May 2, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

From May 5th through May 9th, the nation comes together to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, a
time to honor the extraordinary individuals who devote their lives to educating and empowering our
scholars. While many describe teaching as a calling, for those who live it each day, it is something even
deeper: a profound act of service, love, a passon, and belief in the power of the human touch.

Teachers are the cornerstone of every student’s journey. They are the quiet architects of dreams, the daily
champions of growth, and the steady hands guiding our scholars through both triumphs and challenges.
The true value of a teacher cannot be measured by report cards or test scores alone. It is reflected in the
small, life-changing moments: when a student raises their hand for the first time, reads aloud with
newfound confidence, solves a problem they once thought impossible, or begins to believe in themselves.

At the heart of their work is a powerful promise, to show up each day prepared and with patience, purpose,
and high expectations. Teachers commit to seeing and appreciating every scholar’s uniness, focusing and
building on their strengths, creating a nurturing school-room environment, maintaining high expectations,
and seeing every challenge as an opportunity to make a difference. They innovate, connect, adapt, and
personalize learning so that each scholar has unlimited opportunities to their full potential..Through
rigorous instruction, high expectations and consistent encouragement, they create classrooms where
scholars can show their greatness and achieve success with confidence.

Above all, teachers are motivated by the transformative power of education and its power to impact the
lives of children forever.

Next week, we celebrate and thank you, our teachers. We see your early mornings and late nights, your
creative lessons and encouraging words, your dedication and quiet sacrifices. Thank you for making our
learning community a place where excellence, high expectations, and love are not just ideals, but daily
experience.

TMS New York State Examination Schedule:
We had a successful administration of the New York State English Language Arts, Mathematics, and
Science assessments. Our students approached each exam with focus and determination, and the testing
process ran smoothly from start to finish.

A special thank-you goes to Mr. DeBellis, our Testing Coordinator, whose careful planning and leadership
ensured everything stayed on track. I also want to extend heartfelt appreciation to all of our teachers and
proctors. Your dedication, patience, and attention to detail made this success possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s education. We look forward to sharing
individual results as soon as they become available.

End of Year Event Calendar:
The attached calendar provides a list of end of the year events and activities for both middle school and
high school scholars. While there are a few dates missing, the calendar is 95% complete and we want to
share it with you, so that you can plan accordingly. Please select the link to access the calendar.

Tuckahoe Guidance Department Updates:
May 1st was National College Decision Day, and we were excited to celebrate our graduating Class of
2025 as they proudly committed to the next steps in their journeys. Whether you’ve chosen a community
college or Ivy League university, enrolled in a trade school program, answered the call to serve in the
military, or pursued another path entirely, each announcement was a testament to your hard work,
resilience, and ambition. Congratulations on reaching this milestone—your dedication has paid off, and we
can’t wait to see the incredible impact you’ll make on campus, in your careers, and beyond!

See the attached Powerpoint listing the colleges and universities our scholars will be attending in the
fall.Here’s the list as of today, college_acceptances_final
Reminder: College Café for Juniors!

Juniors, join us every Tuesday at lunch in the Guidance Suite for College Café—your weekly drop-in spot
to:
● Polish your résumé: Get one-on-one feedback on formatting, content, and powerful action verbs
● Jump-start applications: Learn where to begin, how to organize deadlines, and which materials you’ll
need
● Explore options: Discuss colleges, majors, and career pathways with our counselors and peers

Bring your draft résumé, your questions, and your appetite for success. We’ll provide a relaxed atmosphere
(and light refreshments!) to help you take confident steps toward your post-secondary goals. See you
Tuesday!

Varsity Softball Attends Prestigious Tournament and Tours Binghamton University
This weekend, our varsity softball team is proudly heading to Binghamton to compete in the prestigious
2025 James "Ace" Morabito Memorial Invitational High School Softball Tournament. Before taking the field,
the team had the unique opportunity to tour Binghamton University—an inspiring experience that highlights
the perfect blend of academic excellence and athletic ambition. As true student-athletes, our players
continue to embody the values of hard work, dedication, and balance. We extend our best wishes to the
team and coaches John D’Arco and Alexis Musca for a successful and memorable weekend of
competition!

Important Reminders:
New BOE Policy - Food Deliveries:
Students in grades 11th and 12th can use food delivery services during their assigned lunch period, but
must pick up deliveries outside the building. Additionally, all faculty and staff must pick up deliveries outside
the building. Delivery drivers will no longer be allowed inside the school building.
Students in middle school, 9th and 10th grades will no longer be allowed to use food delivery services
during the school day at any time.

Message From Ms. Iamonico, Library Media Specialist:
Poetry month is in full swing in the library! Each day, we feature a poem on the morning announcements
which are then displayed in the library. This past Wednesday, we hosted the first poetry slam which was
well attended by students and staff. If you are looking for a new book for the month, check out our Poetry
collection on Sora- your student can login with their Google account, or this list of Novels In Verse. Want
to try something new? What about listening to a novel in verse as an audiobook? Perfect for family road
trips!

