November Superintendent Update: Celebrating Our Tigers, Welcoming New Leadership, and Looking Ahead

Dear Pawling School Community,

October was an extraordinary month! Spirit Week, the RoarFest pep rallies, and the return of our Homecoming parade and bonfire brought students, staff, families, and neighbors together in ways we have not experienced in several years. Throughout these celebrations, we were all reminded of what makes Pawling such a special place: our wonderful students, dedicated educators and staff who consistently go above and beyond, and families and community partners who generously give their time and support.

As we begin November, I would like to share some recent developments, celebrate the people and accomplishments that make our District special, and look ahead to what is coming. First, I am pleased to share some news about our administrative team.

Welcome, Isabel Quiñones Everett!

Today, November 2, we are delighted to welcome Isabel Quiñones Everett as Assistant Principal at Pawling Elementary School!

Isabel joins us from the White Plains City School District, where she served as a special education teacher and held a variety of instructional and leadership roles. Most recently, she was principal of the district's K–12 Extended School Year program, overseeing staffing, scheduling, and operations. Her experience also includes curriculum development, instructional technology, professional learning, and programs supporting students' social-emotional growth.

Isabel brings a strong understanding of diverse student needs, a commitment to building meaningful relationships with families, and a collaborative approach to supporting teachers. These qualities align beautifully with our ongoing work to ensure that every child feels welcomed, supported, and included.

Please join me in extending a warm Pawling welcome to Isabel! We are thrilled to have her as part of our school community.

Additional Administrative Updates

We also have several related leadership transitions taking place across the District.

Middle School Principal Megan Gleason has begun her maternity leave. We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Megan and her family during this special time.

Ean Titus is now serving as Interim Principal of Pawling Middle School. We sincerely appreciate Ean's willingness to step into this important role and his continued dedication to our students, staff, and school community.

With Isabel's arrival, Paul Tobin will transition to Pawling High School to serve as Assistant Principal during Ean's interim assignment. Paul has made meaningful contributions at the elementary school, and we are grateful for his flexibility and willingness to support our students and colleagues in this new capacity.

My sincere thanks to everyone involved in making these transitions as smooth as possible and ensuring continued support and strong leadership across our three schools.

Homecoming 2026

On Friday, October 23, Pawling celebrated the return of our Homecoming parade and bonfire for the first time in several years, and what a wonderful celebration it was! The excitement built throughout the week with Spirit Week, RoarFest pep rallies, student-designed floats, the bike parade, our pep band, and the bonfire, culminating in the football team's Homecoming game under the lights.

For many of our families and community members, the evening brought back fond memories of their own school days. For our students, it created new memories and shared experiences that I hope they will carry with them for years to come.

Bringing an event of this scale to life requires tremendous planning, coordination, and teamwork. Athletic Director John Bellucci and Pawling High School Principal Helen Callan provided outstanding leadership throughout the process, and I am deeply appreciative of their efforts.

Just as importantly, this celebration was truly a District-wide and community-wide effort. Teachers, class advisors, administrators, instructional and non-instructional staff, facilities and grounds crews, maintenance, transportation, the business office, student volunteers, families, community organizations, and local partners all helped make the week a success. The Pawling Tigers Athletic Club, PTSA, PTA, and our local officials also provided invaluable support and collaboration.

One of our shared priorities is to preserve the traditions and close-knit character that make Pawling special while creating new opportunities to bring people together. Homecoming was a wonderful example of that commitment in action, and I look forward to seeing this tradition continue to grow.

You can enjoy photographs and stories from the festivities in the Tiger Tribune and on our District social media pages.

More October Highlights

Homecoming was just one of the many wonderful things happening across our schools in October!

Pawling High School Peer Leaders participated in Christ Church Nursery School's Halloween celebration and the PTA's Trunk or Treat, where they designed and staffed a Disney-themed trunk for families.

Our Middle School Agriculture Club built pollinator habitats at the Murrow Park Community Garden, putting their learning into practice while making a meaningful contribution to our local environment.

Pawling Elementary School held its first Halloween parade, bringing students and families together for a joyful new tradition.

We were also pleased to host the Youth & Police Initiative (YPI), a weeklong after-school program designed to build positive, trusting relationships between young people and local law enforcement officers. Through engaging discussions and activities, students explored educational and career opportunities, developed leadership skills, and connected with caring adults who can serve as mentors and positive role models. We are grateful to Camino al Éxito, Dutchess County Youth Bureau, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Town of Hyde Park Police Department, the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, and Dutchess County Probation for their partnership in bringing this meaningful opportunity to our students.

