Pville Community Connection: September Highlights
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September 17, 2025
Dear Pleasantville Families,
I hope this message finds you well as we settle into the rhythms of the new school year. September is always a time of energy, learning, and connection.
Celebrating Student Accomplishments at PHS
Although the school year has just begun, we already have much to be proud of at Pleasantville High School. Several student-musicians were recently selected for NYSSMA All-State ensembles, a prestigious honor that reflects their talent, discipline, and dedication to their craft.
In addition, PHS is proud to recognize our National Merit Scholarship honoree(s), who achieved top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT, placing them among the highest-achieving students nationwide.
Honoring Heroism in Our Schools
At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized Pleasantville Middle School staffer, Marc Damon, for his courageous actions in administering the Heimlich maneuver to a middle school student who was choking last year. His quick response and calm leadership made a tremendous difference, and we are so very grateful for his presence in our schools.
Welcoming New Leadership
As we announced earlier this month, we are excited to welcome Dr. Joshua Deitch, who will officially join Pleasantville on October 7 as our first Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. This new role reflects our commitment to supporting teaching and learning across the district, and we look forward to the expertise and energy Dr. Deitch will bring to our team.
Transition in Business Leadership
The Board also accepted the retirement of John Chow, our Assistant Superintendent for Business, who will complete the 2025–26 school year before retiring on June 30, 2026. We thank John for his steadfast leadership and dedication to Pleasantville. At that time, we are pleased to share that Donna Vitucci will step into the role of School Business Administrator beginning July 1, 2026.
Sharing Our Story: Opening of Schools Presentation
At the Board meeting, I was joined by our school principals to share the annual Opening of Schools report, showcasing the energy and momentum across all three buildings. From innovative learning experiences to strong community traditions, the presentation captured the many ways Pleasantville is living its mission each day.
Goals and Strategic Planning Update
We also shared updates on our district goals and long-term strategic planning efforts. These priorities are centered on student success, staff support, and community engagement. Families will continue to see communication around these goals as we measure progress and celebrate achievements throughout the year, and begin planning for our next Strategic Plan in the second half of the school year.
Looking Ahead
- Schools Closed September 23 & 24: Pleasantville Schools will be closed for Rosh Hashanah. To those in our community who celebrate, we wish you a joyful and meaningful holiday.
- Pleasantville Forward, Together Capital Project Community Forum: Please mark your calendars for our next community forum, scheduled for Monday, September 29, at 7:30 PM in the PHS Auditorium. This is an important opportunity to hear the latest updates on capital project planning and to share your thoughts as we shape the future of our schools together. The latest information about the Pleasantville Forward, Together Capital Project can be found on the district website: pleasantvilleschools.org/CapitalProject
- Join us on Friday, September 19 (6 PM), at Parkway Field for the annual Break the Hold football game, a special event and important cause that continues to bring our school and community together.
As we reflect on an inspiring and successful opening to the school year, I want to thank our students, families, faculty, and staff for the energy and commitment that make Pleasantville such a special community. The months ahead will bring many more opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate together, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish.
Warmly,
Eric Lutinski
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