January 2015 Vol. 63 No. 1

Published by the Board of Education, Pleasantville Union Free School District, Pleasantville NY

Dear Neighbor,

If you think your property tax bill is higher than it should be, you’re right! Over the last four years, the median Pleasantville School District property owner paid $3,700 more in school taxes than they would have had New York State delivered the school aid levels promised in its 2009-10 state budget. Just last year alone, that same median property tax payer paid $974 more than they would have had the anticipated level of state aid been received. New York State has replaced Albany’s school aid obligations with our property tax dollars.

We need your help to effect change. At the end of January, Governor Cuomo will release his proposed budget for 2015-16. The state legis-lature will then have until April 1, 2015 to negotiate with the governor and approve a final budget. We must demand that the governor and the legislature in Albany make public education whole by restoring the promised level of state funding. The louder our voices, the more at-tention this issue will get, and the more likely we will be able to lower our property taxes.

Help the Board of Education help you. Visit the advocacy page of the school district website at www.pleasantvilleschools.com by clicking on the advocacy tab located in the upper left corner of the home page. This page contains non-partisan advocacy letters that can be filled out and sent directly to the governor, our regents and state legislators.

This is just one of the important issues the Board of Education is currently discussing at our board meetings. Come to Board of Educa-tion meetings to share your ideas and suggestions. Consider calling or inviting a board member over to learn more about state funding or other pressing topics like student testing, the Common Core and teacher evalu-ations. We look forward to your feedback, advocacy and suggestions.Sincerely,Shane McGaffeyPresident, Board of Education

Board of Education, seated: Vice President Emily Rubin Persons, President Shane McGaffey; standing: members Angela Vella, Larry Boes, Louis Conte

Brand New!At the Janu-ary 13 Board meeting, the c o m m u n i t y w a s i n t r o -

duced to the Pleasantville School District’s new, distinc-tive logo. It is the foundation of our brand, one that “reflects our mission and values and presents a consistent image across all forms of commu-nication” — an objective of Pleasantville Schools 2026’s Communications Strategy. In an increasingly visual and social media driven world, our brand will identify and differentiate us from all other districts.

The District hired studio-kat, a local design company, to work with its communications team on the branding process. Owners Kat and Greg Nemec have worked with a number of organizations in this capacity, including Westchester Com-munity College and CITY-term at The Masters School. They also brought an in-depth knowledge of the District as parents and active volunteers to the project. Watch the web-cast of the meeting on pctv76.org to learn about the design process.

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Pleasantville Schools 2026 — A Five-Year Strategic Plan

Each plan is followed by the names of those accountable for leading and supporting its implementation.

Strategy 1: We will design dynamic, differentiated learning environments infused with technology in the Arts. Plan 1: Explore nontraditional ways to showcase student talent in the Arts. Rosemary Brown, Peggy Galotti, Grace Lee, Jim Maron, Carolyn McGuffog, Vivian Ossowski, Erica SicilianoPlan 2: Develop flexible “innovative” learning spaces for the Arts and Music. Research using MS Maker Space for art and music. Plan 3: Explore nontraditional ways to showcase student talent through Music. Tom Heintzelman, Kat Hughes, Don Marra, John Morash, Dorian NuccioPlan 5: Create a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) position for the district. Mary-Fox Alter is preparing the groundwork for Year Two implementation.

Strategy2: We will design dynamic, differentiated environments infused with technology in the Sciences (STEM).

Plan 1: Design and implement a K-12 Science inquiry-based curriculum that meets and exceeds NGSS and NYS curriculum standards. Bryan Gaiser, Christine Harris, Lea Macdonald, Chrissie Moses, Joe Palumbo, Lisa Rodriguez, Ben SerebinPlan 2: Engage Middle Schoo l s tudents in inquiry-based learning and increase exposure to

bio-chem-physics interfaces by integrating a revised 5-8 STEM curriculum with targeted extended learning opportunities. Melissa Brown, Marissa Fraher, Janine Fugarino, Kern Mojica, Vivian Ossowski, Joanne PugliesePlan 3: Strengthen practice of inquiry-based learning and hands-on laboratory experience in K-12 in order to cultivate critical thinking skills. Peggy Galotti, Christine Harris, Chrissie Moses, Vivian Ossowski, Joe PalumboPlan 4: Administrative support of professional development. Mary Fox-Alter & all administratorsPlan 5: Peer supported professional development. Mary Fox-Alter, Carolyn McGuffog, Chris WelshPlan 8: Expand the Science Research Program at PHS. Gregg Fonde, Joanne Pugliese, Ed Dans

