The High School marked Red Ribbon Week today, Oct. 29, with a "CHOOSE TO REFUSE" table and inviting students to participate by completing puzzle pieces explaining why it's important to them to make good, responsible and healthy choices and decisions. These pieces will be combined for a large puzzle display.
Students also had the chance to spin a wheel, answer a question tied to substance abuse, alcohol or distracted/drunk driving for an opportunity to win a prize. Take a look!
Like all district first-graders, Erin Chase’s ES first-graders are learning about the digestive system during their science lessons. They’ve been talking about how the digestive system is used to break down food into energy that their bodies’ need. They now know that parts of the digestive system include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Plus: they’ve learning some very big vocabulary words, too!
Introducing new vocabulary in first grade is crucial because it improves reading comprehension and academic success. A strong vocabulary helps students understand texts, express themselves more clearly in both writing and speech, and build a foundation for more complex learning in later grades.
Introducing new vocabulary in first grade is crucial because it improves reading comprehension and academic success. A strong vocabulary helps students understand texts, express themselves more clearly in both writing and speech, and build a foundation for more complex learning in later grades.
Deanna Feuerbach’s IS fourth-graders are settling in wonderfully in chorus class! Students have been rehearsing the song “Bottle Pop,” a song with “round” lyrics and melody and singing it in unison. This recent class was the first time the fourth grade chorus classes sang in parts as a round!
Singing in rounds helps to train the students' ears, improve pitch and rhythm skills, build confidence and independence, and helps them develop harmonic awareness. These skills are needed to prepare for their upcoming winter concert in December.
A singing round is a musical form where multiple voices sing the same melody but begin at different times, creating harmony through the overlapping. For example, when the first person finishes the song and starts again, the second person who started later also reaches the beginning and restarts. Popular examples include "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Frère Jacques."
Singing in rounds helps to train the students' ears, improve pitch and rhythm skills, build confidence and independence, and helps them develop harmonic awareness. These skills are needed to prepare for their upcoming winter concert in December.
A singing round is a musical form where multiple voices sing the same melody but begin at different times, creating harmony through the overlapping. For example, when the first person finishes the song and starts again, the second person who started later also reaches the beginning and restarts. Popular examples include "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Frère Jacques."
Venicia Salguero used the Middle School Diversity Committee’s recent Hispanic Heritage Month “Choice Board” of activities as a homework assignment for her seventh-grade Spanish students, asking them to provide images and a summary about the activities they chose.
Many students made the "no bake" tres leches cake or completed the "papel picado" craft. A few went out to eat at local restaurants such as El Patron, Frontera and Zapata.
Some even chose activities not on the list! One student made the drink "horchata" and another made "platanos." A few students opted to take a dance lesson on YouTube or learn some Spanish sign language!
“I'm really proud of how seriously they took this activity to branch out and try something new,” Sra. Salguero said. “Hispanic/Latino people make positive contributions to our world year round.” Bien hecho, todas!
The Varsity Boys Soccer team honored its seniors during its recent Senior Night! Thank you to Jandro Arias, Benjamin Danielson, Sean Aldana, Cesar Ramirez, Robert Davis, Julian Ochoa, Gavin Capper, John Falzon and Richard Cai for their many contributions to the team’s success.
Head Coach Jordan Mootz wants us to know about her talented seniors:
•Sean Aldana is the kindest, most easy going kid on the team. You can talk to him about anything! He alternates between defense and goalie.
•Captain Jandro Arias has played goalie, defense, and the frontline, and has excelled at all. He never fails to make his coaches and teammates laugh with his sarcasm. He is always a leader and willing to make others better.
•Richard Cai is one of the midfielders, and is a helpful teammate. He is always the first to assist with equipment. Always prepared and ready to go.
•Gavin Capper is the right defense, and he isn't afraid to boot the ball out or throw in a tackle. He has made significant improvement this year!
