PTSO (& Other) Happenings: Week of Nov 2, 2026
Greetings!
Here's your weekly digest of everything you need to know for RCSD and beyond, from the Rhinebeck PTSO. Find ways to get involved at rhinebeckptso.org.
PTSO UPDATES
This Monday: Monthly PTSO Meeting
🗓 Monday, November 2nd ⏰ 6:00pm 📍 BMS Cafeteria
Please join us for our monthly General Meeting! It's a great chance to learn how the PTSO serves the RCSD community, share your ideas, and ask questions. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed.
📚 Save the Date: Pages & Pancakes Book Swap & Breakfast 📚
🗓 Saturday, November 21st ⏰ 10am-1pm 📍 CLS Cafeteria
Join us for our fourth annual Pages & Pancakes Book Swap and Breakfast on Saturday, November 21st from 10:00am to 1:00pm in the CLS cafeteria. Kids (and their grown-ups) are invited to dress up as their favorite book character!
Admission and books are free, and pancakes are $5 a plate. More details coming soon about where and when we'll be accepting book donations (preschool through middle school, in like new or good condition--no board books please).
💜 💛 Hawk Gear for Sale! 💜 💛
Profits go toward PTSO events, teacher grants, and funding future programming. Thanks as always for your support!
And keep reading below for more exciting district and community news, along with helpful RCSD links and dates...
DISTRICT NEWS
Don't forget:
NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 3 for Superintendent's Conference Day!
💰 Financial Aid Night 💰
🗓 Monday, November 9th ⏰ 6:00pm 📍 BMS Cafeteria
Rhinebeck High School is hosting a Financial Aid Night on November 9 at 6 PM in the BMS Cafeteria, presented by Mark Schaefer from Dutchess Community College. The event is designed for parents and guardians of juniors and seniors to learn about college financial aid, covering topics such as FAFSA, TAP, and the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. For more information, attendees can reach out to school counselors Jeffrey Palazzolo (Jpalazzolo@Rhinebeckcsd.ORG) or Cara Stropoli (Cstropoli@Rhinebeckcsd.ORG).
🦃 Liz Irwin Memorial Turkey Trot Food Drive 🦃
🗓 Tuesday, November 10th 📍 Chancellor Livingston Elementary School
Help support the local Rhinebeck food pantry by donating non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products. Donations from all schools can be dropped off at the CLS Physical Education Office between now and Tuesday, November 10 (before, during, or after school). Questions: bking@rhinebeckcsd.org
Raising Kids in the Age of AI
🗓 Thursday, November 12th ⏰ 9:00am 📍 BMS Cafeteria
Join Rhinebeck families for a discussion on navigating AI in children's lives, including screen time and communication strategies. Make your voice heard and help shape RCSD's new Technology Guidance Document and AI Playbook!
🎁 Holiday Support Program - Survey for Families 🎁
The Holiday Support Program survey is now live for families who may need assistance, or those who wish to offer help to RCSD families during the winter season. Reach out to the school counselors with questions:
CLS Morgan LoBrutto at 871-5570 ext. 6574 or Mlobrutto@rhinebeckcsd.org
BMS Jessica Sumber at 871-5500 ext. 5573 or JSumber@rhinebeckcsd.org
RHS Megan Rodier at 871-5500 ext. 5589 or Mrodier@rhinebeckcsd.org
COMMUNITY UPDATES & OFFERINGS
🗳️ Don't forget to VOTE on Tuesday, November 3! 🗳️
The last day to cast your vote in the 2026 elections is this Tuesday, November 3! Polls are open 6AM–9PM. Rhinebeck Town & Village residents will have an opportunity to vote on Proposition 1, which affects Starr Library funding.
🎭 The At Play Affair 🎭
Don't miss the At Play Affair on Saturday, November 7, from 7–10 p.m. at RoLin’ Fields Center in Red Hook! This adults-only fundraiser features DJ Kim Taylor Bennett, an open bar, signature cocktails, an oyster bar, delicious food, and an incredible auction. Proceeds support At Play’s programs and help make play accessible to more families through the We All Belong Fund. Tickets are $150.
