May 2025 - Volume 7

Dear Harrison Families,
 
Our community’s continued support of our schools makes possible the exceptional and varied opportunities available to all of our students. This edition of HCSD Highlights offers a compelling snapshot of what your support enables—engaging learning experiences, meaningful traditions, and remarkable achievements.
  • Addison Valente and Arthur Getaz earned Medals of Honor at the DECA International Conference.
  • The Debate Team celebrated 15 tournament victories this year, with four team members ranked among the top 15 debaters nationwide.
  • Students in the Adaptive Theater class at Harrison High School delivered a powerful performance of Wishtree.
  • The annual Writers Among Us ceremony honored student writers and celebrated the transformative power of storytelling.
  • More than 280 fifth-grade students participated in Buddy Day as they continued their transition to LMK Middle School.
  • Our elementary schools are prepared for final authorization as International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) schools—an exciting milestone in our pursuit of excellence.
After an extensive search, I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Antonia Simao has been appointed the new Principal of Harrison Avenue Elementary School. She succeeds the beloved Mrs. Valerie Hymes, who is retiring after 16 years of devoted service. Mrs. Simao brings deep experience and a demonstrated commitment to students, having served as the District’s Supervisor of Secondary Special Education for the past six years. You can read her bio on the district website.
 
Capital improvements across the district continue to progress on schedule:
  • A new multipurpose space at LMK Middle School was completed ahead of schedule by our talented in-house maintenance crew.
  • At Parsons Memorial Elementary School, the long-closed third floor has been renovated to include six new classrooms and a resource room opening in September.
  • Construction is underway on the high school’s new classroom addition and baseball field, as well as the expansion of Purchase Elementary School.
  • Security enhancements have been completed districtwide.
  • New windows have been installed at both Harrison High School and Parsons Memorial School.
You can follow the progress of all our projects on the Facilities Improvements: Updates & Progress webpage.
 
As we approach the end of another highly successful school year, I remain humbled and inspired to lead a district where faculty, staff, families, PTAs, and our Board of Education are united by an unwavering commitment to the success of every student in our care. There is much to celebrate—and even more to look forward to.
 
Sincerely,
Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
 
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Antonia Simao Appointed Principal at Harrison Avenue Elementary School; Will Succeed Retiring Principal Mrs. Hymes
Mrs. Antonia Simao has been named Principal of Harrison Avenue Elementary School, beginning August 1, 2025. She will succeed beloved principal Valerie Hymes, who is retiring after 16 years.  This announcement follows a comprehensive search that included more than 75 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews with teachers, staff, parents, and school leaders. Throughout the process, Mrs. Simao stood out as a compassionate, experienced, and visionary educator. Mrs. Simao was appointed at the May 7th Board of Education meeting. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Louis Wool described her as possessing a powerful intellect, a unique educational profile, and a passion for providing an environment where all students can thrive.  For the past seven years, Mrs. Simao has served as the District’s Supervisor of Secondary Special Education, overseeing all aspects of programming and support for special education students in grades 6 through 12. With her thoughtful leadership and dedication to student success, she has earned the respect of colleagues and families.  Read More

HHS Debate Team Takes Four of Top 25 Spots at National Tournament, a Team Record; Holds Top 7 Spots in New York

Debate Team members at the Tournament of Champions (L-R) Mr. Hertzig, Team Coach and Advisor, Andrew Gaffin, Jack Borman, tournament judge, Reese Potash, Brooke Schiano-Gonzalez, Jack Gessner, Flynn Williams​​​​​​

Congratulations to the HHS Debate Team on taking four of the top 25 places at the national Tournament of Champions in Kentucky. The TOC is the most difficult debate tournament of the year, and having four debaters reach elimination rounds is a team record. Jack Borman placed 12th and was 4th speaker, Jack Gessner placed 16th, Reese Potash placed 18th, and Brooke Schiano placed 22nd and was 20th speaker. This year, the team qualified a record six debaters to the Tournament of Champions: Jack Borman, Andrew Gaffin, Jack Gessner, Reese Potash, Brooke Schiano-Gonzalez, and Flynn Williams, who earned a collective 28 bids, another team record. Overall, the team had another successful season, with 15 tournament wins this year. Four team members are ranked among the top 15 Lincoln-Douglas debaters nationwide by the National Speech & Debate Association: Jack Gessner (#1), Jack Borman (#4), Reese Potash (#6), and Andrew Gaffin (#11). Harrison debaters also claimed the top seven spots in New York -  Jack Gessner (#1), Jack Borman (#2), Reese Potash (#3), Andrew Gaffin (#4), Brooke Schiano-Gonzalez (#5), Adeena Naeem (#6), and Flynn Williams (#7).

Addison Valente, Arthur Getaz Earn Awards at International DECA Business Competition

DECA students at the competition and enjoying some down time. Pictured (bottom L-R): Eva Popescu, Emily Salemo, Addison Valente, Evan Schwartz, Arata Yamazaki, Jonathan Lewis, Liam Azar, Nolan Simmons, Daniel Wellisch, Arthur Getaz, Liam Wellisch

More than 26,000 students from across the world attended the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida in April.  The ICDC is the final and highest level of DECA competition.  Eleven Harrison High School DECA Club students qualified to attend the ICDC competition: Liam Azar (Quick Serve Restaurant Management), Arthur Getaz (Principles of Business Management and Administration), Jonathan Lewis (Hotel & Lodging Management), Eva Papescu (Marketing Communications), Emily Salemo (Franchise Business Plan), Evan Schwartz (Retail Merchandising), Nolan Simmons (Automotive Series Marketing), Addison Valente (Restaurant & Food Service Mangement), Daniel Wellisch (Stock Market Game), Liam Wellisch (Stock Market Game), Arata Yamazaki (Accounting Applications).

