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April 14, 2023
Dear Hastings Families and Staff:
We have leapt from Spring Recess straight into a veritable summer. Inspired by these days of sun and warmth, I am staying solely positive this week, rolling from the light to the technical, with a closing reminder about poetry.
Sunshine and Attire
Greeting students Thursday morning at Hillside, basking in the smiles and hellos from our K-4 budding scholars, I was approached by a second grader (I believe). “May I ask you a serious question, Mr. Superintendent?” Bending down to eye level, “yes, for sure.” “Well,” she said, “can you explain why you are wearing long sleeves, a tie and pants on such a hot day, why not shorts and a t-shirt? It would be better for you!” Off she trotted to the doorway, leaving me to privately praise the bold empathy of one of our youngest community members.
Sunshine and Sport
Softball, Girls Lax, Track & Field (practice), Tennis (practice), Baseball, Softball again, Baseball again, Girls Lax again…JV for sure, and a bit of Varsity. Today is Girls Flag Football. Such has been my three-day, late afternoon lineup–Hastings in action! You want to feel good, put a kick in your step, smile? Go out and see our student athletes, whether winning or losing, going full on with the sporting opportunities we provide. Camaraderie stands out–Hastings plays together.
Technical Update #1 Proposed Budget for 2023-24 School Year
As I reported in mid-March, the BOE has been working intensively with the Leadership Team on the Proposed Budget for 2023-24. A dedicated page on the district website has been created, including each of the three major budget presentations by Maureen Caraballo, Business Official. The culminating presentation was shared at the BOE’s April 11 Budget Work Session. The BOE is posed to vote on budget adoption as scheduled on Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. Soon after that vote, we will distribute a detailed budget newsletter to the community, highlighting financial summaries and analysis, as well as representative stories bringing the budget to life.
Here are the remaining essential dates in the budget process:
Technical Update #2 – Developing the School Calendar
While the 2023-24 School Calendar is now final, and we will not turn to developing the 2024-25 School Calendar until next year, I want to provide clarity on the annual process for developing the School Calendar. I am responding to a series of good questions from families during the just completed calendar process.
Inspired by Scarsdale, we have prepared the aptly named document, Hastings-on-Hudson UFSD – School Calendar Development, which will be posted in the School Calendar section of the website as a resource for families and staff. It explains the major factors that go into developing the School Calendar, addresses many of the frequently asked questions, and outlines the calendar development process we will use next year.
Closing Reminder – Second Annual Hastings Poetry Challenge
April is National Poetry Month. For the second year running, I am challenging Hastings students and staff to share their poems. Poetry is a powerful form of expression. Let’s see if Hastings can use poetry for the good–to connect us through written ideas, emotions, images and feelings.
Short poems written by students or staff should be submitted by Friday, April 28. (We have extended the deadline from April 21.)
For inspiration, look beyond the “Friendly Confines” of Hastings. Frank Messina, as Mets fans will know, is the longtime “Mets Poet.” My house is filled with Red Sox fans; Hastings, I know, is an amalgam of Mets, Yankees and possibly BoSox fans. Regardless, Mr. Messina may inspire you to write. Here is a poignant father-son piece.
Please send your poems electronically to me (mckersiew@hohschools.org) and Melissa DeLaBarrera (delabarreram@hohschools.org). We will share them in a digital format on Friday, May 5.
Be well.
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