Here at Pocantico Hills

  • Group of young children eating popcorn.

    Hundreds of children at the Pocantico Hills Day Camp are swimming, cooking, hiking and going on day trips this summer.

  • Campers trying to dunk a staff member at Pocantico.

    One of the highlights of the Pocantico Hills Camp Fair July 19 was an opportunity to dunk staff members by hitting a target.

  • Student playing a carnival game at summer camp.

    Children also had a chance to play carnival games like Hoop Shot and beanbag toss.

  • Students enjoying the inflatable water slide.

    The inflatable water slide is another popular activity at the camp.

  • A boy takes a jump off the high dive board.

    Children love to jump off the diving boards during free swim. They also take lessons in the Olympic-size swimming pool.

  • Girls posing for a photo in the swimming pool.

    The camp runs through August 9. Upcoming events include Color Games, an on-campus sleepover, a visit from the Bubble Bus and a variety show.

  • Eighth-graders throw up their caps after graduating from Pocantico Hills School.

    Congratulations to the 31 eighth-graders who graduated from Pocantico Hills School on June 24!

  • Dylan Zednik, the Harold Akley Award winner, spoke to graduates during the ceremony.

    Dylan Zednik, who won the Harold Akley Award for best overall student, said she created "forever friendships" with so many classmates at Pocantico and "I'll always love them like my brothers and sisters because that's what they are."

  • Board President Alfred Pacile gives his daughter, Olivia, her diploma.

    Board of Education President Alfred Pacile gave his daughter, Olivia, her diploma at the graduation ceremony.

  • Outgoing Superintendent Carol Conklin-Spillane gave out some of the diplomas at the ceremony.

    Outgoing Superintendent Carol Conklin-Spillane, who gave out some of the diplomas, said students have a "long and wonderful road ahead of you. Tonight we don’t celebrate all that you have learned, rather we celebrate all that you have yet to learn."

  • Teachers clap for graduates and give them high-fives after the students left the stage.

    Teachers lined up after the ceremony to clap for graduates and give them high-fives, a school tradition.

  • A student poses with two teachers after the ceremony.

    After the ceremony, students posed for photos in the circle with teachers, friends and families.

  • A graduate poses with his family in the cirle after the ceremony.

    Students, staff and families enjoyed a dessert reception in the circle after the ceremony.

  • Students and their teacher on the last day of school.

    Children said goodbye to friends and staff members on the last day of school June 25.

  • Staff members wave goodbye to school buses on the last day of school.

    Staff members waved goodbye to children for the summer.

  • A staff member says goodbye to a student for the summer as the child boards his bus.

    Adam Brown, director of curriculum and technology, said goodbye to children as they boarded their bus.

  • Two friends posed for a photo before getting on their buses.

    Two friends posed for a photo before getting on their buses.

  • Children running after a ball.

    Children played kickball, soccer, basketball and other games on Field Day in late June.

  • A teacher who was retiring thanked students for artwork they made her.

    They also said goodbye to teachers and administrators who left the school district at the end of June. All students helped create original artwork for them.

  • Children playing in a Gaga ball pit.

    Gaga ball was one of the highlights of Field Day.

  • Children spelling out POCO with a heart on the end for a video project.

    Eighth-graders used drones to take of students and staff on the field as they spelled out POCO with a heart on the end. It was the final piece of a yearlong middle school video project.

  • Group shot of seniors who returned to the school for a reunion.

    Pocantico students who graduated high school returned to the school for a reunion on June 17.

  • English language learners and their families at a June 14 luncheon.

    The school held a luncheon on June 14 to celebrate children who learned English as a new language while at Pocantico and their parents.

  • Students show off books and other gifts they received at the luncheon.

    English language learners at the school come from many countries, including China, Libya, Colombia, Philippines, India and Ecuador.

  • Eighth-graders showed off grad glasses they received at the luncheon.

    Eighth-graders received special gifts and a Dr. Seuss book from English as a new language teacher Joy Scantlebury and library media specialist Anne Price-Gordon, who organize the annual event.

  • Students pose for a photo at the English language learners annual luncheon.

    “All of you speak another language and that’s so powerful because in this world that we live in, we’re all global citizens,” Ms. Scantlebury said.

  • English as a new language teacher Joy Scantlebury leads a discussion with two staff members from Spanish-speaking countries at the event.

    Staff members Carolina Reason and Vanessa Knightner, who moved to the U.S. from from Spanish-speaking countries as children, spoke about their struggles and successes learning English.

  • Children performing "Charlotte's Web."

    Second-graders dressed up Fern, Charlotte, Wilbur and other characters on the Zuckerman Farm to perform “Charlotte’s Web” on June 7.

  • Children handing out programs for "Charlotte's Web."

    The play has been an annual tradition at the school since 1999.

  • Children on stage performing "Charlotte's Web."

    The production is an extension of a reading unit and gives second-graders to bring the story to life.

  • Students performing "Charlotte's Web" on stage.

    This was the final year teachers Lory Rollman and Tina coordinated the show. Both left the district at the end of June.

