Thank you to the Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department for your dedication to keeping our schools and community safe. To show their appreciation, our kindergarten students made cards and discussed how officers help protect us. Hillside Elementary staff proudly presented these cards to the department as a token of our gratitude.
We appreciate all you do for our community every day! 👮♂️💙
Join us in giving a warm welcome to our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Tara Ware, and our new Director of School Counseling, Ms. Lori Aufiero. We can’t wait to see the incredible impact they’ll have on our Hastings family! đź’š
Please see the K-4 Hastings UFSD Registration document for more information.
Congratulations to Hastings Varsity Cross Country star, Caitlin Thomas, for being named NY Milesplit Athlete of the Week!
Watch the 2024 graduation ceremony.
July 11, 2024
By Keith Berman
Hastings-on-Hudson — Following a lengthy process with an Advisory Committee that worked with Hastings Superintendent of Schools William McKersie to find the right person for the job, Andrew (Andy) Clayman is set to become the new principal of Hastings High School.
Dr. McKersie announced Clayman’s hiring on January 30th, 2024. Clayman has since held a number of events to get to know staff and parents in preparation for his first day, which is July 1st.
Clayman’s background in education goes back to 2007. He was a founding teacher and assistant principal at KAPPA International High School before assuming the principalship of Health Opportunities High School for the last five years. Prior to that, he attended Skidmore College before earning his teaching degree at Pace University (as part of the New York City Teaching Fellowship) and his Masters of Educational Leadership from City College.
Clayman lives with his wife and two children in Sleepy Hollow. He discussed with the Current what makes him most excited about going from a high school in the Bronx that, when he took over, had a 50% graduation rate, to a system built on a strong community where students routinely graduate.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to be deeply embedded in a community, like one with sports events or a Friday night when the kids put on a play, and that’s such a vibrant part of what Hastings is. This isn’t going to be a job where I just go to work and come home. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to really get to understand kids and their families in a 360-degree get-to-know-the-community way.”
Clayman shared that his own upbringing in Schenectady gives him a head start on his work in Hastings.
“I grew up near Albany, so I have New York State Hudson Valley in my blood. Schenectady was where GE started. When it left, Schenectady was a dead industrial town, so most of my childhood was colored by that, living in a place that was once prosperous, but had lost its economic engine. It put my fire in my veins around the underdog story, rooting for something a lot of people had counted out. Hastings has had a similar trajectory. It was industrial, and then the industry left, and it is really revitalizing itself in the last 15 years.”
Clayman considers his first priority to be getting to know the community in a more particular way.
“There is no substitute for having deep knowledge about the community. I’m going to spend a lot of time meeting staff, meeting students, meeting families. I think that, once we’ve got that under our belt, then communal decision-making comes next.”
Clayman also looks forward to taking on the intersection of teens and tech.
“I think AI is just an incredible tool that we’ve got to harness. The idea that thinking our role as educators is to catch students when they use it is short-sighted. We should think about ways to use it to augment how we teach, and that is one of the most pressing priorities for education in the 21st century. If we’re worried about whether or not kids are using AI, we shouldn’t send them home to write essays, we should watch them write right in front of us. We want kids to know what responsible use of AI looks like and what future careers are going to be for our young folks.”
And what makes for a successful high school?
“Relationships. Staff and students feel like it’s a second home. You spend more hours in your school building than waking hours at your home. Students have to feel like the school works for them. All too often, school feels like something done TO young folks, compulsory education. That’s not what we know is best. Optimally, students need to have agency over their learning.”
He also is well aware of the dangers of the apps on students’ phones.
“I would be remiss not to mention social media and the impact on their mental health, and the way [students] consume information and reflect on the way they want to live.”
Ultimately, Clayman’s approach to educating students is built on his idea of student agency.
“All too often, we ask students ‘what do you want to be when you grow up,’ which insinuates that they are not something right now. I want to communicate that ‘you are also a full person right now,’ and make sure our students reflect on and build on the faith of their own voice.”
This view is harmonious with his thoughts on special education.
“I think that everyone should have an individualized education plan regardless of whether or not they have an IEP. Every person consumes information differently, learns differently, and every student comes with assets and challenges. Far from stigmatizing students who receive special services, we are really seeking: What are their strengths and how do we build on those strengths?” he said.
Clayman also did not shy away from the topic of college admissions.
“We’ve got to do everything we can in order to prepare [our students] to get into the best school that they want to get into. I’m not giving short shrift to that as a responsibility, but I’m also not measuring our success by how many students are getting into Ivy League schools. I think it’s not mutually exclusive to say ‘let’s get our kids as prepared as we can to get into the best schools that we can’ while getting our students as ready as possible,” said Clayman.
Clayman’s term follows the retirement of outgoing high school principal Lou Adipietro. The Hastings BOE also recently announced the appointment of Ms. Tara Ware as Hastings High School’s new Assistant Principal. Ms. Ware will begin her new role in January 2025.
Moderated by New York State Regent Francis Wills, the panel explored the benefits of student liaisons on school boards, a legal requirement that Governor Hochul and the New York State Assembly is now planning to put forth in all of the state's schools.
With over 100 board members and superintendents from across the region in attendance, Elianna and Kai represented Hastings exceptionally well. After the panel, they fielded questions.
Below they share their reflections of the evening:
"Speaking at the WPSBA was absolutely amazing! I wasn’t expecting to be such a central part of the event. I loved chatting with the superintendents and school board members of other districts prior to the sit-down dinner. It was incredibly insightful to learn about the role of student board members in other schools. Speaking on the panel was actually a lot of fun! I enjoyed answering questions and sharing my honest thoughts on how other districts can successfully incorporate students into the BOE in a way that makes students feel seen, comfortable, and welcomed. Everyone seemed beyond impressed with Hastings’ two student liaison system. The coordinators of the event told me and Kai they wanted to stay connected to possibly have us work as mentors to train future student liaisons at county wide events. It was a truly rewarding experience."
-Elianna
"The conference was a wonderful and educational experience. It was amazing to see so many board members interested in what Elianna and I had to say on student involvement in BOE meetings. After getting to listen to other district's liaison positions, it's clear that Hastings has been doing for years what other schools are now striving towards. I was so glad to see how engaged everyone was during the panel and it felt like Elianna and I were truly able to convey how important and impactful being a student board liaison is."
-Kai
Dear Hastings Families and Staff:
Ms. Ware was recommended based on a thorough review process conducted by Mr. Andy Clayman, Mr. Lou Adipietro and the HHS Assistant Principal Advisory Committee. Ms. Ware’s formal transition to the district will be effective January 1, 2025.
Ms. Ware comes to Hastings with a proven track record as an assistant principal and teacher. Her enthusiastic and student-centered leadership style, instructional expertise, innovative thinking, and relationship acumen will serve students, staff, and families well in her new home at Hastings High School. Ms. Ware looks forward to meeting HHS students, staff and families this fall, well before she starts in January 2025.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ware to our community.
Be well.
To provide context to the book, they also viewed the film Schindler's List, in which German industrialist, Oskar Schindler, saved over 1,000 Jewish prisoners from being killed by Nazi executioners. An authentic learning experience further engaged students, when they received a visit from the daughter of one of the Jewish survivors, Schindlerjeuden, Barbara Lissner (and her husband Michael).
Ms. Lissner's father, Sol Urbach, lived to the ripe age of 96 and was a treasured eyewitness to the kindness and respect for humanity that Schindler possessed. Lissner spoke with the students about her father's experience as Schindler's personal carpenter and the countless atrocities he witnessed, even while under the protection of Schindler.
"Students were riveted by her presentation and engaged in thoughtful dialogue," said Dr. Cotrone.
