Thank you for an excellent 2017-18 academic year. On behalf of the entire Port Chester Public School District, we wish you a wonderful summer, filled with relaxation and happiness.
The 2018-19 academic year begins on Wednesday, Sept. 5. See you then!
Spend time at the theater with your family this summer, watching popular story lines come to life on stage.
The Port Chester Council for the Arts, in cooperation with the Village of Port Chester’s Recreation Department, is hosting three plays in late-July. They are:
“In the Heights”
July 20 (Friday) & July 21 (Saturday) at 7:30 p.m.
“Guys and Dolls Jr.”
July 27 (Friday) & July 28 (Saturday) at 7:30 p.m.
“Broadway Babies”
July 28 (Saturday) at 2 p.m.
Click on attachments below for additional information.
To end the 2017-18 school year with a bout of fun, Park Avenue School hosted a memorable kickball game on June 21. The fifth-grade students played against the school's teachers and staff members.
The dual-language kindergarten students at Park Avenue School prepared for entering first grade by enjoying Dr. Seuss' "Oh, The Places You'll Go" read aloud.
Port Chester community members passed the school district’s $11.025 million Bond Project by 60 percent. This now allows the district to begin emergency safety improvements at Port Chester Middle School.
With over 1,600 residents voting on June 5 in the PCMS gymnasium, 966 were in favor and 646 were opposed to the bond.
“We are thankful and express our sincere appreciation for the community’s support of this repair bond,” said Superintendent Edward Kliszus. “Your support permits us to bring the middle school into the 21st century with new windows, the removal of the concrete panels and scaffolding, and the installation of electronically controlled heating ventilator systems.”
The bond was created in response to a cantilever failure at the middle school in October 2017, which resulted in building damage and the school’s closure for six days. It resolves these vital safety concerns and ends the $30,000 monthly rental of scaffolding to stabilize the building’s current cantilevers. It also funds the replacement of 50-year-old windows with energy-efficient and insulated windows that will save 8 percent annually in energy costs.
“It is the community’s ongoing support of the schools,” said Dr. Kliszus, “that has enabled our students to enjoy not only academic success but beautiful school buildings in which they can be nurtured and educated in a safe environment.”
This is the second time that Port Chester residents voted on the PCMS Bond Project. It was initially put up for a vote in February at $12.5 million; however, was defeated by 51.4 percent.
To cap off a wonderful year full of learning at Park Avenue School, fifth-grade students enjoyed a PTO-sponsored picnic at Crawford Park.
Park Avenue School's "Success Night" was, indeed, a success! In early June, families gathered at the school for the special event. The children presented their service learning and writing projects to their parents. Principal Rosa Taylor congratulated the students for their hard work throughout the year.
To learn more about reading and writing, the third-grade student in Mrs. Weaver's class at Park Avenue School collaborated and peer-edited their Alternative Fairy Tales.
The Port Chester School District asks community residents to vote on a vital, comprehensive $11.025 million BOND PROJECT for much-needed renovations to Port Chester Middle School’s building exterior on TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2018. This project addresses the 2017 cantilever failure and necessary reconstruction of pedestrian bridges at Port Chester Middle School for a long-term, safe and cost-effective solution.
For more information, click here to visit our PCMS Bond Project (June 2018) page.
Virtual field trips, a coding club and peer-to-peer teaching. These are a handful of innovative ways that children in the Port Chester School District are increasingly receiving an education rife with integrated advanced technology.
Our district is dedicating itself to dynamically improving the digital skills of students and teachers so that they can handle the new world that technology is shaping. It helps them broaden their academic opportunities and reach their scholastic goals.
Over the past few decades, classrooms have changed technologically – and they will continue to evolve. No longer do students sit through a “computer class;” technology is now used throughout the day and in most classes as a versatile tool. It helps students better understand concepts, think more critically, expand their creativity and adapt to new situations.
The Port Chester School District community passed the 2018-19 budget, ensuring that vital academic programs are funded for another year.
On May 15, nearly 2,000 residents headed to the polls to cast their votes. The proposed $97,227,468 budget was passed by 1,197 to 729 votes. Community members Christopher Wolff and Luigi Russo were elected to the Board of Education.
“We deeply appreciate the community’s support of the budget’s passage,” said Superintendent Edward Kliszus. “This will permit us to fund our schools adequately and to provide for the academic needs of the many children in our care.”
