Dear Pieter B. Families,

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in your child’s academic success and overall well-being. Each day in school provides valuable opportunities for students to learn new skills, build relationships, and stay connected to their classroom community.

When students attend school consistently, they are more likely to:

- Keep up with daily instruction and avoid gaps in learning

- Develop strong reading, writing, and math skills

- Build positive friendships and social confidence

- Establish routines that promote responsibility and independence

Even missing just a few days each month can add up to significant lost learning time over the course of the year. While we understand that illnesses and emergencies happen, we encourage families to prioritize daily attendance whenever possible.

We also know that students feel more confident and engaged when they are present, prepared, and ready to learn. Your partnership in ensuring your child arrives at school on time each day truly makes a difference.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students succeed. If your family needs support with attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we are here to help.

Warm regards,

Mr. Hakim I. Jones, Principal
Traci Johnson, Assistant Principal
Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School

We wanted to send a quick reminder to families about some of our lunch and recess protocols as we enter the final tri-mester and the warmer weather.

- Students at all grade levels spend an equal amount of time eating lunch and playing at recess each day at PBC. The cafeteria and playground are monitored by our building aides and building administrators.

Cafeteria:

- Lunch is an excellent time for students to spend time with friends, old and new. They also practice good manners.

- During lunch, students may be seated by class, by grade level, or are allowed to sit anywhere in the cafeteria. These choices are dependent on the age levels of the students and on student conduct. When the lunch room gets a little too energized, we usually return seating to "by class." There is usually no assigned seating in any of these scenarios.

- Our cafeteria also has areas/tables where students can be assured of no potential allergens.

- Students in the cafeteria are expected to remain seated during lunch unless they are going to the lunch line, clearing their trays/garbage, or going to the restroom with permission.

- Students are expected to talk in a normal tone of voice with their friends and to clean up after themselves.

Recess:

- Recess is an excellent time for students to forge stronger relationships with their peers and to let out their energy.

- Students must be dressed appropriately (which is a lot easier as the weather warms up). Students who do not have warm clothes when it is very cold may be asked to have recess inside.

- There are designated areas for students to play which include the early childhood playground (for our youngest students), the paved area in front and side of PBC and on the playground (currently under construction). These designated areas may change based on the levels of supervision that are available.

- While at recess, students have access to...(various toys games - kick ball, four square, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk.. etc.)

- Students are expected to practice courtesy, good sportsmanship, and to follow the directives of the supervisors. Students who are unable to follow rules and expectations may be asked to take a timeout and/or stay inside for recess.

-Proper dress is required to take part in activities, including appropriate footwear (no flip flops on the playground. Closed or strap on the heel of footwear)

Hakim I. Jones, Principal

Traci Johnson, Assistant Principal

Just a reminder:

Please avoid having your children arrive at school before 9:00 a.m. Supervision is not provided, nor do our doors open prior to that time with the exception of students going to breakfast at 8:50 a.m.

Students report to their classrooms at 9:00 a.m. If you need to contact a teacher, please go to the main office for assistance. Please do not go directly to teacher classrooms at any time.

The winter weather has arrived quickly! Just a few reminders

1. Students go outside for recess when the real feel temperature is 15 degrees and above.

2. We use AccuWeather to determine the real feel temperature.

3. If the temperature is close to 15 degrees, please send your students to student with their coat,hat and gloves ( just in case the students are able to go outside)

4. All students should wear a jacket during the winter season (especially on chilly days).

Stay warm

In an effort to control the spread of illness, we ask for your cooperation with the following guidelines.

Do not send your child to school if: 

The primary source for building communication will be sent out via ParentSquare. There is a mobile app for your convenience, and you can customize your notifications. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up! Learn more about ParentSquare here.

As always, you will find the latest updates, important school events, and links to newsletters on our official school website, www.rcscsd.org. You are encouraged to sign up for the RCS App and be sure to check your email frequently. We will again practice being environmentally friendly and reduce paper this year. Thus, our Pieter B. Handbook, which contains the Code of Conduct, as well as pertinent other forms, resources, and points of reference, will be posted on our website. If you do not have internet access, a copy of the handbook will be available in the main office.

4/2 PBC PTO meeting 6:30 p.m.(Join virtually)https://meet.google.com/zbj-yuij-xds.

4/3 - 4/10 Spring Recess No School

4/13 - 4/17 PTO BOGO Spring Book Fair

4/15 Board of Education Meeting at High School, 6:00 p.m.

4/16 PBC Art show night & PTO Community Night - Touch a Truck April 16th 5:30 - 7 p.m. @ Pieter B.

4/28 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

4/29 Board of Education Meeting at High School, 6:00 p.m.

May 5th - Pieter B. Spring Picture Day

Please consider joining PBC PTO, as our students and staff can greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to the school’s program and its operations. The PBC PTO does have a Facebook page that you can join to keep up with all their events.

PBC PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION

President: Kristina Atanasio
Vice President: Kathy Blenis
Secretary: Andrea Siegel - Salhoff
Treasurer: Lina Greenfield

Upcoming PTO meeting

May 14th - virtually join the meeting click HERE

PBC PTO 2025-2026 events!

PBC Family Handbook

Elementary Code of Conduct

PBC Breakfast and Lunch Menu

RCS Transportation

RCS District Calendar

Michael Deyo, President
Edward Bedinotti, Vice President
Melanie Potter
Mike Coyne
Matthew Miller
Jackie Kalney
Jennifer Molino
Dan Baker

The meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and the doors open at 5:45 p.m. Location, unless otherwise noted on the agenda, is the High School Library. Board meeting dates and all other information can be found here.

Please remember Pieter B. is a smoke/tobacco-free environment