Headlines and Highlights Across the School District |
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"State of the District" Community Forum with Superintendent Ken Slentz
The Board of Education held a special in-person evening with Superintendent Ken Slentz for Dobbs Ferry residents. With approximately 75 community members present, Mr. Slentz discussed a variety of topics including his personal journey through work and education, current initiatives underway in the School District and his thoughts on what we can do to improve student learning together. After his presentation, Mr. Slentz entertained questions from the audience. In case you missed the meeting, visit the District website and view the "State of the District" video in its entirety. Following the community forum, the District sent out a ThoughtExchange survey to the community to help us plan our next forum and inform our future strategic planning. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We had 377 participants, 183 thoughts and 14,564 starred ratings. We anticipate holding another community forum this spring.
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Springhurst Student Government Reps Swear In Newly Elected NY State Assemblymember in Hands-on Social Studies Lesson
Three years ago, Springhurst Student Government members delivered the oath of office to then re-elected Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky. It was a heartwarming and meaningful opportunity for students to connect the service work they do as grade representatives to the larger world around them. With Ms. Shimsky entering her new role as New York State Assemblymember, on January 20th Student Government representatives reprised this ceremony and swore her into her new office.
The program included comments from Student Government Advisor/teacher Donna Misrok and Principal Julia Drake, followed by the swearing-in and comments from Assemblymember Shimsky and a Q&A with students. Guest dignitaries included Dobbs Ferry Village trustees, Board of Education members, the Assemblymember's staff, Superintendent Ken Slentz and local media. This proved to be a fantastic teachable moment on citizenship for students in the audience.
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Q: How Is the District's Fiscal Health?
A: Vital Signs Are Stable
The Board of Education's Finance Committee continues to guide our work on the development of the 2023-2024 District Budget. To foster transparent communications in the budgeting process, the Finance Committee is developing a series of informational one-pagers on key areas of the District's finances. The first edition covers how our fiscal health is measured, what reserve funds we have and for what purpose and common questions about a school district budget. This document, How is the District's Fiscal Health?, is posted on the Budget Information page on our website (www.dfsd.org). Here you can also find our February 7th and March 7th budget presentations to the Board, our planning calendar and key District policies. You should have recently received our second budget information one-pager, Does the District Have a Financial Reserve Plan in Place?, which is also posted on the website.
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DFHS Seniors and Students in the Spotlight |
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DFHS Principal Dr. John Falino and school counselors Michelle Propersi and Will Palmer congratulate the Class of 2023 Valedictorian Molly Hunt and Co-Salutatorians Cyrus Dadina and Eftychia Kotsiou on their academic achievement. Well done.
We are also excited to share that in addition to being co-salutatorian, Cyrus was named a National Merit Finalist, which is quite an impressive accomplishment.
What an amazing senior class!
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Seven Dobbs Ferry students from our Elementary School, Middle School and High School were accepted to the Westchester County School Music Association (WCSMA) All-County Chorus! This is the first time that Springhurst had students in the Elementary All-County (grades 4-6) elite group. The Chorus performed at White Plains High School on Saturday, March 4th.
Congratulations to Laila Storms, Sloane DiSimone and Obafemi Joshua, all 9th graders in the Intermediate Chorus; 6th graders Noa Zonana and Ellie Jerutis in the Elementary Chorus; and 5th graders Stella McClinchy and Margot Sharp, also in the Elementary Chorus.
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Dobbs Ferry High School Students Learn How to Get High on Life
Dobbs Ferry High School students attended a schoolwide assembly with clinical psychologist Matt Bellace and the kids were totally engaged. A professional speaker and stand-up comedian, his presentation encourages young people to pursue natural highs including exercise, music, and meditation, instead of chemical highs, and teaches them how to be resilient in the face of stress. Spending time with friends who build you up and support you in making good decisions is a key takeaway. His unique presentation has been described as the perfect combination of stand-up comedy, interactive demonstrations and inspirational stories.
He has written extensively on dealing with disappointment and offers students techniques for coping with pain, loss and failure, using humor and factual research to make his case. The students actively participated in the program and were eager to speak to Dr. Bellace afterwards. Thank you to the Dobbs Ferry Youth Services Council, Justin Kamke and Student Assistance Counselor Shannon Blanch for hosting this important event..
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DFMS Counselors Present Parent Academy Series on Anxiety in Middle School Students:
Strategies and Solutions
The DFMS Counseling Department is running the second of two workshops in the Parent Academy Series on "Creating an Executive Functioning Toolkit." Dr. Aubrey Faber will offer Middle School parents some helpful information on the topic in a 45-minute presentation, followed by a 20-minute Q&A with the audience. Parents still have an opportunity to attend this workshop on March 21 (6:15 pm). The Parent Workshop Series will be held in-person in the MS/HS Library Media Center. To view the first two workshops please click on Anxieties in Middle School Students: Strategies and Solutions to Help.
