¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!

DEI means recognizing the intrinsic humanity in everyone.

Our Newsletter brings you updates of efforts to support

diversity, equity, and inclusion in our town.

Vol. 1 No. 3. September 19, 2024

The Desmond-Fish Public Library Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee, consisting of staff, Board Trustees, and community members, has added new members and is planning action steps for the next year. The Library offers a range of books in English and Spanish to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month.

¡También tenemos libros en español para niños!

On Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Rebecca Erbelding of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will give a virtual presentation describing the U.S. War Rescue Board during World War II, including an analysis of the links between antisemitism then and now. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Carl Bon Tempo. Please register here.

News from the Butterfield Public Library

The Butterfield Book Club meets on the last Monday of each month. Join the group on Monday, September 30 at 7 p.m. to discuss All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. A coming-of-age young adult memoir, the book movingly depicts a young person's challenging journey to adulthood. Visit the Library Website to Register.

The Butterfield Library will hold Community Conversations on September 23 and October 26. These sessions are a great way to let the Library know what programs and offerings are important to you, and how the Library can help support community goals, including equity goals. Your input will also help the Library staff and Board develop their long range plan. Visit the Library Website to Register.

The Butterfield Library has two fun events (dos eventos divertidos) coming up on October 15 for the culmination of Hispanic Heritage Month. Come to a Frida Art Escape at 3:30 p.m. and then watch the movie Selena at 6:30 p.m.

News from the Garrison Union Free School District

Principal Allison Emig is proud to announce that the Garrison School has started a Spanish Coalition for students, led by the Spanish teacher, Ms. Enderley. Their first project is leading Hispanic Heritage Month, during which they are organizing a Movie Night Fundraising event and showcasing Hispanic positive influencers and historical figures. 



The GUFSD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is seeking new members for the 2024-25 school year. The Committee meets four times a year and includes board members, the Superintendent, teachers and staff, and community members. We work to create a welcoming and inclusive school environment that promotes diverse and equitable learning opportunities and outcomes for our students. We also participate in exciting projects, such as the Community Book Read and the Dancer-in-Residence program, which both reached all GUFS students grades PreK-8. Email Dusty Callo at dcallo@gufs.org if interested.



And, welcome to new GUFSD Superintendent, Dr. Greg Stowell.

News from the Haldane Central School District

The Haldane Central School District encourages parents to join the Haldane EDI Committee, part of the Haldane PTA. Formed in 2019, the Haldane EDI Committee is committed to fostering a school climate that values diversity, inclusion, and kindness. Our understanding of diversity is broad and our aims are: (1) to help students develop greater compassion and respect for themselves and others; (2) to support parents, teachers, and staff in their efforts to build a community centered around radical inclusion and kindness; and (3) to create opportunities for conversations about the many forms of diversity that enrich the Haldane community. Read more and sign up here.

And, welcome to Interim Superintendent Mr. Carl Albano.

The Haldane Middle School faculty and staff will be working with the Hudson Valley Regional Bilingual Education Netowrk (RBERN) to develop culturally responsive ways to work with students from diverse backgrounds and those learning English. The Haldane High School faculty did this trainng last year. Dr. Regina Kaishian, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, also reports that the District has engaged a second full-time ENL teacher to better serve linguistically diverse students.

This bulletin board was created by the Haldane High School Identity Club. The Club is a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for students to learn and express their opinions about different identities. The club covers a range of identities, including gender, sexuality, religion, and ethnicity. Ms. Andrea McCue is the advisor.

The club's goals include:

• Helping to create a diverse and open atmosphere at the school
• Raising awareness of issues faced by minority groups
• Building a supportive network with other nearby schools' gay-straight alliances (GSAs) 

News from the Putnam History Museum

The Putnam History Museum invites all to visit their current Exhibition, "Indigenous Peoples of Putnam County." This exhibition explores Lenape and Wappinger culture in Putnam County, with a special focus on the Woodland period when these cultures flourished in the Hudson Valley.

The Museum plans a special exhibit in October depicting women who have played important roles in Hudson Valley history. Learn more here.

News from the Philipstown Depot Theater

Goldee Greene

Friday, Sept. 20, 7:00 p.m.

Internationally acclaimed singing actress Goldee Greene returns to the Depot to celebrate Women of Song from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Jazz, Broadway, opera, and more.

Maestro Tom McCoy is music director. Special Guest artist is baritone extraordinaire Russell Cusick. Fran DiSarro is Executive Producer.

For ticket information,

contact the Depot Theater.

About the Philipstown DEI Committee

Our group was formed following a racist incident at a library event in 2021. Members representing the Garrison Union Free School District, the Haldane PTA EDI Committee, Butterfield Library, and the Desmond-Fish Public Library developed a community-wide survey, the results of which can be read here. The two school districts and the two public libraries have also been joined by the Manitou School, the Philipstown Depot Theater, and the Putnam History Museum, and other organizations are welcome to be part of the effort. Please contact philipstowndei@gmail.com

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Philipstown DEI Committee is to raise awareness

and foster learning and sharing opportunities that promote

community-wide engagement.  By working together across institutions, we strive to ensure that all Philipstown community members are represented, acknowledged, and valued.

Future Plans

We invite you to join our Zoom meetings that are held the last Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. Other projects we are working on include a Spanish-language Book Club, guest speakers and authors, parent workshops, a Library of Humans, and more. To obtain a link, email japicello@gufs.org.

To sign up for the Newsletter mailing list, please email philiptowndei@gmail.com. Please share this link with friends.

Our goal is to share future newsletters in Spanish also; thank you for your patience.

Compartiremos futuros boletines en español; gracias por su paciencia.

La diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión son objetivos muy importantes.