BEHIND THE SCENES:
Take a look at these wonderful photos from Friday's "Heart of a Giant" surprise announcement! We all get a chance to see some of the cool, non-public areas of MetLife Stadium, including the Giants ' locker room! Congratulations again to Senior Vanessa Tepper! See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
Do you know what the “arrow way” strategy is in math? Second-graders, like Lisa Anglemyer’s Otisville second-graders do! Ask them!
In second-grade math, the "arrow way" strategy refers to a method of simplifying addition problems.
The strategy helps the students improve their knowledge of basic math facts, place value and their mental math skills by using arrows to show how a number changes when adding or subtracting chunks, essentially breaking down a larger problem into smaller, more manageable steps.
When using the "Arrow Way" method, students are taught to break down one of the addends in the problem by units. The students are then able to solve the problem by adding the like units, one unit at a time. This method also allows students to visually represent their thought process as they solve problems.
Take a look at these gorgeous, colorful mix media winter landscapes being created by Ilana Kaufman’s ES kindergarteners!
Her little artists used bleeding tissue paper to create the trees, chalk pastels to create shadows in the snow, tooth picks and Q-Tips to paint snow and colored pencils to add line details in the trees. Their work will become beautiful seasonal keepsakes!
Kimberly Jordan’s Freshman Biology students recently finished up their Biochemistry unit, meaning it was now time to explore chemical indicators! They learned about pH and indicators used to detect nutrients in foods like Benedicts, Biuret, Iodine and even a simple Brown paper bag.
Students merged their hands-on lab experience with the use of our digital lab platform called Gizmos. Using the Gizmo program, they were additionally exposed to SUDAN RED, an additional test for Fats. The labs ran over a week and they had a lot of fun.
THANK YOU to the High School PTO for providing a mini-grant which allowed for the purchase of new lab glasses! Students loved using them!
What’s a great thing to do to get ready for lunch? DANCE! That’s what Jessica Kahn and Julia Ferguson’s Otisville kindergarteners often do before lining up for their lunch break. Don’t they look adorable?
The Middle School and High School drama clubs had a wonderful Dec. 3 field trip to see The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes! Take a peek at their outing!
This was a great field trip for many reasons: Drama program students experience "drama" in two categories: "Performer" and :Production." In each of these categories, there'a a variety of positions and related skills students need to fulfill their respective "job" in the production. Equally important is that all the district’s drama productions include vocalists, instrumentalists, actors, dancers, set designers, light technicians, sound technicians, technology/device support, set builders, set movers, costumers, house designers --- and more ---- who come together to bring a production to the stage.
That’s no different than the work that happens to bring The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes to the stage! Students had the opportunity to attend a quality show where they can experience and respond to world-class singing, dancing, storytelling and technical production value, which is aligned with New York State Arts Standards involving art, music, dance and theater disciplines. Add to this a STEAM component as well, as the show heavily relies on the use of technology and three-dimensional set effects.
It’s also perfect timing, because both drama clubs are gearing up for their own spring musicals, so seeing this performance also helps them to better understand professional level quality. (And, the show offers deeply discounted ticket pricing for groups!) See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD/
THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the Middle School’s Student Government’s annual canned food drive, which concluded last month! Your contributions will positively impact those in need.
The two classes that collected in the most canned goods have earned an ice cream sundae party, sponsored by Stewart's Ice Cream.
•First place goes to Bailey Riley's seventh-grade Period 1 science class, who collected in 237 canned goods!
•Second place goes to Joanna Dolan's sixth-grade Period 2 English class who collected 170 canned goods.
All the collected items have been donated to Minisink Cares.
PTOs do great work in so many different ways!
For example, Middle School sixth-grade ELA/social studies teacher Joanna Dolan wants everyone to know how grateful she and her students are for the very impactful mini-grant the Middle School PTO provided so her students can have personal reading/writing lamps!
Students arrived to ELA class on the Monday following Thanksgiving recess to find a box waiting on their desk to open and assemble: Their reading/writing lamps! Students were very quick to assemble them and used them to read Chapter 14 in Christopher Paul Curtis’ “Bud, Not Buddy,” the story of a 10-year-old orphan who finds his family during the Great Depression:
Later in the day, her Social Studies classes used the lamps to write notes on “GRAPES” of civilizations around the world. GRAPES is an acronym used in history education to represent the key aspects of a civilization: Geography, religion, achievements, politics, economy, and social structure. This framework is used for analyzing and understanding different civilizations around the world by examining these six critical elements.
“I am so grateful for this attention to our classroom,” said Mrs. Dolan. “The students were able to take a welcomed break from the fluorescent lighting by using the lamps and natural light from the windows. Socially and emotionally, these lamps have really already shown to be beneficial. Some students, who often need movement breaks or the use of bouncy bands, remained focused and in their seats for the duration of the class activity that required them to be at their desks. The students, as a whole, were focused and attentive. They all were so grateful and very happy to have their own personal work space while also being next to their classmates.”
Bryon Imbarrato’s Otisville third-graders concluded their recent ELA unit on the human body with a guest speaker who talked to them more about the wonders of the human body!
Gina Torres, a Northwell Health administrator and class parent, gave a fantastic presentation to students, who were happy to know what they’re talking about in class has real-life applications. After students completed a review of their content knowledge, they went on an in-class scavenger hunt where they read fun facts about the human body systems and responded to questions. THANK YOU, Mrs. Torres, for visiting!
