Mold Remediation in Ossining, NY

Service on Metro-North Railroad's Haverstraw-Ossining ferry will run hourly on weekends, starting on May 24.

Jeff Edwards, Patch Staff

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A Hudson Valley summer "rite of passage" isn't just for commuters anymore. The ferry is in shipshape and ready for sightseers.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the return of weekend service on Metro-North Railroad's Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry. The pilot program, now in its second year, will offer hourly service across the Hudson River starting on Saturday, with ferries timed to connect at Ossining with Metro-North trains to and from New York City.

"Rockland County is once again proud to welcome visitors from across the region with the return of the Haverstraw-Ossining Weekend Ferry Service," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said. "Thanks to our Transport of Rockland [TOR] Weekend Ferry Connection bus, travelers can easily reach some of the many unique destinations and attractions Rockland has to offer — all without needing a car."

The hourly service will run between 10:23 a.m. and 7:46 p.m. on weekends, through Oct. 12. Ferries will not operate on Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day.

"As we prepare to embark on a fun and festive Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial kick-off to summer, we are thrilled that weekend ferry service will be returning for residents to enjoy from Westchester to Rockland counties," said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. "The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry can quickly turn a trip across the Hudson into an adventure, with fresh air, scenic views and a relaxing ride for children and families. I want to thank our partners at Metro-North Railroad for bringing back this service, which offers a great alternative to driving and an enjoyable experience for all."

Find out what's happening in Ossining-Croton-On-Hudsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

An adult one-way ticket on the Haverstraw-Ossining ferry costs $4.50. Seniors (62+), people with disabilities, and Medicare recipients pay $2.25 with appropriate ID. Children ages 6-11 pay $2.25, while children 5 and under ride for free. A 10-trip ferry ticket costs $38.25.

First launched in May 2024, the weekend ferry service was designed to enhance the reach of Metro-North to Rockland County and serve as an alternative to driving into NYC. During the opening weekend last year, the ferry averaged 240 riders a day. In June, that grew to around 284 riders daily, and in July, ridership reached about 455 riders a day on the weekend. The ferry set a record of 822 riders on Sunday, July 21.

In addition, Metro-North will continue to offer discounts on monthly ferry tickets as well as three other ways to cross the Hudson into Orange and Rockland Counties: the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry, the Newburgh-Beacon bus, and the Hudson Link bus service between Rockland County and Tarrytown and White Plains via the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

The Ossining Union Free School District has officially adopted a new mascot and visual identity centered around Ossining Pride—a bold, unifying symbol that will represent all six schools. The final lion mascot design, created through a collaborative and community-informed process, marks the culmination of a years-long effort to establish a cohesive identity that reflects the district’s strength, unity, and deep community roots.

The new mascot was developed with input from students, alumni, families, staff, and community members, and was supported by a partnership with creative agency Joy Riot.

Ms. Yoojin Lin, Ossining High School art teacher, served as the lead designer for the final mascot. Her creative vision and deep connection to the school community ensured that the design reflects both the district’s spirit and its roots in Ossining’s history. Through focus groups, surveys, and multiple design iterations, stakeholders helped shape a symbol that reflects both the district’s storied past and its forward-looking mission.

The lion was selected by a wide margin in a district-wide survey, receiving over 70% of the overall vote and more than 80% of student support.

“This lion represents so much more than a mascot—it’s a unifying symbol created by our students, for our students,” said Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter. “Through years of collaboration, community feedback, and creative thinking, our students honored Ossining’s proud history while paving the way for a bold new future.”

Find out what's happening in Ossining-Croton-On-Hudsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The final lion design is a powerful symbol of Ossining’s strength, resilience, and unity. Inspired by the district’s long-standing “Pride” identity, the mascot reflects the spirit and diversity of the school community. Its minimalist lines and use of negative space give it a modern, timeless quality, while the gender-neutral presentation ensures inclusivity. The design not only aligns with professional branding standards, but also pays homage to Ossining’s legacy—bold, forward-thinking, and student-centered.

Additionally, the mascot design subtly incorporates iconic elements of Ossining’s Town and Village, including the distinctive double-arch bridge and the pathway that winds through the community. These design details are reflected in the lion’s mane and overall silhouette, grounding the symbol in the district’s physical and historical landscape. This thoughtful integration ensures that Ossining Pride not only unites the schools but also pays tribute to the place students and families call home.

From the earliest focus groups to the final vote, students played a central role in shaping this identity, ensuring it resonates with both tradition and a vision for the future. Beyond its visual impact, the lion also honors Ossining’s deep community roots and enduring commitment to student voice.

“This process has been a remarkable example of what can happen when we listen to our students and value their voice,” said Board of Education President Christine Mangiamele. “Their leadership, along with input from alumni, families, and educators, has resulted in a mascot that reflects the heart of who we are as a district—resilient, inclusive, and proud.”

The district will now begin rolling out the new visual identity across schools, athletic programs, signage, and digital platforms. The lion will serve not just as a mascot, but as a symbol of unity and shared pride for the Ossining community.

The Ossining Union Free School District extends its heartfelt gratitude to the students, staff, families, alumni, and community members who shared their voices and perspectives throughout this process. From focus groups and surveys to design feedback and spirited discussions, this initiative reflects the collective pride and unity of the Ossining community.

The district also thanks the Board of Education for its unwavering support and active participation throughout the journey. Board members thoughtfully reviewed community input, design presentations, and student feedback at every stage, ultimately approving the final lion mascot design. Their dedication to fostering a strong, inclusive identity for all six schools was instrumental in bringing this years-long endeavor to fruition. With a new mascot and logo, the district moves forward together—stronger, bolder, and more united than ever.

The Ossining Union Free School District has received six awards in this year’s National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) communications contest, including the prestigious Golden Achievement Award, one of the organization’s highest honors.

The Golden Achievement Award was presented to Southern Westchester BOCES Public Relations Specialist Anthony DiNoto for his visual storytelling leadership on the Ossining Building Blueprint: 2024 Bond Referendum Communications Campaign, the centerpiece of the district’s outreach leading up to last December’s historic $210 million bond vote — the largest in Westchester County history at the time.

In collaboration with SWBOCES Graphic Illustrator Jeffry Braun and Ossining district official Nicole Reis, Mr. DiNoto led the development of a high-impact video and a dynamic district newsletter, paired with clear, consistent messaging across print, digital, and social media. This comprehensive campaign provided residents with transparent information about the urgent need to address overcrowding, aging infrastructure, and safety concerns, while maintaining fiscal responsibility through a funding plan that did not increase the tax levy.

The campaign’s strategic, community-centered storytelling helped build trust and engagement, ultimately contributing to overwhelming support at the polls, with 77% of voters approving the bond.

In addition, Mr. Braun earned a separate Honorable Mention Award for his design of The Ossining O-Gram, the district’s quarterly print newsletter.

Find out what's happening in Ossining-Croton-On-Hudsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The district was also recognized for excellence in video production, with Media Production Specialist Angela Carrasquillo earning four awards for in-house video and social media work. Her Publication and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognized:

Ms. Carrasquillo also earned an Honorable Mention for her February Break Social Media Campaign: Explore, Engage, Enjoy!

The NSPRA awards were announced on May 29, with honorees set to be recognized at the NSPRA National Seminar in Washington, D.C., this July. All entries were evaluated against national standards of excellence by communications professionals from across the country.

These six national honors reflect the Ossining School District’s ongoing commitment to clear, creative, and transparent communication in support of its students, families, and community.