The New York State Council of Social Studies (NYSCSS) and Chautauqua County are proud to announce that Tina Richir, a dedicated social studies teacher from Cassadaga Valley Central School, Sinclairville, NY, has been named the 2026 Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor. This prestigious award recognizes her exceptional leadership, commitment to education, and significant contributions to social studies programs in our community. The presentation was held at the President’s Reception and Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Phelps Mansion located in Binghamton on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Tina's achievement reflects years of hard work and passion for helping students understand history, civics, and social sciences. Her innovative teaching methods and collaborative approach have made a real difference in classrooms throughout Chautauqua County. She has consistently demonstrated the qualities that make an outstanding educator: dedication to student success, willingness to support fellow teachers, and a deep commitment to making social studies engaging and meaningful.
As an Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor, Tina has shown a remarkable ability to guide curriculum development, mentor other educators, and create programs that inspire students to think critically about the world around them. Her leadership has strengthened social studies education across the county, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction in civics, history, and the social sciences.
This award is a testament to Tina's influence on education in Chautauqua County. Her peers recognize her as a leader who goes above and beyond to support teachers and enhance student learning. The recognition she receives today reflects the positive impact she has made on countless students and colleagues.
Tina stated, “The support of the amazing teachers, staff, administration, and our students at Cassadaga Valley makes me so proud to be nominated and receive this award in their honor. Social Studies is a foundation in education to help foster well-informed citizens and the importance of critical thinking skills about history and the world.”
Congratulations to Tina Richir on this well-deserved honor! Her commitment to excellence in social studies education continues to inspire the next generation of learners and educators in New York and Chautauqua County.
Tina's achievement reflects years of hard work and passion for helping students understand history, civics, and social sciences. Her innovative teaching methods and collaborative approach have made a real difference in classrooms throughout Chautauqua County. She has consistently demonstrated the qualities that make an outstanding educator: dedication to student success, willingness to support fellow teachers, and a deep commitment to making social studies engaging and meaningful.
As an Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor, Tina has shown a remarkable ability to guide curriculum development, mentor other educators, and create programs that inspire students to think critically about the world around them. Her leadership has strengthened social studies education across the county, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction in civics, history, and the social sciences.
This award is a testament to Tina's influence on education in Chautauqua County. Her peers recognize her as a leader who goes above and beyond to support teachers and enhance student learning. The recognition she receives today reflects the positive impact she has made on countless students and colleagues.
Tina stated, “The support of the amazing teachers, staff, administration, and our students at Cassadaga Valley makes me so proud to be nominated and receive this award in their honor. Social Studies is a foundation in education to help foster well-informed citizens and the importance of critical thinking skills about history and the world.”
Congratulations to Tina Richir on this well-deserved honor! Her commitment to excellence in social studies education continues to inspire the next generation of learners and educators in New York and Chautauqua County.
The Track fundraiser is happening for a few more days! Don't miss out on all of the great popcorn, candies and snacks 🍿🍪🥨🥜 and help support the Cassadaga/Falconer track team! 🏃🏾♂️🏃🏼♀️
https://poppinpopcornonline.com/store/
Group ID TVXPFM
https://poppinpopcornonline.com/store/
Group ID TVXPFM
📚✨ A Great Day of Learning at Cassadaga Valley! ✨📚
On March 13th, our faculty and staff came together for Superintendent’s Conference Day, and the day was packed with learning, collaboration, and a little bit of fun along the way. From the early breakfast and keynote kickoff to the afternoon closing, our team demonstrated what it truly means to be lifelong learners.
Throughout the day, staff had the opportunity to choose from a wide range of professional learning sessions designed to strengthen our practice and support students. Topics included Science of Reading – Fluency & Vocabulary, Trauma-Informed Behavior Strategies, Safe Space Training, lesson design, mindset, and strategies to support student consistency, along with sessions focused on wellness and avoiding burnout during this busy time of year.
The afternoon also included opportunities to recharge with activities like yoga, nature walks, word games, pickleball, and even ping pong, reminding us that taking care of ourselves helps us take better care of our students.
What stood out most was the dedication of our staff. Even in the middle of March—when the school year can feel long—our educators showed up ready to learn, share ideas, and continue improving their craft for the benefit of our students.
At Cassadaga Valley, we believe professional learning fuels student success, and days like this strengthen the culture that makes our district such a special place to learn and grow.
💙♥️ Thank you to everyone who presented, participated, and helped make the day a success!
On March 13th, our faculty and staff came together for Superintendent’s Conference Day, and the day was packed with learning, collaboration, and a little bit of fun along the way. From the early breakfast and keynote kickoff to the afternoon closing, our team demonstrated what it truly means to be lifelong learners.
