Kitty Sarro has been an active member of the Valley Central Scholarship Committee for almost 19 years. She currently fills the role of Recording Secretary. The Valley Central Scholarship Committee commits itself each year to raising $30,000 to award in scholarships for graduating seniors. Kitty Sarro is certainly key to their yearly success.

Kitty enthusiastically recruits new members, rallies community organizations to lend a hand and spends countless hours participating in fundraising activities. She has maintained an active and vital role in this organization long after her own child graduated from the school and well into her own retirement from teaching at the elementary level.

VCHS Principal Jayme Ginda-Baxter recognized Kitty’s dedication to the school community as a role model for others. Valley Central is lucky to have someone so dedicated to raising money for student scholarships. Thank you, Kitty Sarro, for your hard work and dedication.

Janine Maridou has worked for 28 years for the Valley Central School District, spending the last 19 years as the Central Registrar. While her title may be Central Registrar, Janine is certainly much more to VCSD.

She is described by Deputy Superintendent, Michael Bellarosa as “prepared, proactive and patient.” She is the welcoming face of Valley Central to new residents and works closely with our homeless liaison, the transportation department, each school, and our parents. She has great insight and has proved invaluable in helping the district to improve many procedures.

She understands school law, and NYS regulations and ensures that her work is accurate and district and state procedures are adhered to.

Tammy Coleman, Director of Data commends her detective skills that have saved the district countless thousands of dollars by proving people who claimed to live in district don’t actually reside here. Janine is proud to be a VC resident and her years of working in the district have provided her with a vast knowledge of the family relationships throughout the district. She takes great pride in her work because so deeply for the community.

That caring is especially evident in the work she does for homeless families. As the registrar, she is usually the first person to recognize such a situation and according to Barbara Gravel, our District Attendance Teacher and Homeless Liaison, she takes care of each family with the utmost respect and concern. She often is the first person to offer her own support for a family in need.

Valley Central High School Principal, Jayme Ginda-Baxter was recognized for Excellence in School Administration by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council. Jayme has 15 years of experience in administration and holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in History Education as well as a Certificate in Advanced Study in Administration. Ms. Ginda-Baxter was recognized as K-12 School Building Leader of the Year, Region 5, SAANYS last spring.

Ginda-Baxter was recognized for her ability to effectively communicate and her attention to adding opportunities for students. Marianne Serratore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said, “She is aware of the importance of providing our students with opportunities that will make them college, career and life ready.” Under her leadership, the AP Program has expanded at VCHS as have many clubs and extracurriculars. The graduation rate at VCHS has steadily improved during her nine-year tenure.
Ginda-Baxter is recognized for her ability to connect with her staff. Assistant Principal Allison Simoskevich recounted that Ms. Ginda-Baxter has a way of offering “criticism and advice in a positive and sensitive manner that inspires you to be better. Because she deserves better.”

Antoinette Oakes, English Department Chairperson, spoke with admiration for Jayme. Ginda-Baxter’s ability to evolve with the needs of the students and to get the staff on board. She cited Jayme as a personal inspiration for her daily admiring her dedication to her job, her staff, and students.