From the Desk of Harry Sherman, District Superintendent

Fall 2025

Greetings, District 9 family,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to another exciting school year in District 9, where every student belongs, excels, and thrives. 2024-2025 was a strong year for the district, and this year promises to be even more successful as we work together and build on our shared accomplishments.

Due to our commitment to research-based, data-driven, grade-level core instruction that is responsive to the languages, cultures, strengths, and needs of our students we are celebrating strong proficiency gains in literacy and math. Just as importantly, we continue to strengthen intervention efforts, and we have dramatically reduced the number of students scoring well-below grade level. These outcomes reflect the work we are doing to strengthen the foundational skills, critical thinking, and civic engagement that prepares our students to lead and thrive in their communities.

However, as parents, educators, and caregivers we know that the success of our students is measured by so much more than outcomes on state assessments. We are also excited about the expansion of access to advanced classes, STEM, art & music, athletics, chess, and other enrichment programs. We are incredibly proud of our partnerships with the Roberto Clemente State Park (who host numerous programs, trips, and events), the New York Botanical Gardens (where all kindergarten students will visit again this year), the New York Yankees (who host the Bronx STEM Expo and Chess Tournament), The Wellness Classroom (who is ensuring grant funded access to expanded social and emotional learning opportunities), Sandy Hook Promise (who are providing violence prevention programming in all schools) and many more. This is just a small sample of the efforts we have made to create a well-rounded experience for all students, and we will continue to strengthen and deepen these efforts in the coming year.

In District 9 we believe in the brilliance and capacity of every one of our scholars. We also know that you, the parents and caregivers, are our students’ first teachers and greatest advocates. Our partnership is essential to the success of our students. In the coming year we will continue to expand student and family voice, building on the successes of our student council culminating service projects, our parent leadership summits, and our community engagement events.

I look forward to the year ahead and building on the promising steps we have already taken together. Thank you for all the ways that you help District 9 shine!

Sincerely,

Harry Sherman, Superintendent

Yankee Stadium's First Ever STEM Expo STEM and Sports unite at Yankee Stadium where students competed across the field in a science fair competition. Projects ranging from edible plastics, hologr... www.youtube.com