Dear Nanuet School Community!

Welcome to the May edition of the Nanuet News! A. MacArthur Barr Middle School students get the Golden Spotlight this month, as our fifth graders head to Kakiat Park to release trout, raised inside our classrooms, back into their natural habitat. Students have enjoyed observing the life cycle of trout and learning about their role in nature as part of their science classes with their teacher, Heather Schucker.

We hope that you enjoy this edition of our e-newsletter as we enter the homestretch of the school year with all of the joyful end-of-year experiences ahead!

Sincerely,

Lisa Brady, Ed.D.

Superintendent

The Class of 2024 came together this month to celebrate the journey ahead. Decision Day is held in schools across the nation every May as an opportunity for students to celebrate their post-graduation plans - whether they are heading off to a two-year or four-year college, joining the workforce, or exploring vocational opportunities. This year over 120 colleges are represented by the senior class, made obvious by the various sweatshirts, t-shirts and baseball hats spotted in the school’s "Social Heart' on May 15.

Yes, you are seeing double! The Class of 2024 held the annual “Teacher for a Day" fundraiser earlier this month, organized by the Student Senate. During an "auction,” students bid on the opportunity to teach, act and even dress like their favorite educator or staff member. From the art room to the Superintendent’s Office, there were Golden Knight doppelgängers everywhere. Proceeds of the “Teacher for a Day” fundraiser go to the Virginia Aitken Scholarship.

Congratulations to Dahlia Kordit and Arnav Mehta! The seniors were recognized by the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents, during the organization’s annual Carrol F. Johnson Scholastic Achievement Dinner. At the prestigious event, which honors outstanding student scholars from Rockland, Westchester, Duchess and Putnam public schools, Kordit was one of eleven students to receive a scholarship. Read more in our Facebook post.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Middle School students pondered their futures during the school’s first ever “Career Day." From medicine to media, the members of the community who visited Barr pulled back the curtain on their careers and provided students a snapshot of their workdays. Check out our Instagram post to see photos of the event and learn more about the professionals who volunteered their time.

The 27th Annual A. MacArthur Barr “ReadAloud" took place on May 17. Over thirty guests visited the Middle School to read to our students. Elected officials, first responders, district administrators, school board members and other community leaders shared a bit about their own lives and experiences, and why reading is important to them. For these professionals, the path to success is lined with books. Read more in our Facebook Post.

Highview Elementary’s oldest students are getting ready for the next step in their educational journey: Middle School! During a special assembly held earlier this month, the fourth grade kindness ambassadors joined school counselor Melissa Lipson to provide their classmates tips on making the transition a smooth one. The Highview fourth grade class also made trips to A. MacArthur Barr to get a tour of the Middle School and learn the lay of the land.

Wait, how is Queen Elizabeth talking to Marie Curie? Marla Banks' fourth grade classroom was transformed into a wax museum this month. The capstone of a biography project, the museum is an opportunity for students to dress up and “fully immerse themselves in the life of the historical or modern day figure,” says Banks. Read more in our Instagram post.

Tiny voices were reverberating throughout the second grade classrooms of George W. Miller Elementary School this month. The sounds weren't coming from students getting excited for the end of the school year, these noises were courtesy of chirping baby chicks. Check out our Facebook post to read more about this annual lesson.

The second grade had a special visitor this month. Superintendent Dr. Lisa Brady came by to say hello and read them a story. Since being appointed Superintendent in January, Dr. Brady has been visiting each Nanuet School to spend time with faculty and staff and get feedback from students. Check out our Instagram post to read more about her visit to Miller, and our Facebook post about what she learned from our youngest Golden Knights.

Golden Knights in the golden sun! The weather was wonderful for the various field days at our Nanuet Schools. Besides the rising mercury, May is the perfect time for outdoor activities at school. Since 1983, each President has proclaimed May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to promote the importance of physical activity, physical fitness and sports participation. Check out photos from George W. Miller, A. MacArthur Barr and Highview.

Let’s hear it for the Nanuet Music Department! Nanuet has once again been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" in the country. “This recognition represents our district’s commitment to the highest levels of music achievement,” says Director of Music Dr. Mark Skaba. Read our Facebook post to learn about our Middle School success at the NYSSMA Majors held earlier this month.

The 2024-25 Nanuet school budget was approved on May 21 with 79% of the vote (683 Yes, 180 No). The budget totals $90,435,816, reflects a 2.92% budget-to-budget increase and a 1.29% tax levy increase. Christine Camillieri and Stephanie A. Lee were elected to 3-year terms. Raymondo E. Pappalardi was elected to a 2-year term and Geoff Gaiss was elected to a 1-year term. Thank you to the Nanuet Community for their continued support.

Congratulations to the ten Nanuet educators who were recommended and approved for tenure during the May 21 Board of Education Meeting! School administrators spoke highly of our educators in the presence of their families and colleagues, before being presented with certificates by Board of Education Vice President Lynn Fahmi. Check out our Facebook post to meet our newest tenure recipients.