Home Page - Pawling Middle School

Contact Info

Megan Gleason, Principal
Michelle Rivas, Asst. Principal
Middle School Main Office: 845-855-4653
Fax: 845-855-4134
School day start time: 7:05 a.m.

School day dismissal time: 1:30 p.m.
Bell Schedule
2020-2021 Bell Schedule with delays.pdf

Announcements

featured post
Kim Fontana Honored for District Leadership

Pawling Central School District Superintendent Kim Fontana received the Mid-Hudson School Study Council's Educational Leadership Award from Board President Karen Burka. This prestigious Award honors school district superintendents, college presidents, and BOCES superintendents who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their district or institution.

The 2020-21 school year presented enormous challenges to educational leaders throughout the region. Ms. Fontana partnered with community groups, town officials, school associations, teachers, and parents to create a school re-entry plan that safely offered Pawling students consistent face-to-face instruction and extracurricular activities throughout the year. The result was high academic and athletic student achievements, including the Section 9 championship for the Pawling Tigers 8-man football team.

Already an acknowledged educational leader in the Hudson Valley, Ms. Fontana currently represents Dutchess County in the New York State Council of School Superintendents. Her creative approach to building support within the Pawling community led to the passage of a $47 million Capital Projects Bond Referendum, despite the coronavirus pandemic. She has made student equity a pillar of the Pawling school district, bringing together several community groups to form the Pawling Equity Council. “Our school board could think of no other Superintendent who surpassed Ms. Fontana’s Leadership Excellence this year,” said PCSD Board of Education President Burka.

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Kim Fontana Honrada por su Liderazgo en el Distrito
La Superintendente del Distrito Escolar Central de Pawling,
Kim Fontana, recibió el Premio al Liderazgo Educativo
otorgado por el Consejo de Estudio Escolar de Mid-Hudson de
manos de la presidenta de la Junta, Karen Burka. Este
prestigioso premio honra a los superintendentes de distritos
escolares, presidentes de universidades y superintendentes de
BOCES que han demostrado un liderazgo sobresaliente en su
distrito o institución.
El año escolar 2020-21 presentó enormes desafíos para los
líderes educativos de la región. La Sra. Fontana se asoció con
grupos comunitarios, funcionarios de la ciudad, asociaciones
escolares, maestros y padres para crear un plan de reingreso
a la escuela que ofreciera de manera segura a los estudiantes
de Pawling instrucción constante cara a cara y actividades extracurriculares durante
todo el año. El resultado fue un alto rendimiento académico y atlético de los
estudiantes, incluido el campeonato de la Sección 9 para el equipo de fútbol de 8
hombres de Pawling Tigers.
La Sra. Fontana, que ya es una líder educativa reconocida en el Valle de Hudson,
actualmente representa al condado de Dutchess en el Consejo de Superintendentes
Escolares del Estado de New York. Su enfoque creativo para generar apoyo dentro de
la comunidad de Pawling llevó a la aprobación de un Referéndum de Bonos de
Proyectos de Capital de $47 millones, a pesar de la pandemia de coronavirus. Ella ha
hecho de la equidad estudiantil un pilar del distrito escolar de Pawling, reuniendo a
varios grupos comunitarios para formar el Pawling Equity Council. "Nuestra junta
escolar no podía pensar en ningún otro superintendente que superó la excelencia en
liderazgo de la Sra. Fontana este año", dijo Burka, Presidente de la Junta de Educación
de PCSD.
Pawling Central School District
Vote on May 18
Pawling Central School District
MEET THE CANDIDATES BOARD OF EDUCATION 2021

KAREN BURKA

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Education?

I am running for a second term on the Pawling School Board because I want to continue the fine work our Board has done to grow the excellence of our academic and extracurricular programs, and ensure that we do so in a way that is financially transparent and responsible.

