West Hempstead Weekly Update

As we close out another remarkable year in West Hempstead, I want to take a moment to say thank you to all of you who make this district what it is.

To our teachers, who show up every day ready to inspire, challenge, and care for our students. To our aides and monitors, whose patience and presence keep our buildings running smoothly. To our support staff, grounds and maintenance crews, who work behind the scenes, often before the sun rises and long after it sets, to make sure our schools are safe, clean, and ready. To our nurses, who care for our students' health and well-being with such steady compassion. To our bus drivers, who get our kids to and from school safely every single day, rain or shine. To our food service staff, who feed our students with care and consistency. And to anyone I may have missed, please know your contributions did not go unnoticed.

To our families, thank you for partnering with us, trusting us, and showing up for your children and our community all year long.

And most importantly, to our students, thank you for being curious, kind, resilient, and proud. You are the reason WHe do this work, and watching you grow this year has been the privilege of a lifetime.

Below is just a small sampling of the incredible things that happened across our district this year. It is by no means exhaustive, but it is a reminder of how much talent, heart, and hard work lives in West Hempstead.

Chestnut Street

• Collaborated with the West Hempstead Historical Society for a special Fall Festival presentation, including ringing a replica historic bell and exploring local history artifacts
• Hosted a very successful CS PTA/SEPTA/PFE Tea
• Ms. Wagner and Joseph Perdermo were featured in the #WHe Over Me spotlight
• Welcomed the WH Fire Department for a Fire Safety Day celebration
• Held a Dance Residency with J. Cole Hip Hop in collaboration with our PE Department for all kindergarten students
• Participated in Valentines for Veterans, sending cards to our local legislator's office
• Partnered with Secondary School debate club students, who read and discussed books with our kindergartners

Cornwell Avenue

• Partnered with Secondary School students through Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Took Grade 3 students to the Tilles Center for The Wind in the Willows and to the Nassau County Museum of Art, with a teaching artist visit in between
• Celebrated Global Play Day
• Piloted the Mossflower informational text-set program, connecting plant habitat learning with science life cycle investigations
• Ran an Adopt-A-Senior Citizen for the Holidays initiative with Hempstead Park Nursing Home
• Offered nearly a dozen after-school clubs across all grade levels
• Participated in Valentines for Veterans
• Implemented PLPs in all three grades and cross-class SGI in grades 2 and 3
• Partnered with Adelphi graduate students for tutoring
• Launched a new monthly assembly featuring HOM awards for students
• Led a KINDNESS initiative, to be covered by the Herald
• Welcomed the Lakeview Fire Department for October Fire Prevention Month
• Participated in the Kids Heart Challenge
• Introduced digital portfolios in Grade 3 with a student choice option
• Took part in the Nextrex recycling challenge toward a buddy bench
• Ran a Student Council food drive for the Mary Brennan Inn

George Washington

• Ran the Beautiful Me Program and the NYS Peer Mentorship Program with school counselor Ms. Sigmon
• Launched the Athletes Helping Athletes Initiative
• Hosted the Next Gen Med Visit, with Secondary School students implementing science lessons with sixth graders
• Participated in Valentines for Veterans with the Town of Hempstead, Councilman Muscarella, and D'Esposito's offices
• Welcomed author Gale Galligan for a visit on the revised Baby Sitter's Club graphic novels
• Celebrated Howie Popkin receiving the 5th Grade fishing grant for a Spring trip

Secondary School

• Tzenuel Jaramillo was selected for the 2025 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble, performing Bb Clarinet in the Symphonic Band in Rochester
• Tzenul Jaramillo and Ben Mora were selected for the 18th Annual LIU Post Band Festival at Tilles Center, out of nearly 300 nominations
• Broadcast Media students earned an honorable mention for their podcast
• Earned School of Excellence status in September 2025
• Victoria Hasan was named a commended student on the PSATs
• Partnered with Cornwell students through Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Ms. Stahl Van Brackle secured a $1,000 grant for a Student Challenge Game Jam
• Science Research won a $1,000 Promising STEM Innovation Award
• Girls Volleyball earned a playoff bid and the Sportsmanship award
• Cheerleaders competed in the National Cheerleading Championships
• Winter Track and Field earned multiple All-County honors, including the boys' 4x800 relay team
• Football earned a playoff bid
• The Winter Track 4x800 relay team qualified for the NYS Track and Field Championships
• Earned Scholar-Athlete Team status across Fall, Winter, and Spring sports, with Baseball winning the County Wide Championship and Flag Football qualifying for playoffs for the first time
• Elizabeth Poirot broke a school record with 466 total lacrosse points
• Hosted the District-Wide Talent Show
• Mr. DiPasquale conducted the HMEA Orchestra
• At Your Service VE Firm was voted Top 50 in the region
• PBAT 7 introduced a new non-routine problem connecting to Dario's Pizza
• Christian Dominguez received a scholarship to attend Usdan Summer Camp
• Earned AP Silver Recognition for College Culture, Gold for College Credit, and Platinum for College Optimization
• At Your Service VE placed in the Top 25% at the NY State E-Commerce Competition and won Gold for Best Booth Design at the YBS Javits Center Trade Show
• Zip.It.Up VE-JV won Gold for Best Booth Design at the YBS Javits Center Trade Show
• Christian Dominguez and Grace Shanley both won LISFA scholarships for private lessons

