Fall 2019 the o-gram News, Honors & Achievements from Inside the Ossining School District

Ossining High School Ossining Expands AVID College-Readiness Program at High School Better organizational and study skills. Valentin is part of the first generation of A higher grade point average. Less his family to attend college. procrastination. Planning for college “We started our college essay last year,” and career. said Valentin, who is in Nicholas Cook’s Those are some of the ways the AVID AVID class. “It was good because I know program, which stands for Advancement I would have procrastinated. Now I just Via Individual Determination, has helped have to revise and everything.” students at . Ossining established the AVID program AVID is a college-readiness system for in the 2016-17 school year, starting students who have potential but are with one class of sophomores taught by not achieving at their highest level. Lutvija Frljuckic. All of the 13 seniors who “It is embedded in the program that Without AVID, OHS senior Valentin graduated in 2019 are attending four-year every child can succeed and learn and take Fernandez would not have known how colleges. This year, there are six classes with higher-level classes,” said Brian Alm, director to begin the college search process. A a total of about 115 students, including the of secondary teaching and learning for the counselor meets regularly with each AVID first class of ninth-graders. The district plans Ossining School District. “We grab those class to plan college visits and offer advice to expand AVID to Anne M. Dorner Middle students and we show them that, hey, on essays, scholarships, financial aid and School in the future. you can do it.” recommendations. Like many AVID students, AVID, continues on page 4

District Families Explore Reading, the Arts and More at Enrichment Program At a recent Saturday Explore & Learn “Architectural Adventures” and “Destination Edgar Guallpa ate a quick breakfast in session at Ossining High School, 5-year-old Imagination STEAM Basics.” the OHS cafeteria with his family before Johnny Tacuri was focused on writing his first The free program’s next cycle is Jan. 11, taking his daughter, Amy, to the Destination book. It was about his pet rabbit, Lucio, who 18 and 25 and Feb. 1 and 8, and there Imagination class. “It gets us out of the loves eating some of the same house for a good reason,” food he does, like lettuce, he said. “They learn and broccoli and carrots. they enjoy it, the kids.” Johnny and his mother, Ossining teachers, Olga Tacuri, were part of the members of community “Raising a Reader” interactive groups, parent volunteers class for families. On that day, and high school students have they wrote a story based on been teaching classes. their own lives. OHS senior Sebastian Morel, Johnny dedicated each page 17, volunteered to help with the to a different activity with Lucio, like playing will be a spring semester. The program program as part of his community service. with the 4-year-old bunny, feeding him and is supported by the Ossining MATTERS He assisted with the “Futsal and Soccer” watching him sleep. “I like books and I like foundation. class during a few of the sessions. that we make and illustrate books,” he said. Ms. Tacuri said Saturday Explore & “My goal is not just to teach these The class was one of many offerings in Learn is a rich experience for her children. kids how to play soccer. I want them to the first cycle of the new Saturday program. “I love to share in these programs,” she have fun,” he said. Others included “Yes, You can Play Ukulele,” said. “I love this environment.” EXPLORE & LEARN, continues on page 5 page 2 the o-gram