Great schools are valuable to everyone in the community. They are hubs that bring people together and also help to raise property values. A high-quality school district is important to me personally. My husband, Marty Mygan, and I have two sons: Daniel graduated from Pawling High School last year and is attending Binghamton University, and Mark is currently a freshman at Pawling High School. As a parent, homeowner, and taxpayer, I understand the benefits of an excellent school district.

I want to continue to use my skills and experience to grow the diversity of our educational programs and position our students for success in all their endeavors. Whether that means learning to play the clarinet, training to become a cosmetician at BOCES, or taking Advanced Placement courses to gain acceptance to an Ivy League College, I believe in providing all of our students with the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

At the same time, I want to ensure that the school district remains affordable for all Pawling and Holmes residents. The district’s proposed budget for the 2021-22 school year, which was approved by the Board on April 7, presents the lowest tax-levy increase in three years, and the lowest budget-to-budget increase in four years. I’m proud to be part of the Budget Advisory Committee that worked with school administrators to create the budget.

What are your passions?

I am passionate about being engaged in the Pawling community and providing our children and families with a diverse, challenging, and fulfilling school experience. I have not hesitated to step up and take a leadership role when needed. In my three years on the current school board, I have been the Co-Vice President and now, the President. In December 2020, the Board approved (and the community passed) three Capital Projects Propositions that will enhance and improve our academic and athletic programs for years to come. For six years I was a member of the PTA Executive Committee, first as Health & Wellness Chairperson, then as Corresponding Secretary, and then as President. During that time, I chaired numerous PTA programs, including author visits, Mad Science and Mobile Planetarium assemblies, Teacher Appreciation Week, the Ice Cream Social & Book Swap, and the Homecoming Parade.

I am passionate about health and wellness, both personally and for our community. In my 10 years on the school district’s Health & Wellness Committee, I have been part of the team that launched the Elementary School’s Edible Garden, as well as Snackarooza, our popular Elementary School event that encourages students to try delicious and nutritious snacks. For several years, we partnered with Dutchess County to create the Great Halloween Candy Exchange, where Elementary and Middle School students exchanged some of their Halloween candy for tickets to fun activities such as mini-golf, bowling, and ice skating.

What are your relevant experiences?

I am currently the President of the Pawling School Board and was the Co-Vice President last year. I am a member of the Board’s Audit Committee and Budget Advisory Committee. Prior to my current three-year Board term, I was actively involved in our school district for many years as a Pawling PTA President, Corresponding Secretary, and Health & Wellness Chair; and as a PTSA volunteer and event chairperson. I have been a member of the PCSD Health & Wellness Committee for more than 10 years. Through these experiences, I have created valuable working relationships with many school district parents, administrators, teachers, and staff.

I also have extensive budget management skills, developed through owning my freelance writing business for 15 years and managing the Pawling PTA budget while PTA President. I pride myself on always being organized, prepared and on time, which are important skills for the Board of Education. I believe all of these experiences make me well qualified for a second term on the PCSD Board of Education.

DEBORAH KLEIN

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Education?

Serving on the Board these past three years, and especially this past year during COVID has opened my eyes to how important the schools are to our entire community. Both in terms of providing learning resources, but also food and stability to the families in the Pawling Central School District. It would be my honor to continue to serve a second term and help continue the excellent work with this Administration and see the Capital Projects take shape to offer an enhanced environment and more opportunities for our students and community.

What are your passions?

I am a lifelong learner, so I am passionate about education for all, no matter what their path in life as well as people and community. I love seeing the impact one person can make and I'm so fortunate that sometimes I get to be that person.

What are your relevant experiences?

My education has been in Occupational Health & Safety, followed by a Masters in Business focused on Human Resources. I am a Human Resource professional with over 30 years in the Manufacturing sector so I interact on a daily basis with people that have all levels of skills and education, families, and their own passions and interests. I strive to be a resource to all. I also have other Board experience both in and out of the school community, having previously served in positions with the Pawling Chamber of Commerce, Pawling Little League, PTA, PTSA, and Building Level teams.
- MEET THE CANDIDATES__ BOARD OF EDUCATION 2021 5-13-21 - Spanish.pdf
Pawling Central School District
School Budget Vote Reminder

Vote May 18 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pawling Elementary
Pawling Central School District
Annual Scholastic Book Fair

This year our Book Fair is virtual. Please support our school & help your child discover new books.

