Did you know that as part of the Middle School’s general music curriculum, all students have or will be exploring the use of Soundtrap, a powerful digital audio workstation (DAW) designed for music creation and podcasting?
Soundtrap’s interface is intuitive, which means students can start making music quickly — even if they don’t read music or play an instrument. Students can create beats, songs, and soundscapes; record vocals or instruments; and use loops and virtual instruments and can be real creators of their own genre of music! Not only can they create their own music, they can express themselves through original lyrics, podcasts and storytelling!
Take a peek at Matthew Finck’s sixth grade music students, who were recently working on centering the verse/chorus song structure, commonly referred to as AB form. After listening to four popular song examples, students were tasked with composing their own verse/chorus songs using Soundtrap on their Chromebooks.
Mr. Finck demonstrated editing techniques with his Smart Board, sharing his own original music compositions using Soundtrap. Students will apply their newly acquired skills to record themselves narrating scary stories, complete with sound effects.
Soundtrap also offers students an opportunity to further refine their creativity, problem solving, listening, editing, collaboration and communication skills --- all important abilities for them to master as they advance in their academic careers!
Soundtrap’s interface is intuitive, which means students can start making music quickly — even if they don’t read music or play an instrument. Students can create beats, songs, and soundscapes; record vocals or instruments; and use loops and virtual instruments and can be real creators of their own genre of music! Not only can they create their own music, they can express themselves through original lyrics, podcasts and storytelling!
Take a peek at Matthew Finck’s sixth grade music students, who were recently working on centering the verse/chorus song structure, commonly referred to as AB form. After listening to four popular song examples, students were tasked with composing their own verse/chorus songs using Soundtrap on their Chromebooks.
Mr. Finck demonstrated editing techniques with his Smart Board, sharing his own original music compositions using Soundtrap. Students will apply their newly acquired skills to record themselves narrating scary stories, complete with sound effects.
Soundtrap also offers students an opportunity to further refine their creativity, problem solving, listening, editing, collaboration and communication skills --- all important abilities for them to master as they advance in their academic careers!
STICKS DOWN, GAME ON!
Ross Potter’s and Jonathan Sakadelis’ IS fourth-grade physical education students are enjoying zooming into action with fast and fun floor hockey games! It’s an great activity which gets hearts pumping and feet moving as students further build agility, and motor skills while promoting teamwork and sportsmanship in a fast-paced, engaging, and safe environment. Using lightweight equipment, students develop essential skills like stick handling, passing, shooting and, of course, good sportsmanship!
Ross Potter’s and Jonathan Sakadelis’ IS fourth-grade physical education students are enjoying zooming into action with fast and fun floor hockey games! It’s an great activity which gets hearts pumping and feet moving as students further build agility, and motor skills while promoting teamwork and sportsmanship in a fast-paced, engaging, and safe environment. Using lightweight equipment, students develop essential skills like stick handling, passing, shooting and, of course, good sportsmanship!
Congratulations to the three indoor track and field individual athletes and two relay teams who have advanced to the March 7 and 8 NYSPHSAA State and Federation Championship via their successes at the Feb. 28 Section IX State Qualifier meet, held at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York.
Scoring individual/team event victories which now qualify them to compete at state competition are:
--- Ella Michelitch in the high jump with a 5' 10.5” finish. This is a school program record and ranks her No. 1 in New York State. Ella also qualified in the long jump via her runner-up finish of 18' 9.5", which is also the highest program record and places her No. 8 statewide.
--- Robert LaBarbera in the 600 meter run, with a 1:20.37 finish. This is the second highest program record and places him as No. 2 statewide.
--- Maximillian Wickrath in the 55 meter dash with a :6.32 finish. This is a school program record and places him as No. 2 statewide.
--- The boys 4x400 meter relay team of Max Wickrath, Angel Mendez, Stetson Terpak and LaBarbera outlasted Newburgh Free Academy with a 3:21.26, ranking this finish as the third highest in the school program and placing them as No. 2 statewide.
--- The girls 4x400 team of Ferrah Hill, Chloe Beck, Salma Samdaoui and Ella Michelitch advanced after a tight battle with Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick Valley with a 4:00.37 finish. This is the second highest program finish and places them as No. 10 statewide.
