Read about graduations, moving-up ceremonies and amazing end-of-year activities throughout the district in the summer edition of Soundwaves.
The Locust Valley Board of Education extends heartfelt thanks to Superintendent Dr. Turnow for her exceptional efforts in building a strong and talented administrative team. The district is incredibly fortunate to have administrators who are continuing their dedication to our school district, students, families, and staff.
Dr. Turnow’s leadership has been pivotal in creating an environment where the strengths and interests of its staff are recognized and nurtured. Her vision is to harness their incredible talent and streamline roles, while maintaining all existing responsibilities, to build the most successful educational organization for all our students. Throughout her tenure, her willingness and patience in collaborating with our staff have been evident, culminating in successful negotiations and agreements with unions.
The district is delighted to announce the confirmation of the following individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to the district:
• Ms. Lisa Czerniecki: Director of Counseling, Advanced Studies, Careers and Research.
• Mr. Joseph Enea: Coordinator of History, English, & Business.
• Dr. Kim Ferina: Coordinator of Mathematics and Science.
• Mrs. Karen Horoszewski: Assistant Superintendent for Business.
• Mr. Ken Packert: Executive Director of Administrative Operations and Technology.
• Ms. Michelle Villa: Executive Director of Human Resources.
• Ms. Amy Watson: Assistant Principal at high school (supervising World Languages and ENL).
The exceptional administrative team has long been a cornerstone to the district’s educational community. As they transition into new roles, they will continue to collaborate, enhancing their ability to serve the students. These talented individuals bring a wealth of experience, invaluable skills, and expertise to their positions, fostering an educational environment centered on the students’ successes. The board of education is confident that with their extensive capabilities, these administrators will continue to drive excellence within Locust Valley schools, elevating the district to new and exciting heights.
The district extends its congratulations to its wonderful staff and look forward to the continued success and growth of the district under their guidance.
Throughout June, elementary and middle school students celebrated graduations and moving-up ceremonies. Students took center stage at each ceremony, reciting poems and speeches and singing songs about their experiences at each school. The students may be leaving their schools behind, but they will carry their memories with them forever.
Thank you to all faculty and staff for helping these students learn and for preparing them for the next chapter of their lives.
Locust Valley Central School District honored staff who retired and others who achieved tenure in May and June.
In May, the district honored Sharon DiLeo, Pat Fitzgerald, Laraine Giovanniello, Concetta Grella, Mary Henninger, Cathy Kemp, Maxine Loze, Lisa McNamara, Maribeth Miller, Jacqueline Monaco, Joan Parenti, George Pinkney, Chris Schmid, Charles Wheeler and Shari Zindman at a ceremony in the high school courtyard and during an afterparty at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville for their years of dedicated service to help the district operate.
At the final board of education meeting of the year, members of the district celebrated Julianna Caputo, Jessica Colombini, Magda Larounis, Jennifer Masa, Margaret McDermott, Jennifer Pagan, Ashley Pisanti, Gabriella Preto-Marshall, Vanessa Sherry, Michelle Villa and Allison Warfield for achieving tenure.
Thank you to all teachers and staff for leaving your mark on the district and helping shape the next generation of Falcons!
The 2024 District Night at Adventureland was a huge success, as 762 guests from grades pre-K to 12 took over the park for the night of June 18. Students and their families and friends enjoyed the games, food and rides as they rang in the summer in style.
Throughout June, students from pre-K to grade 5 took to Ann MacArthur Primary and Bayville Intermediate School’s grounds for their field days. Ann MacArthur Primary School celebrated with Disney-themed contests in honor of physical education teacher Maribeth Miller for her last field day before retirement. Bayville Primary School opted for an Olympics theme for their day of fun in the sun.
Locust Valley High School’s Class of 2024 took to the stage to receive their diplomas on June 26 at Fred Smith Field. 164 graduates dressed in green and white gowns with their colorful cords symbolizing each of their accomplishments throughout their four years crossed the stage to the cheers of their friends and families.
The graduates and the large crowd of their supporters were then treated to performances of The Star-Spangled Banner and The Beatles’ “In My Life.”
