Superintendent spotlights valedictorian, salutatorian, teacher-led professional learning and student successes

At a Pleasantville Union Free School District board meeting, the superintendent announced that Sarah Agab is the class valedictorian and Clara Schindler is the salutatorian; Agab plans to attend Tufts University and Schindler plans to attend Wesleyan University.

The superintendent also described a recent New York State superintendent-conference professional learning day that used a three‑period, teacher-led model. "We conducted a three‑period schedule where teachers learned from teachers," he said, reporting that 32 sessions were delivered by 18 teachers and administrators, plus an instructional coach and five outside visitors, and that staff feedback was positive. He said the format provides targeted, applicable professional learning and that the district plans to use the model in future superintendent-conference days.

The report included a round of district news and student achievements. The superintendent congratulated the cast and crew of Matilda and the high school production of Guys and Dolls, noting broad parent and staff participation. He said first‑grade students visited the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers to see the planetarium, and that the middle school Science Olympiad team placed second at the regional competition in Scarsdale; the district fielded three teams, with a reported 25 top‑10 finishes and 52 medals across teams. He also noted that three Pleasantville High School students — Nate Surl, Tunglam Winn and Julian Justinto — received individual awards at the Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair and will be recognized later this week at Somers High School.

Counseling staff updates included a visit by Miss Castellano, the high school counseling department co‑chair, and Miss Roth, a middle school counselor, to engineering and design classes to introduce eighth graders to freshman elective choices. The superintendent closed by noting that spring sports have started and by thanking staff for their involvement across academics and extracurriculars.

No formal motions or votes were recorded in this portion of the meeting; the superintendent concluded his report and board members offered brief remarks and congratulations.