From the first day of school to Halloween activities, read through the fall edition of Soundwaves to see what the amazing students and staff of the Locust Valley Central School District have been up to. Go to www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/newsletter to read it online today!
Several Locust Valley High School students have been honored by the New York State Art Teachers Association and the Nassau County High School Student Juried Art Competition and Exhibit this fall.
Kyle Brown’s charcoal drawing, Annemie Germans’ acrylic painting and William Koch’s ceramic piece were chosen to exhibit their exceptional works in the 2023 New York State Art Teachers Association at the New York State School Boards Association’s annual convention from Oct. 26-28 in Buffalo.
Another five outstanding art students had their works chosen by Adelphi University professor Robyn Cooper for the 2023 Nassau County High School Student Juried Art Competition and Exhibition. Victoria Alesi, Gianna Castiglione, Annemie Germans, Thomas Rutherford and Olivia Wilde had their art recognized at the Nov. 5 reception and will be in the gallery until Nov. 25. The students were among the 275 entries, 75 artists and 81 pieces accepted for the exhibition.
“Art is a powerful language which can convey so much,” art teacher Melanie Mooney said. “I am immensely proud of these students who have spoken so eloquently through their works.”
Locust Valley Middle School students celebrated Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead in Mrs. Juana Adames’ Spanish classes on Nov. 3 with fun activities like word searches and Loteria that gave students a chance to practice their Spanish vocabulary. Students also colored in a Day of the Dead mural and made friendship bracelets with messages in Spanish. In between activities, students also sat down to watch Disney’s “Coco,” which focuses on the Day of the Dead and Spanish culture. The celebration acted as a hands-on learning experience to complement the curriculum and the students’ studies of language and culture.
The Locust Valley High School Interact Club is collecting baked goods to send to Locust Valley service members and veterans for Thanksgiving. Use your creativity to create patriotic treats for these heroes. Please deliver your items in a tin or container to HS room 136 by Thursday, Nov. 9.
Locust Valley middle schoolers in Ms. Daniela Coloma and Ms. Alexandra Senglaub’s ENL class took a trip down to the technology room on Nov. 2 to create a shelter for bats. Technology instructor Mr. Charles Labansky showed the students how to construct the box out of wood, so that it can be hung up nearby. The bat box connects with a short story students read in class called “Building a Bat House.”
Gain valuable experience and help make a special atmosphere for our amazing students in the Locust Valley Central School District. We are now hiring for a wide array of positions. Applicants should submit a letter of interest with their resume to the district office at 22 Horse Hollow Rd., Locust Valley or email Kathleen Sege at ksege@locustvalleyschools.org.
Ten Locust Valley High School students visited the White House Experience in the Roosevelt School at Long Island University to take on some of the world’s most difficult challenges on Oct. 27 as part of National Civics Day.
Students from eight Long Island high schools acted as their own presidential cabinets in small groups to deliberate on three different crisis situations and then presented their decisions to and faced questions from students in a room perfectly resembling the White House press room.
Students explored the Roosevelt School’s Museum of Democracy, which contains artifacts from past presidents, candidates, first ladies and campaigns and a replica Oval Office.
Tweed Roosevelt, the great grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, also invited students to celebrate the 26th president’s 165th birthday with a cake and cupcakes.
Locust Valley and Bayville schools put together some spectacular events throughout Halloween season.
Bayville Intermediate students donned their creative costumes for the Halloween Howl in the school gymnasium. They were treated to amazing desserts made by parents and danced the night away into the weekend. Bayville Elementary Parents Council members provided delicious festive treats, as well.
The high school and middle school welcomed children throughout the district for Safe Halloween. There, the costumed trick-or-treaters ventured into themed classrooms run by students and staff and got to participate in games, face painting, drawing and more.
Locust Valley Intermediate students danced, played and enjoyed treats like cotton candy and popcorn at the Halloween Hullabaloo. Members of the Locust Valley Elementary Parents Council made sure everyone had an amazing time.
Finally, on Halloween day, students throughout the district dressed up as their favorite characters, sports heroes and more. Bayville Primary and Ann MacArthur students put on heartwarming shows for their parents at their annual Halloween parades.
With students settled back into their school routine, schools throughout the district had plenty of fun activities going on in October.
From Oct. 5-13 the scholastic book fair came to Bayville and Locust Valley elementary schools with great books, toys, posters and more. Members of the Bayville Elementary Parents Council and the Locust Valley Elementary Parents Council set up the shelves and showed students around the fair.
