FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Pleasantville High School students showed up ready to enjoy themselves at the school’s Winter Dance. Celebrating the winter season and the end of midterm exams, over 200 students danced the night away, enjoying pizza and ice cream provided by the generous support from Sources of Strength, the Parent Council Organization (PCO) and Pleasantville STRONG.

Encouraged to dress in semi-formal attire, students were all smiles as they posed for pictures, danced with friends, and played limbo. 

The event was run by the student government of approximately 40 students. Social Studies teacher Tom Baffuto serves as faculty advisor.

PHS cast of Footloose

The stage is alive with singing and dancing as Pleasantville High Schoolers rehearse for their production of Footloose. The talented, dedicated students are both performing and constructing the stage sets for their performances of this classic musical in the spring.

Chorus teacher and play director Nadia Rizzo put it this way:

“The Pleasantville High School cast of Footloose learned about how rad high school life in the 1980's was! Students were introduced to fashions, fads, music, movies and gadgets of the 80's. They played several games, including Name That Tune and Pictionary, and guessed the cost of items in 1984 (a matinee movie ticket was only $2!). It was totally tubular learning the teenage slang of the time! We look forward to transporting you back to an unforgettable decade when we open on the PHS stage in March!”

(Slang translation for those not familiar with the 80’s terms: rad means cool and very appealing, while totally tubular means excellent and amazing.)

PMS Counselor Pam Roth discusses high school transcripts

In preparation for Orientation Day, Pleasantville Middle School counselor Pam Roth and Joyce Connell and Rebeca Castellano from the high school guidance office shared information to facilitate the transition of eighth graders to high school. During multiple sessions conducted throughout the day, approximately 140 students listened and asked questions as Roth explained some of the similarities and differences between middle school and high school life. Eighth graders gained familiarity with high school transcripts, learned about different types of exams, and gained insight into how to select courses to earn credits.

Next, PHS counselors explained the importance of building a robust high school profile that includes not only academics, but also interests outside the classroom, such as clubs, athletics and hobbies. Castellano described electives as “I want it classes,” explaining their potential use in lieu of study hall throughout the school year. She encouraged students to evaluate which options were the best fit for them, regardless of what their peers select.

In addition to presenting the elective course descriptions available to incoming ninth graders, Castellano discussed elective selection forms and the transition planning activities, and reminded students to discuss the information already sent to parents about the course selection process.

PHS Counselor Rebeca Castellano discusses considerations for use of study hall 

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