The school year may be over, but our administrative team is already hard at work preparing for when students return. Construction on our beautiful, new cafeteria library/research center and new parking lots is well underway, and we are very excited to see the evolution of our building and how students will take to these new spaces.
Due to the work on these capital projects, the middle/high school building and athletic facilities, including the tennis courts and Fred Smith Field, will be closed during the summer for the safety of our students, staff and community members.
Our athletic fields at Bayville Intermediate School and Ann MacArthur Primary School will remain open for recreational use by our community, as well as for off-season athletic practices and workouts. In addition, the gymnasium at Locust Valley Intermediate School will be available until 8 p.m. throughout the summer for our basketball coaching staff to conduct open gym sessions for any students entering grades 7-12 who are interested in participating.
Programs such as driver’s education, open basketball and volleyball, summer soccer, the Summer Academic Program, Summer College Boot Camp and Summer Recreation Program will be hosted at our primary and intermediate school buildings. Our middle and high school staff members will be moving over to Locust Valley Intermediate School for the summer.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as these important improvements are completed. These new projects will enhance our facilities and give our students more opportunities to grow and succeed socially and academically.
If you have any questions, you can contact our athletic office at (516) 277-5175 or our facilities team at (516) 277-5070.
With sincere appreciation,
Kristen Turnow, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
On the evening of June 25, years of hard work culminated with a beautiful graduation ceremony for the Locust Valley High School Class of 2026. The 125 graduates strode across the stage at the school’s Fred Smith Field, and enjoyed a night of reflection and celebration with their classmates, friends, family and teachers.
Dressed in their Locust Valley green and white gowns with pins and cords representing their accomplishments, the graduates beamed with excitement as they marched onto the field alongside the faculty members who helped them along their educational journeys in Bayville and Locust Valley.
After beautiful renditions of “Pomp and Circumstance” by the graduation ensemble and “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the chamber singers, principal Patrick DiClemente and Board of Education President George Vasiliou spoke to the class about the impact the Class of 2026 left on the school community and the exciting future that lies ahead for them.
“Your leadership and unity defined a high school experience marked by stellar academic achievement, impactful community service and meaningful mentorship with our elementary and middle school students,” DiClemente said. “You cultivated a positive culture.”
Referencing the poem "Ithaka" by Greek author Constantine Cavafy, Vasiliou urged the candidates to live in the moment even when working to their end goals. “Don’t let a check list become your horizon,” Vasiliou said. “Don’t let the image of a perfect Ithica blind you to the beauty of the journey that you are on.”
After accepting an Excellence medal from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow, class president Liam Baker stepped to the podium and addressed his classmates, urging them to treasure every moment they have with the people who helped them along their paths.
“Just remember that life’s too short and too precious to not take chances. Just do it,” Baker told his classmates. “But more importantly, tell your loved ones that you love them, say thank you and be kind each and every day.”
Following Baker’s speech, the chamber singers returned to continue the school tradition of performing “In My Life” by The Beatles. Subsequently, salutatorian Grant Creedon, student speaker Gianna Craft and valedictorian Justin Kwok received their own Excellence medals and took their turns speaking to their classmates and the audience.
“And now, for the first time, we have the opportunity to build something entirely new,” Creedon said. “The future is not already written. It will be shaped by the decisions we make, the risks we take and the people we choose to become.”
Gianna Craft likened the lessons she and her classmates learned during their high school years to those of the characters in “Toy Story.” Woody learns about change; Buzz Lightyear learns self-acceptance and the aliens learn about curiosity and taking control of their own destiny.
“Our time here at Locust Valley has allowed us to discover our true passions and strengths, whether those strengths be in the classroom, on the field, on stage or in the community,” Craft said. “It is these unique abilities that make us who we are and what made us so successful as a graduating class.”
Justin Kwok spoke about the new interests he found through encouragement by his teachers, such as joining the Jesters drama club out of the blue as a freshman, and the importance of taking a leap into the uncomfortable to discover hidden talents.
“In theater, we follow a rigid script where everything, our next line, interaction and acting choice is certain, but if you always stick to a rigid script, there’s no room for that little dash of exploration,” Kwok said. “When a scene goes wrong, a prop breaks or someone forgets their line, things are uncertain, and you’re forced to improvise. But it is during that very improvisation where the most important connections are formed – the connections where you save each other, learn and bring the performance back to life.”
Before the candidates received their diplomas, Dr. Turnow spoke about the way she and the Class of 2026 could find peace and joy in times of change. Inspired by Locust Valley Intermediate School fourth-grader Gia Adwar’s artwork called “Peace and Gratitude,” which depicts a peace sign with fourth quadrants filled with beautiful scenes from each season and holding hands around the edges, Dr. Turnow told the students, “Her message to all of us is simple, yet deeply wise: we can find true happiness simply by watching the leaves change color, watching a sunset, enjoying a snow day or seeing flowers bloom. Instead of focusing on the little things that upset us, we can be grateful for the people and the environment around us.”