Online Fair Dates: March 15 - 28, 2021

Link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/pawlingcentralmiddleschool1

Pawling Middle School
Don't Delay - Order Your Yearbook Today

The PCMS Yearbook Club is working hard to create something lasting and beautiful through photos and design, and we can't wait to share it with you. The online yearbook sale is live now through May 6th. The cost is $28 per book. This is the link to place your order: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01050894

Pawling Middle School
*NEW - 2021-22 Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration is now open. Registration forms are available on our district website in English and Spanish.

Kindergarten Registration Packet

Pawling Central School District

Resources

Remote Learning Schedule

Answers to some questions from August’s broadcast on Pawling Public Radio (In English and Spanish):

Question/Comment: “I know for my middle schooler the children who will be in his pod is going to determine whether he returns or not to keep his social/emotional health the best it can be.”

You will not know which students are in your child’s pod before submitting your decision for remote or in-person. However, if there are some serious needs that you have regarding a supportive friend, please feel free to contact me and the school counselor and we will do everything we can to accommodate such requests. I would also like to take this opportunity to share how we plan to address the social-emotional needs of our students. Every day your child will have a 35 minute Advisory from 7:05 to 7:40 am. This time period will allow for a slow, gradual entry into the building as well as time to take care of housekeeping items such as attendance and daily lunch counts. This is also a time that we are devoting to social emotional learning (SEL). SEL will be designed, implemented, and taught by our mental health team, consisting of our school counselors, school psychologist, and a teacher who was hired to teach part of our SEL program. We are well aware of the fact that part of our academic program needs to include a well-designed plan for our students’ social emotional needs during the pandemic.

Question/Comment: “Will 5th graders be able to see the buildings before the 1st day of school?”

We are working on a virtual orientation, and we know it’s important for our 5th graders to get their own time in the building prior to other students entering.

Question/Comment: “Are supply lists updated for this school year?”

Yes, they are posted on our website by grade level as well as special area teacher supplies. We have minimized supply lists so that children do not have to carry heavy backpacks back and forth to school.

Question/Comment: “In middle school, how many teachers, on average, will enter the pod classroom daily?”

Approximately 8

Question/Comment: “Do you know if the middle school will still have 9 periods a day? For example, will a teacher rotate between rooms 9 times a day?”

No, we have shifted to a block schedule. They have the full academic program (ELA, S.S., Science, Math, Agriculture, Art, PE, Music, Musical Appreciation, World Language, Advanced classes, etc). Students will have 4 special areas classes every other day for 35 minutes. They will have their core classes for 35 minutes every other day and 70 minutes every other day.

Question/Comment: “Will students be crossing over into other pods or cohorts?”

Students will cross with the other pod of their cohort during recess, and, at times, during certain classes (World Language is one example).

Question/Comment: “What is the start and end time for the middle school day?”

Students can begin to arrive at 7:05, and students will begin to be dismissed at 1:30.

Question/Comment: “Will remote students be asked to go into school for labs or other projects or any other reasons? Or will they have opportunities to participate in group activities in safe ways for them?”

No. Remote students will not be asked to come to school. They may connect virtually with other students.

Question/Comment: “Can Ms. Gleason explain why students in pods would need to be mixing with students in the cohort? We thought the purpose of the pod was to reduce peer interactions.”

Yes, it is to reduce peer interactions. Students never leave their cohort. For World Language and Recess, they will interact with the other pod in their cohort.

Question/Comment: “Will the students each have their own paint brushes, scissors, etc. for art class or will the items be sanitized between each class?”

Students will have their own supplies for each class. We will have a sanitizing protocol for any shared library books, math manipulatives, and/or science/lab supplies.

