Dear Families,
You should have seen our middle school students yesterday during lunch and recess creating heartwarming Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens as part of our annual “Operation Valentine.” The Spanish classroom was at capacity with students overflowing down the hallway, all working hard to share some love and care.
As part of African-American History Month, we’ve been featuring a different influential or trailblazing individual each day on all our digital sign-boards throughout the school. Teachers are also highlighting contributions of African-Americans in their classrooms, and we’re continuing to actively book new speakers and performers.
“OPERATION VALENTINE” DELIVERY ON SUNDAY
Our many Valentine’s Day cards will be delivered by our students to senior citizens at the Atria in Briarcliff this Sunday, February 12th. If you’d like to participate, please see details below!
Sign up the names of attendees so that we know who is planning on coming, and Middle Schoolers can gain volunteer time: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090548aeaf2da3fd0-operation#/
Meet at the Atria, Briarcliff Manor at 2:30 pm.
Address: 1025 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY
Properly-fitted masks are required.
Questions? Email: PTA@PocanticoHills.org
SPECIAL SPIRIT DAYS NEXT WEEK
Monday marks our 100th day of school – crazy! Many of the primary grades are doing fun celebrations around this milestone. But with our February Break around the corner, our Student Government and staff also wanted to spread some loving cheer throughout the school.
Monday (100th Day of School): Primary grade activities
Tuesday (Valentine’s Day): Wear Red, Pink, or White
Friday (last day before break): Pajama Day
PTA FUNDRAISER – “FLOWER POWER” BULB AND SEED SALE
The PTA Bulb and Seed Sale is back! Please review the attached flyer. You’ll see that paper orders are due March 31st and will be shipped directly to the school for you to pick up. Online orders are open through May 15th and will only ship directly to your home.
JPK REGISTRATION FOR 2023-2024 – IT'S ALREADY TIME!
Do you know anyone in the district with very young children? Please spread the word that registration for our full-day Junior Pre-Kindergarten (JPK) Program for the 2023-24 school year is open! In order to help us plan, we ask that if you have an eligible child, you register before FEBRUARY 28.
Eligibility for JPK (3s Program): Child must be 3 years of age on or before December 1, 2023.
Please use the link below to go to our District’s website to register.
· Tinyurl.com/PocanticoRegistration
Early Childhood programming provides opportunities to get to know the needs of children from an early age and allows us to improve student outcomes by teaching preschool students the school readiness skills that will help to ensure their success. These skills include social, self-regulation, numeracy, language, and early literacy skills. Early childhood programs also provide opportunities to support family engagement by strengthening parent-child relationships and supporting families in learning about their child's development. Most importantly, this will be a fun, engaging, and wonderful experience for your children, providing a strong educational foundation and a love of learning.
Our program's first year has already been extremely successful, with positive feedback from the community. Most importantly, our students are thriving and happy to come to school! We are excited to see what our second year has in store for us!
BOOK DRIVE – IT'S NOT TOO LATE! DRIVE ENDS FEBRUARY 28
Our Book Drive has been a huge success right off the bat! Thank you so much for your generous donations. We’ll be sharing them with teachers and children, and we’ll be freshly stocking our “Little Free Library” that stands outside in the bus circle, where any child can take any book, borrow any book, add any book, or trade any book anytime.
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
DID SOMEONE SAY “CAMP REGISTRATION”?
Yes, summer camp online registration will begin on February 27th! Please see the attached flyer, as well as our website, for more details.
VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY TREATS – PLEASE CLEAR INGREDIENTS IN ADVANCE
Please make sure you contact Nurse Juliet if you anticipate sending food in to school for any upcoming parties, Valentine’s Day being the most immediate – thank you.
INTRAMURALS – GRADES 3 and 4 START NEXT WEEK
If you registered your child for intramurals in grades 3 and 4, please remind him/her that it starts on Monday. Sometimes we have confused children at the end of the day not realizing they are signed up.
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.
Have a super weekend!
Adam
