WVCSD EdTalk: January 22, 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. Last week, I wrote about district-wide and elementary programs. This week, we will focus on our middle school, high school, and special education programs.
Chris Radon, Associate Principal of Warwick Valley Middle School, shared an update with the Board of Education, highlighting the vibrant academic and extracurricular programs that continue to provide students with a well-rounded and engaging educational experience. From innovative instruction to strong community connections, the middle school is dedicated to fostering growth and success for every student.
The school has focused on implementing research-based instructional strategies to maximize student growth. One highlight includes fifth-grade ELA teachers creating book clubs that promote deep comprehension and collaboration. Students engage in small-group discussions, assuming roles such as “word wizard,” “discussion leader,” and “recorder,” which enhance their critical thinking and teamwork skills.
In eighth-grade technology classes, students tackle open-ended design challenges, such as creating dragsters optimized for speed in the Automation and Robotics course and designing scaled bedroom layouts in the Green Architecture class. Teachers Mr. Ellis and Mr. Hire have created dynamic learning environments where students integrate math, engineering, and creativity into hands-on projects, leaving them excited and eager to share their work.
Music students dazzled audiences during recent concerts, showcasing their talents in chorus, orchestra, and band. These performances, supported by a packed house of proud parents, highlighted the dedication and skill of both students and teachers.
Meanwhile, seventh- and eighth-grade students are participating in grade-level spelling bees, with winners advancing to the regional competition at BOCES. Success at the regional level offers the opportunity to compete nationally in Washington, D.C., adding an extra layer of excitement to this academic challenge.
The middle school continues to offer a diverse array of after-school clubs, including SADD, Stocks, Guitar, National Junior Honor Society, and American Sign Language. Intramural programs such as Flag Football Frenzy and basketball have also seen high participation, with students enthusiastically engaging in activities before and after school.
The student senate led a successful Toys for Tots campaign, collecting 200 toys—double their original goal—for children in need. This effort reflects the school’s emphasis on service and community involvement.
Modified sports, including wrestling and basketball, are thriving, with many talented seventh- and eighth-grade athletes also competing at the junior varsity and varsity levels in sports like alpine skiing, swimming, and cheerleading.
The school’s Student of the Month breakfast celebration continues to be a cherished tradition. Families gather to celebrate student achievements with a morning meal and recognition for their hard work and contributions.
Upcoming events include a visit from the Hawthorne House on January 24, coordinated by social studies teacher Mr. Patafio, and preparations for the Special Olympics team, led by Ms. Gallop, with practices set to begin soon for their spring events.
Mr. Radon concluded by emphasizing the middle school’s commitment to providing students with a balanced day filled with meaningful learning experiences and opportunities for growth. “Our students truly are lucky to be part of Warwick Valley Middle School,” he shared, highlighting the collective efforts of staff, families, and the broader community.
Erin Hill-Lewis, Associate Principal of Warwick Valley High School, provided an update to the Board of Education, highlighting the achievements and ongoing efforts of students, teachers, and the broader school community. Her presentation showcased the school’s commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and fostering a supportive environment.
The high school’s Robotics Team continues to thrive, earning multiple awards at their December 5 competition. Over the winter break, team members diligently prepared for their January 18 competition. The team’s success reflects not only technical proficiency in coding and engineering but also leadership and collaboration, with students managing outreach, marketing, and grant applications. Their dedication and innovative spirit are evident in every aspect of their work.
The Senior Project initiative is well underway, with students exploring unique and meaningful topics. Projects include mastering fluency in Greek and creating mental health pamphlets for distribution at Mount Sinai Hospital. These projects provide students with opportunities to engage deeply with personal interests while making meaningful contributions to their communities.
The winter concerts were a resounding success, highlighted by a performance from the Chamber Strings. Students had the rare opportunity to work with the composer of their featured piece, who served as a guest conductor in class prior to the performance. The collaboration was an emotional and inspiring experience for both students and teachers, emphasizing the power of music in bringing the school community together.
Teachers at the high school are actively engaged in professional development to enhance their practices. Educators are implementing strategies to help students take greater ownership of their learning. Science teachers, in particular, are aligning their curriculum with evolving New York State standards and Regents exams, ensuring students are well-prepared for state labs and assessments.
