May 16, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for your trust and partnership! This week’s newsletter includes several important updates, most
notably the final exam and NYS Regents schedules for both our middle and high school scholars. You’ll
also find acknowledgments and essential information designed to keep you informed and engaged.

Middle school families, please take special note of our Community Read initiative and the impact of the
Wordly Wise Vocabulary pilot program, which aligns with the Science of Reading.

As we pass the midpoint of the fourth quarter, please remind your scholars of the importance of attending
extra help and review sessions. Encourage them to end the year strong by maintaining regular attendance
at school and arriving on time, every second of class missed is an instructional opportunity lost. Finally,
let’s remain steadfast in supporting our scholars, guiding them toward safe, healthy choices that promote
their well-being and academic success.

General Announcements:
Student Spotlight
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lillian Kubaska for being selected as Artsonia’s
Artist of the Week for grades 10th through 12th for the week of May 11 through May 17.This recognition is
a significant honor, as it celebrates outstanding creativity and artistic achievement among student artists
across the nation. Being chosen by Artsonia, the largest student art museum in the world, highlights not
only Lillian’s exceptional talent and dedication to her craft but also the inspiration she brings to her peers
and community. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishment and look forward to seeing where her
artistic journey leads next!

TMHS Final and NYS Regents Exam Schedules:
Attached are the final exam schedules for the middle school and high school programs. The last day of
classes for high school students ONLY is Monday, June 16th. Middle school scholars are expected to
report for in-person instruction through June 27th, which will follow an early dismissal schedule. As a
reminder, final or Regents exam grades count for 10% of high school students’ final year-end grade
● TMS Final Exam Schedule
● HS Final and NYS Regent Exam Schedules

Tuckahoe Guidance Department Updates:
THS Creating Opportunities for Scholars:
Over the past year, our School Counseling Department has redoubled its efforts to create meaningful
college and career opportunities for every senior. By establishing new partnerships with institutions, from
community colleges to highly competitive universities, we’ve broadened students’ exposure and
demystified the admissions process. Through targeted workshops, one-on-one advising, and
essay-coaching sessions, our scholars have gained both the confidence and the skills to apply widely and
thoughtfully. Because of the collective efforts of our learning community, many of our scholars have been
accepted to schools at the top of their list.

The impact shows in this year’s results: we supported 102 applications, up from 82 last year, and saw
admission offers climb across the board. Notable highlights include first admits at Boston College and a
jump from zero to five admits at Northeastern University. Meanwhile, long standing partners like Iona and
Westchester Community College continued to welcome nearly all our applicants.

These gains are no accident. Our team has implemented data-driven strategies, tracking application
trends, tailoring support for highly selective schools, and expanding mock-interviews, to ensure each
student’s profile shines. As we look ahead, we’ll keep refining these approaches so that every scholar
knows their aspirations are within reach. See the attached three slides highlighting our scholars
accomplishments.

Enhancing Vocabulary Development:
At TMHS, our students have been steadily expanding their vocabularies through Wordly Wise workbooks.
Moreover, in recognition of vocabulary’s critical role in reading proficiency, the Wordly Wise initiative has
been implemented in grades 4 through 12, ensuring that all students receive consistent, age-appropriate
instruction in word mastery. Every few weeks, students tackle a new list of words, practicing each through
call-and-response, turn-and-talk, and written exercises, before demonstrating mastery on a test that
measures words in context, multiple meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and analogies. But the true mark of
success comes when those words escape the workbook: with a mischievous grin, a student might declare,
“Ms. Conway, it looks like an azure sky outside!” or slip new terms into essays purely because they’ve
made the learning their own.

These classroom successes reflect both the systematic design of Wordly Wise and core findings from the
science of reading. The National Reading Panel identifies vocabulary as one of the five essential pillars of
reading instruction, alongside phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension, and
emphasizes that robust vocabulary development comes from both direct teaching (explicit definitions,
morphology, and usage) and indirect learning (encountering words in rich, meaningful contexts) . Research
shows that when students receive multiple, spaced exposures to new words, across listening, speaking,
reading, and writing, they not only retain word meanings more effectively but also strengthen their overall
reading comprehension, laying a critical foundation for academic success across all subjects.

Middle School Community Read Initiative:
We are thrilled to launch our second annual Community Read initiative for middle school scholars! This
year, our teachers have selected The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for all students and staff to explore
together. Throughout the summer months, our young readers will follow Roz’s remarkable journey, from her
awakening on a remote island to her discovery of what it means to belong, adapt, and form unexpected
friendships. This initiative aligns with one of our collective goals: to be inclusive, promote reading and help
our scholars continue to develop a lasting joy of reading throughout their middle school years.

Through this shared experience, we hope to ignite a love of reading by encouraging every student to dive
into a beautifully illustrated, thought-provoking story. We also aim to foster meaningful conversations at
home, inviting families to discuss Roz’s challenges and triumphs and deepen their understanding of
themes such as resilience, community, and empathy. To extend learning beyond the page, we’ll provide
related activities in September, design your own “island tech,” write a diary entry from Roz’s perspective, or
debate what it means to be “wild”, so that creativity and critical thinking can flourish.

