West Hempstead Weekly Update

Dear Students, Staff, Parents, and Community Members,

As we wrap up another successful school year, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year so remarkable. Your dedication, hard work, and support have been instrumental in creating a thriving learning environment for our students.

To our students: You embody RamPride. Your enthusiasm for learning, resilience in the face of challenges, and commitment to personal growth continue to inspire us all. You are the heart of our school district, and your achievements make us RamProud every day.

To our staff: Your efforts, creativity, and passion for education have made an immeasurable impact on our students' lives. Your ability to adapt to new challenges while maintaining standards of teaching is truly commendable.

To our parents: Your partnership and support have been crucial in ensuring our students' success. Your involvement in your children's education and your collaboration with our staff create a strong foundation for learning both at school and at home.

To our community members: Your ongoing support and engagement with all school-aged students enrich the educational experience in West Hempstead. Your contributions, whether through volunteering, attending events, or supporting our initiatives (like UPK), help create a vibrant and supportive learning community.

As #WHe reflect on this year's accomplishments, I am filled with RamPride and optimism for the future of our school district. Below, you'll find a list of some of our notable achievements this year. These successes are a testament to the collective effort of our entire school and the larger community.

Chestnut Street

• Adelphi University Residency Program & NYS Peer Mentoring Program
• Nationally Recognized Primary Project School
• Secondary School students pushed into kindergarten classes to create games to support technology and math learning progressions as well as read to and listen to books read.
• Kindergartners participated in sending notes and cards to Valentines for Veterans and
service people, sponsored by the Nassau County Executive Office
• Field Trip to LICM: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

Cornwell Avenue

• Family Investigations Game Day to learn how our student's incorporate exploration and
inquiry in Math.
• ENL Ambassador Program-Newcomer ELLS from CA and Commanding ELLS from SS
• Nationally Recognized Primary Project School
• Student-created digital portfolios created for grades 1-3 and recognized by Nassau
BOCES NASTECH as an innovative practice (included a visit by districts from both Nassau and Suffolk County)
• Mrs. Maguire/Mrs. Rafferty and Ms. Sarro's classes' annual trip to LIDL to shop for our
adopted families at Thanksgiving.
• Hosted community career days throughout the year to build on the community, school, and home relationship.
• Partnered with senior citizens at the Hempstead Nursing Home for the holidays.
• Continued our self-contained to general education transition to further their socialization and academics.
• Three first-grade Liberty New York Water – Be Water Wise! winners Art Contest

George Washington

• Started the NYS Peer Mentoring Program
• Started the Beautiful Me program for the female students
• Two teams competed in KidoYo's Hackathon
• Five students recognized for submissions in Assemblyman Ra’s “It Ought to be a Law” Contest
• Six student winners of The Long Island Herald Gift Wrap Design Contest

Secondary School

• Boys’ Basketball – Long Island Champions
• Girls’ Soccer – Conference Champions
• Boys Volleyball – Conference Champions
• Mr. Andrew Wilson & Ms. Kelly Byrne – Coach of the Year
• Two Students – Winners of the Nassau Zone Outstanding PE Award
• Eduardo Leon Lotero – News 12 Scholar-Athlete Award
• 12 ASA-All-County Art Exhibition participants – Amelia Bhairo – Scholarship Award winner
• It will be five consecutive years of a graduation rate in the mid-nineties.
• Career Exploration Course for Newcomer ENL Families & ENL Newcomer Parent Meetings on the SS Community
• 34 Total Students achieved the Seal of Bi-literacy. For the first time we have students who are proficient in Punjabi and Hindi
• We will have over 60 seniors who earned the Seal of Civic Readiness.
• A 10th-grade student was first runner-up in the Hispanic Heritage Contest with Optimum/Altice.
• 50 students enrolled in AP Seminar for 24-25
• 6th Annual Family STEAM Night: Disney Theme
• National Spanish Exam is given to all middle school Spanish students (April)
• Two teams competed in KidoYo's Hackathon
• Ten students attended the NYU School of Medicine Envision Scholars Program
• 35 students attend Adelphi’s STEP Program (A Team won the Create award at their last
competition. They also made it into the semifinals and qualified for the State Championships.)
• Two students competed in the 2024 MaPP Challenge at Adelphi (Mathematical Puzzle Programs). They were placed on different teams; one student’s team took 1st place, while the other took 2nd.
• 10 NMEA ALL-COUNTY recipients & 5 LISFA (Long Island String Festival) recipients
• NYSSMA Festival participants- 6 ALL-STATE and 54 solos
• NYSSMA Gold x 3 - 7th/8th Grade Band, Chamber Orchestra, and 9-12 Band
• Superior rating for 9-12 Band at Hershey Festival
• Victoria Hasan was selected to sing with the eVoco Voice Collective (An award-winning collection of singers of the highest musical and technical abilities.)
• Virtual Enterprise Team Finished 3rd Nationally in a Recent Competition
• HS Virtual Enterprise

