PRSD Pulse
October 2022
Greetings Pearl River School District Families and Staff,
February was a short but heart-filled month, as our students, educators and staff were certainly busy! Schools engaged in spirit building activities and a variety of assemblies that supported a sense of community and purpose.
Throughout the month, our K-12 students across our school buildings celebrated Black History Month with engaging lessons, projects, read-alouds and discussions that integrated ongoing classroom curriculum with stories of influential and impactful Black individuals spanning broad fields like the arts, science, politics, literature, and athletics. In addition, our District celebrated much including: the achievements of our student-musicians selected for the Rockland County Music Educators Association’s Junior All-County Music Festival (February 3-4), our school counselors during National School Counseling Week (February 6-10), the 100th day of school milestone (February 10), the critical work of our School Resource Officer Mark Durney (on School Resource Officer Appreciation Day which took place on February 15), reading activities (during the annual Rockland Read-In on February 17 along with month-long Drop Everything and Read and Pick a Reading Partner/PARP events), the debate work of our PRHS students who participated in the Rockland County Forensics League First Round Debate (February 15), the incredible STEM work from students who participated in the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Science Olympiad Competition (February 4), and the awarding of the 2023 Lauren Buonocore National Girls and Women in Sports Award to physical education teacher/coach Shannon Flood.
As we enter March and usher in the beginning of warmer months ahead, I am looking forward to continuing to share PRSD’s news of the latest happenings in academics, the arts, and athletics. Stay tuned…
Sincerely,
Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed.D.
Honors (pictured) and Regents U.S. History students in Social Studies teacher Jeffrey Michael's class at Pearl River High School completed a Black History Month research project -- spending the month of February learning about the lives of significant African American figures and their central role in American history. Creating an informative flyer and presentation, students noted facts about their selected individual's triumphs and struggles -- noting their personal journey and impactful work. Students were instructed to select a figure based on their personal interests spanning broad fields ranging from the arts, to sciences, to literature, to athletics, to politics. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
As a culminating activity of their latest Social Studies unit on Ancient Civilization, fifth graders in Allison McCrory's class at Pearl River Middle School worked in small groups to create an informational picture book -- shared during the February 17 Rockland Read-In festivities! Students were instructed to choose a non-fiction text structure from the various structures they learned about in their English Language Arts (ELA) class to use to write their books -- merging curriculum focuses. Students then chose a topic that they were most interested in while studying the Mayans, Aztec and Incas to focus their book on with their group members. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Second graders at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School FLExed their math knowledge...with a Balloon Toss activity! Inside Courtney O'Grady's classroom, students used their Flexible Learning Exchange (FLEx) period to put their addition and subtraction skills to the test -- working individually to solve problems on their module worksheets. As Ms. O'Grady played music, students tossed balloons into the air -- each with written math problems to solve. Once the music stopped, these mathematicians carefully analyzed the mixed operations on their caught balloons, using regrouping to successfully calculate sums and differences. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Third graders at Franklin Avenue Elementary School weaved together their in-depth research of inspirational African American figures with colorful creativity...working individually to create a 'piece' of their Black History Month quilt project! Beginning with selecting a person they would like to study at random, students kicked off their research using books and online web sources to gather information to include. Ranging from individuals like Serena Williams, to Louis Armstrong, to Arthur Ashe, to Mary McLead Bethune, students noted character traits, challenges and obstacles faced, and accomplishments/achievements -- adding facts to a worksheet that served as fabric for their classroom quilt. Third grade Stars then colored in illustrations of their figures, bringing their own 'piece' to life. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
February 17 was one for the books! Across the District, our K-12 buildings participated in the 39th-annual Rockland BOCES-sponsored Rockland Read-In as our students spent time during their school day to read for pleasure -- and reignited their love for book exploration through individual reading time, read alouds, library visits, reading-centered activities, and book-oriented classroom lessons.
Inside Pearl River Middle School, fifth grade students hosted a grand opening of their classroom libraries, coffeehouse style, -- 'sampling' genres, 'tasting' different writing styles, organizing their bookshelves, creating book wishlists and sharing in the joy of reading with their peers. Having received over 400 new books from the District to add to their classroom collections, students worked to both book sort and browse...