•Captain Ben Danielson is known for his speed and strong foot. He has played both defense and offense for us this year, and is a powerhouse. He is always willing to crack a joke, and make everyone laugh.
•Robert Davis joined the team this year and he has made such an impact on defense! He is always prepared at practice.
•Captain John Falzon is the center midfielder. He is the most unselfish player you will ever meet. He does not care about scoring goals, he cares about making his teammates better.
•Julian Ochoa has been playing both right back and left forward for us this year. He has done so with no questions asked, and succeeds at both. He has the farthest boot on the team!
•Cesar Ramirez has been the center forward this season. He has shown his love for soccer and always acknowledges his teachers in the hallway.
FUN! FUN! FUN!
Take a peek at our students who attend the Middletown YMCA's Club Kid before/after school program at our ES/IS/Otisville campuses. Our YMCA partners offer our Minisink Valley families safe. affordable before or after school child care at our two campuses and are loaded with indoor/outdoor fun, socialization and even homework time! We bet you recognize many faces!
To learn more about Club Kid, visit: https://middletownymca.org/club-kid/
Take a peek at our students who attend the Middletown YMCA's Club Kid before/after school program at our ES/IS/Otisville campuses. Our YMCA partners offer our Minisink Valley families safe. affordable before or after school child care at our two campuses and are loaded with indoor/outdoor fun, socialization and even homework time! We bet you recognize many faces!
To learn more about Club Kid, visit: https://middletownymca.org/club-kid/
Members of the High School's National Honor Society are busy planning their annual Veterans Day dinner, to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5 beginning at 5 p.m. at the high school's cafeteria.
Invitations (like the one here) have been mailed out to the area's veterans organizations. but ALL VETERANS ARE WELCOME! RSVP is Wednesday, Oct. 29.
We invite you to join us and have a lovely early evening out, with a dinner prepared NHS members and wonderful music by members of the high school's bands. Details are in the invitation\!
Invitations (like the one here) have been mailed out to the area's veterans organizations. but ALL VETERANS ARE WELCOME! RSVP is Wednesday, Oct. 29.
We invite you to join us and have a lovely early evening out, with a dinner prepared NHS members and wonderful music by members of the high school's bands. Details are in the invitation\!
GLOWING IN PINK!
Shades of pink were visible everywhere in the district this past Friday, Oct. 24, when students, faculty and staff decked themselves out to mark the district's GOING PINK day in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Who knew there were so many shades of pink?
Take a peek at just a sampling of the hundreds and hundreds of students and staff (and Board of Education members, too) who wore this great color! THANK YOU to everyone who participated and shared photos!
Shades of pink were visible everywhere in the district this past Friday, Oct. 24, when students, faculty and staff decked themselves out to mark the district's GOING PINK day in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Who knew there were so many shades of pink?
Take a peek at just a sampling of the hundreds and hundreds of students and staff (and Board of Education members, too) who wore this great color! THANK YOU to everyone who participated and shared photos!
Congratulations to senior Robert LaBarbera and Dylan Fox of Port Jervis High School, who are the 2025 recipients of the John Bell Memorial Award! They were recognized and presented these awards during Friday’s Varsity Football game.
Coach Bell was a respected player for Port Jervis in the 1960s and a longtime Minisink Valley coach and teacher. The Minisink Valley and Port Jervis football programs established this annual award to be given to a member of each school who has demonstrated the qualities that Coach Bell lived by: Dedication, sportsmanship, loyalty and school pride.
Coach Bell was a respected player for Port Jervis in the 1960s and a longtime Minisink Valley coach and teacher. The Minisink Valley and Port Jervis football programs established this annual award to be given to a member of each school who has demonstrated the qualities that Coach Bell lived by: Dedication, sportsmanship, loyalty and school pride.
Congratulations to the senior members of the Varsity Volleyball team who were honored for their many contributions to the team during their recent Senior Night! We wish you all the best!
