PRSD Pulse
October 2022
Greetings Pearl River School District Families and Staff,
It has been a wonderful start to the 2022-23 school year – and our K-12 students have already begun to delve into new curriculum, lessons, projects and academic ventures. Throughout the month of September, our school buildings hosted Back to School Nights in-person which provided parents and families the opportunity to tour classrooms, meet faculty members, and learn all about their buildings’ policies and procedures.
This October edition of our monthly PRSD Pulse e-newsletter spotlights lessons that align with ensuring a smooth transition for all new/returning students, National Arts in Education Week, National Hispanic Heritage Month, our continued focus on social-emotional learning, and exciting events at the high-school level including the annual club fair as well as homecoming festivities. In addition, I extend my utmost congratulations to Pearl River High School senior Kieran Burke, who was recognized as a top-performing student – scoring a 5 on the May 2022 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) United States History Exam. Kieran was only one of nine students in the world to earn every point possible on the exam, receiving the maximum score on each portion of the test. I applaud Kieran’s work ethic, drive and dedication to his studies – clear indicators of a bright and successful future ahead.
With a new and exciting school year underway, I look forward to the work ahead as our District moves forward with the Equity Task Force (ETF). On Wednesday, October 12, our ETF will have their first meeting led by facilitator Dr. Lisa Brady, who will lead the group in this important work which will culminate with the development and recommendation of a specific plan to the Board that ensures all members of our school community experience equitable education in our District. I will provide regular updates about our progress in this initiative.
Sincerely,
Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed.D.
Pearl River High School hosted its annual Homecoming Pep Rally as students across grades 8-12 showed their school pride and geared up for an exciting weekend of events! Thanks to the musical accompaniment of the PRHS band under the direction of band teacher Brian Evans, the Pirate mascot arrived to get the crowd amped as each fall sports team took to the field. Following a rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner' performed by student Nora A., student participants competed in interactive field hockey, soccer and football challenges (and Principal Dr. Robert Zegarelli even scored a field goal from the 15 yard line!) In addition, each team's senior players and All-State athletes were recognized by Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics Artie McCormack. On October 1, our varsity football team scored a 21-7 homecoming win over Briarcliff High School! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Sixth grade scientists in Brittany Martinez's classroom at Pearl River Middle School deepened their understanding and application of the scientific method as they carried out a super sweet lab -- working to determine which flavor of a particular candy lasts the longest. Through discussing, creating and designing a controlled experiment that provides data on just how long each flavor of a Life Saver lasts, students, in groups, first measured different temperatures of water with a beaker. Once measured, students dropped in their candies and began stirring for a period of time to determine how long it takes for their Life Savers to 'disappear' and create a sugar water mixture. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
The District excitedly celebrates Pearl River High School senior Kieran Burke -- who earned a perfect score on the College Board Advanced Placement® (AP®) United States History Exam in May 2022! Kieran not only received the top score of 5 but was also one of only 9 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP United States History Exam, receiving the maximum score on each portion of the test. Colleges and universities around the world receive students' AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, and/or consideration in the admission process. This outstanding accomplishment is a direct reflection of Kieran's hard work and dedication to his studies, as well as the top-quality education being offered in our District. Read more about Kieran on Facebook and Instagram.
