Locust Valley Intermediate School

The high school will host a college fair on Thursday, April 10, from 7:30-9 p.m. in the gymnasium. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to admissions representatives and learn about campus life and special programs. Prior to the fair, there will be a financial aid presentation with Gene Rodgers, senior financial aid counselor at Molloy University, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

During July, four students from Jessica DiPardo’s Locust Valley High School classes spent time planting Japanese Purple Irises at Soundside Beach in Bayville. The summer project came out of a collaboration between Village of Bayville Mayor Steve Minicozzi, Locust Valley Central School District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Janine Sampino and the schools’ garden club coordinators Tina Hament and Patrick Silvestri.

Hament and Silvestri met with the mayor in May to see how their club could help in the community. The project was suggested by Mayor Minicozzi and district officials supported the project, which saw students Tyler Banks, Maneet Bedi, Christian DiPaola and Mikayla Pacini transport perennials and plant them in front of the beach playground. Bayville’s Deputy Superintendent of Public Works, Giuseppe Sicuranza, met the group at the beach and helped with the plantings.

Perennial sharing is encouraged by Hament and Silvestri as a way for folks to support their community. District students can contact Ms. DiPardo or Ms. Hament to participate in future plantings.

There is plenty of summer left, but it is never too early to plan for next school year! The 2025-2026 district calendar is now posted on the website. Physical copies will be mailed out over the next few weeks. Go to the link below to access the calendar today.

https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/o/lvcsd/page/calendars

As the school year wound down, rising senior Elizabeth Watson learned that she was chosen for the Nassau County Police Department’s SHIELD Award for showing outstanding strength of character, commitment to self-growth, and the spirit and initiative to bring about positive change in her community.

Watson was identified by guidance counselor Jillian Celli as a student leader, and participated in a civics discussion with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program in March.

You can relive the exciting ending of the 2024-2025 school year in the latest edition of Soundwaves, the District’s official newsletter. Read about the graduations and moving-up ceremonies, incredible student achievements and performances, and incoming and retiring staff members.

https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/newsletter

The Locust Valley Central School District is now hiring for a variety of positions ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. You can gain valuable experience and create a special atmosphere for our amazing students. Visit the LVCSD Human Resources page to apply today!

https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/human-resources-appr/

The #GiveBackpacks program is back for its 10th year! Members of the Locust Valley Central School District community are encouraged to visit the Bayville Free Library or the Locust Valley Library to take an apple with a list of supplies for the 2025-2026 school year and return with a backpack full of these items to either library before Friday, Aug. 15. If you have any questions, please contact Cyndy Ergen at (516) 628-2765 or Paola Diaz at (516) 671-1837.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow stopped into the summer recreation program on July 14 to see the exciting activities the campers are partaking in. She saw students and counselors showcasing their creativity by designing colorful otter decorations to bring home.

The Locust Valley Summer Recreation Camp got off to a great start last week, as students participated in fun activities, crafts and games with their counselors at Bayville Primary School. Campers and counselors were amazed by illusionist Magic Jeff, who showcased tricks using cards, balloons and more.

Community members, please note that the Bayville Intermediate School playground and field will be inaccessible starting next Monday, July 14, until the end of August for the installation of the turf field. We ask that you please avoid that area for your safety. Additionally, roof work is currently occurring at Bayville Intermediate. Please use caution if you are walking by the building.

There are spots still available for next school year’s SCOPE Education Services Before- and After-School Child Care Program at Ann MacArthur Primary School for students in grades K-5. Before- school programs go from 7 a.m. until the start of school and after-school programs go from dismissal until 6:30 p.m.

There is a sibling discount, and subsidies are available to income-eligible families. September tuition will be charged on Tuesday, July 15, and will be nonrefundable after Friday, Aug. 8.

Go to https://www.scopeonline.us/before-and-after-school-age-child-care-programs/ to register. All parents must submit a new contract for the 2025-2026 school year. New SCOPE parents must create an online account before submitting a contract.

