News Release from the Westchester County Health Department
Westchester County will offer free back to school vaccine clinics. Please see attachments for more information.
First day of school is on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. It is a full day for all students Pre-K - 8.
For information on registering your child, please click here.
Children had a great six weeks at the Pocantico Hills Day Camp. They took swim lessons, participated in arts and crafts activities and went on trips to museums, amusement parks and nature centers. The last day was August 9.
The school continued its successful partnership with Rivertown Aquatics. Many campers progressed from the red bracelet for beginning swimmers to blue and then green bracelets.
“We had a fantastic season,” said teacher Kerry Papa, assistant camp director. “We’re already starting to think about next year.”
The camp offered activities and clubs in culinary; arts and crafts; athletics; studio; and wilderness.
Campers took advantage of the natural beauty and trails surrounding the school. One of the counselors with this group brought his guitar on their hike.
Children had a lot of fun playing musical chairs. Other indoor activities included ping pong, Avoid the Ball, soccer, giant Connect 4 and more.
Some of the other highlights during the six weeks were the Camp Fair, trips to Quassy Amusement Park and Club Getaway, a visit from the Bubble Bus and the Mega Inflatable Obstacle Course Challenge.
This young camper learned how to make potholders.
Hundreds of children at the Pocantico Hills Day Camp are swimming, cooking, hiking and going on day trips this summer.
One of the highlights of the Pocantico Hills Camp Fair July 19 was an opportunity to dunk staff members by hitting a target.
Children also had a chance to play carnival games like Hoop Shot and beanbag toss.
The inflatable water slide is another popular activity at the camp.
Children love to jump off the diving boards during free swim. They also take lessons in the Olympic-size 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.
Congratulations to the 31 eighth-graders who graduated from Pocantico Hills School on June 24!
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 of Education President Alfred Pacile gave his daughter, Olivia, her diploma at the graduation 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 lined up after the ceremony to clap for graduates and give them high-fives, a school tradition.
After the ceremony, students posed for photos in the circle with teachers, friends and families.
Students, staff and families enjoyed a dessert reception in the circle after the ceremony.
Children said goodbye to friends and staff members on the last day of school June 25.
Staff members waved goodbye to children for the summer.
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.
Children played kickball, soccer, basketball and other games on Field Day in late June.
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.
Gaga ball was one of the highlights of Field Day.
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.
Pocantico students who graduated high school returned to the school for a reunion on June 17.
The school held a luncheon on June 14 to celebrate children who learned English as a new language while at Pocantico and their parents.
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.
English language learners at the school come from many countries, including China, Libya, Colombia, Philippines, India and Ecuador.
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.
“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.
Second-graders dressed up Fern, Charlotte, Wilbur and other characters on the Zuckerman Farm to perform “Charlotte’s Web” on June 7.
The play has been an annual tradition at the school since 1999.
The production is an extension of a reading unit and gives second-graders to bring the story to life.
This was the final year teachers Lory Rollman and Tina coordinated the show. Both left the district at the end of June.
Students, families, friends and staff had a wonderful time at the annual PTA BBQ and Cultural Celebration.
The PTA served up hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers. Families brought side dishes from their backgrounds and cultures.
Children enjoyed activities like face-painting, Twister, baseball, basketball, soccer, coloring with chalk and playing with beach balls.
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.
Families also had a chance to meet Pocantico Hills Summer Camp staff members.
Face-painting was one of the most popular activities at the event.
Congratulations to the 17 students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society!
Thanks to guest speaker Capt. Steve Zachensky, who was in the Pocantico Class of 2005.
The NJHS honors middle school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship.
The school band, led by music teacher Michael Murray, marched in the Pocantico Memorial Day Parade.
Children's author and poet Janet Wong read to students during an April 18 visit to the school.
Ms. Wong let children pick objects from her suitcase to determine what story or poem she would read.
The author chose students to help her recite her poem "Noodles."
She challenged students to write poetry during break. Twenty students submitted poems this week, and 10 of received a book donated by the author.
Ms. Wong's visit was organized and made possible by the PTA and Anne Price-Gordon, library media specialist.
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.
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.
