY Giants Give Award To Putnam County HS Student: 'He Always Wanted To Push Himself' A Hudson Valley high school student who has become an invaluable football team member despite his cerebral palsy diagnosis is being celebrated for having the true heart of a giant.  Putnam County high schooler Eduardo Recinos, a student at Putnam Valley High School, was presented with the 2023 Heart of a Giant award by New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones on Wednesday, Dec. 6, school officials announced.  The award, presented by both the Giants and the Hospital for Special Surgery, highlights high school tackle and flag football athletes, student managers, stude…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Harvard President Faces Plagiarism Allegations Amid Calls For Resignation Harvard President Faces Plagiarism Allegations Amid Calls For Resignation
Harvard President Faces Plagiarism Allegations Amid Calls For Resignation Harvard University president Claudine Gay faces new allegations while some are calling for her resignation after they took issue with recent comments she made to Congress about anti-Semitism.  A report claims that Gay had plagiarized portions of her doctoral thesis. However, the prestigious university said it had looked into the matter and determined that she had not violated any of the school's research standards. Officials said two of her articles will receive corrections for "inadequate citation." The Harvard Corporation, which supervises the university, announced in a statement on …

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Harvard Faculty Backs President Gay Amid Calls For Resignation Over Congressional Testimony Harvard Faculty Backs President Gay Amid Calls For Resignation Over Congressional Testimony
Harvard Faculty Backs President Gay Amid Calls For Resignation Over Congressional Testimony Harvard President Claudine Gay is facing calls to resign after her congressional hearing on antisemitism went viral last week, but hundreds of university faculty are rallying behind her in support. An open letter, addressed to the Harvard Corporation, has reached 686 signatures from faculty members, according to the Harvard Crimson. Related: Gay Denies Plagiarism Claims As University Lends Its Support Faculty members wrote: “We, the undersigned faculty, urge you in the strongest possible terms to defend the independence of the university and to resist political pressures that are at odds …

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by Khier Casino
Schools
School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Hudson Valley School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Hudson Valley
School Opens World's First 'Hologram Studio' For Education In Hudson Valley A film school in Westchester is making history by opening the first-ever "hologram studio" for educational purposes, officials announced.  The grand opening for the world's first-ever hologram studio for youth and education was held on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the S.I.C. Film School located at 1 Larkin Pl., Yonkers city officials announced.  According to the school, the studio is the first to be made specifically for educational purposes and is part of the institution's focus on using virtual reality and the metaverse in arts education.  Students will be able to use the studio to…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Northern Westchester School Bus Driver Wins National Award Northern Westchester School Bus Driver Wins National Award
Northern Westchester School Bus Driver Wins National Award A Northern Westchester school bus driver is being nationally recognized for her efforts to make sure that all her young passengers have the best experience possible on their way to class.  Katonah-Lewisboro School District bus driver Carol Rivera Gaffey was awarded National Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year on Tuesday, Dec. 5 by AMF-Bruns of America, which manufactures special needs products, district officials announced. Gaffey was nominated for the award by her supervisor, Nora Beltran, who did not tell her until she learned she had won.  In her no…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
UPenn President Resigns After Backlash Over Congressional Testimony UPenn President Resigns After Backlash Over Congressional Testimony
UPenn President Resigns After Backlash Over Congressional Testimony Moments after it was announced that University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill was resigning, Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok followed suit. Magill, whose testimony to Congress on antisemitism earlier this week sparked widespread outrage, resigned on Saturday, Dec. 9. Bok later announced his resignation, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Magill remains a faculty member at Penn Carey Law and will stay on as president until an interim president is appointment, UPenn Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok said in announcing the news Saturday evening. And Liz Magill has resig…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years
College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years After more than a century in operations, Albany’s College of Saint Rose is permanently closing amid mounting financial struggles. The school’s board of trustees voted Thursday, Nov. 30, to shut down the college at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. “It is with a heavy heart that the Board decided to close the college at the end of this academic year,” Board Chair Jeffrey Stone said.  "The Board determined that the College does not have the financial resources to operate for the full 2024-2025 academic year and therefore cannot remain a standalone institution.” It comes after years …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Students at two Westchester schools were treated to a visit from the grandson of famed activist and politician Nelson Mandela, who encouraged them to take some time to give back to their communities and stand up for others.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, visited the Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School and Mount Vernon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced. During his visits to the schools, Mandela discussed his grandfather's legacy and his activism efforts and also participated…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
College In CT Shows Support For Palestinian Student Shot In VT In Apparent Hate Crime College In CT Shows Support For Palestinian Student Shot In VT In Apparent Hate Crime
College In CT Shows Support For Palestinian Student Shot In VT In Apparent Hate Crime A college community in Connecticut, alongside many nationwide, has been left reeling after a student of Palestinian descent was one of three shot in what appears to be a hate crime. Tahseen Ali Ahmad, age 20, who attends Trinity College in Hartford, was one of three men of the same age shot outside of a house in Burlington, Vermont on Sunday, Nov. 26, the school announced. Ali Ahmad and the two other men — Kinnan Abdalhamid and Hisham Awartani, also of Palestinian descent — were lifelong friends visiting a relative’s house near the University of Vermont's campus for the Thanksgiving holid…

