Meanwhile, the middle school’s robotics team, the Falconbots, competed in the Long Island Championship in the FIRST Lego League Explore program as one of the top 30 teams in the competition.
The team put in hours of after-school work in the weeks leading up to the event, improving their innovation idea presentation and performing a skit for judges showing how they could help archeologists piece together shards found at dig sites.
While students did arts and crafts, played games and socialized with members of the high school’s student government, parents learned cyber safety techniques and healthy habits to prepare their children for the modern digital environment from Yale University-trained clinical psychologist Dr. Marie Bragg.
Dr. Bragg, an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at the NYU School of Medicine, showed parents how to utilize apps and services that limit social media use, and spoke about the techniques that companies use to market to children.
The Locust Valley Central School District is proud to celebrate the achievements of our young scientists at the 2026 Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF).
Representing our community with distinction in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge were Emilie Baldwin, Zachary Kim and Waverly Shenoy. Each of these students demonstrated an impressive level of scientific inquiry and dedication to their research.
Emilie Baldwin received an honorable mention for her innovative project on water filtration techniques. Notably, this marks the second consecutive year that a project from Locust Valley Middle School has earned an honorable mention at this prestigious regional competition.
This sustained success is a testament to the hard work of our students and the high caliber of our science programs. Congratulations to Emilie, Zachary and Waverly on their remarkable accomplishments!
Come out and support the amazing cast, crew and behind-the-scenes teams who brought Bikini Bottom and its lovable citizens to life. Tickets are $10 in advance and at the doors. Student tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.
Get your tickets today at https://cur8.com/39980/project/137753.
The coaches leapt into action during a practice on Nov. 17, when senior Francesco Allocca collapsed on the court. They expertly performed CPR and operated the AED located right outside the gymnasium, helping Allocca regain consciousness before being taken away in an ambulance. Allocca has since recovered and returned to school, grateful for every new day because of his coaches’ efforts.
“In athletics, we talk a lot about preparation, teamwork and leadership,” Locust Valley Athletic Director, Danielle Turner Cosci said. “On that day, these coaches showed exactly what those words mean when it mattered most.”
The Lifesaving Award is presented to individuals whose actions reflect the highest standards of courage, professionalism and care for students using skills taught by the American Red Cross, such as first aid, CPR, using an AED or epinephrine auto-injector. Francesco Allocca and his mother Pia were in attendance to thank these coaches again at the Locust Valley Central School District offices.
“Every decision, every moment, every act of calm under pressure was essential,” CEO of American Red Cross on Long Island, Jose Dominguez said. “Their actions remind us that heroes walk among us everyday and sometimes they wear whistles around their necks.”
Congratulations to these students on this recognition, and thank you to Ms. Mooney for your belief in and guidance of our artists!
Grant Creedon is the salutatorian of the Locust Valley High School Class of 2026, boasting a weighted average of 108.73. His curious nature has helped him constantly find new classes and interests that have sent him down an exciting path to college and beyond.
Throughout his four years, Creedon’s love for math has only grown. Besides the fact that his brothers and parents work in the business world, Creedon found his interest in the economy from video games such as Fortnite and Minecraft which have their own trading systems.
Creedon said his favorite class was multi-variable calculus with Ms. Papas during his junior year. There, Creedon started off his days with a class that played to his interests and did not have a final examination, a fact that made him feel like he could focus on digesting the material at his own pace.
“It felt like the class was able to focus on higher level stuff rather than teaching for a test or a final,” Creedon said. “We just learned to learn. It gave a lot more freedom to explore.”
In addition to his interest in math and business, Creedon accidentally discovered an unlikely new passion heading into his junior year. Less than a week before classes began in September, Creedon switched into Mr. Canavan’s psychology class with some friends and found himself enthralled with the subject. He ended up having such a great time in the class that he is now hoping to combine his interests to study behavioral economics in college.
Creedon has balanced his studies with athletic pursuits as a member of the football and wrestling teams, as well as with the National Honor Society and helping to donate books as part of the Book Fairies program. His interest in wrestling led him to contact the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania during his junior year. This connection led him to participate in a summer camp at the school, where he fell in love with the campus and ultimately decided it needed to be at the top of his early decision list. While he won’t wrestle there, Creedon’s used his interest and outgoing nature to make inroads and find the best place for him to continue his academic career.
“Without wrestling, I wouldn’t have applied, let alone picked it as the school for me,” Creedon said. “It was monumental in getting me there, and while I don’t think I’ll be continuing wrestling, it was huge in getting me there.”
