January 19, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This is a friendly reminder that the 2nd quarter for both middle and high school students will conclude on
Thursday, January 23. Teachers will finalize students' report card grades by Tuesday, January 28. During
this grading and grade verification period, the portal will be inaccessible to students and parents.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's performance, we encourage you to contact
their teachers directly. We also stress the importance of students being proactive in addressing any
questions they may have about assignments or grades. This proactive approach helps foster a sense of
responsibility and accountability early in their educational journey. This message applies to students at the
middle school level as well.

We believe that open communication between students, parents, and teachers is essential for creating a
supportive educational environment. Together, we can provide the guidance and resources needed for
every student to succeed. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a smooth and successful conclusion
to the 2nd quarter.

Looking ahead to the 3rd quarter, we encourage you to continue supporting your child in developing and
maintaining positive academic habits. This includes getting enough sleep, arriving at school on time,
completing homework promptly, actively participating in class, and attending extra help sessions, which are
available weekly from teachers.

For the parents of juniors and seniors, we highly encourage your participation in Junior Achievement Day.
This event provides invaluable opportunities for students, especially seniors, to engage with professionals,
explore career paths, and gain practical insights into the workforce. Participating in this event can enhance
your child’s preparedness for life after graduation and offer meaningful networking opportunities that will
serve them as they transition into their next phase of education or career development. For additional
information on JA Day, see below.

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.
Thank you for your ongoing support.

General Announcements:
Superintendent Search Forum:
The Board of Education partnered with District Wise Search Consultants to help identify our next
Superintendent, succeeding Dr. Goodman at the end of the school year. To ensure a collaborative
process, District Wise will gather input from stakeholders about the qualities we should seek in Tuckahoe's
next educational leader. We invite you to share your thoughts through a survey created by District Wise,
which also includes questions about the Board's strategic plan. You can access the survey here: District
Survey. Additionally, a community forum will be held on January 27th in the High School/Middle School
Library. You can also attend the event via zoom. More information can be found on our District
website. Thank you for your input and support in this important process.

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.

THS Junior Achievement Returns to the Tuckahoe School District:
On Wednesday, March 19th, kindergarten, first-grade, second-grade and third-grade classrooms will
participate in a “JA in a Day” event during which Tuckahoe high school students in grades 11th and 12th
will have the exclusive opportunity to volunteer and lead interactive lessons using grade-appropriate
financial literacy curriculum.

This collaboration not only strengthens the connection between our schools but also provides distinct
advantages for both sets of students. The benefits of Tuckahoe High School's 11th and 12th-grade
students leading the training sessions include peer mentorship, positive role modeling, an enhanced
learning experience, skill development, and community building.

All JA programs, including the upcoming JA in a Day event, 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.

We encourage you to support your child's involvement in this innovative collaboration through Junior
Achievement. It's an excellent opportunity for growth, mentorship, and community building.
Mrs. Caroline Tzelios, Senior Manager at Junior Achievement of New York, will be at Tuckahoe High
School to conduct two mandated training sessions for all JA participants on Monday, February 10th and
Wednesday, February 26th, during the 6th period at 12:00 noon in the auditorium.

TMHS Guidance Update and Recommended Course Proposal for the 2024-25 School Year:
The TMHS guidance update and recommended course proposal presentation to the Board of Education is
scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the TMHS Library.

Message From Ms. Iamonico, Library Media Specialist:
Our 25 in '25 reading challenge is off to a great start! We will have our first Books N' Bites meeting on
Friday, February 7th in the library during lunches. At that time, we will review more about the program,
share the books we have been reading, and have a sweet treat, generously sponsored by the PTA! Please
let Mrs. Iamonico I know in person or via email (iamonicom@tuckahoeschools.org) by Wednesday,
February 5 if you are coming so we can make sure we have enough goodies!

