West Hempstead Weekly Update

June 12, 2023

Tenure Tea

20-Years of Service

Maria D'Angelo

Antonella DeVito

Lili Ferguson-Barakat

Erin Geiger

Chad Hanna

Wayne Heckler

James Hume

Tracy Hutt-Marshall

Joseph Kane

Wendy Kravat

Jeannine Scully

Michael Silberman

Salvatore Trupia

Candice Walker

I am thrilled to take this moment to congratulate and celebrate each of you who have reached the remarkable milestone of twenty years with West Hempstead. Your dedication, commitment, and unwavering loyalty set you apart and make our team in West Hempstead truly exceptional.

Twenty years is an extraordinary achievement, a testament to your perseverance, hard work, and passion. You have weathered challenges, embraced change, and consistently demonstrated your ability to adapt and excel. Your contributions have helped shape West Hempstead into what it is today, and we are profoundly grateful for your unwavering commitment.

Your remarkable tenure with us is an inspiration to your colleagues and a symbol of your deep-rooted connection to our mission and values. Your expertise, wisdom, and wealth of knowledge have been invaluable assets to our team and the countless individuals we serve. You have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on West Hempstead.

With immense pride, I recognize your accomplishments on behalf of the BOE and Central Office and extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed, and your contributions are genuinely appreciated.

While twenty years is an incredible milestone, I am confident the journey ahead holds even more opportunities for growth, collaboration, and shared success.

I look forward to seeing your continued impact and the many more milestones we will celebrate together.

Once again, congratulations on this remarkable achievement, and thank you for your unwavering dedication. Here's to twenty extraordinary years in West Hempstead and many more years of success ahead!

Tenure

Susan Abbott

Mary Allen

Patricia Bologna

Megan Connor

Tracy Cousins

Sara Fine

Mary Magness

Nicole Mellone

Stacey Rivera

Jillian Sarro

Lena Stolls

Courtney Thompson

With great pleasure and pride, I extend my warmest congratulations to all receiving tenure. This milestone signifies your exceptional dedication, commitment, unwavering passion for education, and invaluable contributions to our school community.

Receiving tenure is a testament to your skills, expertise, and the positive impact you have made on the lives of countless students throughout your years of service. It is a recognition of your unwavering commitment to excellence in education and your continuous pursuit of creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment for our students.

This milestone is a momentous occasion that calls for celebration. It represents the culmination of your hard work, perseverance, and kaizen as educators. You have overcome challenges, embraced change, and consistently demonstrated a passion for helping students thrive. Your dedication to lifelong learning and professional development serves as an inspiration to us all.

On behalf of the entire school community, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your unwavering commitment to our student's success. Your dedication and your impact on their lives will have a lasting impact. Thank you for going above and beyond to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where every student can flourish.

Retirees

The retirement of these remarkable staff members marks a significant milestone in West Hempstead's journey. As the curtain draws close on their dedicated years of service, their departure creates a bittersweet atmosphere filled with gratitude, nostalgia, and well wishes. These retiring individuals have been the organization's backbone, contributing their skills, knowledge, and unwavering commitment to their roles. Their collective experience has shaped the workplace culture, leaving an indelible mark. The retirement of these RamFam staff heralds the end of an era but also paves the way for new opportunities and fresh perspectives to emerge. The WHUFSD bids farewell to these cherished individuals, expressing profound appreciation for their invaluable contributions and wishing them a fulfilling and joyful retirement journey ahead. As they embark on a new chapter in their lives, their legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations within the organization.

Patricia D'Elia - Reading Teacher -Chestnut Street

Joanne Gallipoli - Teaching Assistant - Secondary School

Robert LoCastro – Custodian - Secondary School

Christopher Lovasz - Music Teacher - George Washington

James Marciano - Head Custodian - Cornwell Avenue

Ginalynn Milici - Elementary Teacher - Cornwell Avenue

Suzanne Parker-Hall - Secondary School

Lynne Pirro – Clerical - George Washington

Linda Ragin - School Counselor - Secondary School

Jill Sirlin - Elementary Teacher - George Washington

Michele Stoll - Teaching Assistant - Secondary School

Nancy Tricarico – Clerical - Central Office

Thank you, Ms. Theresa Bryant

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As I sit down to express my gratitude, I find myself thinking about the overwhelming number of people whose lives you have impacted in West Hempstead. With deep appreciation and heartfelt sentiments, I write to acknowledge your outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment as the secretary to the Superintendent for the past 26-plus years.

Throughout your tenure, you have been the backbone of our organization, providing invaluable support and assistance in numerous ways. Your exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and efficiency have been instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of our administrative processes. Your ability to multitask and handle many responsibilities with grace and composure has been truly remarkable.

