Dear PVMS Families,
Welcome to November! It’s hard to believe that we are already a quarter of the way through the 2026–2027 school year, and it is clear that our students have settled into their academic routines exceptionally well. Now is the ideal time to log into PowerSchool and Google Classroom alongside your children to review their overall progress, check for any missing assignments, and discuss strategies to boost any lower grades before the first 10-week marking period concludes on Friday, November 6th. Thank you for continuing to partner with us in supporting your child’s educational and personal growth.
Autumn brings crisp air and falling leaves, making this a wonderful season to gather with family and friends and express our sincere gratitude for one another. As temperatures drop—especially during early morning arrivals and late afternoon dismissals—please remind your children to dress in layers so they remain warm and comfortable during outdoor recess and physical education classes. Additionally, our lost and found collection is currently overflowing with items. If you notice your child is missing any outerwear, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, or water bottles, please encourage them to check the lost and found area. Labelling your child’s belongings with their full name makes it much easier for us to return misplaced items directly to them.
We are pleased to share that we will be offering parent/teacher conferences at Putnam Valley Middle School this month, marking a wonderful opportunity for collaborative discussion regarding your child’s educational growth. We strongly encourage all families to take advantage of these dedicated sessions to connect with our educators. Our fall conference schedule is as follows: Tuesday, November 10th from 12:15 PM to 5:40 PM (which will be a half day of instruction for students) and Tuesday, November 17th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. To balance and accommodate the evening hours spent in conferences, additional give-back half days for students will occur on November 24th and May 28th.
Please keep in mind that these individual and pod meetings are specifically designed to discuss your child’s academic progress, classroom engagement, and overall developmental success. To accommodate all families effectively, our 5th and 6th grade teachers will conduct conference sessions in pods consisting of 2 or 3 teachers, with each meeting lasting 15 minutes. Meanwhile, 7th and 8th grade teachers, as well as individual subject area educators, will host individual 10-minute sessions. Attached to this communication, you will find room utilization details indicating where each teacher will be located, alongside a directory of staff members available for appointments. To schedule an appointment, simply click on the respective teacher’s name in the directory to view their Google Calendar booking page. We have structured a 4-minute transition window between appointment blocks so that parents with multiple meetings can comfortably travel between classrooms. All parent/teacher conferences will be conducted in person on campus, and our entire staff looks forward to meeting with you. If all available calendar slots for a specific teacher become fully booked, you are welcome to coordinate a grade-level team conference or an individual meeting with your child’s teacher during their weekly professional meeting times. Additionally, language translation services can be made available upon request; if you require translation support, please email your child’s teacher directly in advance so we may coordinate services.
Please Note: Click on the teacher’s name and when the Google Calendar booking page opens, navigate to November 10th or November 17th to view and reserve open time slots. Please be aware that these calendar appointment pages will remain open for booking up until 48 hours prior to each conference date.
October was packed with high-impact community events! A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated Putnam Valley PTA and parent volunteers for seamlessly coordinating logistics throughout the week. We also want to spotlight our school counselors, Mrs. Flegar and Ms. Malagiero, whose thoughtful planning with our PTA drove an exceptionally memorable slate of student programming.
Our Red Ribbon Week® campaign—themed “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.™”—empowered students to commit to healthy living. High school SADD Club leaders actively engaged 5th and 6th graders during academic study periods, leading meaningful discussions on positive decision-making and peer leadership. Key highlights of the week included:
- Created a “Shield Your Future” pledge wall by writing personal goals on cape- or explosion-shaped cut-outs.
- Designed superheroes on cardstock whose superpower is making healthy choices.
- Enjoyed a superhero photo booth with themed props and signs.
- Hosted a Super Hero Snack Mix and Station to “Satiate your Squad.”
- Participated in the Kryptonite Challenge to practice identifying peer pressure and saying “no,” culminating in “Hero Awards.”
Although we recognize Red Ribbon week and staying drug free and making healthy choices, this is a lifelong commitment that we hope to reinforce with our students everyday.
On Thursday, October 29th, we celebrated our 6th Annual First Responders Apparatus & Equipment Day, connecting students with hometown heroes. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Putnam Valley Ambulance Corps, Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County SWAT team, and New York State Police for demonstrating their lifesaving equipment and career paths. The grand finale featured an unforgettable medical helicopter landing and takeoff on campus, generously coordinated by LifeNet of New York.
We are endlessly grateful for our first responders and law enforcement officers who keep us safe every day. Many of these vital organizations are actively seeking volunteers and members—we encourage interested family members to join and help strengthen our local community.
This time of year serves as a gentle reminder that winter weather brings the distinct possibility of snow, icy roads, and hazardous travel conditions moving forward. Consequently, we strongly advise every family to have a clear contingency plan in place for unexpected schedule changes. In the event that severe weather or emergency conditions necessitate an early dismissal, it is imperative that your children know exactly what to do. Please ensure they are provided with a house key or have a designated, pre-arranged plan to go directly to a trusted neighbor’s or relative’s house. Having these arrangements established in advance prevents unnecessary panic and alleviates the need for stressful, last-minute arrangements. Knowing where to go offers students a reassuring sense of security, ensuring their emotional well-being and keeping them calm during unexpected events. Please take time this week to review and discuss these safety procedures thoroughly with your child. Additionally, should an unscheduled closure or weather delay cause an unexpected day off, please note that our rotation schedule will not lose a day; the letter day will resume exactly as originally scheduled. For instance, if an unexpected closure occurs on a scheduled “A” day, the very next day school is in session will remain an “A” day.
Important Dates
Tuesday, November 3rd – 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!
Quarter 2 begins Monday, November 9th, marking a fresh start and a key transition point in our academic school year. We encourage you to sit down and have a proactive conversation with your child regarding any missing materials, incomplete projects, or outstanding assignments that may need to be submitted to teachers before the end of the first quarter on Friday, November 6th. Consistent communication and monitoring are essential for academic success; please make it a habit to check PowerSchool weekly to stay updated on your child’s grades, attendance, and assignment completion. As we begin this new marking period, it is also a great opportunity to organize and clean out school binders, backpacks, and folders, ensuring all important class notes and returned work are placed in safe storage at home for end-of-year review. Additionally, please mark your calendar to log into PowerSchool on Friday, November 13th to review Quarter 1 Report Card Grades and teacher comments. Our faculty and staff are here to partner with you, so please do not hesitate to reach out directly to teachers or school counselors regarding any academic, behavioral, or social concerns.
Tuesday, November 10th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (12:15 PM – 5:40 PM) (Half day for students)
Wednesday, November 11th – Veteran’s Day – Thank you to those who have served our country! No School for staff or students.
Tuesday, November 17th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Middle School Picture Retake Day will take place on Monday, November 23rd. Please ensure your child dresses to impress! We will hold entire grade level class pictures in our gymnasium during recess on this day.
Tuesday, November 24th – Half Day for Students & Teachers (Dismissal at 11:10AM)
Thanksgiving Recess will be observed November 25th – November 29th. Enjoy this time with your family and reflect on everything that we have to be thankful for.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it is a wonderful time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for—including our incredible students, supportive families, and dedicated staff members who make our school community so special. There are many simple yet impactful ways to get involved: organizing a food drive with your neighborhood, volunteering at a local food pantry or soup kitchen, donating gently used winter coats, or assembling care packages for community members in need. 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