Weekly E-Newsletter

April 5, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we enter the fourth quarter of the school year, it’s important to remember that student attendance and
punctuality continue to play a critical role in academic success, just as they did in the first quarter. Our
faculty and staff are dedicated to encouraging and supporting our students, providing them with daily
reminders about the importance of attending school regularly, arriving on time, and transitioning smoothly
between classes. These habits are essential for maximizing their learning and making the most of the final
stretch of the school year.

For our high school students, please be aware that in some cases, students who have not made the
necessary improvements regarding attendance and punctuality have lost certain privileges and have been
assigned detention. While we are committed to offering guidance and support, we also recognize the need
to take additional steps when required to ensure all students are meeting expectations.

In the coming week, we will be sending separate letters to parents of middle school and high school
students, outlining the key end-of-year events and activities. These communications will help keep you
informed and updated as we approach the final weeks of the school year.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help our students finish the year strong.
General Announcements:

We are thrilled to announce that the Middle/High School Art Show will be taking place from May 20th to
May 22nd in the library, continuing our cherished tradition. The Art Show will be open to students and staff
during school hours from May 20th to May 22nd, providing an excellent opportunity to experience and
appreciate the creativity of our talented students. We also invite the community to join us for a special
public viewing on May 21st from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A special thank you goes to our dedicated art
teachers, Heather Zemba and Jean Desrosiers, whose hard work and passion for fostering creativity make
this event possible. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our students and the arts.

TMS New York State Examination Schedule:
We would like to remind you that the upcoming New York State (NYS) Assessments are just around the
corner. Tuckahoe Middle School will be administering the following exams:
● English Language Arts (ELA): April 7th and 8th
● Mathematics: April 24th and 25th
● 8th Grade Science: April 30th
All NYS exams will be conducted through Computer-Based Testing (CBT), and students will need to use
their school-issued Chromebooks for each test.

Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique strengths of individuals on the autism
spectrum and promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. At our school, we are committed to
fostering an environment where all students, including those with learning differences, feel supported and
valued. Embracing neurodiversity helps us create a community where every learner can thrive. Let’s
continue to work together to build an inclusive school where every student’s abilities are celebrated.

TMS National Junior Honor Society
Attention National Junior Honor Society candidates: Please remember that the 10 hours of documented
community service are due by April 9th, 2025. Be sure to submit all required materials on time to Mrs.
Benedetti or Mr. Colasuonno. To access the hours log, click here.

8th Grade Overnight Trip:
We're excited to remind you that the 8th-grade overnight trip to Washington D.C. is this upcoming week!
The trip is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 through Friday, April 11 and promises to be an enriching
and memorable experience for our students Should you have any questions leading up to the trip, we
encourage you to reach out to Mrs. Benedetti, benedettia@tuckahoeschools.org or Mr. Colasuonno,
colasuonnoa@tuckahoeschools.org.

TMS Taste of Tuckahoe:
The Taste of Tuckahoe held on April 2nd was a huge hit, with middle school students already requesting
that we make it a weekly event rather than an annual one! This signature PTA event continues to be a
beloved tradition, and we are incredibly grateful to the PTA for their hard work in organizing it. A big thank
you goes out to all the local restaurants that supported this important event, offering a variety of delicious
dishes. We would also like to extend our appreciation to our faculty, staff, and especially our custodial crew,
whose assistance helped make the event run smoothly. The Taste of Tuckahoe has truly become a
cherished part of our school culture, and we look forward to many more successful events like it in the
future.

Calling All Former TYA Baseball Players, Both Guys & Girls!
Tuckahoe Youth Association has three $500 scholarships to award to former TYA players who are now
high school seniors headed off to college OR trade school in the fall.
If your son or daughter participated in a TYA program for at least two years, have them fill out the brief
application on tyabaseball.com. Applications are due by Monday, April 7, 2025. Any questions, email
tyabaseball@yahoo.com.

Tuckahoe Guidance Department Updates:
Sophomores Explore Career Pathways with Pathful:
This week, the school counselors visited 10th-grade English classes to introduce students to Pathful, an
interactive career exploration platform. During the session, students completed career interest inventories
that connected them to career clusters aligned with their strengths and passions. They then explored
various professions within their chosen fields, gaining valuable insights into job responsibilities, required
skills, and potential career pathways.

Students now have their own Pathful logins and can continue using the program independently to explore
careers in greater depth. This resource allows them to research different industries, learn about
educational requirements, and discover opportunities that align with their interests, helping them make
informed decisions about their future.

