The Mahopac Central School District is working diligently on developing a tax-neutral capital project that provides strong and safe schools. Strong relationships between schools and community fosters strong students and families that can contribute to long-term community success. Communities that have strong, positive relationships with schools have a solid workforce, higher job satisfaction, improved housing options and a flourishing economy. 

The bond supports an educational facility plan that serves as a clear reflection of our community’s commitment to high-quality schools, including security and safety initiatives, infrastructure needs, such as:

• Technology Improvements
• Site Improvements & Development
• Renovating Libraries to Multimedia Centers
• Music & Performance Upgrades
• Athletic Fields & Facilities
• Infrastructure & Energy Efficiency
• Security Improvements

“We are able to put forth a tax neutral capital project as a result of new debit replacing old debit being paid off. In other words, the capital project will not increase property taxes,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business Harvey Sotland.

The capital project will be the result of extensive research and planning by the District’s Administration and Building Committee, which is led by Sotland and Superintendent of Schools Anthony DiCarlo. The committee is comprised of Board of Education members, staff and administration representatives, and community members who have expertise in finance, construction, education and security. The committee is also supported by the architectural firm Tetra Tech Architects & Engineers and a construction manager.

“Together we will create scalable and cost-effective designs to provide for the best learning spaces for our students and staff. The bond will help meet the needs of today’s students and the students of the future by reinvesting in our schools and community,” DiCarlo said.

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Along with thousands of schools and youth organizations across the country, the Mahopac Central School District schools resolved to “Start with Hello” last week.  As an outcome the Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy, “Start with Hello” Week, Sept. 24-28, was conceived by the not-for-profit Sandy Hook Promise knowing that, in every school and in every community, there are young people who suffer silently because they feel left out, alone or invisible. 

Still new into the school year, the “Start with Hello” objective is to make all students immediately feel seen, accepted and safe. Social isolation is a growing epidemic in the United States and within schools, and it can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. One study found that chronic loneliness increases the risk of an early death by 14%. Young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying, violence and/or depression, and as a result, many pull further away from society, struggle with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others.

Fostering inclusion and community, the Mahopac elementary schools’ students and staff have committed to say “hello” when seeing someone who appears lonely, and then reaching out to help.  During the week the students participated in curriculum activities that help fuel the skills they need to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness.

The hope is practicing “Start with Hello” will translate to home and the community too. Some specific tactics the parents and guardians can do to help foster inclusiveness and connectedness are:

• Make an intentional effort to greet each other with hello and ask questions about each other’s day.

• Practice active listening.

• During car rides or at dinner challenge each other to use eye contact and truly listen.

• Model best practices for your child.

• Say hello to strangers on the street and make conversations at stores or restaurants.

• Tell your child a story about a time that you reached out to someone who was alone and in need. What happened? How did you feel afterwards?

• Talk about what your child can do if they ever feel lonely at school. Remind your child that you are always there for them if they need someone to talk to.

• Talk about good and bad kinds of being alone.

Keeping with the “Mahopac Way” the District will continue to engage students in programming and curriculum that encourages a culture of inclusiveness, compassion and kindness. 

Fulmar Road Principal Gary Chadwick kept his promise to sleep on the school roof if all of his students participated in the One School, One Book challenge and read the book “Clementine,” by Sara Pennypacker. The students complied—and Chadwick spent a somewhat rainy May evening on the school roof in a tent.

“I didn’t mind sleeping on the roof, and thankfully the thunder and lightning passed rather quickly,” said the intrepid principal. “ I really enjoyed talking with all of the students and families that came by throughout the evening.  I can only imagine the ideas for next year’s One School, One Book reading challenge.”

The One School, One Book program is sponsored by Read to Them, a non-profit organization promoting family literacy.