Putnam Valley Central School District


Newsletter

Building a Foundation for the Future
Letter from Dr. Luft

Happy Thanksgiving Putnam Valley! 


This week we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of Putnam Valley Middle School, which first opened in 1972. This milestone provides us an opportunity to recognize how our schools create and foster community. Many of our current PVCSD parents and grandparents, staff members, and even yours truly, can easily recall their time at PVMS, what the building looked like, the teachers who impacted them, and the friendships they made. The transformation of the cafeteria, upgrades to the bathrooms, and the addition of learning spaces are appreciated by all and make a difference for our students. As we reflect on what we are thankful for, Putnam Valley Middle School, its students and staff, both past and present, are certainly on the list. 


I am also thankful for the resiliency of our students and the dedication of our staff. They amaze me each and every day. Putnam Valley is a very special place, a community that always comes together to support each other through challenges and to celebrate milestones and achievements. I often see examples of this community support and appreciation, and it reminds me what a privilege it is to serve this community.  


I am thankful to see our students active, energized, and challenged to be their best selves. Staff members are embracing change by implementing new instructional programs and adopting innovative and research-based practices.


Throughout the holiday season, please continue to look out for each other, lend a hand, donate to a worthy cause, and reach out to an old friend or neighbor. It is my goal this year to not only identify what I am grateful for, but to go the next step and let those around me know how grateful I am for them.  


Thank YOU for your partnership.  


We are always stronger together. Take care and stay well. 


Dr. Jeremy Luft

Superintendent of Schools 


PV Students Experience the Wall Street Insider Tour

Putnam Valley High School students visited the Financial District of Manhattan to explore the history of the American economy and the beginnings of the Big Apple. Students also visited the location where George Washington was inaugurated as well as the billion-dollar institutions that influence today’s global economy. This was an amazing memory-making day of introductions to the real Wall Street, past and present.

50 Years Strong!

Friday, November 18, marked the official kick-off of the 50-year anniversary celebration for PVMS! Students and faculty received a water bottle commemorating the event, 70s music played in the dining hall, and students and staff dressed in 70s attire to celebrate the occasion. Check out more pictures here.

Putnam Valley Athletics Winter Store Now Open!

The Athletic Department is happy to announce that our Winter Super Store opened on November 19, 2022. The store will feature our apparel for Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading, and Indoor Track. This season, we will also feature the limited edition "Earn Your Stripes" store! 



As always, every purchase directly supports our student-athletes and programs! The store will close on November 29, 2022.


Click here to view the store. 

Inside the Scholastic Literacy Program at PVES

Our new PVES Scholastic Literacy Program is in full swing in our K-4 classes! This reading and writing program focuses on the art of guided reading, shared read alouds, deep comprehension, and writing skills. Our elementary teachers are working closely with our Scholastic consultants to implement this literature-based program in all classrooms. Our teachers are working on strong collegial teams to develop their skills with this literacy instruction. The Scholastic Book Room is filled with wonderful sets of books at all levels, and our children are learning to use the technology programs that support the instruction. We are so proud of the work being done, and we look forward to continuing to develop great readers and writers in our school!

Thank You Veterans!


During the month of November, we take time to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans, who served our country with pride. Thank you for keeping us safe and protecting our freedom!

Save the Date:

PTA Hosting an Epic Winter Wonderland December 3!

Winter Wonderland will be held on Saturday, 12/3 from 2pm - 4pm at Putnam Valley Elementary School. If anyone is interested in volunteering on Friday, 12/2, to help decorate, you can join at any point between 2:30pm - 6pm. Please email  putnamvalleypta@gmail.com for additional information and to let us know if you would like to help!


Our next PTA meeting will be announced soon.


Want to partake in the planning fun? Join a PTA committee! Email us at putnamvalleypta@gmail.com.

There is something for everyone!! 

#TigerPride Alert: Laramie Project a Success!

