March 2020
31: A March 31 update on the extended school closure from Superintendent Brian Monahan
30: Still need a Chromebook during the extended school closure? Request one by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 1.
30: District buildings to be open April 3 at designated times for pickup of needed materials/books from lockers/classrooms
30: Gov. Cuomo postpones school board elections and budget votes to at least June 1
27: A March 27 update on the extended school closure from Superintendent Brian Monahan
27: Section IX spring sports season on hold until May 1
26: Dial-in information now available for March 26 Board of Education meeting
24: Be part of Minisink Valley’s weekday ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ recitation via a dedicated public YouTube channel!
24: YMCA is now accepting enrollments for childcare program on Minisink Valley campus for health care workers, emergency responders and essential workers
24: March 26 Board of Education meeting to take place via ‘Google Meets’; NOTE: March 26 BOE Finance Committee meeting is canceled
23: A March 23 update from Superintendent Brian Monahan on the extended school closure
23: High school students: Advanced Placement exams will take place online; free online review classes begin March 25
23: Minisink Valley Teachers Association offers more tips to keep students in a focused routine
21: District is finalizing plans for an onsite childcare site for essential healthcare workers and first responders
20: A March 20 update from Superintendent Brian Monahan on the extended school closure
20: Enhanced breakfast and lunch service begins today, March 20; thank you to staff, volunteers and Board of Education members for making this possible!
19: Minisink Valley Teachers’ Association (MVTA) offers tips to help students and parents during this extended school closure
19: Request for participation: First responders and essential health care workers survey
18: A March 18 update from Superintendent Brian Monahan on the extended school closure
18: A message from the Minisink Valley Board of Education on the extended school closure
16: March 17 and 18 are designated days, with specific times, to pick up materials/books from lockers/classrooms
16: Need a loaner Chromebook during the extended school closure? Request one by 12 p.m. Tuesday, March 17
16: ‘Grab and Go’ food service for Minisink Valley students begins March 17
16: A March 16 message from Superintendent Brian Monahan on school closure
13: Orange County issues recommendation closing all Orange County schools from March 16 to 27; Minisink Valley schools are closed beginning Monday, March 16
12: A March 12 message from Superintendent Brian Monahan: All large, district afterschool social events postponed or canceled for 14 days beginning March 13
11: A March 11 message from Superintendent Brian Monahan: Wednesday, March 18 is now a half day for students
10: A March 10 message from Superintendent Brian Monahan on the district’s coronavirus preparedness
10: Middle school’s Pet Club work has community connections while reinforcing ‘STEAM’ skills
9: Otisville Elementary celebrates ‘Music in our Schools’ Month
9: Minisink Valley teams creatively shine at regional Odyssey of the Mind competition
9: Three Minisink Valley seniors recognized at first-ever Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Edcuation (CTE) Signing Day
7: Visit Minisink Valley’s Facebook page and ‘like’ us!
6: A message from Superintendent Brian Monahan on the district’s coronavirus preparedness
6: Intermediate School celebrates ‘Dr Seuss Week’ with ‘seussical fun’ thoughout the week!
6: High school, middle school and Otisville Odyssey of the Mind teams to compete at March 7 O-U BOCES regional competition
6: ‘Ace,’ the Aramark fox mascot, visits Otisville Elementary students to mark National School Breakfast week
6: Nicholas Furman and Catherine Herrera to represent Minisink Valley at March 10 Orange County Spelling Bee
6: Minisink Valley’s surplus/obsolete equipment to be auctioned online
3: ‘Ace,’ the Aramark fox mascot, visits Intermediate and Elementary students to mark National School Breakfast week
3: High school’s book club students reinforce the importance of reading to Minisink Valley Elementary students
3: Minisink Valley Elementary’s Incoming Kindergarten Night is March 10
2: Otisville Elementary celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which equally reinforces the importance of reading
2: Round-robin classroom setting gives Minisink Valley Elementary students an enriched Black History Month learning experience
2: Sixth-grade science lessons connect an airplane pilot with gravity and the forces of motion
2: Eighth-grader Zack Ryder is NYSPHSAA wrestling champ in the 126 lb. weight class
2: Minisink Valley Girls Basketball Program earns OCBOA’s annual ‘Sportsmanship Award’
2: Otisville Elementary’s ‘Crazy Hair Day’ an engaging day for all!
