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West Hempstead Weekly Update
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Teacher Appreciation
Teacher Appreciation Day is a time to honor and recognize educators' invaluable contributions to shaping students' minds and futures. It's a time to express gratitude for their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts in fostering learning, growth, and inspiration. Let's celebrate and thank the teachers for their unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of WH students.
Thank you for all you do!
Board of Education and Central Office
Congratulations on Tenure!
Learning with and about professionals who embody a lifelong commitment to learning is a great privilege. These educators are not merely teachers or experts imparting knowledge to others. Rather, they are lifelong students, constantly seeking to expand their understanding and capabilities to better serve their students. They live the learning life every day, recognizing that the pursuit of knowledge is a never-ending journey. With humble curiosity, they dive into their area of expertise, exploring new frontiers and grappling with complex questions. At the same time, they hold a profound respect for the learning process itself, striving to create environments that empower their students to become autonomous learners. These professionals understand that true education goes far beyond imparting facts and kindles a flame of intellectual passion that can light the way toward growth, discovery, and positive change throughout life.
Staffing Schools
Staffing a public school is like assembling a symphony, where each member plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious and successful performance regardless of their instrument. From custodians ensuring a clean and safe environment to clerical staff keeping operations running smoothly and teachers nurturing young minds, every individual contributes to the school's vibrant ecosystem.
Teachers are so important to any school. They develop critical thinking skills, inspire curiosity, and shape the future. They dedicate countless hours to lesson planning, grading, and supporting students inside and outside the classroom. Nurses provide essential healthcare, ensuring students are healthy and ready to learn. Aides and monitors support students and teachers throughout the day, offering assistance and guidance and contributing to a successful learning environment.
Administrators steer the ship, collaborating to make strategic decisions to educate all school-aged students. Their leadership sets the tone for the entire school and the larger community, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
Cutting funding would be disastrous for public education. It would weaken our society's foundation, hindering the development of future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. A well-funded public education system invests in our collective future, ensuring every child has access to quality education regardless of background.
Budget Newsletter
Budget FAQs
State Aid for West Hempstead School District
Q: Did the West Hempstead School District receive more state aid in the final budget?
A: The district received $17,404 less in State Aid compared to the Governor's 2024-25 State Aid proposal.
You might have noticed the NYSED State Aid report in the local newspaper, which includes a comparison with UPK funding. The report shows the 2024-25 State Aid amount as $17,677,900, reflecting an increase of $925,593 or 5.53%. Within this increase, $216,000 is allocated to UPK funding, which is distinct and dedicated solely to the UPK program.
Attached to this post is a comparison that breaks apart the year-over-year change in State Aid of 5.53%.
Q: I thought original reports indicated the district was getting more funding. What was that about?
A: It seems there was some initial confusion around the budget numbers reported by the State. We received questions from the community that inadvertently included funding allocated specifically for Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs as part of the overall K-12 education funding. However, the UPK funding is actually a separate line item from the general state aid provided to districts for K-12 education.
The misunderstanding likely stemmed from people incorrectly rolling the UPK funding amounts into the total K-12 state aid figures, making it appear that the district was receiving a larger increase in funding than was actually the case for the core K-12 budget. Once the UPK funding was properly separated out, the true K-12 state aid allocation numbers became clearer.
Q: So the district is getting slightly less state aid than expected? How significant is a $17,000 reduction?
A: While $17,000 may seem small for a school district budget, every bit of funding is critical. The district will need to assess how to absorb this modest reduction.
Q: Will this $17,000 cut impact any programs or staff positions?
A: A $17,000 reduction will NOT directly lead to major program cuts or layoffs. However, the district will still need to revise the budget to account for this slight shortfall in projected state aid. Due to the large increases in health care and transportation expenses, the district has already excessed eight (8) positions.
Low Income/Senior Exemption
Q: What changes were made to the exemption recently?
A: For the Nassau County 2024-25 fiscal year, the West Hempstead Board of Education has approved increasing the maximum income limit to qualify for these exemptions. This allows more seniors and low-income residents to potentially receive the exemptions. West Hempstead School District has had these exemptions in place since November 2013.
