Celebrating District Val & Sal

Congratulations to Brooke Battiato, the valedictorian of the Class of 2026. Brooke plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She plans to study biochemistry and has always been passionate about life sciences, intending to pursue a career in medicine. She is an active member of her school and community. She is the co-founder of the Medical Club and Youth in Government, the President of the Class of 2026, the Board of Education Student Representative, Key Club Vice President, and the National Honor Society secretary. She was also the captain of the varsity soccer and basketball teams and participated in varsity lacrosse and cross country throughout her high school career. This winter, she was ranked among the top 50 basketball players in Section IX. Brooke enjoys reading, watching movies, creating artwork, and shopping with friends. During her sophomore and junior years, she attended the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Conference in Albany. She is ranked first in the class with a 102.4 GPA. 

Congratulations to Ocean Chen, the salutatorian of the Class of 2026. This fall, Ocean is planning to attend Stony Brook University with the intent to major in computer science. Creation and technology have always been points of interest and fields he wanted to seek out further and develop into a career that will change lives in the future. Ocean has been a member of the Mock Trial team for four years and has participated in many volunteer activities. He is an active member of the Key Club, helping out at charity events. When not pursuing academics, he enjoys drawing, listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends. During his junior year he received the Sojourner Truth Award, and is now ranked second in the class with a 99.04 GPA.

No longer will parents of pre-K students have to wait for a slot to open up to get their child enrolled in our program. This budget will eliminate the need for a waitlist and increase early learning opportunities.

Aligned with New York State’s Next Generation Standards, the universal pre-K program strengthens early literacy, math readiness and social-emotional development through structured, play-based learning. It enhances a child’s readiness for kindergarten and academic success through high school and beyond.

In 2026–2027, we plan to offer two on-site Pre-K classes, each serving 18 students. “This is an exciting step forward
in expanding early learning opportunities for our youngest students and building strong academic and social foundations,” said Superintendent Catherine O’Hara. “Research consistently demonstrates that high-quality pre-K experiences positively impact student readiness, academic growth, and long-term success in later grades, making
this an important investment in student achievement and future outcomes.”

Through our partnership with On My Way Early Learning Center, additional off-site placements are available, with transportation provided for all students. Classroom assignments were determined by lottery, with 36 students placed in-house and remaining students offered placement at On My Way Early Learning Center.

“We are excited about our partnership with On My Way, which allows us to achieve a significant milestone for the
district, providing access to pre-K for all eligible students,” O’Hara said. “On My Way stood out through its strong
alignment with our educational standards and program expectations. This partnership ensures that all students
and families have access to high-quality early childhood education. Their program will mirror our instructional model to ensure continuity across all pre-K classes.”

Pending approval of the state budget, this expansion would be made possible through increased funding from New York State for universal pre-K of about $10,000 per student, and district support in the new budget. The budget will support two certified early childhood teaching positions and instructional aides in-district, classroom furnishings, transportation and learning materials.

We continue to be intentional about aligning our programs and assessments with New York State’s
Next Generation standards at Chester Elementary School and Chester Academy.

Our investment in strengthening academic excellence is grounded in a clear focus: ensuring every student has access to high-quality, standards-aligned instruction and the supports needed to succeed. Curriculum and assessments aligned to the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards, combined with data-driven and personalized instructional practices, allow us to meet individual student needs while driving measurable growth and achievement.

Across all grade levels, we continue to expand innovative learning opportunities through STEM, engineering,
robotics and media programs. From early exposure in pre-K through advanced coursework, students engage in hands-on, future-focused experiences supported by modern technology and dedicated staffing.

This is complemented by expanded elective offerings, including financial literacy, health careers, and technology,
equipping students with practical skills and real-world readiness.

At the same time, we remain committed to meeting the At the same time, we remain committed to meeting the
diverse needs of all learners. Our comprehensive special education services include a full continuum of supports,
from in-district services such as speech, counseling, OT/PT, and co-teaching models, to specialized out-of-district
placements when appropriate. These services ensure that every student receives the individualized support necessary to access and succeed in their learning environment.

Equally important is our focus on the whole child. Investments in counseling, social work, and school psychology,
along with established social-emotional learning frameworks, support a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where students feel connected and supported.

A wide range of extracurricular opportunities — including athletics, clubs, music, the arts, and physical education — foster engagement, student leadership,and a sense of belonging.

These experiences are essential in helping students explore their interests and build meaningful connections.
Our commitment to small class sizes and strategic staffing further strengthens this work. By ensuring that students are known and supported, we create learning environments that promote stronger engagement, relationships, and improved outcomes.

This work is sustained through a strong emphasis on continuous professional development and growth. Our professional learning is intentionally aligned to district priorities, student performance data, teacher input, and the Portrait of a Graduate, ensuring that instruction continues to evolve in ways that best support our students.

Internship Program Supports College and Career Pathways

At Chester Academy, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through the school’s Workplace Learning Internship Program, students gain hands-on experience at local businesses and organizations, helping them make informed decisions about future college and career paths.

These work-based learning opportunities allow students to explore their interests, abilities and career goals, while applying academic and technical skills in professional settings. Guidance Counselor Jennifer Burretto coordinates these experiences in partnership with local businesses, industry leaders and community organizations, expanding
opportunities and empowering students to make informed decisions about their future.

The program has shown continuous growth since it began in 2015-16, going from two students in the first year to
63 this year. “We have 68 businesses or organizations that partner or are willing to partner with us for placements. That has increased tremendously over the past few years, as more connections continue to be made,” Burretto said.

At Goosepond Animal Hospital, students explore careers in veterinary science. They observe veterinarians working
closely with pet owners and their animals, watch a live surgery, and learn how to conduct a basic lab test. This immersive experience provides powerful insight into the skills, compassion, and precision required in the veterinary field.

“This internship gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and practice talking to new people, which
helped me work on my communication skills,” said Gabby Gavilanez, a junior. “Along with learning new skills, such as how to calm a dog down while giving it a shot, I also learned that time management is an important practice to have when balancing clients.” Gavilanez said she would recommend the program as “It was very hands-on and I learned a lot about animal science.”

Ryan Byrne shadowed staff at Anytime Electric. “I learned a lot these past few months, including some wiring, amperage and other basic electrical terminology. I got to see the process in real time, and took in as much information as I could,” said the junior.

Other placements kept students within school buildings. Senior Lauren Higgins and junior Jake D’Onofrio interned at Chester Elementary School. Higgins worked in speech therapy with Speech Teacher Caitlin Reynar and D’Onofrio worked with fifth grade Teacher Pamela Cinque.

Higgins said, “This internship taught me how to help children with their speech, recognize speech problems and how to solve those problems. I had to adjust to working with the younger kids and their environment while making them comfortable with me. I was able to overcome this by taking the time to introduce myself and be friendly to the kids.”

Burretto shared that the program helps students grow professionally and personally by exposing them to career options and gain an understanding of the expectations and workplace culture of the industry. “Not only are they developing the necessary hard and soft employability skills to be successful in the workforce, but our students are also building self-confidence, accountability, and independence, ”she said.

New Position Strengthens District Safety Stance

Chester Union Free School District will have additional support to enhance our safety and security stance in the 2026-27 school year, with the addition of a Safety Coordinator, from Orange-Ulster BOCES.

This position would function similar to a director of security, working hand-in-hand with the Town of Chester Police Department, Atlas Security (both on-site), Village of Chester Police and local and state emergency services, and the district safety team.

THIS POSITION WILL HAVE FOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS:

• DISTRICT SAFETY COORDINATION: Support implementation of district safety initiatives and protocols, coordinate with local first responders and emergency management partners as appropriate, and provide situational guidance on emerging threats and safety trends.
• EVENT PLANNING FOR LARGE SCHOOL EVENTS: Planning for after-hours activities and community-use events, conduct risk assessments and recommend staffing, access control, traffic management and coordinate with SRO and security personnel.
• EMERGENCY DRILL OVERSIGHT: Provide ongoing training to district emergency response teams on emergency protocols and implementation of an incident command center, acting as a strategic adviser and operational facilitator to ensure district safety initiatives are proactive and coordinated.
• EMERGENCY PLAN REVIEW/UPDATE: Review the Districtwide School Safety Plan, Building-Level Emergency Response Plans, Emergency annexes, including reunification, medical and threat assessment.

“We continue to be proactive in our approach to safety,” said Superintendent Catherine O’Hara. “This position will act as a strategic adviser, strengthening our emergency planning and protocols while ensuring alignment across all areas of the district.”

The coordinator will be in the district one day per week and may be brought in for additional hours as needed.

• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Ongoing training, districtwide drills, and implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS) — a standardized approach to coordinating emergency response—strengthening communication, coordination, and continuous improvement.
• TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE & CYBERSECURITY: Investments in networks, classroom technology, and system reliability, paired with expanded cybersecurity, ensure reliable access and safeguard student and staff data.
• TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FOR GROWTH: Strategic routing and cost management support enrollment growth and rising non-public transportation needs.

Updates Planned for Buildings

Chester’s learning spaces include more than 200,000 square feet of building space, 40 acres of outdoor grounds
and 100,000 square feet of pavement. Our Facilities team maintains all of it, and this budget provides funding
that enables us to provide safe, efficient and high-quality learning facilities for all students. These targeted
improvements represent needed upgrades, routine maintenance and long-term planning.

Among them:

• Hot water boiler replacement. Previously budgeted, we transitioned to a direct, on-demand system that provides hot water only as needed. This upgrade is expected to deliver up to 20% greater energy efficiency over the life of the system, reducing both energy costs and environmental impact.
  • Fire door replacement, to support safety and ensure compliance with current fire codes. After more than 20 years, these fire doors have become worn. To ensure safety, reliability, and aesthetic appeal, we are replacing them with new hollow metal doors featuring an embossed wood grain finish. These updated doors meet fire safety standards and provide a durable and modern upgrade for our school.
• Sidewalk repairs to address damaged walkways and improve safety and accessibility. Over the last two decades, natural weathering has caused cracks, uneven surfaces, and general deterioration, which can pose both aesthetic and safety concerns. We are undertaking necessary repairs, ensuring smoother, safer, and more durable walkways that will stand up better to future weather patterns.
• Replacing sinks at Chester Elementary School (CES), the final phase of the project. We are replacing all of the
  sinks in the Chester Elementary cluster classrooms because the current units are molded cement sinks that have become worn, pitted, and very difficult to clean. Their age compromises hygiene and daily functionality. We will install modern fiberglass units with multiple built-in faucets. Each faucet will be motion-activated, enhancing sanitary conditions and making handwashing easier and more efficient for students and staff.
• New water fountains installed CES and Chester Academy. We are replacing the water fountains at Chester Academy and Chester Elementary because the existing units are outdated, and their filtration systems are
  cumbersome to maintain. The new fountains come equipped with enhanced filtration that is monitored by flow, allowing us to replace filters based on actual usage rather than an arbitrary schedule. The new units feature bottle-fill stations, allowing students and staff to easily fill reusable bottles, promoting hygiene, hydration and sustainability.
• Pavement repairs in a number of areas.
• In-house roofing repairs.
• Flooring replacements in Chester Academy and Chester Elementary. This much-anticipated project is set to begin this summer, as worn carpeting is replaced in the elementary school and flooring issues are addressed at the high school. In the elementary school, the kindergarten hallway will receive new VCT flooring, which is easier to maintain and provides improved sanitary conditions. At the high school, vinyl composite tile will be replaced in several classrooms where moisture has been wicking up through the floors. This will ensure a more durable and resilient floor for years to come.
• Additional infrastructure and energy-efficiency improvements that preserve our facilities, strengthen operational reliability and support long-term sustainability.

COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS: ParentSquare, website enhancements,
social media, and public relations efforts provide clear, accessible, and timely
information while also highlighting student success and district achievements.
STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (SYNERGY): Continued expansion
provides timely access to grades, attendance, and student progress,
streamlines registration processes, strengthens communication with
students and families, and supports data-informed instruction and MTSS
for academic and social-emotional needs.
DIGITAL SIGNAGE: Expanded use of digital signs at Chester Elementary School
and Chester Academy enhances timely communication and shares important
school and district information.

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