"This was a great opportunity for me to say goodbye and thank our fourth grade families for all their support, introduce parents to their new school counselors, talk about social-emotional learning opportunities, discuss a typical day as a fifth grader, review clubs and activities that are offered, and answer any questions families had about FMS," said Hillside School Counselor Juliann Snyder.
Click here to view the presentation.
This is the second year in a row that Farragut’s Debate Team has qualified for the invitation-only championship tournament.
“Our students spent countless hours researching, preparing speeches, and developing high-level crossfire questions regarding the affirmative and negative of Japanese revision of Article 9 of their Constitution to allow for offensive military capabilities,” said Debate Team Advisor Devita Cruz. “For the last month, and every day the week leading up to the tournament, these girls worked to understand both the history and the intricacies of this advanced topic. Sixth graders!”
Well, the students’ hard work paid off, as they each walked away with Top Speaker Awards in their division:
“I am so incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication these students have put into their debate performances this year,” Cruz said. “Each student deserves all the accolades they have attained this season.”
The world’s largest pre-college science competition, ISEF brings top science students together to showcase their innovation through self-designed science projects. Each year, ISEF awards millions of dollars of scholarships and prizes to participants.
Baldassarre and Hamilton, who were among the top twenty students to qualify for ISEF through the Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF) in March, both received Grand Awards at Regeneron ISEF:
We are scheduling time to speak with Hamilton about his project (stay tuned!), but we did have a chance to talk with Baldassarre earlier in the year when he was named one of Hastings’ 2024 Regeneron Scholars.
“My mom died of ovarian cancer when I was nine years old,” he told us. “She was an amazing mom and encouraged me to be a curious question-asker. She'd be proud. My family feels the weight of her loss every day and it felt important to use my interest in science to honor her."
A prideful Ms. Shandroff, Science Department Chairperson, also wrote to staff, “Congratulations to both Justin and Miles for these amazing achievements!”
Congratulations, indeed.
Messages of gratitude and wishes for a restful, peaceful, and happy retirement were shared. It was a perfect way to celebrate Mr. A's legacy and far-reaching impact.
“We love you & we’ll miss you, Mr. A…”
Organized by Library Media Specialist Jamie Nedwick, the event inspired the school's youngest learners to write, write, and write some more!
In the Learning Commons, the children sat, listening intently to Ms. Satin Capucilli, as she gave them inside tips on story creation. From her handy dandy idea notebook and drafting the story, to collaborating with illustrators on the final published piece, Ms. Satin Capucilli shared her entire writing process.
One highlight from her presentation was the advice she gave. "Draw from your own lives for ideas for your stories," she told the students.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience for the district's littlest scribes, as they continue on their writing journeys, picking up helpful tips along the way.
\Music Teacher Eric Day also provided a reflection of the powerful evening.
"The concert was a special send off for a talented group of seniors, including Miles Levine, who is Juilliard-bound, and Livi Seidenberg, who will be double-majoring in music and business at Virginia Tech," he said.
After the show, a couple of videos surfaced of the finale, which combined the orchestra with senior singers and band members. Thank you to the parents who were able to capture Hastings' talented musicians on camera. The videos are below for your viewing pleasure.
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"Playing exclusively against other similarly sized public schools throughout the country, we won every match by huge margins,” said Academic Challenge Team Advisor Michael Willson. "It just goes to show how incredibly talented this team is.”
Next up, is the NAQT National Championship Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia, which will take place on Memorial Day weekend. Public and private schools of any size are eligible to compete.
A huge congratulations goes to Captain Benny Feldman, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, Owen Linder, and Jacob Goldman-Wetzler—National Champions!
Special thanks to Karen Swartz-Feldman for traveling to Chicago with the team and to the Hastings PTSA for the generous grant, which financed the trip.
“They edited and revised their work before publishing their stories,” Hatjygeorge said.
The narratives even contained a "Dedication" page and an "About the Author" page. The day's activities were a perfect way to commemorate a big step in the students’ writing journeys.
Write on, write often, little learners!
Facilitated by fourth grade teacher Amanda Peisel, a presentation from the Student Council engaged the packed audience with funny, educational skits about reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Hudson Compost Solutions gave students an extra lesson on composting and the importance of plant life during their lunch periods.
Stepping up to the challenge, elementary schoolers worked together to put their lessons into action. They even practiced random acts of environmental kindness and participated in spirit days throughout the week including, “One with Planet Earth,” where they dressed up in clothing to represent Earth and the elements.
Hastings High School's AP Art Show is open to the public on Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 in the lobby. A culmination of work that began in July, the show features a plethora of pieces in a variety of mediums, created by 15 of Lorienne Solaski's AP Studio students and eight photography students in Cory Merchant's AP class.
From 3D art and sculptures to masks and clothing, the show contains representations of the students' Sustained Investigation project, which Merchant says involves generating ideas and then refining them through experimentation and practice.
"This show is the culmination of about ten months of work," Merchant explained.
"Some of the students have probably been building this body of work for even longer. For many of the students, as well as for Ms. Solaski and me, this is the first time we get to see all the work together on display. It's always a triumphant and celebratory moment when things start to come together for the students. We are so lucky to work with such talented and creative students every day!"
For the full experience, come and check out the show:
Tonight, Thursday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m.
Tomorrow, Friday, April 19, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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In classrooms across grades at Hillside Elementary School, students recently engaged in group discussions about blood flow in the human body, including where the highest concentration of oxygen is located and how many chambers there are within the heart.
Using a "flipped classroom" model, an instructional strategy and a type of blended learning that aims to increase student engagement, Ericka Melvin, one of Hillside's Physical Education teachers, set up an obstacle course of the human heart in the small gymnasium.
Before traveling to the small gym to participate in the active component of the lesson, students were shown a video in their classes about blood flow and what happens each time their heart beats. To build up their strength and cardiovascular endurance, they completed the obstacle course, each station representative of the location of blood flow to the heart and throughout the human body.
"The kids travel through the veins, which bring blood flow from the heart to the lungs, enter into the chambers and valves, and back through the arteries into the human body," said Melvin. "The rock wall symbolizes the human body.
Educational, healthful and enjoyable, the lesson impressed students school-wide.
Larry Cerretani’s Daily Living Skills class is hosting its Second Annual Dog Treat Fundraiser at Farragut Middle School.
The charitable campaign, which began in March, aims to promote neurodiversity acceptance, equality, and inclusion. All proceeds will benefit Hudson Valley's Paws for a Cause, a local pet therapy organization that has worked with Cerretani’s class since the beginning of the 2022 school year.
Coinciding with several worldwide initiatives including Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 18-March 24), World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), World Autism Acceptance Week (April 2 – April 8), and World Autism Month (April), the fundraiser will last through the end of April, and is the perfect way for students to show their appreciation for Paws for a Cause’s volunteers.
For weeks, busy baker bees have been preparing batches of treats that contain sunflower seed butter, pumpkin puree, and rolled oats, a healthy and tasty option for Farragut’s four-legged family members. The students are even packing the treats, and specially delivering orders to their teachers, peers and their families.
“It's not just about supporting a good cause,” Cerretani explained. “It's also about spreading awareness and fostering acceptance.”
Orders can be placed through Tuesday, April 30. Purchasing options include:
Use this form to make a purchase request and to support a good cause. Please note, the fundraiser is for FMS staff members, students, and their families only.
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Senior Sewing began in 1973 as a way to bring the benefits of sewing to Hillside students. Since then, the PTSA has continued the tradition with classes that help children improve their communication and motor skills, use their imagination and creativity, and develop patience. Additionally, creating something from scratch boosts student confidence. Best of all, it connects children to their community at an early age.
