Nyack Schools Connection - Mar '24
March 2024
Dear Members and Friends of the Nyack Public School District,
We are now in the midst of the 2024-25 budget process, an essential phase for shaping the future of our schools. In this newsletter you will find links to our proposed budget as well as important dates for public input. For further details, please read below or visit our website.
Recently, educational communities throughout Rockland County came together for Superintendent's Conference Day. Staff and faculty learned alongside colleagues in neighboring districts as well as with one another within the district. Principals received Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) training, a key initiative in identifying and addressing students’ unique needs. Elementary faculty received an introduction to the new Eureka Math Squared curriculum that will be implemented during the 2024-25 school year. Additional sessions focused on curriculum mapping, "Examining Our Bias-based Beliefs and Building Community," and goal setting, to name a few. Thank you to our Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi, for organizing these opportunities to learn and grow together.
We thank you for your continued support and partnership in strengthening the whole child.
Sincerely,
Susan Yom
Superintendent of Schools
Facebook: @nyackschools Instagram: @nyack_schools
What’s Happening in the Nyack Schools
Music In Our Schools
Collaborative performances, professional clinics and musical mentorship were just a few of the special events that took place throughout March, recognized by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as Music in our Schools Month. The annual String Fest made its first stops at Upper Nyack ES and Valley Cottage ES. Vocal ensembles from Nyack MS and Nyack HS took part in a side-by-side chorus day. Fourth grade students from all three schools participated in a collaborative concert event, while members of our Nyack HS string ensembles took part in a special learning opportunity with guest clinician Dr. Christiana Fortune-Reader, assistant professor of music at SUNY New Paltz in preparation for the performance at Carnegie Hall on April 15. Tickets to the performance are available via this link.
College and Career Month
We’re celebrating College and Career Exploration Month. Students in grades K-8 are dreaming of all the things they can be through activities and events organized by our school counselors. Upper Nyack ES and Valley Cottage ES hosted Career Fairs to provide a personalized look into a variety of professional journeys. Nyack MS welcomed professionals to the school for grade-wide assemblies and virtual visits. At Liberty ES, classes researched colleges and created self portraits to dream big about their future self.
March Forward
Several of our schools participated in March Forward, the Rockland County School Health and Wellness Coalition’s annual promotion of the use of physical activity in the classroom. Now in its 13th year, the event strives to highlight the positive impact of physical activity in school on mental health, well being and learning. Valley Cottage ES transformed their hallways to feature activities that had the heart pumping and the mind focusing, while Liberty ES students spent the day taking “brain breaks” and incorporating movement throughout their learning day. Participation was coordinated through our physical education teachers and Joe Sigillo, Director of Physical Education, Health, Wellness, and Athletics.
Spotlight On Talent
Congratulations to the cast and crew of our Nyack Middle School Drama Club production of "High School Musical 2, Jr." and the Nyack High School Drama Club production of "Grease!" We are in awe of your talent and dedication to the craft of live theater. Bravo!
Check out more photos on Facebook.
Points of Pride
RCC Black & Latinx Achievement Awards
Nyack Public Schools is proud to announce that 36 Nyack High School students have been named as Rockland Community College Black & Latinx Achievement Awards recipients. The RCC Achievement Awards recognize and reinforce the academic and personal accomplishments of Rockland County students from the Black/African and Latinx Diaspora. At the high school level, the award recognizes academic achievement, including eligibility for the National Honor Society, an academic average of 92% or greater, plus outstanding participation and accomplishments in at least two of the following categories: Community Service, Artistic Expression, Athletic Ability & Accomplishment, Leadership Activity and Personal Triumph & Success. Students were honored in an awards ceremony this past week. View the list of students on Facebook.
Science Research Accolades
On March 16, five seniors in our Nyack High School Science Research program competed at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Awards were presented to Talia Co-Mided and Sam Szerlip for their individual research. Congratulations to Alex Chyla, Arath Seckin and Ezra Seckin who also presented, and to all our Science Research seniors on their hard work and rigorous achievements!