--- Natalie Barina, a three year varsity player, who has been a middle blocker and hitter her entire high school volleyball career. Although once very gentle, her senior year she found the fierceness to match her height. Her quiet leadership and kindness unknowingly make her a role model for those around her.
--- Joli Calcano, a two year varsity player who is a utility player who played as a defensive specialist her senior year but has also played as a setter and right side hitter. Her sunny demeanor brings smiles to everyone's face at just the right time.
--- Anhjela Jackson, a three year varsity player playing as a right side hitter and setter but has also played in the outside hitter position. She is an “all around” six rotation player and can play any position. She has great control of her sets and is a powerful hitter.
--- Ava Messina, a two year varsity player who is a right side hitter and setter. Her athleticism and drive allows her to play at a very high level. Her passion and dedication on the court is unmatched. She is a natural leader and is still hungry to learn everything there is to learn about the game.
--- Natalie Barina, a three year varsity player, who has been a middle blocker and hitter her entire high school volleyball career. Although once very gentle, her senior year she found the fierceness to match her height. Her quiet leadership and kindness unknowingly make her a role model for those around her.
--- Joli Calcano, a two year varsity player who is a utility player who played as a defensive specialist her senior year but has also played as a setter and right side hitter. Her sunny demeanor brings smiles to everyone's face at just the right time.
--- Anhjela Jackson, a three year varsity player playing as a right side hitter and setter but has also played in the outside hitter position. She is an “all around” six rotation player and can play any position. She has great control of her sets and is a powerful hitter.
--- Ava Messina, a two year varsity player who is a right side hitter and setter. Her athleticism and drive allows her to play at a very high level. Her passion and dedication on the court is unmatched. She is a natural leader and is still hungry to learn everything there is to learn about the game.
Deanna Feuerbach’s IS fifth-grade students are studying the science of sound, the vibration that is measured in waves. Did you know all instruments create sound through vibrations and the way instruments vibrate to make sound into can be sorted into different sound families?
Students were tasked with creating their own instrument made out of recycled materials, identifying which sound family their instrument belongs to: Aerophones (instruments that vibrate when air is blown into them); chordophones (instruments that vibrate when strings are plucked); membranophones (instruments -- drums -- that vibrate when a stretched surface is hit); idiophones (instruments that vibrate themselves --- rainsticks, maracas, jingle bells, shakers, etc.); and electrophones are instruments that vibrate through electricity.
Studying the science of sound is important in music because it provides a deeper, more concrete understanding of musical concepts like pitch, volume, and rhythm by explaining the physical principles behind them. This interdisciplinary approach helps students grasp how sound is produced and travels, making music more accessible and meaningful while connecting it to the broader world of science.
Students were tasked with creating their own instrument made out of recycled materials, identifying which sound family their instrument belongs to: Aerophones (instruments that vibrate when air is blown into them); chordophones (instruments that vibrate when strings are plucked); membranophones (instruments -- drums -- that vibrate when a stretched surface is hit); idiophones (instruments that vibrate themselves --- rainsticks, maracas, jingle bells, shakers, etc.); and electrophones are instruments that vibrate through electricity.
Studying the science of sound is important in music because it provides a deeper, more concrete understanding of musical concepts like pitch, volume, and rhythm by explaining the physical principles behind them. This interdisciplinary approach helps students grasp how sound is produced and travels, making music more accessible and meaningful while connecting it to the broader world of science.
Congratulations to the newly installed Middle School Student Government officers:
--- Alleah Lee, president
--- Olivia Gonzalez, vice president
--- Raegan DePoalo, secretary
--- KatieMae Howell, treasurer
They were among the 35 students were sworn into the middle school student government on Oct. 10.
Being a part of a middle school s' student government gives students an opportunity to develop leadership skills, provides practical experience in decision-making and problem-solving, and enhances communication and teamwork abilities. It also gives students a voice in school matters, fosters a sense of community and ownership, and teaches the fundamentals of democracy and civic responsibility.
