As another school year comes to a close, we celebrate the remarkable dedication and service of our staff and teachers. Their unwavering commitment to shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning deserves the highest praise.

#WHe extend our gratitude to those who have reached the milestone of twenty years in the noble profession of teaching. Your two decades of service have left an indelible mark on students, guiding them along their educational journeys with wisdom and compassion.

#WHe also congratulate our colleagues who have earned the prestigious distinction of tenure. This achievement recognizes your exceptional skills, professionalism, and sustained excellence in the classroom. Your dedication to your craft inspires us all.

Finally, we honor those who have chosen to embark on a new chapter in their lives by retiring from teaching. Your impact on generations of learners is immeasurable, and your legacy will continue to shape the lives of those whose paths you have crossed. We wish you a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement, filled with new adventures and cherished memories.

To all you, #WHe salute your unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Your tireless efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of countless students, and your contributions will forever be etched in the annals of the West Hempstead UFSD.

Tenure Twenty-Years

Debra Ferchland

Dana Kalinowski

Jaime Lind

Mary Rose Marmara

Cassie Ross-Dinin

Christopher Senia

Tenure

Valerie Cerrone

Alyssa Cicia

Katie DiGregorio

Benjamin Coleman

Victoria Gerbino

Allyson Kiernan

Salvatore Posillico

Alyssa Quagliata

Marisa O’Brien

Retirees

Wendy Kravat

Christopher Mistretta

Michelle Notti

Ann Schinina

Barbara Silkes

Sherry Tavella

Andrew Wilson

The educators were delighted to receive another visit from the Amplify science team after their previous observation of the exceptional lessons being taught. The representatives from Amplify Science commended the teachers for their engaging and innovative approaches to science instruction. They marveled at how the teachers skillfully guided students through hands-on experiments and fostered a collaborative learning environment. The depth of knowledge demonstrated by both teachers and students during the science lessons left a lasting impression on the Amplify team. They expressed their enthusiasm for supporting such high-quality science education and looked forward to witnessing more work in these classrooms.

The student leaders from Athletes Helping Athletes took their recently acquired knowledge about social media safety out into the community last week. After completing an insightful course partially funded by a grant, the secondary school students were well-equipped to share important lessons with the younger students at George Washington Intermediate School. During their visit, the Athletes Helping Athletes group engaged the younger Rams in interactive discussions about navigating the online world responsibly. They covered topics like cyberbullying, protecting personal information, and managing one's digital footprint. The secondary schoolers used relatable examples to drive home the potential dangers of irresponsible social media usage. By passing along this vital education, the Athletes Helping Athletes participants aimed to empower impressionable youngsters with the tools to avoid risky online behaviors.

This past Tuesday, the Board of Education celebrated and honored students participating in the NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine Envision Scholars Academy program.

Emily Cherian

Camille Crumpton

Veronica Hanna

Jasmine Jean-Charles

Harpreet Kaur

Debbie Leon

Sean McCabe

Soumaya Montalment

Naomi Preddie

Rozlyn Rodriguez

Dalia Zavala

We were also thrilled to celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students, who made us proud at the 15th Annual Art in the Heart Exhibition hosted by Adelphi University.

Cayla Hogan

Jackelyn Perez

Sofia Sheehan

Calling all aspiring medical professionals! The Secondary School's Next Gen Med club is presented an exciting series of medical-based activities for our sixth-grade students on Monday, June 3, 2024. Throughout the day, each class rotated through five immersive 55-minute sessions designed to spark their interest in the fascinating world of healthcare. These sessions were educational and engaging, from hands-on simulations to interactive demonstrations.

With every session, our students' eyes sparkled with curiosity and amazement, fueling their thirst for knowledge and inspiring them to dream of the incredible contributions they could one day make to the noble field of healthcare. The Next Gen Med club has undoubtedly planted seeds of inspiration that are sure to blossom into a future generation of healers, innovators, and life-savers.

#WHe extend our congratulations to our remarkable student-athletes for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding achievements this year. Your commitment to excellence both on and off the field has brought immense pride to our school. #WHe would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our coaches, whose unwavering support, mentorship, and leadership have been instrumental in guiding our teams to success. Together, you have exemplified the true spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork. Thank you for an unforgettable season and for continuing to inspire us all.

Hat Tip to Mr. Andrew Wilson on his retirement! #WHe thank you for decades of leadership.

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.

1. Connection Before Content: This principle emphasizes building strong relationships and belonging in the classroom. It recognizes that when students feel connected to their teachers and peers, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn.

2. Acceleration, not Remediation: Rather than focusing solely on addressing deficits in students' knowledge or skills, this framework aspect promotes challenging students with content and tasks that allow them to excel and progress rapidly. It recognizes that students can achieve more when they are appropriately challenged.

3. Rethinking Success Criteria: This principle encourages educators to reconsider traditional notions of success and assessment. It involves clearly defining success in a given context and allowing for varied ways for students to demonstrate their understanding and mastery.

4. Higher-Level Thinking: The framework promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among students. It encourages educators to design learning experiences that push students to engage in deeper levels of thinking and analysis.

5. Student Agency: Empowering students to actively participate in their learning is a fundamental aspect of the framework. It encourages students to set goals, make choices, and take ownership of their educational journey, fostering a sense of autonomy and responsibility.

6. Authentic Work: This principle advocates real-world relevance in educational activities. It suggests that students should work on tasks and projects that have meaning and application beyond the classroom, making learning more engaging and practical.

7. Technology Infusion: Recognizing the role of technology in the modern world, this aspect of the framework encourages the thoughtful integration of technology into the learning process. It aims to leverage technology to enhance and expand educational opportunities.

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.

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.

Email: drehman@whufsd.com
Website: www.whufsd.com
Location: 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, NY,
Phone: 516-390-3000