5/20/2025 Letter to the Community

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May 20, 2025

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,

Spring brings a renewed sense of energy and purpose across our schools—a season not only of blossoming landscapes but also of blossoming minds. As the days grow longer, our students are growing as learners, leaders, and changemakers.

In classrooms and beyond, students are embracing hands-on opportunities that celebrate diverse cultures, deepen their connection to the environment, and expand their understanding of cutting-edge technology. Whether they're exploring global traditions, participating in sustainability initiatives, or engaging with the latest digital tools, our scholars are shaping a future that’s inclusive, responsible, and innovative.

As we approach Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Their dedication and spirit inspire us to keep nurturing a learning environment where every student feels empowered to make a difference. Together, we look forward to a season full of growth, gratitude, and meaningful progress.

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

The budget vote is taking place today. If you should need additional information, please visit our Budget Website.

Join us for an important in-person Facilities Update session on May 29, 2025 at 6:30 pm in the MS/HS Auditorium.

Learn about the progress and vision for "Building a Better Tomorrow" in our school community.

If you can't make the in-person session, we will have a follow up virtual presentation on June 3, 2025 at 6:30 pm.

As it gets closer to the event, the link will be posted at tufsd.org

We continue to meet to review the plans for the opening of Tappan. Here are some updates:

• Open House: We will host an opportunity for interested families to walk through the building on June 17, 2025 at 6 PM.

• Principal Search: We are screening interested candidates, but hope to finalize the process in early June.

As part of the bond construction, the parking lot at Morse School will be unavailable for community use both during the day and at night for the duration of the project. We understand that this may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance our facilities for the benefit of our students and community.

Please be advised that there will be increased noise levels at Morse and Washington Irving Schools during the demolition phase of the project. While we will make every effort to minimize disruptions, some noise will be unavoidable as we complete this critical work.

We thank you in advance for your patience and support as we move forward with these improvements. These projects are an investment in the future of our schools and will significantly enhance the learning environment for our students.

Both the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Village officials are aware of the impact our project will have on our school community.

We want to make you aware that the Governor has announced a new requirement for school districts across the state to implement a bell-to-bell instructional policy, ensuring that all students are actively engaged in learning throughout the entire school day.

As you may know, our district has been proactively planning for this anticipated shift. Over the past year, a dedicated committee has been meeting to explore how best to align our practices with this new mandate while continuing to meet the unique needs of our students and staff.

While specific changes are still being finalized, we want to encourage families to begin conversations with their children about the likelihood of adjustments to their daily schedule in the coming school year. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible and to ensure that our students are fully supported every step of the way.

We will continue to keep you informed and will share more details as they become available. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Coming out of the work of our Cell Phone Task Force, we wanted to start a series on digital wellness.

Each week, we’ll be sharing tips on digital wellness, online safety, and mental health.

Join us as we explore how to navigate the digital world mindfully.

Follow us on social media for weekly tips:

• Instagram: Tarrytown Schools
• Facebook: Public Schools of the Tarrytowns
• X (formerly Twitter): Tarrytown Schools

We are excited to share that we anticipate transitioning to ParentSquare as our primary communication platform beginning next school year, replacing Remind. ParentSquare will allow us to streamline communication amongst the district, schools, and families by offering a user-friendly and centralized hub for messages, alerts, and updates. This move is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance family engagement and ensure that important information is delivered in a timely and accessible manner. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months and supporting families through this transition. Additional information is available now on our website, and we will be sharing more in the weeks that come.

Our JP students had an exciting and educational visit to the local firehouse today! During their trip, they learned important fire safety tips and had the chance to explore the fire trucks and equipment up close.

A big thank you to our local firefighters for taking the time to teach and inspire our youngest learners. It was a memorable experience that combined fun, learning, and community connection!

Today, SHHS AP Chemistry students took their curiosity on the road to Washington Irving for an exciting day of science in action! 🧪✨

Together with younger budding scientists, our high schoolers led hands-on experiments featuring elephant toothpaste eruptions, mini rocket launches, and the mysteriously gooey wonder of oobleck. From chemical reactions to states of matter, it was a day full of learning, and laughter!

Science has never been so fun—or so foamy. 🚀🧼🔬

Congratulations to Elliot Bentley, Kate Livingston, and Ava Mendez on being invited to participate in Regeneron’s highly regarded High School Mentorship Program this summer. These outstanding students will have the unique opportunity to work alongside leading scientists as they explore critical medical research topics: Elliot will study ALS, Kate will focus on Wilson’s disease, and Ava will delve into Lupus.

Their dedication to the field of medicine is truly inspiring, and we look forward to following their journey of discovery and innovation in the months ahead.

Last week’s Asian American Cultural Celebration was truly unforgettable! 🌟 The evening was filled with delicious food, stunning traditional attire worn by students and families, and heartfelt moments as students proudly shared their heritage. The performances captivated the audience—both engaging and deeply moving.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the night such a memorable celebration of culture, pride, and community!

We’re excited to expand our composting initiative to a fourth building—Sleepy Hollow Middle School!

A special thank you to Ms. Kiko for her leadership and dedication in making this possible.

