Welcome to the Sleepy Hollow High School News Page

Sleepy Hollow High School is proud to announce that tenth grader, Timothy Frankstone, was awarded a highly competitive and very prestigious internship at the Mianus River Gorge. Timothy is one of four New York state high school students to be selected to intern for the Wildlife Technician Program.

The Wildlife Technician Program (WTP) offers high school students the opportunity to undertake a three-year research project in the natural sciences. This innovative and far reaching program is the only one of its kind in the New York Metropolitan area offering an extra-curricular high school program in ecological research. Students conduct hands-on field experiments, learn first-hand about the complexities of natural systems and receive expert guidance to produce high-level research studies with significant applications to natural resource management. They are exposed to high-level math and science through real-world applications. Student projects can engage and educate the larger public about conservation issues through Citizen Science.

Through independent study, many of students in WTP develop a passion for ecological research and plan to continue higher-level studies in the natural sciences. WTP students have been recognized in the scientific community and have received numerous award including WESEF and JSHS prizes, Intel Finalist Awards and a First Award at the Intel International Finals. A few students have co-authored scientific journal articles with Mianus River Gorge staff scientists. More importantly, the Mianus River Gorge program provides students with the skills to think innovatively and critically about environmental issues.

Students involved in the Wildlife Technician Program typically present their research at local and state-wide competitions such as the Intel Science and Engineering Fair and the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. (Posted 1/19/12)

After extensive research and many school visits to find the perfect school environment to shoot their 2012 national promotional campaign, College Board, the organization which provides resources, tools and services to students, parents, colleges and universities in the areas of college planning, recruitment and admissions, and financial aid, chose Sleepy Hollow High School as the setting for its 2012 national promotion. In early December, Sleepy Hollow High School, its students, staff, and faculty welcomed a team of photographers, make-up artists, fashion designers, and other personnel from the Chapter Media team to our school. The team began the process with auditions for both staff and students to participate in the photo shoot. After hundred of auditions, 50 Sleepy Hollow High School students and 10 faculty members were selected to be photographed for the national campaign. The team at Chapter Media utilized a high school classroom and photographed students and faculty over the course of two days.

The photos will be used by College Board on their promotional materials, such as PSAT and SAT preparation material, as well as promotional posters, which are typically found in high school guidance offices around the country. Tyler Pappas, Executive Producer of the Chapter Media, wrote to Sleepy Hollow High School Principal, Mrs. Carol Conklin-Spillane, regarding the team’s experience at Sleepy Hollow High: “In a school so full of enthusiastic teachers and students, we had trouble narrowing it down to the sixty who participated. The fact that each and every one of the students selected was so thoughtful and respectful was an added advantage that we fully appreciate. All of the teachers who participated were a joy to work with as well. In short – I don’t know how you do what you do, but Carol, you are doing it right!” (Posted 1/14/12)

The following students have been selected as Students of the Month (December) for their contributions to Sleepy Hollow High School and their community:

Sleepy Hollow High School and its students continued a holiday tradition, which began more than 30 years ago, by visiting the Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York. For the last nine years, teachers Kristen Dreher and Leana Peltier have organized this event in which students become “Santa’s Helpers” and distribute toys to the children at the hospital. Students ask family, friends, neighbors, and teachers to donate the gifts. This year, Santa’s helpers collected 10 gifts each and watched and helped the children at the hospital unwrap their presents. Sleepy Hollow’s jazz band and singers also accompanied Santa’s helpers and played music and sang Christmas songs to the children. To top it all off, the students, their presents, and Santa Claus were escorted to Blythedale Children’s Hospital by a police and fire truck. (Posted 1/7/12)

For the second year in a row, Sleepy Hollow High School’s Student Government collected winter clothing for those in need. Last year, students collected and donated hundreds and hundreds of coats, boots, gloves, hats and other winter items, in all sizes, and donated them to the Tarrytown Food Pantry, Christ Church, which is associated with the food pantry, and other local churches.

