Board of Education honors ‘K-Kids’ Club for 10 years of inspiring Intermediate School community service involvement

 

Group of students, BOE members and teachers

The Minisink Valley Board of Education honored the Minisink Valley Kiwanis “K-Kids” Club on the occasion of its 10th anniversary during its Dec. 6 board meeting.

Chartered in 2008, approximately 250 kids in third through fifth-grade have been a part of the student-led, student-run group, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Minisink Valley.

Kiwanis clubs decide what community projects to undertake, based on their own community’s needs and their members’ interests. Service to children is a primary focus in Kiwanis and the clubs are known for the “Kiwanis doll.”

At Minisink Valley, Dede DeAngelis has served as the club’s adviser since its inception. Mary Jo Wagner has also served as the Kiwanis adviser since the club’s onset.  District staff who are Kiwanis members are Dave Morse, Paul Dombal, Jim Burtis and Deb Gallant.

The club is a wonderful introduction to the concepts of service and giving back.   During the meeting, Superintendent Brian Monahan said the K-Kids members often become members of the Builders Club at the middle school and Key Club at the high school.

Mr. Monahan praised the work of Mrs. DeAngelis and Mrs. Wagner.

“They teach our students the importance and value of community service,” he added. “We are proud to have them teaching and leading our students. We look forward to many more years with our club and its incredible leaders.”

The Minisink Valley’s K-Kids Club has won New York State district awards for its scrapbooking, poster, speech writing and club song work.

The club has also won several international awards as well.