La Chandeleur, celebrated on February 2, has a rich history that blends cultural significance with ancient traditions. Over time, it has evolved into a festive day marked by the making and eating of crêpes, whose golden color symbolizes the sun—signifying hope that winter will soon end.

At Port Chester Middle School, students in French class embraced this cultural heritage through a special Chandeleur celebration. For a full week, they studied the history and traditions of the holiday through a variety of activities. After learning about the significance of La Chandeleur, the students participated in a hands-on cooking session, preparing traditional crêpes while following instructions given only in French. Under the guidance of their teacher, they practiced the French vocabulary and grammar related to crêpe-making, all while enjoying the fun challenge of flipping crêpes—a playful nod to the Franco-European superstition that a successful flip ensures a year of good fortune. As the flipping continued, students chanted numbers, with this year's record reaching an impressive 88 flips!

This interactive celebration not only deepened students' understanding of French culture but also fostered a sense of community as they shared treats and laughter in the classroom.

 

Date Added: 3/4/2025

Middle school and high school band students recently participated in a clinic led by Jack Schatz, renowned for his diverse career as a multi-genre musician. Arranged by Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts Katherine Sinsabaugh in partnership with High School Band Director Isaac Schneider and Middle School Directors Julie Kratz and Mike Miceli, the clinic’s primary goal was to provide students with feedback from an outside expert.

“Hosting a clinician asks a tall order of students; can you adapt a piece of music that you have been studying, but is still a work in progress, to a new person?” said Schneider. “Learning how to adapt on the fly is a very important skill in music—and in life.”

Throughout the session, Schatz worked with the students on their current concert pieces, offering new perspectives on playing, interpreting, and conducting music. He also shared insights from his career, including his journey to Broadway, his work as a professor at SUNY Purchase and The New School, and the versatility required to succeed in today’s music industry. “His story was inspiring,” said Schneider. “Especially as a multi-genre musician, which is a skill that students can learn from as they consider their own paths.”

Schatz also emphasized the importance of listening and understanding one's role within a group. He asked students questions like, “What is your role in this part of the music? How does it fit into the other parts?” This approach encouraged the young musicians to think critically about how their individual contributions fit into the larger musical picture. A follow-up discussion about navigating the college process and pursuing a career in music proved grounding for those considering their next steps.

In the future, similar opportunities will be provided to music students. “We’re planning a trip to SUNY Purchase for a day of shadowing their music program and hope to bring in more guest clinicians in future semesters,” Schneider said.

Date Added: 3/4/2025

 

Port Chester Middle School’s Beautification Club, made up of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, has focused its efforts on revamping some of the school's most overlooked spaces—its bathrooms.

The club, created by Special Education teacher Candace Calabrese, was born out of a desire to update the aging school building and reflect the vibrant energy of students and staff. Forming a Beautification Committee, Calabrese, in partnership with French teacher Rebecca Peters, stepped into the role of club advisor. "We wanted to make our school feel more like the great place that is," said Peters.

Last year, the club began its efforts by organizing photos on the first floor and preparing the space for a fresh coat of paint. With support from the school administration, the club’s vision continued to grow. When it came time to select a new project, the students quickly identified the bathrooms as a top priority.

“We couldn’t replace the toilets or add ventilation, but we could make the bathrooms more attractive,” Peters explained. The idea was simple—if students took pride in the space, they would be more likely to respect it. As one student put it, the goal was to “make the bathrooms less disgusting and make people stop being such slobs.”

The students took charge of every aspect of the bathroom beautification project. They brainstormed design ideas, proposed concepts, and voted on their favorites. The aim was to create a fresh and inviting space featuring positive messages. With paint and stencils in hand, they set to work, scrubbing walls and stalls to prepare the area. For two weeks, they spent hours after school crammed into the small bathroom, collaborating, laughing, and singing as they brought their vision to life.

“This was the first time some of them had painted or stenciled, and they loved it,” Peters said. Some students even expressed a desire for more art classes to unleash their creativity.