PVHS TheatreWorks presented its 2022 Fall Drama production of The Laramie Project to audiences the weekend of November 4. The play offered enactments of wide-ranging perspectives surrounding the events leading to and following the gruesome loss of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Laramie, WY, in 1998. The three performances each received standing ovations from audiences, an unprecedented record for fall dramas. Student actors were tasked with playing multiple roles (4-8 characters per actor), an atypical challenge for performers accustomed to portraying just one character per production. The production stage crew worked seamlessly behind the scenes to create a smooth performance featuring audio/visual demands during the course of the show. With their successful performance tackling acting and technical challenges, the cast and crew mounted a show that was meaningful and impactful, providing an honorable testament to Matthew Shepard and the numerous, ongoing causes spawned by his story. Bravo to our incredible performers and stage crew and thank you for another moving performance!

PVEF Save the Date: Auction and Apps Event this March!

The PVEF is gearing up for an exciting spring full of events designed to raise funds that will support our students. In March, the PVEF will be hosting its annual Auction & Apps event, with the official date to be announced soon.


Mark your calendar: The Annual Casino Night will be Saturday, June 10, at the Putnam County Golf Course.


Attention Teachers & Staff!

Please keep an eye out for the grant application, which will be sent mid-December! You don't want to miss your chance to submit a grant for exciting new projects for students! We look forward to seeing what creative and innovative ideas our teachers have this year!

About the PVEF:

The PVEF is a non-profit organization that enhances our students’ education. This year the PVEF was able to fund grants over $8k back to the PV schools. These grants support innovative projects and programs outside of the school budget. The PVEF hosts 4 fundraising events throughout the school year; the Color Run, Trunk or Treat, Auction & Apps, and Casino Night. We rely on our community attendance to support these initiatives and look forward to our upcoming events in the new school year! Questions?

Visit pvefny.org for more information and to contact the organizers.

Calling All Tigers:

Introducing the Putnam Valley Athletic Hall of Fame

It is with great pride and honor that we announce the founding of the Putnam Valley Athletic Hall of Fame. The Athletic Hall of Fame will serve as a way of celebrating and maintaining the heritage and tradition of the successful athletes, coaches, contributors, and athletic programs at Putnam Valley High School. Induction into the Putnam Valley Athletic Hall of Fame emphasizes the success and impact that graduates, coaches, teams, and contributors have had on the Putnam Valley School District and community through athletics. Inductees to this prestigious honor will serve as role models for the current student body.


As part of the Putnam Valley Central School District’s focus on continuous growth for all, the Putnam Valley Athletic Hall of Fame Committee invites all members of the Putnam Valley community to nominate eligible candidates for consideration for this prestigious honor. This award honors those whose on-field performance, leadership, contributions, and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their sport and/or service to the athletic program. An honoree’s spirit and leadership are worthy of recognition and have inspired praise and gratitude among his or her peers. The nomination deadline is April 1st.


The inaugural Putnam Valley Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on June 12, 2023, alongside our first annual Varsity Athletics Award Ceremony.


Thank you for your continued support and celebration of our Putnam Valley student-athletes and athletic programs.

Click Here to Nominate

Fall Parent Learning Series: Drug Awareness and Social Media

This Fall, we are holding Parent Learning Series opportunities for parents to learn about a variety of topics impacting their children. On November 17, we had speaker Michael DeLeon of Steered Straight provide research, statistics, and tips related to drug awareness to parents. He also presented to students during the day and faculty in the afternoon. On December 6, retired Cyber Crimes Investigator, Tom Roidl, will lead parents in discussions about social media. If you are interested in joining us on December 6, click here. If you would like to learn more about our Parent Learning Series opportunities, please email Jackie Levine.

PVCSD Calendar: A Helpful Planning Tool!

With the holidays fast approaching, we know busy Putnam Valley families juggle many special events and school performances, especially when you have children in different buildings! Keep track of the great opportunities for connection and celebration with our color-coded district calendar, located here on the website and updated regularly. High School events are in BLUE, Elementary events are GREEN, and Middle School dates are RED. This is a one-stop-shop for all of the exciting dates to keep in mind for Putnam Valley Schools!

Our Mission
The PVCSD, in partnership with our families and community, will ensure that all students are engaged in a challenging, student-focused educational program, understand and assume their responsibility for life-long learning, work to achieve their personal best and become productive citizens in a diverse global society.
Contact Us:

Putnam Valley Central School District
(845)528-8143
171 Oscawana Lake Rd
Putnam Valley, NY 10579

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