Question/Comment: “If the school goes remote - will the students stay remote with their homeroom teacher or blend?”

Yes. They will have their Advisor who will guide them through the remote program, if the school goes remote.

Question/Comment: “Will there be band and chorus?”

We will have a Music class in all grade levels. Grades 5 and 6 will have Music Appreciation as well. The Music class will be taught by our Band teachers and will incorporate both music study and instrumental music instruction. Most of the instrumental music instruction will take place through a virtual platform called Music First. When possible, though, there may be opportunities for your child to play his/her instrument outdoors. The Music Appreciation course will be taught by our chorus teacher. This course will be a combination of music study, and, at times (outdoors), it will incorporate choral instruction. Again, though, most of the choral instruction will take place virtually using the Music First software.

Question/Comment: “For 5th and 6th grade, is there 1 teacher for all subjects, for remote and in-school?”

No. We continue to be departmentalized, and students will have different teachers across the different content areas.

Question/Comment: “Will mask breaks only be outdoors?”

No, but we will aim to get them outdoors as often as possible. For the most part, they will be outdoors.

Question/Comment: “Will there be multiple entrances?”

Yes. Each grade will enter through a different door, and it will be the same for dismissal.

Pregunta/Comentario:

"Sé que, para mi hijo de la escuela intermedia, los niños que estarán en su grupo van a determinar si regresa o no para mantener su salud social/emocional lo mejor posible".

Usted no sabrá qué estudiantes están en el grupo de su hijo antes de enviar su decisión de forma remota o en persona. Sin embargo, si usted tiene alguna necesidad seria con respecto a un amigo que lo apoye, no dude en comunicarse conmigo y con el consejero de la escuela y haremos todo lo posible para satisfacer tales solicitudes. También me gustaría aprovechar esta oportunidad para compartir cómo planeamos abordar las necesidades socioemocionales de nuestros estudiantes. Todos los días, su hijo tendrá un Asesoramiento de 35 minutos de 7:05 a 7:40 am. Este período de tiempo permitirá una entrada lenta y gradual al edificio, así como tiempo para ocuparse de las tareas domésticas, tales como la asistencia y el recuento diario de almuerzos. Este es también un tiempo que estamos dedicando al aprendizaje socioemocional (SEL). SEL será diseñado, implementado y enseñado por nuestro equipo de salud mental, formado por nuestros consejeros escolares, psicólogo escolar y un maestro que fue contratado para enseñar parte de nuestro programa SEL. Somos conscientes del hecho de que parte de nuestro programa académico debe incluir un plan bien diseñado para las necesidades socioemocionales de nuestros estudiantes durante la pandemia.

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿Los estudiantes de 5to Grado podrán visitar los edificios antes del primer día de clases?"

Estamos trabajando en una orientación virtual y sabemos que es importante para nuestros estudiantes de 5to grado tener su propio tiempo en el edificio antes de que entren otros estudiantes.

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿Las listas de útiles escolares están actualizadas para este año escolar?"

Sí, las listas se publican en nuestra página web por nivel de grado, así como también un área especial para los maestros de áreas. Hemos minimizado las listas de suministros para que los niños no tengan que llevar mochilas pesadas de ida y vuelta a la escuela.

Pregunta/Comentario: “En la escuela intermedia, ¿cuántos maestros, en promedio, ingresarán al salón de clases diariamente?”

Aproximadamente: 8

Pregunta/Comentario: “¿Sabe si la escuela intermedia todavía tendrá 9 períodos por día? Por ejemplo, ¿rotará un profesor de salón a salón 9 veces al día? "

No, hemos cambiado a un horario en bloque. Ellos tienen el programa académico completo (ELA, SS, Ciencias, Matemáticas, Agricultura, Arte, Educación Física, Música, Apreciación Musical, Idiomas del Mundo, Clases Avanzadas, etc.). Los estudiantes tendrán 4 clases de áreas especiales cada dos días durante 35 minutos. Ellos tendrán sus clases principales durante 35 minutos cada dos días y 70 minutos cada dos días.