Q: How can I find out if I qualify and apply?
A: Please contact the Nassau County Department of Assessment as that department processes exemption applications and determines if a homeowner qualifies for property tax exemptions.
2024-2025 Budget
Misconceptions that need clarification
Coding of Expenses
First, regarding the budget and coding of expenses - one of the board trustees mentioned needing help locating and understanding certain budget codes. I directed our business official, Mr. Phillips, to consolidate three previously separate codes under one unified "doors" code. While "doors" may not be the most descriptive name, this consolidated code has properly been used to fund facility projects like boiler repairs. We sometimes need to be flexible and utilize funds from certain budget areas for unexpected needs. However, this is standard operating procedure, not mismanagement or an attempt to hide anything from the public.
The Use of Reserves/Revenues and Expenses
The second misunderstanding is the notion that the district is hiding money. Like all school districts, we maintain reserve funds as savings accounts. When creating the annual budget, our revenues must equal our projected expenses. We need more than the state aid we receive to cover all our costs, and our district has limited other revenue sources. So, just like most districts, we prudently utilize our reserve funds to balance the budget when needed. Our goal is to minimize using reserves and replenish them when possible at year-end. Unfortunately, we had no surplus to add to reserves last year, but these funds are crucial for managing uncertainties.
Building Occupancy
Another misconception is that our school buildings are underutilized or empty. I encourage you to visit and see the elementary reading classes on the auditorium stage or the occupational therapists, ENL teachers, and others sharing classroom spaces out of necessity.
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Unfortunately, despite a proposed tax levy increase of 2.34% and utilizing a major portion of our reserves, we still face difficult decisions for the upcoming school year. This is largely due to significant increases in health insurance and transportation costs totaling approximately $2.5 million.
Even after the tax levy increase, we are projecting a budget shortfall that will require us to excess eight teaching positions across the district. This is an unfortunate but necessary step to balance the budget.
We are still awaiting the Governor's budget proposal's final details on state aid. However, based on various indications, the aid will only partially cover our funding gap at best.
While these are challenging times, I want to assure everyone that we are committed to making responsible fiscal decisions while minimizing the impacts on student learning as much as possible.
Budget information can be found here: https://www.whufsd.com/page/school-budget-2024-2025
Games that teach AI concepts
Yes, We’re Using ChatGPT to Teach Higher Order Thinking, Here’s How
ArtBot — is a game for players of all ages which teaches the basics of Artificial Intelligence. Your quest is to find and retrieve stolen art objects. You train your AI helper to recognize and locate the objects hidden in a maze of dungeons, and see how supervised and reinforcement learning works. The game introduces players to core principles and concepts of Artificial Intelligence.
Moral Machine — MIT has developed this thought experiment about self-driving cars. It provides scenarios where the self-driving car fails and you need to provide it with what you think is the most ethical decision. A modern take on the classic trolley problem to examine AI ethics. You can also choose to help with their research at the end.
https://new.nsf.gov/science-matters/ai-education-ai-education
Computer-Based Testing
“The New York State Testing Program began transitioning to a computer-based testing model in 2016 when the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) started using Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM). DLM is a computer-delivered adaptive assessment measuring a student’s achievement of the ELA and mathematics learning standards at a reduced level of depth, breadth, and complexity. This assessment provides the opportunity to customize the assessment to the individual abilities and needs of the student, is designed to measure a wide range of proficiencies of students, is more efficient to administer and score, and provides useful information to teachers to inform future instruction for the student. The NYSAA Science transitioned to DLM in spring 2018.
The transition to computer-based testing for the Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics testing program began with optional participation in computer-based field tests in 2016. This was followed by optional participation in CBT in the spring operational tests in 2017 and schools have been provided the opportunity to choose their testing format since that time.” - Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner
Please click here for more information.
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.
#WHe
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.
Habits of Mind
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.
About Us
Email: drehman@whufsd.com
Website: www.whufsd.com
Location: 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, NY,
Phone: 516-390-3000