3/11/2025 Letter to the Community

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We are pleased to announce that the Board of Education has approved the addition of an Ex-Officio Student Board of Education Member starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This important step reflects their commitment to amplifying student voices and ensuring that our students have an active role in shaping the future of our schools.

The student representative to the Board of Education will hold many of the similar rights, privileges, responsibilities, and recognitions as our elected trustees. This is an incredible opportunity for students to engage in the governance process, represent their peers, and contribute to meaningful discussions that impact our school community. Applications will be sent to students soon, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply.

We look forward to welcoming our student representatives and working together to enhance student engagement and leadership in our district.

During our last Board of Education meeting, we continued our budget discussions.

The budget calls for enhanced support of the literacy program in the elementary schools, improved data systems, electrical capital improvements, an increase in bus drivers to heighten the efficiency of our transportation services, ongoing safety and security enhancements and other smaller adjustments, while maintaining the core services and programs that our students require.

This budget focuses on maintaining favorable staffing levels and class size, maintaining or

improving important instructional resources, and adjusting transportation staffing to better serve our families. At this time, we are more than 1% below our allowable tax levy increase, and we ramain keenly focused on the collective needs of our community.

The budget also supports ongoing instructional reformation and advancement of student achievement through support for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) efforts and examination of class size and new electives at the high school.

Three new instructional positions are anticipated, two part-time support staff positions will be added, and cost-neutral restructurings of four positions will take place. On March 15, we will hold a Saturday budget session, starting at 8:30 a.m.

The ongoing evolution of the district to best serve our families and the broader Tarrytown school district community continues with careful deliberation and rigor. We are creating a continuum of learning – from our PreK students through our graduates – who will be advantaged at every step of the way with opportunities to realize the best version of themselves and learners and community members.

We remain committed to keeping our community updated throughout the process. Please consider visiting our website.

Thank you for your continued support.

Join us for K-5 STEAM Night—an evening of hands-on fun and creativity! Explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through exciting activities like Fort Building, Coding Corner, Glow Art Constellations, and more.

📅 March 12, 2025

📍 Washington Irving Intermediate School

⏰ 4:30 PM – 6:30 p.m.

If you plan to come, please fill out this form so we can be prepared for the number of families attending. We can’t wait to see you! 🎉

🎭✨ Mamma Mia! at Sleepy Hollow High School ✨🎭

Join us for an unforgettable performance of Mamma Mia! 🎶💃

📅 Show Dates:
📌 Thursday, 3/13 – 6:00 p.m.
📌 Friday, 3/14 – 7:00 p.m.
📌 Saturday, 3/15 – 7:00 p.m.

🎟️ FREE admission – No tickets required! Bring your friends and family for a fantastic night of music and fun! 🎤🎶

We invite you to join us for an upcoming webinar on March 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. to hear the latest updates on our district’s facilities projects. We will provide important information on the Washington Irving field project and Morse School as we continue our work to enhance our schools for our students and community.

📅 Date: March 18, 2025

🕕 Time: 6 p.m.

🔗 Link will be posted on tufsd.org

🎥Recordings of past webinars & presentations: tufsd.org/facilities

This will be an opportunity to learn more about our progress. Your engagement and feedback are invaluable as we move forward.

Join us for an important parent presentation: "Talking to Your Teen About Difficult Topics." Hosted by Mrs. Donahue (Student Assistance Counselor) and Mrs. Estrella-Gaspar (SHHS Social Worker), this session will cover communication strategies, mental health, substance abuse prevention, and more.

📅 Wednesday, March 26
🕡 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
📍 High School Library

Translation services will be available. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on supporting your teen!

Thank you for attending this informative meeting tailored for parents and guardians of middle and high school students. Ms. Feuer provided valuable insights on the next steps for students transitioning out of high school. She discussed various options and pathways for students, including OPWDD services (NY State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities), funding opportunities, transition planning time frames, and services offered by local Westchester County providers.

⛄📚 Students at JP went on an "Arctic Adventure" as they discovered that reading is SNOW much fun! They browsed through tons of books before selecting their favorites to take home—some even donated to their teacher's library.

