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A Message From Superintendent Calkins:

June 3, 2020

Dear Pocantico Families:

As the nation comes to grips with the deep-seeded implications of the senseless killing of George Floyd, it is vital that we as a community condemn, not only this heinous act, but all that it represents. Racism, injustice, discrimination and hate, have no place in our society.

I can’t even begin to fathom how deeply this affects our black and multi-racial families. Please know that we care deeply for all of you and are here to help. Additionally, we are aware of the emotions that these injustices evoke, and we are prepared to offer support.

When we began our remote instructional practices, Pocantico took a strong stance in our community, and coined the phrase that: “we are here to help.” We are reinforcing that concept and add that we are not only here to help in the short term. We are here to help enact change. We will do this by providing educational opportunities, through the establishment of partnerships and the provision of resources. Moreover, we will do this by helping to orchestrate tough conversations and by joining with all of you in affirming that there is Zero Tolerance for racism in our school, in our community and our nation as a whole.

Below, please find some resources that may be useful in helping to begin conversations or take action:

https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/talking-to-young-children-about-prejudice

https://www.tolerance.org/

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/cnn-sesame-street-standing-up-to-racism/index.html

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Talking-to-Children-About-Racial-Bias.aspx

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Talking-To-Children-About-Tragedies-and-Other-News-Events.aspx

https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race

I have said since I arrived here that Pocantico Hills CSD is a special place and that we are a community of care; once again, we are called upon to illustrate these words and meet this challenge.

Together we are strong,

Rich

Congratulations Class of 2020

Here at Pocantico Hills

Congratulations to Chef Kassie Keehn, who received an American Dreamer Achievement Award from the Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services! Each spring, SWBOCES honors individuals who perform outstanding works of service for and on behalf of students with special needs. "She is one of the incredible people that make our experience at Pocantico Hills truly special, and we are very grateful to her," SWBOCES staff at Pocantico wrote.
The Pocantico Hills Teacher Association all 26 eighth-graders a lawn sign to help celebrate the milestone while school is closed. Congratulations, Class of 2020!
May 1st is School Lunch Hero Day! We wanted to say thank you to our awesome cafeteria staff who are continuing to feed our students during our closure. Special thanks to our ever-amazing custodians, bus drivers, and support staff who are delivering their yummy meals to students' homes! You rock!
Grace, a first-grader, created a beautiful rainbow picture and a sign for our staff. Her mother's message to the teachers and staff was: "We love you, Pocantico family!"
During the COVID-19 school closure, our cafeteria staff have been busy making sure that everyone who needs food assistance is receiving it. They deliver 500 meals per week.
While our district is happy to be helping families during this time, our cafeteria staff miss having everyone at school. They found a creative way to express how they feel!
Pocantico staff are grateful for the generous food donations from the school community. The food will be used to assemble balanced care boxes for families in need.
While school is closed, Poco staff members are providing child care for families of medical personnel, first-responders and other essential employees.
Many students and families participated in Poco Spirit Week April 6-10, including Blue Day.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Poco Spirit Week and submitted photos!
These siblings are having a lot of fun together in the special child care program while school is closed.
Children in our child care program have made pictures and drawings for people who are sick in the hospital.
This is another student in the child care program displaying artwork for someone who is sick in a hospital.
In Family & Consumer Science class, middle school students went home in March with everything they needed for their latest project - sewing Poco pillows.
This is an art project one of our young students did at home.