Guest Chef Chris Fusco from Whitsons Culinary Group introduced the Yard Bird Chicken sandwich to the high school community today, April 21….and to put it mildly….it was a huge, huge tasty hit! Take a look! Ask your student about today's special lunch option!
The sandwich is a crispy whole-muscle chicken breast served on a whole grain bun with a special sauce, pickle chips and seasoned fries. Students repeatedly told us the sauce tastes just like what’s offered at Chick-fil-A (If you know, you know!) and lunch was great!
BRAVO!
Plays are meant to be seen and experienced and there’s many times when students assume roles of characters and read the play out loud! Take a look at Jenn Thibodeau’s and Catina Brooks’ High School English 10 students, who recently read Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” out loud in class.
This play that explores the struggles of the Younger family, an African-American family in Chicago, as they navigate financial hardship, racial prejudice, and the pursuit of the American Dream after the death of the patriarch, “Big Walter.” The play examines their conflicting dreams and aspirations, and the impact of their choices on their family's future.
"A Raisin in the Sun" is often read in English classes to explore themes of race, class, family, and the "American Dream." By studying this play, students can further develop critical thinking skills, analyze complex characters, and examine how social and historical contexts shape individual lives.
“This is a powerful play that relates to kids and the financial struggles that many families can face and realizing what is really important in life,” said Ms. Brooks. “The kids enjoyed the play and reading the characters of the excitable and frustrated Walter, the powerful matriarch Mama, the intellectual Beneatha, and other memorable characters. Having them actively engaged with the characters keeps them focused and leads to understanding motivation and having deeper comprehension. It’s a fun and memorable experience.”
The play debuted on Broadway in 1959. The New York Drama Critics' Circle named it 1959’s best play, and in recent years publications such as The Independent[t] and Time Out have listed it among the best plays ever written.
Reminder: The 2025-26 student calendar has been available for everyone's use!
Varsity Wrestling Head Coach Kevin Gallagher is proud to share that sophomore Wyatt Boice earned sixth-place honors at the recent NHSCA High School National Wrestling Tournament at Virginia Beach!
“Wyatt was in a loaded weight class with over 120 wrestlers in his weight class,” Coach Gallagher said. “He wrestled great and won his first four matches before losing a heartbreaking 6-5 match in the semi-finals. Wyatt proved again he is one of the best wrestlers in his age group in the country! Coming off his third-place finish in New York State, Wyatt continues to work hard and get better every day. He was also a freshman All-American last year and a Middle School All American as an eighth- grader."
Kudos also go to sophomores Mason Murphy (0-2), Colin Matone (3-2) and Joe Uhrig (2-2) for their tourney performances!
“All three of the guys wrestled tough but ran into some very tough competition” added Coach Gallagher. “Colin looked good and won three matches and Joe Uhrig won two with both of his losses coming to the third- place and the fourth-place wrestlers.”
The Varsity Flag Football's season record improves to 5-0 after a massive 25-0 win over Warwick!
Coach Michael Tepper is proud to share these highlights:
--- Vanessa Tepper: 4 touchdown passes
--- Ava Semco: 2 receiving touchdowns
--- Ariana Junca:j 1 receiving touchdown and an extra point.
--- Kate O’Neill: 1 receiving touchdown
SWAG ALERT! Senior families: Three weeks from today, on Thursday, May 1, the High School will hold its annual DECISION DAY festivities! Whether your student is moving onto college, a career or the military, be sure he/she has that special attire ready to visually share the great news! It's a wonderful photo op day that seniors and the high school's faculty and staff always look forward to having!
Congratulations to Senior Varsity Lacrosse Goalie Isabella Odland, who recorded her 200th career save against Pine Bush on April 3!
Starting in goal for the last three seasons, Isabella has been a pillar on a team that has won three of the last four Section IX titles, and was one goal away from defeating eventual State Semi-finalist Horace Greeley last season. She was "lights-out" late in the recent Pine Bush game, shutting down a Pine Bush run with some very impressive one-on-one saves. She has committed to Division I Wagner College this fall!
The High School Science Speakers Series continued today, April 7, where speakers who excelled in science, graduated college, and transitioned to the workforce come in and speak to students who are enrolled in the college level science classes.
Thank you to Class of 2019 alumnus Emily Abruzzee, a mechanical engineer for Core Tech in Saratoga Springs, for being today’s speaker! She spoke to students about the mechanical engineering field and offered guidance as students continue to prepare and finalize their college applications.
Ms. Abruzzee earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Union College. While at Union, she was a member of various clubs, including Society of Women Engineers and Engineers for a Sustainable World as well as the women’s club ice hockey team. She also was involved with research work at Union, interned at GlobalFoundries, completed a term of study in Ireland as well as a mini-term in New Zealand!
She joined Core Tech in September 2023 as a proposal support engineer and later transitioned her role in the company to a mechanical engineer. In her free time, she’s working with a friend to convert a 1999 Saab to an electric vehicle, hoping to productize and provide this environmentally friendly service to other older vehicles in need of a second life!
