CROTON-ON-HUDSON – At the Oct. 24 Board of Education work session, district administrators and faculty showcased how the Croton-Harmon Union Free School District’s strategic "Vision Map" is manifesting in classrooms, specifically through student wellness initiatives and specialized life skills training. Superintendent Brendan Walker opened the meeting by emphasizing the district's commitment to inclusivity. "One of the things that makes the vision map incredibly special is the idea that when we say it impacts all students, we genuinely mean that," Walker said. {{quote:50}} He noted that the goal is to ensure schools are places that "cherish every student, that embrace every student, that make every student feel loved, accepted and challenged." **Measuring School Climate** A significant portion of the evening was dedicated to the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Department, which is currently administering a comprehensive School Climate Survey. Rachel (Assistant Superintendent for PPS), reported that the survey administration window began Oct. 15 and will conclude on Oct. 31. The survey targets students in grades 4 at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary, grades 5 through 8 at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School, and grades 9 through 12 at the high school. The survey focuses on two primary domains: a sense of belonging and emotional safety. "We are currently in the midst of the administration of our full school climate survey," the assistant superintendent said. {{quote:110}} District leaders collaborated in September to develop a question set that aligns with a baseline survey administered last spring. They wanted to "dig a little bit deeper" into student responses, specifically addressing areas where students previously indicated they only "somewhat agreed" with statements about safety and belonging. "We dug down a little bit deeper on some of the questions... because we didn't want to make it too, too long, and we hope that it'll give us a clearer... shine a light into some of the original responses," the assistant superintendent noted. {{quote:140}} To ensure honest feedback, the district has taken extra steps to guarantee anonymity. Last year, some students voiced concerns that their responses were not truly anonymous. In response, the district has utilized QR codes for iPad users and Google forms for others, explicitly assuring students that email addresses are not linked to their answers. For the district's youngest participants, fourth graders at CET, the survey included developmentally appropriate definitions for complex terms. "We worked really hard to ensure that we provided them with developmentally appropriate definitions of some of the words that they may not be used to using, such as race and culture," a presenter said. {{quote:190}} Once the survey window closes, the administration plans to review the data at the building and district levels to inform future programming. **Aspire Program: Learning Beyond the Classroom** The board also heard from Nicole DeMasio, a special education teacher at PVC who leads the Aspire program. Aspire, which stands for "Active Student Participation Inspires Real Engagement," serves seven students in a classroom setting that prioritizes movement and hands-on learning. "The Aspire class allows students to foster, develop and strengthen their social emotional and daily living skills that they will utilize in various settings," DeMasio said. {{quote:390}} The presentation highlighted how the program blends academic rigor with practical life skills. DeMasio described a typical morning routine that includes movement breaks, such as running on the track or playing tag, to help students focus before English Language Arts lessons. Beyond academics, the curriculum integrates real-world training. Students practice domestic skills, such as washing dishes used during their meals, and learn about food safety and nutrition by creating grocery lists and navigating local stores. "We focus on getting [out in the] community safety, walking the community, being able to locate different places in Croton," DeMasio said. {{quote:450}} She detailed trips to local businesses, including Apple Farm and CVS, where students practiced paying for items and locating specific hygiene products. "Each month we focus on a life skill topic, integrating it into daily lessons and reinforcing it throughout the year," she added. {{quote:430}} The program also emphasizes job readiness. Students apply for classroom jobs and are held accountable for completing them, mirroring real-world employment expectations. "They have job applications and they take each job very seriously," DeMasio said. {{quote:480}} The board acknowledged the presentation as a successful example of the district's broader educational philosophy, tying the specialized instruction back to the goals set forth in the Vision Map.