"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." 

- Sitting Bull-Hunkpapa Lakota

Dear Ramily,

I write to you today with prideful news following our informative Board of Education Meeting’s Academic Update from Tuesday, November 25. I am thrilled to announce that our district has achieved its highest New York State ELA combined grades 3–8 proficiency since 2015.

Additionally, the Port Chester School District is outperforming similar communities on New York State ELA assessments. I encourage everyone to watch the recent board meeting presentation, available on our website under the PCSTV section, where you can see the details of our accomplishments and ongoing initiatives.

While we still have a long way to go before we can say we have reached our ultimate goals, it is important to acknowledge how far we have come over the last few years. This success is a testament to our dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff. It is also a testament to our motivated students and our supportive parents and community. Port Chester’s commitment to continuous improvement is not just a phrase; it is a guiding principle that drives us to make data-informed and transparent decisions.

Let us continue to focus on academic excellence and push our students to reach their fullest potential. Nothing less should be expected.

I am also excited to share details about our first in-person Community Partners Committee Café meeting. During this gathering, our partners focused on the essentials for continued community school transformation. We explored best practices for community schools and engaged in discussions centered around these practices, allowing our partners to contribute to the longterm vision for our school district.

The Community Café model serves as a platform for collaboration and dialogue among community members, educators, and stakeholders. Its purpose is to foster a shared understanding of our goals and challenges while encouraging creative solutions to enhance educational experiences. We exchanged many great ideas during this meeting, and we look forward to sharing this information publicly. Additionally, we are eager to expand our Community Café activities this spring.

The key takeaway from Sitting Bull’s quote above is the importance of shared vision and collaborative efforts for future generations.

With gratitude,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

Port Chester High School senior Mariangel Osorio has been officially named one of just 2,550 high school seniors nationwide to receive a full four-year scholarship to a top college through the 2025 QuestBridge National College Match. Mariangel will attend Cornell University beginning in fall 2026.

The QuestBridge Match is one of the most competitive scholarship programs in the country, connecting high-achieving students with full scholarships to leading universities. Match Scholarship Recipients receive early admission and a  financial aid package that covers tuition, housing, food, books and supplies, and travel expenses, with no loans required.

Mariangel completed the demanding application and college ranking process with remarkable dedication, supported closely by her counselor Marta Sandoval, whose guidance was essential every step of the way. This achievement also reflects the steadfast leadership of Director of Guidance Dr. Maeva Rich Kennedy and the commitment of the entire Guidance Department, whose mission is to champion students’ success in high school and beyond.

Please join us in congratulating Mariangel and expressing our appreciation to Ms. Sandoval, Dr. Rich Kennedy and the full Guidance team for their exceptional support.

To read the full press release from QuestBridge, click here.

Port Chester’s music program is off to an extraordinary start this winter season, with students and alumni shining in high-profile performance opportunities both locally and nationally. From a major regional parade to a nationally televised holiday tradition to unforgettable onstage collaborations, our musicians continue to demonstrate excellence, creativity and Ram pride at every turn.

Pride of Port Chester Returns to the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular
The Pride of Port Chester Marching Band made a vibrant return to the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, one of the largest helium balloon parades in the United States and a cherished regional tradition that draws more than 100,000 spectators each year. Featuring giant character balloons, award-winning marching bands, professional performance groups and community ensembles from across the tri-state area, the event offers students a unique opportunity to perform alongside a diverse range of talented groups in a festive, high-energy setting.

While parade announcers welcomed Port Chester as a first-time participant, the district’s history in this event reaches back many years. After an extended hiatus, this year’s appearance marked a meaningful comeback and allowed today’s students to experience the excitement of this celebrated showcase.

Performing before such a large audience, the biggest many students have ever seen, proved both inspiring and exhilarating. The band delivered with confidence, precision and unmistakable Port Chester pride. Their return to Stamford highlights the growing visibility of the program and reinforces the strength, spirit and excellence that define Port Chester’s music community.

Alumni Shine in the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Port Chester pride reached national heights this Thanksgiving as two recent graduates, Christopher Soria (Class of 2022) and Camilo Mamani (Class of 2025), marched in the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as members of the renowned Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. Viewed by millions nationwide, the parade stands as one of the most prestigious performance opportunities available to young musicians.

The Spartans, an elite and award-winning ensemble, select their performers through a highly competitive audition process that requires exceptional musical skill, discipline and dedication. Both Christopher and Camilo are active members of the group, and their participation in the parade reflects years of commitment to their craft.

