Letter from the Superintendent |
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Dear Mahopac Community,
As we enter the last week of the 2022-2023 school year, there is so much to celebrate. First and foremost, our students are enjoying so many wonderful year end events, many of which have not occurred in recent years. These events will be remembered by students and staff for years to come.
Last night, the Board of Education recognized 38 staff members who are retiring or who have retired earlier this school year. I wish them all health and happiness as they embark on this new chapter! The Board also awarded tenure to 13 staff members. This is a tremendous milestone in their careers and they are to be congratulated. I wish them a long and happy career in the Mahopac Central School District! Please find a list of all of our retirees and tenure candidates here.
We have several administrative changes that I am pleased to announce for the 2023-2024 school year. Please join me in congratulating Elizabeth Blessing who was appointed as Lakeview Elementary’s new principal, effective July 1, 2023. Mrs. Blessing currently serves as assistant principal at Lakeview and at Fulmar Road. She will be replacing Mrs. Pontillo as she assumes her new position as assistant superintendent for human resources. Congratulations to Stephanie Grace who will be the new assistant principal at Mahopac Middle School as of July 1, 2023. Mrs. Grace comes to Mahopac from the Briarcliff School District where she served as a special education teacher and as acting assistant principal. We welcome Mrs. Grace and wish her much success. High School assistant principal, April Ljumic, will take on a new role and will oversee our guidance department. I am thrilled about this changes and additions and I am confident that Mrs. Blessing, Mrs. Grace, and Mrs. Ljumic will be outstanding in their new roles.
This last week of school will be bittersweet as we watch our fifth graders say goodbye to their elementary schools, our eighth graders get ready for high school, and our seniors take their final steps as students of the Mahopac Central School District. Congratulations to all of our students on a successful school year! I have enjoyed watching them participate in the many amazing opportunities offered in our schools. I am truly proud to serve as your superintendent!
Please be sure to read about our Capital Project update in this week’s newsletter. Our next two newsletters will focus on the Moving Up and Graduation celebrations. Enjoy the last week of school!
Wishing all of the Mahopac dads a Happy Fathers Day!
Sincerely,
Christine Tona
Superintendent of Schools
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The Mahopac Central School District has been hard at work improving facilities, which aim to improve security, education, and infrastructure across the District. Thanks to the support of the community who passed the Capital Bond, Mahopac’s schools are already enjoying new and updated security vestibules, fields, and upgraded fire alarm systems, to name a few. Work on Capital Project phases will continue through the 2023-2024 school year.
Security Improvements
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One of the primary objectives of the Capital Project has been to ensure the safety of all of Mahopac’s students from the moment they walk through their schools’ doors each day. Several new security vestibules have been installed that will help school staff control the entrance to their buildings and all schools will have these vestibules for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. The security vestibules are a double set of doors between the school and the outside where those entering the building can check in with a member of school staff before accessing the building.
An important part of the comprehensive safety overhaul has been the upgrades to new, addressable fire alarm systems in our schools, which ensure the future operability of the systems in the event of an emergency.
As a part of the Smart Bond project, additional CCTV cameras are also currently being installed throughout the District, along with a door access control system, both of which will allow school staff to better control access and monitor their buildings.
Improvements to Athletic and Educational Facilities
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The Mahopac Central School District prioritizes the quality of the education and athletic facilities offered to students. New libraries will expand the educational opportunities for students with modernized common spaces for learning, research, and work. The new fields at the high school and middle school and the soon to be replaced stadium field and track will become a venue for Mahopac High School and Middle School athletes to hone their skills and compete for many years to come. |
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New libraries are nearing completion at Austin Road Elementary and Fulmar Road Elementary, and work on a new library at Lakeview Elementary and Mahopac Middle School will begin construction this summer. Mahopac High School students have been enjoying their new library media center and science students have enjoyed access to the all-new STEM wing of their school. Students have opportunities like never before for experimenting and bringing their ideas to life through rapid prototyping thanks to their new science and engineering space.
“I am looking forward to students returning to an updated library in September,” said Fulmar Road Elementary Principal Gary Chadwick. “It has been a tough year without the use of the library but it will be well worth the wait based on the transformation of the space.”
Infrastructure Upgrades
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While it may not be as flashy as new turf fields and security vestibules, the infrastructure of Mahopac’s schools is key to day to day operations and facilitating the education of our students. Upgrades have been made to the clock systems throughout the district, and the public address (PA) systems have been replaced to better facilitate communications throughout the school day.
Much needed upgrades have been made to the district’s electrical infrastructure, and mechanical upgrades were made to several of the District’s ventilation systems. The Capital Project has also seen the consolidation and centralization of the independent wells and pumping systems for the high school, middle school, and Falls School into a modern and efficient pump house and water treatment facility.
