Weekly E-Newsletter

REVISED
January 12, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to announce that we’ve successfully completed the first week of school following the winter break. It has been a pleasure welcoming our students back, and we truly appreciate the positive energy they’ve brought to our learning community.
A quick reminder: The 2nd quarter for middle and high school students will end on Thursday, January 23rd, and report card grades will be finalized by Tuesday, January 28th. During this time, the parent portal will be temporarily unavailable for grade verification. If you have any questions about your child’s performance, we encourage you to contact their teachers directly.

We continue to emphasize the importance of students taking initiative and engaging with their teachers if they have questions about assignments or grades. This proactive approach helps foster responsibility and sets a strong foundation for their educational journey. This message is equally relevant for middle school students.

By maintaining open communication among students, parents, and teachers, we aim to create a supportive environment where every student has the guidance and tools necessary for success. We thank you for your continued support in helping us ensure a smooth conclusion to the 2nd quarter.

As we look ahead to the 3rd quarter, we encourage you to help your child maintain strong habits. This includes consistent sleep schedules, punctuality, timely homework completion, active class participation, and taking advantage of the extra help sessions available weekly from teachers.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office. We value your partnership in supporting your child’s academic success.

General Announcements:
Superintendent Search Forum:
Please see the attached documents from the firm conducting the superintendent search:

Superintendent Search Permission Slips for Students-Community Forum - 01-27-25
Superintedent Search Invitation for Community Forum- 01-27-25

TMHS Procedures for School Closure and Schedules:
In the event of inclement weather leading to a delayed opening or school closure, please refer to the attached link for the delayed opening schedule, as well as the remote learning guidelines and procedures:
TMHS School Delay Bell Schedules Remote Learning Email for Parents

Iceland Educational Trip:
Thank you to the families who were able to attend the Iceland informational meeting on Thursday, January 9th. For those who could not attend but are interested in having their scholar participate in the trip, please reach out to Mrs. Buchanan (buchananm@tuckahoeschools.org) or Mr. Arthur (arthurr@tuckahoeschools.org), the group leaders. Someone will follow up with you promptly. Additionally, an email will be sent to all registered families with important details, including the insurance plan and packing list.

THS Student Spotlight:
Congratulations to the following members of our Varsity Football team for their outstanding achievements and well-deserved All-State recognition! Matthew Gardere - 1st Team All-State, Thaddeus Curylo - 1st Team All-State, Declan Connolly - 2nd Team All-State, and Lamar Conliffe - Honorable Mention. Your hard work, dedication, and talent have made Tuckahoe proud! Go Tigers!

Annual Augie Nardone Scholarship Basketball Games
This year's Augie Nardone Scholarship Basketball Games will be held on Friday, January 17th! Get ready for an exciting evening as our Varsity Girls Basketball team will take on Eastchester at 5PM, followed by our Varsity Boys Basketball team facing off against Eastchester at 7PM, both at Eastchester HS.

This special event brings our two communities together to cheer on our student-athletes while supporting a great cause! Proceeds from the games will go towards a scholarship for one student from both Tuckahoe HS and Eastchester HS. We can’t wait to see you there as we celebrate this tradition and the spirit of teamwork!

TMS News From Mrs. Peterson, 7th Grade ELA:
This week in 7th grade ELA, students are diving into The Giver by creating life-sized body biographies of the novel's characters. Using large paper, students trace the outline of a person to bring their character to life, designing their appearance and personality based on the inferencing skills they are developing. They are analyzing indirect characterization to uncover hidden traits and using textual evidence to visually express how the character looks, feels, and acts. This hands-on project not only strengthens their analytical abilities but also sparks creativity as students work together to design vibrant, detailed character posters. It’s a fun and dynamic way to explore the depths of character development!

Dystopian Genre Analysis:
In the coming weeks, students will explore the dystopian genre in greater depth by comparing The Giver by Lois Lowry with the film adaptation of The Hunger Games. This project is designed to expand their understanding of dystopian societies and encourage them to think critically about topics such as government control, individuality, and survival.
By examining the differences between the seemingly perfect world of The Giver and the harsh, divided world of The Hunger Games, students will develop their critical thinking skills, learning to analyze how authors and filmmakers use narrative techniques to convey complex ideas. Through this comparison, students will enhance their ability to synthesize information and express their thoughts creatively in a visual essay, broadening their perspective on the dystopian genre and fostering valuable analytical skills.