Before spring recess, renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Student Performance Group lit up Hastings High School’s auditorium with a riveting performance for students and staff.
The event, funded by the Race Matters Committee, Farragut Middle School, and Hastings High School, with leadership from Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator Dr. Jenice Mateo-Toledo, was the result of the collaborative effort of Hastings faculty members and community partners. Several high school students even stepped into leadership roles, forming a Welcoming Committee for the dancers, creating banners, and assisting with the run-of-show, lighting, and sound. Click here to view the full list of collaborators.
Freshman Ruby Black gave a heartwarming introduction to the program and to Ailey's Student Performance Group (ASPG) Rehearsal Director Freddie Moore. Taking the microphone, Moore delved into the history of the Alvin Ailey organization, including how it grew from a now-fabled performance in 1958 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Mr. Ailey and his group of young African American modern dancers forever changed the perception of American dance, going on to perform for an estimated 25 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents.
Moore went on to explain that Mr. Ailey drew on his African American roots in 1930s Texas, using the blues, spirituals, gospel, and ragtime for inspiration. This resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, Revelations (1960), as well as 79 other ballets over his lifetime.
“What you’ll see is beyond dance steps,” Moore said. “There are stories behind the movement.”
The dancers performed six excerpts from their repertoire. Vibrant colors and pulsating rhythms transcended the confines of the stage. The movements were fluid, graceful, and electrifying, all at once. With each leap, twist, and turn, a captivating story was told.
In between each dance, Moore engaged students with historical facts and asked them for their own interpretations. They were treated to the real "Ailey Experience" when he taught them two eight-count phrases of movement.
When the finale Revelations came to an end, the auditorium erupted into thunderous applause. The dancers, who joined Ailey from all over the world, took their bows. Students were left feeling inspired by the unifying power of dance and the enduring spirit of human expression.
“Dance came from the people, and it should always be delivered back to the people.”
-Alvin Ailey
Before performing for guests at the main events on Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8, fourth graders gave their fellow Hillsiders a preview of Frozen KIDS with a school-wide assembly and dress rehearsal. The students confidently took the stage, singing and dancing their hearts out to catchy tunes from the Disney movie.
Congratulations to Director Lisa Levine, Production Coordinator Phyllis Udice, First Grade Teacher Emily Isidori who used her dance background to teach the choreography, and to all of Hastings' teachers and staff for guiding the students to a well-received production.
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For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, watch a couple of short videos below. |
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The culmination of a workshop led by external partner Folklore Urbano NYC, the scripted production of original music and choreography showcased what the students learned over the course of the six-week program.
Connecting to the fifth grade Social Studies standards, the workshop highlighted the diversity of the Spanish, Indigenous, and African roots of Latin America with lessons on their culture, geography, and language.
“Folklore Urbano NYC's Cumbia for Kids Residency is the company we used for the second year now,” said fifth grade teacher Kyle Case. “We are so glad to have this experience continue for our students each year.”
Each year, WESEF sponsors the top students to advance to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. Over 700 high school students from Westchester and Putnam Counties participated in the 2024 fair, a record number of projects for the region.
"On Friday, I dropped by as students were practicing their presentations," Superintendent McKersie noted in his report for Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. "I was treated to a brief sample of each student’s research, which in each case matches college level work (and beyond) in the rigor of the topic, research design and methods, statistical analysis and summary of findings, real world applications and future research potential."
The students learned how they did at WESEF at an Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 21. Click here to read the an update in Superintendent McKersie's March 22 letter to the community.
Starting with this month’s "Plant Power" theme, during their lunch periods on Tuesday, March 19, students learned about the health benefits of plants and plant-based proteins.
What was on the menu? Kaleidescope Salad made with cranberries, kale, chickpeas and a homemade lemon dressing.
"Chickpeas are a great plant-based protein option that are high in fiber, which keeps us fueled throughout the day," Leote explained to the students.
Below is the recipe card for the salad, which Leote and Hillside Cafe Cook Margarita Fuentes shared with the kids, along with a word search activity sheet.
"A few of the children were trying chickpeas or kale for the first time and found that they really liked it!" said Leote.
Given the students' positive reaction, the Food Service Team is considering officially adding Kaleidescope Salad to the menu.
Specially designed for students to connect and relax, the event featured a wide range of activities. From bingo, chess, and board games to ping pong, foosball, and Twister, middle schoolers rotated through the stations. There was even participation from Hastings faculty, high school students, and parents, who brought their energy by facilitating the games and giving the kids pointers.
A special thank you goes to everyone who helped make the event a success, including the Custodial and Facilities staff for their help with the behind-the-scenes set up and clean up, as well as the Guidance Department who helped the PTSA and SEPTA to maximize the experience for students.
“Twenty-seven of Hastings' students came out, and we fielded seven teams,” said Academic Challenge Team Advisor Michael Willson. “This is the largest group of students I have taken to MACC in my seven years as a coach.”
In the A Division, the team took First place. Another Hastings team came in Third place. The B Division team also came in First place and two other Hastings teams finished in Third and Fourth place. That's five of the top eight teams!
"I'm so proud of them!" Willson said. "I couldn't wait to share their accomplishments with the community."
Over Memorial Day Weekend, Willson will be taking the A Division team--Owen Linder, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, and Captain Benny Feldman--ranked Fourth in the Northeast, to the National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
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The Winning A Division Team holding their Winners Plaque L to R: Owen Linder, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, and Captain Benny Feldman |
The Winning B Division Team holding their Winners Plaque
L to R: Nate Sollars, Maxwell Silva Steeves, Captain Rian Kacmarczyk, and Henry Sliker
Owen Linder, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Benny Feldman, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, Chloe McCabe, Sofia Eliasi, Jasper Zimmerman, Natalie Garson, Keith Mon, Maya Madajewicz, Sonya Lasser, Emre O'Flattery, John Mielke, Jet Spiro, Jake Andrus, Rian Kacmarczyk, Maxwell Silva Steeves, Henry Sliker, Nate Sollers, Theo McCabe, Reuben Belasco, Will Andrus, Will Weber, Ian Morrison Anthony Holder, Noah Berkowitz, Salem Kinderlerer, Advisor Michael Willson
Photographer: Declan McConnel
To prepare for the exhibition, students complete a weeks-long research project, where they are asked to identify a skill they’d like to develop, a problem they'd wish to solve, and a larger-scale question they’d like to answer. Working with a mentor or expert in the field, they create action plans that include educational resources. Then, it's time to practice their skill.
According to Lopez, there are various checkpoints the students must complete throughout the process, such as written and verbal reflections of their progress, goal setting, a vocabulary list of key words to help them communicate their topic, and a mock presentation to their peers. The final exhibition allows them to communicate their topics to an outside audience, including the highs and lows of the process and what they learned.
A staple of Lopez's Level 5 curriculum, the Passion Project is always beneficial for students involved, as well as the larger school community. Given its long-standing success, it's safe to say that the tradition will continue for many years to come.
For a look at this year's list of students and their Passion Projects, click here.
The first graders took it a step further this year, writing one, two, even three-page biographies! From Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to Jackie Robinson and Maec Jemson, the students focused their efforts on honoring African Americans from all periods of U.S. history.
One student, Lucas, wrote about Fredrick McKinley Jones, the “King of Cool.”
“In the 1930’s, Fredrick McKinley Jones invented the roof-mounted cooling system that is used to refrigerate goods on trucks,” Lucas stated.
Another student, Arthur, wrote, “She devoted and risked her life to help rescue other slaves,” in reference to Harriet Tubman, “conductor” on the Underground Railroad who led enslaved people to freedom.
“The kids showed great interest,” Lazar said. She also explained how there have been crowds of students and staff who have stopped to read and discuss the bulletin board.
