View All News

A Hauntingly Good Performance!

Congratulations to the Middle School Band for leading the New Paltz Halloween Parade this year! With their spirited rendition of “The Addams Family” theme song, the band members, marching front and center, set the perfect tone for the festive night.

Thirty talented student musicians marched proudly alongside enthusiastic community members who joined in on the fun — a fantastic display of teamwork, talent, and Halloween spirit!

Students at Middle School Mix it up and Show Support for Breast Cancer Awareness!

What a lively and informative day at New Paltz Middle School it was on October 29th! Students and staff broke out their pink apparel to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness. And then, during all lunch periods, members of the High School's PIGLETS (Participation in Government, Literature, and Economics for Today’s Students) class joined them for an impromptu karaoke and dance party, as part of “Mix it up” day. Even Principal Ross Hogan got in on the fun, celebrating New Paltz spirit and connections to new friends!

“Mix It Up Day,” facilitated by the Student Support Center, is part of an international campaign that encourages students to cross social boundaries and make new connections. With “Would You Rather…?” conversation starters at each table and support from their High School mentors, students learned that small acts—like saying hello or sitting with someone new—can make a big difference.

What a wonderful way to build community AND raise awareness!

Thank you to all who made the visit of our Japanese friends possible!!

This past week we were visited by eleven students and four chaperones from our sister city in Niimi Japan. Our students and their students really bonded in a short amount of time. They learned a bit about each other’s cultures and they had a lot of fun.

We want to thank all those who made the visit possible, including Hurd’s Farm who welcomed us to their apple orchard, and the Mohonk Mountain House who invited us to come and tour their beautiful hotel and climb to the tower. Thanks to Teresa Thompson for providing all participants,both Japanese and American, with T-shirts commemorating the visit. Thank you to Dr. Linda Oehler Marx, middle school counselor Joanne Metzger, middle school teachers Isabella DeFalco and Melissa Gruver Lapolt, and middle school administrators Ross Hogan and Llajaira Dessereau for organizing the visit and making it all happen. Thank you to the parents and students who hosted our Japanese friends in their homes and provided us with food and support.

This is the first phase of a true international exchange program as students from our middle school will be traveling to Japan in May. In order to make this trip possible, they will be doing many fundraisers over the next few months since students are not allowed to pay their way. All students must participate in fundraising efforts in order to be able to go. We will certainly appreciate any support the community would like to provide to these hard-working students so that they can travel to Japan, learn about Japanese, culture and reunite with the friends they just made.

Superintendent Stephen Gratto recently stopped by the Middle School to visit the talented student cast of "Aladdin"—and even showcase some skills of his own! As they prepare for their upcoming performances, he taught them how to juggle and spin plates, adding an extra touch of excitement to their rehearsal.