Plan 10: Offer training to introduce parents to and increase awareness of the Singapore Math curriculum so they can support s tudents at home. Expand teacher training and professional development in Singapore Math program to expand their knowledge and expertise. Chris DeGrazia, Don Marra, Mel issa Brown, Lea Macdonald, Lisa RodriguezPlan 11: Strengthen math curriculum/math literacy in

grades 1-8 by drawing from existing extended learning programs that emphasize non-standard and open-ended problem solving, for example Math Olympiad (grades 4-8) and Math Counts (grades 7-8). Patty Metzing, John Morash, Lisa RodriguezPlan 12: Transform/create physical spaces, one in each of the

Dear Community Members,

This fall I presented the outline for Year One of Pleasantville Schools 2026, our five-year strategic plan. This initiative is a renew-able plan that will serve as a blueprint for the future. As we move forward into this century, it is essential to keep our focus on what is important — the educa-

tional needs of our students. We named our plan Pleasantville Schools 2026 because 2026 is when last year’s kindergarten class will graduate from high school; the name serves as a reminder of the plan’s critical forward focus.

In Year One of Pleasantville Schools 2026, we have committed to the Action Plans listed below as the means to challenge and inspire all students to reach their highest potential. The Strategic Planning Team will meet in Spring 2015 to evaluate the year’s results and to prepare for Year Two. I look forward to sharing that infor-mation with you at a Board meeting. Sincerely,Mary Fox-AlterSuperintendent of Schools

MS Computer Programming

BRS Marine Biology

PHS Engineering Elective

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Pleasantville Schools 2026 — A Five-Year Strategic Planschool buildings, to encourage collaborative and cooperative learning and offer hands-on learning opportunities. (MS: Maker Space; PHS: Engineering Elective) Gregg Fonde, Marissa Fraher, Kern Mojica, Vivian Ossowski, Joe Palumbo, Joanne PugliesePlan 15: Establish a Help Desk for students and teachers to improve knowledge of technology use, and improve effectiveness of use of technology and teaching and learning. Joanne Pugliese, Drew Marino

Strategy 3: We will design dynamic, differentiated environments infused with technology in the Humanities.Plan 2: Implement a multi-year humanities research program at PHS. (Create a proposal for 2015-2016.) Gregg Fonde, Virginia ManciniPlan 3: Train teachers to incorporate aspects of the flipped, problem-based, and cooperative learning classrooms. (MS & PHS) Melissa Brown, Lea Macdonald, Don Marra, Tracy O’Sullivan, Vivian Ossowski, Joe PalumboPlan 5: Enhance the development, implementation, and evaluation of the annual Professional Development Plan (PDP). (*writing) Melissa Brown, Peggy Galotti, Scott Johnson, Virginia Mancini, Carolyn McGuffog, John Morash, Vivian Ossowski, Joe PalumboPlan 6: Establish metrics/rubrics to evaluate the effectiveness of development programs/activities. Mary Fox-Alter, Carolyn McGuffog, Chris WelshPlan 7: Implement an internship program that allows students in grades 10-12 to explore career/outside learning opportunities. Gregg Fonde, Andrea Garbarini, Dan Iorio, Joe PalumboPlan 8: Implement an evaluation process for High School courses. Gregg Fonde, Virginia Mancini, Joe PalumboPlan 12: Expand opportunities for K-12 students to engage in literary pursuits outside the classroom. (MS only) Melissa Brown, Dawn Cavrell-Epstein, Keith Grasmann, Tara Mullin, Vivian Ossowski

Strategy 4: We will explore, design, and realize optimal uses of time, space, and place.Plan 1: Rearrange the master schedule to maximize student learning in BRS, PMS, and PHS. Gregg Fonde, Peggy Galotti, Don Marra (planning for 2015-2016), Donna Gavagan, Tracy O’SullivanPlan 3: Improve the middle school and elementary school facilities. (BRS only) Peggy Galotti, Steve Chamberlain, David QuattrocchiPlan 5: Increase professional capacity through teacher collaboration and professional development. Mary Fox-Alter, Peggy Galotti, Vivian Ossowski

Strategy 5: We will sustain and expand our climate of holistic wellness.

