3/25/2025 Letter to the Community

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

March 25, 2025

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,

Spring is here, bringing with it many wonderful new opportunities. As we look ahead, we see exciting possibilities for our students and their families—athletic events, educational experiences, and community gatherings are all on the horizon. I look forward to warmer weather and the chance to connect through meaningful activities.

I’d also like to take a moment to recognize our hardworking students and staff across the district. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated community for your unwavering support. As always, we appreciate your partnership.

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

Elementary report cards will be released on Friday, March 28, 2025. Your building principals will provide more details on how to access them that afternoon.

During our webinar on March 18, 2025, we presented the latest updates on our district’s facilities projects, including important information on the Washington Irving field project and Morse School. This is all part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our schools for our students and community.

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

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Facilities Webinar! We appreciate your engagement and thoughtful questions as we discussed our ongoing and future facilities projects.

We appreciate the support of NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins in securing funds for courtyard renovations at our Middle School. These improvements will enhance our play and seating areas, creating a more welcoming space for our students. We are grateful for this investment in our schools and community.

As we prepare for the reopening of Tappan Hill School next year, our district has been carefully studying school start times to ensure they align with and support our new grade configurations. Our key transportation priority remains ensuring that students can travel to and from school safely and efficiently.

Balancing factors such as ride times, school start and end times, and equitable service for all families creates a complex set of challenges. After thorough analysis, we presented at the March 25 Board of Education meeting an overview of a proposed transportation solution for the 2025-26 school year. We will continue discussing options at the upcoming Board meetings, following the gathering of community feedback on the preliminary model that was introduced.

We value your input as we consider potential changes to our school start times. To ensure we gather diverse perspectives and make informed decisions that best support our students and community, we will be conducting focus groups to gather feedback on the proposed start time adjustments.

These focus groups will provide an opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help shape the direction of this important initiative.

A signup link will be provided soon, allowing you to select a session that works best for your schedule. We appreciate your time and engagement in this process and look forward to hearing your valuable insights.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Nelly Valentin.

Join us for an important parent presentation: "Talking to Your Teen About Difficult Topics." Hosted by Mrs. Donahue (Student Assistance Counselor), 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!

🌟 The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns was honored by NYSSBA for the Wasteless Horsemen Initiative! We're proud to be recognized for our commitment to sustainability.

🌱💚 Thanks to everyone who made this possible!

Three talented Sleepy Hollow High School students took the stage at the 2025 WCSMA All-County Jazz Concert at Hammocks MS in Mamaroneck. These standout musicians—Nico Mayor (11, Drums), Henry Scheller (11, Bass), and Dexter Scheller (10, Guitar)—performed alongside the county’s finest high school jazz artists, showcasing their skills in an unforgettable evening of music. Bravo!

Students from the High School Music Technology/Tiny Desk Club had an exciting opportunity to cut a record at Mercy University Studios! From crafting musical arrangements to operating the recording console, students took full control of the recording process, gaining hands-on experience and real insight into the work of an audio engineer.

The entire session was video recorded, and we can’t wait to share the final product! Stay tuned for the Tiny Desk Club’s April video release showcasing their incredible work. 🎬🎧

Last week we celebrated Bandemonium! The program featured all our band students in grades 5-12 and the "World Premiere" of a new piece, "Cumbiamatic" by Jorge Vargas.

This concert was made possible thanks to the generous support of the HorsemanPTA and the Sleepy Hollow Performing Arts Boosters.

The avid readers in Ms. Rivera's and Mr. Bencosme's class did an amazing job writing book reviews they were "hired" to write for Sleepy Hollow Bookshop. Students selected books, gave them either creative award names or rated them on a five star scale, and then wrote detailed reviews.

The classes presented their finished work to the Bookshop, where the reviews are now on display to help customers pick kid-recommended books. High-ranked books included Bear's Loose Tooth, Amulet #9, Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl, Ivy and Bean, and Dogzilla. Visit Sleepy Hollow Bookshop at 95 Beekman Ave to view the students' fantastic work!

