Minisink Valley High School

REMINDER: Don't let your student's school-issued Chromebook battery fully discharge over the summer!

Even when a Chromebook is off, its battery continues to slowly lose charge. If left long enough, the batteries might no longer function and can’t be recharged. At the same time, you shouldn’t keep Chromebooks plugged into a charger while in storage for months. This can reduce battery life and lead to other issues.

Prepare Chromebooks for long-term storage:
--- Charge your Chromebooks so that the battery is at least 80% full. This ensures that even when the battery discharges while unplugged over the summer, it won’t fully run out of power.
--- To slow the discharge rate during storage, do not physically remove the battery from the Chromebook for storage. Instead, take the following steps:
Connect the device to a charger and turn it on.
Hold Refresh and Power at the same time.
While holding these keys, remove the power cable from the device and then release the keys. The device should shut down and remain off.
Confirm the battery disconnect worked by pressing the power button. The device should not power on, despite having a battery charge. The Chromebook won’t power on by touching the power button or opening the lid, until you plug the device back to a power source.

This is the ideal way to store devices. It reduces battery discharge to a minimum, prevents constant charge and discharge from reducing the battery life, and keeps the Chromebook in a stable, powered-off state.

Note: If you can’t put your Chromebook into the battery disconnect state described above, charge the battery to at least 80%. Then, turn off the Chromebook, unplug it from a power source, and store it in a cool, dry place.

Here is a video of the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfhpbNZk3js

Please email any questions to parentportal@minisink.com

Thank you for your attention to this important information, and thanks for sharing!

PLEASE HELP, no matter what building your student attends!
The Elementary School is continuing with its TREX recycling challenge over the summer months. Since May, the school has collected 235 pounds of soft plastic and needs to collect only 765 more pounds to reach the 1,000-pound mark to receive a special TREX bench for the school! While the school has until April 30, 2026 to collect the remaining soft plastic, it’s looking to the community to help! Stop by the ES main entrance from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday with your donations! Thank you for whatever you can do to help the cause!

Reminder: Download the district's free smartphone app!

The Minisink Valley School District's free smartphone app offers users the ability to stay current with individual school updates and information on district events and activities.

It also provides users with customized notifications related to each school selected by each user, including a quick and easy way to learn breakfast and lunch menus in all buildings each day!

The free app is available for Android and Apple devices in their respective app stores.

To stay up-to-date on the latest district news and events via the app, visit Google Play Store and search for Minisink Valley CSD; or the Apple App Store and search for Minisink Valley CSD NY.

SWIM SUMMER CAMP BEGINS AUG. 4! REGISTRATION IS TAKING PLACE NOW! Don't miss out if interested! Details: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ctcuEIbr2FY8u-pdBqPDe65wBgBaTYyW

HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES: All the photography taken by Lors Studio for this past school year is now available for purchase on SmugMug including the recent CLASS of 2025 GRADUATION! Photo purchases support the production of the High School Yearbook.
USE THIS LINK to access photos: https://lorsstudio.smugmug.com/MinisinkValleyHS/School-Year-2024-2025

CLASS OF 2026 families: Here we go! A friendly reminder: Please be sure your rising senior has scheduled his/her senior portrait time with Lors Studio! (We've already emailed this information to them!) Dates: Aug. 11 to 15 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: High School auditorium If, for some reason, you didn't receive an email from Lors, here's the information: 1. Go to: Lors Studio and click seniors https://myschedule.lorsstudio.com/accounts/login/ 2. Username: Your Last Name 3. Password: Student ID Number For questions, or to schedule a portrait sitting by telephone, call 908-964-3040. Note: Makeups/retakes by also by appointment on Oct. 16 and 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the auditorium. Please note there are no retakes for October photos. Thank you for your attention to this important information!

The Athletic Department has presented Athletic Appreciation Awards to district’s Fields and Grounds crew and the Transportation Department for their ongoing support of Minisink Valley Athletics! Athletic Director Tim Bult expressed his gratitude and those of all team coaches for the critical behind-the-scenes and day-of support given by these two important groups. Their assistance and support are keys in the success of the Athletic Department’s operations each year!

