Intermediate School Nurse Arienne Patzelt, R.N. recently visited Jessica Gurrieri’s third-graders for an important handwashing lesson!
She demonstrated to students how germs travel with germ gel and a blue light. They were able to see how washing one’s hands the right way makes the germs go away, versus how just using water doesn’t work. This demonstration made and abstract concept like germ transmission concrete and memorable because it offered an immediate and undeniable visual consequence related to hygiene practices.
Make handwashing a habit by reminding yourself and others to wash hands at key times: Before preparing or eating food, after using the restroom, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, after touching animals or their waste, and after handling garbage. Use soap and water to thoroughly scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, focusing on the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails, to prevent the spread of germs
Using germ gel and a blue light is a hands-on, visual way to demonstrate how germs spread and the importance of proper handwashing. The "germs" are simulated using a gel or powder that contains tiny, fluorescent particles that are invisible under normal light.
She demonstrated to students how germs travel with germ gel and a blue light. They were able to see how washing one’s hands the right way makes the germs go away, versus how just using water doesn’t work. This demonstration made and abstract concept like germ transmission concrete and memorable because it offered an immediate and undeniable visual consequence related to hygiene practices.
Make handwashing a habit by reminding yourself and others to wash hands at key times: Before preparing or eating food, after using the restroom, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, after touching animals or their waste, and after handling garbage. Use soap and water to thoroughly scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, focusing on the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails, to prevent the spread of germs
Using germ gel and a blue light is a hands-on, visual way to demonstrate how germs spread and the importance of proper handwashing. The "germs" are simulated using a gel or powder that contains tiny, fluorescent particles that are invisible under normal light.
Anthony Pascarelli’s ES kindergarteners, like all district kindergarteners, are working on developing and perfecting their manipulative skills in physical education class. Take a peek!
Manipulative skills are practiced in physical education to achieve expertise in a particular activity. Children learn and require patience and determination to attain basic manipulation skills, as well as learning accuracy and applicable force.
In this instance, students are throwing and catching using a bean bag. And, Mr. Pascarelli is showing them some challenges, or “tricks” as he’s telling them, that they can do on their own with a bean bag. If you have one at home, ask your student to show you!
Manipulative skills are practiced in physical education to achieve expertise in a particular activity. Children learn and require patience and determination to attain basic manipulation skills, as well as learning accuracy and applicable force.
In this instance, students are throwing and catching using a bean bag. And, Mr. Pascarelli is showing them some challenges, or “tricks” as he’s telling them, that they can do on their own with a bean bag. If you have one at home, ask your student to show you!
Kindergarten music classes are always so cute!
Take a peek at Cliff Loretto’s ES kindergarteners happily involved in their recent “First Steps in Music” work. This is part of the curriculum for all district kindergarteners which focuses on “movement for form and expression.” What better way to be expressive than by listening to Anton Dvořák’s “Humoresque,” one of his most well-known works. Activities like this help children experience the expressive qualities in music through movement experiencing musical form through organized movements.
Following this, they transitioned into similar work singing the spoken chant called, “Chop Chop Chippity Chop," which teaches about steady beat through repetitive actions and a steady rhythm, often using hand motions like chopping to a beat, similar to preparing ingredients for soup! They had some interesting ingredients, too, such as carrots, broccoli and noodles!
Dvořák's "Humoresque," referring to the famous Humoresque No. 7 from his piano cycle Humoresques, Op. 101 (1894), is a highly popular, light-hearted character piece known for its catchy, whimsical melody and cheerful mood, featuring characteristics such as pentatonic melodies and syncopated rhythms. The piece was so successful that it was arranged for various instruments.
Take a peek at Cliff Loretto’s ES kindergarteners happily involved in their recent “First Steps in Music” work. This is part of the curriculum for all district kindergarteners which focuses on “movement for form and expression.” What better way to be expressive than by listening to Anton Dvořák’s “Humoresque,” one of his most well-known works. Activities like this help children experience the expressive qualities in music through movement experiencing musical form through organized movements.