Roosevelt School BioBus Magnifies the World of Scientists for Roosevelt Fifth-Graders Is it a crab? Is it a spider? Why is it jiggling so much? The questions came rapid-fire as excited fifth-graders looked at samples of pond water under a powerful microscope in the BioBus on Oct. 25. They observed that the creature was translucent, had a fast-beating heart and had legs that are partly housed in its shell. “It’s so closely related to shrimp and crabs,” said BioBus scientist Mollie Thurman, a marine biologist. “It is In the microbiology lab, the children lead fifth-graders in hands-on activities. called a Daphnia.” helped Ms. Thurman create a slide with In one exercise, students created their own On another microscope in the BioBus, a few drops of pond water and put it on “beat sheets” out of netting, rubber bands, students saw creatures that looked like an electron microscope. “Oh, that’s wild,” wood sticks and tape. Scientists use them worms or little snakes – one was a yellowish one student said as she increased the to collect insects from trees. color and another was red. They learned magnification to 400x. But beat sheets don’t work for all kinds of they were observing fly larvae. “It looked really interesting and it looked insects, Hina Zafar, a Regeneron research “I think it’s very creepy and it’s going to like it was really organisms,” fifth-grader specialist, therapeutic proteins, told one give me nightmares,” said Carter Longville, Jayden Amparo said. class. She showed them an aspirator used who had never used a microscope before. Regeneron, which held its Day of Doing to suck up insects that are on vegetation The BioBus travels throughout New Good on Oct. 25, and Volunteer NY or tree bark. Instead of bugs, though, the York City and the metropolitan region to partnered with the BioBus to make the students used sprinkles. expose children to scientific exploration and visit possible. Nearly 30 Regeneron staff “It was pretty cool. It got a sprinkle in discovery and spark interest in STEM fields members were at Roosevelt that day. my mouth,” said Juan Pablo DeJesus. – science, technology, engineering and math. “We want kids to see a scientist and “If you were doing it with a bug, ugh!” Two buses, with two labs in each, parked say, ‘I met a scientist,’” said Courtney As she finished making her beat sheet, behind the school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Williams, a scientist in Regeneron’s oncology student Alisha Valdez reflected on her The fifth-graders observed the Daphnia department. “If you don’t know that (career) BioBus experience. “It’s getting me and fly larvae in one lab, and tiny organisms exists, you’re not going to become that.” interested more in studying animals that are invisible to the naked eye in Employees of Regeneron, which is a and stuff,” she said. the other lab. BioBus sponsor, visited classrooms to

Brookside School Families Enjoy Inaugural Harvest Festival at Brookside From bobbing for powdered doughnuts would not have to travel far to attend, said Education Trustee Aaron Spring judged the and making pinecone bird feeders to Paige Chavez, co-president of the OUEPTA apple pie contest, which had six entries. pumpkin-rolling races and pie-eating and vice president of the OECPTA. Parent Ashley Covelli won the blue ribbon contests, there was something for everyone “People leave the town all the time to go for her Dutch apple pie. at the Harvest Festival at The Ossining High School girls Brookside School. team volunteered, as Best friends Analia Martinez, did other high school students who is in third grade, and Star and Girl Scouts. They assisted Aponte, a fifth-grader, raced to with face-painting, temporary see who could eat a whipped tattoos, making pinecone cream and Jell-O pie faster. They birdfeeders and other activities. finished with smiles and “pie” David Priego, 7, said his on their faces. favorite activities at the festival “I wanted to see if I was better than to harvest festivals,” she said. “We’re were playing miniature and making a her, but obviously I wasn’t,” Star said after just thrilled at how much the community Halloween necklace. losing. “Honestly, I really don’t like Jell-O.” rallied around it.” His cousin Luis Priego, also 7, was eyeing The Ossining Early Childhood PTA and the The event was open to Park, Brookside, the bobbing for doughnuts station. “I’m Ossining Upper Elementary PTA sponsored Claremont and Roosevelt families. going to go to the doughnut contest,” he the inaugural event on Oct. 26. They wanted Park School Principal Cynthia Bardwell, said. “They’re super, super good.” to create a fun event that Ossining families parent Jessica Vecchiarelli and Board of the o-gram page 3

