Locust Valley Middle School students took part in the annual “Hour of Code” computer science initiative during Computer Science Education Week on Dec. 7 and 8.
For the past four years, the middle school has taken part in the program which tasks students with completing coding puzzles with logic and creativity. Students earned a certificate from Code.org for their work.
“I hope the students leave with a deeper appreciation for what they are studying in our class and are motivated to be challenged even further,” Locust Valley Middle School math teacher Joseph Lee said. “Most of all, I want each student to enjoy the experience of working collaboratively to solve new problems which is an essential skill in our lives.”
Last week students holiday shopped for their families and friends as the Bayville and Locust Valley Elementary Parents Councils hosted their annual holiday boutiques. Classes came down to the multipurpose rooms at Bayville Primary School and Ann MacArthur Primary School and purchased items like jewelry, pennants, stuffed animals and more.
Fourth grade students at Locust Valley Intermediate School learned more about Native American culture as part of the “Journeys Into American Indian Territory” program on Dec. 4. Students learned about how natives hunted deer to provide food, clothes and tools for their families and tribes, and also how to play games like Atenaha and Ring and Pin.
Bayville Primary School students gathered at the Bavyille Intermediate School auditorium on Dec. 5 for a visit from author Amy McCoy. McCoy authored the children’s book “Little Big Sister” to explain to students what it is like to know someone with autism. Students learned about the behavior patterns of people with autism and how they can be a good friend to them.
Thirty Ann MacArthur Primary School families spent the night of Dec. 1 ringing in the holiday season by constructing gingerbread houses. The Locust Valley Elementary Parents Council provided gingerbread houses, icing, candy and hot chocolate for the students, who created incredibly ornate designs using gum balls, candy canes, M&M’s and more. Locust Valley High School students also volunteered to help students with their houses, as well.
Students were honored for their acts of compassion in the hallways and classrooms of Locust Valley Middle School in the first edition of a new monthly initiative called “Caught Being Kind.” Dila Agir, Theodore Anastasakis, Steven Gomez, Luke Minicozzi, Penelope Novack, Isabella Sansone, Anderson Soto Castro and Alessandra Stanco were commended for actions like guiding a new student through the school, helping another student who dropped a project and returning a bag of books and money that was dropped to the main office.
On Dec. 1, high school Italian students and teachers hosted fifth graders from Locust Valley and Bayville Intermediate schools for the third annual cultural event “Italiamo.” Fifth graders came to the high school library and journeyed through seven stations where they learned how to speak Italian phrases, learned about Italian history and architecture, played Italian card games, sculpted clay into famous Italian icons, used stickers of toppings to create their dream pizza, drew upside down like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel and danced “la torretta.” Students also got to enjoy cannolis and Italian cookies catered by St. Rocco’s Bakery during their stations.
After months of preparation, Locust Valley and Bayville students are ready to perform holiday favorites at this year’s winter concerts. The sixth-grade rings in the season on Tuesday, Dec. 5, with the seventh and eighth grades performing on Tuesday, Dec. 12 and the high school taking the stage on Thursday, Dec. 14, all at 7 p.m. in the MS/HS auditorium.
Locust Valley Intermediate students will welcome family and friends to the school auditorium on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Finally, Bayville Intermediate students lead us into the break with their performance on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in their school auditorium.
Please come to support the incredibly talented students and teachers in our fine arts department. If you cannot attend, you can still live-stream the concert at the LVTV YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/@locustvalleyhsfilmandtv7373?feature=shared.
Locust Valley High School junior Sara Nearenberg will perform in front of thousands of people at Radio City Music Hall on Dec. 8 ahead of the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular.
Nearenberg, 16, will be performing with their classmates at Long Island High School for the Arts in Syosset, where they travel to halfway through the school day to hone their performing skills. The exclusive ensemble will be singing acapella versions of “Carol of the Bells” and “We Need a Little Christmas" before the Rockettes take to the stage.
Nearenberg made the last-minute decision to submit and audition tape and sang the Star-Spangled Banner as part of the audition process.
“The idea of being on that stage is so surreal to me,” Nearenberg said. “When I saw myself on the cast list, I was so excited.”
An Upper Brookville native, Nearenberg has always been encouraged to explore their passion for theater and performing by parents. When they were eight years old, Nearenberg attended Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights, New York and fell in love with the stage.
Nearenberg has been a constant for the Locust Valley High School chamber singers, concert chorale, Jesters and playing the trumpet in the jazz and symphonic bands throughout their first three years there. They often play the trumpet at school concerts and assemblies and take lead parts in the dramas and musicals.
Nearenberg has been inspired in Locust Valley by their music teachers Mr. Vincent Guerra and Ms. Brianna Brickman. “They are so helpful and encouraging,” Nearenberg said. “Teachers matter. So many people who have gone into the industry would not be there if it wasn’t for teachers who kept them going.”
“Witnessing Sara’s journey in the performing arts has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Locust Valley’s Coordinator of Instructional Technology and the Fine and Applied Arts AnnMarie Buonaspina said. “We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments, and them performing at Radio City Music Hall is a true testament to their dedication to their craft.”
The Locust Valley High School Pre-Health Club has announced that they’ve raised $1,225 through several different “Breast Cancer Awareness” fundraiser events.
The Pre-Health club Co-presidents Angel Sierra and Inshaal Abid, with the guidance of their club advisor Veronica Ciampi, have collaborated and organized a week long “Go Pink” extravaganza. The club sold pink bracelets, message ribbons and pins at the school store in mid-October, hosted school and community charity walks on the school track on Oct. 19 and 21, held a go pink day on the 20th and teamed up with “Pink Pom Pom” organization to raffle off eight baskets donated from local venues.
Of the monies raised, $800 was donated to a local Breast Cancer Foundation called “Beyond Awareness,” located in Oyster Bay and $365 was given to the “Pink Pom Pom” organization, created by senior Gianna Palleschi which gives gift baskets to local cancer patients as well as honoring on-line requests throughout the country.
During the last two days before the Thanksgiving break, students throughout the Locust Valley school district celebrated the holiday season in their own ways. On Nov. 20, high school students held a Thanksgiving feast. Students made up plates with turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread, stuffing and desserts like brownies, cupcakes and pie, made by the staff and high school Chefs and Global Gourmet class, while enjoying each other’s company.
Students in Mikele Galligan’s class at Bayville Intermediate School held their own feast the same day and created their own turkeys out of Play-Doh afterwards.
On Nov. 21, Bayville Primary School students took part in a turkey trot in the recess yard, Bayville Intermediate School students took to the halls for their annual balloon parade and Ann MacArthur Primary School students performed for their parents in the all-purpose room. Diane Yanez and Shari Zindman’s third grade classes at Locust Valley Intermediate invited parents to come to school and read books they wrote on things they are thankful for, like their friends, families and pets.
Stacey Eno’s prekindergarten class at Ann MacArthur Primary School put on a show for their family and friends in the gymnasium, dancing the “Turkey Tango” and telling everyone what they are thankful for this year.
Locust Valley high school and middle school students welcomed local veterans from American Legion Post 1285 and 962, in Bayville and Locust Valley, respectively, on Nov. 16 for a post-Veterans Day luncheon.
Students from grades 6-12 came to the school mini-theater from their social studies classes and spoke with the 25 veterans about their service.
Mrs. Anne Craven’s cooking classes catered the luncheon with, providing the veterans with garlic knots, ziti, pasta, salad, cookies and treats with messaging thanking the men for their service.
Locust Valley Middle School’s chorus and sixth grade got a virtual visit from Grammy Award-winning recording artist Lisa Loeb on Nov. 13 as they prepare for their winter concert in early December.
Mrs. Christine Hujber’s chorus performed Loeb’s song “Light” and got tips from the artist, who won Best Children’s Album at the Grammy Awards in 2018. Loeb played her guitar from her home in Los Angeles and answered questions from students on how she got into the music industry.
Second grade students at Ann MacArthur Primary School in Locust Valley welcomed family, friends and service members to the school last week for a Veterans Day celebration. The students performed patriotic tunes like “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America” and presented veterans with flowers.
Show your school spirit by wearing green and Falcons gear on Friday, Nov. 17.
Embark on a Dungeons and Dragons-themed adventure “She Kills Monsters,” with the Locust Valley Jesters on Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/77825 or at the door. This production may not be suitable for audiences under the age of 13.
Five Locust Valley High School student athletes signed their National Letters of Intent on Nov. 8.
Seniors Owen Hickey, Charlie Pisciotta, Connor Terrell and Philip Terrell committed to play lacrosse at Iona University, Southern New Hampshire University and St. Leo’s University, respectively, while Orlando Watson committed to compete in rowing at Dartmouth College.
“Each of these student athletes comes from a family with strong athletic traditions, but they also emphasize the importance of schooling and education,” Athletic Director Danielle Turner Cosci said. “We could not be prouder of them for raising the bar for current and future Falcons.”
From the first day of school to Halloween activities, read through the fall edition of Soundwaves to see what the amazing students and staff of the Locust Valley Central School District have been up to. Go to www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/newsletter to read it online today!
Several Locust Valley High School students have been honored by the New York State Art Teachers Association and the Nassau County High School Student Juried Art Competition and Exhibit this fall.
Kyle Brown’s charcoal drawing, Annemie Germans’ acrylic painting and William Koch’s ceramic piece were chosen to exhibit their exceptional works in the 2023 New York State Art Teachers Association at the New York State School Boards Association’s annual convention from Oct. 26-28 in Buffalo.
Another five outstanding art students had their works chosen by Adelphi University professor Robyn Cooper for the 2023 Nassau County High School Student Juried Art Competition and Exhibition. Victoria Alesi, Gianna Castiglione, Annemie Germans, Thomas Rutherford and Olivia Wilde had their art recognized at the Nov. 5 reception and will be in the gallery until Nov. 25. The students were among the 275 entries, 75 artists and 81 pieces accepted for the exhibition.
“Art is a powerful language which can convey so much,” art teacher Melanie Mooney said. “I am immensely proud of these students who have spoken so eloquently through their works.”
Locust Valley Middle School students celebrated Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead in Mrs. Juana Adames’ Spanish classes on Nov. 3 with fun activities like word searches and Loteria that gave students a chance to practice their Spanish vocabulary. Students also colored in a Day of the Dead mural and made friendship bracelets with messages in Spanish. In between activities, students also sat down to watch Disney’s “Coco,” which focuses on the Day of the Dead and Spanish culture. The celebration acted as a hands-on learning experience to complement the curriculum and the students’ studies of language and culture.