Plan 1: Increase daily movement in the lives of students K-12. (BRS & MS) Bob Jordon, Don Marra, Tom Micucci, Jen Picco, Ila Vinchkoski, Liz Sebring, Lindsey Rosenthal, Tina DeVoePlan 2: Add more from-scratch, fresh, locally sourced, and organic food to our cafeteria menus. District Wellness CommitteePlan 3: Add and update curriculum standards for nutrition education at each grade level and provide resources and tools for teachers to teach to these standards. Don Marra, Nancy Neumeister, Lois ShillitoPlan 5: Apply for and receive a Drug Free Coalition Grant.

If awarded ($125,000/year for a five year period), it will fund permissible grant activities relating to drug preventive activities for Pleasantville Youth. Implement the funding for Substance Abuse prevention among our youth in Pleasantville with permissible uses as outlined in the Drug Free Coalition Grant. Pleasantville STRONG: Mary Fox-Alter, Gregg Fonde, Joe Palumbo, Shane McGaffey, John Mueller

Strategy 6: We will communicate to inform and empower.Plan 1: Establish a progressive communication team, clearly defined and supported. (Phase 1) Sam Aidala, Mary Fox-Alter, Evelyn McCormack, Julie Schwartz, Emily Rubin Persons, Angela VellaPlan 3: Efficiently utilize and maximize the potential of our website and technology to assure clear and concise communication for all stakeholders. Sam Aidala,

Mary Fox-Alter, Peggy Galotti, Vivian Ossowski, Joe Palumbo, Julie Schwartz, Evelyn McCormackPlan 4: Establish a social communication platform for the Pleasantville School District community. Sam Aidala, Mary Fox-Alter, Evelyn McCormackPlan 5: Create a brand for the Pleasantville School District that reflects our mission and values and presents a consistent image across all forms of communication. Mary Fox-Alter, Peggy Galotti, Vivian Ossowski, Joe Palumbo, Julie Schwartz, Angela Vella, Emily Rubin Persons

Strategy 7: We will strengthen existing and develop new community partnerships.Plan 1: Design, manage, and sustain a database portal for the community at large to communicate internship and community/school partnership opportunities and needs. Gregg Fonde, Dan Iorio, Sue Leyden, Chris WelshPlan 5: Create and develop an alternative high school program, in addition to BOCES, that is open to a diverse student body which allows them to learn in a non-traditional setting and provides opportunities for real world experiences within the community. Sam Aidala, Gregg Fonde, Andrea Garbarini, Dan Iorio, Drew Marino, Carolyn McGuffog, Juliette Saisselin

