Fourth-graders in Mrs. Kelly’s class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School dissected squids as part of their science unit on living organisms. Students used scientific tools to examine various body structures and were able to determine if the body part was an adaptation for survival and protection or growth.

Representatives from Dick’s Sporting Goods visited Copiague School District in January to present administrators with a $1,000 check to help support its athletic programs. 

Dick’s Sporting Goods operations manager Ken Burton and front-end supervisor Hilton Seda from the Massapequa location donated the check to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon and Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Karen Sheridan. 

The grant is part of the company’s Sports Matter Foundation, which is designed to help local youth sports teams and support programs and activities that inspire participation in sports. Since 2014, the Sports Matter Foundation, together with Dick’s Sporting Goods, has pledged more than $50 million to give children the opportunity to play. Through these efforts, the Sports Matter initiative has raised awareness of the importance of youth sports and saved more than 1,800 teams.

“We thank Dick’s Sporting Goods for reaching out to us for this generous donation,” said Dr. Bannon. “We really appreciate this grant and it is remarkable how much we can do with these funds.” The district will use the money to help support the various needs of its student-athletes. 

Fifth-graders at Deauville Gardens West Elementary School held a gratitude ceremony to recognize the many efforts of the different support staff in the building. Invited guests – which included the school’s custodian, food service worker, social worker, principal and secretary – were thanked by each of the students for their hard work and dedication in keeping Deauville Gardens West running smoothly.

What would you use to design your own globe? Third-graders in Ms. Byrnes’ class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School got creative when tasked with making their own globes. As a culminating activity to their study of geography, the class created their own globes using items such as balloons, balls and even pumpkins. The students labeled all of the continents, bodies of water and the equator and presented their projects to the fourth-grade classes.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s valedictorian Aaron Eng and salutatorian Abigail Romero have both been accepted to Ivy League colleges.

Aaron plans to attend Princeton University and will major in civil engineering. Abigail has been accepted to Yale University and although still undecided on her definitive college choice, she plans to major in pre-med. Congratulations on this accomplishment! 

Two students from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School – Arelee Ramirez (left) and Brenda Reyes (right) – recently completed the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Internship Program. The program gives criminal justice students an in-depth view of working in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office offers a broad spectrum of work areas which contain different aspects of law, both criminal and civil. The two students were the first high school students to participate in the 16-week program. Brenda was appointed sergeant of an intern group of college students. 

The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School girls varsity lacrosse team recently held a paint night fundraiser at the school. Eighty guests, including Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon, were in attendance for the annual event. The team raised $1,600 to help send the players to summer lacrosse camp at Adelphi University. The Walter G. O’Connell Varsity Club also ran their Coffee and Hot Chocolate Cafe during paint night and raised $150 for the club’s spring trip.

Budding scientists from Copiague Middle School displayed their research skills during the school’s annual science fair. This year, 30 projects completed by 40 seventh- and eighth-grade students were chosen for submission. Students enrolled in a science or science research class conducted experiments, either alone or with a partner, and explained and displayed their results on a poster board.

This year’s judges included Copiague School District Board of Education members, Copiague Chamber of Commerce members, SUNY Farmingdale faculty, Town of Babylon employees, Vanderbilt Museum representatives, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School and Copiague Middle School science teachers, Copiague School District administrators, Copiague alumni and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School science research students. Students presented their findings and spoke about their research as the judges walked the cafeteria.

Science fair participants gathered in the library for a special awards ceremony and recognition. Copiague Middle School Science Chairperson Dr. Daniel Lecesse and Copiague Middle School Principal Andrew Lagnado distributed trophies, certificates, monetary awards and a laptop to the winners, donated by the Copiague Chamber of Commerce.

First place was awarded to seventh-grader Aliyanna Fernandez for her project on “Ants N Sweets.” Second-place honors went to Shenn Barredo and Giselle Peralta for their project “Regular vs Sterile Soil” and Theresa Soraire “Which Material Insulates the Best?”

The National Junior Honor Society students from Copiague Middle School visited the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park and volunteered their time to bake goods for the families staying there. The students baked five dozen sugar cookies and four dozen brownies. They also made gift bags for the children staying in the hospital. Each gift bag contained a professionally made snowflake cookie, a festive snow globe, candy and candy canes.  

Twenty students from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School recently participated in Congressional Black Caucus Youth Leadership Day. 

Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre invited the students to take part in the day’s events. The students were selected by members of the social studies department. They traveled to Brooklyn Borough Hall to participate in a legislative session and a legislative committee meeting. Once the morning session ended, the students met with legislators from across the country. 