Claremont & Anne M. Dorner Middle School Ossining and Pace Students Learn from One Another through Reading After reading aloud a passage about the The Reading Program main reasons why children are referred Greek hero Odysseus and the Sirens as is one of several partnerships between for special education services is reading part of the Pace University Reading Program the college and the school district. In the below grade level. in the Ossining schools, Henri Mondragon Saturday Explore & Learn program this fall, “In special education, we’re looking wanted more. What happened to Odysseus Pace Professor Francine Falk-Ross and at it from a preventive perspective,” after he passed the Island of the Sirens her students taught one of the classes for she said. “What can we do to bridge the while tied to his ship’s mast? younger children, which included activities gap and prevent children from entering “I want the whole story,” he told Pace like book discussions, writing and reading- special education?” mentor Brian Marello of Mahopac. “I want related games. Pace students have also Professor Musti’s students said they to see if he dies or what happens.” tutored Brookside School children who were appreciate the opportunity to work with the Henri is one of 33 students – 25 from reading below grade level through the Book Ossining kids. “It’s great because it’s hands- Claremont School and eight from Anne M. Worm Project. on experience that you don’t always get in Dorner Middle School – who practice vocabulary and reading once a week with Pace students. The tutoring program helps children increase their reading fluency and gives practical teaching experience to the Pace mentors, who are graduate students in education. Mr. Marello timed how long it took Henri and seventh-grader The mentors, who tutor at Claremont a classroom, and it’s practical learning that Franklin Cajas to read the passage. Both every Thursday, are training to be special you can implement,” said Mr. Marello, 24. showed improvement the second time. education teachers. Dr. Shobana Musti, their Student Emma Nolan, 22, of South Salem The boys compared who got farther in the professor, is on hand during the 45-minute said her eighth-graders have improved allotted time, but Mr. Marello said that’s not sessions to guide them. Afterward, they every week. “It’s nice to be able to see the point. “We’re just beating ourselves and meet in the Claremont library for their what we learn about in real life,” she said. getting better,” he said. weekly literacy class. “Sometimes it’s all textbook stuff and they The Ossining students work in groups Professor Musti’s class is focused on give you scenarios, but it’s not the same as of one or two with the Pace mentors at diagnostic assessment and reading skills. actually experiencing it with real kids.” Claremont School. “I think the nice thing The students study flash cards of words It is a gift to have Pace students working for our students, what they’re really excited they did not recognize when they started with children in Ossining, said said district about, is that they get to work with college the program. They read texts multiple times Director of Elementary Teaching and students,” Claremont School Principal to ensure comprehension and fluency. Learning Carrieann Sipos. “What I like is that Ferzeen Shamsi said. The mentors use reciprocal, peer-mediated, our future teachers are actually getting very “These are kids who just need a little repeated reading techniques. direct practice time developing their teaching boost and they will continue to read on This will be an important part of their skills with our kids, and our kids are getting grade level,” she added. work when they become special education support in literacy,” she said. teachers, Professor Musti said. One of the

Brookside School Children Share “Stone Soup” after Learning about the Popular Folktale Second-graders at Brookside School held their Stone Soup Celebration on Nov. 14. The event, which is in its 10th year, is inspired by the folktale “Stone Soup.” The story, which has many variations, is about one or more travelers who offer to make soup from a stone and convince strangers to contribute ingredients. The tale highlights the importance of sharing with others. Each second-grade class contributed items for the soup, such as corn, an onion, tomatoes, beans and oyster crackers. Parents worked together on Nov. 13 to make the special soup. page 4 the o-gram

Ossining High School Two Students Win Top Awards at Korea Science Fair Ossining High School seniors Hammad toxic chemotherapy agents. Hassan and Raymond Liu won gold and In order to expand knowledge of how silver medals, respectively, at the Korea genetic mutations are regulated in preventing Science & Engineering Fair in South Korea carcinogenesis, Raymond researched Gene Oct. 17-22. 33’s nuclear function in regulating genomic Raymond and Hammad, who conducted instability. Gene 33 functions as a tumor their research on cancer, were the only suppressor that prevents the carcinogen two students from the United States who hexavalent chromium (used in textile dyes, participated in the competition. wood preservation, anti-corrosion and “I never imagined that I would one day other products) from damaging DNA and have students traveling internationally to transforming cells. However, the underlying Korea for a high school science fair, and molecular mechanisms that allow this are then they would bring home gold and silver unclear. awards,” said Valerie Holmes, who co- Raymond identified a novel protein-protein teaches OHS’ Science Research Program interaction between Gene 33 and a catalytic with Angelo Piccirillo. “I am so proud of sub-unit of DNA polymerase delta (p125) them, our school, our nation!” and its adapter protein (p46). P125 and Hammad researched B cell cancers, p46 proteins are directly involved in the which are extensively driven by the mucosa- the development of lymphomas. It also DNA damage response through the process associated lymphoid translocation 1 (MALT1) reduces drug-induced side effects. of DNA synthesis and repair. Through gene. Standard inhibitors of the gene are not By diagnosing a novel molecular this novel, alternative signaling cascade, effective because B cells develop resistance. interaction and developing a synergistic Raymond diagnosed a network that provides However, simultaneously inhibiting the therapeutic approach, Hammad’s work a rationale for developing future targeted MALT1 gene and the extracellular signal- provides a rationale for developing oncogenic therapies. regulated kinase (ERK) protein suppresses combination therapies that could replace

