Many kindergarteners are introduced to the joy of gymnastics (along with exciting activities like climbing ropes and the rock wall) when their physical education teachers kick off their gymnastics unit. Take a peek at Anthony Pascarelli"s, Leyla Johnson’s, and Jonathan Sakadelis’ ES kindergarteners having an absolute blast in class—so many smiles and so much fun!
Introducing kindergarteners to gymnastics is important because it helps them build strength, balance and coordination while boosting their confidence and encouraging a love of movement. Plus, it gives them a chance to explore, take safe risks and discover just how amazing their bodies can be!
“Our relationship with the veterans at the American Legion is something our program takes a lot of pride in, and our players are always ready to answer the call when the opportunity comes up,” said Varsity Head Coach Kevin Gallagher. “This is a great chance for our guys to represent the program the right way and honor those who have served.”
Coach Gallagher noted that this has been part of the team’s culture for the past 12 years, and it remains a tradition they fully intend to keep in their playbook moving forward.
Players executed their roles seamlessly—prepping salads, serving and delivering ziti and meatballs, and making sure every table was taken care of with coffee and cake—showing the same discipline and teamwork they bring to game day.
Coach Gallagher added: “This gives our guys an opportunity to connect, communicate, and learn firsthand what servant leadership looks like. It’s about more than football—it’s about doing your job, supporting others, and understanding how being part of a team can make a real impact in the community.”
Enjoy some great sandwiches, salads or soups at Panera in MIddletown and support the High School's FBLA Club! Details are in the flyer below, and thanks for sharing!
Enter Middle School’s Popcorn Wars, held April 16. It was a delicious showdown where creativity met crunch. Under the guidance of FACS teacher Victoria Ingrassia, students stepped into the roles of food scientist, chef, and marketing professional to launch their very own specialty popcorn products.
This wasn’t just about tossing kernels in a bowl. Students were challenged to think like real-world innovators, blending culinary creativity with technical know-how to create a product worthy of store shelves.
Each team developed:
• A signature flavored popcorn recipe, complete with detailed steps and precise measurements
• A full ingredient list for their creation
• A professional food label including nutritional info and serving size
• A standout packaging design to catch a customer’s eye
From concept to creation, students tackled every stage of product development. Templates helped guide their work—but the flavors, branding and flair? All their own!
And yes, the building smelled amazing! Popcorn was offered to all who were interested!
For those brave enough to compete, samples were submitted for taste-testing. After school, a mysterious panel of judges gathered at an undisclosed location in the building to crown the most crave-worthy creation.
The result? A fun, flavorful assignment that proved innovation isn’t just taught — it’s tasted!
Congratulations to the winners:
First Place
•The student team of Sofia Couto Lamonica, Emily Chase and Kali Holliman
Second Place
•Student Ariana Rivera
Third Place
•The student team of Caitlyn Moran, Natalie Wargo and Kyleigh Terwilliger
Honorable mention
•Teacher Kristine Ostensen
•Teacher Lauren Pullen
The Otisville PTO treated students to a wonderful enrichment program called "Casey Carle’s BubbleMania" earlier this week!
Mr. Carle’s program is an engaging live performance that blends comedy, audience interaction, and stunning bubble artistry — featuring giant bubbles, unusual shapes, and creative visual effects — to captivate audiences of all ages! Take a look!
BUT--- Beyond the entertainment, this enrichment program doubles as a strong STEM program by introducing students to core scientific concepts like surface tension, geometry, and states of matter in a memorable, hands-on way. By turning abstract ideas into something students can see and experience, the show encourages curiosity, critical thinking and a deeper appreciation for science, making it an effective and enjoyable complement to classroom learning. THANK YOU to the wonderful Otisville PTO for sponsoring this terrific program!
Ex officio student representatives from many Orange County school districts --- including Minisink Valley --- attended as guest speakers and were part of an important conversation about the role and value of student board service.
Thank you to ex officio student representative Madilyn Greenberg for representing Minisink Valley (and ex officio student member Heather Day who was unable to attend), and showing what a great district ambassador she is! Joining her last evening were Board President Anthony Monaco, Board member Shawn Cahill and Superintendent Brian Monahan.
Jonathan Bonds’ “Film Studies II and “Mindful Self Design” classes; Jenn DiLeo’s “Science Fiction Novels & Film” class; and Christopher Ruckdeschel’s “SUPA Psychology” class the recent opportunity to attend a screening of “Project Hail Mary,” a newly released book-to-film adaptation produced and written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller at Flagship Cinemas in Matamoras. It was a great opportunity for these high school students to escape the classroom, get immersed in a world of sci-fi bursting with bravery, humor and humanity and have very cool connections to their classes!
“Project Hail Mary” follows Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. As his memories return, he realizes he’s on a desperate mission to save Earth from an extinction-level threat caused by a star-eating microbe. Stranded light-years from home, Grace unexpectedly befriends an alien scientist named Rocky who is facing the same crisis. Together, they must solve an interstellar puzzle that determines the fate of both their worlds.
