1/7/2025 Letter to the Community
Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Schools
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January 7, 2025
Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,
I’d like to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy New Year! As we step into this new chapter, we are filled with excitement and optimism for the remainder of the school year. The months ahead promise continued opportunities for educational growth and community-based activities.
We have accomplished many great things during this academic year, and I look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead. Thank you for your continued partnership, dedication, and involvement in making our school a thriving community and us in “Building a Better Tomorrow” for our scholars.
Here’s to a successful and inspiring second half of the year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Raymond Sanchez
January 11: Horsemen New Year
Celebrate the New Year at Horsemen Family Saturday!
Join us on Saturday, January 11, 2025, for the Horsemen New Year Celebration! Bring the whole family to enjoy a morning of fun, connection, and community:
- Interactive Activities
- Family Breakfast
- Community Resources
- Toy Giveaway for TUFSD students
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where: Sleepy Hollow High School
A reminder phone call will go out the night before the event. We can’t wait to see you there!
*In the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled, which will be decided by Friday.
January 15: Facilities Webinar
Topic: Update on the Upcoming Bond Project & Reopening of Tappan Hill School
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom
Stay informed about our district’s exciting initiatives! This webinar will cover:
The Latest Updates on the Bond Project: Get up-to-date information on progress and key developments.
Details on the Reopening of Tappan Hill School: Learn more about the plans to reopen Tappan September 2025: with upcoming 1st graders attending school there.
Q&A Session: Have your questions answered live by district representatives.
This is a great opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to stay engaged and learn more about our shared vision for the future.
SHHS Student Honored with Youth Service Award
Congratulations to Emmeline Zuba! The Westchester County Youth Bureau and Youth Board honored ten exceptional high school juniors and seniors, including Emmeline, for their leadership and dedication to service and social justice at a ceremony in the Michaelian Office Building Rotunda, where they received awards and certificates for their impactful projects supporting their communities.
Read more:
Seven Westchester High School Students Honored With Youth Service Award
Brew and Tell brings packed house
Students at JP shared their amazing "all about" stories complete with hand-drawn illustrations last month at Sleepy Coffee, Too. After wowing their audience during their "Brew & Tell" event, the students toured the shop and even learned how to serve customers!☕️
As a thank you, the owner of Sleepy Coffee, Too was presented with a Brew and Tell plaque.
Third-Grade Winter Concert Spreads Holiday Cheer!
Our talented students lit up the stage at tonight's third-grade winter concert, bringing joy and holiday cheer to all! A special thank you to Ms. Lefleur for her hard work and dedication - your passion makes moments like these possible!
Celebrating Our Scholar Athletes!
We are thrilled to announce that all of our Varsity Fall 2024 teams have earned Scholar Athlete Status this year! This prestigious recognition celebrates the dedication and hard work of our student-athletes, both in competition and in the classroom.
Congratulations to our teams for achieving excellence on and off the field! We couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.
January 24 & 25: MS Musical
Come support our middle school students in their bilingual performance of Shrek Jr.
📅 Friday, January 24 at 7 p.m.
📅 Saturday, January 25 at 11:30 a.m.
TASH Indoor Winter Farmers Market
Join us on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from January 11 to April 26 at the John Paulding School for the TASH indoor Farmers Market.
Inclement Weather
I am sharing the process for communicating changes to the daily school schedule caused by inclement weather. Adverse weather conditions are more than just an ice and snow concern; our protocol is designed to address all problematic weather events quickly and effectively.
Decisions for school delays, early dismissals, or cancellations are announced promptly. We track weather patterns to anticipate days when inclement weather may be a problem. Nearly always, final decisions are made early in the morning of the specific school day (when the situation is best understood).
The timeframe for decisions to delay or cancel school is as follows:
4:00 a.m. - 5:15 a.m. – Road and campus conditions are checked from various sources. I consult with the Director of Facilities, Director of Transportation, the local Police Departments, a regional Meteorologist and local superintendents.
By 5:30 a.m. – I decide on a school delay or cancellation. Communications to staff and families commence immediately. Staff/Parents/families are notified by approximately 6:00 a.m.
Under extraordinary circumstances (i.e., rapidly changing weather), a decision to delay or cancel school may be made later than 5:30 a.m., resulting in a slight lag in our notifications.
We communicate decisions in multiple ways:
Emails and text messages will be sent to all families and staff
Our robo-call system will send a message
Our district social media pages will have a message posted
Local news outlets will be informed - Channel 12, LoHud
Please Note: We will only communicate when the school schedule has changed. We will not communicate when school is in session as scheduled.
Attendance
As the holiday season approaches, we know it’s a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. It’s also a time when schedules can become busy, and school attendance may sometimes feel less critical. However, we want to emphasize how important consistent attendance is for your child’s academic success and overall development.
Regular attendance helps ensure that students stay on track with their learning. Missing even a few days of school can disrupt the flow of instruction and make it harder for students to catch up. During the holiday season, teachers are actively engaging students in meaningful lessons and activities that build on what they’ve learned, preparing them for success in the months ahead.
Here’s how you can support your child during this festive time:
Prioritize School Attendance: Schedule family events, trips, and other activities outside of school hours whenever possible.
Maintain a Routine: Sticking to a regular bedtime and morning routine ensures your child arrives at school on time and ready to learn.
Reinforce the Importance of Learning: Talk to your child about the value of education and how attending school every day benefits them in the long run.
We understand that the holiday season is a special time for families, and we appreciate your partnership in ensuring your child receives the best possible education. If you find yourself needing support to get your child to school, please reach out to the building so they can support you. Together, we can make this a season of learning and growth for all students.
Thank you for your continued support!
Pre-K Lottery: Now Accepting Applications
📢Do you know a child turning 4 by December 1, 2025?
Our Pre-K Lottery Application Process is now open until February 14, 2025. Lottery results and waitlist notifications will be sent in early March 2025.
Read this newsletter for more information.
To view past copies of the newsletters, please visit the Superintendent's Page.
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