Poughkeepsie City School District Holds Unity Day

POUGHKEEPSIE – Rain didn’t damper the fun at Poughkeepsie City School District’s Community Schools Unity Day.

Hundreds turned out and had a fabulous time, despite the rain.

“People came in the rain and stayed. People look forward to these events,” said Natasha Brown, executive director of community schools. “This shows our families want to be involved with the school district and will come out to support it.”

The goal of the event is celebrate parent and community engagement throughout the Poughkeepsie City School District and expand family access to the school and community support network available. This year’s event drew nearly double the number of community-based partners.

“We had 61 partners compared to about 35 last year,” Brown said.

One new partner, Poughkeepsie Nissan, gave away coupons for free oil changes.

Bringing together all the volunteer organizations, vendors and entertainment providers took a lot of planning and work, which fell to the Community Schools staff.

“Julie Maserjian, Parent Empowerment Center manager, coordinated all aspects of the event and all the staff stepped up – each had a different responsibility,” Brown said.

Working together, they got numerous baskets donated to give away as prizes.

Every PCSD school, the Administration Building and Community Schools Department all created and donated a basket or gift cards for the giveaway. The following businesses and organizations donated prizes as well: The Grind, Pastry Garden, Chakra Bowls, First Independent Realty, Automotive & Truck Center, Children’s Museum, Rossi’s, Emiliano’s, City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Marc Nelson, City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Poughkeepsie Public Schools Teacher Association, United Healthcare Workers 1199, Poughkeepsie Library District, Dress for Success, SplashDown Beach. Plus, the New York State Laborers’ Health & Safety Trust Fund donated eight bicycles to be given away.
City Councilmember Nedra Paterson Thompson who bought all the ice cream for the event also donated 200 kites which were distributed to attendees in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Brown also thanked the City of Poughkeepsie for its participation.

“We appreciate the broad support of our business and nonprofit community partners to make this event a meaningful and rewarding experience for attendees. By coming together like this, we demonstrate to our students and families that they are important to us, we care and are here for them,” Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser said.

In August, Community Schools will host Bridges to Poughkeepsie, an event designed to welcome all new kindergarten through eighth grade families and their students to the district.