Weekly E-Newsletter

November 17, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to express our deepest gratitude for your partnership, trust, and dedication to our students'
success. Your active involvement and support of the PTA play an essential role in enriching our learning
community. Over the past two weeks alone, more than a dozen teachers have received grants from the
PTA to bring innovative initiatives to life, creating exciting and meaningful extended learning opportunities
for our students. This incredible achievement is a direct reflection of the strength and commitment of our
Tuckahoe community.

If you haven’t yet joined the PTA, there’s still time to get involved! Your participation not only supports the
dedicated educators of our district but also helps shape the educational experiences of every student.
Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact. Thank you for being such an essential part of our
shared journey to inspire and empower the children of the Tuckahoe School District.

General Announcements:
THS Student Spot:
We are proud to announce that Miles Rivera, a 12th-grade student, has been awarded the prestigious
National Hispanic Recognition Program Certificate by the College Board for his outstanding academic
achievements. This recognition honors students who excel in their studies while coming from historically
underrepresented groups, including Hispanic/Latino students, and underscores their hard work and
dedication.

Miles’ achievement reflects his unwavering commitment to academic excellence. He earned top marks on
the PSAT/NMSQT and has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. This award is not only a
testament to Miles' academic abilities but also to his perseverance and dedication, qualities that will
undoubtedly inspire others in his community and beyond.

The National Hispanic Recognition Program is part of the College Board’s broader effort to celebrate
students from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural areas, small towns, or who identify as
first-generation, African American, Hispanic, Latino, or Indigenous. Miles is a shining example of what can
be achieved through hard work and determination, and we are excited to see all that he will accomplish in
the future.

THS Athletic Team Spotlights
● Our Varsity Football team delivered an unforgettable performance on Friday afternoon, defeating
rival Haldane in dominant fashion with a 28-0 victory to capture the Section Championship! Every
aspect of the game clicked for our Tigers, and the defense was absolutely relentless, shutting out
Haldane and allowing zero points. A huge congratulations to our dedicated athletes, who put their
heart and soul into this season, and to our phenomenal coaching staff—John D’Arco, Kevin Chen,
Ryan Mitchell, and Joseph Melendez—for their guidance and commitment to excellence. With this
victory, our Tigers now advance to the NYS Regional Round and will be facing off against Burke
Catholic at Arlington High School on Friday, November 22nd at 4 p.m.

● This weekend, our Varsity Cross Country team competed in the prestigious New York State
Championships! We're incredibly proud of our girls team and two boys for qualifying — a huge
accomplishment. Special congrats to Owen Gjertsen (20th) and Violet Linn (12th), who earned
All-State honors! A big thank you to Head Coach Marissa Frusciante for her leadership throughout
the season. Congrats to the entire team on a great year!

High School Guidance Updates:
THS 9th Grade Conference with School counselor:
We are excited to invite you to our 9th Grade Student/Family Meeting, which will begin this Friday,
November 15th. This meeting is a wonderful opportunity for our scholars to meet their school counselor,
review their academic performance, as well as the following items:
● Review first-quarter grades
● Benefits of taking advanced courses and courses available at THS (Review of the course catalog)
● Review a sample transcript
● Discuss the transition into high school
● Explore strategies for setting students up for success as they begin their high school journey
● Four year academic plan
● Pathway options and goal setting
● Benefits of participating in extracurricular activities
● Importance of establishing routines and attending extra help sessions
If you have not yet signed up for an appointment, please contact Ms. Nickoletos in the guidance office at
nickoletosl@tuckahoeschools.org to schedule a time.

We look forward to seeing you and working together to ensure your student has a strong and positive start
to their high school experience.

THS 8th and 9th Grade Parent College Information Night - Video Link Attached:
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 8th and 9th Grade Parent Night on Monday, November 4th.
The presentation focused on the New York State high school graduation requirements and strategies for
preparing for the academic challenges of high school and college. The session highlighted the importance
of taking advanced placement (AP) courses, maintaining a strong work ethic, and making thoughtful
decisions to enhance college prospects. We were also fortunate to have Ms. Anissa Latif, Assistant
Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Manhattan University, shared valuable insights on how course

selection influences college admissions, as well as the importance of students challenging themselves by
enrolling in advanced courses.

For those who were unable to attend, we encourage you to view the attached video link of the
presentation. https://youtu.be/7L1n5NPUMdw

THS Alumni Panel - Giving Back to Tuckahoe

On Wednesday, December 18th, the Tuckahoe High School Guidance Department will host our annual
Alumni Panel, featuring former students who will share their college experiences and reflect on how
Tuckahoe High School played a key role in their academic success. This event offers our current students
a unique opportunity to hear directly from alumni who have navigated the challenges of higher education
and have gone on to excel in their respective fields.

Our esteemed alumni will discuss their personal journeys, including how the lessons, skills, and values
they developed at Tuckahoe helped them transition to college life and thrive. They will also highlight the
importance of involvement in extracurricular activities, time management, and how they made informed
choices that shaped their college paths.

This panel provides invaluable insights for students as they prepare for their own academic futures.
Hearing from alumni not only inspires but also allows students to gain practical advice and perspective
from those who have walked the same halls, making their future goals feel more attainable. The event will
give students a glimpse into what lies ahead, helping them to better understand how their time at Tuckahoe
can set them up for success in higher education and beyond. We are excited for our current students to
learn from the experiences of our alumni and gain a deeper understanding of the impact that Tuckahoe
High School can have on their college journeys.Additional topics that will be discussed is as follows:
○ College application tips
○ Navigating college life
○ Majors and career paths
○ Overcoming common college challenges

TMHS Winter Band Concert - Wednesday, December 11th at 7 p.m.:
We invite families to come and enjoy the performance of our talented scholars at our annual winter band
concert.

