5/27/2025 Letter to the Community

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May 27, 2025

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend and took a moment to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

We have many things to celebrate in our district. Our wonderful seniors received their roses as they prepared to embark on the next chapter of their stories. We are so proud of all they’ve accomplished.

We also want to congratulate the students who participated in the Her Honor Mentoring Program and those who presented at the annual Science Research Symposium. Whether through career exploration and mentorship or original scientific research, these students demonstrated exceptional dedication, curiosity, and growth. Their work was thoughtful, professional, and truly inspiring.

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we look forward to even more moments of pride and celebration.

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

The results of the Budget Vote and Board of Education Elections are as follows:

Budget Vote - Official Results:

• Yes: 965
• No: 212

We extend congratulations to Alex Fletcher, Liz Santillanes, and Amanda Wallwin. Alex and Amanda have been elected to serve a three-year term on the Board, and Liz has been elected to serve a one-year term.

I would like to take this moment to thank the community for its support. As we begin to plan for the upcoming school year, we know that the resources provided in the budget will help us to continue to offer quality programs in our District.

The Board of Education has approved new school start times for the upcoming school year. The new start times will go into effect at the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year. Specific start and end times for each school building can be found below:

Over the course of the rest of the year, we will continue to provide you updates as we work on the transition. We appreciate your partnership and will continue to keep you informed as we prepare for a smooth transition.

Join us for an important in-person Facilities Update session on May 29, 2025 at 6:30 pm in the MS/HS Auditorium.

Learn about the progress and vision for "Building a Better Tomorrow" in our school community.

During our upcoming Facilities sessions, we will focus on the following:

1. Status of all capital projects
2. Overview of the Washington Irving Classroom addition
3. Safety and Staging at Morse
4. Update on Tappan Hill Reopening
5. Answers to questions from the community

Please note that we do not intend to use the time to review transportation questions.

As a reminder, our sessions will take place on May 29 in the MS/HS auditorium at 6:30 pm. If you can't make it to the in-person session, we will also host a virtual session on June 3 at 6:30 pm.

As it gets closer to the event, the link will be posted at tufsd.org

The Tarrytown Board of Education is pleased to invite interested members of the Class of 2026 to apply for the position of Ex-Officio Student Member of the Board of Education for the upcoming school year.

The Board of Education serves as the governing body of the school district, working to establish policies, oversee the budget, and ensure that all students receive a high-quality, equitable education. As part of our commitment to student voice and civic engagement, we are proud to include a student representative who can offer valuable insight and perspective on behalf of the student body.

The Ex-Officio Student Member is a non-voting member of the Board who participates in public meetings, contributes to discussions, and serves as a liaison between the Board and the student community. This is an outstanding leadership opportunity for a student who is interested in education, governance, and service. The Ex-Officio Student Member will be expected to join evening board meetings every other week (usually run from 7:00 to 10:00 PM).

To be considered for this position, interested students must complete the Student Board Member Application (Please “Make a Copy” to complete digitally). As part of the selection process, applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with members of the Board of Education’s designated committee. Applications are due by Friday, June 6, 2025 and can be submitted to Nelly Valentin, nvalentin@tufsd.org.

We encourage all eligible students who are passionate about their school community and eager to make a meaningful contribution to consider applying.

In New York, school districts are required to develop comprehensive district-wide safety plans, and they must be made available for public comment. This allows the community to review and offer feedback on the plan before it's officially adopted by the school board. The Tarrytown Public School plan has been posted on the website so that the community can provide comments prior to the Board of Education adoption.

Glenda Sanchez has been appointed as the new Director of Special Education for the Tarrytown Union Free School District. Read the full announcement here.

Dr. Kingsbury has notified us that she has accepted a position in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District and will be starting on July 1. Please join me in congratulating her for all her accomplishments here in Tarrytown and wishing her well in her new position! Read the full announcement here.

The Board of Education has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to help address questions and concerns raised by our community. We encourage you to review it as we continue working together to support transparency and open communication.

Here is a link to the site: http://tufsd.org/boe/faqs

Thank you for your continued engagement.

