Jefferson Elementary showcases culturally responsive science program, Wipro partnership and student awards

Jefferson Elementary School leaders presented the board with an overview of the school’s culturally responsive sustaining education (CRSE) approach to science instruction, detailing classroom curriculum, community partnerships and professional development tied to the Wipro Science Education Fellowship.

The presentation, led by Principal Kimberly Nieves and supported by teachers and district partners, explained how Jefferson uses Engineering is Elementary units, hands‑on investigations and a Tiered vocabulary approach to meet revised New York State science standards. The presentation noted that students participated in engineering projects, read-alouds tied to global contexts, and scaffolded vocabulary work to prepare for more complex assessments.

Why it matters: Board members and staff said the CRSE science work connects literacy and science, supports multilingual learners and exposes students to engineering and computer science concepts starting in kindergarten. Jefferson staff described professional learning and interdisciplinary collaboration as central to sustaining the program.

School leaders described the Wipro Science Education Fellowship as the partnership that helped to unify educators, promote adult learning and expand family and community events. Jefferson staff said Wipro work includes school assemblies, tinkering events, a lunchtime robotics club, parent technology workshops, and STEAM family programs. Speakers credited Mercy University, Regeneron STEM Alliance, Volunteer New York and WellBotics as community partners that bring experiences such as basic coding for kindergarten and museum visits for older students.

Principal Kimberly Nieves highlighted student achievement at recent science competitions: New Rochelle Science Research students earned 33 awards at the 2025 Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESF), including five first‑place awards and three students qualifying to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio. The presentation named several student winners and said the school earned more than $11,500 in cash and prizes at WESF.

Teachers and coaches described classroom examples: kindergarten students built shelters and tested structures in an Engineering is Elementary unit; elementary students designed solar ovens in a fourth‑grade unit inspired by a story from Botswana; classroom instruction uses phenomena and claim‑evidence‑reasoning protocols. Staff emphasized the link between vocabulary instruction and assessment performance, noting that recent state test items include more domain‑specific terms.

School leaders also outlined professional learning: building science leads and an interdisciplinary Wipro team provide ongoing training and inquiry groups for teachers, with a focus on culturally relevant practices and integrating social‑emotional learning (CASEL) into science lessons.

Board members praised the program and asked how instruction supports multilingual learners. Presenters said classroom strategies include explicit vocabulary instruction, use of cognates, hands‑on projects and culturally relevant texts to connect background knowledge to science tasks.

The presentation closed with the announcement of two tenure recommendations from Jefferson: Maria Garcia and Adalia (Adalia) Mendez, both described as bilingual school social workers. The full board later approved consent agenda personnel items that included promotions and personnel recommendations.

The Jefferson presentation included displays and QR links to materials and invited board members and the public to view student work in poster boards in the hallway.

Additional context: Presenters said Jefferson has represented the district at national conferences and that Wipro work began at the school in 2015. Speakers identified Mercy University, Regeneron, Volunteer New York and WellBotics among partners that support programming.

Ending: Board members thanked Jefferson staff and students for the presentation and for emphasizing early exposure to STEM and culturally responsive curriculum.