2016 is off to a fantastic start at PCSD and our students have begun their third quarter of the school year . Our Lady Red Devils are moving up in the Section 1 playoffs and we wish them the best of luck as they compete for the 2016 championship! PCSD has also begun a campaign asking for the public's help to advocate for more funding from NYS. See the "Take Action Now" button below to learn more about how YOU can help our schools. As always, please make sure to check our upcoming events noted below.
eNews from Peekskill Schools            February 17, 2015
Peekskill City School District: Educating Children of Promise
2016-2017 Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Registration
2016-2017 Pre-K Registration is Now Open!
PRE-KINDERGARTEN SCREENING
Appointment Necessary
Please call 914-739-0682, ext. 231 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to make an appointment.

2016-2017 Kindergarten Registration opens March 7. If your child will be five years old by Dec. 1 2016 please call 914-739-0682, ext. 231 to make an appointment.
 
Upcoming Events

TAKE ACTION NOW! Let your voice be heard: Stand up and advocate on behalf of the 3,400+ children of the Peekskill City School District; Make public education whole. Click here to learn more. 

February 23: Board of Education at Administration  Building; Public Session at 7 PM

March 1: Board of Education Meeting at Administration Building; Public Session at 7 PM

March 2: Winter Sports Awards Night: 7 PM in the PHS Cafeteria

March 8: PKMS National Jr. Honor Society Induction Ceremony; 7 PM 

March 9: PTO (K-12) General Meeting; 6:30 PM in the Ford Auditorium 

March 10 & 11: Uriah Hill Parent Teacher Conferences

March 10: Hillcrest Instrumental Night; 7 PM 

March 15: Board of Education Meeting at Administration Building*; Public Session at 7 PM 
*(There will be a Public Hearing of the Smart Schools Bond Act Fund at this meeting.)

March 16: PHS National Honor/Math Honor Society Induction Ceremony; 7 PM

March 17: Athletics Mandatory Spring Parent/Coaches Meeting; PHS Auditorium 7 PM

March 21-25: Spring Recess

March 31: LEAP Living Legacy Awards; 7 PM

April 12: Board of Education Meeting at Administration Building; 7 PM 

View our complete District calendar here.
PKMS Drama Club's Willy Wonka, Jr. 
is One Sweet Ticket
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the Peekskill Middle School Drama Club who recently performed Willy Wonka, Jr. on Feb. 5 and 6. The club was directed by PCSD Dance Teacher Mrs. Fay Gerbes Pacht, with musical direction by Mrs. Cynthia Reynolds and production assistance from Ms. Yolanda Guardino
PCSD Open House Highlights District Accomplishments; Celebrates Students & Teachers

Thanks to all who came out for our District's Open House event on February 10. The evening was led by Superintendent Dr. David Fine who celebrated the accomplishments of students and teachers in Peekskill Schools. Dr. Fine shared details regarding the District's initiatives and answered questions from audience members. Highlighting the evening were performances by Summit Academy drummers and Hillcrest's woodwinds and chorus ensembles

If you were unable to attend this event and would like to schedule a personal tour of one or more of our District's schools, you have the opportunity to do so until the end of February. Please contact the Superintendent's office at (914) 737-3300 ext. 303 for more information.

The Peekskill City School District welcomes Mr. John Wells as our Interim Director for the Uriah Hill Pre-Kindergarten program.

Mr. Wells brings many years as an early childhood educator to this position. After twenty-one years as a primary school principal and thirty-two as an educator working with young children, he retired in 2012. Subsequently, he has assumed interim positions in various districts contributing to quality education and is pleased to do so now at Uriah Hill. He recognizes and celebrates the potential and possibilities of early learners. Encouraging their growth in a stimulating and nurturing setting is a privilege and rewarding undertaking which he values.

Mr. Wells aspires to continue orchestrating the fine Uriah Hill Pre-Kindergarten program as he works collaboratively with the staff and parents to meet the developing needs of students. He is happy to join the team and anticipates exhilarating, productive days. His wife, Debbie, of thirty-five years and their four adult children share his enthusiasm.

The Peekskill Coffee House had a few more art enthusiasts than usual making their rounds through the building recently when parents, teachers, students and community members all came out for the opening reception of the Peekskill City School District's Annual Art Show on February 3. If you didn't have the chance to stop by, fret not- student artwork will be on display until the end of the month. 

For photos from this event, click here.

Just in time for the January Regents exams, Peekskill High School's Summit Academy received two new Chromebooks thanks to a $500 grant from Donors Choose, a non-profit that matches donors to the needs of teachers. The grant proposal was written and submitted to Donors Choose by social studies teacher Anita Prentice and the Chromebooks the Academy received were used to help students review for Regents using Castle Learning and other social studies software. Excited by the possibilities of Donors Choose, a group of students wrote an additional grant proposal to the organization, this time requesting funds for sports equipment. This proposal was also funded and students now have new footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, and basketballs. 

Hillcrest students danced the night away at their annual Snow Ball which was recently held in the school's gym. The night featured a DJ who played popular songs for the children to dance to. Adding to the evening's fun, a photo both which was stocked with costumes and props was set up to help students capture their memories

For photos from this event, click here.

Oakside students and their family members celebrated "The POWer of Working Together" at a recent literacy workshop which featured the school's Superhero Reading Team.

At the event, student volunteers read original poems about the power of reading and spoke about the different locations they enjoyed books, such as school, home or even the grocery store. The lesson children took from the conversation was that reading is an activity you can enjoy anywhere!