After receiving their diplomas, turning their tassels and tossing their caps in the air, the graduates sought out their friends and took in the moment. While their time as students in these buildings may be over, they will always have a home here and be Falcons forever.
At the middle school moving-up ceremony, students received their diplomas and took in performances from the select chorus and band.
“During your middle school career, you’ve navigated challenges, celebrated successes and built a vibrant community within these walls,” middle school principal Michael Cestero said. “This milestone is a testament to your hard work, dedication and the positive energy you bring every day.”
Thank you to everyone who worked to make these days so special, and congratulations to our students for your successes this school year!
The 31 students spent the day at Stehli Beach in Bayville, where the group collected trash to help get the beach ready for the summer season. Assisted by their teacher, Donna Fredericks, and Friends of the Bay program coordinator Marianna Eades, the students also collected water data using chemical indicator tests and air quality data using a multipurpose digital sensor. They practiced ecology fieldwork techniques that are used to collect data about the distribution of species along the intertidal zone of a rocky beach.
Register here: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/82202142?district_id=2462
For more information, go to the Summer Recreation Program page on the district website.
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/summer-recreation-program
On June 9, Bayville Primary School revealed a new mural at the entrance of the building depicting the beauty of Bayville’s beaches and waters and honoring a former student’s life.
Over the past few weeks, every student in the school had an opportunity to contribute to the mural, which was inspired by the original school mural created in 2006 as a memorial to former student Matthew Fetzer. Fetzer passed away in April of 2005 after a courageous battle with cancer, but his memory remains a strong in the community. The Matthew Fetzer Foundation, run by his family, works with the community to bring clothing, financial support and toys to children fighting cancer.
Matthew’s parents, Ann and William, were present at the mural opening ceremony and thanked the school community for constructing the new mural and for its support through donations every year.
“I want to thank you again for getting Matthew’s memorial back up,” Ann Fetzer told students and staff at the unveiling of the mural. “It means the world to us.”
Before the wrapping paper came off the new mural, students, staff and guests were welcomed with a thoughtful performance by Bayville Intermediate School students and music teacher Mr. O’Flanagan.
Students in Ms. McDermott and Mrs. Morales' class also wrote a poem called “Bayville” to mark the occasion and speak about their love for the Bayville community.
“Maybe when you walk into school every day and see this scene, it will help you look inside and remember those moments, those memories that make Bayville and Bayville friends so special,” principal Ross Cohen told his students.
The fun isn’t over, as the seniors will have their graduation rehearsal and senior stroll on June 22 before they don their caps and gowns for the real graduation on June 25.
Propuesta 1: Presupuesto Escolar
Yes/ Sí: 1407
No: 874
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/voter-information-revote
This revised budget reduces the tax levy increase from 2.1% to 1.78%, which is the lowest increase of the 14 school districts in the Town of Oyster Bay, without affecting any academic or extracurricular programs for our students. If this budget passes, the district will be able to continue our focus on literacy for K-5 students, give middle school students the opportunity to get high school credits with hands-on classroom activities, and incorporate safety measures recommended to the district by the Nassau County Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Should the revised budget fail, the district will be legally required to adopt a contingency budget, which would implement a 0% tax levy increase from last school year and require $1.6 million in cuts. In addition to these cuts, many programs would not be allowed to continue as they would be deemed noncontingent under New York State law.
Please come out and vote tomorrow!
Please join us in celebrating Gray Araoz, Max Bamba, Evie Bergman, Johny Bonilla, Rin Chan, Sarang Cheon, Max Cummo, Chris Emmerich, Grace Engel, Stella Fraser, Maya Karagiannakis, Samiyah Michalski, Scarlett Modlin, Gianna Moreano, Adriana Quijije, Alex Rivas, Skylar Seele, Hodavia Tedeschi, Avery Toscano, Julia Velez, Ava Yagudayev and John Zatwarnicki.
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our students!
The team boasted the conference offensive and defensive players of the year, won by Morgan Sullivan and Ava Roedel, respectively. But that wasn’t all, as senior Sophia Georgiopoulos took home the Section VIII Unsung Hero Award.
Mia Marcantonio, Ava Roedel and Morgan Sullivan earned all-county designations. Victoria Sansone received an all-county honorable mention designation. Darling Acosta, Angelina Iodice, Melanie Smith and Duran Tchange Mangwa were named all-conference players.
Congratulations to the team and coach Michael Gilbert on a great season!
