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Middletown students spotlighted: author visit, youth government wins and expanding civic-readiness capstones
Summary
The district showcased student achievements including a Jason Reynolds author visit for about 1,000 scholars, youth-in-government delegates who advanced to statewide programs, and expansion of the Seal of Civic Readiness with dozens of student capstone projects (hygiene drives, Busy Bags, Bags of Hope).
Middletown trustees set aside part of the May 8 meeting to recognize student programs and community partnerships that administrators said have increased participation and opportunities across grade levels.
The district’s communications and library teams arranged an author visit by New York Times best-selling author Jason Reynolds. Administrators said roughly 1,000 scholars attended two assemblies; the district solicited and used a community donation to bring Reynolds to Middletown, and the special-services team purchased copies of titles including Long Way Down, For Everyone and Ghost for audiences. The superintendent and teachers described extended classroom and library activity after the visit and distributed signed copies and posters to the high school and the board.
Youth in Government: The district’s Youth in Government delegation reported multiple wins at regional and state events. Advisors Jen Kinney and Tierney Lynch said the program sent 23 delegates to the state YMCA conference, where students advanced bills, served as committee chairs, and had three bills signed by the youth governor. Two delegates were selected to attend the national Changemaker Summit and were competing for a $5,000 grant for a community service project addressing impaired driving.
Seal of Civic Readiness and student capstones: Middletown’s Seal of Civic Readiness program — a New York State recognition that signals civic knowledge and engagement — is in its third year. The district projected more than 70 graduates would earn the seal this year, up from 47 last year. Projects presented included a hygiene drive to benefit the local ReCap shelter (students identified homelessness and collected hygiene items), Busy Bags (activity kits for parents attending conferences), and Bags of Hope (travel-size hygiene kits for children in foster care made in partnership with Orange County Department of Social Services). Presenters said roughly 25% of seal recipients this year are students in special education programs or English language learners.
Why it matters: Student civic engagement and expanded arts and literacy programming reached broad swaths of the district, administrators said. Trustees praised staff and volunteers and encouraged the community to support upcoming events and fundraisers that benefit these programs.
Speakers and sources at the meeting included media/library specialist Emily Londrigan, program advisers Jen Kinney and Tierney Lynch, and student presenters who described their projects. Several trustees and administrators highlighted the role of grants, donations and community partnerships that helped cover costs for field experiences and author events.
