WVCSD EdTalk: December 11, 2024

Each year, we like to review some of the Warwick Valley Central School District communications procedures related to delays, early dismissals and closures caused by inclement weather. Winter is here and we know that Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Having contingency plans in place for early dismissals or unexpected weather events is important.

In cases where icy winter weather is imminent, we may close schools the night before for the following day. More often, however, we wait until the morning, keeping a close eye on local conditions and forecasts. This approach allows us to reach the most informed decision possible and ensure our students’ safety. We make every effort to inform you about delays and closures by 5:30 a.m. before parents and guardians have to leave for work or other obligations.

Our school buses transport children across a service area covering more than 60 square miles, and that is an important consideration during the winter months when inclement weather and poor road conditions are much more common. And, we have many student drivers. These adverse conditions can test our ability to safely navigate challenging terrain. Safety is always a priority.

I make decisions about school closures or delays about 10 times a year. The process involves monitoring weather forecasts in advance, collaborating with the transportation supervisor who begins work at 4 a.m., reaching fellow superintendents for input, and coordinating efforts with our buildings and grounds staff. Additionally, I may also contact the highway department to ascertain plowing schedules and estimated road clearance times. We may also travel the roads ourselves at times.

When the decision is made to delay, close, or dismiss school early, we have established several ways to ensure the related announcements get to you in a timely fashion.

• Texts, emails and phone calls from the district
  • You may use Parent Portal to ensure that your phone number and email address is up to date.
• WVCSD website
  • A red alert banner will be visible at the top of the district homepage.
• WVCSD Facebook & Twitter
• WVCSD Mobile Apps
  • There’s one for each of the district’s four schools available for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Broadcast Media
  • TV: WABC-TV, WNBC-TV, FOX 5/NNYW, Hudson Valley News 12
  • FM radio: 93.5 WTBQ; 92.1 Lite-FM; 92.7, 96.9 WRRV; Star 93.3; 94.1, 95.7, 96.7, 103.1, 107.7 FOX; 94.3, 97.3 The Wolf; 96.1 KISS FM; MIX 97.7; 98.9 Fox Oldies; News Talk 99.3 WKIP; 100.7 WHUD; 101.5, 106.1, 106.3 WPDH; and 107.3
  • AM radio: 1110 WTBQ; 1220 Fox Oldies; 1340, 1390 Radio Disney; 1450 WKIP-AM

Please do not contact our Transportation Department or bus garage for information on delays, closures, or early dismissals. Although we understand the impulse, it is critical that these phone lines remain open for emergencies, especially on inclement weather days. However, we always post announcements on the main webpage and social media.

To learn about the many factors that go into a decision to close our schools, I hope you will visit this page on our district website at https://warwickvalleyschools.com/about-wvcsd/emergency-closings-delays/. This page will give you important insight into the comprehensive decision-making process our administrative team goes through when deciding to open or close schools.

As a final note, in the event of an early dismissal, high school and middle school students are released first, and elementary students are dismissed approximately an hour later. This is to make sure that older siblings arrive home before their younger brothers and sisters. For the bell schedule on days when we have one- or two-hour delays, please visit the dedicated webpage for your child’s school.

The safety of our students is always our biggest concern, and we appreciate your patience and understanding this winter.

Here are some highlights from our schools this week:

Park Avenue Elementary School
The second year of Park Avenue’s school newspaper club, The Paw Print, was kicked off with the November issue. Students highlighted academic learning, school-wide events, and community news. Third and fourth grade students that have a passion and interest in writing and reporting meet before school weekly to write and edit the paper. Some of their jobs include reporter, editor, photographer, columnist and typist. Thank you to club advisors Krystie Gilmore and Ashley McPherson.

The Park Ave Student Council proudly participated in the Trees of Heroes program at the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The council has been involved in this meaningful initiative since its creation in 2020, when the Wreaths Across America program was canceled at the cemetery. The Trees of Heroes program provides friends and families of U.S. service members a special way to honor their loved ones by creating personalized tree ornaments. Over the past two weeks, Student Council members have been hard at work crafting these ornaments. They joined their families and the families of the honored heroes to decorate the trees at the entrance to the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. This annual tradition is a heartfelt tribute to the service members who have given so much for our country. The Park Ave Student Council is honored to continue participating in such a meaningful program.

