In an effort to recognize students for their artistic talent, character, academic successes, leadership and citizenship, Copiague School District held its Superintendent’s Art Gallery Inductees and Student Recognition Awards ceremony prior to the June 18 board of education meeting in the Copiague Middle School auditorium.

District administrators, faculty and board of education members gathered with invited students and their guests to celebrate their successes. 

The Superintendent’s Art Gallery inductees and Fine Arts Festival crowd favorites – 34 pieces of art – were on display for the audience to enjoy. Now in its 22nd year, the Superintendent’s Art Gallery began when the Copiague art teachers selected several pieces of student artwork to display. 

Through the years, the collection has grown to provide a showcase of student artwork in corridors and offices in each of the schools. Each of the framed pieces is identified by a brass plate noting the student-artist’s name, grade level and year the piece was completed. Crowd favorite art pieces – three in total this year from the elementary, middle school and high school – were also chosen by the Copiague community during the annual Fine Arts Festival. The crowd favorite artwork is professional framed, and each winner receives a $100 check courtesy of the Copiague Teacher’s Association.

Chosen by the Board of Education, the Student Recognition Awards highlight students for their outstanding achievements. They are presented twice a year to a small number of students for their special accomplishments. Thirty-five students were honored during the ceremony, as board of education members read a brief description from teachers and principals on why the students were designated for the honor.  

“Publicly recognizing excellence is our way of celebrating some of the great successes of the Copiague schools’ programs and, at the same time, enabling us to showcase outstanding role models to our school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon. 

Copiague Middle School’s eighth-graders celebrated their move to Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School during moving up ceremonies on June 21 in the auditorium.

Surrounded by district administrators, board of education members, family and friends, the students proceeded into the ceremony to “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the select members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Copiague Middle School Assistant Principal Michael Ferretti, who served as the master of ceremonies, welcomed guests. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon offered words of encouragement as the students begin the next chapter in their academic careers. “When you moved up from the elementary school three years ago, I am sure you thought your time in middle school would not pass so quickly,” she said. “Your years in high school will probably pass just as quickly. Because that time goes so quickly, we want to be sure that you take advantage of all the high school has to offer you. Your middle school teachers have prepared you well and the high school teachers are ready to take you to the next level. If you continue to put in the hard work and effort that you did in, you will be successful in high school.” 

Three class representatives – Terrance Mason, Adrianna Michal and Kuba Szulejko – addressed the class during each of the respective moving up ceremonies. “We are closing one chapter in our lives and opening a new one,” Kuba said. “Copiague has done an amazing job preparing us for our future endeavors. This is not the end but merely a new beginning. High school will be filled with many obstacles and challenges, but we will overcome them.” 

Middle School Principal Andrew Lagnado addressed the soon-to-be Class of 2022. “As you enter this next phase of your education, be sure to remember a few important things that will set all of you up for success. Stay involved in all of the positive things that are offered at our high school. There are so many wonderful academic and extracurricular opportunities for you to take advantage of. Try a new activity, a new sport, take an interesting elective; get out of your comfort zone a little bit and take a risk. Stay motivated, focused and goal-oriented. Go that extra mile because what you put into it will determine what you take from it. These next few years will lay the groundwork for your future so remember to always make positive decisions, be a good person and work hard.”

Mr. Ferretti and Assistant Principal Stephanie Valeiko read the names of the eighth-graders, while Mr. Lagnado presented each with a certificate. 

Copiague School District administrators and Board of Education members recognized the faculty and staff members who will be retiring at the end of the 2017-2018 school year and also acknowledged teachers who were granted tenure during the June 4 board of education meeting.

Superintendent of School Dr. Kathleen Bannon, board of education members, district administrators and department chairs offered their congratulations to the 17 retirees, who have more than 400 years of combined service to the district. Retiring at the end of the school year are: Rosary Bertuzzi, foreign language teacher (32 years, HS); Vincent Calla, security aide (13 years, central office); Denise Cordella, elementary teacher (33 years, Susan E. Wiley Elementary); Karen Coyle, elementary teacher (32 years, Deauville Gardens East Elementary); Marie Deblasio-Silsdorf, social studies teacher (26 years, Middle School); Linda Drenckhauhn, elementary teacher (18 years, Susan E. Wiley Elementary); William Estees, security guard (20 years, HS); Patricia Field, senior clerk typist (19 years, HS); Lissette Feliz, foreign language teacher (14 years, Middle School); Lisa Flores, speech teacher (32 years, Deauville Garden East/Great Neck Road); Louise Gravina, elementary teacher (23 years, Great Neck Road Elementary); Linda Herbst, special education teacher (34 years, Middle School); Michael Kelly, elementary principal (14 years, Deauville Gardens West Elementary); Robert Pasqualone (12 years, HS); Maria Riviello, foreign language teacher (32 years, HS); Marie Salvia, senior clerk typist (23 years, Deauville Gardens West Elementary); and Karen Swenson, music teacher (34 years, Susan E. Wiley Elementary).

Thirteen Copiague School District administrators and teachers – Jeanette Altruda, Natalie Aviles, Kristina Biamonte, Karla Cangelosi, Ashley Cuffaro, Crystal Dicioccio, Heidi Fehring, Deysi Garcia, Alyssa Marino, Danya Plochochi, Vanessa Soto, Jennifer Spizuco and Katie Zecha – who were recently granted tenure, were also celebrated prior to the board of education meeting.   

Eighth-grade students in Travis White’s Studio in Art class recently displayed their talents in a collaborative street art project that celebrates their skills and talents through the pop culture medium.

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.