November 5, 2021 

Dear Hastings Families & Staff, 

November is upon us, with the common refrain amongst staff, “I can’t believe how quickly this year is going.” If a sense of quick pace speaks to a positive feel, let’s keep energies focused on maintaining what has been largely an upbeat school year. (I also have my fingers crossed, since luck often plays a role in our schoolwork.) 

This week’s update shares two quick reflections from impressive visits with our youngest and oldest students. I then turn to a review of COVID-19 items. 

Kindergarten Caring 

Caring is one of Our Tall Seven, which is joined by Hillside’s Core Value of Respect. The Kindergarteners leapt in with caring and respect this week with the “Season of Giving Event.” Organized by the Kindergarten Team, students gathered at tables in the Hillside Circle on Wednesday to assemble care packages for members of the military, whose service to our country will not allow them to be home for the Holidays. Students wrote and colored thank you cards, which they glued to paper bags filled with treats. (The supplies and gift goodies were donated by Kindergarten parents.) 

Walking amongst the tables, asking students what they were doing, I heard back, with pride, “We are making gifts for the troops...we are saying thank you...my uncle is in the Marine Corps...I am making my card very colorful...my grandpa was in the Navy...I know they will smile...they can’t come home, so we will send them a card...they are our troops.” 

The Kindergarten Team later in the day shared this statement amongst the staff, “The Kindergarten children had a wonderful morning making cards and packing care packages for our troops who are unable to be home during the holidays. As a Kindergarten team, we are hoping that this little act of kindness will help to teach the children that the act of giving can be as much fun as receiving.” 

To which I reply, “Spot on! Spot on!” Thank you for stepping up to ensure Caring and Respect are real and alive in our community ─ not just words.

Now and Future Leaders, For Sure

Soon after visiting with the Kindergarteners on Wednesday, I met over pizza with six members of the High School’s Student Government: Julien Amsellem (11th), Erik Ghalib (10th), Jack Maney (9th), Sabine Paz-LeDraoulec (12th), Owen Taylor (11th) and Josh Thigpen (12th). 

I was joined by Melissa Szymanski, Lou Adipietro, and Board Member Alex Dal Piaz. This was the first in a series of roundtable discussions we will have with student leaders across the year. The students gave voice to well-considered concerns of the entire student body in a constructive, solution-oriented manner. 

My thank you to the six students conveys my conclusion succinctly: 

Thank you for an excellent conversation today over pizza. As I

noted at the end, based on similar roundtables with high school

students since 1981, you set a new standard for insights, complex

thinking, sensitivity, clarity of voice (constructive argument), and

dedication to your peers. Maybe most important, you conveyed all

your points with dignity and respect. 

I head home this evening smarter for our conversation, and with an

extra kick in my step with the thought that today I met exceptional

future leaders.

I look forward to listening to Hastings students of all grades and ages. Impressive now, they give hope for the future. 

COVID-19 Update 

We communicated twice this week about the pending availability of COVID-19 vaccinations for students ages 5-11. Early in the week, we surveyed all Hillside and Farragut families as to their interest in a combined vaccination clinic with one or more of the Quad Village School Districts. On Wednesday, we followed up the survey with a short letter reporting that over 580 children may want to participate in a vaccination clinic. The letter noted that we are working with the Westchester County Department of Health (WCDOH) and the Quad Village Districts to determine the best way to provide vaccinations to a large number of students (response rates in the other districts were similar). In the meantime, families wishing to have their children (ages 5-11) vaccinated should avail themselves of any source of their choosing. This may include their personal physician, pharmacies, or clinics sponsored by the WCDOH or other medical/public health agencies. 

Superintendents in the region continue to work with the WCDOH and area medical advisors on other mitigating strategies with COVID-19. The Test-to-Stay program, which was discussed in the 10.22.21 Community Update, is being reviewed by the NYSDOH based on advocacy by County Executives and superintendents. We also regularly check in with the WCDOH on any potential modifications to requirements for masking, physical distancing, and quarantines. To be clear, as superintendents we must work within the public health and medical framework established by the WCDOH, which cascades from the NYSDOH and CDC. Our aim at all times is to ensure the health and safety of students and staff while maximizing in-person learning. 

Be well. 

William S. McKersie, Ph.D. 

Interim Superintendent of Schools