 
Addison Valente qualified for the international competition for the third consecutive year, placed in the top ten in the Restaurant and Food Service Management competition, and received a medal of honor for role play. Arthur Getaz also was awarded a medal for honor for earning a top ten multiple-choice test score in Principles of Business Management and Administration. 
 

Adaptive Theater Students Give Moving Performance of Wishtree

 
Students in the Adaptive Theater class at Harrison High School presented a moving performance of the play Wishtree, an adaptation of Katherine Applegate’s novel. During class, students explored the themes and characters of the play, brainstormed personal wishes, and their favorite songs so they could be incorporated into the show. Students worked for three months with guest student actors getting to know one another, laughing and learning - even practicing our lines in the hallway. The final, adapted script celebrated each student’s individual mode of communication.
 
Every aspect of the show was created through a partnership and support of the HHS community; from the sets to the staging, this show was entirely the work of the students of Harrison High School. Each step of the process showcased the talents of our student body, from the collaboration of the program to the Wishtree installation in the library. The director’s notes received a careful conference in the Writing Center, and with the support of high school music department, an original score was composed for the production. Even the audience included students who have participated in workshops to learn about neurodiversity.  
 
Learn More about the Production and Meet the Cast & CREW

On behalf of the cast and crew of Wishtree, the play’s Director and Adaptive Theater teacher Ms. Leah Moore shared, “We have loved transforming our space into a place where community flourishes because people authentically listen, celebrate individuality, and support a diversity of stories. As Sammy's character in Wishtree, Red, reminds us…we can tell stories.”   Click HERE to view program and meet the cast & crew

 

 

Celebrating the Power of Storytellers

Family members, administrators and members of the Harrison High School and LMK Middle School faculty celebrated writing and creativity at the Annual Writers Among Us celebration. HHS student writers, artists, illustrators and Writing Fellows were recognized for their original expression through words and art. Director of English Language Arts, Dr. Jaimie Kanter, welcomed everyone to the ceremony proclaiming, “Tonight is a time to celebrate storytellers!” She reflected on the impact of stories, storytellers, and the deeper meanings behind the stories people tell. Dr. Kanter described the students being recognized as writers who genuinely understand the importance of stories and creative expression, and have worked diligently to improve their skills. Students spoke about their experiences as writers and the impact of writing. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Louis Wool, acknowledged the talented student writers and closed the celebration with a nod to the importance of writing, “The power of language and self-expression cannot be underestimated.”

Buddy Day @ LMK: an Exciting Introduction to Middle School

More than 280 fifth grade students from Harrison Avenue, Parsons, Preston and Purchase Elementary schools gathered at LMK Middle School for Buddy Day for the opportunity to experience LMK first-hand to see what it’s like to be a middle school student. Fifth graders were paired with a 6th grade buddy. Sixth grade buddies guided 5th graders around the building and explored the building to find their future classrooms, enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria (pizza and ice cream were a big hit!), and visited specials classrooms including Technology Design. Fifth grade students from the various elementary schools engaged in team building activities with LMK Principal, Mr. Fried and Ms. Cannistraci, who will be their LMK school counselor. 

Elementary Schools Ready for Final IB-PYP Authorization

The District is in the final phase of authorization to become a full International Baccalaureate School District and implement the IB Primary Years Program in elementary schools. Teachers are prepared and have participated in extensive preparation, training, and curriculum development. The PYP curriculum recognizes learners’ innate potential to inquire, question, wonder and theorize about themselves, others, and the world around them. In elementary classrooms at Harrison Avenue, Parsons, Preston, and Purchase Elementary Schools students are excited to explore new ideas and perspectives and thoroughly engaged in their learning! The IB-PYP builds student ownership of their learning;  inquiry, critical thinking, communication and collaboration are integral to the learning experience beginning in kindergarten.

Facility Update

Facility Improvements Continue Across the District
Facility improvements continue throughout the District, including safety and security enhancements in all six school buildings, expanded camera coverage and safety enhancements to walk-up windows and doors on the ground level, upgraded security cameras and door access infrastructure.
  • Construction of the District’s new Multi-Purpose Room at LMK Middle School is complete.
  • Progress has been made on the Parsons 3rd floor renovation to accommodate growing student enrollment; the new classrooms are scheduled to open in September.
  • Portable classrooms at the Purchase Elementary School were removed to prepare for the groundbreaking of the new addition of classrooms and cafeteria. 
  • At Harrison High School, the four-classroom expansion to accommodate growing enrollment, and installation of a multi-use turf field for baseball, soccer, and community recreation, has begun. Window replacement to improve safety and energy efficiency is underway.
  • Construction of a new main office and security vestibule Harrison Avenue Elementary School, as well as a fully renovated special education space will be completed this summer and ready for the start of school in September.

Visit the Facility Improvements Webpage for more information and to see photographs of the progress.

 

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