More speakers are planned for this Science Speakers Series. Please join us in thanking Ms. Abruzzee for taking the time to meet with students and show and talk to them about the wonderful possibilities that can become a reality with hard work and determination.
The Girls Lacrosse Program is off to a fabulous start!
Varsity Assistant Rory Boice reports that the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams’ recent games against Pine Bush ended with the Varsity team beating Pine Bush in a 17-10 final! The team created an offensive onslaught that Pine Bush had difficulty containing!
“The team left it all on the field,” Varsity Head Coach Jessica Gurrieri said. “It was a great day!”
Additionally, the Junior Varsity team ran away in their Pine Bush game, besting that Junior Varsity team which beat them the last two consecutive in a 20-2 final. Junior Varsity Coach Samantha Woodward’s squad was unselfish with the ball offensively and stingy on defense, as they displayed their skills.
To top things off, the Modified team beat Warwick in an 8-7 final!
“We demonstrated excellent ball movement, control, teamwork and communication,” added Modified Coach Rachael Moran.
What a wonderful afternoon! Our annual Senior Citizen and Veteran dinner, prepared and served by members of the High School's National Honor Society, along with a preview performance of the Drama Club's production of "FOOTLOOSE the MUSICAL" took place yesterday afternoon!
It's always a proud moment for us to share the talents of our students with our senior and veteran communities. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this event and made it so spectacular! Take a peek!
AND --- The show was equally spectacular! Be sure you have tickets: https://www.onthestage.tickets/.../670941426964d10f6204819e
Polly Mautner’s High School Chemistry students were wowed during their recent lab when they created a foaming reaction that looks like toothpaste being squeezed from a tube—but it’s so voluminous that it’s jokingly suggested it must be for elephants!
In their “Elephant Toothpaste lab,” students saw how a foamy substance is caused by the quick decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) using a plastic bottle, potassium iodide (KI), liquid dish soap, food coloring and warm water.
When the hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the potassium iodide, it starts breaking down into water and oxygen. Oxygen is a gas and therefore wants to escape the liquid. However, the added dish soap traps the gas bubbles, forming a foam. The reaction continues as long as there is some hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide left. Once one of them runs out, it stops making new foam.
This lab is a fun and engaging way to demonstrate chemical reactions, specifically the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, and the concept of exothermic reactions, making science concepts like this memorable! (Look at all Smartphone photos being taken!)
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy, often in the form of heat, to its surroundings.
Nichole Gaucher’s and Toni McGinn’s High School Living Environment students recently about the reproduction system and as part of their studies, they recently completed a flower dissection lab.
In the first portion of the lab, students completed a Gizmo simulation where they learned about the process of pollination and the advantages and disadvantages of self vs. cross pollination.
In the second part of the lab, students dissected flowers as they learned to identify the structure and function of the reproductive parts of a flower.
•Gizmos are interactive, inquiry-based online simulations and case studies designed to enhance math and science learning, allowing students to explore concepts, manipulate variables and engage in "what-if" experimentation.
•Self-pollination, where pollen transfers within the same flower or plant, maintains genetic purity and requires no external agents, while cross-pollination, transferring pollen between different plants, increases genetic diversity and adaptability, but can be less reliable.
•Flower dissection labs are valuable for understanding plant reproduction because they allow students to directly observe and identify the key reproductive structures (stamens [male] and pistils [female] ) and their functions, including pollination and seed production.
Today, April 1, an important High School all-student assembly took place featuring Stephen Hill, founder of Speak Sobriety. He spoke to students about his journey from drug and alcohol addition to recovery and the importance of making good vs. destructive choices. Given our societal climate, we all know this is a very important topic. The high school administrative team felt all students needed to hear Mr. Hill’s message and his "comeback story."
Mr. Hill is a young person in recovery, bestselling author, recovery coach and a defense attorney in addition to being a renowned national speaker on substance use prevention and mental health. Mr. Hill has presented in front of thousands of people at over 900 schools, drug-free community coalitions and organizations across the country, sharing his cautionary tale of addiction to recovery and beyond.
High School parents/guardians: Please follow-up with the note Principal Kenneth Hauck sent to you in late March advising you today's presentation and continue this critical conversation at home. We are committed to always being your ongoing partners in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your children and everyone in our school community. As a reminder, the high school counseling team is always available to our students for assistance they may need on any topic or issue of concern. Likewise, if you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, please reach out to us. We are here to help. Thank you!
To learn more, visit: www.SpeakSobriety.com
The High School’s Robotics Club is getting ready for the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics’ New York//New Jersey Botball Tournament, to be held May 17 at the Rahway Recreation Center in New Jersey,
KIPR is dedicated to sparking excitement for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on robotics programs, and we know the district’s team is working hard to make sure all their Botball are ready to compete!
There’s a volunteering component to the competition and the team chose to undertake a food and supply drive. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to their efforts!
