Putnam Valley Central School District
Newsletter
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Building a Foundation for the Future |
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Dear Putnam Valley Community,
Appreciation is the theme for this month’s newsletter. Everyone has heard the saying, “it takes a community to raise a child,” and it is my belief that it also takes a community to educate a child. Every adult our students encounter each day plays a vital role in their educational success.
Our parents are the first to greet our students in the morning, ensuring they are awake, nourished, and ready to begin their day. As the bus approaches the stop, students are greeted by a bus driver who welcomes them aboard. After arriving at school, students encounter school monitors, teaching assistants, and other support staff members who ensure they safely transition to their classroom. Once the instructional day begins, our teachers ensure that each student is engaged in the learning process. Dedicated administrators keep a close eye on the system, ensuring that everything functions as planned.
At the same time, there are many people hard at work behind the scenes. Office staff members keep vital systems running. School nurses monitor our students' health, and clinical staff members closely follow our students' wellness. Buildings and grounds staff work diligently to keep our schools and facilities safe, clean, and conducive for learning. Our technology staff ensures that everyone has the tools and the access they need to participate in the learning process.
The Putnam Valley School District is fortunate to have such committed staff members who come to work each day understanding the vital role they play in the success of our district. I have the greatest appreciation for each and every member of the Putnam Valley School community. These individuals continue to go above and beyond to ensure that the students of Putnam Valley receive the best education possible.
Thank you all for the roles you each play within our school community.
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Sincerely,
Dr. Jeremy Luft
Superintendent of Schools
Putnam Valley Central School District
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Teacher Appreciation Week PTA Events |
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In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week from May 2 - May 6, the PV PTA arranged to celebrate our amazing teachers in unique and thoughtful ways. Throughout the greatest of challenges, our teachers rose to new levels of dedication, care, and skill in the classroom. They are exceptional professionals, and we are so lucky to have such an incredible staff!
Dr. Podesta commented, "Thank you to the PTA for providing the staff with a week full of surprises and treats. And thank you, teachers, for continuing to support the positive culture and wonderful energy of the elementary school. We appreciate you so much!"
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Save the Date!
PVEF Dinner Dance on June 10
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The PVEF is delighted to share that the annual Dinner Dance fundraiser will be held June 10 from 7:30 - 11:30. This wonderful fundraising event that sends all proceeds to students through grant requests submitted to PVEF will feature food, refreshments, dancing and games at Elevate Lounge in Yorktown Heights! Click the link below for information on securing tickets. Act quickly, tickets are available now for $100 a person until 5/15/22, after which the cost will rise to $129 per ticket.
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Outdoor Learning at PVES! |
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With the spring weather finally here, the Putnam Valley Elementary students are enjoying academic learning in the great outdoors! The elementary campus has several safe, beautiful, and child-centered areas perfectly suited for outdoor class learning. Our outdoor learning center now has the springtime tarp up for lovely shade, and our pond study area now has a wide, u-shaped table for class activities. Thank you to Eagle Scout Bryan Palmo for your extraordinary work on this project!
Our classes continue to rotate through these inviting outdoor learning areas to learn more about nature, sustainability, and to simply engage in learning in the outdoor environment. We love when parents are invited to join us in these beautiful learning spaces.
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PVES Mystery Readers Join First Grade |
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As more parents continue to visit our elementary building for classroom events and activities, we are seeing more scheduled mystery readers surprise our students with wonderful stories and read-alouds. At our recent Parent University, our first and second grade parent visitors learned more about the amazing effects and importance of reading aloud to children daily.
This past week, Dr. Podesta even got into the fun by surprising a first grade class with a story! Thank you to all of our elementary parents who are able to attend our school events. Keep reading to your children daily. The benefits are endless!
Next week, we look forward to bringing in community members from the Valley to share stories with students in our annual PVES Community Read!
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PVMS Explores the Middle Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate |
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This year has served as an opportunity to examine the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate for PVMS. The high school's ongoing implementation of the Diploma Programme has given the district insight into and experience with the overall philosophy of the International Baccalaureate, including the IB Learner Profile. PVMS Principal and Assistant Principal, Mr. Travis McCarty and Dr. Letitia Payne, recognized many parallels between the IB approach and our own PVCSD mission and vision, and what the National Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) considers a successful middle school. This inspired an interest in researching the MYP and considering its feasibility for the Middle School.
