Dear Putnam Valley Community:

Yesterday, we had the honor of welcoming Dr. Betty Rosa, Commissioner of Education, to our schools, along with Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle, Chancellor Lester Young, Regent Fran Wills, and Assistant Commissioner David Frank.

Over the past several years, the New York State Education Department has focused on developing and implementing the NY Inspires initiative and the Portrait of a Graduate, both part of a statewide effort to reimagine education in New York. As we continue this work in Putnam Valley, many of the themes connected to NY Inspires—including inquiry-based learning, authentic assessment, student voice, and real-world application—closely align with practices already taking place in our classrooms.

Dr. Rosa expressed interest in visiting Putnam Valley after hearing about our work across the district and wanted the opportunity to see our programs firsthand. We were proud to showcase the engaging learning experiences happening throughout our schools.

The visit included stops at all three buildings, with students helping lead the experience at each level. At the high school, our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Board of Education student representatives led a gallery walk highlighting opportunities available to PVHS students—from art, CAS, and TOK projects to the Seal of Biliteracy, stage crew, music, adaptive physical education, and more. At the middle school, classrooms showcased students engaged in inquiry-based learning. At the elementary school, the visit began with a second-grade class welcoming the Commissioner with a song and concluded with fourth-grade students demonstrating their coding skills by flying drones.

At the conclusion of her visit, Commissioner Rosa reflected on the strong culture, clarity of purpose, and authentic student learning she observed across the district.

We are grateful for her feedback.

Commissioner Rosa shared:

• “It is obvious that you have been doing this work for quite a while.”
• “The smiles on your teachers clearly tell us the kind of culture that you have built.”
• “You are very clear on your roadmap and your direction.”
• “You know what high-quality education looks like.”
• “Your students are applying that learning… you are living the Portrait of a Graduate.”

For more information on NY Inspires and the Portrait of a Graduate, please visit the links below.

I am incredibly proud of what we are able to offer our students here in Putnam Valley, made possible by the extraordinary team of teachers and staff whose dedication and care bring these experiences to life each day. It is the support of our community that makes all of this possible.

Thank you, 

Dr. Jeremy Luft

Superintendent of Schools 

Pictured: Neil Boyle, Superintendent PNW BOCES, David Frank, Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Partnerships, Commissioner Rosa, Valedictorian Massimo Cartategui, Salutatorian Kaitlyn Caruso, Chancellor Young, Dr. Luft, and Regent Wills

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Putnam Valley Elementary School fourth-grade scientists presented their work at the Tri-County Science & Tech Fair in Mamaroneck. Thanks to the diligence and hard work of Mrs. Bruno and Mrs. Broas, our young scientists were well supported in this elite tri-county science experience. Our students continue to amaze us and represented PVES with great skill and expertise, as they did at a recent BOE meeting!

Congratulations to our third-grade classes on their wonderful and creative Recorder Concert! Thank you to our music teacher, Mr. Ben Durland, for his terrific work with these young musicians. We look forward to the upcoming First Grade and Second Grade Chorus Concerts, which will be held on Tuesday, May 19th.

Students at PVES celebrated Earth Day by taking care of the environment!

Mrs. Odell's Earth Helpers Club helped clean up the grounds of our elementary school, demonstrating appreciation and care for the environment. These activities highlight the role our students play in shaping the world, and the responsibility

they have to protect it.

The Putnam Valley Central School District is proud to recognize and congratulate those students that earned induction into our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). To be considered for induction, middle school students needed to have a 92.5 average in all subject areas for grade seven and for the first two quarters of grade eight. In addition, there could be no report card grade under an 85 in grade eight for the first and second quarter. Student applications were then reviewed and assessed by a faculty committee. Congratulations to our 26 NJHS students who were officially inducted on our PVMS stage. Thank you to those who were able to join us for this ceremony.

As part of their MYP community project, four of our eighth graders have set up a Tiger Trust fund through our PV Booster Club. Their goal is to raise money for families who struggle to buy sports equipment for their children. They appreciate any support! All funds are managed by our PV Booster Club.

