Dear Putnam Valley School Community,

On behalf of the Putnam Valley Central School District, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year. There is something special about the beginning of a new school year: the excitement of new opportunities, the setting of new goals, and the promise of growth and discovery that awaits each of our students.

We begin this school year with much to celebrate. We are proud to share that Putnam Valley High School has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #16 Best High School in New York State and #4 in our region. This recognition reflects the tremendous work of our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, and families. It is a wonderful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together with a shared commitment to excellence.

As always, the summer months were busy. Across our campuses, crews completed projects made possible through the facilities project approved by our community in May 2025. As we reopened the Middle/High School Campus, students, staff, and visitors can see significant improvements, including newly renovated driveways, retaining walls, and parking areas, along with updated drainage, lighting, and sidewalks. Above our instructional wing and gymnasium, final trim work associated with our newly installed roofs has been completed.



At the Elementary School, our existing playground has been replaced with a set that is providing greater accessibility to all elementary students, with an exciting space to learn, play, and explore. The top athletic field will remain closed throughout the school year as crews continue the drilling and installation of geothermal wells. This project represents a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility, as we work toward becoming the first school district in New York State to operate entirely on geothermal heating and cooling. This transition is expected to save our taxpayers millions of dollars in heating oil costs over time.

At the heart of all that we do is our partnership with families. We know that students thrive when schools and families work together, and we deeply value the trust you place in us each day. By maintaining strong communication and working collaboratively, we can create meaningful experiences that support the academic success, social-emotional development, and overall well-being of every student. Your partnership is an essential part of what makes the Putnam Valley school community so strong.

As we settle into the 2026–2027 school year, our schools are once again filled with the energy, excitement, and enthusiasm of our students. We have welcomed back familiar faces and are excited to have new students, families, and educators join our Putnam Valley school community. It has been wonderful to see our schools come alive, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together throughout the year.



As we begin this new school year, I want to thank our students, families, faculty, staff, and community for your continued support, partnership, and commitment to Putnam Valley Central Schools. Our success is built on the strong connections we share and the many ways we work together to support our students.

Thank you for entrusting us with the education and care of your children. It is a privilege and a responsibility that we do not take lightly.

I wish all of our students, families, and staff a wonderful 2026–2027 school year. May it be a year filled with learning, growth, connection, and many moments of pride for our entire Putnam Valley community.

Warmly,

Dr. Jeremy Luft

Superintendent of Schools

As we look ahead to October, please be reminded that our students will be dismissing 15 minutes early on Friday, October 9th, due to a mandated early dismissal drill. Please be at your bus stop 15 minutes early on that day. There will be no school on Monday, October 12, in honor of Columbus Day.

Putnam Valley Elementary School has had a wonderful start to the new school year!

Our arrival and dismissal procedures are safe and efficient, and the bright and engaging classrooms welcomed our eager students into the new year.

The new playground is a big hit with all grade levels, being more accessible to younger students and offering sensory activities on the equipment. This playground will be enjoyed for years to come!

September was a month to celebrate our Growth Mindset and Positive Thinking with our Character Education. In October, we will focus on Friendships and Bully Prevention. A shared storybook will be read in each classroom and discussed in detail.

Our fourth graders have begun their composting initiative in the cafeteria. This is already greatly decreasing the amount of trash every day, and it is helping to provide nutrients to local farms.

Our Gym Show sign-ups (Grades 3 & 4) have begun, and we are looking forward to a wonderful performance in November.

Our elementary students are reading and writing every day, and their math skills continue to shine!



We are off to a fantastic start to the 2026-2027 school year!

PVMS has had a wonderful start to the 2026-2027 school year. Our staff was hard at work over the summer ensuring the Middle School was prepared to welcome our students safely and with enthusiasm. The building was buzzing with activity throughout the first month of the new school year as our students accessed their lockers, met their teachers, and settled into their routines.

Throughout the month, our middle school students had the opportunity to visit the Taconic Outdoor Education Center (TOEC). This nature-focused education area located in Fahnestock State Park gives our students unique opportunities to enrich their classroom studies. Wildlife identification, aquatic ecology, obstacle courses, and team-building activities are just a few of the great learning experiences at TOEC.

The Putnam County High School Mixed Choir was honored to perform at the 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11th attacks at the Putnam County Memorial. Under the direction and piano accompaniment of Dr. Micera and the logistical support of Mrs. Bianco, the choir delivered a powerful performance, showcasing a diverse repertoire of songs. Throughout the ceremony, individuals associated with Putnam County who lost their lives during and in the aftermath of the attack were recognized and honored. The public event drew a diverse audience, including first responders, military personnel, and dignitaries from Putnam County.

As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, our athletic programs are off to a great start, and we have a lot to celebrate both in the classroom and on the field.

Earlier this month, Section One recognized Putnam Valley as a NYSPHSAA School of Distinction for the 2025 - 2026 school year. This is the first time our district has earned this honor, which is awarded to schools where every single varsity team achieves Scholar Athlete status.

We also continued our Tigers Leadership Council on September 11, bringing our fall varsity captains together to focus on transformational leadership. This group gives our student athletes a real voice in their programs while teaching them key skills they can use for the rest of their lives. Through these regular sessions, our leaders are learning that true leadership comes down to honesty, strong character, and helping others.

Please join us for our upcoming community events this fall. Homecoming Week starts October 5th, featuring our Homecoming Football Game on October 10 at 6:30 PM against Walter Panas High School. We will also host First Responders Night on October 23 at 6:30 PM when we play Westlake High School.

Come out to support and honor our senior student athletes during our Fall Senior Nights:

• Field Hockey: October 2nd vs. Croton, Hen Hud at 4:30 PM

• Girls Soccer: October 10th vs. Haldane at 12:00 PM

• Football and Cheerleading: October 10th vs. Walter Panas at 6:30 PM (Cheer recognized at halftime)

• Boys Soccer: October 13th vs. Nanuet at 5:30 PM

• Volleyball: October 13th vs. Croton at 6:45 PM

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students. Come out and root for your Tigers! You can check the full schedule anytime on the Putnam Valley Athletics Page.

Students and parents have a responsibility to properly use and care for district assigned devices. By working together to prevent damage or tampering, the laptops assigned to students can continue to serve as valuable educational tools. Please be sure to carefully review the district's laptop loan agreement 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.