Dear Mahopac Community,
There are two important votes taking place next week. Our annual school budget vote is on Tuesday, May 16th, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mahopac High School. Please be sure to participate in the voting process. The $137,960,937 proposed budget represents a 4.15% budget to budget increase and a 2.81% tax levy increase. This budget maintains all of the outstanding programs and supports currently in place while expanding academic offerings, special education programs, mental health support, and athletics opportunities. Additional budget information can be found on our District website.
Our students have an important vote on May 16th as well. They will be voting for our next mascot. Voting will take place during the school day. I would like to thank the members of the Mascot Selection Committee for their input and dedication to this process. This committee included students, staff, alumni, and community members. After much discussion and consideration, the committee narrowed the choices to three and also established a rationale for each of the proposed mascot names. The students will vote for one of the following choices, listed in alphabetical order, on Tuesday with results presented to the Board of Education on Thursday, May 18th:
Mahopac Mavericks
- Mavericks are people who want to achieve things that have never been achieved before.
- They are innovative, creative, brave, and have a strong desire to succeed.
Mahopac Mustangs
- A Mustang is a strong, independent animal.
- It is known for its intelligence, loyalty, ability to withstand challenges, resilience, and strength.
Mahopac Wolf Pac
- The Nockpeem subtribe of the Wappinger Confederacy that lived in our region was called the Wolf Clan.
- This mascot name includes “PAC” which supports “Go Pac!”
- A Wolf “Pac” is a family, they work together and support each other.
As this week comes to a close I would like to recognize all of our outstanding staff members. I am so proud of our dedicated, student-focused staff. Please join me in thanking them for all that they do to contribute to our students’ education. Last, but certainly not least, let’s wish all of the mothers and grandmothers a beautiful and Happy Mother’s Day!
Sincerely,
Christine Tona
Superintendent of Schools
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Principal Cozzocrea Meets the Incoming Sixth Grade Class |
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Austin Road Elementary fifth grade students whispered among themselves while they waited for Principal Bryan Gilligan to introduce their much-anticipated guest.
“Yesterday I spoke to you about starting to think about your transition to middle school,” Gilligan said. “Today, Principal Cozzocrea is going to give you an overview of the middle school experience.”
Students watched as Gilligan gave the floor to the Mahopac Middle School Principal Tom Cozzocrea.
“Most of you have been here for six years, and this is all you know about school. Right now, you’re the big guys here, and when you go to middle school, you’re going to be the youngest in the school again, but I guarantee that it will be a place that you will love.”
Many of the students had questions about moving up to middle school. Some students worried that they would get lost in the big building, while others were afraid that they wouldn’t be able to handle the work. Cozzocrea assured the students that they would quickly acclimate to their new environment.
“Regarding those things that you’re worried about right now, soon you’ll be saying, ‘I can’t believe I was even worried about that,’” Cozzocrea said. “Some of you are worried about getting lost in the building. The truth is that you’re going to get lost! But it won’t be for days or hours; it will be for a few minutes, and then one of our staff will help you find your way.”
Cozzocrea was honest about the challenges that students would face in middle school. He explained that the work would be harder, just as the work got harder during each year of elementary school. He told students that they would be late to class in the beginning, but that their teachers would understand.
At the end of the assembly, a torrent of questions came from the students, who wanted to know every detail.
“How long is each period? How many minutes do we have between each class? Will we get to pick our seats?”
Cozzocrea did his best to answer every question and assured the students that they will have another chance to ask him questions when they visit the middle school in a few weeks. The Mahopac Middle School principal also visited fifth grade classes at Lakeview and Fulmar Road Elementary Schools.
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Mahopac Middle School Celebrates
Prevention Week
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This week was National Prevention Week and students at Mahopac Middle school learned all about substance abuse prevention and maintaining mental health.
On Wednesday, students met with Prevention Educator Jillian Kulka from CoveCare Center at a shaded picnic table during lunch. "Do we get a prize if we win?" one student asked as she signed up for a prevention week Kahoot! game. Students had a chance to read a pledge, sign a prevention week banner, and join in a trivia game for prevention week.
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High School Students Register to Vote |
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"I feel like such an adult!" said one Mahopac High School senior as she filled out her voter registration at the high school library on Thursday. Students had the chance to meet with District Clerk Melody LaRocca to sign up to vote in the upcoming Budget Vote and Board of Education election and to register to vote in Putnam County.
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Austin Road Students Show Off Their
Green Thumbs
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A second grade student lowered a seed into the dirt, carefully pressing it down to the exact depth suggested by his fifth grader supervisor. After careful inspection and a thumbs up, the two moved on to the next planting.
Austin Road students ventured out of the classroom and got their hands dirty in the garden this week. Fifth grade students helped second graders plant radish seeds, scallion bulbs, red onion bulbs, and germinate peas, learning about gardening and sustainable food sources.
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Mahopac Parents Get Educated
About Social Media
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Parents whose children will be entering middle school next year had a chance to learn about social media from school staff and law enforcement representatives at the Parent & Guardian Social Media Night. The presentation covered the risks, benefits and realities of the world of social media and offered suggestions for keeping children safe online.
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High School Students Give Back at Austin Road |
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Today's high schoolers have busy lives. But that doesn't stop Mahopac students from giving back. Spanish speaking Mahopac High School students stopped by Austin Road Elementary as a part of the English as a New Language Mahopac High School/Austin Road Partnership Program.
At first, the group talked about the recently released "Super Mario Brothers" movie, before one of the high school students began explaining the rules of Super Mario Monopoly. These exemplary high schoolers take time out of their schedules to hang out and play games with some of Austin Road's ENL students every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m..
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Check out the 2023-2024 Budget Newsletter |
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5/16 - Elementary Track Meet
5/16 - School Budget Vote and Trustee Election
5/18 - Community Connections with the Superintendent
5/18 - Board of Education Meeting
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The proposed 2023-2024 School Budget expands upon our robust STEAM program providing all of our students in grades K - 12 with challenging activities which incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math. |
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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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