Nyack Schools Connection - June '24
June 2024
Dear Members and Friends of the Nyack Schools Community,
Congratulations on another successful school year! I express my complete gratitude for everyone's hard work and dedication.
Thank you to our teachers, administrators, staff, Board of Education, and the entire school community for your steadfast commitment to our students. Your care, support and tireless efforts did not go unnoticed. We saw how our collective efficacy, our combined belief in each child's unlimited potential, positively impacted the lives of every child.
Students, you have shown an admirable ability to reflect on your efforts, learn from them, and continuously strive to improve. At every step of your learning, you tried your best and never gave up. I hope this summer you can continue to ideate and tinker with new ideas, projects, and passions that inspire you.
Graduates, as you navigate this next transition in your life, Bruce Feiler, author of "Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change At Any Age," reminds us that transitions are not always predictable. They are often nonlinear, and full of surprises and challenges. So, lean in and embrace the uncertainties of your journey with an open heart and mind. It's the unexpected moments that can lead to greater joy, growth, and new opportunities.
To our entire school community, as we transition into the summer months, please take time to relax, recharge, and reflect on this academic year. Thank you for your partnership.
Finally, I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of this year. As I leave the Nyack Public Schools, I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible journey we've shared. The dedication of our staff and the limitless potential of our students have inspired me. Together, we've achieved great milestones and created a caring environment for learning and growth while advancing literacy for all with systems of support. I will miss the fellowship and spirit of this vibrant community. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives and for the wonderful memories.
Susan Yom
Superintendent of Schools
www.nyackschools.org
Facebook: @nyackschools Instagram: @nyack_schools
What’s Happening in the Nyack Schools
Nyack High School
The Nyack High School Science Research Program students hosted the 23rd annual Science Research Symposium, featuring the extensive research and findings of student participants. Thirteen seniors presented their independent research on a wide array of topics, from "Investigation of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Drinking Water in Rockland County” to “Aerodynamics” and “Methodology.” Thirteen sophomores and juniors presented posters showcasing their diverse interests in topics such as “Genetic Insights into poultry farming” to “Pediatric Nutrition” and “Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering.”
Nyack Middle School
Fifth graders across the district came together for the annual “Bridges” orientation. Students were greeted by Nyack Middle School seventh grade ambassadors who gave tours of the building and answered questions about their experiences at the school. NMS Principal David Johnson warmly welcomed each group, sharing his goals and aspirations for their time at the school. The musical collaboration was a highlight of the event, during which our music department brought together performers from Liberty, Upper Nyack and Valley Cottage.
Liberty Elementary School
Fourth graders in Ms. Addeo’s social studies class at Liberty Elementary School spent part of the school year studying the causes of the American Revolution. As part of their learning journey, each student created a diorama - a three-dimensional model representing a scene from the war or a slide representing one of the events. The miniature replicas include the Boston Tea Party and Battle of Lexington scenes.
Upper Nyack Elementary School
Upper Nyack Elementary School fourth grade teachers participated in an outdoor learning experience in June. Students explored Hook Mountain as part of the Outdoor Science Alliance - a program designed to ensure that the learning objectives directly align with the New York State fourth grade curriculum. Students were immersed in activities that deepened their understanding of the land's indigenous people and plant life. They explored marine life on the Hudson River shore and studied different rock structures and their properties on the plateau.
Valley Cottage Elementary School
Valley Cottage Elementary School fifth grader Miranda Jones was honored by Rockland County Executive Ed Day and the Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources on June 13. Miranda was one of eight students to win the annual Environmental Management Council's (EMC) Fifth Grade Creative Arts Contest. This year, the students spent time outdoors creating pieces about how living organisms like plants, animals and humans work together.
Celebrating Our Graduates
Congratulations to the Class of 2024! From our kindergarten students to our graduating seniors, we celebrate you and your accomplishments! Be sure to check out stories about our kindergarten, fifth and eighth grade moving up celebrations moving up ceremonies and Nyack High School's Commencement ceremony on Facebook and Instagram.
Points of Pride
Writing Achievement Award
Nyack Middle School student Aaron Johnson was honored with a second-place award in this year’s prestigious Sam & Barbara Weinberger Literary and Art Competition. This competition, sponsored by the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education, is a platform that celebrates exceptional literary and artistic talents. Aaron’s semi-autobiographical piece “Rahul’s Adventure in America,” tells the poignant story of an immigrant to the United States navigating the challenges of a new culture.
