Home

A hearty round of applause to the super-talented New Paltz High School musicians who, despite the heat, truly sparkled on stage Tuesday evening (May 19)!

The performance featured the Tenor-Bass Choir, Treble Choir, Mixed Choir, A Cappella Choir, and Select A Cappella Choir (directed by Nicole Foti), along with the Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Clarinet Choir, and Concert Band (directed by Brandon Sparkman).

There were many memorable moments throughout the evening, including vocal soloists, student musical accompaniment, student guest conductors, and heartfelt tributes to seniors, who took the stage for the final time in their high school careers.

Thank you to everyone who braved the heat—oh, what a night!

Students at New Paltz Middle School put their taste buds to work this week during another exciting student taste test, welcoming guests from Community Food Works/Milestone Mills!

Students had the opportunity to sample New York–sourced tortilla chips made right here in Ulster County. Crafted from organically grown corn, the chips are milled locally and distributed as part of a commitment to bringing fresh, regional products to the table.

A big thank you to Community Food Works/Milestone Mills for visiting and sharing their delicious local product with us as we explore new menu possibilities for our students!

On May 13, Grade 4 students in at Lenape Elementary School welcomed middle grade-level local author Lesa Cline-Ransome for an inspiring visit and book signing. The award-winning author of 35 books spoke with students about many of the works they already knew and loved, sharing insights into her writing and storytelling process.

Ms. Cline-Ransome was a truly engaging guest. The students listened attentively as she guided them through her writing process—from inspiration and notecards to first drafts and, ultimately, a manuscript ready for submission to a publisher. Students asked thoughtful questions throughout the visit. She also shared stories from her personal journey, including how she met her husband, who has illustrated many of her books.

She asked students powerful questions such as, “What is freedom?” and “What does freedom mean to you? It was questions like these, she noted, that inspired many of her books. For instance, learning about the limited rights of women in the 1800s led her to write “One Big Open Sky,” which explores the 1879 Exoduster movement, when many Black families migrated West in search of freedom and land ownership.

During the book signing, some students even brought four or five of the author’s books for her to sign.