On January 16, students in grades 9–12 attended the Steered Straight assembly, a seminar focused on making positive life choices and avoiding substance abuse. Teachers participated in a faculty meeting to learn how to identify and support students who may be struggling. That evening, a Parent Academy, held in collaboration with the Prevention Coalition, extended the conversation to families in Warwick Valley and Greenwood Lake, equipping parents with tools to support their children.
The updates presented by Ms. Hill-Lewis demonstrate the high school’s dedication to fostering academic, creative, and personal growth among students. With initiatives like the Robotics Team, Senior Projects, and community outreach programs, Warwick Valley High School continues to set a high bar for student achievement and engagement. The school’s focus on innovation, professional development, and collaboration ensures a bright future for its students and community.
David Albert, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, presented an overview of several key initiatives aimed at enhancing special education services in the district during the recent Board of Education meeting. His presentation highlighted efforts to strengthen staff training, deepen family collaboration, modernize evaluation processes, and establish clarity and consistency in district policies.
One major initiative is the launch of a three-session professional development series designed to enhance staff expertise in writing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The training focuses on documenting students’ present levels of performance, including their strengths and areas for growth, writing measurable goals aligned with individual needs, and reviewing accommodations, modifications, and transition planning. Staff will also have access to ongoing consultations with IEP trainers to ensure effective implementation of these practices, laying the groundwork for stronger plans for students in the upcoming school year.
Mr. Albert also emphasized the district’s commitment to building stronger partnerships with families through the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Recent events, such as the “Cookies and Conversation” night at Sanfordville Elementary School, exemplify this effort. The well-attended gathering featured music, games, face painting, and refreshments, with high school volunteers facilitating activities. This event celebrated the accomplishments of students with disabilities while fostering meaningful connections within the community.
The district is modernizing its evaluation processes with the introduction of digital assessments using iPads. This innovative approach streamlines data collection and analysis, making evaluations more efficient and engaging for students. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with staff noting improved accessibility and higher levels of student involvement during assessments.
To ensure a systematic and organized approach to special education, the district has launched its annual review calendar for the upcoming school year. This initiative helps staff plan and deliver necessary programs and supports for students while addressing resource and scheduling needs.
Finally, the district is forming a committee to develop a comprehensive Special Education Handbook. Comprising teachers, related service providers, administrators, and support staff, the committee will review and update policies, procedures, and forms related to special education and Section 504. The goal is to create a resource that provides clarity and consistency across the district, ensuring a unified approach to supporting students with disabilities.
These updates underscore the collective efforts of our district to provide an enriching, safe, and inclusive educational environment for all students. From groundbreaking programs in special education to the creative accomplishments of our elementary, middle, and high school students, Warwick Valley continues to exemplify innovation and community engagement. As we navigate these opportunities and challenges, our focus remains on fostering student growth, supporting our educators, and strengthening partnerships with families and the broader community to achieve our shared goals.
Here are some highlights from our schools this week:
Park Avenue Elementary School: First-grade students were introduced to a new section of the library designed to engage early independent readers with beginner chapter books at their level. Additionally, third-grade students learned about the Dewey Decimal System and how to use it to find books in the library by breaking into groups and completing a scavenger hunt activity. Third-grade students have also continued to contribute to the library’s “series stars” wall. When a student finishes an entire book series at their level, they have their picture taken in the library “photobooth” and displayed on the wall.
A new featured author has been introduced in the library this month. Books by December’s featured author, Jan Brett, were reshelved and replaced with books by January’s featured author, Grace Lin. Lin’s books explore themes such as family, friendship, kindness, and often the Asian-American experience. Her work includes numerous books about Lunar New Year, making her a particularly relevant choice for January.
