WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION FOR NYACK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Overview

Welcome to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for Nyack Public Schools. We believe that embedding seven core competencies into our daily teaching and learning provides the framework students need to achieve.  These competencies -  Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Compassion, Content Mastery, and Cultural/Global Responsiveness -  cultivate a vibrant educational environment that reflects our rich diversity and uniquely-Nyack school community.  When we begin with the end goal in mind, our focus stays centered on the ultimate goal of each and every student's well-being and success.

In addition to the supervision of NYState testing, this office is responsible for the implementation of "Best Practices" and research-based instruction to improve student achievement. We prioritize high quality curriculum, instruction, assessment, and remediation using an equity lens aligned with our district vision.  We also coordinate the professional development of our employees utilizing innovative practices according to the District's Strategic Plan for Excellence Through Racial Equity.

NY State Report Card for Nyack Public Schools

Initiatives & Impact Presentation 2020 

Contact Information

 Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi

 Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction

 845-353-7052

LRuizGiovinazzi@nyackschools.org

Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi Biography At-a-Glance

Literacy Presentation for Elementary Parents/Guardians
Literacy Parent Cafe FAQ - June 2022

Departments

Anti-Racist/Race Conscious Pedagogy

Resources for our teachers to develop lessons that assist students in understanding and processing events that have unfolded on Capitol Hill this week are listed, below. This compilation is provided in context to a greater district-wide commitment to analysis of race-conscious/anti-racist curriculum and pedagogy​ and to evaluating how we teach and learn U.S. history:

Classroom Discussions about the Capitol Breach

Talking To_Children_About_Violence

Teacher Resources Re Capitol Breach

Resources

Teaching is the Core (TITC) Grant Information

Rockland BOCES received a $200,000 Teaching is the Core grant designed to promote increased assessment literacy and best practice assessment strategies, aligned to standards, among educators in the Rockland BOCES consortium (Clarkstown, East Ramapo, North Rockland, Nyack, Pearl River, and BOCES itself). Our District and BOCES' teams will spend the year learning from assessment and content specialists in order to develop a system of embedded professional development to build the capacity of the district teams to lead similar work beyond grant funding (sustainability).

There will also be a Regional Parent & Community Conference in May, essentially a forum for parents, community members, board members and non-instructional staff aimed at deepening their assessment literacy. Further information will be made available in the upcoming months.

NYSED TITC Action

TITC Assessment Review Report

 

Curriculum Development Cycle

  • Curriculum Development Process

Curriculum Development Timeline

  • Curriculum Timeline

Announcements & Resources

  • START DATE AND PHYSICAL DATES FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

    JUNE PHYSICAL DATES

    NHS - Wednesday June 7th from 1:30PM to 3:30PM
    NMS - Wednesday June 14th from 2:45PM to 4:45PM

    Fall Start Dates

    High School Football - August 19, 2023, All Other High School Sports - August 21, 2023.  Middle School Athletics Start Date - September 6, 2023

    Fall Physical Dates

    Friday September 15th Nyack HS  from 1:30PM to 3:30PM NMS 3:30

    Winter Start Dates

    High School - November 13th, 2023, Middle School - November 27th, 2023

    Winter Physical Dates

    NHS Sports Physicals: Friday November 3rd from 1:30PM to 3:30PM.
    NMS Sports Physicals:  Friday November 17th  from 2:45PM to 4:45PM

    Spring Start Dates

    High School - March 11th, 2024 Middle School  March 18th, 2024

    Spring Physical Dates

    NHS Sport Physicals:  Friday March 8th, 2024   1:30PM to 3:30PM 
    NMS Sports Physicals: Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 2:45PM to 4:45PM

    Summer Physical Dates:

    NHS Sport Physicals: Wednesday, May 29th, 2024 1:30PM to 3:30PM (can't do the Friday due to Memorial Day Weekend)
    NMS Sports Physicals:  Friday June 7th, 2024  2:45PM to 4:45PM 
    Athletics, Health & Wellness

  • Congratulations to our Class of 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

    Ceremony is November 9th, 2023 at Nyack Seaport.  Contact the athletic office at 845-353-7136 for ticket information.

