WVCSD EdTalk: May 7, 2025

The members of the Warwick Valley Board of Education generously volunteer their time and efforts to develop a shared vision for the Warwick Valley Central School District. Our school board members dedicate themselves to ensuring that strategies, resources, policies and programs align with school district goals. We are profoundly grateful for their work and commitment to the Warwick Valley Central School District.

The annual school board election is approaching. On Tuesday, May 20th, voters will choose three candidates to fill three seats on the board. Their terms will be for three years. The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot: Keith Parsons (i), Paul R. Eagleston, Daniel Mahoney (i) and Thomas Maslanka (i). Three of these individuals, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Mahoney and Mr. Maslanka, are incumbents who are seeking another term, while Mr. Eagleston is seeking his first term on the school board.

The Board of Education is composed of nine elected citizens who serve staggered three-year terms. Their primary responsibilities include setting broad objectives and policies, delegating authority to the Superintendent of Schools to accomplish these objectives, and evaluating progress. Boards of education act only as a whole and during public meetings. A school board is a corporate body, so it has power only when acting as a board.

The Board of Education typically holds meetings twice a month on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Dorothy Wilson Education Center Board/Community Room. Please check the Board of Education webpage on our website as meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Individuals have two opportunities at each regular meeting to express their opinions on issues of interest.

In addition to its regular meetings, the board sometimes holds executive sessions. These sessions may precede or follow regular meetings and are for the discussion of sensitive subjects such as personnel matters and employee contract negotiations. However, all official actions take place at public meetings. If you are interested in learning more about the candidates, you may read their bios once they are posted on the district website within the next week. Moreover, the local radio station, WTBQ, will broadcast live a “Meet the Candidate Forum” on Monday, May 12th at noon. This broadcast will be replayed the evening before the vote, Monday, May 19th.

Here are some highlights from our schools this week:

 Park Avenue Elementary School
Children in kindergarten are learning about life cycles related to chickens and butterflies. Ms. Kristina Baumann, a former Park Ave parent, came to the school to set up an incubator in Mrs. Canfield’s class. She taught the children what incubators are used for and carefully placed 20 eggs in the incubator. She briefly talked to the children about the life cycle of the chicken. Ms. Baumann will return periodically to work with the children, candling eggs and to complete the “wings test.”

A Master Gardener visited the school and worked with some of the Kinderbuddies from Mrs. Gilmore's and Mrs. Dinino’s classes to plant seedlings. Students will now have the responsibility of observing and caring for these seeds until they grow into strong sprouts. Mrs. Gilmore shared, “We planted our marigolds in front of the school for everyone to enjoy. We cannot wait to see the buds bloom in the next few weeks!”

The Student Council’s Walk for Parkinson’s disease was nothing short of incredible.

The Student Council worked hard to spread the word, and it paid off. 97 walkers showed up to support the cause: students, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles. The group smashed their goal and raised over $7,018 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. This walk served as a reminder of how many loved ones are impacted by Parkinson’s and how strong we are when we work together to find solutions.

Sanfordville Elementary School
The PIE third and fourth grade students in Mrs. DeGuisto’s and Mrs. Reilly’s classes have been hard at work on unveiling their own version of fairy tales. Students put their own “twists” on their fairy tales, and created sets that went along with the fairy tale puppet shows. Parents and guests were invited to see the students present their fairy tales and we have heard nothing but positive reviews for each of these performances.

Second-grade classroom was given ladybugs to nurture. The students have been watching the ladybugs as they develop and progress through their life cycle. As part of their learning experience, they engage in various activities to enhance their understanding of the ladybug's life cycle. Each day, students take notes and draw pictures of the ladybugs at different stages, from eggs to larvae, pupae and finally, adult ladybugs. They also explore the natural habitats of ladybugs, discussing the importance of these insects in gardens and ecosystems. To understand how environmental factors affect the ladybugs’ development, students set up simple experiments, varying light conditions or food sources. After documenting their observations, they will create presentations to share their findings with classmates and parents, reinforcing their communication skills. Through these activities, students are not only learning about biology but also developing critical thinking, teamwork and observational skills.

The fourth graders have been using the research they have been doing during Reader’s Workshop to take notes on a subtopic before the  American Revolution in 1775. These notes have then been summarized and have become a part of a conglomerate informational chapter book each student is writing to teach others what they have learned.

Warwick Valley Middle School
In Ms. Terrallavoro’s seventh grade ELA classes, students have been continuing to read the novel Hope Was Here. They’re using the STEAL strategy – looking at what characters say, think, do, and how they impact others – to better understand character traits and strengthen their writing. It’s been great to see how engaged they are with the story and how they’re using this tool to deepen their thinking. Students have also been making strong text-to-self connections through this reading.

In eighth-grade social studies, Mr. Zwart’s classes have been learning about the United States’ response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their conversations around FDR’s leadership and how the country reacted in such a critical moment in history have been thoughtful and reflective. These are big topics, and it’s impressive to see how our students are making sense of them and asking such meaningful questions. Students have also had the chance to watch the actual videos of FDR addressing them at the time these events occurred.

Karen Thomas from the Warwick Valley Community Center came to the school to speak with students during lunch about the Summer Youth Leadership Academy. This is a great opportunity for current seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students to build leadership skills, connect with peers, and get involved in their community over the summer. We’re so glad to continue to partner with the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition and its resources  that support our students beyond the classroom.

Warwick Valley High School
The high school hosted its National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony, celebrating academic excellence, leadership, service and character as 74 exceptional juniors and seniors were formally inducted into the school’s prestigious Henry C. Lamoreaux Chapter of the NHS.

Guided by devoted faculty advisors Mary Fox and Serena Sze, the ceremony was both inspiring and seamlessly executed. Led by President Evan Grundfast, the current NHS board played a central role in organizing and presenting the event. Grundfast also served as emcee, lending professionalism and pride to the proceedings.

A highlight of the evening included special recognition of two current NHS members – Rachel Ramos and Gillian Hayeck – who were commended for their remarkable dedication, having completed over 20 hours of peer tutoring during the school year. Their commitment reflects the core NHS value of service and the spirit of giving back to the school community.

Congratulations to all the newly inducted members of the National Honor Society. Your hard work and character have earned you this well-deserved distinction.