SNOW TUBING FUN CONTINUES!
Winter fun is rolling right along! Leyla Johnson's and Anthony Pascarelli's ES second-grade physical education students had their turn yesterday laughing, sliding, and zooming down the hill during their outdoor classes — and having an absolute blast while doing so! With weather that felt downright balmy compared to recent days, students bundled up and made the most of every thrilling run!
Snow tubing isn’t just fun — it’s a fantastic physical education opportunity! This high-energy activity builds balance, coordination, and core strength, encourages active outdoor play and even helps students develop confidence if this activity is new to them. Best of all, it promotes teamwork, perseverance, and lots of joyful movement in the fresh winter air!
Winter fun is rolling right along! Leyla Johnson's and Anthony Pascarelli's ES second-grade physical education students had their turn yesterday laughing, sliding, and zooming down the hill during their outdoor classes — and having an absolute blast while doing so! With weather that felt downright balmy compared to recent days, students bundled up and made the most of every thrilling run!
Snow tubing isn’t just fun — it’s a fantastic physical education opportunity! This high-energy activity builds balance, coordination, and core strength, encourages active outdoor play and even helps students develop confidence if this activity is new to them. Best of all, it promotes teamwork, perseverance, and lots of joyful movement in the fresh winter air!
ES second-graders have been learning about the history of the Olympics, the different sports which are a part of the Olympics and famous Olympians! That included watching a special video messages from Minisink alumni and Olympians Stefanie Dolson and Nick Abruzzese and, of course, their recent Opening Ceremony Parade of Nations.!
Some football fans are still riding the Super Bowl high, while others are… well… already looking ahead to next season. But there’s a very special group of fans who had a win no matter what—the creative pigskin artists of Jenn DiSimone’s ES first-grade class!
This past Friday, and in preparation for last night's big game, these students "tackled" a different kind of challenge: Reimagining the shape of a football as something totally unexpected. And wow—did they deliver! Touchdowns for everyones! Their “something elses” are bursting with imagination, originality and first-grade brilliance.
This past Friday, and in preparation for last night's big game, these students "tackled" a different kind of challenge: Reimagining the shape of a football as something totally unexpected. And wow—did they deliver! Touchdowns for everyones! Their “something elses” are bursting with imagination, originality and first-grade brilliance.
PLAY BALL! Support the PTO and have a great time at a New York Yankees game at this fun PTO fundraiser!
New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins!
--- Saturday, April 4
--- 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
--- Tickets: $45 each for Terrace Level seating
--- Online ticket sales close March 1
--- Tickets will be delivered digitally to the email address provided.
--- Transportation is NOT provided.
Purchase tickets here: https://minisink-pto-yankee-game.square.site/
New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins!
--- Saturday, April 4
--- 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
--- Tickets: $45 each for Terrace Level seating
--- Online ticket sales close March 1
--- Tickets will be delivered digitally to the email address provided.
--- Transportation is NOT provided.
Purchase tickets here: https://minisink-pto-yankee-game.square.site/
Who needs the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations Opening Ceremony when our ES second-graders can steal the spotlight—and do it better?
Today, Feb. 6, ES second-graders proudly marched in their very own Minisink 2026 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations Opening Ceremony, bringing global spirit, big smiles and Olympic-level enthusiasm to their school!
The world was well represented, with “athletes” from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, R.O.C., South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the U.S! LOOK! Everyone is a GOLD MEDAL winner!
The Parade of Nations in an Olympic opening ceremony is far more than just a roll call of teams—it’s a symbolic ritual with several layers of significance: Athletes from almost every country march together in one place, under agreed rules, celebrating peaceful competition instead of conflict. Each country enters as a separate delegation, regardless of size, wealth, or political power, reinforcing the idea that all nations are equal on the Olympic stage.
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
•Greece leads the parade to honor the ancient Olympic Games, which began in Olympia around 776 BCE. This tradition directly connects the modern Olympics to their historical roots. The host country traditionally enters last, symbolizing welcome, hospitality, and pride. It also builds anticipation and allows the host to showcase its athletes to a home audience.
•Countries usually march in the alphabetical order of the host nation’s language, not English. This subtly highlights cultural diversity and reminds viewers that the Games belong to the host city and country.