The Class of 2025 Baccalaureate Service was a poignant evening that we know will be memorable due the wonderful advice offered to our soon-to-be graduates and their families. We are grateful for the wonderful words of wisdom offered by teacher Adam Hubbard, Senior Sean Crowe, Parent Ethan Gutzeit, Principal Kenneth Hauck, Superintendent Brian Monahan and Board of Education President Joseph Flaherty. See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD

Kudos to sophomore Daniel Oenga, who represented Minisink Valley as an ambassador at the recent Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership New York East (HOBY NYE) seminar. Selected for his leadership potential and commitment to service, Dan joined other sophomores from across the region for a weekend focused on leadership development, community engagement, and personal growth. In addition to Dan’s participation, juniors Ashlyn Burke and Malunga Kinzonzi served junior facilitators at this event. Ashlyn and Malunga are HOBY program alumni and were selected to serve as mentors and guides to this year’s ambassadors, helping to lead group discussions, coordinate activities, and foster an inclusive, empowering environment for all participants. WELL DONE, everyone! HOBY New York East has been shaping young leaders across Eastern New York for decades, empowering high school sophomores to develop their leadership skills and make a lasting impact in their communities. Each year, HOBY New York East brings students together for a weekend seminar filled with interactive workshops, inspiring guest speakers and hands-on service projects. Guided by alumni and volunteers, participants leave the seminar with a renewed sense of purpose and the skills to become changemakers in their schools and communities.

AMAZING! Congratulations to the staff of the High School’s 2025 yearbook, which has been honored with the Gallery of Excellence distinction from Walsworth publishing. The edition, titled “Out Loud,” will be used an example of solid yearbook production and design to help other schools to gain inspiration. The Walsworth Gallery of Excellence is a distinction awarded to a select group of yearbooks published by Walsworth Yearbooks that demonstrate superior quality in theme development, coverage, design, and photography. It signifies that the yearbook is among the highest caliber publications produced by Walsworth and serves as an example of excellence in scholastic journalism

JUST...WOW! THAT. IS. ALL. Varsity Wrestling Head Coach Kevin Gallagher is thrilled to share that Senior PJ Duke rallied past Yianni Diakomihalis, a four-time NCAA champion and 2022 World silver medalist, at USA Wrestling’s Final X this past Saturday in Newark, N.J. to earn the 70kg spot at September’s worlds in Croatia! It was a huge, huge upset! PJ could be the youngest U.S. male freestyle wrestler to compete at a senior world championship in more than 50 years! On Saturday, PJ lost his first match to Yianni by mercy rule (10-0 at the 3:26 mark of the scheduled six minutes) in the best-of-three championship series. He won the next two matches, 17-10 and then with a pin in the decider at the 4:07 mark. After pulling off the stunning upset, PJ celebrated with a backflip! Television broadcasters told viewers they were “watching the birth of a superstar in Newark, N.J.” “PJ wrestled great and the whole place was going crazy,” said Coach Gallagher. “After PJ losing the first match some people were saying, ‘Yanni has too much talent, too much experience, and PJ is just not there yet.’ I guess he proved them wrong! I know the 70-plus Minisink people who were in the arena and the rest of the ‘Duke Mafia’ around the country still believed he would win. After PJ scored his first two points in the second match PJ began to dominate Yanni scoring 15 points to Yanni’s two. The third and final match was the most anticipated match of the tournament and nobody left the arena. After a defensive first period, Yanni scored another point and was leading 2-0. Then, PJ hit a single leg counter shot and took Yanni to his back and pinned him! The place went crazy! PJ is quite possibly the best high school wrestler ever!”

The Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team fought hard, played with tenacity and didn't give in during June 13's Final Four matchup against Section VIII's Garden City on Long Island. But they will not be advancing to tomorrow's final championship game after today's 21-6 final. Our team held its own against its opponent which has 13 players who will play Division I college lacrosse next year. They have a lot to be proud of in their three-peat Section IX winning season, including being REGIONAL WINNERS and the FIRST EVER Section IX varsity girls lacrosse team to advance to NYSPHSAA semifinals! THAT'S HUGE and a tremendous accomplishment adding to the already illustrious Varsity Girls Lacrosse history at Minisink Valley. WELL DONE, ladies! We're so proud of your tremendous efforts! Please join us in congratulating them for a a spectacular season!