Selecting from an array of virtual and interactive activities on a Hispanic Heritage Choice Board, third graders in Nancy Ferst's and Marie Walmsley's classes at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School used their Chromebooks to explore Spanish language, countries, heritage, and history! These students are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) by learning beginner Spanish words and numbers, locating Spanish-speaking countries on a map, and delving into the biographies and contributions of notable Hispanic-American figures. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Pirate Cove buzzed with activity on September 22 as students in grades 8-12 attended the annual Pearl River High School Club Fair, making the rounds to each table set-up. Students explored the wide range of clubs available to them -- speaking with student representatives, asking questions about involvement and signing up for meetings. Club participation not only looks great on college applications, but provides students with opportunities to get involved in their school community, develop passions and interests, and gain teamwork and leadership experience! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
What better way to learn about the rich histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America than through music exploration? At Evans Park Elementary School, second graders in Monica Price's class learned about the cumbia rhythm pattern using percussion instruments -- as they played and sang along to cumbia song, "El Pescador" ("The Fisherman") -- virtually led by Colombian musician Gregoria Uribe. Music teacher Sarah Gill guided students through the song, teaching students how to play and sing along with instruments of their own like hand drums, rhythm sticks and egg shakers. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Self-awareness was the month of September's district-wide social emotional learning (SEL) theme...and third graders in Cornelia Quinn's class at Franklin Avenue Elementary School selected words that best describe themselves as part of a Word Art activity! With the help of school psychologists Ellen McCabe and Rebecca Massa, students chose adjectives that positively describe their personality, interests and hobbies -- inputting them into the Word Art website on their Chromebooks before selecting colors and a layout for their designs. Students assisted their peers with brainstorming words to best describe one another and expressed their classmates' favorite traits! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Organization is an invaluable tool that contributes to overall student success -- and fourth graders in Robyn Smith's class at Evans Park Elementary School explored how order and structure can play a role in their individual routines now that they've gotten into the swing of the new school year! Thanks to the help of school counselor Morgan O'Donohue, students discussed ways their classroom is organized like using color-coded folders and bins, as well as calendars and planners. Individually, students shared ways they can ensure they're staying on top of assignments and responsibilities of their own -- listing things that they have to do in the morning, afternoon and nighttime. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
At Franklin Avenue Elementary School, the Makerspace is the perfect place for innovation and collaboration to join forces! Fourth graders in Laurie Lewis' class engaged in a 'wild and wacky build' (led by Makerspace teacher Beth Granelli) -- working together to create a structurally sound creation using mini cups, foam blocks, clothespins and multicolor wood sticks. Through trial and error, students built from the ground up using all materials at hand. Completing this activity in small groups, students learn to delegate roles and responsibilities, share diverse perspectives, and pool their knowledge and skills. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Easing the shift from elementary school to middle school, fifth grade students at Pearl River Middle School engaged in 'Transition Day' activities ranging from Speed Friending, to Rock Painting, to a Scavenger Hunt, to Team Building -- each encouraging the school's newest additions to meet staff, make new friends, and familiarize themselves with the building. Middle school is certainly an exciting time -- and these students are gaining increased independence, exploring their interests, and participating in new activities like clubs and sports. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
During Arts in Education Week, students' work began to 'take shape' in art teacher Andrea della Cava's Ceramics class at Pearl River High School! Using plastic ribs, sponges and scraper tools, student-artists shaped the inside and outside of their wet clay -- which will soon transform into pinch pots with unique textures and patterns! Placing the clay ball on a decorating wheel, students explored techniques and methods to shape their pieces into rounded pots -- lightly pinching with their thumb and fingers to rotate the clay in their palm. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
When stepping foot inside music teacher Scott Louis' classroom at Franklin Avenue Elementary School, K-4 students are always engaged in hands-on, collaborative musical fun! Second graders in Vivian Toledo's class learned to recognize, read and play quarter and eighth note rhythm syllables, reciting 'ta', 'ti' and 'rest' -- following right along with Mr. Louis. In a circle formation, students excitedly played a 'Pass the Rhythm Stick' game, following the structure of 'Hot Potato' but instead, passing the stick to classmates along with the beat of a music played on the piano, making sure to stop as soon as the music does! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Second graders in Courtney O'Grady's and Finuala O'Shea's classes at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School are presented their decorated writer's notebooks with their classmates and got to work brainstorming topics they'd like to write about! Each student had the opportunity to showcase the unique, personalized covers of their composition books -- discussing their interests, hobbies and why they selected certain stickers and photos to include. Students then began to choose narrative writing topics, making sure to note them on their narrative writing hearts worksheet that they will use as a reference when composing entries in their books. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Opening their Essential Elements music books and taking their seats, seventh graders at Pearl River Middle School excitedly prepared for their band lesson with band director Brianna Hensley! During routine band lessons, students assemble and tune their instruments, warm-up, practice posture, breathing and finger placement, and rehearse a variety of tunes. On their current agenda? Renditions of 'On Top of Old Smokey' and 'Chanukah Folk Song'! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Who knew that origami could serve as a tool to help students understand sequencing?! Third graders in Amy Patchoros' class at Franklin Avenue Elementary School ordered with origami -- shaping, folding and gluing pieces of colored paper to create origami tulips. Following directions from their teacher, students began to understand the importance of sequencing, and how through following steps in the correct order they can achieve a desired result. Soon, students will apply the idea of sequencing to components of a story (the beginning, middle and end) and be able to retell the events within a given text in the order in which they occurred in both their reading and writing. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Students enrolled in art teacher Lorna Carroll's Studio Art course at Pearl River High School began working on their reference sketches -- carefully analyzing a photo of real-world objects to model their own drawings of off. The reference photo they used, which depicts a bowl set on a table, serves to inspire student-artists as they crafted true-to-life creations. Did you know that drawing from reference is a helpful tool for artists of all levels to effectively create realistic objects accurately and in proportion? Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Kindergarteners in Devorah Berman's class at Evans Park Elementary School engaged in a fun-filled music movement lesson with music teacher Sarah Gill! Inside her music classroom, students engaged in a hand drum name game, tree stretches, bunny bouncing and instrument exploration. Between tambourines, rhythm sticks and egg shakers (just to name a few), these little musicians will soon delve into experimenting with each one's different sounds -- as they engage with and explore all the world of music has to offer! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Why did the cells cross the microscope? To get to the other slide! Fifth graders at Pearl River Middle School learned all about the parts of a compound microscope and analyzing specimens -- recording and drawing their observations with their partners. Placing slides carefully under the stage clip, students experimented with using the adjustment knobs to zoom the objective lenses in and out to focus. With the help of STEM teachers Jamie Catrona, Christine Oleksy, Angela Roppolo and Gal Seiler, these students are exploring the roles of scientists, what they do and how they use microscopes in their work, research, and discoveries! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's sunflower paintings, fourth graders' latest art creations are blossoming! With tempera paint, brushes, paper and Model Magic clay, students began by using different brush strokes and color blending to create a backdrop, table and vase on their paintings. Under the direction of art teacher Erin Girling, these little artists are always encouraged to try their very best, let their imagination soar and embrace the creative process! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Learning is always on the menu in each of our sixth grade English Language Arts (ELA) classes at Pearl River Middle School! Grade 6 ELA teachers Tina Addino, Meghan McCarren, Jennifer Ortiz and Fiona Robinson cooked up a delicious 'Book Tasting' -- providing students with the opportunity to expand their readers' palettes by 'sampling' different genres, authors and styles of writing. With desks and tables set with book options and 'tasting' brochures, students carefully made their selections -- taking time to 'try' their books (analyzing title, genre and the cover) before reading the first few pages. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Did you know that New York State has diverse geography including mountains, plateaus, rivers, lakes and large bodies of water? Fourth graders in Melissa Alm and Johannah Mitchell's classroom at Evans Park Elementary School do! In small groups, students worked together to create topographical maps using colorful art materials like tissue paper, pipe cleaners, pom-poms and popsicle sticks to represent NYS's physical features. By examining climate and vegetation maps, along with physical maps, students learned that each one can be used to both represent and examine the geography of the very state they reside in -- tying into their current social studies unit! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Second-graders in Kim Mealy's class at Franklin Avenue Elementary School rolled up their sleeves to get creative with radial paint designs in art teacher Tom Price's classroom! Beginning with painting their papers a mixture of colors, students began cutting their creations into strips to glue on a separate page in a circular layout. Once glued down, students then mixed primary colors (red, yellow and blue) to create unique tones on the negative (empty) spaces of their papers. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Inside art teacher Lauren Zaccardo's classroom at Pearl River Middle School, fifth graders began working on action abstraction sketchbook covers, using the work of artist Keith Haring as the driving force behind their unique designs. Students cultivate an understanding of personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication -- while exploring their own creativity and self-expression. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Grade-level assemblies discussing school protocols, procedures and safety measures took place as the 2022-23 school year kicked off at Pearl River High School with students across grades 8-12 in attendance. Led by PRHS administrators, students reviewed important information regarding day-to-day building functions, staff and faculty roles and responsibilities, and the Code of Conduct. Additionally, School Resource Officer Mark Durney spoke with students about ways they can ensure they're driving safely and discussed parking on school grounds. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Kindergarteners in Margaret Lynch's class at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School paired up to read aloud from their 'Welcome to Kindergarten' booklets -- taking turns analyzing illustrations (that they colored in themselves) to assist in reading short sentences. Using their pointer fingers in a left to right motion over the text, students read one syllable words and are beginning to recognize both common and color words in order to understand the sentences on the page. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
With the hustle and bustle of a new school year comes adjusting to routines and schedules, but it also means ensuring that students understand ways to be respectful, responsible, ready, and safe while in their building and on the school bus! At each of our elementary schools, K-4 students engaged in bus drills -- thanks to the hands-on help of our school bus drivers at Chestnut Ridge Transportation! Students took turns locating danger zones around the bus, reviewing drivers' hand signals, boarding and departing the bus, and practicing an exit plan in the case of an emergency. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