The 4x400 relay lineups will be filled out by alternates Jeremiah Alexis, Emma Berkshire, Lyla LaBarbera and Michael Moran.
Minisink Valley will compete against athletes representing all 11 NYSPHSAA sections for state medals, as well as qualifiers from the AIS, CHSAA and PSAL for Federation podium positions. Qualifiers in individual events and relays were selected by virtue of winning events at a section qualifying meet or having achieved a state standard performance.
The state championship will be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.
Scoring individual/team event victories which now qualify them to compete at state competition are:
--- Ella Michelitch in the high jump with a 5' 10.5” finish. This is a school program record and ranks her No. 1 in New York State. Ella also qualified in the long jump via her runner-up finish of 18' 9.5", which is also the highest program record and places her No. 8 statewide.
--- Robert LaBarbera in the 600 meter run, with a 1:20.37 finish. This is the second highest program record and places him as No. 2 statewide.
--- Maximillian Wickrath in the 55 meter dash with a :6.32 finish. This is a school program record and places him as No. 2 statewide.
--- The boys 4x400 meter relay team of Max Wickrath, Angel Mendez, Stetson Terpak and LaBarbera outlasted Newburgh Free Academy with a 3:21.26, ranking this finish as the third highest in the school program and placing them as No. 2 statewide.
--- The girls 4x400 team of Ferrah Hill, Chloe Beck, Salma Samdaoui and Ella Michelitch advanced after a tight battle with Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick Valley with a 4:00.37 finish. This is the second highest program finish and places them as No. 10 statewide.
The 4x400 relay lineups will be filled out by alternates Jeremiah Alexis, Emma Berkshire, Lyla LaBarbera and Michael Moran.
Minisink Valley will compete against athletes representing all 11 NYSPHSAA sections for state medals, as well as qualifiers from the AIS, CHSAA and PSAL for Federation podium positions. Qualifiers in individual events and relays were selected by virtue of winning events at a section qualifying meet or having achieved a state standard performance.
The state championship will be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.
Stephanie Giufre’s and Tom Uhrig’s Otisville physical education students have been working their way through different stations doing different types of exercises to reinforce the importance of fitness! Plus, it’s always fun to do this with some great background music!
Skyler Klein’s Otisville second-grade music students continue to be in the midst of an “arranging project,” where they take a preexisting song and create their version using glockenspiels! Their selected song was "Rabbit Run." Students previously brainstormed ideas for what instruments they could include and what they could play...and they're doing great!
A glockenspiel is a musical instrument with shiny metal bars that you hit with small hammers (mallets) to make bright, bell-like sounds. It is a percussion instrument, often used in orchestras to sound like birds or magical bells. The name is German for "bell play," and it looks like a small piano.
A glockenspiel is a musical instrument with shiny metal bars that you hit with small hammers (mallets) to make bright, bell-like sounds. It is a percussion instrument, often used in orchestras to sound like birds or magical bells. The name is German for "bell play," and it looks like a small piano.
We’re so proud of the performances given by our Odyssey of the Mind teams this past weekend at the New York State Region 5 competition held at Orange-Ulster BOCES! The Otisville team earned seventh place honors in its division for tackling Problem 5/“Taller Tales of John Jivery.” Congratulations to team members Christian Barth, Evan Jackson, Charlotte Kelly, Tristen Lapertosa, Callan Mark, Malina Myrie, Emma Thompson and Coach Jenna Colman!
The team created and presented a humorous performance about an original tall tale. The tale included a team-created hero or heroine that performed an incredible feat, a unique explanation of how something began or came to be and a surprise for the audience. Each event was accompanied by a visual weather effect that represents an emotion! WELL-DONE, everyone!
The team created and presented a humorous performance about an original tall tale. The tale included a team-created hero or heroine that performed an incredible feat, a unique explanation of how something began or came to be and a surprise for the audience. Each event was accompanied by a visual weather effect that represents an emotion! WELL-DONE, everyone!
