Our PKMS students were recently treated to a special show from a few of The West Point Band's Jazz Knights. The band spent the morning playing to about 100 6th, 7th and 8th grade music students. Following the performance, about 25 jazz band students had the chance to get some personalized instruction from members of the group. The performance was the fourth in a series of annual events which were initiated by Peekskill Middle School music teacher David Thomas.  According to Thomas, West Point has many music groups that visit schools throughout January and February at no cost to the school, and they graciously tailor their presentation to meet the needs of the school and students they are visiting.

For the entire article on this event, click here.

For more photos from this event please visit our Facebook and Flikr photo albums.  

Having just begun the second half of its premier year, Peekskill's Distance Learning Program comes to Peekskill High School thanks to a recent partnership with Erie 2 BOCES and the NYS Distance Learning Consortium. Through the program, Peekskill's students are able to connect to virtual classrooms where they can interact with teachers and fellow students from across the state. 

As of now, Peekskill is offering three Distance Learning classes to seniors, but hopes to add more classes next year. Current courses topics include the History of Rock and Roll, Holocaust Studies, and a Pop Culture class, all of which will provide students with half or one elective credit once completed.

"Distance Learning is way to expand access for students to learn about topics that they might not otherwise be able to pursue," said Peekskill's Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Joseph Mosey, who helped pioneer the program in the District.  

 For the full article on this story, visit our Peekskill City Schools blog here.

Uriah Hill is the the new home for Woodside and Hillcrest's music teacher Crystal Hernandez, who will be on leave from her position as a music teacher while she is working at Uriah Hill as a Teacher Leader until June. Hernandez will be helping Ms. Sherri Goffman,who oversees the school and serves as the Interim Director of Educational Services in the District, with the school's day-to-day operations.

For more on this story, click here.