The budget fulfills its pledge of remaining under the tax levy cap by using existing revenue and implementing budget cuts. It retains vital academic programs that students need for their success and achievement. It also prioritizes general and humanities offerings, athletics, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, and numerous support programs for our most vulnerable children.
“It is the community’s ongoing support that has enabled our students to enjoy significant successes,” Dr. Kliszus said, “as recently memorialized in U.S. News & World Report’s national and state school rankings.”
The Flag Football Tournament, which was originally scheduled for May 31, has been POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Park School teamed up with schools in Wales, China and Mexico to share progressive educational experiences.
On April 24 and 25, educators from the aforementioned countries visited Port Chester to create sister-school relationships. The goal was to develop global citizenship for students through regular collaboration.
The 14 visiting educators spent time learning from each other and promoting global education. Additionally, they learned about the Port Chester School District, along with Park School and its dual-language program. In addition, Park School Principal Rosa Taylor, along with principals from six other international elementary schools, signed an agreement to each reduce their school’s carbon footprint.
The fifth-grade dual-language students spoke to fifth-grade students in a Mexican school via Google Hangouts. They discussed the United Nations’ goal for sustainability, as well as the importance of fundamental human rights. Another fifth-grade class Skyped with Welsh students about universal human rights.
“It was a very powerful and moving event for all,” said Ms. Taylor. “The student-led discussions went exceptionally well.”
Teachers and supervisors from Port Chester Public Schools were part of a group that received a prestigious innovation award for its participation in the Lower Hudson Computer Science and STEAM Academy.
The Lower Hudson Regional Information Center’s Technology Leadership Institute bestowed academy members with the Outstanding Innovative Partners Award at the Transforming Education Leadership and Learning Awards. The celebration took place on March 29 at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff.
The academy is a multi-year, district-level program for administrators and classroom teacher-leaders to collaboratively design, implement and evaluate a full-scale, comprehensive K-8 program in computer science/coding and/or STEAM that is unique to each district. It addresses systemic inequities in providing essential academic programs in the areas of computer science and engineering.
The Lower Hudson Computer Science and STEAM Academy members were recognized for their innovative spirit and dedication to identifying computer science and STEAM as core disciplines. The academy was highlighted for its level of commitment, willingness to take risks and openness to challenging pre-existing assumptions. The districts were also celebrated for their high-impact work and desire to share their expertise while forming a community of practice.
Port Chester’s academy members are:
The other local school districts that are part of the Lower Hudson Computer Science and STEAM Academy are Croton-Harmon, Mahopac, Peekskill, Suffern and Yorktown.
It was brought to our attention late yesterday that a minor-aged student posted a potential, non-specific digital threat directed towards Port Chester High School. All such threats are taken seriously. Police were immediately notified, and the individual was identified as a current PCHS student. That individual has been removed from the school and will face consequences consistent with the District Code of Conduct and New York State SAVE legislation.
Please use this incident as a teachable moment for you to ensure that your child uses social media safely and responsibly.
Would you like to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities but don't know who to ask?
Dennis Richmond will present the HCBU Initiative to the Port Chester/Rye Branch NAACP on Tuesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at its monthly membership meeting at the Carver Center, 400 Westchester Avenue. This event is for you if you are in the 6th through 10th grade, a guidance counselor, a parent or guardian or a middle or high school administrator.
Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, email to pcrnaacp@gmail.com or 914-980-6160.
Please click here to read an important message regarding the 2018-19 Budget from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edward Kliszus.
Students at Park Avenue School enjoyed a trot outside during the warmer weather for their "Welcome Spring" walk.
On April 13, children were all smiles as they were led outdoors by their teachers to greet the milder temperatures and new season. Following several weeks of snow-laden streets, they walked around in t-shirts on a 75 degree day.
Students at Park Avenue School enjoyed a trot outside during the warmer weather for their "Welcome Spring" walk.
On April 13, children were all smiles as they were led outdoors by their teachers to greet the milder temperatures and new season. Following several weeks of snow-laden streets, they walked around in t-shirts on a 75 degree day.
Park Avenue School serves about 440 students in grades K through 5 and offers a variety of creative programs that instill a love of learning in our students. A K-5 Dual Language Academy is an option for entering Kindergartners, Our school places heavy emphasis on literacy and math skills and our students are involved in a grade-appropriate, hands-on inquiry based science program. With a full day Kindergarten, digital literacy computer program, arts education, K-5 character education and an enrichment program in software coding, our students are challenge to develop their talents across many disciplines.
