MAY 24, 2023

I wanted to remind you that schools are open for the full day on Friday, May 26.  

The Board of Education approved an amended calendar for this school year back in March that made the last three school days of the 2022-23 school year – June 21, 22 and 23 -- half days for K-6 students. All other school days remained unchanged. 

I am pleased to note that the roll-out of the visitor protocols has gone very well so far. Thank you all for your cooperation with the new protocols.  

I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I hope you enjoy good times with your families and take a moment on Monday to remember those who gave their lives for our country.  

For the youth,

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

Joyce Connell, the Coordinator of School Counseling and Guidance for the Pleasantville School District, received the “Teacher of the Year” award at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday May 23. 

“Ms. Connell is an outstanding educator who works to make a difference in the lives of others every day,” Pleasantville High School Principal Joseph Palumbo said in making the surprise announcement. 

The audience, which had gathered for Staff Appreciation Night at the Board meeting, erupted in applause when Ms. Connell’s name was announced for the honor.  

“Joyce Connell has been with the Pleasantville Union Free School District for 25 years and her work exemplifies the high quality of Pleasantville educators,” Mr. Palumbo said. “She is a leader in the school who works to develop meaningful relationships with students, colleagues and throughout the community. Her work is focused on the whole student by developing their social skills, cultivating academic interests and creating post-secondary plans. Ms. Connell’s ability to collaborate and connect with others, coupled with her depth of knowledge, has allowed her to thrive as a school counselor and positively impact others throughout her career.” 

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Tina DeSa, said Ms. Connell’s impact on the lives of our youth will undoubtedly make a difference in both the short and very long term.  

“Some will recognize the influence she had on them, while others may not,” Dr. DeSa said. “Seeing students grow in the right direction is reward enough. That is the magic of working with young people.”  

Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio Proclaimed May 24, 2023 “Joyce Connell Day” and had Ms. Connell’s name displayed on the Westchester County Center’s outdoor marquee for the entire day.  

Pleasantville Village Mayor Peter Scherer was also on hand to present Ms. Connell with a plaque, while Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky and Westchester County Executive George Latimer sent along Proclamations. 

Annabelle, a fifth grader, spread out her striped towel on the Pleasantville Middle School lawn and invited Ruhi, a kindergartner, to come and sit for an interview. 

“What’s your favorite color?” Annabelle asked, reading off a sheet of prepared interview questions.  

“I have a lot of favorite colors,” Ruhi said.  

“But what’s your number one color?”  

“Hmm?” Ruhi thought for a bit. “Light blue. I like light blue the best.”  

The girls were taking part in a favorite Pleasantville Middle School tradition that has fifth graders create books that turn the kindergartners into superheroes in their own stories. The project starts with an interview in April in which the older students ask the younger ones about their favorite animals, foods, seasons, activities and more. Then, the fifth graders take that information and transform it into a dramatic story with the kindergartner as the star.  

“The project reinforces storytelling and reading skills that include writing, identifying a protagonist, developing a character and a setting and creating a plot with a problem and a solution,” said fifth grade teacher George Coffey, who developed the Superhero Book idea more than 15 years ago.  

At first, the middle school students just sent a written questionnaire to Bedford Road School and had the kindergarteners fill it out and return it. Later, kindergarten teacher Kimberly Vecchiariello suggested the youngsters visit the middle school to meet with the authors of their stories.  

“It’s a much better story if they meet the person they are writing about,” Mr. Coffey said. “Then they can use traits they observed to create the character.”  

For kindergartners, the project results in a keepsake they can share with their families. For the fifth graders, it is a couple of months of fun, creative work.  

“The fifth graders create the stories over a few weeks,” Mr. Coffey said. “They edit and revise. They make presentations in Power Point and use their own illustrations. When it’s finished, they place the story in a hardbound book that they give to the kindergartners to keep and take home at the end of the school year.” 

Often while they are at work creating the book for their kindergarten partner, the fifth graders bring their own superhero stories back to school.  

Haley, a student in Mr. Coffey’s class, remembered being interviewed for her book, “Haley and the Flamingo Fiasco,” back when she was in kindergarten. 

“Apparently, I was obsessed with flamingos back then,” she said.  

Alessia, who brought in her book, “Alessia the Amazing,” said she remembered thinking fifth graders seemed so old when she was in kindergarten.  

“I remember going to their classroom and I thought they were so big,” she said. “I thought they were in high school. And now we are like the high schoolers to them.” 

From studying artificial intelligence to researching the fungal network of plants, students in the Pleasantville High School Science Research class spent the year pursuing high-level science with the help of volunteer mentors from across the region.  

Seniors will present their work to the public at the Science Research Symposium on Monday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.  

At the beginning of the class students identified their fields of interest. Then they set out to find an expert in their field who was willing to mentor them, Science Research Teacher Christine Pallotta said. This year, the students worked with mentors who came from pharmaceutical companies, universities, hospitals and more. 

Dillon Tsang, a junior, knew he wanted to research something in computer science. He reached out to Bill Cochran, a Pleasantville resident who had once coached Dillon for the middle school Science Olympiad Team.  

“I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but he worked with me,” said Dillon, whose project involved Neural Networks. “He helped me form my idea and test it.”  

Mr.Cochran worked with Dillon for an hour a week.  

“The most rewarding part was watching him learn a substantial portion of AI in that time, code up solutions, and write a very thorough report on his findings,” Cochran said. “I am always impressed working with the students. They really enjoy learning and I really enjoy showing them new things about science.” 

Ms. Pallotta credits the mentors with helping the students achieve success.  

“We are very proud of the research these students produce,” Ms. Pallotta said. “They have excelled in all sorts of competitions and they couldn’t have done that without the help of generous professionals who shared their time and knowledge with the next generation of scientists.” 

Seven juniors and seniors from the class presented their research projects at WESEF, the Westchester Science & Engineering Fair that was held in March. Several won awards at the fair. 

Senior Mia Hoxhaj developed a predictive analytics model for patients with Congestive Heart Failure. It helps identify patients in need of timely care and reduce CHF-related hospital readmission rates. She was mentored by Dr. Farrukh Jafri from White Plains Hospital. 

Mia was named a Top 20 Finalist at WESEF and invited to present her research at ISEF 2023, the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. The fair is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition and took place in Dallas, Texas. 

“It’s been great to work on something that could have real impact on people’s health,” said Mia, who is also the Student Body President. “Getting to share my work with the larger medical community was extremely rewarding.” 

The Science Research class is one of many opportunities for Pleasantville students to develop their interest and skills in science.  

“Showcasing your research, especially as a senior, is a culminating activity that allows students to reflect on the science they’ve worked on for years,” Ms. Pallotta said. “Mia winning a spot to ISEF was huge. It is the Olympics of science fairs.” 

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