Today, the district joins with the rest of the country to honor and reflect upon the events of 9/11/01.
Locust Valley High School varsity athletes returned to practice in late August to get back into game shape, but on Aug. 30, they took part in a leadership workshop with the Lead ‘Em Up organization to mentally prepare themselves for the season.
All 14 fall varsity sports teams and their coaches listened in the high school auditorium as a speaker from Lead ‘Em Up explained how to sharpen their leadership skills by being a positive influence on their teammates in practice and games.
The Lead’ Em Up organization engages coaches and students in youth, high school and college sports all over the country, and provides in-person and online leadership and communication exercises to develop players into leaders.
Each Locust Valley coach had teammates pair up to push each other to be great throughout the season. Win or lose, the Falcons will be maturing and learning in every practice and game.
Locust Valley Central School District staff and faculty returned from their summer vacation on Sept. 5 to prepare for the first day of school during Superintendent’s Conference Day. New and veteran faculty members reconnected at a morning breakfast at the high school cafeteria before gathering in the auditorium for a welcome address by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow. Joining Dr. Turnow were members of the board of education, who collectively honored faculty and staff members who are entering their 30, 25 and 20 years, respectively, in the district during the event.
Guest speaker Regina Smith; founder of The Karmic Grind in Locust Valley and The Gritty Buddha Yoga and 2.0M Yoga in Glen Cove, encouraged faculty to take a breath before the year begins and embrace patience.
The staff spent the remainder of the day setting up their classrooms and attending faculty meetings, all to prepare for the opening day of school.
The Locust Valley Central School District welcomed students back for the start of the 2023-2024 school year on Sept. 6. Nearly 2,000 students excitedly returned to classes in Locust Valley and Bayville to embark on another year in their academic journey.
“I am so excited to see our students back in the buildings for the start of what is certain to be a very special school year,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow said. “None of this can happen without the dedication and commitment from our wonderful administrators, faculty and staff for all their hard work to set up our students for success.”
Incoming kindergartners and third graders played with their friends and made new ones at the Bayville Primary, Bayville Intermediate and Locust Valley Intermediate meet and greets on Aug. 28. Students took to the playgrounds, while parents reconnected with each other and got to speak to their building principals ahead of the first day of school on Sept. 6.
On Aug. 30, incoming sixth grade students and their parents were greeted by the new middle school principal Michael Cestaro and faculty for orientation. Students met their teachers and got a tour of the building, while Mr. Cestaro introduced himself and spoke to parents about everything from technology to the daily schedule and exciting events this year. The next day, the Middle School Parents Council hosted students at Soundside Beach for a post orientation party.
New prekindergarten students came to Ann MacArthur Primary and Bayville Primary schools on Aug. 31 and got to play and meet new friends in their classrooms, while parents spoke with their teachers.
You can represent the Falcons and the red, white and blue by purchasing Remembrance Bowl gear from the 2023 homecoming stores here: https://lvhshomecoming2023.itemorder.com/shop/home/ https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blatantteamstore.com/collections/locust-valley-hs-remembrance-bowl-team-store&source=gmail-imap&ust=1694102843000000&usg=AOvVaw1EjCk3jakA1K8_xCpVPHym and at the link in our Instagram bio. Grab your Falcons shirts, sweaters and hats before the online store closes on Sept. 10!
In just a few weeks, Locust Valley Central School District will host the first Remembrance Bowl in the United States. The week of the game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23, kindergarten to 12th grade students will learn about the heroic acts of Allied soldiers during the D-Day invasion and subsequent liberation of Europe, including Locust Valley’s sister city Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, in a unit curated by our incredible teachers.
On Sept. 23, the festivities will begin with the homecoming parade at 11 a.m. At 1:15 p.m., the Remembrance Ceremony will start at the high school’s Fred Smith Field, and at 2 p.m. our local heroes in the American Legion will participate in the coin toss and the game will kick off. Overflow parking and a shuttle to the game will be available at Stehli Beach.
Educators from across the country will be on hand to observe and learn how to bring the Remembrance Bowl to their communities in the future.
Go to Remembrance Bowl (lvremembrancebowl.com) for more information.
The district welcomed 19 new teachers to the Falcon Family this week. Experienced faculty and administration members helped acclimate the new teachers during a two-day orientation program, which included tours of the schools and technology training.
It has been a busy last few days of summer in Locust Valley. On Aug. 30, incoming sixth grade students and their parents were greeted by the new middle school principal Michael Cestaro and our amazing faculty for orientation. Students met their teachers and got a tour of the building, while Mr. Cestaro introduced himself and spoke to parents about everything from technology to, the daily schedule and exciting events this year.
Incoming kindergartners and third graders played with their friends and made new ones at the Bayville Primary, Bayville Intermediate and Locust Valley Intermediate meet and greets on Aug. 28. Students took to the playgrounds, while parents reconnected with each other and got to speak to their building principals ahead of the first day of school on Sept. 6.
Ann MacArthur Primary and Bayville Primary will host prekindergarten meet and greets on Aug. 31.
With another school year comes another set of amazing courses through Continuing Education in Locust Valley. Play fun games like Mah-jongg and canasta, learn about important Social Security benefits and will and estate planning, or get active with volleyball and yoga.
In-person enrollment in on one night only on Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 6-8 p.m. at the high school. You can also register before Wednesday, Sept. 13 by sending in the form attached to the catalogue which was mailed out to residents and is available at the Continuing Education section of the district site. Late registration is available up to one week prior to the start of each class.
