Working in teams, students took turns carefully rolling balls toward hula hoops. If a ball rolled into a hoop and stayed there, the team earned the hoop and brought it back to their side. The race was on to see which team could collect all of its hoops first!
The activity also served as a lead up game which to introduce them to Bocce, a classic target game in which players roll large balls and aim to land them closest to a smaller ball called the “jack,” or “pallino.”
From expressive compositions and striking use of color to thoughtful mixed-media pieces and digital storytelling, the exhibit transformed the high school cafeteria and auditorium into a true gallery experience!
We hope many of you were able to attend and witness the tremendous talent of our student artists representing all five district buildings. Events like these are a wonderful reminder of the power of the arts to bring a community together — connecting students, families, educators, and neighbors through creativity, imagination and shared pride.
Hundreds of proud students and even prouder families filled the show to celebrate not only the artwork created by the children in their own lives, but also to admire and encourage the work of all participating artists. The evening reflected the collaborative spirit and cultural richness that make our school community so special.
THANK YOU to the district’s art faculty for curating such a magnificent and thoughtfully installed exhibition, to everyone who supported the scholarship auction of furniture and clocks and to the high school’s Step Dance Team for their dynamic performance!
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD/posts/pfbid02xsVFMrvxVVmJZ5QCMgC5PBeeDvgjMzEZAQiA3r3UCDQd6VXq3f7qhtXBFKe9kqk5l?__cft__[0]=AZbX_xIm4L32rE1Jz-gzl63jTzYc8uLFmA00ZZsY8-PauqmUM1qQr6LQOuWkz-N_YQk0FD-namhvBdHhCGK9OOS8w_T4Ixck8vf4xCaPuVynUx4GLCTunm1bx-01w_PywuC7LBK3zN28jrW82BiNux0sU_k7QP6L9WjGGgdR9H5ZTA&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
Guess what Kimberly McDermott’s ES second-graders are celebrating today?? And don’t they look simply adorable in their fancy hats?
Students enjoyed seeing different types of vehicles, especially when they could explore them up close! They learned more about how vehicles work and how they interface in so many ways with everything they and their families do. Take a peek!
THANK YOU to everyone who was a part of this wonderful learning experience. Transportation Day is successful because of strong community involvement! So many of our community and business colleagues want to share not only their vehicles, but experiences, and knowledge with students…and we’re very grateful! Their participation gives children real-world learning opportunities and helps them understand the important roles people play in keeping a community functioning, connected and safe. When a school and business/community members work together, students gain a richer and more memorable learning experience!
Then came the fun part — turning the classroom into a giant measurement lab! Students traveled around the room measuring just about everything they could find: Doors, windows, bookbags, whiteboards, pencils and more. If it could be measured, these curious learners were ready for the challenge!
Before measuring, students had to think like mathematicians and scientists by deciding whether a ruler or a yardstick would work best. They also practiced estimating how long or tall an object might be before checking the actual measurement. This hands-on activity not only strengthened their understanding of measurement skills and math vocabulary, but also introduced an important science concept: Forming hypotheses and testing predictions, which are key parts of the scientific method.
By combining math, science and teamwork, these young learners proved that learning can measure up to a lot of fun!
Please join us in congratulating members of our faculty and administration who were granted tenure by the Board of Education during its May 7 and earlier in the year meetings! #MINISINKProud
High School
Jacquelyn Campbell, Special Education teacher
Thomas Connolly, Mathematics teacher
Jonathan Hannes, Special Education teacher
Toni McGinn, Special Education teacher
Rachel Moran, English as a Second Language teacher
Middle School
Francine LaDonna, Social Worker
Kaitlin Santos, Elementary teacher
Ramon Torres, Foreign Languages teacher
Otisville Elementary
Lisa Assaiante, Special Education teacher
Victoria Frascone, Special Education teacher
Stephanie Gove, Elementary teacher
Nikachi Griffin, Assistant Principal
Bryon Imbarrato, Elementary teacher
Jessica Kahn, Elementary teacher
Nicole Martinez, Elementary teacher
Intermediate School
Lilivette Alten, English as a Second Language teacher
Andrew Fenner, Elementary teacher
Elementary School
Megan St. Clair, Elementary teacher
This event honors top-grade-level students who exemplify excellence in fitness, leadership, and citizenship — key components of New York State learning standards.
These students were selected for their commitment to an active lifestyle, responsible behavior, leadership qualities, and contributions to their school community. While athletic ability is not a requirement, each honoree embodies the spirit of personal growth and positive influence.
“These students set a strong example for others, demonstrating how character, dedication, and service make an impact both in physical education and in all areas of life,” said Elementary School Physical Education teacher Anthony Pascarelli, who represented Minisink Valley faculty at the event.
