News from the Mahopac Central School District

January 15, 2024

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Mahopac Community,

I am excited to share our Strategic Plan: A Blueprint for Success which will provide items for focus and initiatives to explore through June of 2028. The focus of this plan is the success of all of our students. Our goal, as stated in our new Mission Statement, is to develop educated, upstanding citizens with practical life skills through rigorous preparation for the real world.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to our Thought Exchange survey in February 2023. The topic of this survey was: Keeping student success at the forefront of everything we do, what do you value most about our school district, and what can we do better to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future? In addition, our 2023 High School graduates were surveyed prior to their graduation. They were asked to respond to the following question: Reflecting on your experiences both inside and outside of the classroom, how have we prepared you for your next steps, and what suggestions do you have for us to better prepare future students?

The responses to these questions were thoughtful, relevant, and innovative and provided a strong foundation upon which the Strategic Plan: A Blueprint for Success was built. Much appreciation to the entire Mahopac Central School District administrative team for their work in determining the priorities, goals, and actions of this Strategic Plan. Together we reviewed every response and categorized the responses into the following five priorities:

Student Academic Opportunities
Student Learning Environment
Student Well-Being
Facilities and Infrastructure
Community Engagement

Our Board of Education worked together to craft inspiring Vision and Mission Statements. They also identified the Core Values for our students in their day-to-day learning and ultimately, upon graduation and moving into the real world. These statements and values are included in the Strategic Plan: A Blueprint for Success and will be a focus in all that we do throughout the District.

Please explore this document as it will guide our entire District through the 2027 - 2028 school year. Annually, the Strategic Plan: A Blueprint for Success will be reviewed, updates will be provided, and successes and accomplishments will be shared and celebrated as we continually strive to provide the very best education and outstanding, relevant opportunities for all of our students throughout their years in the Mahopac Central School District.

Sincerely,

Christine Tona

Superintendent of Schools

Click Here to Review the Strategic Plan: A Blueprint for Success

Mahopac Athletic Director

Named AD of the Year

It has been another year for the books for Mahopac High School athletics. And much of the credit for that success goes to Athletic Director Stephen Luciana.

Luciana was named Athletic Director of the Year by the New York State Section 1 Athletic Administration. The honor comes courtesy of a nomination and vote by his peers from around the state.

“I’m not one for awards, but it means a lot when your colleagues are the ones voting for it. It’s an honor to have the work that we’ve put into Mahopac and Section 1 recognized.”

Between planning and coordinating seasons full of games, weather events, equipment breakdowns, and try-outs, the job of an Athletic Director extends to almost all hours.

“We’re on 24/7. When we have weather events, we’re coordinating with other teams and rescheduling. We’re here till 9 p.m. most nights in the winter for games and we’re up at 6 a.m. in case anything happens with buses so we can take of that,” said Luciana explaining the logistics that go into a successful program. “We’re here on breaks and Saturdays for tournaments and scheduling. It is a lot but it’s very rewarding and I’ve wanted to do it since high school.”

The Athletic Director was quick to share the credit with his team and the students.

“This award is really for our department. What I do wouldn’t be possible without the help of Lynne Mongon, Brenna Lape, our coaches, and athletes. Our grounds crew and custodians do a great job hosting Section 1 events. The award is a recognition of all of the work that we all do together.”

An athletic director for more than 16 years, Luciana took over as Mahopac’s AD four years ago. He has served the Mahopac community through many successful seasons and watched dozens of students sign on to continue playing sports in college.

“Mahopac is lucky to have Steve Luciana as our Director of PE, Health, and Athletics,” said Superintendent Christina Tona. “His experience, knowledge, and dedication are assets not only to Mahopac but to the region as evidenced by this much-deserved award.”

“One of the reasons that I came here four years ago is for the support and passion this community has for athletics. It’s nice to see Mahopac recognized for the work that we put in. Hosting state events, regional and sectional championships, that’s all of us.”

Lakeview Students Share Their Dreams in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, Americans across the country remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his peaceful fight against injustice in American society. King inspired a generation to demand equality, justice, and decency, and for the United States to follow through on the promises made in the Constitution. His words echo, even today, over half a century later and they continue to inspire Mahopac’s students.

“Segregation was when people in this country were separated due to the color of their skin,” Lakeview teacher Jeanne Russo explained to her third-grade students.

Many of Russo and Don Triebel’s students proved their knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement by sharing details about the injustices of the time.

“That was when black people and white people couldn’t use the same buses,” said Lakeview student Emma.

Students had a chance to listen to the historic “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by King before the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Then, Triebel and Russo told students that they would have a chance to explore their own dreams for the world.

“I dream that all wars would end,” said a student named Zayn, “and that the whole world would be at peace.”

Students cut out doves and pasted them beside a dream they had for a brighter future. Students dreamed of peace, homes for the homeless, and food for the hungry.

“I want poor people to get treated well like we do,” said a student named Sean. “I don’t want people to be homeless.”

With an eye to the past and a dream for the future, Mahopac’s current students will one day become doctors, engineers, politicians, and teachers with the tools to create the change that they dream of today.

Students Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at Austin Road Elementary

Don Triebel and Jeanne Russo’s third-grade class weren’t the only ones learning about one of the most important men and movements in American history last week. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement have been the subject of many lessons all across the Mahopac Central School District.

Check out some of the Martin Luther King Day activities that took place around the Austin Road last week:

Tiffany Ziegelhofer, Carolyn Ryan, and Adrianne Eppolito’s fourth-grade class.

Lynn Paulet’s first-grade class.

Mahopac Friends of Music Paint Night

Kindergarten Registration for the

2023-2024 School Year

Kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year will be held from January 1st, 2024 - March 31st, 2024. Check out the attached documents to register.

English Document https://5il.co/2bd71

Spanish Document https://5il.co/2bd70

Ad Hoc Advocacy Committee Opens

Suggestion Box

The Ad Hoc Advocacy Committee invites our community to provide any concerns/issues/policies for the Advocacy Committee to discuss and consider advocating for/against. Your information will remain confidential and only your suggestions will be shared.

On behalf of the Mahopac Advocacy Committee, thank you for your participation!

Advocacy Suggestion Box