WCSDEmpowers

The Wappingers Central School District is one of the largest central districts in NY State, proudly serving over 10,000 students and their families.

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

Van Wyck 8th graders are hard at work on their Seal of Civic Readiness. Last weekend, they hosted a Color Run to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation—what a fantastic day! @drbonkwcsd @GriffinPride2

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

At their annual banquet, John Jay FFA celebrated their seniors and thanked their agricultural supporters, BOE, and WCSD administrators: “We couldn’t do this without you!!” @drbonkwcsd
💙💛

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

At John Jay HS this morning, the senior class saw a demonstration of a crash-scene response, as well as a mock arraignment for someone arrested for causing an accident while impaired. “It’s so important that we impress upon our senior-class drivers the importance of safe driving—and avoiding distractions of all kinds,” Dr. Bonk said.

Special thanks to the East Fishkill Fire Department, East Fishkill Police Department, Dutchess and Westchester County District Attorney’s offices, and East Fishkill Town Justice Brian Rudner. @drbonkwcsd

[Dawn Turpin-Orgetas @DawnTurpinO]

@OakGroveES40
@DawnTurpinO
@WCSDEmpowers

[RCKAthletics @RCKAthletic]

🚨WAPPINGERS CENTER UPDATE🚨: WCSD GIRLS LACROSSE SECTION 1 FINALS TODAY VS SUFFERN HS 4:30 PM AT NYACK HS! COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE GIRLS! @wapplax @PJSports @KDJmedia1 @WCSDEmpowers @WCSDAthletic @JJEFAthletics

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

Wappingers girls lacrosse blends talent, chemistry into section final @WCSDAthletic @RCKAthletic @JJEFAthletics @drbonkwcsd @WappingersGLAX
https://t.co/BV6px7fUtl via @pokjournal

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

Another fantastic project-based learning collaboration: very proud to partner with Mid Hudson Regional Hospital again! This year, a total of 733 students participated: grades 1,3,4,5, and 6 worked with RCK high school students to create fidget boards that will entertain pediatric patients. These projects don’t just teach STEAM concepts: they develop empathy and build meaningful connections. PBL projects are a priority in our district, and we are very proud to offer them to our students! @drbonkwcsd @WMCHealth @SammonSTEAM @TKtalksSTEAM

[RCKAthletics @RCKAthletic]

Congratulations to our All-Sportsmanship Team Winter 25-26! @WCSDEmpowers @SecOneAthletics 🏀Jermaine Curry Kelsey Bollen🎳Kaleb Koch Emma Rosenblum📣Jenna Dallara 🤸‍♀️Emily Belfiore 🏊‍♂️Alex Raszkiewicz👟Aaron George Makayla Renzo 🤼‍♂️Angelo Battista Grace Carroll🎳Jayden Delhall

[RCKAthletics @RCKAthletic]

Congratulations to our All-Sportsmanship Team Spring 2026! @wcsdempowers @seconeathletics ⚾Christian Maltais 🚩🏈Gwenyth Browne 🏌️‍♂️Braeden Greene 🏌️‍♀️Emma Maltais 🥍Jack Curtis 🥍Shealen Carmichael 🥎Paige Hotle 🎾Nathan Huen 🏃‍♂️George Soyka 🏃‍♀️Londin Watkins

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and contributions; we will continue to cultivate a District culture focused on respect, kindness, and academic success for every student. @drbonkwcsd

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

In June, we celebrate National Immigrant Heritage Month and recognize the countless ways immigrants have enriched American society, economy, and culture.
@drbonkwcsd

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

June is Caribbean-American History Month, a time to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Caribbean American people and their contribution to the US.
@drbonkwcsd

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

Up for Poughkeepsie Journal Boys Athlete of Week: Nate Johnson, JJ Track & Field, and Jeremiah Schneck, RCK track & field! @RCKAthletic @JJEFAthletics @RCK_XCTrack @drbonkwcsd
https://t.co/PTuTnkCFJ4 via @pokjournal

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

Up for Poughkeepsie Journal Girls Athlete of Week: Mackenzie Kroohs, WCSD girls lacrosse and Isabel Saquicela, RCK track & field! @RCKAthletic @JJEFAthletics @RCK_XCTrack @WappingersGLAX @drbonkwcsd
https://t.co/2wzqKtZQpm via @pokjournal

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

What looked like a rocket launch event was actually something much deeper.

As students loaded their rockets and prepared for launch, conversations were unfolding around circuitry, conductors, energy sources, and energy transfer. They weren’t just “doing an activity” — they were applying science concepts in real time with purpose and excitement.

That’s the power of PBL.
It’s more than an event. It fundamentally shifts how students interact with knowledge — from memorizing concepts to using them authentically.
#PBL #Authentic
@SammonSTEAM @WCSDEmpowers @steammachinepd @drbonkwcsd @GayheadWCSD

[John Sammon @SammonSTEAM]

Last week, @WCSDEmpowers students at @sheaferoadrocks launched their rockets, and this morning the skies were perfect as students at @GayheadWCSD took flight as well. Every rocket was powered by @EstesRockets, and while the launches themselves were exciting, the real power was in the learning behind them. Students explored energy concepts, collaborated through their own Rocket Companies, and partnered with @MandT_Bank to connect their work to real-world thinking and problem solving. The launch may last only seconds, but the collaboration, creativity, and learning leading up to that moment are what truly matter. @TKtalksSTEAM @drbonkwcsd @steammachinepd #PBL

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

Rocket Launch today at Gayhead ES! Board members, administrators and staff joined our students and families for this exciting morning! @drbonkwcsd @SammonSTEAM @TKtalksSTEAM @GayheadWCSD

[Tara Koehler @TKtalksSTEAM]

Iteration is where learning comes to life. 🔄

Today, Grade 3 students at Kinry Road and Sheafe Road tested the interactive designs that our high school manufacturing students brought to life for pediatric patients at MidHudson Regional Hospital.

Their feedback helped answer an important question:
Is this design truly doable for young patients?

This is design thinking in action — testing, revising, improving, and designing with empathy and purpose. 💡🛠✨
@SammonSTEAM @WCSDEmpowers @drbonkwcsd @sheaferoadrocks @KetchamNation

#PBL #DesignThinking #Iteration #STEAM #AuthenticLearning #HumanCenteredDesign #PBLTapas

[JJPatriots @JJEFAthletics]

Congratulations Madison Anderson who has been a competitive twirler for the Silver Starlites and has performed at JJ football halftimes. Madi its headed to Georgia Tech as a feature twirler @WCSDEmpowers @WCSDAthletic

[WCSDEmpowers @WCSDEmpowers]

County Executive Sue Serino honored five WCSD students as Serino’s Superstars: This initiative combats bullying and spreads positivity by celebrating middle school students who demonstrate exceptional kindness, courage, and leadership. Congratulations to VW students Harleen Kaur and Xavier Aiello, as well as WJHS students Sean Gunther, Charles Ceru, and Evangelene Zanin. Dr. Bonk joined WCSD board members, principals, and staff from both schools to congratulate our students and their proud families! @drbonkwcsd @WJHS75 @GriffPride2 @Sueserino4ny @DutchessCoGov