It was another wonderful week of learning at School 23!
Our students have begun their i-Ready Diagnostic assessments in both Reading and Math. These assessments will provide our teachers with important baseline information about where students are currently performing and help us identify their strengths and areas where they may need additional support.
Today, we also completed our first fire drill of the school year. Our students did a wonderful job following directions and exiting the building safely and in a timely manner. Next week, we will continue practicing our safety procedures with another schoolwide safety drill.
Thank you to all of the families who attended our Open House! We appreciate you taking the time to meet our teachers, visit classrooms, and learn more about the exciting work happening at School 23. Your partnership is an important part of our students’ success.
We are also looking for families to get involved in our PTSA! A strong PTSA helps strengthen the partnership between our school and families and provides more opportunities for our students. We encourage all parents and guardians to join and become involved.
Lastly, our attendance for this week was just under 90%. We need everyone’s help as we work toward improving our schoolwide attendance. Every day of learning matters! Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is present every day unless they are ill.
A special shoutout to Ms. Felice’s class and Ms. Pascuma’s class for having the highest attendance this week! Keep showing up and SOARing!
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Together We SOAR!
Dear School 23 Families,
It has been another great week at School 23! We are excited to share that our school had over 90% attendance this week. Thank you to our families for helping our students Show Up each day and arrive ready to learn.
A special congratulations to Ms. Russo’s class and Ms. Felice’s class for having the highest attendance in the building this week! Great job!
We also kicked off our Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week! Today, our students and staff celebrated by wearing the colors of a Hispanic or Latino country. It was wonderful to see our School 23 community come together to celebrate the many cultures represented in our school.
Our Spirit Week celebration continues next Friday, September 25! Students and staff are encouraged to wear their favorite sports jersey or team shirt as we celebrate Hispanic and Latino athletes and their contributions to sports.
A few important reminders for next week:
• No School Monday: School will be closed on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 22.
• Fire Safety Drill: As part of our commitment to keeping our students and staff safe and prepared, School 23 will conduct a fire safety drill during the upcoming week. Students will practice safely and calmly exiting the building in the event of an emergency.
• Open House: We look forward to welcoming our families to School 23 on Thursday, September 24, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, visit their classroom, and learn more about the school year. We hope all of our families can attend!
I would also like to thank our School 23 staff for another great week. Their hard work, dedication, and care for our students are what make each day at School 23 special. From welcoming our students each morning to creating engaging learning experiences throughout the day, I appreciate everything they do to help our students SOAR.
Thank you to our families for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to another great week at School 23!
Together We SOAR!
Welcome back! We had a great first two days of school, and I want to thank our students, families, teachers, and staff for helping us start the year on such a positive note. It was wonderful to see our students back in the building, and we are looking forward to a great school year together.
As we head into next week, here are a few important announcements:
No School – Monday, September 7
School will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 8.
Grade-Level Assemblies
Next week, we will begin our grade-level assemblies for the school year. Students in each grade will participate in an assembly where we will welcome them, review school expectations, and talk about what it means to SOAR at School 23:
Show Up
Own Your Learning
Achieve Your Best
Respect Everyone
Dismissal & Extended Learning Time (ELT)
Extended Learning Time (ELT) has ended. All students will be dismissed by 3:15 p.m. Please remember that students cannot be picked up from the Main Office after 2:45 p.m. Families should plan accordingly.
Open House – Save the Date
Our School 23 Open House will be held on Thursday, September 24, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming our families into the building. Additional information and details will follow.
Join Our PTSA
Please consider joining the School 23 PTSA and becoming involved in our school community. We are also looking for parents and guardians interested in serving as PTSA board officers. More information will be shared soon.
Thank you again for a wonderful opening to the school year and for your continued partnership. Enjoy the extended weekend with your families, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday ready to learn, grow, and SOAR!
Together We SOAR,
Cyrus Shojai
Principal
We are excited to share that today’s Mayor Mike Spano Backpack-to-School Drive has been expanded to include ALL School 23 students in Pre-K through Grade 6!
The event begins today at 12:00 p.m. in the School 23 Auditorium. Students will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies.
We know this is a last-minute invitation for our Grades 3–6 families, but we would love to have you join us if you are available!
We hope to see you at noon. Together We SOAR!
Good evening, School 23 families.
This is Principal Shojai calling to remind you that Mayor Mike Spano’s Backpack-to-School Drive will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25, at 12:00 p.m. in the School 23 Auditorium.
All School 23 students in Pre-K through Grade 2 are invited to attend and will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies.
We look forward to seeing our students and families tomorrow at noon. Have a great evening, and Together We SOAR!
Students learned important safety tips and protocols to help ensure a safe and smooth ride to and from school each day.
A special thank you to First Student for supporting our students and families as they prepare for their very first bus ride this fall! 💛
We are excited to welcome you and your child to School 23! Please join us for our Pre-K Orientation on Monday, August 17, from 10:00–11:00 a.m.
This will be a great opportunity to visit the school, meet members of our team, and learn more about what to expect as your child begins Pre-K.
📍 School 23
56 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-376-8445
We look forward to welcoming our newest students and families to the School 23 community!
Cyrus Shojai
Interim Principal
You are the ❤️ of our schools.
You inspire. You uplift. You create magic every single day. 🪄
Thank you for shaping the future of Yonkers.
— Superintendent Anibal Soler, Jr.
Our principals are more than administrators. They are visionaries, problem-solvers, and champions for our students, staff, and families.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Join Yonkers Public Schools for this year’s Relay for Life as we raise vital funds for cancer research and support services, Friday, May 29, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.at Gorton High School, 100 Shonnard Place, Yonkers
Building on last year’s success, we are coming together to support two very special members of our school family: Brenda Cardoza, whose dedication and compassion have touched so many lives, and Belen Ruiz Benito, a brave second-grade student at Enrico Fermi School whose strength and courage have inspired our entire community.
Walk with us and stand united in hope.
Yonkers Public Schools 12th graders and 8th graders (with School ID) are invited to the Roosevelt High School Library, 631 Tuckahoe Road, on Wednesday, 4/15 & Friday, 4/17 during Periods 5–8, and Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Thank you to the generous donors who make this possible. #YonkersMagic
Please click on the link below to participate in this quick and anonymous Annual School Climate Survey.
This is your chance to be heard!
Student Link:
https://surveys.panoramaed.com/yonkersny/login
Family Link:
surveys.panoramaed.com/yonkersny/Spring2026Family/surveys
Thank you!
