Copiague School District welcomed back staff and faculty members for the 2021-2022 school year during Superintendent’s Conference Day, held in three sessions on Sept. 1.

Faculty, staff, central office administration and board of education members gathered to celebrate the start of the new school year. Fifty new staff members have joined the Copiague Schools team for this year.

Board of Education President Brian J. Sales thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication. He then played a slideshow featuring highlights of the Copiague School District to remind everyone of the many successes during the past year. “Everyone’s efforts – big and small – contribute to our students’ success,” he said.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon added to those sentiments. “You have all gone above and beyond to provide the best for each of our students,” she said. Dr. Bannon also shared some of the projects the district is working on with the additional funding received. The district has three years to spend the funds and will address topics such as literacy development, extended learning, social-emotional learning, college and career readiness, visual and performing arts and more.

Dr. Bannon, along with Assistant Superintendent of Human Services Todd Andrews, acknowledged and congratulated those staff members who celebrated 20, 25 or 30 year milestones. Staff members returned to their respective buildings to prepare for the start of the school year.

Copiague School District appointed Sabrina Meehan director of guidance, effective July 1. Ms. Meehan replaces James McCabe who now serves as the assistant superintendent for student services for the district.

Prior to coming to Copiague, Ms. Meehan served as the supervisor of counseling services in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District since 2016. She previously worked was the director of guidance and counseling programs in the South Country School District and as a school counselor at Harborfields High School.

Ms. Meehan holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hofstra University. She holds a master’s degree in school counseling and an advanced graduate certificate from LIU Post.

“I am honored to serve as the director of guidance in the Copiague School District and look forward to working closely with the talented K-12 staff, students and families within our schools,” Ms. Meehan said. “It is clear during my first few months in this role that the focus of the district is to provide each and every student with the tools and support needed to achieve excellence within our schools and beyond.”

The incoming sixth grade class at Copiague Middle School was welcomed back to school for orientation day on Aug. 30.

Parents or guests were invited to join the students in an open-house format, where they were greeted by teachers and Principal Andrew Lagnado. After finding their way to their respective homerooms, students toured the building and got acquainted with their schedules. National Junior Honor Society students were on hand to help with navigating the hallways.

The students found their lockers and reconnected with their classmates. Meeting their homeroom teachers and walking through the building gave the students an opportunity to feel a bit more at ease when they walked through the doors for the first day of school.

Copiague School District welcomed 50 new staff members to its schools during its new teacher orientation on Aug. 30 and 31. Starting with a welcome breakfast at the Copiague Middle School cafeteria, the group moved to the auditorium for introductions and remarks by Board of Education President Brian J. Sales, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Todd Andrews.

“We want to give you all the tools you need to be successful here in Copiague because for our students to succeed, we need you to succeed,” Sales said. “We look forward to welcoming you to the Copiague team and making great things happen every day for our students.”

Dr. Bannon echoed his sentiments by adding that “Copiague is all about the relationships you build – with your students and with your colleagues. Learn from one another and use your administrators and fellow teachers as a resource.”

Principals from each of the buildings introduced themselves and their new staff members before the group split into two. During the next two days, the groups went for a bus tour of the district led by Deauville Gardens East Principal Joseph Buccello. They also listened to presentations from central administration about the culture of the district and learned about creating an environment for the English as a second language students.

Director of Technology Kelly Urraro spoke about the district’s technology tools before the staff members returned to their respective buildings. They spent time with classroom teachers discussing best practices and prepping for the start of the new school year.

Incoming kindergartners had the opportunity to get a first peek at their buildings, meet with their teachers and connect with their new classmates during orientations at Susan E. Wiley, Great Neck Road, Deauville Gardens East and Deauville Gardens West elementary schools in the Copiague School District on Aug. 26.

At each respective elementary school, students and their parents received a brief overview of the district’s curriculum, what to expect in kindergarten and the school’s policies and procedures. In an effort to alleviate some first day of school jitters, the students saw their classrooms, and toured the building to familiarize themselves with their new routines in September.