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Springhurst Students Go on a Shopping Spree for KINDNESS COUNTS Week
We celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week every year in February. It's a reminder of all the ways we can become a positive influence in each other’s lives. This year, Springhurst 4th graders decided to spread some love for Valentine's Day by making food donations to the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry. Not only was it a good deed, but it enabled students to collaborate with their peers and work together to achieve an important goal.
Each child brought in between $1-$5. The students walked to the supermarket, broke into small groups and pooled their money to decide what they could afford. Using the local Stop & Shop flyer for this week, the children created a shopping list and budget for their purchases. At the checkout counter, they were excited to realize the number of items they could donate to help feed neighbors in need. In total, 4th grade students donated 16 boxes of food to the DF Food Pantry: 63 cans of vegetables, 30 cans of tuna, 89 boxes of pasta, 14 boxes of cereal, 25 cans of soup and 25 bottles of juice.
This experience offered the students the chance to apply math skills, while actively helping people in their community. Thank you to Springhurst 4th grade teachers and class parent volunteers.
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DFSD Featured Video
The District Orchestra Concert was a magical musical evening, with approximately 200 (4th-12th grade) students participating. There were performances by each building-level orchestra, small chamber ensembles and the combined 5th-12th District Orchestra grand finale. Seeing the progression of musical ability from elementary school through high school was inspiring. Thank you music/orchestra teachers Adrianne Fuller and David Hertzberg for another great all-District concert.
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Coming Up . . .
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March 21- Board of Education Meeting (7:00 pm)
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March 24/25- HS Spring Musical CHICAGO
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April 3rd-7th- SPRING RECESS- SCHOOLS CLOSED (reopens 4/10)
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April 11th- Board of Education Meeting (7:00 pm)
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April 18th- Board of Education Meeting (7:00 pm)
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May 2nd- Board of Education Meeting (7:00 pm)
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May 8th- Voter Registration (3:30 pm-7:30 pm)
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May 16th- SCHOOL BUDGET/TRUSTEE VOTE (7:00 am-9:00 pm) HS Gym
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May 23rd- Board of Education Meeting (7;00 pm)
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May 29th- Memorial Day Recess- SCHOOLS CLOSED
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June 19th- Juneteenth Observance- SCHOOLS CLOSED
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June 23rd- Last Day of School for Student/Staff- SCHOOLS CLOSED
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Dobbs Ferry Schools Notices |
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Personal Voter Registration Information for the School Budget |
Any community resident not registered with the Westchester County Board of Elections may do so during Personal Registration which will take place on Monday, May 8, 2023 between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm in the High School Gymnasium Foyer. Voter Qualifications: (1) Must be a citizen of the United States; (2) Must be 18 years of age or older; (3) Must have been a resident of the school district for a period of 30 days or more prior to May 16, 2023. |
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Petitions to Run for a Seat on the Board of Education |
Forms for petitions to run for a seat on the Board of Education are available in the District Office. Petitions to run as a candidate for the School Board next year must be submitted by the close of business on Monday, April 17, 2023. Twenty five (25) signatures of qualified voters in the district are required. |
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Private School Transportation Requests |
Parents who are considering sending a child to a private school* next year are advised that transportation requests must be submitted by Saturday, April 1, 2023, in order to be included in the district's request for transportation next year. Requests for forms should be made to the Transportation Director at 914-295-5544. A written request must be submitted for each child and for each school being considered. The School Board has established a firm policy of not considering requests submitted after the deadline.
*(Parents should note that a separate request must be submitted for each school being considered. Requests may be withdrawn if a school is not selected, but may not be considered if submitted after the deadline).
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Dobbs Ferry Schools Photo Op
Springhurst Family Fun Math Night
Springhurst saw a huge turnout for Family Fun Math Night (K-2) when the all-purpose "cafetorium" welcomed parents, students and teachers for the first of two fun-filled evenings of math activities. The 3-5 Math Night session was held this past week. This was the first time that families gathered together for an in-person school event, and everyone equally enjoyed working on the math games and getting together with friends and families.
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Thank you K-8 Math Specialist Josh Rosen for organizing two fantastic school family evenings and showing us that math can be fun! Thanks to the PTSA for providing pizza for some hungry mathematicians. |
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Become a life-long learner today! Register now for HRCE continuing education spring session. Classes begin the week of March 18th! We have art lectures to yoga hikes and a new cool class, Crochet Wire Jewelry. Stained Glass, Sewing, Tai Chi, Floral Arranging and the art classes are filling up, plus many more offerings including Dance, Technology, Mah Jongg and Personal Finance. Check out the defensive driving course to help lower your insurance costs. There's something for everyone. Any questions, call Stephanie Motts (914) 693-1500 x3148. Coordinated by the Dobbs Ferry School District. |
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Dobbs Ferry School District
505 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 | 914-693-1500
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