January Digital Newsletter

Posted Date: 02/02/26 (03:30 PM)

Pocantico Hills Newsletter

January 2026

Four young people pose with large white letters spelling 'FETC' in an indoor venue.

Students assist keynote speaker, our very own Alana Winnick, at tech conference

Several of our students recently traveled to Orlando to join Educational Technology Director Alana Winnick at the Future of Education Technology Conference, one of the largest and most influential EdTech conferences in the world.

Ms. Winnick served as the keynote speaker and proudly welcomed Pocantico students - Gwynna, Kent, and Ossian - as well as Superintendent Rich Calkins to the stage to share their experiences.

In addition, staff members Marina Pisto, Joy Scantlebury, and Christine Perricelli led breakout sessions, collectively highlighting the innovative, student-centered work taking place at Pocantico.

A bright sun shines over a snow-covered park with bare trees.

Thank you!

Thank you to our amazing facilities and maintenance team for doing such a great job following a significant snow event! The driveways, walkways and parking lots were cleared quickly and safely!

Two children are building with colorful interlocking blocks on a blue rug in a library.

JPK Camping Adventure

Our JPK students recently had a bit of an adventure!

When a heating unit in our JPK room malfunctioned, the class was moved to the library while repairs were made. Always being up for a good time, Ms. Mia and Miss Bridget turned the library into a camping adventure for our youngest explorers! They played games, read books and enjoyed some nap time!

The students embraced the change with excitement, curiosity, and big smiles.

When Principal Adam Brown stopped by, students eagerly showed him where they were “camping.” By dismissal, several children were so proud of their experience that they happily brought their parents to the library to show them where they had spent the day.

Moments like this remind us that learning is about more than classrooms—it’s about flexibility, care, and creating positive experiences for our students. We are grateful to our staff for ensuring safety while turning an unexpected situation into a joyful learning opportunity.

Children in a sleeping bag with a space-themed print in a library.

A teacher guides young children in an activity at a table in a library.

Three young children collaborate to build a tall tower with colorful translucent blocks on a blue carpet.

A letter from the Superintendent

Dear Pocantico Hills Community,

No one can deny it—winter has well and truly arrived, as we were reminded by the recent snowstorm that swept through our area. I hope everyone made the most of the snow day and found time to enjoy a little winter fun!

We were back in school before long, thanks to our dedicated staff who braved the elements to be sure our buildings were ready and our students and colleagues could return safely. Their commitment does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful.

I’d also like to share a special shout-out to our Educational Technology Director, Alana Winnick. Ms. Winnick recently served as a keynote speaker at the Future of Educational Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando—a tremendous honor. Even more exciting, she was joined on stage by three of our own students, Gwynna, Kent, and Ossian, who spoke about how technology is used by students here at Pocantico. What an incredible experience for all involved!

Though winter has us firmly in its chilly grip, there’s something on the horizon that’s sure to warm us all up. On February 26, our school will host its annual One Poco Night—a beloved tradition where we come together to share our cultures through dance, music, food, games, and more. It’s truly one of the highlights of the year and a wonderful reminder of the strength and joy found in our shared community. I hope you’ll join us.

Our Board of Education is already hard at work preparing for the 2026 budget season, and we appreciate the thoughtful planning and collaboration happening behind the scenes. Stay tuned for more information about an upcoming building project that will be brought forward for consideration. We continue to look ahead on how we can help enhance opportunities for the entire educational community.

And as always, a huge shout-out to all members of Team Poco for being generally awesome—your dedication and energy make school what it is! 😊

Until then, stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the season.

Warm regards,

Rich Calkins

Superintendent of Schools

Event announcement for 'One Poco Night!' on Feb. 26, 2026, at 6 p.m., featuring flags from various countries.

Come join us!

One Poco Night is a celebration of our many different cultures! On this night we share and celebrate with special performances, music, dance and food!

To register, please refer to the post recently sent from Mrs. DePaola with the registration form.

Deadline for registration is Tuesday, February 14th.

Happy Birthday Camp Poco!

This summer Camp Poco will celebrate 70 years of friendship, adventure and fun!

We began the celebration a bit early, asking our camp friends to share some of their memories with us! Several former campers sent in photos of their time at camp or shared when their own children attended.

Thank you to everyone who shared these fantastic memories:

Peter Blacksberg, 1971

Rena Finsmith, 1996

Gina Downes, 2007, 2009 and 2012

Antonia Scott

Gina Policastro Saraiba, 2009 and 2011

Registration opens shortly, visit our camp website page for information.

"Early Bird" Registration for Pocantico Residents ONLY:

Registration will open for residents (families zoned to attend Pocantico Hills School) on Monday, February 2nd at 9am. This early registration period will give priority to Pocantico Hills Residents to register for Camp Poco.

Registration will then open for our returning families on Tuesday, February 17th at 9am. During this time, we will welcome any returning resident or out of district families to register their campers.

Open Registration:

The regular registration window will open for both Pocantico Residents and Non-Residents on Monday, February 23rd at 9am. Registration will remain open until groups fill to capacity. Waitlists will be established as needed.

Camp Poco Website