Their invitation to perform also came through a meaningful Port Chester connection. Band Director Isaac Schneider, who serves as the Tour Manager for the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps, helped open the door to this extraordinary opportunity. Schneider noted that alumni achievements such as these highlight the strength and lasting impact of Port Chester’s music programs, as well as the district’s growing efforts to engage and celebrate its graduates.

“These opportunities are usually once in a lifetime, so seeing recent Port Chester students on this iconic national stage was inspiring!” Schneider said.

Christopher and Camilo’s accomplishments offer powerful inspiration to today’s young musicians, showing just how far passion, hard work and a strong musical foundation can carry them.

The Port Chester Sound Takes the Stage With Foreigner
The Port Chester Sound, our high school’s choral ensemble, received an exciting invitation to perform onstage with the world-renowned rock band Foreigner during their concerts at The Capitol Theatre this week. Students stepped into the spotlight at one of Port Chester’s most iconic venues, joining the band for a powerful rendition of the classic hit “I Want to Know What Love Is” before a sold out audience.

The opportunity came directly from Foreigner’s Marketing Director, who reached out to the district as part of the band’s longstanding commitment to supporting music education. For more than 18 years, Foreigner has partnered with over 800 school choirs across North America, and this year, that tradition proudly continued with our very own performers under the direction of Choral Director Jonathan Pereira.

For students, the experience offered a rare look into professional music making, from backstage coordination to onstage performance, while celebrating the artistry, teamwork, and dedication that define our choral program. Their enthusiasm, professionalism, and heart were evident in every note, making the moment truly unforgettable.

Port Chester High School is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our fall scholar-athletes, students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment both in the classroom and in competition. These individuals, along with our All League athletes, will be recognized at the December 18 Board of Education meeting for their dedication, perseverance and leadership.

A scholar-athlete is defined by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association as any student-athlete who earns a 90 percent GPA or higher during the academic quarter in which they compete. Teams can also earn the title of “Scholar-Athlete Team” when at least 75 percent of their roster meets this academic benchmark. All League athletes are selected by varsity coaches within our athletic conference and represent excellence in athletic performance.

Supporting the academic success of student-athletes is a shared commitment across the high school. Port Chester maintains an academic eligibility policy for all extracurricular activities, including athletics, music and clubs. Students who are failing two or more classes are not eligible to participate, reinforcing the expectation that academics remain the top priority.

Coaches play an active role in helping students stay on track. Every two weeks, they distribute physical progress reports that students bring to each of their teachers for feedback on grades, behavior and attendance. Coaches review these reports closely to ensure student-athletes are meeting expectations and receiving any necessary support.

These systems are making a meaningful difference. According to Athletic Director James Ryan, participation in athletics often strengthens academic performance.

“We see time and time again that students excel academically when they are active in our athletic programs,” Ryan said. “Our scholar-athletes stand out because they manage their time well, prioritize their responsibilities and lead by example both in the classroom and in competition.”

Athletics also provide valuable life lessons that extend far beyond high school. Through teamwork, discipline, resilience and goal-setting, students develop skills that shape them as leaders and citizens.

Looking ahead, Ryan hopes to expand academic support within athletics.

“We plan to remain vigilant with our progress report system and explore tutoring or mentorship programs that could strengthen both academic and athletic growth,” he said.

Congratulations to all of our scholar-athletes and All League honorees for their remarkable achievements this past fall season. 

Our district is committed to ensuring that teaching and learning continue seamlessly, safely, and effectively in the event of an unexpected school closure. To support this readiness, we are pleased to share our Remote Ready Plan, a comprehensive set of tools, schedules, and instructional supports developed in collaboration with members of the Port Chester Teachers Association (PCTA).

The plan helps keep students connected with their teachers, supports continuous academic progress, and provides families with clear expectations and easy-to-access resources. Whether we experience a weather-related closure or another type of learning interruption, Port Chester Schools are fully prepared to continue instruction with structure, consistency, and care.

All Remote Learning information can be found on our district website under the Parents/Community tab. We encourage families to review these materials so everyone is prepared should we need to transition to remote learning this winter. Any decision to hold a remote learning day will follow the Emergency Closures guidelines outlined in the district calendar, located here.

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 both students and parents on how to access and participate in virtual classes.

Click here for more information.