Minisink Valley Middle School

TODAY's EIGHTH-GRADE PICNIC at the Town of Greenville Park was a fabulous day to honor these soon-to-be high school freshmen! The day was perfect for this outing! Take a peek! There are so many people who made today possible through their planning and organizational efforts. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to today's successful picnic!

BASEBALL SUMMER CAMP BEGINS JUNE 30! REGISTER NOW so you don't miss out! Click here for details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17maPASCQQQ368vgQWKSLDqX3D0d2LuCg/edit

Seventh-grade students took a recent field trip to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point! This trip venue was selected for its rich historical significance and its powerful connections to the New York State Social Studies curriculum. As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution nears, this visit offered students the chance to explore local history with national impact. West Point played a key role in the Revolutionary War and continues to serve as a symbol of leadership, service, and civic responsibility. Students were able to connect their classroom studies of the American Revolution, early U.S. government, civic responsibility and geography to a site of real historical significance. During the visit, students explored the role of West Point in shaping the nation’s military history and its strategic importance during the Revolutionary War. This hands-on experience brought classroom learning to life, deepening student understanding of topics such as the founding principles of our nation, U.S. geography, and the structure of our government and military institutions.

Matthew Finck’s general music students are in the midst of completing their Podcast Unit! Students have broken off into two or three--person teams, created 10 questions to ask their interviewees and then recorded the conversation in Soundtrap, a web-based, digital audio workstation (DAW). Using Soundtrap, the students can create their own songs as well as their own podcasts using the Music Department’s microphones or the Chromebooks’ built-in microphone. They created a podcast name and decided what its focus. Some chose sports while others discussed movies or even celebrity gossip. Soon, they will create music in Soundtrap which they’ll use for their introductions and breaks between their interviews. The last component is creating a parody advertisement, a sponsor for their podcast. (“This podcast is brought to you by…”) Using Soundtrap, students are able to develop interviewing and microphone techniques as well as how to create music using loops that are layered to create full songs. Once everything is recorded using the recording studios, they put it all together and submit their completed episodes. The final step in the completion of this project is when everyone gathers in class to listen to the episodes What fun, out-of-the-box music project that aligns itself with current societal trends! •Podcasts have gained immense popularity due to a combination of factors, including their accessibility, versatility, and ability to engage listeners in a multi-tasking-friendly way. They offer a wide range of content and the convenience of listening “on the go.” The ease of accessing podcasts on smartphones also contribute to their popularity. •Podcasting's growing popularity reflects several societal trends: a desire for longer-form, engaging content; increased use of digital devices for audio consumption; and a shift toward personalized learning and entertainment. Podcasts offer a unique combination of entertainment, education, and social connection, appealing to a wide audience.

INCOMING SIXTH-GRADE FAMILIES: Friendly reminder: Don't miss out on signing up your student for the Middle School's Project Cooperation! Registration deadline is Friday, June 13! Its themes of building leadership, confidence, and self-esteem are those we're sure you want your student to be a part of! The entire Project Cooperation staff is looking forward to a few days of fun, excitement, and adventure. LEARN MORE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R9GPj_719wo01a0Hz-xTfGY4YnWEU6noBdpepJGrqWA/edit?tab=t.0 REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HjWpMCCpbATVJykGSm94yRKl5qrJ5wQGAVJyO_CMjow/edit?tab=t.0

TOO COOL! Middle School technology teacher Teresia Parker recently worked with small group of students after school to work in NASA's SPARX (Sparking Participation and Real-world eXperiences) program. The Engineering Design Process (EDP) is an iterative process involving a series of steps that engineers use to guide them as they solve problems and is crucial to mission success at NASA. SPARX provides educators with hands-on, standards-based activities, and related training resources, to bring EDP to their students. Students utilized the engineering design process to learn about the challenges and difficulties of exploring other worlds and applied that engineering design process to help the NASA Mars AstroBio Bot to complete its mission on Mars. For this particular challenge, students needed to design wheels that would help the rover move over the surface of Mars. Students used challenge specific materials and tested their designs in the “MS Mars Yard,” modeled after JPL's Mars Yard. There were plenty of failures and lots of learning. “Space is hard,but our students will continue to learn about the world around them and engineer solutions to make our world a better place,” said Mrs. Parker. “By completing these challenges, participants join NASA as part of the next generation of explorers

Thank you to New York State Troopers Brendan Hoolan and Jared Vonderheide, who visited Teresia Parker's Eighth-Grade Computer/Innovation Class on June 3 with some awesome drones! It was the perfect visit to support students’ learning about flight and science through “Project Lead the Way.” Students are learning about the four forces of flight (gravity, lift, thrust, drag) and flight controls (pitch, yaw, roll). Troopers Hoolan and Vonderheide reviewed these concepts and talked to students about drone operation, parts of a drone and how drones are now regularly used in New York State Police operations for many different reasons. After their presentation, students went outdoors and Trooper Hoolan flew the drone and reviewed flight concepts in action. This also included a review and discussion of the necessary pre-flight procedural requirements for drone flight. Once the drone was airborne, students were able to see a "bird’s eye" live view via an app. Students learned the science behind drone flight, but they also learned the important lesson of how first responders are using technology to keep communities safe….as well as a "drone pilot" is a future career option! New York law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, are increasingly utilizing drones for various purposes, including public safety, first responder support, evidence collection, general surveillance, search and rescue and disaster response.

