Inspiring Viking Values

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values , we highlight one of the Grand Island Central School District’s and Tonawanda City School District's most meaningful early literacy initiatives: Growing Readers . Launched in 2018, this community-based effort helps place free books into the hands of families during well-baby visits, encouraging parents and caregivers to begin reading aloud to their...

We are launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding.   Special Guests: Mrs. Stephanie Anderson (Principal) Mrs. Janet Balk (Librarian) We are so excited to have 8 students joining us today. Kindergarten Gabby   George  Malakai  Cillian  1st...

We are launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding.   Special Guests: Mr. David Howe (Principal) Mrs. Stephanie Pritchard (Librarian) Dylan Nowak, grade 2. She is currently reading Wings of Fire.  Emilia Hassler, grade 3. She is currently r...

We are launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding. In this episode we are featuring the librarian and four students at Huth Rd Eelementary School. Special Guests Principal, Max Pikula, Librarian, Freda Orosz, and students Hannah, Louise, M...

Today on our podcast we are recording a podcast with Mrs. Amy Boutet, our HS Musical Director.  We are very excited about this podcast episode as we will be previewing the musical with some of our students representing the stage crew, the Pit and our actors.   Amy Boutet - Teacher - Musical Director) Jaymee Gray (Stage Manager), Nick Jayme (Seymour), Claire Neuhaus (Audrey) and Lily Buckingham (Pi...

Today we’re launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding. Our first book spotlights The Hunger Games , the opening novel of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy and a story that continues to resonate with young readers more than fifteen years after publ...

Joining us on the podcast were the Huth Road Elementary principal, Maxwell Pikula , and four third grade students,  Isaac Covell, Spencer Sheehan, Emilia Golba, and Joise Dalbo.  In this episode they spoke about the October Viking Cares initiatve and how every student at Huth did something special for the community. https://www.grandislandschools.org/ Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD Instagram - @GRANDI...

Joining us on the podcast were the Sidway principal, Stephanie Anderson, two teachers Lauren Brock and Lindsey Brzozowski and two students, Ezra Golba and Alexander Buccini.   In this episode they spoke about the October Viking Cares initiatve and how every student at Sidway did something special for the community. https://www.grandislandschools.org/ Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD Instagram - @GRANDIS...

Today on our podcast, we are doing a deep dive on the Senior Day of Caring , which is part of our district’s October Viking Cares Initiative —a month where every student in the Grand Island Central School District participates in some type of service learning. Today we explore how Grand Island High School seniors made a difference across the community by volunteering at the Golden Age Center, Sidw...

This podcast features principal, David Howe and two Kaegebein teachers Stephanie Kwiatkowski and Allie Pellittieri. We explored  how Kaegebein students are learning to make a difference — not just in their classrooms, but in their community. From creating colorful placemats for residents at Elderwood Assisted Living to cleaning up debris around the school grounds, students are learning firsthand t...

Today, we’re setting sail with the cast and crew of Moana Jr., the latest musical production from Veronica E. Connor Middle School. Joining us are, Dr. Felicia Pallaci, VCMS Principal, Musical Director Sarah Russo, and three of our incredibly talented student performers — Anna Leffler, Cole Hardman, and Haley Tracy. Together, they’ve brought to life the story of courage, friendship, and adventure...

On this podcast episode we feature our Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, Brett Banker and PE Teacher and Coach, Dean Santorio. Brett is in his third year in the district taking over for the King of the North…Jon Roth…who taught, coached and served as our athletic director for 50 years!  In this episode we honor the induction of our 2nd Class of the Grand Island High School Athl...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Mr. Maxwell Pikula the principal of Huth Rd Elementary School. Mr. Pikula shared information about Huth and how we will be creating some podcast episodes designed to chronicle the learning life of 2 second grade students and 2 third graders throughout the school year.  This is part 3 of the year long journey. The children/parents who joined...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Dr. Felicia Pallaci , the Principal of Veronica Connor Middle School.   Felicia, invited 3 students (one from each grade) to discuss what they are most excited about for school and extracurricular activities.  This is part 3 in the series. Joining us today were...   6th Grader: Joshua Agnello, 7th Grader: Kane Tower and 8th Grader: Quinn Su...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Mr. Michael Antonelli , the principal of Charlotte Sidway Elementary School in Grand Island NY.   Mr. Antonelli shared information about Sidway and how we created some podcast episodes designed to chronicle the learning life of 2 kindergarten students and 2 first graders throughout the school year.  This is the third in that series. The chi...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Mr. David Howe the principal of Kaegebein Elementary School. Mr. Howe shared information about Kaegebein and joined us for the final episode where we have been following the learning life of 2 second grade students and 2 third graders throughout the school year. The children/parents who joined us for this recording were: Raelynn Stevens and...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Dr. Felicia Pallaci , the Principal of Veronica Connor Middle School.   Felicia, invited 3 students (one from each grade) to discuss what they are most excited about for school and extracurricular activities.  This is part 2 in the series. Joining us today were...   6th Grader: Joshua Agnello, 7th Grader: Kane Tower and 8th Grader: Quinn Su...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Mr. David Howe the principal of Kaegebein Elementary School. Mr. Howe shared information about Kaegebein and joined us for the second episode where we are following the learning life of 2 second grade students and 2 third graders throughout the school year. The children/parents who joined us for this recording were: Raelynn Stevens and Arlo...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Mr. Michael Antonelli , the principal of Charlotte Sidway Elementary School in Grand Island NY.   Mr. Antonelli shared information about Sidway and how we will be creating some podcast episodes designed to chronicle the learning life of 2 kindergarten students and 2 first graders throughout the school year.  This is the second in that serie...

On this podcast episode we feature Brett Banker.  Brett is the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics here in the Grand Island Central School District. Brett is in his second year in the district taking over for the King of the North…Jon Roth…who taught, coached and served as our athletic director for 50 years!  In this episode we are joined by 2 senior athletes... Maddie McGowan and...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Mr. Maxwell Pikula the principal of Huth Rd Elementary School. Mr. Pikula shared information about Huth and how we will be creating some podcast episodes designed to chronicle the learning life of 2 second grade students and 2 third graders throughout the school year.  This is part 2 of the year long journey. The children/parents who joined...

Joining this episode of the podcast was: Ms. Amy Boutet, Director of the musical.  Additionally, 12th grade superstars, Annabelle Linenfelser, Lauren Olendorf, Jayden Kleinschmidt and Alejandro Perez offered their insights and talents to this recording.  Something Rotten! is a musical comedy with a book by John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatric...

In this episode, the principal of Sidway (Mr. Michael Antonelli) intorduces us to four first graders who share their perspective on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!  Our special guests were: Bridget Bruno - Grade 1- Everett Klotzbach - Grade 1- Vinny Martello - Grade 1 and Emily Maslona - Grade 1. https://www.grandislandschools.org/ Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDI...

This episode of the podcast focused on the amazing work going on at Grand Island High School as we discussed an upcoming fundraiser for the WNY Special Olympics.  This fundraiser, known as the Polar Plunge,  has been growing in popularity for many years and High School Special Education teacher, Brian Albert has been leading the way.  Special Guests for this podcast include: Brian Albert, Erica Ra...

In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values we interviewed Dr. Felicia Pallaci , the Principal of Veronica Connor Middle School.   Felicia, invited 3 students (one from each grade) to discuss what they are most excited about for school and extracurricular activities.  Joining us today were...   6th Grader: Joshua Agnello and his mom, Nicole.  7th Grader: Kane Tower and 8th Grader: Quinn Sugg  One m...