09/12/2023 Letter to the Community

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September 12, 2023

Dear TUFSD Families and Staff,

We had a fantastic first week and the school year is off to a great start. Students are settling into their new classrooms and our staff is working hard to ensure a successful academic year. I’m confident that this year is going to be one of the best years for personal and academic growth for our students.

Please know that I welcome an open line of communication and I encourage all parents/guardians to play an active role in their student’s education. I look forward to working together to create an exciting and rewarding 2023-2024 school year.

Now that the school year is in full swing, I’m pleased to announce the following updates:

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Sanchez

Students are settling in to the new academic year. The buildings are filled with laughter, joy, and enthusiasm as the school year kicks off.

Many thanks to the families who joined us for our back to school nights at John Paulding and Morse! We look forward to the remainder of our back to school nights (dates can be found under the reminders section of this newsletter.) We are excited to continue to build a strong partnership between home and school this academic year... back to school nights are just the start!

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns are committed to providing a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors. In the event of an emergency, it is important for parents and guardians to be familiar with the way the District prevents and manages emergencies.

For this reason, I would like to direct you to the safety and security guides found on our website: TUFSD Safety & Security

These guides outline key information and terms that are helpful to know in the event of an emergency situation.

Westchester County is a low-incidence region for COVID-19 which means important changes for our District. The remote option for students who have COVID-19 will no longer be made available. The District continues to have a supply of at home COVID-19 tests. If you would like to request a test, you can do so by contacting the nurse’s office of the building your child attends.

To learn more about recommendations by our local Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention click the link here: September 2023 Covid Update

Your child may qualify for a free or reduced lunch. Applications for Free Lunch and Reduced Lunch may be submitted at any time during the year. Renewal applications must be done annually and received by October 18th. To obtain an application please check out Food Services on our website.

The Facilities Committee is continuing to work behind the scenes on our overarching plan. Last week, our facilities advisory committee toured Washington Irving to review the proposed plan. Updates will be ongoing and can be located on the Facilities Site for the most recent presentations.

This month, we are unveiling a project that the District would appreciate your feedback on. We ask that you spend five minutes completing the survey below:

• Take the survey at this link (English)
• Realice la encuesta en este enlace (Español)

We've been hard at work planning to enhance and upgrade our facilities to align with our commitment to an exceptional learning experience. Updates will be shared during meetings, through newsletters, on our website, social media, and more!

Students at Washington Irving School were greeted by Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and County Executive George Latimer on their first day of school. This was an exciting way to kick off the new academic year and we are grateful for our teachers and staff for their support during this unique visit.

Read more:

• Governor Kathy Hochul Visits Tarrytown Students on First Day of School (LoHud)
• Gov. Kathy Hochul talks pandemic learning loss as she greets students returning to school (CBS News)
• Gov. Hochul greets students on 1st day of school in Tarrytown (Video; CBS News)
• Governor Hochul Visits Washington Irving (Facebook Photo Album)

To foster a sense of creativity and imaginative play among elementary students, we're partnering with United Way of Westchester, Toys for Tots, and Good360 to deliver not one, but two toys to every student from kindergarten to fifth grade. Let's spread joy and inspiration through the power of play!

Our Board of Education will be meeting on September 21, 2023 at 7 PM. During the meeting we will provide the trustees and the community with an update on our facilities planning. All community members and staff are invited to attend in person or virtually.

Below are the remainder of the scheduled Back to School Nights for this school year:

• 9/13 Washington Irving, 3rd Grade (6:30 PM)
• 9/14 Sleepy Hollow Middle School (6:30 PM)
• 9/20 Washington Irving, 4th and 5th Grade (6:30 PM)
• 9/21 Sleepy Hollow HS (6:00 PM)

Families can easily access school lunch menus digitally by visiting the Food Services page on our school website. Be sure to check it out for up-to-date information on meal options and nutritional information.

Shop our Spirit Wear Flash Sale going on now through September 18th and show your support for the Horsemen PTA. Get your hands on Horsemen t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more at the lowest prices of the year! Plus, we'll ship them directly to you. Don't wait – gear up now! Use the Flash Sale website.