The community, students, staff, administration and board of education joined together to celebrate the Copiague School District’s homecoming on Oct. 13.

Kicking off with a pep rally at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School the day before, the weekend activities began with a homecoming parade starting at Great Neck Road Elementary School. Members of sports teams, school clubs, youth organizations and the homecoming court gathered for the march to the high school. Senior class king and queen Owen Rosenberg and Kembalee Rolle waved to the crowd down the parade route. The homecoming floats – themed board games – showed off the students’ creativity and featured members of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes.

Prior to the start of the football game against Newfield High School, Sen. John Brooks and Leg. DuWayne Gregory offered their best wishes for the Copiague Eagles. Despite their best efforts, the Eagles were unable to come out on top against the Newfield Wolverines.

The halftime show featured performances from the award-winning Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School marching band, varsity cheerleaders and step team. The evening concluded with the Hall of Achievement induction ceremony, honoring four Copiague alumni who have made a difference. 

Fourth-graders at Great Neck Road Elementary School used their writing skills to pen words of encouragement for U.S. Marine Corps recruits on Sept. 12. The classes first brainstormed different words of inspiration for the recruits who are participated in the “crucible” challenge on Sept. 21 and 22. The crucible is a test each recruit must pass to become a Marine. It takes place for 54 hours and includes 48 miles, carrying 45 pounds of gear with 29 team-building exercises and only six hours of sleep. The letters of courage have an extra special meaning for Great Neck Road fourth-grade teacher Patricia Caputo, as her son participated in the challenge at the end of the month. 

Thirty-seven staff members at Copiague School District were recognized for their dedication and years of service to the school district during Superintendent’s Conference Day on Sept. 4.  

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Todd Andrews announced each staff member and called them up to the podium one by one to receive their service award. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon presented a token of appreciation for their service to the students of Copiague. 

The district congratulates the following staff members for their years of service to the district:

40 years:
Michael Beck

35 years:
Gerard Kelly

30 years:
Nickie Fradelos
Carole Geackle
Valerie Williams

25 years:
Mary Alice Dunn

20 years:
Nicole Alamia
Lisa Amodeo
Pamela Atlas
Maryanne Basso
Marie Brennan
Daniel Broadbent
Carla Buckholz
Patricia Caputo
Barbara Carroccio
Robert Clemens
Ellen Duffy
Angela Greaves
Maureen Green
Yolanda Jamiolkowski
Jennifer Kelly
Lisa Key
Dawn Koziarz
Melanie Luck
Adrienne Mahoney
Kerry Maroney
Joanne Norman
Barbara Pearsall
Frank Peralta
Cynthia Perez
Jennifer Phillips
Charles Ragusa
Melissa Solomon
Mercedes Soluri
Antoinette Spencer
Karen Steigert
Stephanie Valeiko