These experiences remind us that some of the most meaningful learning takes place beyond the classroom, as students explore their interests, develop leadership skills, build relationships, and discover ways to contribute to their community.

October also gave us two special opportunities to recognize those whose leadership and service make a difference throughout our District.

During National Principals Month, we recognized our outstanding building principals and assistant principals. School leadership brings both tremendous responsibility and countless opportunities to make a difference. I am grateful for the care, professionalism, and steady commitment our administrators bring to their schools each day.

School Board Appreciation Week provided an opportunity to thank our dedicated Board of Education members, who generously volunteer their time in service to our schools. Their thoughtful leadership, deep respect for educators, and unwavering focus on what is best for students help shape the strength of our District. Much of their important work takes place behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout our schools. I am sincerely grateful for their service and consider it a privilege to work alongside them.

Athletic Highlights

Congratulations to our Varsity Girls Field Hockey team, who captured the Section 1 Class C Championship on Sunday, November 1, defeating Bronxville 3-2 at Nyack High School!

This is an outstanding accomplishment and a reflection of the dedication, preparation, teamwork, and perseverance these student-athletes and their coaches have demonstrated throughout the season. We are incredibly proud of them!

The season continues as the team advances to the New York State regional round, and several other fall teams remain in postseason competition. I encourage everyone to follow their progress and come out to cheer on our Tigers! Game schedules and updates are available on our Athletics Calendar.

Our field hockey team's success is just one of many reasons to celebrate Pawling athletics this fall.

In October, junior Elizabeth Walsh won the Manhattan University Cross Country Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park, becoming the first female runner and the first junior in Pawling history to win this prestigious event. What a remarkable achievement in one of the region's most competitive invitationals!

Across our fall sports programs, our student-athletes have represented Pawling with dedication, determination, sportsmanship, and pride. Congratulations to all of our Tigers, and best wishes to those continuing their postseason journeys!

Investing in Our Educators: Regional Day of Learning

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, is a Superintendent's Conference Day, and there will be no school for students.

Our educators will join colleagues from across Dutchess County for a Regional Day of Learning, featuring professional development sessions led by teachers, school leaders, and regional experts.

One of the most meaningful investments we can make in our students is to support the continued learning and professional growth of the educators who work with them every day. Opportunities like this allow our teachers to collaborate with colleagues, exchange ideas, explore effective practices, and bring fresh perspectives back to their classrooms.

The day's learning also connects directly to several of our District priorities, including literacy, mathematics, and New York State's Portrait of a Graduate initiative.
I am grateful to our educators for their continued commitment to learning, growing, and strengthening their practice for the benefit of our students.

Supporting Our Students and Families

Supporting student success means caring for the whole child and recognizing the everyday needs of our families.

The November School Lunch Menus are included with this message. Families can also access menus through our Food Services Department website or MealViewer, which provides current meal information.

A Season of Gratitude

On Wednesday, November 11, our schools and District offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

To the veterans throughout our Pawling community, including our staff, families, and neighbors, we extend our sincere gratitude for your service and sacrifice. As educators, we have a responsibility to help younger generations understand the significance of that service and the freedoms it has helped preserve. We also thank the families who have supported those who served.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on my first several months as Pawling's superintendent. Since July, I have been welcomed with tremendous kindness and generosity. I have witnessed educators going above and beyond for students, families enthusiastically supporting our schools, and colleagues helping one another through challenges and celebrations alike.

What has impressed me most is the genuine commitment people have to this District and to one another, reflected not only in major celebrations but also in the everyday acts of kindness and service that often go unnoticed. It is a privilege to be part of this community.

Our schools will be closed for Thanksgiving Recess from Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27. I wish all of our Pawling families a peaceful and restful holiday.

Looking Ahead

I encourage families and community members to attend upcoming athletic events, enjoy our Middle School Musical, Shrek Jr., on November 20 and 21, and support activities sponsored by our PTA, PTSA, and Pawling Tigers Athletic Club.

As we look ahead, I remain committed to listening, learning, and working alongside our school community to strengthen opportunities for every student. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

Roar Loud. Roar Proud. Go Tigers!

With sincere gratitude,
Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Pawling Central School District

District Calendar
Athletics Calendar

November 2026 Food Service Menus
November Middle School Lunch Menu
November High School Lunch Menu
November Elementary Lunch Menu
November Breakfast Menu