Superintendent's Update

March 2025

STRATEGIC PLAN

Dear Rye Neck Families,

Our teachers and staff continued to make good use of the time provided by our early release days. On Wednesday, February 26th, we divided the session into three parts centered around each of our three Strategic Plan goals: to promote active and reflective problem solving; to build empathetic environments with real world connections; and to improve professional learning to provide transformational experiences.

During the first half of the extra time teachers and teaching assistants worked on their “small dream projects”. Emphasis was placed on “process” wherein staff designed inquiry-based work that features challenge, choice, and reflection. Examples of themes at each school were projects titled “Getting to Know our Community” in grade 1; “Brazil” in collaboration with the Library in grade 3; a science and English department collaboration to create short stories for each element on the Periodic Table in the Middle School; and the creation of a class cookbook utilizing healthy family recipes in High School Health.
The middle portion of the afternoon was spent planning Wellness Day activities for our 2025-26 school year. The goal of each themed day is to create unified messaging and lessons across our campuses and district, ensuring a cohesive experience for all students. Beginning in September, and continuing on the first Friday of each month of the school year, building-level events will aim to reinforce wellness around the chosen topics. Themes will be integrated as naturally as possible into the day’s instruction—explicitly through direct lessons or subtly through activities.
Finally, after much planning over the last two months, teachers gathered in the Professional Learning Communities (“PLCs”). PLCs are groups of educators working together in a collaborative way to inquire into their teaching practice in order to develop it in ways that improve outcomes for students. Research into effective PLCs demonstrates the foundational importance of having a shared vision and values, and a culture based on trust, collaboration, collective responsibility and an inquiry mindset. Examples of PLCs set up for last Wednesday include a professional book club centered around The Anxious Generation; supporting English Language Learners in the content areas; and groups exploring the Science of Reading, Socratic Seminars, the RULER Approach, and many more.

Our staff will continue their work on our March 21st Superintendent's Conference Day and the fifth out of six early release days, March 26th.

Best Regards,

Dr. Eric Lutinski

Superintendent of Schools

BUDGET SEASON

The state-wide date for citizens to vote on their district’s 2025-26 operating budget is Tuesday, May 20th. In advance of the Rye Neck District Budget Vote, our second public budget presentation is on Wednesday, March 19th at 7:00 PM in the MS/HS Community Room. Please click the 2025 Budget Information tab on our District website for a full timeline. New information, including presentation material, will be added throughout the spring.

CONGRATULATIONS MARY LOU!

Dear Rye Neck Community,

We will once again have to say goodbye to a loyal crossing guard, Mary Lou Petruzzelli. Mary Lou started out as an aide in the Rye Neck District for 25 years. She then became a crossing guard on the corner of Frank and Keeler Avenues for an additional 18 years, and has been serving our community with a friendly smile, hello or hug!

Mary Lou and her husband Jack, who also served as a crossing guard by the CVS on Boston Post Road, will be moving to North Carolina later this month. Please remember to stop by her corner and wish her well before her last day on March 17, 2025. She will be extremely missed by the students and families who could count on her to ensure everyone stayed safe and happy.

Here is the handwritten note Mary Lou asked us to share with our community.

Let’s congratulate her on 43 years of her hard work and dedication to our children and wish her all the best in her next chapter!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

In each monthly message, we spotlight high school students who are doing interesting things in or out of school. Based on the relationships our staff members forge with their students and their knowledge of what’s going on in their lives, our teachers suggest students for consideration. Mary Lanza, our Director of Technology and Communications, then interviews the students to “get their story.” Here is the student for March. To read about the student, click on the name below their picture.

ROBBY PECCHIA

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

We also like to highlight teachers and other staff members each month. Each shares personal reflections on how they got into education, memories from their time as students, and their favorite activities outside of school. To read about a staff member, click on the name below their picture.