Beyond your professional competence, your warm and compassionate demeanor has endeared you to all of us. Your friendly smile, genuine concern for others, and willingness to lend a helping hand have made our workplace feel like a second home. You have created a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Over the years, we have witnessed your unwavering commitment to excellence and tireless efforts to go above and beyond the call of duty. Your contributions have been instrumental in the success and growth of the RamFam. You have been a trusted confidante, a source of inspiration, and support for everyone around you.

As you embark on this new chapter of your life, including a return as the district clerk, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your remarkable service. Your hard work, dedication, and loyalty have left an indelible mark on West Hempstead, and we will forever be grateful for your invaluable contributions. Your legacy will continue to inspire us and serve as a shining example of professionalism and excellence.

I extend my warmest wishes for a fulfilling and joyous retirement on behalf of the entire West Hempstead family. May this new phase of your life be filled with happiness, relaxation, and countless memorable moments. Please know that your impact will be felt for years, and your presence will be dearly missed.

Thank you, Theresa, for 26-plus years of extraordinary service. You have been an exceptional colleague whose legacy will forever be cherished.

2023-2024 Budget - Re-Vote June 20, 2023

Budget adopted with a 1.99% tax levy increase

Budget Revote Timeline

May 24th Overview & Discussion
May 31st Budget Discussion and Adoption
June 13th Budget Hearing
June 20th Budget VoteSecondary School North Gym 7:00 am –9:00 pm

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Secondary School

STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

Victoria Guerrier is the State Champion in the 400 meters!

Jurrel Hall is the State champion in the triple jump with a distance of 48' 10"!!! Jurrel was also all-state in the long jump (6th place)!!!

Gloria Guerrier is the State Champion in the 400-meter hurdles!

Gloria Guerrier is also the federation champion (the fastest runner from the public schools, NYC PSAL, and private school students) in the 400m hurdles!!!

Victoria Guerrier finished second in the (400m) federation (second fastest runner from the public schools, NYC PSAL, and private school students in the 400m)!!!

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George Washington

Field Day!

The field day at George Washington was a resounding success, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and spirited competition. The school community, including students, teachers, and parents, came together to partake in a day of fun-filled activities and friendly games. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as participants eagerly took part in various challenges and team sports.

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Habit of Mind on Display (Quite Creatively!!!)

As you know, we are using the Habits of Mind in conjunction with our academic program to support students in becoming the best version of themselves. The "Habits of Mind are dispositions or thinking behaviors that are desirable attributes for learning and living productively in a complex world. People often use these habits when confronted with problems and situations to which the answers are not immediately apparent. The language of the dispositions is (and has always been) intentionally framed in positive, growth-oriented language. Each states a positive behavior and each starts with a verb that ends in “ing” to signify that it is always a behavior we can get better at and grow with. This is not a program but a lifelong framework dedicated to growing cognitive, social, and emotional development for all learners."

Cornwell Avenue

Moving Up Celebration!

The Cornwell Avenue moving-up ceremony was a joyous and memorable event filled with excitement. Families, friends, and teachers gathered in the school auditorium, buzzing with pride and enthusiasm for the students.

The students' names were called one by one, and they proudly walked to the podium to receive their certificates. Cornwell erupted in applause and cheers as each student's accomplishments were recognized. It was a testament to their hard work, dedication, and resilience throughout their years at Cornwell Avenue.

The moving-up ceremony was a symbol of transition and progress. It marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as these young students prepared to embark on new adventures, embrace new challenges, and make their mark on the world at George Washington this Fall. With memories in their hearts and dreams in their eyes, the students of Cornwell Avenue left the ceremony with a sense of pride, ready to embrace the future with open arms.

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Rising First-Grade Parent Orientation

Thank you to all who came out to listen, ask questions, and take a tour with our fabulous students. Weren't they phenomenal?! I thought the students were phenomenal. They did an incredible job showcasing their talents and knowledge during orientation. It was a pleasure for everyone involved to listen to them speak and provide tours, engage in meaningful discussions, and witness their enthusiasm for learning. Their hard work and dedication were truly evident. We appreciate everyone's presence and active participation.

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Chestnut Street

Visits to CA, Moving Up Preparations, Outdoor Fun, and More!

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UPK Lottery Completed 1/11/23 - Seats Still Available - Registration is Underway

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The lottery has been completed. If you registered, you have received a letter home. There are seats available. You can still register at https://www.whufsd.com/o/chestnut-street/page/universal-pre-kindergarten and call 516--390-3150.