Matthew Moyles, Jennifer Bittner, and SUNY New Paltz Student Teacher Jeremy Walker (also a Minisink Valley graduate) created a recent lesson simulating the colonial taxes passed by England, which led to the colonists’ declaring independence.
Their seventh-grade students participated in an engaging “Candy Tax Simulation” where they were assigned the roles of British citizens, American colonists, tax collectors, Parliament, and the King. Throughout the activity, the King and Parliament imposed various “taxes” on both the British citizens and the colonists, requiring students to pay their debt using Skittles.
Taxes were levied for everyday situations — such as having a sibling or even wearing socks with Crocs — which helped students understand how arbitrary and frustrating many of the real British taxes felt to the colonists. This hands-on experience clearly demonstrated why the colonists viewed the taxes as unfair and how the lack of representation in British government became a major point of conflict. As students knew, issues like these ultimately contributed to the colonists’ decision to declare independence on July 4, 1776.
This lesson served as an important introduction to their “Road to the Revolution” and “Revolutionary War” units, which are particularly timely as the nation approached its 250th Declaration of Independence anniversary.
Their seventh-grade students participated in an engaging “Candy Tax Simulation” where they were assigned the roles of British citizens, American colonists, tax collectors, Parliament, and the King. Throughout the activity, the King and Parliament imposed various “taxes” on both the British citizens and the colonists, requiring students to pay their debt using Skittles.
Taxes were levied for everyday situations — such as having a sibling or even wearing socks with Crocs — which helped students understand how arbitrary and frustrating many of the real British taxes felt to the colonists. This hands-on experience clearly demonstrated why the colonists viewed the taxes as unfair and how the lack of representation in British government became a major point of conflict. As students knew, issues like these ultimately contributed to the colonists’ decision to declare independence on July 4, 1776.
This lesson served as an important introduction to their “Road to the Revolution” and “Revolutionary War” units, which are particularly timely as the nation approached its 250th Declaration of Independence anniversary.
Many Otisville first-grade classes have been learning about the origin of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. The 99th annual, 3.5 hour parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. this Thursday…will you be watching?
And, a wonderful finishing touch to their studies was the school’s first ever First-Grade Thanksgiving Balloon Parade, held Nov. 24. The entire school took a break from their work to watch these little ones happily show their personal balloon creations and march through the hallways! Take a look!
The energy, cheers and reactions from the school community gave their parade an even more special meaning and was another opportunity for the Otisville school community to come together to make this a shared school event...this time to celebrate the Thanksgiving season and to emulate a very cool parade!
Did you know the very first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade featured marionette puppets? Live animals from the Central Park Zoo were added but the roaring and growling scared small children. Puppeteer Tony Sarg decided to make large balloons that looked like the zoo animals and moved like his marionette puppets. Students learned the history of the parade as well as how the giant balloons are made. They studied old balloons in previous parades as well as the line up for this year's parade before deciding on what type of balloon they wanted to add to their parade. What a fun, season-appropriate activity!
See more photos on the district's Facebook page!
And, a wonderful finishing touch to their studies was the school’s first ever First-Grade Thanksgiving Balloon Parade, held Nov. 24. The entire school took a break from their work to watch these little ones happily show their personal balloon creations and march through the hallways! Take a look!
The energy, cheers and reactions from the school community gave their parade an even more special meaning and was another opportunity for the Otisville school community to come together to make this a shared school event...this time to celebrate the Thanksgiving season and to emulate a very cool parade!
Did you know the very first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade featured marionette puppets? Live animals from the Central Park Zoo were added but the roaring and growling scared small children. Puppeteer Tony Sarg decided to make large balloons that looked like the zoo animals and moved like his marionette puppets. Students learned the history of the parade as well as how the giant balloons are made. They studied old balloons in previous parades as well as the line up for this year's parade before deciding on what type of balloon they wanted to add to their parade. What a fun, season-appropriate activity!
See more photos on the district's Facebook page!
Elementary School kindergarteners, like all district kindergarteners, are learning more about the Thanksgiving season and the importance of being thankful for all they have in their lives. As part of the lessons, students took a “gratitude walk” on Nov. 24, around the bus loop in front of the school. The sunny brisk weather gave them a great opportunity to bring their balloons, posters and seasonal “turkey hats” outdoors and spend a bit of time with friends to show their gratitude of being together. Take a peek; aren't they adorable?
