The Locust Valley Central School District’s 2023-2024 Budget and Board of Education vote will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, May 16. Please visit your respective polling location: Bayville Intermediate School, the Community Hall of the Brookville Reformed Church or Ann MacArthur Primary School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. to cast your vote. For information on the proposed budget, please visit the Budget Information section of the district website.
Dozens of young athletes came to the Locust Valley High School’s Fred Smith Field to learn from varsity and junior varsity athletes for Future Falcon Day on May 13. The clinic saw members and coaches from the baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, and track and field teams play games with and teach attendees how they can one day become Falcons themselves. The Falcons Pride Booster Club provided refreshments for all.
Members of the Locust Valley High School Italian and Culinary clubs met in the cooking classroom after school on May 10 to make pasta from scratch. Club advisers Eleonora Aiello and Anne Craven helped students prepare pasta, garlic, cheese and tomato sauce and enjoyed a tasty meal together.
Science exploration was in full effect when Locust Valley Middle School students took part in this year’s science fair on May 10. The young scientists brought tri-fold board displays and visual examples of their experiments to present to the esteemed panel of judges, which consisted of science department faculty and high school senior research students. The high school research students and middle school robotics team brought their own projects and creations to show what they have been working on as well. The middle school parents’ council sponsored the event and provided refreshments for students, judges and guests.
Michelangelo Singe won first place in the sixth grade division with his model rocket experiment. In the eighth grade division, Tallulah Lamb came in first place with her experiment explaining Pascal’s Law, and Alexander DeFilippis, Noah Kim and Liam Reilly took second place by creating gadgets to protect eggs from long falls.
Ms. Brittany Fassari’s second grade class put on a show for Bayville Primary School on May 9 telling their parents, teachers, fellow students and Mrs. Wasserman what they would do if they were principal for a day. Students danced their way into the all-purpose room and onto the red carpet as they were cheered on by the audience. Each student in the class got their chance to read an excerpt from a book they constructed in class highlighting their plans for the important role. Such highlights included adding classes like trampoline class, arriving at school in a Lamborghini and adding pizza with ice cream onto the lunch menu.
All high school students are invited to the annual Lip Sync in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. The entry fee for acts is $10 and tickets for guests are $5. Review dates for all performances to be approved by class advisers are Wednesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 18 right after dismissal in the auditorium. If students are unable to attend review dates, they can submit a video of the entire performance via email. Please contact Ms. Casale or Mr. DeRose at acasale@locustvalleyschools.org and lderose@locustvalleyschools.org for more information.
Locust Valley High School sophomore William Bodian took home the gold medal at the Al Kalfus Long Island Math Fair at Hofstra University on April 28 for his presentation: “Exploring the Relationship Among the Roots of an Odd Polynomial.”
Bodian was invited to participate in the Mathematics Research and Technology Program at the Institute of Merit at SUNY Old Westbury, and attended the program every Saturday from September to April. The institute is designed for student members of the college’s Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students interested in pursuing research in mathematics in college and their future careers. Bodian conducted extensive research on his topic and had his presentation and paper selected for the Long Island Math Fair.
“It was very nerve-racking, but once I got in the room I knew my project inside and out since I’ve been working on it for the past two years,” Bodian said of the experience.
Bodian was inspired by Dr. Robert Gerber, a professor at SUNY Old Westbury, and his high school math teacher Ms. Evangeline Papas. He hopes to utilize his love of math in either physics or economics when he starts his career.
Bayville Intermediate students won first place at the KidOYO Code Conquest Hackathon in the Upper Elementary Division at Willets Road School in East Williston on May 5. The Locust Valley Intermediate team finished in seventh place in the same 18-team division, led by school librarian Anne Joyce.
Code Conquest is a coding competition with solo and team play that tasks students with coding. The fourth and fifth grade division saw students try to take over territories on a map by performing tasks like deciphering messages, answering trivia and solving math problems. The Bayville team, led by school librarian Dr. Jennifer Farrell, won the trophy in overtime of the championship match.
The Bayville and Locust Valley Intermediate teams prepared with weekly sessions before school since March to prepare for the competition. As part of the Locust Valley Central School District’s LEAP program, all elementary schools teach coding.
The KidOYO program challenges young students at hundreds of schools in New York to engage in meaningful real-world entrepreneurial learning process.
Locust Valley High School senior John Cruz has been named Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club’s 2023 Youth of the Year.
Cruz credits the Club with helping him to prioritize homework but most importantly as a member and Treasurer of the Keystone Club he acknowledges the tremendous impact he and his peers have made through their community service. “To make the slightest difference in the community makes you feel good about yourself,” Cruz said.
Each year since 1947, Boys & Girls Clubs of America select members who embody the values of leadership, community service, academic excellence and good character. John who has been a member of the club since kindergarten exemplifies those qualities.
“We have watched John grow into a responsible young man and I have no doubt he will continue to make us all proud as he moves forward and accomplishes great things,” said Ramon Reyes, the club’s executive director.
Cruz will attend the University of Buffalo in the fall.
The Locust Valley Falcons girls and boys lacrosse teams are both in the midst of successful seasons, but they also have some individual milestones to celebrate this season.
Senior Payton Tini secured her 200th point in a win over Friends Academy on April 17 and junior Owen Hickey and sophomore Katie Nabet each scored their 100th goal on April 29 and May 1, respectively.
“I could not be more proud of the lacrosse player she (Tini) has become,” coach Carolyn Morales said. “I cannot wait to watch her continue her success in the next chapter of her life.” Tini will head to Rutgers to continue her lacrosse career in the fall.
