Dear Ramily,

As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the spirit of togetherness that binds us. It is a time for coming together to support the people we care about. This year, let us embrace that spirit by addressing an urgent issue affecting our youth today.

I am pleased to invite middle school and high school parents to join me in the middle school auditorium on Thursday, January 8, at 6 PM, along with their PCMS or PCHS child. Together, we will engage in a vital discussion about the hidden dangers of vaping and the substances increasingly targeting our children at younger ages.

The alarming reality is that many parents are unaware of newer forms of drugs that can be concealed in plain sight. This presentation aims to empower you with knowledge so you can have open and honest conversations with your children about what is happening in communities across the country. By staying informed and involved, we can work together to create a safer environment for our students.

Your presence and participation are crucial. Through our conversations, it has become clear that many parents are seeking guidance and support in navigating these challenges. This gathering is just the beginning of a much-needed effort to strengthen parental involvement and awareness within our school community.

I encourage you to spread the word and invite neighbors and friends who have middle school or high school students to attend this important event with their children. Let us make this one of our first parent-teen nights out—free from screens—where we can engage in meaningful dialogue. Together, we can help our students lead long, healthy, and successful lives.

I look forward to seeing you on January 8. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

Throughout the month, students at all grade levels performed in winter concerts that highlighted their musical talents and growth. From the elementary schools to Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School, each performance reflected students’ hard work and creativity, as well as the dedication of the district’s music educators.

For families and community members who were unable to attend a concert in person, or who would like to view the performances again, click below for each school's livestream recording.

 

Edison Elementary

King Street School

Park Avenue Elementary

JFK Elementary

Port Chester Middle School

Port Chester High School

 

Thank you to our students, music teachers, administrators, and families for contributing to a successful and meaningful winter concert season and for continuing to support the arts in Port Chester Schools.

 

During the holiday season, students participated in service-focused initiatives that emphasized giving back and strengthening community connections.

In recognition of International Volunteer Day, the School Counseling Department hosted its annual Volunteer Opportunity Showcase, offering students in grades 9 through 12 the chance to explore local volunteer opportunities and learn more about civic engagement. Students met with representatives from community organizations and helped spread holiday cheer by writing cards for men and women serving in the military. With more than 1,000 holiday cards donated by faculty and staff, students completed and signed approximately 230 cards, which will be delivered to veterans in the community. Teachers escorted their classes throughout the day, ensuring broad student participation.

The showcase featured community partners including Open Door, Carver Center, Don Bosco, Rye Nature Center, White Plains Hospital, Port Chester–Rye EMS, YWCA, Meals on Main Street, The Sharing Shelf, and Burke Rehabilitation.

This spirit of service continued through the EmpowerED Futures Program, which launched a Community Pantry event grounded in the Community Schools framework. Guided by Dr. Maeva Rich Kennedy and facilitated by Allison Fasano and Laurie Halstead in partnership with community collaborators, the event expanded the middle school pantry model into a districtwide support experience. Families were invited to shop for free groceries, enjoy a live cooking demonstration, participate in children’s activities, and receive complimentary self-care packages.

Together, these initiatives highlighted the district’s commitment to student engagement, service learning, and ongoing support for families. 

Port Chester High School band students recently had a busy and memorable weekend, showcasing their musical talents both within the community and beyond.

Students participated in the Port Chester Christmas Parade, bringing festive music and school spirit to the community. A select group of students also took part in the second annual TubaChristmas, a worldwide holiday tradition that unites low brass musicians to perform classic seasonal music as part of a large ensemble.

The experience culminated in a performance at Rockefeller Center, where students joined musicians from across the region to perform against one of the most iconic holiday backdrops in the world.

From community traditions to internationally recognized musical events, these experiences showcased the strong musicianship of our students and the district’s continued support for meaningful, real-world performance opportunities. We are so proud of the way our students represented Port Chester Schools and the band program.

A group of Port Chester educators recently represented the district at the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Conference, a statewide event focused on supporting English Language Learners. During the conference, the team shared the district’s ongoing work to strengthen English as a New Language (ENL) instruction.

Educators presented a session titled “Prioritizing Stand-Alone ENL Curriculum: One District’s Story,” highlighting two years of collaborative work to develop a clear, K–12 ENL curriculum. This approach moves beyond isolated grammar and vocabulary lessons and instead emphasizes communication, real-world connections, and language development across content areas. As a result, students are using their English skills more confidently both in and outside of the classroom.

MLL Instructional Support Specialists Viviana Arredondo and Lisa Cavallero were also selected to lead a second session, “Empowering Multilingual Learners,” which focused on practical strategies to support teachers and students through thoughtful planning, instructional supports, and meaningful classroom practices.

Together, these presentations reflect the district’s continued efforts to enhance learning experiences for multilingual students and support educators in meeting the needs of all learners.