Pleasantville Academy – Alternative High School Program

MS Yoga Homebase

John Mueller, founder of Pleasantville

STRONG

School News — Achievements & Awards

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Class of 2014 AP Scholars: Nickolas Andreac-chi, Danielle Bucciero, Jack Butler, Amanda Colmenares, Claire Cun-ningham, Ezekiel Davis, Daniella Dorio, James Finnegan, Nicholas Hine, Alexa Kantor, Sam Koved, James Leyden, Amy Mackin, Anita Manimala, Paul Manna, Liam Marmo, Casey McBride, Margaret McCar-thy, Caroline Mullane, Olivia Passy, Elizabeth Stargiotti, Isabella Ward, Lila Weinstein. AP Scholars with Honor: Jianna Bennetti, Sammi Borsellino, McClain Butcher, Brittany Ciano, Elizabeth Hammond, Maggie Rose Heidepriem, Anne Horton, Gabrielle Santander.AP Scholars with Distinction: Erin Biggar, Thomas Bostwick, Adam Bucheister, Hannah Buckstine, Jesse Calhoun, Alex Catalan, Cary Chap-man, Alexandra Ciarcia, Michael Darmohraj, Sasha Dolgetta, Julia Eisenberg, Lily Fearon, Charles Finn, Jacqueline Fisher, Dylan Franks, Selina Gerosa, Elen Halimou, Maria Howe, Katherine Hoyt, Aaron Huang, Claire Inglis, Devin Kalish, Heather Kalish, Nina Kapoor, Margaret Kel-ley, Aviva Klein, Brendan Largey, Justin Maldonado, Hagerah Malik, Jacob Nemec, Kimerly O’Keeffe, Owen Reda, Grace Rountry, Jessica Santos, Claire Schneider, Mimi Sill-ings, Miranda Stein, Magdalen Sul-livan, Benjamin Taubenblatt, Jacob Wallace. National AP Scholars: Cary Chap-man, Sasha Dolgetta, Julia Eisenberg, Dylan Franks, Aaron Huang, Aviva Klein, Hagerah Malik, and Jessica Santos also received the National AP Scholar Award, given to students who scored 4 or higher on 8 or more AP Exams and had an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken.

The College Board gave out 104 AP Scholar awards to Pleasantville High School students for their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. Twenty-five are members of the Class of 2015 and have the opportunity for further recognition. About 22% of the 2.2 million students who took AP Exams earned awards.

AP Exams are graded on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest grade. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement, based on the number of AP Exams taken and the scores earned: AP Scholar (scored 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams), AP Scholar with Honor (scored 3 or higher on 4 or more AP Exams, with an average grade of 3.25 or above), and AP Scholar with Distinction (scored 3 or higher on 5 or more AP Exams, with an average grade of 3.5 or above).

Class of 2015 — Front Row: AP Scholars Terence Crowe, Michael Zakher, Sarah Paraszcak, Eleanor Bentley, Thomas Marrone, Eli Waxler, Leo Tulchin, Patrick Watts. Middle Row: AP Scholars Isak Leon, Alexandria Puccia, Vanessa DeMeo, Angela Calvi, Monique Ng, Ryan Soohoo, Jacob Levine. Top Row: AP Scholars with Distinction Eamon Coburn, Tucker Coburn, Rosie Reilly and AP Scholars with Honor Calyn Bronkema, Jordan Frank, Isabella Schwartz, Victoria Macera, Jackson Wong, Danielle Murray.Not pictured: AP Scholar Kathryn McAllister

Reporting errors sometimes occur. Anyone who is aware of one should contact The College Board directly.

PHS Students Earned 104 AP Scholar Awards

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School News — Achievements & Awards

Front: Natalie Dell, Kimberly Chia, Laura Chapman, Lorenzo Castoldi, Hannah Baylies, James Bathon. Middle: Elena Phethean, Sabrina Mittelstadt, Patrick McPhee, James McCarthy, Philip Garbarini, Jack Finnegan. Back: Sophie Dora Tulchin, Rithvik Subramanya, Annie Stockel, Samantha Sicignano, Halle Sarner, Alana Ruth, Karina Roye. Not Pictured: David Zweibaum.

New Honor Society Members Inducted

Row 1: Alyssa Kerper, Mallory Kantor, Elena Phethean, Samantha Sicignano, Alyssa Rufino, Kiernan McCarthy, Janna McPartland, Sophia Maldonado, Liana Frasca, James Bathon, Alexander Tjia. Row 2: Michael Zakher, Andrew Dorflinger, Baylor Rosenbaum, Lorenzo Castoldi, Rithvik Subramanya, Jack Finnegan, Philip Garbarini, Patrick McPhee, Aidan McDermott, Mark Damboragian, David Zweibaum. Row 3: Rachel Cooper, Linda Perlleshi, Annie Kate Stockel, Michelle DeSa, Abigail Iaconis, Karina Roye, Nicole DiFabio, Sophie Dora Tulchin, Halle Sarner, James McCarthy. Row 4: Audrey Tuck, Rebecca Lord, Kimberly Chia, Amelia Stargiotti, Madison McKinney, Natalie Dell, Amanda Posa, Mollie Keller, Jaclyn Aloia, Charlotte Hill, Laura Chapman, Hannah Baylies.