“The Congressional Black Caucus Youth Leadership Day was an excellent opportunity and experience,” said student Ajhani Carroll. “I left with a renewed sense of pride and hunger to make a difference and give back to my community.”

Student Jeanine Guelee added “It was an honor and privilege to be selected to attend this meeting. To be in the presence of state legislators and state senators that look like you was absolutely inspiring.”

Members of the Builders Club at Copiague Middle School organized a holiday toy drive. The students, along with adviser Maria Ostrovsky, collected six boxes of toys for donation to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. All of the toys will be delivered to local hospitals on Christmas Day. 

During their social studies classes at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, students are also learning about giving back to their community.

Prior to winter recess, students in Allison Weller’s Facing History and Ourselves class participated in Operation Gratitude. The class made cards and letters to be included in care packages sent to veterans and currently deployed military personnel, first responders, wounded heroes and caregivers.

Students in Colleen Gurtner’s Leadership in History and Action class held a Band-Aid drive for cancer patients at Columbia Presbyterian Children’s Hospital. Thanks to the donations of staff at the high school, the class collected more than 100 boxes to be sent to the hospital along with cards filled with well wishes. 

Helping young females find their inner strength and power, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held its third annual voice to voice empowerment session in the school’s library on Dec. 12. The mission of the initiative is to motivate and empower one another through teamwork and conversation. It was developed to provide opportunities for young women to gain awareness of their individual and collection skills, experiences and professional goals.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Assistant Principal Tamika Eason welcomed the attendees and introduced the school’s women’s Madrigal Choir, under the direction of Gina Occhiogrosso, who performed “Rise Up.” This year’s guest speaker was Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School English and drama teacher Sylvia Walsh. Ms. Walsh spoke to the students about her upbringing in Colorado, her family life and how those experiences molded her into the person she is today. 

“You have the power to be in charge of your own destiny,” she said. “Be true to yourself.” Following her speech, Ms. Walsh answered questions from the audience as part of the voice to voice dialogue. Working together in teams, the students reflected on the lessons learned and shared their thoughts in a brief presentation with their peers. 

Second-graders in Maureen Gaertner’s class and third-graders in Diana Daniels’ class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School created crafty snowflake ornaments together for a good cause. Using popsicle sticks, the students painted and added glitter to their wooden snowflakes, which they are donating to the Susan E. Wiley Parent Teacher Association for its Candy Cane Lane Holiday Shop. The proceeds from the craft will be used to help support the PTA.

Third-graders in Jeanne Daly’s art class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School participated in an art workshop with Joyce Raimondo from the Pollack-Krasner House in East Hampton. Themed “Express Yourself,” Raimondo presented a slideshow on expressing yourself through art and the third-grade students created their own works of art using Jackson Pollack and Lee Krasner as inspiration.

Throughout December, fifth-grade students in Kerri Maroney’s class at Great Neck Road Elementary School spearheaded a schoolwide collection of goods to help soldiers in need this holiday season. 

The class collected donations of nonperishable food items and toiletries to donate to soldiers and veterans. Their “stockings for soldiers” campaign yielded 15 boxes of donated goods. The class also created handmade cards to include with the packages. 

Members of the local Knights of Columbus picked up the boxes and delivered them to the Amityville Civic Association. The students all received certificates from Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer from the Town of Babylon for their efforts. Councilman Tony Martinez delivered the certificates and helped with the pickup. The Civic Association shipped the boxes to soldiers abroad in time for the holidays. 

Prior to winter recess, students at Great Neck Road Elementary School had the opportunity to experience a winter wonderland during their physical education classes. With the gymnasium decorated with snow, the holiday-themed setup included snowball skating, holiday hockey, polar puzzle, Grinch snowball toss, holiday bowling and a ride on Santa’s sleigh. During their physical education classes throughout the week, students participated in the festive workouts.

Fifth-graders at Deauville Gardens West Elementary School are finishing their science lesson on the solar system. In Ms. Alpi’s class, the students were selected to be astronauts and complete different missions as part of their training program. The fifth-graders created scale models that demonstrated each planet’s distance from the sun and scale models that represent the size of each planet. The students even made a video to explain why there is day and night as well as different seasons.

 

Fifth-grade students in Ms. Graziano’s class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School recently made their own terrariums. The students are observing how earth’s ecosystems react with one another.