“The vision really came to life,” she added, pleased that the accompanying photos helped students put faces to names.
Proud of their work and eager to share their newfound knowledge, the children shared what they loved most about the biography project.
“I got to learn about how nice she is and how she cares about so many people,” said Georgia, a first grader in the class, about Oprah Winfrey.
Both engaging and educational, the students’ biographies gave passersby a glimpse into history, and the African American heroes whose roles have made a lasting impression on life and the world today.
For this edition of Staff Spotlight, we asked Dr. Mateo-Toledo what this honor means to her and more.
What does it mean to be named an "Unsung Hero"?
It’s extremely gratifying to be acknowledged for one's passion and life's work. Therefore, this recognition is truly an honor for me. Hastings has been a long-time leader in the areas of DEI, so I also view this as a collective recognition and celebration of our journey and influence in the region over the past 25 years.
What inspires you in your role as D&I Coordinator? What is one aspect of your work that you enjoy?
DEI is at the center of the Hastings-on-Hudson community. Working with various stakeholders and seeing the smiles on our children's faces is what inspires me most. I enjoy collaborating with students, staff, administrators, and other community partners to design learning opportunities for students, such as the upcoming Alvin Ailey performance, the Multicultural Book Fair, and the Racial Equity days. Working with teachers to develop a curriculum that supports authentic learning and inclusivity is equally invaluable.
What current and future goals do you have for the district?
One of my goals is to work with our school community as we continue our path of growth, understanding, acceptance and belonging, while ensuring that we meet the needs of all students.
What is one fun fact about yourself or something you enjoy doing outside of work?
One of my favorite things to do outside of work is travel. Before entering my current role, I was a long-time English as a New Language (ENL) teacher, and had the opportunity to learn about different languages, cultures, perspectives, and ways of living from my students. When I travel to other countries, I connect with former students, and I immerse myself in their worlds and experience their customs. This has added to my appreciation for the beauty of diversity.
What is your favorite quote or mantra?
“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
Dr. Mateo-Toledo in Lisbon, Portugal.
The week featured a string of morning announcements kicked off by middle schoolers Amichai De Lowe and Julia Levan. Each day, students greeted the school in other languages such as Hebrew, Polish, German, Danish, and Chinese Mandarin, and afterwards, read a Language Fact of the Day.
In English, Julia L. presented the first Language Fact of the Day. "Mandarin is considered the most difficult language to learn because of its nuanced, tonal nature," she explained. "It is also the most commonly spoken language in the world!"
Fifth graders Ethel Gautschoux and Ember Lustbader wrapped up the announcements on Friday by greeting the school in French and Portuguese, respectively.
Based on their knowledge of multilingualism and the daily facts they heard, students were encouraged to take a survey. More than 275 middle schoolers participated, entering in a contest to win prizes. From the survey, it was learned that there are 35 languages represented at FMS!
See below for the list of languages.
Even the ninth graders in Andrea Bromberg's class aided in the cause, taking a poll of over 300 students in the cafeteria, who were asked to guess the number of languages represented at FMS. Eden Greenberg was the only student to guess correctly, which won her a multilingual themed t-shirt.
Other prize winners, eighth graders Kota Shemonski and Gigi Levinson, were chosen based on their thoughtful responses to the survey’s short-answer question, which asked students to reflect on the meaning of the following quote by actress and writer Fiona Lewis:
"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things."
Below are several of the students’ reflections.
“I am thrilled by the number of students who participated in the optional survey and the enthusiastic support from our staff and administration,” Sullivan said. “The data collected shows the rich linguistic culture of the school and helped us learn more about our students. The first-ever, week-long language celebration generated many authentic conversations around the benefits of multilingualism.”
Due to its far-reaching impact, Sullivan plans to make World Language Week an annual tradition, with hopes of expanding to Hastings High School in future years.
All students who participated in the survey were offered multilingual themed stickers.
In preparation for the festivities, students participated in an at-home project with their families. On pink and red paper hearts, they wrote what they loved most about living in Hastings. A collaborative collage on a mock Hastings waterfront bulletin board displayed each students' heart and note. During the celebration, families enjoyed perusing the bulletin board they helped to create with their children.
Student in Dana Finsmith's and Michelle Campbell's class Lucia Heenan and family wrote, "I love how there are so many sweet people here!"
Another student, Florina Cheung, and family wrote, "I like Hastings-on-Hudson because it is small, cozy, and has lots of kind people."
In addition to activities surrounding Community of Love Day, the celebration included a showcase of more of the children's creations, including their proposals for the Hastings waterfront, which culminated a social studies unit on the history of Hastings. Constructing written plans with matching drawings, the students became strategic thinkers, utilizing their power of persuasive writing.
Other exhibits on display included the students' urban, rural, and suburban drawings; dioramas of downtown Hastings’ current goods and services; and watercolor paintings of the waterfront featuring the famous water tower. There was even a scavenger hunt on the history of Hastings!
Each class's celebration concluded with a special thank you to community members, who left the building with a renewed sense of gratitude, impressed by all the work shown.
Dana Finsmith's and Michelle Campbell's second grade class in front of the mock Hastings waterfront bulletin board. (Created by Michelle Campbell's, Dana Finsmith's, Courtney Dickens's and Ifie Fell's classes). |
Decked out in togas with a Valentine’s Day flair, necklaces, stickers and festive shades, students enjoyed a pot-luck dinner, participated in a funny Cupid gift exchange, and engaged in other fun activities including a game of Mythology Bingo and Latin Jeopardy.
"It was a smashing success!" said Driscoll. "A special thank you to Dr. McKersie for visiting us."
“Harper has become an unofficial member of the class,” Cerretani said.
To honor Harper and the organization’s volunteers, the students crafted specially made cards leading up to Valentine’s Day. They sold the cards to their fellow students during their lunch periods, as well as to Farragut’s faculty and staff.
“The fundraiser spread love throughout the school, while also raising funds for a local organization that has become near and dear to the students’ hearts,” Cerretani added.
Following the Holiday Card Fundraiser in December, which raised over $150, the Valentine’s Day Card Fundraiser raised an additional $215 for Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause – another feather in the caps of Cerretani’s students! Through these efforts, the students also learned essential life skills such as product development, salesmanship, financial management, and philanthropy. Most importantly, they are continuing to model compassion for others.
“I am so proud of what they’ve achieved and the impact they’ve made on the larger community,” said Cerretani.
In honor of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 18-24), World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), and World Autism Awareness Day (April 2) Cerretani's students will host their Second Annual Neurodiversity Awareness Fundraiser at FMS. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
Beginning last year, Hastings High School juniors (then sophomores) and Science Research students Victoria Lugomer-Pomper and Adam Greenwald proposed a collaborative new idea to Hillside STEAM Teacher Robin Farrell: an after-school club to share their knowledge and love of science with the district’s younger students.
After an encouraging “yes” from Farrell and a great deal of planning, the students, along with a group of their peers, brought their vision to life. The club, called Wonder Workshop, is now in full swing, meeting every other Friday at Hillside Elementary to provide enrichment opportunities for the school's second graders.
"The high schoolers drive the entire club," said Farrell. "They bring their own ideas and enthusiasm and work well with the kids."
In addition to what they’re already learning in Farrell’s STEAM class, Wonder Workshop’s elementary students engage in hands-on experiments that include takeaways to bring home.
According to the high school facilitators, who come together on a weekly basis to research and prepare, Wonder Workshop is all about teamwork and providing a memorable experience for the younger scientists.
"It’s inspiring to see the growth and collaboration," said Lugomer-Pomper. "The most rewarding part for me is when the students don’t quite understand the experiment on the first try, and by working together, they figure it out. Those sessions are the most successful ones. Being able to spearhead that collaboration is very fulfilling."
