POSTER CONTEST WINNERS

Third grade students from Minisink Valley Intermediate School recently entered the annual Elks Club poster contest about drug prevention. The title for this year’s contest was “Drugs? Don’t Get Me Started.” All students who designed a poster were given a Certificate of Participation. Pictured here are the three winners who also received a gift card to FYE. From left to right – first place winner, Chance Wilson, second place winner, Kyra Goldfarb, and third place winner, Ashley DeRose.

VOTE ON MAY 20, 2008

On May 20, 2008, district residents will be asked to vote on the budget for the 2008-2009 school year. The $82,558,319 budget is a 6.5% increase over the current budget, with an estimated tax levy increase of 3.84%. Click here to view the presentation given at the public budget hearing on May 3, 2008.

Along with the budget vote, the community will have the opportunity to vote for two of six candidates to fill two seats on the board of education. The district residents running for these positions are (in alphabetical order) Alfred Gibbs, Gina Richichi, Tina Ross, Lewis Szymanski, Vil Vaitas and Victor Vignola. To view the candidates and to read a brief statement written by each of them, click on their names below. To hear from the candidates themselves, listen to our latest podcast by clicking on the podcast link located in the black box in the upper right hand corner of this web site.

Alfred Gibbs, Gina Richichi, Tina Ross, Lewis Szymanski, Vil Vaitas, and Victor Vignola

PODCAST GIVES PREVIEW OF MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT

Our latest podcast gives a preview of our middle school chorus concert scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the middle school auditorium.  This podcast was produced and edited by the Tech Crew under the advisorship of middle school teacher, Jonathan Clemmons.  Click here to connect to the podcast.

HONOR UNIT WITH DISTINCTION

Minisink Valley High School Junior ROTC Corps of Cadets presented their Annual Formal Inspection (AFI) to Scranton University Senior ROTC Faculty on Friday, May 9, 2008.  Through a rigorous and sophisticated evaluation system, the cadets were given a rating of 95% and earned the title of “Honor Unit with Distinction." This is the 12th consecutive year the cadets have retained this coveted national award. This prestigious recognition is accorded to only 10% of about 1650 programs across America - a true winning, success story. The cadet leaders presented a strong Power Point presentation of the entire character, citizenship, & leadership program that is the hallmark of the AJROTC experience. The cadet staff provided an array of forms, documents and materials reflecting their orchestrating the comprehensive curricular and extracurricular program from a student leadership viewpoint. Staff sections participating included personnel, operations, public relations, and supply. Later in the day, the cadets organized themselves in the gym for the conduct of the in-ranks inspection where the inspectors checked each cadet for uniform sharpness and cadet knowledge on a variety of topics. Prior to closing the AFI, the cadets presented themselves in the Trooping of the Line and Passing in Review Ceremonies ended by casing of the Colors with the Honor Platoon. A parent booster ice cream social was the final reward for this outstanding group of young men and women.

BEST OVERALL CHOIR

On Saturday, May 10, 2008 the Minisink Valley High School Mixed Chorus competed at the Music Showcase Festival at Six Flags New England.  We are proud to announce that our chorus took first place and was also recognized as the Best Overall Choir.  Trevor Davis was named Outstanding Accompanist.  Congratulations to all of the chorus students and their teacher, Vic Izzo.

BUS DRIVERS HOLD BLOOD DRIVE

Please join the Minisink Valley Bus Drivers in performing a critical community service by donating blood on Thursday, May 22, 2008.  The Bloodmobile from Community Blood Services will be parked at the bus garage from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.  To schedule an appointment, please call Mary Hossann at 355-4892 or 355-5140.  Please click here for more information.

LACROSSE TEAM HELPS RETURNING TROOPS

The Minisink Valley Varsity Lacrosse Team traveled to Cleveland, Ohio over the spring break to participate in the Fisher House Charity Lacrosse Showcase.  The team raised over $1100 for the Fisher House, a charitable organization that has built over 38 houses near military hospitals so that loved ones can be near by when our service men and women need them most.  Fisher House provides housing for over 8,000 families per year and has allowed mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives and husbands to provide support to our returning troops as they go through necessary medical procedures and/or rehabilitation.

PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULED

A public budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM immediately preceding the board of education meeting, which will begin at 8:00 PM. Both the hearing and the board meeting will take place in the middle school auditorium.

SCHOLAR ATHLETES HONORED

On Thursday, May 1, 2008, the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) hosted a special breakfast for two students from each school who have excelled in academics and athletics during the 2007-2008 school year.  The students were accompanied by their parents.  Minisink Valley High School’s representatives were Caitlin Meagher and Tyler Faust.  Caitlin is ranked thirteenth in her class and has played varsity soccer, basketball, and softball.  Tyler is ranked sixth in his class and has been a member of the varsity soccer, tennis, and swim teams.  Caitlin plans on attending Boston University where she will major in archaeology.  Tyler is headed to Ithaca College where he will major in business.  Congratulations to both of our scholar athletes.

MEET THE BOARD CANDIDATES

The Minisink Valley PTO Executive Board is pleased to once again sponsor a Meet the Candidates Night on Monday, May 5 at 7:00 PM in the middle school auditorium.  The candidates for the school board will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and answer questions from the audience.  Candidates, in alphabetical order, are Alfred Gibbs, Gina Richichi, Tina Ross, Lewis Szymanski, Vil Vaitas, and Victor Vignola. Please vote on May 20, 2008.