It's important for kindergarteners to understand gratitude because it builds a foundation for empathy, happiness and emotional well-being by teaching these little ones the importance of recognizing and appreciating the kindness of others and the positive aspects of their own lives. Long term, this skill helps them develop into more resilient, less self-centered adults and helps in their social and academic performance. Activities like this are part of the school's and district's ongong character education curriculum.
See more photos on the district's Facebook page!
It's important for kindergarteners to understand gratitude because it builds a foundation for empathy, happiness and emotional well-being by teaching these little ones the importance of recognizing and appreciating the kindness of others and the positive aspects of their own lives. Long term, this skill helps them develop into more resilient, less self-centered adults and helps in their social and academic performance. Activities like this are part of the school's and district's ongong character education curriculum.
See more photos on the district's Facebook page!
Karen Ruoti’s ES kindergarteners, like other district kindergarteners, are in the midst of completing a science unit about plants. Students learned about the needs of plants, which these little students now know are living things. With Thanksgiving only days away, Ms. Ruoti expanded on that and talked about being grateful for healthy foods like plants and vegetables, which are typically part of a Thanksgiving meal.
Ms. Ruoti asked students to apply what they had learned about the needs of living things—particularly how plants grow and provide the foods we enjoy—while collaborating closely with their peers in a fun STEM component to their science studies and discussions about Thanksgiving. They were tasked with designing and building a table sturdy enough to support eight gourds. The gourds served as a playful, seasonal stand-in for the plants and vegetables they been discussing in their plant unit.
Gourds (as well as pumpkins and squash) are associated with Thanksgiving mostly because they’re classic symbols of the fall harvest. Because they grow in abundance at that time, they naturally became tied to autumn celebrations. Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and plenty, and a big bowl --- or table --- of gourds visually symbolizes a good harvest and a season of thankfulness.
Once their table was completed, students were tasked with collaborating together again to build chairs for their mini-stuffed animal friends to sit on, so their fuzzy pals could enjoy a good old-fashioned gourd feast! While stuffed animals may “eat” those knobby little decorative gourds, we would not. However, their presence connects back to the history, harvest season and spirit of Thanksgiving!
Ms. Ruoti asked students to apply what they had learned about the needs of living things—particularly how plants grow and provide the foods we enjoy—while collaborating closely with their peers in a fun STEM component to their science studies and discussions about Thanksgiving. They were tasked with designing and building a table sturdy enough to support eight gourds. The gourds served as a playful, seasonal stand-in for the plants and vegetables they been discussing in their plant unit.
Gourds (as well as pumpkins and squash) are associated with Thanksgiving mostly because they’re classic symbols of the fall harvest. Because they grow in abundance at that time, they naturally became tied to autumn celebrations. Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and plenty, and a big bowl --- or table --- of gourds visually symbolizes a good harvest and a season of thankfulness.
Once their table was completed, students were tasked with collaborating together again to build chairs for their mini-stuffed animal friends to sit on, so their fuzzy pals could enjoy a good old-fashioned gourd feast! While stuffed animals may “eat” those knobby little decorative gourds, we would not. However, their presence connects back to the history, harvest season and spirit of Thanksgiving!
Elizabeth Hagerty's Otisville fifth-graders have been tying seasonality to their ELA work by working on their writing skills following the Expository Essay Format model to write “Thankful” essays.
First, students brainstormed about the many people and things they’re thankful for in their lives. Next, they chose the top three things most important to them. Students listed all of the reasons why they’re thankful for each onto an organizer.
Then they created first drafts of their essays, remembering to include an introduction, paragraphs about each topic, and a conclusion. Finally, students edited their work, typed their essays, colored a cover picture, and published them to hang on their lockers for everyone to see and enjoy! Well-done, everyone!
The Expository Essay Format is a very useful writing model for students because it helps them organize their ideas clearly. Understanding how information is organized can help students analyze texts and express ideas more effectively. It’s also thought to be a foundational format for essay students will write as they advance in their academic careers. Standardized writing assessments often require expository essays, so knowing the format increases confidence and performance.
First, students brainstormed about the many people and things they’re thankful for in their lives. Next, they chose the top three things most important to them. Students listed all of the reasons why they’re thankful for each onto an organizer.
Then they created first drafts of their essays, remembering to include an introduction, paragraphs about each topic, and a conclusion. Finally, students edited their work, typed their essays, colored a cover picture, and published them to hang on their lockers for everyone to see and enjoy! Well-done, everyone!
