Dr. Ricca celebrates success, urges staff to build on past, shape future

White Plains City School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Ricca opened the new academic year with a spirit of excitement, energy and pride on Tuesday morning as he delivered his annual welcome-back address to faculty and staff.

Dr. Ricca highlighted student accomplishments, innovative programs and academic growth during his almost hourlong address in the White Plains High School auditorium, where he challenged the crowd to build on the district’s success for the 2026-27 academic year.

His theme, “Building on the Past, Shaping the Future,” reflected both pride in what White Plains schools accomplished over the past year and a determination to continue forging ahead for the young Tigers.

Dr. Ricca, who received numerous rounds of applause throughout his presentation, told the packed auditorium that the district’s success rests on the collective efforts of employees in every building, department and job title.

“I think we should celebrate the foundation that you built,” he said after being introduced by WPHS Principal Emerly Martinez. “White Plains is an extraordinary place.”

The annual gathering began with greetings from Board of Education President Rosemarie Eller, White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch and representatives of the district’s employee associations, each emphasizing the importance of the people who serve White Plains students.

Ms. Eller welcomed returning and new employees and thanked staff members across the district for helping students “dream big, aim high and reach their fullest potential.”

“Our students are exceptional because of the exceptional people who make up our entire school community,” she said.

Mr. Brasch similarly stressed the role educators and other school employees play beyond academics.

“You don’t just teach them your subject,” the mayor said. “You show them how to be decent people, good citizens and good people.”

He also highlighted the partnership between the city and school district, including its schools, police department and Youth Bureau, and praised Dr. Ricca as an important partner in that collaboration. 

“It’s everybody’s job to teach these kids to fly, to teach them to learn and grow and be the best people they can be,” Mr. Brasch said. 

CSEA President Ilka Marino compared the work of civil service employees to the structural components that support a skyscraper. While attention may naturally be drawn to high-profile achievements such as test scores, athletic victories and innovative programs, she said, those successes depend on the people doing essential work behind the scenes.

“In our schools, CSEA is the vital structural element,” Ms. Marino said.

White Plains Teachers Association President Kara McCormick-Lyons focused on the importance of human relationships at a time when artificial intelligence – a subject that Dr. Ricca focused on later – and other technologies are rapidly changing education.

“It is so good to see so many humans in this room,” she joked before turning to a serious message about the irreplaceable role of educators. 

“The work we do, especially here in White Plains, is deeply rooted in human connection,” she said. “It’s the most important thing that we do.” Innovation and technology have important roles, she added, but “technology should serve educators and students, not the other way around.”

Administrators and Supervisors Association President Douglas Cronk described the district’s three-day orientation for new staff, which included sessions on Human Resources, professional development, safety and security, technology, lesson planning and effective daily instruction.

He also recounted bringing AVID students into the orientation to explain directly to new employees how White Plains teachers and staff have helped them succeed.

Dr. Ricca then took the stage for the centerpiece of the morning, which included a new video showcasing the district and offering an extensive review of accomplishments across its schools.

The superintendent welcomed 42 new faculty members and 23 new civil service employees, along with several new administrators, while emphasizing that every employee contributes to the district’s mission.

At WPHS, the graduation rate reached 98 percent. Fifty-six percent of graduates planned to attend four-year colleges and another 24 percent planned to attend two-year colleges, with others entering the military, trades and workforce or taking a gap year.

Members of the Class of 2026 earned 101 New York State Seals of Biliteracy, 44 College Board School Recognition Awards and 206 New York State Educational Excellence Awards. Graduates also received $366,350 in local scholarships, Dr. Ricca gushed.

At Rochambeau Alternative High School, students received more than $500,000 in scholarship offers, he said, including more than $300,000 in offers to one student. The school celebrated 23 of its 24 seniors graduating, while six additional students earned their GEDs.

For the first time in Rochambeau’s history, students graduated and went directly to four-year colleges, Dr. Ricca said to loud applause.