🔬 Annual RSF Mingle 🔬
Come see what the Rhinebeck Science Foundation does and why it matters. Teachers who received RSF grants and students who experienced them will share their stories, showcasing the 6th Grade Circus, Mindfulness Meditation, and 3rd Grade trips to iFly and the Bronx Zoo. Thursday 11/12 6:30-8pm at 9 Huntington Road, Rhinebeck. Cost: Free. RSVPs encouraged: info@rhinebecksciencefoundation.org.
💰 Guatemala Cultural Celebration & Fundraiser 💰
An Evening for Guatemala: A Night of Marimba and Hope will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Hosted by the Rhinebeck Interact Club to benefit their international service project in Guatemala. Featuring a live marimba band, drinks, nibbles, and so much fun!
Steel United Winter Pre-Academy & SAQ Training (Session 1)
Steel United HV Winter Pre-Academy & SAQ Training sign ups are open now! Offering soccer skill development through games and challenges (Pre-Academy, ages 7-10 and 10-14) plus speed, agility and quickness training (SAQ, ages 13-18). Runs Tuesdays 11/17 - 12/15 5-7pm at Ro-Lin Fields Center. Cost: Pre-Academy $135/player, SAQ $205/player.
🎨 Classes at Blue Sky Studio Space 🎨
Blue Sky Studio) Space is now offering adult art workshops, including paper mache, canvas collaboration, collage, gelli printing, and ornament-making:
Paper Mache Workshop (Adults): Thursday, Nov 5, 6-7:30pm · $55/creator
Canvas Collab Workshop (Adults): Thursday, Nov 12, 6-7:30pm · $55/creator
Holiday Gift Tags & Ornaments (Adults): Sun, Nov 15, 1-3pm · $45/creator
Collage 1 Workshop (Adults): Tuesday, Nov 17, 6-7:30pm · $45/creator
Salt Dough Ornaments (Adults): Thursday, Dec 3, 6-7:30pm · $45/creator
Joomchi Workshop (Adults): Wednesday, Jan 6, 2027, 6-7:30pm · $60/creator
Gelli Plate Prints 1 (Adults): Wednesday, Jan 13, 2027, 6-7:30pm · $55/creator
Collage 2 (Adults): Wednesday, Jan 20, 2027, 6-7:30pm · $40/creator
Gelli Plate Prints 2 (Adults): Wednesday, Jan 27, 2027, 6-7:30pm · $55/creator
Workshops for kids ages 7 and up:
Morning Art Club - Open Studio Session: Sunday, Nov 22, 10:00-11am · $22/creator
Art Storm Workshop Session 3 - T'is the Season: Wednesday, Nov 18 – Wednesday, Dec 16, 5:30-6:45pm
🏀 Rhinebeck Lions Club Basketball Season Sign-Up 🏀
Rhinebeck Lions Club Basketball sign-ups are still open for their winter basketball league (grades 4-7). Evaluation is on 12/2/26, with practices to follow later in December. Season runs January through March.
🎄 SAVE THE DATE: Rhinebeck Hometown Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting 🎄
The Rhinebeck Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 7 PM in the Historic Village of Rhinebeck, featuring live entertainment, food trucks, a craft table, a hot chocolate bar with free cocoa and cookies, family activities, a meet-and-greet with Santa, vendor and sponsor tables, a Parade of Lights starting at 5 PM, the community tree lighting at 5:30 PM, and the menorah lighting at 6:30 PM (in partnership with the Rhinebeck Jewish Center). Interested in sponsoring the event? Email rhinebeckhometownholiday@gmail.com for more info!