The Expository Essay Format is a very useful writing model for students because it helps them organize their ideas clearly. Understanding how information is organized can help students analyze texts and express ideas more effectively. It’s also thought to be a foundational format for essay students will write as they advance in their academic careers. Standardized writing assessments often require expository essays, so knowing the format increases confidence and performance.
Stephanie Guifre’s Otisville Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 students are seeing how feeling grateful can be part of physical education class!
First, everyone talked about what gratitude is and things they are grateful for. Then, Mrs. Guifre tasked them with creating a “Gratitude Wreath.” The object was for teams to work together to create a unique gratitude wreath.
On the start signal, one student from each team rolled the die. The entire team performed the activity determined by the number rolled/exercise identified on the activity card.
The team’s movement “earned” them one item to add to their gratitude wreath. One student from the team went to the center of the activity area and brought one item (bean bag, scarf, deck ring, yarn ball, etc.) back to add to the team’s wreath and says something he/she is grateful for. Every student had a chance roll the die and choose (and place) the item added to the wreath.
Students continued this process until wreaths are complete or until they heard the stop signal. What a creative class combining seasonality and physical fitness!
First, everyone talked about what gratitude is and things they are grateful for. Then, Mrs. Guifre tasked them with creating a “Gratitude Wreath.” The object was for teams to work together to create a unique gratitude wreath.
On the start signal, one student from each team rolled the die. The entire team performed the activity determined by the number rolled/exercise identified on the activity card.
The team’s movement “earned” them one item to add to their gratitude wreath. One student from the team went to the center of the activity area and brought one item (bean bag, scarf, deck ring, yarn ball, etc.) back to add to the team’s wreath and says something he/she is grateful for. Every student had a chance roll the die and choose (and place) the item added to the wreath.
Students continued this process until wreaths are complete or until they heard the stop signal. What a creative class combining seasonality and physical fitness!
WOW: The Elementary School PTO’s Tricky Tray, held this past Friday, raised $14,107! That’s an amazing result, made possible through the participation of so many people! Thank you to everyone who contributed to its success and to the ES PTO team who organized the event. These funds will be used to support the great work of the Elementary School in a variety of ways, including entertaining and educational assemblies which support curriculum work!
SEASONALITY TIED TO LEARNING!
Take a peek at Jeni Galligan's Otisville transitional kindergarteners busy at work at their Thanksgiving stations!
Their recent station work had a very fun Thanksgiving theme with these little cuties working on their math, ELA and fine motor skills! They found pictures around the room and wrote the number that matched the amount; did color sorting; played the "I Spy" game using fall pictures while working on fine motor skills; rolled and wrote numbers; and even created Play-Doh turkeys, complete with colorful feathers! How fun!
"Stations" (also called centers) are designated areas in a classroom where students work independently or in small groups on specific, teacher-directed activities that reinforce skills taught in the classroom. These stations allow students to practice what they've learned through hands-on, engaging tasks, and they also give the teacher time to provide one-on-one instruction to small groups.
All Elementary School K-2 students, faculty and staff were invited to write a short note about what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving season at decorative board in the main school hallway!
The idea was the brainchild ES secretary Tammy Zamot, and these little students wrote some very sweet messages. Even if the spelling and/or penmanship was a bit off, there was no doubt what the messages were meant to tell others. Some even drew what they were thankful for!
The idea was the brainchild ES secretary Tammy Zamot, and these little students wrote some very sweet messages. Even if the spelling and/or penmanship was a bit off, there was no doubt what the messages were meant to tell others. Some even drew what they were thankful for!
In the Nov. 21 NYSPHSAA Regional Championship game, our Varsity Football team played with grit, intense resolve, determination and unbelievable drive and effort, but will not be advancing to the next level of state competition after the 42-12 final score against Rye.
We are beyond proud of this year's Varsity Team...they are the 2025 Section IX champions who finished Section IX play undefeated....the first undefeated season in 17 years!
They came to every game, including tonight's game, well-prepared and represented Minisink with honor and distinction. These talented young men are always winners to us!
Please join us in congratulating the players and coaches and everyone associated with team for a spectacular season. They will be back next year... stronger than ever!