Student speakers Ella Crocco and Madison Melillo, valedictorian Riley Haas and salutatorian Kelsey Neves praised their classmates for their hard work and asked them to continue their ambitions in the next chapter of their lives.
“This day, this ceremony, these caps and gowns and sashes and cords are all symbols of us moving up in this world,” Locust Valley High School graduating senior Madison Melillo said. “Yes, today may be an ending, and a tragic one at that, but it also may be one epic beginning. The beginning of the rest of our lives.”
“Approach everything and everyone with an open mind,” Class of 2024 valedictorian Riley Haas told her classmates. “Do not go into anything with the assumption that you know exactly who a person is or exactly what something entails. Give everything and everyone a chance.”
After the speeches concluded, each member of the graduating class was called up to the stage and received their diploma from principal Patrick DiClemente.
To conclude the ceremony, students turned their tassels and tossed their caps in the air before embracing each other and becoming the newest alumni members of the Falcon Family.
Congratulations to the Locust Valley High School Class of 2024 on their graduation! Thank you to all community members on another amazing year. Check back on the district’s social media accounts and website tomorrow for more images and information from the ceremony.
Locust Valley High School’s graduating seniors took a walk down memory lane through each of the elementary schools they attended on June 21.
The Class of 2024 boarded buses over to the Locust Valley and Bayville elementary and intermediate schools after their graduation rehearsal at the high school. The soon-to-be-graduates wore their caps and gowns, and were greeted at Ann MacArthur Primary, Locust Valley Intermediate, Bayville Primary and Bayville Intermediate with cheers, high-fives and signs from students and teachers.
After the walkthrough, seniors headed back to the high school and enjoyed ice cream courtesy of the High School Parents Council and Gooseberry Grove.
Students in the life skills program from throughout the Locust Valley Central School District came to the high school auditorium in June to show their incredible artistic talents to classmates, friends and family.
Life skills students had their drawings and paintings exhibited and played along with some of their favorite songs using rhythm sticks. Students showed their incredible creativity and team work, and had a chance to dance together as a group to celebrate another amazing school year.
Locust Valley High School seniors dressed to impress as they gathered as a group for the last time before their graduation at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville on June 11 for their prom. Students started the evening by taking in the incredible sunset on the beach and marveling at each other’s lavish outfits before heading inside to eat, use the photo booth and dance the night away.
Locust Valley High School students and staff joined World War II veterans, current servicemembers and world leaders in Normandy last week for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
Seniors Matthew Borruso, Sonny Consolazio, Michael DiLorenzo, Riley Haas, Spiro Lampoutis and Kelsey Neves submitted essays and poems as part of a contest that tasked students to demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices made by the brave young men on June 6, 1944.
Chaperones Daniel Durante and Principal Patrick DiClemente were joined by Superintendent of Schools Kristen Turnow, board of education president Margaret Marchand and vice president Lauren Themis in guiding the students, while also learning more themselves.
The Locust Valley representatives arrived in France on June 2 and spent the week leading up to the commemoration visiting historic sites like the Patton House near the La Fiere Bridge, which American forces held during an especially bloody battle, and speaking to General Dwight Eisenhower’s daughter and granddaughter Susan and Caroline, as well as veterans of the last Great War on Omaha Beach.
“You can sit in your classroom all day and read every textbook there is and watch every movie or documentary, but nothing compares to being on those beaches and meeting those heroes first hand,” Consolazio said.
“I think what was most impactful for me was the blend of past and present,” Neves said. “Seeing active servicemembers walk through the visitors center at Pointe du Hoc and take off their hats for those that came before them was so memorable.”
Students were shocked to see the level of reverence the people of Sainte-Mere-Eglise hold onto even to this day, as many celebrate the occasion by putting American flags outside their houses and some even don American military uniforms of yesteryear.
“It’s something I’ve never even seen in my own country,” DiLorenzo said. “It was unbelievable to see them (the people of Sainte-Mere-Eglise) be so patriotic for my country.”