Sanfordville Elementary School
Sanfordville Art Club Advisor Ms. Gil recently had an inspiring experience after her son decided to adopt a stray cat from an animal shelter. Following his adoption, he began volunteering at the shelter and started sending her weekly updates with pictures of the stray cats he has been caring for. Seeing these photos prompted the teacher to highlight the significance of adopting abandoned pets and raising awareness about their plight. Ms. Gil shared this story with the members of the SES Art Club, and one student member mentioned that her family had also adopted a cat. In response, Art Club students enthusiastically illustrated each cat and crafted posters with the message, “Adopt Abandoned Pets.”  The students thoroughly enjoyed depicting the cats and designing the posters.

If you ever wanted to learn more about soccer, traveling, chickens, dogs or gymnastics, feel free to visit the second graders at Sanfordville.  Our second grade students have been working on becoming better communicators through their expert writing lessons. Our young authors have been hard at work adding details, text features, and comparisons to keep their readers interested. Be on the lookout for their expert books coming soon!

Friday, December 6, marked the end of our first trimester, but it also was the day that our students were able to participate in our Trimester #1 PAWS celebration.  Students were able to experience The Wacky Science Show. The Wacky Science Show is not your average school assembly. It offered a unique and engaging experience that blended theater techniques, hilarious comedy and eye-opening scientific demonstrations. This celebration was a fun way to help celebrate and reinforce the Polite, Accountable, Wise, and Safe (PAWS) choices that our students have been making so far this school year. Thank you to our SES PTA for sponsoring this and several other assemblies throughout our school year.

Warwick Valley Middle School
In Mrs. Terralovaro’s 7th grade ELA class has been reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This novel weaves together the true story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese refugee, with the fictional journey of Nya, a young girl whose life revolves around fetching water for her family. Through thoughtful discussion and close reading, students have unpacked the book’s themes of perseverance and resilience, and the profound effects that limited resources can have on individuals and communities.

To deepen their understanding, Mrs. Terralovaro incorporated articles on the global refugee crisis and the global water crisis, sourced from Scholastic and the World Health Organization, providing valuable context and real-world insights that highlight the struggles faced by millions worldwide. Students explored the root causes and far-reaching consequences of these crises, from displacement and unsafe water access, to impacts on health, education and societal stability. The articles also included statistics and personal stories, bridging the gap between fiction and reality while emphasizing the relevance of Salva and Nya’s experiences.

By connecting these global issues to the novel, students engaged in meaningful analysis that fostered empathy and critical thinking. They compared the real-world struggles outlined in the articles to the challenges faced by the book’s characters, gaining a deeper appreciation for the ongoing nature of these problems. Students additionally acted as collaborators and communicators by crafting and displaying mini posters that contain facts from their articles and beautiful illustrations. Are students have truly been displaying all of the characteristics of Portrait of a Graduate through this novel study!

Warwick Valley High School
Six students recently attended a Rotary luncheon at the Landmark Inn, where they shared their transformative experiences from this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference with members of the Warwick Rotary. This prestigious five-day program, designed for high school sophomores across the Hudson Valley, focuses on fostering positivity, building confidence, and developing leadership skills.

Sophia Amato, Grace Cornelius, Alexa Milazzo, Alexander O’Neill, Daniel Page, and Joseph Sanzone proudly represented Warwick Valley High School at the luncheon. Through enthusiastic and thoughtful reflections, they described how the conference’s dynamic mix of interactive icebreakers, engaging activities, and inspiring presentations by guest speakers profoundly influenced their personal growth and perspectives.

Earning a place at RYLA is no small feat. Students are selected through a competitive application and interview process. The process evaluates candidates on their leadership potential, communication skills, and commitment to personal growth and community service. Those chosen to attend stand out for their ability to represent their school and community with distinction.

During their remarks at the luncheon, the students emphasized how RYLA enhanced their confidence, fostered teamwork, and inspired a greater commitment to making a difference in their communities. Warwick Valley High School is proud to support programs like RYLA, which empower young people to emerge as future leaders and active contributors to society.