Sleepy Hollow Middle School - Union Free School District of the ...

Welcome to
Sleepy Hollow Middle School
Back to School Night
September 22, 2011

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns is to
empower students to make informed choices and assume
responsibility for their own actions as they become selfdirected,
lifelong learners who are committed and able
contributors to a sustainable local and global society. In
partnership with our diverse community, we promote
continuous growth through active engagement in a
personalized learning environment characterized by high
expectations and academic rigor in a climate of collaboration
and mutual respect.

At Sleepy Hollow Middle School We…
– Create an environment of mutual respect and
intellectual curiosity
– Celebrate diversity
– Are committed to developing a sense of
community
– Are dedicated to the social, emotional, and
intellectual needs of middle school children

What is the Middle School Like?
•Safe
– Staff actively supervise hallways
– Teachers supervise the cafeteria and recess
– Guidance is working with Olweus, a bullying
prevention program, as well as implementing
our character education program

What is the Middle School Like?
• Supportive
– Team structure provides smaller learning
environments where students know that an
adult is available for them at all times.
– Parents can request a team meeting at any time
to discuss their child’s progress.
– Teachers offer office hours, before and after
school, to provide additional support for
students, as needed.

What is the Middle School Like?
• Building Community
– Monthly team meetings give students and
teachers the opportunity to work together
toward a common goal.
– Each team is working to develop their own
community service project.
– Team activities such as team trips, community
service projects and spirit days build school
pride.

ESL
• ESL Department is dedicated to providing the
language and academic supports for second
language learners to transition into general
education classes and be successful students and
community members.
• Students receive 90 minutes of English language
and literacy instruction daily with content area
support and academic vocabulary development

Special Education
• Special Education staff ensure that all
accommodations and testing modifications are
appropriately implemented.
• Act as a liaison between parents, general
education teachers, and related service providers.
• Participate in co-teaching classes with general
education teachers in order to provide rich and
positive learning experiences for all students.

Foreign Language
• SHMS offers: Spanish, Spanish for Heritage Speakers,
Spanish for Native Speakers, French and Italian.
• 6 th and 7 th grade classes meet every other day for a full
year. 8 th grade classes meet every day for a full year.
• Goals:
– Students will be able to communicate in the studied
language and will be aware of the diversity and culture
associated with the language.
– At the conclusion of 8 th grade, students will pass a local
Language Proficiency Examination and earn one high
school credit.

Physical Education and Health
• Planned sequential program of instruction incorporating
individual and group activities which are student-centered
and taught in a positive environment.
• Provides experiences for social and personal development
of students.
• Develops a physically active lifestyle through fitness and
sport specific skills.
• All students are required to wear sneakers.
• All students are graded daily. Grade is based on
application of skills, personal/social responsibility and
safety, effort, attendance and preparation.

Health
• The mission of health education is to increase students
knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors which promote
physical, mental, emotional, social, and intellectual well
being.
• This course is specially designed to meet the social and
emotional developmental needs of young adolescents.
• Through classroom discussion, learning activities and a
variety of projects, students explore issues related to personal
health and human growth and development, with a focus on
individual decision-making.

Fine and Performing Arts
Performing Ensembles
• Basic music techniques are emphasized as well as cooperative
learning involving; leadership skills, developing independence,
development of self-esteem and boosting self-confidence.
• Mastery of learning is exercised through participation in the Winter
and Spring Concerts. Participation is a compulsory requirement.
• The focus of these ensembles is to research, study and perform
music appropriate for the middle school level. Skill development
on a mixture of instruments and vocal techniques is stressed and
individual practice is required.
• Weekly class lessons, recitals, and morning rehearsals are essential.

Fine and Performing Arts
• Exploratory Music I II & III focuses on World drumming,
Music theory, Music history, Music composition and Music
technology.
• Goals include creating music independently with integrity outside
of the classroom and the use of critical thinking skills to foster
creativity through participation.
• The Visual Art Program introduces Art as an important piece of
the humanities; students learn that Art is a powerful language of
meaning that is connected to all other disciplines.
• The Visual Art Program demands higher order thinking; all
students are required to "problem solve" to discover the meaning
of historic works as well as to create original and meaningful
projects.

Middle School Enrichment
• Enrichment classes meet period 1
• 6 th Grade
– Quarters 1 & 2 “Short Story: Deviations from the Mean”
– Quarters 3 & 4 “Mesopotamia” –Students will face challenges
and learn the key concepts of cultural and civil development.
• 7 th –8 th Grade
– Quarters 1 & 2 “Creative Challenges” – A creative problem solving
course that gives students a variety of open ended challenges.
– Quarters 3 & 4 “Our World: How We Use Humor and Satire to
Build Understanding”
• Applications are available on-line or can be picked up and
returned to the middle school office.

School Counselors Help Children By…
• Promoting positive attitudes among students toward self, family, peers
and community.
• Developing and delivering classroom guidance lessons that teach skills
such as healthy decision making, resolving conflicts and respecting
others.
• Counseling students both individually and in groups.
• Providing support for academic, social, and emotional issues.
• Helping students learn anger management, conflict resolution and
mediation.
• Helping students set goals and understand how school performance
relates to future opportunities.
• Working with parents, teachers, and administrators to meet the
individual needs of all students.