Following this, they transitioned into similar work singing the spoken chant called, “Chop Chop Chippity Chop," which teaches about steady beat through repetitive actions and a steady rhythm, often using hand motions like chopping to a beat, similar to preparing ingredients for soup! They had some interesting ingredients, too, such as carrots, broccoli and noodles!
Dvořák's "Humoresque," referring to the famous Humoresque No. 7 from his piano cycle Humoresques, Op. 101 (1894), is a highly popular, light-hearted character piece known for its catchy, whimsical melody and cheerful mood, featuring characteristics such as pentatonic melodies and syncopated rhythms. The piece was so successful that it was arranged for various instruments.
¿Adivina Quién?
For the last few weeks, the Spanish 1 Jacqueline Mazariegos’ Spanish 1 students have been reviewing seventh-grade vocabulary. To put that review into practice Alycia DeVito's and Sra. Mazariegos' classes recently participated in an activity to review basic physical descriptions and informal speaking using ¿Adivina Quién? (Guess Who?) game.
Students used different pictures and boards to practice their Spanish vocabulary. It was also an informal way to introduce speaking with classmates. Speaking is one of the areas that gets evaluated at the end of year proficiency exam. Bien hecho, todos!
The ¿Adivina Quién? game is the Spanish version of the classic board game "Guess Who?", where players ask yes-or-no questions to identify a hidden opponent's character based on their physical features and accessories. Designed to help students practice Spanish vocabulary for physical characteristics, the game can also be adapted to include other themes like shapes, colors, or personality traits for language learning.
For the last few weeks, the Spanish 1 Jacqueline Mazariegos’ Spanish 1 students have been reviewing seventh-grade vocabulary. To put that review into practice Alycia DeVito's and Sra. Mazariegos' classes recently participated in an activity to review basic physical descriptions and informal speaking using ¿Adivina Quién? (Guess Who?) game.
Students used different pictures and boards to practice their Spanish vocabulary. It was also an informal way to introduce speaking with classmates. Speaking is one of the areas that gets evaluated at the end of year proficiency exam. Bien hecho, todos!
The ¿Adivina Quién? game is the Spanish version of the classic board game "Guess Who?", where players ask yes-or-no questions to identify a hidden opponent's character based on their physical features and accessories. Designed to help students practice Spanish vocabulary for physical characteristics, the game can also be adapted to include other themes like shapes, colors, or personality traits for language learning.
CONGRATULATIONS to the senior members of the Cross Country Team, who were honored on their recent senior night! Thank you for your many contributions to the teams' success!
GIRLS TEAM: Audrey Defazio Schultz, Olivia Dzierzek, Lauren Figueroa, Merlot Hindley, Kathryn Jones and Concettina Siena!
BOYS TEAM: Caleb Decker, Nolan Mann, Luciano Palacios, Carter Rossi, Gabriel Simpson and Owen Skinner!
GIRLS TEAM: Audrey Defazio Schultz, Olivia Dzierzek, Lauren Figueroa, Merlot Hindley, Kathryn Jones and Concettina Siena!
BOYS TEAM: Caleb Decker, Nolan Mann, Luciano Palacios, Carter Rossi, Gabriel Simpson and Owen Skinner!
REHEARSALS ARE GOING GREAT -- BE SURE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!
Tickets are on sale for the High School Drama Club's performance of "Arsenic and Old Lace," with two shows taking place Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The show is a classic dark humor comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: Family!
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding.
Ticket prices are $12 for adults, and $8 for students and senior citizens.
To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/minisink-valley-high-school/68c16206637eca2abefeeca7
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO ALL DRIVERS:
The district has equipped its entire bus fleet with cameras to catch vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus. If you see a bus’ red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, STOP! Otherwise, you and the vehicle you’re driving will be photographed and you WILL GET A $250 FINE.
Don't say we didn't tell you: Please pay attention and drive safe!