7th Grade DARE Program:
Our DARE program kicked off in our 7th-grade classes this month. This program equips students with
essential skills to steer clear of alcohol, drugs, and violence, fostering a safe and supportive school
environment. By specifically focusing on resisting peer pressure and promoting positive choices, DARE
empowers students to lead productive, drug-free lives.

We are fortunate to collaborate with the dedicated officers of the Tuckahoe Police Department for this
initiative. Officer Madan, a proud THS Alumni from the Class of 2013, has continued to be a beloved figure
among our scholars. We encourage parents to engage in conversations with their children about the
valuable lessons learned in DARE, reinforcing the importance of making healthy choices and staying
resilient against negative influences.

8th Grade Academic Awards Criteria:
As the end of the school year quickly approaches, we would like to take a moment to share important
information regarding the criteria for this year’s 8th Grade Academic Awards. Please refer to the attached
letter for full details. We are excited to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students at the
Academic Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday, June 11th at 7:30 p.m. in the TMHS
auditorium. We look forward to recognizing our 8th graders and hope you can join us for this special
evening of celebration and pride.Please see the attached letter.

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.

News from the PTA:

Help us Appreciate our Teachers!
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4–9, and we want to show our incredible teachers how much we value
their hard work and dedication! We are organizing a special Teacher Appreciation Luncheon and would
love your support to make this event a success. To help cover the costs of the luncheon and other
appreciation efforts throughout the week, we kindly ask for a suggested donation of $10 per family.
Donations are completely optional. If you’d like to contribute, you can send donations via: Venmo: Theresa
Cermele, @TheresaCermele, Zelle: Alyson Bamford, kirkbamford@hotmail.com

Evening Event, Dr Joanna Robin on “Letting Kids Fail: Building Confidence and Resilience, May 7,
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.

Board of Education: Candidate Forum, May 12, 7:00 - 8:00pm, TMS/HS Library
There are (2) open seats for the Board of Education and the candidates are Joel Abrams, Louis Campana,
and Seth Miran. The community is invited to submit questions to be posed to the candidates. Some or all of
the questions may be used. We ask that you please keep any question(s) submitted confidential. Submit
questions to: TuckahoeBOEDebate@gmail.com. Deadline for submission of questions is Friday, May 9
th at 3pm. If unable to attend the forum in person, a Livestream is available HERESupporting Teen Nutrition and Healthy Body Image: Webinar, May 19, 7:30pm
As teens grow, so do their nutritional needs—and the pressures they face around body image. Join us for
an important and informative evening with nutrition experts Rebecca Appleman, RD and Mara LoConte,
RD/CDN of Appleman Nutrition as they guide parents through the essential building blocks of teen
wellness. Further details and RSVP HERE.Community Service Club: Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for MS/HS Students
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. The date remaining is May 28.
Sign up for Hope Community Kitchen HERE.

Men's Club Cornhole Tournament, May 30, 6:00pm, Cottle Field
Bring your A-game (or just your best underhand toss) to our Second Annual Cornhole Tournament! This
year, we’re opening up the boards to entire families—parents and kids teaming up for a showdown of skill,
focus, teamwork, and just the right amount of luck. All ages welcome—whether you’re a cornhole pro or
just in it for the fun. Sign up HERE.

End of Year PTA Celebration, June 5 (time TBD)
Join us at the Generoso Pope Foundation for an evening of appreciation as we celebrate our Lifetime
Achievement Award Honoree, Lisa Gerken, and incredible Volunteers. Ceremony followed by small bites,
light refreshments, and entertainment. Plus, learn how you can get involved with the PTA!

Important Dates
Here is a list of important dates:
Thursday, May 1st - Friday, May 2nd - 7th Grade Trip to Boston
Monday, May 5th - May 17th AP Exams Begin
Thursday, May 8th - 6th Grade Trip to Chelsea Piers
Tuesday, May 13th - 4th Quarter Progress Reports
Wednesday, May 14th - Band Spring Concert

Sincerely,

R. Arthur,  S. DeBellis,  A. Colasuonno

• Weekly Letter 5-2-25 
• Weekly Letter 4-25-25 
• Weekly Letter 4-5-25 
• Weekly Letter 3-29-25 
• Weekly Letter 3-23-25 
• Weekly Letter 3-15-25 
• Weekly Letter 3-9-25 
• Weekly Letter 2-28-25 
• Weekly Letter 2-14-25 
• Weekly Letter 2-7-25 
• Weekly Letter 1-31-25 
• Weekly Letter 1-24-25 
• Weekly Letter 1-19-25 
• Revised Weekly Letter 1-12-25 
• Weekly Letter 12-20-24 
• Weekly Letter 12-15-24 
• Weekly Letter 12-8-24 
• Weekly Letter 12-1-24 
• Weekly Letter 11-24-24 
• Weekly Letter 11-17-24 
• Weekly Letter 11-11-24 
• Weekly Letter 11-3-24 
• Weekly Letter 10-27-24 
• Weekly Letter 10-20-24 
• Weekly Letter 10-13-24 
• Weekly Letter 10-6-24 
• Weekly Letter 9-29-24 
• Weekly Letter 9-22-24 
• Weekly Letter 9-15-24 
• Weekly Letter 9-7-24