09/24/2024 Letter to the Community

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September 24, 2024

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,

It’s officially fall, and with the cooler temperatures, the energy across the district is really picking up. It’s wonderful to see all the smiling faces of our students as they dive into a wide range of activities. Whether in classrooms, on the field, or outdoors, they’re truly making the most of this season.

Our learners have been enjoying plenty of bonding experiences—from engaging read-alouds to sun-filled picnics, and bake sales, they are creating cherished memories. On the athletics front, it was thrilling to watch our Headless Horsemen lead the charge for our football team. Seeing our student athletes out there giving their best always brings a sense of pride.

As always, we are deeply grateful for your continued support as we work together to 'Build a Better Tomorrow' for our scholars.

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

Have you noticed some changes to our newsletters this year? Based on the valuable feedback from our Communications Committee and community survey, here are the updates we made:

• New Look: Our new template has red headers to better separate sections.
  
• Important Updates: This new section keeps key info at the top of each newsletter.
• Streamlined Content: We're focusing on simplified writing for quicker reading.
• New Sending Time: Building newsletters will go out on Sundays at 5 p.m.
• Helpful Links: All links will be embedded for easy access to more content.

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns is committed to digital access for all of our students. Collecting accurate data regarding digital resource access for our New York students will greatly help educators to better serve their students and families. In order to accomplish this, the New York State Education Department is asking parents or guardians to complete a Digital Equity survey (for each student in the family) in grades Kindergarten – Grade 12. This survey will provide information on student access to devices and internet access in their places of residence.

To assist us in this process, please answer each question in this survey. Thank you for your support with this process.

We want to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance for our students' success.

Why Attendance Matters:

• Academic Achievement: Consistent attendance boosts performance through direct engagement in learning.

• Social Development: Daily presence helps students build friendships and teamwork skills.

• Good Habits: Regular attendance fosters responsibility, preparing students for future challenges.

• Early Intervention: Attendance allows teachers to identify and address any academic or behavioral issues promptly.

Your support in ensuring regular attendance is vital to our collective success. Please read Dr. Sanchez's letter for more information.

The Headless Horseman and the football team made a grand entrance at this week’s varsity football and cheer home opener. Wishing all a great season ahead!

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Sanchez is visiting classrooms to do a read-aloud of the story Abuelita, and sharing his story of what it’s like to be bilingual with students.

Sleepy Hollow Middle School students enjoyed the warm weather during 'No One Eats Alone Day'! This annual event brings 6th, 7th, and 8th graders together for a fun lunchtime picnic, complete with music and games on the field.

The Tarrytown UFSD Board of Education is delighted to congratulate Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Schools, as the New York State Superintendent of the Year for 2024-25! Each day, Dr. Sanchez demonstrates his commitment to our children, families, staff, and the broader community with a passion that has been a defining feature of his career. We are proud to call him our superintendent, and we encourage the entire Tarrytown school community to congratulate Dr. Sanchez on this momentous achievement.

Read all about here: Tarrytowns' Raymond Sanchez named NYS Superintendent of the Year

Save the Date: Join us on October 15 at 6 p.m. in the MS/HS auditorium for an in-person session on the latest updates to our Capital Bond Project.

Save the dates! 🗓️ Horsemen Family Saturdays (formerly Saturday Academy) are back! Join us once a month for fun, friends, and community partners all year long!

The Sleepy Hollow Performing Arts Boosters will be holding a fundraiser carwash this Saturday 9/28 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the SHMS front circle. Carwashes are free, but donations are welcome! All donations go to our SHMS and SHHS performing arts programming.

Join the Horsemen vs. Hunger Walkathon on Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the SHHS Track.

Sign up before 10/2 to secure your event t-shirt at horsemenvshunger.org

Bethany Arts Center is hosting their 5th Annual ARToberfest on October 5, 2024, with a rain date on October 6, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a day of music, art, crafts, food, and family-friendly activities, featuring visual artists, live musicians, and interactive demonstrations.

Registration for the free school theater residency of Beauty & the Beast is now open until October 10. Casting will take place in person on October 16.

For more information and to register visit: Tarrytown Music Hall

On Sunday, October 20, members of the Teachers’ Association of the Tarrytowns (TAT) will be taking part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Manhattanville College. Members of our team, Horsemen with Heart, are participating to support survivors, caregivers and to advance much needed research. If you would like to support our team, simply click on the link below. No amount is too small, and we all thank you!

Support Team Horsemen with Heart

We're delighted to invite you to participate in this year's Family Cultural Survey—a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the diverse tapestry of cultures that make each family special and unique. This short survey aims to discover the rich traditions, values, and experiences that shape your family identity so we can accommodate and support your children in our schools.