Students also distinguished themselves through service. At WPHS alone, 137 students were recognized after completing more than 11,000 hours of community service, the superintendent said as he highlighted achievements and programs throughout the district.

WPHS students took first place in the Business Olympics and explored career options through a Trade, Vocation and Civil Service Fair, while science research students earned recognition in regional competitions.

At Highlands Middle School, about 70 students participated in the New York LEO Day of Service at the New York State Judicial Institute, learning about the legal profession and possible college and career pathways, Dr. Ricca said, adding that students also developed inventions and entrepreneurial ideas during the school’s annual Business Fair.

Highlands launched Mindful Pathways, a mentorship program providing personalized support to students with academic, attendance, behavioral and social-emotional needs.

At Eastview Middle School, 59 percent of students met NWEA ELA benchmark expectations in June, achieving the school’s goal, while 57 percent met the benchmark in math.

Dr. Ricca also praised Eastview’s efforts to ensure students feel known and valued. Students organized community luncheons and celebrations and produced digital newspapers, while teaching assistants created the #EPIC Card Program to recognize students who demonstrate community, integrity and growth.

At the end of the school year, staff members wrote a personal note to every student, Dr. Ricca noted with deep appreciation.

Across the elementary schools, he highlighted community service, family engagement, academic programs and efforts to build stronger relationships.

Church Street students participated in Grandpas United, the Buddies program, Safety Patrol and community service projects, while students grew produce for a farmers market whose proceeds benefited Feeding Westchester.

At George Washington, Grade-Wide Community Meetings reinforced the school’s P.R.I.D.E. values and helped foster belonging and respect, while the school successfully implemented the Arts and Letters ELA program across every grade level.

At Post Road, the Post Road Market marked six years of providing food, clothing, bookbags, Thanksgiving meals and holiday toys to families. The school also continued Girls on the Run and brought Grandpas United to its students.

Mamaroneck Avenue School underwent significant improvements over the summer, Dr. Ricca went on, including completely renovated student bathrooms, new water fountains and countertops, repaired ceilings and fresh paint. Ridgeway School began the year with a redesigned main office, an outdoor playground mural and several new staff members.

Tiger pride was another major part of the presentation.

More than 100 student-athletes participated in the summer academy, and White Plains had 460 NYSPHSAA scholar-athletes during the 2025-26 school year. The district celebrated league championships in boys cross country, girls soccer and boys swimming and diving, along with numerous individual honors.

Dr. Ricca noted with particular pride that Highlands had no academically ineligible student-athletes during both the winter and spring seasons.

The district is also expanding support for students with disabilities through new SAIL classes at WPHS and Highlands, additional inclusive opportunities and a partnership with Westchester Community College.

Looking to the future, Dr. Ricca joined Ms. McCormick-Lyons in addressing AI and the rapidly changing world students will enter.

“Ignoring it is not an option,” he said, emphasizing that AI should be approached responsibly and used to enhance rather than replace human thinking and relationships.

The larger question, he said, should always be whether new tools help the district better serve its children and families. Dr. Ricca, who noted his 18 years as a superintendent, repeatedly returned to that idea of service as he reflected on the district’s progress and looked toward the year ahead.

“What can we do? How can we help our children? How can we help our children and families? How can we support our colleagues?” he asked. “How can we continue to build on the spirit of the White Plains School District and continue to lead, not just Westchester County, but even in the state of New York and, dare I say humbly, the nation?”

He closed by thanking employees for what they have accomplished and urging them to support one another when the work becomes difficult.

“It is really my extraordinary honor to serve with you,” Dr. Ricca said. “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with you, learn from you and help support our community together.

“I think we’ve come a long way,” he said. “I think White Plains has always stood out as an exceptional educational community. I think over the last decade, we’ve continued to elevate, to ask, ‘How can we do more? How can we do better?’”

“So I’m really grateful for all of you,” Dr. Ricca continued. “I’m grateful for what you do for our students, what you’re going to do to support our families. It is the most important work that we can do.

“All of the great high points that I mentioned today — it’s all of you and everything that you’ve done for our children,” he added.