--- Alleah Lee, president
--- Olivia Gonzalez, vice president
--- Raegan DePoalo, secretary
--- KatieMae Howell, treasurer
They were among the 35 students were sworn into the middle school student government on Oct. 10.
Being a part of a middle school s' student government gives students an opportunity to develop leadership skills, provides practical experience in decision-making and problem-solving, and enhances communication and teamwork abilities. It also gives students a voice in school matters, fosters a sense of community and ownership, and teaches the fundamentals of democracy and civic responsibility.
Studying regional history is important because it can promote a sense of place and identity, enhances critical thinking, and connects individuals to key events in the history of a particular area. By understanding “the past,” students can better understand “the present,” including its challenges and strengths, which helps in being better prepared for what will happen in “the future.”
Robert Abate’s Archaeology and Metal Detecting Club members and Ezra Clementson’s, Frank Cherry’s and Jonathan Grady’s Global 9 students recently had the unique opportunity to step back in time during a visit to the historic Minisink Battleground Park in Sullivan County! Take a peek at their outing!
Their field trip offered a powerful, hands-on learning experience about one of the most tragic and heroic episodes in the region's Revolutionary War history. The trip was organized as one of the many ways the Minisink Valley History Department is recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary of declaring independence.
Sullivan County Historian John Conway, whose knowledge and storytelling brought the events of July 22, 1779, vividly to life, led the tour along with reenactors Daniel and Joshua from the Fort Delaware Museum. They dressed in period attire and also demonstrated how to fire a musket.
The group toured key battleground areas, including Hospital Rock, where wounded militia members were treated, and Sentinel Rock, a silent witness to the fierce and fateful battle that unfolded on these very grounds.
Students gained insight into the significant losses suffered by local militia, who bravely engaged in combat against the forces led by the notorious Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. The field trip not only highlighted the sacrifices made by local patriots but also deepened students' understanding of the complex alliances and conflicts that defined the Revolutionary War in this region.
“This immersive experience left students with a greater appreciation for our area's rich history and the enduring legacy of those who fought and fell at Minisink,” said Mr. Abate. “We are grateful to Mr. Conway and the Fort Delaware reenactors for helping bring history to life in such a meaningful and memorable way.”
The group finished the trip with stops at the Roebling Bridge, the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the U.S. and an eagle observation point along the Delaware River.
Cecilia Kosowicz’s and Candace Gale’s IS third-graders, like all district third-graders, are learning about opinion writing during their ELA lessons, using seasonality and art to assist in their writing process.
First, they created their own “best pumpkin in the patch,” each vibrantly colorful and unique. Then, they were tasked with writing an opinion paragraph which provides details about why they believe makes their pumpkin the best. What a great way to blend ELA, art and the Halloween season into a learning experience! Take a look!
Opinion writing helps students develop critical thinking, organize their thoughts, and communicate respectfully. By 3rd grade, students have a strong enough grasp of expressing preferences to begin structuring a more formal, reasoned argument, or opinion. It’s also part of a larger, structured literacy progression that moves from informal communication to more advanced writing skills.
First, they created their own “best pumpkin in the patch,” each vibrantly colorful and unique. Then, they were tasked with writing an opinion paragraph which provides details about why they believe makes their pumpkin the best. What a great way to blend ELA, art and the Halloween season into a learning experience! Take a look!
Opinion writing helps students develop critical thinking, organize their thoughts, and communicate respectfully. By 3rd grade, students have a strong enough grasp of expressing preferences to begin structuring a more formal, reasoned argument, or opinion. It’s also part of a larger, structured literacy progression that moves from informal communication to more advanced writing skills.
What to be for Halloween? It’s a big decision and there’s not much time left!
Rachel Forde and Julia Ferguson asked their Otisville third-graders for suggestions, but there was an ELA and art component to their request as well. Students were tasked with offering a suggestion (the main idea) and providing three reasons why (supporting details) while drawing their suggested costumes.
There were many varied ideas: A pencil… a carrot… a McDonalds French fry… a zombie.