1: School board nominating petitions available for May 19 school budget/Board of Education election vote
February 2020
28: Proposed 2020-21-school budget development work continues at March 5 Board of Education Finance Committee meeting
28: Useful information from the New York State Departments of Health and Education on the coronavirus
27: Tickets are on sale now for the middle school’s production of ‘Frozen Jr.’ on March 5 and 6
26: Minisink Valley seniors share their OU BOCES Career and Technical Education experiences at recent OU BOCES Media Day
26: High school sprint medley team breaks 44-year school record while qualifying for March 13 indoor national championship meet
25: Two remaining classrooms impacted by Jan. 21 water line break reopened today, Feb. 25
24: Varsity cheerleading team wins Section IX championship!
24: District officials meet with Assemblyman Karl Brabenec as part of ongoing meetings to discuss Minisink Valley’s forthcoming proposed school budget
21: Otisville and Minisink Valley elementary schools mark the district’s official 100th day of school
20: Area law enforcement partnerships continue with Feb. 20 K-9 lock down drills at high school and middle school
19: Five Minisink Valley FBLA members advance to state competition after stellar FBLA District 3N spring meeting performances
19: District officials meet with State Sen. Jen Metzger to stress Minisink Valley’s need to receive its fair share of state aid
19: Seven Minisink Valley Section IX wrestling champs advance to upcoming NYSPHSAA championships
18: Five Minisink Valley High School students to participate in OCMEA’s All-County Jazz Music Festival on Feb. 28 and 29
18: Tickets are on sale now for the middle school’s production of ‘Frozen Jr.’ on March 5 and 6
18: Tickets now on sale for ‘Mary Poppins,’ the high school’s spring musical; performances are March 26, 27 and 28
14: Proposed 2020-21-school budget development work continues at Feb. 20 Board of Education Finance Committee meeting
14: High school/College Biology Class’ ‘Valentines for Species’ project reinforces awareness of species preservation
12: Minisink Valley students to participate in eighth annual Orange County Arts Council ‘Arts Build Confidence’ student art celebration on Feb. 22 at Galleria at Crystal Run
10: High school Key Club’s community service work of making homemade soup benefits the Warming Station in Middletown
10: Intermediate school’s Great Kindness Challenge a huge success; kindness poster contest winners announced
6: Updates/useful information from the New York State Departments of Health and Education on the coronavirus
5: Otisville Elementary students use literature and art to make their ‘mark on kindness’
5: Juniors/OU BOCES STEM Academy students Joseph Cloidt and Travis Lysyczyn advance to National Youth Cyber Defense Competition’s national semifinal round
4: Warrior games can now be viewed on subscription NFHS Network
4: Otisville Elementary fifth-graders study the moon’s phases with help from Oreos
4: State champs! Minisink Valley varsity wrestling team wins NYSPHSAA championship!
3: Proposed 2020-21-school budget development work continues at Feb. 6 Board of Education Finance Committee meeting
3: Puzzle making teaches Intermediate School fifth-graders much more than just how to connect pieces
3: Artwork of Minisink Valley Middle School students is on display at Otisville Post Office during February
3: Otisville Elementary’s cultural diversity initiatives continue with a celebration of the 2020 Chinese New Year
3: An update on the status of repair work tied to the Jan. 21 water line break at the Intermediate School
3: Otisville Elementary honors custodial team during annual ‘Custodian Appreciation Day’
January 2020
31: Seven varsity teams earn NYSPHSAA ‘team scholar’ recognition honors
29: Important reminder: Be sure you’re enrolled in SchoolTool
29: Varsity Wrestling Coach Kevin Gallagher honored for his 500th match win
28: Minisink Valley first-graders’ ‘Sprinkle Kindness’ doughnut projects reinforce the importance of kind words
27: Sixth-grade middle school assembly reinforces proper and responsible Internet safeguards and behaviors
27: Otisville Elementary announces 2nd Marking Period ‘Super Star’ and ‘OE3R’ students
27: Students honor Otisville school safety team for daily work to keep the school safe
26: An update on the water line break at the Intermediate School
24: Board of Education adopts 2020-21 school district calendar
23: Budget preparation work continues as preliminary state aid projections are released for Minisink Valley’s 2020-21 proposed school budget
23: Elementary school’s cultural diversity initiatives continue with a celebration of the 2020 Chinese New Year
23: District’s new telephone system offers opportunities for middle school student collaboration in a real life application
21: An update on the Jan. 21 two-hour delay at Minisink Intermediate and Elementary schools
21: Minisink Valley kindergarten registration is nearing: Is your child ready for school?