Forty-four students were inducted into the National Honor Society in September at an evening ceremony held in the High School Auditorium.

The Science National Honor Society inducted twenty new members at an October ceremony held in the High School cafeteria.

Look for a Free District Appfor Apple and Android

Smartphones and Tablets

Italian AwardsAt left: Mark Indriolo, Mrs. Sillings

Mark Indriolo (MS) and Tucker Coburn (PHS) received an Outstand-ing Student of Italian Award from the Westchester Coalition of Italian American Organizations, which also recognized teachers Julie Sillings (MS) and Josephine Stinziani (PHS). Audrey Tocco was recognized by the Westchester County Board of Legislators for excellence in Italian.

Mrs. Stinziani, Audrey Tocco, Tucker Coburn

Youth Leadership

Lee Greenwald and Mary Kate Crowe (left & center) were chosen to attend the 2015 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) in June at Adelphi College. James Grom (right) is the Pleasantville Rotary Club’s representative to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards conference (RYLA) that will be held in April at the Alpine Scout Camp in Alpine, New Jersey.

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School News — Achievements & Awards

National Merit Scholarship

In September, Eamon Coburn and Rosie Reilly were named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program; and Tucker Coburn, Isabella Schwartz, and Jackson Wong were named Commended Students.

Of the 1.4 million high school students in 22,000 high schools who entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program , only the 50,000 highest-scoring participants receive recognition as either Semifinalists (16,000) or Commended Students (34,000). Semifinal-ists have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships, worth about $33 million, that will be offered in the spring.

Semifinalists are designated on a state representa-tional basis (that is, the number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors; one state’s Semifinalist is another’s Commended Student, and vice versa). This nationwide pool of Semifinalists comprises less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. This year’s qualifying score for Semifinalist ranged from 201 to 224 and was 218 in New York.

Commended Students, who are honored with Let-ters of Commendation, scored at or above the national Selection Index of 201, but below the Semifinalist qualifying score for their states.

Front: Eamon Coburn, Rosie Reilly; back: Tucker Coburn, Isabella Schwartz, Jackson Wong.

Fall Varsity AwardsBoys’ Cross Country.* All State: Drew Dorflinger. All Section: Drew Dorflinger, Eli Waxler. All League: Eamon Coburn, Drew Dorflinger, Aidan McDermott, Declan McDermott, Patrick Watts, Eli Waxler, JC Yahia. Westchester All-County Team, First Team: Drew Dorflinger, Eli Waxler; Second Team: Aidan McDermott; Third Team: Eamon Coburn, Declan McDermott, Patrick Watts, JC Yahia. Journal News Coach of the Year: Tom Patterson. Journal News All-Stars, Second Team: Drew Dorflinger, Eli Waxler; Honorable Mention: Aidan McDermott.

Girls’ Cross Country.* All League: Rachel Cooper, Ashlin Leen, Mary Beth Whalen.

Field Hockey.* All Elite: Cassidy McCrea. All Section Honorable Mention: Jacqueline Bendeson. All League: Jacqueline Bendeson, Jamie Danyko, Cassidy McCrea, Alyssa Nagel, Isabella Schwartz. All League Honorable Mention: Michelle Alva-rez, Victoria Macera, Kathleen Passabet, Lauren Turenchalk. Journal News All-Stars, Honorable Mention: Cassidy McCrea.

Football. All Section: John Tucci. All Conference: Brandon Castro, Thomas Marrone. All Conference Honorable Mention: Jack Drillock. All League: Jack Browne, Brandon Castro, Jack Drillock, Thomas Marrone, Baylor Rosenbaum, John Tucci. All League Honorable Mention: Bryan Arcidiacono, Terence Crowe, Josh Della Puca, Mike Hammond, Sam Mendez, Logan Schneeweiss, Frank Tirri. Section I Co-Lineman of the Year: John Tucci. All-State1 Third Team Defense: John Tucci. Journal News All-Stars, Second Team Offense: John Tucci.

Boys’ Soccer. All Section: Jonathan Kyriakidis. All Section Honorable Mention: Christopher Maloney. All League: Patrick Killion, Jonathan Kyriakidis, Christopher Maloney, Jeffrey Wang. All League Honorable Mention: Adem Becer, Nolan McAn-drew, Pat McPhee, Liam Perrine, Greg Santora, Danylo Yanovskiy. League Coach of the Year: Savvas Kyriakidis. Journal News All-Stars, Honor-able Mention: Jonathan Kyriakidis; Fan-Selected All-Star Team: Jonathan Kyriakidis.

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School News — Achievements & Awards

Girls’ Soccer.* All Section: Remi Manna. All Section Honorable Mention: Claire Pickens. All League: Alynne Jeanty, Remi Manna, Caitlin O’Neill, Claire Pickens. All League Honorable Mention: Olivia Heintzman, Katie McAllister.

Tennis. All League: Olivia Ashton, Amanda Posa, Courtney Sheehy. All League Honorable Mention: Laura Chapman, Lissie Gellman. Journal News All-Stars, Second Team: Amanda Posa & Olivia Ashton (doubles).

Swimming. All League: Rosie Reilly.

* NYS Scholar/Athlete Team1 All-State teams are selected by the NYS Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA)

Kneeling: Conor Sweeney, Greg Hunter, Max Strober, JC Yahia, Philippe Yahia, Estuardo Mejia, Ben Trombetta, Steven Jara, James Persons, Max Coleman, Declan McDermott, John Bentley, Jack Cooper, Robert Feeney. Standing: Assistant Coaches Brett Alcantara & Rebecca Demetropoulos, Hayden McBride, Thomas McHale, Will Blasdell, Mitchell Rosenshine, Kent Arnold, Brendan Roney, Eli Waxler, Tucker Coburn (alternate), Patrick Watts, Sean Cotter, Drew Dorflinger, Eamon Coburn, Aidan McDermott, Kevin Largey, Jack Geier, Thomas Carty, Justin Lupo, Coach Tom Patterson. Not pictured: Daniel Ammirati. (Photo: PHS Yearbook)

The top seven runners (names in italics) competed in the Section and County meets, repeating as Section champion (and placing first in the merged results for the 50 teams in Section One) and winning the team’s first-ever County championship. The same group plus an alternate competed in the New York State finals and placed third in Class C.

Boys’ Cross Country: League, Section, & County Champions

Spring 2014 AwardSoftball coach Gina Perino was se-lected as the league’s Coach of the Year. The award was reported too late to be included in the Summer 2014 newsletter.

MilestonesGirls’ Varsity Soccer forward Remi Man-na, a junior, scored her 50th career goal during the regular season. The current PHS record is 69 goals.

Girls’ Varsity Bas-ketball player Josie Amerson, a senior, scored her 1000th career point during a 47–19 win against Croton in the second

game of the new year. She is the first female athlete to do so since Maggie Bramswig, Class of 2004.

RemiManna

JosieAmerson

Eagle Scout ProjectSenior Robert Santander built a viewing platform for the field be-hind the High School for his Eagle Scout project. He was assisted by other scouts from his troop and members of the District’s Buildings & Grounds crew.

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School News — Achievements & Awards

PHS All-County and All-State Musicians

Standing: Orchestra teacher Mary Ann Meade, Band members Ricky Tegtmeier (trombone), Eddie Tu (alto sax), Band teacher Dr. Tom Heintzelman. Seated: Orchestra members Samantha D’Angelo (viola), Kirstie Connon (violin), Gregory Hunter (double bass).

Five instrumentalists and eleven vo-calists participated in the 2014 West-chester Area All-State Concert held at SUNY Purchase last November. The annual event is a showcase for the top high school (grades 10–12) musicians in the county.

Three vocalists — Liana Frasca, James McCarthy, and Elena Pheth-ean — also performed at the New York State School Music Associa-tion’s All-State Festival that was held in Rochester last December. This is the highest achievement that a high school musician can attain within New York State.

Front: Sophie Dora Tulchin, Elena Phethean, Sophia Maldonado, Michelle DeSa, Liana Frasca, Jacob Levine. Back: James McCarthy, Calyn Bronkema, Alyssa Kerper, Dane Bishop, Abigail Iaconis, Choral teacher Kathleen Donovan-Warren.

