RedHawk S.U.N.

We live amidst such beauty. October days in Nyack Public Schools were full of fall color, a beautiful array of culture, brilliance, and opportunities in our beloved community. In the classroom, on the playground or playing field, across our hallways and neighborhoods, from our villages to hamlets on the Hudson, we experience such beauty in-community. We, the people, make up our community.

We prioritize community, knowing that building safe, welcoming spaces in our schools provides the best learning environments for students of all ages and stages to thrive. We praise our community for pulling together in times of celebration and in times that challenge our hearts.

Throughout these fall moments, we have been reminded of the importance of community and the compassion we extend to one another. We are reminded that we do not walk alone. We lean on one another, support one another, and find strength in community.

I hope you have paused to appreciate the fall foliage this season. And, I hope you enjoy the images shared in this month's RedHawk SUN, presented as a series of photos that are snapshots in-community. May you be reminded of the beauty all around us - in the faces, the hues, hugs, and smiles - that we hold dear in-community. May we all take a moment to breathe in the fresh autumn air and exhale, reaffirming that "together, we belong".

Yours in Education,

Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi

Superintendent of Schools

Families and educators came together for Parent University and ENL Parent Night. From interactive workshops sharing important information like FAFSA and practical skills to getting creative and even learning how to make pottery, our families had opportunities to learn, connect and create together. NPS teachers, Family Resource Center staff, counselors, social workers and district leadership shared their knowledge, answered questions, and learned together. Community partnership make a difference.

For over 15 years, the AP Environmental Science students from Nyack High School have been a part of A Day in the Life of the Hudson River. This event, run by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and the Department of Environmental Conservation, allows students to use seine nets and water testing gear to quantify the health of the river on that particular day. This year, Mrs. Kleinman and Ms. Hampton brought 60 Advanced Placement Environmental Science students to Memorial Park in Nyack to actively participate in the event and connect with the river that is such an integral part of our community.

As part of NPS’s Guest Author Series, Anita Kopacz, author, community member and parent of Nyack alumni was welcomed back into NHS for an engaging workshop with Topics of African American Studies students who had the opportunity to connect with the author and examine how the novel’s themes, historical context and cultural perspectives connect to their coursework in African American Studies. Students read selected passages, discussed her writing process and learned about the experiences and influences that shape her novels. An interactive Q&A gave juniors and seniors the opportunity to ask questions, share their perspectives and gain insight into Kopacz's journey as a writer.

An immersive Community Read experience centered around Solito: A Memoir. During English classes, high schoolers rotated through interactive stations where they discussed, reflected and analyzed the book in groups. One activity challenged students to imagine, if you had to leave home tomorrow with just one suitcase (or a backpack, like Javier) what five items would you bring with you? Participants shared their thoughts and perspectives on the memoir, made connections to the story and engaged in thoughtful, personal reflection. Engaged with literature in ways that encourage empathy, curiosity, critical thinking, our students dig for a deeper understanding of a narrative that is close to home for students in our community.

Guest author, Jason Reynolds, visited Nyack Middle School to the delight of students, grades 6-8.

Reynolds is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of award-winning books including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Long Way Down, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third) and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin). He’s also a Newbery Honor and Printz Honor recipient, an NAACP Image Award winner, a recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors and the 2020–2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Thank you Nyack Library for bringing this to NMS, in community!

Elementary students of all ages teamed up with their families for an evening of reading-themed games, activities and literacy adventures designed to build skills and charge their reading superpowers. Every challenge station was a chance to learn, practice and level up.

A HUGE thank-you to the families and staff who joined forces to make this first-ever event such a powerful success! When school and families work together, there’s no limit to what our young readers can accomplish.

Middle School science class took the classroom outdoors as seventh graders engaged in hands-on exploration including investigating silt and basin formation to examining fossils, exploring minerals, testing ideas about gravity and friction, and uncovering evidence of ancient glaciers. Students saw first hand how the landscape around them tells a story millions of years in the making. This experience connects learning to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards, encouraging students to investigate natural phenomena, analyze evidence and understand the processes that shape our Earth. This incredible program is in collaboration with Friends of Hook Mountain, Outdoor Science Alliance (OSA), Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, our local parent-scientists, and community environmental enthusiasts... THIS is collaboration in community!

These future students are spending their time learning through play, socializing with peers, listening to stories, singing songs, exploring new activities and discovering the world around them. Through our playgroups, we bring the five Nyack Basics principles to life.

1. Talk, Sing & Point: building language and communication skills through everyday interactions.

2. Maximize Love, Minimize Stress: creating a safe, nurturing environment where children feel loved, secure and supported.

3. Count, Group & Compare: developing early math skills through fun, hands-on activities.

4. Explore Through Movement & Play: encouraging curiosity, creativity and physical development.

5. Read & Discuss Stories: nurturing early literacy, listening, comprehension and imagination.

Vendors and community partners from across Rockland County came together to put health and wellness in the spotlight for our students and families. Health Fair passports, prizes and giveaways added an extra dose of excitement, making wellness fun for the whole family. A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing FRC team, community partners, vendors and everyone who helped make the day such a healthy success.

Webster defines demography as the statistical study of human populations especially with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics. Here is a data snapshot of NPS:

Student body: around 3,000

Student racial diversity:

• White - 35.9%
• Hispanic/Latino/a/x - 35.6%
• Black/African American -13.7%
• Multiracial - 7.6%
• Asian - 6.2%
• Pacific Islander - 0.6%
• Unknown - 0.2%
• Native American - 0.1%

Home Languages spoken: 37

Our school community is indeed a microcosm of the United States. Truly a direct reflection of the demographics of our country, Nyack Public Schools celebrates diversity across our schools, neighborhoods, and cultures. In fact, our district has consistently been recognized as one of the most diverse in New York State. The distribution and variety of our differences make up for a very interesting community that we call home.

In addition to racial/language/ethnic diversity among our student body, our district has an increasing racial diversity of staff. Our community heralds a diversity of cultures, socio-economics, religion, politics, immigrants, and identities. Our children learn to respect differences and celebrate each other. Our "North Star" is our commitment to Racial Equity, guiding the way through strategic planning into the future of NPS graduates an an ever-changing world.

We are a proud community of diverse opinion, experience and perspective. Let's remember this as we continue to create safe spaces for our children to learn and grow...

Together, in community, we belong.

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!

Be connected with our elected officials who serve on the district's Board of Education. The Board of Education encourages community engagement. Our seven trustees are responsible to listen and represent our school community. Board members may be emailed at: BOEmembers@nyackschools.org.

• BOE webpage for information on the district budget, workshop presentations, trustees contact info, and a schedule for BOE meetings and committee meetings.
• Board Docs for BOE meeting agendas, meeting minutes, and important information about BOE discussions and decisions that take place.
• e-Policy Book for BOE policies in Nyack Public Schools.

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.

NOV. BOE Meeting: TUESDAY, NOV. 17 at 6:30 pm; Workshop Presentation: Athletics Dept. Update

Designed for promoting Superintendent’s Uplifting News, the RedHawk SUN is focused on what defines and distinguishes Nyack Public Schools’ educational culture, vision, mission, learning and teaching environment, staff and students of our community.