21: Otisville Elementary Concert Band performances are Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m.
15: Minisink Valley students/alumnus serve as Orange County Youth in Leadership program panelists
14: Important reminder: Be sure you’re enrolled in SchoolTool
14: Minisink Valley Elementary/Intermediate schools’ new vinyl mural reinforces the importance of exploration, creativity and ‘reaching for the stars’
14: Assistant Wrestling Coach Scott Hendershot honored for his 400th team win
13: Stay informed about flu facts during this very active flu season
13: High School Drama Club to present ‘Mary Poppins’ March 26, 27 and 28
13: High School Drama Club students and faculty attend 23rd annual New York State Theatre Education Association conference
13: Boys varsity swimming and diving team wins Schenectady Swimming Invitational
13: Varsity wrestling team earns fourth-place honors at ‘The Clash XVII 2020 National High School Wrestling Duals’
10: Author/television journalist Cheryl Wills speaks to Otisville Elementary fourth and fifth-graders about her great-great-great grandfather’s fight for freedom as a Civil War soldier
10: Middle school students create multi-language library labels to reinforce an inclusive, kind learning environment and cultural diversity awareness
10: Harold Nicholson named Minisink Valley’s new transportation supervisor
7: Visit Minisink Valley’s Facebook page and ‘like’ us!
7: Minisink Valley Elementary first-graders practice choral and partner reading as part of two-year ‘Reading Theater’ program
7: Second annual ‘MINISTOCK’ concert is Friday, Jan 10; tickets on sale now!
6: Reminders about school closure notifications
6: Minisink Valley Kiwanis presents dictionaries to Intermediate School third-graders as part of national ‘Dictionary Project’ program
December 2019
30: Minisink Valley High School’s 2019 yearbook receives ‘gallery book’ honors by Walsworth publisher
20: ‘Holiday Pajama Day’ fun at Minisink Valley Intermediate and Elementary schools
20: Happy holidays from Otisville Elementary School!
20: School district families and the Minisink Valley community again help Minisink Cares make the holidays brighter for 165 children
20: High school’s ‘Ugly Sweater Contest’ is a festively fun time for all!
19: Northern Academy of the Arts performs for middle school sixth-graders in a show rivaling a Broadway production
19: Middle school’s Living Environment students publish cookbook to raise money for Minisink CARES
19: How to prepare for a high school dissection lab? Watch a live kidney transplant first!
19: Eighth-grader Nicholas Furman, seventh-grader Catherine Herrera and sixth-grader Gavin McGinnis win Minisink Valley Middle School’s spelling bees
19: A first passport to the world: Minisink Valley kindergarteners ‘visit’ seven countries as part of a special ‘Holidays Around the World’cultural awareness day
16: Successful high school blood drive results in 27 units and three plasma units collected
16: Singer/songwriter Charlie Coughlin leads vocal workshop for Intermediate School’s fifth-grade chorus students
16: Minisink Valley JROTC participates in ‘Wreaths Across America’ at Orange County Veterans Cemetery
11: It’s flu season: Know the facts about the flu
10: Otisville Elementary’s annual pajama drive is underway; donations welcome until Dec. 19
9: Get your tickets! Intermediate school’s production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is Wednesday, Dec. 11 and Thursday, Dec. 12
3: Middle school and intermediate school’s recent ‘Cultivate Kindness’ assemblies reinforce the power that kindness can offer
3: High school’s FBLA collects 500 pounds of food and sundry items for Minisink CARES
3: High school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) welcomes 142 new members
November 2019
26: Intermediate School Drama Club to present ‘Wizard of Oz’ on Dec. 11 and 12; tickets available for purchase now
26: Madison Yager earns second place at state diving championships; Cassie Williams has strong finish
26: Middle school lessons remind seventh and eighth-graders that gratitude matters
25: Silly socks remind Otisville students about the importance of postive behaviors
25: Sarah Zahaykevich is the first Minisink Valley girls cross country runner to compete in NYS Federation Meet in over 10 years
20: Welcome to the new, redesigned Minisink Valley School District website
20: Minisink Valley Kiwanis members present dictionaries to Otisville Elementary students as part of annual ‘Dictionary Project’ campaign
20: Otisville Elementary announces 1st Marking Period ‘Super Star’ and ‘OE3R’ students
20: ‘I am American’: Student teacher offers sixth-graders Chinese language enrichment
15: Seniors Madison Yager and Annavictoria Mazariegos sign athletic Letters of Intent for college
13: Minisink Valley JROTC participate in Port Jervice Veteran’s Day parade
12: Otisville Post Office to host five-month art exhibit which will rotate artwork of students from all Minisink Valley schools
12: Sixth-grade social studies lessons include unique opportunities to see artifacts ‘from the past’
8: County Executive Steve Neuhaus visits Rosemary Marcolina’s fifth-graders to talk about military service and surprises her by naming her Orange County Citizen of the Month
8: JROTC again remembers veterans with flag installation at the Orange County Veterans Cemetary
4: Happy Halloween from Minisink Valley schools!
