RedHawk S.U.N.

Wow! As I reflect on this month, there is much to proudly acknowledge and with the arrival of June, our last month of school, the celebrations have only just begun. I am excited to experience the days ahead, celebrating our students. They each shine so brightly.

In May, our amazing teachers were acknowledged during National Teacher Appreciation Week and with our annual Tenure Celebration. Over the past twelve months, I have seen firsthand that Nyack is full of expert teachers who are fiercely dedicated to teaching beyond academics. Our teachers shape informed, empathetic, and empowered individuals, preparing them to meet the challenges they face each day. Our teachers show up boldly for students. I am proud as I observe them in their classrooms doing what they love best: educating our students and experiencing their brilliance.

Also in May, our school budget was passed with gusto, once again proving the strength of our community. The budget for 2025-26 is a reflection of commitment to fiscal responsibility with laser focus on what matters most: our students! In Nyack Public Schools, we give a resounding THANK YOU for the investment of our stakeholders.

Working within beloved-community makes it all happen!

Yours in Education,

Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi had the honor of presenting to esteemed colleagues at the New York State Leaders of Color for Education Leadership Summit that took place in Nyack in May.

"True leadership is built in the journey, not granted by a title...There is strength in showing up whole." Dr. LRG shared in her presentation how she is rooted in research documented in her dissertation: CULTIVATING RESILIENCE FOR WOMEN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS OF COLOR AS EQUITY LEADERS IN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE DISTRICTS (Fordham University 2023). Through insight and experiences in her own journey, she has created a set of principles for keeping it real in leadership. Applied in practical experience, these can serve as reminders and affirmation for best practice:

• Use your gut: Be true to yourself
• Walk the talk: Be true for a moral imperative
• Find your people: Be true with a support network
• Work hard; Stay humble: Be true to your ethics
• Keep it real: Be true in your community and vision

"In our school community we must model the very qualities we hope to inspire in our students. What leadership quality to YOU have to cultivate in the world?"

" - Dr. LRG, Superintendent

Our annual Tenure Celebration pays tribute to all our fierce educators in Nyack Public Schools as they join a strong leadership team of educators within our district family. A big shout out goes to each of our school principals who are truly extraordinary in their daily expression of love for our students. They recognize the most excellent caliber of teachers we have. Our team-Nyack is reaching towards the culture of love we envision as we see the value in each one of our students. Our vision drives us to see each student rise and shine to their distinct capabilities and beautiful dreams. Congratulations to all the teachers and staff who received tenure this year!

View a photo gallery of our 2025 tenured staff, by each school

For the glory of science...this is the tagline for the Science Research Program at Nyack High School, a truly remarkable opportunity and three year college course that runs through the University of Albany. Students in this course pursue their scientific interests through professional level research. Reflected in the impressive listing of this year's Senior project titles, the research can be anything from "Untangling Human Loneliness, Personality and AI's Ability to Predict Them" to "Sorghum Success: Growing the Future Grain by Grain".

For your inspiration and awe, check out the 2025 Science Research Symposium Program, from May 29, with a full listing of our brilliant student scientists, their research titles with summary of their findings, their mentors, and future plans.

Want to know more? A student’s sophomore year typically consists of them finding their topic of research. Students read scholarly journal articles to narrow their topic into a testable idea, and then begin their research plan or search for a mentor who is an expert in the field that they have chosen.

Following the sophomore year, a student creates a research plan and subsequently conducts their experiment. Guided by their mentor, the research is pursued and completed by the fall of their senior year. A detailed research paper is submitted to a variety of competitions and is presented at a variety of science fairs. The student-led annual Science Symposium is a culmination of their 3-year journey.

Brief History: Our Science Research Program began almost 25 years ago as a purely research literature review class. It developed into a competitive, real-world research program 15 years ago under the vision and supervision of MaryBeth Foisy, former science teacher. Today, the program has become a legacy, having grown from one section of student researchers to four sections. To date, 105 students have graduated the program.

