Community Update Letter

I hope this letter finds you and your families safe following the damaging storm this week, and in continued good health. I am writing today to share our weekly updates regarding the District’s Recovery Planning and preparations for the 2020-2021 school year and other important information. Following is the update for this week: Reopening Plans: Last week, our district submitted initial reopening plans to the State Education Department. These plans include the three instructional models we were directed to develop: In-Person; Learning from Home; and Blended. This morning, Governor Cuomo announced that all New York schools would be allowed to open based upon the COVID-19 infection rate. We are now awaiting an Executive Order or guidelines from the State Education Department regarding any additional requirements for reopening.

Tonight's Board of Education Meeting is Rescheduled

Due to continued power outages and loss of cable/internet access, tonight's Board of Education Meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 7:30PM via Zoom. The Board wants to ensure that the school community can participate in this important meeting.

Parent Forum: Student Engagement in a Virtual Learning Environment

Please join us on Thursday, August 13th for a Parent Forum: Student Engagement in a Virtual Learning Environment We want to hear from you about: Challenges with getting students motivated for online learning Difficulties with keeping students engaged What resources or supports would be helpful Thursday, August 13th Available sessions: 9:00-10:00 AM or 6:00-7:00 PM To register, please email Robin Stigell at rstigell@tufsd.org Online meeting information will be sent to your email address.

Chromebook Distribution & Collection

We appreciate how critical adequate technology is to enabling learning among our students during these times. Today, we are pleased to share that the District has planned for a 1 to 1 Chromebook program for our students. This means that every student in the District will be given a Chromebook to use during the 2020-2021 school year. Distribution days are scheduled for August 18th and 19th from 9AM-3PM and on August 25th from 4-8PM. Those who borrowed a chromebook last year and have not yet returned it, may do so at this time, as well. The distribution will occur in front of Sleepy Hollow Middle School.

Hudson Scholars Program Continues to Thrive During Pandemic

This summer, 57 rising sixth through ninth graders from the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns are meeting up virtually with Hackley Upper School mentors as part of Hudson Scholars. The program provides enrichment for academically promising low-income middle school students. A team of passionate teachers and Hackley student mentors provide the younger students with academic instruction and the development of character, leadership and social/emotional skills.

When the Teacher Becomes the Student: Professional Development in the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns

Many teachers take time in the summer months to engage in professional development. This year, as teachers anticipate continued changes to instruction, the level of interest has increased. Not surprisingly, some of the sessions in highest demand focus on virtual learning, helping teachers to adjust resources and materials and select virtual tools and strategies. Assistant Superintendent for Administration & Instruction Gail Duffy says that dynamic teaching in a virtual learning space is critical to keeping students engaged. “In March, our teachers were asked to provide remote learning with very little time to plan - and they did an amazing job,” said Duffy. “As we look ahead and have some time to be more thoughtful about how to amplify learning in a virtual environment, many of our teachers are taking the opportunity to hear about best practices and discover new strategies.”

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Provides Meals Throughout the Summer

Maria Filippelli sat in front of Sleepy Hollow Middle School on a recent morning doing what she loves - feeding children. Filippelli is the Food Service Manager for Whitsons Food Services, the company retained by the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns to help feed families in need when the pandemic began. And they have continued to provide that service each weekday, no questions asked. The District has provided 101,278 meals since schools closed in March “COVID-19 has affected our region and school community in many ways. Several families have lost income during this time and food insecurity has become increasingly prevalent,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business Joy Myke.

Sleepy Hollow High School Commencement Ceremony

Click to watch the Sleepy Hollow High School Commencement Ceremony

Spring Rose Ceremony

Click to watch the Spring Rose Ceremony

Welcome to Our Schools

Click to View School Orientations

Seniors Shine at Virtual Academic Awards Ceremony

The school buildings may be closed but the efforts of the Sleepy Hollow High School seniors has continued throughout this pandemic and on, June 18, the district presented a virtual Academic Awards Ceremony that recognized seniors for their academic achievements. Co-presidents of the Class of 2020 Samantha Livingston and Ella McGovern lead the Pledge of Allegiance to commence the ceremony and then Eliza Mastropieri sang the National Anthem.

Washington Irving Teaching Assistant Breaks Down Boundaries

Kent Washington never believed his actions broke any barriers, until now. The Teaching Assistant at Washington Irving spent four-and-half years playing basketball in Poland after graduating from Southhampton College; he was the first African American player to cross the Iron Curtain.