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Together with an IB Feasibility Team of teachers that would meet after school, Mr. McCarty and Dr. Payne have spent the last year learning and exploring the MYP. They met virtually with multiple neighboring districts who are currently implementing the MYP, including Harrison, Dobbs Ferry, Somers, and Mt. Pleasant. Leaders and teachers attended MYP workshops, where they furthered their understanding of unit planning, special education practices in the IB, the Approaches to Learning, and more. Throughout the year, they utilized Professional Learning Hours, faculty meetings, and Superintendent Conference Days to explore with the full faculty and share their learning. On June 7, a team of teachers and Mr. McCarty will visit Long Beach Middle School to see their MYP work in action with students. To begin their own implementation of the program, the Middle School will need to apply for candidacy with IB and engage in a multi-year authorization process, similar to the High School. |
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PVMS and PVHS Bird Houses Wecome First Tenants! |
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Exciting news! The PVMS Go Green Club partnership with the PVHS Innovation and Design Class has brought birds to nest along the Wellness Trail on our campus. The birdhouses designed and built by our high school students and then painted by our middle school students are perfect resting and nesting places for our winged PV friends. Keep an eye out for these stunning houses that have been installed along our Wellness Trail on the high school/middle school campus, and soon we may see some baby birds trying out their wings along the trail! |
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PVHS Holocaust Survivor Speaker |
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In 10th grade, students read Elie Wiesel's Night in ELA, and develop a deep understanding of the Holocaust. Every year, Mrs. Marissa Tarkington has invited Holocaust survivors in to speak to the students and share their experience. This year, Mr. Andy Sarkany joined our students in the PAC with an important message: be an upstander, not a bystander. When we bear witness to injustice, we have a responsibility to others. He also discussed the danger of indifference and encouraged students to never be silent in the face of injustice. He also described the detriment of the word hate and suggested replacing it with other words. He left the students with the message that only love and hope can propel humanity forward. We thank Mr. Sarkany for sharing his traumatic experiences and sage advice with our high school students.
Dr. Sepe reflected, "These experiences of hearing a survivor are once in a lifetime, and I am incredibly grateful that our students had the opportunity to hear his message. I am grateful for Mrs. Tarkington's passion and dedication to our students and human rights."
Mr. Sarkany left the students with the message that only love and hope can propel humanity forward. We thank Mr. Sarkany for sharing his traumatic experiences and sage advice with our high school students.
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Assemblies are Back and in Full Swing! |
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May Assemblies:
5/3/22 - Bash the Trash (K - 4)
5/5/22 - Chariots of the Sun (6th)
5/16/22 - Marc Mero (7th and 8th)
5/31/22- TwoByTwo Zoo (5th)
June Assemblies:
6/3/22 - Medieval Manors (6th)
6/7/22 - Pete the Cat (K - 2)
6/17/22 - Author Rob Buyea (5th and 6th)
6/17 - Taikoza Drummers (3rd)
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Thank you to our amazing PTA members for supporting a number of Arts in Education programs at the Elementary School and Middle School. The PTA is supporting our students' learning with dynamic assemblies that relate to our curriculum. All elementary students were able to gather to attend the "Trashaganza!" assembly, pictured here, complete with musical instruments made only from recycled and reused materials. It has been over two years since we have been able to gather students together in this fashion, and once again, the children amazed us with their audience etiquette and enthusiasm. We look forward to many more assemblies in the near future! |
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#TigerPride Alert:
PVHS In the Heights Performers Received Rising Star Scholarship Offers
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As Theatreworks at PVHS was preparing for its debut of In the Heights, Dr. Gerry Micera submitted an application to have one of the "scouts" of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts attend the play in the hopes that some students may receive scholarships to either their summer intensive program and/or their Associate Degree program featuring both theatre and film. Much to his delight, not only did Senior Admissions Advisor, Tyler Lenhart come to the play, 12 students received numerous scholarships based on their performance and participation in the show. Each student received a personalized packet with their scholarship amounts, and the students were so excited to have been recognized in this way!