Thank you to members of the American Legion George Smith Post 1607, who visited Ashley Beairsto’s and Debbie Orrio's sixth-grade class to teach the students about Memorial Day last Friday, May 30. Veterans Earl Demberg, Ronnie Aillet, Paul Gale, and Art Olah shared stories of their time in the military and shared positive messages of hard work and dedication to our country. Becky Olah of the Ladies Auxiliary presented a history of Memorial Day and handed out poppies to the students with the help of Raegan Depola, a Post 1607 junior auxilian. The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30,1868, so their visit this past Friday made the day an extra special one.

Thank you to the Middle School Yearbook, for treating all Middle School faculty and staff to a cool treat of their choice from “The Ice Mother” today, June 1! June is a busy month for Middle School staff: The Eighth-Grade Send-off Dance is this Friday; Otisville fifth-graders visit the campus on June 9 and Intermediate School fifth-graders visit on June 10; core curriculum finals are held on June 12 through 17 in addition to the Living Environment Regents on June 17 and the Algebra 1 Regents on June 18! Yearbook distribution is June 16; the eighth-grade picnic is June 20 following the eighth-grade foreign language exam; and Field Day is June 24!

HOW SWEET AND ENCOURAGING IS THIS? The Girls Modified track team has been busy making these special “clips” using regular clothes pins and writing positive words or phases before a home game and secretly clipping them onto an opposing team member’s bag or shirt. It’s a Tik Tok trend initiated by volleyball players, and Head Coach Nicole Van Pelt asked her team if they’d like to join in! The team immediately agreed and created over 80 clothes pins with inspiring messaging for their Port Jervis opponents during a recent home match. “We’re leaving ‘the visiting’ with an abundance of encouraging messages,” she said. “The girls jumped at the opportunity to partake in continuing Minisink’s reputable sportsmanship atmosphere, and to spread kindness.” WELL-DONE, EVERYONE! Take a peek at their kind, inspirational clips!

Please support the good work of the Minisink Valley PTO and purchase an ULTIMATE DISCOUNT CARD! This fundraiser concludes Saturday, June 7! Get all the details via this link: https://www.ultimatefundraisinginc.com/discount-card-store/physical

The Middle School’s Minisink Motivates Club recently traveled up to the Elementary School for their second annual reading of the "Weird" series by Erin Frankel to second-grade classrooms. Middle schoolers read a story from the series and then completed an activity with students. It’s another great example of positive inter-school relationships! Middle school students and elementary school students had a great time interacting with one another and completing the activity. Take a peek at this wonderful example of inter-school cooperation and relationships! In one book read to some students, Luisa gets made fun of for her polka dotted boots. She comes to find that they are just one thing that makes her unique. Students used a chart paper in the shape of a rain boot and received two polka dots. They decorated one in their own creative way. On the other one, they wrote something that makes them unique or something nice about themselves. Each of the students' polka dots were put onto the poster as a reminder of how special they are. Other students were read a book about Jayla, a bystander who gets involved in a way that she isn't proud of. She is "dared" to do things that are unkind. Jayla is very interested in the solar system and even does a project on it. Each of these students were given stars to decorate and write on to put on a solar system poster. Lastly, some students were read a book about Sam, the story’s bully. Students learned where her bullying behavior stems from. She loves to play guitar so the students put hearts on a guitar poster, which also included decorating one and writing a note on the other. “No matter which book they were read, the message ended up being the same,” said co-advisor Lauren Pullen. “Everyone deserves to be accepted and know that they are special in their own way. After reading, our members helped each of the second-grade students talk about, identify, and write qualities that make them feel special. Our hope leaving this visit is always that students understand the importance of accepting and celebrating others for who they are, as well as loving themselves for what makes them different.”

The tradition continues! The High School Marching Band and the Middle School Band again represented the district with distinction yesterday, May 27, in the Unionville Memorial Day Parade! It was a gorgeous day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation, and the district was honored to be a part of the events of the afternoon. This included a stop at the Unionville Cemetery, where students Vincent Galligan and Drew Jashembowski and played solemn taps. Senior Audrey Guido was the student speaker and guest speaker was County Executive Steve Neuhaus.