•The parade emphasizes athletes as people and representatives of their cultures, not just competitors. Many viewers first notice lesser-known nations here, giving them global visibility.
•While politics can never be fully absent, the parade is meant to be a temporary truce, echoing the ancient Olympic Truce, where warfare paused during the Games.
Today, Feb. 6, ES second-graders proudly marched in their very own Minisink 2026 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations Opening Ceremony, bringing global spirit, big smiles and Olympic-level enthusiasm to their school!
The world was well represented, with “athletes” from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, R.O.C., South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the U.S! LOOK! Everyone is a GOLD MEDAL winner!
The Parade of Nations in an Olympic opening ceremony is far more than just a roll call of teams—it’s a symbolic ritual with several layers of significance: Athletes from almost every country march together in one place, under agreed rules, celebrating peaceful competition instead of conflict. Each country enters as a separate delegation, regardless of size, wealth, or political power, reinforcing the idea that all nations are equal on the Olympic stage.
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
•Greece leads the parade to honor the ancient Olympic Games, which began in Olympia around 776 BCE. This tradition directly connects the modern Olympics to their historical roots. The host country traditionally enters last, symbolizing welcome, hospitality, and pride. It also builds anticipation and allows the host to showcase its athletes to a home audience.
•Countries usually march in the alphabetical order of the host nation’s language, not English. This subtly highlights cultural diversity and reminds viewers that the Games belong to the host city and country.
•The parade emphasizes athletes as people and representatives of their cultures, not just competitors. Many viewers first notice lesser-known nations here, giving them global visibility.
•While politics can never be fully absent, the parade is meant to be a temporary truce, echoing the ancient Olympic Truce, where warfare paused during the Games.
ART FANS!
Back by request! Sign up today for the High School Art Club’s Feb. 10 “Paint & Snack” fundraiser! Have a wonderful afternoon painting a beautiful spring design under the guidance of a talented upperclassman art student! And, of course, there will be fabulous snacks! Open to all ages, but space is limited. Cost is $12 per adult, $10 per student and $5 for student siblings.
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejmdJqNRluBrCttWfiMsXZ8Cu5-xqk0U9wP3GPo7oXlMKASw/viewform
Back by request! Sign up today for the High School Art Club’s Feb. 10 “Paint & Snack” fundraiser! Have a wonderful afternoon painting a beautiful spring design under the guidance of a talented upperclassman art student! And, of course, there will be fabulous snacks! Open to all ages, but space is limited. Cost is $12 per adult, $10 per student and $5 for student siblings.
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejmdJqNRluBrCttWfiMsXZ8Cu5-xqk0U9wP3GPo7oXlMKASw/viewform
Ilana Kaufman’s ES second-graders are bringing the city to life — creating bold, colorful cityscapes bursting with unique "personalities," inspired by American Pop artist James Rizzi! Take a look!
Known for his vibrant, joyful, and playfully childlike 3D artworks, Mr. Rizzi filled his bustling New York City scenes with smiling, winking, anthropomorphic buildings. He even invented his own signature 3D construction style, layering cut-out pieces from his prints to build lively, multi-dimensional works that practically pop off the page.
Known for his vibrant, joyful, and playfully childlike 3D artworks, Mr. Rizzi filled his bustling New York City scenes with smiling, winking, anthropomorphic buildings. He even invented his own signature 3D construction style, layering cut-out pieces from his prints to build lively, multi-dimensional works that practically pop off the page.
Kudos to the Intermediate School’s “Kindness Ambassadors,” who recently visited our youngest students at the Elementary School to lead them in a kindness lesson. Students listened to Carol McCloud’s “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?”
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this her book encourages positive behavior by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show readers how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by “filling buckets.” While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, the book is a reminder that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our own buckets!
Afterward, the ambassadors oversaw kindness-themed activities for each grade level. This was another wonderful inter-school collaboration between both schools! WELL-DONE, everyone!
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this her book encourages positive behavior by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show readers how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by “filling buckets.” While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, the book is a reminder that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our own buckets!
Afterward, the ambassadors oversaw kindness-themed activities for each grade level. This was another wonderful inter-school collaboration between both schools! WELL-DONE, everyone!
