Dear Putnam Valley Community,

As we begin our third (and first full) week of instruction, it is evident that everyone is beginning to hit their stride. The start of the new school year has brought smiling faces back to our classrooms and renewed energy to our buildings. Teachers are already building meaningful relationships with students while providing engaging learning experiences.  

Thanks to the hard work of our buildings and grounds staff, our facilities are spotless, inside and out. Our technology department has updated interactive displays and laptops to ensure everyone can access learning. Administrators and office staff spent the summer planning for the successful start of a new school year. I want to extend a huge thank you to the members of our transportation department, our school monitors, and clinical staff members for ensuring our students remain safe and supported from the moment they step on the bus until the time they arrive back home. 

We welcome the new staff members to our Putnam Valley School community, and we appreciate the energy they bring to our buildings. Ms. Jaime Zecca, joins us as our new Interim Middle School Assistant Principal and at the High School, Mr. Matt Mello and Dr. Letitia Payne will be serving in new roles this year as Interim Principal and Interim Assistant Principal.  

This past Sunday marked the somber anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that will forever remain etched into the minds of those who are old enough to remember. I personally spent that day at Putnam Valley High School where I was working as a Teaching Assistant, the events of which remain too raw for me to rewatch the media coverage. However, the acts of heroism remain as inspirational to me today as they did twenty-one years ago. Each year as we commemorate those lost on September 11, 2001, I am reminded of how everyone came together as one, creating a collective unity that I hope will return to this great country one day.  

In Putnam Valley, we see the power of community in multiple ways. We have wonderful organizations that support our students and our community, and all of them are looking for volunteers. Attending a parent meeting, joining our PTA and PV Education Foundation, coaching a youth sports team, volunteering with the Fire Department or Ambulance Corps, both of which have youth corps as well, or donating to the Putnam Valley Food Pantry are all ways to make new friends and strengthen our community. I encourage everyone to support our Putnam Valley community by giving the gift of your time. We are grateful to all of our volunteers! 

Please mark your calendars! In recognition of First Responders Day, October 28, we will invite all first responders who live and work in our community to join us at our homecoming football game (5 pm start). First responders will be asked to lead our team down to the turf and our community will have an opportunity to recognize and honor their service. Please look for more details about other events currently in the planning stages for Wednesday, October 26, at all three buildings.