West Hempstead Weekly Update

Our youngest learners have been busy exploring numbers and quantities by engaging in hands-on activities this week! In our math centers, students worked collaboratively using manipulatives like pennies to develop their number sense and counting skills. The enthusiasm for learning was evident as children took turns practicing with number cards and physical objects, building a strong foundation for mathematical understanding through play-based learning. Our classroom's vibrant environment, with its interactive rainbow wall of sensory tools, continues to spark curiosity and joy in our daily activities. Seeing our diverse group of young learners supporting each other while developing essential early math concepts is wonderful. We're particularly proud of how well they take turns, share materials, and engage in mathematical discussions with their peers. Tune in next week for more!

The field and halls of Cornwell Avenue School buzzed with excitement during their annual Fall Festival, where students, staff, and the Athletes Helping Athletes from the secondary school came together for an afternoon of autumn-themed fun and community building. Students' laughter echoed throughout the playground as they tried their hand at classic games like ring toss with pumpkins and pin-the-stem-on-the-pumpkin. The creativity of our Athletes Helping Athletes volunteers shone through in the various stations, where young students played games and decorated mini pumpkins. The festival celebrated the season and strengthened our school community, bringing together students of all ages and teachers for a memorable autumn afternoon.

The George Washington Rams are unstoppable as they stampede toward academic excellence! Our determined students have taken their learning to new heights, improving reading benchmarks and embracing the joy of diving into new books. In classrooms across our campus, young writers find their voice and craft compelling stories with growing confidence and creativity. The halls are buzzing with mathematical breakthroughs as our Rams tackle challenging concepts with persistence and enthusiasm. Whether breaking down complex word problems or exploring new literary worlds, our students' dedication to learning is truly inspiring. George Washington's spirit of determination is evident in every raised hand, thoughtful question, and "aha!" moment. Our Rams aren't just meeting expectations – they're charging past them with the enthusiasm and grit that makes our school community proud!

The SAAD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club and Dignity and Tolerance Club joined forces this week in a powerful awareness campaign that resonated throughout our school community. Students from both organizations worked collaboratively to create engaging hallway displays, share daily morning announcements, and host interactive lunchtime activities promoting kindness, understanding, and positive decision-making. Club members also organized thoughtful activities during and after the school day, encouraging meaningful conversations about tolerance, dignity, and making positive choices. The enthusiasm and dedication shown by these student leaders in promoting such important messages has created a ripple effect of positivity throughout our school community, inspiring their fellow students to embrace empathy and mindful decision-making in their daily lives.

The Broadcasting class at our secondary school has embarked on a vital mission to preserve the living history of our community's veterans through video recordings. Armed with 21st-century equipment and genuine curiosity, these young documentarians sat down with local veterans to capture their firsthand accounts of military service, creating an irreplaceable digital archive of personal narratives that might otherwise be lost to time. Through this project, students learn valuable technical skills while serving as custodians of memory, ensuring that future generations will have access to these powerful testimonies of service and sacrifice. The edited and archived recordings will be housed on our school website and stand as a testament to our commitment to honoring veterans' experiences and preserving their legacy for years.

Our district reinforces its commitment to student and staff safety through comprehensive Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training. Under the guidance of Ms. Scollo, staff members participate in interactive professional development sessions focused on de-escalation techniques and positive behavioral interventions. Through hands-on role-playing scenarios, collaborative discussions, and evidence-based strategies, participants develop crucial skills to support students' social-emotional needs while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all community members. This ongoing training empowers our educators with practical tools to prevent, assess, and safely manage challenging situations.

"CPI training makes a positive impact on all staff and their students by supporting social, emotional, and cognitive well-being, fostering a positive school culture and climate, and creating a safer learning space for everyone. See the results that can be achieved by implementing training." - CPI Institute

I want to bring an important matter to your attention that directly impacts our district's resources and your children's educational experience. The Education Benefits Form is more than just a document for meal assistance – it's a vital tool that affects our entire school funding. When families complete this form, regardless of qualification status, our district becomes eligible for increased state funding. These additional resources allow us to support more teachers, enhance our educational programs, and provide better student resources. I strongly encourage every family to complete this form for just five minutes today. Your participation significantly impacts our ability to provide the best possible education for our students. To access the form and learn more, please visit our Food Services page at whufsd.com/page/food-services or download below. I appreciate your cooperation in supporting our school community.