For this year’s winter clothing drive, Sleepy Hollow’s Student Government also collected towels and blankets for local animal shelters and rescue groups. Bonnie Berry, who helps organize the collection, and the school’s student government hope to surpass last year’s contributions but more donations are needed! If you would like to donate, please contact Ms. Berry at Sleepy Hollow High School. (Posted 1/7/12)

Students of the Month

The following students have been selected as Students of the Month (November) for their contributions to Sleepy Hollow High School and their community:

Last year, the Sleepy Hollow High School football team visited with the residents of the Tarrytown Hall Care Center on a Friday evening before their Saturday game. A few players continued to visit the Care Center for an evening of bingo and socialization during the winter months. These young men recognized that they can have a positive impact both on and off the field.

Also, every year Sleepy Hollow High School’s Interact Club has held a Senior Prom at the Tarrytown Hall Care Center. Laurie Racanelli, the new activity director at Tarrytown Hall Care Center, and Sleepy Hollow High School teacher, Anne Randazzo, decided that the autumn lent itself to a Tarrytown Hall Care Center and Sleepy Hollow High School Homecoming Dance! With the support of Sleepy Hollow High School cheerleaders and football players, along with the Interact Club and other Sleepy Hollow High School community service students, the event was an indelible success.

Over 30 students from Sleepy Hollow High School attended the dance on November 15th bringing smiles and joy to the adults at the Tarrytown Hall Care Center. The cheerleaders were able to perform their cheers and everyone did a little dancing!

John Walpuck, a former Washington Irving Football Player, presented certificates of appreciation to the student body in attendance. Mr. Walpuck was presented with a Sleepy Hollow High School scarf and later that evening was the choice for homecoming king. It was a wonderful intergenerational evening of fun. (Posted 12/2/11)

Sleepy Hollow High School Digital Arts students enrolled in Ms. Langston's classes used their innovative observational skills to explore "A Sense of Place" amongst the natural environment of the SHHS campus. Equipped with digital cameras, the students set out to create original digital photographs that uncovered color, shapes and details in their surroundings. Along with learning color adjustments and image manipulation skills with Adobe Photoshop, the students learned about the photographers Eliot Porter and the Starn twins, Doug and Mike, who use the natural environment as inspiration for their photography. The photographs will be displayed at an art show to be held at the high school on December 12 and 13, which is in conjunction with the Performing Arts Winter Concert. A sampling of the images can be seen in the digital art section of the SHHS website. Click here to be directed to the website.

A Sense of Community was another theme students enrolled in high school art classes were exposed to this fall by participating in two different projects.

Students in Angela Langston and Gary Benton's art classes created and glazed 55 ceramic bowls for a local Empty Bowls fundraiser to help benefit the Tarrytown Food Pantry. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. The basic premise is simple: craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

Digital Imaging and Studio in Media Arts students enrolled in Ms. Langston's classes created 400 bookmarks to help promote the rich heritage of Sleepy Hollow. The students created the bookmarks by designing digital collages with a Headless Horseman theme in Adobe Photoshop. The bookmarks were then distributed at the Sleepy Hollow Haunted Hayride. A sampling of the bookmarks can also be seen on the high school website.

Not only were these two projects an opportunity to give back to the community for supporting our programs but it also was an opportunity for the students to gain awareness of the role art can play in society. (Posted 12/2/11)

Sleepy Hollow High School has embarked on its Middle States re-accreditation process. For the next two years, Sleepy Hollow High School will be using a new protocol called Excellence by Design which focuses on student performance. Coordinators, administrators, stakeholders, and all those involved in this comprehensive study feel that this is an excellent framework for Sleepy Hollow’s self-study. The first Steering Committee meeting of the Middle States Planning Team took place on November 8^th. The committee discussed the three foundational documents of the Middle State re-accreditation process:

Sleepy Hollow librarian, Mary Herrnstadt and English teacher, Katherine Donahue, the Internal Coordinators, drafted these documents based on the input of the Committee. They presented them to the faculty on November 23^rd’s Staff Development Day. At that time, staff was asked to contribute to the next step in the process. (Posted 11/26/11)

Seniors: Click here for directions on how to prepare your Last Will for the yearbook. (Posted 11/26/11)