Mr. Lenhart wrote in his message to Dr. Micera: "Thank you for having me at your production of In the Heights on Friday, and congratulations to everyone involved on a wonderful show! I was truly impressed with the entire performance." Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of the performance, and also to Dr. Micera and the members of the PVCSD faculty that dedicated so much time and support to our students on and off stage! Bravo!
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The following students received the Rising Star Scholarships from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts:
College Scholarships Recipients:
Amarah Agustina Salgado - $15,000
Bianca Grace Garcia - $10,000
Benjamin Lowder - $10,000
Leilani Harris - $10,000
Summer Intensive Scholarship Recipients
Marisa Carraturo - $1,000
Reece Emery - $1,000
Simone Aaliyah Gabriel - $1,000
Nia Givan - $1,000
Charles Garcia - $1,000
Oscar Hurtado - $1,000
Joel Illescas - $1,000
Paúl Fernando Patiño Alvarez - $1,000
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Congratulations to Our Youth Service Awards Recipients! |
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We are delighted to congratulate Adam Barti and Zach Kutruff for being recipients of the Putnam County Youth Bureau Award for Community Service. Adam and Zach were among 17 students from Putnam County to receive this prestigious award and be invited to the 37th Annual Youth Awards Dinner at Putnam County Golf Course on April 7, 2022. Dr. Sepe and Mrs. Levine were in attendance alongside their families to celebrate the accomplishments of these awesome PV Tigers. Thank you, Adam and Zach, for making us so proud and for all that you do for your community. |
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Today's Students Tomorrow's Teachers |
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Our Today's Students, Tomorrow's Teachers (TSTT) members have been hard at work this year engaging in learning and community service opportunities as part of the program. This is Putnam Valley's first year participating in TSTT, and we have already been recognized in the TSTT newsletter for our Cardz for Kidz community service project and will be receiving an award at the organization's annual brunch later this month. At the ceremony, our students will hear inspiring messages from special guests Congressman James E. Clyburn and former New York Knicks star Allan Houston. In addition, Putnam Valley will receive a Recognition Award. We are very proud of these great PV Tigers!
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#TigerPride: Spring Athletic Success! |
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Congrats to Boys Lacrosse!
The Boys Varsity Lacrosse team secured the 2022 League Championship, Coach Weir earned his 200th Career High School Win, and the team defeated Kennedy Catholic in the annual Warrior Cup! The team will host the first round of the Section 1 Playoffs on Monday, 5/16.
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Softball Strikes Out Cancer!
Our Softball Team hosted the annual "Striking Out Cancer" series, where they went 1-1 against a strong Panas team. PVCSD's very own Ms. Recuppio threw out the first pitch for the game! Great job, Tigers!
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Girls in Sports Day a Huge Success!
Our Girls in Sports Day celebration included over 100 girls in grades K-6. The girls participated in various sports, such as field hockey, track, volleyball, and soccer, hosted by our PV Varsity Coaches, JV/Varsity Student-Athletes, and volunteers. Thank you to our PV Varsity Coaches, volunteers, and the PV Booster Club. It was a great day!
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Upcoming Grade Level Events hosted by the PVPTA |
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We are so excited to share the many opportunities for celebration and connection for our students and families outside of school that have been organized by our PTA. Check out this great list of activities and email putnamvalleypta@gmail.com for more information!
5/13/22 8th Grade Virtual Reality Studio at the JV Mall
5/13/22 5th Grade UMAC event
6/3/22 7th Grade Bowling
6/17/22 4th Grade "Glow Up Party"
6/21/22 4th Grade Breakfast
6/22/22 4th Grade Moving Up ceremony
6/22/22 *tentative* 8th Grade breakfast
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The PVCSD, in partnership with our families and community, will ensure that all students are engaged in a challenging, student-focused educational program, understand and assume their responsibility for life-long learning, work to achieve their personal best and become productive citizens in a diverse global society. |
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Contact Us:
Putnam Valley Central School District
(845)528-8143
171 Oscawana Lake Rd
Putnam Valley, NY 10579
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