The trip was a continuation of the Locust Valley Central School District’s efforts to instill an appreciation for American history in the student population and community. In September 2023, Locust Valley hosted the Remembrance Project in conjunction with Patton Legacy Sports and local organization Operation Democracy to teach a D-Day specific unit into history classes and bring a football game between American airborne units that originated at Locust Valley’s sister city Sainte-Mere Eglise, France in 1944. DiLorenzo and Consolazio took part in that game and the preceding events including a veteran luncheon and jersey signing ceremony.
In the wake of the second world war, Locust Valley worked to send money and resources over to Sainte-Mere-Eglise to help rebuild the village and gained a reputation as a selfless community because of it.
“It was important for me as the instructional leader of the district and our board that we got to see out students develop an even better appreciation for the battle that was fought there and the restoration of our sister city that we had a hand in,” Dr. Turnow said. It’s our history and I think it was important for them to see how one community could come together for a selfless cause and help another one rebuild.”
Locust Valley High School’s Tri-M National Music Honor Society held its first coffeehouse event for local artists on June 5 to give students and staff members an opportunity to showcase their talents, while also raising funds for future trips for the high school’s performing groups.
Tri-M students, especially the seniors, were excited to start a new school tradition, while also taking to the stage again to show their vocal and instrumental prowess. Thirteen acts took to the stage on the night, and community members enjoyed coffee and brownies after the show.
During the last weeks of May, Locust Valley High School students were honored for their academic, athletic and extracurricular efforts throughout the school year. At the Senior Academic and Community Awards, high school staff and local organizations celebrated students’ acts of service and success in the classroom. The following week at the Senior Athletic Awards Night, our great Falcons coaches and players were lauded for their many accolades and their dedication to their teammates through thick and thin. Finally, 21 International Baccalaureate candidates received their diplomas after two years of tireless research and work culminating in challenging testing and essays.
In early June, Bayville Intermediate School fifth graders spent a day at West Harbor Beach for the annual beach party. The Bayville Elementary Parents Council provided food and ice cream, inflatable basketball and soccer games, and a dunk tank for students as they enjoyed a perfect day to get in the water and have fun in the sand!
Fourteen Locust Valley Middle School students were recognized by staff for their thoughtful acts as part of the May edition of Caught Being Kind on June 6. Students Aleena Asim, James Fox, Jayson Harrison, Kylie Horowitz, Brooke Markowski, Maddie Mazaa, Nancy McDonald, Julia Michalski, Jayden Nicholeau, Baileigh Parsons, Charlize Pierro, Chloe Shen, Tapasya Sreenivas and Charlotte Tucker were seen performing kind acts such as helping classmates with assignments, finding money and bringing it to the middle school office and giving candy to a teacher as appreciation for their efforts throughout the year.
The high school world language department held its third annual volleyball tournament in late May for International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme candidates ahead of their awards night. Teams representing France Italy and Spain took to our beautiful fields for an outdoor tournament to celebrate the completion of the students’ IB language studies.
Team Italy donned tie-dye shirts signed by each other and matching sunglasses on their way to winning the trophy. Afterwards, students enjoyed Italian ices on a perfect spring day.
Five Locust Valley High School students committed to continue their athletic careers on spring signing day on May 29.
Seniors Michael DiLorenzo signed on to play football at Wilkes University, Johnny Guillen and William Guillen committed to play soccer together at SUNY Farmingdale and Michael Hancock and Reily Roberts will play basketball at SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Geneseo, respectively.
“Through your craft, you have inspired your teammates, coaches and community,” Athletic Director Danielle Turner-Cosci told students during a ceremony in the gymnasium. “Your dedication to athletics and academics has helped to raise expectations for our program, and we are grateful for the impact you have had here at Locust Valley.”
Over the past few weeks, Locust Valley and Bayville students showed off the incredible art works they have worked on throughout the school year. Friends and family came to Ann MacArthur Primary School, Bayville Intermediate School, Locust Valley Middle School and Locust Valley High School to see the beautiful exhibits set up by the student artists and staff.
Young performers from the Bayville and Locust Valley intermediate school choruses stepped behind home plate at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Long Island Ducks game on May 25.
