Soaring Together

Dear Greenburgh Families, Staff and Community,

November invites us to slow down and take stock of what we are grateful for. As I visit our classrooms, from the youngest learners at ECP to our scholars at Woodlands Middle High School, I am reminded every day how much there is to be thankful for in Greenburgh.

Looking back on October, I was proud to see our community come together for festive fall events like our Homecoming game and Halloween parades, as well as important informational sessions, including our successful orientations for rising fourth- and seventh-grade families. Moments like these show what is possible when students, staff and families work side by side. Thank you to everyone who made these events such a success.

I am grateful for our students, who bring curiosity, courage and joy into our buildings each morning. As an IB World School district, we ask our learners to be reflective and caring. This month gives all of us a natural opportunity to practice both.

I am grateful for our faculty and staff, whose dedication often goes unseen. Behind every lesson, every bus route, every warm meal and every clean hallway is a person who chose to serve our children.

I am grateful for our families, our first and most important partners. As the first marking period comes to a close, I encourage you to connect with your child's teachers, review progress together and celebrate growth, however big or small. Please see the dates for upcoming parent-teacher conferences at the bottom of this newsletter.

I also want to thank WMHS families for their patience and flexibility as we revise the master schedule to better meet student needs. Some students may see changes to their schedules beginning in the second quarter. School counselors will reach out directly to families whose children are affected. This process has resulted in not only an improved schedule of courses for our students and staff, but also a deeper understanding of student needs. We are already looking ahead for ways to build on these improvements for the 2027-28 school year.

This month, we also honor our veterans on November 11 and recognize Native American Heritage Month. Both remind us that our community is strengthened by the service, histories and contributions of many.

As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving season, please know how grateful I am to serve this extraordinary community. Together, we will continue to rise.

In partnership and purpose,

Dr. Lorenda Chisolm

Superintendent of Schools

As the fall athletics season comes to a close, we celebrate our student-athletes for their dedication and contributions on the field, court and in the pool, as well as the families, friends and community members who supported our Falcons in the stands and at home. Special congratulations go to our girls varsity volleyball team, which advanced to the first round of the playoffs, and our girls varsity swim team, which saw two swimmers set new school records. Sadie Rios broke the Woodlands record in the 100-yard freestyle, while Theresa Hanagan set a new Woodlands record in the 200-yard individual medley.

Registration is OPEN for winter sports! Sign up at the links below.

Technology upgrades across the district are strengthening connectivity and improving access to the digital tools that facilitate teaching, learning and daily operations. Our high-speed fiber upgrade is modernizing the district’s network and connecting campus facilities, including the football field. This enhanced connectivity supports the graphics and features of our new scoreboard, along with other technology needs across our schools.

We have also replaced outdated equipment with 300 new access points across district buildings. These upgrades are designed to improve Wi-Fi coverage, reduce dead zones and provide students and staff with more reliable connections throughout our schools.

Greenburgh Central School District leaders recently shared their expertise at the Guild of IB Schools of the Northeast (GIBS) conference, presenting two sessions that highlighted how collaboration, student well-being and a connected approach to education strengthen our International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.

In “It Takes a Village: Teachers, Coordinators, and Administrators Working in Harmony to Build a Continuum,” Susana Berkowitz-Torres, Steven Rounds, Christina Cannon, Dr. Nadim Farooqi and Dr. Ogechi Iwuoha Njoku explored how educators, IB coordinators and administrators can work together across the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes to create a more cohesive educational experience for students.

Meanwhile, Terri Dove and Cassandra Buckhout presented “Collaboration and Wellness in the PYP Exhibition,” sharing how GCSD integrates collaboration and social-emotional wellness into this culminating Primary Years Programme experience. The session highlighted how students can explore their passions while building relationships, strengthening collaboration skills and celebrating their growth.

We’re proud to see our district leaders contributing to the broader IB community and charting a course for student success, together.

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Dr. Chisolm recently hosted the first meeting of the 2026-27 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, bringing together 27 students in grades 5-11 to share their perspectives and discuss ideas for improving the student experience. The group explored topics including school lunch, homeroom and academic support before collaborating across grade levels and with the Superintendent to identify short- and long-term goals. The council will continue meeting throughout the year, giving students a voice in conversations that shape their school experience.

The Hartsdale Fire Department also visited Highview for a Fire Safety Assembly focused on preparing students for emergencies. Students learned how to create a family emergency plan, including identifying a safe meeting place outside their home, and reviewed important fire safety practices they can use to help protect themselves and their families.

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The Hartsdale-Greenburgh Rotary continues to recognize GCSD students who embody its motto, “Service Above Self.” For October, Woodlands senior Julia Samuel was named Student of the Month in recognition of her commitment to excellence in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities. Congratulations to Julia on this well-deserved honor, and thank you to the Rotary for celebrating our students and their accomplishments.