WVCSD EdTalk: December 25, 2024
As we are in this joyous holiday season, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude and pride on behalf of the Warwick Valley Central School District and Board of Education to our students, families, teachers, staff and the entire Warwick community.
This time of year offers us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our achievements, celebrate our collective spirit, and look forward to the promise of a new year. Each of you plays a meaningful role in shaping our students’ future, and I deeply admire everyone’s contributions to our Warwick Valley school community. Our collaborative efforts and successes come from your energy, dedication, and care, which are gifts that make a difference every single day.
I encourage everyone to take time during this season to enjoy meaningful moments with family and friends and appreciate the special qualities of the holiday season. Wishing each of you a holiday season filled with peace, joy, and all the things you hold most dear.
Here are some highlights from our schools this week:
Park Avenue Elementary School
Fourth graders have finished their digital video book review projects, which will be shared on the library’s Google Classroom for students and families to view from home. Our librarian/media specialist, 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.” He 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, creator/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 become life-long learners. Needless to say, all of these are attributes encapsulated in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate.
Over the past few weeks, students in grades 2 through 4 have engaged in a coding/programming unit during STEM with Mrs. Cangialosi. Using sequencing and logic skills, students have worked on coding puzzles on their Chromebooks to successfully accomplish various virtual tasks. Students had to analyze the goal of each puzzle and add the correct coding blocks using a sequence. Once they reached a certain level of proficiency, they “graduated” to programming the actual Dash robots in the classroom. Students have been very excited to transfer their coding knowledge to learning how to move and control the robots.
Sanfordville Elementary School
Our kindergarten classes figured out that the best way to spread some holiday cheer is by singing loud for all to hear. Sanfordville opened its doors to welcome in our parents and other guests for our kindergarten concerts. Our students proudly performed some holiday classics with a twist. It was evident that our students and their teachers worked hard on their musical pieces leading up to the day of their performance. Each of our kindergarten classes performed as a class, and they also performed as an all kindergarten ensemble. Students were accompanied by Mrs. Echevarria, our music teacher. Guests were serenaded with the following musical pieces: Snowflakes- Snowflakes, Hokey Pokey Winter, I’m a Little Snowman, Did You Ever See a Penguin, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You Happy Holidays. All of the singing certainly worked up an appetite, so students and guests in attendance were greeted to a “Cookie and Milk” celebration in the cafeteria at the conclusion of the performance. A huge thank you to all of the students, staff, and guests for making this event such a success.
The SES PTA treated the faculty and staff to hot cocoa and cookies. Members of the PTA visited each classroom to deliver treats from the decorated cart! Thank you so much for thinking of the staff during this busy time of the year!
Warwick Valley Middle School
Retired agriculture teacher Nancy Colgan brought the holiday spirit to the Purple 5 team at Warwick Valley Middle School with an engaging Agriculture in the Classroom Virtual Field Trip of Hanggi’s Tree Farm. Students explored the process of Christmas tree farming, learning how trees are grown, harvested and transported from field to home. Along the way, they encountered farm animals including reindeer, piglets, chickens and even a donkey, and gained a deeper understanding of agritourism and the farm-to-table process.
Additionally, Ms. Colgan visited classrooms for a hands-on presentation about Christmas tree farming. She shared insights into the daily operations of a working farm, from planting seedlings to managing harvests. Students explored the ecological and economic importance of tree farming, sparking thoughtful discussions about sustainability and agricultural careers. Her visit reinforced the vital role farms play in local and global economies.
The experience left students inspired and more knowledgeable about the agriculture industry. The interactive presentations and real-world connections created a unique learning experience that combined technology with hands-on activities, adding extra meaning to the holiday season.
Warwick Valley High School
A new cohort of curious and dedicated seniors officially launched their 2024-2025 Senior Projects last week. The high school auditorium buzzed with excitement as parents, faculty, classmates and community members gathered to hear about the ambitious goals each student set for this year. The nationally recognized program empowers students through a dynamic blend of project-based learning, real-world performance opportunities and professional networking. By participating in the program, these seniors gain invaluable insights, practical experience and critical skills in their chosen fields of interest.
Senior Project transcends the traditional classroom experience, offering students the opportunity to delve deeply into their passions and embrace self-directed learning. Guided by the program’s mantra, “Explore your passion and discover yourself!” participants collaborate with mentors and industry professionals, immerse themselves in their areas of study, and step outside their comfort zones to foster personal and academic growth.
Over the course of the year, students will design, develop, and execute ambitious projects, culminating in final presentations that showcase their work and achievements. These capstone presentations allow students to demonstrate subject-matter expertise alongside essential skills such as time management, problem-solving, and communication – preparing them for future success in college, careers, and beyond.
With a proven track record of inspiring curiosity, resilience, and purpose, Senior Project has long served as a springboard for growth and achievement. Whether exploring careers in STEM, the arts, business, or community service, our seniors leverage this program to turn their passions into actionable, real-world projects.
The high school community is proud to support this talented group of students as they embark on a transformative journey of exploration, discovery and achievement, enriching both their own futures and the school’s legacy of excellence.