There has been a swath of other improvements across the district, and further work will begin this summer. Mahopac High School and Middle School have had kitchen and serving equipment renovated, and work will begin at the middle school on the OTPT (Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy) and nurse’s office suite this summer. Also beginning this summer will be work on the middle school’s new STEM room and the conversion of the former middle school’s planetarium into a lecture hall.
The Capital Project has seen the completion of numerous improvements throughout the District, and work will continue through the 2023-2024 school year.
"This Capital Project has provided important security upgrades, innovative instructional spaces, and much needed infrastructure improvements," said Superintendent Christine Tona. "While living through construction is often frustrating, the outcome will benefit our students for many years to come. I thank the Mahopac community for their support!"
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Join Mahopac High School art teacher Sean Flanagan for this one-week portfolio intensive, which will help prepare students for submitting their work to colleges with patience, technical guidance, and strategies for finding inspiration.
Sign ups and payment due by Wednesday, June 21st.
CONTACT: Sean Flanagan (Instructor)
Your place can be secured by paying here. Space is limited.
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Italian National Honor Society Induction
The Italian National Honor Society Induction took place this week and the Mahopac chapter welcomed 23 new members.
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"Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 AATI Societa` Onoraria Italica," said advisors Yvonne Viebrok and Monica Goulart. "You have distinguished yourselves with your dedication and leadership qualities towards activities for the betterment of our school and community at large. You also have met the high academic standards set by the AATI Association. Additionally, we would like to recognize your sense of responsibility, integrity and morality that you have all displayed during the course of the years at Mahopac High School. We look forward to your continued growth throughout your senior year and beyond! Congratulazioni!"
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Three Mahopac Ninja Warriors Go to Worlds |
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After a long year of hard work and training, three of Mahopac's students, from Fulmar Road Elementary School through Mahopac High School, are going to Worlds. From watching the sport played on television to hitting the gym and practicing courses, these three Mahopac ninjas have their sights set on the 2023 World Ninja League Worlds Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The trio from Mahopac is comprised of Fulmar Road third grade student Haris Pupovic, Mahopac Middle School sixth grade student Taylor Wyman, and Mahopac High School Junior Tyler Wyman. The three will be traveling to the World Championship on June 23rd.
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Mahopac Student Awarded Service Learning Award |
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Mahopac High School student Becca Lomas was recognized for her outstanding and invaluable service to her community this week. Lomas clocked in 660 hours of community service this year and even received New York's 17th Congressional District Community Service Award from Congressman Mike Lawler.
Becca was instrumental in helping communities and families who are struggling with food insecurity. Becca founded the community action project, "La Caja Verde" which serves low-income Hispanic families in the community with a monthly box of produce, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. Additionally, she has partnered with a local not for profit organization called Let it Shine.
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Graduating Seniors Visit Their
Former Elementary Schools
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"Everything looks so much smaller!" said one high schooler as he strolled through the halls of Austin Road Elementary School.
Members of the class of 2023 had the opportunity to visit their old stomping grounds this week clad in caps and gowns, much to the amazement of the current elementary students. The comparative giants walked the halls, high fiving students and reminiscing about simpler times. Whichever path they walk in the future, every one of Mahopac's elementary school students, both current and former, will have left an indelible mark on their schools and the greater Mahopac community.
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Bubble Bus Visits Fulmar Road for Some Early Summer Fun Outside |
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Summer is here and Fulmar Road students were entranced when they went outside and saw the famous Bubble Bus spewing bubbles at the upper parking lot. After a hard day learning and working, the Fulmar Road students were happy to get a bubbly break.
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Important Dates For Student-Athletes |
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Save the date, parents/guardians of Mahopac High School student-athletes:
July 21 - Family ID for Fall Sports Opens
August 14, 15, 17 - School Physician will be at Mahopac High School to conduct physicals
(Contact school nurse to make an appointment)
August 21 - Tryouts Begin for Varsity and Junior Varsity Sports
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June Edition of
Spotlight on Mahopac
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6/19 - Juneteenth (Schools Closed)
6/20 - 6/23 - Elementary Half Days
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The Seal of Civil Readiness is a new designation offered through the NYS Department of Education. Twenty-four of our graduating seniors have achieved this honor! |
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Mission Statement
To prepare each and every student for college and career readiness, and
to educate all students to be responsible and productive members
of the global community.
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Mahopac Central School District
179 East Lake Boulevard, Mahopac, NY 10541-1666
Phone: 845-628-3415 Fax: 845-628-5502
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