Anthony Pascarelli’s ES kindergarteners, like all district kindergarteners, are working on developing and perfecting their manipulative skills in physical education class. Take a peek!
Manipulative skills are practiced in physical education to achieve expertise in a particular activity. Children learn and require patience and determination to attain basic manipulation skills, as well as learning accuracy and applicable force.
In this instance, students are throwing and catching using a bean bag. And, Mr. Pascarelli is showing them some challenges, or “tricks” as he’s telling them, that they can do on their own with a bean bag. If you have one at home, ask your student to show you!
Manipulative skills are practiced in physical education to achieve expertise in a particular activity. Children learn and require patience and determination to attain basic manipulation skills, as well as learning accuracy and applicable force.
In this instance, students are throwing and catching using a bean bag. And, Mr. Pascarelli is showing them some challenges, or “tricks” as he’s telling them, that they can do on their own with a bean bag. If you have one at home, ask your student to show you!
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO ALL DRIVERS:
The district has equipped its entire bus fleet with cameras to catch vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus. If you see a bus’ red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, STOP! Otherwise, you and the vehicle you’re driving will be photographed and you WILL GET A $250 FINE.
Don't say we didn't tell you: Please pay attention and drive safe!
READ MORE: https://www.minisink.com/article/2365311
The district has equipped its entire bus fleet with cameras to catch vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus. If you see a bus’ red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, STOP! Otherwise, you and the vehicle you’re driving will be photographed and you WILL GET A $250 FINE.
Don't say we didn't tell you: Please pay attention and drive safe!
READ MORE: https://www.minisink.com/article/2365311
Joseph Ferara’s and Nicole Ruggiero’s ES second-grade classes finished off their recent measuring unit by going outdoors to measure some of their favorite things: Playground equipment!
Working in pairs, students were given meters and rulers to document their measurements on paper. While outside, they chose different objects to measure and had to determine whether they should use a ruler or a meter stick. They drew a picture of the object they measured and labeled it with their measurements.
Learning how to measure in second-grade is important because it builds a foundational skill for understanding and interacting with the world, enhances problem-solving abilities, and develops crucial cognitive skills like spatial awareness. PLUS: Measuring skills directly apply to everyday tasks such as cooking or assembling items and is a fundamental concept in math and science.
Rulers are used to measure shorter objects, like a pencil or an eraser, and a meter stick (or yardstick) for longer objects, like a table or the distance across a classroom. To decide which tool to use, think about the size of the object you are measuring: smaller objects need shorter tools, and larger objects need longer tools.
Working in pairs, students were given meters and rulers to document their measurements on paper. While outside, they chose different objects to measure and had to determine whether they should use a ruler or a meter stick. They drew a picture of the object they measured and labeled it with their measurements.
Learning how to measure in second-grade is important because it builds a foundational skill for understanding and interacting with the world, enhances problem-solving abilities, and develops crucial cognitive skills like spatial awareness. PLUS: Measuring skills directly apply to everyday tasks such as cooking or assembling items and is a fundamental concept in math and science.
Rulers are used to measure shorter objects, like a pencil or an eraser, and a meter stick (or yardstick) for longer objects, like a table or the distance across a classroom. To decide which tool to use, think about the size of the object you are measuring: smaller objects need shorter tools, and larger objects need longer tools.
Emelia Chrobak's ES first-graders are combining seasonality and science work!
Take a peek at the spooky skeletons, made with Q-tips! Students completed their projects while learning about the skeletal system during their Human Body unit! students labeled several bones and added a few sentences to describe what their skeletons help them do or what they would not be able to do with them!
This was a great STEM lesson which offered a hands-on and creative learning activity combining simple materials with the spooky theme of Halloween and the learning of human anatomy!
Take a peek at the spooky skeletons, made with Q-tips! Students completed their projects while learning about the skeletal system during their Human Body unit! students labeled several bones and added a few sentences to describe what their skeletons help them do or what they would not be able to do with them!
This was a great STEM lesson which offered a hands-on and creative learning activity combining simple materials with the spooky theme of Halloween and the learning of human anatomy!
BE BOLD! BE COLD!
FREEZE FOR A GREAT CAUSE!
