Three Community Organizations Honor Ossining Superintendent

Ossining Superintendent Raymond Sanchez has received awards this fall for his leadership and vision from Latino U College Access, the Ossining Children’s Center and the Hanami Foundation.

Dr. Sanchez, who has been superintendent since 2013, was one of three honorees at the Latino U College Access Visiones: Dare to Dream virtual gala on Oct. 29.

Latino U founder and CEO Shirley Acevedo Buontempo thanked Dr. Sanchez for welcoming LUCA into the Ossining School District in 2013.

“Dr. Sanchez, you are a visionary leader who has represented your school district and the families and students who live there with incredible dignity, passion and care,” she said. “You are relentless in finding creative solutions to the needs of your school district. Your grace and generosity helped to build collaboration among multiple stakeholders for the benefit of your students.”

Ms. Buontempo said the superintendent was the first to invite her and LUCA to deliver information sessions and workshops. “You supported our mission from the start and encouraged our partnership with the Guidance Department,” she said. “Your commitment to providing opportunities and equity for all students inspires everyone around you, myself included.”

Dr. Sanchez thanked Ms. Buontempo and Latino U for the honor and for their partnership with Ossining schools. “I remember back in 2013, when Shirley first entered my office. There were a lot of things we didn’t know, but a few things we did know,” he said. “We knew that this was going to be an organization that was going to grow. We knew that it was going to have a positive impact on the lives of many, many students and we knew that those impacts were going to take place right here in Ossining.”

Dr. Sanchez also thanked the Ossining Board of Education, Ossining High School Principal Stephen Hancock and the OHS Guidance Department for their work and support, as well as Ossining families and students.

Board of Education President Lisa Rudley congratulated Dr. Sanchez for the awards on behalf of the board. “This is a testament to his deep commitment to forming strong community partnerships that significantly benefit our children and schools,” she said this week.

The superintendent will be honored at the Ossining Children’s Center 125th anniversary gala, which takes place online Sunday. In his seven years as superintendent, “Ray has demonstrated an unwavering commitment and devotion to all the children and families in the district,” the center wrote in a spotlight of Dr. Sanchez. When the state instituted funding for full-day pre-kindergarten in 2014, he worked with the Ossining Children’s Center to ensure Ossining would be included.

The OCC said Dr. Sanchez’ devotion to Ossining children is evident each day, from his support of families during the COVID-19 pandemic to the resources the district provides for the three pre-k programs at the center. He has earned praise for his efforts to engage the community in a positive and inclusive way, his consistent and transparent communication, his ability to stay calm and focused, and his efforts to create a compassionate, responsive environment for teachers and students.

“We salute Ray’s extraordinary leadership in our community,” the spotlight article said.

The Hanami Foundation is honoring Dr. Sanchez for his hard work with the community, said Dora Ochoa, executive director of the organization. Parents with children in Ossining schools nominated him for his leadership, she said. The group is presenting him with a plaque this week.

The foundation works with the immigrant community to promote independence through education and assistance, such as driving lessons and English classes. The group has been very active during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing meals, clothing and some items for the home, Ms. Ochoa said.

Hanami is a Japanese word that means to contemplate flowers, often referring to the cherry blossom blooms that are a harbinger of spring. “I associate it with the immigrant community,” Ms. Ochoa said. “It’s very hard for us to adapt to the new country, new culture, trying to find work and learning the language.”

When that “season,” which is like a cold winter, ends for immigrants, and they can be independent and sustain themselves, it is like spring. “That’s the blossom. That’s when the cherry trees blossom,” she said.

Dr. Sanchez has been with the Ossining School District since September 1998. Prior to becoming superintendent, he was a fourth-grade teacher, English as a Second Language supervisor, assistant principal, supervisor for English Language Arts and funded programs, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent.