Hastings Happenings - March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Farragut's World Language Week Celebrates Students' Interconnectedness

In recognition of World Language Week (February 17-23), and World Language Day (February 21), English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher Julienne Sullivan organized a series of activities at Farragut Middle School to generate awareness about linguistic diversity and celebrate multilingual learners.

The week featured a string of morning announcements kicked off by middle schoolers Amichai De Lowe and Julia Levan. Each day, students greeted the school in other languages such as Hebrew, Polish, German, Danish, and Chinese Mandarin, and afterwards, read a Language Fact of the Day.

In English, Julia L. presented the first Language Fact of the Day. "Mandarin is considered the most difficult language to learn because of its nuanced, tonal nature," she explained. "It is also the most commonly spoken language in the world!"

Fifth graders Ethel Gautschoux and Ember Lustbader wrapped up the announcements on Friday by greeting the school in French and Portuguese, respectively.

Based on their knowledge of multilingualism and the daily facts they heard, students were encouraged to take a survey. More than 275 middle schoolers participated, entering in a contest to win prizes. From the survey, it was learned that there are 35 languages represented at FMS!

See below for the list of languages.

Even the ninth graders in Andrea Bromberg's class aided in the cause, taking a poll of over 300 students in the cafeteria, who were asked to guess the number of languages represented at FMS. Eden Greenberg was the only student to guess correctly, which won her a multilingual themed t-shirt.

Other prize winners, eighth graders Kota Shemonski and Gigi Levinson, were chosen based on their thoughtful responses to the survey’s short-answer question, which asked students to reflect on the meaning of the following quote by actress and writer Fiona Lewis:

"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things."

Below are several of the students’ reflections.

“I am thrilled by the number of students who participated in the optional survey and the enthusiastic support from our staff and administration,” Sullivan said. “The data collected shows the rich linguistic culture of the school and helped us learn more about our students. The first-ever, week-long language celebration generated many authentic conversations around the benefits of multilingualism.”

Due to its far-reaching impact, Sullivan plans to make World Language Week an annual tradition, with hopes of expanding to Hastings High School in future years.

All students who participated in the survey were offered multilingual themed stickers.

Staff Spotlight: Dr. Jenice Mateo-Toledo Honored as Unsung Hero

Dr. Jenice Mateo-Toledo, the district’s Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, was recently honored by the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) as an “Unsung Hero” for her leadership and commitment to advancing Hastings’ efforts around DEI outreach and engagement.

For this edition of Staff Spotlight, we asked Dr. Mateo-Toledo what this honor means to her and more.

What does it mean to be named an "Unsung Hero"?

It’s extremely gratifying to be acknowledged for one's passion and life's work. Therefore, this recognition is truly an honor for me. Hastings has been a long-time leader in the areas of DEI, so I also view this as a collective recognition and celebration of our journey and influence in the region over the past 25 years.

What inspires you in your role as D&I Coordinator? What is one aspect of your work that you enjoy?

DEI is at the center of the Hastings-on-Hudson community. Working with various stakeholders and seeing the smiles on our children's faces is what inspires me most. I enjoy collaborating with students, staff, administrators, and other community partners to design learning opportunities for students, such as the upcoming Alvin Ailey performance, the Multicultural Book Fair, and the Racial Equity days. Working with teachers to develop a curriculum that supports authentic learning and inclusivity is equally invaluable.

What current and future goals do you have for the district?

One of my goals is to work with our school community as we continue our path of growth, understanding, acceptance and belonging, while ensuring that we meet the needs of all students.

What is one fun fact about yourself or something you enjoy doing outside of work?

One of my favorite things to do outside of work is travel. Before entering my current role, I was a long-time English as a New Language (ENL) teacher, and had the opportunity to learn about different languages, cultures, perspectives, and ways of living from my students. When I travel to other countries, I connect with former students, and I immerse myself in their worlds and experience their customs. This has added to my appreciation for the beauty of diversity.

What is your favorite quote or mantra?

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

Dr. Mateo-Toledo in Lisbon, Portugal.

Hillside's First Graders Celebrate Black History Month with Biography Bulletin Board

A few years ago, Fiona Lazar, Teaching Assistant in Emily Isidori and Kelly Cavallo's first grade class, created a Black History Month Biography lesson to teach students about the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and culture. Lazar reviewed a couple of biographies per day with the students, before letting them choose a person of interest to write two to three sentences about.

The first graders took it a step further this year, writing one, two, even three-page biographies! From Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to Jackie Robinson and Maec Jemson, the students focused their efforts on honoring African Americans from all periods of U.S. history.