Congratulations to the recipients of the High School’s Band Awards, presented during the recent Band Awards Night! The event was a celebration of all their hard work throughout the year. Students were awarded “Most Improved Musician,” “Band MVP” and “Most Outstanding Musician” for Grades 9-12 in addition to the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and the John Philip Sousa Award, among others. This year, Band teachers Matt Christy and Tom Stickney handed out the first “Joe Horner Award of Commitment and Dedication,” honoring retiring High School Band Director Joe Horner. This award will now be presented annually. Students were also acknowledged for participating NYSSMA solo adjunctions this spring. Award recipients are: Most Improved Musician 9th Grade: Kolin Fiedler 10th Grade: Austin Arredondo 11th Grade: Gavin McGinnis 12the Grade: Dan Rolon Band MVP 9th Grade: Landon Straw 10th Grade: Vinny Galligan 11th Grade: Mitchell Demberg 12th Gard: Drew Jashembowski Most Outstanding Musician 9th Grade Matt Milby 10th Grade: Dan Oenga 11th Grade: Heather Day 12th Grade: Sean Crowe • Joe Horner Award of Commitment and Dedication: Matt Milby • Kaitlyn McElduff Shine a Light Award: Jacob Weymer • Dan Haber Frisbee MVP Award: Drew Jashembowski • Tedde Harden Band Spirit Award: Drew Jashembowski • Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Cheyann Kumar • John Philip Sousa Award – Audrey Guido

Danielle Zamorski’s high school health classes participated in several activities in class in recent days that involved information on alcohol and its impact on health and wellness using the Fatal Vision Program. It’s an important topic! Students defined alcohol use, misuse, and abuse, and distinguished among them using real-life examples. They identified the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol consumption on physical, mental, and emotional health. They described how alcohol impacts the brain and body, especially during adolescence. Students examined the relationship between alcohol use and risky behaviors, including impaired driving, violence, and relationships. Classes also analyzed the social, legal, and academic consequences of underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Each group evaluated how peer pressure and media influence alcohol-related decisions among teens. Moving forward, classes will be working on refusal skills and strategies to make informed decisions regarding alcohol use. Students will identify resources for help and support, including school counselors, hotlines, and community programs and reflect on personal values and goals to assess how alcohol and drug use may interfere with wellness and future success. The Fatal Vision program is a hands-on simulation program used to educate people about the dangers of impaired driving caused by alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and other substances, as well as concussions. It uses specialized goggles and activities to simulate the physical and cognitive impairments experienced when someone is under the influence. The googles have various features that distort vision, impair coordination, and slow reaction time.

Congratulations to Senior PJ Duke on his recent impressive performance at the Senior World Team Trials. Coach Scott Hendershot is proud to share that PJ competed in the 70 kg weight class, beating the 2025 NCAA Division I 157-pound weight class champion in the quarterfinals. He followed that up by defeating the 2025 NCAA Division I 149-pound weight class champion in the semifinals. In the finals, PJ secured the title by overcoming a three-time NCAA Division I All-American! With this victory, Coach Hendershot said, PJ earned a spot at Final X, where he will compete for the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Senior World Championships in Croatia! Additionally, PJ has been named the winner of the 2025 Junior Dan Hodge Trophy. The award is named after the former Oklahoma national champion and is presented annually to the nation’s best high school wrestler by WIN Magazine. The late Dan Hodge won three NCAA titles for the University of Oklahoma (1955-57) and never allowed a takedown in his college career. He also pinned 36 of his 46 victims. In that article, Coach Kevin Gallagher said: “You don’t get a bigger honor. I couldn’t be happier for PJ. He is a gifted athlete, but also the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He is a great teammate and leader. He is the kid that is jumping up and down for a freshman wrestler who gets a big win. He helps in practice. PJ is just such a humble, well-liked kid.” “I have to thank Coach Kevin Gallagher for all his help and support over the years” PJ said in the article. “Minisink Valley is my home. Everyone here is family.” In that same article, Coach Gallagher added: “I heard him say his style is ‘I just love wrestling.’ He loves to score; it is fun for him. What a lesson for young wrestlers who put pressure on themselves. His ways, leadership and training habits have rubbed off on other kids in our program. Until PJ loses, I don’t ever doubt him.” PJ is New York State’s 11th four-time state champion while representing Minisink Valley, compiling a 152-1 career prep record and won Outstanding Wrestler honors at the 2024 and 2025 state tournaments, winning every match by pin or tech fall.