Please call Wendy Pierno at (516) 277-5541 or email at wpierno@locustvalleyschools.org if you have any questions about class availability or registration.
The Locust Valley Falcons started practice this week as they prepare for the 2023 season and the Remembrance Bowl against Cold Spring Harbor High School on Sept. 23. Catch their first home game on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. vs. West Hempstead High School!
School may not be back yet, but the high school and middle school garden clubs and supervisor Tina Hament are tending to the schools’ gardens. Recently, the students picked garlic from the gardens and cooked Swiss chard. The club meets Mondays at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and all are welcome.
You can help make the Remembrance Bowl a spectacle by donating to, underwriting or sponsoring the event. All options are available at www.lvremembrancebowl.com/sponsorship-opportunities and click “Donate here” to contribute to the High School Parents Council here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/homecoming2023?cart=b6fd3e3b-4530-4b95-8c31-2b21759c0f5a%21%2160073650.
Event underwriters will have their names displayed throughout the festivities, such as the kick-off luncheon, jersey signing ceremony and parade breakfast and in the commemorative program. Sponsors can get swag bags, journal ad space and more.
Have your name etched in history as we lead the way for future Remembrance Bowls throughout the country.
The Locust Valley Middle School Parents Council invites all incoming sixth graders for an end-of-summer beach party on Aug. 30 at Soundside Beach in Bayville immediately following orientation. Please RSVP at https://6th-beachparty.cheddarup.com. The rain date is Aug. 31.
If you have any questions, please contact Lorie Minicozzi at lvmspcloriem@gmail.com
As Locust Valley prepares to host the Remembrance Bowl and discuss the historical significance of the D-Day invasion in the classroom, one mini-documentary is a must watch for district families. Henry Roosevelt’s “Sixth of June” tells the story of the beginning on the liberation of France through veterans who lived through it. Through the story, we see how their sacrifices gave opportunity for generations of people, like those in our sister city Sainte-Mere-Eglise, to live freely.
“In this small place, there are probably more American flags flown than any other piece of real estate in the United States at any day of the year,” D-Day historian and Retired U.S. Army Col. Keith M. Nightingale said.
Go to the website: Sixth of June Film (sixofjune.com) to view the film. The film will also be screened the week of the Remembrance Bowl. Parental discretion is advised, as the film is intended for mature audiences.
The week of the Remembrance Bowl will be an adventure throughout the Locust Valley Central School District.
In the classroom, kindergarten to 12th grade students will be learning about the historical significance of World War II and D-Day in units tailored to each grade by our wonderful faculty. Local families will host high school educators, coaches and school board members from around the country who have been invited to observe and learn how to continue the Remembrance Bowl in their communities. There will be screenings of the mini-documentary “Sixth of June” by director Henry Roosevelt, which tells the story of the D-Day invasion through the eyes of veterans.
On Remembrance Bowl Day, Sept. 23, the homecoming parade kicks off from Centre Island at 11 a.m. with floats, dignitaries and American Legion guests with an official viewing parade section.
Prior to the game, there will be a Remembrance ceremony at Fred Smith Field at 1:30 p.m. followed by a coin toss performed by the American Legion. The game starts at 2 p.m. and afterwards the winning team will sign a football to be placed in Sainte-Mere-Eglise City Hall next to the Remembrance Bowl Trophy. A post-game celebration for all will be held after the game, as well.
Construction on the new Ann MacArthur Primary School Playground begins today. The playground will not be accessible for at least the next 10-14 days while improvements are made ahead of the 2023-2024 school year.
Locust Valley High School will induct Falcons legends Alfred DeStefanis, Robert DeStefanis, Rob McGrorty and John Salvi into the school hall of fame on Sept. 22 in the main gymnasium at 6 p.m.
The ceremony and following complimentary hors d’oeuvres are open to the public. Members of the community can take out ads in the induction program and RSVP to the ceremonies by contacting athletic director Danielle Turner Cosci or John Johnson of LV Falcon Pride Booster Club. Journal ads are due by Aug. 24 and induction ceremony and hors d’oeuvres RSVPs are due by Sept. 15.
Locust Valley High School incoming senior Gianna Palleschi is bringing love, hope and care to breast cancer patients with her charity Pink Pom Pom.
Palleschi was inspired by her mother, a breast surgeon, to brighten the days of patients going through treatment by sending them pink boxes with items such as candles, socks, notepads, pens, bath salts, shower salts, hand lotions, tumblers and inspirational note cards along with a signature pink pom pom keychain.
“I wanted to do my part in helping them navigate their journeys,” Palleschi said. Through calls to her mother’s patients, Palleschi got an understanding of the daunting situation they face and realized that the boxes that she would send should lift their spirits as they battle. The Pink Pom Pom name came from the idea of cheering on cancer patients while also using the color for breast cancer awareness.
In June, Palleschi was named a recipient of the 2023 Nassau County District Attorney SHIELD Award. The SHIELD program highlights high school juniors that display service, honesty, integrity, excellence and leadership to better their community. Palleschi met with Attorney General Anne T. Donnelly during a ceremony on June 27.
Palleschi was also invited to talk about Pink Pom Pom at the Bunchful Future of Philanthropy Summit in September 2022 in New York City. There, Palleschi got to speak to other young philanthropists about how to continue bettering their communities.
Recently, Palleschi donated 15 Pink Pom Pom boxes to the Manhasset Women’s Breast Cancer Coalition and she hopes to continue expanding the program during her senior year. “Every little action can make a difference to patients,” Palleschi says.