MS Geography Bee

Front: Michael LaCapria, Amina Fayaz, Kyle Largey. Middle: Grace Capko, Nicholas Vines, James Blasdell. Top: Andrew Skrzypczak (1st place), Daniel Schuster (runner up).

On January 5, eight finalists — two grade-level winners each from grades 5-8 — vied for the school championship in the Middle School’s third annual National Geographic Bee. Two remained after several rounds of increasingly difficult questions — eighth grad-ers Daniel Schuster and Andrew Skrzypczak. The Championship Round ended in a tie that was resolved when Andrew correctly answered a “sudden death” ques-tion and claimed the school title. He later sat for a written test that will determine his participation in the state level competition. (State winners advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C.)

Faculty members Melissa Brown and Robert Slotoroff organized the event, which included several weeks of competitions that were open to all Middle School students.

7th & 8th Musical: The Pajama Game

Seventh and eighth grade cast and crew members staged The Pajama Game, directed by BRS music teacher Katherine Hughes, in December. They were supported by teachers Hillary Johnson, Dorian Nuccio, and Jon Vercesi and a number of MS PTA volunteers.

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School News — A Sampling of Events

Fourth graders worked together on building the tallest structure possible with cups, one of ten activities in the BRS PTA’s “Teamwork Counts” program.

Seventh graders engaged in hands-on, curriculum-related activities such as a pond study during their Sharpe Reservation Environmental Trip. (Photo: Angela Zappavigna)

Pleasantville Rotary members distributed smoke detectors to all kindergarten students (above) and volunteers from the Pleasantville Fire Department held a Fire Prevention & Safety assembly for all BRS students (right) — annual Fire Prevention Week events.

Fourth grade chorus members, under the direction of Katherine Hughes, performed at the Pleasantville Veterans Day Celebration.

Ashley O’Hara’s fifth grade class sang a selection of patriotic songs, accompanied by Dorian Nuccio, and presented their research on Veterans Day prior to joining the veterans for breakfast and conversation at the Clinton Street Center’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast.

Ve te rans Sco t t E l l i o t t and Roy Westmoreland provided first-person accounts of U.S. military actions in Iraq and Cuba, respectively, to Tom Baffuto’s Military History class.

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District News

Staff ChangesOur new staff members filled positions made available through leaves of absence, resignations, and retire-ments. Many of them have been teacher aides, teach-ing assistants, and substitute teachers in our schools.

Bedford Road School welcomed Assistant Prin-cipal John Morash, speech therapists Megan Collins and Monica Nolan, and special education teacher Tina Devoe (K learning specialist). In addition, Lauren Da-vidson (1st grade) returned from child rearing leave.

Joining the Middle School are special education teacher Michele Compito (5/6 ISP), music teacher Hillary Johnson (6,7, & 8 Chorus, General Music), and teaching assistants Allison Levy and Laura Tarantino. Also, Ashley O’Hara (5th grade) returned from child rearing leave.

New staff members at Pleasantvlle High School include Principal Joe Palumbo; psychologist Rukmini Bhalla; general education teachers Daria Anuszkiewicz (World History 9, Global 10, Journalism), Filiz Becer

Front: Alison Levy, Michele Compito, Laura Tarantino; Back: John Morash, Megan Collins

Rukmini Bhalla, Monica Nolan, Tina Devoe

Row 1: Keith Gardener, Rikki Saperstein, Kesiah Mathew; Row 2: Daniel Brink, Daria Anuszkiewicz, John Liberti; Row 3: Filiz Becer, Lisa DiCeglio, Erica Flynn; Row 4: Joe Palumbo

(Earth Science), Lisa DiCeglio (Geometry, Algebra), Erica Flynn (Global 9, U.S. History, Economics), Kesiah Mathew (Biology, Criminalistics, Conceptual Physics), and Rikki Saperstein (Global 9, Govern-ment, Economics); special education teachers Daniel Brink (Global 9M, Global 10M) and John Liberti (Integrated Algebra, Resource); and teaching assistant Keith Gardener.