We’re so proud of the performances given by our Odyssey of the Mind teams this past weekend at the New York State Region 5 competition held at Orange-Ulster BOCES! The Middle School team earned third place honors in its division for tackling Problem 1/“Off the Rails!” Congratulations to team members Ashton Gibbs, Christian Hines, Jemma Marsala, Quinn Murphy,Victoria Papp, Alicia Suen and Coach Madison Wyman!
The team became conductors and engineers as they continued to design, build and operate a train vehicle. As the train traveled the course it needed to have a new car attached at each stop.
Along the route, it encountered challenges that made the train travel in different ways. After all of its cargo was picked up, the items were unloaded and assembled into a work of art. Their performance included the use of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, a humorous conductor character and a villain character that tried to prevent the train from getting to its destination! WELL-DONE, everyone!
The team became conductors and engineers as they continued to design, build and operate a train vehicle. As the train traveled the course it needed to have a new car attached at each stop.
Along the route, it encountered challenges that made the train travel in different ways. After all of its cargo was picked up, the items were unloaded and assembled into a work of art. Their performance included the use of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, a humorous conductor character and a villain character that tried to prevent the train from getting to its destination! WELL-DONE, everyone!
Kudos to the Otisville Elementary student scientists, who showcased magnificent work during the Feb. 26 Science Fair!
Their work is amazing! THANK YOU to the Otisville PTO for organizing and hosting this wonderful evening!
Elementary school science fairs are crucial for fostering long-term interest in STEM, building critical thinking, and developing communication skills through hands-on, self-directed projects. They allow students to explore personal passions, encouraging curiosity, resilience through trial-and-error, and the ability to apply the scientific method to real-world problems!
Their work is amazing! THANK YOU to the Otisville PTO for organizing and hosting this wonderful evening!
Elementary school science fairs are crucial for fostering long-term interest in STEM, building critical thinking, and developing communication skills through hands-on, self-directed projects. They allow students to explore personal passions, encouraging curiosity, resilience through trial-and-error, and the ability to apply the scientific method to real-world problems!
Emma Grunenberg’s IS fourth-graders recently explored the powerful forces of nature via a Natural Disasters Station Lab focusing on earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
At the earthquake station, students built two towers — one with wooden blocks and one with Lego pieces — on a cookie sheet and simulated an earthquake by shaking it. They observed how different materials and building styles affect stability and how structures respond to ground movement.
At the tsunami station, students saw that by dropping a small object and then a larger object into water, waves are created and that stronger forces cause bigger impacts. Students observed how larger disturbances can move objects more dramatically, just like real tsunamis.
At the volcanic eruption station, students watched how volcanic eruptions can impact humans, animals, plants and the environment. From lava flows to ash clouds, they saw how eruptions can destroy habitats, affect air quality and change landscapes. Students also brainstormed solutions to help protect organisms, such as evacuation plans, protective shelters and monitoring systems.
Learning about natural disasters is crucial to transform fear into understanding, building safety and developing resilience. It helps students comprehend Earth's powerful processes, such as earthquakes, volcanoes and weather, while empowering them with knowledge for emergency preparedness and fostering empathy for those affected.
At the earthquake station, students built two towers — one with wooden blocks and one with Lego pieces — on a cookie sheet and simulated an earthquake by shaking it. They observed how different materials and building styles affect stability and how structures respond to ground movement.
At the tsunami station, students saw that by dropping a small object and then a larger object into water, waves are created and that stronger forces cause bigger impacts. Students observed how larger disturbances can move objects more dramatically, just like real tsunamis.
At the volcanic eruption station, students watched how volcanic eruptions can impact humans, animals, plants and the environment. From lava flows to ash clouds, they saw how eruptions can destroy habitats, affect air quality and change landscapes. Students also brainstormed solutions to help protect organisms, such as evacuation plans, protective shelters and monitoring systems.
Learning about natural disasters is crucial to transform fear into understanding, building safety and developing resilience. It helps students comprehend Earth's powerful processes, such as earthquakes, volcanoes and weather, while empowering them with knowledge for emergency preparedness and fostering empathy for those affected.
Big smiles! Busy book browsing! Budding bookworms!