TMHS - Update from Mrs. Iamonico, Library Media Specialist:
The library has been buzzing with activity over the past few weeks! Ms. Iverson’s English class has been
creatively utilizing the pods to write and film an exciting project, while Ms. Heinsohn’s students explored the
world of research through an engaging introduction to databases. We also had the pleasure of hosting
book tastings for English classes led by Ms. Vincenzi, Ms. Dill, Ms. Blanchard, Ms. Chanin, and Ms.
Peterson, sparking curiosity and excitement about reading.

In honor of Veterans Day, students had the meaningful opportunity to craft heartfelt Thank You cards for
our Veterans. Additionally, our new displays are ready to inspire and engage, and we invite everyone to
stop by, take a look, and share their gratitude by adding a leaf to our gratitude tree. There’s so much
happening—come be a part of it!

PTA Announcements
Westchester Knicks Game, Sunday, December 1st, 3 p.m.
Join our Tuckahoe School community for a fun afternoon of basketball as the Westchester Knicks
take on the Capital City Go-Go on Sunday, December 1 at 3:00 p.m, Westchester County Center. A
portion of every ticket purchased will be donated back to the Tuckahoe PTA! Please click HERE for
more details, and to purchase tickets.
Spirit-wear Sale
PTA TUCKAHOE SPIRITWEAR is on sale for a limited time only! ORDER BY: November. 19th. Please
visit HERE to order.

Important Reminders:
THS Iceland Informational Meeting:
Attention all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and parents! If you are currently taking or have completed
Biology, Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Physics, we are thrilled to invite you to
an informational meeting about an unforgettable eight-day educational journey to Iceland planned for
Spring 2026.

This trip offers students a unique opportunity to experience Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes and natural
phenomena up close, from volcanic fields to geothermal springs and glaciers. With a focus on science and
environmental studies, students will connect classroom learning to real-world exploration, gaining valuable
insights into Iceland’s unique geology, ecology, and sustainable practices.
Join us for the In-Person Information Session:
● Date: Thursday, December 12th
● Time: 6:30 p.m.
● Location: Tuckahoe High School Library

During the meeting, we’ll cover all trip details, including the itinerary, costs, travel requirements, and the
learning experiences students can expect. This is an exciting adventure designed to inspire curiosity and a
deeper understanding of environmental science and earth systems. Don’t miss out on this incredible
chance to explore Iceland’s wonders! We look forward to seeing interested students and parents there.

TMHS Chorus Winter Concert
The Tuckahoe High School and Middle School Chorus invites you to share in their joy a world of holiday
traditions in the Snowflakes and Smiles Concert. The concert will be held on Tuesday, December 3 in the
Auditorium. The Middle School performance will take place at 6PM, with the High School performance to
follow at 7PM. For the official invitation please click here.

TMHS Registration for Winter Sports:
Registration remains open for Modified Winter Sports! Please complete the registration process on Arbiter
Sports (Family ID): Click Here. Tryouts for Varsity & JV Winter Sports begin on Monday, November 18th.
Tryouts for Modified Winter Sports begin on Monday, December 2nd.

TMS Fall 2024 Musical - Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! Jr.
For the first time, the Tuckahoe Middle School will present their very own musical SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK
LIVE! Jr. on Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd at 7pm in the TMS Auditorium.
Students in Grades 6,7, and 8 will present the musical that is based on the popular 1970s cartoon,
teaching lessons through fun and catchy tunes! Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for
students/seniors and will be cash or check only at the door. Come out to support our Middle School
Performers in what is sure to be a fun-filled evening of musical theater (and fun for all ages too!). Group
discount available for groups of 10 or more by emailing ttw@tuckahoeschools.org in advance! See ya
there!

TMS ReThink Theme of the Month
This month, our SEL program ReThink Ed is focusing on Goal Setting! Our school psychologist, Mr.
Solivan, and our school counselor, Ms. DiFrancesco, will be joining our health classrooms to support
students in setting meaningful goals. Meanwhile, our health teacher, Mr. Pizzuti, will be guiding students
through lessons on SMART Goals, Setting Academic Goals, and Planning SMART.
To make this initiative even more impactful, our TMS Math Department is integrating goal-setting strategies
into their math lessons, ensuring that every student across the school is engaged in this important theme.
Together, we’re helping students build the skills they need to succeed—both inside and outside the
classroom!

3rd Annual Sky Watch
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of stargazing! Join us for the 3rd Annual Skywatch on Monday,
November 25th at 6 PM and experience the wonders of the night sky like never before! With the help of
generous donations from the PTA and the leadership of THS teacher, Mr. Giallorenzo, we’ll have a
telescope set up to take in a breathtaking view of: a rising Jupiter and its moons, Saturn and its icy rings,
the famous Pleiades Star Cluster, and a setting Venus. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to see these
celestial wonders up close!

TMHS Picture Retake Dates
We want to inform you about the upcoming picture retake dates for TMHS. High School retakes are
scheduled for November 21, 2024, and Middle School retakes will take place on December 4, 2024.

Important Dates
Here is a list of important dates:
Monday, November 18th - Tryouts Begin for Varsity & JV Winter Sports
Thursday, November 21st - THS Picture Retake Day
Friday, November 22 through Saturday, November 23rd - TMS Musical
Wednesday, November 27th - Early Release for Students and Staff
Thursday, November 28th through Friday, November 29th - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Recess
Monday, December 2nd - Tryouts Begin for Modified Winter Sports
Tuesday, December 3rd - Winter Chorus Concert at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 4th - TMS Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, December 10th - 2nd Quarter Progress Reports
Wednesday, December 11th - Winter Band Concert
Monday, December 16th - Winter Strings Concert

Sincerely,
R. Arthur S. DeBellis A. Colasuonno

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