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The New Rochelle High School (NRHS) Planetarium is now the Bruce Zeller Planetarium, in honor of the longtime science and astronomy teacher. Mr. Zeller retired in 2021 after 39 years at Isaac E. Young Middle School and NRHS and remains the planetarium director. Since his retirement, he has presented over 100 planetarium shows for students and community members each year. 

The planetarium renaming was first proposed to the Board of Education last June by NRHS math teacher Bruno Duarte, a former student of Mr. Zeller’s who graduated from the high school in 1994. He described Zeller as an extraordinary educator. 

“I have spoken to countless alumni…and I have discussed [renaming the planetarium] with many current and former colleagues. As soon as the name Bruce Zeller comes up, everyone smiles and shares a favorite story,” Duarte wrote in his proposal to the Board of Education. “I have many wonderful memories of being in his class and, more importantly, meaningful memories of bringing my own kids to one of his shows.” 

The now-Bruce Zeller Planetarium hosts a monthly planetarium show during the school year, which is open to the public, and annual “Season of Light” holiday shows, which are on December 14, 17, and 19 this year. He has also overseen three planetarium upgrades in his nearly 30 years as director. 

Board of Education Trustees had high praise for Zeller in passing the resolution to name the planetarium in his honor at its November 19 meeting.

 “Mr. Zeller has served this district with distinction since the 1980s and has been planetarium director since 1995. When I received comments from more than 160 staff members, it was amazing to see the great words they had for their colleague, and it furthered my decision to vote yes for naming the planetarium after Bruce Zeller,” said BOE President William Iannuzzi.  

“I have taken both my daughters to the planetarium quite a few times,” said BOE Vice President Adina Berrios Brooks. “I brag a lot about New Rochelle and sending my kids to school here. One of the highlights is definitely that there’s a planetarium at their high school, which is something very few students in a public or private school setting can say. I’m really excited to honor Mr. Zeller and honor this amazing school and community.”

The Bruce Zeller Planetarium is one of only 19 such facilities in New York State – seven of which are located in high schools. 

Following the unanimous vote to rename the planetarium in his honor, Zeller said, “I’m thrilled, I am honored, and I am humbled. I have a lot of thanks to go around. I had a great time. I had 39 wonderful years here. I knew I had the best job in the district, too. I always knew that. I’ve always had the support. That’s what makes the difference. Thank you very much, New Rochelle.”