Mary Kelly’s ES second-graders worked together to create a bar graph documenting the class’s collective prediction of whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on Groundhog Day today, Feb. 2!
They know a bar graph is a picture that uses solid bars to show and compare information, or data. It helps students to see which group has “the most” or “the least.” Taller or longer bars mean a bigger number, while shorter bars mean a smaller number.
In a 16-5 result, students felt Punxsutawney Phil would not see his shadow. For Groundhog Day lore believers, that means an early spring!
After the results were tallied, students chatted about the results, with some hoping for warmer weather to come soon while others didn’t. They also realized that warmer weather would mean that warmer weather would mean there would be no more snow days!
It was a fun, seasonal activity tying in math! But Mrs. Kelly added an ELA and art/fine motor skills component to their work, asking them to write about their predictions, and then create their own gorgeous groundhogs!
Other “famous” groundhogs who are annually sought after for their prognostication expertise include: Ohio’s Buckeye Chuck, New York’s Staten Island Chuck, Quebec’s Fred la Marmotte and Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam!
Did you know that yesterday, Jan. 29, was National Puzzle Day?
Marjori Bobish’s ES transitional kindergarteners did, and they took some time to work through three different stations to complete three different types of puzzles!
There was more than puzzle fun involved, as you’d expect. Their work had a cognitive development component to it, as students had the opportunity to work on problem solving skills --- what strategies could they try until they found the pieces fit --- as well being attentive to remembering where the pieces fit.
There was the obvious fine motor skills work of using their fingers to pick up and place pieces as well visual-spatial skills of understanding how the puzzle shapes related to each other. Additionally, these little students had the chance to practice their growing patience and perseverance skills when they kept trying to see how the pieces would fit together.
Finished puzzles gave everyone a sense of accomplishment and created an opportunity to talk about their successes.
Marjori Bobish’s ES transitional kindergarteners did, and they took some time to work through three different stations to complete three different types of puzzles!
There was more than puzzle fun involved, as you’d expect. Their work had a cognitive development component to it, as students had the opportunity to work on problem solving skills --- what strategies could they try until they found the pieces fit --- as well being attentive to remembering where the pieces fit.
There was the obvious fine motor skills work of using their fingers to pick up and place pieces as well visual-spatial skills of understanding how the puzzle shapes related to each other. Additionally, these little students had the chance to practice their growing patience and perseverance skills when they kept trying to see how the pieces would fit together.
Finished puzzles gave everyone a sense of accomplishment and created an opportunity to talk about their successes.
Can you create art using pine cones? YES! You absolutely can!
Just ask Carmela Sill’s ES kindergarteners, who were the recipients of a generous gift of pine cones and art supplies. Her little students have created some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces! Take a peek!
Pine cones are natural, textured and easy to handle, which makes them perfect for creative play and artwork! They’re sensory friendly because of all the shapes and textures to explore and allow for fine motor skill practice, too! PLUS, there’s no right or wrong way to use them!
Just ask Carmela Sill’s ES kindergarteners, who were the recipients of a generous gift of pine cones and art supplies. Her little students have created some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces! Take a peek!
Pine cones are natural, textured and easy to handle, which makes them perfect for creative play and artwork! They’re sensory friendly because of all the shapes and textures to explore and allow for fine motor skill practice, too! PLUS, there’s no right or wrong way to use them!
FINALLY! SNOW!
We bet there's a lot of new snowmen adorning the yards of many of our students! Jenn DiSimone's ES first-graders are quite experienced with making snowmen, as they recently practiced a variation of building their own snowman in class (and it was a great opportunity to further refine fine motor skills!)
PLUS, as a clever ELA component to their work, students were asked to "name" their snowman and complete a Q&A sheet as if they were interviewing that snowman. Too adorable!
COLD PHYSICAL EDUCATION FRESH AIR FUN!
Grades 2–5 students at the Elementary School and Intermediate School traded the gym for the great outdoors during a very cool snow tubing physical education class held yesterday and today, Jan. 23! Bundled up in their winter gear, students took full advantage of the beautiful weather, racing down the hills and enjoying every snowy second.