The film addresses the themes of the psychological impact of isolation, exploring Grace’s isolation on the ship, his coping mechanisms, and how loneliness shapes his decisions. It also covers the theme of the nature of "first contact," as the first meeting between Grace and Rocky is the heart of the story and offers a unique, optimistic spin on first contact narratives. Additionally, the film features strategies for building meaningful relationships, focusing on the communication and trust between Grace and Rocky. And, there’s many organic and mystifying special effects
Most students said they appreciated the opportunity to experience the film on the big screen and praised it as a fun and heart-warming escape!
The club has been busy this school year raising funds to support patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis:
•$1,400 in warm meals for six families, provided by Cuginos and Bottom's Up Restaurant, dealing with cancer during the recent holiday season
•Over $1,000 worth of toys were donated to Garnet Medical Center for its pediatric patients via a district toy drive
•$816 raised for breast cancer patients at Garnet Medical Center during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
•$200 raised and donated to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of a club member's grandfather that passed away from cancer
•122 raised for St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital via donation Jars set up at Perino's, Callie's Coffee, and Slate Hill Market.
•A coin drop held at Cuginos, where 100% of what’s collected to be donated to Sparrow's Nest, the organization which prepares and delivers meals to individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis in Dutchess County and families with children 18 and under in the home in Ulster, Orange and Putnam counties.
Please join us in thanking the club for looking to make a positive difference in the lives of others through its many projects!
Joan Giardina’s IS fifth-grade art students recently created optical illusion artwork!
While their artwork is physically flat, on paper, it’s designed to appear three-dimensional, moving or warped. It creates this illusion by manipulating visual perception through geometric patterns, precise color relationships and techniques that trick the brain into interpreting depth where there is none. WELL-DONE, everyone!
The CKLA unit “Making a Difference: Creating Change” teaches second-graders that individuals — both famous historical figures and everyday people — can make their communities better by recognizing problems and taking action. Through stories of leaders who stood up for fairness, kindness, and equal rights, students learn about courage, perseverance, and working together to create positive change.
The unit emphasizes empathy, responsibility, and the idea that even small actions can have a big impact, helping children understand that they, too, can be changemakers in their own world. These are all important concepts for young students to embrace!
Students are learning about important figures in history who have made positive changes in history, including: Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary McLeod Bethune, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Faith Florez, Kelvin Doe and more. Students are beginning to learn about important topics such as the difference between human rights and civil rights as well as why these noted people worked to create change. As part of this, Mr. Ferara asked his students to talk with their peers about concepts like “what does creating chance mean?”
The material blends history, character development and literacy into a meaningful, motivating learning experience!
We LOVE it when our students and staff are part of wonderful community activities and events!
KUDOS to members of the Varsity Football and Wrestling teams, who were part of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight Mission 38’s “Welcome Home Rally” at Stewart Airport this past Saturday!
Players and coaches were on hand to welcome all Mission 38 veterans when they returned from a daylong trip to Washington, D.C., but particularly to welcome home Air Force E-4 Sergeant, crew chief and aircraft maintenance specialist Arthur Olah, who served during the Vietnam War conflict at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. Mr. Olah is the grandfather of Varsity Offensive/Defensive Line Coach Andrew Fenner, who is also an IS third-grade teacher; and father-in-law of IS/ES Head Custodian Dave Fenner.
A day with the Hudson Valley Honor Flight begins early, often before sunrise, as veterans gather with volunteers and guardians for a warm send-off. There’s an atmosphere of excitement and gratitude as families, supporters, and community members cheer them on. The group boards a flight bound for Washington, D.C. and veterans are treated with special care and recognition throughout the entire trip.
Once in Washington, the day is filled with visits to powerful memorials such as the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial. Volunteers ensure each veteran has time to reflect, connect and be honored for their service. The trip often includes a special “mail call,” where veterans receive letters of appreciation from loved ones and strangers alike. By evening, they return home to a heartfelt welcome celebration, greeted by crowds waving flags and expressing gratitude. It’s an unforgettable and deeply emotional end to a meaningful day.
“This is such a great event and our coaches, players and wrestlers were honored to be a part of it,” said Varsity Football and Wrestling Head Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Our football program has a special relationship with the American Legion and one of us was on that flight! Arthur Olah, who served in the U.S. Air Force and is the grandfather of our offensive and defensive line coach Andrew Fenner which made it that much more special! The guys were awesome and really started to understand the effect they had on Mr. Olah and all of the veterans that they cheered for! It was a great night.”
To learn more about Hudson Valley Honor Flight, visit: https://hvhonorflight.com/
Take a peek at Mia McLean’s ES library students as she reads to them Maribeth Boelts’ “A Bike Like Sergio’s.” It’s the story of a boy named Ruben who longs for a new bike like his friend Sergio's but can't afford one. When he finds a lost $100 bill, he faces a moral dilemma: Keep the money for the bike or return it, ultimately learning that doing the right thing and valuing family and friends is more important than material possessions.
