Dear peekskill Community,

We welcome you back to another exciting school year at peekskill City school District, where we are focused on every student, every day. It is my honor and pleasure to serve as your superintendent of schools. our goals of academic excellence require focused, explicit, and transparent work. our staff and faculty stand ready to lead, support and collaborate with respect to our journey as educators and change agents. By working together we have the opportunity to create a system of equity and excellence, which will enrich our school community.

this summer, our Board of education along with administrators, staff, teachers, faculty and parents collaborated on various elements related to our school and District comprehensive improvement plans. these plans were driven by six tenets, which focus on leadership, systemic practices/decisions, curriculum, instruction, social/emotional wellness for students, and family/community engagement. I am proud of the work put forth by our educational community and all stakeholders that continue to remain part of the solution.

this past school year we celebrated various successes. We held our District’s First Annual Music in our schools Month concert and saw students participate in amazing art collaborations with local artists. students also shared their talents by offering a variety of live performances for our peekskill community. Academically, we increased graduation rates, improved Regents scores, added college-level sequences, and celebrated students as local and regional award winners. our grade levels and departments have worked diligently on aligning their curriculum so we as a District may remain rigorous with respect to state standards and consistency between and within grades. Moving forward, in the fall of 2016, our District will be presenting at the new York state school Boards Association (nYssBA) conference in Buffalo. All this said, we continue into the new school year highlighting our 2016-2017 theme: peekskill pride. As we embody this theme, let us remember to be lifelong learners and remain part of the solution while maintaining a growth mindset so our students are afforded every experience and opportunity they deserve.

In closing, I encourage all residents to attend our bi-monthly Board of education meetings. every board meeting will include a “top ten” list of reasons as to why peekskill is a great place to live and learn. Feel free to share your thoughts or submit your own “top ten” list to be featured. Again, please remember to regularly visit our District and school websites for frequent updates. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions

feel free to contact me anytime at dfi ne@peekskillcsd.org or (914) 737-3300 ext. 303.

sincerely,

Dr. David Finesuperintendent of school@DrFinePCSD

In Our SchoolsSeptember 2016Peekskill City School District News

Peekskill BOeAppoints New offi cers

On July 5, Peekskill’s Board of Education elected offi cers for the 2016-2017 school year. Congratulations to our newly appointed peekskill Board of education president, lisa Aspinall-Kellawon and Vice president, Richard sullivan.

Peekskill Spiritwear Store noW open!Visit our new pCsD Athletics website for the latest in sports news, schedules, scores, spiritwear and more. In our store you’ll fi nd a variety of clothing, hats, and accessories all with custom design options. Just click on the Red Devils logo on our District homepage, or visit http://peekskillathletics.olinesports.com

Show off your #PeekskillPridein style!

Jamie Alexandra AcevedoEsmeralda Inez AlamoMona Mustafa AljayyosiEmrigael Joy AlpernKaren Vanessa AlvarengaMarco Vinicio Anguizaca GallegoJefferson G. ApuangoMonique Chante ArcherLander Matthew Arpi LojaChristian AtkinsRebecca Chea AuAngel Raul AvilaCarlos Adalberto AyalaJennifer Elizabeth Ayavaca GordilloRonald Earl BarnesZhane Mystique BestBurim BoqolliElijah Daniel Boyd-RobertsDarly Gardenia Bravo CoelloAaron Joel BretonRobert Jerome Brown Jr.Lisana Unique BurnettNicole Simone BurrisJanely Zoe CabreraJordy Alexander CadenaTania Germania Carchipulla FajardoJacqueline Paula CardenasLeilany Cardona RodriguezGustavo Manuel Castro DuarteDaniela Del Rocio Cedillo ZunaGiovani Israel Chacha VillaMarco Antonio ChambaDavina CintronTaylor Shannon ClareSammala Allure ClarkeKimberly Cochancela Chimbo

RoseMary CoradoFaith Hannah-Maria CreightonChristian Johnathon Crespo UllaguariMichael Anthony Davis Jr.Matthew Keith Francis Davis**Celayna Monet DebrauxJocelyn Kliabet Diaz -GonzalezDanny Farith Diaz OriedoDiamante DiMaioAlana Renee DonabieJennifer Alexandra Duran

