<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Two hundred and thirty eighth graders filled the Wells Middle School auditorium for the second annual p-tech or Brewster Opportunities assembly. Administrators from Wells Middle School, district administrators and a representative from Westchester Community College were also in attendance. The idea for the assembly was to both inform and recruit the next class of students.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I know eighth grade might seem early to be thinking about college,” said Brewster Opportunities Director Miguel Suarez, “but high school is right around the corner and through this program you can get a head start on whatever it is you want to do after high school. The best part is you can obtain a free associate’s degree at WCC in one of the three technical fields offered–cyber security, mechanical or electrical technology. And we have so many community partners right here in Brewster that want to mentor and employ our students.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Suarez showed slides and spoke to students about the program including careers and starting salaries to show students how the program might pay off.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Currently there are 53 ninth graders enrolled in Brewster Opportunities at Brewster High School. Some of those students attended the assembly to highlight the program for their peers.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Marcus Castro told students about a trip to Lamordermics, a foundry which is just down the street from the school district, that makes parts for the aerospace industry, parts for food processing, construction and medical machinery.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We got to see molten metal being poured into the casts. It’s a really cool place.” In the program students can learn about how to make the casts like the ones used at Lamordermics.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There was a lively question answer session at the end. For parents who are interested in learning more, there will be a parent information session on Thursday, December 19th, from 6:00-7:00 pm. In the meantime, Suarez will be available in the lunchroom to answer all student questions about the Brewster Opportunities program.</span></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Brewster Central School District administrators, recess aids, facilities staff and students gathered Tuesday to officially open the new, accessible playground at C.V. Starr Intermediate School.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The playground includes arching spider webs, three different colored slides, 12 swings, ninja pads, a climbing wall, sensory activity instrumental panels, steps and bridges.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“The design and vision of the playground was a team effort,” explained Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction &amp; Assessment Maggie McCabe-Andriello who was the Principal of C.V. Starr during the planning phase.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We met with and got feedback from our occupational therapists, physical therapists, physical education teachers, counselors, recess monitors, staff, parents and our students.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“This playground checks all of the boxes,” said C.V. Starr Occupational Therapist Lindsay Strassburg. “There are rock wall and rope structures for overall body strength and motor planning skills, ninja pads and a balance beam for balance, a sound garden which is easily accessible for all students and develops hand-eye coordination and auditory feedback, slides and swings for vestibular input which are essential for developing balance and spatial orientation. We just cannot wait for our students to explore, learn, and grow on the new playground.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Two of the students who helped the team have a bird’s eye view of the new playground from their classroom.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I helped out too,” said student Ryan Libal, “I wanted swings for kids who can’t push themselves.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I picked the color blue for the slide, " said Andrew Taormina, “I’m so excited.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We are grateful for the ongoing support of the community which allows us to enrich and differentiate experiences for all students,” said Dr. Michelle Gosh.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The only thing left for C.V. Starr students is better weather. The day of the ribbon cutting and official opening of the playground was slated for indoor recess.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>The Brewster High School National Honor Society ran a loose change fundraiser&nbsp;during the month of November. The NHS members raised $495 which they then donated to Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP), a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing services to Putnam County's low-income community members. The fundraiser was specifically meant to help local families put food on their tables for Thanksgiving.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Photo of NHS Officers Savannah Fisher and Alessia Casale with Putnam CAP director Marisa O'Leary.</p>

<p>Teachers Kayla Corvino and Brianna Thomas, have once again earned the prestigious opportunity to present at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Conference. This marks their second consecutive year as presenters at the renowned event. This year, they continued their momentum with an innovative session titled "Beyond the Worksheet Wasteland."</p><p>Corvino and Thomas tackled the challenge of translating theoretical educational standards into meaningful, real-world applications. Their presentation emphasized the transformative power of Project-Based Learning (PBL), offering educators practical tools to design and implement engaging, standards-driven projects that inspire deeper student learning.</p><p>Through hands-on strategies, including scenario-based learning, role-playing, and technology integration, Corvino and Thomas equipped participants to implement creative, inclusive, and impactful lessons.</p><p>Corvino and Thomas emphasized inclusivity by sharing methods tailored to diverse learners, including honors, co-taught, and ELL students, ensuring PBL’s accessibility across various educational settings.