Tuckahoe Alumni Giving Back:
This week, Mrs. Vairo’s AP Language and Culture Italian class had the pleasure of welcoming alumni Flavio Vacca, Federico Vacca, and Isabella Vivas for a special visit. The graduates shared their valuable insights and personal experiences, providing current students with practical tips for approaching the AP Exam. They discussed effective preparation strategies, highlighted the easiest and most challenging sections of the test, and emphasized the importance of consistent practice and time management.
Federico and Flavio further captivated the class by sharing their experiences studying abroad in Italy at Università Bocconi in Milan, one of Europe’s leading institutions for business and economics. They spoke about cultural immersion, the academic environment, and the rewarding challenges of living and studying in a foreign country. Their stories not only inspired the students to consider the possibility of studying abroad but also underscored the long-term benefits of mastering the Italian language.

THS Advanced Placement (AP) Professional Development:
As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence, on Wednesday, January 8th, sixteen high school teachers participated in a specialized training session organized by the College Board, the organization that oversees the PSAT, SAT, and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. The training session proved to be a rewarding and insightful experience for all involved. One particularly exciting highlight was learning that one of the newest College Board employees had previously worked closely with our staff as part of our project-based learning initiative. This connection reinforced the strong relationship we’ve built with the College Board and demonstrated their commitment to supporting our educational efforts.

During the training, the College Board presented an in-depth review of our school’s participation and achievement data across a variety of testing and AP programs. This analysis not only helped us identify areas of strength but also provided insights into potential areas for growth and improvement. In addition, the College Board shared a wealth of valuable instructional resources, offering teachers the tools they need to enhance their curriculum and better support student success. They also engaged in thoughtful discussions about strategies to expand and diversify our Advanced Placement offerings, ensuring that more students have access to rigorous academic opportunities.

Another key focus of the session was preparing rising high school students for success in AP courses. The College Board provided specific recommendations on how we can help students develop the skills and mindset needed to thrive in these challenging courses. This included targeted strategies for fostering critical thinking, time management, and academic resilience—skills that will benefit students not just in AP classes but throughout their educational journeys.

THS Junior Achievement Returns to the Tuckahoe School District:
In partnership with Junior Achievement of New York, the Tuckahoe School District is excited to announce the return of the JA in a Day event for the lower grades at William Cottle Elementary School. On Wednesday, March 19th, kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade classrooms will take part in the event, during which Tuckahoe high school students will lead interactive lessons using age-appropriate financial literacy curriculum.

All JA programs are developed by educators, regularly evaluated, and updated to align with state and national academic standards. High school students are trained by JA staff before going into the classrooms to ensure success. They will be part of JA’s High School Heroes program, an exciting service-learning and leadership development opportunity where they become JA volunteers, building communication, organization, presentation, and public speaking skills while earning valuable community service hours.
All teaching materials are provided by JA, and the pre-built lesson plans are colorful, engaging, interactive, and fun! The high school students will teach the following JA programs:
JA Ourselves® | Grade K Students are introduced to personal economics and the choices consumers make to meet their needs and wants.
JA Our Families® | Grade 1 Students are introduced to the concepts of families, neighborhoods, money, and needs and wants.
JA Our Community® | Grade 2 Students learn how citizens benefit from and contribute to a community’s success.

High School Guidance Updates:
Junior Student and Parent College Preparation Meeting
In preparation for the upcoming Junior Student and Parent College Preparation meetings with our school counselors, we want to share some important details. The meetings will begin on February 3rd and during this time, we will kick off discussions around the college application process and review course selection options for the 2025-26 academic school year.
We are in the process of finalizing our Program of Studies (THS Course Catalog) for the 2025-2026 school year, and more information will be shared with students and families soon pertaining to new course offerings. We encourage you to begin discussing course selections with your child and keep an eye out for further details.

A SignUp Genius email will be sent from the school counseling office next week, January 13th, to allow you to schedule your meeting time. We look forward to meeting with you and working together as we support your child through this important stage in their high school journey.

