Dear Port Chester Ramily,

We are thrilled to share our latest newsletter, highlighting the remarkable and enriching experiences we are cultivating for our students in the Port Chester School District. Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Tina Wilson, Assistant Superintendent, we have truly hit our stride, implementing innovative initiatives that are transforming our educational landscape.

We are excited to spotlight programs such as Project Lead the Way, traditional spelling bees, and specialized biomedical and engineering pathways. These initiatives exemplify our commitment to providing unique and rigorous opportunities that challenge our students and support their growth.

Several years ago, we embarked on a journey to continue building a school district and community dedicated to the mission of Success for All. Today, we are proud to see that vision come to life. The new initiatives detailed below not only enhance Port Chester’s reputation as an extraordinary community of learners, but also affirm our belief that the sky is the limit for every child.

Through diverse pathways and a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement, we are empowering every student to reach their fullest potential. We invite you to explore the exciting developments in our district, which reflect our shared dedication to excellence in education.

Project Lead the Way
Sixth graders in the Design and Modeling class are applying their learning to sketch, design, and build a functional foot brace. This course emphasizes collaborative, hands-on, project-based learning that fosters creativity and helps students see the real-world impact of innovation in their daily lives. These authentic experiences mirror the skills and problem-solving students will use beyond high school.

District-wide Elementary Spelling Bee
Each elementary school hosted a spelling bee, with before- and/or after-school clubs offered to help students prepare. In total, 86 students participated in these clubs across the district. The top five contestants from each school (see photos below) advanced to the District Spelling Bee on March 16.

L to R: King Street School, JFK Elementary 

L to R: Park Ave. Elementary, Thomas A. Edison School

To watch a recording of the Elementary Spelling Bee on PCSTV, click the image below.

NYS ELA Testing
Next week marks the start of New York State testing in Port Chester, with the NYS ELA assessments being administered.
- Grades 4–5: Monday, April 13–Tuesday, April 14
- Grades 6–8: Tuesday, April 14–Wednesday, April 15
- Grade 3: Wednesday, April 15–Thursday, April 16

Summer Learning Programs
Planning for this year’s summer learning opportunities is underway.
- Summer Learning Program for Rising Grades 1–9: Invitation letters have been sent to students entering grades 1–4. In the coming days, invitations will also be sent to students entering grades 6–9.
- District-wide Elementary Summer STEM Enrichment Program: This program will be offered at JFK Elementary and will be open to students from all four elementary schools.
-Traditional Summer School: We will pilot a more traditional summer school model at the high school level. Providing 9th grade students with the opportunity to retake failed courses over the summer will support credit accrual and help improve graduation rates.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

What began as a simple classroom lesson has grown into a student-led initiative at Port Chester Middle School, blending nutrition, entrepreneurship, and community impact.

Under the leadership of Family and Consumer Science (FACS) teacher Ms. Allison Fasano and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Colleen Carroll, students transformed a sprouts-growing lesson into “SchoolMade Sprouts.”

Dr. Carroll introduced the idea after growing sprouts at home. “When I realized how easy sprouts were to grow in a home kitchen, I knew they could be a simple and powerful hands-on learning experience in the classroom," she said.

After visiting FACS classes to teach students how to grow sprouts using jars and seeds, students took ownership. Sixth and seventh graders led the growing process, while eighth graders developed a Honey Pepper Vinaigrette, now sold for $5 to help fund the project.

“This project grew out of a lesson, but the students built their own business around it,” said Ms. Fasano. “They named it SchoolMade Sprouts, designed logos, and collaborated across grade levels.”

While the dressing is sold, the sprouts are given away for free to promote access to healthy food. “They wanted to support nutritional equity in their community,” Ms. Fasano explained. “When we share these sprouts, we’re showing that when one part of our community grows, we all grow together.”

The project connects directly to key learning goals, including sustainability, nutrition literacy, and civic responsibility, while building real-world skills like problem-solving and collaboration. “Students are learning that they can grow one of the most nutritious foods with very little cost,” Dr. Carroll added. “This kind of hands-on learning makes it real.”

“This is about more than just sprouts,” Ms. Fasano said. “It’s about the human ecosystem we are building and helping students see how their actions impact the community.”

Proceeds from the student-created dressing will directly support and sustain the initiative, ensuring “SchoolMade Sprouts” continues to grow its impact across the school community.

Port Chester High School students recently took their learning beyond the classroom through “Hoops for a Cause,” a unique fundraiser that combined community impact with real-world experience in sports media.

