The Yorktown Central School District is proud to announce that its Superintendent’s Student Council has been selected by Character.org as a 2026 Promising Practice, marking the District’s second consecutive recognition and third overall.

Character.org, a leading advocate for character development in schools and communities, certified 290 character-centered Promising Practices this year from schools and organizations across the country and world. The honored programs highlight efforts to strengthen school culture, elevate student voice and leadership, inspire service, and encourage students to do the right thing for intrinsic reasons — all qualities reflected in Yorktown’s Superintendent’s Student Council.

Established in September 2024, the 16-member volunteer council brings together student representatives from each grade level to work directly with the superintendent of schools, Dr. Ron Hattar, on initiatives that improve the student experience.

Council members are encouraged to think beyond individual concerns and focus on issues that affect the broader school community. Senior Lauren Tamburelli explained her motivation for joining the council by saying, “I believe student voices are essential to the growth of our school. I wanted to make Yorktown a better place for every single student.”

That sense of purpose is especially evident among upperclassmen, many of whom dedicate time and energy to projects whose benefits they may never personally experience. Junior Gianna Boucher noted that “from the very beginning, it was clear that this council was something special. It’s not just about discussing what could be changed, but actually making that change real.”

That mindset led to one of the council’s most visible accomplishments: improvements to a town-owned parking lot used by students. What began as a discussion evolved into months of research and collaboration with town officials, resulting in a fully paved and striped lot at no cost to the district.

The council has also taken on projects involving test scheduling, grade weighting, facility improvements, and student mental health. This year, the council is focused on the creation of an outdoor seating area, the development of an AI and financial literacy lab, and a student grant submission process. Involving funds supplied by the district, the grant program would be open to all Yorktown High School students who could submit their applications to the council on a rolling basis.

Junior Alex Altamuro said the goal of the grant process is to broaden participation beyond the council itself. “Students who aren’t on the council have ideas as well, and these could be just as valuable to the school community,” he said. “This could range from getting tissues into more rooms to buying or fixing instruments — literally anything anyone can think of for the betterment of the school.”

The council has no formal student leadership roles, and meetings are facilitated collaboratively. Students brainstorm openly, refine ideas through discussion, and learn to distinguish between what they can influence directly and what falls outside their scope. Over time, they typically identify a small number of projects to pursue and take responsibility for moving them forward. The result has been change that students can see and point to, along with a clearer understanding of how those changes came to be.

“In Yorktown, students don’t just have a voice at the table,” said Dr. Hattar. “They play an active role in shaping change within their school community.”

The Yorktown Central School District was also honored in 2025 for its iGrant initiative, which empowers educators to seek funding for curriculum-driven projects that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, and in 2020 for ESTEAM, the district’s approach to teaching and learning that places empathy at the forefront of creativity and innovation.

From firefighting to finance, our high school seniors explored a wide range of careers through our WISE program. Their internships and independent projects took them into fields such as aviation, education, technology, and health care, giving them a first-hand look at the many paths available after high school.

At the May 13 WISE Symposium, students showcased their projects and shared what they learned from their experiences.

Congratulations to all of our WISE participants, and thank you to Ms. SooHoo and the many mentors who helped make this program possible!

Please click here for more photos.

Let's have a round of applause for our amazing tenure recipients!

We are excited to announce that 24 of our exceptional educators and administrators were granted tenure at the May 11 Board of Education meeting. These dedicated individuals have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their profession and actively integrated themselves into the school community.

The District’s tenure process involves a rigorous probationary period, during which candidates undergo a dozen formal observations and numerous informal check-ins. However, the impact of these educators extends far beyond the classroom. They have become beloved members of our school community, eagerly assuming roles that go beyond their initial responsibilities.

Please click here for more photos and full list of recipients.

Yorktown CSD has once again been named a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation, marking the second consecutive year receiving this distinction. The recognition highlights the continued commitment of our music educators, students, and supportive school community. With spring concerts soon underway, it’s a great time to experience our music program!

Upcoming spring concerts include:

• May 12 – YHS Band Spring Concert

• May 14 – YHS Choir Spring Concert

• May 21 – YHS Orchestra Spring Concert

• May 26 – MESMS Chorus & Orchestra Concerts

• May 28 – MESMS Band Concert

Our 6th grade students kicked off an exciting mural project on May 11 with visiting artist Joe Pimentel. MESMS students helped design the mural and are now hard at work painting it together.

We’re excited to watch this collaborative masterpiece take shape throughout the week. Stay tuned for more updates as the project continues!

Congratulations to our newest National Honor Society inductees! Students were officially inducted during a ceremony held on Thursday, April 30.

The National Honor Society recognizes high school students who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character. Members are selected for their outstanding work in these areas and take part in community service projects, school initiatives, and leadership opportunities that support their growth and benefit their school and community.