Since 2002, two years after Copiague High School was officially renamed in honor of former principal Walter G. O’Connell, Copiague alumni and brothers Walter M., Christopher, Francis, Joseph and Patrick O’Connell have chosen their own special way of keeping the memory of their father alive. 

On Dec. 19, Walter and Christopher delivered 53 autographed books to the district, bringing the 16-year total to more than 1,200 books by 1,177 individual authors. Each book has been signed and personalized for the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School and its library. 

“The original idea was to show our appreciation to the district,” said Walter M. O’Connell. “I never anticipated it going this many years, but it just keeps growing.”

The project originally began with books authored by distinguished Americans and has expanded to other genres over the years. Included in the district’s collection are signed biographies from every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter, with the exception of Ronald Reagan. 

“We are very grateful to the O’Connell family and their continued generosity,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon. 

Every January, a selection of the books is displayed in the main lobby of the high school in recognition of Walter G. O’Connell’s birthday.

Early kindergarten registration for the Copiague Union Free School District will be held at the district administrative office, located in the Copiague Middle School on Great Neck Road, on Feb. 6-7, 2019, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., by appointment only.

Children who have turned age 5 on or before Dec. 1, 2019 are eligible to attend school in September 2019. Registration requirements include proof of the child’s age, residence within the boundaries of the Copiague School District, and immunizations against polio, measles, rubella (German measles), mumps, diphtheria and hepatitis B. Additional information on immunizations should be requested from your child’s physician. A law enacted in 2008 expands a physical to include a dental health screening.

For registration information, call 631-842-4015, ext. 538. Those who do not plan to register their children at this time should also call school officials to assist in the district’s planning.

NIÑOS QUE CUMPLEN 5 AÑOS DE EDAD ANTES DEL PRIMERO DE DICIEMBRE DE 2018 DEBEN MATRICULARSE PARA KINDERGARTEN EN LA OFICINA ADMINISTRATIVA CENTRAL LOCALIZADA EN EL 2650 GREAT NECK ROAD EN COPIAGUE COMENZANDO EL 6 - 7 DE FEBRERO, 2019  POR FAVOR DE LLAMAR AL (631) 842-4015 X 532 PARA HACER UNA CITA.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Copiague Middle School are learning about the engineering and design process during their technology classes. The students are designing their own bridges, which will then be tested to see how much weight they can withstand. The students researched different types of bridges online before selecting their design. After sketching their designs, the students spent several weeks building their bridges, cutting the wood pieces and gluing the parts together. As the culminating activity, the bridges will be tested to see which is the strongest.

First-graders at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School got into the holiday spirit in December by learning about different Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza traditions and celebrations. The students read books about different activities for each holiday and practicing writing some of the words. 

Budding scientists in Ms. Csorny’s second-grade class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School have been learning about the properties of matter. The students performed a “mix it up” experiment by making a mixture out of sand and water. After pouring the water into a cup of sand and shaking it, students have observed and recorded the outcome.

Third-graders in Jeanie Mullins’ class at Great Neck Road Elementary School participated in the nationwide Hour of Code campaign as part of Computer Science Education Week. The Hour of Code is designed to introduce students to the career path of computer sciences. Using the code.org, the third-graders learned about problem-solving and worked together to conquer different levels of programming.

As part of their earth and space systems unit, fifth-graders at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School are learning about the planet and its different spheres. Using a flashlight, students had a lesson on the earth, sun and stars to determine brightness and the stars’ distance from the sun. Students also worked on presentations about the four spheres – geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere – and explained the different parts of the system and how it interacts with other systems.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School ushered in the holiday season with its annual Senior-to-Senior Dinner hosted by the Class of 2019 in the school’s cafeteria on Dec. 4.

Local senior citizens joined together with the senior class for an evening of music, dancing, food and companionship. Wearing their most festive holiday attire, the students welcomed guests and escorted them to their tables. The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Madrigal Choir, under the direction of Gina Occhiogrosso, provided the holiday tunes for the evening, singing arrangements that encouraged the audience to singalong.

Following the performance, senior citizens were treated to a dinner served by the students. Afterward, the guests and students made their way to the dance floor to enjoy some time together. With raffle tickets distributed at the door, the senior citizens each had a chance to win one of more than three dozen prizes. 

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students in Drawing and Painting 1 classes took a field trip to the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The students in Damin Gomes and Krystof Lipinski had the opportunity to sketch and view the Soul of a Nation exhibit.

