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!
How are you feeling today? Do you need some self-confidence or patience? Maybe you need kindness or faith? Teacher Candace Calabrese’s eighth-grade class can help.
Throughout the spring months, the group created a “Take What You Need” bulletin board that pays tribute to Port Chester Middle School’s late assistant principal Byron Womack. The board features giant, open envelopes, labeled with different virtues and stuffed with inspirational quotes. Students and staff are invited to approach the board and select a quote from the envelope they need.
“You take what you need,” said student Kyle Stellate. “If you need love, you take from the ‘love’ envelope. It will help your day out.”
When Mr. Womack died in February, the school community was shocked and saddened to hear the news. To honor his generous legacy, Ms. Calabrese discussed with her students Mr. Womack’s lasting impact on the school. They spoke about his actions and how he shared his love of education and community.
“Mr. Womack motivated us to be better people,” said student Pedro Silva. “We’re honoring him with this. If you’re having a bad day, you can pick out what you need and have a better day.”
The project, which encourages others to feel good, helped the students deal with the loss, said Ms. Calabrese. The children added that they were heartened when they saw their classmates approach the bulletin board and select a quote.
Ms. Calabrese worked alongside teacher Jeannie Iantorno to create the bulletin board with the eighth-graders. The students who participated were: Jackie Soto, Janeth Garcia, Samantha Mendoza, Aracely Monroy, Joel Flores, Alejandro Levy, Alejandro Duran, Ruben Zamano, Pedro Silva, Junior Vizhco, Kyle Stellate and Giovanna Greco.
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.
The Class of 2018's special "Graduation Keepsake" newsletter is now available. Click here or on the attachment below to view in a color and web-accessible PDF format. A copy will be mailed to every 2018 graduate in late-July.
Softball standout Brooklyn Ostrowski, a Port Chester High School incoming junior, was named the the Journal News/lohud First Team All-Stars.
Brooklyn, an outfielder, was featured in a recent story on the news outlet's website, recognizing the 2018 stellar softball players. It reads: "A true five-tool player, Ostrowski batted .424 with six home runs and 24 RBI for the year. The Fordham-committed sophomore also collected her 100th career hit this season."
A big congratulations to the 313 Port Chester High School students who graduated on June 22. We can't wait to see what the future holds for the Class of 2018. The ceremony took place on the field in front of a packed crowd on the bleachers.
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.
Byron Womack, the former Port Chester Middle School assistant principal who passed away in February, made a lasting impact on students and staff members. In remembrance, the school celebrated his life and personality with a dedication ceremony of a tree and bench on June 20.
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.
The Port Chester High School hallways were livened by vibrant flower-themed artworks. Principal Mitchell Combs called them "terrific spring-themed work from our talented student-artists."
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.
All of the hard work paid off. In early June, a handful of Port Chester High School seniors graduated from the Westchester Youth Police Academy.
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.
In late May, three Port Chester High School students presented at the third annual Science Research Symposium.
The teenagers spent the past few years researching their projects. They selected the topics that they were interested in learning about, which ensured a strong sense of passion and ownership. Congratulations to our student-scientists.
Student-actors in the Port Chester High School drama club attended the Metropolitan Youth Theater Awards.
On June 11, the group traveled to SUNY Purchase College for the event. Members were nominated in three categories for their work in "The Wedding Singer," which was performed in mid-April. The nominations were:
- Cameo: Faith Tomasula (as Tina Turner)
- Outstanding Duet: Lauren Pellegrini (as Grandma) and Nicolas Arnel (as George) for "Move That Thang"
- Lobby Display: Gisella McCallion, Lauren Pellegrini and Cristy Heffernan
While the Port Chester students did not win, they were excited to be nominated. The Metro Awards, sponsored by the Journal News, highlights high school students' talents during the spring musical season, and honor their heard work. This year, 56 schools from Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Bergen counties.
Congratulations to Port Chester High School student William E. Brakewood, who was recently recognized as one of only 2,500 seniors nationwide who became a Merit scholar.
In May, the National Merit Scholarship Program announced its winners. William, 17, was one of 147 from New York State and one of just 20 from Westchester County to earn the prestigious accolade.
“I’m definitely really happy,” William said. “It’s really exciting. I’m glad that this will reflect well on our town and school district.”
The Merit Scholarship winners are “judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies,” according to the corporation. Students are adjudicated based on their PSAT scores, as well as their grades, school activities and an essay written specifically for the program.
Over the past 13 years, William has relished his time in the Port Chester School District. He is grateful for the “amazing teachers,” especially those who lead Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes.
“I got such great experience here,” he said. “There are a whole lot of opportunities I might not have gotten elsewhere. For instance, we have a very strong IB program – it’s research-heavy, which makes it much more engaging.”
Outside of class, William is heavily involved in extra-curricular activities. He began playing the trumpet in third grade, and now plays in the jazz band, concert band and marching band. He is also a member of the debate club and is an Eagle Scout. Athletically, William is a three-season varsity athlete, excelling as a runner throughout the year.
With graduation quickly approaching, William shared some advice for the younger Port Chester students. “Be involved in school outside of class,” he said. “Those who do well in class are those who are busiest outside of class. You will succeed and you’ll be enjoying it.”
While William said that he will miss Port Chester, he is excited to move on. In the fall, William plans to attend Brown University and is likely to study history or economics.
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.