For additional information, please call Barbara Reale at (631) 360-0800, x-100.

Fresh off a county championship appearance, the boys’ varsity lacrosse team took home several awards. The Falcons were named the Most Improved Team and head coach Tom Duggan was named Conference 2 Coach of the Year by the Nassau County Lacrosse Coaches Association. Team members also took home individual awards, with Owen Pye and William Summers earning All-County honors and Jackson Hoban and Grayson Iannotti taking home All-County Honorable Mentions. William Nabet and Liam Roberts were also named to the All-Conference team and Jack Symanski was recognized as Unsung Hero. The team is excited to continue its momentum in 2026.

Hundreds of district students enjoyed a night of games and rides with their friends and family at Adventureland in late June. Students from pre-K to grade 12 had the park to themselves for a night and enjoyed the year-end celebration thanks to the Locust Valley Middle School Parents Council.

During June, Locust Valley Intermediate School fifth graders wrapped up their space-themed science unit by constructing their own creative rovers inspired by NASA’s planned return to the moon with the Artemis mission. Science teacher Caroline McBride brought her brother, NASA engineer Justin Cassidy, to discuss how he helps develop tools for astronauts to use in space and give advice to students on what features they could include in their rovers. Students ran with this advice, putting together rovers of all shapes and sizes, using items such as tin foil, cardboard boxes, plastic pipes and even Lifesavers mints as wheels. In late June, fifth graders Lucia Mandell, Natalie Martinovich, Audrey Munsil and Caroline Principe learned they had been chosen as winners for the most functional designs in a video sent by Mr. Cassidy, and received pins from the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Preparation for the 2025-2026 Locust Valley FIRST Robotics teams is underway! Registration for returning and new coaches and students is now open here. Make sure to sign up while there is still space.

If you have any questions, please contact coordinator Alan Stella at astella@locustvalleyschools.org.

On June 27, Bayville and Locust Valley elementary school students celebrated the final day of the 2024-2025 school year. Ann MacArthur Primary School students said goodbye and gave gifts to retiring staff members Stacey Eno, Marie Mills and Sharon Steele. They then cheered on teachers and staff members as they took part in a water balloon toss. Bayville’s fifth graders made the short trip to Bayville Primary School where they walked the halls and were celebrated by students and staff. In the gymnasium, the fifth graders met with their former primary school teachers. Locust Valley Intermediate School students finished up fun projects and enjoyed one more day with their classmates and teachers.

The Locust Valley High School Class of 2025 commemorated the end of this chapter of their lives at their graduation on June 26. The 165 graduates took to the stage at Fred Smith Field and celebrated the achievement with their loved ones. The graduation candidates strode onto the turf field in green and white gowns and with beautifully decorated caps, beaming with excitement, prepared for their future endeavors. Attendees were treated to performances from the graduation band/orchestra ensemble and the chamber singers. As the ceremony began and the audience listened to the words of soon-to-be-graduates, it became clear how unafraid this group is to face the next steps in their lives. The Class of 2025 has only been strengthened through all the challenges they have faced throughout their academic careers. “We don’t arrive to be the people we are without challenge, without help and without hurt, and that’s what high school is about: challenge,” Salutatorian Abigail Maselli told the crowd. “We are just beginning a life of challenge. A life of choice. A life of change.” “You learned not to fear the inevitable; to stare challenges in the eyes and combat them with strength and grace,” student speaker Katherine Kuebler said. “You learned. You made a new friend. You found a new talent or a new flaw and you grew.” “Let me offer you advice on what to do after your inevitable encounter with failure, even if it’s just a minor setback: never stop hoping,” Valedictorian Inshaal Abid urged her fellow graduates. “The hope I am talking about isn’t a feeling, rather it’s perseverance, it’s determination, it’s diligence, it’s endurance even in the face of everything that might make it feel nearly impossible to keep going.” The staff, teachers and administration that have helped to mold these young people, and who have seen the ups and downs of their journeys know that this group will go on to achieve great things. “Keep trying, accomplishing and exploring,” Principal Patrick DiClemente said. “Life is tough, but you are you. Consider your interests, set personal goals and chart a pathway towards the areas in life that make you happy.” The Class of 2025 boasted many academic and community service accolades, including 94 members earning a place in the National Honor Society, 78 earning the Seal of Civic Readiness, 62 receiving a Diploma with Distinction and 24 IB Diploma candidates. Many students achieved feats such as these while competing and excelling as Falcons on the fields of play. “Seniors, please take a moment today to give yourself credit for all the work you have done to make this moment a reality, and thank all the people who supported you through thick and thin,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow said. “Soak in this moment. It is one that you will remember forever.” After turning their tassels and tossing their caps in the air, graduates sought out their friends and took in the moment. While their time as students here has concluded, they will always have a home here and will always be Falcons destined to soar throughout life.