READ MORE: https://www.minisink.com/article/2365311
The district has equipped its entire bus fleet with cameras to catch vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus. If you see a bus’ red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, STOP! Otherwise, you and the vehicle you’re driving will be photographed and you WILL GET A $250 FINE.
Don't say we didn't tell you: Please pay attention and drive safe!
READ MORE: https://www.minisink.com/article/2365311
PUMPKINS! GAMES! DONUTS AND CIDER! HAYRIDES!
Otisville students had a gorgeous, sunny, brisk fall day to enjoy the school's annual Fall Festival, with the first day held yesterday, Oct. 9 and the second today taking place today. Take a peek at the fun from Day 1!
THANK YOU to the awesome Otisville PTO for sponsoring such a wonderful seasonal activity and to our special friends from the Otisville Lions Club for volunteering their time and their tractor and wagon to take everyone on a hayride!
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
Otisville students had a gorgeous, sunny, brisk fall day to enjoy the school's annual Fall Festival, with the first day held yesterday, Oct. 9 and the second today taking place today. Take a peek at the fun from Day 1!
THANK YOU to the awesome Otisville PTO for sponsoring such a wonderful seasonal activity and to our special friends from the Otisville Lions Club for volunteering their time and their tractor and wagon to take everyone on a hayride!
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
Joseph Ferara’s and Nicole Ruggiero’s ES second-grade classes finished off their recent measuring unit by going outdoors to measure some of their favorite things: Playground equipment!
Working in pairs, students were given meters and rulers to document their measurements on paper. While outside, they chose different objects to measure and had to determine whether they should use a ruler or a meter stick. They drew a picture of the object they measured and labeled it with their measurements.
Learning how to measure in second-grade is important because it builds a foundational skill for understanding and interacting with the world, enhances problem-solving abilities, and develops crucial cognitive skills like spatial awareness. PLUS: Measuring skills directly apply to everyday tasks such as cooking or assembling items and is a fundamental concept in math and science.
Rulers are used to measure shorter objects, like a pencil or an eraser, and a meter stick (or yardstick) for longer objects, like a table or the distance across a classroom. To decide which tool to use, think about the size of the object you are measuring: smaller objects need shorter tools, and larger objects need longer tools.
Working in pairs, students were given meters and rulers to document their measurements on paper. While outside, they chose different objects to measure and had to determine whether they should use a ruler or a meter stick. They drew a picture of the object they measured and labeled it with their measurements.
Learning how to measure in second-grade is important because it builds a foundational skill for understanding and interacting with the world, enhances problem-solving abilities, and develops crucial cognitive skills like spatial awareness. PLUS: Measuring skills directly apply to everyday tasks such as cooking or assembling items and is a fundamental concept in math and science.
Rulers are used to measure shorter objects, like a pencil or an eraser, and a meter stick (or yardstick) for longer objects, like a table or the distance across a classroom. To decide which tool to use, think about the size of the object you are measuring: smaller objects need shorter tools, and larger objects need longer tools.
Jessica Kahn’s Otisville kindergarteners have been practicing the very important math skill of accurate counting!
To help them with their continued mastery work, they recently played “The Bear Game.” In this fun math game, one person spilled beans, counted only red beans and them moved their “bear” the same number of bear paws to match the number of red beans they had. Then, his/her partner did the same. The person who reached the honey jar was the winner!
In math, one-to-one correspondence is the fundamental concept of matching each item in a set to exactly one number and each number to exactly one item, without skipping or repeating any item during the counting process. It's a foundational skill for early counting, ensuring accurate number sense and providing the basis for more complex arithmetic.
To help them with their continued mastery work, they recently played “The Bear Game.” In this fun math game, one person spilled beans, counted only red beans and them moved their “bear” the same number of bear paws to match the number of red beans they had. Then, his/her partner did the same. The person who reached the honey jar was the winner!
