Locust Valley Central School District

Please see below for the 2025-2026 budget results for the Locust Valley Central School District. Proposition 1: School Budget (Passed) Yes: 731 No: 530 Proposition 2: Capital Reserve Withdrawal (Passed) Yes: 823 No: 417 Proposition 3: Locust Valley Library Tax Levy 2025-2026 (Passed) Yes: 424 No: 177 Trustee Election (* indicates winners): 3-year terms *Lindsay Fox: 883 *Krystina Tomlinson: 894 Thank you to the community for your support of the budget!

The six members of the Locust Valley High School history bowl team traveled down to Arlington, Virginia, recently for the International Academic Competitions’ National History Bowl Competition and returned with a bronze medal in the small schools division. Team members Grace Choi, John Hartnett, Jacob Jankowski, Toby Lamb, Dominic Spina and Abigail Vuong worked their way through group play, qualifying for the small school divisional playoffs and making it into the semifinals. The team placed 28th out of 96 schools from across the country, third of six for small public schools and fifth out of 23 overall in open small schools, which includes private schools.

The budget vote is just around the corner on Tuesday, May 20. You can cast your vote between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the polling location in the area you reside in. For more information on the budget and where to vote, go to the Budget Information and Voter Information tabs under the Board of Education option in the district website’s menu. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/board-of-education/budget-information/2025-2026-budget-information/742462 https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/voter-information The 2025-2026 proposed budget carries a tax levy increase of 2.36%, which is below the 2.7% cap, and will maintain all current academic and athletic programs. In addition to the budget, residents will vote on the use of the capital reserve to reconstruct and improve the middle and high school cafeteria and renovate the high school library. This will have no effect on the taxpayer, as this vote is to simply allow the district to access funds already set aside in the capital reserve. Make sure your voice is heard by casting your ballot Tuesday! La votación del presupuesto está a la vuelta de la esquina el martes 20 de mayo. Puede emitir su voto entre las 6 a. m. y las 9 p. m. en el lugar de votación en el área donde reside. Para obtener más información sobre el presupuesto y dónde votar, vaya a las pestañas Información del presupuesto e Información del votante en la opción Junta de Educación en el menú del sitio web del distrito. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/board-of-education/budget-information/2025-2026-budget-information/742462 https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/voter-information El presupuesto propuesto para 2025-2026 conlleva un aumento del impuesto del 2,36%, que está por debajo del límite del 2,7%, y mantendrá todos los programas académicos y deportivos actuales. Además del presupuesto, los residentes votarán sobre el uso de la reserva de capital para reconstruir y mejorar la cafetería de la escuela intermedia y secundaria y renovar la biblioteca de la escuela secundaria. Esto no tendrá ningún efecto en el contribuyente, ya que esta votación simplemente permite que el distrito acceda a fondos ya reservados en la reserva de capital. ¡Asegúrese de que su voz sea escuchada emitiendo su voto el martes!

Over the past three weeks, grades 3-12 music students treated audiences to incredible performances during the spring concert series. The students showed how far their work has progressed over the past few months under the direction of the district’s talented music teachers. The district’s robust music program continues to grow, with 998 students currently enrolled in the music and theater classes. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the young musicians!

The Locust Valley Central School District has once again been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants for its outstanding support and commitment to music education during the 2024-2025 school year. This is the seventh consecutive year the district has achieved this distinction. “Being recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education reaffirms our district’s commitment to the fine arts,” Locust Valley’s Coordinator of Instructional Technology and the Fine and Applied Arts AnnMarie Buonaspina said. “This honor reflects the exceptional work of our music educators, the enthusiasm of our students and the support of our families and community. Together, we continue to create an environment where the arts thrive.” This school year has been an exciting one for Locust Valley’s music community as 275 young musicians participated in New York State School Music Association festivals, 9 took part in the Long Island String Festival and 45 were selected as All-County players.

