West Hempstead Weekly Update

I am writing to express my gratitude for your participation and support in the recent school budget vote and board of education trustee election. The success of these important events would not have been possible without the involvement of our dedicated community and hard-working staff.

To our community members, thank you for taking the time to make your voices heard at the polls. Your approval of the school budget is a resounding affirmation of our district's commitment to providing a high-quality education for every school-aged student in West Hempstead. Your votes for our board of education trustees ensure that we will have strong leadership and representation in the decision-making process.

To our staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication to our students and for your efforts in promoting the budget and trustee election. Your passion for education and tireless work to engage our community played a vital role in the successful outcome of these important events.

The support and participation of our community and staff are the cornerstones of our district's success. Together, we have demonstrated our commitment to ensuring our schools have the resources and leadership necessary to provide an exceptional educational experience for all students in the West Hempstead community.

As we move forward, I am confident that our district will continue to thrive and achieve new heights with the backing of our community and the hard work of our staff. Thank you again for your support, and let us continue working together to create a brighter future for all our school-aged students.

Dan Rehman

Superintendent of Schools

#WHe

Budget Vote

Yes 2277 No 1629

Trustee Election

Congratulations to Ms. Shinsato and Mr. Rockensies.

Public Library Budget

Yes 2509 No 1237

Trustee Election

Congratulations to Mr. Tannenbaum

The George Washington Living Museum has been an outstanding success, offering an excellent learning experience for all involved. This innovative project transformed our school gymnasium into a dynamic, interactive museum where students brought history to life through immersive exhibits and performances. By researching, creating displays, and embodying historical figures, our students deepened their understanding of history engagingly and memorably. The Living Museum showcased their creativity and hard work and fostered a sense of pride and accomplishment. This event has truly highlighted the power of experiential learning in bringing history to life.

Students from The Haven (our 8:1:1 program at the Secondary School) recently engaged in a valuable work-based learning experience with Backyard Players and Friends, a local non-profit organization. During their participation, The Haven students took on various responsibilities, including sorting, washing, and folding baby clothes so they could make up bundles to be distributed to those in need. These efforts directly supported the 'Love, Nana' mission, a unique initiative that focuses on assisting local families by supplying gently used clothing for newborns through toddlers. The mission not only provides essential items for families in need but also promotes sustainability by reusing items that would otherwise go to waste. Additionally, the project offers a unique opportunity for participants to gain hands-on experience and develop vital skills within a community-oriented environment.

Backyard Players and Friends operate entirely on a volunteer and donation basis, emphasizing their dedication to fostering a supportive community and providing meaningful service. The collaboration with The Haven underscores the importance of community engagement and the positive impact of service-based learning programs.

Next year, The Haven students anticipate having a more consistent partnership with Backyard Player and Friends, where they can continue to learn and experience hands-on, real-world work opportunities. This partnership benefits local families in need and empowers students by equipping them with practical skills and a sense of social responsibility.

Our secondary school's future broadcast journalism program seeks to build great momentum for the 24-25 school year. BASH seeks to support and foster growth among high school students and educators interested in broadcast journalism, video production, media, and communications by honoring their work and providing learning opportunities to develop and improve skills. Students throughout the district prepare to participate in the Games for the Physically Challenged, an annual competition for Nassau County students hosted nearby at Mitchell Field. With their talent and determination, we are confident our students will continue to shine on these various stages.

The Secondary School's 8:1:1 class led by Ms. Cerrone has teamed up with the grounds crew to enhance the beauty of the North Side of our campus. This collaborative effort not only enriches the aesthetic appeal of our school but also provides our students with valuable hands-on experience in landscaping and teamwork. Under the guidance of our dedicated grounds crew, the students have been actively involved in planting, pruning, and maintaining the area, turning it into a vibrant, welcoming space for all. This project exemplifies the power of #WHe and the importance of fostering inclusive, practical learning experiences.

"This Primary School AI curriculum introduces elementary school children to robotics and artificial intelligence. Throughout the curriculum, students have opportunities to reflect on their own thinking and their expectation of technology that “thinks.” We start by helping students solidify their thinking about what robots and AI are by identifying examples in their environment. Then, we develop children’s intuition about how technology works through powerful metaphors in the form of hands-on activities. Finally, we work with students to develop their understanding of how design choices impact others so that children can design their own intelligent robot solutions to various problems."

https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/primary-ai-ed/overview/

"Quick, grab-and-go lessons to help your students think critically about AI and its impact.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world we live in. From using generative AI for schoolwork to dealing with misinformation and befriending AI chatbots, students have a lot to consider when it comes to this ever-evolving technology.

This collection of quick lessons (20 minutes or less!) provide an introduction to AI and help address its social and ethical impacts. Through these lessons, students will:

• Understand what AI is and how it works
• Consider some of its potential benefits and risks
• Think critically about how we can be responsible and ethical users of AI"

https://www.commonsense.org/education/collections/ai-literacy-lessons-for-grades-6-12

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.

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.

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