5/28/2024 Letter to the Community

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May 28, 2024

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,

Last week we focused on the traditions that bond us as a district. We remembered and honored our fallen heroes and reminisced about our fondest memories over the years. It was a bittersweet week for our students and staff alike.

Our Sleepy Hollow Middle School students created a beautiful front lawn display for Memorial Day. This annual tradition brings our students together as they place flags to honor our fallen heroes, veterans, and active servicemen and women.

Our seniors and first graders took part in the beloved Rose Ceremony. I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who attended and made this event special for our graduating class. This celebration is a unique and inspiring tradition that connects everyone throughout the district. It’s about the journey our students have taken here at the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and how they have grown over the years. It was a bittersweet event, and we wish the graduating class of 2024 well on their journey.

As always, thank our community for your continued support of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and for your help in “Building a Better Tomorrow” for our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Tarrytown community for your support in passing the school budget. Your commitment to our schools and the future of our children is truly commendable. Your vote of confidence reaffirms our shared belief in the importance of investing in our schools and the success of every student. Thank you!!

We've been alerted by the NYS Department of Transportation that there will be construction starting May 29, 2024 on Route 9 near Route 119 and Paulding Avenue. This work is anticipated to take approximately six weeks to complete and will culminate with the installation of the new bridge over the Thruway (I-87/I-287). Please know that this may cause some school transportation delays. Thank you for understanding.

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN is an important document that is revised by a committee and adopted by our Board of Education. In accordance with the Commissioner's Regulations 155.17 (c) (3) and New York State Education Law §2801-a. the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing on the DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN at its Regular Meeting on July 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM , at 200 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591. The Plan has been posted as of May 21, 2024 for a 30-day comment period and is available on the Districtwide website: https://www.tufsd.org/our-district/safety-security

The public can send comments about the proposed 2024-2025 DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN by sending an email to District Clerk Nelly Valentin (NValentin@tufsd.org)

It is expected that the Board of Education will adopt the Plan subsequent to the Public Hearing at the July 11, 2024 Board of Education meeting to be held at Administration Building .

This week, think of someone you see often, but don’t know that well. Maybe it’s someone in another class. A fellow colleague or someone in your neighborhood. Take a moment to say hi and introduce yourself. Maybe there’s something about them you’d like to compliment? Something like “Hi, I see you around all the time and just wanted to say hi. My name is ______ and I really like (insert compliment here).”

You never know who could use a friend and who needs to hear something positive today. Make someone’s week by reaching out to create a sense of belonging. This simple act of kindness can also boost your mood and improve your overall well-being.

If you do this challenge with your child please feel free to share pictures to pr@tufsd.org for us to share on our TVs in the main lobbies of all of our buildings!

At the upcoming Board of Education meeting, we anticipate entering into an agreement with Westchester County and a company called BusPatrol to install cameras on our buses to monitor illegal and unsafe passing of our buses when they are stopped to drop off or pick up children. This comes at no cost to District taxpayers. We are permitted to do so by New York State's "Stop Arm Law."

It is a requirement every five years to re-bid our Food Service Management Company. The lowest responsible bidder for this new bid was Whitson's, the same company which has been here for over two decades. We look forward to our work with them in this next cycle, working on farm-to-table and sustainable practices, incorporating increased student voice in menu-planning, and lessening student wait time on lines during meals.

Our pilot group of middle school students and staff have begun participation in our Panorama climate surveys. As a reminder, the surveys will help us understand student and staff perceptions of relationships, school safety, sense of belonging and overall learning experiences.

Please join us for our 2nd Annual Sleepy Hollow Music Technology Showcase on Tuesday, June 11th, which will be running concurrently with our Senior Art Show exhibition!

The Music Technology Showcase is a concert designed to feature the work and creativity of some of the outstanding composers, producers, and songwriters in grades 7-12. This event was made possible through generous support from the Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.

This year's showcase is being presented in collaboration with the art department. Students in digital art classes have been creating visualizations to accompany the music composed for this event. We also invite you to come experience the works of our talented art students which will be on display as part of the Senior Art Show.

