Due to extreme winter weather, the district has already used three emergency closure days. As outlined in the district calendar, any future school closures this year will be observed as virtual remote learning days, with students participating in instruction using their district-provided Chromebooks.

To help families prepare, we encourage you to review the resources available on the Remote Learning page of the district website. These tools are part of our Remote Ready Plan, developed in collaboration with members of the Port Chester Teachers Association (PCTA), to ensure teaching and learning continue seamlessly, safely, and effectively during an unexpected closure.

These resources provide families with clear expectations, schedules, and easy-to-access guidance so students can remain connected with their teachers and continue making academic progress should remote learning be needed.

What You’ll Find on the Remote Learning Webpage:

Daily Schedules (K–12)
Daily schedules for every grade level during a remote learning day.

Family Remote Learning Guide (UPK–12)
Comprehensive instructions and support for families navigating remote instruction.

Remote Learning FAQ
Answers to common questions about expectations and procedures for remote learning.

Google Classroom Parent Guide
Step-by-step guidance for families on using Google Classroom during remote learning.

Google Meet How-To
Instructions for students and families on how to access and participate in virtual classes.

Access the full Remote Learning page and all related resources by clicking here.

Please contact your child’s teacher or your school’s main office with any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting uninterrupted learning for all Port Chester students.

Dear Port Chester Ramily,

Pride in our students' accomplishments reflects their hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of our entire community. I am thrilled to share some remarkable news that exemplifies Port Chester pride and highlights the exceptional efforts of our staff and students.

I would like to take a moment to celebrate our Port Chester School District Varsity Cheerleaders. They have made history as League and Sectional Champions and have qualified for the New York State Cheerleading Championships in Binghamton, New York (NYSPHSAA), an outstanding accomplishment for our cheer team. This milestone marks the first time our varsity cheerleaders have reached this level, and we are immensely proud of their dedication and hard work. Kudos to our students, coaches, and parents!

In addition to this incredible achievement, the Port Chester School District has recently received the esteemed recognition of being designated a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. This honor, bestowed by the Special Olympics committee, reflects our commitment to inclusion and excellence in education, made possible through the dedicated efforts of our special education team.

Congratulations to David Sheridan, Kim Fanelli, Brooke Magnotta, Samantha Blair, James Ryan, and every member of the special education staff. Their tireless dedication and commitment to meeting the qualification standards were instrumental in earning this prestigious recognition.

This week, at a Youth Leadership Summit, the Special Olympics committee presented our representatives with a beautiful banner commemorating this achievement. The banner will proudly be displayed in the new gymnasium at Port Chester High School.

Next week, beginning March 9, the Port Chester School District will join several other Westchester County school districts in celebrating Kindness Week. The goal of the week is to promote a culture of empathy and encourage small, meaningful acts of kindness within our schools and community.

To kick off the celebration, we invite everyone to wear purple on Monday, March 9, as a symbol of unity and a reminder of the importance of kindness.

Together, let’s make a positive impact and inspire one another through simple acts of compassion. Join us in spreading kindness across our district and community.

Let us all come together to celebrate these accomplishments and continue to foster a supportive environment where our students can thrive. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

Produced by PCSTV, the district’s television station, this video highlights Port Chester’s combined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Black History Month observance.

Through student performances, presentations, and reflections, the program captures how our school community honored Dr. King’s legacy while celebrating Black history, culture, and contributions.

Watch the full video below.

The district is proud to celebrate Port Chester Middle School Orchestra Director Mary Porcaro, who has been selected to serve as the Guest All-County Conductor for the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA) Division I East Orchestra.

The prestigious honor recognizes her dedication to music education and more than 11 years of experience teaching orchestra. In this role, she will lead over 100 talented 5th and 6th grade string students from across Suffolk County, Long Island, who were selected to perform in the All-County ensemble.

Porcaro was chosen for the role by SCMEA President Angelina Wasson, a colleague with whom she has collaborated in the field of music education for more than 15 years.

Over the course of a three-day rehearsal process, she will guide the young musicians through intensive rehearsals as they prepare for the All-County concert on March 15, which she will conduct.

“I’m truly excited to work with such dedicated young musicians and to see their collaboration and hard work come together in the final performance,” Porcaro shared.

Beyond the honor itself, the experience will also strengthen her work with students at Port Chester Middle School, bringing new instructional strategies, fresh repertoire ideas, and enhanced ensemble techniques back to the orchestra program. She hopes the recognition also sends an important message to her students about the value of dedication, teamwork, and a love of music.

Students across Port Chester’s elementary schools are sharpening their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills through the district’s growing Chess Club program, a collaborative effort between Port Chester Public Schools and the Port Chester Police Department.

The initiative began last spring as a pilot program at JFK Elementary School, where approximately 40 students participated in weekly chess sessions. The idea was introduced by Sergeant Kenneth Manning of the Port Chester Police Department, an avid chess player who saw an opportunity to engage students through the game while strengthening connections between students and the community.

Working in partnership with Sergeant Manning, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Colleen Carroll helped bring the program to life by coordinating with schools and identifying funding sources to support the initiative.

Through this collaboration, the district connected with the National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF), an organization that provides chess instructors and materials to schools. Following the success of the pilot program, Port Chester qualified for a grant from the organization this school year, allowing the program to expand to all elementary schools across the district.

Additional support from the Port Chester Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and federal Title IV funds helps cover the cost of instructors and materials, including chess sets and boards.

Beyond the academic benefits, the program also strengthens community connections. School Resource Officers and other members of the Port Chester Police Department regularly join chess sessions with students, playing games and interacting with them as a way to give back and build positive relationships with young people in the community.

Chess Club encourages students to develop strategic thinking, patience, focus, and problem-solving skills, while providing a fun and welcoming environment where they can collaborate and learn together.

“We are evaluating how the program progresses this year through student and teacher feedback, and will explore opportunities for future growth based on student interest and funding availability,” said Dr. Carroll.

For many students, the simple game of chess is opening the door to new ways of thinking, learning, and connecting with others.