The EUFSD Emergency Dismissal Drill will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, with all students being dismissed 15 minutes earlier than the regularly scheduled dismissal time. The dismissal schedule is as follows:

  Alexander Hamilton High School 2:09 PM

 Grady Elementary  School 2:35 PM

Dixson Primary School 3:05 PM

School buses will follow this early dismissal schedule and the crossing guards will be at their assigned posts 15 minutes earlier than their usual schedule.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Swansen in the Transportation Office at (914) 592-2276.

Dr. Ryan to continue as Interim Superintendent

The Board of Education for the Elmsford Union Free School District has extended the contract for Interim Superintendent Dr. James Ryan at their recent meeting held on Aug. 21, 2024.

The original agreement between the district and Dr. Ryan was  through December 2024, and the updated version extends his position as Interim Superintendent through the 2024-2025 school year, or until a superintendent has been named.

“The Board is committed to finding the best candidate to lead our district and we will continue our search with that goal in mind,” Board President David Hecht said. “We appreciate Dr. Ryan’s work on behalf of the district and know we are in good hands until a permanent superintendent can be found.”

The search for a new superintendent will begin in the upcoming weeks.

“We appreciate the community’s patience as we navigate this process,” Mr. Hecht continued.

Dr. Ryan joined the district on an interim basis in December 2023. He has 22 years of experience as a superintendent in nearby districts. He served as District Superintendent at Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES until his recent retirement in June 2023. Prior to that, he was Superintendent of the Carmel Central School District until 2015.

Ashley Cruz-Powell named Assistant Principal at Grady/Dixson

Dear Elmsford School Community,

I am honored to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal of Carl L. Dixson Primary School and Alice E. Grady Elementary School. It is with great enthusiasm that I continue to work with this vibrant community in a leadership capacity, and I am eager to begin working with each of you to ensure the continued success and growth of our students and school.

I come to Alice E. Grady Elementary School with 10 years of experience in education, having worked in various capacities including Master Special Education Teacher, Master General Education Teacher, and Special Education Coordinator. For the last 3 years, I have worked at Carl L. Dixson Primary School as a 1^st Grade teacher in an ENL classroom and CSE/CPSE Chairperson for the Elmsford Union Free School District. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I am committed to upholding the values and traditions that make Carl L. Dixson Primary School and Alice E. Grady Elementary School unique, while also embracing innovation and new opportunities for improvement.

One of my core beliefs is that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for student success. I am committed to open communication and collaboration, and I welcome your input, ideas, and feedback. I look forward to getting to know you, hearing your perspectives, and working together to create the best possible learning environment for our students.

Over the coming weeks and months, I will be taking the time to learn more about what makes Alice E. Grady Elementary School special and to understand the needs and aspirations of our school community. I am excited to share in the journey ahead and to contribute to the positive impact that we can make together.

Thank you for your warm welcome and support as I transition into this new role. I am confident that, together, we will achieve great things for our students and our school.

Warm regards,

Ashley Cruz-Powell
Assistant Principal
Carl L. Dixson Primary School
Alice E. Grady Elementary School

acruz@eufsd.org

Carrie Peña joins the district as the Bilingual School Counselor

Dear Elmsford School Community/Parents/Guardians/Students,

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Bilingual School Counselor at Carl L. Dixson Primary School and Alice E. Grady Elementary School. My name is Mrs. Peña, and I am thrilled to join this vibrant and supportive school community.

With a background in Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention, and many years of School Counseling, I am excited to collaborate with students, parents, and staff to create a positive and enriching environment. My role is to support the emotional, social, and academic well-being of all students, and I am committed to fostering an environment where every child can thrive.

As a school counselor, my responsibilities will include:

• Individual and Group Counseling: Providing support to students dealing with personal, social, or academic challenges.

• Classroom Social-Emotional Lessons: Offering developmental guidance lessons on topics such as study skills, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation.

• Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Working with parents and teachers to address student needs and promote effective communication.

• Crisis Intervention: Assisting with immediate support in times of crisis and connecting families with appropriate resources.

I believe in building strong, trusting relationships with students, teachers, and families. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss how I can support your child, please feel free to reach out to me at cpena@eufsd.org. I am here to listen, provide guidance, and work together to ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed.

I look forward to meeting you and working together to make this school year a wonderful and successful experience for all. Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received.

Warm regards,

Carrie Peña
Bilingual School Counselor
cpena@eufsd.org

914-592-8440 ext. 4015

9/10/2024

Estimada comunidad escolar de Elmsford, padres, tutores y estudiantes:

Me complace presentarme como la nueva Consejera Escolar Bilingüe de la escuela primaria Carl L. Dixson y la escuela primaria Alice E. Grady. Mi nombre es la Sra. Peña y estoy encantada de unirme a esta comunidad escolar vibrante y solidaria.

Con experiencia en educación infantil, intervención temprana y muchos años de consejería escolar, estoy emocionada de colaborar con estudiantes, padres y personal para crear un entorno positivo y enriquecedor. Mi función es apoyar el bienestar emocional, social y académico de todos los estudiantes, y estoy comprometida a fomentar un entorno en el que cada niño pueda prosperar.

Como consejera escolar, mis responsabilidades incluirán:

Asesoramiento individual y grupal: brindar apoyo a los estudiantes que enfrentan desafíos personales, sociales o académicos.

Lecciones socioemocionales en el aula: ofrecer lecciones de orientación para el desarrollo sobre temas como habilidades de estudio, resolución de conflictos y regulación emocional.

Colaboración entre padres y maestros: trabajar con los padres y maestros para abordar las necesidades de los estudiantes y promover una comunicación eficaz.

Intervención en situaciones de crisis: brindar apoyo inmediato en tiempos de crisis y conectar a las familias con los recursos adecuados.

Creo en construir relaciones sólidas y de confianza con los estudiantes, los maestros y las familias. Si tiene alguna inquietud o desea hablar sobre cómo puedo apoyar a su hijo, no dude en comunicarse conmigo a cpena@eufsd.org. Estoy aquí para escuchar, brindar orientación y trabajar en conjunto para garantizar que cada estudiante tenga las herramientas que necesita para tener éxito.

Espero conocerlo y trabajar juntos para hacer de este año escolar una experiencia maravillosa y exitosa para todos. Gracias por la cálida bienvenida que ya he recibido.

Atentamente,

Carrie Peña

Consejera Escolar Bilingüe

cpena@eufsd.org

914-592-8440 ext. 4015

Community Eligibility Provision

(Free Breakfast and Lunch)

We are pleased to inform you that Elmsford UFSD will be implementing a program available to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) starting January 2, 2024. For more information click HERE.