To kick off the 2019-2020 school year, Copiague School District welcomed staff and faculty members during Superintendent’s Conference Day on Sept. 3 at the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School auditorium.

Faculty, staff, central office administration and board of education members joined together for a welcome back breakfast prior to the start of activities. Board of Education President Brian Sales welcomed the audience and thanked them for providing a clean, safe learning environment for the students of Copiague. 

“We have assembled a great team here in Copiague,” Sales said. “Stay focused and motivated; our students are counting on you. Keep the joy of learning alive for our students.”

The Copiague School community each brought a donated item for the food pantry to the conference day. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon thanked the staff and spoke about the Eagle’s Eye Food Pantry at the high school, run by the DECA Club and in partnership with Island Harvest. In its first year, the pantry was able to help feed 37 families in need. 

Dr. Bannon also spoke about the Community Eligibility Provision, which will provide free breakfast and lunch to all district students this school year. She introduced the workings of Every Student Succeeds Act and spoke about the Next Generation Learning Standards, which replace Common Core. The district is also working to improve school climate, and along with the appointment of Michael Ferretti as the director of school climate, they plan to continue and expand programs like Start with Hello and See Something, Say Something. 

After a presentation of the service awards for 20, 25, 30 and 40 years in the district, faculty returned to their respective buildings to prepare for the upcoming school year.