Pocantico Hills Newsletter
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On behalf of our Administration and Board of Education, thank you once again for your participation and support of our budget and Capital Project, we truly appreciate your trust.
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Carin Yuen has lived in the district for five years and has a daughter in Kindergarten and a son in Third Grade at Pocantico Hills, the same school her husband attended as a child.
Bringing over 14 years of professional experience as an educator, she was inspired to become a trustee to help thoughtfully prepare the district for the future while preserving its unique character.
She believes strong schools are built through partnership among educators, administrators, families, and the broader community.
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Joshua Rosenfield and his wife have lived in the Pocantico Hills School District for eight years and are raising two sons who attend Pocantico Hills, currently in 2nd grade and Kindergarten. Their younger son also benefited from the district's Junior Pre-K program. As a family, they value the close-knit community, the school's unique setting, and the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
Professionally, Joshua has spent the past 18 years in commercial real estate, overseeing the analysis and operation of shopping centers, industrial properties, and multifamily communities for long-term ownership. His work involves budgeting, strategic planning, evaluating capital investments, and making informed decisions based on research and expert input.
As both a parent and board member, Joshua is committed to preserving what makes Pocantico Hills special while helping ensure the district remains well-positioned for future generations of students.
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At the May 20 Board of Education Meeting, Teaching Assistant Daniel Downes, Director of Student Support Services Christy Perricelli, School Psychologist Ashley Macri and JPK Program Coordinator and Teacher Mia Kargen were granted tenure! |
While the weather did not cooperate, the community gathered inside the Pocantico Hills Fire Station in order to share a heartfelt ceremony in recognition of Memorial Day. The Pocantico Hills Band provided the music, and local dignitaries spoke.
Phillip Zeggarelli recalled his childhood friend, Howie Pyle, and their time in the Vietnam War.
Sadly Mr. Pyle, whose name is engraved in the memorial plaque outside of the school, never returned home. During their recent trip to Washington, D.C, eighth graders visited the Vietnam Memorial and paid their respects to the fallen hero.
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Students at Pocantico Hills Central School District have a new initiative to look forward to in the coming years. While the district’s Portrait of a Graduate has been slowly rolled out, this month students learned more details and gained better understanding of what this means for them. Read more about it here.
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This year the Pocantico Hills Annual Field Day took on a special theme. While many of the familiar fun activities were there — water games, strategic exercises — each activity this time reflected a pillar of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate.
Each pillar represents a trait students will be learning while they are students at Pocantico. The pillars consist of: Ethical, Thinker, Inclusive, Communicator and Financially Literate. Each activity encouraged students to use what they had learned about the traits as they enjoyed all the fun: How to problem solve with their peers, how to encourage one another, how to include everyone in the activity and even how to spend their money wisely!
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Each year sixth graders at Pocantico engage in a weeks-long research project where they delve into the Armenian refugee crisis in the early part of the last century and its aftermath. The class visits the nearby Rockefeller Archive Center where part of their research included looking and studying primary sources, including letters and newspaper articles.
Following their research, students share their work with family and friends. Read more about it here.
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Dear Pocantico Hills Community,
I would like to thank you once again for your support of the 2026-2027 School Budget and Phase III Capital Project. Your support guarantees we have the opportunity to continue to provide engaging educational opportunities for our students. Additionally, Phase III of the Capital Plan will continue the work that was begun to provide facilities for community use amongst our neighbors.
There is truly so much to look forward to in the year ahead, and I once again thank you for your continued support and partnership.
I would like to welcome our newest Board trustees, Carin Yuen and Joshusa Rosenfield. We look forward to working with them. A HUGE thank you to Alfred Pacile and Joseph McGrath for their service to our school and community.
I would like to extend my congratulations to Teaching Assistant Daniel Downes, Director of Student Support Services Christy Perricelli, School Psychologist Ashley Macri, and JPK Program Coordinator and Teacher Mia Kargen, who were awarded tenure earlier this month.
May has kept our school buzzing with activities from concerts to trips to Washington D.C. and the ever-popular Big Truck Day! And rest assured, there still has been plenty of time for learning. Our sixth graders did an amazing job with their research projects and students have been out in the gardens too.
The last several weeks will no doubt pass in a flash, and I encourage our students and staff to stay focused and enjoy what is to come.
Warm regards,
Rich Calkins
Superintendent of Schools
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Our 8th Graders had an amazing time exploring our Nation's Capital during their trip to Washington, D.C. The Class of 2026 visited the city and it's surroundings, visiting many historical sites and bonding as a group! |
Thank you to our PTA who provided a delicious lunch for our staff in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week! And THANK YOU to our incredible teachers and staff for everything they do! |
This spring our students burst into song, presenting several musical concerts, from our Elementary Spring Concert to our Middle School Chorus, Band and Jazz Band performances!
Our youngest students sang "Music is in All of Us," while our fourth and fifth graders presented an arrangement created by Music Teacher Juliet Freedman.
In another wonderful show from our Middle School students, Band Director Michael Murray and Music Teacher Juliet Freedman, assisted with our Fifth Grade Band, Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus, Sixth Grade Band, Jazz Band, Seventh and Eighth Grade Chorus and Seventh and Eighth Grade Band!
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The excitement was palpable during Big Truck Day! Our Elementary students had an absolute blast getting out and up close to some massive vehicles. There were several law enforcement vehicles, a fire truck, a Bee Line Bus, a landscape vehicle, tractor and yes, a Westchester County Police Helicopter! Thank you to our PTA for sponsoring this great event and thank you also to those who stopped by! |
June 8, PTA End of Year BBQ
June 10, Modified Sports Recognition Night, 7 p.m.
June 11, Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
June 12, Starlight Cinema - A Camp Poco Family Night, 6:30 pm
June 19, Juneteenth (School and District Office Closed)
June 24, Graduation, 7 p.m.
June 25, Last Day of School for Students (11:45 am dismissal)
June 29, First Day of Camp Poco
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