Hillary Johnson, Ashley O’Hara, Lauren Davidson

Sara Roth (BRS & PHS), Kristin Oliverio (BRS & PHS), Magda Buczek, (PMS & PHS), Samantha Turco (BRS & PMS), and Stephanie Samar (BRS & PMS). Not pictured: Externs Cassie Fromowitz (BRS), Sarah Fryd (PHS).

Psychology Interns

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District & Board News

In Recognition of Service

Bob Bernarducci, Eileen Yee, Mary Fox-Alter, Debbie Anttila, and Eileen Prizeman were rec-ognized at the first Superintendent’s Conference Day of the school year for their twenty-five years of service to the District.

Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter presented a Com-munity Service Award to

siblings Joe and Justine Racioppo, PHS Class of 1970, for creating two matching landscape elements in front of Pleasantville High School.

The Corporation for National and Community Service presented BRS teacher Deirdre Vedovino with its President’s Call to Service Award in recognition of her volunteer work with United Cerebral Palsy.

Transportation RequestsRequests for transportation to private and parochial schools for the 2015-2016 school year must be sub-mitted in writing to the District Office by April 1, 2015. A family moving into the District after this date must submit a written request to the District Office within 30 days of occupancy if transportation to a private or parochial school is required. These deadlines are strictly observed.

A new request must be submitted each year, even if transportation is currently being provided. Forms are available on the District website. For more information, contact the Business Office at 741-1400, x10521.

Board Meetingsthrough June 2015

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings of the Board of Education begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Pleasant-ville High School Library Media Center. Reports scheduled are subject to change. Information on the upcoming Board meeting is available at www.pleasantvilleschools.com and 741-1460. Every meeting provides an opportunity for comments and questions from the audience.

Tuesday, February 10• Technology Update• Work Session: 2015-2016 BudgetTuesday, March 3• 2015-2016 Budget Analysis

Tuesday, March 10• 2015-2016 Budget Analysis

Tuesday, March 24• Proposed 2015-2016 Budget• Winter Athletic Season RecapTuesday, April 14Tuesday, April 28Tuesday, May 5 Budget Hearing followed by Public Meeting

Tuesday, May 19Tuesday, June 2Tuesday, June 16

The Board of EducationPresidentShane McGaffey (409-3487)pleasantboard6@gmail.comVice PresidentEmily Rubin Persons (747-1036)pleasantboardep@gmail.comMembersLarry Boes (773-1882)pleasantboardlb@gmail.comLouis Conte (773-1532)pleasantboard7@gmail.comAngela Vella (769-5629)pleasantboardav@gmail.comSuperintendent of Schools Mary Fox-AlterDistrict Websitewww.pleasantvilleschools.comBoard Meetings and School Closings: 741-1460Editor / PhotographerJulie Schwartz

Board of EducationPleasantville Union Free School District60 Romer AvenuePleasantville, New York 10570

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SUBSCRIBE to BOEblast, the Board of Education’s email system, to receive timely news on school-related issues. Send your email address to bdofed@pville.k12.ny.us

Kindergarten RegistrationA Letter of Intent was mailed to Bedford Road School’s list of households with children eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2015 (five-years-old on or before December 1, 2015). Those with eli-gible children who did not receive this letter can either print one from the District website (on the BRS home page, click on “Kindergarten Letter of Intent 2015-2016” under News and Announcements) or call the school (741-1441).

There is an orientation pro-gram for incoming kindergarten parents, “A Peek into Kindergar-ten,” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, in the BRS Little Theater.

Man of La Mancha Coming to PHS StageThe cast and crews are busy preparing Man of La Mancha, the upcoming PHS Performing Arts musical production, for five performances in March. Evening performances will begin at 8 p.m. on March 6, 7, 13, and 14; the matinee performance on March 8 will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at phsplay.org and, if available, at the door one hour prior to each performance.

Man of La Mancha opened on Broadway in 1965 and won five Tony awards, including Best Musical. Songs include “Man of La Mancha,” “Dulcinea,” “What Does He Want of Me?,” and “The Impossible Dream.” It was in-

spired by the seventeenth-century masterpiece Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. (Evening performance time corrected, 2.05.15)

Seated: Liana Frasca (Aldonza/Dulcinea), Michael Bloom (Sancho Panza); Standing: James McCarthy (Don Quixote)