Thank you for an excellent 2017-18 academic year. On behalf of the entire Port Chester Public School District, we wish you a wonderful summer, filled with relaxation and happiness.
The 2018-19 academic year begins on Wednesday, Sept. 5. See you then!
Spend time at the theater with your family this summer, watching popular story lines come to life on stage.
The Port Chester Council for the Arts, in cooperation with the Village of Port Chester’s Recreation Department, is hosting three plays in late-July. They are:
“In the Heights”
July 20 (Friday) & July 21 (Saturday) at 7:30 p.m.
“Guys and Dolls Jr.”
July 27 (Friday) & July 28 (Saturday) at 7:30 p.m.
“Broadway Babies”
July 28 (Saturday) at 2 p.m.
Click on attachments below for additional information.
Port Chester community members passed the school district’s $11.025 million Bond Project by 60 percent. This now allows the district to begin emergency safety improvements at Port Chester Middle School.
With over 1,600 residents voting on June 5 in the PCMS gymnasium, 966 were in favor and 646 were opposed to the bond.
“We are thankful and express our sincere appreciation for the community’s support of this repair bond,” said Superintendent Edward Kliszus. “Your support permits us to bring the middle school into the 21st century with new windows, the removal of the concrete panels and scaffolding, and the installation of electronically controlled heating ventilator systems.”
The bond was created in response to a cantilever failure at the middle school in October 2017, which resulted in building damage and the school’s closure for six days. It resolves these vital safety concerns and ends the $30,000 monthly rental of scaffolding to stabilize the building’s current cantilevers. It also funds the replacement of 50-year-old windows with energy-efficient and insulated windows that will save 8 percent annually in energy costs.
“It is the community’s ongoing support of the schools,” said Dr. Kliszus, “that has enabled our students to enjoy not only academic success but beautiful school buildings in which they can be nurtured and educated in a safe environment.”
This is the second time that Port Chester residents voted on the PCMS Bond Project. It was initially put up for a vote in February at $12.5 million; however, was defeated by 51.4 percent.
The Port Chester School District asks community residents to vote on a vital, comprehensive $11.025 million BOND PROJECT for much-needed renovations to Port Chester Middle School’s building exterior on TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2018. This project addresses the 2017 cantilever failure and necessary reconstruction of pedestrian bridges at Port Chester Middle School for a long-term, safe and cost-effective solution.
For more information, click here to visit our PCMS Bond Project (June 2018) page.
Virtual field trips, a coding club and peer-to-peer teaching. These are a handful of innovative ways that children in the Port Chester School District are increasingly receiving an education rife with integrated advanced technology.
Our district is dedicating itself to dynamically improving the digital skills of students and teachers so that they can handle the new world that technology is shaping. It helps them broaden their academic opportunities and reach their scholastic goals.
Over the past few decades, classrooms have changed technologically – and they will continue to evolve. No longer do students sit through a “computer class;” technology is now used throughout the day and in most classes as a versatile tool. It helps students better understand concepts, think more critically, expand their creativity and adapt to new situations.
The Port Chester School District community passed the 2018-19 budget, ensuring that vital academic programs are funded for another year.
On May 15, nearly 2,000 residents headed to the polls to cast their votes. The proposed $97,227,468 budget was passed by 1,197 to 729 votes. Community members Christopher Wolff and Luigi Russo were elected to the Board of Education.
“We deeply appreciate the community’s support of the budget’s passage,” said Superintendent Edward Kliszus. “This will permit us to fund our schools adequately and to provide for the academic needs of the many children in our care.”
The budget fulfills its pledge of remaining under the tax levy cap by using existing revenue and implementing budget cuts. It retains vital academic programs that students need for their success and achievement. It also prioritizes general and humanities offerings, athletics, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, and numerous support programs for our most vulnerable children.
“It is the community’s ongoing support that has enabled our students to enjoy significant successes,” Dr. Kliszus said, “as recently memorialized in U.S. News & World Report’s national and state school rankings.”
The Flag Football Tournament, which was originally scheduled for May 31, has been POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Teachers and supervisors from Port Chester Public Schools were part of a group that received a prestigious innovation award for its participation in the Lower Hudson Computer Science and STEAM Academy.
The Lower Hudson Regional Information Center’s Technology Leadership Institute bestowed academy members with the Outstanding Innovative Partners Award at the Transforming Education Leadership and Learning Awards. The celebration took place on March 29 at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff.
The academy is a multi-year, district-level program for administrators and classroom teacher-leaders to collaboratively design, implement and evaluate a full-scale, comprehensive K-8 program in computer science/coding and/or STEAM that is unique to each district. It addresses systemic inequities in providing essential academic programs in the areas of computer science and engineering.
The Lower Hudson Computer Science and STEAM Academy members were recognized for their innovative spirit and dedication to identifying computer science and STEAM as core disciplines. The academy was highlighted for its level of commitment, willingness to take risks and openness to challenging pre-existing assumptions. The districts were also celebrated for their high-impact work and desire to share their expertise while forming a community of practice.