If your student hasn’t had his/her turn yet, don’t worry — more snow tubing adventures are sliding their way, thanks to our enthusiastic physical education faculty!
Snow tubing is such a fun physical education activity because it combines movement, excitement and inclusivity in a way that doesn’t feel like “exercise” to students.
THANK YOU to the teachers who provided classroom time so younger students could get dressed to go outside and spend the most time possible on the hills! We appreciate you!
Grades 2–5 students at the Elementary School and Intermediate School traded the gym for the great outdoors during a very cool snow tubing physical education class held yesterday and today, Jan. 23! Bundled up in their winter gear, students took full advantage of the beautiful weather, racing down the hills and enjoying every snowy second.
If your student hasn’t had his/her turn yet, don’t worry — more snow tubing adventures are sliding their way, thanks to our enthusiastic physical education faculty!
Snow tubing is such a fun physical education activity because it combines movement, excitement and inclusivity in a way that doesn’t feel like “exercise” to students.
THANK YOU to the teachers who provided classroom time so younger students could get dressed to go outside and spend the most time possible on the hills! We appreciate you!
DO NOT COOK ON FEB. 1!
Who doesn't love a good Burrito Bowl?
Support the High School's Step Dance Team and dine at Chipotle in Middletown! Details are below!
Who doesn't love a good Burrito Bowl?
Support the High School's Step Dance Team and dine at Chipotle in Middletown! Details are below!
PLAY BALL! Support the PTO and have a great time at a New York Yankees game at this fun PTO fundraiser!
New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins!
--- Saturday, April 4
--- 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
--- Tickets: $45 each for Terrace Level seating
--- Online ticket sales close March 1
--- Tickets will be delivered digitally to the email address provided.
--- Transportation is NOT provided.
Purchase tickets here: https://minisink-pto-yankee-game.square.site/
Ilana Kaufman’s ES kindergarteners are using a variety of materials to create vibrant and one-of-a-kind buildings, guided by their imaginations and the inspiration of artist Mary Blair. We bet many of you are looking at these wonderful creations and thinking: “Where have I seen something similar?”
Artist Mary Blair was an American artist and designer, famous for her vibrant, modernist style that influenced Walt Disney's classic films like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, and iconic attractions like Disney’s “It’s a Small World” slow boat ride at all its parks worldwide. She is thought of as shaping Disney's post-war aesthetic with bold colors, whimsical characters and imaginative compositions.
Artist Mary Blair was an American artist and designer, famous for her vibrant, modernist style that influenced Walt Disney's classic films like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, and iconic attractions like Disney’s “It’s a Small World” slow boat ride at all its parks worldwide. She is thought of as shaping Disney's post-war aesthetic with bold colors, whimsical characters and imaginative compositions.
Cliff Loretto’s ES second-grade music students are working on reading and performing simple rhythmic patterns in duple meter, with an emphasis on visually decoding notation and transferring that understanding to performance.
Students are engaging with familiar and unfamiliar song material as part of Unit 1 of the Conversational Solfege curriculum, which emphasizes sound-before-symbol learning, audiation and the gradual development of rhythmic literacy.
As part of this, students were practicing a clapping ostinato used to accompany the playground song “Money Honey.” Prior to this, students listened to Mr. Loretto model the song, reinforcing internalized pitch and steady beat before formal singing was introduced. This preparatory work supports rhythmic accuracy, ensemble skills, and musical independence as students prepare to learn and perform the song themselves later this month.
•Duple meter is a way music is organized using groups of two beats: Weak and strong. When young students learn about this, they’re learning to feel the beat, count aloud, emphasizing “beat 1,” and create and repeat simple patterns.
• Teaching decoding notation to second graders helps them to understand, perform, and create music independently, just as learning letters helps them read and write.
•A clapping ostinato is a short rhythm pattern that is clapped repeatedly while other music is happening.
Students are engaging with familiar and unfamiliar song material as part of Unit 1 of the Conversational Solfege curriculum, which emphasizes sound-before-symbol learning, audiation and the gradual development of rhythmic literacy.
As part of this, students were practicing a clapping ostinato used to accompany the playground song “Money Honey.” Prior to this, students listened to Mr. Loretto model the song, reinforcing internalized pitch and steady beat before formal singing was introduced. This preparatory work supports rhythmic accuracy, ensemble skills, and musical independence as students prepare to learn and perform the song themselves later this month.
