JUNE 14, 2024

L-R: Sebastian Vidra, Keagan Roye, Philip Dundie, Clayton Huling, Matthew Stangarone

On Monday, June 10th, a capacity crowd of over 1,500 high school students filled the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center for the 25th annual Metro Awards. This event, often compared to the Tony Awards for Broadway, celebrates the high school musical theater season and honors outstanding performances and productions.

Pleasantville High School's production of Footloose was a standout, earning nine nominations. The highlight of the evening came when Pleasantville was awarded Outstanding Performance of a Small Group Number for their rendition of "Mama Says." This accolade is a testament to the hard work and talent of the students and faculty involved in the production.

Congratulations to all the participants from Pleasantville High School for their dedication and exceptional performance!

L-R: Nominees Clayton Huling, Colin Rubsamen, Matthew Stangarone, Philip Dundie, Sebastian Vidra

L-R: Nominees Katie Moore, Maya Fortier, and Lucy Rosengarten

L-R: Adriana McGarry, Kate Morton, Sarah Dietz, Colette Prevost, and Kelsey Dearstyne get ready for the big show

Robyn O’Brien leads students as they clap in rhythm to the theme song from the hit TV show "Friends."

Barbara Berg demonstrates how to tune a string instrument

Orchestra students warm up before their dress rehearsal

Running to the finish line at BRS

For the third year in a row, students at Bedford Road School (BRS) embarked on their “Run the USA” challenge. The initiative, designed to promote physical activity and goal-setting, encouraged students to engage in warm-ups and various exercises throughout the day, aiming to collectively cover approximately 120 miles per week. The accumulated “mileage” is then applied to distance across the country.

BRS Physical Education teacher and self-proclaimed geography enthusiast Keith Gardener created a large map of the United States, prominently displayed at the school's entrance, where the students' progress was tracked as they worked toward their goals.

During the three years, 803 students have participated in the challenge. Together, they "traveled" to all 48 contiguous states, achieving a total of 10,175 miles during that time.

The culmination of the event took place on Monday, with six staff members – Daniel Bramswig, Elena Garcia, Christine Harris, Bruce McLane, Patrick Murray, and Dana Weil – running the final .1 mile. They were cheered on by students on the sidelines and at the finish line, where three soon-to-be-retired teachers – Debbie Anttila, Lisa Long, and Marc Vavolizza – were present to celebrate the achievement.

The “Run the USA” challenge continues to be a beloved tradition at BRS, fostering a sense of community, promoting healthy habits, and instilling a love for physical activity among students.

Third grade teacher Christine Harris shows her class the map that tracks where the Run the USA “traveled” during the challenge.

Library Media Specialist Joanne Wallace works with students to create their skit as part of the Fill-A-Bucket program

Bedford Road School’s Fill-A-Bucket is one of many initiatives the school has undertaken to give students a voice in shaping their school community. It empowers students to take active roles in fostering an environment that recognizes and celebrates differences, promotes kindness, and proactively addresses teasing and bullying.

The Fill-A-Bucket Team is composed of fourth-grade students who support BRS by nurturing a kind and caring community of bucket fillers, individuals who make others full of happiness and spread kindness at school, at home, and everywhere they go. Facilitated by Assistant Principal Michael Pinkava, K-12 Counselor Mary Ann Flatley, and School Psychologist Kelly Benanti, the group embodies the principles of adding to others' positive experiences while refraining from being unkind or disrespectful. Their mission is to enhance the BRS community through various initiatives, such as designing a positive bulletin board in the main entrance lobby, exemplifying kindness, and offering support to those in need.

This year, the Fill-A-Bucket Team undertook two significant projects. The first was the creation of a t-shirt that reflects social-emotional learning, bucket-filling practices, and the spirit of the BRS community. This project was generously supported by Break the Hold, a community-based organization that focuses on wellness and positive lifestyle choices. Break the Hold funded a t-shirt for every BRS student and staff member. The second project involved creating and recording skits on wellness, conflict resolution, and kindness, with support from Library Media Specialist Joanne Wallace and Video Editor Tim Carlough. These skits will be shared with the entire school community leading up to a special BRS celebration on June 17th and will continue to be a school-based resource for SEL instruction.

On June 17th, the BRS community will come together wearing the specially designed t-shirts. They will gather to review the lessons from the videos, reflect on the messages encapsulated by the t-shirts, and celebrate the vibrant and supportive BRS community. This event not only showcases the hard work and creativity of the Fill-A-Bucket Team but also underscores the power of student-led initiatives in creating a positive school environment.

Fill-A-Bucket team fourth graders preparing to record their skits

Pleasantville High School students celebrated Upstander’s Day. During their lunch periods, students enjoyed a break from the year-end academic crunch by playing ball, engaging in relaxed conversation, eating ice cream, and listening to music on the school’s front lawn.

Originally scheduled for an earlier date, but postponed due to inclement weather, the annual event was held later than usual. Nonetheless, it was as welcome as ever.

Upstander’s Day focuses on making a positive difference and going above and beyond to create a safe school environment. As Principal Joe Palumbo walked around, engaging with students, he emphasized that the day is about, “not being a bystander, but standing up to bullying, mistreatment, and disrespect. It’s about building community.”

Several staff members also enjoyed the warm sunny weather. Assistant Principal Gregg Fonde served students ice cream, while Nadia Rizzo conducted the chorus in several uplifting songs and handed out cool treats. Meanwhile, band teacher Jon Vercesi assisted some student ensembles in setting up their sound systems on the high school steps in preparation for their performances.

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