WVCSD EdTalk & Photo of the Week: May 20, 2026

On Tuesday morning, we had the privilege of celebrating our Warwick Valley High School Wildcats who achieved the prestigious status of NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athletes, as well as US Army Academic All-Americans, at the district’s annual Scholar-Athlete breakfast and ceremony. It was a moment to honor not just individual achievement, but also the collective spirit and support that define our school community.

At the heart of Warwick Valley’s athletic tradition are the values we call the PACT factors: pride, accountability, commitment, and trust. Each season, our coaches gather with student-athletes to discuss these foundational attributes, and time and again, our students prove themselves in both the classroom and on the field. Their achievements speak volumes about their character and the unwavering support they receive from coaches, teammates, and—most importantly—their families.

To be named a US Army All-American is no small feat. It requires not just athletic excellence, but also leadership, resilience, and an enduring commitment to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship. Similarly, earning the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete designation demands a rare combination of academic rigor and athletic dedication. These students consistently strive for greatness, balancing the pressures of competition and coursework to represent Warwick Valley with pride.

We are also proud to recognize this year’s OCIAA (Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association) Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Reagan Smith and Hank Wendell. OCIAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year honorees must rank in the top 20% of their graduating class, participate in at least one varsity sport during their senior year, and be above-average athletes in their respective sports. In addition, recipients must demonstrate outstanding citizenship and character. Reagan and Hank exemplify each of these qualities, serving as exceptional role models for their peers and representing Warwick Valley—both the school and community at large—with pride and distinction.

Reflecting on your journeys, I see that many of you naturally excel in the classroom through hard work and goal setting. But it is often on the athletic field where you encounter adversity, learn from defeat, and discover what it truly means to persevere. The combination of academic and athletic experiences is what makes the student-athlete experience so meaningful and rewarding—one of the true beauties of competing in scholastic sports.

Congratulations to our student-athletes for their remarkable accomplishments. Thank you to our dedicated coaches who inspire and guide, and to the parents whose encouragement and sacrifice make these achievements possible. To which I will add that it was a joy to see that kind of family support represented by the standing-room-only crowd that filled the high school auditorium to applaud these students. Thank you! Together, we celebrate not just wins and awards, but the lifelong values that define the Warwick Valley spirit.

Here are some highlights from our schools this week:

Park Avenue Elementary School 
On May 11, fourth graders participated in the fascinating Historic Walkabout Tour led by members of the Warwick Historical Society's Education Committee. Building on their classroom studies of colonial history and the American Revolution, students learned much more about the role our own school grounds played in American history.

Park Avenue's grounds sit near Kings Highway, which was a direct route to George Washington's Newburgh headquarters and Route 94 which led to Philadelphia and the Continental Army. Warwick's protected valley and its distance from British-occupied New York City made it a safe and strategic site. A supply depot operated on Park Avenue’s grounds, providing troops with food, clothing, blankets, and munitions. Students learned about the historic burial site of Reverend Benedict and his congregation.

Special presentations by Margaret Bogdanski (direct descendant of Elder Benedict and grandmother of a fourth grader) and Joan Noonan (granddaughter of the monument carver) brought local history to life. Students gained a deeper appreciation for our geographical location and how the local Warwick militia contributed to the Hudson Valley campaign of the American Revolution. During this wonderful experience, our school grounds turned into a living classroom.  A huge thank you to the Warwick Historical Society for always supporting our students’educational growth!

Park Avenue also held its annual Career Day for students in grades 2 through 4. Parent volunteers representing different professions visited our classrooms to discuss with our students what they do every day. Third graders learned about the daily experiences and routines of firefighters, teachers, doctors, artists, engineers, and many other cool careers. Parents showed our students tools they use, told funny stories about their work, and answered many questions. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who took the time to spend Career Day with our students!

Sanfordville Elementary School 
Sanfordville fourth graders were recently joined by the Warwick Historical Society to do a guided walking tour of the Sanfordville school grounds to learn about Warwick's role in the Revolutionary War. Each class completed the tour in just over two hours. Throughout the experience, students engaged in map studies, visited the site of the former DeKay Homestead, conducted a landscape and nature study, learned about Revolutionary history at Washington’s Spring, explored the DeKay cemetery, and traveled to the Peace Wall for a lesson on Patriots and Loyalists!