High School Guidance Updates:

University of South Carolina Visits THS:
We are excited to announce that Marissa Strominger, our regional recruiter for the University of South
Carolina, will be presenting to our 11th-grade students at Tuckahoe High School on Thursday, April 4,
2025, at 11:00 a.m.! This year, we have 12 applications to USC, up from 7 last year, reflecting a growing
trend of our students applying to more southern universities and colleges. Marissa will provide valuable
insights into the college application process, admissions requirements, and campus life. Don’t miss this
opportunity to hear directly from an expert!

11th Grade College Planning Meeting:
The 11th-grade college planning meetings will begin in the first week of February. Please be on the lookout
for an email from Sign-Up Genius to register for an in-person individual meeting for both students and
parents. We look forward to meeting with you and working together as we support your child through this
important stage in their high school journey.

During these sessions, we will cover the following important aspects:
● Review midyear grades
● Conduct a comprehensive transcript review
● Discuss course requests for the upcoming academic year
● Delve into the college application process
● Explore testing requirements, including discussions on College Board standardized testing (ACT
and SAT examinations)
● Discuss the college essay
● Address letters of recommendation

We will also utilize Naviance, a valuable resource for college and career planning. Our collective goal is to
guide students through the exploration of potential colleges. These meetings aim to empower, inform, and
support our 11th-grade students and their families as they navigate the crucial steps toward their future
academic and career endeavors.

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.

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

THS Ski Club:
The THS Ski Club set out on an early departure on Sunday, January 12th, and safely returned from
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in Highmount, New York. This marked our first trip of the season, attracting
approximately 50 enthusiastic students who engaged in both skiing and snowboarding activities. A heartfelt
thank you goes to Mr. Sweeney and Mr. O’Connell for their dedicated roles as club advisor and chaperone.
The THS Ski Club is now in its 13th year, consistently providing enriching opportunities for students within
our learning community. The second trip is scheduled for Saturday, February 1st at Catamount Mountain
Resort in Hillsdale, New York.

TMSH National Junior Honor Society:
The National Junior Honor Society supports Tuckahoe Middle School’s commitment to the values of
scholarship, service, leadership, character, citizenship, and helps middle-level students develop the
knowledge and skills to become well-rounded student leaders in their school, community, and beyond.
The criteria for membership to the National Junior Honor Society, along with supporting documents, can be
found here.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to the National Junior Honor Society Advisors: Mrs.
Benedetti, benedettia@tuckahoeschools.org or Mr. Colasuonno, colasuonnoa@tuckahoeschools.org

THS Annual Augie Nardone Scholarship Basketball Games:
Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Augie Nardone Scholarship Basketball Games this
past Friday! It was an incredible evening filled with school spirit and community pride. The energy in the
gym was electric, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout.

This event not only celebrated the talent and hard work of our student-athletes, but it also brought our two
communities together for a great cause. With your support, we raised funds for the Augie Nardone
Scholarship, which will provide scholarships for deserving students from both Tuckahoe HS and
Eastchester HS.

We are so proud of the school spirit on display and grateful for the passionate fans who cheered on our
teams. Thank you for making this event a huge success, and for continuing to support the tradition of
teamwork, sportsmanship, and giving back to our students. We can’t wait for next year!

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!

RECOMMENDED EVENT: Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay, February 8th at 6pm, White Plains
Experience the magic of Coldplay's iconic hits performed live in an intimate candlelit setting. For ages 8+.
Please visit HERE for ticketing information.

*SAVE THE DATE* - PTA Annual Spring Social will be May 2 at 7:30 pm, Wykagyl Country Club.
More information forthcoming.
For all the latest PTA News and Event Information, please be sure to visit TuckahoePTA.com regularly!

Important Reminders:
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

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:
Monday, January 20th - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21st throughFriday, January 24th - New York State Regents Administration
Thursday, January 23rd - End of the 2nd Quarter
Monday, February 17th, through Friday, February 21st - Mid-Winter Recess

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

• 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