Putnam Valley Elementary School

Dear PVES Families,

I hope you have all had a good week!  The month of October is zipping by, and we look forward to the Halloween festivities and the busy November calendar.  Please remember that students are allowed to bring their costumes to school (no masks or weapons, please) on October 31st for a school-wide activity.  The children will then bring their costumes home in their backpacks at the end of the day.  Also, if your child’s teacher is planning a classroom celebration that day, we ask that you do not send in any surprise classroom treats. Class parents will arrange for any snacks, and we must always be aware of food allergies in the classroom.  Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to the fun!

The month of November is a busy one!  Please note that Thursday, November 1st, is a HALF-DAY of school for elementary students, with a 12:00 dismissal.  Parent conferences will take place that evening at PVES.  There will be no school on Tuesday, November 6th, which is Election Day.  Schools will also be closed on Thursday, November 8th for Elementary parent conferences.  Have you signed up for a conference yet?  And, schools are closed again on Monday, November 12th, in honor of Veteran’s Day.  It is important that you mark your calendars carefully, so that any childcare issues are attended to.   Thanksgiving Break begins on Wednesday, November 21st.  Schools will reopen on Monday, November 26th.

Great learning is going on at PVES every day.  Next week, our classes in grades 1 through 4 will begin their Math Challenge blocks during an I-block time.  All students who are not receiving other services during this time will take part in Math Challenge activities with a teacher at their grade level, in organized student groups.  This will be an engaging and enriching experience for our students, which was piloted last year.  We will soon be starting a similar plan for our ELA Challenge in grades 1-4.  We are excited about these new opportunities for our students.

Please be sure to check the Weekly Notices carefully this week, as we have lots going on!  I hope that you will be able to bring your children to the Putnam Valley Education Foundation Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 27th, at 2:00. This will be held in the Middle School parking lot, as long as weather permits.

Our students are progressing in their learning every day.  At your upcoming parent/teacher conference, your child’s teacher will provide you with a brief Student Progress Report for the first quarter.   Official Report Cards will be available at the end of the second quarter, in January.

Thank you to our Character Education Committee for the many activities they are planning for PVES this year.  Please see an important attachment from the Committee in our Weekly Notices.  We love celebrating wonderful and positive character traits!

Ms. Podesta