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10/01/2024 Letter to the Community

Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Schools

10/01/2024 Letter to the Community Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Schools

Para leer en español, haga clic en el botón "Traducir (Translate)" arriba.

October 1, 2024


Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,


As we enter the month of October, I want to take a moment to celebrate two important observances: Hispanic Heritage Month and Bullying Prevention Month. Our district takes great pride in honoring the diverse cultures and contributions of our community members, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued.


I also would like to recognize our newest Mercy University STEM Ambassadors for representing our district with professionalism and passion. Their commitment to educating and inspiring our students makes our district a wonderful place to learn and grow.


Thank you to everyone for your continued support in making our district a place where every student can thrive. As always, thank you for your continued support as we work together to 'Build a Better Tomorrow' for our scholars.



Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

District Emergency Information Guides

The Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns is committed to providing a safe environment for students and staff. In the event of an emergency, it is important for students and staff to be familiar with the way the District prevents and manages emergencies.


Our Safety and Security Page includes a guide with key information and terms that are helpful to know in the event of an emergency situation.

"Pink Out" Every Friday!

We are excited to announce that our district will be participating in "Pink Out" Fridays throughout the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every Friday in October, we encourage all students, staff, and faculty to wear pink to show support for breast cancer awareness.

Bullying Prevention Month

October is Bullying Prevention Month. Check out how we're supporting bullying prevention at the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.

Stay Connected - Ways We Communicate at TUFSD

We communicate at TUFSD in a variety of ways. Stay connected in all of these ways:

  • 📧 Email: District-wide and building-specific newsletters.
  • 💬 Remind: Principals and teachers send memos or personalized messages.
  • 📲 Social Media: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X
  • ☎️ Phone Messages: Calls for weather updates, attendance, and event reminders.
  • 💻 Website: Visit www.tufsd.org for events, lunch menus, and resources.
  • 📱Mobile App: Download the "Tarrytown Public Schools" app for quick access to news and calendars. Download via Apple/iOS or Android.

Do You Get Remind Messages?

Stay connected with important messages from your child's teacher and building through Remind. If you’re not receiving messages, please create a parent portal account in Infinite Campus. You can choose to receive updates via the Remind app, text, or email. Don't miss out on important communications!

October is National Principal's Month

Thank you to our school principals for their leadership and commitment to student success. Your hard work makes a lasting impact on our school community!

Check out our new space and check out a book

The newly remodeled Sleepy Hollow HS/MS library held its grand opened on Wednesday, September 18. Students are now enjoying the new collaborative space.


Read all about here: Sleepy Hollow School Library Officially Opens

Tarrytown Teachers present at STEM Conference

Teachers Leana Peltier, Abbey Gilligan, and Cathlene Caroleo presented at Mercy University's K-12 STEM Education Conference, contributing to science education and growing as leaders.

W.I. Receives Mercy STEM Network Banner

It’s official! The Mercy University Center for STEM Education STEM Schools Network banner is now proudly on display at Washington Irving Intermediate School! A special thanks to our amazing Mercy STEM Ambassadors and everyone who supports STEM initiatives at W.I. Thank you for making this possible!


Read all about here: Washington Irving Intermediate School Named Mercy Stem School

Student Wellness Policy

Our district is dedicated to supporting the overall well-being of our students through a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. We recognize the importance of nutrition, physical activity, and emotional health in fostering a thriving school environment. Board of Education Policy 5405: Student Wellness ensures that students have access to nutritious meals, encourages physical activity, and promotes social-emotional learning, all aimed at enhancing student success.

SEL Screener: DESSA

This month, students in grades K-12 will be completing the DESSA, a universal social-emotional screener. Please see the attached letter, which went out to families, for additional information.

Capital Bond Project Update

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.

Horsemen Family Saturday (Formerly Known As Saturday Academy)

We're back and looking forward to welcoming families, once again, for community building and free enrichment activities for all. Save the upcoming dates in your calendar, and take notice of our new location (Sleepy Hollow High School) and time (10am-12:30pm). Also, the Historic Hudson Valley will host the December session at the Philipsburg Manor.

Social Emotional Learning: Second Step Parent Info Session

Join us for a session on Social-Emotional Learning with Second Step! Learn about the program, what your child will be learning, how it can help with bullying (grades 5-8), and tips for supporting at home.

📍 K-4 Parents: Washington Irving Intermediate School Auditorium, October 24, 4-5 PM
📍 5-8 Parents: Sleepy Hollow Middle/High School Auditorium, October 24, 6-7:30 PM


Spanish translation available. Light refreshments will be served!

Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom

Please enjoy the Peabody Welcome Back Slideshow!


Also, please sign up to join our Slightly Spooky Halloween Hike (Saturday, October 12 @ 1pm-3pm). Sign up here: English, Spanish

HORSEMEN BRACELETS!

The PTA is selling Horsemen themed Pura Vida bracelets as well as Class of 2025 engraved bracelets.


Look for our table at the Rose Ceremony, write us at shhs@horsemenpta.com or click here: Horsemen Bracelets to purchase!

Horsemen vs Hunger Walkathon

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

Free Early Learning Program: ParentChild+

Starting in November 2024, families with children aged 16 months to 3 years can enjoy home visits twice a week with an Early Learning Specialist. Participants will receive free books and toys in a joyful, engaging environment that respects family culture.


To register: Complete this form. For more information, please contact Heather Mitchell at 914-761-0600 ext. 2489 or email Hmitchell@wjcs.com.

ARToberfest

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.

School Theater Residency Program

Registration for the free school theater residency of Beauty & the Beast Jr. 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

Did You Notice? Newsletter Updates

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.

Digital Equity Survey

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.

Attendance Update

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.

TAT Making Strides

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

24-25 TUFSD Family Cultural Inventory

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

Safety and Security

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:


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.

District Pillars & Goals

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.

Academic & Enrichment Program at W.L. Morse

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

YMCA Early morning care at JP, Morse & WI

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.

Free after-school activities at SHMS

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

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

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Public Schools of the Tarrytowns
www.tufsd.org