Congratulations to the Locust Valley High School Class of 2025! You will always be Falcons!

The festivities continued this week in Locust Valley and Bayville with ceremonies for kindergartners, second, fifth and sixth graders wrapping up a chapter of their respective academic journeys. Students at Ann MacArthur Primary School, Bayville Primary School and Locust Valley Intermediate School sang songs alongside music teachers Nicole Kelly and Marc Yavoski, in rooms filled with their loved ones. On June 24, eighth graders took to Fred Smith Field for the last time as middle schoolers. Principal Michael Cestaro praised the Class of 2029 as one of the best he has ever worked with. “Your collective spirit, resilience and genuine care for one another have shown brightly throughout your time here,” Principal Cestaro said. “You represent the very best of Locust Valley, and I am immensely proud of each and every one of you.” Thank you to students, staff and families for another amazing year!

During the two years since he emigrated from Türkiye, Locust Valley High School sophomore Nevzat Arda Agir has used his love of swimming to make friends and a name for himself. Already an accomplished long-distance swimmer, Agir arrived just in time to take part in the high school’s inaugural varsity boys swimming season in 2024, setting several records that will be difficult to beat event as the program grows. On top of these accolades, Agir has set his sights on challenging marathons, including one around Manhattan in July. Swimming helped Agir settle into his new home. He made a splash at the county championships in February, setting the new program’s record for the 200-yard individual medley at two minutes and 17 seconds. He swims six days a week and is always looking to improve. In summer 2024, Agir made his first foray into long-distance swimming, navigating the 4.3-mile Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim off the coast of Istanbul in just 56 minutes. “The first time it is scary, but when you finish when I finished it I felt like it was easy,” Agir said. “In the ocean, you need to find the current and once I did it was easy for me.” For his next challenge, Agir is hoping to become the youngest Turkish swimmer to complete the 28.5-mile Manhattan 20 Bridges Swim on July 27. The event is part of the triple crown of open-water swimming that includes traversing the English Channel and the Catalina Channel. Agir is excited for the unique and exclusive 20 Bridges event because he will deal with strong currents, tides and boat traffic, which make for an incredible test on his endurance and mental toughness. Agir has been hard at work preparing for this challenge. “I never miss a practice and we practice six days a week with the Long Island Express team,” Agir said. “When the weather is good, I also swim long distances in the sea.” Seeking advice for the 20 Bridges event, Agir went to Instagram and messaged Turkish national team swimmer Bengisu Avci, who set a new world record in the 200-meter medley at the Ice Swimming World Championship in early 2025. Not only did Avci respond to Agir, but she also set up Zoom calls throughout the past year to give him tips and tricks on how to push through the event. After the 20 Bridges, Agir will set his sights on the 6.2-mile Swim Across America event at Cold Spring Harbor Beach, where he will raise money for cancer research, on August 1. In 2026, he will take part in the English Channel Relay on behalf of UK charity The Alexa Trust, a non-profit that supports parents with babies in neonatal care.