Headlines and Highlights Across the School District
|
|
Dobbs Ferry Community Approves Bond and School District Finalizes Capital Project Timeline
We are extremely grateful to residents for their support of the Capital Project. The bond vote passed by an overwhelming majority of 510 to 79. These improvements address vital School District needs and will benefit our children, schools and community. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Dobbs Ferry Schools. The timeline is as follows:
- November 2019: Springhurst Stakeholder Groups (Security Vestibule, Sidewalk, Library/Media Center, Softball Field)
- November 2019: HS/MS Stakeholder Groups (Aqueduct Access, Auditorium, HVAC, MS Roof)
- December 2019: Facilities Meeting (Present Schematic Design)
- January 2020-April 2020: Design Development
- July 2020: Submit to SED (State Education Department)
- July 2020-January 2021: SED Review
- February 2021-March 2021: Bidding
- April 2021-October 2022: Construction
Updates will be communicated as they become available. Please check the
|
|
Annual Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Luncheon Is Traditional School-Community Event
Thanksgiving is a long-standing American tradition and so is the annual Dobbs Ferry School District Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Luncheon. Approximately 30 High School students (grades 9-12) in the Activities Branch of Student Government volunteered as waiters for the 70 seniors in attendance.
The meal included all the trimmings -- rolls, fruit cocktail, oven-roasted turkey, gravy, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and apple pies, plus coffee and tea. The atmosphere in the “Commons” was festive and the sumptuous repast, provided by Aramark Food Services Director Kathy Weinborg, was a feast to behold.
Thank you to Abby Connett, Maria Addona, Loretta Tularzko and the kitchen crew for making this intergenerational school-community event so special. See the
Thanksgiving Luncheon Album
on the District Facebook page.
|
|
Springhurst Collects PJs and Books for Cram-A-Van Program
|
Springhurst (along with the Dobbs Ferry Senior Center) collected 289 pairs of pajamas and 385 books for the annual Cram-A-Van drive, and all donations were delivered to Abbott House in Irvington, one of the recipient partners of the
Pajama Program
organization. Students and staff came to school in their pajamas to highlight the event and each class dropped off PJs and books (new and unused) into giant bins. Second grade teacher Holly Cicero, who organized the event, also connected with Scholastic Book Clubs and they will match each pair of pajamas collected with a new book! The Pajama Program mission is to "promote and support a comforting bedtime routine for all children to help them thrive." This is especially meaningful to our school family during the holidays.
|
|
District Recycling Update
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry Donations
|
|
 |
In both of our District cafeterias, students and staff can now place unused pre-packaged foods and fresh fruits in "donations" bins. Yogurt, milk, cheese sticks, apples, condiment packets and bananas are the most frequently donated items.
These items are delivered twice a week to the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry at the South Presbyterian Church. L
ocal families visit the Foot Pantry on Wednesdays and according to Pantry staff, "the quantity of food donation items is excellent and it all goes and is very much appreciated!".
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Food Services Director Kathy Weinborg and Recycling Coordinator/PTSA Green Team member Sara Sellitti for orchestrating the logistics of storing and transporting the collected food items. This is a great opportunity to reduce waste while providing nutritious food to area families in need. See
Recycle Center
on the District Website for more info.
|
|
|
|
Dobbs Ferry High School Students Sponsor Annual Community Blood Drive to Help Save Lives
The fall HS/MS Blood Drive -- apropos to the season, "Don't Be A Turkey, Donate Blood!" -- was a tremendous success. Seventy-one pints of blood were collected during the day-long Blood Drive held in the Middle School gym. Co-sponsored with the
New York Blood Center
, faculty, staff, community members and students (age 16 and over) came out to donate much-needed blood on November 14th. High School seniors and event organizers Liam Singleton and Aylin Myftija, plus numerous student volunteers, handed out snacks and juice to all the donors. Health Education teacher and advisor Rebecca Wing has been spearheading this bi-annual school-community event for the past 15 years. The Westchester area faces a high demand for blood. Close to 2,000 donations are needed each day in the New York/New Jersey community for patients who require a lifesaving blood and/or platelet transfusion. "Give blood . . . and save a life!"
|
|
DF Middle School 7th Graders Think Globally, Act Locally to Help Build Wells in Remote Africa
DFMS 7th graders (130 students) in Ms. Lief and Ms. Rosenblum's Language and Literature classes read the book "
A Long Walk to Water,
"
which struck a chord. The students decided they wanted to help raise money for wells to be built in African communities that do not have access to clean water.