On Thursday, November 16th Section 1 swimming shuffled the 9 hour bus ride up to Buffalo to compete in the Girl's High School State Swimming Championships. The SHEDI swim team competed in two relays. The 200 Medley Relay fell a little short on Friday, November 17th at prelims of making it back to finals, but the 200 Freestyle relay squeaked by placing 22nd out of 24 teams swimming in the finals on Saturday, November 18th at Eire Community College in downtown Buffalo. The SHEDI relay was ready to improve on their 22nd place finish at prelims! They were fired up and pumped for finals and dropped almost 1 second from the previous day. They bumped up 4 places to finish 18th overall all out of 40 relays at the State meet. Sleepy Hollow's very own Senior Captain Alexia Boumis was the lead off leg of this relay! Congratulations Alexia!! What a fantastic way to end your high school swimming career!!! (Posted 11/26/11)

Fourteen members of Sleepy Hollow High School’s Model United Nations Club attended a regional conference at Fairfield University along with students from New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut. The nine seniors, four juniors and one freshman researched a variety of contemporary issues from stability in Darfur to the BP oil spill, the current economic crisis and the Toyota recall, the fate of the Romani people and the issue of piracy in Somalia, from the specific perspective of a nation or a particular individual. They came prepared with position papers and entered into debates, caucuses and informal communications with their committee members in an attempt to resolve up to two issues using the procedures in effect in the United Nations. The five new club members quickly became involved in the negotiations and learned the ropes by observing their more experienced counterparts. The club plans to attend other conferences and events in the tri-state area this year. Meetings are held in room 304W every Tuesday at 3:05 PM.

On Wednesday, November 9^th, at the Sectional Finals at Felix Festa Middle School, Sleepy Hollow Swim Team Captain, Alexia Boumis, made swimming history, again. Alexia, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, is the first Sleepy Hollow swimmer to qualify for the State Swimming Championships in 2010 and 2011 since the inception of the team in 2001. Alexia was part of the 200 freestyle relay. They were seated second after preliminaries on Monday and were .55 off the state cut time, but Wednesday proved to be their night. Alexia and the swim team came prepared and determined to swim, and swim fast they did. They qualified in the 200 free relay by cutting .90 seconds off their seed time and placed second in the relay out of 28 schools. The SHEDI swim team, with 10 girls competing in the Sectional meet, placed eight out of twenty-eight schools in the entire meet.

Sleepy Hollow High School congratulates Alexia on a job well-done and wishes her the best of luck at the State meet taking place November 17th-19th at Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY. (Posted 11/16/11)

Students of the Month

The following students have been selected as Students of the Month (October) for their contributions to Sleepy Hollow High School and their community:

Physical Education Department:
Nadia Davidson
Mike Valentin (Posted 11/16/11)

Students at Sleepy Hollow High School collected over 1,200 cans of food which were donated to the Tarrytown Food Pantry during the high school’s 2011 Spirit Week. Susan Copley, pastor at Christ Church which runs the Tarrytown Food Pantry, graciously accepted more than 41 boxes of canned goods for the pantry. Copley commented, “What a wonderful concrete show of support from our local teens for the outreach of the Community Food Pantry. When everyone gives a little, it becomes a lot!” Students at Sleepy Hollow High School, with the assistance and supervision of Bonnie Berry, will continue their efforts to benefit families in our community with a coat drive in the upcoming weeks. (Posted 11/11/11)

Sleepy Hollow High School

PTSA Meeting Monday, November 14^th

SHHS Library – 7:30 PM

Meeting Every Child’s Needs:

SHHS Nationally Recognized As Model of Best Practices

Keynote Speakers:

Mrs. Carol Conklin-Spillane, Principal

Mr. Anthony Baxter, Assistant Principal

All Parents and Children Welcome

On Wednesday, October 19^th, Kyle McGovern, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, was honored at the Westchester County Youth Board’s 2011 Milly Kibrick Service Awards Dinner. The Westchester County Youth Board is committed to promoting and enhancing efforts aimed at serving youth and their families. The Board supports programs that strengthen the capacity of the family, raising public awareness on critical youth issues, and ensuring comprehensive, quality, and collaborative services. Kyle is one of 10 high school seniors in the entire county selected to receive this honor.