Minisink Valley is again creating a team for the 2025 Orange County Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics New York! The plunge will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Rez in Highland Mills!
JOIN OUR TEAM and help us retain our title as the “Cool School Challenge” winner! Last year, Minisink Valley won the 2024 Cool School Challenge (retaining this title earned in 2023) and raised $4,022! We are looking to exceed this amount this year!
The “Cool School Challenge” is a friendly competition between local schools as part of the 2025 Orange County Polar Plunge. Not only are our school clubs and teams as well as families and students invited to join us our team, we’re looking for community members to be a part of it, too! It was great to see the large number of people participating last year and we’re hopeful to see this number grow this year!
Director of PPS Jeff Finton is overseeing Minisink Valley’s efforts to create a team. JOIN US and BE COLD: Email Jeff Finton at: jfinton@minisink.com.
Thank you for whatever you’re able to do to support this initiative!
Angela Dombal’s and Jordan Procak’s ES kindergarteners recently welcomed Amy King from Sleepy Hills Orchard for a wonderful visit about apples!
Ms. King talked to their little students about different types of apples and the life cycle and different types. After the presentation, students rotated through three stations:
Station 1: Read a Scholastic Weekly Reader that included more information about apples.
Station 2: Work on fine motor skills by completing an apple craft.
Station 3: A delicious apple taste test! Students tasted apples and graphed their favorite as part of a math lesson!
Thank you, Ms. King, for the wonderful visit and knowledge shared!
Graphing is important in kindergarten because it helps children develop foundational math skills like sorting, counting, and comparing quantities, while also fostering crucial critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through hands-on, visual representation of data. Early graphing introduces children to interpreting and organizing information, sparks curiosity, and builds a positive foundation for future academic success in math and beyond!
Ms. King talked to their little students about different types of apples and the life cycle and different types. After the presentation, students rotated through three stations:
Station 1: Read a Scholastic Weekly Reader that included more information about apples.
Station 2: Work on fine motor skills by completing an apple craft.
Station 3: A delicious apple taste test! Students tasted apples and graphed their favorite as part of a math lesson!
Thank you, Ms. King, for the wonderful visit and knowledge shared!
Graphing is important in kindergarten because it helps children develop foundational math skills like sorting, counting, and comparing quantities, while also fostering crucial critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through hands-on, visual representation of data. Early graphing introduces children to interpreting and organizing information, sparks curiosity, and builds a positive foundation for future academic success in math and beyond!
Maureen Cardinale’s ES first-graders are excelling at partner reading!
Take a peek at their recent session, where students selected two books each and took turns reading to each other as well as the rules and operations behind partner reading.
Her students fully understand that in partner reading, they should sit near each other, put the book in the middle, decide how the book is going to be read, decide who’s going to go first (Usually, rock – paper – scissors determine this!). They’ve also figured out how to be a learner and be a teacher and help each other out along the way! Well-done to everyone!
Partner reading boosts fluency, builds confidence, and enhances concentration through shared reading of connected text. It provides a supportive, low-pressure environment for practicing reading skills while allowing students to increase the time they spend reading orally. PLUS! The social aspect of partner reading improves motivation, fosters positive social interactions and helps children develop comprehension skills as they discuss the text together.
Take a peek at their recent session, where students selected two books each and took turns reading to each other as well as the rules and operations behind partner reading.
Her students fully understand that in partner reading, they should sit near each other, put the book in the middle, decide how the book is going to be read, decide who’s going to go first (Usually, rock – paper – scissors determine this!). They’ve also figured out how to be a learner and be a teacher and help each other out along the way! Well-done to everyone!
Partner reading boosts fluency, builds confidence, and enhances concentration through shared reading of connected text. It provides a supportive, low-pressure environment for practicing reading skills while allowing students to increase the time they spend reading orally. PLUS! The social aspect of partner reading improves motivation, fosters positive social interactions and helps children develop comprehension skills as they discuss the text together.
Kindergarten music classes are always so cute!
Take a peek at Cliff Loretto’s ES kindergarteners happily involved in their recent “First Steps in Music” work. This is part of the curriculum for all district kindergarteners which focuses on “movement for form and expression.” What better way to be expressive than by listening to Anton Dvořák’s “Humoresque,” one of his most well-known works. Activities like this help children experience the expressive qualities in music through movement experiencing musical form through organized movements.