They have joined in the South Sudan's Iron Giraffe Challenge and pledged to raise at least $1,000 to help drill wells. The students are excited to be a part of this international effort and their teachers and Principal Mussolini are proud of their global citizenship. Many schools from around the world are participating in this worthy cause. See our students' WFSS
Fundraising Page
. The students already have one company onboard who will generously match $2,500 to help them reach their $5,000 goal.
The book's real-life main character Salva Dut, who came to the United States as a "Lost Boy of Sudan" in the 1990s, started the organization Water for South Sudan in order to build wells and irrigation systems in remote villages throughout Africa. They have built 400 wells to date!
Check out this wonderful
Scholastic video
of Salva Dut talking with the author of "A Long Walk to Water," Linda Sue Park.
|
|
Springhurst's New PBIS Mascot B.O.B Helps K-5 Eagles Be Our Best!
Springhurst has a new mascot for its updated Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, and by popular vote the school's cool new Eagle has a new name . . .
B.O.B (Be Our Best)
.
Students K-5 and staff voted by an overwhelming majority for the mascot's new moniker. They had four great choices: B.O.B (Be Our Best), Blue, Dobbs and Rocket. Early in November students and staff suggested names for the school mascot. They submitted them for consideration to the DASA/PBIS committee, which narrowed down the top choices.The winning name was announced right before Thanksgiving to student cheers echoing through the classrooms and hallways.
PBIS
i
s a school-wide initiative that identifies and articulates expected behaviors for students, and provides positive reinforcement to establish a school culture of respect and enhance academic performance.
Parents/guardians are invited to an information session about PBIS and how it is being implemented at Springhurst on Monday, December 16th at 6:30 pm.
|
|
DFSD Featured Video
Dobbs Ferry School District hosted its first
STAFF WELLNESS DAY.
Administrators, faculty and staff from all three schools came together during a Wednesday professional development period, from 12:30-3:20 pm, to participate in this exciting event. Everyone signed up in advance for three 50-minute wellness sessions of their choice. Many of the breakout sessions were hosted by Dobbs Ferry businesses and local health organizations. Kudos to DFSD Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, Andrew Klaich, for organizing this important afternoon of exercise and bonding.
|
|
- December 6th- SPRING Square Dance (7:00-9:00 PM) Springhurst
- December 10th- Board of Education Meeting (7:00 PM) MS/HS Library Media Center
- December 11th- Springhurst 5th Grade Concert (7:00 PM)
- December 12th- Middle School Winter Concert (7:00 PM)
- December 18th- High School Winter Concert (7:00 PM)
- December 19th- High School Alumni Return Day (10:00 AM)
- December 23rd-January 3rd- HOLIDAY RECESS/SCHOOLS CLOSED
- January 6th- SCHOOLS OPEN
|
|
Dobbs Ferry Alumni in the News
|
|
DFHS Basketball Star Eric Paschall Transitions To Life In The NBA
|
Read more about former DFHS student, Villanova grad and NBA Warriors standout rookie Eric Paschall.
On his 23rd birthday in November, Paschall scored a career-high 34 points and received the first "MVP" chants and team win at the newly unveiled Golden State Warriors $1.4 billion Chase Center Arena.
In a surprising 127-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, no one could have guessed a team with few recognizable player names would win over the crowd and Paschall would emerge the game's star. See how far he's come since DF High!
|
|
Dobbs Ferry Schools Photo Op
Springhurst Harvest Soup Day
The annual Harvest Soup Day has become a fall tradition cherished by everyone at Springhurst and this year was no exception. PTSA parent volunteers served homemade soup to K-12 students during their lunch periods. Many of the vegetables and herbs used in the soup were grown in the school's own organic outdoor classroom/garden.
|
|
Springhurst Principal Julia Drake photobombs Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Facilities & Operations Ron Clamser and Springhurst Assistant Principal Ray Cavallo while enjoying their second helpings of soup!
|
|
Become a life-long learner today! Registration just opened for
HRCE continuing education winter classes. Check out the exciting new course schedule including 50 offerings (6-week session) to choose from for adults/teens. Coordinated by the Dobbs Ferry School District.
|
|
Dobbs Ferry School District
505 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 | 914-693-1500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