  • A girl gets her face painted at the PTA Barbecue.

    Students, families, friends and staff had a wonderful time at the annual PTA BBQ and Cultural Celebration.

  • Three of the students who attended the barbecue.

    The PTA served up hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers. Families brought side dishes from their backgrounds and cultures.

  • Two girls wait to have their faces painted at the barbecue.

    Children enjoyed activities like face-painting, Twister, baseball, basketball, soccer, coloring with chalk and playing with beach balls.

  • Adults and a child who attended the barbecue.

    Families brought books to donate to the PTA's Book Drive, and they had a chance to discover belongings in the lost-and-found area.

  • A father and son play basketball.

    Families also had a chance to meet Pocantico Hills Summer Camp staff members.

  • Girls with their faces painted.

    Face-painting was one of the most popular activities at the event.

  • Photo of students being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

    Congratulations to the 17 students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society!

  • Guest speaker Capt. Steve Zachensky, who was in the Pocantico Class of 2005.

    Thanks to guest speaker Capt. Steve Zachensky, who was in the Pocantico Class of 2005.

  • Photo of students being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

    The NJHS honors middle school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship.

  • The school band marched in the Pocantico Memorial Day Parade.

    The school band, led by music teacher Michael Murray, marched in the Pocantico Memorial Day Parade.

  • Author Janet Wong reads to several Pocantico students.

    Children's author and poet Janet Wong read to students during an April 18 visit to the school.

  • Author Janet Wong interacting with young students.

    Ms. Wong let children pick objects from her suitcase to determine what story or poem she would read.

  • Several students are helping Janet Wong recite one of her poems.

    The author chose students to help her recite her poem "Noodles."

  • A child shakes Janet Wong's hand.

    She challenged students to write poetry during break. Twenty students submitted poems this week, and 10 of received a book donated by the author. 

  • Children are helping Janet Wong recite one of her poems.

    Ms. Wong's visit was organized and made possible by the PTA and Anne Price-Gordon, library media specialist.

A Message from Superintendent Richard Calkins: Congratulations to our new Principal Adam Brown

Dear Pocantico Community,

Over the last month, I have had the privilege of speaking to many staff and community members regarding what makes an ideal principal. It was overwhelmingly agreed that we were looking for someone with a background in elementary/middle school education, who values relationships and who loves our great district. The Board of Education shared these same values and recognized the need to place the right person in this position as soon as possible.

Therefore, it is my privilege to announce the appointment of Adam Brown as our new Principal and Curriculum Leader. The Board of Education Trustees met with Adam on July 29 and agreed that he shares our values and vision. They feel strongly that he has all the necessary qualities to help guide our district, both now and in the future. On Wednesday night, the BOE appointed him as our PK-8 Principal and Curriculum Leader. This is a 12-month position.

When I met with Adam regarding this position, one thing stood out - his love for the Pocantico Hills community and respect for our teachers, staff and students. He said that our district is where he wants to be, that our students are amazing and that we have a highly talented and committed staff. He made it clear that he was willing to help in any capacity and believes that he can positively impact our district as the building principal.

Adam has been a key and valued member of our Pocantico family since 2004. Whenever needed, he has never hesitated to step forward and help. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position and is a proven educational leader who has a genuine love for Pocantico. His selfless commitment to our students, staff and community are a testament to his integrity and character.

This appointment is exciting because not only do we have a great new principal, but our administrative team is now complete and ready to support our students, teachers and staff when they arrive back to school. With Adam assuming his new role as principal and curriculum leader, we have streamlined our overall administrative footprint by eliminating the administrative position of director of curriculum and technology, as we believe that this will allow us to align the resources in a manner that most directly benefits our students.

That said, we recognize the need for targeted support in several key areas, including instructional and administrative technology and the CIO position, all responsibilities formerly held by Adam. To date, we have hired a math specialist and enlisted the support of other subject specific instructional consultants. As our plans continue to evolve, we look forward to sharing them with you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, if you would like to discuss these exciting changes or any aspect of this remarkable place that we fondly refer to as POCO.

Please join me in thanking Adam Brown for stepping forward to lead our district as our new principal. His start date was yesterday! On behalf of our Trustees, I thank you for your continued support and hope that you are enjoying a restful summer with family and friends.

 

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Core Values: Kindness, Respect and Perseverance

As part of our successful transition back to school, our 8th grade students were charged with creating a school-wide character pledge that reflects our core values—kindness, respect and perseverance.  Their successful work was chronicled throughout the week and captured on video Pocantico Character.  Our Pocantico Character Pledge is recited each morning following the Pledge of Allegiance as a school community.  Again, a special thank you to the class of 2019 and Mr. Murray, Mrs. Carruth and Mrs. Hongell, who facilitated this important work with our students.

 As a student of character at Pocantico Hills …

I pledge to not give up when obstacles are in the way.  I will persevere.

I will listen to others and use careful words.  I will be respectful. 

I will smile and greet people in the hallways.  I will be kind.