FEBRUARY 9, 2024

That was over 20 years ago. Now as a French teacher for grades 7-12 at Millbrook Middle and High Schools, Ferreri also enjoys a separate career as a prolific children’s book author. With numerous poems printed in children’s magazines, eight published books and another on the way, she isn’t stopping anytime soon. Her upcoming book, "Mouse Buffet,” is a rhyming story about a family of mice who make a surprise friend while sneaking snacks from a family picnic.

Ferreri discovered her love for children's literature while bringing her own kids to the library when they were young. She recalled taking similar trips with her mother as a child and snuggling up to read new stories together.

"My mom planted the seed for my love of literature and I had such fun doing the same for my kids," she says. "We would take home piles and piles of picture books. The idea that I might be able to create similar moments between parents and their children feels very special.”

Ferreri penned another title shortly thereafter: an easy reader called "Hey, You're Eating My Homework!” about a school project that was stolen by a squirrel. Both books were based on her three children's experiences – as was her first picture book, “How Will I Ever Sleep in This Bed?”

“My inspiration mainly comes from my own kids, and there was so much inspiration to be had,” she said.

Ferreri laughed while revealing a second muse: her inner child.

“I sometimes feel like I’m about four years old on the inside, so some of the ideas are almost instinctual,” she said. “That makes it easier to come up with ideas that I think children will enjoy.”

And enjoy them they do – especially kindergarten students at Millbrook’s Elm Drive Elementary, where she shared some of her work at a special read-aloud on Wednesday, January 24. She visited each classroom individually, reading her books and poems to the students and inviting them to act them out. Students danced and stomped around like dinosaurs to “I’m a Little T-Rex,” providing yet another source of ideas.

“The kids were so sweet and so much fun,” Ferreri said. “They really loved the movement aspect; it was the highlight for them,

“It confirmed my understanding that I need to keep kids active and engage them with physical movement in my work. That’s why writing books with an action component is so important.”

Teaching has also been an influence on her work as an author. Though she teaches students in older grades, she said that the energy in her classroom is often not so different from that of a younger group.

“Teaching and writing are both creative outlets and having fun in the classroom can be influential,” she said. “My students, especially in the middle school, are high energy, fun-loving kids and that's where my writing tends to fall. Those two creative spaces tend to merge.”

After 17 years at Millbrook, Ferreri is set to embark on a new journey next year: retiring from education to devote more time to her writing career. She is hoping to do more writing and even tour the country with her books.

“Millbrook is a really great district,” she said. “I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent here and also excited about this new chapter in my life and career.”

As for students who may dream of becoming authors one day, she leaves these words of advice:

"Read, read, read!” she said. “Immerse yourself in the types of books you aspire to write and then just write. Write every day, even if it’s just a little bit.

“Have confidence in your abilities – don’t give up.”

Millbrook Middle and High School students are celebrating an achievement in the art world this month, with several talented artists emerging victorious at the regional level of the Scholastic Arts Awards. A prestigious visual arts competition that is recognized nationally, the Scholastic Arts Awards acknowledge the artistic talent of students in grades 7-12 each year.

This year's Hudson Valley competition saw more than 500 artists from various regional middle and high schools. Judges evaluated 2,640 pieces of artwork and awarded 209 Gold Keys, 276 Silver Keys and 440 honorable mentions to outstanding pieces of student art. Millbrook students showcased their creativity and skill across various mediums and styles, with six students earning top recognition in their categories and 12 receiving honorable mentions.

Millbrook students have participated in the competition for the past seven years. Millbrook Middle and High School art teacher Jillian Barnes said that she knew of the program from a prior teaching experience and lobbied to extend the opportunity to Millbrook students as soon as she began working in the district.

“They were immediately on board when I described the opportunity,” she said. “It wasn’t hard to convince them; everybody was so excited about it.”

High school art teacher Michelle Cring touted the benefits of student participation in the competition.

“I think it’s a challenge and not a guarantee that they’ll win an award, so it’s something to look forward to and reach for,” said Cring. “The fact that it’s a nationwide contest and well-known and respected is also great for their confidence.”

Students in the district submitted work in a variety of different mediums including drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture and needle felting. Their art was created both independently and in class, with some students choosing to submit multiple pieces. 

Students who earned top honors were also recognized during a ceremony at SUNY New Paltz’s Studley Theater on Friday, February 2. Award-winners as well as their families and teachers enjoyed a keynote speech and a walk across campus to the fine arts gallery, where they explored three floors of artwork by fellow student artists. The installment will remain on display through the month of February.

Gold Key Award winners have the chance to earn national recognition; their work will be judged by a panel of top creative experts who will announce the National Gold Medalists in March. 

Gold Key winner Landon Harwood’s sculpture entitled “Clay Owl Candle Holder” will be submitted to the national competition. The eighth grader is the first Millbrook student to earn the top honor of a Gold Key in sculpture. While he does not envision a career in art, Landon said that he appreciates the opportunity and is looking forward to seeing what happens next.

"It was cool to be recognized for my work and I really enjoyed the reception," he said. "Art will always be something I can enjoy on the side throughout my life though.”

“Whether or not our students end up pursuing a career in art, winning shows their creativity and skills on both their resumes and college applications,” said Cring.

“It’s a very rigorous application process, so that’s also something to be proud of in itself,” said Barnes. “The excitement of the chance to see their work in a real gallery is motivating and rewarding.”

In addition to this national competition, Millbrook offers other opportunities for students to display their work on a community level. Some students will participate in a juried art show at the Kent Art Association Gallery this month, and other pieces will be displayed at the Millbrook Library and in showcases during concerts toward the end of the school year. Parents and community members are encouraged to view the artwork at the Fine Arts Rotunda at SUNY New Paltz as well as during these community events to show support for our budding artists.

Please join us in congratulating our Scholastic Arts and Writing Award winners listed below! You can view full images of their winning projects here: http://jbarnesart.weebly.com/scholastic.html

Gold Key

Landon Harwood Grade 8 “Clay Owl Candle Holder" 

Silver Key

Maximillian Courtien Grade 8 “Sun Girl” 

Miranda Moffitt Grade 9 “Emerging Octopus” and “Tea Pot Fairy Home”

Dylan Vasquez Grade 10 “The View From Halfway Down” 

Micheal Guzman Henriquez Grade 11 “Mama Bird”

Amar Ali Grade 12 “Will Wood Mixed Media Portrait” 

Honorable Mention

Lily Wilson Grade 8 “Summertime Sunset” 

Madelyn Sandlot Grade 8 “Depth of the Ocean” 

Miranda Moffitt Grade 9 “Abandoned,” “Jason” and “Rocco”

Sophia Hardy Grade 9 “Blue Bird”

Makenna Freeswick Grade 10 “Flyer and a Joey”

Dylan Vasquez Grade 10 “The Most Magical Place” 

Micheal Guzman Henriquez Grade 11 “A Finales De” 

Moses Guzman Henriquez Grade 11 “The X-Traordinary Origin Story of A24’s 'Pearl'”

Liam Thompsett Grade 11 “Panda Shepherd” and “Sora’s Descent”

Hunter Ellsworth Grade 11 “Locked Away”

Brennan McGuire Grade 11 “That’s No Moon!”

Sarah Marchant Grade 12 “Paradise in a Cup” 

Karis Slaughter Grade 12 “Comparison: Thief of Joy” 

Get an inside look at Alden Place Elementary School's Science Fair and find out more about the Cary Institute scientists who got involved.

Have you heard about the Millbrook Middle School Times? Join us as we explore the journey of our talented middle school journalists.

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