Tuxedo Talk

Dear Tuxedo Community,

I hope this message finds you well-rested and ready to tackle the second half of the academic year.

As we move into 2024, I am excited about the great things that are in store for our students, our families and our school community. By working together, we will provide all learners a pathway to a promising, bright future. The best is yet to come for TUFSD!

It's my belief that educating the whole student gives children the foundation needed to become well-rounded, healthy individuals, equipped with a solid education and critical life skills. In keeping with this philosophy, we are excited about the rollout of the Yale RULER program in our classrooms. The Ruler Approach helps individuals of all ages learn to use their emotions wisely, allowing for greater opportunity to succeed in school, work and life. 2024 started with our George Grant Mason students and faculty working together to draft a schoolwide charter summarizing how children want to feel while together and the actions they will take to help each other experience those feelings.

We believe the Yale Ruler Schoolwide Charter will become an enduring cornerstone of our school culture. We look forward to implementing additional Yale Ruler concepts in our elementary classrooms and expanding the program to our middle school and high school students later this year.

Additionally, please note that we are approaching midterm and Regents exams for students in grades 8-12. During midterm and Regents testing week, school will be in session. Students scheduled to take a proctored exam will be excused from class accordingly, but they should otherwise be in attendance. For more details about midterm and Regents testing week, please see the January Regents and midterm testing letter from Principal Kahmar.

I look forward to another year of learning and success for our TUFSD students!

Sincerely,

Jeff White

In this section of our newsletter, we address the current educational landscape and provide resources to help parents understand New York State Next Generation Learning Standards, Assessments and what they mean for TUFSD students.

Tests/Assessments are an integral part of instruction, as it determines whether the goals of public education are being met. There are many different types of assessments. Tests affect decisions about instructional needs, curriculum, and, in some cases, funding. When assessments/tests and instruction are interwoven, both students and teachers benefit. Here you will find an overview of the different types of assessments - what they are, and why they are important to your child's learning.

December 4-10 was Computer Science Education Week! The yearly event is meant to raise awareness of the rich educational and career opportunities available in Computer Science. Click here to read more about how TUFSD students participated in different technology lessons and activities.

George Grant Mason and George F. Baker students held their Winter Concerts in December, and their performances put everyone in the holiday spirit! Read more about each of the festive events:

George Grant Mason Winter Concert

George F. Baker Winter Concert

NHS, Student Council and Interact Club members paid a visit to the Promenade at Tuxedo Place to provide residents with technology trouble shooting and support. Read more about the visit.

Manhattanville College Ethics Bowl Director Jesse Juarez visited with George F. Baker High School Ethics Club to help them prepare for the National High School Ethics Bowl that will take place at Manhattanville College on January 27, 2024. Read more about the visit.

George F. Baker High School celebrated Spirit Week December 18 - 21 with Formal Day, Country vs. Country Club, Rhyme Without Reason, and Class Colors Day, culminating in a pep rally! Click here to read more about the fun week!

James Bellesis' kind, caring, inclusive nature is known throughout George Grant Mason Elementary. As Tuxedo Union Free School School District expands the implementation of Social Emotional Learning, these qualities earned him the title of January Student Spotlight. Visit our website to read more about the fifth grader who is a shining light in the Tuxedo school community on our website.

Brian Weir has been District Treasurer for the Tuxedo Union Free School District since July 2023, responsible for running the Business Office and overseeing all business related matters for the District. This includes budget and finance, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, benefits, facilities, school lunch, and transportation. Visit our website to read more about Brian and his goals for the District.

Thanks to an expansion of the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) all TUFSD students are now eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch. Since the program's implementation on December 1, 2023, we are pleased to report that there has been a 17% increase in the number of students who receive breakfast and a 19% increase in the number of students who acquire lunch.

At the December 20 meeting, Director of Technology Paul Caputo presented the Board with an overview of the District's technology capabilities and a breakdown of updates that took place 2022-2023. Click here to view the presentation.

For the full agenda and documents pertaining to the December 20 meeting and all previous Board of Education meetings, please visit the Tuxedo Union Free School District Board of Education section of Board Docs. The next meeting of the Tuxedo Board of Education will be held on February 14 at 7 PM in the George Grant Mason Elementary Multi-Purpose Room.

For the first time since 2017, a lady Tornado has been named to the Class D 1st Team All-State Volleyball! Congratulations to George F. Baker Junior Madison Marsh who excelled this season as Tuxedo's Middle Hitter.

Congratulations to George F. Baker Senior Vanessa Duarte who was named to Class D 4th Team All State Volleyball. The last time that a lady Tornado was named to an All State Team was in 2019.

Congratulations to the Tuxedo Tornadoes Varsity Volleyball team who received the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Team Award for the Fall 2023 Season!

Some players also received individual awards. Click here to read more.

Congratulations to senior Anthony Arone, the Tuxedo Tornadoes Athlete of the Week for December 4! Coach Matt Takeuchi says the Varsity Basketball player shows great energy and hustle. “In Varsity's first two games last week he displayed outstanding defense and great effort in each game.” Nice job Anthony, Keep up the hard work!

Senior Veronica Chavez Granillo and junior Rachel Marin​, co-captains of the JV Basketball team​, are our co-athletes of the week for the week of December 11!

Coach Matt Van Houten says that in the most recent game against S.S. Seward Veronica scored 8 points, leading the team in scoring. "She consistently shows up in practice and gives 100% effort, while helping her teammates understand concepts and drills.” Congratulations, Veronica!

Although Rachel is new to basketball, Coach Van Houten says she comes to practice every day ready to learn and improve. “Rachel takes her role as captain seriously. She has her teammates' backs and offers encouragement whenever she feels it is useful.” Well done, Rachel!

Please note the second quarter marking period will conclude on January 26, 2024.

The TUFSD will be closed February 19-23 in honor of Presidents Day.