Jovanny Jhaleel ElliottCalvin Anthony ElmoreRyan Norberto FarezVilmarie Janice FelicianoKayla Nicole FerranKyle Emmanuel FraiserKevin FuentesChad Robert GarciaCristopher Alexis GarzonRyan Stephen GerminaroJarrett Jason GilleoAirika Ann GlickertErick Rahamsel Gonzalez CordovaMalik Isa GrayKeyana Aaliyah Griffi thKaren Adriana Guamantario UllaguariDevin Joseph GuardinoChristopher Jeffrey GuinansacaKhadijah Lauren GuyLisandro GuzmanKorben William-Shane HallSulaiman Hizam HamidSteven Hernandez GonzalezNataisha Verdell HillNguyen HoangOmar Reakwon JacksonBriana Taylor JacksonNilus Tristan JacobSilvia Alexandra Jadan DumagualaToluwanimi Temitope JegedeBriayanna Amber Sallie JohnsonJevannie Akiem JohnsonTamara Lee JohnsonTiffany JohnsonRayvin Andrea Jones

Congratulations to the 170 peekskill High school graduates who accepted their diplomas in front of family and friends at the paramount theater in peekskill on June 26, 2016.

Kimberly Cochancela Chimbo

CONGRATULATIONS to the Peekskill

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James Michael KrapishStacey Vanessa LainezSade Thyra LangfordKevin DeJesus LazaroMartha LealJamie Jay Lent Jr.Andy LinCatherine Lynn LivelyChristian Abel Lobos AguilarBayron Alexander LondaJanis LopezCarolina Lopez GuzmanJonathan Charles LowdenCaitlyn Elizabeth LylesJordan Cornell LyonsKarlie Marie MannBrooke Elizabeth Yasminda MaxwellAdrian Riyaad McCalmanDominyque Ashante McCoy**Jason Aroldo Membreno FloresAna Giselle Mendez AuquillaShania Nicole MinardMichelle Denisse MolinaChristopher Monge SiguenzaLorenzo Isaiah MoralesEdwin Fabian Morocho VallejoEileen Priscilla MurphyJoseph Alexander MuschetteAshlie Ann NapolitanoDiego Armando Naulaguari MarcatomaKiara S. NavarroJeniffer Marilyn Nevarez VeraHerman Newton IIISonia Alexandra Nieves MatuteChelsea Akinyi OgindoAriel Michelle OrtizAutumn Byreneis OverbyJaier Christopher OverbyBryan Jefferson Panza-VejaranoNateek Marquail PattersonAlexa Jasmine PattersonJulia Marie PaulSophia Cassandra PereiraOswal Orel Perez

Celsea Alicia Chanel Peterson**Breanna Marie PikoulasFanny Nataly Pizarro SuquiChristian Anthony QuindeYaminah Sade RamsayJulie Cynthia RibaudoShanya Michelle RiceJames Garfield Robinson IIILanay Yejide RodneyJoshua Martin RomanJulissa RomanMilton Enrique RomeroRaldi Alexsi Sacasari MaxiAlexis Julian SalinasMelanie Kassandra SanchezTijani Obrian SangsterJason Miguel SantanaMoises Ricardo SaquipayDaisy Fernanda SariShan Z SarwarSerima Monique ScottKa’la Renee Scott**Danielle Marissa Louise ScozzafavaJustin A. SearyKimberly Ann SerranoDe’Jea Imani Shelton**Tyler John SmithLesly Yohana SoberanoDaysi Nicole Solano TintinErika Mariela Tenesaca GuamanToni Jenae TorresLexus Imani TurnerKevin Brando UrvinaMauricio Antonio Vanegas GuerraSteve Edison Vasquez Encalada

High School Graduates Class of 2016

Vincenzo Andrew VivenzioMalcolm Anthony WarrenMelvin Lavon Warren Jr.Raheem Allah Najee E. West**Madison Keviah WhittedDavonte Leonel WoodtonJennifer Stephanie Yanza**Katherine Yessenia Zambrano ToroArielle Nicole Zhinin