Our students absolutely LOVE Book Fairs! From flipping pages to finding “the one,” book fairs motivate students to read by offering exciting choices they can explore on their own. They also reinforce classroom learning by strengthening vocabulary, comprehension, communication and speaking skills!
Plus, every book fair visit helps students build a cozy little library at home — one book at a time!
Take a peek at this week's IS/ES Scholastic Book Fair and see our happy readers in action! Thank you to the IS/ES PTOs for all their organizational work and staffing to make the book fair days possible!
Our students absolutely LOVE Book Fairs! From flipping pages to finding “the one,” book fairs motivate students to read by offering exciting choices they can explore on their own. They also reinforce classroom learning by strengthening vocabulary, comprehension, communication and speaking skills!
Plus, every book fair visit helps students build a cozy little library at home — one book at a time!
Take a peek at this week's IS/ES Scholastic Book Fair and see our happy readers in action! Thank you to the IS/ES PTOs for all their organizational work and staffing to make the book fair days possible!
FRIDAY’S CUTENESS ALERT!
It’s the Year of the Fire Horse — a year said to bring energy, confidence and bold new beginnings!
Who doesn’t love a parade? Lunar New Year festivities continue through March 3, and today, Feb. 27, the Otisville kindergarten team organized the most adorable Lunar New Year Parade!
Our littlest students were dressed to impress in festive hats — many wearing red, a lucky color believed to bring good fortune and happiness — and proudly carried handmade lanterns, puppets and dragons, all important symbols of the holiday. Lanterns traditionally represent hope and brightness for the year ahead, while parades are meant to spread joy and good luck throughout the community.
As the kindergarteners paraded around the first floor, they were cheered on by older students lining the hallways, filling the school with smiles, applause, and celebration! Who do you recognize?
Dragons are central to Lunar New Year parades because they symbolize strength, wisdom, power, and good fortune. Unlike Western dragons, Chinese dragons are kind and protective, often associated with rain, water, and agricultural abundance. The dragon dance dates back hundreds of years and is performed to ward off evil spirits and invite prosperity for the new year.
It was a day full of culture, creativity, and community — and definitely one to make students smile!
Jessica Kahn’s Otisville kindergarteners have been filling their days with kindness, compassion and heart. Like all district kindergarteners, they’ve been learning just how powerful small acts of kindness can be — and their recent project beautifully brought those lessons to life while weaving together ELA, science, seasonal learning and creativity.
First, students listened to the read-aloud version of Kate Banks’ "The Winter Bird." It’s the story of a nightingale with a broken wing who is unable to fly south for the winter and must learn to survive with the help of forest animals. The story follows the nightingale as it experiences snow, cold and scarcity for the first time, receiving aid from a rabbit, squirrel, and owl, and ultimately discovering the beauty of winter and the strength of community before its wing heals and spring returns. It's a tale of resilience, friendship, and finding wonder in new experiences.
Students connected the story to concepts they learned in their previous “Seasons and Weather” unit, which also included a discussion about the importance of showing kindness to one another.
Later, students created their own bird feeders using pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed. Once completed, they bundled up to go outside where Mrs. Kahn hung their adorable bird feeders on two trees, so hungry birds would find food, which was a particularly thoughtful gesture during these recent sub-zero temperature weeks. There, she read them Aileen Fisher’s “Valentines,” a poem that describes seeds as valentines for February birds reminded them of the importance of not only being kind to each other but birds and animals.
The lesson was clear: Kindness isn’t just for friends in the classroom, but for all living things and even the smallest hands can make a big difference!
First, students listened to the read-aloud version of Kate Banks’ "The Winter Bird." It’s the story of a nightingale with a broken wing who is unable to fly south for the winter and must learn to survive with the help of forest animals. The story follows the nightingale as it experiences snow, cold and scarcity for the first time, receiving aid from a rabbit, squirrel, and owl, and ultimately discovering the beauty of winter and the strength of community before its wing heals and spring returns. It's a tale of resilience, friendship, and finding wonder in new experiences.
Students connected the story to concepts they learned in their previous “Seasons and Weather” unit, which also included a discussion about the importance of showing kindness to one another.