Like all district third-graders, Andrew Fenner’s IS third-graders are spending time during their ELA work to listen and understand how to identify key information from a reading/listening piece and take notes in a graphic organizer. This skill will help them stay organized and focus on the key pieces of information, particularly on the ancient Roman civilization studies.
Using this information the class was able to identify what the phrase "All roads lead to Rome" means, and how they are still able to see the early aspects of this civilization in today's world including in architecture, government, and more!
The saying "all roads lead to Rome" means that there are many different methods to achieve the same result or goal. It’s a metaphor for the inevitability of reaching a common outcome, regardless of the path taken. The phrase originated from the Roman Empire's extensive and centralized road network, which radiated out from the capital city of Rome.
Using this information the class was able to identify what the phrase "All roads lead to Rome" means, and how they are still able to see the early aspects of this civilization in today's world including in architecture, government, and more!
The saying "all roads lead to Rome" means that there are many different methods to achieve the same result or goal. It’s a metaphor for the inevitability of reaching a common outcome, regardless of the path taken. The phrase originated from the Roman Empire's extensive and centralized road network, which radiated out from the capital city of Rome.
Thanksgiving Day is nearing and that clearly means many turkeys are disguising themselves to avoid being the center of attention on this big day! At least that's what McKayla Murphy IS third-graders are assuming, through the sharing pf their visions of how a turkey would disguise itself to avoid being the day's main attraction!
Take a peek at their clever ideas, created in their "Disguise a Turkey" at-home family projects Murphy assigned. A wonderful bonus was each student presented their work to their peers, giving everyone a great opportunity to further work on their public speaking skills!
Take a peek at their clever ideas, created in their "Disguise a Turkey" at-home family projects Murphy assigned. A wonderful bonus was each student presented their work to their peers, giving everyone a great opportunity to further work on their public speaking skills!
Lunchtime is an important time of any school day because it allows students to socialize with friends, de-stress, and recharge in preparation for the rest of their structured school day. And remember, all students, like these eighth-graders, eat for free! Remind your student to try to variety of lunch offerings prepared fresh daily by our Food and Nutrition team!
SIMPLY AMAZING! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED…and to our friends Cuginos for being a part of this effort!
The High School’s Youth Against Cancer Club raised $516 at its recent GO PINK Coin Drop at Cuginos. And…how wonderful is this: The High School’s FBLA donated $300 to this fundraiser from the High School Store’s sales for the PINK OUT game held that same evening. What a wonderful demonstration of high school club camaraderie!
The donation was presented to the Oncology Unit at Garnet Medical Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Nov. 19. Club President, Board of Education Ex-Officio Student Member and Senior Heather Day presented the $816 check to Jessica Gerlach, R.N., Garnet’s manager of radiation oncology and clinical trials; and Tanya Camacho, R.N. and Katelin Trainor, R.N., infusion and radiation nurses.
Kristen Gallo’s IS fourth-graders have been exploring the five senses and putting them to the test during their recent, two-day Skittles Lab, using these sweet candies to discover how sight, sound, touch, smell and taste help them learn about the world!
Day 1: Students used their eyes, ears, hands, and noses to observe Skittles—shaking, smelling, and describing their bright colors and smooth texture. Then they added water and watched as the colors spread out to form beautiful rainbow patterns!
Day 2: Students used their sense of taste in a fun partner challenge: Could students guess the Skittle flavor without peeking? They recorded data, made predictions, and compared results—all while learning that science can be both delicious and educational!
•The "Skittles experiment" is a science project that demonstrates diffusion and concentration gradients by arranging Skittles in a circle on a plate and adding water to watch the colors spread and form a rainbow. It teaches kids how sugar and food dye dissolve in water and move from an area of high concentration to low concentration to equalize the concentration. The experiment can also illustrate the effect of water temperature on dissolving speed. It can also teach kids about scientific skills like forming hypotheses, making predictions, and observation.
•Skittles were first created in the United Kingdom in 1974, launched in the U.S. in 1979, and now have a slogan, "Taste the Rainbow," that was created in New York. The name "Skittles" is a reference to the sports game of the same name, and a single factory can produce over 100,000 individual Skittles per minute to meet global demand. The traditional pub game of skittles, a form of bowling played in the UK and Ireland, or Ninepin bowling, is a variation popular in parts of Europe and North America.
Day 1: Students used their eyes, ears, hands, and noses to observe Skittles—shaking, smelling, and describing their bright colors and smooth texture. Then they added water and watched as the colors spread out to form beautiful rainbow patterns!