The impact of the project has been overwhelmingly positive. Students, teachers, and PTA parents alike are excited about the transformed bathroom. The effort has even inspired other student groups, including the Key Club, Student Council, and National Junior Honor Society, to take on similar projects. Plans are already in place to tackle more bathrooms, with each group designing unique themes for their spaces.

While the Beautification Committee is currently on hold as they wait for other school matters to be resolved, the mission to improve the middle school is far from over. “Our staff and students are working together to continue updating the school’s appearance,” said Peters. "We're making small changes, and we’re hDate Added: 3/4/2025 oping to find the time and resources to continue our mission of transforming Port Chester Middle School into a place that truly reflects the spirit of its community.”

 

 

Elementary schoolers marked a major milestone recently—the 100th day of school!

At Park Avenue Elementary, they celebrated with a variety of fun and educational activities centered on the number 100. From creative art projects and math challenges to dressing up as 100-year-olds, the day was filled with excitement and laughter, highlighting the students' achievements so far and reinforcing the joy of learning.

Here's to the next 100 days of growth and success! 

 

Date Added: 3/4/2025

Greetings Ramily,

 

It’s hard to believe it’s already time for another Ram Gram update! As always, we are excited to share the wonderful developments happening within the Port Chester School District.

 

In these challenging times, it’s essential to model resilience and grit. We must embody the qualities we want our students to demonstrate. Together, we continue to focus on what we can control and support one another in living our mission: Success for All. The Port Chester School District stands as a beacon of hope in an increasingly complex world, and we remain steadfast in our mission and vision. No matter what challenges arise, we will continue striving toward our North Star—creating more opportunities for all and achieving outstanding student success.

 

Speaking of resilience, we are bursting with Ram Pride for our very own PCHS student, Laila Builes, New York State Wrestling Champion! We collectively celebrate her remarkable achievement. She embodies the perseverance and excellence we aspire to nurture in all members of our community.

 

Laila had an outstanding season, with a record of 36-5 and a career record of 48-12. This year, she was 27-4 against boys. She is a three-time BJJ Pan Kids International Champion, placed third at Eastern States, earned two All-League titles, became a Section Champion, and made history as Port Chester’s first female section champion. Most notably, Laila just became Port Chester’s first State Champion in any sport in school history!

 

A huge congratulations to Laila and our dedicated coaches—Joseph Facciola, Dan Alvarado, Brayan Mendez, Sean Zemlyak, Cristian Hilario, Nick Bolanos, and Ray Matthews.

 

 

In that same spirit of collaboration and grit, I am excited to share the draft of our Community Schools Plan! A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Maeva Rich Kennedy, our dedicated Guidance Team, Community School Coordinators, and mental health professionals for their hard work and commitment. This plan is a living document that will continue to evolve, and we are immensely proud of the progress we are making in our Community Schools initiatives.

 

We welcome feedback from you, our valued community partners, as this plan continues to grow. Please review the plan below, which is also available on our district website under "Community Schools" on the "Parents/Community" tab.

 

Click here to review the plan.

 

Finally, I want to share important news with our students, parents, and the entire community as we embark on a significant journey together. We have officially posted the position for the next Principal of Port Chester Middle School. This is an exciting opportunity for us to shape the future leadership of our school.

 

In the coming days, middle school parents will receive a survey to share their thoughts on the essential qualities we should prioritize in the interview process. Your input is invaluable, and we encourage everyone to participate.

 

As mentioned previously, this will be a thorough and inclusive process involving teachers, staff, parents, community members, and students. We believe that collaboration is key to finding the right leader for our school. If you are interested in serving on one of the committees, please reach out—we would love to have your support and insights!

 

We look forward to finishing the year on a strong note together. As we move forward, let us keep our students as our guiding North Star, embodying our mantra: Success for All. This focus allows us to prioritize what truly matters—our students’ education and well-being.

 

Together, let’s continue working collaboratively to elevate our district to new heights. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez

Superintendent of Schools