June 2026

Dear Friends,

It's a wrap! I end each school year with the same bittersweet feeling that overcomes me. I know that many of our staff, especially those who retired, experienced the same emotions. I'm happy for what the year gave us and sad to see it end. The hallways are student-quiet, but our facilities staff and capital project workers have taken over classrooms, hallways, the south parking lot, and our old cafeteria space.

I want to thank Mrs. Reidell, who stepped into the role of interim PreK-12 principal this year while supporting Ms. Dickinson, our new PreK-12 assistant principal. Both had the chance to work with staff PreK-12 and get to know students across that full range. In the fall, Ms. Reidell returns to her role as our elementary principal, PreK-6, and Ms. Dickinson moves into the MS/HS principal role, grades 7-12.

This issue holds a lot: giraffes that can't dance, bees that make honey, and butterflies that fly free after weeks in a chrysalis. First graders bound their own books. Fourth graders wrote advice to the class behind them. A student built a lamp by hand in the fabrication lab. Prom took over a steamboat on Lake George, seniors watched the sky turn orange at Senior Sunset, and 500 people packed a tent to watch the Class of 2026 walk across the stage. Read on for all of it, plus one last round of bubbles for our youngest Falcons.

Before you dig in, please join me in recognizing and thanking several members of our school family who are beginning a new chapter in their own lives. We wish Ms. Sedon, Ms. Bieniek, Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Angus, and Ms. Ostrander joy and wonderful new adventures in their retirement. Thank you for your years of service. You will be missed.

In appreciation of our families and community, few places are as beautiful as the Adirondack region of New York State. Enjoy the summer. Make wonderful memories with family and friends!

Dr. Chauncey

OUR ARTISTS ~ Ms Sedon.

This artwork is based on one of my favorite picture books that speaks to young and old alike: Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. The book follows Gerald, a giraffe mocked for his clumsy dancing until he learns that everyone moves to their own rhythm.

HONEY BEES PODCAST ~ MS. BAUER

Join me in this fascinating interview with our speech teacher, Ms. Bauer, who is also a beekeeper! Learn about the challenges and the benefits of keeping bees and producing honey.

BUTTERFLIES -  2ND GRADE - MRS. CLAPPER

This is the 4th year Mr. Aubrey came into my classroom to give us larvae and tell us all about Painted Lady Butterflies. This year, he also popped over one afternoon when we had a chrysalis that had fallen and helped us with the rescue. After the butterflies started emerging, he came to teach us how to release them and let all the kids have their pictures taken with them.

PUBLISHING CENTER ~ 1st GRADE~ MS. NORDYKE

Ms. Nordyke hosted a first-grade publishing celebration to showcase the informational reports her students wrote. The reports were bound in a beautiful hard-copy book. Each student received a copy of the book to enjoy and to remind them of their 1st grade experience. Enjoy the video below that captures a bit of the celebration.

THE WRITING REVOLUTION - 4TH GRADE - MS. WILLIAMS

Ms. Williams' 4th- and 5th-grade classes have been working on single- and multi-paragraph writing all year. In the video below, I captured the students working together to write "words of wisdom" letters to incoming 4th graders.

FABRICATION LAB ~ MR. VALOVIC ~ LILIAN CHAMBERLIN
Lilian Chamberlin shared a beautiful lamp that she designed in the Fabrication Lab. She explains the process in this short video. Patience, attention to detail, and design are all evident in her lamp.

FUN DAY ~ AHMYA PICS!

Many thanks to alumna Ahmya Tompkins, who captured some wonderful pictures at our Fun Day event. Thank you for giving me permission to use your photos!

PROM

This year's junior/senior prom, "Under the Sea," happened Saturday, June 6 aboard the Mohican steamboat on Lake George. Students danced from 6:00 to 8:30pm with a live DJ, surrounded by an ocean theme, coral, bubbles, and sea creatures. Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse of the night.

SENIOR SUNSET

Seniors gathered on the field for Senior Sunset, one last evening together as a class before graduation. The group photo caught the sky lit up orange behind the mountains, and the volleyball games ran until dark under the lights. A good send-off.

2026 NORTHVILLE GRADUATION

This year's graduation took place under a tent, funded by the senior class's own fundraising and organized under the guidance of class advisors Mrs. Bovee and Mrs. Edwards. Over 500 guests, families, and community members showed their support. Valedictorian Leah Marie Valovic and Salutatorian Landon E. Frasier shared heartfelt memories and reflections in their speeches, marking the close of another chapter for our graduates. Learn more about our honor graduates here. Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Over $30,000 in awards were given by our community members and organizations. Here is a link to the Graduation Program. Here is a link to the Senior Awards Booklet. Enjoy this short video. A longer one will be coming your way from Ms. Fitzgerald shortly! Stay tuned.

2026 NORTHVILLE CTE GRADUATION
Ms. Reidell and Ms. Dickinson captured these pictures of our CTE graduates. Here is a link to the CTE Graduation Awards Program. Several of our students received awards and honors.

STUDENT BUBBLES SEND OFF 

And it's a wrap. We saw our youngest students off with bubbles, as is the tradition at Northville CSD!

ALUMNI SIGN-UP FORM 

Northville CSD is building an alumni database to celebrate your accomplishments, strengthen connections, and open new opportunities for engagement with our students and community. We'd love to hear from you, whether you're just starting or well into your career! Please take a few minutes to complete this form and share your journey with us. Your story matters—and it might inspire the next generation of Falcons! Please complete this form to become part of our database. Your information will not be shared; it will only be used to support our alumni efforts as described above! LINK TO FORM or scan the QR Code with your phone.

TELHEALTH SERVICES ~ MRS. RENNER

NCS will offer telehealth services to students and staff through Albany Medical Center for the 2025-26 school year. We are excited and hopeful that this partnership will help alleviate some of the stress that often arises when a child needs medical care. Not only will our students have this service available during the school day, but it will also be available at home to anyone, including adults!

Please see the informational flyer and pre-registration form. A QR code is also included on the flyer and below for online registration. We strongly urge pre-registration to expedite care, but please be assured that your child will never be seen by a telehealth provider without your consent (every time). The Albany Med team will be at Open House on 09/16 at 6:30pm to offer insight and assist with registration. We hope many of our students take advantage of this excellent service!

Mrs. Fitzgerald posts to Northville CSD Parent Square daily to inform us about the numerous events that make our school and extended community such vibrant, welcoming spaces. Her efforts are essential to maintaining our strong sense of community. Also, be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We're always eager to support organizations contributing to our community's well-being. If you're involved with a community event you'd like us to promote, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help spread the word. If you would like to meet with me in person or virtually, just email or call to schedule a time during the school day or after your workday.

Be sure to visit our website to stay up to date on district news: https://www.northvillecsd.org/.


Dr. Sarah A. Chauncey, DPS-IM
Superintendent of Schools
schauncey@northvillecsd.org
Work: 518-863-7000 x4120
Cell: 845-304-8791