AVID, continued from page 1 and Australia. Nearly two million students in focused note-taking. Instead of copying Teachers throughout OHS have received kindergarten through 12th grade and college down detailed slides word-for-word, students AVID training from coaches at the school and are enrolled. Several districts in the region should write the main points by “thinking professional development sessions. They have programs, including Bedford, Mount and shrinking.” “The growth you made from are incorporating the strategies into their Vernon, Nyack and White Plains. the beginning of last year to the end with own classes. An example is the Cornell Note- In early October, sophomores in Ms. focused notes was astronomical, but we’re taking System, or focused note-taking, which Frljuckic’s class had learned about Cornell not done,” she said. is more involved than simply jotting notes. Notes, but they had yet to tackle another Luriely Infante, one of her students, Students divide notepaper into sections strategy: TRFs, or Tutorial Request Forms. said AVID has made her more responsible. for objective, notes, questions, summary “The whole idea is you may be struggling “It was just like a big wake-up call for and reflection. Teachers also use the in some classes,” said Ms. Frljuckic, OHS’ most of us to come into this class and AVID WICOR strategies to improve student AVID coordinator. “You’re going to bring in get something out of it,” she said. achievement – Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, anything that you’re struggling with. Classmate Shyon Grant said her GPA is Organization and Reading. You present it to your group, and you higher and she procrastinates less. Some “These are tried and true best practices work on it together.” of that has to do with extra work that AVID that have been packaged in a highly Mr. Alm said AVID’s “tutorology” students have. For example, if they do accessible way for teachers,” Mr. Alm said. component is its “secret sauce.” “Students poorly on a quiz in a class, they have to Sophomore Karen Perriott said she joined themselves are taking ownership of their submit a corrected version and give AVID because she wanted to earn higher learning and come into tutorials in order to Ms. Davide a copy. grades, but nothing had been working. Now seek help in a meaningful way,” he said. “At first I was like why do I have to do she is on an upward trajectory. “They’re AVID students have tutorials twice a week, that if I’m not getting a better grade, but better because of the note-taking,” said and weekly binder checks to make sure they then I realized it helps in the end because Karen, who wants to be a physical therapist are organized and doing their work. They use it really helps me to retain the information,” or gym teacher. binders rather than folders and notebooks. she said. Classmate Nicholas Fragale said AVID Teacher Francesca Davide’s AVID class Mr. Cook said his seniors have come a gives him the drive to improve. “I feel like I in early October started with a discussion long way since starting with AVID. “Their got good enough grades, but I kind of wanted about “eliminating the procrastinating.” GPAs have all gone up steadily each year,” that extra push to do even better,” he said. Students had to show her they were on he said. “They love to go to colleges The first AVID program began in California top of upcoming assignments. because when you take them on those trips, in 1980 and is now in 47 states, Canada Ms. Davide reviewed the five steps of they actually can see what they can attain.” the o-gram page 5