In math, one-to-one correspondence is the fundamental concept of matching each item in a set to exactly one number and each number to exactly one item, without skipping or repeating any item during the counting process. It's a foundational skill for early counting, ensuring accurate number sense and providing the basis for more complex arithmetic.
FINE MOTOR SKILL FUN!
Sally Mankoo’s ES kindergarteners had a great time with this recent fine motor skill activity: Rolling a cube and then replicating the “line” shown on the cube as a “hair” (and later, multiple hairs) on a drawing of a child’s face. Take a peek at the results and the "classy coiffures" in their drawings!
In addition to fine motor skills practice, this activity aligns itself with the district’s Amplify Skills curriculum. This literacy program focuses on foundational reading and writing skills like phonemic awareness and handwriting. While specific crayon size isn't a core component of the curriculum, many teachers use smaller crayons to improve grip and fine motor control in young learners, which supports the handwriting and letter formation practices found in this curriculum. The small crayons increase the likelihood of students grasping the writing utensil with the preferred tripod or pincer grip.
Sally Mankoo’s ES kindergarteners had a great time with this recent fine motor skill activity: Rolling a cube and then replicating the “line” shown on the cube as a “hair” (and later, multiple hairs) on a drawing of a child’s face. Take a peek at the results and the "classy coiffures" in their drawings!
In addition to fine motor skills practice, this activity aligns itself with the district’s Amplify Skills curriculum. This literacy program focuses on foundational reading and writing skills like phonemic awareness and handwriting. While specific crayon size isn't a core component of the curriculum, many teachers use smaller crayons to improve grip and fine motor control in young learners, which supports the handwriting and letter formation practices found in this curriculum. The small crayons increase the likelihood of students grasping the writing utensil with the preferred tripod or pincer grip.
Music lessons are happening full force in our buildings! Take a peek at Laura Hulle’s eighth-grade clarinetists, who are busy at work perfecting their musical skills!
The clarinet was invented around 1700 in Germany by Johann Christoph Denner. It’s a woodwind instrument that produces sound using a single reed, and it comes in many sizes and types.
The clarinet was invented around 1700 in Germany by Johann Christoph Denner. It’s a woodwind instrument that produces sound using a single reed, and it comes in many sizes and types.
BE BOLD! BE COLD!
FREEZE FOR A GREAT CAUSE!
Minisink Valley is again creating a team for the 2025 Orange County Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics New York! The plunge will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Rez in Highland Mills!
JOIN OUR TEAM and help us retain our title as the “Cool School Challenge” winner! Last year, Minisink Valley won the 2024 Cool School Challenge (retaining this title earned in 2023) and raised $4,022! We are looking to exceed this amount this year!
The “Cool School Challenge” is a friendly competition between local schools as part of the 2025 Orange County Polar Plunge. Not only are our school clubs and teams as well as families and students invited to join us our team, we’re looking for community members to be a part of it, too! It was great to see the large number of people participating last year and we’re hopeful to see this number grow this year!
Director of PPS Jeff Finton is overseeing Minisink Valley’s efforts to create a team. JOIN US and BE COLD: Email Jeff Finton at: jfinton@minisink.com.
Thank you for whatever you’re able to do to support this initiative!
CTE FAMILIES: A reminder that Orange Ulster BOCES' CTE Open House is Thursday, Oct. 16!
--- Level I students' parents and guardians: 6 to 6:45 p.m.
--- Level II students' parents and guardians: 7 to 7:45 p.m.
Meet your student's teacher and members of the CTE staff and get a understanding of the expectations and opportunities for Level I and Level II students. You're invited to learn more about CTE's experiential learning and practical applications opportunities which prepare students for college and careers.
Melissa Manganello’s Otisville first-graders are busy bees! Like other first-graders, they’re also learning about fables during their ELA work!
During their group’s recent “Knowledge Time,” Mrs. Manganello’s shared some interesting facts with them as they dove deeper into “The Dog in the Manger” fable. They now know there’s a big difference between straw and hay even though they may look the same. “Straw,” she told them, is for animals to lie down on, while “hay” is food the manger keeps for animals.
