Hoping to raise awareness, the student council at Deauville Gardens West Elementary School participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients fundraising program from March 8-29. In total, the student council raised $1,124.92. 

The student council, made up of third- through fifth-graders and advised by Christine Orlando, placed collection boxes in each of the classrooms and made a special visit to each class to talk about the importance of donating to the cause. 

The students made afternoon announcements to motivate their classmates to participate in the campaign. Deauville Gardens West students could volunteer to collect individually to contribute to their class’ fundraising efforts. The top fundraising class earned a prize. 

As a culminating celebration to their Pick A Reading Partner activities, first- and second-grade students at Deauville Gardens West Elementary School participated in an animal parade on March 29. Dressed in masks of their favorite storybook characters – and led by Clifford the Dog – the students marched in and out of each of the classrooms in the masks they each created in their own artistic design.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, first-grade students in Katianne Howe’s class at Deauville Gardens West Elementary School built their own leprechaun traps and showed off their creations to their classmates. The class voted for their favorite traps and awards were given out for creativity, innovation and detail. Even though they didn’t catch a leprechaun, he left a St. Patrick’s Day gift for the students.

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. 

Click here to see a video of Deauville Gardens West students conducting science experiments. 

The district held its second annual Prince and Princess Ball on Feb. 9 in the cafeteria of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School. This year’s theme was “Under the Sea.” Elementary students were dressed in their finest formalwear and stopped at the photo booth for a quick picture with their accompanying guest.

The guests spent most of the night on the dance floor, with plenty of time for games and dining. Sponsored by Copiague School District’s security department, all proceeds from the event are used toward the security department’s Corey Swinson Memorial Scholarship, which benefits seniors from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School. 

During the Feb. 12 meeting of the Board of Education, students from throughout the district were recognized for their winning entries in the annual Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Art Poster Contest and essay contest on religious freedom and diversity.

In front of family and friends, former Grand Knight Bob Waidler and members of the Our Lady of the Assumption Council of the Knights of Columbus awarded each student a certificate of participation and a gift certificate provided by the Knights. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon, board of education members, Coordinator of Fine Arts Jennifer Pierre-Louis and Middle School Assistant Principal Michael Ferretti and teacher Andrea Hernandez were on hand to congratulate the winners.

The art poster winners were: Chloe Allen Jackson, Larisa Gutierrez, Ariannys Leon, Ellen Molorii, Jailene Solomon, Kuba Szulejko and Brittany Carbajal Vargas. Winners of the essay contest were: Aspasia Papadopoulos (first place), Meghan White (second place), Camila Estevez (third place), Jesenia Sanchez (third place) and Joselin Garcia (third place).

Copiague School District has renamed its administrative offices in honor of longtime board of education member Everett E. Newman III who passed away late last year. The Copiague Board of Education officially adopted the resolution on Feb. 12 and unveiled the sign to Mr. Newman’s family and friends. 

“During his more than 30 years of service to our district, Everett E. Newman III was a staunch supporter of our students, our schools and our community,” said Board of Education president Laura Gavey. “On behalf of the entire board, it is our sincere honor to recognize his dedication and tireless commitment to Copiague by dedicating our district office in his name. Everett is greatly missed, but his legacy will last a lifetime.”

The new sign stands at the corner of Great Neck Road and Taylor Avenue.