Rockland County School Boards Association Awards
During its 77th annual Recognition Dinner on May 29, the Rockland County School Boards Association recognized student leaders from each high school in Rockland County, including Nyack High School Senior Imani Green. We are proud of Imani's active leadership and advocacy on behalf of all Nyack students. Special Education administrators, teachers, clinicians and support staff from all eight Rockland County school districts and Rockland BOCES were also lauded during the annual school boards dinner.
Message of Thanks
Thank you to outgoing Board of Education members Karen Hughes and John Duval for your dedication to our Nyack Public Schools Community.
Retirees, Years of Service and Volunteers
On June 4, the Board of Education recognized over 70 dedicated community volunteers for their contributions to the school community. They also celebrated the following individuals for their years of service to the District:
30 Years
Desiree Moyer, Deborah Larison, Nicholette Murray, Erika Olsen, Yvette Alcenat
25 Years
Dawn M. Dubiel, Christina Hennessy, Cordis Macalpin, Ellen Rechenberger, Carolyn Travers,
Francisca White, Robert Wisner, Doreen Dillon
Congratulations to our retirees. We wish you the best!
Eileen Chilson, Barbara Gilbride, Tammy Fraser, Mary Maloney, Lynn Haarris, Desiree Moyer,
Angela Gershonovitz, Monika Schwartz, Kim Foskew, Jean Bausinger, Melissa Share,
Doreen Dillon, Wendy Gottleib, Savitri Singh, Penny Parnther, Susan Niksa,
Alison Forman, Erika Olsen, Anne Gatti, Linda Pappalardo, Margaret Byrne
Congratulations to Enrique Catalan
We are pleased to announce that Enrique Catalan has been appointed as the next Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, effective July 2, 2024. Mr. Catalan brings a wealth of financial management and operational leadership experience in K-12 schools administration. He has a proven track record of innovative decisions and fiscal efficiency supporting educational excellence. From 2008 and 2024, Mr. Catalan oversaw financial operations at Hendrick Hudson School District where he created new revenue streams, passed every annual budget successfully, and maintained and upheld an A+ credit rating with S&P, even after Indian Point's closure and subsequent $20M revenue reduction. He has an MBA from Columbia Graduate School of Business and Masters Degrees in School Business Administration and in School District Administration from Mercy College. Welcome Mr. Catalan.
Summer Reading
This Summer, we're fostering a community of readers through shared literature. The Nyack High School ELA department has created the initiative: One Book. One School. All students entering grades 9-12 will read Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451. Students can choose to read the original text, the graphic novel adaptation or listen to the audiobook. The book touches on many issues that are worth examining with students, including censorship and suppression of ideas, intellectual freedom and screen addiction.
Summer reading programs at our local libraries are a great way to encourage a love of reading and track progress! Check out Nyack Library and Valley Cottage Library for details.
Student Supports
Kids Eat FREE this Summer
Did you know kids eat FREE this Summer? Free breakfast and lunch are served weekdays to anyone under 18 years old - no ID, no residency, no registration nor documentation needed.
The Village of Nyack Summer Food program is operated through NYSED with USDA No Child Hungry, just like school meals. Pickup is available at the following locations.
July 1 - August 30, 2024
Monday - Friday
Waldron Terrace (15 Highview Court, Nyack, NY)
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Nyack Center (58 Depew Avenue, Nyack, NY)
Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Capital Projects
McCalman Field
After years of reseeding, grass is growing once again at McCalman Field at the old Nyack High School. The field will reopen the weekend of June 29. The Upper Nyack Elementary School roof replacement project is underway. Crews are already removing and reinstalling existing solar panels in the northern section of the school. The Districtwide air conditioning project is also underway. AC's will be installed in the Nyack Middle School cafeteria, the Upper Nyack Elementary cafeteria and Global Learning Commons, as well as Liberty Elementary school's cafeteria, Global Learning Commons and Music Room. Click this link for an update on capital improvement projects.
Stay Connected
District Office Summer Hours
Beginning July 8 - August 16, Summer Hours will be 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
From August 19 - 30 the hours will be 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
All schedules will resume to normal hours on September 3rd.
Nyack School District Board of Education Reorganization Meeting
The Nyack School District Board of Education will hold a reorganization meeting on July 9, 2024.
RedHawks Athletics
Stay up-to-date with all our Nyack RedHawks teams.
Follow Nyack Athletics on Twitter and Instagram: @NyackHSAthletic
PeachJar
Learn more about in-school and community events with PeachJar.
Parents/Guardians receive flyers directly to their emails and can manage their own accounts, saving time, money and trees!
Produced in collaboration with the Rockland BOCES Communications Service.