The Putnam Valley Music Department is proud to announce that approximately 85 PV students in grades 3 through 12 participated in the 2026 Spring NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival! These students and their teachers have worked very hard over the past few months to prepare (voluntarily) a performance that will be assessed by adjudicators using a state-wide rubric.

We are incredibly proud of these students and all of their hard work. We will be recognizing them on our music department social media, and encourage you to do the same! @putnam_valley_music_ @ms.kraus.pvms

Additionally, Putnam Valley has again been recognized as a "Best Community for Music Education." This award is given to Putnam Valley as a community and celebrates our commitment to music. We have received this award numerous times in the past. It continues to be an honor to have our district and community recognized.

Thank you for supporting music in PV!

Our talented actors, stage crew, and staff performed "Once Upon A Mattress" for our PVCSD community! An amalgamation of several classic fairy tales, this production saw our students take on a variety of roles familiar to all who have seen Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack & the Beanstalk. Thanks to the dedication and diligence of all involved, our students were able to put on a spectacular show!

Students in our IB Diploma Programme presented their Creativity, Activity, and Service projects (CAS). These projects are the realization of a multi-year effort of creativity, personal development, community responsibility, and an understanding of the theory of knowledge. Throughout the day, students and staff visited the PVHS Library to learn about the projects of these dedicated students.

The Science Research program is a rigorous three-year commitment in which students conduct independent research, often beginning over the summer, and continue through the processes of writing, revising, and presenting their work. This year, three of our students achieved the remarkable distinction of having their research published in academic journals:

• Lillian Johnson – Emerging Involvement of CXCL13 in Cancer Development and Progression

• Kate Nielsen – Long Non-Coding RNA DUXAP10 Promotes Tumorigenesis and Metastasis in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

• Adeline Leisengang (acknowledged) – Employer-Sponsored Insurance Database Analysis of Healthcare Utilization by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Being published in an academic journal as a high school student is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity these students bring to their work. Each of them invested significant time learning complex scientific topics, collaborating with mentors, and contributing meaningful insights to ongoing research in areas such as cancer biology and women’s health.



Their achievements not only reflect their individual commitment, but also highlight the strength of our Science Research program. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the contributions they have made to the broader scientific community.

Additionally, Kishmala Asif won the NASA Earth System Science Award for her research on microplastics in the Hudson River! This award from NASA is aimed at increasing awareness regarding the importance of scientific research in the area of Earth system science, and is offered to students whose project best demonstrations insight into Earth's interconnected systems.

Our spring teams have been busy in their respective sports, and we are proud of their hard work and commitment. We are even more proud of what our student-athletes are accomplishing behind the scenes.

One of the biggest highlights this year is our continued achievement in the classroom. Every single one of our varsity teams earned the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete designation. This is a testament to the discipline these student-athletes demonstrate, showing they are just as committed to their academics as they are to their sports.

The goal of our athletic program has always been about more than just the final score; it is about who our student-athletes become along the way. We recently launched the Tigers Leadership Council, bringing together over 20 varsity captains from our spring programs to focus on transformational leadership. This isn't just about sports, it’s about giving our students a real voice in their programs and helping them build the character they need to lead in life. By setting high standards for themselves and their teams, these athletes are learning that true transformational leadership is about service, composure, and integrity. We look forward to continuing these sessions each season to help every captain grow into a confident, effective leader.

Thank you PV Booster Club, and our coaches and student-athletes, who made

Girls In Sports Day such a success!

Game schedules can be found here!

The Putnam Valley Central School District is accepting nominations for our

Athletic Hall of Fame. Please carefully read the nomination criteria on the form which can be accessed below.

Always keeping the student at the center of our work.

Community: Empathic learners who take great pride in their school community.

Opportunity: Courageous learners seeking opportunities to improve themselves and others.

Resiliency: Joyful learners who display resiliency when faced with challenges.

Empowerment: Reflective learners who empower themselves and others to grow and improve.