Present at the Awards Dinner was Youth Bureau Coordinator, Mary Kate Cabaleiro and Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman, Ken Jenkins. The Master of Ceremonies was Brian Conybeare, news anchor and reporter for News 12 Westchester.

Kyle’s accolades were shared with those in attendance by Mr. Conybeare. Mentioned was Kyle’s active participation in extra-curricular activities, including serving as the Sleepy Hollow’s Student Body President, his membership in various clubs, including the Environmental Club (SPEAR) and the Multimedia Team. Kyle participates in three varsity sports: Cross Country, Ice Hockey, and Lacrosse.

Volunteer work and community service have always been a central and fundamental part of Kyle’s life. He has participated in several “Weeks of Hope” programs, where Kyle, along with other teens and counselors, traveled to areas of poverty to conduct neighborhood clean-ups, lawn maintenance, painting houses, and clearing out garages. Locally, Kyle has contributed to numerous community events and fundraisers, including participating in local car washes and spaghetti dinners. In addition, Kyle has participated in and volunteered for several 5K, 10K, and triathlon fundraiser raising events, including charitable swims across the Hudson River, all to benefit the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Kyle’s most personally rewarding community service is the “Bread & Loaves” food pantry located in Ossining, New York. This community service calls for Kyle and his family to dedicate various Saturdays throughout the year to prepare and serve free meals to those in need within the community.

His nominator, Patricia Bonitatibus, School Counselor at Sleepy Hollow High School, stated on the nomination form that, “Kyle is a bright, civic minded, altruistic and natural leader. Everybody loves Kyle – his infectious personality is easily contagious. He gives of his time to help others willingly and does not seek any fanfare or accolades for his efforts. He is intelligent, kind, humorous, and well on his way to being a superstar.” (Posted 11/2/11)

On October 18, 2011, students from the AP Environmental Science and AP Biology classes joined over 2,500 students to participate in a statewide program to study the Hudson River. The “Day in the Life of the Hudson River” is coordinated by The Hudson River Estuary Program of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Hudson Basin River Watch. Each fall, environmental education centers team with school classes along the Hudson River to create a day-in-the-life picture of the river from the Troy Dam to New York Harbor – a span of over 166 miles. This year the students from Sleepy Hollow High School headed down to our local beach at Kingsland Point Park.

The “Day in the Life of the Hudson River” is designed to study the dynamic nature of the Hudson River Estuary. Students took samples of the river to study the biodiversity and chemistry of the river water. The lower section of the Hudson River experiences dramatic changes in salinity, circulation patterns, tidal ranges, river width and water depth, fish species, macroinvertebrate communities, and plant communities. The participating schools share their data so that each school can examine its findings in the greater context of the entire water system.

This year the students measured salinity, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and phosphate levels and took core sample. The highlight of the day for most students was actually seining in the Hudson River for fish and invertebrates such as crabs. After many years of limited success fishing, students this year were able to catch over 60 small fish of 5 different varieties.

The following students have been selected as Students of the Month for their contributions to Sleepy Hollow High School and their community:

ESL (English as a Second Language) Department:
Shesyra Cavero
Angel David Paulino

Physical Education Department:
John Jelenek
Ishmael Mejia (Posted 11/2/11)

Ezekiel Sierra, a junior at Sleepy Hollow High School, has been invited to participate in the 2012 Offense-Defense Junior Bowl in Arlington, Texas. The Offense-Defense coaches identified Ezekiel’s performance as being worthy of this prestigious selection. Ezekiel will display his skills and talent at the state-of-the-art Cowboy Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys from December 26^th to December 31^st. (Posted 10/22/11)

As a service to the community, Principia GT is offering a electronics recycling drive to residents of Sleepy Hollow.
Proceeds from the drive will help fund the Green Science and Green Citizen Scholarships for college-bound Sleepy Hollow high school students.