Message from the Superintendent

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff, On behalf of the Board of Education, administration, staff, and students I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for taking the time to vote on behalf of our 2020-2021 school district budget. The overwhelming backing which was displayed through your vote is both humbling and energizing. We truly appreciate the ongoing support of our students, particularly at this most challenging and unprecedented time.

SHHS Students Participate in Global Challenge to Assist During the COVID-19 Crisis

Two Sleepy Hollow Science Research students participated in a global project to solve real-world problems during the COVID-19 crisis. Sophomores, Ryan Lyppens and Henry Poret worked with students from the Philippines, UK and Vietnam on the New York Academy of Sciences: Combatting COVID-19 Challenge.

Budget Results

We are pleased to share that the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns budget for the 2020-21 school year, along with the transportation proposition, was passed. Thank you to the community for exercising your right to vote and for the trust that you continue to place in our district.

Sleepy Hollow High School Students Lead Rally to Bring Attention to Social Injustice and Fight for Change

If anyone doubts the power of student voices for change, they need look no further than the rally held in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown this Saturday, June 13. The event was conceptualized by SHHS junior Sandra Aderemi and quickly became a reality with the help of SHHS Principal Dr. Tracy Smith, the Sleepy Hollow High School African American Culture Club advisor Pat Bonitatibus, and other students who posted a flyer on their social media to encourage all to come.

Sleepy Hollow Athletics Awards Show

The Sleepy Hollow Athletics Awards Show will be active at 6:30 pm today, Wednesday June 10th. Here’s the link: https://events.locallive.tv/events/38163

23rd Science Research Symposium

Please join us for the 23rd Science Research Symposium celebrating our seniors and highlighting the creativity and hard work of all of our students! Our seniors have put together a virtual event like no other, complete with the symposium booklet, a photo montage, and a Youtube video which will include shortened presentations by each of our seniors. The presentations by our sophomores and juniors as well as the full-length presentations by our seniors can be accessed by a tab on the link.

Senior Car Parade

The Class of 2020 has endured so much but our seniors are resilient! Let us show how proud we are by decorating our town in red & white. Seniors will return to the Sleepy Hollow High School Campus this Thursday, June 11th at 4 pm for a Car Parade. We are Sleepy Strong!!

Message from the Superintendent

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo issued a new Executive Order extending the deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots. In order to be counted, "hand delivered" ballots can be accepted until June 9, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.and those received through the mail will be accepted through June 16, 2020. As a result, the Ballot Drop Box installed at the Administration Building will be removed at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, June 9th. If you are unable to hand deliver by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, please place your completed ballot in the mail.

School Budget 2020-21

School Budget Vote 2020-21 will take place by absentee ballot only. Ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 pm on June 9, 2020.

Voter Ballots

Although the majority of district voters have received their ballots, it has come to our attention that a number of voters have yet to receive their ballots. Please check your mailboxes. If you did not receive a ballot in today's mail, please contact our District Clerk, Ms. Nelly Valentin by phone at 631-9404 or by email at nvalentin@tufsd.org. Provide her with your name and address and we will arrange for a ballot to be delivered directly to your mailbox. Please feel free to inform your neighbors as well. Click here for ballot instructions.

Message from the Superintendent

Although it should go without saying, acts of racism, discrimination, and intolerance have no place in this community or any other across this country. However, as the recent senseless and shameful death of George Floyd, and other Black Americans has made clear, they continue to occur. As I have reflected upon these events and their aftermath, my emotions have ranged from anger and sadness to grief and shame. They have been visceral and overwhelming. In our diverse community, it is critical that we not only renounce such acts, and the dehumanizing and harmful physical and emotional injuries which racism and hatred breed daily, but that we also resolve ourselves to work together to change this narrative.

Graduation Signs

June is a special time for any graduating class. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, the students in the Class of 2020 have to celebrate their milestone apart from one another and away from the faculty. Many of the scheduled events have to be changed to meet the demands of the current times. In order to show the graduating class that we were proud of their achievement, several members of the high school faculty and staff delivered Graduation Signs to every one of the 193 graduating seniors in the Class of 2020.

Sleepy Hollow HS Students Participate in the NYAS: Combatting COVID-19 Challenge

Sleepy Hollow High School Students Ryan Lyppens and Henry Poret worked with students from the Philippines, UK and Vietnam on the NYAS: Combatting COVID-19 Challenge. Below is the executive summary of their work. COVID-19 Challenge Executive Summary Project Name: Making Essential Equipment More Accessible to Mitigate the Overflow of Worldwide Healthcare Systems