Letter from Debra Kaplan, Retiring Dobbs Ferry Superintendent

Debra Kaplan superintendent of the Dobbs Ferry schools will retire at the end of this school year. 

Read the following letter she sent to members of the community:

I have often been asked what the highlight of each year is for me, and I always reply the same way … Springhurst and Middle School Stepping-Up ceremonies and High School graduation.  These educational milestones represent our students’ opportunities for learning, academic achievements and civic growth and development.   As I prepare for retirement, I can’t help but reflect back on what this particular graduating class means to me.

These seniors were third graders when I met them at Springhurst.  I remember the day vividly because I was touring Springhurst classrooms for the first time on September 11, 200l.  We all recognize that this day forever changed our lives as Americans, but also changed our children and their feelings of security and the important role of family and community.  Researchers say that 9/11 is a “life marker” for this generation of children, as the Kennedy assassination was for our generation.  This event undoubtedly inspired today’s young adults who feel a sense of responsibility towards their fellow man. Our students embody this ideal as demonstrated by their involvement in community service activities and fundraisers to support our village, as well as national and global communities struck by natural disasters. 

As I reminisce about the past ten years in Dobbs Ferry, I see my own journey through our graduating seniors’ experiences.   The Class of 2011 is an amazing group of young men and women.  They have been accepted into many of the most selective top-tier public and private colleges.  Eighteen of our seniors are graduating with IB Diplomas and forty-nine are graduating with Regents Diplomas with Advanced Designation.  Twenty-five of these students have earned Advanced Designation with Honors.  Yes, I can say with a lot of pride, this is an academically high-performing class. 

When they were first starting out in Springhurst, I remember buying necklaces and pottery from them at the Nigerian marketplace.  I attended their writing celebrations, their DARE graduation and I was on hand for their 5 ^th grade Stepping-Up ceremony, where they were the first new generation of Dobbs Ferry students to enter the Middle School as 6 ^th graders.  They were also the first to participate in the 6 ^th grade humanities block.  They were the Effort Eagles, the Math Olympiads and the Destination ImagiNation regional finalists.

Their 8 ^th grade Stepping-Up ceremony marked the end of my first year as Superintendent.  I was so proud of their accomplishments and felt their excitement and anticipation of becoming high school students.  The last four years seemed to fly by.  Their freshman year began with the original Mac Field Day, which was highlighted on Fox-TV’s Good Day New York.  These students were the first to have a variety of electives to choose from including Ballroom Dancing, Sports Management, Creative Writing, Fiction to Film, Environmental Science, and Rock & Roll as Literature. 

These seniors were also the first to experience full inclusion.  They are the ones who supported a classmate with autism from kindergarten on.  They made sure she had friends, was invited to parties and danced at the prom.  They were by her side when her mother passed away and walked with her each year at the “Walk for Autism” fundraiser.  Our special education students have been fully integrated, welcomed and supported by their teachers and peers.  They have learned acceptance, empathy and the true meaning of friendship.

I have witnessed their inductions into the National Honor Societies.  I watched them perform at concerts, plays and musicals.  I followed their athletic careers from modified sports to junior and varsity teams.  Together, we all learned a new way of communicating with the advent of Facebook, texting, instant messaging and Twitter.  Our students are global thinkers, problem solvers, collaborators and initiators.  They are emphatic, creative, curious and imaginative. They are our next generation of leaders.

During the High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, I was heartened when senior Charles Sucher spoke about the impact that our School District’s Mission Statement had on his life and his fellow students. As I end my career here in Dobbs Ferry, I leave with a great sense of pride knowing that we have indeed fulfilled this “mission” and as Charlie acknowledged, “the School District has provided students with a high-quality education, empowering them to reach their individual potential and to respect and value themselves and others.” We did this together as partners; as parents, teachers, administrators and staff members. Dobbs Ferry is a unique community that is truly focused on all children and believes that each and every child should have access to the same opportunities and experiences.  It is a community that works collaboratively and knows the true meaning of shared responsibility.   Thank you for welcoming me into your community, trusting me to take care of your children and making me feel that Dobbs Ferry was my home.

My last day as Superintendent is Thursday, June 30th.  Marjorie Holderman will be Interim Superintendent during the month of July, with Dr. Lisa Brady officially joining the District on August 1st.  Doug Berry will take on the responsibilities of Director of Curriculum and Instruction beginning on July 1st.   Julia Drake will join the Springhurst family as Principal on July 1 ^st , and John Falino will begin as Principal of the High School on July 15th.  I am confident that our new leadership team will take our District to the next level of excellence.

I will always cherish the years that I have spent in the Dobbs Ferry School District, my great memories of our students and the good work that we accomplished together.

 Best Regards,

Debra Kaplan
Superintendent