WVCSD EdTalk: June 4, 2025

As we approach the end of another successful school year, I would like to take a moment to highlight the importance of our student recognition events and year-end celebrations throughout the Warwick Valley Central School District. These events are more than just festivities—they are vital opportunities to honor the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our students across all grade levels and disciplines.

Among the highlights this season is the Science Research Symposium, where students in our rigorous three-year Science Research Program present independent research projects developed under the mentorship of professionals in their chosen fields. These projects demonstrate the critical thinking and inquiry-based learning that are hallmarks of our Portrait of a Graduate. Past presentations have explored subjects ranging from biomedical science to environmental policy and have earned regional and national recognition.

Another cornerstone of our school year is the Senior Project Presentation Night, a capstone experience where students pursue a topic of personal interest, conduct in-depth research, work with mentors, and present their findings to an audience. These projects reflect the students’ individuality, independence, and readiness for life beyond high school.

The High School Awards Night is another proud tradition, where we recognize students for academic excellence, leadership, service, and special achievements across a wide array of departments and programs. The evening showcases the diverse talents of our student body and the support they receive from our dedicated educators and families.

We also recently hosted the Scholar-Athletes Breakfast, honoring seniors who have maintained exceptional academic performance while contributing significantly to their athletic teams. These students embody the discipline, resilience, and time management skills that define true scholar-athletes.

Additionally, the District-wide STEAM Fair, held on May 20, showcased the creativity and innovation of our students across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The event featured projects from students in grades 5–12, including LEGO League Jr. builds, robotics demonstrations, and a collaborative world-building project called "Wildcat Metropolis." The fair provided a platform for students to present their work and engage with the community, highlighting the interdisciplinary learning that takes place throughout the year.

Our Elementary and Middle School Moving-Up Ceremonies are heartfelt events that mark significant transitions in our students' educational journeys. These ceremonies celebrate the achievements of our younger students as they prepare to embark on new academic adventures, fostering a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate the Warwick Valley High School Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This milestone event will honor the hard work and dedication of our graduating seniors. We look forward to inspiring speeches from our valedictorian, Evan Grundfast, and salutatorian, Gisela Gujar, as we send off our graduates to pursue their future endeavors.

You may have seen coverage of these events on our district website and social media platforms—and you’ll find more featured in the school section below.

Celebrating students for their academic accomplishments, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth fosters a strong sense of pride and motivation. These events encourage students to continue striving for excellence and reinforce the values of perseverance, curiosity, and empathy. Just as importantly, they help build an inclusive and supportive school culture where every student feels seen and valued.

These events also bring our school community together. They offer meaningful opportunities to reflect on the year’s progress and look ahead with purpose. And as we honor our students, we also celebrate the teachers, staff, and families whose dedication plays a central role in their success.

Here are some highlights from our schools this week: 

Park Avenue Elementary School 
The Park Avenue Student Council gathered in the gym for its annual pinning ceremony. Now in its third year, the event serves as a meaningful culmination of the year, recognizing the contributions of our outgoing fourth-graders who participated in student government during the 2024–2025 school year.

The evening began with opening remarks from Principal Bill Biniaris, followed by Student Council advisors Amy Buliung and Theresa Canfield. Together, they highlighted several of this year’s impressive achievements, including organizing a successful Veterans Day event, participating in Trees for Heroes and Wreaths Across America, and raising over $7,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, to name just a few.

In addition to school staff, students were honored by members of the broader community, including John “Cheech” Richichi, President of the NAM Knights; Stephanie Paddock, Vice President of Community Fundraising and Events for the Michael J. Fox Foundation; and Stacey Lenz and Janet Victor from the Winslow Therapeutic Center.

Each student received a certificate of achievement, a Student Council pin, a red, white, and blue pen, an ornament, and a packet of seeds related to their work with the annual Monarch Butterfly Festival.

On behalf of the entire Park Avenue community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the following students and their families for their service to our school:
 Cora Bendykowski, Cora Grace, Brendan Brown, Isabella Crispino, Ellie Conklin, Reagan Loftus, Gavin Martin, Rylee Martinez, Maggie McKnight, Isabelle Piascik, Logan Reilly, Leah Romig, Keira Sandfort, and Lily Szpajzman.

After being rescheduled twice due to inclement weather, the Park Avenue Warrior Course was finally held—and it was worth the wait! Students and parents turned out in great numbers to showcase their obstacle course skills. Course elements included balance beams, hurdles, and a hay-bale hop. The event was organized by our incredible PTA, whose hard work made it a great success. Thank you to all who made it possible!