Students honored were:
Middle School
Justin Artola
Charlotte Ringus
Maximus Sisto
Jasmine Tepper
Otisville Elementary
Peter Caputo
Helen Hutchital
Callan Mark
Frank Ortiz
Intermediate School
Lucas Ayala
Logan Flynn
Siena Paccio
Grace Rolon
Elementary School
Augustine Paccio
Delilah Useo
Everett Whalen
More than 60 future varsity stars representing the Minisink and Otisville Little Leagues stepped up to the plate to join the fun — and what a night it was! The festivities were capped off with a thrilling 9–8 varsity comeback win over Warwick Valley! Amazing!
These young student athletes — clearly future varsity standouts — were all smiles as they received their “Rising Star” bracelets, rounded the bases alongside varsity players, and even scored big by getting all the varsity player autographs they wanted! From dugout chats to on-field memories, it was a home run evening filled with mentorship, teamwork and plenty of heart.
What a beautiful display of paying it forward, beginning to build a future lineup by showing how much fun the game is, and reminding these rising stars that with practice, hustle, and love of the game, anything is possible!
What a "SUNny" day for an outdoor lesson on SUNflower seeds and planting!
THANK YOU to Botanist Amy Apple of Sleepy Hill Orchards, who visited Angela Dombal and Jordan Procak’s ES kindergarteners yesterday, May 4, for a sweet story and hands-on lesson about sunflowers, seeds and planting!
Ms. Apple read Antoinette Portis’ “A Seed Grows,” showing how tiny sunflower seeds can grow into towering flowers up to 10 feet tall! Then, students got their hands a little dirty (the fun kind!) taking their own pots and planting seeds. With a little love and care, they’ll start to see sprouts in about a week!
There was even a bonus story time opportunity, with Ms. Procak reading “Mrs. Peanuckle's Flower Alphabet,” which introduced them to the names of all kinds of beautiful blooms.!
And (shh… don’t give it away! ), these little gardeners also picked out their very own purple or magenta petunias to plant in pots and take home on Friday—just in time for Mother’s Day.
Teaching kindergarteners about seeds and planting blends science with life skills and a bit of wonder! Students see how living things grow, which builds an early understanding of concepts like life cycles, needs of plants (sun, water, soil) and cause-and-effect. Watching a seed turn into a sprout makes abstract ideas feel real.
It also builds patience and responsibility. When children water their plants and wait for them to grow, they learn that good things take time and care. There’s a sensory and motor benefit too. Digging in soil, planting seeds and handling small objects gives them fine motor skills practice.
There’s also a big sense of pride and ownership, too, because their little students can say “I grew this!” And, it’s a great connection to nature!
Big-time learning is happening in kindergarten!
Like all district kindergarteners, Carmella Sill’s class is building strong writing skills through engaging, cross-curricular work. As part of their new Geography unit, students are learning about the continents, with a focus on North America, while using the POW writing strategy to plan and organize their ideas.
Students are also learning to write a gist statement—a short sentence that captures the main idea of what they’ve learned in their own words. This helps them focus on the most important information and express it clearly.
POW (Pick my idea, Organize my notes, Write and say more) is a simple, three-step strategy that supports young writers by breaking the process into manageable steps, making writing more approachable and less overwhelming.
In Mrs. Sill’s classroom, students are using POW to plan their gist statements about North America—combining content knowledge with essential writing skills in a meaningful way.
The fun didn’t stop there… students even planted pea seeds, discovering how important crops are in our world. Over the next few weeks, they’ll get to watch their tiny seeds grow into something they can actually eat—how exciting is that?!
And of course, their creativity shined bright with the most adorable Earth Day hats! It was a wonderful mix of science, social studies, art, and real-world learning —all wrapped up in one very fun day!
Many kindergarteners are introduced to the joy of gymnastics (along with exciting activities like climbing ropes and the rock wall) when their physical education teachers kick off their gymnastics unit. Take a peek at Anthony Pascarelli"s, Leyla Johnson’s, and Jonathan Sakadelis’ ES kindergarteners having an absolute blast in class—so many smiles and so much fun!
Introducing kindergarteners to gymnastics is important because it helps them build strength, balance and coordination while boosting their confidence and encouraging a love of movement. Plus, it gives them a chance to explore, take safe risks and discover just how amazing their bodies can be!
Students who stepped up to the plate and read between 400 and 800 minutes will receive two tickets, and they’re sure to have a winning day at the ballpark, too! In total, over 100 students joined the lineup for this reading challenge and collectively racked up an incredible 46,844 minutes — talk about an Elementary School team victory!
BUT! A very special congratulations goes to Wyatt Kessler, who absolutely crushed it with 1,309 minutes read — that’s a home run and then some! He has earned the title of the school’s “Home Run Reader.” In addition to receiving four tickets, Wyatt will get the ultimate big-league experience: He’s been invited to the field for the game he attends to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. What a major league moment!
Enjoy some great sandwiches, salads or soups at Panera in MIddletown and support the High School's FBLA Club! Details are in the flyer below, and thanks for sharing!
