MARCH 15, 2024

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the arrival of spring’s warmer temperatures and sunshine. 

🍀Updated District COVID Protocols

The district is adjusting its COVID-19 protocols in accordance with the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). In short, COVID-19 is being treated like other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and RSV.

Students may return to school when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:

• Symptoms are getting better overall, and
• They no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.

The district requirement to return to school after any illness includes being fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and with symptoms improving, including 24 hours without diarrhea or vomiting.

🍀Additional School Closure Day

We allocated three emergency closure days, typically due to snow, in this year’s school calendar. As of today, we have utilized two of the three allotted days. Consequently, we anticipate that our schools will be closed on Friday, May 24 as a “give back” day. 

🍀District Graduation Dates

Also per our calendar, the last day of school for students is June 26. Since this is a Wednesday, I want to remind families that our graduation schedule is as follows:

• Monday, June 24: Bedford Road School 4th Grade Graduation
• Tuesday, June 25: Pleasantville Middle School 8th Grade Graduation
• Wednesday, June 26: Pleasantville High School Graduation

For the youth,

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

Empowering shelves: The PHS Library celebrates influential women with titles like Michelle Obama's “Beloved” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.” alongside books about prominent women in literature, entertainment, sports, business and advocacy such as Maya Angelou, Louise May Alcott, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, and Coretta King.

Throughout the district, schools and classes are emphasizing the accomplishments and contributions of women to society in civic leadership and advocacy, the arts and sciences.

At Bedford Road School, third and fourth grade students are exploring the stories of women described by librarian Patrick Murphy as "maybe not so famous, yet no less amazing and incredible." Meanwhile, younger students delve into books authored by women and featuring strong female characters.

Last week at Pleasantville Middle School, James Carey's eighth-grade Social Studies class examined women's roles during the Great Depression. They discussed the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and reflected on the significance of Eleanor Roosevelt, particularly her transformative impact as First Lady and her enduring role as an inspiration to women.

At Pleasantville High School, various instructional activities spotlight women's achievements. The Daily Panther is sharing facts about pioneering women who championed women’s rights, and homeroom classes feature readings in honor of women. In World Language classes, students are undertaking a multifaceted project to research, validate, and communicate women’s accomplishments. While advanced language classes are creating presentations, introductory classes are designing visual projects and posters for a gallery walk. Furthermore, students in US History are concentrating on women's advancements during the Progressive Era, encompassing voting rights, labor rights, education, and social welfare.

Lastly, Pleasantville High School offers a dual-credit SUPA (Syracuse University Project Advanced) course in Women in Gender Studies. This second-semester course enables students to analyze the historical and contemporary challenges women have faced, and the ways in which they have combated injustice and oppression.

Friends supporting each other as first-time donors: PHS junior Luke O’Hara (left) donating alongside senior Fitzpatrick Byrne

High school students participating in the PHS ECHO (Encouraging Children to Help Others) Community Service Club worked with the PVAC Ambulance Corps and NY Blood Center to organize their second blood drive of the school year on March 7 to support local hospitals. The initiative was led by science teachers Allison Steinberg and Stephanie Marra, who are co-advisors to the club. Angela Usobiaga from PVAC also was integral in bringing in donors. Club members assisted in registration, helped donors to the correct locations, and escorted them to the snack table after donating so they could refuel. 

Several juniors and seniors donated for the first time, while others were experiencing their first participation at PHS. Though Junior Lila Berkowitz, now 17, has been giving since she was 16, this was the first time she’s been able to participate at PHS. She cited the simplicity and impact as the reasons why she donates regularly: “It’s a good deed and requires giving 15 minutes of your time.” She added, “I was overdue to do something good, and this was easy!”

Other first-time donors used the buddy system. Junior Luke O’Hara asked his friend, senior Fitzpatrick Byrne to join him in participating. Luke explained, “My mom’s a nurse and encouraged me to donate, so I asked a friend to come along.”

Marra was pleased with the turnout of student support, saying, "There was a lot of student participation in this blood drive, both as donors and volunteers. Students worked hard promoting the blood drive in the weeks leading up to the event. Our club is a student-run organization and the results of the blood drive show that!" 

Steinberg added: “Students who were under 16 and too young to donate did a good job of telling their parents to come in! There was a lot of community participation, including many PHS alumni!”

The drive saw multiple student donors, about 10 of whom were first-timers, collectively contributing 125 units of blood. This donation is estimated to potentially save the lives of 339 patients in local hospitals.

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