Astorino Gives Students Second Chance at Playland Passes

A school achievement prize program that received criticism for omitting some students, has been reopened to allow more students to compete for free season passes to Playland.

The program, called Astorino Challenge in Education, was launched by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and gave out the passes to Westchester students with excellent grades and/or perfect attendance.

Students in grades six through 12 were eligible, but through a mixup students in New Rochelle were not notified of the program. Diana Barnes, the mother of a son, Ryan Barnes, called attention to the mishap because her son and others in New Rochelle had excellent attendance and grades.

In an announcement released Friday, Astorino and new New Rochelle Superintendent Brian Osborne said 160 New Rochelle students might qualify for the prize.

Below is the announcement from Astorino:

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino is offering students a second chance to claim the Astorino Challenge in Education prize – a free pass to Playland.

Last fall, the Westchester County Youth Bureau, which runs the ACE program, contacted public and private schools around the county to tell them how their students could register. On July 3, Astorino announced the winners for the 2013-2014 school year – all of whom either had perfect attendance or achieved a final average of at least A, 95, or 3.8. Following the ceremony at Playland, a number of students and parents contacted the county to say their school had not notified them of the challenge.

“Outstanding school work deserves to be recognized,” said Astorino. “To make sure that happens, we are giving students a second chance to qualify for ACE awards.”

To receive the free pass to Playland, students must send in a copy of their report card by August 15, showing proof of their perfect attendance and/or 3.8 G.P.A., 95% or A average. Students can email copies of their report cards to: ace@westchestergov.com or mail them to: ACE Challenge, Westchester County Youth Bureau, 112 Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains, New York 10601. Once proof is confirmed, students will be able to go pick up their pass at Playland, which will be good for the remainder of the 2014 season.

School districts are also being encouraged to notify any of their students whom they believe qualify for ACE awards.

Brian Osborne, the new schools superintendent for New Rochelle, said his district would be reaching out to the 160 students who had qualified for prizes by grades or attendance.

“The ACE awards are a great incentive for students,” said Osborne. “I want to thank County Executive Astorino and the Youth Bureau for making this extra effort to reach and reward all the winning students.”