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.

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

Bridges Special Budget Edition

Message from the Superintendent

I trust this letter finds you and your families healthy and well. I am writing today to provide you with some important updates and reminders. When Governor Cuomo issued his Executive Order mandating the closure of all New York schools, he required that districts work through all scheduled vacations in order for Learning from Home days to be counted toward the required 180 days of instruction. As you recall, Spring Break and the Friday before Memorial Day, which were scheduled days of vacation, became days of instruction. At last evening’s Board of Education meeting, the Board adopted a revised calendar which deducts the seven days, which were scheduled vacations, from the end of June. As a result, the last day of school/Learning from Home for students is now, June 17, 2020.

School Budget 2020-21

Due to COVID-19, all voting will take place by absentee ballots. There is no in-person voting. Ballots must be returned to the District Clerk's Office by June 9, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Washington Irving Students Deliver to Essential Workers

Like many teachers reaching out to students during the pandemic, Kaycee Von Essen sees great lessons in small actions. The reading teacher encouraged the staff and students at Washington Irving to write letters to essential workers. Von Essen started an internal mail system called “Wee Deliver” before the COVID-19 outbreak based on the United States Postal Service Wee Deliver campaign. She wanted to promote reading and writing skills. The mini post office also fostered a sense of unity throughout the school. In the month before the pause, more than 1,000 letters were written and delivered by WI students and staff.

School Budget Vote 2020-21

Advocacy

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NY State Division of the Budget are predicting a $10-15 billion dollar shortfall in anticipated state revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor has warned that, without more assistance from the federal government, the result could be a twenty percent or greater reduction in state aid to New York school districts and also significant decreases to aid for municipalities. This massive reduction in funding would have a devastating impact upon the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.

Update on School Budget Vote & Board Elections 2020-2021

On Friday, May 1, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.26 which modifies the rules under which school districts are to conduct the 2020 Annual Meeting for the election of School Board Members and Budget Votes.

Message from the Superintendent

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff, Due to Governor Cuomo's Executive Order stating that school districts must exhaust all vacation days during our closure, Friday, May 22, 2020 will be a day of Learning from Home, not a day of vacation. On Monday, May 25, 2020 there will be no Learning from Home in observance of Memorial Day, which is a national holiday. Christopher Borsari Superintendent

Spring Sports

Dear Parents and Students in the Public School of the Tarrytowns: The Tarrytown Union Free School District, in collaboration with Section One (a section of NYSPHSSA, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association), is making plans for a potential spring sports season. Any initiation of school athletics will be done in accordance with state and county mandates, and I need to underscore that any plans we make will only go into effect if schools are reopened this year. That said, if there is an opportunity to salvage any of this athletic season in a safe way, we want to be ready to go. Se abrirá una traducción al español de esta carta en un nuevo enlace al acceder al titular de Spring Sports.

Sleepy High School Football Scores By Providing Meals to First Responders and Those in Need

The sports fields may be empty these days but the Sleepy Hollow High School Football team fights against an even bigger challenge – hunger. For the past several weeks, the team and its supporters have provided meals to say thank you and help those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. The Boosters Club raised more than $8,500 in donations and provided more than 650 meals to the Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown Police Departments, Tarrytown EMS, doctors, nurses, childcare workers at John Paulding and town and village residents. The group has also purchased gift cards for families.

Michael Arias Appointed as Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics 

The Board of Education of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Arias as the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. He will join the District on July 1, 2020. Mr. Arias, who has 15 years experience in athletics administration, joins the District from the Rye City School District. For the past four years he served as the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, and oversaw and managed all facets of more than 80 interscholastic teams and over 140 coaches and staff. Prior to Rye City School District, Mr. Arias worked at Keio Academy of NY for 11 years, as a physical education and health teacher and as the Director of Athletics.

Best Communities for Music Education

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns are honored to have been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) by the National Association for Music Merchants. BCME is the signature program of The NAMM Foundation that recognizes and celebrates school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.

Dual Language Information

If you are a parent of an incoming kindergarten student and are interested in the Dual Language program, please review the materials that have been shared and complete the registration form. Please email the completed form to gduffy@tufsd.org

Family Resources

Family Resources

Dual Language Informational Meeting

The Dual Language Informational Meeting has been postponed until further notice. Information regarding Dual Language enrollment process will be shared at a later date.

Elementary Report Cards

Elementary school second trimester report cards will be available on the parent portal this Friday, March 27, 2020. They will be available online, in the late afternoon. Click here to go to the Parent Portal information page.

Childcare for Health Care Workers & First Responders

Due to the Westchester County and New York State of Emergency, the Tarrytown Union Free School District is collecting information about the childcare needs for the children of essential health care workers and first responders who live in the TUFSD community. Essential health care workers include licensed health professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, LPNs, nurse assistants or laboratory personnel. First responders include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters. police officers, and other public safety personnel.

Coronavirus

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff, I am writing today to provide you with some additional information, as well as some reminders related to our extended closure and steps we are taking as a district and community to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. I expect that there will be many additional actions and communications needed as we adjust to the changing guidance and clinical directives.

Student Technology Resources

Please click on links below for access to student online accounts. Clever Portal, Elementary Resources , JP Resources

SAT Exam Postponed

Dear Parents/Guardians, As a result of the closure of all district buildings over the weekend, the SAT exams scheduled for this Saturday, March 14th will be postponed. The next testing date will be March 28th. Students will be contacted directly by CollegeBoard regarding the postponement. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Wendy Waczek at wwaczek@tufsd.org.

Black History Month Celebration

Members of the African American Culture Club at Sleepy Hollow High School discussed serious issues surrounding inclusivity and racism when they held their first-ever Black History Month Assembly.

Student Athletes Signing Ceremony

Sleepy Hollow High School is incredibly proud to recognize four tremendous student athletes who have committed to play at the collegiate level in the fall. The student athletes are: Emma Guarnieri, Swim-Coach Carr, attending Case Western Reserve University Sarah Laub, Volleyball-Coach Fallon, attending Colby College Luke McCarthy, Football-Coach Veintimilla, attending Western New England University Ryan Schatzel, Football-Coach Veintimilla, attending Bucknell University

Harlem Wizards

The Harlem Wizards vs. Sleepy Hollow Horsemen Friday, March 6th, 2020 Sleepy Hollow High School Gym at 7PM Doors open at 6pm Don’t miss when the Harlem Wizards take on the Teachers and Administrators of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns for an evening of basketball, fun & laughter for all ages!