Student-artists at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School were featured during an art show in the school’s gymnasium on April 3. Deauville Gardens East students in Jodi Embleton’s art classes showed off their work prior to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association meeting. All grades participated in the show, which also highlighted the artists’ 3D displays. Members of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Tri-M Music Honor Society provided a backdrop of music for the evening. 

After completing their science unit on the parts of the plant, fourth-graders at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School participated in a two-day experiment to show the workings of vascular plants. Using stalks of celery, the students placed the plants in colored water to observe the way the celery absorbs water and transports it through its stem. After making their initial hypotheses, the students recorded the changes in the coloration of the celery on day one and day two.

Fourth-graders in Jennifer Kelly’s class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School recently completed science research projects on the different types of energy. After making flip books filled with facts and illustrations, the students created Google Slide presentations to share with the class. 

It was a morning of community pride, as Copiague Public School hosted its annual Community Summit for more than 600 invited guests on March 16. Among those in attendance included the Copiague Board of Education, district administrators and staff, representatives of community organizations, local politicians and students and their families.

“The summit is an opportunity to showcase some of the things that are going on within our schools, celebrate the success we’ve had and collaborate on ways we can make things better,” board of education trustee Brian J. Sales noted in his address. Continuing, Mr. Sales shared a number of the district’s and student accomplishments. “For this board, our administration and staff, our top priority is putting children first. We are extremely proud of our results, we have spent our money wisely and effectively and we have delivered with excellent results.”

Echoing Mr. Sales’ message of success, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon presented her annual State of the Copiague Public Schools. During her address, Dr. Bannon provided an overview of district highlights, including various student accomplishments, expansion of the pre-K program and the completion of the community-approved capital project. She also provided an update on the budget process and the district’s funding.

“Over the last several years, we have stayed within the New York State tax cap,” Dr. Bannon said. “We continue to contain our costs and budget conservatively, so we can maintain the programs and services we have. If we were to see an increase in state aid, we would expand and add to our offerings, which would positively benefit our students. In a perfect world, there would be adequate and equitable funding for public education. Funding which is predictable, transparent and sustainable so that we can plan for the long term rather than year-to-year.”

With the theme “Copiague Students Soar,” the summit also featured student performances, spotlights on elementary, middle and high school programs, clubs and projects and an introduction of the Class of 2019 top ten students.

Fourth-graders in Mrs. Kelly’s class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School have been researching animal adaptations as part of their plant and animal structures unit in science. Students researched their favorite animal using technology and library resources. They organized their information and published their research projects to be included in their nonfiction anthologies.

The members of the student government club at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School teamed up with the members of the art club to help recognize the unsung heroes in their school community. The art club made origami gift boxes and filled them with a few sweet treats and candies. Working together with the student government, they created thank-you cards for the silent heroes of the school – custodians, nurses, cafeteria staff, security guards and secretaries. They delivered their sweet treats – along with a smile – around the school at the end of January.

Thirteen Copiague School District students were recognized at the Feb. 11 board of education meeting by members of the Knights of Columbus in the organization annual poster and essay contests.

The poster contest, now in its ninth year, had a record number of entries at 104 from Copiague student-artists. The goal of the contest is to raise awareness about drug and alcohol abuse. The winners, who received certificates and prizes were: Deauville Gardens West: Carolina Acosta-Rivera and Sandavi McCants; Susan E. Wiley: Ivanna Gonzalez Rodriguez; Deauville Gardens East: Kiarisleidy Baez Fabian; Great Neck Road: Jazlyn Batista, Justin Martinez Canas and Rayana Gooden; Copiague Middle School: Jayden Risch, Joseph Risch and Eliud Bonilla. 

Three Copiague Middle School eighth-grade students were presented with certificates and prizes for their essay contest entries. The contest is in its third year and essays are focused on religious freedom. Paulo Gonzalez was the first-place winner. Diana Carbajal placed second and Ari Chervony was named the third-place winner.