WVCSD EdTalk & Photo of the Week: April 6, 2026

I am incredibly proud to congratulate the Warwick Valley High School students who recently represented our community at the statewide SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championships in Syracuse and returned home as medalists. Their accomplishments highlight remarkable talent, collaboration, determination, and the strength of an education that brings together classroom learning and authentic, hands-on experiences.

At the 2026 New York State SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championships, Warwick Valley High School students competed in the following categories: Digital Cinema, Television Production, 3 Axis Milling, Criminal Justice, Crime Scene Investigation, Cosmetology, and the Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl.

Our students earned top honors across multiple competitions. Gold Medalists included Samantha Diltz and Elijah Caric in Digital Cinema, who will attend a national competition in June in Atlanta. Sienna Liggio, Christopher DeGroat II, and Luke Fowler were Gold Medalists in the Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl. Silver Medals were earned by Lia Salmon and William Boller in Television Production. These outstanding results reflect our students’ high levels of technical skill, creativity, teamwork, and professionalism, and underscore the strength of Warwick Valley’s Career and Technical Education program.

SkillsUSA is more than a competition. At the New York State level, it brings together the most dedicated and skilled students from across the state to demonstrate excellence in technical fields, leadership, and professional readiness. Competing requires mastery of industry‑aligned standards, the ability to think critically under pressure, and a commitment to professionalism. Our students rose to that challenge, and their medals reflect both their individual achievements and the strength of the programs that support them.

Just as important as the awards themselves is what this experience represents. Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a vital role in preparing students for life after high school, whether that path leads directly to the workforce, to apprenticeships, or to college. Through CTE coursework and organizations like SkillsUSA, students develop in-demand technical skills while also building communication, collaboration, leadership, and problem‑solving abilities.

Warwick Valley’s robust Career and Technical Education program exemplifies these priorities by offering students hands-on, industry-aligned learning experiences that complement and enrich their academic coursework. Across a wide range of fields, our CTE pathways help students develop technical expertise, professional skills, and confidence while exploring meaningful career options. A Warwick Valley education meets students where they are and prepares them for where they aspire to go.

I want to applaud all of our students in this competition for their hard work and professionalism, our teachers and advisors for their expertise and mentorship, and our families for their unwavering support.

Here are some highlights from our schools this week:

Park Avenue Elementary School
For their Spring Service Project, the Student Council has elected to organize a fundraiser and educational campaign to support the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). The purpose of the students’ project is to:

• raise awareness related to Alzheimer’s and support the AFA
• engage students in meaningful community service
• involve families, businesses, and other stakeholders
• promote empathy, leadership, and civic responsibility

Elements of this year’s service project include a communitywide campaign called Light Warwick Teal. Families and businesses are invited to place a teal light in their window from May 1st to May 8th, with Teal Spirit Day and a Teal Dance Party serving as culminating events. 

 Park Avenue’s Someone Special Dance took place on April 24. This year’s theme was Dancing Under the Sea. Students had the opportunity to bring one of their parents, or someone else special, to show off their moves on the dance floor. Kindergarten through second grade danced away from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  The Electric Slide was a big hit! Third and fourth graders hit the dance floor from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. when the Macarena made its comeback. 

Sanfordville Elementary School 
There is a sense of celebration in the air at Sanfordville as numerous classes have finally welcomed their newly hatched chicks! This project allowed students to observe the incredible transformation of the eggs first-hand, with both children and staff greeting every new arrival with genuine joy. The enthusiasm across the building has been inspiring. To support this hands-on experience, students participated in several educational activities, such as: writing in journals, making predictions, sequencing events, creating art, and listening to read-alouds about the life cycle of a chicken.

The first grade students in Ms. Jackson’s class were proud to share their school pride with the entire school through their opinion writing assignment. The students were tasked with the writing prompt of why Sanfordville is the best school in Warwick! Some of the highlights from our students’ writing included the playground areas, their nice teachers, Pizza Fridays, and going to encore classes.

Second graders are currently blending reading and writing by exploring the world of opinion writing! Students have been busy crafting a letter to an author and fellow readers to champion their favorite books. By highlighting beloved segments and key story elements, they are now learning to strengthen their arguments with direct quotes and specific evidence from the text. Their ultimate objective is to persuade others to pick up and enjoy their top book choices.

Warwick Valley Middle School
Great things continue to take place in classrooms across Warwick Valley Middle School, where students are actively engaged in meaningful, rigorous learning experiences each day. In seventh grade health classes, students are building a strong understanding of human growth and development. Through focused instruction and discussion, students are mastering key concepts related to adolescence, including the role of the endocrine system, hormones, and the physical and biological changes that occur during puberty. This foundation is helping students better understand an important stage of their own development.

In ELA, Ms. Mistler’s sixth grade students are diving into literary analysis with a focus on how characters respond to conflict. Through  mini lessons and guided discussion, students recently explored internal and external conflict while applying their thinking to the text The Hero Beowulf. By connecting the story to the Hero’s Journey, students engaged in thoughtful analysis and collaborative discussion, strengthening both their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Seventh grade social studies students in Mr. Patafio’s class are exploring the impact of the War of 1812 and its influence on the United States’ foreign policy. Through guided notes, video analysis, and class discussions, students are making meaningful connections between historical events and long-term outcomes. This approach is helping students deepen their understanding of how pivotal moments in history shape the direction of a nation.

Across other classrooms, students are demonstrating perseverance, curiosity, and a commitment to learning. In Mrs. Burge’s class, students are strengthening their problem-solving skills by working through challenging tasks and clearly showing their thinking, while building confidence through the use of digital tools. In Mr. McGovern’s classroom, students are engaged in research-based learning, using trusted resources to explore rainforest animals, develop vocabulary, and practice putting information into their own words. Together, these experiences highlight the strong instruction and student engagement taking place throughout the building each day.

Warwick Valley High School
The high school proudly hosted its annual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Thursday evening, celebrating the accomplishments of 76 exceptional students as they were welcomed into the Henry C. Lamoreaux Chapter. The ceremony served as a meaningful recognition of their academic excellence and ongoing commitment to service within the school community.

Induction into the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors a high school student can achieve, reflecting a steadfast dedication to the organization’s four pillars – scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Each inductee embodies these values, demonstrating not only strong academic performance but also a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The evening was thoughtfully facilitated by NHS President Henry Wendell, whose leadership and poise helped create a memorable and inspiring experience for students, families, and staff in attendance.

A special highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of senior Cara Calone, who received the Outstanding Service Award for completing over 20 hours of tutoring. Her dedication to supporting her peers exemplifies the true spirit of service and reflects the impact one student can have on the broader school community.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to NHS advisors Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Sze for their guidance, organization, and continued commitment to supporting our students and upholding the values of the National Honor Society.

Congratulations to all of our inductees on this well-deserved honor. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to the continued leadership and positive contributions they will bring to Warwick Valley High School and beyond.

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