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Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School receive a visit from the Mount Vernon police department

Police shaking student hand
Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School receive a visit from the Mount Vernon police department

 

Pre-K and kindergarten students at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School were eager with excitement to receive a visit from the Mount Vernon Police Department on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. 

“They are really excited to learn about the different community helpers.” said Ms. Fernandez, Kindergarten teacher at NMHZ.  “We have been learning about it in social studies and it is a great opportunity for us to be able to see them today.” 

Police officers spoke to students about their daily tasks, when to call in case of an emergency and let students ask them questions about their job. Police officers also brought three different kinds of police cars for the students to see. Classmates lined up in anticipation to turn on the siren and lights. 

“We’re here to make sure that the children in our community know what the police department and 911 do and to feel that they are welcome by us,” said Captain Greg Addison with the Mount Vernon Police Department. It is very important to engage with our children very early on and let them know that the police are someone they can trust.”  

students and teacher smiling as they get ready for police officers to arrive.
Students watching presentation.
Students raising their hands to ask a question.
Officer helping student in car.
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students trying music equipment.
NMHZ students learn basics of music production from The Music Team

Students in grades 5-8 at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School participated in an exciting hands-on experience on Thursday, November 7, 2024, with a professional production team, The Music Team LLC. They dove into the world of DJing and music mixing. Students learned the art of blending beats and creating their own tracks, gaining valuable insights into the creative process behind music production. From the basics of mixing to the thrill of crafting their own sound, these young learners discovered the power of music technology and expression!

Students and principal in front of mural
NMHZ installs mural paying tribute to Nelson Mandela and Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer

Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School commissioned a free mural painted by artist Darryl Moore during October. The mural pays respect to both Nelson Mandela and Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer. The school motto, RISE (I am Responsible, I show Integrity, I am being Safe, and I am Exceptional), as well as the school's falcon mascot are both depicted in the mural. Principal Barbara Abbey felt it was appropriate to pay tribute to the school and the people it was named after. Students loved the mural, and it has brought a sense of pride within the school. 

NMHZ staff and student holding a prize
NMHZ celebrates arithmetic at Family Math Night

Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School celebrated Family Math Night on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Students enjoyed their evenings by playing math games with their family, friends and staff. Family Math Night encourages students to experience math in a fun way. Dr. Jamal Doggett, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Administration, and Dr. Satish Jagnandan, Director of STEAM, joined in on the fun and festivities. 

NMHZ celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
NMHZ celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

On October 16, 2024 students at the Nelson Mandela/ Hosea Zollicoffer School carried around paper passports, filling them out with all of the Hispanic countries they learned about during the school’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. This small festival featured students presenting research projects about Latin American countries to their peers, delicious snacks, and live musical performances taught and led by Mr. Chul Baik, a music teacher at the school.

Students and staff at NMHZ School wear blue in support of World Day of Bullying Prevention
Students and staff at NMHZ School wear blue in support of World Day of Bullying Prevention

On Monday, October 7, 2024, students and faculty of Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School wore blue shirts to school, participating in the District-wide celebration of World Day of Bullying Prevention. The halls of NMHZ were filled with blue as students and staff took a unified stance against bullying as a designated No Place For Hate school. All sixteen schools in the Mount Vernon City School District have been designated as Gold Star No Place For Hate schools by the Anti-Defamation League for the past two years.  
 

Student being helped with bike helmet.
NMHZ School PTSA educates students on traffic safety and gives away helmets

On Saturday, September 28, the Nelson Mandela/Hosea Zollicoffer School PTSA held its second annual Traffic Safety Event. Students were provided with free helmets and information about staying safe in traffic. NMHZ thanks the New York State PTA, Fleetwood Bakery, Westchester Community Health Center, the Fire Department of Mount Vernon, the New York City Department of Transportation and all the volunteers that helped!

 
Students in front of the game they are creating
NMHZ students use lessons from school year to build math games

Students in Vito Dimatteo's sixth grade class at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School were recently tasked with the objective of creating different types of math games based on core arithmetic skills they learned this year. Students went from creating math chutes and ladders, to creating ping pong tables, turf and mini football fields. Games ranged from small group teams of one to one or groups of four, to playing math bingo and jeopardy as a whole class.