On Saturday, March 15, our incredible Sleepy Hollow research students took on the 2025 Westchester Science and Engineering Fair at Somers Middle & High School! With impressive posters and sharp 7-minute presentations, they wowed the judges and left with a new sense of accomplishment.

🎉 Eight students earned awards! 🎉
🏅 Plus, our program was recognized for Best Paperwork by the WESEF Scientific Review Committee!

👏 Huge congratulations to our talented researchers—your hard work and dedication paid off!

Students took part in W.I.'s first STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) night on March 12, 2025.

Watch the video here: STEAM Night at W.I.

Our team had an amazing time at the Palisades Mall Live Smash Bros Tournament on Sunday, 3/23! It was an awesome experience filled with competition, camaraderie, and great sportsmanship.

🔥 Shoutout to our top finishers! 🔥
🥈 2nd Place: Finnigan "Ozone" Cradler-Williams
🥉 3rd Place: Johnjairo "Energyshadow" Suscal

Proud of our players for their skills and positive energy! 💪🎮

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 3!

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

Learn more here: W.I. Tournament of Books

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

Sleepy Hollow Middle School Movie Night is quickly approaching!

Mark your calendars for Friday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. for a screening of Inside Out 2 exclusively for SHMS students.

All students must be pre-registered to attend. Register by clicking here.

Parent volunteers needed! See SHMS communications or contact awilliamson@horsemenpta.com

Earth Month is full of exciting events that are both free and fun!

Check out the full event lineup at EarthMonth10591.org

🎶🎺 The 2025 Sleepy Hollow Jazz Festival is coming! 🎷🎤

Join us Friday, April 4 for a day full of incredible jazz! 🎶✨ During the school day, talented student musicians from Westchester, Putnam, and Orange County will perform for esteemed adjudicators. Then, in the evening, enjoy a must-see concert featuring select student groups and the Jazz Fest Vocal Jazz Ensemble, led by renowned vocalist Dylan Pramuk! 🎤🎵

Mark your calendars—it's going to be a fantastic day of music and celebration! 🎶🎉

The Tarrytowns School Foundation Gala will be held on April 26.

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

To purchase tickets visit: Spring Gala Tickets

🗓️ Save the date! The Latino Parent Leadership Institute will hold its first annual conference for parents completely in Spanish. You won’t want to miss it! Join us for workshops, a delicious lunch, resources from community partners, and a special guest speaker.

🗓️ Saturday, April 26

⏰10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

📍SHHS

We’re excited to invite you to the Ballet & Drama Showcase presented by United Way and the Westchester Ballet Company!

📅 Date: Tuesday, May 6
⏰ Time: Show starts at 5:00 p.m. (please arrive by 4:45 p.m.)
📍 Location: W.L. Morse Elementary School Auditorium, 30 Pocantico St., Sleepy Hollow, NY

Come support our talented young performers as they take the stage for an evening of dance and drama!

Costume Reminder:
🎭 1st Grade Dancers – Wear a solid yellow top, black socks, and black leggings.
🎭 2nd Grade Dancers – Wear a solid blue or purple top, black socks, and black leggings.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🎶✨

Calling all young performers! Enroll in exciting theater programs at Tarrytown Music Hall Academy this spring. From a Broadway masterclass with Lauren Boyd to productions like Seussical Jr., Aladdin Jr. en Español, and No Substitutes, there’s something for every aspiring star.

Some programs are already SOLD OUT, so register soon!

📅 Key Dates:
🎶 Lauren Boyd Masterclass (Grades 4-12) – Register by March 31
🕌 Aladdin Jr. en Español (Grades 4-12) – Register by March 29
🎭 Seussical Jr. (High School Students) – April 9
🎟️ No Substitutes (Middle School Students) – April 3 & 6

🔗 Learn more and sign up: tarrytownmusichall.org/academy-programs

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!

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

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here to receive regular updates.
Please note that parents are automatically enrolled.