Headlines and Highlights Across the School District
Fall 2020
Dobbs Ferry School District's Reopening Plan Enables Students To Return To School This Fall

Our teachers, staff, administration and Board of Education worked non-stop over the summer to make sure the District could successfully start school on September 8th. The District's three distinct hybrid models, geared specifically to each school's student population, provide an engaging academic program for students, and a safe school environment for everyone. We know this is a difficult and stressful time for the entire community and we appreciate your continued support, patience and flexibility.  For the most updated information on COVID-19 resources, school news and education/health department guidance, please visit our Reopening Dobbs Ferry Schools website.
DFHS Named a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education

The District is excited to announce that Dobbs Ferry High School has been recognized as a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School. Only 58 high schools in the entire country and nine high schools in New York State earned this award in 2020. The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on November 12th and 13th. Read more about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, "the coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content." Dobbs Ferry High School earned this award under the performance category for "Exemplary High Performing School." Schools within this category are among the highest performing in their respective state as measured by state exams, school profile, and academic program.

This national recognition is a product of Dobbs Ferry's exceptional school system, K-12, and is a testament to the high-quality teachers and staff that make up the High School and District. It also comes as a result of the strong community support that our schools receive, as well as the value that is placed on education by all of our families. Congratulations to all!
DFHS and Springhurst Named NYS Recognition Schools
In celebration of New York State schools that have high academic achievement, growth and graduation rates and have made progress during the school year, Springhurst Elementary School and Dobbs Ferry High School have earned the distinction of being named 2019-2020 Recognition Schools. Every designated Recognition School receives a certificate that acknowledges its achievement in leading New York State toward the accomplishment of educational excellence in student performance. Thank you to the Springhurst and DFHS faculties and staff for helping to make this possible. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Click here for more information.
Springhurst Outdoor Classroom/Garden Update
Classes K-5 are still visiting the Springhurst Outdoor Classroom and Garden during the fall months. Outdoor Classroom Coordinator Sara Selitti has been working with the students to harvest the fall vegetables and compost the garden waste to prepare the beds for the winter.

The students also learned to operate and maintain the compost tumbler, which will continue to provide nutrient rich soil to the garden. Classes that participated took home a variety of carrots, celery, radishes, tomatoes and beans. Some of the vegetables were used in the school cafeteria meals.



Butternut squash, celery, carrots arugula and herbs were also delivered to the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry, at the South Presbyterian Church. Local families who visit the Food Pantry are delighted to have the fresh home-grown vegetables.

Thank you to Food Services Director Kathy Weinborg and her kitchen staff for continuing to make sure all of our students receive healthy and nutritious meals during this time, and for orchestrating safe access and pickup for grab-and-go breakfast, lunch and dinner. See more information about Springhurst's Outdoor Classroom and Garden.
School Snapshots
Dobbs Ferry High School Students and Advisors Participate in Outdoor Co-Curricular Club Fair

Thank you to all of the students who turned out for the High School's annual Club Fair. A complete list of the DFHS clubs (along with descriptions) has been posted to the High School website under the “Spotlight” section. There are 25 clubs/activities to chose from including Model UN, Mindfulness/Meditation, Sign Language, Book Club, ZoomProv, Debate/Public Speaking, GSA, International Club, Ecology Club, TV/Film, Youth to Youth and Fundraising, just to name a few. Co-curricular clubs are a great way to stay connected to DFHS and fellow students during the pandemic. All clubs meet both in person and virtually. It's never too late to join! Checkout the list of clubs.
Middle School 7th Graders Use Creative Problem Solving in Science Marshmallow Challenge

Seventh grade science students had 20 minutes to design a structure using 20 strands of linguini and one yard of masking tape to build the tallest tower that would support a marshmallow on top. The highest structure, at 26 inches, was built by Kamryn Addis, who earned bragging rights and a prize from Mr. Park's bag of gifts. This design exercise, which is usually done in groups, was reworked to accommodate social distancing and showcased each student's design concept. While students were not allowed to eat their marshmallows (the most frequently asked question), it was still a fun and challenging activity.
Springhurst Introduces New Windows and Mirrors: A Social Justice Book Club for K-5 Students

Springhurst Elementary School, in collaboration with SPRING Community Partners and the PTSA Diversity Committee, has started Windows and Mirrors: A Social Justice Book Club for kids. Each week there is a guest reader, and District Literacy Coordinator (K-8) Michelle Yang-Kaczmarek facilitates the conversation around social justice topics for students K-5.

The purpose of these book chats is to explore BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) authors and characters and to center their voices to provide windows for our Springhurst students so that they can learn about the multicultural world they live in, and for our BIPOC children to have joyful stories of who they are reflected back at them in a positive way. These are conversations we need to have with all children.
The virtual picture book chats take place on flex Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. The remaining dates are 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, and 12/16, featuring an array of special guest readers. If you'd like to participate in the book chat, email socialjusticekids@gmail.com to receive a meeting code on the day of the book club.
   DFSD Featured Video

Meet our new teachers and staff for the 2020-2021 school year. Welcome to the Dobbs Ferry School District!

Mark Your Calendar

  • November 11th- Veteran's Day/SCHOOLS CLOSED

  • November 17th- BOE Meeting (7:00 PM)

  • November 26th & 27th- Thanksgiving Recess/SCHOOLS CLOSED

  • December 1st- BOE Meeting (7:00 PM)

  • December 15th- BOE Meeting (7:00 PM)

  • December 23rd-January 1st- Holiday Recess/SCHOOLS CLOSED

  • January 4th- SCHOOLS OPEN
Dobbs Ferry Alumni in the News
DFHS 2016 Grad Co-Stars with Sarah Paulson in Feature Film "Run"
Kiera Allen is a New York-based actor and writer and 2016 Dobbs Ferry High School graduate. She stars opposite Sarah Paulson in Aneesh Chaganty's upcoming psychological thriller Run – premiering on Hulu. This makes her the first wheelchair user to star in a major thriller in over 70 years. Run is scheduled to be released on November 20, 2020.
Click on Run to check out the movie trailer.

Kiera came to DFHS in 10th grade (her family still lives in Dobbs) and was very involved in the theater program. She played Emily Webb in Our Town and Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors at DFHS, and also played Olive Ostrovsky in a local production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

To land her role in Run, she went through four rounds of auditions, which started in the summer of 2018. Kiera was about a month into the college school year (she attends Columbia University and is majoring in creative writing) when the writer/director called to tell her that she got the part. She was ecstatic and took the rest of the semester off and got on a plane to Canada. "I don't think I would be where I am now if it weren't for my time at Dobbs," Kiera said. "I got such incredible support and encouragement. I still talk to many of my former teachers, my guidance counselor, and other members of the faculty. I will never be able to thank them enough for believing in me."
Dobbs Ferry Schools Photo Op
"FLEX Wednesday on HS/MS Campus"
DFHS "Student Need Hybrid Model" in action with almost 300 students safely on campus for the first FLEX Wednesday of in-person instruction! IB Chemistry students were glad to be back in the classroom and see their teacher and friends.
REMINDER- Let's Keep Dobbs Ferry Schools Safe!
The Mandatory Health Screening Assessment is the most important tool we have to help keep our school family COVID-free.
Prior to entering any school buildings, we require all employees, parents, students and visitors to complete a mandatory health screening assessment at home, including a temperature check, before departing for school. Please take the online medical assessment every morning before leaving for school. Thank you for your cooperation.
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Dobbs Ferry School District
505 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 | 914-693-1500