Anne M. Dorner Middle School Hundreds of AMD Students Pledge to Combat Climate Change “We Only Have One Earth,” “There Is No Katelyn and Shae said they greatly admire Planet B,” “Earth Needs Our Help” and Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old climate “We Need to Act Now.” activist from Sweden. She started the Those are some of the urgent messages strike in August 2018 outside the Swedish that students wrote on posters for Anne M. parliament. Her work led to millions of Dorner Middle School’s Sept. 27 people around the world taking part in the Climate Strike. Global Climate Strike this year. Eighth-graders Shae Shandroff, Katelyn “What she’s doing is really important and Kranitz and Shania Flores worked with it shows that our generation cares about Principal Kate Mathews to take part in the what’s happening to our Earth,” Shae said. Global Climate Strike, which took place from Ms. Mathews said Shae, Katelyn and Sept. 20-27. They drafted a Climate Change Shania met with her a few weeks before Pledge that hundreds of students filled out, the march and said they would like AMD promising actions like using reusable water to participate in the Climate Strike in a bottles, eating locally grown and organic respectful way. They worked together on foods, unplugging cords when not in use, the school’s Climate Change Pledge, which and carpooling when possible. nearly 400 students voluntarily filled out. On As they marched outside, dozens of Sept. 20, all watched a 5-minute video on sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders shouted, climate change. “Save Our Earth” and “What do we want? Ms. Mathews is proud of the girls who Action! When do we want it? Now!” They organized the Climate Strike, and she is held posters that they made out of recycled encouraged that so many children pledged to cardboard boxes during their lunch periods. younger generations are just going to have to change their lives in small ways to help the Shae and Katelyn said it is important suffer more,” Katelyn said. “And it’s not just environment. for people of all ages to speak up and the adults’ fault because climate change “When students are given the opportunity take action to protect the environment. “If was found out decades ago. But they helped to have their voices heard, they can make we don’t try and save the world now, the contribute to it.” a positive impact on our world.”

Ossining High School Fall Drama

Congratulations to the cast and crew of “She Kills Monsters,” the Ossining High School fall drama! Qui Nguyen’s play is about Agnes Evans, a recent college graduate who finds her late sister Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook and learns about Tilly’s life through the fantasy world her sister had loved. About 50 students were involved in the production, including 21 cast members and 28 crew members.

EXPLORE & LEARN, continued from page 1 “It gets your mind to know different Claremont School music teacher Giocille “Head up, big smiles,” Ms. Rosas strategies and stuff.” Shaw taught “Yes, You Can Play Ukulele.” said. “When we dance, I want to see In OHS art teacher Ron Whitehead’s On Oct. 26, students practiced the Beatles’ some smiles.” “Architectural Adventures” class, students “Octopus’s Garden.” In another class, teaching assistant sketched out a cityscape on foam, inked “Little ones, play your C (chord). You can Neil Hamill led “Chess for Beginners” for it, and transferred the imprint onto do it!” she said, encouraging her youngest grades 3-5. “When I was their age, I was backgrounds they had colored with makers. charges to play. introduced to chess,” he said. “I haven’t The results were colorful skylines with Park School kindergarten teacher played it in a long time and now I’m black outlines. Christine Rosas taught kids the first few getting reintroduced to it.” Seventh-grader Jennifer Tenelanda enjoyed ballet positions in her class, as well as the Fourth-grader Yadnesh Borse said he the class. “I like it because we are doing plié, in which they bent their knees, and hadn’t practiced chess in a long time either. arts and crafts and I could just have fun relevé, when they went up on their toes. “I like everything about chess,” he said. and get messy a little bit,” she said. page 6 the o-gram