The varsity baseball team will be holding an alumni softball game on Saturday, May 17, at 12 p.m. on the baseball field. The game is open to all current players, parents and alumni. If you are interested in playing in the game and/or donating to the program, go to the link below. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEN5fIno7OUUP0LEe_s5rsl9IhM2qcr6U6TOpSh-MxmeI6Fw/viewform

Being called to the principal’s office is not usually a prelude to good news, but it was a wonderful surprise for Locust Valley Middle School teacher Ann Monsees. On that winter day, Monsees learned that she be nominated for New York State’s Teacher of the Year award for 2026. Monsees has spent her entire 23-year teaching career in the Locust Valley Central School District and the last 13 years in the middle school, and in that time, she has become known for her excellent rapport with students and her willingness to try new ways to make them comfortable in the classroom. As one of three teachers in her immediate family, Monsees often discusses new methods of getting the most out of students. Part of that has been her inclusion of flexible seating options, including standing tables, floor seating, bouncy-ball chairs and regular desks since 2018. Encouraged by her sister Mary, who was also nominated for Teacher of the Year in Florida, Monsees read up on how flexible seating can enhance teacher-student interactions, foster peer learning and accommodate different learning styles. “I love the challenges that you face in sixth grade,” Monsees said. “The students are coming to a new building with new lockers and making friends from both sides of town. I find all of that so exciting, and helping them along that journey – the academic and social – is unique to the middle school.” Monsees has also become well-known for her exciting hands-on activities that connect to the course material and teach students life lessons. Over the last few years, she has held a day where students design their own kites and fly them through the air during their weather unit in science class. This past year, she and the rest of the sixth-grade teachers held a camp-themed day where students caught up on their reading of “The Adventures of Ulysses,” in tents, wrote stories after fishing for parts of speech prompts and used teamwork to create shelters out of connecting rods and cones. She credits her peers – teachers and administrators – for collaborating with her and helping exciting ideas make it to the classroom. Her efforts extend to extracurriculars, as she started the civics-minded “The Fifty Nifty Club” focused on improving knowledge of American geography and regional facts. Monsees has invited middle school students in Half Hollow Hills and Jericho to collaborate with the club’s members. “Ms. Monsees believes that learning should be engaging, relevant and personalized, and designs innovative lessons that seamlessly integrate real-world problem solving,” Locust Valley Middle School Principal Michael Cestaro said. “Her commitment to her students, their parents and her colleagues is nothing short of inspirational. Her care, compassion and positivity have allowed her to become an invaluable asset to our school community.”

Community members had a chance to see the incredible works middle and high school artists have been working on this year at the art show on May 6. Attendees marveled at the beautiful and creative ceramics, dioramas, drawings, fashion designs and paintings that students have been pouring themselves into all year and had an opportunity to speak with their teachers who helped to inspire the young artists.

Locust Valley Middle School honored students Shannon Aguirre, Layne Kalenderian, Kosly Ronquillo and Zakary Szerlip for their compassionate acts throughout April as part of the Caught Being Kind Program. These students were recognized for helping to organize and clean a classroom, welcoming a student who was sitting alone at lunch, assisting a student who was having trouble with an assignment and caring for a classmate who was feeling ill.

Locust Valley Middle School students in Ms. Adames and Ms. Bressel’s Spanish classes celebrated a belated Cinco de Mayo on May 5. Inspired by the Disney movie “Encanto,” students decorated maracas and ornaments in vibrant, spring colors and enjoyed crisp platanos. Ms. Adames and Ms. Bressel also taught students about the history behind the annual holiday and how it is not Mexico’s Independence Day, as many believe. Rather, it commemorates The Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when the outnumbered Mexican army defeated Napoleon’s French forces.

First graders at Ann MacArthur Primary School welcomed their family and friends to their classrooms on May 1 to read books they wrote and illustrated. Each student read their own story with their guest and then went around the room to read their classmates’ stories and drop compliment cards into their feedback box.

Locust Valley Middle School sixth grade Italian classes visited Ralph’s Pizza and Restaurant in Bayville on May 1 to learn how to make pizza from the professionals. The Ralph’s workers graciously allowed the students into the kitchen and walked them through the process from preparing the dough to spreading the sauce and cheese and applying toppings. Students got to eat the pizza they made and also zeppoles provided by the restaurant.

The Locust Valley High School Class of 2025 kicked off graduation season by wearing their college colors and gathering in the gym to celebrate the end of their K-12 academic journey together at the annual Up and Away Day event on May 1. Each senior had a chance to admire their graduation posters, provided by the high school parents’ council, and met with their counselors to share their college plans.

