Pearl River Middle School

School and District News

• Equity Task Force Information

  May 18, 2022

  Dear Pearl River Community,

  The Pearl River School District is committed to providing school environments that recognize and celebrate diversity, are safe, inclusive, and equitable for all of our students. As such, it is incumbent upon us to begin and pursue a conversation that explores the diversity, inclusivity, and equity in our schools. 

  On April 12, 2022, the Board of Education adopted Policy 0105- Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in Education- which calls for the establishment of an Equity Task Force that will take on the challenge of ensuring that we provide a school environment that supports all students and provides equity in opportunity. We are committed to following a comprehensive process that will seek to identify areas of strength, recognize where improvements can be made, determine opportunities for growth, and develop a plan that will ensure we achieve equity for all. The Equity Task Force will begin with a focus on several key areas:

  • Student Support
  • Curriculum Materials
  • Professional Development and Staff Support
  • Community Education
  • Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

  The policy states that faculty and employees will be selected by their collective bargaining associations, parents of current students will be  selected by the parent teacher associations(s), and students will be selected by the building administration and Student Government. Additional Pearl River School District community members, current students, parents, faculty, and staff who wish to participate on the Task Force can do so by completing a Task Force Application by May 27th.  Applications will be reviewed by the district administration and selected individuals will be invited to join. 

  As the task force moves forward with their work, we will provide regular communication to all stakeholders. We thank the Task Force in advance for their service to our schools and to the broader Pearl River community.

  To apply, please click on the following link: Equity Task Force Application

  Sincerely, 

  Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed.D.

  Pearl River School District

• 5-18-22 Letter from Dr. Pochintesta Re Recent Events and Equity Task Force

  Click on the following link to access a letter from Dr. Pochintesta

  Pearl River School District

• 5-24-22 Superintendent's Letter re Supporting Children After a Tragedy

  May 24, 2022

  Dear Pearl River School Community:

  While the nation is still mourning the loss of life from the massacre in Buffalo, the news of a tragic mass shooting incident – now at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas – has no doubt reached you and comes as another terrible blow. In this time of great sorrow, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with those who now endure immeasurable sadness. I want to convey to you every measure of assurance that I can in the aftermath of this incident. Our school and district administrators are prepared to respond with heightened awareness and as always, we maintain an open line of communication with our local law enforcement officials.  While there are no known threats to any school or district in our area, an increased police presence around local schools is anticipated.  

  In the days ahead, our district-wide safety team will engage in the task of reviewing our own safety measures – evaluating and assessing our plans in light of this recent event.  Our counseling staff is prepared to respond to those children who may need assistance in coping with this awful news while at school. 

  To assist you with your role as parents and guardians in dealing with this situation at home, please review the following guidance from National Association of School Psychologists:

  1. Focus on your children over the week following the tragedy. Tell them you love them and everything will be okay. Try to help them understand what has happened, keeping in mind their developmental level.
  2. Make time to talk with your children. Remember if you do not talk to your children about this incident someone else will. Take some time and determine what you wish to say.

  3. Stay close to your children. Your physical presence will reassure them and give you the opportunity to monitor their reaction. Many children will want actual physical contact. Give plenty of hugs. Let them sit close to you, and make sure to take extra time at bedtime to cuddle and to reassure them that they are loved and safe.

  4. Limit your child’s social media interactions and exposure to television coverage of this event. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then turn the set off. Don’t sit mesmerized rewatching the same events over and over again. 

  5. Maintain a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to your family’s normal routine for dinner, homework, chores, bedtime, etc., but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.

  6. Spend extra time reading or playing quiet games with your children before bed. These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness and security and reinforce a sense of normalcy. Spend more time tucking them in. Let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.
  7. Safeguard your children’s physical health. Stress can take a physical toll on children as well as adults. Make sure your children get appropriate sleep, exercise and nutrition.

  
  Please contact your child’s principal, or school counselor if he/she is experiencing any difficulty, or if you need support in addressing this sensitive matter.  

  Sincerely,

  Marco F. Pochintesta, Ed. D.

  Pearl River School District

• COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits

  PRSD Parents:  At-home COVID-19 test kits are available at your child’s school during regular school hours or at the District Administration Building located at 135 W. Crooked Hill Rd. between the hours of 8:30AM – 3:30PM on days when school is in session.

  Pearl River School District

• 2022-23 District Calendar Approved 4/12/22

  At their April 12, 2002 meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2022-23 District Calendar. Two Superintendent's Conference Days are scheduled for Wednesday, August 31st  and Thursday, September 1st.  The first day of school for students will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
  
  The Pearl River School District calendar is based on 184 school days: 180 days of pupil instruction plus 4 Superintendent's Conference Days. In anticipation of emergency closings,
  we designate the following potential vacation days as snow make-up days: 
  
  2022-23 Snow Make-up Days
  Day 1 – May 30, 2023
  Day 2 – April 10, 2023
  Day 3 – May 26, 2023
  
  As a result of the NYS Regents examination schedule, the last day of school will be Friday, June 23, 2023. Please click the following link to view the one-page calendar for the 2022-23 school year: 2022-23 District Calendar
  
  If you have difficulty opening the attachment, the calendar can also be found on our website at www.pearlriver.org.

  Pearl River School District

• 2022-23 School-Aged Childcare for PRSD Elementary Students

  The Rockland County YMCA announces Open Registration for school-aged childcare serving Pearl River School District students for the 2022-23 school year.

  Before- and after-school childcare services will be provided for all three elementary schools at Franklin Avenue Elementary.  Students attending Evans Park Elementary and Lincoln Avenue Elementary will be transported to their respective schools in the morning and transported to Franklin Avenue Elementary in the afternoon.  Registration is on a first-come first served basis with priority given to children needing  care five days a week.

  Please visit the Rockland County YMCA’s website for additional information and how to register.

  Pearl River School District

• PRHS Ranking - US News & World Report

  U.S. News & World Report released their annual "Best High Schools" rankings on April 26, 2022. Pearl River High School has been ranked #977 nationally out of nearly 18,000 high schools, with an overall score of 94.52/100, and ranked #98 out of 1,212 high schools in New York - the highest rated public high school in Rockland County. Congratulations to our students, faculty, staff and administrators for this outstanding achievement! 
  
  Click the following link to read the entire article:  https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-york/districts/pearl-river-union-free-school-district/pearl-river-high-school-13962

  Pearl River School District

• Memorial Day Weekend - School Schedule

  Due to the snow days on Friday, January 7th and Friday, February 4th, the 1st and 2nd snow make-up days are now school days.  School will now be in session on Thursday, May 26th and Friday, May 27th.  School will be closed on Monday, May 30th and Tuesday, May 31st.  Enjoy the long weekend!

  Pearl River School District

• Kindergarten Registration for September 2022

  The Pearl River School District has opened online registration for incoming kindergarteners for the 2022-23 school year.  Kindergarten screening will take place at a later date. Please click the following link for more information:  2022-23 Kindergarten Registration

  Pearl River School District

• Highlights From Our Schools

  Pearl River School District's Facebook page regularly highlights the accomplishments of our students and student athletes along with details and photos from monthly events.  Check it out regularly:  PRSD Highlights

  Pearl River School District

• PRMS Online Newspaper

  Click the following link to view (login using your Google account):  PRMS Newspaper

  Pearl River Middle School

• PRMS PTA Monthly Emails

  Sign up to receive monthly emails from the Pearl River Middle School PTA.  Text PRMSPTA to 22828.

  Pearl River Middle School