Sanfordville Elementary School
The students in Ms. Nyland’s first grade class have been busy over the past few weeks developing an ice cream recipe and marketing tool for the New York Agriculture in the Classroom Ice Cream Challenge. After lots of brainstorming, voting, and teamwork, they decided to make Udderly Moolicious Strawberry Oreo Ice Cream and create a video to document their ice cream journey. The class learned a lot, had a ton of fun, and, of course, enjoyed eating all the ice cream!

Ms. Reilly’s PIE third/fourth grade class recently finished reading Dogtown by Katherine Applegate. In the story, a dog has been living in a shelter for over a year, waiting to be reunited with his owners. Inspired by the book, the students decided to support the Warwick Valley Humane Society by writing letters of appreciation to its volunteers and collecting supplies such as dog food, paper towels, and toys. They also created posters for animals currently at the shelter. The Humane Society plans to share the students’ posters on its social media pages to help raise awareness and promote pet adoption.

Mr. Bauer's class channeled their inner entrepreneurs by hosting their own version of the hit reality TV show Shark Tank. Students were tasked with inventing a product that solved a problem of their choosing. Each student drew their invention, explained its purpose and how it works, determined a price, and justified their pricing strategy. They then pitched their product to the class, persuading their peers why it was a “must-have.” Some of the innovative creations included robotic backpack organizers, a “blizzard” water gun, electronic cable organizers, and personalized headphones.

WVCSD proudly sent six Odyssey of the Mind teams to the World Finals in East Lansing, Michigan. Despite rigorous schedules and tough competition, each of the Warwick teams impressed with their performance and creativity. We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our elementary teams on the world stage!

Warwick Valley Middle School
Thanks to the generous support of the Warwick Valley Middle School PTA, all fifth-grade classrooms had the opportunity to visit LEGOLAND in Goshen for a full day of STEAM-focused exploration and off-site learning. The field trips served as a culmination of many classroom lessons, allowing students to connect academic concepts with real-world applications in an engaging and interactive environment. For many students, it was their first visit to LEGOLAND, making the experience even more exciting and memorable.

Throughout each day, students rotated through a variety of hands-on STEAM activities designed to promote creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. In the LEGO Education workshops, students worked collaboratively to build and program robots, tackle engineering challenges, and design structures that tested their understanding of physics and design. They also had the chance to explore the park’s themed zones, including Bricktopia and LEGO City, where they could put their imagination and skills to the test. These activities aligned with curriculum goals while also encouraging students to think critically, persevere through challenges, and apply classroom knowledge in innovative ways.

The trip not only reinforced key learning standards but also strengthened relationships among students and teachers in a fun, relaxed setting. Beyond the academic benefits, the experience helped foster collaboration, communication, and a love for discovery—essential qualities of lifelong learners.

Warwick Valley Middle School extends its deepest appreciation to the PTA for co-sponsoring this enriching opportunity. Their ongoing support continues to enhance student learning and bring valuable, real-world experiences into our classrooms.

Warwick Valley High School
Warwick Valley High School proudly hosted its annual Senior Scholarship and Awards Night, a cherished tradition that celebrates the exceptional accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2025. This year’s event recognized more than 100 scholarships and awards, generously funded by local organizations, families, and community partners.

The evening was graciously emceed by veteran educators Ms. Jeanine Fogler and Mr. Nick DiLeo, whose warmth, humor, and heartfelt commentary added a special touch to the celebration. Their long-standing dedication to the students of Warwick Valley made them the perfect hosts for this meaningful occasion.

The night served as a powerful tribute to the dedication, resilience, and character of our seniors. From academic excellence and artistic creativity to athletic achievement and impactful community service, students were honored across a wide spectrum of accomplishments. This celebration was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the Warwick community. Each scholarship and award not only helps pave the way for our students’ future educational and career pursuits, but also stands as a testament to the deep and enduring partnership between our school and its supporters.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our donors and sponsors for making this event so memorable. Your continued commitment to our students is both inspiring and deeply appreciated. Congratulations to all of our scholarship and award recipients—your accomplishments make Warwick Valley proud!

As we celebrate these final weeks of the school year, what stands out most is the extraordinary spirit of the Warwick Valley learning community. From student achievements in science, service, and the arts, to joyful milestone moments like moving-up ceremonies and commencement, we are reminded that learning is not confined to the classroom—it lives in every act of creativity, perseverance, and collaboration.

These year-end recognitions not only spotlight the dedication of our students, but also the commitment of our educators, families, and community partners who make these opportunities possible. Together, we continue to foster a district culture where students are empowered to reach their full potential and inspired to give back.