Park School Children “Grow Wild Outside” at Teatown Preserve The kindergarteners got right to work and is on track for a similar number this field and stream day in the spring. On that when they entered the forest at Teatown year, said Phyllis Bock, Teatown’s education trip, the children learn about beavers, their Lake Reservation. They collected sticks director. This includes an extended-day adaptation and impact on the lands around and branches and laid them in a pile. summer camp for Park School students. Teatown Lake. Students build their own little They scooped up handfuls of leaves “We have so much fun with them,” she said. beaver dam. “It’s really a very magical day,” and gathered acorns and pieces of The second program is “Nurtured by Ms. Bardwell said. bark to place on top. At the recent Grow Wild Outside session, “Make sure you cover all the sticks Ms. Haley explained that owls usually with leaves,” Daniel Shackney told his take over a nest rather than build their classmates. “That way it will be nice and own. “But they’ll take it and they’ll line it soft for the owls.” with leaves and bark and all sorts of soft When they finished, they stood by their things,” she said. nest and hooted as they pretended to be When they got to the Raptor Loop, Ms. owlets. Haley engaged the children in a game of The activity took place during a recent “I Spy.” session of the “Grow Wild Outside” “I spy with my little owl eyes the talons afterschool program for Park School that the owl is using to hold onto the kindergarteners. The afternoon began branch,” she said. “Can you make your with Teatown environmental educator hands look like the talons?” Mary Haley reading “Whoo Goes There?” by Nature” for pre-kindergarteners. Teatown They also talked about the tufts of Jennifer Ericsson as children ate Goldfish educators provide professional development feathers on top of great horned owls’ heads crackers. Afterward, they created the nest to teachers and three sets of seasonal that help with camouflage. and visited great horned and screech owls in boxes that have books, puppets and science They compared the features of owls to the nature center’s “Raptor Loop.” tools in them, Park School Principal Cynthia some of the other raptors, such as hawks Grow Wild Outside is one of several Bardwell said. The Teatown educators visit and a turkey vulture. When they left the programs Teatown provides for Park School. during the school year to work with kids. Raptor Loop, they “flew” quietly, as owls do, Two groups of about 20 kindergarteners They also facilitate a pre-kindergarten trip back to the classroom. They each drew a visit the nature preserve each week for to Croton Point Park. picture of an owl and talked about what they six- or seven-week repeated cycles. Grow For kindergarten, the Ossining MATTERS! had learned. Wild Outside, which is funded through a foundation and PTA fund three trips to “I learned about the owls, about the Westchester County Youth Bureau grant, Teatown: a discovery walk in the fall, a wings,” said Scarlett Howard. “And welcomed about 220 students its first year maple-sugaring event in late winter, and a they dive for their food.”

Ossining High School Ossining Students Shine in Fall Sports Congratulations to the all the athletes at Ossining High School, who had an amazing fall season! n The boys soccer team clinched the Mychael was named to the 2019 Under Section 1 Class AA title and Class AA Armour First-Team All-Americans. regional final, advancing to the final four n Five members of the girls swim team semifinal. Nolan Lenaghan was named qualified to compete in the State Section 1 MVP. Nolan, Carlos Zabarburu, Girls and Championships Ronald Suscal and Juan Pablo Estupinan Nov. 22-23. Sinceraty Alexander and Stella won All Section and All League awards. Meyerhoeffer competed individually. Emily Jose Padilla and Kevon Evans won All Rocco, Savannah McIntyre and Isabella Section Honorable Mention and All Mora-Castillo competed in all three relays League awards. Kenlord Javier and Mark the team qualified for. Sinceraty and Stella DeAngelis won All League awards. won All Section and All League awards. n In girls soccer, Juliana Abramovich won an n The girls volleyball team won the Section Emily and Savannah won All League All Section Award. Juliana, Marlee Potillo, 1 Class AA title and a Class AA regional awards. Megan Leser and Amanda Rios earned All final, advancing to the final four semifinal. n In football, John Turnquist won All League League Awards. Mychael Vernon, Zoe Farmarkopoulos and All Conference awards; Liam Hamilton n In , Kylee Taxiera won All and Brianna Culcay won All Section, and Joseph Fragale won All League League and All Section awards; and Ashley All Conference and All League awards. awards. Edmonds won an All League Award. Ede Walker, Tamia Dimmie and Fiona n The varsity team won second n The girls team was the Farmarkopoulos won All League awards. place in its first competition. league champion. page 7 the o-gram

