WVCSD EdTalk: January 15, 2025
At the January 9, 2025, Warwick Valley Board of Education meeting, I, along with district administrators, shared comprehensive updates on initiatives, accomplishments and plans across all levels of our schools. These updates reflect the district’s commitment to excellence in academics, student engagement and community collaboration. Key topics included the district’s stance on the New York State Education Department’s Regionalization Initiative, safety and security advancements, recent legislation impacting schools, the ongoing school budget process, and highlights from our elementary, middle school, high school and special education programs.
This week we will focus on our elementary programs and next week we will discuss our middle school, high school and special education programs.
I recommended that the Board of Education adopt a resolution to opt out of the New York State Education Department’s (SED) Regionalization Initiative, as outlined in Commissioner’s Regulations at 8 NYCRR §124-2. This decision follows careful deliberation and is based on several concerns, including unclear provisions for state aid, the impact on existing CoSer agreements, and potential challenges to local collective bargaining agreements.
Maintaining control over high-performing programs and preserving local decision-making authority are critical to meeting the unique needs of our community. While we remain open to collaborative opportunities that align with our district’s goals, the current framework for regionalization is not a viable option. The Board approved this recommendation, and a formal letter of notification to the NYSED was sent.
At the upcoming Board work session on January 23, 2025, Walter Beatty, our On-site Safety and Security Coordinator, will provide an update on the district’s safety and security initiatives. His presentation will cover the progress of completed, ongoing and planned projects aimed at ensuring a safe and secure learning environment. The district’s approach to safety and security is structured around four key stages. It begins with assessing and identifying improvement opportunities, many of which can be implemented with little or no cost. Collaboration follows, involving efforts to gain support from key decision-makers for initiatives that align with the district’s vision. Project management plays a crucial role, utilizing a cloud-based system to oversee the implementation of these improvements. Finally, emergency planning ensures that staff training, student and parent outreach programs, and policies remain current and effective. While the presentation will highlight the district’s progress and outline future goals, it will also respect the sensitivity of these plans by sharing only what is appropriate for public discussion.
Governor Hochul recently signed legislation requiring schools to take mitigation measures when indoor temperatures reach 82 degrees, with occupancy prohibited at 88 degrees. While this law aims to enhance safety, it presents logistical challenges, including potential school closures during heat waves and increased air conditioning costs. Fortunately, thanks to significant HVAC upgrades over the past decade, Warwick schools are well-positioned to comply with this legislation without major disruption or additional expense. Additionally, the governor has indicated that amendments to the law will be introduced next year to provide flexibility, including language such as “where practicable” to ease compliance burdens.
Governor Hochul also signed legislation reducing the amortization period for zero-emission buses from 12 years to 8 years. While this amendment is a positive step, the current zero-emission bus law still requires significant changes to make it practical and feasible for school districts.
The school budget process continues throughout the year, with key steps occurring in the fall and winter. This month, we are closely monitoring Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address, scheduled for January 14, and her upcoming Executive Budget release. These updates are critical, as state aid represents approximately 33% ($38.2 million) of our district’s revenue. While we do not anticipate a substantial increase in state aid, we are closely watching for any changes to the foundation aid formula. In February, the Board will receive our first formal budget presentation, which will include a preliminary review of projected revenue for the 2025-2026 school year.
Elementary: The Warwick Valley elementary schools, Sanfordville Elementary and Park Avenue Elementary, have been bustling with activity, as highlighted by Principal Bill Biniaris in his recent update to the Board of Education. From festive holiday celebrations to upcoming events promoting creativity and community, the schools continue to offer enriching experiences for students and families alike.
Before the holiday break, both schools delighted students with their annual Polar Express events. At Sanfordville, parent volunteer Joe Privitera captivated students with his reading of the beloved holiday classic, while at Park Avenue, Mr. Jon Sezak, a long-time volunteer, brought the magic to life by stamping train tickets and handing out magical bells. Both events, supported by the PTA, concluded with “lukewarm hot chocolate,” leaving students and staff filled with holiday cheer.
