
1/27/2025 Letter to the Community
Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Schools

Para leer en español, haga clic en el botón "Traducir (Translate)" arriba.
January 27, 2025
Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,
This week, we celebrate a special holiday, Lunar New Year. I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone for a year filled with new opportunities for personal growth, abundant success, and cherished moments with loved ones. May this year bring joy, prosperity, and hope to all.
Our athletes have been working hard, showcasing their strength and dedication to our community both on and off the field. Their commitment to excellence continues to inspire us all.
A huge bravo to our incredibly talented middle schoolers for their outstanding performance of Shrek Jr.! This production marked a significant milestone as our first bilingual play, showcasing the brilliance of our diverse actors and their ability to bring magic to the stage. It was truly a spectacular performance, and we couldn’t be prouder of the creativity and dedication displayed by all involved.
Thank you all for your continued support as we work together to “Build a Better Tomorrow” for our community. Your commitment and collaboration are invaluable as we nurture a brighter future for our students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Raymond Sanchez
January 29: Lunar New Year
🔔 Reminder: Schools will be closed this Wednesday, January 29, in honor of Lunar New Year.
New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students
There is information in the media and in the community regarding changes to immigration policy and its impact on our schools. Superintendents received a joint letter from the NYS Attorney General, Governor and Commissioner of Education offices outlining actions that a school district must follow to safeguard the children entrusted in our care each school day. As a school district, we will follow the legal guidance provided in this document. We are committed to supporting all our students.
Internet-Enabled Devices Update
Governor Hochul's proposed 25-26 Budget includes a requirement for all New York State school districts and BOCES to adopt a policy by August 1, 2025, prohibiting student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day, creating a statewide-standard for distraction-free schools. Per the Governor's website:
Smartphone-Free Zone: The proposal calls for no unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day. Exemptions to these restrictions include students who need an internet-enabled device for medical reasons, if required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), or for translation purposes.
The budget will include legislation to require all school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy to prohibit the use of “internet-enabled devices” by students on school grounds during the school day. Policies would be required to include one or more methods for on-site storage of devices during the school day. Exemptions would be allowed, for example, if authorized for a specific educational purpose, necessary for management of a health condition, for translation services, or where part of an individual education program or 504 plan. As noted, the budget would provide $13.5 million to support implementation of this initiative to be allocated through a plan approved by the Governor's Budget Director.” (NYCOSS, 1.21.25)
Our Cell Phone Task Force will be working on approaches to meet this new state-mandated requirement.
Student Device Update
We’ve been exploring ways we can help promote healthy technology habits. One part of this is that we partnered with our internet filtering company to block Chromebook access during these hours:
- Grades 3–4: 8 p.m.–7 a.m.
- Grades 5–6: 10 p.m.–7a.m.
- Grades 7–8: 11 p.m.7a.m.
We encourage families to set their own device boundaries at home, but this is one step we’re taking as a district to support focused technology use and student well-being. More updates to follow on other initiatives we’re working on. If you have any questions please reach out to Jessica Kingsbury or Jean O'Brien.
Principal Search - Washington Irving
Upcoming Board of Education Meeting
W.I. Principal Sharon O'Grady Promoted
Sharon O’Grady, Principal of Washington Irving Elementary School, has been promoted to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, effective July 1, 2025. This achievement reflects her outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence in education.
In The News:
The Patch: Tarrytown Names New Assistant Superintendent
The Hudson Independent: Principal Named New Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Tarrytown
Scholar Athlete of the Month: Evelyn Nelson
Evelyn shines as a standout in multiple sports while excelling in the classroom and leading in her community. Join us in celebrating her hard work and incredible achievements! 🎉💪
Read all about her: River Journal: Scholar Athlete of the Month
WCC Wrestling Championships
Stellar Middle School Performance
Bravo to our incredibly talented middle schoolers for their outstanding performance of Shrek Jr.—you brought the magic, laughter, and heart of the story to life! Your hard work and creativity truly shone on stage, and we couldn't be more proud!
Author Visits Morse
A special thank you to Ms. Afonso for organizing this wonderful experience!
Cast Your Vote: Spirit Wear Contest!
Our talented SHHS students in Jane Lawrence’s Introduction to Digital Arts & Digital Photo Class have created incredible designs for this year’s Spirit Wear Contest, and now it’s YOUR turn to pick the winner!
The winning design will be featured on Horsemen PTA Spirit Wear, available for purchase this spring. Plus, one lucky follower will win a T-shirt featuring the winning design!
How to Vote:
- Visit the Horsemen PTA Facebook page (facebook.com/HorsemenPTA) or Instagram (@HorsemenPTA).
- View the designs, then vote by liking the post and commenting with your favorite design’s number (e.g., "Design 3 is my favorite!").
🗓 Voting Deadline: February 8, 2025
Thank you for supporting our amazing student artists!
January 28: Pasta Pizzazz
The Tri-M Music Honor Society presents an evening of great jazz and delicious pasta! Featuring performances by:
🎷 The Middle School Jazz Band
🎷 Jazz Combo
🎷 The High School Jazz Band
📅 Tuesday, January 28
⏰ 6:00 p.m.
📍 Sleepy Hollow High School Cafeteria
✨ Free and open to the public! Don’t miss this amazing event!
February 1: Save Our Trees
🌳✨ Peabody has an important Community Work Day coming up, and we need your help to free our beautiful trees from those pesky vines! 🌿💪 Check out our flyers for all the details and come join the fun! 😊🙌
February 9: SHMS Ice Skating
The Horsemen PTA invites you to an afternoon of ice skating on Sunday, February 9. We'll be at Westchester Skating Academy from 1-3 p.m. This is organized for SHMS students, but it's an open skate, so anyone can go!
Please note, students grade 8 and younger need to have an adult with them.
March 18: Virtual Webinar
📢 Save the Date for a Virtual Webinar!
✨ Topic: Upcoming facilities improvements & construction
📅 Date: March 18, 2025
🕕 Time: 6 p.m.
🔗 Link will be posted on tufsd.org
🎥Recordings of past webinars & presentations: tufsd.org/facilities
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.
Dual Language Program Application Now Available
Please note that the application for Kindergarten Dual Language is available on our Dual Language Program webpage. Paper copies will be available at the registration office or the main office at JP.
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.
If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here to receive regular updates.
Please note that parents are automatically enrolled.