Harrison High School showcases IB art exhibition and celebrates student achievements

The Harrison Board of Education convened on April 2, 2025, to discuss various achievements and updates within the district, highlighting student accomplishments and ongoing projects.

The meeting commenced with a celebration of the recent International Baccalaureate (IB) visual art exhibition held at the high school, showcasing installations from 13 Year 2 IB artists. Board members expressed gratitude to the participating students and acknowledged the guidance provided by art teachers Sarah Rowe, Christine Vitorello, and Anna Pilevski. The exhibition will remain on display until April 11, and attendees were encouraged to view the students' remarkable work, which is also available online.

In addition to the art exhibition, the board recognized young musicians from Purchase Elementary and LMK who participated in the Westchester Intermediate and Elementary All-County ensembles. These students were selected based on their outstanding performances at the NYSMA solo festivals. Special thanks were extended to their teachers for their support in preparing the students for this prestigious honor.

The high school debate team also received accolades, with Jack Borman winning the Harrison round robin tournament and qualifying for the NCSL national championship alongside teammates Brooke Sciano and Jack Gester. Rhys Potash was commended for placing fifth out of 135 debaters at the digital speech and debate national championship.

On the science front, Chase Endy, a high school student, achieved first place at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, qualifying for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Other students also excelled at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair, earning various placements in categories such as animal sciences and environmental sciences.

The meeting also addressed ongoing developments in athletics, with the high school season underway and upgrades to the JV field planned due to the varsity field's upcoming renovations. The board discussed several construction projects, including window installations at the high school and playground expansions at Parsons School, with plans for a new entrance at Harrison Avenue School and additional classrooms at the high school.

In terms of staffing, the district is actively recruiting new teachers amid a national teacher shortage, with efforts to attract talented candidates through various recruitment events.

The meeting concluded with updates on enrollment, which has reached an all-time high of 3,782 students, and discussions about the upcoming spring recess and unused snow days. The board emphasized the importance of student attendance until the last day of school and encouraged community engagement in upcoming events.

Overall, the meeting showcased the district's commitment to fostering student achievement and enhancing educational facilities, while also addressing the challenges of growing enrollment and staffing needs.