Following this, they transitioned into similar work singing the spoken chant called, “Chop Chop Chippity Chop," which teaches about steady beat through repetitive actions and a steady rhythm, often using hand motions like chopping to a beat, similar to preparing ingredients for soup! They had some interesting ingredients, too, such as carrots, broccoli and noodles!
Dvořák's "Humoresque," referring to the famous Humoresque No. 7 from his piano cycle Humoresques, Op. 101 (1894), is a highly popular, light-hearted character piece known for its catchy, whimsical melody and cheerful mood, featuring characteristics such as pentatonic melodies and syncopated rhythms. The piece was so successful that it was arranged for various instruments.
Take a peek at Cliff Loretto’s ES kindergarteners happily involved in their recent “First Steps in Music” work. This is part of the curriculum for all district kindergarteners which focuses on “movement for form and expression.” What better way to be expressive than by listening to Anton Dvořák’s “Humoresque,” one of his most well-known works. Activities like this help children experience the expressive qualities in music through movement experiencing musical form through organized movements.
Following this, they transitioned into similar work singing the spoken chant called, “Chop Chop Chippity Chop," which teaches about steady beat through repetitive actions and a steady rhythm, often using hand motions like chopping to a beat, similar to preparing ingredients for soup! They had some interesting ingredients, too, such as carrots, broccoli and noodles!
Dvořák's "Humoresque," referring to the famous Humoresque No. 7 from his piano cycle Humoresques, Op. 101 (1894), is a highly popular, light-hearted character piece known for its catchy, whimsical melody and cheerful mood, featuring characteristics such as pentatonic melodies and syncopated rhythms. The piece was so successful that it was arranged for various instruments.
WE'RE GOING PINK! Join us !
FUN! FUN! FUN!
Take a peek at our students who attend the Middletown YMCA's Club Kid before/after school program at our ES/IS campuses. Our YMCA partners offer our Minisink Valley families safe. affordable before or after school child care at our two campuses and are loaded with indoor/outdoor fun, socialization and even homework time! We bet you recognize many faces!
To learn more about Club Kid, visit: https://middletownymca.org/club-kid/
Take a peek at our students who attend the Middletown YMCA's Club Kid before/after school program at our ES/IS campuses. Our YMCA partners offer our Minisink Valley families safe. affordable before or after school child care at our two campuses and are loaded with indoor/outdoor fun, socialization and even homework time! We bet you recognize many faces!
To learn more about Club Kid, visit: https://middletownymca.org/club-kid/
Tiffany Guareno’s and Bridget Kelly’s ES kindergarteners recently heard the read aloud “Chrysanthemum” book by Kevin Henkes! This read aloud book is about a mouse named Chrysanthemum, who loves her long, unique name until she starts kindergarten and her classmates tease her for it, causing her to feel insecure and sad.
The story explores themes of self-esteem, the hurt caused by teasing and bullying, and the importance of celebrating individuality. Chrysanthemum’s pride is eventually restored when her kind music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, announces her own new baby will be named Chrysanthemum! It was a great opportunity for students to talk about the uniqueness of their names!
As a follow-up project, students used shredded colored paper to spell out their names in a bright and cheery way. And, it was another opportunity for them to practice important fine motor skills!
The story explores themes of self-esteem, the hurt caused by teasing and bullying, and the importance of celebrating individuality. Chrysanthemum’s pride is eventually restored when her kind music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, announces her own new baby will be named Chrysanthemum! It was a great opportunity for students to talk about the uniqueness of their names!
As a follow-up project, students used shredded colored paper to spell out their names in a bright and cheery way. And, it was another opportunity for them to practice important fine motor skills!
Our district kindergarteners are doing so many “big kid” things during these opening weeks of school, and that now includes checking out books from their schools’ libraries! Take a peek at Mia McLean’s ES kindergarten library students, who, like all kindergarteners, are learning the checkout process. They’re really good at it, too!