After reading the book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown, Nancy Csorny's second-graders at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School made their own Flat Stanley. Students will be writing letters and mailing them to relatives or friends that live in another community, state or country. They are hoping to get letters back and pictures of Flat Stanley in various places in their community. When Flat Stanley returns, the class will use his journey to study places in the United States and all over the world.

Kindergartners in Maritza Benavides’ class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School recently completed a lesson on heritage and shared information about the different countries and cultures from which they came. The students learned about the culture, dance, foods, music and flags from the different countries and compared their differences and similarities.

First-graders at Deauville Gardens West Elementary School are literally smashing their math skills. Using Play-Doh during “Subtraction Smash,” the students are practicing their math lessons using making a number of balls out of the Play-Doh and smashing the ones used in their subtraction equation to get the answer.

Students in Maria Ostrovsky’s adventures in art and literature class at Copiague Middle School recently read “Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing” and then collaboratively created a Haring figure as the new middle school art installation. 

Two seniors from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School – Abigail Romero and Jackson Bright – were presented with the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Suffolk Zone Award on Nov. 28. The two students were awarded certificates and gold medals for their outstanding achievement as physical education students, scholars and citizens. From left: Bill Bennett, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High school physical education teacher; Jackson Bright, Abigail Romero, Toni Spencer, physical education teacher, and Athletic Director Pete Cesare. 

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held a guest lecture for science research students in the library on Nov. 30.

Organized by science teacher Tracy Wenzler and coordinated by science chairperson Renee Locker, guest lecturers Luke Gervase and Dr. Steve Pearson presented a seminar on invasive species to the group of more than 50 students. Mr. Gervase works with Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, while Dr. Pearson is part of the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area. After speaking about research, the two conducted a training on iMap, a website and software application used to track invasive species introductions and spreads.

Junior science-researchers Kiara Bennett and Nolan Johnson, who are part of the advanced science research program at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, are currently conducting research surrounding the effects of certain invasive species. Kiara has attained high honors in three local competitions. This year, she teamed up with Johnson to expand their research surrounding  “The Effect of Helianthus angustifolius on the Invasive Species Eleocharis dulcis.” Kiara and Nolan were responsible for making initial contact with the Invasive Species Management program.

In the advanced science research program, students are taught a multiplicity of skills including conducting research, writing scholarly papers and networking. Under the supervision of Locker, in conjunction with advisers Ms. Wenzler and Minnett Hall, students reach out to professional experts in the field to authenticate and assist in the development of their research. According to Ms. Locker, who works with the research students alongside teachers, “This seminar is teaching students instructional enrichment, application and how to effectively utilize the superior district technology.” Consequently, Ms. Wenzler said, “It opens up an opportunity for them to pursue a popular area for research studies.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School presents its Golden Eagle Awards for the fall 2018 sports season to eight deserving student-athletes in late November. 

The award is presented to the top scholar-athlete in each sport for the quarter. The district congratulates the following students: Jackson Bright (boys soccer), Aleksandra Bugajczyk (girls tennis), Christopher Canenguez (cross-country), Isabella Galarza (girls soccer), Victor Gamarra (football), Faith McCombs (volleyball), Abigail Romero (field hockey) and Gianna Torres (gymnastics). 

The Copiague Middle School Chamber Singers, under the direction of teacher Courtney Folan, ushered in the holidays at the Copiague Chamber of Commerce’s tree lighting ceremony – on the corner of Dixon Avenue and Great Neck Road – on the evening of Nov. 30. The group provided a backdrop of carols for the event. 

In an effort to get a hands-on experience in the schools, the Copiague Board of Education spent a day touring all of the buildings on Nov. 30. Board of Education president Laura Gavey, vice president Doris Fischer, second vice president Rosemary Natoli, trustee Brian Sales and trustee Christopher Madden were joined by Copiague School District’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon and Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Karen Sheridan to visit the new electronic music laboratory at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, observe ENL learners at the middle and elementary level and get an inside look at elementary classroom activities.

Members of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior class recently attended the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair at Riverbank State Park in New York City. Historically Black Colleges and Universities from around the country were represented at the fair. Students met with admissions counselors and received dozens of college acceptances.

“Coffee and Cake with the Board – Come down and meet the members of the Board of Education in a more informal atmosphere. 

Hear from the Board about some of the things going on in the district this year, while learning more about what the board does and what it’s like to be a Board member. 

All residents are invited to meet with the Board of Education on January 22, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Middle School west cafeteria.”

“Café y pastel con la Junta- Venga y conozca a los miembros de la Junta de Educación en un ambiente más informal. 