Role of a Social Worker
• Provide support services to students (directly or indirectly) to maximize their
opportunities for successful educational experience.
• Assist in the evaluation and placement of students and the interpretation and
management of their social/emotional needs.
• Serve all students, providing counseling individually, in-group, or in class.
– Referral sources: ( mandated, self-referred, teacher, parent, administrator)
• Consultation with teachers, parents and administration concerning behavior
management and interpretation of child’s social/emotional needs.
• Provide casework services for parents/families and parent education, where
appropriate.
• Crisis Intervention (assessment, direct intervention and/or referral).
• Contact: Dr. Cheryl Burton (332-6278)
• E-Mail: cburton@tufsd.org

School Psychologists Facilitate Learning
Dr. Magali Paschke
332-6254
• Prevention
– classroom observations
– assessment of learning styles
– develop strategies for classroom and home
• Consultation
– Parents
– teachers and administrators
– other agencies
• Evaluation
– cognitive/academic testing
– behavioral assessments
• Intervention
– counseling
– parent meetings
– parent/child mediation
– peer mediation
– referrals

Clubs
• Middle School clubs include:
– Yearbook, Student Government, National Junior Honor
Society, Drama Club, Math Olympiads, Environmental
Action Club, Cinemania,, Strategic Games, African-
American Heritage Club, Explorations in Science…
• Check the the SHMS website for more information on
clubs
– Email the club advisor
– Club meeting times may be flexible

Extra-Curricular Activities
• Modified Sports
– Open to 7 th and 8 th graders
– Fall sports: soccer, volleyball, football, cross country, field
hockey. Winter sports: basketball, wrestling, swimming.
Spring sports: baseball, softball, lacrosse, track & field
– Game schedules are posted on the athletics website
– Contact Chuck Scarpulla, Athletic Director at 631-3664 for
more information
• Intramural Sports
– Meets Mondays from 3:00 – 4:00p.m.
– Open to 6 th graders
– Late busses available at 4:30
– Contact Mrs. Lisa King, 366-5824 or Mr. Tommy DiLorenzo,
366-5823, for more information.

Resources: Communication is Key
• Team leaders are the primary contact for your child.
• Guidance counselors are available for students and parents to help
navigate social, academic, and emotional concerns.
• School psychologist and social worker are available as well.
• Staff will return emails/phone calls within 24 hours.
• Middle School Website
– Has links to the online homework calendar, email addresses for
teachers and administrators, general news, online library database
resources.
• After school HW help, library hours until 4:30, ESL Center,
• Principal (elopez@tufsd.org) and
• Assistant Principal (cquinones-smith@tufsd.org)

Middle School PTSA
• All meetings scheduled at 7pm in Room 101S
on:
– October 3 rd , January 9 th , April 23 rd
• Contact your grade level representative:
- 6 th - Beth Loffredo- (eloffredo@optonline.net)
- 7 th- Robin May – (rrd10701@aol.com)
- 8 th Melissa Kaplan – (eiselekaplan@yahoo.com)

The Foundation for the Public
Schools of the Tarrytowns
• Please remember to support the Foundation,
this organization works tirelessly to bring new
programs and technology to the middle school.
The Foundation helps fund the DC Trip,
anti-bullying programs, organic school
vegetable gardens, many of the art programs
including the Mac Studio, purchase of Piano
and violins, etc. If you need more information
about the Foundation, there is a new video
about them on the district website.

Back to School Night Schedule
6 th Grade
7:20 – 7:50 PM
6 th White
Team Presentations
Room 301S
Ms. Conjura Mr. Adams
Ms. Mullin Mr. Dietz
6 th Red
Team Presentation
Room 303S
Mr. Large Ms. Osnow
Ms. Strippoli
7:55 – 8:45 PM
“Meet the Sixth Grade Teachers”
SHMS – 3 rd floor classrooms
White
301S 320S
322S 324S
”Meet the Sixth Grade Teachers”
SHMS – 3 rd floor classrooms
Red
303S 306S
308S

Back to School Night Schedule
7 th Grade
7:20 – 7:50 PM
7:55 – 8:45 PM
7 th White
Team Presentations
Chorus Room – Room 516A
Mr. Kolar Ms. Habicht
Ms. Vieira Mr. Garguilo
Ms. Goldberg
“Meet the Seventh Grade Teachers”
SHMS – 2 nd floor classrooms
White
202S 203S
220S 222S
7 th Red
Team Presentations
Band Rom – Room 513A
Mr. Benedict, Sr. Ms. Albukerk
Ms. Linteau Mr. Atkinson
Ms. Sheehy
”Meet the Seventh Grade Teachers”
SHMS – 2 nd floor classrooms
Red
205S 206S
207S 208S
210S

Back to School Night Schedule
8 th Grade
7:20 – 7:50 PM
7:55 – 8:45 PM
8 th White
Team Presentations
MS Cafeteria
Ms. Larsen Ms. Sabbouh
Ms. Shrinsky Ms. McCarl
Ms.Sindelar
“Meet the Eighth Grade Teachers”
SHMS – 1 st floor classrooms
8 th Red
Team Presentations
HS Cafeteria
Ms. Doran Mr. Kennedy
Ms. Wilson Ms. Sullivan
”Meet the Eighth Grade Teachers”
SHMS – 1 st floor classrooms
White
107S 108S
109S 110S
305S
Red
101S 102S
105S 106S

Additional Questions…
Please email me at elopez@tufsd.org