Day 2: Students used their sense of taste in a fun partner challenge: Could students guess the Skittle flavor without peeking? They recorded data, made predictions, and compared results—all while learning that science can be both delicious and educational!
•The "Skittles experiment" is a science project that demonstrates diffusion and concentration gradients by arranging Skittles in a circle on a plate and adding water to watch the colors spread and form a rainbow. It teaches kids how sugar and food dye dissolve in water and move from an area of high concentration to low concentration to equalize the concentration. The experiment can also illustrate the effect of water temperature on dissolving speed. It can also teach kids about scientific skills like forming hypotheses, making predictions, and observation.
•Skittles were first created in the United Kingdom in 1974, launched in the U.S. in 1979, and now have a slogan, "Taste the Rainbow," that was created in New York. The name "Skittles" is a reference to the sports game of the same name, and a single factory can produce over 100,000 individual Skittles per minute to meet global demand. The traditional pub game of skittles, a form of bowling played in the UK and Ireland, or Ninepin bowling, is a variation popular in parts of Europe and North America.
Senior members of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team were recently honored for their many contributions to the team’s success! Congratulations and best wishes to: Ashlyn Burke, Arantza Carmelino, Alissa Coram, Hailey Ilagorre, Sara Melville and Mikia Nash!
SPORTS FANS! Stay connected with all Minisink Valley athletic events using the new Activity Scheduler app! We're excited to launch a convenient new way for parents and guardians to stay up-to-date with team game schedules, locations, and last-minute changes!
Why you'll love it:
--- Instant access to the latest schedules
--- Game locations and maps
--- Receive notifications for schedule changes or cancellations
--- Never miss a game!
--- Download the app today!
Why you'll love it:
--- Instant access to the latest schedules
--- Game locations and maps
--- Receive notifications for schedule changes or cancellations
--- Never miss a game!
--- Download the app today!
High School Math Teacher Sue Papa is proud to share that the High School’s newly formed NAMI on Campus MV Club (NAMI means the National Alliance on Mental Illness), supported by NAMI of Orange County, recently completed its first successful event! Following recent suicide prevention assemblies, club members, led junior by Abby Rogers, offered suicide prevention kits, donated by Act Through Music, to interested students during lunch periods. There were also key chains, stickers, wristbands other important resources available for students to take, courtesy of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hudson Valley/Westchester.
“The students are very passionate about raising awareness and breaking stigmas around mental health,” said Ms. Papa, who is the club’s advisor. “They’re looking forward to building connections and creating a mental health toolkit that will promote healthy minds through healthy habits.”
If your student is interested in being a part of this group, have them email Ms. Papa at spapa@minisink.com
Jonathan Sakadelis has been introducing his ES kindergarten physical education students to soccer! They've been learning how to move the ball down the field by playing a game we all know: "Red Light, Green Light, 1, 2,3!" Plus, they've been learning how to trap, or stop, the ball. These cutie-pies are doing really good as novice beginners, too! There's probably some future varsity players in this group!
Joseph Ferara’s ES second-graders, like other district second-graders, are practicing representing numbers using a hundreds, tens and ones chart called an HTO chart. Students first practiced representing numbers using these place values, then moved to show them using just certain pieces of the chart.
As they progress in this work, students will be moving toward regrouping and borrowing when adding and subtracting. Right now, they been practicing bundling groups of 10s and moving them to the appropriate place value to accurately represent the number. This practice of unbundling and bundling numbers becomes the baseline for addition and subtraction strategies.
An HTO chart is a place value chart used in elementary education with columns for “hundreds,” “tens,” and “ones” to help students visualize and understand numbers. It’s a foundational tool for teaching concepts like addition, subtraction, and multiplication by showing how numbers are composed and how regrouping works (i.e.: trading 10 ones for a 10).
As they progress in this work, students will be moving toward regrouping and borrowing when adding and subtracting. Right now, they been practicing bundling groups of 10s and moving them to the appropriate place value to accurately represent the number. This practice of unbundling and bundling numbers becomes the baseline for addition and subtraction strategies.
An HTO chart is a place value chart used in elementary education with columns for “hundreds,” “tens,” and “ones” to help students visualize and understand numbers. It’s a foundational tool for teaching concepts like addition, subtraction, and multiplication by showing how numbers are composed and how regrouping works (i.e.: trading 10 ones for a 10).