Escuche de la Junta sobre algunas de las cosas que suceden en el Distrito este año, mientras aprende más de lo que la Junta hace y lo que es ser miembro de la Junta.
 
Todos los residents están invitados a reunirse con la Junta de Educación el 22 de Enero del 2019 a las 7:00 PM en la cafetería oeste de la Escuela Intermedia.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held a Sports Leadership Conference for students on Nov. 20 in the school’s library.

Students were nominated by the coaches to attend the conference. Leadership was the main focus and students were chosen because their coaches have witnessed their leadership potential. Essential questions about how to lead, what leaders look and act like, and the passion/desire to succeed were just some of the topics the students discussed.

Chris Pettit, director of college scouting for the New York Giants, was the keynote speaker. Other presenters included Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta, cross-country coach and social studies teacher George Schroeder, baseball coach and physical education teacher William Bennett and coordinator of guidance James McCabe. 

Flexible seating in the classroom encourages greater collaboration, interaction and communication between students. In Patrice Newman’s third-grade class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School, students have the ability to choose different options – such as bean bag chairs, rugs or even the floor – and pair up for buddy reading with their classmates.

In an effort to ease fears about doctors and hospitals, kindergartners at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School participated in a teddy bear clinic on Nov. 21 sponsored by the Trauma Center at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

The clinic is designed as an educational injury prevention program which focuses on seatbelt and helmet safety. Nursing students spoke to the class about injury prevention and the importance of keeping safe in the car. They also demonstrated how wearing a helmet during sports and other activities can help reduce the risk of injuries. 

As part of the hands-on clinic, the kindergartners took care of their stuffed animals by taking their temperature, bandaging their wounds and nursing them back to health with plenty of hugs. 

Students, teachers, administrators and community business leaders recently met for the Copiague Industry Advisory Board’s annual “Principal's Roundtable.” The 2019 Business Olympics theme – create a mobile business – was introduced. In addition, students and business leaders worked in breakout session to brainstorm ideas and troubleshoot potential presentation problems.

Dressed head to toe in their New York Islanders hockey gear, eighth-graders at Copiague Middle School were treated to a special assembly when Islanders players Scott Mayfield and Anthony Beauvillier visited the school on Nov. 19 for Islanders School Day. Copiague Middle School was selected for its winning application on school spirt.

During School Day, select schools are visited by members of the Islanders team for an assembly. During the assembly, Beauvillier and Mayfield spoke to the Copiague students about the importance of education, staying active, eating healthy and making smart decisions in life.

Students in all grades had the chance to ask thoughtful questions and selected eighth-graders who received a “golden ticket” had the added opportunity to receiving the players’ autographs. 

Prior to Thanksgiving, members of the Future Chefs Club at Copiague Middle School baked 150 loaves of cornbread and delivered them to the Bethesda Seventh Day Adventist Church in Amityville. According to club adviser Karen Kazlauskas, the students loved learning about the importance of community service and helping those who are less fortunate.

It was a day of high-flying, hands-on activity for third-graders in Kaileen Spadaro’s class at Great Neck Road Elementary School on Nov. 20.

The students began by reading “Balloons Over Broadway” about the New York City Thanksgiving Day parade. As part of a STEM-based Thanksgiving activity, the students were tasked with constructing their own balloon floats. Working in groups, the students chose their designs and used construction papers, boxes and other materials to get them to float atop a cardboard box. 

After they completed their floats, the students marched through the cafeteria to show off their creative designs to the kindergartners. 

As a way to honor veterans, Copiague Middle School created a Wall of Heroes in early November in the school’s lobby. As an optional social studies assignment, students created a tribute to a veteran they know, featuring a photo, name/branch of service, their relation to the hero and accomplishments/years served. From left: Mykelle Moore (sixth grade), Hailey Santana (eighth grade), Anthony Santos (eighth grade), Simeon Cooper (eighth grade) and Social Studies Chairperson Francis Salazar.

Kindergartners at Great Neck Road Elementary School started preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday by participating in Thanksgiving centers on Nov. 19.

After learning different facts and the history of Thanksgiving, the three kindergarten classes rotated classrooms for different hands-on activities. In one station, the students colored three feathers and glued them to create a headband. A second classroom station featured turkeys made out of folded paper, while the students in another classroom made their own patterned necklaces out of Fruit Loops. 

