SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting covered a lot of ground. Much of the discussion focused on new directions we are undertaking in the district, including goals and initiatives for the new school year.

One of the significant developments that was discussed is the much-anticipated arrival of Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for district families. I am excited to announce that we are one step closer to the anticipated January 2024 start. 

On Tuesday night the Board approved the contract with the YMCA to administer our UPK program. Due to extended delays in licensing new spaces by the New York State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), the program will be housed at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla for the 23-24 school year instead of the previously planned Holy Rosary Church in Hawthorne. The Valhalla site is already licensed and neighboring districts are operating UPK classes there. 

I visited the school in Valhalla and was impressed by the programs the YMCA is running there. They have two vacant classrooms that we will use from January to June 2024. We will be able to offer this program to 32 students. 

We will continue to work through the details to prepare for a full launch of a multi-classroom program for approximately 76 students commencing in September 2024.  

I hope you share my enthusiasm in bringing this opportunity to our community. I will continue to communicate about next steps.

For the youth,

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

The district is proud of the meaningful strides that it made in achieving last year’s annual goals. We are using the same goal structure in 23-24 to continue advancing the strategies in the Strategic Plan. The annual goals include:

I. Department specific goals in Athletics and Facilities

II. Refining the Special Education Continuum with Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT)

III. Curriculum Writing

For more information about the District goals and Strategic Plan, please visit our website.

The Board of Education approved the creation of a new position, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services and Human Resources. The person in this role will be involved in decisions that have significant impact upon students, their families, individual school sites, District staff and the District as a whole.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the District to capitalize on administrator attrition and shift the administrative structure,” said Dr. Tina DeSa, Superintendent of Schools. “Meeting the changing needs of students is crucial, and this will better enable us to support every student in our district and staff.”

Pictured left to right: Kaitlyn Burr, Emily Sokich, Jordan Sokich, Anthony Portera, Tom Murray, Dylan Fleury, John Riina. Missing: Sadie Kim

At the latest Board of Education meeting several students and staff were acknowledged by the district for their heroic actions.

While going for a run on the track at Pleasantville High School in July, community member Tom Murray fell. Several students on the girls soccer team, along with their coach, Anthony Portera, rushed to the aid of Mr. Murray. They realized he was in need of life saving CPR and began compressions immediately. Dylan Fleury, from the district maintenance staff, was out cleaning the facility and jumped in to assist. John Riina, maintenance foreman for the District, and a volunteer firefighter skilled in CPR, worked along with the others to administer CPR. Another student called for an ambulance and cleared a path for them to come down to the track. 

Mr. Murray and his family came to the meeting to once again personally thank the quick-thinking students and staff who saved his life. 

The district is grateful for this team of heroes, along with our police department and PVAC, and thanks each of the individuals involved for their heroism.

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