TUFSD 2024 Family Cultural Inventory

I want to reassure you that the safety and security of your children and our entire school community remain our highest priority. We understand the deep trust you place in us each day, and we are unwavering in our commitment to maintaining a safe environment where all students can learn, thrive, and grow. At this time, I want to emphasize that our district is taking comprehensive and proactive measures every day to safeguard our schools.

Our Preventative and Responsive Approach

Safety is more than just a statement—it requires deliberate, ongoing action. In recent years, we have made significant investments in our safety infrastructure, from security technology to physical building enhancements. However, we know that technology alone cannot respond to emergencies—people do. That is why we continue to focus on training and empowering our staff to respond effectively in the face of any emergency. Additionally, we have worked hard to build programs that support students' social and emotional learning and to give them resources that will help both in the long and short term.

Our district has implemented a nationally recognized, evidence-based threat assessment model that brings together a team of administrators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and key personnel to assess and respond to potential threats. Early detection and prevention remain critical, and we urge all students, staff, and families to report concerns or suspicious activity immediately. Every reported threat is investigated thoroughly and with the utmost care.

Emergency Preparedness and Drills

We also prepare extensively for emergencies. Each school within the district maintains a comprehensive emergency plan and conducts regular training and drills—at least 12 annually—focused on crisis prevention and response. Local law enforcement partners with us during these drills to ensure a coordinated and swift response in the event of an emergency.

Continuous Safety Evaluation

We understand that maintaining a safe learning environment requires ongoing evaluation and improvement. Our district works closely with safety consultants and local law enforcement to regularly assess our protocols and make necessary adjustments to ensure they meet the highest standards. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that we are always aligned with best practices in school safety.

Your Role in School Safety

We all play a role in keeping our schools safe. Please remind your children that threats, whether made in jest or seriously, have real consequences. Encourage them to speak up if they see or hear anything that concerns them—whether in person, on social media, or elsewhere. By fostering a culture of openness and communication, we can better protect our community from harm. We also encourage you to reach out to your child’s school if you notice that your child is showing signs of ongoing distress, detachment from peers, severe anxiety, and/or any other behaviors that seem out of the ordinary or concerning. This website offers other warning signs to look for as well: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/gun-violence/know-the-signs-of-gun-violence/.

Below are some additional resources for supporting your children at home:

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators

• Talking with Children About Gun Violence (ages 12+)

We remain committed to transparency and collaboration with our families. Please know that our focus on safety is a part of our daily operations and long-term planning. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure a safe and secure environment for all our students and staff.

Please be advised that the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns (the “District”) recently discovered that an employee at Washington Irving School without authorization or a legitimate educational purpose accessed the District’s electronic system on multiple occasions from August 27 - September 3 to copy District information to a personal email account. The copied information includes personally identifiable information such as name, grade, and student test scores. The District does not have currently any information to suggest that the copied information was redisclosed or sent to a third party. Social security numbers were not accessed or disclosed.

The District takes this matter very seriously and has notified the New York State Education Department’s Privacy Office regarding the disclosure. The District is also working with legal counsel and law enforcement to address this matter. The teacher involved does not have access to student data at this time. If you have questions regarding this communication, you may contact Jessica Kingsbury, jkingsbury@tufsd.org, 914-332-6311.

The Board of Education has officially approved our new Pillars and Goals, which will guide our district's efforts both now and in the years ahead. These foundational elements will focus our work and drive our commitment to student success.

Registration is now open for the Education United Afterschool Academic & Enrichment Program! This free program runs from October through May, offering students academic support and engaging activities that spark creativity. Join us Monday through Thursday for a fun and enriching experience.

To learn more call or text 914-214-7086 or email morse@unitedwaywp.org

The Family YMCA at Tarrytown is offering an early morning care program at JP, Morse and WI. Care will be provided onsite starting 1 1⁄2 hours before the normally scheduled arrival time, breakfast will be provided during this time.

Program runs Mondays – Fridays when school is in session. Fee: $189 per month

$50 deposit required to reserve your spot. Send your completed form with payment to Gabriela Rivas, Billing Administrator gabrielar@ymcatarrytown.org 914 631-4807 ext. 100.

Sleepy Hollow Middle School (in collaboration with FSW)

Grades: 5-7

Description: The program offers FREE age-appropriate after-school activities to improve the social, emotional, and academic competencies of participating youth in grades 5 – 7 at SHMS. We will also offer homework help for the ENL students in grades 5 - 7. We are looking to help the 5th graders transition to Middle School and there will be transportation provided from Washington Irving Intermediate School to Sleepy Hollow Middle School.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 3 p.m. -6 p.m.

Cost: Free

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