Students in Lorraine Ciccotto’s digital photography and graphics class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School visited Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Oct. 19 to take pictures and explore the site. Students will use the images in upcoming projects. “Taking students to a live experiences is invaluable for them,” said Ms. Ciccotto. “It gives them an opportunity to develop their artistic eye.”

Students at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School are working together to make their school a more welcoming place. This year, as part of a districtwide character education effort, the school is participating in “Start with Hello,” an initiative for students in grade 2-5 to become more inclusive. The “Start With Hello” campaign, which is part of the Sandy Hook Promise, encourages students to make small but powerful actions and gestures of kindness to promote connectedness. Susan E. Wiley recognizes students each week who have received a character card for their kind gestures.  

Whether its geometry, algebra, pre-calculus or calculus, math students at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School are working hard to stay ahead of the learning curve by using their analytical and technological skills.

In Scott Kuhn’s pre-calculus class, 11th- and 12th-graders are working on analyzing quadratic functions, finding roots, intercepts, vertex, domains and range and rewriting absolute values.

Ninth-graders in Timothy Montera’s elective math research class are working to put together a research paper and presentation for the Long Island Math Fair at Hofstra University in March. Students are conducting their own research, reaching out to industry experts for guidance on their topics. 

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School has announced the top 10 students for the graduating Class of 2019. With a weighted GPA of 103.39, Aaron Eng has been named the valedictorian. Abigail Romero has been named salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 103.13.

Valedictorian Aaron Eng is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society, Global Ambassadors Club, Quiz Bowl, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. He has been a member of the marching band for five years and volunteers with the Key Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Aaron plans to major in civil engineering but is still undecided on a college.

Salutatorian Abigail Romero is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, a National Hispanic Scholar and vice president of the National Honor Society. She has participated in the Farmingdale State College STEP Program since sophomore year. She has participated in the independent science research program and her research has been recognized and honored with awards. Abigail is also on the varsity winter track team and was a member of the varsity field hockey team. She is in the wind ensemble, plays in the jazz band, is a member of the pit orchestra for the musical productions and was vice president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Abigail plans to major in pre-med but is still undecided on a college. 

The district congratulates the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School graduating Class of 2019 top 10 students: Aaron Eng (valedictorian); Abigail Romero (salutatorian); Aleksandra Bugajczyk (third); Owen Rosenberg (fourth); Liam Mahabir (fifth); Jackson Bright (sixth); Jonathan Conlon (seventh); Jahnay Cuffy (eighth); Melinda Mercedes (ninth); and Kailee St. Angelo (10th). 

Dawn Masure’s third-grade class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School highlighted the importance of responsibility during their monthly character education assembly on Oct 12.

Each month, the school chooses one character education trait to recognize. As a culminating activity, the students presented a skit during a schoolwide assembly to teach about the importance of responsibility, taking action for one’s own well-being, and treating others how one would want to be treated. 

To recognize the importance of responsibility, teachers use character education books and lessons for each grade level. Students who are caught showing off their good character trait receive a character counts card.

Students in Danielle Bishop’s class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School worked as engineers to design devices that could help them pick up fall leaves. They worked in teams to design and build their devices. After testing them out in the classroom, they made improvements to their designs. When the designs were finalized, the class took a nature walk and used their devices to pick up colorful leaves.

Fourth-graders in Elizabeth Baird’s class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School recently completed “The Great Candy Corn Experiment,” learning about the steps in the scientific method during a hands-on lesson. The students put candy corns in eight different solvents and created a scientific question. They then formed a hypothesis, deciding which of the solvents the candy corn would dissolve in first. The experiment lasted three days and the students were excited to come to class each day and check on the results.  

Fifth-graders at Great Neck Road Elementary School celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13. The students brainstormed different ways to spread kindness and wrote letters to some of the unsung heroes at their school such as cafeteria aides, security guards and bus drivers. 

Members of the digital photography and graphics classes at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School recently had a visit from a representative from the College of Art in Maine. Students had the opportunity to see varied projects developed during a collegiate study of art as well as sampled pieces from portfolio submissions.  

Throughout October, faculty, staff and students at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School have been raising awareness and funds to benefit breast cancer. Pink ribbons were sold throughout the month and staff wore pink every Friday. Four students – Anthony Genao (fifth grade), Danilsa Espinal (fourth grade), Serenity Woods (fourth grade) and Julian Watkins (second grade, not pictured) – were recently recognized for their efforts in contributing to the fundraiser, which included donations received from an ice tea stand. They each received certificates of appreciation from Principal Cynthia Florio (left) and Assistant Principal Janine Proulx.