DISTRICT EVENTS
Week of Sunday, November 1st
Monday, November 2: Monthly PTSO Meeting, 6:00pm @ BMS Cafeteria
Tuesday, November 3: NO SCHOOL, SUPERINTENDENT'S CONFERENCE DAY
Thursday, November 5: BMS Fall Picture Retakes
Friday, November 6: Sixth Grade Circus, 6:00 pm @ BMS
Week of Sunday, November 8th
11/9/2026: Financial Aid Night, 6:00pm @ BMS Cafeteria
11/10/2026: BMS Veteran's Day Assembly, 8:45am @ RHS Auditorium
11/10/2026: Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 pm @ BMS Cafeteria
11/11/2026: NO SCHOOL, VETERAN'S DAY
11/12/2026: Raising Kids in the Age of AI, 9am @ BMS Cafeteria
Week of Sunday, November 15th
11/16/2026: Math Kangaroo Competition, 2:30pm
11/17/2026: Take a Hike Day
11/18/2026: EARLY DISMISSAL, CLS--NO Late Bus for BMS
11/19/2026: Grade 6 Field Trip - Museum of Natural History
11/20/2026: BMS Drama Club Fall Performance, 7:00 pm @ RHS Auditorium
11/21/2026: PTSO's Pages and Pancakes @ CLS Cafeteria
11/21/2026: BMS Drama Club Fall Performance, 2:00pm @ RHS Auditorium
Week of Sunday, November 22nd
11/25/2026: EARLY DISMISSAL, DISTRICT-WIDE
11/26/2026: NO SCHOOL, THANKSGIVING RECESS
11/27/2026: NO SCHOOL, THANKSGIVING RECESS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Week of Sunday, November 1st
Tuesday, Nov 3: Storytime: ABCs, 10:30am @ Clinton Community Library
Thursday, Nov 5: After-School Art Classes at Istation Art Studio
Saturday, Nov 7: Rip Van Winkle, 11am-12pm @ Center for Performing Arts
Saturday, Nov 7: Autumn Storytime & Craft, 2-3pm @ Starr Library
Saturday, Nov 7: Library After Hours: Kids vs Adults Nerf Night, 6-7:30pm @ Morton Memorial Library
Saturday, Nov 7: A Fun Party Awaits in Support of At Play, 7-10pm @ Rolin Fields Center
Week of Sunday, November 8th
Monday, Nov 9: DCLA Virtual Program Series: John Brown in NY w/ Author Sandra Weber, 6-7pm @ Clinton Community Library
Tuesday, Nov 10: Storytime: Argh Pirate!, 10:30am @ Clinton Community Library
Thursday, Nov 12: Pajama Storytime, 7:30-8pm @ Morton Memorial Library
Thursday, Nov 12: RSF Mingle, 6:00pm @ 9 Huntington Road, Rhinebeck
Friday, Nov 13: All Abilities Story & Crafts w/ the Anderson Center, 1-2pm @ Starr Library
Friday, Nov 13: Guatemala Cultural Celebration & Fundraiser, 7:00pm @ 41 Valley Way Rd
Saturday, Nov 14: Once Upon a Singalong, 11am-12pm @ Center for Performing Arts
ONGOING CLASSES
Highlights Magazine Club (Tue & Wed 4:45pm)
Playdough Club (Thu 2pm)
Lego Club (Tue 4:15pm)
Crafternoon: Textured Painting (Tue 2:30pm)
Super Lego Hour (Tue 4pm)
Teen Tech Support (Sat 1pm)
Winter Ornaments Craft Workshop (Thu 4pm)
RCSD ATHLETICS
This week's home games
Tues, Nov 3: Modified Boys Soccer vs Onteora, 4:15-6:15pm @ Rhinebeck High School
Weds, Nov 4: Modified A Football vs Saugerties, 4:15-5:45pm @ Stissing Mountain Pine Plains High School
Game times and locations can change on short notice. Please check the Rhinebeck Athletics schedule before you head out: Rhinebeck Athletics calendar
HELPFUL LINKS
PTSO Links
RCSD Links
WHAT YOUR PTSO DOES
Throughout the year, there are hands-on ways you can roll up your sleeves and help out. Each school has their own activities, like the middle school karaoke night, the Pages & Pancakes book swap at CLS, or the RHS Homecoming Bonfire. We also sponsor district-wide events, like the Spring Fling Family Dance and the Harlem Wizards basketball game.
Sincerely,
The Rhinebeck PTSO