Our favorites: “A princess, because she is so beautiful”; and “Spiderman, because she always saves the day for me.”
Rachel Forde and Julia Ferguson asked their Otisville third-graders for suggestions, but there was an ELA and art component to their request as well. Students were tasked with offering a suggestion (the main idea) and providing three reasons why (supporting details) while drawing their suggested costumes.
There were many varied ideas: A pencil… a carrot… a McDonalds French fry… a zombie.
Our favorites: “A princess, because she is so beautiful”; and “Spiderman, because she always saves the day for me.”
We’ve had some recent wonderful fall days! On one of these recent days, Megan St. Clair’s and Sarah Kocot's ES second-graders and Jenn DiSimone's first-graders had some outdoor fun and learning through a scavenger hunt! They worked together with a new buddy to find things in nature like acorns, bugs, leaves, etc. What a great way to work together while enjoying the outdoors! See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
Jen Levin’s ES second-graders have been spending time together working on their choral reading skills. In this recent gathering, students were reading about Big Jim’s and Pete’s frogs!
Choral reading is a whole-class or small-group technique where the teacher and students read a text aloud together in unison, developing fluency, pronunciation, and expression. The strategy uses repetition and unison reading to improve sight word recognition, build confidence, and make reading more engaging for young learners, often with texts that have rhythmic patterns or repeating phrases.
JOIN IN on the seasonal art fun and support the High School's Art Club!
The High School's Art Club is hosting its next "Paint n' Snack" fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 217 at the High School.
A talented Minisink Valley Art Club student will guide participants in creating a beautiful fall-themed painting. There'll be apple cider to sip and yummy treats to snack on while painting.
Adults and children of all ages are welcome, but seating is limited to 25 people, so act fast if interested! All supplies and food are included with admission and all proceeds will go toward art scholarships, museums field trips for art students, future events, and additional supplies for the Art Club studio. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT, so sign-up now and don't miss out!
Pricing (cash at the door): Adults - $12; children/students - $10; and siblings discount: $5 per additional sibling. To reserve your spot, click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFcFIzph-R4RHdlh3S0YmBrlAi_BxFCxZ7woOyck9kGSe2rQ/viewform
Kudos to members of the Varsity Girls Soccer Team, who represented Minisink Valley with distinction at the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk held Oct. 19, at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley. Thousands of people participated, perhaps you were among them!
The girls helped welcome participants during registration time and participated in the walk. Well-done to all!
The girls helped welcome participants during registration time and participated in the walk. Well-done to all!
THINK PINK
REMINDER: Get your pink attire ready, because this Friday, the district is️ GOING PINK to support breast cancer awareness! THANK YOU to the High School's Youth Against Cancer (YAC) group for leading the effort to bring awareness:
--- Call for photos: Share a photo of your student wearing pink attire that day!
--- Are you ready for some football? PINK OUT at Friday night’s Varsity Home Game against Port Jervis!
--- COIN DROP at CUGINOS: Donate your coins and support the high school’s Youth Against Cancer Club initiative. 100% of what’s collected will be donated to the breast cancer unit at Garnet Medical Center’s Spagnoli Cancer Center
--- Class of 2026 Food Truck Fundraiser continues with a special menu!
REMINDER: Get your pink attire ready, because this Friday, the district is️ GOING PINK to support breast cancer awareness! THANK YOU to the High School's Youth Against Cancer (YAC) group for leading the effort to bring awareness:
--- Call for photos: Share a photo of your student wearing pink attire that day!
--- Are you ready for some football? PINK OUT at Friday night’s Varsity Home Game against Port Jervis!
--- COIN DROP at CUGINOS: Donate your coins and support the high school’s Youth Against Cancer Club initiative. 100% of what’s collected will be donated to the breast cancer unit at Garnet Medical Center’s Spagnoli Cancer Center
--- Class of 2026 Food Truck Fundraiser continues with a special menu!
