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Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Annika Halvorson, Contributing Editor (2023-24)

Annika is a junior at Pelham Memorial High School. She is a senator in the student association and a volleyball player. She is the president of the PMHS Chemistry Club, and is interested in coding and computer science. She enjoyed writing for a journalism fellowship at the start of highschool and looks forward to writing with the Pelham Examiner!

(This was Annika’s profile when she graduated from high school in 2024.)

All content by Annika Halvorson
Fourteen Pelham teachers, counselors and principals granted tenure by board of education

Fourteen Pelham teachers, counselors and principals granted tenure by board of education

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
May 28, 2024

Fourteen Pelham school district teachers, counselors and administrators were granted tenure Wednesday by the board of education in a unanimous vote. Tenure appointments include: Amit Quackenbush...

Election officials count absentee ballots in the Pelham Union Free School District election after the polls closed.

[Photo] Pelham voters approve $93.6 million school budget; Cohen and Gordon defeat incumbents to win board of education seats

By Pelham Examiner Editors
May 22, 2024

Election officials count absentee ballots in the Pelham Union Free School District election after the polls closed.

Candidate forum: Four seeking two school board seats discuss DEI, Julianne's Playground and cell phones

Candidate forum: Four seeking two school board seats discuss DEI, Julianne’s Playground and cell phones

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
May 16, 2024

The four candidates for two open seats on the Pelham Board of Education discussed diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the storm-water project proposed for Julianne's Playground and upcoming fiscal...

Board of education sends $93.6 million budget to voters for approval on May 21

Board of education sends $93.6 million budget to voters for approval on May 21

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
April 23, 2024

The Pelham Board of Education unanimously adopted Wednesday a proposed $93.6 million budget for the year beginning July 1, sending the spending plan to voters for approval on May 21. The budget would raise...

Athletic Director Joe Toombs III presents to the school board.

Three school board members negotiating with Village of Pelham over possible transfer of Julianne’s Playground

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
March 26, 2024

School Trustees Sidney Burke, Will Treves and Jackie De Angelis have entered into negotiations with the Village of Pelham over the possible transfer of Julianne's Playground to the village, School Board...

Trustee Jackie De Angelis, far right, talks about Julianne's Park during the school board meeting.

School board votes to explore transfer of Julianne’s Playground to Village of Pelham for ‘consideration’

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
March 6, 2024

The Pelham Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize the district "to explore a transfer" of Julianne's Playground to the Village of Pelham "for consideration," after several board members...

From left, Board Vice President Ian Rowe, President Dr. Michael Owen-Michaane and Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ.

Pelham school board continues to review Village of Pelham request to build stormwater reservoirs under Julianne’s Playground

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
February 6, 2024

The Pelham Board of Education continues to review the Village of Pelham's request to build underground water reservoirs and above ground pumps at Julianne's Playground, including exploring legal issues...

Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen presented the storm-sewer project to the school board.

Village of Pelham mayor’s pitch for Julianne’s Playground flood reservoirs draws skeptical questions from school board

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
January 22, 2024

Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen faced skepticism Wednesday from some school trustees after presenting the village's proposed deal for the use of district-owned Julianne's Playground for reservoirs...

PMHS faculty named to NYS master teacher and master counselor programs

PMHS faculty named to NYS master teacher and master counselor programs

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
December 9, 2023

Two Pelham Memorial High School faculty members, AJ Quackenbush and Luis Barcelo, were honored at the school board meeting Wednesday for gaining acceptance into the New York State master teacher and master...

Dr. Alice Bowman, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, presented student test performance data to the school board.

High levels of proficiency reported in state ELA and math tests in Pelham’s 3rd through 8th grades

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
October 20, 2023

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Alice. Bowman gave the student performance report for the 2022-2023 school year at the board of education meeting on Oct. 11. The report covered the...

Communications audit of school district finds need for strategic plan, improved approach to crises

Communications audit of school district finds need for strategic plan, improved approach to crises

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
October 16, 2023

Pelham residents associate the school district with high-quality academics, a variety of extracurricular opportunities and dedicated teachers, but there is a divide within the greater community and the...

Two residents warn school board of problems caused by senior scavenger hunt—and worse that could come from underage drinking and reckless behaviors

Two residents warn school board of problems caused by senior scavenger hunt—and worse that could come from underage drinking and reckless behaviors

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
September 19, 2023

Pelham Manor residents Tina and John Kasper told the school board Wednesday about disturbances they and their neighbors experienced because of the scavenger hunt run by the senior class of Pelham Memorial...

Owen-Michaane and Rowe reelected as school board president and vice president

Owen-Michaane and Rowe reelected as school board president and vice president

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
July 24, 2023

Dr. Michael Owen-Michaane and Ian Rowe were unanimously reelected to second terms as school board president and vice president for the 2023-24 school year during the board's July 7 reorganization meeting. Owen-Michaane...

School board appoints East Ramapo administrator as new director of physical education, health and athletics

School board appoints East Ramapo administrator as new director of physical education, health and athletics

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
May 19, 2023

The board of education unanimously approved Tuesday the appointment of Joe Toombs III as the new director of physical education, health and athletics, hiring him away from the same post in the East Ramapo...

No residents step to mic to speak during public hearing on school district's proposed $91 million budget

No residents step to mic to speak during public hearing on school district’s proposed $91 million budget

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
May 10, 2023

The public hearing May 3 on the proposed $91 million budget for the Pelham school district drew no residents wishing to comment. The spending plan will go before voters on May 16 after being approved...

'the record' from boygenius resonates with lyricism and vocal talent

‘the record’ from boygenius resonates with lyricism and vocal talent

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
April 17, 2023

After musical supergroup boygenius released the first four songs on their new album, "the record," to an overwhelmingly positive response, the album became one of the indie genre's most anticipated releases...

'Shazam Fury of the Gods' delivers same boyish charm as its predecessor

‘Shazam Fury of the Gods’ delivers same boyish charm as its predecessor

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
April 3, 2023

Superhero movies have a very important job: capturing and transporting us to a world of possibility and wonder. Much like its predecessor, 'Shazam Fury of the Gods' continues to offer viewers a sense of...

'Ant-Man and the Wasp' blends high tension and humor in worlds not seen before

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ blends high tension and humor in worlds not seen before

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
March 13, 2023

With $104 million made in its opening weekend, Peyton Reeds' film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" invites everyone to sit down and enjoy a captivating story centered around the importance of family...

'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' gives us more of what we need: Benoit Blanc

‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ gives us more of what we need: Benoit Blanc

By Annika Halvorson, Staff Reporter
January 19, 2023

On Dec. 23, filmmaker Rian Johnson's film, "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" was released on Netflix. The film is a sequel to "Knives Out," a 2019 Clue-like mystery movie stacked with plot twists and...

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