Dear Ramily,

As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the spirit of togetherness that binds us. It is a time for coming together to support the people we care about. This year, let us embrace that spirit by addressing an urgent issue affecting our youth today.

I am pleased to invite middle school and high school parents to join me in the middle school auditorium on Thursday, January 8, at 6 PM, along with their PCMS or PCHS child. Together, we will engage in a vital discussion about the hidden dangers of vaping and the substances increasingly targeting our children at younger ages.

The alarming reality is that many parents are unaware of newer forms of drugs that can be concealed in plain sight. This presentation aims to empower you with knowledge so you can have open and honest conversations with your children about what is happening in communities across the country. By staying informed and involved, we can work together to create a safer environment for our students.

Your presence and participation are crucial. Through our conversations, it has become clear that many parents are seeking guidance and support in navigating these challenges. This gathering is just the beginning of a much-needed effort to strengthen parental involvement and awareness within our school community.

I encourage you to spread the word and invite neighbors and friends who have middle school or high school students to attend this important event with their children. Let us make this one of our first parent-teen nights out—free from screens—where we can engage in meaningful dialogue. Together, we can help our students lead long, healthy, and successful lives.

I look forward to seeing you on January 8. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

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.