The event, held in partnership with the Westchester Knicks, supported the Principal's Promise Academy (PPA) and The Port Light, raising funds for future student opportunities while giving participants an inside look at professional sports journalism.

For students, the experience went far beyond attending a game. “It showed that there are organizations in our community willing to partner with PCHS students to create meaningful opportunities in areas like photography and sports journalism,” shared Anthony Apuzzi, a Special Education teacher who helps guide photography for The Port Light, alongside Justin Thomas, who supports student journalists in their reporting. “Students were able to step outside the classroom and gain insight and advice from professionals.”

In the days leading up to the game, students prepared as true journalists. They researched teams, developed interview questions, and submitted them for approval. On game day, they arrived early, observed pre-game operations, tracked the flow of the game, and stayed afterward to conduct player interviews.

“It was an opportunity to step into the shoes of the media and experience what game day is really like,” Apuzzi said. “They practiced public speaking, took ownership of their responsibilities, and worked together to meet deadlines.”

Photos by Jessica Romero, PCHS student and member of The Port Light, the student-run newspaper covering school and community stories.

The experience also reinforced classroom learning through a cross-curricular connection between the Arts and ELA departments, while building valuable social-emotional skills. Students collaborated to write, edit, and design a final story for The Port Light, selecting photos and crafting a narrative that captured the energy of the event.

“What stood out most was how the PPA, The Port Light, and the Westchester Knicks worked together to create something memorable for our students,” Apuzzi noted. “The Knicks go out of their way to expose students to every aspect of the media and game day experience, which is truly invaluable.”

Through partnerships with organizations like the Westchester Knicks, Hudson Valley Renegades, Westchester Soccer Club, and The Capitol Theatre, PCHS continues to provide authentic, career-connected learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation.

Recently, third grade students across all four of Port Chester’s elementary schools welcomed naturalist Christina Baal for an engaging, hands-on science experience that brought learning to life.

During her visit, students explored the concept of animal adaptations by studying birds and how their physical traits, behaviors, and habitats influence survival, with a special focus on the role of beaks. Through interactive discussion, students discovered that even animals living in the same environment must develop unique strategies to compete for food and meet their needs.

To bring this concept to life, students participated in a hands-on simulation using tools such as chopsticks, pipettes, and tweezers to represent different types of bird beaks. They then “fed” on materials like beads, pipe cleaners, and water, modeling how birds gather food such as fish, worms, and nectar.

Christina Baal, a naturalist known for creating immersive, inquiry-based learning experiences, guided students through each activity, encouraging curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

By the end of the lesson, students were able to match specific beak types to their appropriate food sources, deepening their understanding of how adaptations help animals survive in the natural world.

This memorable experience not only reinforced key science concepts, but also sparked excitement and wonder about the world around them, true learning in action.

Port Chester High School proudly celebrates senior Carmen Montoya, recipient of the St. Vincent’s Hospital Youth Award, which honors students whose volunteer service reflects a deep commitment to community and care.

Carmen’s impact spans both school and community. Over the past two years, she has volunteered at White Plains Hospital assisting with patient transport, tutored students at Don Bosco, and supported local organizations through the Big Picture Foundation at the Rye Arts Center. She also combines her passion for the arts and service through SoulRyders, knitting hats for individuals battling cancer and helping organize open mic events.

At PCHS, Carmen is a dedicated leader. As a member of the Youth Grantmaking Board, she advocated for addressing food insecurity through community outreach and food drives. Known for uplifting others, she also serves as Co-Captain of the Girls Varsity Tennis team.

“Carmen is the type of leader who uplifts others through encouragement and is always ready to support her teammates,” said school counselor Marta Sandoval. “Her motivation, determination, and compassion make her a true role model for our students.”

L to R: Marta Sandoval, Carmen Montoya

Carmen credits her journey to both personal experiences and a strong support system. “Receiving this award honors my work in the Port Chester community and validates my commitment to advocating for those who are often unheard and marginalized,” she shared. Reflecting on her inspiration, she added, “My godfather encouraged my curiosity in both art and science, and his health journey shaped my passion for understanding neurological conditions and helping others.”

Looking ahead, Carmen plans to pursue neuroscience and continue researching accessible, low-cost therapies. “This recognition motivates me to keep finding innovative ways to blend art and science to support mental and emotional well-being,” she said.

Carmen’s recognition is a proud moment for the entire Port Chester community and a powerful example of service, leadership, and heart.