The PIE 1-2 classes were honored to participate in the grand opening of Hidden Hollow Trail at Mountain Lake Park! Students brought their handcrafted insect homes to place along the trail, adding a touch of magic to our community. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the town supervisor, celebrating this wonderful collaboration between our school and the park. Throughout the day, students engaged in meaningful learning experiences, including a guided nature talk from the park director, a nature scavenger hunt, and a hands-on STEM boat-building project. The classes also enjoyed a picnic lunch while taking in the beautiful surroundings. This project was made possible by parent volunteers who assisted students in creating insect homes during classroom instruction. This experience exemplifies our district's commitment to developing collaborators, creators, and lifelong learners who engage meaningfully with their community and natural world.

Sanfordville second graders recently embarked on an exciting field trip to the Franklin Mineral Mines. During the visit, students experienced the atmosphere of a real mine and had the chance to get their "hands dirty" while extracting various rocks to take home. The students returned to school with smiles and made it clear they enjoyed a fantastic experience.

Our kindergarten students have been working incredibly hard during our animal research unit! Students have been reading nonfiction books, researching on PebbleGo, and watching educational videos to learn all about their chosen animals. Throughout the unit, students worked collaboratively with their teams to create presentation boards, complete crafts, and decorate posters that showcased their learning and creativity. To celebrate all of their hard work, we invited parents into our classroom to watch the presentations and learn about our special animals. The students did such an amazing job acting like “big kids” as they took on the important task of public speaking in front of an audience. We were so proud of their confidence, teamwork, and growth throughout this project!

Warwick Valley Middle School
On May 14, Warwick Valley Middle School proudly celebrated the induction of new members into the Warwick Valley Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society during a special ceremony held in the Warwick Valley High School Auditorium. Family members, faculty, the WVMS admin team, and friends gathered together to honor the outstanding achievements, leadership, service, character, and citizenship demonstrated by this year’s inductees.

The ceremony began with music performed by members of the Warwick Valley Honors Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Christy Brown, followed by introductions of administrators, faculty, and student officers. NJHS Adviser Janna Milazzo welcomed guests and reflected on the commitment and dedication required to become members of this prestigious organization. Student officers then presented the five pillars of the National Junior Honor Society: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship, reminding all in attendance of the values that guide NJHS members both inside and outside the classroom.

Principal Jared Yapkowitz addressed the audience and congratulated the inductees for their hard work and commitment to excellence. During the ceremony, students recited the National Junior Honor Society pledge, promising to uphold the organization’s values and continue serving as positive role models within the school community. New members were officially inducted into the Warwick Valley Chapter, marking an important milestone in their middle school journey.

This year’s inductees represented a remarkable group of students who have consistently demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to helping others. Their accomplishments reflect not only their personal dedication, but also the support of their families, teachers, and the greater Warwick Valley school community. The evening concluded with a reception in the high school lobby, allowing students and families an opportunity to celebrate this well deserved honor together.

Warwick Valley High School 
Warwick Valley High School’s Rock Club brought music, energy, and plenty of school spirit to unit lunch on May 8, with its highly anticipated spring concert performance. The atmosphere was electric as the courtyard filled with students and faculty eager to support the local talent. Backed by the cheers of their classmates and staff, the student musicians sounded fantastic as they showcased their hard work, creative collaboration, and growing confidence on stage.

Rock Club is one of Warwick Valley High School’s newest student organizations and has quickly gained significant momentum across the entire school community. Created during this academic year, the club serves as a student-led sanctuary for musicians of all skill levels. The inclusive nature of the group means that some members are just starting to learn their instruments, while others play casually outside of school or are seasoned players looking for more formal opportunities to collaborate and perform for an audience. To maintain their high level of performance, the group meets three times a week during lunch and after school to rehearse setlists, share musical ideas, and meticulously prepare for their public appearances.

The club was founded by student Bruce Kovler, whose profound passion for music helped bring the vision to life. Recognizing a need for a modern musical outlet at the school, Bruce worked tirelessly to establish the organization. With support from friends, family, and the Warwick Valley staff, he spearheaded every aspect of the club’s development. This comprehensive effort included initial concept planning, the creation of a custom logo design, and the vital task of securing faculty advisor Eduardo Avila to mentor the group. Bruce also took the lead in navigating the administrative requirements, guiding the club through the official approval process to ensure its status as a recognized high school organization.

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Photo of the Week

Warwick flag football players celebrate with the Spirit Trophy after defeating Goshen 7-0 at Park Avenue Elementary School on May 13.