After a spirit week of tropical-themed hallway decorating, costumes and pep rallies, the Locust Valley Central School District community packed the bleachers at Fred Smith Field and cheered their Falcons on to a critical 35-6 win over the East Rockaway Rocks on Oct. 25.
The Falcons, wearing their brand-new black uniforms, were led by running back Aidan Russo’s 210 yards and four touchdowns, while the defense shook off a first drive score by the Rocks, pitching a shutout in the final three quarters. The Falcons’ captains were also joined at the coin toss by K-7 district students who won a jersey design contest.
The new Falcons uniform, which debuted on Oct. 10, was a project involving the team’s senior captains, Falcon Pride Booster Club and the Valley Sports store on Forest Avenue. Every year, the team works with Falcon Pride on fundraising efforts to enhance the team experience. This year, the Falcons dreamt big, hoping to add an alternate uniform in addition to their usual green and white. With evening home games now a reality with the addition of lights at the field, the team was eager to add a look that resembles the vastness of night. The team captains and head coach Michael Gilbert designed the stealth black look and went to Valley Sports to make it a reality. The team is excited to pass down these uniforms to future Falcons.
Throughout the game and at halftime, the high school and middle school squad, kick line team and the pep band, helped keep the energy high, making for a terrific game day atmosphere.
Locust Valley High School students Chelsy Arrata and Dax Campbell attended the Virtual Enterprise Leadership conference at LIU Post on Oct. 17. As the respective CEO and CFO of the high school’s virtual enterprises mock company “NaviGlass,” Arrata and Campbell received leadership advice from business professionals from Blackrock, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch.
Arrata was one of 10 finalists of the elevator pitch competition, consisting of over 100 students from schools across Long Island. She confidently presented a 60-second business pitch from memory, on stage in front of hundreds of students, teachers and business professionals. The class’s product, NaviGlass, is a pair of glasses that utilizes a heads-up display that gives visual turn-by-turn directions and data like your route, distance to your destination and real-time warnings for signs of danger nearby. The non-intrusive design also allows the user to stay fully aware of their surroundings.
Arrata and Campbell made a great first impression and set the bar high for the many competitions the virtual enterprise class will participate in this school year.
Arrata was one of 10 finalists of the elevator pitch competition, consisting of over 100 students from schools across Long Island. She confidently presented a 60-second business pitch from memory, on stage in front of hundreds of students, teachers and business professionals. The class’s product, NaviGlass, is a pair of glasses that utilizes a heads-up display that gives visual turn-by-turn directions and data like your route, distance to your destination and real-time warnings for signs of danger nearby. The non-intrusive design also allows the user to stay fully aware of their surroundings.
Arrata and Campbell made a great first impression and set the bar high for the many competitions the virtual enterprise class will participate in this school year.
The Falcons are victorious on homecoming! Thanks to everyone who helped make today so special!
Spirit Week 2025 has been a huge hit, as students from Pre-K to grade 12 have shown their Falcon pride in many different ways! The football and cheerleading captains visited elementary schools for pep rallies, telling them how much their support means and teaching them cheers for the game on Saturday. The middle school and high school had pep rallies of their own and dressed up for theme days such as Twin Day, Country vs. Country Club, USA, Tropical and Proud to be a Falcon Day.
Come out and support the varsity football team this Saturday, Oct. 25, with the parade at 12 p.m., pre-game senior day activities at 1:30 p.m. and the game kick off at 2 p.m.
Come out and support the varsity football team this Saturday, Oct. 25, with the parade at 12 p.m., pre-game senior day activities at 1:30 p.m. and the game kick off at 2 p.m.
When the varsity football team captains walk out for the coin toss at the homecoming game on Saturday, they will have a few extra friends with them. Eight district students, one each from grades K-7, won the opportunity to join the team captains as they step onto Fred Smith Field by creating beautiful jersey designs depicting what they hope future Falcons jerseys might look like.
Congratulations to our K-7 winners Natalia Corniel, Bryce Zekraus, Carson Testa, Miles Coons, Giuliana Sicuranza, Kieran Sullivan, Sal Caruso and Jonah Friedman! And thank you to everyone who showed school spirit and created a design. All entries will be displayed in the school buildings next week.
Congratulations to our K-7 winners Natalia Corniel, Bryce Zekraus, Carson Testa, Miles Coons, Giuliana Sicuranza, Kieran Sullivan, Sal Caruso and Jonah Friedman! And thank you to everyone who showed school spirit and created a design. All entries will be displayed in the school buildings next week.