🎓 Big congratulations to Sleepy Hollow High School’s Class of 2025 Valedictorian Abby Bartolacci and Salutatorian Ayaka Utsumi! 👏

These outstanding students have shown unwavering dedication, leadership, and academic excellence throughout their years in the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns. We’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what they do next! 🌟

Read more on the Patch: Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named for Sleepy Hollow Class of 2025

In a full-circle moment, Sleepy Hollow High School's Class of 2025 was celebrated in the cherished Rose Ceremony tradition. First-graders from W.L. Morse Elementary presented each senior with a rose—just as they once received in 2013—symbolizing growth, gratitude, and the journey ahead. A heartfelt tradition that reminds us: once a Horseman, always a Horseman.

Read more here: SHHS Holds 34th Annual Rose Ceremony

See full album here: Rose Ceremony Spring 2025

We’re thrilled to celebrate a joyful and inspiring commencement for the Her Honor mentoring program. Congratulations to Elina Veras, Mariely Espinoza, Stephanie Sanchez, and Bricelys Ramirez Pichardo, who were honored alongside their incredible mentors. The event was made even more memorable by an empowering keynote speech from Judge Judy herself. We couldn’t be prouder of our girls and all they’ve accomplished!

This year marked the 28th Annual Sleepy Hollow Science Research Symposium.

Our seniors presented their research on stage, delivering witty, engaging, and informative talks that showcased their hard work and curiosity.

The Science Research Program currently includes 13 seniors, 20 juniors, and 35 sophomores.

Mirianny Beltre Bobea, a junior at Sleepy Hollow High School, took the stage at TEDx Youth at Ossining High School on May 22, 2025! Representing the Student Equity Team and serving as an ENL Ambassador, Mirianny shared her powerful journey as an English Language Learner — and how one Spirit Week mix-up turned into a mission for inclusion.

From being the only student in purple on Pink Day, to breaking down barriers for others, Mirianny is building a more welcoming and diverse community for everyone.

Recently, we proudly celebrated Jessica Hunsberger of Sleepy Hollow High School as the recipient of the 2025 WLHCSS Distinguished Social Studies Service Award. This well-deserved recognition honors her outstanding dedication to her students and to the field of social studies. Bravo, Jessica!

Sleepy Hollow Middle School held a heartfelt Memorial Day assembly last week. Students heard powerful stories from veterans, military families, and distinguished guests—including keynote speaker Congressman George Latimer.

Congratulations to Sleepy Hollow junior Ben Meyer, who’s been nominated for LOHUD Boys Lacrosse Player of the Week! Ben’s outstanding performances included 3 goals and 2 assists in a big win over Westlake, followed by another strong showing with a goal and 3 assists in the playoff victory against Eastchester.

Help us celebrate his success—click here to vote and show your support!

Join Us for the Peabody Spring Fling & Capture the Flag!

Friday, June 6th | 5:30–8:00 PM | Peabody Field

Celebrate the end of the school year with an evening of fun, games, and community at our annual Peabody Spring Fling & Inter-generational Capture the Flag! This festive tradition features activities for all ages, including:

• Capture the Flag – Our beloved annual game where families and friends face off across generations.

• Disc Golf Debut – Get a first look at the exciting Disc Golf Pilot Program coming this fall, with a practice basket and student ambassadors from Sleepy Hollow!

• Seed Bombs & Insect Crafts – Dive into nature crafts, create seed bombs, and help unveil Peabody’s very first Insect Hotel!Light snacks and water will be provided. Keep an eye on Instagram for more updates and surprise activities. Don’t miss this fun-filled celebration!

Light snacks and water will be provided. Keep an eye on Instagram for more updates and surprise activities. Don’t miss this fun-filled celebration!

🎶 Get Ready for the Sleepy Hollow Music Festival! 🎶

Join us on June 7, 2025 at Kingsland Point Park for an unforgettable day of live music, food trucks, craft vendors, a VIP area, a kids zone, and more! Headlining the festival is Band of Horses, with performances by Jade Bird, Living Colour, Fantastic Cat, Carissa Johnson & The Cure-Alls, and many more talented artists.

🌟 Kids under 12 get in free!
🎟️ Group ticket options available
📍 Learn more and grab your tickets at www.sleepyhollowmusicfestival.com

Brought to you by the Village of Sleepy Hollow — don’t miss out on this incredible community event!

🎭 Tarrytown Music Hall Academy Presents: Disney’s Aladdin JR. – En Español! 🇪🇸

Don’t miss the U.S. premiere of Disney’s Aladdin JR. en Español, brought to life by the talented students of the Tarrytown Music Hall Academy!

✨ Directed by Evy Ortiz (West Side Story National Tour)
✨ Choreographed by Lauryn Ciardullo (Aladdin on Broadway)
✨ Music directed by Daniel Gutiérrez (On Your Feet National Tour)

📅 Showtimes:

• Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m.

• Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 a.m.

📍 Tarrytown Music Hall – 13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY

🎟️ Performances are FREE and open to the public!

School Performances (Great for dual-language classes):
📅 Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.

Come experience a magical journey — in Spanish — filled with music, dance, and Broadway-caliber talent!

WESTCHESTER COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU ANNOUNCES VACANCY

ON NYS GOVERNOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL

Seeks Youth Leader to Represent the County for the 2025-2026 Term

(White Plains, NY) - The Westchester County Youth Bureau is seeking a dedicated youth leader 13-21 years old to participate in the prestigious New York State Governor’s Youth Council: a forum for advocacy that facilitates an ongoing dialogue with policy-makers to better address issues and concerns faced by youth in their communities.

Members of the Governor’s Youth Council will meet virtually with their Regional Peers and Regional Representative bi-monthly as well as participate with state-wide peers at youth-led events. This exciting opportunity is available to only one qualifying candidate from each of the 62 counties in New York State. Members of the Youth Council will provide recommendations to the Governor and other policymakers on a wide variety of issues.

2025-2026 Topics of Focus Include:

• Youth Mental Health
• Social Media Impact on Youth
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Youth Voice and Engagement
• Environmental Impacts in Our Communities

Interested youth looking to proactively impact issues in their communities who reside in Westchester County should review the guidelines and submit an application by June 4, 2025through the NYS Governor’s Youth Council online portal.

Please contact the Westchester County Youth Bureau with any questions at WCYB@westchestercountyny.gov or by calling 914-995-2745.

We continue to meet to review the plans for the opening of Tappan. Here are some updates:

• Open House: We will host an opportunity for interested families to walk through the building on June 17, 2025 at 6 PM.

• Principal Search: We are screening interested candidates, but hope to finalize the process in early June.

As part of the bond construction, the parking lot at Morse School will be unavailable for community use both during the day and at night for the duration of the project. We understand that this may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance our facilities for the benefit of our students and community.

Please be advised that there will be increased noise levels at Morse and Washington Irving Schools during the demolition phase of the project. While we will make every effort to minimize disruptions, some noise will be unavoidable as we complete this critical work.

We thank you in advance for your patience and support as we move forward with these improvements. These projects are an investment in the future of our schools and will significantly enhance the learning environment for our students.

Both the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Village officials are aware of the impact our project will have on our school community.

We want to make you aware that the Governor has announced a new requirement for school districts across the state to implement a bell-to-bell instructional policy, ensuring that all students are actively engaged in learning throughout the entire school day.

As you may know, our district has been proactively planning for this anticipated shift. Over the past year, a dedicated committee has been meeting to explore how best to align our practices with this new mandate while continuing to meet the unique needs of our students and staff.

While specific changes are still being finalized, we want to encourage families to begin conversations with their children about the likelihood of adjustments to their daily schedule in the coming school year. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible and to ensure that our students are fully supported every step of the way.

We will continue to keep you informed and will share more details as they become available. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Coming out of the work of our Cell Phone Task Force, we wanted to start a series on digital wellness.

Each week, we’ll be sharing tips on digital wellness, online safety, and mental health.

Join us as we explore how to navigate the digital world mindfully.

Follow us on social media for weekly tips:

• Instagram: Tarrytown Schools
• Facebook: Public Schools of the Tarrytowns
• X (formerly Twitter): Tarrytown Schools

We are excited to share that we anticipate transitioning to ParentSquare as our primary communication platform beginning next school year, replacing Remind. ParentSquare will allow us to streamline communication amongst the district, schools, and families by offering a user-friendly and centralized hub for messages, alerts, and updates. This move is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance family engagement and ensure that important information is delivered in a timely and accessible manner. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months and supporting families through this transition. Additional information is available now on our website, and we will be sharing more in the weeks that come.

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns are seeking reliable, safety-minded individuals to transport students safely to and from school. As a school bus driver, you’ll play a vital role in our community while enjoying a rewarding career.

The Horsemen PTA is asking everyone to link their Decicco's and Sons card to the Horsemen PTA. By doing so the Horsemen PTA will receive money that we can be used to support our schools, just by shopping and swiping your card!

Please see attached flyer for details and make sure to look for Horsemen PTA on the drop-down list.

To view past copies of the newsletters, please visit the Superintendent's Page.

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