"I remember when I was younger and experienced science in different ways,” Greenwald said. "If we can continue to inspire that same love for science, it will be invaluable to the students' futures."
Today, we're introducing the Portrait in Action, a new biweekly series aimed at showcasing the Portrait coming to life throughout the district.
Here is where we will feature the great work that students and their teachers are doing to weave the Portrait framework into daily classroom activities and model the Attributes outlined below:
Click here for the first edition. Stay tuned for more examples from each school as the series continues.
Remember, you can always visit the Portrait of a Hastings Learner (POHL) section of our new and improved website for more information.
"Random Acts of Kindness Week is when we go beyond what is expected of us to reach out and help another person," Woodall explained to a packed audience of students in the Multipurpose Room. "There are hundreds of ways to show someone that you care."
After watching this video, the students turned-and-talked to reflect on the different acts of kindness they witnessed. Then, the Safety Patrol performed a comedic yet educational skit to explain what Kindness Week, "only the greatest week ever," would entail.
Spirit Day activities this week, as shared by the Safety Patrol on Monday, have included:
This year, there was even a Kindness Challenge, where all students were asked to record a week's worth of kind acts and add each one to the "pot of gold" to show that kindness is worth more than gold.
"There will be a prize for the grade that completes the most acts of kindness," said one student on the Safety Patrol, Zeba. "The prize will be announced when we get back from break."
On Valentine's Day, all kindergarten classes celebrated their 100th Day of School.
Led by their teachers, the school's youngest learners, wearing specially made hats, participated in a series of activities including a Lego challenge using 100 Legos, a 100-second exercising contest, dice-rolling, a color by number game, and much more.
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Thank you to our families who attended the Parent Gender Workshop at Hillside Elementary School.
Please click here to review the presentation and access helpful resources.
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Learning about the vast spectrum of neurotypes, such as Autism, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior, Synesthesia, Cerebral Palsy, and Dyslexia, fostered inclusivity and awareness among classmates. The students were eager to research, understand, and share perspectives about these topics, demonstrating their intellectual curiosity and empathy toward one another. Their final projects featured the diverse ways people perceive and interact with the world.
"The book helped me understand that other people see the world differently than I do, and those differences could affect the way their life happens and how they learn," said one student, Oliver. "I also learned that just because you have a learning difference, it doesn't mean you should be treated any differently."
Sasha, another student, said, "I read the book The Goldfish Boy and the character, Matthew, had OCD about getting germs. I felt like I was able to understand him and people who have OCD better and can help them."
"We are proud of the students' hard work and creativity," said Greene. "They showed their appreciation and understanding of others' brain differences through reading, writing, and collaborative discussions."
Below is the full list of the books that students chose from:
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In honor of World Read Aloud Day, Hillside Elementary School focused various student activities on the joy of reading. One special aspect of the celebration was a procession around the school led by kindergartners and their teachers to the applause of older students.
Having just begun their reading journey, the students were beaming with excitement. Clutching their favorite picture books bursting with colorful illustrations and enchanting tales, the children paraded through the hallways wearing specially made hats. The other students lined outside their classrooms clapping as they strutted on by with confidence. The Spirit Day theme, "Pajama Day," added to the joyousness of the occasion. What could be better than getting cozy with a good book?
Each year, the traditions of World Read Aloud Day bring the Hillside community together, amplify voices, and leave students' hearts filled with the magic of storytelling.
The PTSA's Used Book Fair, a community-driven, decades-long tradition, took place last week in Hillside's small gym.
Read a personal reflection below from parent volunteer Sharon Billman, who, each year, leads a team that keeps the tradition alive and thriving.
"I'm proud to be continuing an event that's become a part of our village. What other place could fill a gym with books in seven hours? I love the camaraderie of being part of this team of volunteers. I love when a neighbor hands me a book and says 'Have you read this one yet? It's really good.' I read more good books that way. I especially love when a kid's face lights up with delight over a book."
February 1 marked the start of Black History Month, a time to honor the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history and celebrate the fullness of their culture.
Here are two rich, research-based resources to explore:
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It's a new semester and over 25 seventh graders have signed up for Arianna Grassia’s Media Literacy course. The course, which was added as an elective last year, teaches middle schoolers critical thinking skills and empowers them to make informed decisions about what they see and hear in the media.
The day's lesson has begun and on the itinerary is media-mapping, a process of identifying and evaluating various media types.
"Media is so big these days," Grassia said to the class. "My hope for today is that you begin to consider what types of media you’re engaging with.”
Before planning what to include on their own media maps, students participated in a practice round. Grassia handed each table little strips of paper containing content names and titles. Groups worked together with a glue stick to paste each strip into the right media category.
After the practice exercise, every student received a Media Map Planning Sheet with sections for print media, web-based media (YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok), movies, television, music/podcasts, and video/mobile games.
“Use this sheet to reflect on your media consumption,” said Grassia. “Are you consuming one type of media more than another? What types of videos are you watching? What music do you listen to? Be specific.”
The middle schoolers will use the planning sheets to create personalized media maps. Once the maps are finalized, the classroom will be transformed into a museum-like format and time will be allotted for students to view their peers' media maps, connect and reflect.
Grassia hopes that by the end of the course, her students will have "creator" mindsets, but most importantly, they will have learned to stop being passive consumers of content. Asking questions is the first step!
Dear Hastings Families & Staff:
I am thrilled to announce that Mr. Andrew (Andy) Clayman has been appointed
by the Board of Education as the new Principal of Hastings High School.
The BOE met with Mr. Clayman in Executive Session this evening and then in a Special Meeting voted unanimously to support my unequivocal recommendation. Mr. Clayman will assume the principalship on July 1, 2024, following the retirement of Mr. Lou Adipietro.
Mr. Clayman emerged as the top candidate from a several month process, which attracted over 70 applicants. Three semi-finalists met with the Advisory Committee on January 10, and two were invited back for a second, intensive session with the Committee on January 17 and 24. Mr. Clayman received strong backing from all members of the Advisory Committee following the second session, with endorsement of his exceptional experience as a high school teacher and administrator, obvious dedication to students of all backgrounds and abilities, and success at working with faculty and staff to collectively lead high schools to foster the growth and well-being of every student.
Mr. Clayman’s references underscored his rare abilities and record as a high school educator and administrator. Among many commendations, his references noted especially his intellect, “often thinking four steps ahead
of many of us;” his tireless and effective attention to students and their needs, “providing them formal input to the school’s direction, or simply recognizing their need for fun engagement activities;” his dedication to working with fellow faculty and administrators to “think outside of the box for student success…including when he connected experiential education experiences to the structures of the International Baccalaureate program;” and, his “unique work ethic with a signature ability to interact in open, accessible and personal ways with students of all backgrounds.” In the words of one reference, who has supervised and mentored Mr. Clayman since 2007, “Hastings is landing an uncommonly talented high school leader, who can address immediate problems and issues, while always looking long-term for creative and systematic ways to advance student learning and growth.”
Mr. Clayman’s cover letter and resume provide details on his attraction to Hastings and his impressive work history. Since 2007, Mr. Clayman has been a leader, as a teacher and then administrator, in the small high schools innovation initiatives of the New York City Public Schools. For the past five years, he has been principal of Health Opportunities High School. For the previous 10 years, he was a founding teacher (English Language Arts), International Baccalaureate Program Director and assistant principal of KAPPA International High School. Mr. Clayman received his B.A. from Skidmore College, Masters of Science in Teaching Secondary English from Pace University (as a New York City Teacher Fellow), and Masters in Educational Leadership from City College CUNY.