**January graduate

3In Our Schools — September 2016

College ACCeptAnCes

Albright CollegeAlfred UniversityArcadia UniversityBaruch College of the CUNYBerkeley College of White PlainsBinghamton UniversityBoston UniversityBowie State UniversityBrooklyn College of the CUNYBuffalo State College of SUNYCayuga Community CollegeCity College of New York CUNYCoker CollegeCollege of Mount Saint VincentCollege of Staten Island Concordia CollegeDaniel Webster CollegeDean CollegeDelaware State UniversityDominican CollegeDrew UniversityDrexel UniversityDutchess Community CollegeEastern Mennonite UniversityEastern UniversityElmira CollegeFairleigh Dickinson University Five Towns CollegeFlorence-Darlington Technical CollegeFordham UniversityGordon CollegeGrace CollegeHampton UniversityHerkimer County Community CollegeHofstra UniversityHoward UniversityHudson Valley Community CollegeHunter College of the CUNYIona CollegeJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice of the CUNYJohnson & Wales University Keene State CollegeLehman College of the CUNYLIM College Long Island University, BrooklynManhattan CollegeManhattanville CollegeMarist CollegeMassachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesMercy College

our graduates are off to do great things! these members of the Class of 2016 are beginning the next chapter of their lives as they head to colleges, universities, trade schools and the armed forces. We know they will represent peekskill well as they venture off to the following schools this september...

Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityMolloy CollegeMonroe CollegeMonroe Community CollegeMount Saint Mary CollegeNew England CollegeNew York City College of TechnologyNew York Institute of Technology Pace UniversityPennsylvania College of TechnologyPennsylvania State University Queens College of the CUNYQuinnipiac UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRobert Morris UniversityRoberts Wesleyan CollegeRochester Institute of TechnologyRockland Community CollegeSacred Heart University Saint Michael’s CollegeSchenectady County Community CollegeSeton Hall UniversitySiena CollegeSouthern Connecticut State UniversitySt. John’s University St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeState University of New York - PlattsburghState University of New York at AlbanyState University of New York at New Paltz

Stony Brook UniversitySullivan County Community CollegeSUNY Alfred State CollegeSUNY Broome Community CollegeSUNY College at CobleskillSUNY College at CortlandSUNY College at OneontaSUNY College at PotsdamSUNY DelhiSUNY Morrisville State CollegeSUNY OswegoSyracuse UniversityTaylor UniversityTemple UniversityThe College of Saint RoseThe College of WestchesterThe George Washington University Tompkins Cortland Community CollegeUniversity at Buffalo The State University of New YorkUniversity of BridgeportUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of HartfordUniversity of Maryland, College ParkUniversity of Mount OliveUniversity of New HavenUniversity of RochesterUtica CollegeWashington CollegeWentworth Institute of TechnologyWestchester Community CollegeYork College of the CUNY

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OURPeekskill Middle School graduates!

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CIA and Workshop Topics: 7pm in the Administration Building/ Ford Auditorium or SLT Bldg. (PHS on 6/6)

Date Location Topics

9/6/2016 Admin. Bldg. 1. opening Day Activities2. Board/District goals & Initiatives3. CIA & professional Development

11/8/2016 oakside1. slt : oakside 2. enrichment and transitional programs

12/6/2016 pKMs 1. slt : pKMs2. performing Arts Update

1/10/2017 Admin. Bldg.1. RtI and Data Review2. steM program and Acc. Courses Update

2/7/2017 Admin. Bldg.1. Clinical Update, preK-122. program & Course Updates preK-12

3/7/2017 Admin. Bldg.1. CIA and professional Development Updates2. special education

4/4/2017 Admin. Bldg.1. 5 Year Building Condition survey and plan2. District Review/Joint Committee

5/2/2017 Admin. Bldg. 1. goals, Deliverables, and planning, preK-12

6/6/2017 pHs 1. Retirement and tenure Ceremony

Business Agenda and Topics: 7pm in the Administration Building/Ford Auditorium or SLT Bldg

