Mahopac Central School District

News & Headlines

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  MHS Staff Invited to Present at Regional Curriculum Council

  April Ljumic, High School Assistant Principal, and Kelley Posch, High School MHS LIFE and Math teacher have been selected to present a breakout session for the Putnam|Northern Westchester Curriculum Council’s Virtual Learning Regional Conference, which will be held via Zoom on Friday, December 4, 2020. April and Kelley are co-facilitating a break-out session entitled: “More Than Screens: Forming Lasting Relationships in a Virtual World” with Dan Novak and Catherine Leist from the Center for Environmental Education at PNW BOCES. In this session, teachers and administrators will focus on creating and fostering relationships built on trust in a hybrid and virtual setting. Mahopac High School’s “MHS LIFE” 9th grade program will be showcased for its work in building positive long-term relationships and its collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education of PNW BOCES to continue this great work in a virtual setting. Showcased practices are designed to build empathy, facilitate communication, and encourage lasting personal development and healthy relationships even through a screen. 

  "MHS Life Program is a robust and impactful course that each of our freshmen take, MHS Principal Dr. Matt Lawrence said.  "I am extremely proud that we have been asked to participate as presenters at the Regional Curriculum Council Professional Development Program."   

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  Virola Invited to Participate in the National Hispanic Recognition Program

  Jaime Virola, Jr. scored in the top 2.5% on the PSAT/NMSQT among all Hispanic and Latino test takers in the region.  As a result, he has been invited to participate in the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP). 

  “We are extremely proud that Jaime has been honored as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program,” said MHS Principal Matt Lawrence. “This recognition celebrates his success thus far and the brightness of all that's ahead. Please join me in congratulating him on this outstanding academic achievement.”

  When he learned that he had been recognized, Virola said, “It is not about enduring the hard work, but about loving the work you do. You will be surprised how far anyone can travel if they enjoy the journey.”

  Participation in this program enables students to highlight their outstanding educational achievement to top colleges and universities. In a statement regarding NHRP, The College Board said, “Colleges know that students who have earned this recognition are some of the most talented across the country.

  District News & Headlines
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  School Board Recognition Week 2020

  The New York State School Boards Association recognizes October 19 - 23 as #SchoolBoardRecognitionWeek. This is a time to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by school board members. The Mahopac Central School District is joining all public school districts across the state to celebrate School Board Recognition Week to honor local board members for their commitment to Mahopac and its children.
  
  “It takes strong schools to build a strong community, and these men and women devote countless hours to making sure our schools are helping every child learn at a higher level,” Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo said. “They make the tough decisions every month and spend many hours studying education issues and regulations in order to provide the kind of accountability our citizens expect.”
  
  Mr. DiCarlo said the key work of school boards is to raise student achievement by:
  • Creating a shared vision for the future of education
  • Setting the direction of the school district to achieve the highest student performance
  • Providing accountability for student achievement results
  • Developing a budget that aligns district resources to improve achievement
  • Supporting a healthy school district culture in which to work and to learn
  • And much more!
  
  “School board members give the Mahopac citizens a voice in education decision making. Even though we make a special effort to show our appreciation in October, their contribution is a year round commitment,” DiCarlo said. “Thank you to the members serving our district President Michael Mongon, Vice President Adam Savino, and Trustees Ben DiLullo, David Furfaro, Lawrence Keane, Lucy Massafra, Tanner McCracken, Ray McDonough, and Michael Simone.”

  District News & Headlines
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  Congratulations Max Semegran, NYSSMA All-State

  Max Semegran has been chosen to participate in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Festival. The festival will be held virtually.

  Over 7,000 student musicians from across the state compete for a spot in one of the eight All-State ensembles. Being named as a violinist is the result of an arduous process including performing scales, a solo or ensemble piece of choice from the designated NYSSMA repertoire, and a sight reading piece. The judges score and comment on the students' performances according to defined guidelines set by NYSSMA.