Before the varsity football team takes to Fred Smith Field for the homecoming game, the parade will make its way through Bayville and Locust Valley. For those taking part in the parade, please arrive at the Centre Island beach parking lot at 11:30 a.m. The parade will depart at 12 p.m., traveling down Bayville Avenue, Bayville Road, Buckram Road, Weir Lane and Horse Hollow Road, finishing at the high school.
We hope to see our students, families and staff lining the streets of our beautiful communities to see the amazing floats each grade has worked so hard on. Senior day activities for the football and cheerleading teams will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the game will kick off at 2 p.m. Please visit the Homecoming section of the Locust Valley High School website for more information!
https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/o/lvhs/page/homecoming-2025
We hope to see our students, families and staff lining the streets of our beautiful communities to see the amazing floats each grade has worked so hard on. Senior day activities for the football and cheerleading teams will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the game will kick off at 2 p.m. Please visit the Homecoming section of the Locust Valley High School website for more information!
https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/o/lvhs/page/homecoming-2025
The boys varsity soccer team embarks on its playoff journey at Fred Smith Field at 2:30 p.m. today! Come out and support the fourth-ranked team in New York State, which completed an undefeated regular season and conference championship in another incredible year for the program.
In October, the district hosted the first Bilingual Night of the year. This special event, run by district interpreter Cyndy Ergen, gave residents an opportunity to learn more about school and community resources, while also celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
During the event, important information was shared about key digital tools the district uses to keep families informed and connected, including Parent Portal, ParentSquare and PickUp Patrol.
Thank you for being part of a night that reflects nine years of continuous support and dedication to our students and families.
¡La Unión Hace La Fuerza Como Familia Falcon!
Together We Are Stronger as Falcon Family!
The Locust Valley Central School District celebrated 11 incredible educators for achieving tenure on Oct. 15. Brianna Blake, Casey DeGori, Michelle Esposito, Nicole Kelly, Jessica Kessler, Lauren Levasseur, Charalambros Loizides, Lindsay Morgan, Richard O’Flanagan, Erica Parshley and Louis Puca were recognized by their colleagues as fantastic role models for their peers. This year’s recipients come from many different subject areas, but they all share a tireless work ethic in shaping minds, inspiring growth and creating an environment where all students feel seen and empowered.
“Tenure represents more than job security,” Dr. Turnow said. “It affirms the trust and respect you have earned through your teaching, mentorship and service.”
“Tenure represents more than job security,” Dr. Turnow said. “It affirms the trust and respect you have earned through your teaching, mentorship and service.”
Come out for an informative evening focused on the district’s implementation of the Leader in Me program from Franklin Covey on Oct. 21, at the Locust Valley Intermediate School auditorium from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Community members will have an opportunity to hear from Leader in Me trainer Gary McGuey.
This October has been a memorable one for Bayville students. Last week, the primary school welcomed the Bayville Fire Department, who taught students about the equipment they use to rescue people every day and helped them into their unique, white fire trucks. Students were excited to meet and talk to their hometown heroes.
This week, the Bayville Intermediate School community gathered to see third, fourth and fifth graders inducted into student council. These students were chosen by their classmates as leaders who touted new school ideas such as pajama days in school, which Principal McElhiney announced would commence this month to thunderous applause. Each inductee took a moment to speak to the crowd of classmates, friends and family, thanking them for their support and discussing their ideas for the school’s future.
Congratulations to the inductees!
Third grade: Albert Doerbecker, Siena Gleason, Charlotte Kuranshi, Sebastian Plunkett, Jack Tucker and Abigail Wood.
Fourth grade: Caroline Dickerson, Julianna Grassi, Elizabeth Kelly and Scarlet Valderrama.
Fifth grade: Matthew Barnes, Kassidy Lorner, Lucija Marinkovic, Jayden O’Connor Nina Orlowsky and Agatha Pileggi.
This week, the Bayville Intermediate School community gathered to see third, fourth and fifth graders inducted into student council. These students were chosen by their classmates as leaders who touted new school ideas such as pajama days in school, which Principal McElhiney announced would commence this month to thunderous applause. Each inductee took a moment to speak to the crowd of classmates, friends and family, thanking them for their support and discussing their ideas for the school’s future.
Congratulations to the inductees!
Third grade: Albert Doerbecker, Siena Gleason, Charlotte Kuranshi, Sebastian Plunkett, Jack Tucker and Abigail Wood.
Fourth grade: Caroline Dickerson, Julianna Grassi, Elizabeth Kelly and Scarlet Valderrama.
Fifth grade: Matthew Barnes, Kassidy Lorner, Lucija Marinkovic, Jayden O’Connor Nina Orlowsky and Agatha Pileggi.