They also now know that "The Dog in the Manger" fable teaches a lesson about selfishness and greed, warning against the kind of spiteful behavior where a person prevents others from having something they themselves cannot use or benefit from.
Teachers often use the concept of "knowledge time" with their students as a general description for any structured learning segment, often focused on building background knowledge and developing conceptual understanding within a specific curriculum framework.
During their group’s recent “Knowledge Time,” Mrs. Manganello’s shared some interesting facts with them as they dove deeper into “The Dog in the Manger” fable. They now know there’s a big difference between straw and hay even though they may look the same. “Straw,” she told them, is for animals to lie down on, while “hay” is food the manger keeps for animals.
They also now know that "The Dog in the Manger" fable teaches a lesson about selfishness and greed, warning against the kind of spiteful behavior where a person prevents others from having something they themselves cannot use or benefit from.
Teachers often use the concept of "knowledge time" with their students as a general description for any structured learning segment, often focused on building background knowledge and developing conceptual understanding within a specific curriculum framework.
NOODLE DANCE TAG! Who’s in? Leyla Johnson’s IS third-graders are!
In this fun physical education activity, students were recently tasked with performing the designated locomotor movement (walking, skipping, galloping, etc.). If they were tagged with a foam pool noodle, they were tasked with dancing in place until the music stops.
Many students also demonstrated the very cool dance moves they’d do if tagged ahead of time! What a fun physical education class which included dancing to some iconic music!
Locomotor movement is important because it is fundamental to daily life, builds the foundation for lifelong health and fitness by developing gross motor skills like balance, coordination, and endurance, and supports overall development by fostering confidence, independence, and engagement in social activities and sports.
Maureen Cardinale’s ES first-graders are excelling at partner reading!
Take a peek at their recent session, where students selected two books each and took turns reading to each other as well as the rules and operations behind partner reading.
Her students fully understand that in partner reading, they should sit near each other, put the book in the middle, decide how the book is going to be read, decide who’s going to go first (Usually, rock – paper – scissors determine this!). They’ve also figured out how to be a learner and be a teacher and help each other out along the way! Well-done to everyone!
Partner reading boosts fluency, builds confidence, and enhances concentration through shared reading of connected text. It provides a supportive, low-pressure environment for practicing reading skills while allowing students to increase the time they spend reading orally. PLUS! The social aspect of partner reading improves motivation, fosters positive social interactions and helps children develop comprehension skills as they discuss the text together.
Take a peek at their recent session, where students selected two books each and took turns reading to each other as well as the rules and operations behind partner reading.
Her students fully understand that in partner reading, they should sit near each other, put the book in the middle, decide how the book is going to be read, decide who’s going to go first (Usually, rock – paper – scissors determine this!). They’ve also figured out how to be a learner and be a teacher and help each other out along the way! Well-done to everyone!
Partner reading boosts fluency, builds confidence, and enhances concentration through shared reading of connected text. It provides a supportive, low-pressure environment for practicing reading skills while allowing students to increase the time they spend reading orally. PLUS! The social aspect of partner reading improves motivation, fosters positive social interactions and helps children develop comprehension skills as they discuss the text together.
Aimee Hardy’s IS Grade 3, 4 and 5 library students have been spending time in their initial library classes reading books with a “book care” theme. Following that, they worked in groups to brainstorm both all the book care rules they could think of as well as book disasters, based on the book they read.
Reading about book care, and especially book care disasters, reinforce important concepts like respect, responsibility, and empathy. Seeing the consequences of book negligence makes the abstract concept of "taking care of a book" tangible for readers of all ages.
The concept of respect for shared resources in a library reminds library students that book damage affects others because, for example, a damaged book may not may no longer be available to, and disappoint, others who want to read it.
PLUS! Proper book care can be considered a foundation life skill that can extend to other areas, such as reminding students that carelessness in other things they might do could have a negative impact. It also reinforces the importance of accountability for one’s actions as well as problem-solving and proactive thinking --- how to prevent incidences of possible damage. Equally important is proper book care reinforces the value of what books offer --- important learning opportunities and the joy of reading!