One student, Lucas, wrote about Fredrick McKinley Jones, the “King of Cool.”

“In the 1930’s, Fredrick McKinley Jones invented the roof-mounted cooling system that is used to refrigerate goods on trucks,” Lucas stated.

Another student, Arthur, wrote, “She devoted and risked her life to help rescue other slaves,” in reference to Harriet Tubman, “conductor” on the Underground Railroad who led enslaved people to freedom.

“The kids showed great interest,” Lazar said. She also explained how there have been crowds of students and staff who have stopped to read and discuss the bulletin board.

“The vision really came to life,” she added, pleased that the accompanying photos helped students put faces to names.

Proud of their work and eager to share their newfound knowledge, the children shared what they loved most about the biography project.

“I got to learn about how nice she is and how she cares about so many people,” said Georgia, a first grader in the class, about Oprah Winfrey.

Both engaging and educational, the students’ biographies gave passersby a glimpse into history, and the African American heroes whose roles have made a lasting impression on life and the world today.

High Schoolers Inspire with Passion Project Exhibition

Last week, Hastings High School hosted its Annual Passion Project Exhibition and classmates of participants, staff, and families were invited to attend. Initiated by Spanish Teacher Steven Lopez, each year, the Passion Project provides Level 5 Spanish and French students with an authentic learning opportunity.

To prepare for the exhibition, students complete a weeks-long research project, where they are asked to identify a skill they’d like to develop, a problem they'd wish to solve, and a larger-scale question they’d like to answer. Working with a mentor or expert in the field, they create action plans that include educational resources. Then, it's time to practice their skill.

According to Lopez, there are various checkpoints the students must complete throughout the process, such as written and verbal reflections of their progress, goal setting, a vocabulary list of key words to help them communicate their topic, and a mock presentation to their peers. The final exhibition allows them to communicate their topics to an outside audience, including the highs and lows of the process and what they learned.

A staple of Lopez's Level 5 curriculum, the Passion Project is always beneficial for students involved, as well as the larger school community. Given its long-standing success, it's safe to say that the tradition will continue for many years to come.

For a look at this year's list of students and their Passion Projects, click here.

The Academic Challenge Team Continues Its Winning Streak

The Winning A Division Team holding their Winners Plaque

L to R: Owen Linder, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, and Captain Benny Feldman

Hastings High School’s Academic Challenge Team participated in the Metropolitan Academic Challenge Competition (MACC) at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua on Saturday, March 2. In all, 24 teams competed, with 12 in the A Division and 12 in the B Division.

“Twenty-seven of Hastings' students came out, and we fielded seven teams,” said Academic Challenge Team Advisor Michael Willson. “This is the largest group of students I have taken to MACC in my seven years as a coach.”

In the A Division, the team took First place. Another Hastings team came in Third place. The B Division team also came in First place and two other Hastings teams finished in Third and Fourth place. That's five of the top eight teams!

"I'm so proud of them!" Willson said. "I couldn't wait to share their accomplishments with the community."

Over Memorial Day Weekend, Willson will be taking the A Division team--Owen Linder, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, and Captain Benny Feldman--ranked Fourth in the Northeast, to the National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Winning B Division Team holding their Winners Plaque

L to R: Nate Sollars, Maxwell Silva Steeves, Captain Rian Kacmarczyk, and Henry Sliker

Owen Linder, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Benny Feldman, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, Chloe McCabe, Sofia Eliasi, Jasper Zimmerman, Natalie Garson, Keith Mon, Maya Madajewicz, Sonya Lasser, Emre O'Flattery, John Mielke, Jet Spiro, Jake Andrus, Rian Kacmarczyk, Maxwell Silva Steeves, Henry Sliker, Nate Sollers, Theo McCabe, Reuben Belasco, Will Andrus, Will Weber, Ian Morrison Anthony Holder, Noah Berkowitz, Salem Kinderlerer, Advisor Michael Willson

Photographer: Declan McConnel

The Hastings Theatre Program Presents: Fourth Grade's Musical Frozen KIDS - Tonight, 3/7 & Tomorrow, 3/8

Today, fourth grade theatre students gave their fellow Hillsiders and teachers a preview of their performance of Frozen KIDS with a schoolwide assembly and dress rehearsal.

The students confidently took the stage, singing and dancing their hearts out to catchy tunes adapted from the Disney movie. Tonight, and tomorrow evening, they will perform for guests at the main events.

Please note: Tomorrow's show (3/8) is already SOLD OUT.

The good news is you can still get tickets for tonight's show at 7:00 p.m. They are being sold online only at: Hastings on Hudson UFSD Presents: Disney's Frozen Kids (onthestage.tickets).