Date Location Topics

9/20/2016

1. Facility and security Update2. enrollment & Fte3. educational plan4. Joint Committee

10/18/2016 Woodside

educational plan & Budget 1. slt : Woodside/Uriah2. smart-Bond Update3. Budgeting Calendar4. Capital planning

11/15/2016 Hillcresteducational plan & Budget Workshop 11. slt: Hillcrest2.plan and Budget: Workshop one

12/20/2016 pHseducational plan & Budget1. slt: pHs and summit2. plan and Budget: Workshop two

1/24/2017 Admin. Bldg.educational plan & Budget1. plan and Budget: Workshop three, technology Update

2/14/2017 Admin. Bldg.educational plan & Budget1. plan and Budget: Workshop Four, operations and Facilities2. Staffing Update

3/21/2017 Admin. Bldg.educational plan & Budget1. plan and Budget: Workshop Five, tentative Adoption

4/18/2017 Admin. Bldg.educational plan & Budget1. plan and Budget: Workshop six, Adopt Budget2. BoCes Budget Adoption

5/16/2017 Admin. Bldg.1. Annual Vote2. Acceptance of Vote

6/20/2017 Admin. Bldg.1. end of Year Report2. Celebrations

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5In Our Schools — September 2016

Ms. Ellen hackettMs. ellen Hackett has joined the peekskill City school District as our new Director of special services. Ms. Hackett will be working in the District full-time and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the special education Department and clinical and health services.

With over fifteen years of experience in the education, mental health and social

service field, Ms. Hackett comes to Peekskill from the Haldane Central school District where she most recently worked as the Director of pupil personnel services and Innovative Instructional practices. previously, Ms. Hackett has worked in the Croton-Harmon, Mahopac and lakeland school Districts as well as at student Assistance services, putnam Family and Community services, stony lodge Adolescent psychiatric Hospital and Center for Urban Community services in Manhattan.

throughout Ms. Hackett’s career she has held positions such as clinical director, school social worker, substance abuse prevention counselor, therapist, policy analyst and community organizer. Ms. Hackett has also been an active member of the Westchester Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth and many of the local drug prevention community coalitions.

Ms. Hackett earned her Master’s degree in social Work from the Hunter College school of social Work, Advanced standing Program. She received her Certificate of Advanced Study in educational leadership at sUnY new paltz. she holds new York State certifications in School Building Leadership (SBL), School District leadership (sDl) and school social Work. she earned her Bachelor’s degree of Science in Social Work and a certificate in substance Abuse Counseling from Mercy College. Ms. Hackett is a nYs licensed Clinical social Worker (lCsW) and member of the national Association of social Workers (nAsW).

Mr. rodney ArthurMr. Rodney Arthur has joined the peekskill City school District as our new High school principal. In his role, Mr. Arthur will serve as an instructional leader and will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the high school. Mr. Arthur has been working in education for 22 years, 12 of which he has served as a school administrator at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. For the

past eight years, Mr. Arthur has worked in the City school District of New Rochelle, serving first as a special education administrator at the secondary level and most recently as the Assistant Principal at the middle school during the past five years.

prior to working in new Rochelle, Mr. Arthur worked in the

Please join us in welcoming

Hendrick Hudson school District where he was responsible for overseeing special education programs district-wide. Mr. Arthur has also worked as an elementary Assistant principal for the new York City Department of education, District 75.

Mr. Arthur holds a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Cortland state University, as well as a Master’s degree in education from Binghamton University. He also holds a professional Diploma in supervision Administration from long Island University.

Mrs. Carmen Vargas Mrs. Carmen Vargas has re-joined the peekskill City school District as our new Director of Uriah Hill elementary school. Mrs. Vargas will serve as an instructional leader and will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Uriah Hill.

Mrs. Vargas has been working in education for 19 years, 18 of which she has served as a school teacher at the

elementary and middle school levels. For the past eight years, Mrs. Vargas has worked in the peekskill City school District, serving as a Bilingual/Dual language teacher and most recently as the Assistant principal in the Yonkers public school District.

prior to working in peekskill, Mrs. Vargas worked in the Yonkers public school District where she was the enl teacher at the middle school. Mrs. Vargas has also worked as an elementary teacher for the new York City Department of education, District 10.