October 2019
29: Middle School raises $700 for breast cancer awareness causes during Oct. 29 ‘Pink Out’
29: Otisville Elementary’s school resource officers make sure students are ready for Halloween
28: Annual high school veterans dinner is Nov. 7
24: Ten Minisink Valley High School students named to NYSSMA Area All-State music groups
24: Ryan Fogler and Penelope Sierra earn All-State Music honors
11: Harlem Wizards game night was a huge night of fun and financial success!
8: Minisink Valley and Otisville elementary schools mark Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Day
8: Patrick Witherow appointed Minisink Valley’s new assistant superintendent for business
3: High school’s track field has reopened; watch for information on forthcoming re-opening ceremony
2: High school’s fall productions of ‘Clue’ and ‘The Thing in the Cellar: An Interactive Murder Mystery Spaghetti Luncheon’ are Oct. 26 and 27
September 2019
26: High school to hold College Night on Oct. 7
24: High school art students’ work part of permanent display at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown
24: Otisville Elementary marks International Peace Day and its connections to kindness
23: Sixth-graders learn about the significance of POW/MIA remembrance day
23: Gold charger plates serve up vocabulary lessons for sixth-graders
17: Starburst candies help reinforce sixth-grade science lessons about rock formations
14: Pool work is completed and will reopen Sept. 16
10: Next Board of Education meeting is Thursday, Sept. 12 with a new 7:30 p.m. start time
9: World famous Harlem Wizards basketball show comes to Minisink Valley on Sept. 26; volunteers are needed to help with the game
9: High school’s JROTC is part of annual Sept. 11 firefighter remembrance ceremony at the high school’s Memorial Stone
9: Wear gold on Sept. 27 to support pediatric cancer research and funding awareness
5: Happy first day of school!
August 2019
23: School opens Wednesday, Sept. 4!
13: Fall preseason sports schedules announced
5: Middle school’s ‘Project Cooperation’ helps prepare incoming sixth-graders for new classes, teachers and responsibilities
July 2019
23: ‘SchoolTool’ will now be used for progress report and report card distribution for all K-12 students
2: Otisville Kiwanis K-Kids donate $600 to Pets Alive
June 2019
28: Congratulations and best wishes to the Minisink Valley Class of 2019!
27: High school pool to be closed this summer
27: Summer constructions alerts for the high school and other buildings on the main campus
26: Kindergarten and fifth-grade moving up ceremonies available for viewing on the district’s Facebook page
26: Otisville’s graduating class learns about water safety
26: Track and football field closure alert
25: Update on new state legislation on removing non-medical exemptions from school vaccination requirements for children
25: Happy last day of school: A reminder about the importance of kindness
18: Residents approve Minisink Valley’s revised $95.3 million budget for the 2019-20 school year
17: High School clubs join efforts to effect local and global change
14: Seal of biliteracy to be awarded to 20 Minisink Valley seniors
12: Senior MacKenzie Arns awarded an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
12: County Executive Youth Awards honor Minisink students, teacher, community and boar member
11: 2019 Orange County Dairy Princess visits Minisink Valley second-graders
11: Senior Sarah Cerutti named one of Assemblyman Colin Schmitt’s 2019 Students of Achievement
11: Emily Abruzzese named 2019 valedictorian; Victoria Burger named salutatorian
11: Board of Education honors Minisink Valley’s 29 retirees
5: Board of Education adopts revised proposed $95.31 million school budget
3: Board of Education budget adoption meeting is June 4 at 8 p.m. in the middle school auditorium
3: Registration information on how to vote for the June 18 school budget
May 2019
28: Intermediate School Odyssey of the Mind team captures eighth-place out of 55 teams from around the world at Odyssey of the Mind competition!
