Throughout the month, students at all grade levels performed in winter concerts that highlighted their musical talents and growth. From the elementary schools to Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School, each performance reflected students’ hard work and creativity, as well as the dedication of the district’s music educators.

For families and community members who were unable to attend a concert in person, or who would like to view the performances again, click below for each school's livestream recording.

 

Edison Elementary

King Street School

Park Avenue Elementary

JFK Elementary

Port Chester Middle School

Port Chester High School

 

Thank you to our students, music teachers, administrators, and families for contributing to a successful and meaningful winter concert season and for continuing to support the arts in Port Chester Schools.

 

Port Chester High School band students enjoyed a busy and memorable weekend, showcasing their musical talents both in the local community and on a much larger stage.

Students kicked off the festivities by performing in the Port Chester Christmas Parade, filling the streets with holiday music and school spirit. A select group of band members then took part in the second annual TubaChristmas, a global holiday tradition that brings low brass musicians together to perform classic seasonal music as one large ensemble.

The experience culminated with a special performance at Rockefeller Center, where students joined musicians from across the region to play against one of the most iconic holiday backdrops in the world.

From beloved community traditions to internationally recognized musical events, these experiences highlight the strong musicianship of Port Chester students and the district’s commitment to providing meaningful, real-world performance opportunities. We are incredibly proud of how our students represented Port Chester Schools and the band program throughout this festive weekend.

A group of Port Chester educators recently represented the district at the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Conference, a statewide event focused on supporting English Language Learners. During the conference, the team shared the district’s ongoing work to strengthen English as a New Language (ENL) instruction.

Educators presented a session titled “Prioritizing Stand-Alone ENL Curriculum: One District’s Story,” highlighting two years of collaborative work to develop a clear, K–12 ENL curriculum. This approach moves beyond isolated grammar and vocabulary lessons and instead emphasizes communication, real-world connections, and language development across content areas. As a result, students are using their English skills more confidently both in and outside of the classroom.

MLL Instructional Support Specialists Viviana Arredondo and Lisa Cavallero were also selected to lead a second session, “Empowering Multilingual Learners,” which focused on practical strategies to support teachers and students through thoughtful planning, instructional supports, and meaningful classroom practices.

Together, these presentations reflect the district’s continued efforts to enhance learning experiences for multilingual students and support educators in meeting the needs of all learners.

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter at Port Chester Middle School recently demonstrated the power of student leadership and service by raising more than $2,000 in support of Sun River Health.

As part of the fundraising effort, NJHS hosted a schoolwide “Brave the Shave” event after school in the main lobby. Seventh grader Samantha Allen, eighth grader Guilherme Policarpo, and PCMS math teacher Austin Boehm participated by getting their hair cut live, drawing support from classmates, staff, and even members of the boys’ basketball team. In addition, Samantha Allen, school nurse Lesley Torres, and senior office assistant Sue Pilke donated at least eight inches of hair to The Hair We Share, a nonprofit organization that provides custom hair pieces to individuals experiencing medical hair loss. The event was made possible with the generous support of professional stylist Robert Harrington of Mark Ryan Salon, who volunteered his time.

The multi-week fundraising campaign was organized by NJHS members and supported by families, staff, and the broader school community. All proceeds will benefit Sun River Health’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality health care to individuals and families in need.

“This was about more than fundraising,” said NJHS advisors Elaine Hernandez and Rebecca Peters. “Our students showed that they are leaders not only in the classroom, but in their community.”

Through this initiative, NJHS students brought their core values of service, leadership, and citizenship to life, proving that meaningful impact can begin at any age.