Mrs. Vargas holds a Bachelor’s degree from lehman College, as well as a Master’s degree in tesol from Mercy College. she also holds a degree in supervision and Administration from Fordham University.

Mrs. Naima Smith MooreWe are excited to announce that our very own Mrs. naima smith Moore has accepted a new position at the peekskill City school District and will now serve the District as an Assistant principal at peekskill High school. Mrs. smith Moore is responsible for assisting her fellow pHs administrators in overseeing the day-to-day operations of peekskill High school, including the pHs Freshman Academy program.

Mrs. smith Moore began her teaching career in 2003 at Commerce Middle school in Yonkers, nY. In september of 2004, she was employed by White plains public schools as a Business educator at White plains High school. In her previous position, Mrs. smith Moore was employed by the peekskill City school District as an Administrator and extended Day Coordinator at peekskill Middle school.

our new administrators, as well as over 30 new staff and faculty members to the Peekskill CSD family!

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FrEE LuNCh ProgrAMCommunity Eligibility Provision Provides Free Meals for Peekskill Studentspeekskill City school District has been awarded a federally funded breakfast and lunch provision for all district students pre-K-grade 12. Due to the large number of students attending peekskill City school District who met previous guidelines for free or reduced meals, the district was able to apply for the Community eligibility option of the 2010 Hunger Free Kids Act.

effective immediately, every child pre-K through grade 12 attending a peekskill City school District site will receive a free breakfast and free lunch. the only time a child will need to pay for food will be if they wish to purchase a snack item or a second meal.

the subsidy runs from 2016 through June 2020. the value of the reimbursements is estimated to be approximately $400,000 per year for our families.

“this is a wonderful program for our students and their families, and we are thankful to be able to bring this opportunity to our school community,” said peekskill’s Assistant superintendent for Business, Robin Zimmerman.

2016 AThLETIC hALL oF FAME INDUCTION DINNER

Mrs. smith Moore received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance from north Carolina Central University. she obtained her Master’s degree from pace University, lubin school of Business and completed a post Master’s Administration program at sUnY new paltz.

Ms. Courtney SimonMs. Courtney simon will be taking on the position of peekskill Middle school’s new leAp Coordinator. In her role, Ms. simon will supervise comprehensive and high quality youth development programs designed to improve the social, emotional, and academic competencies of students in peekskill Middle school.

Ms simon formerly worked as an english teacher at peekskill High school and served as an administrative intern for the District.

Ms. Simon has served as an educator for over fifteen years. After a rewarding career as an english teacher in Westchester County, and as a literacy Assistant principal with the new York City Department of education, she relocated to georgia with her family. During her tenure in the Fulton County school system in Atlanta, Ms. simon was a graduation Coach and a Response to Intervention Coordinator. there she supervised numerous academic intervention programs for students in need of credit-recovery towards graduation with their cohorts.

As a literacy Assistant principal in new York City, Ms. simon facilitated teams that closed elA achievement gaps in grades 6-8, coordinated school-wide academic intervention programs, and led curriculum writing committees.

Ms. simon received a M.A. in school leadership and Administration from the College of new Rochelle, a M.s.t. from pace University, and a B.A. in Communications from the state University of new York at oswego.

This year’s 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at our District’s annual dinner held at Colonial Terrace on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $50.00 per person for a buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar. If you would like to attend, please respond to Eileen Alexander at 914-737-3300 ext. 316 or email ealexander@peekskillcsd.org. Please RSVP to the event by and submit payment by October 1, 2016. Checks should be made payable to the Athletic H of F Training Fund.

Inductees: Louis Calabrese, Class of 1982: Wrestling Mike Maloy; Class of 1972: Cross Country Jerri Reeves; Class of 1988: Girls’ Basketball Michael Sabini; Class of 1989: Sports Supporter

Teams: 1966-67 Boys’ Swim Team 1969-70 Cross Country Team 1990-91 Football Team

Our newly hired faculty and staff. Welcome to Peekskill!

our new administrators, as well as over 30 new staff and faculty members to the Peekskill CSD family!