ENL/Tech

• Edin Morales and Wilder Castro-Fuentes were selected for the Long Island Regional Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Training, a first for our district
• Wilder Castro represented our state delegation as a featured speaker at PRHYLI
• Edin Morales and former ELL Fredi Castro Fuentes earned 2nd place in All-County Track
• Grade 11 ELLs mentored Grade 10 ELLs on the English Regents
• Hosted two ENL teacher residents
• Raised the ELA Regents pass rate to 75 percent, up from 33 percent the previous year
• Ran the ENL Summer Academy for grades K through 6, including a field trip to Tanglewood Preserve
• Principles of Living Environment students visited Tanglewood to study animals and ecosystems
• Dr. DiGregorio, Ms. Mottola, and Ms. Perlow presented at LITES on the Ozobot initiative at GW
• Dr. DiGregorio presented to Nastech on the Khanmigo implementation
• Rolled out Khanmigo across grades K through 12

• Grew the number of students working with CEO
• Expanded the HAVEN program
• Partnered with RVC on work-based learning at Backyard Players
• Expanded the Challenger Basketball program from 2 games to 6 games this year

HANC

• Ram Pathways co-sponsored the parent workshop, The Empowered Child: Nurturing Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Positive Discipline
• Ms. Loetman welcomed HANC's first-ever student teacher

Miscellaneous Wins

• Completed year 4 of the RamPathways Grant, worth up to 4 million dollars over five years
• Completed year 1 of the Teacher Residency Program 2, worth $300,000 over two years
• Completed the Stronger Connections Grant, worth 1.6 million over three years
• Ran the ENL Summer Academy for K through 6 students

PLAN Pilot

• Ms. Gegerson, Ms. DiGregorio, and Ms. Reilly met with Brentwood School District, a NYSED PLAN Pilot school, to share our approach to alternate Math 7 assessments, PBL 101 training, and our non-routine math problem assessments
• Brentwood noted that our innovative practices align closely with NYSED's vision for future graduation measures
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Thank you again for everything you do for our students and our community. I am proud to lead a district filled with people who care this deeply.

Enjoy a well-earned summer!

WHe Rise Together,

The Board of Education and Central Office

Daikin, a global leader in state-of-the-art heating and cooling products, presented West Hempstead Secondary School graduating senior Daniel Garcia with the Daikin Science Scholarship Award for his academic excellence in technology and science. The award ceremony took place June 10, 2026 at the Daikin Comfort Experience Center in Lynbrook, New York.

Kim Do, manager for Daikin, remarked, “Daniel’s leadership and participation in his many extracurricular and community service activities, as well as his notable academic record and participation in STEM, foreshadow great success in college and beyond. We commend him on his achievements.”

The competitive Daikin Science Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors from Garden City, Lynbrook, Mineola, Oceanside, and West Hempstead high schools who demonstrate academic excellence in the sciences, technology, or mathematics and are pursuing one of these majors in their college studies. Daikin values the importance of education among high school students who are passionate about, and possess an aptitude for, science, engineering, and related studies. The company started its local scholarship program in 2020 to support talented high school seniors interested in pursuing science- or engineering-related studies. To date, the company has awarded $70,000 in scholarships to Nassau County students.

From Daikan via Parallel Communications

The Power of 15 Minutes

Just 15 minutes of reading together each day can transform your child's entire educational journey. Research shows that children who are read to for just 15 minutes daily are exposed to over 1 million words per year, compared to only 282,000 words for children who aren't read to regularly.

For more, see the PDF below or visit: https://www.whufsd.com/page/district-literacy

Dear West Hempstead Community,

As June arrives and another school year draws to a close, a WHonderful sense of RamPride fills our schools and neighborhoods. The accomplishments of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the support of our families have made this a year truly worth celebrating.

