Dear PVMS Families,
November is here and we are starting to see cooler temperatures especially in the mornings and evening hours and overnight. With that being said, please remind your children to dress in layers as we will continue to go outside during recess, weather permitting.
The end of quarter one is quickly approaching and this is a great time of year to look closely at PowerSchool to reflect on academic progress. Please review outstanding assignments or lower grades with your children that could be made up before the deadline of Friday, November 7th. If you have not done so already, please find the chance to schedule a team meeting with your child’s teachers to share progress and reflect on the first 10 weeks of school.
This is the time of year where we take a moment to give thanks for all that we have and gather to spend time with friends and family. November brings on those emotions beyond being thankful while we also experience leaves falling and cooler temperatures.
Our month of October was extremely eventful with our Red Ribbon week being a success with this year’s quote, “Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.” Our high school SADD Club members found time to visit our 5th and 6th graders during their academic study classes and spoke to them about decision making. The Putnam County Department of Health conducted hands-on activities helping students to recognize their resilience, and identify protective factors that work in their favor to offset community and individual risks. Activities encouraged mindful reflection and helped to build neuropathways for refusal skills and positive self-awareness.
Tuesday, October 28th was our fifth annual First Responders Apparatus and Equipment Day where our local municipalities came to PVMS to show off what they do. A tremendous thank you to the Putnam Valley Ambulance Corps, Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Putnam County SWAT team, and New York State Police. It was wonderful to see many come out to meet our students and share what they do. A highlight of the day was a medical helicopter landing and taking off on our campus. A special thank you to Life Net of New York for this experience.
The Halloween Bash was a tremendous success with around 280 students in attendance! Mrs. Diaz and Mrs. Hernandez along with our student council created a memorable evening filled with spooktacular activities which included:
Movie (Dining Hall)
DJ (Gymnasium)
Photo Booth (Gymnasium)
Escape Room (Chorus Room)
Face Painting Station w/HS students (Dining Hall)
Candy Corn Estimation Station (Dining Hall)
Treats & Water (Dining Hall)
A great evening was had by all as it is always amazing to see such creativity in the various costumes that students wore. If you would like to see pictures of the students who attended, please take a look at our Google Photos page.
Now that November is here it is imperative to prepare for cooler temperatures and even the possibility of snow or icy conditions. Please have your children bundle up for these changes. They should be wearing jackets and be prepared for outdoor recess and outdoor physical education classes while enjoying the fresh air. Please remind your children to check the lost and found as we have an overabundance of jackets and sweatshirts that have been left at PVMS to start our year.
This time of year reminds us that there is always the possibility of snow or icy roads moving forward and to have a contingency plan in place. In the case that we may have an early dismissal, it is imperative to provide your children with a house key or a plan to go to a neighbor’s or relative’s house. We do not want your children to panic or need to make last minute plans as this will impact their emotional state and distress them in a time where this doesn’t need to be the case. Create a plan and discuss it with your child. If we have an interruption that causes a day off from school that was not anticipated, please note that the letter day will be as it was intended to be. For example, if the day off due to the interruption was an A day then the following day school is in session is an A day.
Important Dates
Monday, November 3rd – PVMS Blood Drive 2:30-7:00PM MS Gymnasium
- Taconic Outdoor Education Classroom Trip (7th Grade – Group #1)
Tuesday, November 4th – Superintendent’s Conference Day – Election Day –
No School for students. Our staff members will be taking part in a Superintendent’s Conference Day and expanding on professional development opportunities. Please get out and remember to vote!
Wednesday, November 5th – Taconic Outdoor Education Classroom Trip (7th Grade – Group #2)
Middle School Picture Retake Day will take place on Friday, November 7th. Please ensure your child dresses to impress! We will hold entire grade level class pictures in our gymnasium during recess on this day.
Quarter 2 begins Monday, November 10th so please have a conversation with your child regarding any missing materials that may need to be turned in before the end of the quarter. Please check PowerSchool weekly to ensure that your child is being successful and up to date on assignments. This is also a great time to clean out binders and keep all items in safe storage until the end of the year. Please mark your calendar to check PowerSchool on Friday, November 14th for Quarter 1 Report Card Grades and Comments. Please be sure to reach out to teachers regarding any academic, behavioral, or social concerns.
Tuesday, November 11th – Veterans Day (observed) – Thank you to those who have served our country! No School for staff or students.
Wednesday, November 12th – Taconic Outdoor Education Classroom Trip (5th Grade – Group #2)
Thanksgiving Recess will be observed November 26th – November 30th. Enjoy this time with your family and reflect on everything that we have to be thankful for.
Please find time to discuss the community in which we live and how we can give back. This may be collecting for a food drive or food pantry and/or volunteering time to help others. Putnam Valley is a special place and our children are our future. Thank you for your support and be well!
Sincerely,
Travis W. McCarty
Principal