Upon his appointment by the BOE, Mr. Clayman stated, “I’d like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. McKersie, Dr. Szymanski, the Advisory Committee and the Board of Education for this tremendous opportunity. Hastings is such a warm, welcoming community that is equally committed to academic excellence, supporting a diversity of learners and attending to students’ socio-emotional needs and I feel honored to accept this position. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves, meeting everyone, and getting to work!”
Mr. Clayman lives in Sleepy Hollow, NY with his wife Lilly, and two young children, Simone and Ezra. When not working, he enjoys all kinds of outdoor adventures (hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing), reading, cooking and traveling.
Please join me in congratulating Mr. Clayman on his appointment. I look forward to introducing him to as many of you as possible in the coming months.
Be well.
Bill
William S. McKersie, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools
On Thursday, January 11, and Friday, January 12, high schoolers in Hastings Theatre Program performed the Third Annual High School One Acts, a collection of short comedy scenes adapted from shows like Saturday Night Live that are directed, crewed, acted, and overseen entirely by students.
Equally as impressive as the show, which had audience members falling out of their seats with laughter, was the $2,400 raised for the Hastings Food Pantry and the Hillside Woods Restoration Project.
“A big thank you to Ms. Udice for her invaluable help and support, Mr. Adipietro, Ms. Hardesty, Dr. McKersie, Dr. Szymanski, and Ms. Saviano,” said Co-director Erik Ghalib. “We're so grateful for your support of the One Acts and the Theatre Program as a whole.”
Read reflections below from Co-directors Erik Ghalib, Lionel Muench, and Frances Kastner.
"Thanks to the work of our amazing cast, crew, and directors, the third-ever fully student-run High School One Acts was a huge success! This year, the show involved more than ninety students, three teacher actors, an elementary schooler, and a dog. And because of the incredible support of the Hastings community, we were able to raise over $2,400 for the Hastings Food Pantry and the Hillside Woods Restoration Project. Lionel and I are sad to be saying goodbye to the show, but we know that it will be in great hands next year with Franny Kastner and Isaac Volpe as co-directors."
– Ghalib
"It has been an amazing three years and that is because of the help of our endlessly supportive teachers, the trusting administration, faculty and staff, and our wonderful directors, cast and crew. We could not have asked for a better group of people to put on this show. It is thanks to them that we were able to put this show on and raise this money. I'm excited to see One Acts continue to grow long after our years at Hastings."
– Muench
"The One Acts is a great space for students to put on a show of their own, as this is the only fully student-run production offered at the school! It gives students the large responsibility of working together as a whole cast and crew. Along with being incredibly helpful mentors to me throughout the past two years, Lionel and Erik have made the show such a welcoming space where everybody feels comfortable. This is especially true and often a difficult task in a show where students are being directed/managed by their peers."
– Kastner
It was recently announced that two Hastings High School seniors–Justin Baldassare and Jacob Goldman-Wetzler–were named Scholars in this year's Regeneron Science Talent Search.
Communications Associate Jackie Saviano spoke with the two Scholars to learn more about their research projects, inspiration, and future plans. Last week's Hastings Happenings featured her conversation with Baldassare.
This week, we feature Saviano's conversation with the second Regeneron Scholar Jacob Goldman-Wetzler on his project "Investigating the Impact of Optimal Flashcard Creation Principles on Memory."
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Led by new Music Teacher and Hastings alumnus Doug Friedman, third and fourth graders at Hillside Elementary School recently performed their Winter Chorus Concert for their parents.
Smiling and standing tall on choral risers in the front of the Multipurpose room, students were accompanied by Hillside's Occupational Therapist Anna Marie Epstein on the Kongos and Choral Activities Director Jon Riss on the piano. Two children were assigned to introduce each song using a microphone. One of the songs was Randall Thompson's "Velvet Shoes," which paints the picture of walking through soft snow in winter. Another was Katy Perry's "Firework."
"It means the world to me to support your children's music-making," Friedman said to families in his opening remarks.
For the entire concert, students reached for the stars, danced and confidently belted out all the lyrics, making their parents and their teachers very proud.
Check out a clip from today's third and fourth grade Winter Chorus Concert at Hillside Elementary. More to come next week!
It was announced last week that two Hastings High School seniors–Justin Baldassare and Jacob Goldman-Wetzler–were named Scholars in this year's Regeneron Science Talent Search.
Communications Associate Jackie Saviano spoke with the two Scholars to learn more about their research projects, inspiration, and future plans. Check out her conversation with Baldassare below.
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How did you learn about Regeneron’s Science Talent Search (STS)? What was the application process like? I learned about STS through our school's research teacher, Mrs. Shandroff. She's always encouraging us to put our projects out there and compete in fairs, and I wanted to showcase my work! The application process was extremely lengthy. There were several essays and many sections for describing methodology, results, conclusions, etc. Additionally, the application required submission of a paper 20 pages in length and a long section for my mentor to fill out. What is your project titled? Can you explain it in simple terms for our community? My project is titled "STING-rich Ciliated Cells Protect the Fallopian Tube from Early Transformation in the Development of Ovarian Cancer." |
A Quick Research Summary:
STING is an immune response pathway that's a vital component of the body's ability to fight cancer and other illnesses. My project examines the ways that this pathway kills potentially cancerous cells in the fallopian tube.
Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at a very late stage, once it's extremely aggressive and difficult to treat. I wanted to explore what's occurring in early-stage ovarian cancer. Detecting ovarian cancer early (and understanding what's causing it) is an untapped opportunity to improve prognostic outcomes.
For my project, I studied STING expression in the fallopian tubes in humans and mice (where ovarian cancer begins at its earliest stages) and discovered the following: STING is lost in the earliest known stages of ovarian cancer in humans. Without it, potentially cancerous cells are able to grow in the fallopian tube.
In the future, we could potentially target STING or raise its expression in the fallopian tubes to intervene in ovarian cancer.
What inspired you to focus your project on this topic?
My mom died of ovarian cancer when I was nine years old. She was an amazing mom and encouraged me to be a curious question-asker. She'd be proud. My family feels the weight of her loss every day, and it felt important to use my interest in science to honor her. I carry a picture of her in my wallet wherever I go.
Do you have any advice for students who are interested in the STS?
In general, it's important to pick a project you're willing to work hard at, regardless of wanting to win awards.
Advice that comes to mind:
What are your plans after high school?
First, go to college. In the future, I’m hoping to use my education to engineer technologies for early cancer detection, possibly in the biotech start-up space. I’m especially interested in pursuing cancer research at the intersection between biology, technology, ethics, and business.
If you could have a conversation with a scientist, alive or deceased, who would it be?
Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of Emperor of All Maladies. He's especially interesting to me because not only is he a prolific researcher, but he has also written numerous books that are accessible to a general audience. The aforementioned title is on the history of cancer.
To me, science is most useful when it's accessible and involves a conversation across fields. I'd love to talk to him about how scientists can forge a more transparent, communicative relationship with the public, and I'd most definitely chat him up about bioethics.
First graders at Hillside Elementary School concluded a unit on Civics with a Peace March last week. A tradition instituted many years ago by first grade team leader Maria Gunther and retired first grade teacher Leigh Galanis, the event honored the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by spreading messages of peace and unity throughout the school.
Guided by a team of teachers and the strumming sounds of Ms. Galanis’ guitar, the first grade sang songs like “This Little Light of Mine,” marching through the hallways carrying their handmade signs. Students in other grades gazed in admiration as the first grade role models strolled by. Words and phrases written on the signs included “Be a Part of a Community” and “Use Kind Words."
Watch the behind-the-scenes video below for a glimpse into the Peace March and celebration.