Cayla Tangney’s High School “Sculpture” students’ final project, “Tape Figures,” is by far one of their favorite projects of the school year! For this project, students wrapped their own bodies (or helped a friend to do the same) with clear packing tape. They worked sticky side out for a few layers and then sticky side in to make sure the structure was strong and sturdy enough to stand or sit on its own. This project was a reference to site-specific and installation art. To begin, students took a class "field trip" around the school so they could take photos of the building location they wanted to use for their installation. Then students returned to the classroom to begin wrapping! The project took a few weeks and A LOT of tape. Once completed, students walked around the school, sculptures in tow, to take photos in their appropriate locations. The results were a great mix of comedy, creativity and introspection. Take a look! •Installation art is a type of visual art where the artist creates a three-dimensional artwork that transforms the perception of a space. It's often site-specific, meaning it's designed for a particular location, and can be temporary or permanent. Installation art aims to create an immersive experience for the viewer, encouraging them to interact with the artwork and its surroundings. •Tape art sculpture involves creating three-dimensional artwork using adhesive tape, like duct tape, packing tape or masking tape. Artists can manipulate the tape to form shapes, layer it for depth, or combine it with other materials like paint. This art form can be used to create installations, wall art, or even sculptures that interact with the environment. •Unlike traditional paintings and sculptures, tape art can be applied anywhere, including the doors, ceilings and floors of galleries. •Tape art traces its roots back to the 1960s when a few artists began experimenting with masking tapes and adhesive materials to create temporary installations and murals. The use of tapes offered them freedom and flexibility, enabling them to work on a variety of surfaces and experiment with different compositions.

The senior members of the Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team were honored for their many contributions to the team during its recent Senior Night! Congratulations and best wishes to: •Hudson Bosland, #13, Defense •Patrick Cherry, #1, Defense •Harrison Greaves, #4, Midfield •Aaron Kelter, #8, Midfield •Eric Lukiansky, #5, Midfield •Cole Sanfilippo, #3, Defense PLUS: Members of the Minisink Valley K-2 Boys Youth Lacrosse program attended this game and helped as ball boys! After the game, the varsity team had a post-game catch with these future varsity lacrosse players! Everyone had a blast of a time!

BREAKING SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEWS! Our Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team is FINAL FOUR BOUND after their huge 17-6 win over fourth-seed Vestal today in the NYSPHAA Girls Lacrosse Class B Regional matchup! PLUS: CJ Kuiken scored her 200th goal at today's game! Next up: The four regional winners now advance to the NYSPHSAA Class B SemiFinals on Friday, June 13. Winners advance to NYSPHSAA championships on Saturday, June 14! You got this, ladies!

CLASS of 2025 families: A special website page has been set up to share Class of 2025 graduation information. This information is identical to what is email to students and parents. Please check it regularly; click here: https://www.minisink.com/o/hs/page/class-of-2025-news

Congratulations to the six varsity baseball players who were honored for their many contributions to the team’s success during the team’s recent Senior Night! “All of our seniors have been a key part of the program for the last five years, having lost their seventh-grade modified season to the pandemic, and had a truly positive impact on and off the diamond,” said Varsity Head Coach Joe D'Antono Seniors, in numerical order, are: ●Infielder Nik Marrero (#1) – a three-year varsity player, and five-year member of the program who will continue his athletic and academic career at SUNY Orange. ●Infielder and Pitcher Nick Sommella (#2) – a two-year varsity player, and five-year member of the program who is attending Florida Tech in the fall. ●Infielder Dylan Acevedo (#5) – a three-year varsity player who will continue his athletic and academic career at Central Connecticut State. ●Infielder and Pitcher Nate Tormey (#8) – a three-year varsity player, and five-year member of the program who will play football at Alfred State University this fall. ●Outfielder Bobby Ayers (#12) – a two-year varsity player, five-year member of the baseball program who will be attending Stony Brook University. ●Infielder and Pitcher Nick Parco (#16) – a two-year varsity player, and five-year member of the program who will continue his athletic and academic career at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh next year.