Six running for Board of Education
Special thanks to the PTAs for hosting Meet the Candidates Night. If you missed the public forum, it is being rebroadcast daily at 4 p.m. on cable Channel 20. 
Three of the nine seats on the Port Jervis City School District Board of Education are up for election May 21. Six candidates are running to fill the open seats: Current board member Richard McElroy and appointee Robert Witherow are running along with Tammy Myers, William Onofry, Earl Walker Jr. and Michael Zappolo. Onofry and Walker have served previously on the Board.
Click here to read more for the BOE Candidates.

Next School Board meeting is May 23
The Board of Education is holding a meeting on Thursday, May 23 in the High School cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is being held on a Thursday night so the Board can canvass the results of the District's May 21 Budget Vote and School Board election. All Board meetings are televised live on cable Channel 20. AGENDA   
 

ASK is raising awareness & funds to fight cancer

ASK Elementary School is partnering with the American Cancer Society’s RELAY RECESS program from May 27-31. Relay Recess is a program that focuses on raising awareness and funds through educating students in essential health related topics such as Physical fitness, Nutrition, Sun Protection, and Tobacco Prevention.
• ACTIVITY FLYER    •   FUNDRAISER DONATION SHEET

Calendar Date Changes  
Memorial Weekend extended, May 24-28
The Board of Education has approved changes to the school calendar to compensate for unused snow days. Schools now have an extended Memorial Day Weekend  from Friday, May 24 to Tuesday, May 28. District offices will be closed Friday, May 24 and Memorial Day - Monday, May 27.
Additionally,  ASK & HBE will begin their end-of-the-year early Friday dismissals on Friday, May 31. Both elementary schools will dismiss that day at 11 a.m.

June 4 Open House Night for Montague families

Port Jervis is hosting an Open House Night for families in the Montague School District on Tuesday, June 4. Port Jervis High School and Port Jervis Middle School will be open for current, and prospective students, and their families to tour the buildings from 6-7 p.m. The principals of both schools will provide families with an overview of the school, its curriculum and extracurricular programs. Families will also have the opportunity to meet staff and tour the buildings. Refreshments will be served. FLYER
 

All parents invited to Information Night, May 29

Want to learn more about the new Common Core Standards or how to help your child succeed in math? These and other important topics will be covered at the May 29 Parent Information Night. The parents of all Port Jervis students, grades K-12, are invited to attend the workshops that will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School. Supervised activities will be provided in the gym for students in grade K-6, who attend with their parents. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by May 22. For more information, contact Director of Curriculum and Data Donna Muro at 858-3100, Ext. 16610.  Click here for reservation form.

Kindergarten Registration for 2013-14
The District is holding one more registration day for parents who still need to register their child for Kindergarten:

Thursday, June 6  - 5 to 6:30 p.m. 
at ASK Elementary School. Registration is open to children who will be 5 years old before December 1, 2013. Children do not need to come to registration. An appointment will be scheduled at registration for the June Kindergarten screening. Click here for the required documents. 
 

Softball team striking out against cancer May 24

The Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Softball teams will be battling Minisink in the third annual Strike Out Cancer softball game on Friday, May 24. Players are seeking sponsors for this worthy event. Any donation will be accepted. Just contact a coach or player. Come join the Lady Raiders on May 24 and enjoy some great softball, while raising money to beat cancer!  MORE INFO

PJHS Class of 1983 Reunion is August 10
 Reservations are now being accepted for the Class of 1983 reunion at the Best Western Hotel on Saturday, August 10 from 6-11:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
 

Bongiovi to lead Port Jervis School District

Citing his passion for education, dedication to students and vision for the future of Port Jervis, the Board of Education announced April 25 that Thomas Bongiovi will be the next superintendent of the Port Jervis School District. Bongiovi, who currently serves as the assistant superintendent for instruction, was chosen to replace John Xanthis, who is retiring on August 31 after a decade of service to the school district. MORE
 