Throughout the day, staff had the opportunity to choose from a wide range of professional learning sessions designed to strengthen our practice and support students. Topics included Science of Reading – Fluency & Vocabulary, Trauma-Informed Behavior Strategies, Safe Space Training, lesson design, mindset, and strategies to support student consistency, along with sessions focused on wellness and avoiding burnout during this busy time of year.
The afternoon also included opportunities to recharge with activities like yoga, nature walks, word games, pickleball, and even ping pong, reminding us that taking care of ourselves helps us take better care of our students.
What stood out most was the dedication of our staff. Even in the middle of March—when the school year can feel long—our educators showed up ready to learn, share ideas, and continue improving their craft for the benefit of our students.
At Cassadaga Valley, we believe professional learning fuels student success, and days like this strengthen the culture that makes our district such a special place to learn and grow.
💙♥️ Thank you to everyone who presented, participated, and helped make the day a success!
🍀💚Lucky to Have You! 💚🍀
This week, we’re celebrating the heart of our schools—and today’s theme says it all: we are so lucky to have YOU!
Our faculty and staff make a difference in the lives of students every single day through their dedication, compassion, and teamwork. Today, we’re showed a little extra appreciation with a small token of our gratitude—personalized shamrocks and homemade sweet treats delivered to brighten their day!
Thank you for the positivity, care, and commitment you bring to our schools each and every day. We truly are lucky to have you! 💙🍀♥️
This week, we’re celebrating the heart of our schools—and today’s theme says it all: we are so lucky to have YOU!
Our faculty and staff make a difference in the lives of students every single day through their dedication, compassion, and teamwork. Today, we’re showed a little extra appreciation with a small token of our gratitude—personalized shamrocks and homemade sweet treats delivered to brighten their day!
Thank you for the positivity, care, and commitment you bring to our schools each and every day. We truly are lucky to have you! 💙🍀♥️
The next MHS PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:00PM, in MHS room #133. Join us!
🎉 Week of Celebration Kickoff: PJs & Pancakes! 🥞☕
This week we’re celebrating the incredible people who make our schools such special places! While there are plenty of job-specific appreciation days throughout the year, we know it takes every role, every title, and every personality to keep our district running strong. So why not celebrate everyone together—and all week long! 💙♥️
Today we kicked things off with PJs & Pancakes Day! 🥞 Staff members were invited to throw on their comfy pajamas and start the morning with fresh pancakes, coffee, cocoa, tea, and juice while connecting with colleagues and enjoying a small token of our BIG appreciation.
From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to buildings, offices to hallways—every role matters and every employee makes a difference. Our district runs because of YOU!
Thank you for the dedication, heart, and hard work you bring to our students and schools every single day. We’re excited to celebrate you all week long! 🎉
This week we’re celebrating the incredible people who make our schools such special places! While there are plenty of job-specific appreciation days throughout the year, we know it takes every role, every title, and every personality to keep our district running strong. So why not celebrate everyone together—and all week long! 💙♥️
Today we kicked things off with PJs & Pancakes Day! 🥞 Staff members were invited to throw on their comfy pajamas and start the morning with fresh pancakes, coffee, cocoa, tea, and juice while connecting with colleagues and enjoying a small token of our BIG appreciation.
From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to buildings, offices to hallways—every role matters and every employee makes a difference. Our district runs because of YOU!
Thank you for the dedication, heart, and hard work you bring to our students and schools every single day. We’re excited to celebrate you all week long! 🎉
Our SES highlight from last week was that CVCS hosted their first annual Pre-K Summit of Educators on Friday! The Small Learners, Big Impact summit brought together educators from across the region for a day of collaboration, learning, and idea-sharing focused on supporting our youngest learners. Designed as a regional Pre-K unconference, the event featured 45-minute breakout sessions facilitated by educators and specialists.
Sessions covered a wide range of practical topics for the Pre-K classroom, including behavioral strategies, social-emotional learning (SEL), speech and language development, occupational and physical therapy tools, math instruction, and ELA ideas.
The day also included an opening keynote and closing remarks to inspire conversation and highlight the importance of strong early learning foundations. This year’s keynote speaker was Holly Hannon, principal of Paul B.D. Temple Elementary School.
We are grateful to the educators, presenters, and participants who made this first summit such a meaningful opportunity to share best practices and strengthen regional collaboration for our smallest learners!
Sessions covered a wide range of practical topics for the Pre-K classroom, including behavioral strategies, social-emotional learning (SEL), speech and language development, occupational and physical therapy tools, math instruction, and ELA ideas.
The day also included an opening keynote and closing remarks to inspire conversation and highlight the importance of strong early learning foundations. This year’s keynote speaker was Holly Hannon, principal of Paul B.D. Temple Elementary School.
We are grateful to the educators, presenters, and participants who made this first summit such a meaningful opportunity to share best practices and strengthen regional collaboration for our smallest learners!