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The initiative aimed to develop valuable skills applicable to pre-vocational tasks, while simultaneously supporting local partner and pet therapy organization Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause.
In the week leading up to the fundraiser, students meticulously crafted the cards using a variety of materials. They managed dozens of orders, delivered the cards to staff mailboxes, and monitored fundraising finances. Through this multifaceted approach, students applied diverse skills in a meaningful way.
"While the students anticipated the fundraiser to last at least two weeks, the cards were sold out within a few days!" Cerretani said.
The fundraising effort culminated in an impressive $155 raised, as revealed by 7th-grade student Olivia Allan, who conducted the final count. Students enjoyed creating and selling the handmade cards. They were especially excited to contribute to Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause, home of their therapy dog, Harper.
Larry Cerretani commended the students for their hard work and dedication, emphasizing the broader impact of the fundraiser on both skill development and supporting a worthy cause. The success of this initiative highlights the positive outcomes that can emerge when students are empowered to apply their skills for a greater purpose.
For more information on Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause, click here.
Those were the ambitious goals that propelled Hastings High School seniors Jacob Goldman-Wetzler and Justin Baldassarre to be named Scholars in this year's Regeneron Science Talent Search, our nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition.
Goldman-Wetzler and Baldassarre are among 300 students selected from high schools across 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and four other countries. The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes and empowers promising young scientists to explore innovative solutions to significant global challenges through rigorous research and discovery. By providing a national stage, the competition empowers students to present new ideas and challenge conventional ways of thinking.
In recognition, the Hastings Scholars will each receive $2,000 and the high school will receive the same for STEM-related activities. Forty students will be chosen as finalists on January 24 and will have a chance to compete in March for a grand prize of $250,000.
"This is the fourth year in a row that our students have been recognized in this very competitive competition,” said Science Department Chairperson Melissa Shandroff. “And it's the first time we have had more than one student chosen — a testament to all of their hard work!"
Stay tuned for more information, including a featured interview with both Scholars.
Organized by senior Benny Feldman, the Valley Cup has generated major attention in the tri-state area, increasing participation in National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT).
“The mission of the Valley Cup, both this year and last year, was to introduce the local, more insular Westchester teams to a more competitive circuit,” Feldman said.
That mission was largely accomplished on Saturday, with 30 teams from 21 schools coming to compete. Five of the schools were from Westchester; most notably Eastchester High School, which placed third, making it to a semi-final tiebreaker. Other participating teams came from the Bronx’s Horace Mann, and schools in Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Click here for the full list of participating schools.
Following NAQT format, the tournament consisted of sets of various questions with a maximum of six players per team. The teams were placed into preliminary brackets before being re-seeded for playoffs. Each team was guaranteed a minimum of 10 games.
“Benny planned the entire event, including lunch for the staff,” said Academic Challenge Team Advisor Michael Willson. “All of our junior and senior team members were moderators and scorers.”
After each tournament, trophies were awarded to individuals with the highest average points per game, as well as to the top three teams. The highest scorers were awarded book prizes, also qualifying for the Northeast Regional Championships and/or High School National Championship Tournament.
“The effort these past two years has been amazing,” Feldman said. “Not only is Hastings representing Westchester on the national stage, but we’ve also built the infrastructure for our fellow Westchester teams to be successful. We hope to see our efforts create a lasting impact!”
Funds raised from the Second Annual Valley Cup will benefit Hastings' Academic Challenge Team, who, in case you didn't know, is currently ranked 14th in the nation.
It was another day in Hastings, and Dr. McKersie was doing what he calls his routine "walk-about" through the bustling halls of Hillside Elementary School. On the itinerary was a guest reading in Christine Samuel's and Eszter Fejer's classes.
He shared a summary of his experience reading to Samuel's fourth grade class in a report for Tuesday's Board of Education Meeting:
"The text is the joyful book, he th (Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees). Even if you do not know the book, you can guess that Gerald (the Giraffe) evolves from a clutz on the dance floor to a veritable Baryshnikov (or Gregory Hines). Gerald’s parting wisdom: 'We can all dance…when we find music that we love.' I turned to the class and asked, 'What do you love so much that it gets you going, makes you happy, makes you want to do even more?' The class leapt to respond, with eager hands thrust in the air signaling their love to share: 'Reading… math… soccer… basketball… drawing… painting… reading (again)… my after-school program… swimming… Hillside… soccer (again)... reading (again)... and, of course, Taylor Swift (three times).' Hard to recreate the moment here, but it put a skip in my step. Early glimpse of their essential, emerging passions."
On his visit to Fejer's second grade class, he wrote:
"I appreciated the chance to work with students on the layers—serious and fun—of The Thing Lou Couldn't Do. Their energy was matched by their inquisitiveness and willingness to share ideas about the characters and story progression. Maybe most memorable was their ability to have fun with the book, laughing and smiling as the humor, some subtle, that emerged in words and pictures."
After learning about the biochemistry of composting and its benefits to earth in STEAM, Hillside students, with supervision from parent volunteers and members of Hastings’ Zero-Waste Advisory Taskforce (ZWAT), participated in a lunchtime composting pilot.
The pilot, scheduled for Fridays in December, allowed the elementary schoolers to apply their new knowledge of waste separation.
“Even older students, especially those in the Lunch Buddies program, have taken on roles as compost monitors!” said parent volunteer and ZWAT member Rachel Thornton.
Following the school’s lunch periods, trash and compost are weighed, and data is compiled for the purpose of measuring progress. On December 8th alone, 105.5 pounds of waste was generated from lunch. 91.5 pounds of that total was compost. This amounts to 87% of lunch waste, and is an improvement of over 76%, based on a measurement taken on Earth Week’s Compost Day.
“Students should be able to feel the daily satisfaction of helping take care of their world!” Thornton added.
On Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9, sixth graders in the Hastings Theatre Program performed their musical production, Matilda Jr.
With sold out seats on both evenings, the show proved to be a massive hit for community members of all ages. Click here to view the program.
Watch the video above for a behind-the-scenes look into the cast and crew's dress rehearsal and performance.
The Senior Citizen Holiday Concert & Dinner took place last week. A longstanding tradition at Hastings High School organized by Business Official Maureen Caraballo, the event previewed the winter concert with musical performances from all student instrumental and choral groups, followed by a delicious family-style feast.
Watch the video below for highlights of the celebration.
As part of Hillside’s social studies curriculum, students in Tasnim Nagrath’s kindergarten class learned all about their family's culture.
“The children have been getting in-depth knowledge from their families about what countries they come from, the languages that are spoken at home, and traditions, including art, cuisine, and music,” said Nagrath.
Building an understanding of diverse cultures and communities, students culminated the lesson by sharing their family history with each other.
On Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9, sixth graders in the Hastings Theatre Program performed their musical production, Matilda Jr.
With sold out shows on both evenings, it proved to be a massive hit for audience members of all ages.
Stay tuned for more photos in next week's Hastings Happenings.
Click here to view the program.
Both the Hastings High School Academic Challenge Team and Model U.N. Club are a force to be reckoned with this year.
Students on the Academic Challenge Team have extended their academic prowess from the Westchester League to all over the metropolitan region. They started the season out as a clear top team in the Northeast, placing in the top five at every tournament, including 2nd at Columbia University in October and 3rd at Livingston High School in New Jersey in November. Above all, their statistical performances have earned them a 24th rank in the country!
All their hard work came full circle at Columbia on December 2, when they defeated Hunter College High School, which, according to Team Captain Benny Feldman, is a top-ranked magnet school and a perennial powerhouse in the circuit since its infancy. This was the team's first-ever tournament win against an opponent outside Westchester.