“It’s amazing to see a young, talented player (Nabet) early in her career be such an impact player and reach milestones like this,” Morales also said.
“Owen is a great lacrosse player and an even better leader. Every day, he comes to practice and does what he can to help make the team better,” boys varsity coach Thomas Duggan said of Hickey. “As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be happier for him to get his 100th goal. I know this is just one of the many milestones that Owen will accomplish not only at Locust Valley but at the next level, as well.”
The Locust Valley High School Unified Basketball team opened its second season at home against Manhasset High School on May 3. The unified team is an inclusive sports team that allows players and volunteers to contribute to the success of their team through their individual skills. Each athlete has the chance to take on various team and leadership roles while fostering lasting friendships. The Falcons fought hard and already looked to be in mid-season form.
Locust Valley Middle School will host Grade 6 Orientation for parents and guardians of incoming students on Wednesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. in the MS/HS auditorium. There, parents and guardians will learn more about the middle school and speak with administrators. Presentation slides will be available on the district website after the orientation.
In celebration of National Library Week, Locust Valley Intermediate and Bayville Intermediate invited authors Greg Pizzoli and James Bruchac, respectively, to come to the schools on April 28 and speak to students about how they fell in love with writing.
Pizzoli is a Philadelphia-based author and illustrator known for the graphic novel series Baloney and Friends and New York Times Best Illustrated titles “Tricky Vic”, “The Quest for Z” and “Pizza! A Slice of History.” Pizzoli spoke to students about how his love for drawing and writing started at an early age and read from “Pizza! A Slice of History” in the auditorium. Fourth graders William Benazzi and Jack Scheider recreated one of Pizzoli’s graphic novel covers, which the author signed for the students.
Author, cultural educator and wilderness expert James Bruchac came to Bayville Intermediate to recount Native American folklore from his children’s books including “How Chipmunk Got His Stripes.” Bruchac taught students how these tales taught children lessons about to be safe in the wilderness and showed students animal tracks he collected on hikes.
Locust Valley Middle and High School guidance counselors are promoting healthy habits during May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Counselors greeted students and distributed green ribbon stickers – the international symbol of mental health awareness – as they arrived for school on the morning of May 1.
Throughout May, high school clubs will hold themed days like “Therapy Dog Thursday,” “Random Acts of Kindness Day” and “You Are Loved Day” among others. The middle school will participate in the 31 Day Mental Wellness Challenge, which will give students tasks such as paying someone a compliment, going for a walk, and staying off social media for a day.
The counseling departments extended their efforts to the faculty as well, with the Staff Wellness Fair in the mini-theater. Staff members had the opportunity to speak to local businesses who specialize in mental and physical health and finances.
Locust Valley High School seniors donned their college colors and shared their excitement for the future at Up & Away Day on May 1. Students came to the gym, which was adorned with photos of each student provided by the High School Parents’ Council, during third and fourth periods to grab a treat, socialize with friends and tell their counselors which schools they will attend in the fall.
Locust Valley High School will welcome young athletes at this year’s Future Falcon Day on Saturday, May 13, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the turf field. Locust Valley student-athletes from the lacrosse, baseball, softball, track and tennis teams will instruct attendees at the clinic and show them how they can become Falcons stars one day. No registration is required.
The Coordinated Parents Council will hold Meet the Candidates Night on Monday, May 8. The event will also be livestreamed on the Board of Education YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/LocustValleyBoardofEducation and will be moderated by the League of Women Voters.
Locust Valley middle and high schoolers spent late April doing their part to keep the school beautiful and promoting Earth Day activities. The high school’s Animal and Environmental Club voted on posters created by middle and high school students that portrayed the importance of protecting the environment. Sixth graders Kat Ehni, Stefano Reeves and team members Michaela Sellers and Isabella Moreano took home first, second and third place, respectively.
On April 25 and 26, middle schoolers helped care for the plants in the school courtyards as part of the Farm to Table health class project. Project coordinator Tina Hament, faculty members and the high school’s Garden Club and Animal and Environmental Club helped students tear out weeds, add soil, create compost and plant seeds in the high school and middle school gardens. The two-day program is part of the students’ nutritional unit which challenges them to think about where their food comes from.
Locust Valley and Bayville elementary schools celebrated Career Exploration Spirit Week by dressing for success. On Role Reversal Wednesday, students and teachers dressed like each other. On Thursday, students wore what they hope to wear at their jobs when they grow up for You Can Be Anything Day.
Throughout April, the elementary schools had students participate in career focused activities such as drawing themselves in the future, creating their first resumes and reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses.
The Locust Valley Central School District honored the Class of 2023’s top 15 students on April 26. Faculty, friends and family filled the mini-theater to celebrate this prestigious honor and the teachers and staff members who inspired them during their educational journey.
“It was an honor to celebrate the students and staff members,” Acting Superintendent of Schools Janine Sampino said. “These students have gone above and beyond in their academic and professional pursuits to distinguish themselves as wonderful examples for their peers.”
The district congratulates the following students and wishes them well in all their future endeavors: Faizah Akram, Isabella Craft, Sophia Del Giudice, Olivia Del Tatto, Deirdre Fallon, Elina Frey, Katherine Gu, Leonard Gu, Saira Hashmi, Paige Hawkins, Lindsay Nikolai, Eleni Papadopoulos, Jolie Pye, Clare Simon and Alisha Uduevbo. The district also thanks the numerous staff members honored for positively impacting these dedicated students.