  “Participating in such a prestigious event significantly benefits students,” said Mahopac High School Orchestra Director Evan McGregor. “I truly wish Max could meet fellow musicians and perform to an in-person audience, but the experience still offers an opportunity to learn and play challenging material. Last year, Max was selected as an alternate but ultimately did not get selected to participate, so this year being able to participate as a full member of the All-State String Orchestra is particularly gratifying. I'm proud of the work he's done and I think a fine example of Mahopac's potential.”

  “In addition to earning a perfect ACT score, being named a National Merit Semifinalist, being a three season athlete, and now NYSSMA All-State, Max is a peer leader, brother, and community member,” said MHS Principal Matt Lawrence. “Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow and flourish. We look forward to his All-State performance.”

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  Fall Sports Spotlight

  Superintendent Di Carlo and Athletic Director Stephen Luciana talk Fall Athletics in the latest edition of Spotlight https://youtu.be/SA7oTgbWb1w

  District News & Headlines
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  MHS Announces National Merit Scholars

  Congratulations to Max Semegran and Alexa Tyberg who were named Semifinalists and Angelo DiTocco for being named a National Commended Scholar in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

  Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

  Each of the students shared his and her reaction to the news. Max stated, “I am thankful to my parents, teachers, and the Mahopac High School administration for all their support. These incredible people facilitated an environment that allowed me to achieve this goal.” Alexa said , “I'd just like to say that I'm excited about National Merit and it was really cool to learn I had qualified for it.” Angelo said, “I didn't expect this to happen, but I appreciate the honor!"

  They received this distinction by scoring among the top 5% of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 scholarship program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

  To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

  Finalists will be announced in February 2021.

  District News & Headlines
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  Austin Road Welcomes New Assistant Principal

  Michelle Tween has joined Austin Road Elementary as the school’s new assistant principal. 

  “I speak for everyone at  Austin Road in saying that I am pleased to welcome Michelle to the Austin Road Family,” said Principal Bryan Gilligan. “I am grateful to the administration and The Board of Education for working diligently to select someone with the combination of educational experience and philosophy that she brings. I look forward to working closely with her to continue the good work being done at Austin Road to the benefit of all our students. I believe that her passion and dedication to early childhood and elementary education is well-aligned with mine and am confident will make a great team.”

  Prior to joining Austin Road, Mrs.Tween spent nearly a decade as Director of Early Childhood Education at the Chapel School in Bronxville supervising and supporting preschool and K-2 team leaders, teachers, and teacher aides. Her other duties included coaching and observing teachers in instruction, management, and planning. She also created and implemented a schedule and protocol for school-wide faculty instructional rounds to create a culture of collegiality and collaboration. She was a reading specialist and a classroom teacher for Kindergarten, first, and second grades and participated on and led several educational and community committees including chairing the Cultural Competence Curriculum Review Committee.

  “I am thrilled to be joining the Austin Road team. The warm welcome I received from Mr. Gilligan, the staff, and all of the teachers has been nothing short of amazing,” said Mrs. Tween.   “Everything that I was told about the culture of Austin Road is what drew me here, and my experience so far is better than I could have imagined.  Austin Road’s commitment to each other, to our students, and to our families will continue to keep us a truly connected and strong community.” 

  Mrs. Tween, who lives in Eastchester, NY, earned both a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University and a master’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education as well as an advanced diploma in school building leadership from The College of New Rochelle. She returned to Fordham to earn an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, Administration & Policy and is planning to graduate in 2021.

  District News & Headlines

• Austin Road Students Sign Song of Thanks

  When Austin Road Elementary students can't sing together (check out the video here!), they sign together instead! Music teacher Elizabeth Day, using technology and sign language, helped her students perform "Thanks a Lot" by Raffi in celebration of Thanksgiving and in gratitude. Enjoy!

  The Lyrics of the song are:

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for Sun in the sky.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for clouds so high.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for whispering wind.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the birds in the spring.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the moonlit night.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the stars so bright.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the wondering me.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the way I feel.

  Thanks for the animals,
  Thanks for the land,
  Thanks for the people everywhere.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for all I've got.
  Thanks for all I've got.

