MARCH 22, 2024

As we prepare for spring recess, April promises to be bustling with district activities.

There is no escaping news of the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8. It’s an extraordinary and thrilling phenomenon. Safety remains paramount, so please adhere to the guidance provided by scientific agencies regarding viewing, so as to ensure your family’s well-being. We all look forward to enjoying the spectacle responsibly. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a rejuvenating spring break.

For the youth,

Dr. Tina DeSa

Superintendent of Schools

There is palpable excitement buzzing through the halls of Pleasantville science classes as students gear up to witness and understand the upcoming solar eclipse set to occur on the afternoon of April 8.

Pleasantville will experience what astronomers term a “deep partial” eclipse, where over 90% of the sun will be obscured. While a total eclipse completely blocks the sun, this event will still cast darkness upon daylight hours.

Partially eclipsed suns are not rare occurrences across the globe, but for New York State, this will mark the first sighting of a total solar eclipse since 1925. According to NASA, the next opportunity won't present itself until 2079, adding to the excitement that has captivated much of New York State. For a deeper dive into this solar spectacle, here is a recent Forbes article.

In our local skies, the eclipse will commence at 2:03 p.m., reaching its peak at 3:19 p.m., and concluding at 4:31 p.m.

Pleasantville students are already gearing up for this unique experience. Bedford Road School's STEAM/Science classes are delving into the fundamentals of eclipses, while middle schoolers are exploring the unique cosmic alignments behind this phenomenon. In his eighth grade earth science class, Jake Sablosky is teaching students about the solar system alignment that must occur to lead to a solar eclipse (and lunar eclipses), emphasizing the point that these celestial events are predictable and cyclic in nature. 

Meanwhile, Pleasantville High School is taking a celebratory approach, with an eclipse party that will offer insights about the eclipse, and all high school science classes will be watching a video regarding the significance of the eclipse and the safety precautions for viewing. In addition, science teacher Allison Steinberg and some of her students in the school’s astronomy course will be doing an informal presentation on April 4 during the activity period.

Safety remains paramount for eclipse observers. NASA is emphatic in stating that staring directly at the sun without proper eye protection, except during the brief total phase will “instantly cause eye injury.” Visit NASA's website for detailed safety guidelines and resources for acquiring specialized viewing equipment recommended by the American Astronomical Society (AAS).

For those unable to procure eclipse-safe glasses, indirect observation methods are recommended. Even without specialized eyewear, the AAS outlines safe practices for experiencing the partial solar eclipse on April 8.

We look forward to safely enjoying this unique celestial event with our students, staff and the greater school community.

PHS students Jack Gonzaga (left) and Derek Sauther worked as part of a team to solve the puzzles

While many celebrate Pi Day on March 14 (3-14) with pizza, pie, or cookies, Pleasantville middle and high school students engaged deeply with the mathematical concept, tackling math puzzles and measuring circular objects.

Nicole Mattison’s fifth graders watched a video about Pi, then measured circular objects in the classroom. They divided the circumference by the diameter to see how close they got to 3.14.

At Pleasantville High School, Kelly Bentson’s geometry class celebrated with a party featuring many circular foods. Their Escape Room-themed event involved solving puzzles to calculate the area and circumference of circles and the volume of spheres, all using Pi formulas.

Jack Gonzaga enjoyed a break from class, indulging in the snack buffet after solving puzzles. He remarked, “I really enjoy the food. It’s my favorite part of Pi Day.”

Natalie Viviano (left) and Sophia Dougherty use a calculator to solve an equation 

Carter Zaino, Will Lawler and Henry Cravetz (left to right) in Nicole Mattison’s class team up to solve for Pi

Fifth graders Alexis Firer (left) and Ryan O’Malley measure the diameter of a can to see how close they get to solving for Pi

Third graders at Bedford Road School were treated to a special preview of the upcoming Grade 4 Science Fair. The event showcased inventive projects, offering insights into the world of science and experimentation.

Among the exhibits were projects with titles such as "A Sip a Day Keeps Your Smile Away," "Plastic Play Things," and "The Amazing DC Motor." Each project showcased the curiosity and ingenuity of the fourth-grade students.

Liam Tyson and Cole McCoy’s project, "A Sip a Day Keeps Your Smile Away," delved into the effects of various beverages on dental health. By immersing eggs in different drinks for 12 hours, they discovered surprising results. Gatorade, typically associated with replenishment, proved to be harsh on tooth enamel. According to Liam, his mom remarked, "Looks like I need to brush after my morning coffee!" The duo highlighted the detrimental impact of sugar on teeth, with Liam concluding, “It’s probably best to stick with water.”

At the other side of the gym, Lauren Dugan and Sienna Miller demonstrated their prowess in engineering with a compact yet powerful direct current (DC) motor. Constructed from magnets and wire, their creation displayed high speed despite its size, showcasing creative and innovative design.

Third graders got valuable insights into the scientific knowledge and creativity of fourth graders, and the potential for their own future scientific explorations.

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