23: Board of Education to meet Thursday, May 30 at 8 p.m. to discuss revised, proposed school budget
21: Voters reject proposed budget and school bud proposition; Board of Education to meet May 30 to discuss next steps
16: Juniors and their guests dazzle at Junior Prom
16: Middle school’s ‘Stars of HOPE’ to be displayed at the May 30 dedication of the 9/11 Memorial Glade at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
16: Sixth-graders see the stars and constellations with with ‘StarLab’ portable planetarium
16: It’s getting close! Plans progress for June 1 ‘Relay for Life’ event
16: Voters to decide on $97.47 million school budget proposal with a 7.97 percent tax levy increase on May 21
10: Celebrate the arts! Minisink Valley’s first ever K-12 Student Art Show is May 17
10: 110 x 3 ! Minisink Valley lacrosse players reach century milestone
10: Teachers’ collaborative efforts result in Intermediate School third-grade biome success
6: Hablando y eschuchando: Eighth-grade Spanish language students have a language, cultural, history and technology lesson with Texas fourth-graders
6: Seniors and their guests celebrate at annual Senior Ball
3: Measles update: Please be alert and follow the directives from the Orange County Department of Health
April 2019
30: ‘Mock’ crash reminders juniors and seniors of the critical importance of making good choices when driving
30: Middle school’s ‘Stars of HOPE’ seek to make a difference to those needing hope and healing
29: Board of Education approves $97.466 million school budget; residents to vote on May 21
26: Middle school final exam schedule announced
26: ‘Guitars Under the Stars”: Guitar Club’s first ‘Relay for Life’ benefit concert is May 29
26: New York State Grade 3 to 8 math assessment dates announced
26: High school mock car crash event is April 29
26: Board of Education adopts $97.466 budget; residents to vote on May 21
25: Fun for the whole family at Otisville Elementary’s Science Fair, Friday, April 26, 6-8pm
24: Final Chris Corwin Scholarship Car Show Monday, May 20, 4-8pm
18: Warriors football team gives back to Veterans
18: Minisink’s FBLA members stand out at state leadership conference, four advance to national
16: Minisink’s outstanding music program represented at NYSSMA festivals this spring
16: Senior Michael Ortiz named the Wawayanda Fire Department/Slate Hill Fire District’s “2019 Firefighter of the Year’
15: ‘Resilience: Free screening, discussion on childhood stress and health, April 30
15: Girls varsity golf team pulls off impressive win and school record
15: ‘Breakout boxes’ offer creative learning opportunities for eighth-grade science and seventh-grade math students
12: All are invited to MVMS Ukulele Club Spring Concert, April 25, 7 p.m.
12: Officials announce further reduction in the proposed tax levy for 2019-20; work continues to finalize additional budget reductions
12: Officials announce a further reduction in the proposed tax levy increase; work continues to finalize additional budget reductions
11: Five varsity teams named NYSPHSAA Team-Scholar Award recipients
9: Minisink Valley High School’s first Career Fair a huge success and reinforces valuable community and civic connections
8: Ten students selected for OCMEA’s All-County Junior High Festival ensembles
5: Minisink Valley Elementary first-grade students get a taste of Albanian music, dance and culture in music class
4: Public budget development meeting: Thursday, April 11
2: Guest readers reinforce the importance of reading during ‘Great Otisville Read-a-Loud’
2: High school technical drawing class has an ‘aggravating’ twist to give students further design and technology expertise
2: Eighth-grade ‘Hooverville’ offers meaningful connections to history and opportunities for intra-school connections
2: Otisville Elementary Drama Program presents ‘Lion King Jr. ‘ on April 4 and 5
2: An important message from Christian Ranaudo, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, on the status of NYS ELA assessments
March 2019
