Dear Families,
Well, it seems Mother Nature didn’t want us to turn our attention to spring just yet! Maybe now we’re finally through the worst of it? Spring is going to be busy for sure here at school, so keep on the lookout for dates and deadlines, and always feel free to reach out with questions.
This month is Women’s History Month and, just as we did for Black History Month, I’ve been featuring a different inspiring individual each day on our display boards throughout the school, including 1-2 photos and highlighted background information and accomplishments. In addition, we’ve been posting quotes for Read Across America Month and nutritional facts for Nutrition Month – the kids have been loving it!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES – ONLY USE THE LINK BELOW!
https://app.ptcwizard.com/pocantico/login
Spring parent-teacher conferences are on FRIDAY, MARCH 24 (no school for students). As parents/guardians, you will now have the option of either an in-person conference or a virtual conference! It will be a logistical challenge, but we want to provide you the flexibility you need to participate. Our scheduling platform, PTC Wizard, is now using a NEW, DIFFERENT LINK than in the past (your same username and password, though). ONLY USE THE LINK ABOVE!
As part of the process, you’ll need to select IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL. We’ve attached the steps to use, in both English and Spanish.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR IS ON AND YOU’RE INVITED!
Our Scholastic Book Fair went live this afternoon and will be open through Saturday, March 25. Here is the link to our live Scholastic home page where you as parents can create an e-wallet, sign up for notifications and sign up to volunteer. Our SignupGenius link to volunteer was added to the Scholastic homepage – click here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/pocanticohills
Classes will be going to the fair throughout next week, and you are also invited to come to the Book Fair yourself at any time while it is open. You must park in Gate 1 and enter through the gym lobby. One of our security guards will be there to greet you. Please know that access may be temporarily restricted during dismissal times of 2:55-3:05.
Book Fair Hours:
Friday, March 17, until 5:00
Monday, March 20, 8:30-5:00
Tuesday, March 21, 8:30-1:00
Wednesday, March 22, 8:30-4:00
Thursday, March 23, 8:30-4:00
Friday, March 24, 2:00-7:00
Saturday, March 25, 2:00-7:00
MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL: “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JR.”
Our cast and crew have been working so hard to prepare for our musical – and they sound and look great! Opening night is Friday, March 24. Here are all the showtimes:
Friday, March 24, 7:00pm (opening night)
Saturday, March 25, 3:00pm (understudy matinee)
Saturday, March 25, 7:00pm (closing night)
Tickets are “General Admission” and they are FREE. However, you must reserve tickets in advance. Here is the link – which anyone can use – to reserve seats to the show(s) you plan on attending. Feel free to forward the link to family. Please do not reserve seats “just in case.” https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8vwaRGdFrUCoLS3hmd-Ph22EsvjWefFEpdJDH8B70RpUM1dBMUg2VkNYUzlETFQwQzMwMlYzTElWQy4u
PARKING: Gate 1 or Gate 3
SEATING: Auditorium opens 30 minutes prior to showtime
BOOK FAIR: Visit the Book Fair before the show – it will be closed after the evening shows.
MODIFIED SPORTS ZOOM MEETING: MARCH 21, 7:00PM
There will be a Zoom meeting for 7th/8th grade spring sports players and parents on Tuesday, March 21, at 7:00PM. Please join - lots of information will be shared. Here is the link (which is also at the top of the district homepage):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85947050650
FOOD DRIVE GOAL OF 200 ITEMS
Our Student Government wanted to add a schoolwide incentive to collect food. It was agreed that if the school could collect 200 items, then we would allow kids to purchase ice cream on an additional day of the week right before spring break! We are currently at 59 items!
PTA FUNDRAISER – BULB AND SEED SALE
The PTA Bulb and Seed Sale is back! Beautify spring and order garden bulbs from our Pocantico Seed Sale! You can order for your home, as gifts, or for our school’s wish list!
Order by March 31st here: http://pocanticohillsschoolpta.fpfundraising.com/.
To purchase items for our school’s garden and grounds, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090548AEAF2DA3FD0-pocantico
Thank you! Questions? Email PTA@PocanticoHills.org.
FAMILY RESOURCE: MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE WEBINAR
The NYS School Mental Health Resource Training Center is hosting a Family Roundtable Discussion to discuss resources for parents/caregivers to help support the mental health of their children, and to discuss what families of students with mental health issues can do to support themselves and each other. Please click the link below to register for this virtual session, which is being held on March 22, 2023, from 7:30-8:30.
Event Registration - MHANYS’ School Mental Health Resource and Training Center (mentalhealthednys.org)
STATE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
Next week we’ll be sharing the dates we’ll be administering the grades 3-8 ELA computer-based assessments in mid-April. No worries!
CHANGES TO THE BOE MEETING SCHEDULE
Please be advised that the next two Board of Education meetings will take place on March 22, and March 28, at 7:30. These are also posted on our website.
CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Summer camp online registration began on February 27th! Please see the attached flyer, as well as our website, for more details.
YEARBOOKS ON SALE
Our yearbook is created by our 7th & 8th grade yearbook staff with input from our 8th graders. It is an amazing full-color memory of the school year and is available for only $35.00.
Please use the link below to purchase online: Buy the 2023 Poco Yearbook
DON’T FORGET: COVID HOME TEST KITS STILL AVAILABLE
There is still plenty of general winter sickness around us, especially coming off of the holiday break. Please pay extra close attention to symptoms of flu or COVID, and If you’re in need of COVID home test kits, even if just to have in your closet, please reach out to Nurse Juliet and we can send home some boxes in your child’s backpack. We have plenty to share with you.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those who celebrate!
Looking ahead, March 22nd also marks the Hindu New Year as well as the start of Ramadan.
Best,
Adam