Later, students created their own bird feeders using pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed. Once completed, they bundled up to go outside where Mrs. Kahn hung their adorable bird feeders on two trees, so hungry birds would find food, which was a particularly thoughtful gesture during these recent sub-zero temperature weeks. There, she read them Aileen Fisher’s “Valentines,” a poem that describes seeds as valentines for February birds reminded them of the importance of not only being kind to each other but birds and animals.
The lesson was clear: Kindness isn’t just for friends in the classroom, but for all living things and even the smallest hands can make a big difference!
WELL-DONE to the members of the Varsity Boys Swimming and Diving team, who honorably represented Minisink Valley at last weekend’s Section IX Championship meet!
Here’s how they fared:
•Senior Owen Skinner had personal best times in the 200 IM (placed 19th) and the 100 breaststroke (placed 13th)
•Senior Caleb Decker had personal best times in the 200 free (placed 18th) and 500 free (placed 15th)
•Junior Eddie Edwards had personal best times in the 100 free (placed 16th) and 100 back (placed 8th)
•Freshman Jacob Yourman had personal best times in the 200 free (placed 14th) and 500 free (placed 16th)
•Eighth-grader Marcus Earl had personal best times in the 200 IM (placed 18th) and 100 breaststroke (placed 19th)
•Junior Vincent Galligan (100 breaststroke), sophomore William Monahan (200 and 500 free) and seventh-grader Alex Marincenko (200 free and 100 back) also participated in their first Section Championships in individual and relay events
Here’s how they fared:
•Senior Owen Skinner had personal best times in the 200 IM (placed 19th) and the 100 breaststroke (placed 13th)
•Senior Caleb Decker had personal best times in the 200 free (placed 18th) and 500 free (placed 15th)
•Junior Eddie Edwards had personal best times in the 100 free (placed 16th) and 100 back (placed 8th)
•Freshman Jacob Yourman had personal best times in the 200 free (placed 14th) and 500 free (placed 16th)
•Eighth-grader Marcus Earl had personal best times in the 200 IM (placed 18th) and 100 breaststroke (placed 19th)
•Junior Vincent Galligan (100 breaststroke), sophomore William Monahan (200 and 500 free) and seventh-grader Alex Marincenko (200 free and 100 back) also participated in their first Section Championships in individual and relay events
Congratulations to the senior members of the Varsity Boys Swimming and Diving team, who were honored for their many contributions to the team's success at their recent Senior Night! Good luck and best wishes to:
Cole Lamendola
Patrick Frawley
RJ Sosler
Ryan Jones
Malachi Grant
Owen Skinner
Caleb Decker
Cree Kain-Dickinson
Ilana Kaufman’s ES second-graders are bringing the city to life — creating bold, colorful cityscapes bursting with unique "personalities," inspired by American Pop artist James Rizzi! Take a look!
Known for his vibrant, joyful, and playfully childlike 3D artworks, Mr. Rizzi filled his bustling New York City scenes with smiling, winking, anthropomorphic buildings. He even invented his own signature 3D construction style, layering cut-out pieces from his prints to build lively, multi-dimensional works that practically pop off the page.
Known for his vibrant, joyful, and playfully childlike 3D artworks, Mr. Rizzi filled his bustling New York City scenes with smiling, winking, anthropomorphic buildings. He even invented his own signature 3D construction style, layering cut-out pieces from his prints to build lively, multi-dimensional works that practically pop off the page.
Congratulations to Senior Jenna Bartels and Freshman Melody Begnoche, who won People’s Choice Awards at the recent Orange County Arts Council’s recent “Arts build Confidence” Showcase at the Galleria at Crystal Run. Jenna won second-place and Melody won third-place! Visitors to the show were invited to participate in a free “People’s Choice” voting to select a favorite work.
Their work was among other Minisink Valley student-artists and Orange County student-artists (representing 12 Orange County high schools) on display. Jenna and seniors Lexie Giakoumis, Catalina Maidens, Kayleigh Bakke and Syemma Mathis are students in Jenna McElroy’s “AP Art” class; junior Gianna Squitieri is an “Advanced Photography” student; sophomore Gemma Skinner is a “Mixed Media” student; and Melody is “Studio Art” student.
