Dear SWS Community,
I hope our students and families are enjoying a relaxing and fun summer break. We have had a busy summer here at SWS, and I'd like to share a few mid-season updates with you.
Staffing Updates
I am excited to share some staffing updates for the upcoming school year. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Lydia Furnari as our new interim superintendent. Dr. Furnari brings to Sandyston a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student success. Over the past month, we have collaborated on many school and district initiatives, and her insights and dedication have already made a positive impact. Please look forward to Dr. Furnari’s introductory message to the community in our Back to School newsletter at the end of the month.
Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome the following new staff members:
- Ms. Amanda Rasczyk as our preschool teacher
- Ms. Juliet Myers as our special education teacher
- Ms. Chloe Norell as our music teacher
Detailed introductions to these new team members will be featured in our Back to School newsletter, which will be distributed the week before school starts.
Summer ESY/Enrichment Programming
Our Extended School Year (ESY) program was a tremendous success this summer, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Huarte and Mrs. Yanecko for their dedication in hosting the program. Students had the opportunity to reinforce their previous learning and gain a head start on the upcoming school year, all while having fun.
Our Summer Enrichment Program was also a huge success, reaching full capacity almost every day. We owe a big thank you to G&T teacher Mrs. Balogh, character education teacher Mr. Joe, and music teacher Mr. Grubic for creating such a meaningful and engaging summer of learning. Their hard work and creativity ensured that students had an enriching experience throughout the summer.
Preschool Update
Our new preschool room, formerly the art/music room, is coming together and will be ready for our students and families to visit during our open house August 29. Our new art/music room looks fantastic and is ready to go for the new school year.
As discussed at yesterday's board meeting, the district has decided to postpone the installation of a bathroom in the preschool classroom and include this project in future grant applications. By incorporating this project into a grant-funded opportunity, we can optimize district resources and develop a more fiscally sound operations budget. Our preschool program is fully staffed to ensure that students have access to restroom facilities without impacting the availability of facilities for other students.
Construction Updates (Masonry, Tile, Roof)
In August, we will be completing several projects to ensure our school remains beautiful and safe. Masonry work will be carried out on three sides of the building, tiles will be installed in the main hallway, and the low-slope roof will be replaced. Although the building will remain open all summer, please be aware that some doors may be temporarily inaccessible on certain days. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during these updates.
Open House - August 29, 2-3pm for grades Prek-6
We are pleased to announce that, this year, we will be hosting an open house so that students and families may visit the school before the first day. Families are welcome to stop in to see their classrooms and say hello to teachers. An adult must accompany all students.
Our preschool open house will be more structured. At 2:15 p.m., the school nurse and counselor will visit the classroom, and at 2:30 p.m., preschool students can board a school bus, practice buckling seat belts, and ride around the parking lot. An email with more information about the open house will be sent to preschool parents.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for another great school year!
Fondly,
Brooke Phillips
Principal/Supervisor of Special Education
School Supply Lists
Supply lists for the 24-25 school year are available. Each grade level is listed on the document.
Click here for the supply list document.