Kindergarten library class is important because it builds crucial early literacy skills by promoting a love of reading, expanding vocabulary, and developing language arts concepts in a fun and engaging way, supporting what’s going on in the classroom setting. It also teaches fundamental library and social skills, such as how to handle books, use library resources, and interact positively with peers in a community setting.
Kindergarten library class is important because it builds crucial early literacy skills by promoting a love of reading, expanding vocabulary, and developing language arts concepts in a fun and engaging way, supporting what’s going on in the classroom setting. It also teaches fundamental library and social skills, such as how to handle books, use library resources, and interact positively with peers in a community setting.
FINE MOTOR SKILL FUN!
Sally Mankoo’s ES kindergarteners had a great time with this recent fine motor skill activity: Rolling a cube and then replicating the “line” shown on the cube as a “hair” (and later, multiple hairs) on a drawing of a child’s face. Take a peek at the results and the "classy coiffures" in their drawings!
In addition to fine motor skills practice, this activity aligns itself with the district’s Amplify Skills curriculum. This literacy program focuses on foundational reading and writing skills like phonemic awareness and handwriting. While specific crayon size isn't a core component of the curriculum, many teachers use smaller crayons to improve grip and fine motor control in young learners, which supports the handwriting and letter formation practices found in this curriculum. The small crayons increase the likelihood of students grasping the writing utensil with the preferred tripod or pincer grip.
Sally Mankoo’s ES kindergarteners had a great time with this recent fine motor skill activity: Rolling a cube and then replicating the “line” shown on the cube as a “hair” (and later, multiple hairs) on a drawing of a child’s face. Take a peek at the results and the "classy coiffures" in their drawings!
In addition to fine motor skills practice, this activity aligns itself with the district’s Amplify Skills curriculum. This literacy program focuses on foundational reading and writing skills like phonemic awareness and handwriting. While specific crayon size isn't a core component of the curriculum, many teachers use smaller crayons to improve grip and fine motor control in young learners, which supports the handwriting and letter formation practices found in this curriculum. The small crayons increase the likelihood of students grasping the writing utensil with the preferred tripod or pincer grip.
CAN YOU HELP?
As part of their efforts to increase awareness this month (which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) about pediatric cancer treatments and research and to support families dealing with pediatric cancers, the High School’s Youth Against Cancer Club (which is leading the district’s Going Gold Day on Sept. 30) is undertaking a drive to collect coloring books, crayons, books and stuffed toys for pediatric patients at Garnet Medical Center now through Oct. 11.
Collection boxes have been placed in all five buildings and the district’s Transportation Center. If you’re interested in being a part of this effort and joining the students and faculty/staff who are taking part, please email Club Advisor Erin Natalizio at enatalizio@minisink.com.
As part of their efforts to increase awareness this month (which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) about pediatric cancer treatments and research and to support families dealing with pediatric cancers, the High School’s Youth Against Cancer Club (which is leading the district’s Going Gold Day on Sept. 30) is undertaking a drive to collect coloring books, crayons, books and stuffed toys for pediatric patients at Garnet Medical Center now through Oct. 11.
Collection boxes have been placed in all five buildings and the district’s Transportation Center. If you’re interested in being a part of this effort and joining the students and faculty/staff who are taking part, please email Club Advisor Erin Natalizio at enatalizio@minisink.com.
This beautiful fall weather sets the stage for FALL CRAFTS!
Carmela Sill’s ES kindergarteners are doing just that, and are getting some terrific fine motor skill work in as part of their project work!
Students worked on strengthening fine motor skills by ripping tissue paper and construction paper to glue onto fall pictures. Soon, they will bring them home for proud families to display!
Fine motor skill work is crucial in kindergarten because it develops the dexterity needed for essential self-care tasks like eating and dressing, supports the academic skills of writing and drawing, and builds independence and confidence while setting a strong foundation for future learning and success in school.
Carmela Sill’s ES kindergarteners are doing just that, and are getting some terrific fine motor skill work in as part of their project work!
Students worked on strengthening fine motor skills by ripping tissue paper and construction paper to glue onto fall pictures. Soon, they will bring them home for proud families to display!
Fine motor skill work is crucial in kindergarten because it develops the dexterity needed for essential self-care tasks like eating and dressing, supports the academic skills of writing and drawing, and builds independence and confidence while setting a strong foundation for future learning and success in school.
