DECEMBER 21, 2023

If you pause for just a moment, it is easy to see why this is called the most wonderful time of the year. Our schools continue to buzz with holiday energy fueled by student concerts and activities, including Spirit Week and other end-of-year milestones and celebrations. 

I hope you enjoy these glimpses into the week’s festivities and classroom activities. 

I told the students I saw today to remember to come back tomorrow - Friday is our last day of school until Wednesday, January 3, 2024. I hope that your families enjoy time together with loved ones, and return rejuvenated and renewed in 2024.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

For the youth,

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

Wednesday evening’s performance of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus by PHS musicians.

Dr. Renato Vellutino is a legend in Pleasantville High School’s music program. He taught chorus, band, and was the director and conductor of the Spring musical from 1968-2002. Last night’s performance by the various PHS musical ensembles was dedicated to him.

Dr. V, as he was known, passed away a few months ago. Last night, the high school paid tribute to him, and both audience members and performers were honored to have his wife Marlene and son Gian-Carlo in attendance.

It was during Dr. V’s tenure that a cherished tradition began that continues to this day. When the chorus, orchestra and band perform Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus at every winter concert, PHS alumni and all audience members are encouraged to join in. 

Band teacher Jon Vercesi performs “Spain” with the Advanced Jazz Ensemble.

Earlier this week, seventh and eighth graders enjoyed a sneak peek at Wednesday evening’s high school concert. The afternoon performance began with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” an annual tradition dating back to 1968 that includes the chorus, band and orchestra. Choral groups Camerata and Razor’s Edge performed a snappy version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Choral teacher Nadia Rizzo introduced the performance of this song as a new tradition begun last year, in which PHS alumni are encouraged to join in singing.

As each successive set of musicians took the stage, band teacher Jon Vercesi pointed out to students in the audience, many of whom are musicians themselves, that the pieces they were seeing reflect the progress the older students have made as performers and are more challenging and complex.

Rounding out the performances were a series of medleys. First, the string orchestra performed music from Pirates of the Caribbean; then the concert band showcased numbers from The Polar Express; followed by the jazz big band playing a string of favorite holiday tunes.

Closing out the show, the advanced jazz ensemble offered a rousing performance of Chick Corea’s “Spain” that got PMS students enthusiastically clapping along. Jon Vercesi joined on piano, noting that this was not an easy piece for him to play!

As the seventh and eighth grade students exited the auditorium, the advanced jazz ensemble played “Let It Snow.” Wishful thinking perhaps?

English teacher James Finnan used Venmo to pay for his afternoon treats.

Sixty percent of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Asian Mental Health Collective, and the remaining portion will fund club activities.

Italian teacher Josephine Stinziani (pictured front second left) led a portion of INHS students at the bake sale.

Members of the Italian National Honor Society (INHS), some sporting flannel attire as part of Spirit Week’s Flannel Day, offered baked goods to students at Pleasantville Middle School. The high school’s INHS, consisting of juniors and seniors, held the sale at the end of the school day, catching hungry middle school students on their way to after school activities. Italian teacher Josephine Stinziani explained that monies raised will be used to fund a class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with remaining funds donated to a charity of the group’s choosing by the end of the school year.

Middle school students eagerly snatched some sweet treats on their way to afternoon activities.

Second grade teachers Leah Wisotsky, Eileen Eustace, Marc Vavolizza, and Lauren Davidson coordinated their outfits for Pajama Day, with their “Teaching is Snow Much Fun” sleep shirts.

Wearing tropical shirts, sunglasses, and hats, students in Lauren Davidson’s class painted and added a sparkle of glitter to their Winter Scenes.

With a lei around her neck, one second grader proudly displayed her completed Winter Scene.

Students in Christine Harris’ third grade class enthusiastically engage in a presentation about the mammals of New York.

Samantha Pierce from Putnam|Northern Westchester BOCES' Center for Environmental Education spent the day at Bedford Road School teaching third graders about mammals: what they are and which ones live here in Pleasantville. 

In addition to touching a gray wolf pelt, the students learned new terms such as biodiversity, and Pierce shared fascinating details about the characteristics and behaviors of mammals, including, most notably, that mammals feed their offspring milk. The presence of mammary glands is a distinct feature of mammals. (All the skins were from animals that had died of natural causes.)

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