Co-facilitators and NHS science teachers Katherine Jacobson and Kirsten Kleinman (pictured below), carry the torch. Their smiles beam as their students present with prolific finesse. Ms. Kleinman will be handing her role to NHS teacher, Matt Forman. Both Ms. Jacobson and Mr. Forman are alumni of science research programs they participated in during their high school years.

Major competitions that allow students to engage in scientific research and earn college credit while still in high school include:

• Regeneron STS (Science Talent Search) - one of the most prestigious international science research events. It is an accomplishment just to complete the application!

• JSHS (Junior Science and Humanities Symposium) - Department of Defense sponsored STEM program and is administered by the National Science Teaching Association, in cooperation with nationwide colleges and universities. The National office staff works collaboratively with the Department of Defense sponsors to direct the JSHS regional and national symposia and the collaborative effort between the research arm of the Department of Defense and nationwide colleges and universities, to manage the scholarship awards, and overall program oversight.

• Greater Capital Region Science & Engineering Fair (GCRSEF) - Regional ISEF competition for NY state. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest in-person international STEM research competition for high school students.

• SUNY Albany Symposium - Student researchers from the UAlbany in the High School program throughout New York will present their original scientific research before peers, teachers and esteemed judges at the University at Albany

Showcasing talent and ingenuity for the third year, the Super Duper Art Show (named by students) once again filled the art wing of Nyack High School and DaVinci Center with flair, intrigue and thought-provoking works of art. Deirdre Kenna, the Visual Arts Department Chair, is proud of the show's draw that speaks to a longstanding legacy of support for the arts program here. The art show is a splash of color and charismatic representation of the incredible diversity of student talent that is nurtured in Nyack Public Schools.

The Nyack Schools Visual Arts Department values the development of the whole student through recognition of their talents, ideas, and beliefs. As a department we encourage students to make meaningful works of art and simultaneously prepare them to think like artists, develop creative and worldly mindsets, and explore possibilities. We encourage students to embrace risk-taking, collaboration, and empathy as they learn through creative processes. - Visual Arts Department

As a result of the May 20 Trustee Election, Michael Mark and Jennifer Manca were elected to the Nyack Public Schools Board of Educations to serve a 3-year term beginning July 1, 2025. The BOE would like to thank Matt Watson for his service to the Nyack Schools community during his term as trustee on the Board of Education, with his term ending on June 30, 2025. The BOE welcomes Jen Manca as a newly elected trustee to the Board of Education. (photo of BOE with Jane Heider, Valedictorian for Class of 2025)

The Board of Education encourages community engagement. Our seven trustees are responsible to listen and represent our school community. Board contact information, the Board Meeting schedule, presentations and agendas are all posted on BoardDocs. Board members may be emailed at: BOEmembers@nyackschools.org.

BOE Meetings are open to the public, posted on the district website and calendar on specified Tuesdays each month. The public is encouraged to join in-person or via Zoom. Links to the webinar meetings are available on the district website homepage calendar at www.nyackschools.org.

June BOE Meetings:

• 6-3-25 at 6:30pm - Volunteer Recognition in the NHS Auditorium
• 6-17-25 at 6:30pm - Retiree & Years of Service Recognition in the NHS Auditorium

PLEASE NOTE CORRECTIONS IN THE PRINTED DISTRICT CALENDAR FOR JUNE 2025:

• Schools are CLOSED for Juneteenth on THURSDAY, June 19 (Schools are open Friday, June 20)
• The LAST DAY OF SCHOOL is FRIDAY, JUNE 27 (not Thur. 6/26)

Thank you for your attention to this: VIEW DIGITAL CALENDAR

The RedHawk SUN is our reimagined eNewsletter for 2024-2025. Designed for promoting Superintendent’s Uplifting News, it is focused on what defines and distinguishes Nyack Public Schools’ educational culture, vision, mission, learning and teaching environment, staff and students.