Summer is almost here, and with it, an incredible opportunity to keep the love of reading alive. Research consistently shows that students who read throughout the summer return to school stronger, more confident, and better prepared to tackle new challenges. Just 20 minutes of reading a day can make an extraordinary difference. Whether it's a favorite series, a new adventure, or a stack of books from the library, every page counts.

WHe warmly encourage every family in the RamFam to sign up for a summer reading club. These programs offer a wonderful way for students to stay connected to books, earn fun rewards, and share the joy of reading with friends and neighbors. Look for information about local clubs through the West Hempstead Public Library and your child's school.

As you enjoy the final days of the school year, I invite you to look ahead to a summer rich with stories, imagination, and discovery.

Here's to June, to the memories made this year, and to the readers our students are becoming — one book at a time.

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.

ONEPAY from MySchoolBucks offers a one-time annual fee option to SAVE YOU MONEY!

• Annual savings plan offers reduced program fees when using MySchoolBucks for meal and school payments

  
  

• Allows user to pay program fees upfront from their bank account (e-checks), with unlimited payments for 12 months

• Offers a choice of two program fee payment packages:

• Single Student for $12.95 per year
• Family Plan for $26.95 per year (2 or more kids)

*Both plans cover 12 months from initial signup to ONEPAY

If you have any questions, please call the Food Service Office.

Nasrin Urmye, Food Service Director
(516) 390-3275
urmyen@whitsons.com

• The Office of Teacher and Leader Development (OTLD) has released a new series of crosswalks connecting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate to the New York State Teaching Standards, the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSELs – NYS Version), and the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE) Framework, alongside TeachingWorks High-Leverage Practices. These resources are designed to support coherence across educator preparation, teaching, and leadership practice.
• These resources help to illustrate how instruction, leadership, and culturally responsive practices support the development of Portrait of a Graduate attributes, provide a shared framework for aligning preparation, professional learning, and instructional practice, and support educator preparation programs (EPPs), school leaders, and educators in strengthening connections between teaching and student outcomes.

The Graduation Measures Initiative demonstrates the New York State Education Department’s commitment to transforming education in New York State to meet the expectations voiced by stakeholders and the challenges of the 21st century. While this is a monumental task that will take years to implement, it is essential to ensure New York State P-12 education meets the needs of all students, is culturally and linguistically responsive, and prepares our students for success in 21st century life, college, careers, service, and citizenry.

The Board of Regents has officially adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate. This development represents a significant step forward in our commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-evolving world.

The Portrait of a Graduate is the result of extensive collaboration, incorporating feedback from educators, families, students, and community members across the state. It's grounded in research and evidence-based practices, drawing from successful models implemented by school districts nationwide.

This framework envisions education where rigorous academics meet the real-world skills students need to thrive in our rapidly changing society. Our goal extends beyond college and career readiness – we're preparing thoughtful, engaged citizens who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

What This Means for Our District:

• Current graduation requirements remain unchanged
• The state will provide implementation guidance by summer 2027 through their NY Inspires plan
• Full statewide alignment begins with students entering 9th grade in the 2029-2030 school year
• Our district may begin reviewing our current practices against the Portrait framework as we prepare for implementation

This adoption aligns perfectly with our district's mission to provide every student with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need for lifelong success. We look forward to working with our school community as we explore how the Portrait of a Graduate will enhance our already strong educational programs.

More information about implementation will be shared as guidance becomes available from the state.

Recently, the Board of Regents approved the Portrait of a Graduate as a component of the state's new graduation measures. This portrait defines the six core attributes that students will possess upon graduating high schools in NYS. NYSED had created resources for educators and students to help them become familiar with the POG and how it will be integrated and rated by educators in the upcoming years. The statewide requirement for instruction to be aligned to the POG begins with students in the 2029 cohort (students entering grade 9 during the 2029-2030 school year). Below you will find a summary regarding the POG, along with some graphics:

Overall Vision

The NYSED Portrait of a Graduate presents a comprehensive, student-centered vision for success beyond high school. It emphasizes:

• Holistic development (academic, social, emotional, and cultural)
• Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE)
• Future readiness for college, careers, and civic life

Six Interconnected Attributes of a NYS Graduate

Every graduate is envisioned to be:

1. Critical Thinker
2. Creative Innovator
3. Effective Communicator
4. Reflective and Future-Focused
5. Culturally Responsive
6. Global Citizen

For Students

• Students are the center of the Portrait. Their voice, identity, and aspirations matter.

• Skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking will be developed through real-world applications.
• Growth is supported across academic, social, emotional, and cultural dimensions.
• Schools will assess student progress using performance tasks, portfolios, and presentations.