District PTA Launches “Little Free Libraries” in Ossining The Ossining Parent Teacher Association organization held a ribbon-cutting ceremony is also encouraging the schools to take little has installed “Little Free Libraries” outside for the Park School library on Sept. 27. walking trips to the libraries anytime. Park, Claremont and Roosevelt schools, and “Everything that’s in The school district a fourth one will arrive soon at Brookside here is for our students and PTA have been filling School. and for our community,” up the libraries with The purpose of the Little Free Libraries – Superintendent Raymond books that appeal to a small wooden cabinets filled with books – is Sanchez said. variety of readers. The to bring people in the community together On Oct. 18, the PTA Chappaqua Children’s through reading. partnered with the Ossining Book Festival donated PTA Council President Miriam Risko said Teachers Association $200 in books. A retired she would love to see the mini-libraries at and the Girl Scouts for first-grade teacher who every school. a Halloween read-aloud lives in Ossining donated “Our goal is to encourage people to stop at Roosevelt school. The nine crates of books. by and grab a book,” she said. “It is not just PTA held a Thanksgiving- More donations are for the students at the schools where they themed event on Nov. 15 flowing in daily. are located. It is also for the families and for at Claremont School, with The Ossining High anyone in the community who would like to featured readers from School Art Department is read.” Claremont and Anne M. working with the student The mini-libraries are part of the Little Dorner Middle School and art club to give each Free Library book-sharing movement. There the Ossining Public Library. library a unique look. are more than 90,000 registered Little Free The response to the little There are plenty Library book-sharing boxes in 91 countries, libraries has been great, Ms. Risko said. of opportunities for collaborating with according to the organization. “They have been creating lots of smiles and the PTA on this reading initiative. For On the third Friday of every month, the hopefully lots more readers,” she said. more information, email Ms. Risko at PTA sponsors a “Little Event” at one of the The monthly schedule is on the Ossining [email protected]. libraries to help people discover them. The Little Free Libraries Facebook page. The PTA

District Foodie Bus Joins Mobile Food Pantry to Offer Healthy Meal Ideas Twice a month, staff members from the not familiar with, or a different pairing of for our families,” he said. Ossining School District volunteer to help ingredients that they wouldn’t normally think The district also participates in the Feeding Westchester distribute fresh would be something that they would do,” BackPack Program for elementary produce, meats and canned goods said Ms. Cook, a 1989 Ossining High and middle school students. Feeding at Park School. School graduate. Westchester provided a grant this year They recently welcomed Jen Cook and her Ossining Superintendent Raymond for Ossining High School to set up a Foodie Bus to the Mobile Food Pantry. Marketplace twice a week. In October, the The chef and entrepreneur retrofitted a organization began sponsoring a monthly school bus to include a kitchen and a Fresh Market at OHS. dining area that looks like a barn. People Ossining is one of Feeding can hire her and the bus for a private Westchester’s five highest need areas dining experience, but she also created in the county, said Leslie Gordon, the the nonprofit H.E.L.P. (Healing, Educating, president and CEO. Liberating People) Bus to educate people “As participants in all of our major about cooking and eating healthy food. feeding programs, we can truly say the At a Mobile Pantry Sept. 25, she and district targets feeding families in need volunteer Gail DiLisio of North Salem cut through many different avenues,” she said. up vegetables that Feeding Westchester Vicky, who lives near Park School, said was giving out, including cucumbers, the food supplements what she can yellow peppers, tomatoes and onions. They Sanchez said Feeding Westchester has been buy with her limited budget. It has also placed them on a bed of iceberg lettuce and an excellent partner, and the Foodie Bus is a exposed her to foods she would not normally drizzled them with olive oil. Families stopped wonderful addition. “It’s a great opportunity purchase. “Without damaging my scrawny by the Foodie Bus after picking up their food. to show how some of the things that are little food budget, I can try things that I’ve “I’m just here to offer a different way being distributed to our families can be used never had before,” she said. of cutting a vegetable, maybe that they’re to create healthy meals and healthy options OSSINING BOARD OF EDUCATION Ossining Union Free School District Lisa Rudley 400 Executive Boulevard Non-Profit Org. President Ossining, New York 10562 U.S. Postage Graig Galef 914.941.7700 PAID Vice President www.ossiningufsd.org Permit No. 62105 Melissa Banta White Plains, NY Katherin Crossling 10610 Diana Lemon Frank Schnecker Aaron Spring Ileana Ortiz, District Clerk Dr. Raymond Sanchez Superintendent of Schools The O-Gram is produced by POSTAL PATRON Cara Matthews and Jeffry Braun.

