BREAKING FRIDAY NIGHT NEWS! It's a huge Homecoming win!
Minisink Valley beats Warwick in a 34-7 victory which assures the Section IX Class A semi-finals come to Minisink Valley! (Warwick will play Cornwall in the other semi-final match at Cornwall). This is a big deal!
This great night was also SENIOR NIGHT for the football players, cheerleaders and scorekeepers! (Photos are coming soon!)
At tonight's game, Charlie Olsen was crowned Homecoming King; and Sara Delmar was crowned Homecoming Queen! They were members of the Homecoming Court which also included Addision Cole, Patrick Cherry, Emma Kostic, Shawn Crowe, Audrey Guido, Michael Hughson!
Class of 2025 families: As a follow-up to emails sent to parents/students and information provided to students in the Class of 2025 Google classroom,...a friendly remember, it's time to order your student's cap and gown!
Support the Class of 2025 and add to your collection of outstanding Minisink Valley attire! The selections are great to wear for any occasion and for any event in any building!
Call for photos! The Homecoming Dance is Saturday, Nov. 2!
REMINDER: A friendly reminder to previous emails sent to juniors and their families: Junior Parking is suspended tomorrow, Oct. 31 because of the expected large crowds visiting the Slate Hall campus for the Elementary School's Halloween Parade.
Congratulations to Senior Brianna Foote, who won first place in the 50m and 100m freestyle events at the recent OCIAA championships! She also achieved a state cut time in the 50m and as a result, will complete in the Sectional Championships, which take place in two weeks!
The state cut time is the requirement to attend the New York State Swimming Championships in that event. Brianna has already made the cut time in the 100m butterfly earlier in the season (she currently ranks #1 in the 100m butterfly!) and now adds the 50m freestyle to her event list!
Reminder! Minisink Valley has partnered with Paper, an online tutoring service, to provide students in Grades 6 through 12 with the ability to access live tutors seven days a week, 24 hours a day. High School students and family members have unlimited access to trained tutors so every student can ask questions, work through problems and grow their confidence at no cost to families.
Learn more: https://www.minisink.com/page/paper-online-tutoring-for-grades-6-12
Congratulations to Senior Charles Olsen, who was the Minisink Valley recipient of the annual John Bell Memorial Award, presented during Friday’s Varsity Football game against Port Jervis (which Minisink Valley won 28-14!) Maddox McCormick was the Port Jervis recipient.
Coach Bell was a respected player for Port Jervis in the 1960s, a longtime coach and teacher at Minisink Valley and a friend throughout all of Section IX. In his memory the Minisink Valley and Port Jervis football programs established an award to present annually to a member of each school who has demonstrated the qualities that Coach Bell lived by: Dedication, sportsmanship, loyalty and school pride.
The High School’s recent assemblies focusing on the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) and self-esteem, featuring guest speaker Dr. Mykee Fowlin and his topic “You Don’t Know Me, Until You Know Me,” were powerful reminders about behaviors.
During his presentation, Dr. Fowlin took students on an experiential journey, having them reexamine core precepts that were taught to them from as early on as first-grade. He used humor, performance art, poetry, storytelling, psychology, theatrical monologues and his personal journey – to create a moving experience for all.
He reminded students that to varying degrees, they all wear masks and are conditioned to hide their true selves, out of fear of being rejected and/or judged.
“We are capable of transforming the world, for the good, but this work starts from within; it is the process of turning our hurt into self-reflection, healing, and then action,” he stressed to students. “It is our simple, but intentional, behaviors where significant change takes place. The gesture of us smiling, acknowledging the existence of another, is as powerful as any other deed done in the world. Let us be like the oyster, turning our pain into something more valuable, but never forgetting the final piece in this transition. The value of the pearl takes place when someone else receives it, not if the oyster keeps it.”
Congratulations to Hana Ebert and Gavin McGinnis! Their plays will be showcased at the New York State Theatre Education Association's conference in January 2025! Theater students from all over New York State attend this conference featuring creative educational theatre workshops and performances led by professionals from Broadway and educators in the field. Watch for more updates in January!
Cheers to members of the High School’s Career Achievement Program (CAP), who can be found at the Elementary School assisting staff in a variety of ways, such as with School Security Aide Kevin Murphy; basketball court painting for Physical Education Teachers Ross Potter’s Leyla Johnson’s students; and in the classroom, such as their recent assistance to assemble an easel for second-grade teacher Kimberly McDermott.
The High School’s Youth in Government Club hosted the recent and annual Platform Convention, with over 200 students from 12 Orange and Ulster County schools participating. Students prepared mock legislation for debate in committee.
Aside from hosting the convention and providing a stellar rendition of the National Anthem, the Minisink delegation won the convention by passing the most pieces of legislation in both committee and floor votes. Congratulations and well-done! The Youth-in-Government program has a long history in Orange County dating back to 1944 and has many current government officials and employees who are alumni.
REMINDER: Spirit Week begins Monday! Here's the schedule:
Congratulations to Seniors Catherine Cucuzza and Briana Foote, who were honored at their recent Girls Varsity Swim Senior Night! Thank you for your many contributions to the team’s success!
Catherine has been a member of the Varsity team for four years. This past season she served as one of our team captains and is often used in all different events wherever she is needed. She is a true utility member of the team and has always stepped up when needed.
Brianna has been a member of the Varsity team for 6 years. As one of our team captains, Brianna qualified for States her Sophomore, Junior and Senior seasons in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. She is also the school record holder in both events, which she has broken herself a few times each.
Junior families: A reminder that junior parking is suspended one week from today, Oct. 31. ..and only for this day. Please be sure your alternate transportation plans are in place!
Who knew owl pellets are important learning tools for students? You do, now!
Take a look at Kimberly Jordan’s Living Environment Freshman Biology students recently completed lab work focusing on owl pellets. In high school, owl pellet labs help students to learn about food webs (the complex feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem), nutrient cycles, (the processes that move nutrients through the environment, providing organisms with the elements they need to survive) and energetics (how living organisms capture, store, and utilize energy through various chemical reactions within their cells), as well as even how organisms play ecological roles in their environment. And, of course, students also build their scientific literacy through their work!
This just in! Beginning one week from today! Just in case your student has yet to share, new dates are in place for the High School's Spirit Week, Homecoming Game and Homecoming Dance!
Did you know that the High School’s Key Club helps student gain leadership skills by giving back to the community?
Key Club focuses on upcoming volunteer opportunities and small events that help a big cause. Club members are always looking for ways to support or school and community. If there’s a project you think the Key Club may be able to assist with, please reach out to advisor Amy Colella at acolella@minisink.com
Take a look at the club’s recently created bulletin board, detailing what students feel makes the High School strong!
Congratulations and best wishes to the members of the Girls Varsity Soccer Team, who were honored on their recent Senior Night: Jada Addo, Kylie Depeau, Charlotte Faline, Josie Kessler, CJ Kuiken, Helena Sopin and Vanessa Tepper! Thank you for your many contributions to the team’s success!
THINK PINK! The district is "going pink" on Thursday, Oct. 24 to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts!