    Athletics, Health & Wellness

  • Summer Music Camp for our students in grades 4-12 is happening and FREE! A registration form and flyer with more info is posted here

    July 31- August 10, 2023:  Monday-Thursday from 9am - 2:30pm  (No session, Friday, 8/4)

    Held at:  Nyack High School

    Led by:   members of the Nyack Public Schools Music Department

    Giving Students an Outstanding Summer Music Experience

    REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 23, 2023
     
    For more information, please see the Registration flyer (flyer in Spanish) which contains this registration form that must be filled out and submitted:  Registration Form
    Music

  • SUMMER READING 2023 - REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 6-12

    All students entering grades 6-12 are expected to read two books of their choice.  Students entering AP African American Studies, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, and RCC English have specific requirements.  Please open the links below, which include translations in Spanish and in Haitian Creole, to see the information.

    ENGLISH

    STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 9-12

    STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 7-8

    STUDENTS ENTERING GRADE 6

     

    SPANISH TRANSLATION

    ALUMNOS QUE INGRESAN A LOS GRADOS 9-12

    ALUMNOS QUE INGRESAN A LOS GRADOS 7-8

    ALUMNOS QUE INGRESAN AL GRADO 6

     

    HAITIAN CREOLE TRANSLATION

    ELÈV KAP ANTRE 9yèm-12yèm ane

    ELÈV KAP ANTRE 7yèm-8yèm ane

    ELÈV KAP ANTRE 6YÈM KLAS

    English

  • Student Book Review Videos Wanted!

    As part of our Summer Reading promotion, we are looking for students to upload a short 30-60 video in which you promote a book you loved, stating why you loved it and why you are recommending it.  We hope that your video will encourage others to read the same book that you enjoyed.  The attached flyer contains instructions about how to upload your video.

    English

  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month

    Each Monday, our student-athletes will be posting a video, Please click the attachment to see the video from May 1st.

    Athletics, Health & Wellness

  • Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act

    Dear Parents and Guardians of Student Athletes,

    The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has recently adopted the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. This law requires schools, students and parents/guardians to have information on sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs and symptoms.

    In order for the Nyack Public School District to comply with this act, we have added NYSED’s Interval Health History for Athletic questionnaire to our online registration process.. This questionnaire is intended to gather required information regarding your child’s heart health and your family health history as to decrease any chance of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in our students. We ask that you please read and fill out this detailed questionnaire very carefully.

    The Interval Health History for Athletics must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian before each sports season. School personnel may require a student with health or health history changes to see a healthcare provider before participating in athletics.

    As required by law, any student who has signs or symptoms of pending SCA must be removed from athletic activity until seen by a physician. The physician must provide written clearance to the school for the student to be able to return to athletics.

    Please note that sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults is rare. Although it can be triggered in students at risk by athletic activities, the incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) on the playing field is 0.61 in 100,000.

    Unfortunately, a number of personal risk factors may lead to a higher risk of occurrence — including the use of performance enhancing supplements, diet pills, energy drinks or recreational stimulant drugs such as cocaine or inhalants; high blood pressure/cholesterol or a personal history of heart issues.

    A family history of heart complications, syndromes or disease in any family member — immediate or extended — may also be a major risk factor.

    Signs or symptoms of SCA include fainting or seizures, especially while experiencing a heightened heart rate; irregular heartbeat, racing heart or heart palpitations; or chest pain, excessive shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness or extreme fatigue all while during exercise.


    Please contact the NYSED Office of Student Support Services for questions at studentsupportservices@nysed.gov or 518-486-6090.

    Athletics, Health & Wellness

  • SAT and ACT Test Dates, Deadlines, and Registration

    SAT Registration

    ACT Registration

    English

  • Dimensions - Nyack High School's Creative Writing and Art Magazine - Available now!

    Click the link to access the first semester edition of DIMENSIONS!!!

    Fabulous work, students!!Dimensions Literary and Art Magazine, Semester 1 Edition

    English

  • Common App Essay Questions (for Juniors going into Senior Year)

    Use the summer to develop and tweak your college application essay.  Here are the Common Application Essay Questions for 2021-22

    English
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