Dear Nyack Public Schools Community,

As the holiday season carries us into the new year, I hope you are able to take time to pause and enjoy being present. Some of you may be spending time with family who are already close, while others are traveling or returning home to be together. And sometimes, home is not always simply a place. Home can be a familiar song that lifts your spirit or a quiet moment, a shared laugh, or a space where you feel safe, loved, and at peace.

For many, music becomes the common thread that carries us home, whether it is a song passed down through generations, a melody that brings back childhood memories, or a rhythm that offers joy and comfort during this time of year. Music has a way of bringing us together, holding memory, celebrating culture, and bringing the love all at once.

This month's edition of the RedHawk SUN is filled with the gift of music and our babies making joyful noise. I'm also sharing some favorites in a Dr. LRG holiday playlist. Enjoy some musica from my family to yours! May the power of music be present in your holidays. May music carry your spirit. And may you find moments of warmth, rest, and connection — however and wherever home shows up for you this season.

Warmly,

Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi

Superintendent of Schools

We are leaning into 2026 with the superintendent's goals for the district. Take a few moments over the holiday to consider your goals. Be real. Be bold. Be your authentic self as you reflect. Here are ours:

GOAL 1: Strengthen and Sustain a District-Wide MTSS Framework (Year 2)

GOAL 2: Establish and Implement a K–12 PBIS Framework (Year 1)

GOAL 3: Deepen Excellence in Foundational Literacy and Mathematics (Pre-K–5)

GOAL 4: Advance Equity Through a Culture of Belonging and Family Engagement

GOAL 5: Advance the District Technology Plan and Integrate AI Tools for Teaching and Learning

GOAL 6: Strengthen Human Resources Systems to Advance Equity, Representation, and Belonging

GOAL 7: Strengthen Safety, Facilities, and Long-Range Planning for District Sustainability

GOAL 8: Expand College, Career, and Postsecondary Readiness Pathways

GOAL 9: Develop the Nyack Public Schools Five-Year Strategic, Capital, and Budget Plan

View Dr. LRG’s 10-21-25 District Goals presentation to the BOE

This month, we're highlighting the fabulous Nyack Teacher Center (NTC) and its Director and Assistant Director, Joseph Fusaro and Tracey Cummings, respectively.

Joe has been in education for 35 years, beginning his career as a middle school teacher in NYC public schools. In 2003 he came to NPS as the department chair for visual arts and spent 19 years in that role, finishing his career as a teacher mentor trainer. Since his retirement, he has worked alongside Tracey in the NTC.

Tracey is a proud retired NPS Social Studies teacher and a lifelong resident of Nyack. Her educational career spans 33 years, all in service to our school district! She has spent the past 19 of those years as the Assistant Director at the Teacher Center.

There are 123 NYS Teacher Centers located across the State. Centers are divided into 7 Regions to best meet the needs of educators located in that area, with Nyack Teacher Center being located in the Hudson region. Each individual Teacher Center is governed by a Policy Board, comprised of teachers, parents, administrators, and local business representatives. NYS Teacher Centers are at the forefront of educational reform, acting as an approved provider by the New York State Education Department, offering high-quality professional learning that enhances teaching practices and improves student achievement.

The Nyack Teacher Center, under the leadership of Mr. Fusaro and Mrs. Cummings is one of the premier teaching centers within New York state. The NTC is dedicated to responding to the professional and personal needs of its members. It encourages and supports cooperative and collaborative efforts that enable teachers to assess their teaching role in relation to the changing society. Tapping into the rich supply of resources available in Rockland County, our district and the entire region benefit as the NTC improves the quality of education for our students.

The Nyack Teacher Center is proud to offer a variety of professional development and support through our programs such as:

The Mentor Program
New Teacher Orientation Week in the late summer
1st and 2nd Year Teacher workshop series
Book Clubs and Courses through the Nyack Professional Academy
The annual Transitions Conference for Pre-K teachers
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our ‘Grow Your Own’ program! This initiative will support future educators in our classrooms and guide them toward achieving teaching certification.

We give a big thank you to Joe and Tracey for all they continue to do for our the staff, students and the Nyack community.

Do you know a fun fact or notable contributor to the Nyack school community? Share it with me at ncampbell@nyackschools.org and your suggestion could be featured. Thank you for stopping by Campbell’s Corner!

BOE announcing the appointment of Stacey-Anne McDonald as 7th trustee

Ms. McDonald takes the oath of office with District Clerk Tara Abbene

Peruse the NEW BOE webpage
Upcoming BOE Meetings:

Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30pm
Tuesday, January 20 at 6:30pm

Presentation: NPS Facilties Update with Joe Russo, Director

The Board of Education encourages community engagement. Our seven trustees are responsible to listen and represent our school community. Board contact information, the Board Meeting schedule, presentations and agendas are all posted on BoardDocs. Board members may be emailed at: BOEmembers@nyackschools.org.

BOE Meetings are open to the public, posted on the district website and calendar on specified Tuesdays each month. The public is encouraged to join in-person or via Zoom. Links to the webinar meetings are available on the district website homepage calendar at www.nyackschools.org.

Stay up-to-date with all our Nyack RedHawks and show your team spirit.

View the schedule online .

Follow Nyack Athletics on Instagram: @NyackHSAthletic

Parents/guardians receive flyers directly to their emails and can manage their own accounts, saving time, money and trees! Peachjar can be accessed on our school websites using the Peachjar icon.

Check out the current flyers here.