"The PTA's goal with every book fair is to make sure each child goes home with a book and cultivates a love of reading. We are grateful to the generosity of families who support this annual fundraiser which also helps teachers add to their classroom libraries," said Annie Cauthren, from the Horsemen PTA.

Thank you, Horsemen PTA, for organizing this wonderful event!

📚✨ Throughout the month, we’re welcoming guest readers to share their love of reading with our K-2 scholars in Tarrytown! ❤️📖

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already stopped by to read their favorite stories! We can't wait to keep the reading magic going! ✨📚

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Audrey Brutus for all she has done to foster creativity, connection, and unity in our community. ❤️ Her impact has been truly special, and while we will miss her dearly, we wish her all the best in this next chapter. 🌟💐

Thank you, Dr. Brutus—you will always be part of the Horsemen family!

Get ready for an exciting literary showdown! Inspired by the NCAA March Madness, Washington Irving’s Tournament of Books brings 16 teacher-selected titles into a thrilling bracket-style competition. Over the course of the month, students will read, discuss, and vote to determine WI’s Book of the Year!

For the first 16 days, a new book will be introduced daily. On alternate school days, students will vote for their favorites, with each round narrowing the field from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8, then the Final 4, and ultimately, to the Championship. The winning book will be crowned on April 3rd!

Which book will take the title? Let the tournament begin! 📖🔥

Learn more here: W.I. Tournament of Books

March is all about the power of music, and our students have been shining on stage! This past weekend, we wrapped up All-County performances for our Intermediate and Elementary musicians, featuring:

🎵 Jackson Neilsen
🎵 Kelly Pintado
🎵 Stella Cronk
🎵 Blake DeCastro
🎵 Matt Bartolacci
🎵 Lydia Griffin
🎵 Matias Huertas
🎵 Zaydan Malik
🎵 Kelsy Crawford

A special congratulations to Zaydan Malik, who was the only TUFSD Orchestra student selected for the Westchester All-County Orchestra this year—an incredible achievement! 🎻👏

Also, a big shoutout to Dexter Scheller (guitar) and Nico Mayor (drum set) for their incredible performances with the NYSBDA Honor Jazz Ensemble—a prestigious honor with hundreds of applicants statewide!

Looking ahead, don’t miss Bandemonium on 3/19, where our High School and Middle School bands will come together for an unforgettable performance. 🎼💙

📚🐴 Huge thanks to the Horsemen PTA for helping our youngest readers at John Paulding fall in love with books! ❤️ Each Kindergarten student got to stuff, dress, and name their very own Reading Buddy—perfect for practicing their skills with a great listener. 🎉📖

We hope our students keep their TUFSD horses close throughout their school journey and beyond!

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s limited-edition spirit wear features a special design created by 9th grader Elizabeth Trejo, the winner of our Spirit Wear Design Contest!

We are so proud of Elizabeth and excited to showcase her creativity. Horsemen PTA spirit wear featuring her winning design is now available for purchase!Join us in celebrating her achievement and showing your school spirit.

🛍️ Shop now: https://spirithero.com/collections/sleepy-hollow-horsemen-spring-flash-sale-2025

📅 Order Deadline: April 1, 2025

Madeleine Galloway loves turning characters from the comics into cosplay designs of her own making. She's a regular at Comic Con and — appropriately for a girl who lives in Sleepy Hollow — she loves Halloween.

Read about her here: Lohud: Costume Change

Join us in celebrating a week of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion at TUFSD! Each day brings a fun theme and a special challenge to spread positivity. 🌟

Let’s make this week full of kindness, connection, and school spirit!

The Horsemen PTA is organizing a movie night exclusively for middle school students on Friday, March 28. Students received a Google Form to vote on the movie. Details to follow.

The Tarrytowns School Foundation is raffling off a set of reserved gala seats. $25 for one chance, $100 for 5 chances. The drawing will take place on March 7 and they will contact the winner directly.