Elementary School kindergarteners celebrated International Peace Day today, Sept. 22, with a very special Peace Parade!
Students and faculty paraded around the ES/IS bus loop to music, holding class crafts and/or wearing special “peace hats” to mark the day. A shared experience like today's peace parade created a sense of unity, belonging, and shared purpose for them! The entire experience helps to build good character by reinforcing values like empathy, kindness, and compassion, and more, towards others. Aren’t they just too cute?
International Peace Day, marked annually on Sept. 21, is a United Nations established global holiday dedicated to promoting peace and harmony worldwide, and for children, it's a chance to learn about empathy, respect, and how to resolve conflicts peacefully. Schools and communities use the day to encourage kindness, global citizenship and non-violence.
See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD
Meghan Donahue’s ES students have been using their hands, ears, arms and brains altogether to learn in different ways through “Whole Body Learning,” ensuring multimodal (one mode or method to accomplish something) understanding and practice!
Students practiced writing letters, numbers and their names using Play Doh and shaving cream, using all of their senses to make these skills stick! Sensory learning allows students to use their whole bodies and our whole brains to better their understanding!
•Whole-body learning is an educational approach that integrates physical movement and sensory experiences with traditional academic learning to enhance cognitive function, information retention, and engagement. By engaging the whole body, it caters to various learning styles, boosts motor coordination, increases blood flow to the brain, and makes learning more dynamic and effective, especially for young children.
•Sensory learning is a method of education where information is acquired by actively engaging the five primary senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—to create a more profound and lasting understanding. This hands-on, experiential approach allows individuals to explore, interact with, and understand their environment more effectively.
Students practiced writing letters, numbers and their names using Play Doh and shaving cream, using all of their senses to make these skills stick! Sensory learning allows students to use their whole bodies and our whole brains to better their understanding!
•Whole-body learning is an educational approach that integrates physical movement and sensory experiences with traditional academic learning to enhance cognitive function, information retention, and engagement. By engaging the whole body, it caters to various learning styles, boosts motor coordination, increases blood flow to the brain, and makes learning more dynamic and effective, especially for young children.
•Sensory learning is a method of education where information is acquired by actively engaging the five primary senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—to create a more profound and lasting understanding. This hands-on, experiential approach allows individuals to explore, interact with, and understand their environment more effectively.
Tracey Salinardi'S ES second-graders, like all district second-graders are in the midst of number bond review during their math lessons!
Reviewing previous year's work at the start of second-grade reinforces foundational skills and builds a strong bridge to new, more advanced material. Teachers can assess prior knowledge and best understand individual student needs to create a more effective learning environment for everyone!
A number bond shows a "part-part-whole" relationship between numbers, where two smaller numbers (parts) combine to make a larger number (the whole). These visual diagrams demonstrate how numbers can be broken apart (decomposed) and put back together (composed), forming a foundation for understanding addition and subtraction and developing number sense.
Reviewing previous year's work at the start of second-grade reinforces foundational skills and builds a strong bridge to new, more advanced material. Teachers can assess prior knowledge and best understand individual student needs to create a more effective learning environment for everyone!
A number bond shows a "part-part-whole" relationship between numbers, where two smaller numbers (parts) combine to make a larger number (the whole). These visual diagrams demonstrate how numbers can be broken apart (decomposed) and put back together (composed), forming a foundation for understanding addition and subtraction and developing number sense.
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCT. 6:
PLEASE SHARE! Support the great work of the Minisink Valley PTO and update your wardrobe with some fabulous, new Minisink Valley apparel, which includes some terrific Otisville Elementary swag, too! There's SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, backpacks, hoodies, and winter hats!
Be sure to click on this link and see all that's available: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/STZMLw6Sfm
PLEASE SHARE! Support the great work of the Minisink Valley PTO and update your wardrobe with some fabulous, new Minisink Valley apparel, which includes some terrific Otisville Elementary swag, too! There's SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, backpacks, hoodies, and winter hats!
Be sure to click on this link and see all that's available: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/STZMLw6Sfm
TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY! Mark your calendars! We're going GOLD!
Call for photos: Share a photo of your student in yellow/gold attire!