“Arts Build Confidence is a powerful reminder of how deeply creativity supports student growth,” said Brandi McLendon, OCNY Arts director of programming and operations.
Did you know that SPAM (yes, the canned kind --- “spiced ham/shoulder pork and ham”--- not what's in your inbox) was one of the only meat products not rationed in Britain during World War II?
The result? Britain had… a lot of SPAM. Enough that people got spectacularly sick of it.
Cue the legendary British comedy troupe behind Monty Python’s Flying Circus, who created the iconic SPAM sketch—where the word is sung, shouted and repeated until it’s gloriously unbearable. From that sketch, the term “spam” was born.
FAST FORWARD: “Spamalot” blends SPAM and Camelot in a brilliantly silly parody of the Arthurian legend. Knights, coconuts, show tunes and nonstop absurdity collide — exactly the kind of humor Monty Python does best.
What does all this mean? As rehearsals continue, it’s time to get tickets for the High School Drama Club’s production of Monty Python’s “Spamalot!”
CLICK HERE for tickets—before they’re gone (or before someone sings again). https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/minisink-valley-high-school/6960f25597c3d71059503e66/tickets#/productions-view
COSTUME CHECK...and don't they look fabulous?? And, rehearsals are going great!! Take a look and see who you recognize!
Remember, the Otisville Elementary Drama Club's performances of "Seussical JR" are coming up fast: Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. in the Otisville cafetorium.
FREE ADMISSION for all!
Remember, the Otisville Elementary Drama Club's performances of "Seussical JR" are coming up fast: Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. in the Otisville cafetorium.
FREE ADMISSION for all!
PRACTICING REAL LIFE SCENARIOS IN A SECOND LANGUAGE
Students in Jackie Mazariegos’ eighth-grade Spanish 1 class often practice speaking with each other in Spanish. During this recent session, students were given the roles of waiter and customer. Students followed prompts for each role and had to complete in order. Then, they switched roles. The speaking activity allowed the students to practice with their vocabulary from the food unit. Bien hecho, todos!
Speaking is one of the pillars of the Spanish 1 Final Year End Exam along with listening, reading and writing. But there’s more important reasons, too: Practicing Spanish with peers is crucial because it transforms language from an abstract academic subject into a practical communication tool, fostering faster fluency and confidence. It’s also creates an immersive, low-stakes environment where students can also reduce their fear of mistakes while strengthening cognitive skills, cultural awareness and social interaction.
Students in Jackie Mazariegos’ eighth-grade Spanish 1 class often practice speaking with each other in Spanish. During this recent session, students were given the roles of waiter and customer. Students followed prompts for each role and had to complete in order. Then, they switched roles. The speaking activity allowed the students to practice with their vocabulary from the food unit. Bien hecho, todos!
Speaking is one of the pillars of the Spanish 1 Final Year End Exam along with listening, reading and writing. But there’s more important reasons, too: Practicing Spanish with peers is crucial because it transforms language from an abstract academic subject into a practical communication tool, fostering faster fluency and confidence. It’s also creates an immersive, low-stakes environment where students can also reduce their fear of mistakes while strengthening cognitive skills, cultural awareness and social interaction.
Jennifer Carroll’s IS fifth-graders recently worked on summarizing part of Chapter 10 from “The Adventures of Don Quixote,” using a summarizing writing strategy (someone, wanted, but, so, then).
After reviewing the graphic organizer they worked on with their partners, students independently wrote a summary using appropriate transition words and phrases. This work helps students become thoughtful readers, effective writers and independent learners, not just in ELA but across all subjects! That’s because it builds several foundational literacy skills that fifth graders need for long-term academic success, including: Strengthening comprehension, developing analytical thinking, improving writing clarity and organization and more. Summarizing content is a critical skill used in science, social studies, and assessments!
After reviewing the graphic organizer they worked on with their partners, students independently wrote a summary using appropriate transition words and phrases. This work helps students become thoughtful readers, effective writers and independent learners, not just in ELA but across all subjects! That’s because it builds several foundational literacy skills that fifth graders need for long-term academic success, including: Strengthening comprehension, developing analytical thinking, improving writing clarity and organization and more. Summarizing content is a critical skill used in science, social studies, and assessments!