Sanfordville also hosted well-attended kindergarten holiday concerts on December 18 and 19, where students performed winter classics under the guidance of music teacher Mrs. Echevarria. The concerts brought families and staff together for a joyful celebration of the season.
Continuing a district-wide tradition, elementary students and their families participated in the Toys for Military Tots drive in partnership with WTBQ, collecting over 1,000 toys for military families. Park Avenue first grader Cody Dougherty personally contributed more than 70 toys, with support from his family. Student leadership groups, including Park Avenue’s Student Council and Sanfordville’s Leadership Club, spearheaded the effort under the guidance of advisors Amy Buliung, Theresa Canfield, Veronica DeGuisto, and Lauren Hughes.
Both schools are gearing up for the One School, One Book program, set to launch on January 21st. This year’s selection, Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test, encourages family reading and celebrates themes of resilience and growth. The initiative is designed to strengthen the bond between students and their families through shared reading experiences, while fostering a lifelong love of literature.
Creativity and innovation will take center stage at the annual STEM Fairs on January 22nd, where students will showcase their experiments and discuss their findings with visitors. These events provide a platform for students to demonstrate their curiosity and communication skills, key qualities of Warwick Valley graduates.
The Park Avenue Talent Show, scheduled for January 31st, will feature students from all grades displaying a wide variety of talents, from juggling and karate to singing and drama performances. The evening promises entertainment and community spirit for all in attendance.
On January 25th, Park Avenue’s new fourth-grade Chess Club will host students from the Bellvale School for a friendly chess tournament. Coordinated by Mr. Perez and supported by the PTA, the event aims to promote strategic thinking and camaraderie among students.
In February, Sanfordville will host its second annual Valentines for Vets Breakfast Celebration on February 12th, honoring local veterans with songs, poetry and thoughtful gifts. Park Avenue students will also contribute by creating heartfelt valentines to send to veterans.
With a focus on community, creativity and engagement, Warwick Valley elementary schools continue to offer meaningful opportunities for students and families. The events and initiatives underway exemplify the district’s commitment to fostering a supportive and dynamic educational environment.
Next week, we will focus on our middle school, high school and special education programs.
Here are some highlights from our schools this week:
Park Avenue Elementary School
First graders were very excited to come back to school after their winter break! They reviewed the importance of goal setting through New Year’s Resolutions and how they can help us improve ourselves. Some examples of first graders’ resolutions included: reading more books, helping at home with chores and being kind to others.
The Warwick Historical Society came to visit first graders this week. Our first graders learned all about what school was like in Warwick long ago. Students learned about how a one room schoolhouse was organized and managed. Facilitators shared how the schoolroom was heated, what children ate for lunch, and how students practiced handwriting and math facts (not with a Smartboard or Chromebook). Students compared and contrasted their current classrooms and school building to the others they were learning about. Many expressed shock when finding out there wasn’t any indoor plumbing.
Fourth graders recently finished their digital video book review projects, which will be shared on Mr. Spicehandler’s Google Classroom for students and families to view from home. Mr. Spicehandler shared, “I want to give a special shout out to Nicholas Pesta who put in a lot of really hard work supporting his teammates and making sure their video was completed.” Mr. Spicehandler also shared that there is a new section to the seasonal book browsing shelf that features a different author/illustrator every month. This month’s featured writer is Jan Brett! Mr. Spicehandler added, “The library also has a new story time rug. It really brightens up the story time area while allowing more effective seating arrangements during story times.”
When students have the opportunity to use Media Center resources to write and produce digital video book reviews, which is a group project, it sets students on the path to becoming effective communicators, collaborators, creators/innovators, ethical and global citizens and problem solvers. Being exposed to work from various featured authors that may have previously been unknown encourages students to also become life-long learners. Needless to say, all of these are attributes encapsulated in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate.