Each presentation explored three key areas:
•What happened during the disaster
•How a town or city could respond with effective relief efforts
•What individuals or families can do at home to stay safe and prepared
Their work was designed for an adult audience interested in understanding practical, real-world preventative measures to take before a disaster strikes. By studying past disasters, students and community members can:
•Recognize warning signs and understand the science behind extreme weather.
•Reduce risk by knowing how to prepare homes, gather supplies, and protect loved ones.
•Strengthen community resilience, ensuring that cities and families can recover more quickly.
•Make informed decisions, from evacuation planning to long-term mitigation strategies like building codes or infrastructure improvements.
Remember: Understanding prevention save lives and preparedness turns uncertainty into empowerment.
"We are proud to share that every one of these students had a successful showing at the festival.," said Otisville Band Teacher Maria Fenfert.
Participating student musicians were:
Kayden Buttacavole
Peter Caputo
Wyatt Cucci
Kaien DeJesus
Kristina Eilert
Amelia Hangas
Helen Huchital
Gracelyn Morse
Jillian O’Sullivan
Sophia Tomlinson
Mason Weeden
Khy Williams
Kasey Young
Their beautiful pieces show just how well they’re grasping these ideas — each artwork is a little world, layered with detail and imagination!
Understanding foreground, midground, and background helps young artists to build depth in their art work, improves spatial awareness (which can help in math and science, too!), building on their growing planning skills as they think about how different elements fit together and further develop their visual storytelling skills!
This foundational knowledge sets the stage for more advanced artistic techniques in higher grade levels! Take a peek at their work!
Physical education teachers sometimes use beach balls to teach volleyball to slow down the pace of the game, allowing beginners and younger students time to get into position, track the ball, and develop proper form without fear of injury. The lightweight, soft, and slow-moving nature of beach balls increases success rates, builds confidence, and enhances hand-eye coordination!
KINDERGARTEN SPRING EGG HUNT!
What a sweet springtime tradition at Otisville! Kindergarteners were treated to a truly special afternoon as thousands of colorful, goodie-filled eggs — prepared and donated by families — were placed in the Kindergarten Playground for the school's annual Kindergarten Spring Egg Hunt!
In a time-honored Otisville tradition, second-graders took the lead in setting up the “hunt site,” carefully placing eggs in high, low and quite visible areas before proudly stepping back to watch the excitement unfold. Their big-kid pride made the moment even more meaningful!
The Spring Egg Hunt quickly turned into a joyful dash (maybe even a race!) as little hands gathered as many eggs as they could to fill their baskets and bags. Laughter, smiles and a whole lot of springtime spirit filled the playground as every student went home with a bounty of eggs.
This heartwarming event is the perfect example of a simple, joyful spring school activity — bringing students together, building traditions and creating memories that will last long after the season ends. Soon enough, these little kindergarteners will be setting up the hunt site for others!
Take a peek at the fun and THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this day so special!
Strawberries were used because they are “octoploid,” meaning they have eight sets of chromosomes, which makes it easier to extract and observe large amounts of DNA.
During the procedure, students crushed the strawberries to physically break down the cell walls, then added soap to dissolve the cell and nuclear membranes, releasing the DNA from the nucleus. Salt was used to neutralize the charges on the DNA molecules, allowing them to clump together. The mixture was then filtered to create a filtrate, and isopropyl alcohol was added, causing the DNA to precipitate and become visible as white strands.
This hands-on investigation helped students understand the structure and function of DNA and highlighted the importance of DNA extraction in scientific research, medicine, and identifying organisms. When students grasp both the structure and function of DNA, they start to understand how life actually works at a molecular level. Highlighting DNA extraction makes this knowledge more concrete. Instead of DNA being an abstract idea in a textbook, students see that it’s a real substance that can be isolated and studied. That connection is powerful for learning!
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a double-stranded molecule shaped like a double helix and is made of nucleotides arranged in a specific sequence that forms the genetic code.
What college/university is your student attending this fall? What career is he/she stepping into? Will he/she be entering the military?
The BIG, FUN REVEAL DAY (for students only) is coming: Friday, May 1 at the high school! It's National Decision Day!
Reminders are going out to all seniors, and we're letting you, too, because you may still be on the hunt for the perfect shirt/hoodie/hat for your student to wear for photo ops "announcing" and celebrating his/her decision! It's a BIG DEAL!
We'll have a fun background display for them to take photos! We can't wait to share the news!
Third-graders study fractions to build a foundational understanding of parts-to-whole relationships, which is critical for future success in algebra, geometry, and STEM careers. This introduction helps students move from concrete, whole-number thinking to more abstract concepts, including comparing, ordering, and understanding equivalent fractions.