Middle School runners "On your mark, get set, go!" The Fastest Runner competition is set for Monday, June 9! The deadline to register is Wednesday, June 4! We invite you to register your student to be part of this physically fun event! Scan the QR code for details and thanks for sharing!

Last evening's K-12 Art Show was beyond beautiful! It was bright, colorful, unique creative and full of pride by everyone who attended! We hope you were there! Take a peek at some of our proud student-artists who were thrilled to show their works of art. Did you know that approximately 1,000 students had at least one piece of art on exhibit? THANK YOU to our awesome art faculty in our five buildings for their work to stage such a gorgeous exhibit! We appreciate you! See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD

Sixth-graders recently had a fantastic class trip to the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Lyndhurst, N.J.! Their trip supported their Social Studies work focusing on the Middle Ages by providing an immersive and interactive learning experience! It was a great opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-life understanding of the period through this great dining and theatrical performance opportunity. Take a look! See more photos on the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD •The medieval era, often called the Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, began around 476 A.D. following a great loss of power throughout Europe by the Roman Empire. The Middle Ages span roughly 1,000 years, ending between 1400 and 1450. Though, in Spain, 1492 is considered the end of their medieval period and the beginning of the modern era. •The Middle Ages changed the landscape of Europe through: A surge in Christianity leading to the building of great cathedrals; clearing of large tracts of land by peasants; settling of new towns and villages; and the building of great castles by local nobility The period was one of human expansion, centralization and great political upheaval and violence, resulting in the foundation of many modern European countries.

IMPROV FUN! The High School and Middle School drama clubs recently gathered for a special joint “Yes and…” Improv workshop, led by teachers Teresia Parker, Brendan O’Brien and alumnus Haley Parker who are members of Richmond, Virginia’s ComedySportz performance team! They learned new skills, made new friends and had a lot of fun. “Through a series of activities and improvisational games students bolstered their dramatic art skills and learned life lessons,” said Mrs. Parker. “They learned how to think on their feet, actively listen, trust their teammates, and experience the positive outcomes of saying ‘yes and...’ while building on someone else's ideas. They learned the importance of staying present and recognized that ‘mistakes’ can be gifts. In the theater world, improvisation, or "improv," is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters, and dialogue of a game, scene, or story are made up in the moment. The method has been used for different purposes in theatrical history.

Congratulations to the four students who are winners of the Middle School Library’s recent Bookmark Design Contest! •Eighth-Grade: Gabby DeNonno and Lucia Garcia •Seventh-Grade: Alina Barone and Lily Mausling Their winning designs will be professionally printed and made available for people to take from the library.

CAN YOU HELP? Mark your calendar, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! Giving back has never been cooler! Join us at Rita's on Dolson Avenue on Thursday, May 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. for a refreshing ice or custard and a portion of your money spent will go to the Tyrell J. Audian Memorial Scholarship at the High School! TJ was a 2019 graduate and dedicated his life to our nation by enlisting in the Marines right out of high school. Tragically, TJ suddenly passed away during a training exercise with his unit. A track scholarship in his honor has been created in collaboration with High School yearbook. Please consider supporting of this worthy cause!

The Middle School’s Pet Club has been fortunate enough to have some recent and very esteemed guests! Take a look! Students had the recent opportunity to learn about goats, ducks and chickens from Minisink Valley parent Erin O’Neill Ferraro. They also learned about proper rescue of backyard wildlife from Middle School eighth-grade science teacher and certified animal rehabilitator Diana Lucas. She showed pictures of some of the animals she has been able to help and what to do if they find an injured animal. Plus: students also met the two bearded dragons she keeps in her classroom and learned more about them and the care they require. Students also met bunny breeder and show owner Melissa Ordway. Her family raises and breeds show rabbits. She brought with her eight bunnies, including two babies, and spoke to students about breeds, proper care and the responsibilities necessary for keeping these animals. Advisor Kristine Ostensen and the Pet Club are thankful to all the volunteers who have come to their meetings to educate, support and share their animals with us this year. The Middle School’s Pet Club has been fortunate enough to have some recent and very esteemed guests! Students had the recent opportunity to learn about goats, ducks and chickens from Minisink Valley parent Erin O’Neill Ferraro. They also learned about proper rescue of backyard wildlife from Middle School teacher and certified animal rehabilitator Diana Lucas. She showed pictures of some of the animals she has been able to help and what to do if they find an injured animal. Plus: students also met the two bearded dragons she keeps in her classroom and learned more about them and the care they require. Students also met bunny breeder and show owner Melissa Ordway. Her family raises and breeds show rabbits. She brought with her eight bunnies, including two babies, and spoke to students about breeds, proper care and the responsibilities necessary for keeping these animals. Advisor Kristine Ostensen and the Pet Club are thankful to all the volunteers who have come to their meetings to educate, support and share their animals with us this year.