Band/Chorus Notice

If your child is currently scheduled to be in Band or Chorus for the 2010-2011 school year and they do not wish to participate please contact the Counseling Office via email (jjones@minisink.com)

before August 20^th to avoid any scheduling issues.

**REMINDER**

Band and Chorus are FULL YEAR commitments.

Locker Day - 6th Grade Only

On August 23, 2010, you are invited to come to Minisink Valley Middle School anytime between 9:00 to 12:00 to get your new school lock. This is a great opportunity to come in early, learn your combination and set up your locker.

6th grade Project Cooperation

                6th grade Project Cooperation will run from Monday, August 2- Thursday, August 5, 2010. Each morning begins at 9:00 am and dismissal is at 3:00 PM. Rain or shine! You must provide your own transportation and bag lunch for your child. 

               Each day has a special theme with special activities and games. All activities are designed to be a lot of fun for the kids, but they also have another goal: to teach our sixth graders to work cooperatively, to build their leadership skills, and to increase self-esteem.Middle School teachers and aides will staff the program with selected high school students helping out as peer leaders. 

               In order to help us cover the rising costs of materials, supplies, and activities, there is a pre-paid $20 admission fee per child. Each student will also need to bring in a pre-washed white t-shirt in order to participate in tie dye.

                If your child would like to attend, please complete the attached form and have your child return it to the Intermediate School or Otisville Main Office no later than Monday  June 7, 2010 with your pre-paid $20 admission fee. For late applications the admission fee is $30 per child. Checks can be made payable to: MVMS Activity Fund.

Middle School - Summer School

Middle School students who fail two or more subjects for the school year are unable to proceed to the next grade level unless they complete an approved summer school program.   When the summer school final grade(s) are sent to the Counseling Office, they will be evaluated to determine if the student  has earned the grade(s) needed in order to be promoted.

Minisink Valley is offering a summer school program.  Middle school parents interested in enrolling their student at the Minisink Valley Program should complete a registration form (available in the Middle School Counseling Office)  and return it by 1:30 PM Thursday, July 1^st.  There is no cost for the Minisink Summer School Program this year.  Parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from the summer school program. 

REGISTRATION:  June 28th – July 1^st  (Monday - Thursday)

This year summer school will start on July 6^th:
WEEK 1:  July 6^th – July 9^th (Tuesday - Thursday)

WEEK 2:  July 12^th – July 15^th (Monday - Thursday)

WEEK 3:  July 19^th – July 22^nd (Monday - Thursday)

WEEK 4:  July 26^th – July 29^th (Monday - Thursday)

WEEK 5:  August 2^nd – August 5^th (Monday - Thursday)

WEEK 6:  August 9th and August 12th (Monday - Thursday)

WEEK 7:  August 16^th (Monday)

Please call the Middle School Counseling Office at (355-5210) for further information.

Civil War and Mrs. Keppler

Mrs. Keppler's social studies class was glad to have Mr. Arns a Civil War re-enacter from the 95th New York come into class on Monday to teach them what life was like for a soldier.  The students were able to see first hand what the soldiers carried and used during the War.  On Wednesday Mrs. Keppler's and Mr. Fox's English class worked together to re-enact the Battle of Gettysburg using trivia questions and capture the flags.  Student's also made the replica flags and even Civil War recipes for their team mates. The kids worked really hard researching and completing a project in order to prepare for this day! 

8th Grade Technology Mechanical Energy Competition

For the last project of the year, the 8th grade students worked on building a mechanical arm that would be used in a competition against other teams in class.  Students formed teams of 3-4 people to construct their device.  The main objective was to capture as many ping pong and golf balls as possible from the game table and transfer them into a 5 gallon pale sitting on the floor.

Art Show

This year a select group of students wanted the opportunity to participate in an independent study in which they could create artwork.Students decided to paint ceiling tiles to be installed in rooms around theschool.  Each student selected an image that they wanted to paint, transferred it to the tile and used acrylic paint and various techniques to produce these pieces. Those students are Sarina Vanacore, Nina Walthers, Alex Gallagher, Julia Barton, Gina Marie Russell, Kenny Raap, Chris Johnson, Rachel Tuit, Mckenna Pelfrey, Dana Tuit, Brian Imbarrato, Amber Saunders, Kayla O’Connell, and Joanie Cavender.

Thank you to everyone who supported the MVMS 4th annual art show.  It was a huge success!  Special achievement awards were given to the following students for their outstanding efforts in art:

Art Teachers Choice Award:

6th Grade- Alyssa Pratti "Ocelot"

7th Grade- Kendra Arnold "Initial Jar"

Assistant Principals Choice- John Vidunas "Penguin Army" & Emily Kremers "Wolf Monster"

Principals Choice Award- Amanda Scialabba "Carnival Mask"

What Patriotism Means to Me

During the month of May eighth graders had the chance to participate in an essay writing contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary of the George Smith Post 1607 of Unionville, NY. The topic was “What Patriotism Means to Me”, and over 40 students took part in the contest. All the essays were well written and expressed the individual student’s true feelings regarding patriotism in our country. The winners were announced on Flag Day. They were 1^st prize-Mariah Onorati, 2^nd prize- Dylan Schneider, and 3^rd prize- Matthew Federicks.  Great job winners and thank you to all the students who chose to participate.

2010 NYSCATE Grant Awarded to MS Science Department

The Middle School Science Department once again is the recipient of a grant! The 2010 NYSCATE grant was written by Patricia McKane, Technology Education Specialist, in order to upgrade the department’s science probes so they can work with the present day computers in the building. Chuck Hoffman had brought up the fact that the Minisink Middle School’s Science department presently has an inventory of sensor probes from Vernier but they are of an outdated technology, 5 pin serial. They worked together to figure out exactly what was needed. The $1925.00 awarded this August will allow the students to test their theories utilizing sensor probes by collecting data about motion, light, heat, pressure, magnets, PH balance, air moisture, air pressure and force on the computer. The department also does not have motion detector sensors from the old inventory so this would be a beneficial addition to our sensor equipment since motion is part of our curriculum. 

Important Dates

June 14 and 15 - 8th grade State Social Studies Test
June 16 - Biology Regents
June 18 - Algebra Regents
June 21 - Foreign Language Exam
June 22 - Field Day
June 24 - 8th grade awards assembly
June 24 - Last Day of School for students