Dear Port Chester Family:

As we enter this season of gratitude and reflect on the Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself both humbled and deeply grateful to serve such an incredible and proud community. Over the past three years in the Port Chester School District, we have witnessed significant changes and accomplishments that have united us in our mission to provide the best for our students.

Together, we have addressed major challenges and made impactful changes in a relatively short period of time. We’ve enhanced security, built strong partnerships with community organizations, and created events like our Rams Reunion and Community Resource Fairs that bring us closer together. Initiatives such as My Brother’s Keeper, The Principal’s Promise Academy, Port Chester Pearls, and Rams Rising have helped create safe spaces where our students can learn about self-confidence, accountability, and community pride.

We have also established after-school programs that provide much-needed support and interventions in literacy and mathematics. Our partnerships with organizations like the Carver Center have expanded opportunities for our students. Our communication has improved significantly through channels such as the Ram Gram, social media, board meetings, and ParentSquare—enabling us to lift the voices of our community, elevate agency, and increase transparency.

As evidenced by our recent academic update and data-driven culture, our students are showing remarkable growth. Many of us already know that the Port Chester School District is unlike any other in Westchester County, and we continue to strive for excellence as we move steadily toward continuous improvement. Our high school is now recognized as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and we were also honored with an award for being one of the outstanding music communities. Through the strong curriculum and best practices we have implemented over the past three years, we are living our mission of #SuccessForAll and looking to New York State's Portrait of a Graduate to shape our students' futures.

Indeed, it takes a village to raise and educate a child, and we are honored to do this work together with you. I hope you can hear the pride and gratitude in this letter, and I want you to know how thankful I am for your continued partnership.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Thank you for everything you do. I am deeply grateful and honored to have the privilege of serving as your leader. Please remember, I am always just a phone call away if you need anything at all. We have a great team, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish this school year.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

 

 

Date Added: 11/26/2024

Dear Ramily:

I’d like to take a moment to highlight the success of our School Resource Officer program. As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of the many remarkable members of our community whose dedication and collaboration have made this initiative possible. While we initially faced some challenges and hesitation, the program has since evolved into a powerful partnership that strengthens the connection between the Port Chester School District, the Port Chester Police Department, the Rye Brook Police Department, our students, and our community.

I would be remiss if I didn’t extend my heartfelt gratitude to Chief Austin of the Rye Brook Police Department. His unwavering support and leadership were evident at every School Resource Officer committee meeting and in countless discussions aimed at refining and improving our program. The collaboration between the Port Chester and Rye Brook Police Departments has provided a solid foundation for our work, and as Chief Austin steps into retirement, we thank him for his service and wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life.

Our recent meeting of the School Resource Officer committee reaffirmed our collective commitment to this program. Even as the need for frequent meetings has lessened, every member remains dedicated to fostering ongoing dialogue and striving for continuous improvement, ensuring that our students and staff feel safe, supported, and valued.

Selecting Officer Ochoa from Port Chester Police Department and Detective Lazala from Rye Brook Police Department for the SRO Program has proven to be a great decision. Their presence in our schools and at events not only enhances safety but also creates a welcoming environment where students and staff feel secure. It’s clear that their involvement is having a positive impact, and the entire school community looks forward to continuing to work with them.

I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the Port Chester students, teachers, staff, leaders, community members, and parents who actively participated in this process. Your voices have been instrumental in driving positive change within our district. It is an honor to serve as your Superintendent and to work alongside all of you as we continue to strengthen our community and create pathways to success for every student.

As always, safety remains our top priority, and I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared goals.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez
Superintendent of Schools

 

Date Added: 11/25/2024

In celebration of World Kindness Day on November 13, Park Avenue Elementary School organized a march to promote kindness and community spirit. Students and staff even wore blue to show support for positivity and acts of kindness.

The procession was energized by the vibrant sounds of students in the band. Guided by their teachers and a special police escort, students across grades marched throughout the school grounds holding signs they made with messages of kindness.

 

 

Date Added: 11/25/2024

Port Chester High School orchestra students recently had the opportunity to participate in a workshop led by Caramoor's Terra Quartet, a distinguished string ensemble known for its artistry and commitment to music education.

Throughout the session, the quartet guided students through a variety of techniques and interpretative strategies, offering insights into the subtleties of chamber music. This hands-on experience allowed students to engage directly with professional musicians, deepening their understanding of classical music while fostering a greater appreciation for its complexities.

It was a day filled with invaluable learning for the school's budding musicians, said Orchestra Teacher Melissa Neyer.4

 

Date Added: 11/25/2024

Port Chester Middle School’s World Language Department—Maria Figura, Heather Gross, Esteban Guijarro, Jean Guzman, Elaine Hernandez, Carmen Lamberty, Cindy Martinez, and Rebecca Peters—revived the Multicultural Dinner tradition earlier this month, after a hiatus due to the pandemic. The event not only marked the culmination of Hispanic and Italian Heritage Months, but also celebrated PCMS's broader cultural tapestry.

“We embraced the opportunity to celebrate all languages and cultures,” said Principal Bryant Romano.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of teachers, staff, parents, and students from the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and Student Council, the dinner attracted more than 200 guests. There were special performances from students in Ms. Figura’s Italian class, who sang Domenico Modugno’s iconic “Volare”, and Ms. Lamberty’s Spanish class, who sang and choreographed a dance to Jovani Vázquez’s “Quiero Café”. Dancing from PMX Entertainment’s Spirits N Motion 3.0, the Long Island City School of Ballet, and Piel Canel and Victor Hernandez, added to the excitement.

The food offerings, which spanned a range of global flavors, were generously donated by families as well as local businesses, including Argana, El Festejo, The International Café, John of Arthur Ave., Stop & Shop, and T & J’s.

Overall, the Multicultural Dinner was an inspiring example of community and the collective spirit that makes Port Chester Middle School a place where all cultures are honored and celebrated.  

Click here to watch a photo montage.

Date Added: 11/25/2024