The Locust Valley Elementary Parents Council welcomed community members to Ann MacArthur Primary School on Oct. 13 for the Family Picnic. Students munched on treats like popcorn, cotton candy and pizza, played on inflatable slides and the new playground and got their faces painted.
On Oct. 16, the middle school and high school Italian clubs announced the winners of its poster contest celebrating Italian American Heritage Month. Congratulations to middle schoolers Joey Jaszczuk, Abigail Madden, Mia Marcantonio, Charlie Ruotolo-Jampol and Liz Vitale, and high schoolers Jake Cobas, Rebecca DiDomizio, Ashley Grella and Vito Ricciardi for your amazing work.
On Oct. 18, elementary students in Bayville and Locust Valley celebrated Unity Day by wearing orange and using chalk provided by the Locust Valley Elementary Parents Council and Bayville Elementary Parents Council to write kind messages and heartwarming art with a positive message. Thanks to our school counselors Allison Warfield and Jessica Colombini for bring Unity Day to the district again.
Come out to support the talented Locust Valley High School Jesters as they bring the story of ‘She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition’ at the school theater on Nov. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12 at the door and $10 at the link here: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/77825 and in the QR code on the flyer. This production may not be suitable for audiences under the age of 13.
First grade students at Ann MacArthur Primary School have been learning about rights and responsibilities in their social studies classes. As part of this unit, teachers read students the book “Just Help” by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The book discusses how people young and old can enrich their communities with positive contributions.
In the book, Sotomayor asks “How will you help today?” Students came up with ideas for what they can do to help make their home, school and broader community better and drew a picture of what they planned to do.
Henry in Kimmarie Herlich’s class said he will be helping his father in their backyard garden. Henry’s classmate Gabbie is going to visit her grandmother and play games like bingo with her.
The Locust Valley Parents Councils are inviting students to enjoy the night at Adventureland on Nov. 3 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. The park will only be open to our Falcon Family. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the park. Show your school spirit by wearing your Falcons team jerseys and gear.
Register for your spot here https://my.cheddarup.com/c/lvcsd-takes-over-adventurelandb?cart=33ec5348-650d-4c0e-9e47-ec5423912557%21%2166558618.
If you have any questions, please call or text Lorie Minicozzi at 516-448-7872 or email at lvmspcpresident@gmail.com. Tickets are limited, so get yours today.
Locust Valley High School seniors Riley Haas and Kelsey Neves have been named the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Haas and Neves were recognized by Principal Patrick DiClemente at the district’s board of education meeting on Oct. 18.
Haas achieved a weighted average of 109.28 through her academic journey, including 13 IB courses, three Advanced Placement courses, band, guitar and Spanish classes. She also volunteers to play with life skills students’ Unified Basketball team. She was also recognized as an AP Scholar earlier this school year. English teacher Dr. Coleen Comerford described Haas as “attentive, patient, positive and a thoughtful listener with a strong sense of responsibility. Comerford also said that “Beyond her stellar academics, she is remarkable for her kindness and compassion.”
Haas is also extremely active in extracurricular clubs and sports, participating in Technology Club, Student Government, stage crew, field hockey, softball, volleyball teams. Additionally, she is an avid sailor and volunteers her time at the Grenville Boys and Girls Club in Locust Valley. Haas is also a talented All-County flute musician and accomplished girl scout pursuing a seal of biliteracy.
“I’ve always pushed myself to have high grades,” Haas said. “Last year I noticed that I had a shot at it (valedictorian), and I worked hard to get there.”
After she graduates, Haas hopes to study marine engineering. She discovered her love for that subject while away at summer camp during middle school where she built a small boat.
Neves has earned a weighted average of 107.4 through her time in Locust Valley, completing seven IB courses, three AP courses, French, physics, forensics, international relations, Model U.N club., band, journalism, computer art and design, ceramics, sculpture and career exploratory. She has also been recognized as a National Merit Commended Student, a National PTA Reflections Literary Program winner and has participated in the All-County music festival. She is also pursuing a seal of biliteracy.
After graduating, Neves hopes to continue her passion for creative writing in college. She has been inspired by English teachers Dr. Cumerford and Anthony Vitale.
“I knew I enjoyed writing, but I’ve gotten to hone in on that skill,” Neves said. “I was kind of lost as to what direction I wanted to go in the future, but having those outlets helped me figure out what I want to do with my life.”