On Thursday, the Key Club, in conjunction with Mrs. Reynold’s Workforce Readiness and Foods 1 classes, helped bring Pi Day to life for students in Miss Nelson’s math classes! 🥧
This event was made possible by a grant Mrs. Schrader received from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. Key Club members, Tyler Anderson and Austin Gloss, taught the students all about pi and its mathematical meaning.
Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including completing radius and diameter cards, enjoying pie, hula-hooping, and trying their hand at ring toss. Prizes awarded were all circle or sphere related, including bubbles, cookies, lifesavers, and smiley stickers. 🔵🔴
When you think of a FACS class (formerly known as Home Economics), what comes to mind? Cooking? Sewing? Maybe learning life skills? I bet bacteria and microscopes aren’t at the top of that list!
Recently, our 7th graders wrapped up a research assignment exploring bacteria and foodborne illness—discovering how science plays an important role in the foods we prepare and eat every day.
Recently, our 7th graders wrapped up a research assignment exploring bacteria and foodborne illness—discovering how science plays an important role in the foods we prepare and eat every day.
The deadline for Den of Distinction nominations is approaching fast! ⏳Make sure to turn in your nominations ASAP to share a Valley Legend‼️👑
Deadline is March 31🗓️⏳
#DenOfDistinction #StudentInfluencerCatie #ThisIsTheValley #ValleyProud
Get your Golden Cougars track apparel today!!
https://apparel.tripleemfg.com/store/golden-cougars-track/
Sale ends at midnight on 3/22/26!
https://apparel.tripleemfg.com/store/golden-cougars-track/
Sale ends at midnight on 3/22/26!
📚🎉 What an AMAZING Read Across America Week! 🎉📚
With a few last-minute reading additions yesterday, our students didn’t just reach their goal… they blew it out of the water! Together our readers logged an incredible 40,520 minutes of reading! 🤯📖
Because these kiddos worked so hard, we’re celebrating in a BIG (and messy) way! At the end of the month, the top reader(s) from each grade level will get to participate in our Pie-in-the-Face event! 🥧😄
⭐ Top Readers by Grade Level ⭐
PK: Jordan Monroe
Kindergarten: Myah Smith
1st Grade: Phoenix Reynolds
2nd Grade: Emley Smith
3rd Grade: Randi Frank
4th Grade (Three-Way Tie!):
Wyatt Winton, Mason Gunther, Layoni Evanock
5th Grade (Six-Way Tie!):
Parker Smith, Isabella Hallowell, Ileana Kelley, Oliva Reynolds, Paige Winton, Amarri Camarata
👏 Congratulations to all of our stellar readers! We are so proud of the effort, dedication, and love of reading our students showed this week.
And a huge THANK YOU to our families for supporting our young readers and helping them reach (and exceed!) their goal. We couldn’t do it without you! ❤️📚
With a few last-minute reading additions yesterday, our students didn’t just reach their goal… they blew it out of the water! Together our readers logged an incredible 40,520 minutes of reading! 🤯📖
Because these kiddos worked so hard, we’re celebrating in a BIG (and messy) way! At the end of the month, the top reader(s) from each grade level will get to participate in our Pie-in-the-Face event! 🥧😄
⭐ Top Readers by Grade Level ⭐
PK: Jordan Monroe
Kindergarten: Myah Smith
1st Grade: Phoenix Reynolds
2nd Grade: Emley Smith
3rd Grade: Randi Frank
4th Grade (Three-Way Tie!):
Wyatt Winton, Mason Gunther, Layoni Evanock
5th Grade (Six-Way Tie!):
Parker Smith, Isabella Hallowell, Ileana Kelley, Oliva Reynolds, Paige Winton, Amarri Camarata
👏 Congratulations to all of our stellar readers! We are so proud of the effort, dedication, and love of reading our students showed this week.
And a huge THANK YOU to our families for supporting our young readers and helping them reach (and exceed!) their goal. We couldn’t do it without you! ❤️📚
We are saddened to learn of the passing of David, a valued member of the Cassadaga Valley community.
https://www.post-journal.com/obituaries/2026/03/david-s-hall-2/
A 1960 graduate of Cassadaga Valley, David later served our district as a mechanic’s helper and bus driver for 41 years, retiring in 2009. Throughout his life, he was deeply committed to serving his community, including many years with the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department and decades of volunteer work with the Gerry Rodeo.
We are grateful for David’s years of dedication to Cassadaga Valley and the many lives he touched along the way.
On behalf of the Cassadaga Valley Central School District, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
https://www.post-journal.com/obituaries/2026/03/david-s-hall-2/
A 1960 graduate of Cassadaga Valley, David later served our district as a mechanic’s helper and bus driver for 41 years, retiring in 2009. Throughout his life, he was deeply committed to serving his community, including many years with the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department and decades of volunteer work with the Gerry Rodeo.
