Dear Pelham Parents and Community Members: As the 2016-17 ...
Dear Pelham Parents and Community Members: As the 2016-17 school years comes to a close, I am reflecting on another year of academic growth and achievement that makes all of us proud to be Pelicans. In the words that follow, I wish to share with you some of our most impressive accomplishments and highlights from this past year. Please know that while this is among the final times that I will write to you as your superintendent, I will forever be proud of the work we have achieved together for the students of Pelham. 1. Our Students - There are far more accomplishments than I can possibly list, but our students grades K-12 continue to impress me each and every day. This past school year, we have garnered numerous academic accolades, such as having two National Merit semifinalists, a state finalist in the National Geographic Bee competition, and State winners in the National History Day Competition. Additionally, our science research students continue to shine while winning at numerous state, national and international competitions. We also continue to see success from our Forensic Speech Team and were awed by the talent shown in our school theatrical productions and concerts.
Students perform in the Middle School production of "Beauty and the Beast." (Photo by Deborah Karson) 2. International Baccalaureate Authorization - In May, the District received word that Pelham Middle School had received its authorization as an International Baccalaureate World School. This designation is a culmination of countless hours of hard work from our administrative team and our dedicated staff. The IB Middle Years Programme framework, which is in place for grades 6-8 and in the implementation
process for grades 9 & 10, is helping our students make real-world connections while also learning to be global-minded citizens. I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to Sean Llewellyn, our IB Supervisor, for his efforts in making this program a success. 3. Yoga/Mindfulness - This year, the Pelham Public Schools took a substantial step in our efforts to promote social-emotional health and wellness with the addition of the School Yoga Project. We began implementing the yoga program first in our special education classes and then expanded it to 1st and 3rd grade general education classes. What we have found is that students are becoming better able to regulate their emotions, thus they are better prepared to learn both inside the classroom and out. We thank both the Pelham Education Foundation for funding the pilot of this program and Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Rosemary Matthews for her guidance and oversight.
Hutchinson Students practice Yoga. 4. Trusted Adult - Another important initiative in our social-emotional health/wellness programming is the continued progress of our Trusted Adult program. Our goal is to ensure that each student K-12 can identify with at least one adult within their school building. By making sure that every student has someone they can talk to, we can find ways to help students deal with their stress and promote more positive outcomes, while also ensuring students feel comfortable and welcome at school. Our principals are each approaching this initiative in different ways and I anticipate that it will continue to be explored next school year. 5. MakerSpaces - With the help of the Pelham Education Foundation, each of our six schools were equipped with a MakerSpace last summer. These hands-on learning centers allow students of all ages the chance to experiment, tinker, design and innovate using 3-D printers, Legos, littleBits and other materials. In addition to quickly emerging as one of the most popular areas in each school, the MakerSpaces have also become an essential component of our S.T.E.A.M. programming. This would not have been possible without the help of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel Dr. Steven Garcia. The District and our students are forever thankful for his efforts.
6. Budget/Finance - I am pleased to report that our District's financial health remains strong thanks to careful budgeting by our current and former Boards of Education as well as the exemplary management displayed by our Business Office staff. Once again, the District's AAA credit rating was reaffirmed this year and I am thankful and proud that voters passed the budget we put forward with an 85 percent approval rating. 7. FLES Instruction - After many months of study, our World Language Task Force recommended the implementation of the Foreign Language Elementary School program to facilitate Spanish language instruction in grades 2 and 3. I'm pleased to report, that with the support of the Board of Education, the District is on track to begin that program next school year. This is a remarkable accomplishment and one that has been discussed in the Pelham community for many years. It represents a substantial addition to our world language programming and will be an important supplement to the elementary curriculum. 8. New Faces - The Pelham school community is very fortunate to have an impressive and dedicated staff and faculty serving the District and our students. This year we embarked to fill three important administrative positions and I am thrilled by the successful appointments of Jeannine Carr to be our next Prospect Hill Principal, Jim Hricay to be our new Assistant Superintendent for Business, and Joe Catania to be our Director of Technology. Each of these individuals have big shoes to fill, but I am confident and excited by their talent and commitment to education.
