In the fall of 2023, the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns introduced a unique way for families throughout the district to bond. What started as an idea to get students and their families to engage with one another in a fun and educational way quickly became a community affair. Once a month, from October through June, the district opened its doors for Saturday Academy, allowing families and local businesses a chance to get to know each other on a personal level.
“I give credit to Superintendent Dr. Raymond Sanchez who brought the idea to the table. His support and leadership paved the way for me to execute and expand on his vision for the program,” said Dr. Audrey Brutus, Supervisor of Social Emotional Learning and Community Engagement for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.
Dr. Brutus created a community partnership that helped set the stage for Saturday Academy. With the support of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Parent Teacher Association, grant funding and community partners who donated their time and resources, Saturday Academy was able to run free of charge for the community. Each one had a theme and was centered on how the community could come together to support families in a creative way.
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“We’ve been here for almost every Saturday Academy,” said Nicole Wallace, Director of Education at Historic Hudson Valley. “We like making that connection from history to personal experience.”
Students and their families began each Saturday Academy session with a nutritious breakfast followed by activities such as crafts and games, as well as giveaways such as swag from local businesses and books donated to the district.
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“I think it's a great opportunity to experience different activities and to meet organizations in the area. It’s great to see educators out here as well as as my child’s peers and to connect with them in an informal setting,” said Lori Quazon, a parent whose child attends the district.
Dr. Brutus noted that she enjoyed many of the events, but one of her favorites was “New Beginnings” in January.
“We were able to provide a gift to every student, thanks to a generous donation from the United Way. The pure joy on the students' faces was overwhelmingly heartwarming,” said Dr. Brutus.
Behind the scenes, staff and students assisted in ensuring that every event ran smoothly. On average, approximately 10 students, five administrators, and a handful of staff were on deck. On several occasions, Assistant Superintendents, Brian Fried and Scott Dorn, along with the Supervisor of Secondary Special Education, Gail Krieger, assisted with cooking breakfast for the families. District leaders such as Dr. Felipe Orozco, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Equity, and Judy Ravina, Director of Multilingual Programs, volunteered, alongside their children, to help serve meals to families. Dr. Orozco’s two daughters, Lily, age 11, and Ella, age 9, agreed that volunteering and helping out was a lot of fun, but the best part was spending time with their dad. His son Liam, age 14, also volunteered at the welcome table by serving as a Spanish translator.
Saturday Academy will continue next year allowing families more opportunities to bond with each other and those in their local community.
“We will continue to offer similar programming, ensuring that culture and inclusivity are at the forefront,” said Dr. Brutus. “We also want to focus more on celebrating our students and providing student leadership opportunities. I’m hopeful that, as a team, we will come up with innovative themes to incorporate throughout the year.”