Binghamton University Campus Tour – Tuesday, March 18th
We are excited to announce that Tuckahoe High School will be hosting its second annual campus tour of Binghamton University! After a successful trip last year, we are thrilled to offer this valuable opportunity to our students once again. This tour, scheduled for Tuesday, March 18th, will allow students to experience campus life firsthand, including visits to dorms, a guided campus tour, and information about the university's academic programs.
Thanks to the generous support of a local community member, this trip will be at no cost to Tuckahoe High School students. Priority seating will be given to our current junior class, and any available spots will be extended to seniors. Registration for this tour will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The permission slip will be shared with students and can be viewed by clicking the following link: Binghamton Permission Form 2025.docx. We strongly encourage all students to participate, especially those who have not yet visited a college campus or are unsure about their college plans.

For more information about Binghamton University, you can visit their website at https://www.binghamton.edu/.
Manhattan University Campus Tour- Tuesday, April 8th
Manhattan University Campus Tour (10th Graders) - On Tuesday, April 8th, our 10th-grade students will have the opportunity to visit Manhattan University's Campus from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. In 10th grade, it's essential to dive in and start taking tours and signing up for information sessions. It's crucial to get a feel for what it's like to be on a college campus and what to look for - and the earlier, the better. All 10th-grade parents will receive the permission form via Blackboard Connect; please return the form to the guidance office. Due to limited availability, only the first 30 students who return the permission slip will be able to attend.
Attached is a copy of the permission slip, which will be shared with students next week. Please select the link to access the permission slip: Manhattan Permission Form 2025

January Regents Exams:
The January Regents exams will take place from Tuesday, January 21st, through Friday, January 24th, for a select group of high school students. If students are registered for an exam(s), they will be informed by their assigned school counselor. If your child has a question about whether he/she is required to sit for the January Regents exams, we ask that you direct your student to the school counseling office. Any student, whether in middle or high school, not scheduled to sit for a Regents exam will follow their regular schedule.

Message From Ms. Iamonico, Library Media Specialist:
Get ready for the 25 in ‘25 Challenge! We encourage students, staff and families to read 25 books in the year 2025. More information will be coming the first week of January, but you can get a head start this break! Looking for inspiration? What about participating in Sora’s Winter Break Challenge? Don’t forget, Sora is available to you all the time, and even if you don’t love reading on a device, follow along with a print book! In addition, don’t forget to check out the Tuckahoe and Eastchester Libraries who have programs and activities scheduled for break!

News from the PTA
Community Exercise Classes @ Rumble Boxing and Barre Effect
On January 23rd at 7pm, the Tuckahoe PTA Health & Safety Committee presented a TUFSD Exclusive Community Exercise Class at Rumble Boxing (77 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle). Only open to TUFSD parents, teachers, and staff. Click HERE to register! Details and registration on The Barre Effect class on February 4th at 7pm coming soon!

Ladies Night Bingo, February 6th, 7pm, Generoso Pope Foundation
We hope you can join us for a fun night of Bingo to support the Tuckahoe PTA! Prizes range from luxury handbags to spa certificates and much more. We look forward to seeing you there! Click HERE to buy tickets. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW. SPACE IS LIMITED!
*SAVE THE DATE* - PTA Annual Spring Social will be May 2 at 7:30 pm, Wykagyl Country Club. More information forthcoming.

TMS ReThink Theme of the Month:
Our January ReThink theme of the month is Identifying Supports, an essential topic for students as they navigate both academic and personal challenges. Recognizing the various supports available to them—whether through family, friends, teachers, or community resources—empowers students to seek help when needed and build a strong foundation for success. By understanding who and what can offer support, students can better manage stress, enhance their learning, and cultivate resilience. This theme encourages students to reflect on their support systems and develop the confidence to reach out for assistance, knowing that no one has to face challenges alone.

Important Reminders:

Important Dates
Here is a list of important dates:
Friday, January 17th - HS Winter Pep Rally - Battle of the Classes
Friday, January 17th - Augie Nardone Scholarship Basketball Games at Eastchester High School
Monday, January 20th - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21st through Thursday, January 23rd - New York State Regents Administration

Sincerely,

R. Arthur,  S. DeBellis, A. Colasuonno

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