Reading about book care, and especially book care disasters, reinforce important concepts like respect, responsibility, and empathy. Seeing the consequences of book negligence makes the abstract concept of "taking care of a book" tangible for readers of all ages.
The concept of respect for shared resources in a library reminds library students that book damage affects others because, for example, a damaged book may not may no longer be available to, and disappoint, others who want to read it.
PLUS! Proper book care can be considered a foundation life skill that can extend to other areas, such as reminding students that carelessness in other things they might do could have a negative impact. It also reinforces the importance of accountability for one’s actions as well as problem-solving and proactive thinking --- how to prevent incidences of possible damage. Equally important is proper book care reinforces the value of what books offer --- important learning opportunities and the joy of reading!
"Chop chop
"Chippity chop
"Cut off the bottom and cut off the top
What we have left we put in the pot
"Chop chop
"Chippity chop!"
District kindergarteners, like Otisville Music Teacher Skyler Klein’s kindergarten music students, are settling in wonderfully to their music classes and learning a lot while having fun!
His little students are really good at singing the spoken chant called “Chop Chop Chippity Chop," which teaches about steady beat through repetitive actions and a steady rhythm, often using hand motions like chopping to a beat, similar to preparing ingredients for pie. It also fosters improvisation and creativity by having children suggest and "chop" various fruits for their imaginary pie, and can even introduce basic rhythm concepts like compound or 6/8 meter when children vary the speed of their "chippity chopping."
Their imaginary pies sound quite tasty, too, as the ingredients included mangoes, blueberries, apples, tomatoes, pineapples and more!
A spoken chant is a rhythmic repetition of words or a phrase, often performed by a group, that falls somewhere between speech and song.
"Chippity chop
"Cut off the bottom and cut off the top
What we have left we put in the pot
"Chop chop
"Chippity chop!"
District kindergarteners, like Otisville Music Teacher Skyler Klein’s kindergarten music students, are settling in wonderfully to their music classes and learning a lot while having fun!
His little students are really good at singing the spoken chant called “Chop Chop Chippity Chop," which teaches about steady beat through repetitive actions and a steady rhythm, often using hand motions like chopping to a beat, similar to preparing ingredients for pie. It also fosters improvisation and creativity by having children suggest and "chop" various fruits for their imaginary pie, and can even introduce basic rhythm concepts like compound or 6/8 meter when children vary the speed of their "chippity chopping."
Their imaginary pies sound quite tasty, too, as the ingredients included mangoes, blueberries, apples, tomatoes, pineapples and more!
A spoken chant is a rhythmic repetition of words or a phrase, often performed by a group, that falls somewhere between speech and song.
Like all district fourth-graders, Emma Grunenberg’s IS fourth-graders are practicing identifying character traits with evidence during ELA lessons.
As part of this, she tasked her students to work with their partners to talk about a time someone had been kind and/or helpful to them. After sharing, students identified that "character’s" trait using evidence from their own experience to support the claim.
Why is Identifying character traits with evidence important? This skill improves reading comprehension by helping students understand character motivations, predict plot developments, and grasp a text's deeper meaning and themes. This skill also develops crucial analytical thinking, allows students to make strong inferences from the text, and provides a foundation for more complex literary analysis in higher grades by preparing them to understand and create their own complex characters.
As part of this, she tasked her students to work with their partners to talk about a time someone had been kind and/or helpful to them. After sharing, students identified that "character’s" trait using evidence from their own experience to support the claim.
Why is Identifying character traits with evidence important? This skill improves reading comprehension by helping students understand character motivations, predict plot developments, and grasp a text's deeper meaning and themes. This skill also develops crucial analytical thinking, allows students to make strong inferences from the text, and provides a foundation for more complex literary analysis in higher grades by preparing them to understand and create their own complex characters.