9. Performance-Based Assessments - A key goal over the last few years has been to increase our use of Performance-Based Assessments to measure what students have learned during the school year. We believe that in many cases, these teacher-designed projects are a more reflective measure of student knowledge than a traditional final exam or test. This year, all 5th grade students engaged in a capstone project around the essential question of "Can I make a difference?" Sixth graders completed four PBAs focusing on Medieval Europe that transcend skills in math, science, social studies and language arts. At the high school, instead of taking the Physics regents, students were tasked with building an "Egg Transport Vehicle" designed to carry its load over a set distance and come to a complete stop before hitting a barrier. Additionally, 12th graders in elective English classes partook in "Project Create," in which students had to respond to the prompt: "How can I make a positive contribution to the community/world in which I live." We are thrilled with the creativity, ingenuity and overall level of effort are students have displayed and look forward to continuing to expand our use of PBAs in the future.
10. Athletics - Finally, we must acknowledge the incredible success of our student athletes, who truly had a remarkable and banner year for Pelham Athletics. We began the season with an incredible performance by our girls' swim team, which won the Section 1 Championship and as a team finished 2nd overall in New York State. In the winter season, the varsity ice hockey team captured its fourth straight Section 1 Championship and then made good on its season-long motto of "Unfinished Business" by capturing the team's first-ever state championship. All of our fall and winter varsity teams were recognized as "Scholar Athletic Teams." This spring, the varsity rugby team added to the incredible year by winning its second state championship in three years. Throughout the course of 2016-17, our athletes also were honored with numerous individual accolades, including two Con Edison Award winners. We congratulate all of our athletes, coaches and parents on a season for which all Pelicans should be proud.
The PMHS Hockey team celebrates its first state championship. As you can see, it has once again been an incredible year for the Pelham Public Schools. On behalf of the administration and faculty, I thank you for your outstanding support. We are truly fortunate for the opportunity to work with such tremendous and talented students. I am confident that 2017-18 will bring yet another year of growth and accomplishments. I wish you all a relaxing, safe and fun summer break and look forward to celebrating our continued successes as an active Pelham parent come the fall. Go Pelicans! Warmly,
Peter Giarrizzo, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools
Students perform in the Middle School production of "Beauty and the Beast." (Photo by Deborah Karson) 2. International Baccalaureate Authorization - In May, the District received word that Pelham Middle School had received its authorization as an International Baccalaureate World School. This designation is a culmination of countless hours of hard work from our administrative team and our dedicated staff. The IB Middle Years Programme framework, which is in place for grades 6-8 and in the implementation
process for grades 9 & 10, is helping our students make real-world connections while also learning to be global-minded citizens. I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to Sean Llewellyn, our IB Supervisor, for his efforts in making this program a success. 3. Yoga/Mindfulness - This year, the Pelham Public Schools took a substantial step in our efforts to promote social-emotional health and wellness with the addition of the School Yoga Project. We began implementing the yoga program first in our special education classes and then expanded it to 1st and 3rd grade general education classes. What we have found is that students are becoming better able to regulate their emotions, thus they are better prepared to learn both inside the classroom and out. We thank both the Pelham Education Foundation for funding the pilot of this program and Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Rosemary Matthews for her guidance and oversight.