“We are a team from Westchester, a relatively insular local league that doesn't tend to venture outside to play teams, let alone beat teams like Hunter, and that speaks to our dedication and prowess this season,” said Feldman. “By far, the most credit needs to go to Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, our top-scorer, who put on a clinic at Columbia and has improved at an unprecedented rate, solidifying herself as a top player not only in the Northeast, but also in the country.”
The team looks forward to the Garden Cup, which will take place at Livingston High School, and is estimated to be the largest Northeast tournament since pre-COVID.
“We have hopped back on the grind and are hoping to get the crown and establish ourselves as the new kings of the region!” Feldman added
High schoolers in Model U.N. are also excelling. Advisor of both the Academic Challenge Team and Model U.N. Michael Willson shared a summary below on Model U.N. Club’s recent accomplishments:
"The students participated in two conferences: October 21 at Horace Mann and December 2 at the Masters School. Club President Emma Gelman did a fantastic job leading the weekly practices and providing research to prepare the various committees. At the Masters School, Emma won the prize for top delegate on her committee. Frieda Belasco and Adela Mihalcescu also won awards."
“I'm very pleased that both clubs have large numbers of freshmen members who are enthusiastic and committed,” Willson added. “I look forward to watching them grow in the coming years.”
As part of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Area-All-State Music Festival, nine Hastings High School musicians were featured in four ensembles in a series of concerts at New Rochelle High School.
Based on their high-scoring NYSSMA solos last year, the following students were selected:
In addition, the following three Hastings High School musicians below received individual accolades. "We are so proud of these incredible student musicians for their well-deserved recognition," said Hastings Music Teacher Eric Day. "It's wonderful to see their hard work, talent, and creativity be recognized at such a high level."
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Miles Levine won the Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition and performed the Bacewicz Cello Concerto No. 1 at Lincoln Center with the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra on November 18. |
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Jasper Zimmerman won two awards from the prestigious YoungArts National Competition, one for Jazz/Piano and one for Jazz/Composition. His composition portfolio included three original pieces, "Redemption of Eris," "Interstellar Cable Car," and "Hexaflexagon." Jasper was also selected as an alternate for this year's NYSSMA All-State Jazz Band. |
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Zoe Verduin represented Hastings High School at the NYSSMA All-State Conference in Rochester, N.Y., with a winning original composition entitled "Waltz for Piano."
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Justin Baldassarre, senior and member of Hastings High School's Science Research class, recently attended the 2023 Ovarian Cancer Midwest Focus Conference held at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
This past summer, Baldassarre conducted his science research project at the University of Michigan in the lab of Ovarian Cancer Researcher Dr. Analisa DiFeo. He presented his project, "STING-Rich Ciliated Cells Protect the Fallopian Tube from Early Transformation in the Development of Ovarian Cancer" at the Conference with his mentor Dr. Jose Colina.
Stay tuned for more information in an upcoming Hastings Happenings.
The Village, along with the MLK Breakfast Committee, is proud to announce the 12th Anniversary MLK Breakfast honoring the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will take place on Monday, January 15, at the James Harmon Community Center.
Each year, students from the Rivertowns use creativity to express their impressions of today’s most challenging social issues. This year, students are being asked to submit an essay (300 words or less) or artwork addressing the following question:
What is your vision for peace in 2024?
All submissions are due by Friday, January 5. Click here to download the flier with more information about the celebration and competition.
On Monday, December 4, third graders participated in a series of hands-on workshops led by the National Circus Project, an outreach program that combines art education and physical education to foster creativity and confidence and to encourage self-discipline.
The program for Hillside students was a result of a Cultural Arts grant provided by the PTSA, with leadership from STEAM Teacher Robin Farrell.
“In third grade, our students learn about patterns of motion,” said Farrell. “Part of this learning is connected to the patterns of motion on the playground, but then extrapolated to circus performances.”
Building on classroom teachings, students received a hands-on lesson on force and motion. The workshops, called “circus samplers”, taught the children the basics of juggling, plate-spinning, balancing, devil sticks and diabolo manipulation.
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After a day filled with experimentation and movement, Farrell facilitated a debrief session with students where they identified the ways in which forces and energy were demonstrated.
“It felt wonderful to be able to put hands-on, kinesthetic learning into action with this program!” Farrell said.
Hastings High School students enjoyed a blast from the past recently, as they walked through the halls of Hillside Elementary School prepared to give kindergartners in Nina D’Amato’s class a lesson on engineering.
To start, the district’s youngest learners were taught the basics of the engineering field. High schoolers fielded their questions and stories. Next, it was time to test their skills with the Marshmallow Challenge. The class split into four teams. Each team was tasked with building a tower using twenty sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, and one yard of string--enough to support a whole marshmallow at the top. Throughout the classroom stood a variety of tower designs, each one as creative as the next.
To round out the day’s activities, the youngsters tested out the catapult-style carnival games designed by the high school engineers. Part of a culminating project, the carnival games required high schoolers to collect data, analyze statistics, calculate net profit using mathematical modeling, and measure accuracy and precision.
“The games also had to engage an audience,” said Project Lead the Way teacher Faye Barenfeld. “Based on the kids’ smiles, they definitely did!”
Thanks to a grant provided by the Hastings Education Foundation (HEF) in 2020, Barenfeld’s Introduction to Engineering course is offered to middle and high school students. The course stems from the national organization called Project Lead the Way, which helps students develop career skills starting in kindergarten and continuing through to their senior year of high school.
In the spirit of giving, students in Larry Cerretani’s Daily Living Skills class partnered with ninth grade peer volunteers to organize a food donation for Midnight Run Inc., a volunteer organization whose goal is to forge a bond between the housed and the homeless and provide a foundation of sharing and caring from which solutions may evolve.Â
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The donation, which was made to Midnight Run’s Dobbs Ferry location, involved bagged lunches specially assembled by the middle schoolers. High School freshmen Zelda Weitzman, Eliana Wallach, and Ami and Isla Martial made the sandwiches.
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“This is the third year in a row that our students assembled bagged lunches for the Midnight Run," said Cerretani. “It’s become an annual tradition in our class. We call it our Day of Giving.”
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Together, Cerretani and his class donated two large boxes of bagged lunches, providing food to dozens of homeless people.
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To learn more about Midnight Run Inc., click here.
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On Tuesday evening, November 21, Project Share hosted its Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless. A decades-long tradition, the event treats adults and children to a Thanksgiving feast prepared and served by Hastings students, staff, parents and residents.Â
This year, upwards of 500 guests were in attendance. Santa even made an early appearance, riding his sleigh all the way from the North Pole to greet children. Vibrant place settings with the hymn “Amazing Grace” covered the tables. Bright flowers served as centerpieces. The food was indeed delicious, and equally as colorful as the fully transformed Cochran Gymnasium.Â
A student-driven community service organization, Project Share has not only made a difference with its signature Thanksgiving Dinner event at Hastings, but also in other local neighborhoods in Westchester County and the larger community. What began as a Hastings High School club has since expanded into an independent nonprofit.
Last year, Executive Director Jeanne Newman, who first established Project Share in 1987, explained the groups mission:
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"The organization’s active involvement with outreach volunteerism has provided opportunities for students to form friendships with those who are disenfranchised and disempowered, which, under other circumstances, would not be possible. It works to address and bring awareness of homelessness, hunger and food insecurity."
Project Share has been aiding men, women, and children from all five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County for 36 years with Hastings as its home-base —evidence that this community will forever remain one of deep compassion and remarkable giving.Â
For a behind-the-scenes look into this year's Thanksgiving Dinner, watch a short video below.
As part of Gratitude Week at Hillside Elementary School, students dressed up as someone they appreciate.
A student in Ms. Samuels class chose to dress up as her teacher. They are pictured above.