For Educators

• Educators play a critical role in implementing the Portrait through instruction, relationships, and assessment.

• Use local relevance—connect learning to community issues and student interests.
• Embed Portrait attributes into interdisciplinary and project-based learning.
• Align instruction with NYS Learning Standards, SEL Benchmarks, and the CR-SE Framework.

• Collaborate with families, administrators, and community partners to support student success.

• Rate student proficiency/progress on these attributes

For Administrators

• Lead by setting the vision, aligning systems, and fostering a culture that celebrates Portrait attributes.
• Ensure inclusive and evidence-based instruction across the district.
• Support educators in embedding Portrait skills and assessing student growth.
• Promote shared responsibility among educators, families, students, and community partners.
• Align district practices with state standards and frameworks.

Background

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is proposing amendments to Section 100.2 of the Commissioner’s Regulations based on recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures and the NY Inspires Plan. The goal is to ensure students graduate with essential life skills and knowledge for a changing world.

Key Changes

New Instructional Requirements:

· Personal Finance Education and Climate Education

· All public school students (K–12).

· Instruction must be completed by the end of each grade band:

o Elementary: Grade 4

o Middle: Grade 8

o High School: Grade 12

Phase-In Timeline

Requirement Middle & High School Elementary

Personal Finance 2026–2027 SY 2027–2028 SY

Climate Education 2027–2028 SY 2028–2029 SY

· Districts may implement earlier than required.

· Annual verification to the Commissioner during phase-in years.

Instructional Topics

Personal Finance: Budgeting, Credit/Debt Management, Earning Income, Risk Management, Savings & Investing.

Climate Education: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions for Climate Change.

NYSED will provide guidance to ensure culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate progression across grade bands.

Implementation Timeline

· Public Comment: Begins November 19, 2025 (60 days).

· Permanent Adoption: Anticipated March 2026.

· Effective Date: March 25, 2026.

What Administrators Need to Know

· Begin planning for integration of these topics into curricula.

· Prepare for annual verification requirements.

· Watch for NYSED guidance and resources to support implementation.

For more details, visit https://www.nysed.gov/

I am thrilled to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome as we embark on our 2025-2026 journey together. This year promises to be transformational as we unite under our powerful theme:

#WHeRiseTogether. This simple yet profound concept captures the essence of who we are and what we aspire to become as a unified educational community.

As we gather to begin this new chapter, I invite you to consider two fundamental questions that will guide our work together:

• Who is it you stand for?
• What is it you stand for?

These are not just philosophical prompts—they are the foundation of our collective mission to create schools where every student thrives.

#WHeRiseTogether embodies our commitment to the power of collective effort over individual achievement. In a world that often celebrates individual accomplishments, we choose to embrace the transformative potential of "We over me." When we prioritize our shared vision and work together as a cohesive team, we create a synergy that benefits everyone involved. Each educator, each staff member, and each student becomes a vital part of our collective success story.

This mindset requires a daily commitment to improvement, recognizing that small, consistent steps lead to significant progress over time. It requires the courage to step out of our comfort zones—individually and as a team—pushing boundaries and facing challenges head-on. This deliberate growth builds resilience and sharpens our collective awareness, preparing us to tackle even greater opportunities in the future.

Our Focus: At Least One Year's Worth of Progress

This year, we're committing to work that truly matters through three key results that will transform our learning environment:

Simplify Our Systems: We will eliminate redundant processes and reduce administrative burden, allowing you to focus on what matters most—teaching and learning. Our Burden Reduction Task Force will conduct monthly reviews to ensure we're streamlining rather than complicating your important work. Please see the email sent earlier in August for more information.

Strengthen Our Core Teaching Practices: We will provide protected collaborative planning time for grade-level and subject teams, renewed focus on the Plan-Implement-Evaluate cycle, and meaningful peer observation opportunities that honor your expertise and foster professional growth.

Support Innovation through Technology: We will integrate AI and technology tools that reduce administrative burden rather than increase it, providing professional learning that enhances your agency as educators and amplifies human connection rather than replacing it.

Navigating Change Together

As we implement these initiatives, I commit to leading with empathy, explaining the "why" behind our decisions, honoring the dedication that built our current systems, communicating early and often, and inviting ongoing dialogue. Your voice matters in this process—we need your wisdom and experience to succeed.

Creating Schools Where We All Rise

Together, we will create schools where:

• Work becomes great because curiosity drives it beyond obligation
• Students are seen, heard, and challenged to reach their full potential
• WHe have the time and support to focus on what matters most
• Collective triumph takes center stage over individual achievement

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.