Notice/Aviso Any readers who would like a Spanish translation of information in The O-Gram should refer to the following: Los lectores que deseen una traducción al español de la información proporcionada en el O-Gram, pueden llamar a: Maria Zuluaga, 941-7700, ext. 1381.

Alumni Spotlight Dominic Pace said Mr. Pace, who is married made a tremendous difference in my life to Geraldine Pace and has two as he did not give me a free pass.” In 1992, Dominic Pace sons: Dante, 14, and Benett, 11. Mr. Pace said he liked growing up in scored the lead as Danny “I was so happy to land a young Ossining for its diversity and because parents, Zuko in “Grease” at Ossining artist from Ossining a job on a teachers, coaches and others held children High School. movie I was doing last year.” accountable. Coaches Don Winters, Joe These days, the Hollywood He created a scholarship at Variano and Mr. Rowe were inspirational actor has 100 television and film OHS after of his grandfathers, a in that respect. credits to his name. On Nov. 12, WWII veteran who always gave to “Not one week goes by where I don’t think Disney released the “Star Wars” others when he could. The grant of the discipline and mental toughness they series “The Mandalorian,” in honors “all of the support the taught me,” he said. “It has allowed me to which Mr. Pace plays Bounty Hunter “Gekko” town showed me,” he said. endure the rejection that comes with the in two episodes. Mr. Pace said now-former OHS English industry I chose.” “‘Star Wars’ figures were the first toys I can teacher Tony Bardari is one of many people Mr. Pace said the adrenaline rush of recall as a child growing up on Ferris Place,” who guided him. Mr. Bardari and singer/ performing is “second-to-none.” said Mr. Pace, a 1993 graduate who lives in pianist Carolyn Black gave him the “To cover all the emotions from joy, to Los Angeles. “Creator George Lucas inspired “Grease” role. fear/sadness, and rage, it balances us as I people of all ages through this incredible “Tony Bardari was filled with energy and believe most people keep a lot pent up inside space odyssey. It is such an honor to be a charisma,” Mr. Pace said. “He was a father due to normal, everyday life,” he said. “It’s a small sliver of his universe.” figure in so many ways, and coming to beautiful feeling to have the opportunity to get Mr. Pace’s many credits include episodes class each day was a gift.” it all out in a safe environment.” of “Desperate Housewives,” “Superstore,” As Student Council president senior year, His advice for aspiring actors is to stay “Veep” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” He stars Mr. Pace worked closely with then-Principal humble, maintain a strong work ethic, and in the upcoming feature films “Anonymous Kathleen Zazza, who treated him and understand that a guest spot on a major Killers” and “Psychosis,” starring Tyler Mane. the entire student body with kindness TV show could be followed by weeks The actor has fond memories of Ossining and respect. without any bookings. and strong ties. He attended Anne M. Dorner Fifth-grade teacher Roger Rowe taught him “Acting is not glamorous, and the mental Middle School’s Career Day in May. about accountability. “I was careless at that discipline is intense,” he said. “You have to “I receive emails frequently from former age and lacked focus,” Mr. Pace said. “He be able to keep your head up with all the odd classmates and members of the community,” jobs that fill in the blanks.”