Armed with their Kindergarten Readers, these young learners made their way to Mrs. Hoffman’s room for a cross-grade reading session. More than just story time, it was a chance to show off their developing oral reading fluency — and a reminder of just how far they’ve come.
“By stepping into a new environment, my kindergarteners stepped into leadership roles,” Mrs. Acevedo said. “It takes immense courage to read aloud to an older peer, and our students rose to the occasion with confidence. The session transformed the classroom into a hub of collaborative learning.”
There were many teachable moments for these kindergarteners. They were able to experience peer mentorship when the older first-graders acted as supportive "reading buddies." They saw the shared goal on focusing on the joy of storytelling and the mechanics of language. Plus, there was important social-emotional growth for everyone because building connections across grade levels fosters a stronger school community.
By practicing their oral reading fluency, students are applying the core tenets of the Science of Reading (SOR). Using the district’s CKLA/Amplify framework, these reading pairs focused on decoding accuracy (translating letter sounds into words in real-time); “automaticity” (building the speed and ease necessary for comprehension); and expression (learning how to use their voices to make the text come alive.)
“I am incredibly proud of both classes, my kindergarteners for their courage and growth, and Mrs. Hoffman’s first graders for their kindness and encouragement, offering real-time, gentle feedback that helped support and celebrate their younger peers, Mrs. Acevedo added. “This powerful experience reminded us that reading is not just a skill, but a bridge that brings our school community together.”
The CKLA unit “Making a Difference: Creating Change” teaches second-graders that individuals — both famous historical figures and everyday people — can make their communities better by recognizing problems and taking action. Through stories of leaders who stood up for fairness, kindness, and equal rights, students learn about courage, perseverance, and working together to create positive change.
The unit emphasizes empathy, responsibility, and the idea that even small actions can have a big impact, helping children understand that they, too, can be changemakers in their own world. These are all important concepts for young students to embrace!
Students are learning about important figures in history who have made positive changes in history, including: Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary McLeod Bethune, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Faith Florez, Kelvin Doe and more. Students are beginning to learn about important topics such as the difference between human rights and civil rights as well as why these noted people worked to create change. As part of this, Mr. Ferara asked his students to talk with their peers about concepts like “what does creating chance mean?”
The material blends history, character development and literacy into a meaningful, motivating learning experience!
There’s lots of important reasons why using implements are important for these little ones!
Implements help children develop manipulative skills such as throwing, catching, striking and kicking, which are among core motor skills.
Using items like balls or rackets requires children to track objects, time their movements, and adjust their body position—critical skills for both athletic and everyday tasks.
Using implements involves following directions, problem solving and understanding “cause and effect,” which support brain development.
Working with objects helps children understand where their body is in space and how to control their movements safely and effectively.
Mastering new equipment helps young children feel capable and proud, further develops social skills, helps prepare them for later physical education work….and is fun!
Reading in first grade is especially powerful, because it builds the foundation for everything that follows. At this age, students are learning the building blocks of language—how stories work, how characters think, how words spark imagination. The more they read, the more their vocabulary grows, the stronger their comprehension and creativity becomes!
After exploring a variety of JGB stories, the students took on two full novels—a huge accomplishment for first graders.!
Their first adventure was Jeff Brown’s “Flat Stanley,” the story of a boy who gets flattened by a bulletin board. Inspired by the story, the students created their own “flat mes” and sent them off through the mail. When the “flat mes” returned, they brought stories of wonderful travels—visiting places such as Massachusetts, Florida, and Arizona, and even meeting family members, friends, and pets along the way!
Next, they dove into Judy Blume’s “Freckle Juice,” the story of Andrew, a boy determined to get freckles—even if it means mixing up a wild recipe or drawing them on with a marker! The first graders had a blast creating freckles on their own photos, bringing the book’s humor to life and building a deeper understanding of character motivation and creativity.
Reading strengthens imagination, builds critical thinking, boosts confidence, and helps children discover the joy of learning. Through stories, they learn to make connections, ask questions, and express themselves — all skills that will support them throughout their academic careers!
Students had a blast recently singing the echo song “Purple Light,” which helps build strong listening and echoing skills. As they sang, they also took turns playing the temple blocks to keep a steady beat — bringing this cowboy song to life with the clippy-clop sound of horse hooves echoing through the room. (The song even mentions a canyon, a pony and a knapsack!)
Fun, hands-on moments like these help students grow in singing, rhythm, coordination and—best of all—a lifelong love of music!
Temple blocks are a set of hollowed-out percussion instruments, traditionally made of wood (often called dragon mouths), typically played in sets of five tuned to a pentatonic scale. Originating from Chinese Buddhist rituals, they produce a rich, dark, and rounded sound compared to standard woodblocks and are used for musical effects, melodies, or rhythmic reinforcement.