The Senior Art Show exhibition will begin at 6:15 p.m., and the Music Technology Showcase Concert will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Sleepy Hollow High School's graduating class received a proper sendoff during the beloved Rose Ceremony tradition. It was a bittersweet event for our seniors as they accepted their final rose.

Read more: Sleepy Hollow Seniors Receive Final Rose Ahead of Graduation

A host of Lower Hudson Valley projects will receive state money, W. L. Morse Elementary School’s park is set to receive new playground equipment and seating through $1 million to upgrade.

Read more: Sleepy Hollow, Lower Hudson valley projects to get millions in NY aid

TaSH Market celebrated its 10th anniversary season on May 25 in Patriots Park with live music, a picnic, and prizes.

TaSH Market vendors fight hunger in the community by donating unsold food each week to Sleepy Hollow High School’s food pantry.

Read more: The TaSH Farmers Market Opens For Milestone 10th Season

Energia, a leading engineering firm specializing in energy-saving facility improvement projects, has named Superintendent Raymond Sanchez and the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns as recipients of the inaugural Energia Brighter Futures Award. The prestigious accolade was developed by Energia to recognize the outstanding efforts of school district champions who consistently exceed expectations to enhance school learning environments.

The inaugural award was presented to Dr. Sanchez and Michelle DeFilippis, Board of Education President, during the May 21st Board of Education meeting by Energia CEO Kendra McQuilton. Additionally, Energia awarded an academic scholarship to the Asociacion de Familias Hispanas de los Tarrytowns, an organization dedicated to improving the literacy skills of children to help them succeed in a school setting.

Read more: Superintendent Raymond Sanchez and the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Receive Inaugural Energia Brighter Futures Award

The Family YMCA at Tarrytown is now offering an early morning care program at John Paulding, W.L. Morse and Washington Irving starting September 2024. Care will be provided onsite 1 ½ hours before the normally scheduled arrival time.

The program runs Monday – Friday when school is in session.

Fee: $189 per month

Register by May 31 for the 2024-2025 school year. $50 deposit is required to reserve your spot.

Send your completed form with payment to Gabriela Rivas, Billing Administrator

gabrielar@ymcatarrytown.org or call 914 631-4807 ext. 100

In partnership with Family Service Society of Yonkers, we are offering a free two-hour program including one hour of reading with trained tutor, and one hour creating and exploring STEM-based projects and educational games.

The Friends of Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom (PPOC) are thrilled to once again welcome the community to the Outdoor Classroom for weekend events and programs. Please join up using these links:

• PPOC Spring Programs 2024
  
• Programas de Primavera 2024 de PPOC

Presenting our Portrait of a Learner! Our vision encompasses vital skills and dispositions that we want all learners to develop:

• Key Skills: Communication • Executive functioning • Creativity • Critical thinking
• Key Dispositions: Curiosity • Perseverance • Socio-cultural competence • Civic mindedness

Beyond academics, we're committed to equipping students with skills for success in a changing world. Read more in our recent message about our Portrait of a Learner.

🏈📣 Get ready for an amazing opportunity brought to you by Junior Horsemen Football and Cheer: our FREE clinic on June 2 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.! Whether you're a returning player or new to the game, join us from Kindergarten to 5th grade for a day packed with excitement and learning.

Thought-provoking cultural events offer opportunities for everyone to engage with new ideas and perspectives in The Pocantico Center’s unparalleled natural, historic setting.

All events take place at The Pocantico Center, 200 Lake Road, Tarrytown, NY

Learn more through The Pocantico Center

The Tarrytown Music Hall Academy is offering summer camps!

Frozen Jr Theater Camp for 1st-8th graders

July15-19, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm

The Little Mermaid Theater Camp for 1st-12th grades

July 29-August 9, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm

A Wind In The Door Theater Camp (play) for 5th-12th graders

August 5-10, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm

Storybook Theater Camp for Kindergarten - 3rd grade

August 12-16, Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm

Circus Arts Camp for 1st-8th graders

August 12-16 & August 19-23 are full.

August 26-30, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm: limited spots

Scholarships and Pay-What-You-Can are available. More information is available here: https://tarrytownmusichall.org/the-academy/

For food support visit one of our local food pantries.

Check out past editions of Dr. Sanchez's newsletter on our Superintendent page.

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