At the high school’s Senior Athlete Recognition Night in partnership with the athletic council, student-athletes were honored for their on- and off-field contributions and leadership. Thank you to all our athletes for wearing our Falcons colors with pride and to our local scholarship presenters for keeping this beautiful tradition going strong. Elliot Aramayo, Andrew Bock, Brian Lorusso, Ben Martinez and Andrew Siegel were honored as coaches of the year for their lifesaving efforts at a basketball practice in November. Wendy Tobin accepted the lifetime achievement award on behalf of her sister Cindy, who the softball field was dedicated to in May.
At the high school’s Senior Academic and Community Awards, members of the Class of 2026 were recognized for their pursuits inside and outside of the classroom. Students were honored by alumni and community organizations for doing all that they could to serve as role models for our younger Falcons.
The high school recently celebrated International Baccalaureate Candidate Recognition Night as well. Each candidate spoke about the teachers who inspired them and the essays and projects they completed along their two-year journey in the program.
The middle school held its awards night recently, showcasing the next generation of Falcons who are ready to take the reins. These students demonstrated their kindness, thoughtfulness and maturity all year long.
Congratulations to all the recognized students and staff members and thank you to our community organizations who helped lift these students up all year.
As a reminder, here are some key points for the budget revote on Tuesday, June 16. Voters can cast their ballot at Ann MacArthur Primary School, Bayville Intermediate School or Brookville Reformed Church, depending on their election district, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Visit the Budget Information and Voter Information pages of the district website to learn more.
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/voter-information-revote
In March, Arrata and her Locust Valley DECA compatriots traveled up to Rochester to take part in the New York DECA State Career Development Conference. The team earned several accolades, including a top 10 finish for Vito Ricciardi in his role play exercise. Arrata, meanwhile, became the club’s first-ever member to qualify for the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta by placing fifth statewide in the Professional Selling category.
Earlier this spring, Arrata entered the Japan Center Essay Competition through Stony Brook University and took home first place and the International Consulate of Japan Special Award. Her essay centered on her grandfather’s escape from the Cultural Revolution in China, which she connected with Japanese philosophy.
In May, Arrata returned from the international DECA conference, where she competed with thousands of business students from around the globe and earned a 92 overall composition score from an exam and her presentation on professional selling. studied seven days a week while balancing her regular schoolwork for the notoriously difficult ICDC exam.
“It was a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of stress,” Arrata said. “I’m grateful for the experience because it taught me how to balance academics and an international competition.”
Even while at the conference, Arrata skipped leisure time, including concerts and a trip to Six Flags, opting to utilize as much time as possible to prepare for her 15-minute presentation in front of professors and industry professionals from institutions such as Blackrock, Blackstone and Goldman Sachs. That presentation was a “supped up” version of the one she gave at the New York State DECA competition, which qualified her as the first-ever Locust Valley student to attend the international conference.
As part of her project, Arrata was tasked with finding ways to maintain a nonprofit organization and perform tasks like reducing high turnover rates and increasing and upscaling staff. She went beyond her marketing designation; creating an employee handbook and contract and running through the organization’s finances. Arrata had some real-world practice in this area already that she built off of, as she runs her own districtwide initiative called “Message Matters” focused on helping neurodivergent students express themselves, acts as the business director of a program called “Heroboxes,” which helped raise money for the homeless and she took part in a mission trip down to Jamaica in April to help rebuild homes damaged in storms.
“I really took on the role as if it were a real job, and that took some time and money to make these props,” Arrata said. “But it was really worth it.”
While Arrata was preparing for ICDC and her regular school exams, she received good news about another venture just days before she left for Atlanta. Arrata submitted numerous essays and video applications throughout the school year and received approval from the organization and the district to give a TEDx Talk to Locust Valley High School in August. The talk will be given from the school auditorium and livestreamed to be viewed everywhere online.
Arrata was inspired to fight for all these incredible achievements during a period of her life when she was struggling with health issues. Her TEDx Talk will focus on her belief that fear and hardship do not have to define anyone.
Arrata said her DECA club teacher, Lara Olotka, has been a huge source of support during her time in Locust Valley.
“She knew me when my family was going through a lot of adversity and she never gave up on me,” Arrata said. “She’s never doubted me. She always says, ‘You can do anything.’”
Arrata gave advice to Falcons present and future on how to find both classroom and personal success.
“I’ve failed many times. I’ve submitted for competitions, I’ve auditioned for things, started initiatives and some have failed, but I didn’t give up,” Arrata said. “I always tell my friends when they ask how I balance all this, ‘you have to have the drive. You have to want it.’ If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
Tickets are $45 per person and are available at the link below. Tickets will be sold at the park box office for $65 on the night of the event. Food and beverages will be sold at the park. If the event is canceled due to inclement weather, a park voucher will be offered. The deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, June 16, at 2 p.m. Make sure to get your tickets before they sell out!
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/lvcsd-takes-over-adventureland2026/items
If you have any questions, please contact Lorie Minicozzi at lvmspcpresident@gmail.com or (516) 448-7872.