The Tarrytown Rec-sponsored volleyball clinic kicked off this past Wednesday with an impressive turnout of future Horsemen. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this program to life—we’re looking forward to an exciting series of clinics ahead!

Meghan Hak, Jean O'Brien, and Jessica Kingsbury showcased the magic of K–5 STEAM at last week's Tech Expo!

Thank you for inspiring curiosity, creativity, and future-ready thinking—one engaging station at a time.

Join Historic Hudson Valley for the annual Pinkster Festival — a vibrant celebration of the art and culture of the African diaspora!

📅 Saturday, May 24
🕐 1–4 p.m.
📍 Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow

Enjoy:
🎶 Music by DJ GoodWill
🎤 Live performances by HallowDreamz, Taiwo Aloba & more
🎨 Hands-on arts & crafts
🏛️ Tours of the historic site

Curated by Malik Work, this family-friendly event offers an afternoon of education, creativity, and community connection.

🎟️ Children under 18 attend FREE!
Get tickets at: hudsonvalley.org/tix

Join Us for the Peabody Spring Fling & Capture the Flag!

Friday, June 6th | 5:30–8:00 PM | Peabody Field

Celebrate the end of the school year with an evening of fun, games, and community at our annual Peabody Spring Fling & Inter-generational Capture the Flag! This festive tradition features activities for all ages, including:

• Capture the Flag – Our beloved annual game where families and friends face off across generations.

• Disc Golf Debut – Get a first look at the exciting Disc Golf Pilot Program coming this fall, with a practice basket and student ambassadors from Sleepy Hollow!

• Seed Bombs & Insect Crafts – Dive into nature crafts, create seed bombs, and help unveil Peabody’s very first Insect Hotel!Light snacks and water will be provided. Keep an eye on Instagram for more updates and surprise activities. Don’t miss this fun-filled celebration!

Light snacks and water will be provided. Keep an eye on Instagram for more updates and surprise activities. Don’t miss this fun-filled celebration!

🎭 Tarrytown Music Hall Academy Presents: Disney’s Aladdin JR. – En Español! 🇪🇸

Don’t miss the U.S. premiere of Disney’s Aladdin JR. en Español, brought to life by the talented students of the Tarrytown Music Hall Academy!

✨ Directed by Evy Ortiz (West Side Story National Tour)
✨ Choreographed by Lauryn Ciardullo (Aladdin on Broadway)
✨ Music directed by Daniel Gutiérrez (On Your Feet National Tour)

📅 Showtimes:

• Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m.

• Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 a.m.

📍 Tarrytown Music Hall – 13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY

🎟️ Performances are FREE and open to the public!

School Performances (Great for dual-language classes):
📅 Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.

Come experience a magical journey — in Spanish — filled with music, dance, and Broadway-caliber talent!

WESTCHESTER COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU ANNOUNCES VACANCY

ON NYS GOVERNOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL

Seeks Youth Leader to Represent the County for the 2025-2026 Term

(White Plains, NY) - The Westchester County Youth Bureau is seeking a dedicated youth leader 13-21 years old to participate in the prestigious New York State Governor’s Youth Council: a forum for advocacy that facilitates an ongoing dialogue with policy-makers to better address issues and concerns faced by youth in their communities.

Members of the Governor’s Youth Council will meet virtually with their Regional Peers and Regional Representative bi-monthly as well as participate with state-wide peers at youth-led events. This exciting opportunity is available to only one qualifying candidate from each of the 62 counties in New York State. Members of the Youth Council will provide recommendations to the Governor and other policymakers on a wide variety of issues.

2025-2026 Topics of Focus Include:

• Youth Mental Health
• Social Media Impact on Youth
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Youth Voice and Engagement
• Environmental Impacts in Our Communities

Interested youth looking to proactively impact issues in their communities who reside in Westchester County should review the guidelines and submit an application by June 4, 2025through the NYS Governor’s Youth Council online portal.

Please contact the Westchester County Youth Bureau with any questions at WCYB@westchestercountyny.gov or by calling 914-995-2745.

From clay and creative writing to tap dancing and theater, there's something for every young artist at this summer’s Tarrytown Arts Camp, running July 7–25. Programs for grades K–8 include Multi-Arts Camp, Theater Afternoons, Clay Camp, Architecture, Music, and more—led by professional artists and educators. Held at Kingsland Point Park, Sleepy Hollow High School, and the historic Philipse Manor Station.

🌟 Scholarships available.
📍 Register now: www.TarrytownArtsCamp.com

Mercy University Center for STEM Education is running a free Summer 2025 program for middle school students called Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program- an engaging, hands-on program developed to enrich learning through design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, and social entrepreneurship.

This program is for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students (or current 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students). Free lunch for the students is provided and the program itself is 100% free, transportation not provided.

The program is from July 7, 2025-July 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. It’s available at the Mercy University Westchester Campus and the Mercy University Bronx Campus.

The Horsemen PTA is asking everyone to link their Decicco's and Sons card to the Horsemen PTA. By doing so the Horsemen PTA will receive money that we can be used to support our schools, just by shopping and swiping your card!

Please see attached flyer for details and make sure to look for Horsemen PTA on the drop-down list.

To view past copies of the newsletters, please visit the Superintendent's Page.

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