Special guest, Sally  Bentley from the Field Library was also at the event and brought along Owen, the Library's service dog. Bentley spoke about the power parents have as their child's first teacher and shared information with students and their families regarding the wonderful opportunities available at our local library.

After Bentley's presentation, attendees were divided into classrooms where teachers modeled a hands-on reading strategy for parents to use with their children. Oakside teachers used a "retelling glove" and "bookmark questions" while encouraging parents to ask questions when their child reads with them. Once the modeling was done, families had the opportunity to try the strategy with their children while eating cookies donated by the Peekskill PTO.

Before the night concluded, parents were offered the opportunity to fill out an exit card noting what was helpful about the evening and asking for suggestions for future workshops.

Peekskill High School recently hosted its First Annual Artist Alumni Celebration. Over 30 current PHS students in grades 9-12 gathered to listen to Peekskill graduates Alana Herrera (F.I.T), Jenny Lyn Curtin (SUNY New Paltz) and Sophia Bonafide (School of Visual Art) as they discussed their art work, college life, art courses, professors and the cost of college.

Throughout the event, Peekskill alumni gave undergrads many words of encouragement and shared what helped them on t heir journeys as artists.

Herrera told students, "don't ever stop drawing." She also gave portfolio advice, stating that students should "always complete a piece and use the best of the best" when it comes to their art.

Bonafide advised students to look for scholarships and try to finds grants as opposed to taking out loans, as you don't have to pay back grants and scholarships.

Curtin discussed how expensive college can really be and noted the enjoyments of doing art for pleasure.

"I look forward to doing this event again next year," said PHS Art Teacher Heather Brown. "I'm hoping to reach out to more former art students."
Peekskill Students Visit NY Philharmonic

Over 100 Peekskill students in Grade 5 and Grade 8 recently spent two days at Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall where they had the opportunity to enjoy the music of the New York Philharmonic as part of the venue's Young People's Concerts for Schools series.
 
Accompanied by Peekskill's Performing Art Department Leader Crystal Hernandez, Peekskill Middle School's Band Director Franklyn Vasquez, and Hillcrest's Band Director Katie Lester, students watched as one of the most popular symphony orchestras in the world paid homage to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in this year's concert theme: "Jean Sibelius: Music of a Hero, Music of a Nation."
 
Prior to their trip, all music teachers attending the concert were given the opportunity to submit a video demonstrating how their students are heroes. Ms. Lester and Mrs. Hernandez, who had attended a training session earlier in the year for this trip, seized this opportunity to submit a video of Peekskill students performing "26 Stars," a song Hernandez personally composed with the help of Peekkskill students in memory of those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.
 
Peekskill students had the honor of having their entire performance video featured at the concert on their first day of attendance, and were included in a compilation of different video clips on the second day.
 
"The students could not believe that we had secretly submitted this video, and that they were recognized so publicly for their song," said Hernandez. "This trip was an amazing experience for our students-one that we know they will never forget." 

Hernandez says that she hopes to take even more students to next year's concert.

It is not uncommon for student athletes to be recognized for their academic and/or athletic achievements, but to have an entire team receive awards for such accomplishments is a much less common occurrence. This is one of the reasons the Peekskill City School District is excited to announce that their Girls' Varsity Swim Team has been honored by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) as Scholar Athletes.
 
To receive the title of "Scholar Athlete" from NYSPHSAA, all members of a varsity team must maintain an average of 90 or higher throughout the athletic season. This was accomplished by all 21 members of the Peekskill Girls Varsity Swim Team. To celebrate their success, the girls, and their coach, Chrisanna Hickey, were honored at a Peekskill Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, January 19.

At the meeting, each member of the team received a certificate from NYSPHSAA which noted their "outstanding scholastic achievement" in the fall 2015 swim season.

"We often have a lot of student athletes receive individual awards, but it is a special pleasure to be able to give out a team award," said Peekskill Athletic Director Lou Panzanaro, who presented the certificates to the team members. "I just want to congratulate the team, and tell you all how proud we all are of you and Coach Hickey."

Hickey, who is in her first year of coaching the team, said she is proud of the efforts the girls have shown both in the classroom and in the pool.

"This swim season has been extremely challenging for the girls and they've been working very hard," Hickey said. "I've seen the effort they put in- while they're swimming they are also thinking about their academics. It's really nice to see them working hard as a group in the pool and out of the pool. This is a fabulous accomplishment and I'm super proud of them and their achievements."
Did You Know?

Peekskill Superintendent Dr. David Fine posts regular monthly messages on our website. You can find these insights, along with the Superintendent's video blog on our District homepage in the "e-Corner" area. This is a great way to stay up to date with what is going on behind the scenes at PCSD!
Peekskill Board of Education
Colin Smith,  President
Lisa Aspinall-Kellawon,  Vice President

Trustees: Douglas Glickert, Maria Pereira,  Michael Simpkins,  Richard Sullivan,  Jillian Villon
 
Dr. David Fine
Superintendent
The 
Peekskill Education Foundation
Needs You!
 
Looking for an effective way to help out the Peekskill City Schools? PEF's mission is to raise funds for local education. They are looking for board members and volunteers.
 
We Want to Hear From YOU!

Please contact Superintendent Dr. David Fine by calling 914-737-3300 ext. 303, or email enews@peekskillcsd.org

Peekskill CSD Communications
Laura Belfiore, Editor 
Peekskill City School District
Peekskill City School District  | 1031 Elm Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 | (914) 737-3300 Contact: enews@peekskillcsd.org | Visit our website: www.peekskillcsd.org
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