During his senior year, Creedon has continued to let his curiosity guide him into new and exciting areas. He took to the stage dressed as one of the aliens from “Toy Story” as part the annual Lip Sync Night, belting “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” with his classmates. Growing up, he enjoyed trick or treating at Safe Halloween, and this year he experienced that event as an organizer with his fellow student government members. He also took on the role of Board of Education ex-officio member with Christian Ciccone, where the two keep the Board abreast of the happenings within the school buildings from a student perspective.
“I think it’s been a really good experience,” Creedon said of his ex-officio duties. “It helps with my public speaking since I have to address the Board, as well as the audience.”
Creedon will take his leadership skills and curious spirit with him to The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
The inductees and audience were treated to fantastic piano and vocal performances from Ryan Raichoudhury and Stella Fraser, respectively.
Team members Sophia Georgiopoulos and Morgan Sullivan and head coach Michael Gilbert ventured to MetLife Stadium, along with over 100 other New York and New Jersey programs, where they spoke with Sports New York’s Jeane Coakley about their excitement for the upcoming season, struck a pose in individual photoshoots and toured Gang Green’s luxurious locker room.
The Falcons are scheduled to open the season on the road at Hempstead High School on Friday, March 20, at 5 p.m. They’ll return home for a matchup with Oceanside High School on Monday, March 23.
Tickets are $10 in advance and at the doors. Student tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.
Get your tickets today at https://cur8.com/39980/project/137753.
Team members Elisabeth Casey, Alivia Chi, Madison Kilkenny and Scarlet Valderrama demonstrated their cooperation, ingenuity and teamwork under the tutelage of coach Fan Zhang, assistant robotics coordinator of the elementary schools, Dana Schultz and FIRST program coordinator Eva Papas. The Rising Star Award is given to teams showing immense growth, persistence and potential.
The girls’ robot maneuvered the field beautifully and presented the work on their project “Solving the Crisis of Unsorted Artifacts” to judges with clarity and confidence. The future is bright for these rising stars.
If you order on one of these two days, you will receive a green and white souvenir tassel with a gold “2026” medallion. Your cap, gown and tassel will be delivered to the school for distribution at your graduation rehearsal in June.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Conti, Ms. Fredericks or Mrs. Tisch.
Register at the Google Form below and in our bio: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbxtmvdgkz3FOarSfjGd8AigyWAd9TkTqcevIa48Y8xfeGAA/viewform
If you have any questions, please contact district interpreter Cyndy Ergen.
Hello Falcons,
All of our schools will have a traditional snow day on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The New York State Commissioner of Education has announced that districts which were forced to close to protect the safety of students and staff in response to the storm will be granted a waiver to the 180-day requirement for Feb. 23. Because of this, there will be no virtual instruction on Feb. 24.
Please note that the SCOPE program is canceled.
Keep an eye on your emails and messages on the ParentSquare app for more information.
Stay safe, stay warm and have a wonderful day!
Hola Familia Falcon,
Todas nuestras escuelas tendrán el tradicional día de nieve el martes 24 de febrero. El Comisionado de Educación del Estado de Nueva York anunció que los distritos que se vieron obligados a cerrar para proteger la seguridad de los estudiantes y el personal en respuesta a la tormenta recibirán una exención del requisito de 180 días para el 23 de febrero. Debido a esto, no habrá instrucción virtual el 24 de febrero. Tengan en cuenta que el programa SCOPE está cancelado.
Estén atentos a sus correos electrónicos y mensajes en la aplicación Parent Square para obtener más información.
¡Manténganse seguros, abrigados y tengan un día maravilloso!
To make up for this closure and our previous snow day, April 1 and May 26 will now be regular school days for all buildings.
I will send an update by late tomorrow afternoon regarding our plan for Tuesday, Feb. 24. If we are unable to open buildings on Tuesday, we will have online instruction.
Please stay safe and enjoy the day!
Debido a la tormenta de nieve que se aproxima y al estado de emergencia declarado por la gobernadora, todas las escuelas del LVCSD tendrán un tradicional día de nieve el lunes 23 de febrero. No habrá clases en línea y el programa SCOPE está cancelado.
Para compensar este cierre y nuestro anterior día de nieve, el 1 de abril y el 26 de mayo serán días escolares regulares en todos los edificios.
Les enviaré una actualización mañana por la tarde sobre nuestro plan para el martes 24 de febrero. Si no podemos abrir los edificios el martes, tendremos clases en línea.
¡Cuídense y disfruten del día!
