A team representing Minisink Valley participated in the fourth annual Orange County Polar Plunge on Nov. 9, benefiting Special Olympics New York, raising $4,022 and again winning the event’s “Cool School Challenge.”
In addition to retaining the "Cool School" title, the district also retains the Cool School Polar Plunge trophy, which will again be presented to the district at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. 
The district’s team plunged into the cold waters at “Woodbury at the Rez” in Highland Mills. They joined other teams and individuals who purposely went into the Rez’s cold water, despite the low temperature, to raise money for this organization.
The team nearly tripled in size over the previous year, with the funds raised dramatically jumping from the $1,400 raised in the prior year.
The team included high school students and faculty (with some family members) and administrators representing many areas of district operations:
Jandro Arias
Robert Ayers
Andrew Covais
Ben Danielson
Cody Dul
Andrew Fenner
Julie Ferguson
Jeffrey Finton
Andrew Grassi
Melissa Grassi
Harrison Greaves
Jessica Kahn
Charles Lakeman
Jennifer Lynch
Rogan Lynch
Jessica McKinstrie
Brian Monahan
Justin Olivo
Anthony Pascarelli
Kaitlyn Pascarelli
Jennifer Pearson
Ross Potter
Michael Raccioppi
Melanie Speranza
Anthony Tresch
Kellen Waugh
Rylan Young
Special Olympics New York provides inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to compete in sports. Funds raised through the Polar Plunge helps provide year-round sports training and competition as well as leadership, health and inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Orange County community.