For more information visit: https://www.tarrytownschoolsfoundation.org/springbenefit2025.html

To purchase tickets visit: Spring Gala Tickets

Join the Safe Streets for All project team for a public meeting on Thursday, March 20, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Tarrytown Senior Center (240 West Main Street, Tarrytown, NY). This is the first of two in-person meetings aimed at improving traffic safety in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. All ages are welcome, and refreshments will be provided. RSVP at https://bit.ly/ss4a320 and learn more at www.tarrytownny.gov/SafeStreets.

Join us for Community Day at The Pocantico Center on May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! This FREE event features hands-on art, STEAM, and garden activities, face painting, and more, in collaboration with local partners. Don't miss the interactive puppet performance by Arm-of-the-Sea at 2:00 p.m. and your last chance to view Sketching Light: Chagall’s Windows for Union Church in the DR Center gallery.

Enjoy complimentary food from Abeetz Pizza Truck and Jimmy’s Soft Serve.

📍 Location: 200 Lake Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591
🔗 Register & learn more: pocantico.org/events
📧 Contact: pocanticoprograms@rbf.org

🏐🔥 Ready, set, SERVE! Our Spring Co-Ed Volleyball Clinic kicks off on May 14 in the S.H.H.S. gym! Open to 6th-8th graders of all skill levels—come learn the game, boost agility, sharpen strategy, and most of all, have FUN! 🙌💪

📅 Starts May 14
📍 S.H.H.S. Gym
🎯 Grades 6-8 | All skill levels welcome

Don’t miss out—let’s hit the court! 🚀🏐

Register here: Tarrytown Parks and Recreation

The Tarrytown Music Hall Academy presents Disney’s Aladdin Jr.—a special opportunity for native Spanish speakers and dual-language students (Grades 4-12) to perform in Spanish! 🌟

🗓 Auditions: Video due by March 30, 2025 or audition in person on April 3, 2025

🎤 Rehearsals & Performances: May 4 – June 14, 2025
📍 Location: The Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY

Join an incredible team featuring Broadway professionals:
🎬 Director: Evy Ortiz (West Side Story)
💃 Choreographer: Lauren Ciardullo (Aladdin on Broadway)
🎼 Musical Director: Daniel Gutiérrez (On Your Feet)

📲 Free for eligible students! Scan the QR code or visit tarrytownmusichall.org/academy-programs/theater-arts/ for more info! 🎶✨

Join the 3rd Annual Pickleball Round Robin Fundraiser on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Sleepy Hollow High School! 🏓

This exciting event supports Kids' Club of Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow and features divisions for beginners, youth (10-13 & 13-17), intermediate, and advanced players.

💰 $60 per player
🎉 Teachers save $20 with code TUFSD20
🎾 Kids save $35 with code TUFSDKID35

Sign up as an individual and enjoy double round-robin play by skill level.

📍 Register now at HUDSONPICKLE.COM or call 917-941-6531.

Join the Tarrytown Summer Arts Camp Team!

Applications are open for 2025 counselor positions—both paid and volunteer opportunities available! Gain leadership experience, community service hours, and be part of an exciting arts program. Positions are available in Multi-Arts, Architecture, Clay, and Creative Writing at various locations.

Apply now at www.TarrytownArtsCamp.com

The Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown Youth Leadership Police Academy aims to provide a supportive and educational environment where our youth can develop essential life skills that will serve them well into adulthood. We believe that by investing in our young community members today, we are contributing to a brighter and more prosperous future for Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown.

This summer, we are organizing three sessions of the youth academy, scheduled to take place from August 4 to August 8, August 11 to August 15, and August 18 to August 22.

To discuss this opportunity further or to answer any questions you may have, please feel free to contact me directly via email at Sbencosme@sleepyhollowny.org. Thank you for considering our request, and we look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to make the Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown Youth Leadership Police Academy a success.

🛍️🌿 Join Us at the TASH Indoor Farmers Market, now through April 26!! 🌿🛍️

📅 Every Saturday | 🕘 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
📍 John Paulding School

Stop by for fresh produce, local goods, and community vibes—all indoors! 🍎🥖✨ See you there!

Please note that the application for Kindergarten Dual Language is available on our Dual Language Program webpage. Paper copies will be available at the registration office or the main office at JP.

• Dual Language Application 2025
• Solicitud para el program de language dual 2025

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

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