UPDATES TO STUDENT CALENDAR: IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT MONAHAN

Parents/guardians, please click here to view a letter from Superintendent Brian C. Monahan regarding two changes to the student calendar. 

BULLYING PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES COMBINE THEATER WITH ADVICE

K-2 students at MV Elementary School were a captive and congenial audience throughout the hour-long Box Out Bullying assemblies offered today, courtesy of the Parent-Teacher Association.

Box Out Bullying combines humorous theatrics, multi-sensory learning and audience participation to teach children how to recognize, prevent and seek help for bullying, in the con.

Throughout the performance, students are also introduced to positive concepts such as empathy, and the difference between tattling and telling: tattling is a hurtful behavior meant to get others in trouble; telling should be used to keep others from getting hurt or in trouble.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CONDUCT SECURITY REVIEW OF ALL MINISINK VALLEY SCHOOLS: APRIL 10

We would like to inform our school community of a police presence on our Minisink Valley and Otisville campuses on Tues., April 10.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office will conduct security reviews of each one of our schools and facilities. They will be joined by New York State Police and Mount Hope Police.

We express our appreciation to our law enforcement agencies for their concern and efforts to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff.

MVHS BOOK CLUB AND MVES STUDENTS CELEBRATE BOOKS AND READING

In a snow-belated celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America, student-members of the High School Book Club made their annual trip across campus to read to K-2 classes.

“Our club members are enthusiastic about this activity, and they do a great job animating the characteristic rhymes and humor of Dr. Seuss’s stories,” said Dolores Lombardo, club advisor and library media specialist. “This event celebrates not only Dr. Seuss, but the love of reading and books.”

MVES STEM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM INSPIRES TINKERS, MAKERS

Small sticky hands were digging through bags full of leaves, sticks, grass, and dried mud too. Suddenly, Mrs. Mankoo’s classroom was one messy, happy, tinker and maker space. A similar scene is playing out twice a week, as second graders gather for an afterschool STEM enrichment program, under the guidance of Mrs. Mankoo and Mrs. Naples.

Since the dawning of the 21st century, education has seen a growing focus on STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) knowledge and skills, reflecting trends in technology and workforce development. But the STEM push is also about innovation in the teaching and learning of these subjects. Developing STEM-based skills necessitates spaces that allow students to tinker with tech and non-tech tools, explore and share ideas, solve problems, and make things.

The STEM enrichment program at the Elementary School is creating that kind of space and opportunity for second graders.

UPDATED STUDENT CALENDAR - IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT MONAHAN

Please click here to view a letter from Mr. Brian C. Monahan, Superintendent, regarding the possibility of a change in the student calendar should there be a need for any additional school closures.

UNDERSTANDING SPECIAL EDUCATION: ORIENTATION FOR PARENTS, MARCH 14, 6PM

Parents/guardians, if your child is transitioning to kindergarten at Minisink Valley, and/or you are new to the special education process, our Pupil Personnel Services have an orientation event designed especially for you. (Printable event flyer)

Wednesday, March 14, 6-8 p.m. • Minisink Valley Intermediate School Library

What you will learn:
• The roles of members on the Committee on Special Education
• How an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed and implemented
• Strategies to participate effectively in meetings and resolve concerns

Guest Speaker: Joyce Hawk, Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Ctr., Westchester Institute for Human Development 

Registration is not required. Questions/information: Elizabeth Law (845) 355-5103; Debra Wilson (845) 355-5104 

STEPPING STONES TO SCHOOL SUCCESS: DISTRICT-WIDE PRE-KINDERGARTEN WORKSHOP

• WHAT: Informational workshop for parents of children entering kindergarten in Sep. 2018, or Sep. 2019, at Otisville Elementary and Minisink Valley Elementary schools. 

— Learn what children need to know to be ready for kindergarten
— Practice hands-on strategies to help them develop necessary language and math skills
— Gain an understanding of Minisink's expectations for children entering kindergarten
— Network with other pre-school parents

• WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

• WHERE: Otisville Elementary School Library, 2525 Mt. Hope Road, Otisville.

• PRESENTERS: Alice Reh, former Otisville principal, and Jean Breheny, speech language pathologist and early intervention specialist.

FIRST GRADERS CELEBRATED BLACK HISTORY MONTH

First graders in Mrs. McDermott's class celebrated Black History Month by learning about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

The class created a paper-quilt to symbolize those said to be used to communicate safe houses for the passage of African Americans out of slavery. The students were inspired by Harriet Tubman’s bravery, her service to the country, and her humanitarian work.

CLAIM LOST-AND-FOUND ITEMS BEFORE MARCH 23

Attention Parents: Is your child missing a jacket, a hat, a lunch box? All lost-and-found items have been placed on a table by the elementary school's greeter entrance. Unclaimed items will be donated after March 23. Thank you. 

MVES DR. SEUSS WEEK: FEB. 26 - MAR. 2

MVES loves Dr. Seuss week! We’re getting ready to celebrate it again, Feb. 26 - Mar. 2, and we encourage our students, faculty and staff to participate. Here's our theme schedule:

• Mon. - The Cat in the Hat: The Cat is back! Follow his lead and wear your favorite hat.
• Tue. - Fox in Socks: Socks can be a lot of fun. Wear your craziest, most colorful pair.
• Wed. - Wacky Wednesday: This is your big chance to look your silliest. Wear your clothes inside-out, backwards, or mismatch them.
• Thu. - The Lorax: The first thing you notice about the Lorax is his mustache. We "MUSTache" wear or draw our most outrageous mustache.
• Fri. - Green Eggs & Ham: Show your Minisink pride! Wear green!

Plan ahead. Get creative. Keep this calendar at hand, and join the fun!