Port Chester’s academy members are:
The other local school districts that are part of the Lower Hudson Computer Science and STEAM Academy are Croton-Harmon, Mahopac, Peekskill, Suffern and Yorktown.
It was brought to our attention late yesterday that a minor-aged student posted a potential, non-specific digital threat directed towards Port Chester High School. All such threats are taken seriously. Police were immediately notified, and the individual was identified as a current PCHS student. That individual has been removed from the school and will face consequences consistent with the District Code of Conduct and New York State SAVE legislation.
Please use this incident as a teachable moment for you to ensure that your child uses social media safely and responsibly.
Would you like to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities but don't know who to ask?
Dennis Richmond will present the HCBU Initiative to the Port Chester/Rye Branch NAACP on Tuesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at its monthly membership meeting at the Carver Center, 400 Westchester Avenue. This event is for you if you are in the 6th through 10th grade, a guidance counselor, a parent or guardian or a middle or high school administrator.
Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, email to pcrnaacp@gmail.com or 914-980-6160.
Please click here to read an important message regarding the 2018-19 Budget from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edward Kliszus.
Please see the letter, linked here, to the community from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edward Kliszus. (Para la versión en español de este documento, haga clic en este enlace.) There are two subjects of this letter. First is the matter of school safety in the wake of the Parkland, Fla., tragedy. The second is in regards to the decision by the Board of Education to close the JFK Early Learning Center at the Holy Rosary School at the school year's end.
Excited students and staff at John F. Kennedy Magnet School celebrated National Read Across America Day by participating in special reading activities.
On March 2, the event honored Dr. Seuss on his birthday. It is "an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss."
Ever wondered what alumni think of Port Chester Public Schools and what their experiences were like in class? Watch the Graduates Roundtable for an engaging discussion about the school district and beyond!
In early January, four students returned to the Port Chester campus for a special talk with Superintendent Edward Kliszus and high school principal Mitchell Combs.
“It’s important that our current students and community to understand that our graduates are well-prepared for success in the college and university setting,” said Dr. Kliszus. “Furthermore, success can be achieved by all of our students who choose to fully utilize the resources available at Port Chester High School.”
In addition to discussing their time in Port Chester, the recent graduates also spoke about their experiences in college. The roundtable served as a way to offer valuable insights to the local school community.
“The information that our guests share with us really is heard and sometimes incorporated into our future planning, so we listen to what they have to say,” said Dr. Combs.
From a flock of adorable dogs and cats, students at Port Chester Middle School crowned Pipi – a rat terrier, Pomeranian, miniature pincher and pitbull mix – as the cutest pet.
During December, cheerful students voted in the “Cutest Pet Contest,” which consisted of 34 dogs and cats owned by PCMS staff members. Each child donated $1 to cast a vote – and raised over $600, which was given to Pet Rescue, a pet adoption service in Harrison. The winner, Pipi, is owned by physical education teacher Melissa Piccola.
As a surprise, on Dec. 22, the PCMS auditorium was visited by a handful of adorable furry friends - puppies to adult dogs. The students were bright with excitement, kneeling down to cuddle with them. Others giggled, overjoyed to pet and feed them treats. While some of the dogs belonged to Port Chester staff members, most were available to adopt from Pet Rescue.
The initiative was spearheaded by the PCMS physical education staff from the desire to give back to the local community. Mr. Michael Bonanno had never owned a dog until two years ago when he adopted his Norwich terrier.
“The children saw how important the lives of pets are,” he said. “My dog changed my life. In class, we talk about stress management and how dogs can help with relaxation. This event is also about giving back to others.”
The money raised was donated to Pet Rescue to help increase awareness for animal adoptions. In addition, students and staff also donated pet food, blankets, beds and toys to help the animals currently at the organization.
PCMS Principal Patrick Swift was proud of his students for their willingness to donate, praising their kind-heartedness and saying that the children always share with the community at any opportunity. Pet Rescue's Judith Roth attended the event and was also grateful for PCMS' caring nature.
“We are so overwhelmed by the students’ generosity,” she said. “Through the school’s support, we are able to save dogs and give them a home.”
Two of Port Chester Public Schools’ partner programs were awarded Westchester County Youth Bureau “Invest in Kids” grants.
In late-December, the organization granted “One World” and “Steer for Student-Athletes” with funding for a three-year period, beginning in 2018. Each program will receive approximately $45,000 each year.
The One World program, “Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders,” helps Port Chester Schools to further its character education program, which was initiated last year (with assistance from the Harvard Think Tank on Global Competence). The funding will also support the implementation of the nation’s leading character education program, Character.org.
Funding for the Steer for Student-Athletes program will support the expansion of existing programs in Port Chester Public Schools. The program provides support services – including giving social, academic and athletic assistance to student-athletes in order to graduate – and prepares them for further education into college and careers.
“Our district is pleased and proud to continue our partnerships to bring high-quality and effective support programming to our students,” said Joe Durney, Port Chester’s Deputy Superintendent. “These organizations support district initiatives that have proven effective. We are delighted that this funding will further our mission to ensure our students’ success.”