  District News & Headlines

• 2020-2021 One Page Calendar

  This Calendar includes school breaks, holidays, and color cohort days for the entire 2020-2021 school year. *Please refer to specific communications from schools for building specific changes and updates.* 

  District News & Headlines

• Welcome Stephen Luciana - Mahopac's New Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics

  The Mahopac Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools  Anthony DiCarlo are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Luciana as Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics for the Mahopac Central School District. He was appointed during a special meeting on May 6, 2020.

  Luciana has an extensive background in physical education, health and athletics and will join Mahopac from the Pelham Public School District, where he served as director of health, physical education and athletics. During his tenure, he worked collaboratively with each department implementing the district’s philosophy of inspiring excellence to address the academic, physical, and emotional needs of his students. Specifically he increased the number of athletic teams, created a student athlete committee, and played an integral role in capital improvements related to district athletics. Prior to Pelham, he served as the Assistant Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics in the Yonkers Public Schools and taught physical education at Greenburgh Eleven and P.S. 32 in the Bronx. He has also held various coaching positions in football, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse in Ardsley and Chester.

  “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Luciana to Mahopac,” Superintendent of Schools Mr. DiCarlo said. “His commitment building school spirit and promoting a positive culture will be an excellent fit in Mahopac as we work to define the future of our programs. His passion for athletics and his student-centered approach will serve us well in leading our physical education, health and athletics department. ”

  Luciana earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland and his master’s degree in school administration Mercy College. 

  “I am honored and humbled to join a team of administrators that fosters such a high standard of student achievement and pride,” Luciana said. “I would like to thank the Board of Education for entrusting me with the highly-respected athletic programs of the Mahopac Central School District. I am eager to begin our partnership and bring my dedication and experience in fostering academic and athletic excellence to the Mahopac community.”

  Mr. Luciana succeeds Frank Miele who came out of retirement to step back into the Athletic Director position in Spring 2019, “Frank provided us with steady, reliable leadership just when we needed it most, “DiCarlo said. “He re-established the connections among our athletic department, student athletes, coaches, and community which have positioned us well for the next chapter in Mahopac Athletics. His legacy in Mahopac will live on forever. I cannot thank him enough.”

  Luciana will step into his new position on July 1.

  District News & Headlines

• Mahopac Board of Education Names President and Vice President

  Michael Mongon, a 1979 graduate of Mahopac High School, will serve as Mahopac Board of Education President for the 2020-2021 school year, while Adam Savino assumes the role of vice president.

  Mongon and his wife, Lynne, a 1981 graduate of MHS, together have six children including three MHS graduates. Mongon is a Sports Fields and Parks consultant and Assistant Superintendent for Parks in New Jersey. He also serves on the Town of Carmel Recreation Committee.

  “It’s all about creating an environment where our schools’ staff, both instructional and non-instructional, feel supported, trusted and respected,” Mongon said. “This can be achieved with strong leadership, vision and communication – hallmarks of creating and establishing a true team.”

  Although cognizant of the challenges facing school districts amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mongon nonetheless said he was looking forward to helping Mahopac teachers, non-instructional staff and administrators emerge from the crisis stronger than ever. He praised the district for getting Chromebooks to students during the distance learning period.

  “When everyone had to shut down and switch to remote learning, our first thought was how are we going to ensure that all students can get to a computer,” said Mongon. “We were one of the districts able to outfit all of our students with Chromebooks.”

  As the district moves forward, Mongon said he would like to enhance training for teachers who need to gain greater confidence with instructional technology, while continuing to support those teachers who are already facile in the use of technology. 

  “We have excellent teachers and an amazing and very skilled support staff,” he said. “We have to give them the resources to do their jobs effectively. It is an entire team effort.”

  Savino, who has worked in the utility industry for 30 years, is also a longtime resident, having been raised in Mahopac. The father of two was elected to the board in June 2019, having served as co-president of the Lakeview PTO for two years.  He is active in the community, notably as a member of the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department and Vice Chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners. 

  District News & Headlines

• Special Edition Spotlight: District Busing

  Please enjoy this Spotlight for all District Families about busing.

  https://youtu.be/aX7ATtzp9P8 

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• Please take our Transportation Survey

  Parents and guardians, please click here to take the Transportation Department’s survey to help us plan for September.

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