Middle School families: We'd love to see as many middle school students involved as possible! Ask your student about the "Operation GIVEBACK flyer" that was sent home! Students will be making holiday cards for veterans, scarves for the Middletown Warming Station, pine cone bird feeders and ornaments for a local nursing home.! Please email Ann Friedle at afriedle@minisink.com with questions or if you'd like to contribute to this effort! Registration deadline is Dec. 11!
The Intermediate School’s Girls on the Run (GOTR) program has been quite busy this fall! In addition to training, the group has been participating in lessons and activities that build confidence and character. For its community project, the IS GOTR collected Thanksgiving food items which was recently delivered to the soup kitchen in Middletown for families in need. The girls also recently completed a 5K run at Rockland Lake State Park! Well-done to all!
The sixth-grade faculty recently organized a "Snack & Share Soiree" to celebrate a successful first marking period!
It was a great way to recognize that beginning Middle School is a huge deal while reinforcing to students that putting one’s best effort in all that one does takes great responsibility, which was also the school’s PBIS character trait for November. Students contributed snack items from a suggested list and had a great time. Equally important was they worked on a group project focusing on which characteristics create lasting friendships. Take a look! THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this gathering’s success!
Soiree, pronounced "swah-RAY," is a French word. “Soir” means "evening" in French, and soiree is literally an "evening party" or social gathering, especially one held for a particular purpose. In this instance, students had their own version of an afternoon soiree.
SUCH FUN! Take a peek at the High School Art Club's "Paint & Cider" fundraiser, where $200 was raised to support student scholarships! This group did a fantastic job with its first-ever fundraising event and you can see a great time was had by all! See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
The district is hosting an important program on teen mental health and bullying/cyberbullying prevention for parents, led by nationally recognized author and speaker Tom Thelen, on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium.
READ MORE: https://www.minisink.com/article/1887697
It’s a huge deal to qualify for and participate in State Competition! Please join us in congratulating Senior Briana Foote, who represented Minisink Valley and Section IX with distinction and finished in19th place overall in the 50m freestyle (18th in the Federation) and 21st place overall in the 100m butterfly (13th in the Federation) in the recent NYSPHSAA Girls Swimming and Diving Championship! She jumped multiple places up from her original predicted seed!
ES first-graders recently enjoyed a "Popcorn and PJ" day, with rotating visits to meet with all first-grade teachers to do all kinds of activities: Making hand turkeys, "Fall Bingo," "Thanksgiving Mystery Fun," drawing turkeys, bead activities and more, with popcorn and drinks supplied by the ES PTO during video time! Thank you to everyone who played a role in today's fun and success!
BUZZ! BUZZ! Sally Mankoo's ES kindergarteners, like other district kindergarteners, have been exploring the fascinating process of pollination through a fun and hands-on craft activity.
As part of her class’s studies, students learned how bees play an important role in helping flowers grow by transferring pollen from one flower to another.
To mimic this process, each child was tasked to use his/her imagination to become a “bee.” Using a pipe cleaner "bee," students dipped their “bee” into “pollen” (yellow chalk) and transferred it to another flower.
Students also had the chance the students practiced fine motor skills and they also learned new vocabulary like pollen, nectar, and pollination, and gained a better understanding of how bees help our environment.
Teaching kindergarteners about bees transferring pollen is important because it helps them understand how plants reproduce, the vital role bees play in our ecosystem by pollinating flowers which produce fruits and vegetables we eat, and encourages a sense of environmental stewardship by appreciating the importance of these small creatures for our food supply.
We always love it when alumni return to speak to our students!
The High School launched its inaugural Science Speakers Series on Nov. 26, where Minisink Valley graduates who excelled in science, graduated college, and transitioned to the workforce come in and speak to students who are enrolled in the college level science classes.
Thank you to Class of 2019 alumnus Martin Alijaj, who spoke to over 60 students today about his education, work experiences and answered questions from students.
Martin received his master’s degree in robotics and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was also a teaching assistant for select computer science courses. He was also part of an engineering club called Penn Electric Racing, where members would build completely electric race cars from scratch every year.
Martin also completed two internships in California: In 2021 at Tesla in San Diego, and in 2022 for e Apple in Cupertino. After graduating from UPenn in 2023, he moved to the Bay Area in California and now works full-time as an electrical engineer at Apple. ‘
More alumni speakers are planned. Please join us in thanking Martin for taking the time to speak to students and show them the wonderful possibilities that await them in their futures with hard work and determination
Class of 2025 families: As a follow-up to emails sent to parents/students and information provided to students in the Class of 2025 Google classroom,...a friendly remember, it's time to order your student's cap and gown! Order by Sunday, Dec. 1 to avoid paying a late fee!
Seventh-grade Spanish classes completed "Thankful Feathers" by writing what they are thankful for in Spanish!
The students wrote "Yo doy gracias por..." (I give thanks for...) and contributed their feathers to a Thanksgiving Bulletin Board "Damos gracias por..." (we give thanks for).
Each student listed at least two items they are thankful for in Spanish and created an illustration.
Teacher's Assistants and Decorations Committee members helped put the bulletin board together! ¡Bien hecho!