Join PTA and get gear here.

Join PTSA and get gear here.

See attached for SEPTA membership.

Joining and actively participating in Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTSA), and Special Education Parent-Teacher Associations (SEPTA) is crucial for creating a strong, supportive educational community. These organizations serve as bridges between families, educators, and students, fostering meaningful collaboration that enhances the overall learning experience. Becoming an active member gives you a voice in important decisions affecting your child's education, contributing to school improvement initiatives, and staying informed about educational policies and challenges. SEPTA specifically ensures that the unique needs of students with disabilities are addressed and advocated for within the school system. Members can network with other parents, share resources, and work collectively to create positive change through regular attendance at meetings, volunteering for events, and participating in committees. Your involvement benefits your child and contributes to the success of all students in the school community, making these associations essential pillars of support for quality education.

We believe that strong communication between home and school is essential for student success. The PowerSchool Parent Portal is a powerful tool that helps bridge this gap, providing real-time access to your child's academic progress.

Access Your Account

Visit the Parent Portal Link below. If you haven't set up your account, please contact the school office for your Access ID code.

Why It's Important

• Monitor grades and attendance
• View teacher comments and feedback
• Track assignments and due dates
• Communicate directly with teachers
• Stay informed about school events and announcements

By regularly checking the Parent Portal, you can play an active role in your child's education, addressing any concerns promptly and celebrating their achievements together.

We encourage all parents and guardians to take advantage of this valuable resource. If you need assistance with the Parent Portal, please don't hesitate to contact your child's main office.

Together, we can ensure every student reaches their full potential!

Parent Portal Link

https://powerschool.whufsd.com/public/

How to Video

https://youtu.be/eNZs_AloU-c

Main Office Phone Numbers

Chestnut Street - 390-3150

Cornwell Avenue - 390-3140

George Washington - 390-3130

Secondary School - 390-3218

We’ve teamed up with MySchoolBucks, an online service where you can easily and securely pay for school meals using a credit/debit card or electronic check.

Using MySchoolBucks you can:

● Add funds to your student’s meal account

● View meal balances & cafeteria purchases

● Receive low balance alerts

Get started in 4 easy steps:

1. Download the mobile app or visit myschoolbucks.com

2. Create your free account

3. Add your student

4. Add funds to your student’s meal account

If you have any questions about getting started with MySchoolBucks call (855) 832-5226. For any general questions please contact your child’s school.

With "WHe" as our theme this year, #WHe are inspired to explore, discover, and achieve future wonders. Allow me to share some of the ways one could envision completing the idea of "WHe" throughout this remarkable journey:

• Wonder and Curiosity: Let us ignite a spark of wonder and curiosity in every aspect of our learning. Encouraging students and staff alike to question, explore, and seek knowledge beyond the ordinary.
• “WH”olistic Education: Emphasizing the growth of the whole individual – social, emotional, and academic. We aim to provide opportunities for personal development and well-being in addition to academic excellence.
• Empathy and Humanity: "WHe" stands for "We" as well, reminding us of our collective responsibility to foster empathy, compassion, and kindness. We will create a supportive and inclusive community where everyone feels valued.
• Waves of Change: As a theme, "WHe" also signifies the ever-changing tides of life. We will adapt to new challenges, embrace innovation, and be resilient in the face of uncertainty.
• Expressions of Art and Culture: "WHe" encompasses the essence of artistic and cultural expressions. We will celebrate creativity, appreciate diversity, and nurture talents in various forms.
• Wellness and Health: Prioritizing physical and mental health, creating a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive and grow.
• Leadership and Collaboration: "WHe" represents collective wisdom and the power of collaboration. We will empower our students to be leaders in their own right while fostering teamwork and cooperation.