Every October, National Principals Month gives us a moment to appreciate the hardworking individuals who keep our school buildings going. These dedicated leaders shape the community and pave the way to success for all our students and faculty members.
Our principals devote countless hours to ensure that all our students and staff feel safe, appreciated and supported in their educational and work endeavors. They are also friendly faces for community members to engage with in important discussions. Please take a moment to thank our building principals this month!
Our principals devote countless hours to ensure that all our students and staff feel safe, appreciated and supported in their educational and work endeavors. They are also friendly faces for community members to engage with in important discussions. Please take a moment to thank our building principals this month!
Locust Valley High School junior Nina Lemaitre swam her way into the team’s history books and the NYSPHSAA Championships with an incredible performance on Oct. 8.
Lemaitre, a five-year veteran of the varsity swimming team, qualified in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 59.84 seconds. Every stride counted as she beat the state standards by under a second. Lematire became the first Locust Valley swimmer to qualify for the tournament and the second in the Locust Valley-Carle Place joint program.
Lemaitre has had a great season across the board, qualifying for the Nassau County championships in the 200-yard individual medley, 50, 100 and 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. The work is not yet done for Lemaitre, as she still hopes to make the state cut for backstroke before the end of the season.
Thank you to LV parent Michael McCloy for the amazing photos!
Lemaitre, a five-year veteran of the varsity swimming team, qualified in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 59.84 seconds. Every stride counted as she beat the state standards by under a second. Lematire became the first Locust Valley swimmer to qualify for the tournament and the second in the Locust Valley-Carle Place joint program.
Lemaitre has had a great season across the board, qualifying for the Nassau County championships in the 200-yard individual medley, 50, 100 and 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. The work is not yet done for Lemaitre, as she still hopes to make the state cut for backstroke before the end of the season.
Thank you to LV parent Michael McCloy for the amazing photos!
As part of Italian American Heritage Month, middle and high school students created posters celebrating the incredible achievements of both cultures. First-place winner Tobias Lamb created a beautiful picture of the Mona Lisa draped in the American flag. Eva and Joseph Jaszczuk won second and third place, respectively. Eva drew a striking image of the Statue of Liberty with both the American and Italian flags, while Joseph depicted the Empire State Building with American and Italian scarves.
Thank you to all who submitted a poster! They are all being displayed outside the auditorium throughout October.
Thank you to all who submitted a poster! They are all being displayed outside the auditorium throughout October.
This fall, the Locust Valley High School welcomed new assistant principal Daniel Cava into the Falcon family.
Cava is looking forward to establishing and building personal relationships with the students and faculty. While in Island Trees, Cava was an active leader in the school community. He taught middle school technology and high school AP computer science and robotics and coached junior varsity baseball and middle school soccer.
“Being able to support student passions is what I’d like to do,” Cava said. “Anytime a student has an interest, I ask how can I best help them to explore that interest and make them feel like they belong and have a place that they look forward to coming to every day.”
Cava returns to a traditional district setting after serving as an assistant principal at Nassau BOCES for the past three years. Prior to that, Cava worked as the coordinator of instructional technology in the Glen Cove City School District for two years and as a technology teacher in the Island Trees Union Free School District from 2013 to 2020.
Cava also remarked about the incredible talent he has heard coming from the chorus and orchestra rooms. Cava grew up playing the trumpet and now plays the ukulele in his free time and is excited to see the incredible instrumental talent on display at the winter and spring concerts. Additionally, he is excited to see the robotics teams at work, as he helped start the program in Island Trees.
Cava is looking forward to establishing and building personal relationships with the students and faculty. While in Island Trees, Cava was an active leader in the school community. He taught middle school technology and high school AP computer science and robotics and coached junior varsity baseball and middle school soccer.
“Being able to support student passions is what I’d like to do,” Cava said. “Anytime a student has an interest, I ask how can I best help them to explore that interest and make them feel like they belong and have a place that they look forward to coming to every day.”
Cava returns to a traditional district setting after serving as an assistant principal at Nassau BOCES for the past three years. Prior to that, Cava worked as the coordinator of instructional technology in the Glen Cove City School District for two years and as a technology teacher in the Island Trees Union Free School District from 2013 to 2020.
Cava also remarked about the incredible talent he has heard coming from the chorus and orchestra rooms. Cava grew up playing the trumpet and now plays the ukulele in his free time and is excited to see the incredible instrumental talent on display at the winter and spring concerts. Additionally, he is excited to see the robotics teams at work, as he helped start the program in Island Trees.
