Dear Ramily,

We are excited to share that new School Resource Officers (SROs) have joined the Port Chester Schools community, further strengthening the safety and support available to our students, staff, and families.

Please also join us in congratulating Detective Lazala on his promotion to Youth Detective. He will continue to be a familiar presence in the halls of Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School, where he has built trusted relationships with our students.

Meet Our New School Resources Officers Below:

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Police Officer Leslie Morales - Port Chester PD

(Assigned to King Street & Park Avenue Elementary)

Hello, my name is Officer Leslie Morales, and I am proud to serve with the Port Chester Police Department. I began my career in Patrol, helping to keep our community safe, and I also serve as the department’s Spanish-speaking Domestic Violence Liaison, where I connect families with important resources through the High-Risk Team and Mobile Crisis Response Team.

I am a certified School Resource Officer with a true passion for working with children and youth. Before joining the police force, I taught high school math in the Bronx, and that experience inspired my commitment to education, mentorship, and community engagement. Over the years, I have been involved in programs like Chess in the Classrooms, reading with children, Career Day, and the Westchester Youth Police Academy.

I am very excited to bring that same energy and dedication to King Street and Park Avenue Elementary. I look forward to meeting students, families, and staff—and if you see me around, please say hello! I usually have some police-themed stickers for the kids.

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Det. Christian Bautista - Rye Brook PD

(Assigned to Port Chester Middle School)

Det. Abel Taveras - Rye Brook PD

(Assigned to Port Chester High School)

My name is Detective Abel Taveras, and I’ve been a police officer for eight years. I come from a close-knit Dominican American family with two brothers and a sister, and I’m fluent in both English and Spanish.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Old Westbury, and later completed my master’s degree and advanced certificate in Criminal Investigations at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A fun fact about me—I’m a huge Mets fan!

As the new SRO at Port Chester High School, I’m excited to serve as a mentor, resource, and advocate for our students, staff, and families. I look forward to supporting the PCHS community in every way I can.

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We look forward to the positive impact these officers will have in our schools and community. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

On September 3, 2025, Port Chester schools implemented New York State’s new bell-to-bell cell phone ban to support student focus and engagement throughout the school day.

To help families better understand this change, we’ve created two resources:

• * Cell Phone Policy FAQs – A detailed guide with answers to common questions, exceptions, and parent resources

• * At-a-Glance Flyer – A quick reference with key highlights, the “ladder of consequences,” and QR code access to the full FAQ.

We appreciate the partnership of our students, families, and staff as we work together to create a respectful, focused, and supportive learning environment.

The first day of school was filled with excitement, joy, and plenty of smiles! From our youngest learners to our high school students, the energy was contagious as everyone returned to classrooms, reunited with friends, and met their teachers.

We were also honored to welcome New York State Senator Shelley Mayer, who joined us to greet students as they arrived, making the day even more special.

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead filled with learning, growth, and Ramily pride!

Check out our students' first day smiles by clicking here or on the image below.

On September 4, the district celebrated the historic unveiling of the brand new field lights at Port Chester High School. The evening was filled with pride, energy, and Ramily spirit as students, families, alumni, and community members came together to mark this milestone moment.

The celebration kicked off with the Rams Reunion Back-to-School Bash at Port Chester Middle School, where alumni reconnected and families enjoyed food, music, and activities. As the sun set, the excitement built toward the main event—the lighting of the High School field for the very first time. When the lights illuminated the grounds, the crowd erupted in cheers, marking the beginning of a new era for Port Chester Athletics and community gatherings.

This achievement reflects Port Chester's commitment to providing students with first-class facilities. The new lights will not only enhance the experience for athletes and fans, but also open the door for more evening events, celebrations, and memories for years to come.

Did you miss the lighting ceremony? Don’t worry—you can still relive the magic.

Click here or the images below to watch the full recording below.

Click here or on the image below to watch a highlight reel from both the Rams Reunion and the Lighting Ceremony.

Date Added: 9/15/2025

This summer, Port Chester students embraced opportunities to grow personally and professionally through three innovative programs: the Summer Technology Internship Program, EmpowerED Futures, and the PC STEAM Music Internship. Each initiative reflects the district’s commitment to preparing students for life beyond the classroom by combining real-world learning, mentorship, and meaningful community impact.

Technology Internship Program

Now in its third successful year, the Summer Technology Internship Program has provided more than 75 students with hands-on experience bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world IT operations. From the very start, students engage in a professional process—submitting applications, interviewing, and earning their spot on the team.

Once selected, interns work directly alongside the district’s technology professionals to prepare schools for the upcoming academic year. Their responsibilities include preparing and imaging hundreds of new Chromebooks, diagnosing and repairing devices, upgrading classroom desktops to Windows 11, troubleshooting hardware and connectivity issues, installing and updating smartboards, and ensuring network printers are fully operational. These tasks are not simulations; they are vital contributions that ensure classrooms are ready for students and staff.

“This program has become an essential part of how we prepare for the school year,” said Michael Ritacco, Director of Technology. “Our interns are doing real work that directly impacts our teachers and students. Their efforts ensure that on day one, classrooms are ready to go.”

EmpowerED Futures

Now in its second year, the EmpowerED Futures program—funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health and led by Director of Guidance Dr. Maeva Rich Kennedy—offered students another path to growth. Mentored by PCMS teachers Allison Fasano and Laurie Halstead, interns explored the social determinants of wellness and mental health while building skills in empathy, leadership, public speaking, healthy food choices, and civic engagement.

Students worked in the community garden, harvested fresh produce, and supported families by managing operations at the middle school food pantry. From ordering supplies to maintaining inventory, their efforts ensured access to healthy food while also fostering a sense of responsibility and teamwork.

The impact was profound: students reported not only gaining practical skills but also developing deeper confidence and stronger bonds with peers and mentors.

In Case You Missed It: Rams Radio Podcast Highlights EmpowerED

In case you missed it, the first episode of the district’s official podcast, Rams Radio, put EmpowerED students at the mic to share how project-based learning, internships, and community engagement have shaped their growth and success.

For easy listening, we’ve divided the episode into short audio clips so you can enjoy at your own pace or share specific highlights with others:

STEAM Music Internship Program

In its second year, the PC STEAM Music Internship Program gave student musicians a unique opportunity to learn, work, and give back. Guided by music educators Jonathan Pereira, Melissa Neyer, and Amanda Porcaro, participants gained specialized skills in instrument care and repair while building pride in their contributions.

As a Title I district, Port Chester provides more than 1,000 free instruments to students annually—making maintenance an essential priority. Building on the model of the Chromebook repair internship, the music program trained students in brass repair, general maintenance, and digital music archiving. For six weeks, interns worked with professional checklists and expert guidance, producing impressive results:

• * Nearly 300 instruments restored
• * More than 75 hours of hands-on repair and service completed
• * Over 600 pieces of music digitized with audio links, creating a robust digital library for student and staff use

The program was further supported by a partnership with the Carver Center, which provided funding through a New York State grant and additional job training opportunities. Most importantly, students walked away with more than technical know-how—they gained confidence, responsibility, and excitement for their futures.

Looking Ahead

Across all three programs, Port Chester students demonstrated resilience, leadership, and skill while making a real difference in their schools and community. Whether repairing technology, supporting wellness initiatives, or preserving the district’s vibrant music program, interns embraced authentic responsibilities that will serve them for years to come.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to expanding these opportunities, ensuring that every student has the chance to discover new passions, build confidence, and prepare for success beyond the classroom.

Click here to view the slideshow of photos.

Date Added: 9/15/2025