As #WHe embark on a new academic year, our district introduced three interconnected challenges that will shape our approach to education and personal growth. Under the banner of "WHe Over Me," "Stack the Days," and "The Obstacle is the Way," we're called to embrace collaboration, consistency, and resilience. These principles will guide us in fostering a supportive community, achieving sustainable progress, and transforming obstacles into opportunities. By focusing on these collective challenges, #WHe aim to create an environment where educators and students alike can thrive, learn, and grow together.

WHe Over Me​

Commitment: Prioritize the "we" over the "me." Our strength lies in our collective efforts. Let’s work together to create an environment where collaboration, teamwork, and mutual support are at the forefront. Whether it’s through Professional Learning Communities, cross-department collaboration, or simply supporting one another in daily tasks, remember that our combined efforts will lead to greater student success.

Stack the Days​

Consistency: Success isn’t built in a day; it’s built by stacking one good day on top of another. This year, focus on making each day count. Whether in lesson planning, student interactions, or professional development, let’s commit to consistent, daily progress. It’s the small, incremental gains that will lead to significant long-term achievements for our students and ourselves.

The Obstacle is the Way​

Resilience: Every challenge we face is an opportunity in disguise. When obstacles arise—and they will—let’s face them head-on, knowing that overcoming these challenges will make us stronger and more effective educators. Embrace problems as pathways to growth, and let’s model this resilience for our students.​

The Designing Learning framework is an educational approach #WHe uses to engage students and close the aspiration gap. The framework encompasses several key principles aimed at enhancing the learning experience for students and staff:

The Designing Learning framework consists of: Connection Before Content, Acceleration not Remediation, Rethinking Success Criteria, Higher-Level Thinking, Student Agency, Authentic Work, and Technology Infusion.

1. Connection Before Content: This principle emphasizes building strong relationships and belonging in the classroom. It recognizes that when students feel connected to their teachers and peers, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn.

2. Acceleration, not Remediation: Rather than focusing solely on addressing deficits in students' knowledge or skills, this framework aspect promotes challenging students with content and tasks that allow them to excel and progress rapidly. It recognizes that students can achieve more when they are appropriately challenged.

3. Rethinking Success Criteria: This principle encourages educators to reconsider traditional notions of success and assessment. It involves clearly defining success in a given context and allowing for varied ways for students to demonstrate their understanding and mastery.

4. Higher-Level Thinking: The framework promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among students. It encourages educators to design learning experiences that push students to engage in deeper levels of thinking and analysis.

5. Student Agency: Empowering students to actively participate in their learning is a fundamental aspect of the framework. It encourages students to set goals, make choices, and take ownership of their educational journey, fostering a sense of autonomy and responsibility.

6. Authentic Work: This principle advocates real-world relevance in educational activities. It suggests that students should work on tasks and projects that have meaning and application beyond the classroom, making learning more engaging and practical.

7. Technology Infusion: Recognizing the role of technology in the modern world, this aspect of the framework encourages the thoughtful integration of technology into the learning process. It aims to leverage technology to enhance and expand educational opportunities.

By Art Costa, Bena Kallick, and Allison Zmuda

There is a growing recognition that mastering subject-area knowledge alone will not be sufficient to prepare your children for their futures. They will need deliberate practice and focused attention to grow their capacity as efficacious thinkers to navigate and thrive in the face of unprecedented change. Habits of Mind are a universal framework for thinking and are as essential now as when we first introduced them 30 years ago. Habits of Mind are dispositions people use when confronted with problems and situations to which answers are not immediately apparent. When we draw upon these intellectual resources, the results that are produced are more powerful, of higher quality and of greater significance than if we fail to employ those intellectual behaviors.

Email: drehman@whufsd.com
Website: www.whufsd.com
Location: 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, NY,
Phone: 516-390-3000

Articles and blurbs may be enhanced/written with various AI tools.