Hutchinson Students practice Yoga. 4. Trusted Adult - Another important initiative in our social-emotional health/wellness programming is the continued progress of our Trusted Adult program. Our goal is to ensure that each student K-12 can identify with at least one adult within their school building. By making sure that every student has someone they can talk to, we can find ways to help students deal with their stress and promote more positive outcomes, while also ensuring students feel comfortable and welcome at school. Our principals are each approaching this initiative in different ways and I anticipate that it will continue to be explored next school year. 5. MakerSpaces - With the help of the Pelham Education Foundation, each of our six schools were equipped with a MakerSpace last summer. These hands-on learning centers allow students of all ages the chance to experiment, tinker, design and innovate using 3-D printers, Legos, littleBits and other materials. In addition to quickly emerging as one of the most popular areas in each school, the MakerSpaces have also become an essential component of our S.T.E.A.M. programming. This would not have been possible without the help of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel Dr. Steven Garcia. The District and our students are forever thankful for his efforts.
6. Budget/Finance - I am pleased to report that our District's financial health remains strong thanks to careful budgeting by our current and former Boards of Education as well as the exemplary management displayed by our Business Office staff. Once again, the District's AAA credit rating was reaffirmed this year and I am thankful and proud that voters passed the budget we put forward with an 85 percent approval rating. 7. FLES Instruction - After many months of study, our World Language Task Force recommended the implementation of the Foreign Language Elementary School program to facilitate Spanish language instruction in grades 2 and 3. I'm pleased to report, that with the support of the Board of Education, the District is on track to begin that program next school year. This is a remarkable accomplishment and one that has been discussed in the Pelham community for many years. It represents a substantial addition to our world language programming and will be an important supplement to the elementary curriculum. 8. New Faces - The Pelham school community is very fortunate to have an impressive and dedicated staff and faculty serving the District and our students. This year we embarked to fill three important administrative positions and I am thrilled by the successful appointments of Jeannine Carr to be our next Prospect Hill Principal, Jim Hricay to be our new Assistant Superintendent for Business, and Joe Catania to be our Director of Technology. Each of these individuals have big shoes to fill, but I am confident and excited by their talent and commitment to education.
9. Performance-Based Assessments - A key goal over the last few years has been to increase our use of Performance-Based Assessments to measure what students have learned during the school year. We believe that in many cases, these teacher-designed projects are a more reflective measure of student knowledge than a traditional final exam or test. This year, all 5th grade students engaged in a capstone project around the essential question of "Can I make a difference?" Sixth graders completed four PBAs focusing on Medieval Europe that transcend skills in math, science, social studies and language arts. At the high school, instead of taking the Physics regents, students were tasked with building an "Egg Transport Vehicle" designed to carry its load over a set distance and come to a complete stop before hitting a barrier. Additionally, 12th graders in elective English classes partook in "Project Create," in which students had to respond to the prompt: "How can I make a positive contribution to the community/world in which I live." We are thrilled with the creativity, ingenuity and overall level of effort are students have displayed and look forward to continuing to expand our use of PBAs in the future.
10. Athletics - Finally, we must acknowledge the incredible success of our student athletes, who truly had a remarkable and banner year for Pelham Athletics. We began the season with an incredible performance by our girls' swim team, which won the Section 1 Championship and as a team finished 2nd overall in New York State. In the winter season, the varsity ice hockey team captured its fourth straight Section 1 Championship and then made good on its season-long motto of "Unfinished Business" by capturing the team's first-ever state championship. All of our fall and winter varsity teams were recognized as "Scholar Athletic Teams." This spring, the varsity rugby team added to the incredible year by winning its second state championship in three years. Throughout the course of 2016-17, our athletes also were honored with numerous individual accolades, including two Con Edison Award winners. We congratulate all of our athletes, coaches and parents on a season for which all Pelicans should be proud.
The PMHS Hockey team celebrates its first state championship. As you can see, it has once again been an incredible year for the Pelham Public Schools. On behalf of the administration and faculty, I thank you for your outstanding support. We are truly fortunate for the opportunity to work with such tremendous and talented students. I am confident that 2017-18 will bring yet another year of growth and accomplishments. I wish you all a relaxing, safe and fun summer break and look forward to celebrating our continued successes as an active Pelham parent come the fall. Go Pelicans! Warmly,
Peter Giarrizzo, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools
