Locust Valley High School celebrated student-athletes and IB Diploma candidates at ceremonies last week. At Senior-Athlete Recognition Night on May 28, the athletic department and community organizations presented awards to members of the Class of 2025 for their achievements and hard work on the fields of play. The department also named the late Julie Feltman, a beloved member of the athletic and academic community, as Coach of the Year.
On May 29, the 24 International Baccalaureate candidates in the Class of 2025 presented an overview of their final essays, the CAS projects they worked on in the community and how the program has impacted them to a crowd of their family and friends. Each student received a pin, which they will wear on their gowns during graduation.
This spring brought amazing playoff runs and success from young athletes and newcomer coaches. Off the field, the boys varsity tennis and track teams and girls varsity golf, lacrosse, softball and track teams all achieved New York State Scholar Athlete status for maintaining a 90 GPA or higher.
The varsity softball team, led by first-year head coach Joseph Migliano and assistant Alexandra Senglaub, won Conference VI. The team put together a 12-6 record, scoring 178 runs and allowing just 88, thanks in part to conference Player of the Year Gwen Velsor and Pitcher of the Year Sofia Baron.
The girls varsity lacrosse team finished 12-5, making the playoffs in Conference II and making their way to the Class C county championship game. The young team was led by consistent performances from Tessa Matozzo, Elizabeth Vitale, lone senior Katie Nabet and goaltender Emery deLauzon.
The boys lacrosse team posted an 11-6 record on the way to a Conference 2 county finals berth. The team had a great combination of youth and experience with freshman goaltender Grayson Iannotti earning All-County Honorable Mention along with senior Jackson Hoban. Senior Owen Pye and junior William Summers earned All-County honors.
Ashton Klar of the boys varsity golf team placed top nine in the county championships and qualified for the New York State championships on June 6.
The boys and girls varsity track teams also put together a great season, with India Arrillaga, Emily Martinovich, Delilah Modlin, Lillian Thompson and Peter Vitale qualifying for the county championships.
The flag football team continued to grow, nearly upsetting first-seeded Plainedge in the Class C semifinals. Unified basketball went 3-3 and made it to the Division 3 semifinals. The young Falcons baseball team laid the ground work for the future, with a very young roster that included several eighth graders. The boys tennis team qualified for the Division D playoffs, making it into the quarterfinals.
Locust Valley High School seniors Sean Lyons and Dylan Mueller committed to compete collegiately this coming fall during a ceremony surrounded by friends, family and coaches on May 28. Lyons will continue his swimming career at SUNY Maritime College and Mueller will wrestle at St. John Fisher University.
Lyons was a member of the varsity boys swimming team in its inaugural season this past winter. He holds the team’s 100-yard backstroke record at 1:17:37 and had an incredible performance as the anchor leg in the 200-yard freestyle relay at the county meet, posting a 26 second 50-yard swim to help secure a program record. Alexandra Senglaub, who took home Coach of the Year in her first season with the team, remarked on Lyons’ confidence in the difficult 100-yard butterfly.
“After he swam it for the first time, he came up to me and immediately started talking strategy for the next time he’d swim it paying no mind to the fact that his arms were burning and he was completely out of breath,” Senglaub said. “That was the moment that Sean completely embodied what it means to be a Falcon.”
Mueller, a captain over the past two seasons, is a four-year varsity starter, two-time All-County wrestler and state qualifier. He set himself apart with his dedication in the wrestling room for practice and on the mat in every match. In his time in Falcon green, Mueller received the Locust Valley Wrestling Coaches Award four times, and earned the Locust Valley Leadership Award and the Coach Sanzone/Coach Axman Memorial Scholarship at the Senior Athletic Awards.
“From my first day at Locust Valley, Dylan stood out for his hard work and dedication to himself, our team and the sport of wrestling,” wrestling coach John Brush said. “His commitment to himself and his team will bring him great success in all that he does in the future.”
This week, Locust Valley Intermediate School fifth graders learned about space exploration from NASA engineer and brother of science teacher Caroline McBride, Justin Cassidy. Cassidy made the trip up from Maryland’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where he helps develop tools for astronauts to use during missions, to share his expertise and inspire students with stories of his work in space flight. He answered students’ questions about astronaut training and the intricacies of space travel.
Bayville Primary School second graders in Ms. Fassari’s class strode down the red carpet and put on an incredible show for their family and friends on May 22. This year’s show, called “The Weather Boys,” gave students a chance to showcase their interest in different weather phenomena and their incredible public speaking and performing ability to the rest of the school.
Locust Valley High School and local organizations honored seniors at the Academic and Community Awards. Students were honored with scholarships and department awards for the hard work they have done to better their communities.
Members of the Locust Valley Central School District and Locust Valley School Employees Association honored 16 retiring faculty and staff members at the Crescent Club in Bayville on May 21. Friends, family, coworkers and community members praised Anne Craven, Annette Dippolito, Stacey Eno, Janet Genossa, Eva Geyer, Tina Hament, Rachel Levy, Pamela Loher, Caroline McBride, Toni Meliambro, Marie Mills, Lori Sperandeo, Leslie Stein, Sharon Steele, Donna West and Diane Yanez for their years of hard work.
“It warmed my heart to hear about the love and care our retirees have provided to our students and community,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow said. “As they move forward into a new journey, we hope they know the incredible impact they have had in our beautiful district.”
Congratulations to Locust Valley High School senior Ashton Klar for finishing in the top nine in the Nassau County golf championships. Klar will represent Locust Valley in the state championships in June.
Locust Valley and Bayville primary and intermediate schools honored the memories of military heroes of the nation’s past with ceremonies on May 23.
During the morning ceremony at Ann MacArthur Primary School and the afternoon ceremony at Bayville Intermediate School, students performed patriotic tunes, thanked veterans and honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Locust Valley High School’s Model UN class and club members earned nine awards, including eight Best Delegate designations, at the Herricks High School conference on May 17.
The 19-student team participated in nine committees, tackling historical and contemporary real-world issues and working together with their peers to find solutions to help their causes. Gregor Blaise, Sarang Chen, Oliver Dostalek, Katie Kuebler, Lola Raneri, Thomas Simon, Durand Tchanga-Mangwa and Wyatt Thorgramson all won Best Delegate awards and C.J. McKenzie took home an honorable mention.
May 23, 2025
Dear Locust Valley community,
On behalf of the entire Locust Valley Central School District, I wish to thank the community for their participation in this year’s budget vote and trustee election. Your support of the proposed budget and capital work reflects our community’s shared commitment to the future of our schools. Your vote of confidence ensures that we will continue to maintain high-quality educational programs and a supportive learning environment for all students.
Your approval of Proposition 2 has cleared the path for a beautiful new middle and high school cafeteria – where students will create memories and enjoy their friends’ company – as well as a state-of-the-art library and research center that will help our students learn and collaborate in a way that will prepare them for their future careers. It has been an exciting, multiyear process planning for these spaces, and I cannot wait to see students enjoying the lecture rooms, digital media labs, study rooms and the art gallery together.
I also wish to congratulate Krystina Tomlinson on her reelection to the Board of Education and welcome Lindsay Fox, who will join us as a new trustee on July 1. I am confident that both will provide great support and leadership for our district, as we continue to plan for a bright future in Locust Valley.
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I want to thank all our military heroes who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms. Today, each of our schools will honor the fallen in their own ways, and our high school and middle school marching bands will take part in the Locust Valley and Bayville parades on Monday. I am thankful that we have such a supportive community.
In closing, as we are nearing the end of the year, I look forward to all the celebrations to come in June and hope to see you all in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you again for your support and partnerships.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kristen Turnow
Superintendent of Schools
Several members of the Locust Valley Middle School Mathletes team won medals from various competitions this school year. Team members Jaime DeNatale, Jack Kelly, Alexander Krauter, Christos Pappas, Jackson Shapses and Chloe Shen spent the year solving difficult equations and problem sets in competitions and online exams.
American Mathematics Competition (AMC 8): Gold: Chloe Shen, Silver: Jack Kelly, Bronze: Jamie DeNatale.
Math Olympiads: Gold: Christos Pappas; Silver: Alexander Krauter; Bronze: Jackson Shapses
Fall Noetic Learning Challenge: Gold: Christos Pappas; Silver: Alexander Krauter
Spring Noetic Learning Challenge: Gold: Christos Pappas; Silver: Jackson Shapses
Congratulations to the team and coach Joseph Lee on these incredible accomplishments!
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.