We are grateful for David’s years of dedication to Cassadaga Valley and the many lives he touched along the way.
On behalf of the Cassadaga Valley Central School District, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Reminder of our blood drive coming up!
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is hosting their annual spring blood drive for the Community Blood Bank on Thursday, March 12th, in the little gym! Students can get parent permission slips (16 years old) from Ms. Pleszewski in the Guidance Office. Students over the age of 16 do not need parent permission. Staff and community members do not need to sign up for a slot but if you would like to reserve one, please sign up with Ms. Pleszewski via email. Any questions, please contact epleszewski@cvcougars.org.
The CVCS M/HS PTO Presents: Prom Pop Up !
Get your formal wear for this year's prom!
4/25/26
9:30am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Open to all CVCS students (male & female) looking for prom attire, shoes and accessories.
Get your formal wear for this year's prom!
4/25/26
9:30am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Open to all CVCS students (male & female) looking for prom attire, shoes and accessories.
The middle school science club made homemade ice cream while learning about endothermic reactions! Students placed course salt and ice in a gallon size bag to create the chemical reaction. Next, they added the ingredients needed to make ice cream in a separate quart size bag. The quart size bag was placed inside the gallon bag and the shaking began! After a long 15 minutes, according to students, they created ice cream. Once the consistency was correct, students enjoyed their ice cream with sprinkles!
🌟📚 SES Wraps Up a Bright Week of Reading! 📚🌟
Today marked the final day of Read Across America Week, and our Class Color Day did not disappoint! The halls were glowing with bright colors and school spirit as our students proudly represented their classes. 🌈✨
We are so thankful for all of our families who helped make this week such a success. Your support at home helped our reading celebration truly shine bright and glow all week long!
Today was also Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day, and our fantastic readers made the most of those moments throughout the day by diving into some of their favorite books. Seeing students excited about reading has been the best part of this entire week! 📖💛
If your student forgot to bring their reading tracker today, no worries! Feel free to send it in on Monday. We are still collecting and counting minutes.
We have no doubt these readers will reach their goal! We’re already well over halfway there and are still waiting for many more trackers to come in from classrooms.
📊 Final reading minute totals and our top contributors will be announced Monday afternoon!
Thank you again for helping make this week such a bright, fun, and memorable experience for our students! 🌟
#ReadAcrossAmerica #SESReads #GlowForReading #BrightReaders
Today marked the final day of Read Across America Week, and our Class Color Day did not disappoint! The halls were glowing with bright colors and school spirit as our students proudly represented their classes. 🌈✨
We are so thankful for all of our families who helped make this week such a success. Your support at home helped our reading celebration truly shine bright and glow all week long!
Today was also Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day, and our fantastic readers made the most of those moments throughout the day by diving into some of their favorite books. Seeing students excited about reading has been the best part of this entire week! 📖💛
If your student forgot to bring their reading tracker today, no worries! Feel free to send it in on Monday. We are still collecting and counting minutes.
We have no doubt these readers will reach their goal! We’re already well over halfway there and are still waiting for many more trackers to come in from classrooms.
📊 Final reading minute totals and our top contributors will be announced Monday afternoon!
Thank you again for helping make this week such a bright, fun, and memorable experience for our students! 🌟
#ReadAcrossAmerica #SESReads #GlowForReading #BrightReaders
Our SES highlight of the week recognizes Mrs. Kelly’s 4th grade student teacher, Miss Cieplinski, who has been with us since January and will be finishing her placement on March 13.
Miss Cieplinski brings a great personality, dedication to her students, and a high level of professionalism each day. Her positive attitude and commitment to learning have helped make the classroom an even better place for students.
Thank you, Miss Cieplinski, for the impact you have made at SES!
Miss Cieplinski brings a great personality, dedication to her students, and a high level of professionalism each day. Her positive attitude and commitment to learning have helped make the classroom an even better place for students.
Thank you, Miss Cieplinski, for the impact you have made at SES!
SES held their annual Family Literacy Night on March 5th to celebrate Read Across America Week. Students participated in several glow in the dark reading and writing activities, enjoyed a colorful treat from the cafeteria and listened to several guests read their favorite stories. There were several community resources sharing information for families (including a visit from the Sinclairville Free Library and Chet!🐐📚) and our favorite iReady characters even made an appearance which led to some great photos! Thank you to everyone who participated!
Getting Ready for High School Musical! Take a look at the leads trying on their new costumes! SHOW DATES March 27th - 7:30PM, March 28th - 7:30PM, March 29th - 2:30PM. Get your tickets on the school's website or through this link - https://search.seatyourself.biz/webstore/accounts/cvcougars/buy-tix #ValleyProud #StudentInfluencerCameron #HighSchoolMusical #Theatre