• LI REGIONAL AWARD - Gold Newsletter Competition - A Helping Hand
• NATIONAL BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION - Both firms made it to the championship round.
• NATIONAL - Circles of Excellence - Gold Status - Both firms.
• NATIONAL TOP 10% - Branding Competition - A Helping Hand

• A Helping Hand
• Video Commercial - 1st Pl.
• Business Card - 1st Pl.
• Logo - 1st Pl.
• Catalog - 1st Pl.
• Website - 2nd Pl.
• Company Brochure - 2nd Pl.

• Best Booth - 1st Pl.
• Elevator Pitch - 2nd Pl.
• Firm Spirt - 3rd Pl.

The Designing Learning framework is an educational approach #WHe uses to engage students and close the aspiration gap. The framework encompasses several key principles aimed at enhancing the learning experience for students and staff:

The Designing Learning framework consists of: Connection Before Content, Acceleration not Remediation, Rethinking Success Criteria, Higher-Level Thinking, Student Agency, Authentic Work, and Technology Infusion.

1. Connection Before Content: This principle emphasizes building strong relationships and belonging in the classroom. It recognizes that when students feel connected to their teachers and peers, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn.

2. Acceleration, not Remediation: Rather than focusing solely on addressing deficits in students' knowledge or skills, this framework aspect promotes challenging students with content and tasks that allow them to excel and progress rapidly. It recognizes that students can achieve more when they are appropriately challenged.

3. Rethinking Success Criteria: This principle encourages educators to reconsider traditional notions of success and assessment. It involves clearly defining success in a given context and allowing for varied ways for students to demonstrate their understanding and mastery.

4. Higher-Level Thinking: The framework promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among students. It encourages educators to design learning experiences that push students to engage in deeper levels of thinking and analysis.

5. Student Agency: Empowering students to actively participate in their learning is a fundamental aspect of the framework. It encourages students to set goals, make choices, and take ownership of their educational journey, fostering a sense of autonomy and responsibility.

6. Authentic Work: This principle advocates real-world relevance in educational activities. It suggests that students should work on tasks and projects that have meaning and application beyond the classroom, making learning more engaging and practical.

7. Technology Infusion: Recognizing the role of technology in the modern world, this aspect of the framework encourages the thoughtful integration of technology into the learning process. It aims to leverage technology to enhance and expand educational opportunities.

With "WHe" as our theme this year, #WHe are inspired to explore, discover, and achieve future wonders. Allow me to share some of the ways one could envision completing the idea of "WHe" throughout this remarkable journey:

• Wonder and Curiosity: Let us ignite a spark of wonder and curiosity in every aspect of our learning. Encouraging students and staff alike to question, explore, and seek knowledge beyond the ordinary.
• “WH”olistic Education: Emphasizing the growth of the whole individual – social, emotional, and academic. We aim to provide opportunities for personal development and well-being in addition to academic excellence.
• Empathy and Humanity: "WHe" stands for "We" as well, reminding us of our collective responsibility to foster empathy, compassion, and kindness. We will create a supportive and inclusive community where everyone feels valued.
• Waves of Change: As a theme, "WHe" also signifies the ever-changing tides of life. We will adapt to new challenges, embrace innovation, and be resilient in the face of uncertainty.
• Expressions of Art and Culture: "WHe" encompasses the essence of artistic and cultural expressions. We will celebrate creativity, appreciate diversity, and nurture talents in various forms.
• Wellness and Health: Prioritizing physical and mental health, creating a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive and grow.
• Leadership and Collaboration: "WHe" represents collective wisdom and the power of collaboration. We will empower our students to be leaders in their own right while fostering teamwork and cooperation.

By Art Costa, Bena Kallick, and Allison Zmuda

There is a growing recognition that mastering subject-area knowledge alone will not be sufficient to prepare your children for their futures. They will need deliberate practice and focused attention to grow their capacity as efficacious thinkers to navigate and thrive in the face of unprecedented change. Habits of Mind are a universal framework for thinking and are as essential now as when we first introduced them 30 years ago. Habits of Mind are dispositions people use when confronted with problems and situations to which answers are not immediately apparent. When we draw upon these intellectual resources, the results that are produced are more powerful, of higher quality and of greater significance than if we fail to employ those intellectual behaviors.

Email: drehman@whufsd.com
Website: www.whufsd.com
Location: 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, NY,
Phone: 516-390-3000