Women of Leadership and Voice
During its Women of Leadership and Vision Brunch, the Nyack Center awarded Kaira Joseph the Lang Family Scholarship and Sydnie Ampfu the Young Woman of Leadership & Vision Scholarship. Both students are seniors at Nyack High School. NHS School Counselor Maggie Gershonovitz and School/Community Liaison Yesenia Polanco were also honored during the event that celebrates women who make a difference in our community. Congratulations to all!
Upcoming Events
Spring Break
Reminder, all schools and administrative offices will be closed for the Spring Recess from Friday, March 29 through Friday, April 5. Schools reopen on Monday, April 8. Please see the note below regarding the Solar Eclipse on that day.
Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse will be visible in New York on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024.
The safety of our students, staff, and transportation providers is a top priority. Because the solar eclipse overlaps with the regular school dismissal times, we will have an early dismissal for all students with the following times:
Nyack High School - 10:30 a.m.
Nyack Middle School - 11:00 a.m.
Elementary Schools - 11:45 a.m.
Family STREAM Night
Each of our three elementary schools will be hosting a Family STREAM Night. All students in grades K-5, along with their families, are invited to attend. From robotics to augmented reality to fabric art, there will be various hands-on, fun activities for the whole family to participate in.. All events are from 6:00PM-7:30PM:
April 11 - Valley Cottage ES
April 16 - Liberty ES
Check out photos from Family STREAM Night at Upper Nyack ES.
2024-25 Proposed School District Budget Information
Proposed Budget Presentation
At the March 19 Board Meeting and March 26 Board Budget Work Session, Superintendent Yom presented the 2024-25 Proposed District Budget. Click here to see the presentation.
Key initiatives include:
Ensure all existing programs and class size
Recruit and retain highly qualified staff with steps/lanes, contract provisions, ERS/TRS, HealthCare, Social Security, Other Insurance
Continue to advance literacy with the principles of the science of reading and professional development
Adopt new K-5 mathematics curriculum Eureka Math² with professional development
Introduce & Support District and Building Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Refresh 1:1 Technology
Provide before and after school transportation for elementary school programs
Partner with the Nyack Center and YMCA post ESSER/CRRSA funding
Ramp up Equity Certification Program Offerings and Parent Volunteer Trainings
Sustain post ESSER/CRRSA positions and expand staff for Literacy, English Language Learners, and Special Education students
Capital Improvement focus areas:
District-Wide AC Project
Nyack High School Site Project – Hardwire Lighting
Nyack High School – Repointing Gymnasium
Valley Cottage Elementary School – Roof Replacement
Additional Funding for Boilers
From the Board of Education
Key Dates to Remember
April 16 - 2024-25 Budget Adoption by the Board of Education
April 22 - School Board Petitions for Trustee Elections Due
May 7 - Public Hearing on the 2024-25 Budget
May 8 - Budget Notice Mailed to Residents
May 21 - Budget Vote and Trustee Election
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Stay Connected
Our Instagram Account Has Moved!
Be sure to follow us on our new profile
for stories, news and information about
our District, students and staff.
Kindergarten and UPK Registration Open for 2024-25
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) and Statewide Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten are special early childhood programs that were established by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and contracted by School Districts to provide an early learning experience for the children of eligible families. Eligible families are defined as those who live in the school district, and have children who will be four years old by December 1, 2024. This program is conducted at various site locations, with qualified teachers, at no cost to families. Completed applications and required documents must be returned to the District Registrar no later than March 28, 2024. Additional applications will be accepted after the deadline, pending availability.
Kindergarten registration is ongoing for children who will be five years old by December 1, 2024.
For more details, contact the District Registrar at 845-353-7038 or visit www.nyackschools.org/registration for forms, locations, deadlines and eligibility information.
RedHawks Athletics
Stay up-to-date with all our Nyack RedHawks teams.
Follow Nyack Athletics on Twitter and Instagram: @NyackHSAthletic
PeachJar
Learn more about in-school and community events with PeachJar.
Parents/Guardians receive flyers directly to their emails and can manage their own accounts, saving time, money and trees!
Produced in collaboration with the Rockland BOCES Communications Service.