There was just too much to celebrate last week! So we've put together a bonus edition for all of the stories that we couldn't include in last week's edition.

Tri-State Consortium Visits

Dobbs Ferry School District

The Tri-State Consortium is a network of 55 school districts from across New York, Connecticut and New Jersey focused on collaboratively improving education for all students. Every three years, the districts of the Tri-State Consortium host educators and administrators from schools across the network who evaluate an aspect of district curriculum or policy. This year, Dobbs Ferry invited members of the consortium to evaluate K-8 math and the rollout of the Illustrative Math curriculum. For more information on Illustrative Math, check out our previous coverage.

"Teachers, principals, even a superintendent came," said Dobbs Ferry School District K-8 Math Specialist Josh Rosen. "For two and half days they get to be a part of everything. They go to classroom visits, they conduct interviews with me, teachers, students, parents. We wanted them to give us feedback on student discourse in the classroom."

With 32 years in education, Josh Rosen is the district's K-8 Math Specialist. Rosen wasn't always so interested in math, however, a fact he attributes to an unfortunate stigma surrounding the subject.

"People often say that they aren't good at math or that they were never good at math," Rosen said. "They don't say that as much about reading. I think it's because people learned math in a rote way that was about doing problems procedurally, correctly and quickly."

Rosen posited that changes to the way we teach math, like encouraging students to discuss their ideas and curriculum with their peers and teachers, can help people recognize an otherwise suppressed mathematical acumen.

"It's important to recognize that there are multiple ways to solve problems," Rosen continued. "Sometimes it takes time to develop our ideas. We want students to have a really deep, conceptual understanding of the math."

The Tri-State Consortium visit proved very productive, highlighting aspects of the districts approach to K-8 math education that were working and where improvements could be made. For more information on tri-states, check out their website.

Seventh Grade Students Published in Rivertowns Dispatch

Three seventh grade students in language and literature teacher Jill Rosenbaum's "Writing for the Real World" class wrote letters to the editor and submitted them to the Rivertowns Dispatch. Students even had the opportunity to speak with publisher Allison Schulte when she visited the class.

Congratulations to our students, we're sure that this is only the first time we will get to see your work get published!

Dobbs Ferry Takes Home 14 Awards at WESEF

A record-breaking 31 science research students presented at the Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF) this year and our students took home a slew of awards including four high placements in categories and 10 special awards.

For our full list of winners, their awards and pictures from the event, check out our facebook page!

A Dobbs Ferry High School swimmer has been making waves this year. Nikita Ambotas has put on an outstanding performance this year as part of the AHEDI (Ardsley, Hastings, Edgemont, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington) swim team.

Ambotas won four gold medals at sectionals, two in individual events and two more in team relays. He wrapped up the season with a third place performance at the NYSPHSAA Federation Championship in the 400 relay with his teammates. Even on a team of great swimmers, Nikita stood out, appearing in coverage by the Rivertowns Dispatch, representing his team and school.

"To represent Dobbs means you’re not just swimming for yourself, you’re swimming for your team and your town," Ambotas said. "It matters because you’re showing the work and commitment."

Pre-K Information Session

High Schoolers Register with League of Women Voters

Eligible Dobbs Ferry High School students flocked to the table run by members of the League of Women Voters this week to register to vote, sign up for text reminders and even volunteer to help out as poll workers.


"A lot of kids feel powerless these days," said junior Emiliana Wood. "Voting is one way to make a difference and the more people that vote, the more our voices are heard."

Congratulations to the students who took this important first step in taking charge of their future!

Dobbs Ferry School District

505 Broadway

Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

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