MARCH 4, 2023

Dear Pleasantville Families,

On Tuesday I participated in a Gun Violence Prevention Forum hosted by Northwell Health. It was a very informative, thought-provoking way to spend a snow day. Over the course of the five hours, multiple facts and thoughts about how to address the public health crisis were shared. When my family was gathered for dinner that night, I shared three important takeaways from the forum. I thought I would take the time to share them with you as well. 

First, the most important fact they shared is that firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults. 

Second, new data on America’s crime guns has been published and explains new trends and emerging threats. In Steven Dettelback’s video, (I recommend you start watching at the 5-minute mark – 7 good minutes of video will go a long way) you will see his three takeaways from the emergent data. The most significant fact for me was that over one million guns used in crimes were stolen from lawful gun owners. There’s an easy solution – if you own a firearm, LOCK IT UP. 

Then, the next group of panelists, shared this commercial, which I had not seen. I never thought to ask other parents if they have any unlocked firearms in the house before I dropped off my children to their home. 

As a parent, and the leader of the school district with a focus on safety, I share this information with you in light of our shared goal of keeping our children safe.   

For the youth, 

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

Important Bond Update

The Superintendent of Schools shared some great news about the MS HVAC bond at the Board meeting on Wednesday night. Check out the video.

Celebrate Reading Week wrapped up with a Book Character Parade at Bedford Road School. Kindergarten, first and second graders dressed up as their favorite story book characters. Students in grades three and four created the cover of their favorite book and wore their creations as they lined the path of the parade. 

Jamaal Fields-Green, a singer, dancer and actor who is currently the understudy playing Michael Jackson at "MJ the Musical" on Broadway came to Pleasantville High School on Monday, Feb. 27 and spoke to the cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie about life as a professional actor.  

Fields-Green, who is a former student of PHS Chorus Teacher and Theater Director Nadia Rizzo, told the students that he was a football player and an aspiring rapper before Rizzo encouraged him to try out for the school play at Albertus Magnus High School.  

“If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here,” said Fields-Green, who understudies for two parts – “MJ” and “Middle Michael” in the musical.  

Fields-Green also credited others for his success, like his mother who insisted he get good grades at the Hartt School, the conservatory at the University of Hartford.  

“I knew I had to be all in, or I’d have to leave,” Fields-Green said. “That really made me throw myself into it and give it all I had.”  

That is the key to making it in a competitive profession like acting, he said, before teaching the students Michael Jackson’s signature “moonwalk” and performing a number from the show.  

"Just remember," Fields-Green told the students during a Q&A session, “whether you are in the cast or crew, the craft is the most important thing. Everyone you meet in theater says this and it is true: 'It's all about the craft.' "

Pleasantville High School students had the chance to earn three college credits from Syracuse University this year by taking Introduction to African American Studies.  

“Students who took the class learned about the effects of the African diaspora on the people of African descent,” said Rikki Saperstein, the Pleasantville High School teacher who serves as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University, which allows her to teach the college-level course in the district. “They read autobiographies, narratives from enslaved people and studied the legacy of colonialism.”  

This is the second year that Pleasantville High School has offered the class.  

For their final research project, each student prepared a presentation of their choice on the subject and presented it to parents and the community. Some of the students’ research projects explored people and events from history, including Emmert Till, Malcolm X and the Loving vs. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down laws banning interracial marriage. Others took a more contemporary look at Black lives with projects on Colin Kaepernick and “Black Ivy,” a book on Black style.

Pleasantville Athletes had some firsts this fall. The Girls Cross Country Team was the first girls’ team in the program’s history to advance to the State Championship, where they came in second among 11 teams. The team was also Section 1 Class C Champion and League 3 Champion. The runners who went to States were Captain Kate Moroney, Clara Shingler, Catherine O'Brien, Genevieve Agati, Camilla Browand, Sara Agabob, Lexi Busch and Elizabeth Dean.  

Shingler, a ninth grader, was named All State, All Section, All Westchester County 1st team and All League. 

In Boys Cross Country, Alex Searle made All State. Three swimmers, Nicole Gerosa, Mackinzie Sabol and Sunell Zorgman made All State. 

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.