Student, Staff Groups Highlighted at BOE Meeting

There are big things happening in the EUFSD, and Tuesday night’s Board of Education Meeting welcomed a number of groups—both student and staff-led—that highlight the breadth of offerings within the district. 

The Jan. 21 meeting served as an opportunity for the community to learn more about the strides that are being made in the realms of academics, athletics and the arts, some of the areas in which Eastchester students are soaring.

The Eastchester Varsity Cheerleading team was recognized for its stellar performance this winter. The team, which qualified for the 2025 UCA National Championships after a brilliant performance in a regional event held at Iona University on Dec. 15,was invited to the BOE meeting to discuss the its triumphs, as well as the squad’s upcoming trip to the prestigious event at Walt Disney World in February. 

“The team and coaching staff have been working so hard this season,” said co-captain Annie McLoughlin. “In addition to earning two bids to Nationals, we have also won first place at several local competitions, the Empire State Regional and the Garden State Challenge. These two competitions are really competitive and are excellent preparation for nationals.”

Representatives from EHS Jazz Co. were also on hand to promote the long-running club’s 41st Weekend of Dance, which will kick off on Jan. 31. For more than four decades, EHS Jazz Co.’s signature event has been one of the district’s most popular, and while the group’s history was celebrated during last year’s anniversary weekend, this year’s focus will look to the future of the organization with a special assist from some of the district’s younger students. 

The final performance of this year’s Weekend of Dance will feature dancers from the district’s middle and elementary schools. 

Club officers Alexa Almodovar and Angela Kreatsoulas spoke about the upcoming show and noted that high schoolers were especially excited to share the stage with the next generation of Jazz Co. dancers. 

“This year we offered a new program called ‘Discovering Dance’ for students in grades 4-8,” said Almodovar. “The students joined us for a day of dance in November and will be performing on Sunday, Feb. 2.”

Lastly, EUFSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald D. Valenti welcomed members of the newly-formed Accelerated Learning Program Committee—headed by Assistant to the Superintendent for K-12 Services Dr. William Meyer—which has been created to explore ways in which the district’s WIN periods may be leveraged to provide accelerated learning for students who might benefit from that instruction. 

The committee includes Meyer; Director of Technology Robert Jacoby; elementary school principals Joanna Sanese, Caitlin Mondelli and Laura Cappiello; and the three elementary school literacy coaches, Maria-Elena Barbuto, Chrissy Conrad, and Dayna Orlando. 

“Dr. Valenti tasked us with exploring the idea of an accelerated learning program here in Eastchester,” said Meyer. “We are fortunate to have such a robust group of individuals as a part of this committee . . . It really goes back to a conversation that took place earlier in the year, which was about how we can enrich the WIN period.”