"The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity." - Dorothy Height (1912-2010), who served as president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years and was a key leader in both the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Rights Movement.

Success isn't always measured in dramatic breakthroughs or public recognition, but in the daily decision to keep moving forward despite obstacles. Dorothy Height faced both racial and gender discrimination throughout her life, yet she persistently worked to advance civil rights and women's rights through decades of social change. She stood alongside civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. while also ensuring that Black women's voices were heard in the feminist movement. Her legacy teaches us that true achievement often lies in the courage to take that first step, followed by the determination to keep walking your chosen path. When facing challenges, remember that making the choice to act - to try, to speak up, to persist - is often the hardest part. Once you've committed to action, let your tenacity carry you forward, even when progress seems slow or the path unclear. Your daily decisions to keep going, despite doubt or difficulty, are what ultimately create lasting change.

Grades K-3

Quote: "The only way to do great things is to love what you do." - Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician)

In the Classroom: Students create a "Space to Dream" rocket ship display. Each student decorates a paper rocket with pictures of things they love doing and wants to be great at, just like Katherine Johnson loved math. They learn about how Johnson counted stars and helped astronauts fly to space because she never stopped loving numbers, even when she was the only Black woman in her classes.

At Home: Families create a "Love What You Do" chart. Children draw or write about activities they enjoy throughout the week. Parents share stories of how they discovered their own favorite activities. Make it special by having a weekly "show and tell" where family members demonstrate something new they learned about their passion.

Grades 4-8

Quote: "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. You got a dream, you protect it." - John Lewis (Civil Rights leader and congressman)

In the Classroom: Students develop "Dream Defender" journals where they document their goals and the challenges they might face. They study John Lewis's journey from a young boy preaching to his chickens to becoming a civil rights leader and congressman. Students create comic-style stories showing how they'll overcome potential obstacles to reach their dreams.

At Home: Families establish "Courage Corners" where they post about times they faced fears or overcame challenges. Create monthly "Dream Defender" meetings where family members share a goal they're working toward and brainstorm ways to overcome obstacles together. Celebrate both attempts and achievements.

Grades 9-12

Quote: "Excellence is not an exception, it's a prevailing attitude." - Colin Powell (First Black Secretary of State)

In the Classroom: Students create "Excellence in Action" portfolios documenting their journey toward personal and academic goals. They research Powell's rise from a C-average student to becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State. Students identify areas where they want to cultivate excellence and develop detailed action plans with measurable milestones.

At Home: Families institute "Excellence Evening" discussions where they explore what excellence means in different aspects of life - not just academics or career, but also character and community impact. Create a shared digital folder where family members post articles, videos, or personal reflections about pursuing excellence in their chosen fields. Set up monthly check-ins to discuss progress and adjust strategies for achieving goals.

Today marked a heartwarming celebration as our students commemorated their 100th day of school by transforming themselves into spirited centenarians. The halls were filled with young learners sporting gray wigs, bow ties, pearls, and other creative touches as they imagined themselves 100 years wise. This cherished tradition showcased our students' imagination and gave them a chance to reflect on their tremendous growth and learning since the first day of school.

Watching our students embrace this playful milestone with such enthusiasm reminds us that learning is as much about joy and community as it is about academics. They truly embodied the wisdom and character of their century-old alter egos while celebrating 100 days of discovery together.

I had a vibrant exchange with kindergartener Amiri Marquez. Amiri captures the essence of how our youngest learners understand and connect with Black History Month. In discussing influential Black leaders, Amiri chose to speak about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., showing a grasp of Dr. King's core mission. He emphasized, with the earnest repetition characteristic of young children, that Dr. King "was standing up for people" and showed conviction by going to jail for his beliefs.

When asked about applying these lessons to show kindness and respect, Amiri suggested writing thank-you cards – a touching reminder that gratitude and acknowledgment can start at any age. His response demonstrates how our students are learning to connect historical figures' actions with their own ability to make positive changes in their community.

Through Amiri's simple yet profound observations, we see how our early education programs are helping students understand the importance of standing up for what's right and expressing appreciation for those who've made a difference in our world.

Our students showed incredible spirit during this year's Hoops for Heart event! Participants demonstrated teamwork, athletic skill, and community commitment while raising funds for heart health. Young athletes practiced basketball techniques, engaged in collaborative games, and supported an important cause. The colorful bean bags, enthusiastic movement, and focused instruction highlighted the joy of physical education and charitable giving—special thanks to our dedicated physical education staff, Mr. Hovanec, Mr. Valentino, and student-teacher, Mr. Couch, for organizing this meaningful program.

The George Washington community is getting into the winter spirit! RamsPride is on full display from classrooms to the cafeteria as we approach the holiday break. Our dedicated staff members are showing their team spirit, with some sporting their favorite NY Islanders jerseys and others repping our beloved GW gear. Our amazing food service team continues serving smiles and delicious meals in the kitchen. Our students bring fantastic energy to their final days before break, coming together for group activities and showing their Ram pride with enthusiastic poses and friendly collaboration. The supportive atmosphere among students and staff reminds us of what makes the GW community so special. Keep up that wonderful Ram spirit as we head into our well-deserved winter break!