· Computer Towers	· Computer Monitors	· Scanners
· Laptops	· AC Adapters	· Cellular Phones
· Plasma Screens	· Game Systems	· Digital Cameras
· Printers	· Calculators	· I-Pods
· Copiers	· Shredders	· Used Printer Toner
· Keyboards & Accessories	· Stereo & Speakers	· Household Electronics

Items that will not be accepted:

· Refrigerators	· Car Batteries	· Air Conditioners
· Stoves	· Lawn Mowers	· Washing Machines

For further information, contact Principia NP at (908) 400-1363 or info@principianp.com (Posted 10/17/11)

The Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute Helps Meet Fundraising Goal to Save SH Basketball Cheerleading

Megan Maher, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, has been a fellow for the last two years at the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute in Irvington, New York. Megan chose her community service project during her fellowship to try and save Sleepy Hollow High School basketball cheerleading.

The Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute informed Megan that Eileen Fisher wants to generously do a match donation, dollar for dollar, up to $500, to help meet the fundraising goal to save Sleepy Hollow basketball cheerleading.

Sleepy Hollow High School is proud of Megan for all she has accomplished and thankful to the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute for their generous donation. (Posted 10/17/11)

On Thursday, November 3 at 8:00 PM at the SUNY PURCHASE Arts Center, four of Sleepy Hollow High School’s musicians will perform in the Area All-State Music Festival ensembles. Lily Sands for Band, Robert Dondiego and Andrew Eagan for Mixed Chorus, and Annie Warren for the Women’s Chorus were selected to perform after preparing a NYSSMA solo and receiving high scores and recommendations from their teachers. Each student will attend three intense rehearsals with other students from the Westchester County School area.

This is a significant accomplishment that required our students’ dedication and hard work! (Posted 10/17/11)

Congratulations to the Sleepy Hollow High School musicians! The following students were selected to perform in the Area All-State Music Festival ensembles; Lily Sands for Band, Robert Dondiego and Andrew Eagan for Mixed Chorus and Annie Warren for the Women’s Chorus. Each student will attend three intense rehearsals with other students from the Westchester County School area. There will be a concert given on:

Wednesday, September 21 was the International Day of Peace. Students attending the Participation in Government and Contemporary Issues classes researched peacekeeping missions around the world, as well as individuals and organizations committed to ending conflicts. This year’s theme was “Peace and Democracy: Let your Voice be Heard!” Sleepy Hollow students and staff were invited to share their thought on a bulletin board located in upper west hall. In addition, two members of the Model United Nations Club attended a screening of the movie “The War against War” hosted by the Southern New York State Division of the United Nations Association of the USA. Debate panelists included the movie’s director, Fisher Stevens, as well as Edmund Mullet, acting Head of Peacekeeping Operations and Ugo Solinas, Team Leader for the current UN mission in Haiti. (Posted 10/5/11)

On Wednesday, November 2, Sleepy Hollow High School will host a blood drive from. Here is what you need to know:

Donating blood is literally giving the gift of life. Each day, patients in our regions need close to 2,000 people a day to roll up their sleeves to give the gift of life. There is simply no substitute for voluntarily donated blood. Without volunteer donors, our community would not have an adequate community blood supply. (Posted 10/5/11)

Sleepy Hollow High School Senior among National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Catherine Lillis, member of the Class of 2012 at Sleepy Hollow High School, is among the 16,000 seniors nationally to be named National Merit Scholar semifinalists.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

More than 1.5 million juniors in 22,000 high schools entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2011 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. Approximately 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the Finalist level and it is from this group that all National Merit Scholarship winners will be chosen.

National Merit winners will be announced beginning in April of 2012. (Posted 10/1/11)

This is a reminder to all seniors and senior parents. Senior portrait sessions will begin Tuesday, September, 27th at the high school. If you missed your original appointment, it is important that you have your portrait taken during these dates to ensure that your portrait and pose selection appears in the yearbook. If you have not yet had your official Lors portrait taken, and are unsure of your scheduled make-up time, please contact Lors Photography at 908-964-0847.

For information on Senior Portrait Scheduling and Ordering, you can also visit Lors Photography at: www.lorsstudio.com (Posted 9/18/11)

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