Port students visit East Stroudsburg University

Selecting a college or university ranks high on the list of important life decisions. The Port Jervis High School Guidance Department helped students take a vital step in often overwhelming college application process by providing a no cost campus day trip to East Stroudsburg University (ESU).  (MORE)
 

Fun Friday Math prepares HBE students for NYS test

The Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School fifth grade teachers helped their students prepare for the New York State Math Test by having a Fun Math Friday. The innovative event engaged students in fun, hands-on learning activities at different centers. Each center helped the students review a specific math skill. Some of the centers were directed by teachers. Others provided students with the opportunity to work independently or with partners or teams.

ASK students drop everything to read

The entire ASK Elementary School community dropped everything and read for 15 minutes the mornings of April 9-11. This event was part of the national Drop Everything and Read program, held annually to celebrate the birthday of author Beverly Clearly and to remind folks of all ages to make reading a priority activity in their lives.
 

Port students receive Sojourner Truth Awards

HBE sixth grader Rudae Gadson and 40 other Port Jervis students were recognized by SUNY Orange for their educational achievements at the college’s 2013 Sojourner Truth Awards Program on April 5. Gadson, who is working with the Middletown Police  Department to raise money for the American Cancer Society, was honored for her good citizenship.
Click here for the list of award winners.

Thirty-six seniors receive varsity academic letter

Port Jervis High School recently awarded varsity academic letters to 36 seniors. To qualify, seniors must have earned a 90 or higher average for their first three years of high school. Congratulations to all! Click here for the list of awardees.    

Elementary Schools celebrate National Nutrition Month
Fun activities teach healthy eating habits

HBE & ASK Elementary Schools celebrated National Nutrition Month by providing healthy eating activities throughout March. The students learned about the USDA My Plate campaign in physical education classes, created "My Plate" artwork during art classes, had healthy reading materials displayed in the Library, sang healthy tunes during Music and played interactive nutrition games during computer class.
 

Health & Wellness Fair promotes healthy lifestyle

Port Jervis Middle School students exercised their way through dozens of activities and informational exhibits at the school's sixth annual Health and Wellness Fair. The Fair exposes students to people and experiences that promote positive lifestyle choices. This year, representatives from 16 local organizations spent the day at the school, interacting with students. MORE

Dr. Seuss celebrations show reading can be fun

For one week every year, students and staff can be found wearing red and white striped hats – a sure sign that Dr. Seuss and the Read Across America activities are in full force. Students at Anna S. Kuhl  and Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary Schools participated in Read Across America Week to celebrate the birthday of children’s author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss.
  • ASK Read Across America Week         • HBE Read Across America Week     
 

Pep rally kicks off ASK's Read Across America

ASK Elementary School's Reading Rally was a mega celebration that included the entire school, varsity cheerleaders, Raider athletes, a Hollywood celebrity & three very special visitors!  MORE

Seniors treated to special performance of HS play

Smiles, laughter and music filled any generation gap that might
exist between Port Jervis High School students and the senior citizens who attended the special March 10 mini-performance of the Little Shop of Horrors. This marks the second year the District hosted the free preview of the spring musical for seniors. After the show, the seniors were treated to reception with the cast, hosted by students and faculty from the Family & Consumer Sciences cooking classes. MORE

Superintendent Xanthis announces retirement

Superintendent John Xanthis has announced that he is retiring on August 31. Xanthis has served as superintendent since 2006. He says his decision to retire was not made easily. “It is with mixed feelings that I leave Port Jervis, especially because of our outstanding students, staff and community,” he said. “The Port Jervis school community is the backbone and heart of this district. Everyone works with pride, passion and dedication that I believe is unmatched in the county and beyond."  MORE

2013-14 student calendar is now online
Want to know when school starts next year or the dates for Winter Break? The 2013-14 Student Calendar has been approved by the School Board and is now posted online. It contains the dates for school holidays, conference days and Regents exams.