At our elementary schools (pictured: Lincoln Avenue Elementary School), students cracked open books of their choice, with some even sharing their favorite stories, authors and genres and with their fellow classmates. As grade-levels set goals for reading, students in grades K-4 logged minutes -- tracking their reading time over the course of the month. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
The PRSD congratulates Pearl River High School physical education teacher and athletics coach Shannon Flood as the recipient of the 2023 Lauren Buonocore National Girls & Women in Sports Award! Each year as part of an annual celebration, the Pearl River Athletics Department presents this award to a selected individual -- honoring both previous and current contributors to women's athletics in the District. During the month of February, the powerful impact of the presence of women in sports, and their many athletic achievements, is celebrated and commemorated -- along with acknowledging and addressing the challenges regarding equal participation in sports women face. Shannon is passionate and dedicated to encouraging her students, and her athletes, to put in the work in order to discover their far-reaching potential -- serving as a P.E. teacher and varsity girls winter and spring track & field coach for six years, and as a junior varsity volleyball coach for five years.
The award Shannon was honored with on February 6 (during the 32nd-annual ceremony) was renamed after late PRHS teacher and the District’s first girls varsity lacrosse coach Lauren Buonocore who passed away in February 2002, following a brave battle against metastatic breast cancer. Buonocore’s impactful legacy continues to serve as a driving force of inspiration, courage and determination for all students, faculty, staff, coaches, parents and members of the Pearl River school community. Read more about Shannon on Facebook and Instagram.
On February 15, Pearl River High School hosted a number of local school districts for the Rockland County Forensics League First Round Debate! Teams from Nanuet High School, Clarkstown High School North, Suffern High School, Spring Valley High School and North Rockland High School each debated the resolution: There should (not) be a Universal Basic Income of $1000 given to every American adult. Assuming the sides of affirmative and negative arguments, students debated in groups within their teams as a panel of judges determined the winners based on the strength of their arguments and team professionalism.
The PRSD congratulates students Fiona A., Samantha A., Anna H., Jewel J., Aidan M., Sophia M., Joseph M. and Jack M. (as well as Debate Club advisors and tournament directors Emily Perlman and Julie Pocalyko) for their preparation and participation! On March 8, these PRHS students will compete in the next round of debates hosted at Clarkstown High School North. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Third graders in Marie Walmsley's and Nancy Ferst's classes at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School learned all about Black History Month and its importance...as they worked individually to complete a research activity, using their Chromebooks, during their FLEx (Flexible Learning Exchange) period. Students explored famous and influential African American figures -- like Ruby Bridges, Jackie Robinson, Katherine Johnson and Maya Angelou -- who paved the way, inspired change and impacted our country's history. Students learned that it's not only adults who have the power to ignite a movement...kids certainly can too! Just like Yolanda Renee King (Martin Luther King, Jr.'s granddaughter who uses her voice to help others), Genesis Butler (who serves as a young environmental activist), and Sidney Keys III (who is increasing African American representation in literacy), students can achieve anything they put their minds to. Third grade Lions then completed worksheets -- selecting a person of interest and detailing notable information about their life and their work. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Across the District (and inside sixth grade English Language Arts teacher Tina Addino's classroom at Pearl River Middle School), student writing is always celebrated, and constructive criticism is welcomed! After wrapping up their narrative writing, these sixth graders engaged in a peer editing activity, as they read one another's work and provided feedback on their classmates' papers for the author to read. During their free time in class, students viewed narrative stories posted on an interactive bulletin board, allowing the class to read and critique one another while learning how to provide positive feedback and suggestions for areas of improvement.
"This learning activity served as a great way to celebrate students' hard work and the overall writing process itself," said Ms. Addino. "The students were both engaged and eager to read one another's stories. These students are telling their stories, one narrative at a time...as thinkers, planners, collaborators, editors and authors! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
On February 14, Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove classroom was transformed into a mini museum/display of famous African American inventors and inventions in honor of Black History Month -- thanks to Better Together (a partnership between the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education, and the Haverstraw African American Connection). Available to students and staff during lunch periods and after school, facilitators Virginia Norfleet and Andrea Winograd fielded questions from PRHS administrators, staff and students in attendance -- discussing the local history of Rockland County and the various African American inventors who created many important essentials, tools and products we use and consume on a daily basis. "There was a large student response following what they learned here after their visit to the mini museum," stated Norfleet. "Many did not know about these individuals and their contributions to our country and to our society, and this is why we have these conversations and teach this important history. Education and conversation is essential in cultivating acceptance and understanding."
