Dear Nanuet Community,

We are excited to share the December edition of the Nanuet News! This month’s Golden Spotlight highlights our award-winning Nanuet Music Program, which has been honored with the prestigious Presidential Citation Award from the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA).

This recognition is presented to one NYSSMA member school district each year that serves as a model for music education in New York State. Winning districts must provide a well-rounded music program at all levels with strong consideration given to participation outside the schools and to programs that actively participate in NYSSMA. Nanuet received the award at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester earlier this month.

We extend our congratulations to our dedicated music teachers, the Nanuet Music Partners parent group, and our talented students who made this achievement possible.

On behalf of your Nanuet Schools family, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,
Lisa Brady, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Welcome to the December Golden Spotlight! This month, we spend time with our award-winning Nanuet Music Program to celebrate their recent Presidential Citation from the New York State School Music Association.

Approved! Thank you, Nanuet community, for voting to approve the purchase of the residential home at 32 Highview Avenue for the Nanuet Union Free School District! With this referendum’s passage, the footprint of Highview Elementary School will expand, paving the way for an innovative outdoor education space and learning commons for our third and fourth graders. The referendum passed with 73% of voters in favor: 493 “Yes” votes to 181 “No” votes.

Over the past few weeks, George W. Miller kindergartners have been learning all about hibernation: why and how animals hibernate to survive the cold winter. The culmination of their research is a “Museum Walk” set up in the cafeteria. Students enthusiastically shared facts and insights with visiting first and second graders as they viewed the creative dioramas of hibernating animals lining the walls. Read more and see pictures in our Facebook post.

During Computer Science Education Week, STEM teacher MaryRose Palumbo introduced her first-grade students to the world of binary coding. After learning how ones and zeroes combine to form letters, our young engineers created necklaces with beads representing the binary code of their first initial. Check out our Instagram post to learn more about the lesson and see photos of their binary code creations.

Over 50 bags of donated food were delivered to the Nanuet Family Resource Center this month, thanks to the incredible efforts of our Highview Elementary School students! During November and December, Helene Collins’ fourth-grade class organized a food donation drive as part of a Kindness Project. From planning to promotion to execution, these altruistic young Knights managed every step — and left their teacher floored. Read more here.

From the United States to Jordan to Haiti, Highview Elementary third graders have been on a journey around the world! Over the past month, Ms. Merz’s students took turns teaching each other about their cultures and the countries their parents, grandparents and ancestors come from. Standing proudly at the front of the room with their nation’s flag as a backdrop, our young diplomats—some dressed in traditional clothing—shared facts and showcased items from their heritage. See photos and read more here.

50 care packages were sent to U.S. service members and veterans this holiday season, thanks to the Nanuet Senior High School community. Each year, the Student Senate organizes the “Stockings for Heroes” drive, collecting items such as snacks, games, toiletries, and stationery. Read more about it in our Instagram post.

Nanuet Senior High School has received the W!se Blue Star School designation for outstanding efforts in financial literacy education in the 2023-24 academic year. The distinction recognizes our students’ performance on the W!se Financial Literacy Certification Test. To qualify as a recipient of this prestigious award, a school must have at least 80% of students pass the test and administer the test to a minimum of 10% of the enrolled student body.

Criminal Justice students stepped out of the classroom and into the courtroom this month. Mr. Masterson’s class, made up of juniors and seniors, got an extensive tour of the Town of Clarkstown Court and Police Department led by Clarkstown PO Robinson and organized by SRO Negri. The visit included time with Town Justice Judge Leslie Kahn and a walkthrough of headquarters. Learn more about the visit and see photos in our Facebook post.