•Duple meter is a way music is organized using groups of two beats: Weak and strong. When young students learn about this, they’re learning to feel the beat, count aloud, emphasizing “beat 1,” and create and repeat simple patterns.
• Teaching decoding notation to second graders helps them to understand, perform, and create music independently, just as learning letters helps them read and write.
•A clapping ostinato is a short rhythm pattern that is clapped repeatedly while other music is happening.
Ilana Kaufman’s ES second-grade art students are creating some stunningly colorful symmetrical paper masks!
Students looked at masks from around the world including Venetian carnival masks, African Festima masks, and Aztec masks, talking about the use of different materials and patterns. Students are focusing on symmetry and layering paper to make unique paper mask collages. Mask symmetry is important because balanced features help create a sense of harmony and order. Symmetry can also make masks easier to recognize and understand, especially in cultural or ceremonial contexts.
• Venetian carnival masks are traditional masks worn during the Carnival of Venice, historically allowing people to hide their identity and social status. They’re known for ornate designs featuring gold leaf, bright colors, feathers, and symbolic shapes.
• African Festima masks are traditional masks showcased during FESTIMA (Festival International des Masques et des Arts) in Burkina Faso, celebrating the cultural heritage of West African communities. They’re worn in ceremonial dances and performances and often represent spirits, ancestors or natural forces through bold shapes and patterns.
• Aztec masks were ceremonial objects used in rituals, religious ceremonies, and burials in ancient Mesoamerica. They were often made from stone, wood, or turquoise mosaic and represented gods, animals, or powerful spiritual forces.
Students looked at masks from around the world including Venetian carnival masks, African Festima masks, and Aztec masks, talking about the use of different materials and patterns. Students are focusing on symmetry and layering paper to make unique paper mask collages. Mask symmetry is important because balanced features help create a sense of harmony and order. Symmetry can also make masks easier to recognize and understand, especially in cultural or ceremonial contexts.
• Venetian carnival masks are traditional masks worn during the Carnival of Venice, historically allowing people to hide their identity and social status. They’re known for ornate designs featuring gold leaf, bright colors, feathers, and symbolic shapes.
• African Festima masks are traditional masks showcased during FESTIMA (Festival International des Masques et des Arts) in Burkina Faso, celebrating the cultural heritage of West African communities. They’re worn in ceremonial dances and performances and often represent spirits, ancestors or natural forces through bold shapes and patterns.
• Aztec masks were ceremonial objects used in rituals, religious ceremonies, and burials in ancient Mesoamerica. They were often made from stone, wood, or turquoise mosaic and represented gods, animals, or powerful spiritual forces.
Today’s ES “culinary cuteness” is brought to you by the letters “P” “M” and “S”… for you know what!
It’s also our friendly reminder every student is entitled to FREE breakfast and lunch each day. Skip the morning rush, save some money, and let your student enjoy our Food Services team's healthy and tasty meals!
It’s also our friendly reminder every student is entitled to FREE breakfast and lunch each day. Skip the morning rush, save some money, and let your student enjoy our Food Services team's healthy and tasty meals!
Like all district first-graders, Stephanie Hoffman’s ES first-graders have been practicing the solving of a variety of addition and subtraction word problems within 20. They worked with situations involving “adding to,” “taking from,” “putting together,” “taking apart,” and “comparing,” including problems with unknowns in all positions. They’re really good at this, too!
As part of their work, students represented their thinking by using drawings, objects and number sentences to model each problem. They also solved “how many more” comparison problems, demonstrating their understanding through visual representations and equations with unknowns.
This important math work ensures students can effectively model and solve one-step word problems using both addition and subtraction. This also helps students to them build a foundation for understanding comparison and equality in mathematical situations.
As part of their work, students represented their thinking by using drawings, objects and number sentences to model each problem. They also solved “how many more” comparison problems, demonstrating their understanding through visual representations and equations with unknowns.
This important math work ensures students can effectively model and solve one-step word problems using both addition and subtraction. This also helps students to them build a foundation for understanding comparison and equality in mathematical situations.