The Locust Valley budget edition of Soundwaves is now posted on the district site. You can read through this important information by going to the Budget Information tab under the Board of Education section of the website. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/board-of-education/budget-information/2025-2026-budget-information/742462 The budget vote will be Tuesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Go to the Voter Information page to make sure you are registered and find your voting site. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/voter-information La edición de presupuestos de Soundwaves de Locust Valley ya está publicada en el sitio web del distrito. Puede consultar esta importante información en la pestaña "Información Presupuestaria" en la sección "Junta de Educación" del sitio web. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/board-of-education/budget-information/2025-2026-budget-information/742462 La votación del presupuesto será el martes 20 de mayo, de 6 a.m. a 9 p.m. Visite la página de Información para el Votante para asegurarse de estar registrado y encontrar su centro de votación. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/voter-information

Students of all ages are excited to share favorite works at the upcoming art shows throughout May. Community members are invited to come out and see the creative and stunning dioramas, drawings, paintings, photographs and pottery the students have spent all year creating.

Aspiring medical professionals from Ms. Ciampi’s high school pre-health class recently welcomed several guest speakers to learn more about the path to entering the industry and the differences between different fields of work. Local health professionals, including school alumni, discussed and answered questions about their schooling and work experiences and the demands of their jobs. In addition, students had the chance to take part in hands-on activities, including practicing taking vital signs and drilling into fabricated bones to replicate orthopedic surgery.

Seven Locust Valley High School students have worked hard throughout the school year to become certified emergency medical technicians. Between their studies, sports and extracurriculars, these students have devoted themselves to learning how to save lives, taking two, three-hour courses each week to learn how to respond to emergency situations. As part of their studies, the students recently traveled to the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy in Old Bethpage to participate in hands-on training scenarios, including assessing the scene after a mock car crash. Students took on different roles and organized themselves to provide care to those in need. Later in the week, the students welcomed personnel from the Locust Valley Fire Department to the school and had a chance to learn about the features in their ambulance. The dedicated students are now finishing up their course work and preparing for the state exam to become certified. Congratulations to Alison Acosta, Molly Bowden, Nicholas Chi, Addison Edwins, Isabella Iodice, Elizabeth Madden and Elizabeth Watson on their efforts.

Locust Valley High School honored the top 15 students in the Class of 2025 for their dedication to academic pursuits on April 28. Each student invited teachers and staff members from throughout the district who helped them become the successful young people they are today and gifted them flowers. “Tonight, I want you to take these moments in and give yourself credit for the work you have done,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow said. “What each of you has done in balancing your academics with extracurriculars, sports, work in the community and more is an incredible accomplishment.” Congratulations to Inshaal Abid (Valedictorian), Addison Edwins, Jack French, John Gambino, Maeve Germans, Isabella Iodice, Elzbieta Kungys, James Martyn, Abigail Maselli (Salutatorian), Grace O’Mahony, Sienna Singe, Gianna Werle, Andrew Wieman, Olivia Wilde and Sam Zarou on their accomplishment.

Locust Valley High School senior Abigail Maselli was selected as a Stage Management Fellow for the 2025 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance from May 16-19. Maselli, Locust Valley High School’s Class of 2025 salutatorian, will gain professional work experience as part of this year’s production team and will be awarded a one-year membership to the Stage Managers’ Association and access to this year’s Broadway Stage Management Symposium. Additionally, Maselli has been invited to partake in a virtual information session for Florida State University’s Stage Management program. Maselli has worked as the student stage manager for Locust Valley Jesters’ shows throughout her high school years, learning from stage managers Nicole Stiegelbauer and Leigh Engels. She has been a dependable force for the drama department, helping to put on incredible high school productions of “Into the Woods,” “Chicago,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and “Once Upon a Mattress.” An accomplished film student, as well, Maselli has long been interested in assembling creative projects with her classmates. “Abigail Maselli’s selection is a testament to her remarkable leadership, organization and passion for the performing arts,” Locust Valley Coordinator of Instructionsal Technology and the Fine and Applied Arts AnnMarie Buonaspina said. “We are so proud of her continued dedication behind the scenes and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make as part of this prestigious production team.” The Roger Rees Awards, presented by The Broadway Education Alliance, is a regional showcase and honors program designed to promote the value of arts education in schools and to celebrate emerging talent on stage, backstage and off stage.