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿Los estudiantes pasarán a otros grupos o equipos?"

Los estudiantes se cruzarán con el otro grupo de su equipo durante el recreo y, a veces, durante ciertas clases (el Idioma Mundial es un ejemplo).

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿Cuál es la hora de apertura y finalización del día de la escuela intermedia?"

Los estudiantes pueden comenzar a llegar a las 7:05am y los estudiantes comenzarán a salir a la 1:30pm.

Pregunta/Comentario: “¿Se les pedirá a los estudiantes remotos que vayan a la escuela para laboratorios u otros proyectos o por cualquier otra razón? ¿O tendrán oportunidades de participar en actividades grupales de manera segura para ellos? "

No. No se les pedirá a los estudiantes remotos que vengan a la escuela. Ellos pueden conectarse virtualmente con otros estudiantes.

Pregunta/Comentario: “¿Puede la Srta. Gleason explicar por qué los estudiantes en grupos tendrían que mezclarse con los estudiantes del equipo? Pensamos que el propósito del grupo era reducir las interacciones entre compañeros”

Sí, es para reducir las interacciones entre compañeros. Los estudiantes nunca abandonan su grupo. Para Idiomas del Mundo y recreo, ellos interactuarán con el otro grupo de su equipo.

Pregunta/Comentario: “¿Cada estudiante tendrá sus propios pinceles, tijeras, etc. para la clase de arte o se desinfectarán los artículos entre cada clase?”

Los estudiantes tendrán sus propios útiles para cada clase. Tendremos un protocolo de desinfección para los libros compartidos de la biblioteca, manipulativos matemáticos y/o útiles de ciencia/laboratorio.

Pregunta/Comentario: "Si la escuela se vuelve remota, ¿los estudiantes permanecerán alejados de su maestro de aula o se mezclarán?"

Si. Ellos tendrán su Asesor que los guiará a través del programa remoto, si la escuela se vuelve remota.

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿Habrá banda y coro?"

Tendremos una clase de música en todos los grados. Los grados 5 y 6 también tendrán Apreciación Musical. La clase de Música será impartida por nuestros maestros de Banda e incorporará tanto el estudio de música como la instrucción de música instrumental. La mayor parte de la instrucción de música instrumental se llevará a cabo a través de una plataforma virtual llamada Music First. Sin embargo, cuando sea posible, puede haber oportunidades para que su hijo toque su instrumento al aire libre. El curso de Apreciación Musical será impartido por nuestro maestro de coro. Este curso será una combinación de estudio de música y, a veces (al aire libre), incorporará instrucción coral. Una vez más, sin embargo, la mayor parte de la instrucción coral se llevará a cabo virtualmente utilizando el software Music First.

Pregunta/Comentario: "Para el 5to y 6to grado, ¿hay un maestro para todas las materias, para el remoto y en la escuela?"

No. Seguimos estando departamentalizados y los estudiantes tendrán diferentes maestros en las diferentes áreas de contenido.

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿El descanso de la mascarilla solo serán al aire libre?"

No, pero nuestro objetivo es sacarlos al aire libre con la mayor frecuencia posible. En su mayor parte, será al aire libre.

Pregunta/Comentario: "¿Habrá varias entradas?"

Si. Cada grado entrará por una puerta diferente, y esta será la misma para la salida.

Pregunta/Comentario: "Si eliges la opción completamente remota en el nivel de la escuela intermedia, ¿un maestro de la Escuela Intermedia de Pawling les enseñará a los estudiantes?"

Si. Si bien estos planes evolucionan continuamente, nosotros hemos podido asegurar maestros de Pawling para nuestros estudiantes remotos.

Question/Comment: “If you choose the fully remote option at the middle school level, will the students be taught by a Pawling Middle School teacher?”

Yes. While these plans are continuously evolving, we have been able to secure Pawling teachers for our remote students.