Norfleet and Winograd spoke candidly about their work together -- serving as a team that aims to bolster public engagement to fight racism, antisemitism, and hate of all kinds through community building, conflict resolution, critical dialogue and education. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
February 15 marked National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, and the PRSD recognizes, and thanks, our School Resource Officer (SRO) Mark Durney! A specially-trained, sworn law enforcement officer with the Orangetown Police Department (OPD), Officer Durney provides knowledge and expertise in the areas of school safety procedures, emergency response preparedness, counseling, promoting drug-free schools and crisis management -- working with our district using community-oriented policing concepts. Recently promoted as an OPD Detective following eight years of service with the police department, Officer Durney serves our district as a dedicated SRO -- working to protect our school buildings and keep our students safe. We sincerely thank you, Officer Durney! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Student-members of Evans Park Elementary School's Tigers United Club stopped into kindergarten and first grade classrooms to read aloud the book, "Mae Among the Stars," written by Roda Ahmed in honor of Black History Month! Inspired by the life of Mae Jemison -- an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut who became the first Black woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 -- the book shares the message of aiming for the stars when it comes to accomplishing goals and dreams, no matter how out of reach they may seem.
During these routine read-aloud sessions, our youngest learners have the opportunity to listen to inspirational short stories read by fourth graders -- amplifying their voices, allowing them to serve as student mentors, and further promoting acceptance of all differences through storytelling. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
In celebration of the 100th day of school (February 10) in the PRSD, first graders at Franklin Avenue Elementary School engaged in a day of learning activities across subjects all centered on the number 100..and some even dressed to fit the part, donning their best elderly attire! Across our school buildings, various grade levels and classrooms tailored their lessons and ongoing curriculum work with the 100th day of school -- an exciting milestone for our students and staff members in the 2022-23 school year.
Inside Emily Jamett's classroom, students were assigned a top secret, confidential mission for the day...to find 'Zero the Hero' and bring him back for the 100th day of school! Inside their mission packets, students worked on activities that assisted in literacy and math practice, like writing about what they would do with $100 and what they think they'll look like when they're 100, as well as counting and number practice. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
To celebrate the 100th day of school on February 10, sixth grade students in Shauna O'Flynn's and Karen Krystel's math classes at Pearl River Middle School engaged in a rotational station-centered activity in the PRMS library -- as they learned all about how income tax affects salaries! As part of their ongoing unit, students gained an understanding of the impact of tax, and how tax is computed.
In this lesson, students computed the tax amounts of salaries in various states throughout the country for various major league soccer clubs ranging from Red Bulls of New York, to Orlando City of Florida, to Columbus Crew of Ohio, to LA Galaxy of California after receiving offers from 12 different leagues located throughout the United States. With each club presenting a salary offer, students were tasked with deciding what team they'd like to join based off of amount of take home pay, success of the team and location. Once a team was chosen, groups of students 'signed' a contract with their team, receiving an official check! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Twenty eight Pearl River High School students represented the PRSD on February 4 at the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Science Olympiad competition held at Byram Hills High School (Byram Hills Central School District). Science Olympiad aims to increase the interest and success in STEM education through teamwork and respectful competition as well as tournaments and related events. Congratulations to all, as well as our PRHS medalists:
Kieran B. (grade 12, not pictured) and John H. (grade 11): 3rd Place - "Disease Detectives"
Alex B. (grade 11) and Matthew T. (grade 11): 5th Place - "Scrambler"
In addition, special thanks to coaches and science teachers Kara Afanasewicz, Brenda King and Eileen McCaffrey! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Our District celebrated American School Counselor Association's National School Counseling Week (February 6-10), as we shined a light on the impactful work of each of our hardworking and dedicated school counselors located within our K-12 buildings! This week spotlights the tremendous impact school counselors have on helping students plan, set individual goals and effectively prepare for college and career readiness across grade levels. Read more about the amazing and impactful work of our dedicated school counselors, with the #NSCW23, on Facebook and Instagram.