University of South Carolina Visits - Thursday, April 4th:
On Thursday, April 4th, Marissa Strominger, the regional recruiter for the University of South Carolina,
presented to the entire junior class at Tuckahoe High School. This event was a valuable opportunity for our
11th-grade students to gain invaluable insights into the college application process, admissions
requirements, and campus life. During the 45-minute presentation, Marissa provided important information
about navigating the college journey, emphasizing key factors that can influence college admissions,
including how to stand out in the application process. At the end of the presentation, students had the
chance to ask thoughtful questions, further deepening their understanding of what to expect in the coming
years.We are grateful to Mrs. Perillo, Mr. Treglia, and the entire high school administration for their
continued efforts to align educational opportunities with our students’ interests and aspirations.

We are attaching a copy of the presentation for students and families to review at their convenience. Here’s
the link: Here

Manhattan University Campus Tour- Tuesday, April 8th:
We are thrilled to have 30 students registered for the Manhattan University Campus Tour on Tuesday,
April 8th. It’s inspiring to see our scholars seize this opportunity, proactively gathering valuable information
that will guide their future decisions. Our 10th-grade students will have the exclusive chance to explore the
campus from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, gaining first-hand insight into university life and the academic
environment. Student registration HERE

News from the PTA:
Volunteers Needed for PTA Earth Day Celebration! This exciting first-ever event is coming up on Saturday,
April 5th at Cottle and helpers are needed to make it a success! Please peruse volunteer opportunities
here—short, two-hour time slots! Middle and high school students are encouraged to sign up to volunteer
(They can earn some of the community service hours needed for Junior National Honor Society/National
Honor Society.) More details about what's happening at the event here.

Looking to join the PTA for the 2025-26 Year?
If you are looking to volunteer your time to plan fun and educational events, partnering with school staff and
exposing our children to the amazing world around them, then you are a perfect match for the TUFSD PTA
Executive Board! Please visit our website TUCKAHOEPTA.com for details. Submit your interest HERE.

Community Service Club: Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for MS/HS Students
1) Please sign up to assist at Hope Community Services. Volunteers in the Soup Kitchen will pack and
serve to-go meals, prepare dinners, serve the guests and assist with clean up. Dates remaining are April
30th, and May 28th.

PTA Scholarships for Graduating Seniors, Deadline: April 10th
The PTA is awarding 10 seniors a $1,000 for leadership, school-spirit, and volunteerism. Deadline to apply
is April 10th. Please contact the Guidance Dept for full criteria and an application.
PTA Men's Club Social Night, April 10, Stephen's Green (Tuckahoe)

Come out and connect with us! We’ve secured access to the dartboard (yes, there’s only one), so come
out for a good catch-up with the guys and some friendly competition. Sign-up HERE
Yankee vs Toronto Blue Jays Game Fundraiser, April 26th, 1:05 pm @ Yankee Stadium
Join the PTA at the Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, April 26th at 1:05pm. Your ticket
includes a Yankees backpack and a $15 voucher for concessions. Buy your tickets HERE! Deadline to
buy tickets is April 12th.

PTA Community Read, Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others
Shine by Michele Borba

This April, we are diving into this book - a must read for parents who want to help their kids shine! Plus, if
20 of us purchase the book, author Michele Borba will host a special Q&A. Details HERE. Not a big
reader? No worries - join the convo anyway! Sign up HERE.

PTA Spring Social, May 2nd, 7:30pm @ Wykagyl Country Club
Tickets are now on sale for PTAs biggest fundraiser of the year! Join us to connect with other parents,
enjoy a much-needed adult-only night out and raise some money to support the fabulous programs the
PTA provides to all Tuckahoe students! We will have a number of prizes and raffles to enjoy, so bring your
‘lucky’ wallet! The night includes music, wine, beer, and a dinner buffet. Visit HERE to purchase your
tickets.

Evening Event, Dr Joanna Robin on “Letting Kids Fail: Building Confidence and Resilience, May
7th, 7:30pm @ TMS/HS Library
Dr. Robin’s presentation will focus on the crucial role of allowing children to experience failure in building
resilience and confidence, highlighting the importance of making mistakes and providing corrective
feedback and promoting a growth mindset by encouraging effort - and much more. More details as well as
a RSVP and link to submit questions is HERE.

Important Dates
Here is a list of important dates:
Monday, April 7th - Tuesday, April 8th - ELA State Tests (6-8)
Wednesday, April 9th - Friday, April 11th - 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
Monday, April 14th - Monday, April 21st - NO SCHOOL - Spring Recess
Thursday, April 24th - Friday, April 25th - Math State Tests (6-8)
Thursday, May 1st - Friday, May 2nd - 7th Grade Trip to Boston

Sincerely,
R. Arthur, S. DeBellis, A. Colasuonno

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