Botball is a team-oriented robotics competition where teams design, build, and program autonomous robots to compete in challenges that change annually, fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
High School Regents Biology teacher Kimberly Jordan is proud to share her students’ stellar project work tied to their recent unit on heart health and the circulatory system!
Through interactive and immersive learning experiences, students gained a comprehensive understanding of the heart's structure and function, as well as essential strategies for maintaining cardiovascular well-being through nutrition and exercise. They took part in interactive lessons that emphasized the importance of healthy habits in preventing circulatory disorders, and had a lot of fun designing and building creative 3D model of the heart using various mediums!
It’s true….even the big kids have fun using Play-Doh in class!
“By exploring real-world applications and potential health consequences, students developed a deeper appreciation for the value of self-care and proactive wellness,” Mrs. Jordan said. “This engaging and informative unit has empowered students with essential knowledge and skills to prioritize their heart health and overall well-being.”
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
THANK YOU to everyone who attended and/or contributed in some way to Project Graduation’s March 22 Tricky Tray! The event raised enough to fund this year’s All-Night Graduation Party! Organizers said the evening was a huge success and they’re thankful for all of the donations made by families and local business as well as for all the volunteers who assisted in the evening’s success!
Kudos to the Minisink Valley High School Mock Trial Team, which was one of 13 school district teams participating in the first round of the State Mock Trial Tournament at Orange -Ulster BOCES on March 23!
For months, the mock trial team of Sean Bellew, Noah Haley, Morgan Varian, Landon Ordway, Malunga Kinzonzi, Josephine Witherow, Callie Hitt, Julia Wodzinski and Evan Washalski, guided by advisors Jonathan Grady and Ezra Clementson, prepared remarks focusing on a defamation case of a public figure to present their interpretation in a courtroom before a county judge. The team was also given valuable assistance from attorney consultants Michael Wolfs and Len Kessler---thank you to both!
To prepare for the tournament, each school has teacher-coaches as well as local attorneys working with them to help them with the nuances of the courtroom and presentation skills, an experience that cannot be duplicated in the classroom.
While the team is not advancing to the next level of competition, their tenacity and grit is certainly an example for everyone to admire! Well-done!
Christopher Tuthill’s High School technology classes activities sometimes expand beyond the curriculum for each class. Take a peek at Mr. Tuthill’s recent class presentations on the process of making maple syrup!
The goal of the demonstrations was to expose students to an activity that is unique to the northeastern United States and Canada while incorporating a STEM component to the lesson!
“We do cover types of lumber and tree identification in construction class and that was a part of my conversations with my students,” he said. “But there’s also a connection to science, technology, engineering and math as well throughout the syrup making process.”
Students learned about the history of maple syrup, tree identification, the process to tap maple trees, the boiling/evaporation process and more, including:
•Science: Students learned about the density of liquids, weather patterns, tree identification, parts of a tree (bark, sapwood, heartwood) biology- how a tree feeds itself to produce leaves each year (photosynthesize)
•Technology: Students learned the methods of sap collection, vacuum systems, evaporation processes and tools and machinery used, including the use of a hydrometer to understand sugar content
•Engineering: Students learned the methods of efficient sap collection and the process to make and bottle the final product
•Math: Students learned the ratios, or averages, for sap collected to final product made, sugar content percentage of both sap and finished syrup, boiling time, fuel consumption, tree diameter and circumference
It was the perfect STEM activity/lesson/demonstration for students to witness and participate in!
Cayla Tangney’s High School Art History II students have been learning about Impressionism and the way that the artists of the time used quick brushstrokes to capture the weather, season, and time of day as accurately as possible.
They were not taught how to paint the objects in front of them. Instead, students were only given a short amount of time to try and record the light and colors that they saw. They had to mix colors both on their palette directly onto their paper and, like the impressionists, they were not given any black.
Impressionists called painting outdoors "en plein air". Since students couldn't go outside in during the recent frosty cold and windy weather, they did the next best thing and utilized the windows. They stood in the hallway, looking out of the window and into the High School’s courtyard, so they could observe what they saw directly from life.
The following day, we did a gallery walk around the classroom to see which paintings were most successful in representing the style. Then, students had time to reflect on the experience of how it felt to paint this way as opposed to taking the more realistic or "perfect" approach that they were used to. Many realized how it was challenging to paint so quickly and how they were not accustomed to painting without considering realism.
•Impressionism is a style of painting that originated in France in the 19th century. It's characterized by subject matter, technique, visible brushstrokes, vivid colors and a focus on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color as well as composition, angles and movement.
•Impressionist artists included Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, and Edgar Degas.
Today, March 14, is the All District Choral Festival, which was held at the High School! Fifth-grade, eighth-grade and high school choral students gathered to make music and share their choral experiences. Part of the day included rehearsing for their performance of "Connected," which will be performed on Tuesday, March 18 as part of the Music in our Schools Concert at the High School! Be sure to be there to see the results of their hard work! This large ensemble sounds magnificent! Thank you to everyone who played a role in today's event!