This isn't your average snowball 'fight'...these third graders are practicing music notation and sight reading, thanks to an interactive lesson from music teacher Sarah Gill! Inside her music classroom at Evans Park Elementary School, Jennifer Coppola's students completed a worksheet -- labeling specific notes and spaces on the treble clef (EGBDF and FACE) before they began their center activity.
Mrs. Gill tested students on their knowledge of note recognition -- directing students to head to either the right or left side of the classroom based on which side they believe represents the correct notes and sounds shown on the SmartBoard. Students then got to scrambling for snowballs...catching one tossed in the air, noting what letter is written on it and adding it to their worksheets to create a snowy composition. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Music connects us in the PRSD! Seventh grade orchestra students from Pearl River Middle School visited Pearl River High School on February 7 to meet and collaborate with student-musicians, learn about the PRHS music program and practice playing all together. Paired in assigned groups based on instrument, PRHS students assumed the role of mentors as they introduced themselves, assisted in tuning and answered questions regarding orchestra class/rehearsal procedures and expectations. PRHS orchestra teacher Darcie Pickering conducted an array of tunes -- encouraging middle schoolers to follow along and play based on their understanding, before fielding various questions from students about instrument storage, class schedules, and coursework.
All together, students (also joined by Ms. Pickering and PRMS orchestra teacher Danice-Claud Desir) learned the song, 'Pass the Peas' by James Brown which allowed students to experiment with a different type of musical composition and sound. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
The key to understanding and retaining information on an upcoming exam? Review and test prep! Inside Kayla Kurzhals' class at Franklin Avenue Elementary School, fourth grade students geared up for their geometry/angles test...by engaging in a vocabulary sorting activity, and working together in small groups to match and organize words, definitions and pictures. Ranging from key terms like parallel lines, to segment, to ray, to point, students carefully sorted their colored cards -- arranging them in columns and rows with the verification of Ms. Kurzhals. Once checked for accuracy, students then studied and quizzed one another. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
These kindergarteners delivered a dose of positivity, composing and sending written messages to their peers via FIRST CLASS(room) mail as part of their letter writing unit! Assigned a classmate at random, kindergarten students in long term substitute teacher Kayla Nannariello's class at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School composed letters to one another -- expressing gratitude, sharing information and asking questions as they honed their knowledge of spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Once finished, students headed to their classroom post office to securely package their letter via envelope, properly address it, select a stamp and place it in the mailbox. After, students received their letters from their peers, opening and sharing their messages with the class. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
Inside English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies (Humanities) teacher Sue McQueen's classroom at Pearl River Middle School, students were introduced to the Mood Meter -- one of the four core tools of the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence's RULER programming implemented across the District, which serves as a systemic approach to social and emotional learning.
Combining RULER-based lessons along with branches of word work -- identifying shades of meaning in vocabulary -- students explored using the Mood Meter as a color-coded visual chart that guides in recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing and regulating emotions (the core RULER skills). Mrs. McQueen modeled ordering words for: happy, pleased, cheerful, jubilant, elated, ecstatic and exuberant -- directing students to look up the words that they were unfamiliar with and use their definitions to order them. Small groups then worked together to do the same for the word 'excited' -- presenting their order and explaining their reasoning. Over time, the Mood Meter will assist students in becoming more mindful of how their emotions change throughout the day and how emotions affect their actions. Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
A number of student-musicians from Pearl River High School and Pearl River Middle School were selected to perform in the Rockland County Music Educators Association (RCMEA) Junior All-County Music Festival hosted at Fieldstone Middle School located in Thiells, NY on February 3-4! Groups of students performed amongst talented band, orchestra and mixed chorus student-selectees from schools located throughout Rockland County. In addition, PRMS band teacher Brianna Hensley served as Band Chair for the event. Congratulations, all! Read more on Facebook and Instagram.