</p><p>The session encouraged active participation, starting with collaborative idea-sharing on Padlet. Participants explored key principles of PBL, analyzed real-world examples, and designed their own projects with the presenters’ guidance.</p><p>Corvino and Thomas embody the spirit of this year’s NCSS theme, “Many Voices, Many Stories, One World.” Their expertise lies in connecting students to their communities and the broader world through meaningful educational experiences. Their work has ranged from nuclear war simulations to bilingual preschool playground projects, demonstrating their ability to translate learning into lasting change.</p><p>Corvino and Thomas’s innovative approach and proven success in the classroom highlight why they remain in high demand at national conferences. Their sessions continue to inspire educators to move “beyond the worksheet,” fostering curiosity, engagement, and a tangible connection between education and the real world.</p><p>The BCSD community celebrates their achievements and looks forward to the positive ripple effects of their work on classrooms nationwide.</p>

<p>Join us on Saturday, November 30 that 4:30 PM to meet the talented author in person. She will be signing copies of both The Girls of Haviland (2023) and the new release sequel Beyond Haviland (2024)</p><p><br></p><p>About the author: "I'm a self published author and elementary school teacher. I'm so very excited for the debut of my first YA novel, The Girls of Haviland. I love nothing more than researching women's history. I am particularly drawn to the history of the Hudson Valley Region in New York, the Women's Suffrage Movement, and the World War One years.</p><p><br></p><p>The idea for The Girls of Haviland came to me when I saw a picture of students at a private girls' school taken at the turn of the twentieth century in Carmel, New York. I used this picture and archival articles from a local newspaper to create a historical fiction story that examines issues which will resonate with contemporary readers."</p><p>Find out more about the author at <a href="https://deborahoswald.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://deborahoswald.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Light refreshments will be served. Free parking. Restrooms available.</p><p><br></p><p>The BookSmiths Shoppe <a href="https://booksmithsshoppe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://booksmithsshoppe.com/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">100 Reserve Road #1st Floor Danbury, CT 06810</span></p><p><br></p><p>RSVP here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-signing-with-author-deborah-oswald-saturday-1130-at-430-pm-tickets-1091747027749?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-signing-with-author-deborah-oswald-saturday-1130-at-430-pm-tickets-1091747027749</a></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Live music lounge, </span><a href="https://www.unclecheef.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Uncle Cheef</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is excited to announce a new Sunday Evening Jazz Series, entitled Brazilian Jazz Sundays featuring the region’s hottest Brazilian artists. New Dinner Service Hour begins with doors at 4:30 PM, and two sets of one-hour shows beginning at 5:30 and 7 PM.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Kicking off the new series on Sunday, December 1, 2024 is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a native of São Paulo, Brazil, pianist</span><a href="https://www.helioalvesmusic.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.helioalvesmusic.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Helio Alves</strong></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> who combines the rhythmic complexity of modern Brazilian music with the edgy energy of contemporary jazz. Visit their website </span><a href="http://unclecheef.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">UncleCheef.com</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> for a complete list of upcoming featured Brazilian artists.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Recently nominated for Best Jazz Club of the Hudson Valley, the live music lounge acknowledges the changing priorities as families return to a school schedule and co-owner Ian Hendrickson-Smith (aka Uncle Cheef) puts his special spin on the Sunday Dinner Tradition with two sets of live music. “</span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We are very sad to see brunch go away, and very excited to announce a new approach. We feel these hours will be perfect for those folks looking to get home at a reasonable hour that still want an uplifting and positive experience to propel good fortune and good spirits into the week coming up,</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">” Hendrickson-Smith explains. “T</span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">here’s one brunch left this coming Sunday with the incredible Brazilian guitarist Leandro Pellegrino. Jenny and I hope folks will come get that delicious Hollandaise that Marvin crushes in the kitchen one last time! We’ll miss that eggy menu but we’re looking forward to using Sundays as an opportunity to roll out new dishes that will wow all of you</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">”!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The music, food, beverages, atmosphere and service at Uncle Cheef are all top notch. Advance reservations are encouraged, as they are instrumental in planning staffing for the evening’s success, as well as your comfort and enjoyment. A reservation will guarantee your seat. A $10-$20 music charge goes to the performers.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">No matter where you're seated, you'll have the best seats in the house because Uncle Cheef has literally thought of everything, including swivel chairs! Their ticketing system allows you to choose your specific seats and the prices for seats are tiered based upon the position in the venue.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Navigation settings for Uncle Cheef: 988 NY-22, Unit C, Brewster, NY 10509.</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When planning your night out, Uncle Cheef is located 56 miles north of New York City in the Village of Brewster, the lounge is Hudson Valley’s number one home to enjoy exciting live music curated by Tonight Show musician and six-time Grammy award winning saxophonist, </span><a href="https://ianhendricksonsmith.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ian Hendrickson-Smith</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (aka Uncle Cheef.)&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>