Sanfordville Elementary School
Some of the Sanfordville third-grade students engaged in a writing project centered around New Year’s Resolutions. They reflected on challenges they faced in 2024 and used these reflections to identify a single word that will serve as their guiding principle for 2025. Each student articulated the significance of their chosen word and described how it will manifest in their lives both at school and at home.
The third-grade students also had the wonderful opportunity to host a guest speaker in the Sanfordville lobby. The Warwick Historical Society presented their lesson titled “Coming to America/Barn Raising.” During this engaging session, students explored various tools utilized during the barn raising process and had the chance to ask questions throughout the presentation. They gained insights into the importance of specific structural supports that ensure buildings remain stable and secure.
The fourth graders began a new science unit focused on the changing surface of the Earth. To kick off their learning, the students crafted clay models that illustrated the various layers of the Earth’s interior. This hands-on activity aimed to help them understand how these inner layers significantly influence the surface and the changes that may take place. Through this project, they discovered key facts about each layer, including its composition, which will later be tied to its impact on the Earth’s surface. Students engaged in discussions with their classmates about their findings using the models they created.
Warwick Valley Middle School
Before the winter break, fifth through eighth-grade musicians showcased their incredible talent in two outstanding concerts. On December 16, our seventh and eighth-grade students took the stage for chorus, band and orchestra performances, wowing families with their hard work and musical skill. On December 17, the fifth- and sixth-grade students delivered equally impressive performances, filling the room with energy and enthusiasm and leaving the audience in awe of their growing musical abilities. Both concerts were a testament to the dedication, passion and teamwork of our young musicians, creating an unforgettable celebration of music. Special thanks to our talented middle school music teachers – Mr. Van Dewater, Mr. Peters, Ms. Brown, Mr. Muehlbauer, and Ms. Moser – whose guidance and expertise made these events possible. The joy and pride shared during these performances truly reflected the spirit of the season.
As 2025 begins, Warwick Valley Middle School is filled with excitement as students and staff return, eager to embrace new challenges and build upon the successes of 2024. Classrooms are buzzing with activity as students reconnect with friends and teachers, diving back into their routines and engaging in dynamic, enriching learning experiences, aligned to our Portrait of a Graduate. Teachers have been carefully designing lessons that inspire curiosity and promote hands-on exploration.
In Mrs. Wendt’s sixth-grade math classes, students rang in the new year by enhancing their number sense with an interactive lesson on percentages, decimals and fractions. Using vibrant Fruit Loops cereal, they brought these mathematical concepts to life by sorting and counting the loops to represent fractions, converting them into decimals, and expressing them as percentages. This creative, hands-on activity transformed abstract ideas into something tangible, fostering a deeper understanding of how these values are connected. Students embraced the opportunity to learn making the lesson both enjoyable and educational – a perfect way to kick off 2025 in the classroom.
Warwick Valley High School
The timeless themes and masterful storytelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby continue to captivate students at Warwick Valley High School. This week, 11th-grade English students have been deeply engaged in reflecting on the classic novel, exploring its complex characters, rich symbolism and enduring relevance.
Through a variety of activities, students have examined how Fitzgerald’s writing captures the spirit of the Jazz Age while addressing universal themes such as ambition, love and the American Dream. This exploration has encouraged them to think critically about the novel’s messages and its impact on readers across generations.
The guidance department at Warwick Valley High School is making strides to ensure students are well-prepared for their college journeys by integrating the new program, School Links, into English classes. This initiative is designed to familiarize students with the college application process early in their high school careers. The guidance team has been leading these sessions, helping students create personalized profiles on School Links that they will use throughout their high school experience. These profiles serve as a foundation for exploring future opportunities and managing their academic and career plans.
During the sessions, the guidance team helped students through the application features of the program, providing step-by-step instructions to navigate the platform effectively. In addition to exploring the application tools, students completed surveys aimed at identifying their strengths, interests, and potential career paths. These activities not only help students build comprehensive profiles but also lay the groundwork for informed decision-making as they approach their post-secondary plans. This proactive approach ensures students are equipped with the tools and knowledge to confidently pursue their goals.