OCTOBER 26, 2023

Even with the warmer temperatures this week, the changing colors of the leaves are telling us fall is upon us. Change is also the theme for much of our district, and I want to share some of the highlights I presented at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Universal Pre-K (UPK)

We are pleased to report that we received over 20 applicants for the UPK program beginning January 2024. We will run one class at Holy Name of Jesus in Valhalla. On Thursday evening, October 26, registered families will have the opportunity to visit the Valhalla site. During the site visit, I will present an overview of the program along with the YMCA, the agency contracted to implement the UPK program. We will draw the lottery for the 16 available seats on Friday, October 27. 

Homecoming 2024 Committee

We have heard from members of the community, and we want to include more voices in our process as we prepare for homecoming celebrations going forward. In order to honor traditions of the past with an eye towards safety and the creation of new traditions, Principal Joe Palumbo will facilitate a homecoming committee composed of Director of Athletics Dan Iorio and members of the student government, parent organizations and the community. Collectively, the traditions of the community and schedule of events for homecoming 2024 can be planned and implemented with the current student body leading the plan. Further communication soliciting participants will be forthcoming in the spring.  

Board of Education Facilities Committee

The Board of Education is convening a committee in order to best address the requests and suggestions from the community about buildings and grounds. Board president Michael Busch will facilitate the committee. For more information, see our website.

Digital Citizenship Week

Last week our schools participated in Digital Citizenship Week. Students in grades 3-12 participated in workshops, and, in collaboration with our parent groups, presenter Katie L. Greer offered an evening session for families. We are grateful to the three school buildings’ parent organizations for their financial support to bring this relevant program to Pleasantville. Digital citizenship was also explored through several themes in our high school classes. 

Online PSAT

Last week our high school took on its first fully online administration of the PSAT. Proctors went through training, and the leaders of the initiative did a tremendous job under pressure. Our team collaborated to take on this mandated change with commitment and grace, and our students and staff should be commended. Information about the PSAT and release of scores will be posted to students’ College Board accounts as well as in Mr. Palumbo’s weekly updates. 

Board Appreciation

Finally, as this is School Board Recognition Week, I want to thank our trustees for all they do for our district in service to the students, staff and families of Pleasantville. They undertake this volunteer role with the utmost sincerity and lead with the best interest of students at the forefront of all their decisions. The role takes them away from their families and jobs and, on behalf of the district, I want to thank Michael Busch, Emily Rubin Persons, Erin Ballard, Lucas Cascardo, and John Vamossy for their dedication and commitment.

For the youth,

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

Always a fun treat for the community, Sunday’s Ragamuffin Parade & Festival featured plenty of representation from Pleasantville schools. Excitement was in the air, as costumed children of all ages lined up at Bedford Road School and walked to the village center. 

Principals Rachel Hunger and Donald Marra and Superintendent Tina DeSa participated with members of their families, and a group of Pleasantville Middle School students, under the baton of middle and high school music teacher Jon Vercesi, provided music for parade attendees.

Pictured left to right: Alexandra Callahan, Catalina Verminski, and Logan Hale

Pictured left to right: Alexandra Viviano, Kimberly Lisi, and Nate Walker

The students were challenged to create a game, complete with instructions, game pieces, and boards, and to test their peers’ knowledge of Italian while playing the games. 

“The students love the challenge and enjoy the round robin opportunity to try out the different games,” said Silling. During the play portion, she interviewed the students about the strengths of the game they were playing.

Board Game Day was also an opportunity for students to step away from their laptops and use creative thinking in the development of their games. 

As part of last week’s focus on Digital Citizenship, twelve Pleasantville High School students in English teacher James Finnan’s AP Research class participated in a debate centered around the role of generative AI in society and its potential applications in high school environments. Teams were assigned to a stance, regardless of their personal perspective, and earned points during the debate for effectively communicating their argument, supporting their argument with evidence, and successfully refuting an argument from the opposing team.

Supplementing the message of Katie L. Greer to district students in grades three through twelve, PHS faculty across the curriculum created and implemented several initiatives to engage in meaningful conversation and raise awareness of the importance of healthy online behaviors.

Students conducted research that was part of classroom instruction and discussed the complex nature of technology’s role in our everyday lives. In addition to Finnan’s AP Research class, many teachers focused on the impacts of social media on mental health, analyzed the prevalence of cell phone usage and the impact of bans in schools on student learning, debated the potential role of government regulation for AI, and discussed AI’s current and future impact on the professional world. 

Nearly 170 sophomores and juniors took the PSAT on October 18. The College Board moved to a fully digital test platform, and high school counselors Rebecca Castellano and Michael Marrone worked with the PHS technology department and administration to facilitate the transition to a completely digital experience.

While sophomores and juniors were busy with the PSAT, seniors worked with school counselors and English faculty to fine tune their college applications and essays. The faculty members, which included Gaffney Murray, Leigh Meyer, James Finnan and Kaitlyn Zapletal, worked in small-group sessions, helping students with their narrative essays. High school counselors Allyson Winston and Cheryl Thomas worked with other seniors on their Common Application and SchooLinks accounts. With November 1 deadlines fast approaching, this was a productive morning for the seniors.

Share the Pville Press with a friend. Forward this email to Pleasantville community members who might like to sign up and learn about all the great things happening in the PUFSD.