Neves’ extracurriculars include participating in the art, garden, culinary, fashion and Gender-Sexualities Alliance clubs. She is also the editor of school newspaper “Perspective,” the art and literature magazine and the mental health awareness club’s newsletter.
“Neves’ diligent efforts, passion for success and overall attention to pursuing all the opportunities to achieve at Locust Valley High School have resulted in her status as the salutatorian,” DiClemente said.
Seniors, if you have not already, please order your caps and gowns online by Tuesday, Oct. 31. Go to https://herffjonesny.wufoo.com/forms/locust-valley-hs-class-of-2024/ to order your graduation package.
Locust Valley High School will host students throughout the district for Safe Halloween on Oct. 26 from 5-6:30 p.m. Attendees can safely trick or treat, play games and decorate pumpkins at different classrooms with high school student government members and volunteers. Pizza, baked goods and Falcons merchandise will be available for purchase.
Come to the track at Locust Valley High School for the first Community Breast Cancer Walk hosted by the Pre-Health club, Cancer Awareness Club and high school senior Gianna Palleschi’s charity Pink Pom Pom on Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be raffles, baked good and more. All proceeds will benefit the fight against breast cancer. Stay for the football game at 2 p.m. and cheer for the team on senior day.
The Locust Valley Central School District hosted a celebration of the diverse families that make up its Falcon Family at the high school cafeteria for Bilingual Night on Oct. 10.
Attendees brought meals and deserts from their unique cultures for the 165 community members in attendance to savor during the dinner portion of the night. Students in the high school’s Hispanic Heritage Club and parents volunteered to serve the delicious foods and beverages. Before and after dinner, partygoers reconnected with one another and learned more about the district’s course, counseling and athletic offerings at tables with school staff. Families also learned more about local organizations and businesses that also had tables at the event and sponsored gift baskets for the raffle.
District Language Interpreter and Hispanic Heritage Club Advisor Cyndy Ergen has organized Bilingual Night in Locust Valley for the past eight years as a space where families could get important academic information about the district.
“I feel happy and proud when I see families smiling, learning and having fun,” Ergen said. “I will continue to encourage parents to be active and involved and give them a voice.”
Locust Valley High School has earned distinction on the AP School Honor Roll and achieved the AP Access Award for the 2022-2023 school year. This honor is given in recognition of a school’s ability to provide students with access to advanced coursework.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access to those programs. Schools earn this status based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.
Schools are reviewed based on their college culture or percent of students in the graduating class who took an AP exam at any point in high school, college credit or percent of students in the graduating class who scored a three or higher on any AP exam in high school and college optimization or percentage of students in the graduating class who took five or more AP classes in high school where at least one exam was taken in ninth or tenth grade.
Locust Valley High School attained a gold rating in college credit and college optimization and a silver rating in college culture.
The high school also received an AP Access Award for encouraging more low-income and underrepresented minority students to take AP courses. The percentage of students in at least one of these categories who took at least one AP exam before graduation is proportional to or above the school’s student population, demonstrating a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework.
“At Locust Valley, our ongoing goal is to provide access to challenging coursework for as many students as possible, broadening their horizons and preparing them for life after graduation,” Director of Guidance and Student Counseling Michelle Villa said.
“The recent recognition reflects students’ earnest efforts with rigorous coursework and the related instructional preparation, work and talents among our staff,” Principal Patrick DiClemente said. We are proud as a school to provide multiple diversified instructional programs including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and specialized career training through Nassau BOCES and LIHSA.”
Aimed at helping students prepare for the future and foster strong connections, the district hosted two informational fairs this October.
At Locust Valley High School, students learned about the offerings provided at 57 different colleges and universities as part of the school’s second college mini-fair of the year on Oct. 2. During the event, the building’s juniors and seniors spoke with school representatives and gained further insight on the institutions’ curriculum, campuses and atmosphere.
Knowing the important benefits of staying involved in their school, middle school students browsed club choices at the activity fair after school on Oct. 5 on the blacktop behind the school. Students signed up for extracurriculars including music performing groups, robotics, T.V. studio productions and more.
The Bayville Elementary Parents’ Council invited students to Bayville Primary School on Oct. 6 for a fun fall fair. Fair goers had plenty of activities to take part in such as decorating pumpkins, making scarecrows, dancing and snacking on tasty treats like cotton candy and popcorn.