We’re deeply grateful to our PTA for their generous support, which allows us to provide every rising 6th,
7th, and 8th grader, as well as all TMS staff, with a copy of The Wild Robot. This initiative truly wouldn’t be
possible without their commitment to literacy and community engagement. Let’s make this year’s
Community Read an unforgettable adventure for our students, our staff, and our families alike, enjoy the
story, share your reflections, and celebrate the power of reading together!

TMS Junior National Honor Society Induction Ceremony:

The Junior National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 11th, at 6:00
p.m. in the TMS auditorium. This invitation-only event honors students in grades 7th and 8th who have met
the rigorous NJHS criteria. Those selected by the committee have consistently demonstrated academic
excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community service.

8th Grade Awards Night:
The 8th Grade Awards Night is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th and will commence following the
Junior National Honor Society Induction Ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

TMS DARE Picnic and Pool Party at Lake Isle:
We are excited to announce an upcoming event for our 7th-grade students (ONLY) - a DARE Picnic and
Pool Party at Lake Isle on Thursday, June 5th (Rain date: June 9th)!

This event, organized in collaboration with local law enforcement, aims to celebrate the completion of the
DARE program while providing a fun and safe environment for our students to enjoy. Transportation will be
provided to and from Lake Isle by school buses. Permission slips have been sent out, and all activities will
be supervised by school staff and law enforcement officers.

Varsity Athletic Awards & Hall of Fame Ceremony:
On Tuesday, June 3rd, our Athletic Department will host the annual Varsity Athletic Awards Ceremony and
Hall of Fame Induction. The event will take place at Mulino’s of Lake Isle. We are thrilled to honor the
remarkable achievements of our scholar-athletes and to recognize the outstanding career of an individual
who is being inducted into the esteemed Tuckahoe High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Click here to RSVP.

THS Graduation Rehearsals
The two mandatory Tuckahoe HS Graduation Rehearsals will be held on Monday, June 23rd at 11AM and
on Tuesday, June 24th at 9:30AM. All THS graduates are required to report to the auditorium to begin the
rehearsal. We are eager to prepare our graduates for this monumental event in their lives.

THS Senior Scholarship Awards Night
As a reminder, the Senior Scholarship Awards Night will be held on Thursday, June 12th at 6:30 p.m. We
look forward to seeing students and their families at this special event as we honor their hard work and
dedication throughout their four years at THS.

THS Senior Internship Program:
As our seniors immerse themselves in their internship experiences, we extend our sincere appreciation to
the exceptional businesses and organizations that have partnered with us this year. Through your
mentorship, guidance, and willingness to open your doors, our students have gained invaluable insights
into professional life and have developed essential skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
These real-world learning opportunities are a critical part of our commitment to preparing students for
college, careers, and civic life. Thank you for playing a vital role in shaping the next generation of leaders,
innovators, and professionals.

This year’s internship sites include but are not limited to:
Louis Campana Architecture Firm, Yale Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, White Plains
Hospital, Kerelaw Engineering, Mastercard Headquarters, Village Hall, Mt. Vernon Courthouse
under Judge Johnson, Lotus Threads, IMP Plumbing, Platinum Porches, Mt. Sinai, and Muscoot
Farms. For a complete list click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ufo-XHb7KXhHEImtC32CqzJag9yQ3lV1Nfgj8qQ1B9w/edit?u
sp=sharing

Important Reminders:
THS Physics Day at Six Flags Great Adventure:
On Thursday, May 22rd, with the generous support of the PTA, students from Ms. Buchanan and Dr.
Giallorenzo's physics and AP classes will be visiting Six Flags Great Adventure for Physics Day. During
this excursion, students will engage in hands-on experiments to explore fundamental principles of physics
such as velocity, potential and kinetic energy, acceleration, and gravity, all while enjoying roller coasters
and other thrill-seeking activities at the park. They will utilize basic measuring tools provided by built-in
software on their phones, as well as an education packet provided by Six Flags. Although Great Adventure
has offered Physics & Education Days in the past, this marks the second opportunity for Tuckahoe
students to participate.

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:
VOTE for School Budget and Board of Education Trustees, 6am-9pm
The Tuckahoe PTA is proud to endorse the Tuckahoe UFSD’s Budget Proposal for the 2025-26 School
Year. This vote includes the proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year as well as open seats on the
Tuckahoe UFSD Board of Education.
BE INFORMED!
1) Review the Budget Proposal.
2) Watch the BOE Candidate Forum that occurred on May 12.
3) Click HERE for more details on polling locations and hours.

Supporting 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.

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, 7pm
ALL ARE WELCOME! 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!

SAVE THE DATE - June 25, 8th Grade COLOR WARS (during school hours) - more details to come!

Important Dates
Here is a list of important dates:
Tuesday, May 20th 9AM - Memorial Day Commemoration
Tuesday, May 20th 3:15PM - Athletics Signing Day Event
Tuesday, May 20th - TMHS Art Show
Friday, May 23rd & Monday, May 26th - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 28th - Chorus Spring Concert

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

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