Middle School principal retires to a chorus of good cheers

Warwick - When Warwick Valley Middle School Principal Ann Val closes the door to her office on Dec. 23 as 13 years in the position, she will leave behind a school that serves as a model for other middle schools throughout New York for academic success. The numbers that tell that story include: • 87 percent of Warwick Middle Schoolers met or exceeded state testing standards in science (the statewide mark is 70 percent); • 80 percent of Warwick students met or surpassed the state standards in English Language Arts (statewide the number was 47 percent); • 76 percent of Warwick Middle School students met or bettered state benchmarks in mathematics (58 percent statewide). Val’s tenure will also be noted for music. As she told the audience during last week’s Middle School winter concert: told the audience, “I am extremely proud of the Middle School music program, which has become one of the shining stars in the school district.” In an interview this week with The Warwick Advertiser, Val said “I believe in designing and supporting a well-rounded program for students, which includes clubs and athletics in addition to academics. The music program has grown tremendously in the past 13 years, thanks to the efforts of the terrific teachers I have been fortunate to hire, and the support of the administration and Board of Education.” Eighth grade orchestra director Keely Gould was there at the beginning and wanted it to be known that Ann Val had a lot to do with the genesis of the “wonderful” music department. With Val’s approval, Gould started the program as an after-school club in the 1996-97 school year “six (string instrument) students who stayed after school once a week.” The next year, Val and Gould pitched an orchestra program as a budget item to the Warwick School Board. It took another year, but orchestra program became a reality during the 1998-99 school year and has since expanded to include the elementary schools (when the fifth grade moved to those schools). “Today, the program has more than 250 students who participate,” Gould said. “If it weren’t for Ann’s involvement and desire to see this program become a reality, these students might not have ever learned to play an instrument. “Ann has been extraordinarily supportive of the music programs in the Middle School,” the award-winning music teacher said. “The number of students that participate in one of the performing ensembles has grown by leaps and bounds under her tenure as principal. I see her as a proud parent seeing students grow musically and through music being able to express themselves.” Similar sentiments were expressed by sixth- and seventh-grade orchestra director Christy Halligan, who joined the staff more recently. “Ann has been so helpful and supportive of the music department. She has been wonderful to work with and will be truly missed.” Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph Natale credited “Ann Val’s outstanding leadership as one of the main reasons, programmatically, operationally and academically” for the Middle School’s overall success. Dr. Marijane Reinhard, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instructional services, added: “Ann has always been a strong advocate for Middle School children and Middle School education. The district will miss her leadership, commitment and dedication.” The district is accepting applications for the principal position. In the meantime, the interim principal will be Louise Lynch, a retired high school principal. Natale himself retires on February 1. Val, who is the senior principal in Orange County, is sticking around the area. “I grew up on a Black Dirt produce farm which my brother still operates and my husband and I will be staying in the area - we have no plans to move elsewhere. We plan on traveling, spending time with our family and four grandchildren, and I hope to devote plenty of time to my garden and learning how to play golf, so I can play with my husband. “I have spent my entire career with Middle School students - they are my favorite age group. I will miss the energy they generate and the staff and teachers with whom I work.”