I believe we have to learn from the past and use that knowledge to move forward into the future. This is a fundamental concept for us as we remember, refresh and reunify for systemic change.

As your Interim Superintendent, I am focused on the daily journey of education in our schools' climate and culture. I keep an eye on the deep-rooted history in this community with my mind's eye on the future and feet planted firmly in the present operations of the district. I listen to what is being said and also for what is NOT being said to invite insight. I am ready each day to learn more about this incredible place we call Nyack Public Schools.

This month, we've begun the intensive work of plugging our district goals into developing strategies for each building and department that will help us achieve these goals together. My heart is open to all the possibilities that we want our students to embrace as their own. I am proud of the leadership team here and their profound dedication to our staff, students and schools.

Also this month, we celebrated the diversity of Hispanic Heritage that spans across our population of families. We expanded celebrations beyond our Latino/Latina cultures to the multitude of cultures represented in our district. We have students that have crossed lands from all over the world to learn with us here and now. Let us remember that each family houses a history and culture to be respected. I am joyfully proud of the the richness in our collective diversity!

We hope you enjoy this edition of the RedHawk SUN. Join me in choosing a ready-mindset in NOVEMBER and beyond.

Yours in Education,

Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi

Interim Superintendent of Schools

Creating a cohesive plan that prioritizes immediate needs and promotes organizational healing is our path forward into this school year. This movement requires unity, drawing strength from shared values and a renewed sense of pride in the district's unique identity. The "RedHawks-Ready" initiative is meant to build upon the district's strengths while embracing a refreshed mindset and collective vision.

District Leadership Goals Update: As we build on our strong foundation, we’re looking forward with a fresh lens on how we measure our success. Our goal is not only to continue what we’ve established but to deepen our impact by refining how we assess performance. We’ll focus on three essential questions that allow us to see growth more fully: How much did we accomplish? How well did we do it? Is anyone better off? Ultimately, our goal is to make a real difference in the effect we have on students, staff, and our community, ensuring our efforts lead to positive, lasting change.

Did you know Nyack Public Schools has a Student Support & Prevention Services Counselor? Ms. Dornzella Milligan works with students and staff, providing confidential substance prevention counseling, initiatives and programs while creating a safe space for students dedicated to strengthening students’ interactions in their school life by building up Risk and Protective Factors. This is most often communicated with a focus on equity and the integration of wellness dimensions and their interconnectedness to assist youth and families in developing skills that can lead to a better quality of life and longevity.

This October, we celebrated National Substance Use Prevention month to recognize that substance use is more complicated than in the past. For one thing, smoking, vaping or using electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) to consume nicotine or marijuana, is more pervasive and easier to conceal than traditional smoking has always been. During National Substance Use Prevention Month and throughout the year, Ms. Milligan leans in on sharing information on prevention and assisting teens with how to become smoke free.

For more information or to contact Ms. Dornzella Milligan, visit her webpage:

Promoting Wellness: A Guide to Community Action

Officer Kathleen Gavin of the Clarkstown Police Department delivers positive messaging to raise awareness in fifth graders through the DARE program. DARE stands for Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate. The focus of this long-standing program is promoting positive decision-making and educating students about the risks of substance use. Officer Gavin meets with fifth graders at all three elementary schools throughout the year, encouraging them to “Make the right choices and stay away from the bad stuff. Be mindful of what you put in your body.”

Nyack High School is leading the way with Principal Nicole Saieva's forsight and commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and schools starts with being prepared. In partnership with Clarkstown Police Department, Detective Sergeant Chris Brigando and Police Officer Pat Tobin joined Nyack High School's SRO (Student Resource Officer) Brian Calorie to present an active shooters preparedness training to the staff at Nyack High School. Their presentation was informative and extremely helpful as affirmed by Principal Saiva: "I am extremely grateful for their willingness to do this work and the efforts of the Clarkstown PD to keep the students and staff at the high school safe."

All schools in the district follow the 2024-25 District Wide Safety Plan. Pursuant to the Commissioner's Regulations, New York school districts are required to develop annual district wide school safety plans. The safety plan is a required component of Project SAVE (Schools Against Violence in Education).

• Every student can learn, and every student can succeed.
• Every student should have access to and opportunity for a high-quality education.
• Every student should graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary opportunities.
• Every student should have access to a school counseling program.
• Effective school counseling is a collaborative process involving school counselors, students, families, teachers, administrators, other school staff and education stakeholders.
• School counselors are leaders in the school, district, state and nation.
• School counseling programs promote and enhance student academic, college & career and social/emotional outcomes.

K-12 Director of Guidance, Lorraine Longing, believes in prevention and promotes the work of wellness each day with her team of counselors. The district first implemented the position of Director of Guidance in 2015. Since then, Ms. Longing has developed the School Counseling program to include three full-time elementary counselors - one for each school; three counselors at the middle school level that loop with students over the course of their three years at NMS; and five counselors at the high school with full caseloads of 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.

Visit the School Counseling webpages for lots of valuable information:

• School Counseling Department at Nyack High School
• School Counseling Department at Nyack Middle School
• School Counseling Department at the Elementary Schools

Click here to view the 10-15-24 School Counseling Presentation to the BOE

Nyack Public Schools is bringing the classroom to our families with a series of adult English classes. Starting this month and going through mid-December, a group of twenty ENL (English as a New Language) parents who signed up for participation are learning together. Strengthening English skills improves access to opportunities and experiences that helps families thrive. Speaking English not only boosts communication with teachers and schools, it opens the doors to wider engagement, education and essential services. In providing these classes, the district expands a network of community connection, building confidence, and relationships among our school community.

This new program is a dream-come-true by the determination of our Bilingual Education/English as a New Language (ENL) Department with Director/Interim Principal at Liberty Elementary School, Ms. Lucia Pichardo, her assistant Lisaira Estrella, in collaboration with Community Liaison Yesenia Polanco. A special shout out goes to Dr. Judith Atiri, MS ENL Teacher who stepped in to launch this ENL Class adventure with our ENL parents.

School Board members take on one of the most important citizen responsibilities: overseeing the education of the community’s youth. Boards of education guide their local school systems and ensure public schools are flexible and responsive to the needs of the community. School boards are comprised of volunteers, most of whom do not receive any compensation for their service. They are individuals within the community who dedicate their time to improving public education.

Did you know?

• School board members statewide collectively oversee nearly 2.25 million K-12 students and $86.3 billion in budgeted spending.
• There are 5,096 board seats in New York
• 46.4% have served five years or fewer
• 53.6% six years or more
• About two-thirds of board members spend 6 hours or more per week on board activities

The Board of Education encourages community engagement. Our seven trustees are responsible to listen and represent our school community. Board contact information, the Board Meeting schedule, presentations and agendas are all posted on BoardDocs. Board members may be emailed at: BOEmembers@nyackschools.org.

BOE Meetings are open to the public, posted on the district website and calendar on specified Tuesdays each month. The public is encouraged to join in-person or via Zoom. Links to the webinar meetings are available on the district website homepage calendar at www.nyackschools.org.

November BOE Meeting: TUESDAY, NOV. 19 at 6:30pm

Scheduled Workshop Presentation: MTSS

The RedHawk SUN is our reimagined eNewsletter for 2024-2025. Designed for promoting Superintendent’s Uplifting News, it is focussed on what defines and distinguishes Nyack Public Schools’ educational culture, vision, mission, learning and teaching environment, staff and students.