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings 7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings
7 NY School Districts Among Top 13 In Nation, According To New Rankings Several school districts in the region rank among the best in the nation in brand-new rankings. TeachSimple analyzed reviews and ratings of each US school district and ranked them from highest to lowest, with 1 being the lowest, and 5 being the highest.  The scores are based on reviews from parents and students, statistics from the US Department of Education, and user-submitted information from schools.  The two top-ranked districts in New York and Connecticut are both in Nassau County on Long Island: No. 3 Roslyn Union Free SD has a high proficiency in both reading and math. T…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
High School In Hudson Valley Closed After Student Brawl Breaks Out High School In Hudson Valley Closed After Student Brawl Breaks Out
High School In Hudson Valley Closed After Student Brawl Breaks Out A physical altercation involving students has resulted in the closure of a high school in the Hudson Valley. In Orange County, Middletown High School will be closed on Friday, Nov. 17 following the fight on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 16. The closure for grades 9-12 only. All K-8 campuses will be open. There will be no after-school or evening activities on Friday for grades 9-12. Creeden said in a statement to the community that Superintendent of Schools Amy Creeden said in a statement to the community: "The high school closure is being implemented out of an abundance of caution an…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Racial Slur Found On Bathroom Wall Of Hudson Valley Elementary School, Officials Say Racial Slur Found On Bathroom Wall Of Hudson Valley Elementary School, Officials Say
Racial Slur Found On Bathroom Wall Of Hudson Valley Elementary School, Officials Say School officials in a Hudson Valley district are investigating after a racial epithet was found written in a bathroom at an elementary school. The incident occurred in Rockland County in Valley Cottage at Liberty Elementary School on Thursday, Nov. 2. According to Superintendent of Nyack Public Schools Susan Yom, the "N-word" was found on a bathroom wall. "This word is a racist and offensive slur that is not reflective of our commitment to eliminate all forms of racism from our district," Yom said. "We are deeply troubled that hateful and bigoted vandalism was scrawled in a building where …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell 21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell
21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell A student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York has been accused of threatening to shoot, stab, and rape Jewish students at the Ivy League school. Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old junior originally from Pittsford, New York, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 31 on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications, according to prosecutors in the Northern District of New York. Dai allegedly posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, including posts calling for the deaths of Jewish peopl…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
'Devastating News': High School Student In Region Dies 'Devastating News': High School Student In Region Dies
'Devastating News': High School Student In Region Dies A Fairfield County high school student has died, according to school officials. Click here for a new, updated story: Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Ridgefield High School Student Who Died At Age 15 The student attended Ridgefield High School and died early Monday morning, Oct. 30, Ridgefield Police and school officials said. They did not reveal where or how the student died. The name of the student has not yet been released. Ridgefield Public Schools superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva wrote in a letter to the community to share the "devastating news." "The loss for our stu…

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by Kathy Reakes