Students in third and fourth grades tackled a new challenge in STEM class. Working in groups, they were tasked with building a tool to retrieve an item dropped into a storm drain. Each group began by identifying the item they would retrieve (e.g., a cell phone, charger, passport, wallet, keys). Using miscellaneous materials from the STEM lab, students collaborated to construct their tools. Groups were given two minutes to test their tool by attempting to retrieve their item from a “storm drain” bucket. Afterward, they modified their tools and tried again. This challenge emphasized the 4Cs: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
Sanfordville Elementary School: First-graders have been working hard on reading and writing nonfiction. The students learned to distinguish between fact and opinion. In Mrs. Esserman and Mr. Hernandez’s class, a shared reading experience sparked high interest in learning about sea turtles. This enthusiasm was channeled into creating an ocean-themed mural. Each student crafted a sea turtle from construction paper and wrote a fact they had learned on its shell. Students gathered their favorite facts from books, videos, and the PebbleGo platform. They then used paint and other art supplies to complete the mural. As they worked together, many students exclaimed, “This is the best day of school ever!”
The Warwick Historical Society’s Traveling Trunks program visited the first grade last week. Students learned about life in Warwick long ago during wintertime. They examined artifacts such as old sleighs and ice skates and learned about ice houses. The program highlighted how hard people had to work to manage snow before modern plows and machinery were available.
Warwick Valley Middle School: ELA students in Mr. Kirschke and Ms. Piascik’s classes have been combining creativity, research, and critical thinking in a dynamic project focused on current events. Students selected real-world topics that resonated with them, exploring issues such as fast food, media violence, sports ethics, snack foods, deforestation, and steroid abuse. Beyond crafting written arguments, they illustrated their position papers to visually complement their perspectives. Each student presented their findings and stance to the class, sparking meaningful discussions about relevant global and societal challenges.
After the presentations, students worked in small groups to connect their projects to the Portrait of a Graduate framework. They identified key traits such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication as reflected in their peers’ work. Each group reviewed a classmate’s paper, determining which Portrait of a Graduate characteristics were demonstrated. Using sticky notes, they explained their reasoning and shared insights, promoting thoughtful dialogue and mutual learning. This activity encouraged students to reflect on the skills and qualities essential for success in both academic and real-world contexts.
To complete the process, students used rubrics to evaluate their peers’ writing, checking for alignment with success criteria and offering constructive feedback. This multi-step peer-review process emphasized attention to detail, collaboration, and the ability to provide meaningful suggestions for improvement. By blending research, artistic expression, presentation skills, and critical analysis, the project fostered a student-centered learning environment that connected classroom activities to broader life skills and competencies. These projects truly embodied all the characteristics of the Portrait of a Graduate.
Warwick Valley High School: This week, National Honor Society (NHS) students at Warwick Valley High School took the lead in promoting mental health awareness as part of their required service projects. A cornerstone of NHS membership, each student is tasked with completing a service project that embodies the organization’s pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These projects are designed to encourage students to give back to their community, foster empathy, and develop leadership skills that will benefit them long after high school.
During Unit Lunch, a group of dedicated NHS members focused on the mission of Morgan’s Message, an organization that seeks to destigmatize mental health issues and advocate for the well-being of student-athletes.
Recognizing the unique pressures student-athletes face, the NHS members aimed to create a supportive environment by sharing uplifting messages and practical tips with their peers. Their materials emphasized strategies such as effective stress management, the importance of maintaining balance between academics and athletics, and the value of seeking help from trusted adults or peers when needed. By engaging directly with their school community, these students not only raised awareness about a critical issue but also inspired others to prioritize mental wellness.
This project is just one example of the meaningful impact NHS members are making in their school community. Each service project highlights the creativity, compassion, and leadership of Warwick Valley High School’s NHS students. From mental health initiatives to environmental advocacy and community outreach, the variety of projects reflects the diverse interests and passions of the group. We eagerly anticipate the innovative and impactful projects that other NHS members will undertake as they continue to uphold the values of the National Honor Society and strive to make a positive difference in the world around them.
These highlights from across the Warwick Valley Central School District illustrate our shared commitment to fostering academic excellence, creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. As we continue to celebrate these accomplishments and pursue innovative programs, we remain steadfast in our mission to prepare all students for their future. Together, with the support of our families and community, we will continue to inspire, empower, and elevate our students to meet their full potential. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey toward excellence.