Our George Washington 6th-grade hallways resonated with authentic storytelling this week as our 6th-grade students unveiled their personal narratives. Through a rigorous writing process from initial drafts to final publication, these young authors crafted compelling stories drawn from their own experiences. Each narrative represented not just a finished piece of writing but a journey of self-discovery and growing confidence in their creative voices. Students tackled challenging topics with maturity and embraced the revision process to strengthen their work. The growth they've demonstrated as writers - in both technical skill and emotional depth - exemplifies the kind of deep learning we strive to foster. Their dedication to the craft of writing and willingness to share their stories with others made this a particularly memorable milestone in their academic journey.

If you joined us for our annual PS I Love You Week, where the secondary school celebrated compassion, friendship, and positive relationships, you must have had an amazing experience! Students participated in activities designed to foster empathy, support, and community spirit throughout the week. Kindness challenges, peer appreciation boards, and special lunch events brought our school together. Students and staff created a week filled with meaningful connections and heartwarming moments.

Highlights include:

• Daily kindness challenges
• Peer support wall
• Special community-building activities

This week of celebration is what makes our school community truly special!

We are thrilled to announce that Sophia Ciminera has been named a News12 Scholar-Athlete, becoming our district's sixth recipient of this prestigious honor in the past seven years. This recognition celebrates students who excel in academics and athletics, and Sophia exemplifies these qualities perfectly.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Sophia has shown remarkable leadership as the lead in our school's theatrical productions and is an accomplished musician who plays multiple instruments. Her ability to balance these diverse pursuits while maintaining academic excellence demonstrates the well-rounded excellence we strive to nurture in our students.

Please join us in congratulating Sophia on this outstanding achievement. She continues our RamProud Scholar-Athletes tradition and represents the best of our school community.

We believe that strong communication between home and school is essential for student success. The PowerSchool Parent Portal is a powerful tool that helps bridge this gap, providing real-time access to your child's academic progress.

Access Your Account

Visit the Parent Portal Link below. If you haven't set up your account, please contact the school office for your Access ID code.

Why It's Important

• Monitor grades and attendance
• View teacher comments and feedback
• Track assignments and due dates
• Communicate directly with teachers
• Stay informed about school events and announcements

By regularly checking the Parent Portal, you can play an active role in your child's education, addressing any concerns promptly and celebrating their achievements together.

We encourage all parents and guardians to take advantage of this valuable resource. If you need assistance with the Parent Portal, please don't hesitate to contact your child's main office.

Together, we can ensure every student reaches their full potential!

Parent Portal Link

https://powerschool.whufsd.com/public/

How to Video

https://youtu.be/eNZs_AloU-c

Main Office Phone Numbers

Chestnut Street - 390-3150

Cornwell Avenue - 390-3140

George Washington - 390-3130

Secondary School - 390-3218

We’ve teamed up with MySchoolBucks, an online service where you can easily and securely pay for school meals using a credit/debit card or electronic check.

Using MySchoolBucks you can:

● Add funds to your student’s meal account

● View meal balances & cafeteria purchases

● Receive low balance alerts

Get started in 4 easy steps:

1. Download the mobile app or visit myschoolbucks.com

2. Create your free account

3. Add your student

4. Add funds to your student’s meal account

If you have any questions about getting started with MySchoolBucks call (855) 832-5226. For any general questions please contact your child’s school.

ONEPAY from MySchoolBucks offers a one-time annual fee option to SAVE YOU MONEY!

• Annual savings plan offers reduced program fees when using MySchoolBucks for meal and school payments

  
  

• Allows user to pay program fees upfront from their bank account (e-checks), with unlimited payments for 12 months

• Offers a choice of two program fee payment packages:

• Single Student for $12.95 per year
• Family Plan for $26.95 per year (2 or more kids)

*Both plans cover 12 months from initial signup to ONEPAY

If you have any questions, please call the Food Service Office.

Nasrin Urmye, Food Service Director
(516) 390-3275
urmyen@whitsons.com

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.

As #WHe embark on a new academic year, our district introduced three interconnected challenges that will shape our approach to education and personal growth. Under the banner of "WHe Over Me," "Stack the Days," and "The Obstacle is the Way," we're called to embrace collaboration, consistency, and resilience. These principles will guide us in fostering a supportive community, achieving sustainable progress, and transforming obstacles into opportunities. By focusing on these collective challenges, #WHe aim to create an environment where educators and students alike can thrive, learn, and grow together.

WHe Over Me​

Commitment: Prioritize the "we" over the "me." Our strength lies in our collective efforts. Let’s work together to create an environment where collaboration, teamwork, and mutual support are at the forefront. Whether it’s through Professional Learning Communities, cross-department collaboration, or simply supporting one another in daily tasks, remember that our combined efforts will lead to greater student success.

Stack the Days​

The Obstacle is the Way​

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.

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

Articles and blurbs may be enhanced/written with various AI tools.