WVCSD EdTalk: May 21, 2025

Yesterday morning, we honored 365 Wildcats who earned the title of Scholar-Athlete from the New York Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) for maintaining academic excellence during their 2024-2025 seasons. As a sports fan, I love the athletics department; I enjoy watching our teams win games and compete for titles. As a superintendent, what matters to me far beyond scores and trophies are the incredible academic achievements that these athletes made this year.

To qualify as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete, a student must maintain a GPA of 90% or higher throughout their varsity season. That means diligently attending classes and practices, doing your homework and your home workouts, and let’s not forget extracurriculars and, most likely, playing on a club or travel team too. When you think about the number of hours it takes to get those grades, along with the number of hours it takes to excel at the varsity level, it’s as if the math doesn’t work out. Yet, these scholar-athletes have found (perhaps made is a better word) the time to reach and exceed the goals they set for themselves.

One must applaud and admire the determination and resiliency it has taken to be the all-around successes these students are today, in the classroom and on the field. Being a Wildcat means representing Warwick Valley schools and community not only with Wildcat spirit and pride, but also with a sense of sportsmanship that extends beyond the field and into all aspects of life. As I said to the students during yesterday’s ceremony, they have my gratitude for the sacrifices they have made in becoming exactly those kinds of ambassadors!

I also want to take a moment to reiterate my deep appreciation for the support system these scholar-athletes have had over the years. Of course, thank you to the parents who contribute in every conceivable way, from encouraging to funding to chauffeuring to cheering. It was a packed audience yesterday, largely due to the number of family and friends who showed up to applaud their athletes. And to our outstanding athletics program, from director Gregory Sirico and his right-hand person Heidi Thonus, to our corps of faculty coaches who selflessly show up early and stay late, thank you for being a steady wind under the wings of our students.

The students we honored yesterday are a uniquely focused bunch; each of whom found a sport they loved at a young age and chose to persevere through tough practices and tougher losses. They have celebrated wins, turned teammates into lifelong friends, and created enduring memories. As they have moved through various competitive levels, whether for a club team or as a Wildcat, I know that they have picked up a lot from the experiences that athletics and academics have provided. The characteristics of our district’s Portrait of a Graduate shine in these students, and they have shown us that they understand a formula for continued success and growth.

Congratulations to all 365 of our NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athletes, and to the students also named US Army All-Americans, this year. Go, Wildcats! 

Here are some highlights from our schools this week:

Park Avenue Elementary School
First graders have been creating their own graphic novels. Mr. Spicehandler shared, “We have been studying all different forms of printed storytelling: picture books, wordless books, adventure/map books, short story books and graphic novels. Students studied the main elements of graphic novels – panels, word bubbles, captions and sound effects – and are now using those elements to create their own story in graphic novel format.” Learning about various formats of storytelling, and having students use them to tell their own stories, is a great way for students to become effective communicators, which is one of our goals encapsulated in the Portrait of a Graduate.

Our fourth-grade electricians are learning all about energy transfer. Students are learning that energy can be converted from one form to another and that electricity can transfer energy from place to place. Our electricians have been creating circuits where the chemical energy in the battery is transformed into electrical energy which moves along the wires. Circuits being created include one, two and three bulb series circuit builds.

On a similar note, in STEM class, kindergartners have been using what they've learned about civil engineering, forces, and bridges to build and test a bridge with their groups! Students used various materials to build a bridge meeting specific criteria and constraints.

Sanfordville Elementary School
The Town of Warwick Police Department held a bike rodeo at Sanfordville. Sanfordville’s SRO Katie Oresto helped to organize the event for the students that registered for the event.  Participants were able to have their bikes inspected and adjusted as needed, afterwards they listened to a bike safety presentation by the police officers, and learned about what kind of training the officers assigned to the bike patrol had to undergo. The students then participated in different stations that were set up throughout the Sanfordville parking lot. A huge thank you to our SROs Katie, Kat, and the entire Warwick Police Department.

Fourth-grade classes have been exploring the Revolutionary War for the last few weeks. Recently, they had the chance to participate in a historical walking tour at Sanfordville, made possible through our collaboration with the Warwick Historical Society. Each class completed the tour in just over two hours. Throughout the experience, students engaged in map studies, visited the site of the former DeKay Homestead, conducted a landscape and nature study, learned about Revolutionary history at Washington’s Spring, explored the DeKay cemetery, and traveled to the Peace Wall for a lesson on Patriots and Loyalists!

The Wee Wildcats were the center of attention as the Sanfordville school community held a pep rally to honor the athletes participating in the 2025 Special Olympics. Students and staff filled the hallways to support our athletes before gathering in the gym for an additional chance to motivate them as they prepared for their competition last weekend in Goshen. A big thank you to all the athletes and their coaches for their hard work and dedication in getting ready for this event.

Warwick Valley Middle School
This week, learning extended well beyond the classroom walls for the sixth graders, who embarked on a hands-on adventure to the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The grade-level field trip gave students the opportunity to dive into the wonders of marine biology, environmental science, and animal behavior – all while exploring world-class exhibits designed to engage and educate.

Students were captivated by the “What Is a Salt Marsh?” exhibit, where they encountered unique species and explored coastal habitats through immersive bilingual displays and interactive storytelling tools. From digital timelines to cultural artifacts, this experience highlighted the ecological and historical importance of New England’s marshlands. Many students were thrilled to interact directly with marine life at the Sturgeon Touch Tank and marvel at the mesmerizing jellyfish and towering shark tanks, all while gaining a new appreciation for aquatic ecosystems.

The excitement continued with a visit to “Pinniped Cove,” where students watched playful seals from multiple viewing levels and learned about marine conservation success stories. Nearby, energetic meerkats and curious river otters kept students smiling, while the “Just Add Water” exhibit helped connect how climate and habitat shape life across the planet. Other highlights included the chance to touch jellyfish, observe horseshoe crab research in progress, and even digitally color a sea creature to swim across the largest video wall in New England.

The day wrapped with a thrilling cinematic experience in the Aquarium’s 4D Theater, where students were immersed in “Animal Kingdom 4D” complete with sensory effects like wind, mist, and bubbles. This field trip was not only educational but deeply memorable – bringing science to life in a way that inspired curiosity, discovery, and a deeper connection to the natural world. A special thank you to the WVMS PTA for supporting this trip.

Warwick Valley High School
The high school held its annual Spring Orchestra Concert, a moving celebration of music, growth, and the graduating Class of 2025. The evening began with a heartwarming slideshow featuring photos of the orchestra’s seniors, capturing their journey from fifth grade to their final year. The nostalgic display, met with a chorus of “awws” and laughter, set the tone for a memorable night.

The concert opened with a stunning senior feature by Lucia Meehan, who performed The Swan by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns on the viola – an elegant and powerful start to the program. The Symphony Orchestra followed with three emotionally charged and precise performances, showcasing the students’ talent and dedication.

Another senior standout, Dania Barillas, performed Concerto No. 23 in G Major by Giovanni Battista Viotti on the violin, delivering an outstanding solo that captivated the audience. The Chamber Orchestra also contributed three meticulously performed pieces, highlighting the group's technical skill and musicality.

A special portion of the evening was dedicated to honoring the graduating seniors. Each student received a personal and heartfelt speech from Orchestra Director Ms. Elissa Maynard, recognizing their dedication and growth as musicians. It was a touching tribute to the years of commitment these students have shown to their craft.

The evening concluded with the seniors performing My One and Only Love by Akira Sato, followed by a powerful final senior feature: Connor Price’s vocal performance of My Way, accompanied by the combined orchestras. It was a fitting end to a beautiful night of music, marking both a farewell and a celebration of what lies ahead.