7In Our Schools — September 2016

Postal Customer

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 6656

WHITE PLAINS, NY

Peekskill City School District 1031 Elm Street, Peekskill, NY 10566www.peekskillcsd.org

Board of Educationlisa Aspinall-Kellawon, PresidentRichard sullivan, Vice PresidentDouglas glickertMaria pereiraMichael simpkinsColin smithJillian Villon

Dr. David Fine, Superintendent of SchoolsDr. Joseph Mosey, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Ms. Robin Zimmerman, Assistant Superintendent for BusinessMr. Daniel Callahan, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary EducationMrs. Mary Foster, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary EducationMrs. Janice Reid, Manager, Educational Technology/CIOMs. ellen Hackett, Director of Special ServicesDr. Rochelle Mitlak, Director of LiteracyMr. Andrew Weisman, Food Service DirectorMr. Carmine Crisci, Director of FacilitiesMs. Jennifer sampson, Assistant Supervisor of Transportation Mr. David santiago, Director of SecurityMr. lou panzanaro, Athletic DirectorMs. Laura Belfiore, Communication Specialistpurpaula productions, Design and Production

ECRWSS

ECRWSS

look for Peekskill City school District on Facebook, twitter,

Instagram and Flickr.

for more Peekskill District news, sign up for our monthly enews by emailing: eNews@peekskillcsd.org

MyschoolBucksThe Peekskill City School District is pleased to offer MySchoolBucks, a convenient online meal payment service. Parents, you can login to MyschoolBucks.com to pay for your student’s meals, manage meal balances, and see what your student has purchased. Never worry about sending cash or checks with your student to school again! Please visit any of our school websites and click on the MySchoolBucks icon to read our welcome letter with more information about how to register for your account. Click on the MySchoolBucks logo on any of our websites for more information.

Para obtener este boletín en español, por favor llame al (914) 737-3300 ext. 303, correo electrónico azucco@peekskillcsd.org o pase por el Edificio de Administración del Distrito y una edición en Español le proporcionará.

Torpy Field in Depew Park Walkers Welcome!ChronoTrack Timed Race - Break your best 5K record!

Check-in at Torpy Field (in Depew Park) 1050 Hudson Avenue, Peekskill Check-in: 7:00am-7:45amKid’s Fun Run* start time: 8:00am5K start time: 8:30am*Please register your child for the Fun Run

registration fees:Up to 10 years old FUN RUN: Free*Up to 10 years old 5K: $1511-19 years old: $1520 years and older: $25Registration on the day of the event will be $30

Torpy Field en el parque Depew 1050 Hudson Avenue, PeekskillEntrada: 7:00am-7:45amFun Run Hora de inicio: 8am5K hora de inicio: 8:30am

Costo:10 años de edad y más jóvenes: Gratis11-19 años de edad: $1520 años o más: $25Registracion el día del evento será $30

Camiseta y la bolsa de cadena gratis para todos los pre-registrados para el 5K hantes del Lunes, 3 de octubre 2016!

5K anual y fun Run! llUVIa o sol! Tiempo de Carrera ChronoTrack - rompa su mejor record 5k!

2nd annual superintendent’s 5K & fun RunSaturday, october 15, 2016

Free t-shirt and string bag for the first 200 people who pre-register for the 5K by Monday, Oct. 3, 2016!

race Package Pick-up: Administration Building 1031 Elm St., Peekskill Wednesday, October 12th, 9am–4pmThursday, October 13th, 9am–7:30pmFriday, October 14th, 9am–4pm

Questions? Contact: (914) 737-3300 ext. 347 or email PCSD5k@peekskillcsd.org

Paquete race recogidaAdministration Building 1031 Elm St., Peekskill Miércoles, Octubre 12th, 9am–4pmJueves, Octubre 13th, 9am–7:30pmViernes, Octubre 14th, 9am–4pm

¿Preguntas? Contacto: (914) 737-3300 ext. 347 o por correo electrónico PCSD5k@peekskillcsd.org

5K Volunteers Needed! Visit www.peekskillcsd.org/PCSD5k to sign up!