The Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance sponsored the annual Physical Education Student Leadership Awards Ceremony at Bay Shore High School on May 2. Students who qualify for the award are recognized for their achievements in physical education, leadership, character and academics.

Honored at the ceremony was Copiague Middle School eighth-graders Emma Nuzzi and Werly Cormier; Deauville Gardens East Elementary School fifth-graders Chloe Allen Jackson and Taki Mason; Deauville Gardens West Elementary School fifth-graders Jailene Solomon and William Daley; Susan E. Wiley Elementary School fifth-grade students Samantha Fuentes and Alex Juszczak; and Great Neck Road Elementary School fifth-grade students Keila Corona and Anthony Armando Diaz.

On May 3, eighth-graders from Copiague Middle School traveled to the Brooklyn Museum. The Studio in Art Honor students – accompanied by their art teachers Travis White and Maria Ostrofsky – had the opportunity to expand their art experiences to the museum level. 

Throughout April, the Copiague Middle School student council held a collection of hygiene products to benefit Hope for Youth. All of the items collected were donated to Hope for Youth prior to their annual Run for Hope 5K on May 19. Hope For Youth, located in Amityville, helps children, youth and families with residential services across the Long Island region. 

On April 13, Copiague Middle School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions Club students organized a “Tape the Teacher to the Wall” fundraiser. During lunch periods, SADD Club members sold a piece of tape for $1. Middle School Assistant Principal Michael Ferretti was chosen to be taped to the wall. The event raised more than $300, which was donated to the Victoria Trachte Scholarship Fund for a graduating senior. Mr. Ferretti is pictured with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon.

Five Copiague Middle School students from Dr. Natasha Murray’s class competed in the Long Island Math Fair on April 20 at Hofstra University. All five of the eighth-graders took home medals for their math research papers. Jakub Dobrowolski-Kosior received a gold medal, while Stephanie Cortes, Gwendolyn Neger, Devonie Rhoden and Kuba Szulejko all placed with silver medals. Copiague Middle School teacher Stephen Temme coached the team.

Hundreds of students from throughout the Island competed by selecting a math research topic; researching and writing a paper; creating a presentation board; and conducting a presentation. 

In recognition of Earth Day, Copiague Middle School held its annual poster contest. This year’s winners were (from left): eighth-grader Abi-Gail Genius, sixth-grader Shenn Barredo and seventh-grader Samantha Huynh.

Copiague Middle School student Victoria Wheby was named a winner in the annual essay contest sponsored by the Harmony Program. The Harmony Program is a nonprofit organization that brings intensive after-school music programs to schools and teaches students how to read music, play orchestral instruments and perform in ensembles. Victoria’s winning essay focused on the importance of the program. She received a new tablet during a workshop with the Harmony Program in early April. Victoria is pictured with Director of Fine Arts Jennifer Pierre-Louis.

Copiague Middle School students Skylar Brown and Shakira Crockett had their artwork selected to be displayed in the Long Island Museum’s annual student art exhibition, Colors of Long Island, from Feb. 23 through April 8. Art teachers from across Long Island were invited to submit up to two pieces from students in grades K-12 for this showcase of extraordinary talent.

To benefit the American Heart Association and learn about the effects of heart disease, students at Copiague Middle School participated in a Hoops for Heart fundraiser to raise money for the organization on March 23 and 26 during their physical education classes.

During a basketball-themed obstacle course, students were timed as they raced through the different stations. Students recorded their time on a poster for the different classes to attempt to beat. The Copiague Middle School students are hoping to meet or exceed their goal of $5,000 raised during last year’s event.

Not only did students help raise money for a good cause, they learned about leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and making positive choices. Hoops for Heart is a national fundraising program sponsored jointly by the Society of Health and Physical Educators of America and the AHA. Through the program, students raise funds for the AHA while participating in activities that promote physical fitness. 

It was a morning of creativity, community and collaboration, as Copiague Public Schools held its annual Community Summit Breakfast on March 17.

Focusing on its theme “Creativity Abounds in Copiague,” the board of education and administration welcomed various community organizations, local legislators, students and families to spotlight its programs and celebrate its successes. “Across the grades, from kindergarten to high school, a goal of the district has been to infuse our curriculum with the most cutting-edge technology, inquiry-based instruction and instruction that taps into students’ multiple intelligences,” said Dr. Kathleen Bannon, superintendent of schools. 

“I believe it is very important for our community members to see and hear what our students and staff are doing on a daily basis,” Board of Education President Laura Gavey said. “Because of the support of our community and our legislators we are very lucky that we are able to keep our programs alive in the ever-changing education system. We are fortunate that we have been able to budget properly over the last few years and our programs are still intact.”

Gavey continued her speech to discuss the need for increased state and federal funding in order to maintain its educational programs. 

During her “State of the District” address, Dr. Bannon focused on the district’s multitude of positive accomplishments and provided an update on the district’s ongoing capital project. She also mentioned the district’s 2018-19 budget process and the need for increased state funding. 

“In a perfect world, there would be adequate and equitable funding for public education,” she said. “Funding that is predictable, transparent and sustainable. So that we can plan for the long term, rather than year to year.”

The summit also featured student musical performances, spotlights on various creative student programs and projects and an introduction of the Class of 2018 top 10 students. Additionally, New York State Sen. John Brooks, Brendan Cunningham, Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, and Town of Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer were in attendance. 

The nationally-recognized marching band from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School visited Copiague Middle School student-musicians on March 2 in effort to pique their interest in joining the band.

The marching band, led by band director Eric Dobmeier, showed off some of their instruments and musical selections to the middle school students. Marching band members spoke about some of their individual experiences. The musicians, along with members of the Color Guard, played part of their routine for the audience of young musicians. They also showed a video of their performance in Syracuse last year.

The band is beginning its recruiting process now before it starts rehearsals in May. The band practices during the summer months and culminates its season with a performance in Syracuse.