Locust Valley Middle School faculty and administrators have spent the past two years spreading positivity through the ‘Caught Being Kind’ program by highlighting random acts of kindness done by students. This year got off a fantastic start, as a school record 40 students were recognized for their model behavior.
Each month for the past two years, students have learned that a staff member saw them commit a generous or thoughtful act such as helping classmates carry their binders, holding doors open for classmates and staff members, going out of their way to include others at lunch tables and helping other students understand class lessons and concepts.
“I think highlighting students as leaders and role models in the building has helped us to spread positivity,” Principal Michael Cestaro said. “I’m so proud of the students and faculty for buying in and doing what they can to make this a place people are excited to come back to every day.”
Congratulations to the following students on their achievement: Maria Abbondandolo, Shelly Abrams, Giselle Alsayedi, Sienna Barba, Sophia Capozzi, Parker Charon, Dylan Cobas, Luca Cosimo, Paige Dannan, Richard Fajardo Romero, Fallyn Gorham, Aidan Gallagher, Francesco Gallina, Makayla George, Katie Granados Canales, Emma Grodstein, Khadin Hazratalie, George Hoffman, Gibson Larice, Christina Lazarus, Cecilia Liu, Eamonn McGovern, Seamus McLoughlin, AnnaMarie Megerian, Dylan Mejia, Eric Mohan, Luigi Passalacqua, Kyle Pouey, Eric Rajkowski, Dylan Reinecke, Eliza Reyes, Ryder Riso, Damien Rojas, Jack Schneider, Jackson Shapses, Tapasya Sreenivas, Yhara Talla, Tea Witzenburg and Alexa Wood.
Each month for the past two years, students have learned that a staff member saw them commit a generous or thoughtful act such as helping classmates carry their binders, holding doors open for classmates and staff members, going out of their way to include others at lunch tables and helping other students understand class lessons and concepts.
“I think highlighting students as leaders and role models in the building has helped us to spread positivity,” Principal Michael Cestaro said. “I’m so proud of the students and faculty for buying in and doing what they can to make this a place people are excited to come back to every day.”
Congratulations to the following students on their achievement: Maria Abbondandolo, Shelly Abrams, Giselle Alsayedi, Sienna Barba, Sophia Capozzi, Parker Charon, Dylan Cobas, Luca Cosimo, Paige Dannan, Richard Fajardo Romero, Fallyn Gorham, Aidan Gallagher, Francesco Gallina, Makayla George, Katie Granados Canales, Emma Grodstein, Khadin Hazratalie, George Hoffman, Gibson Larice, Christina Lazarus, Cecilia Liu, Eamonn McGovern, Seamus McLoughlin, AnnaMarie Megerian, Dylan Mejia, Eric Mohan, Luigi Passalacqua, Kyle Pouey, Eric Rajkowski, Dylan Reinecke, Eliza Reyes, Ryder Riso, Damien Rojas, Jack Schneider, Jackson Shapses, Tapasya Sreenivas, Yhara Talla, Tea Witzenburg and Alexa Wood.
The district invites all to an exciting celebration of the different cultures that make up our special community. Come to the middle/high school mini-theater on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6:45 p.m. to enjoy unique treats, dances and music. Learn more about staying up to date with district news through ParentSquare, communicating with building principals regarding student drop off and pick up with Parent Patrol and monitoring your child’s grades on the Parent Portal.
The Locust Valley Central School District is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join the team in both instructional and noninstructional roles. In-demand positions include substitute special education teacher, NYS-certified teacher assistants, elementary and secondary teacher aides, bus drivers and bus attendants. Whether you are an experienced educator or someone who enjoys supporting our young learners, we would love to hear from you.
Additional openings are available on the Human Resources and Personnel page on the district website.
https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/human-resources-appr
Additional openings are available on the Human Resources and Personnel page on the district website.
https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/human-resources-appr
This October, community members are invited to two events focused on the ‘Leader in Me’ program. This Thursday, Oct. 9, parents/guardians are invited to the first Coffee with the Superintendent meeting with Dr. Turnow. The district will also host a parent information session about the PK-12 educational framework ‘Leader in Me’ on Oct. 21, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Locust Valley Intermediate School auditorium. Community members will have an opportunity to hear from the Leader in Me trainer, Gary McGuey.
The varsity football team will wear new uniforms at the homecoming game this season, and your student can win a field-level game day experience! Any district student from grades K-8 is eligible to submit their own jersey design to their building’s main office by Friday, Oct. 17. The most creative designers will join the team on the sidelines ahead of the game and accompany the captains out to midfield for the coin toss at the homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.
