PRHS Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Students, 

The Pearl River High School staff, as a part of the Pearl River Community, shares in the events that occur throughout our neighborhoods and among our individual families. We suffer loss and celebrate victories over the numerous hurdles thrown in our direction.  No one chose to have this land in our backyards; but we can choose to fight together, all by showing that very sense of unity that makes Pearl River the community it is known to be. We implore everyone to stay at home as best as possible. Each person who leaves his or her house and ventures to a more public environment, resets their clock of uncertainty with that decision every time.  Having stated the cautionary side of the matter, we know that matters of the heart help strengthen a sense of hope, conviction, and perseverance. Checking on one another via phone call, texts, email, USPS mail, the front porch, out the window, and numerous other ways may turn around someone’s day or be the answer to someone's prayers. Those who cannot stay home, because they are an integral part of the front lines, need our thoughts, prayers, and spiritual support. These heroes, whether new to the medical field, retired and returning, or in mid-career, run toward the pandemic with skills and a sense of determination to lend their knowledge, ability, and heart to turn the tide in favor of life.  For those suffering, and worse, on their last days, these heroes also serve as the last to offer a kind and gentle sense of comfort, warmth and kindness before moving on.  

Our schools, though not the front lines, refuse to give in. Our teachers know that the strength and survival of our world depends on the children who will one day become our leaders, discover cures, comfort the needy, model faith, courage and perseverance, and provide for the needs and hopes of our future. As the High School Principal, I have witnessed and facilitated the needs of teachers and students as they exercise a determination to forge forward and venture into difficult and uncharted waters. The Pearl River High School staff, unaware of what was about to hit, prepared for the possibility of an abrupt and massive “unknown.” As principal I witnessed the concerns and anxiety of staff as this reaction was normal and expected. But this staff, comprised of numerous talents and strengths, refused to yield in the face of the potential and impending need. The Pearl River High School staff has proudly worked to move forward  without skipping a beat. Even through uncertainty, teachers and support staff continue to plow forward….and continue to do so still today!

Communication is the key to our resilience and our success. We look to keep the pathways of communication wide open. We ask that students make use of the communication system established in the “classrooms” and avail themselves to the “office hours” established by the PRHS Academic Departments. Our  counselors and clinical staff have been actively touching base, checking in with students and parents, attempting to assist those encountering barriers, and communicating with teachers and administrators to broaden their scope of assistance. The HS Administrative Team, in an effort to keep all wheels moving forward has literally continued holding departmental meetings, parent meetings, problem solving efforts, communication with support networks, including BOCES and other educational services; and in managing and planning for events as if we are returning as well as for next year’s schedule and calendar. We strongly encourage you to reach out to the staff with concerns, issues, and questions. Please see the list of support staff and administrators that you should not hesitate to contact with any and all school-based needs. 

Michael J. Murphy - PRHS Principal -  murphym@pearlriver.org

Suzanne V. Horton - PRHS Assistant Principal - hortons@pearlriver.org

Gaetano J. Vitiello - PRHS Assistant Principal - vitiellog@pearlriver.org

Norma Canals- PRHS Social Worker - canalsn@pearlriver.org

Jamie Martens - PRHS School Psychologist - martinsj@pearlriver.org

Samantha Turco - PRHS School Psychologist - turcos@pearlriver.org

Rick Urvater - PRHS School (Guidance) Counselor - urvaterr@pearlriver.org

Randee Stark - PRHS School (Guidance) Counselor - starkr@pearlriver.org

Evelyn Hornacek - PRHS School (Guidance) Counselor = hornaceke@pearlriver.org

Kimberly Ballard - PRHS School (Guidance) Counselor - ballardk@pearlriver.org

Arthur McCormack- PRSD Athletic Director - mccormack@pearlriver.org

In order to assist with the communication between school and home during distance learning, we plan to resume the Pirate Bulletin. Beginning Thursday, April 16, 2020, we will resume issuing the Pearl River High School Pirate Bulletin every Tuesday and Thursday in an attempt to maintain communication regarding school updates, student information, events, newsworthy notes, and more. The Bulletin will be a scaled down version due to the lack of events and school-based activities. Please look for this communication each Tuesday and Thursday through the coming weeks and up until our return to school.  If pertinent information needs to be communicated sooner than in the “upcoming” Pirate Bulletin, we will be sure to send this information via our school messenger system.

We ask that you practice social distancing in a manner that keeps us all safe. Please know that you are all on our minds as we continue to serve the needs of our students and the Pearl River Community. 

Subscribe to faith, hope and perseverance as we are all in this together. (#PRSDpiratestrong)

Sincerely, 

Michael J. Murphy

Principal  

PS. Don't forget to visit the HS Home Page for a video message from the HS Administration.