• July 10, 2025

     

    Dear Parents, Students, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members,

     

    I hope your summer is off to a great start.  We had a beautiful graduation ceremony on June 27th and a productive reorganizational school board meeting on Wednesday night.  There are also a few other things going on that you might want to know about, so it seems like a good time for a community update.

     

    Congratulations to the class of 2025

     

     

     

    If you missed the ceremony or if you just want to see it again, you can click on this link.  Congratulations to the 148 students who walked across the stage and received their diplomas.

     

    New School Board President and Vice President Elected

    Each July, school boards in NYS are required to “reorganize”.  This starts with the election of a school board president and vice president.  At the meeting on Wednesday night, Heather Kort, a 2 year veteran of the school board, was elected by the other board members to serve a one year term as board president.  Elizabeth Bonhag, also a two year veteran of the board, was re-elected to serve as the vice president for the 2025-2026 school year.  Liz is on the left and Heather is on the right.

     

     

    School Board Members Serving New Terms

    Last night, Amy Gillespie, joined the school board for the first meeting of her three year term.  She was joined by Matt Pilek who has served since May and now has two years left on his term.  Also pictured is Jason Clark, a 2 year veteran of the board, who was reelected in May and has begun serving a new three year term.  Jason, Amy, and Matt are pictured from left to right.

     

    The seven person school board is rounded out by one year board veterans Justin Seweryn and Olivia Treubig.

      

     

    Thank you to all of the board members for their service.

     

    Welcome to our new Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics

    At the board meeting, Mr. Peter Bianco was hired to be our new Director of PE, Health, and 

     

     

    Mr. Bianco got his bachelor of science degree in movement and sports studies from Springfield College, a masters of science in athletic administration from Ohio University, and his certificate of advanced study from SUNY New Paltz.  He currently serves as the director of PE, health, and athletics in the Poughkeepsie City School District.  He will begin working for the NPCSD on August 11.  Welcome Peter!

    Coaches Needed

     

    Speaking of athletics, we are still in need of some modified coaches for the fall sports season.  If you are interested in coaching or learning more about coaching modified girls soccer, modified boys soccer, or modified girls volleyball, please contact me or contact the athletic office.

    Coaches

     

    Sports Physicals

    Don’t forget, if your child wants to play interscholastic sports they must have passed  a physical before the start of the season.  If desired, your child can get their physical at school on July 28 or July 30th.

     

     

    Updated District Calendar

    Each winter, the school board approves a calendar for the next school year.  At a recent board meeting the board approved an updated calendar that had a small change to when parent teacher conferences will be held.  Please click on this link to access the updated 2025-2026 

    district calendar.

     

    Survey of Constituent Groups to Obtain Feedback for Generating District Goals

    Each year the school asks parents, students, employees, and community members to take a survey regarding all facets of the operation of the school district.  This survey is currently available to everyone.  Please click this link and take the survey by July 30, 2025.

     

    Updated Code of Conduct and Cell Phone Policy

    At the school board meeting on Wednesday night, the board approved final changes to both the new district cell phone/electronic devices policy and the 2025-2026 code of conduct which is consistent with the new cell phone policy.  The new cell phone policy is necessary to follow the new state law regarding the bell to bell banning of electronic devices that can access the internet.

     

    Next year students in the high school will have to keep their cell phones and other electronic devices in their lockers from the first period of the school day until the end of the school day.  This will include study halls and lunch periods.  This will be a big change for the sophomores, juniors, and seniors because they are accustomed to using their phones during the school day and because they are not accustomed to using their lockers.  It will not be a change for the freshmen because this has been the rule in the middle school for years.

     

    Knowing that most high school students are not familiar with how to use the lockers in the high school I made a quick video for them that might be helpful.

     

    Thank you for reading this update.  Enjoy your summer.  Let me know if you have any questions.

     

    Regards,

     

    Stephen Gratto - Superintendent