Halli Gatenio for RN Board of Education

07/02/2024

Thank you to our amazing community!

07/01/2024

Special runoff election is today! Polls are open until 9:00 p.m.

07/01/2024

Today’s the day! Polls are open until 9pm. Every vote counts!

06/29/2024

06/21/2024

Another concerning topic I’ve been hearing about is va**ng in our schools, specifically in the bathrooms. Monitoring kids to prevent va**ng in high school bathrooms presents several challenges and considerations.

1. Privacy Concerns: High school bathrooms are private spaces, and excessive monitoring could infringe on students' rights. Balancing surveillance with privacy is crucial to ensure that students feel comfortable and safe in these areas.
2. Educational Approach: Instead of solely relying on monitoring, schools should emphasize educational programs that inform students about the health risks of va**ng. Awareness campaigns and open discussions can often be more effective in changing behavior than punitive measures.
3. Community Involvement: Engaging parents, teachers, and students in creating a comprehensive approach to va**ng prevention can foster a supportive environment. Encouraging students to take part in peer-led initiatives can also be a powerful deterrent.
4. Counseling and Support: Providing resources for students who are already va**ng is essential. We should offer counseling and support programs to help students quit, addressing the underlying reasons why they may be turning to va**ng in the first place.
5. Policy and Enforcement: Clear policies and consistent enforcement are necessary. Students need to understand the consequences of va**ng and that the rules are applied fairly and uniformly.

Overall, in my opinion, a balanced approach that includes monitoring, education, support, and community involvement is likely to be the most effective way to address the issue of va**ng in high school bathrooms.

06/21/2024

Dear Rye Neck Friends and Neighbors,

Recent discussions about next year's professional development schedule prompt me to share some thoughts.

While professional skills and experience are valuable, it's essential to recognize the unique dynamics and challenges within a school environment, which differ significantly from a corporate setting. Schools involve deeply personal and emotional investments from teachers, students, parents, and the wider community. Teachers' roles go beyond fulfilling professional development hours; they nurture, educate, and inspire students, requiring a different kind of sensitivity and understanding.

A structured, corporate-like approach to professional development might overlook the nuanced realities of educational environments. Teachers' professional growth should be an ongoing, evolving process responsive to the latest research and the specific needs of students and teachers. Simplifying this to meeting hour requirements risks undermining its deeper purpose and impact.

Educational decision-making often demands flexibility and adaptability, which a corporate framework may not accommodate. Teachers, students, and parents need to be genuinely involved in the process, even if it can be messy and time-consuming, leading to more sustainable and accepted outcomes.

Effective communication and stakeholder involvement are crucial, but they must be paired with a deep understanding of pedagogical principles, child development, and the socio-emotional aspects of teaching. Without this foundational knowledge, well-intentioned strategies may fall short.

We must approach educational issues with an appreciation for their unique complexities and human elements. An empathetic, flexible, and education-specific approach will likely yield better results for the Rye Neck School community.

Please remember to vote by either absentee ballot or in person on July 1st (from 7am-9pm at RNH). Full details regarding the runoff elections are on the school website at https://www.ryeneck.org/Page/678

Thank you for your continued support.
Best, Halli Gatenio

As you may recall, the annual election for two seats on the Board of Education on May 21, 2024 ended in a victory for Nikki Barker and a tie between Halli Gatenio and Martin O’Reilly for the second available seat. The tie resulted in scheduling a runoff election for June 20, 2024. However, upon me...

06/15/2024

Hi everyone,
If you’re going to be away on July 1st, when the run-off election will be held, please go and vote early or pick up an absentee ballot at the school district office. The admin building is to the left of the middle school entrance (the little stand alone building) in case you are not familiar with it. If applicable, please ask your spouse/partner and/or children, if they’re over 18, to go and vote.
Every vote counts!
You can print out an application from the school website:
https://www.ryeneck.org/Page/678

Please spread the word to everyone you know. I appreciate your support in this important Board of Ed election.

With appreciation,
Halli

As you may recall, the annual election for two seats on the Board of Education on May 21, 2024 ended in a victory for Nikki Barker and a tie between Halli Gatenio and Martin O’Reilly for the second available seat. The tie resulted in scheduling a runoff election for June 20, 2024. However, upon me...

06/09/2024

REMINDER: The special runoff election for the second Board of Education seat is on July 1st.

June 24, 2024 is the last day to register to vote if you haven't done so already.

For information about early mail voting and absentee ballots, please visit www.ryeneck.org/voterinformation.