Copiague School District’s elementary-aged summer program closed out it first week with plenty of activity. Here’s just a sampling of some of the happening this week:

• Incoming kindergarteners worked in small groups and performed an experiment to determine if the shape of a bubble wand affects the shape of a bubble.  
• Fourth-graders built “All About Me” towers using trial and error.
• Fifth-graders learned about scientific method. They placed gummy bears in four different solutions and used the step by step procedures to observe, investigate, problem solve, test their hypothesis and analyze their results. 
• Fourth-graders used the scientific method to determine if people who are taller have a larger shoe size than people who are shorter. 
• Fifth-graders participated in mindfulness exercises.
• Fourth-graders worked on different STEM challenges in small groups, balancing and moving cups using teamwork and in some cases, nonverbal communication. 
• Tech-savvy third-graders used Z-Space computers to engage in different lessons. 

The SADD Club from Great Neck Road Elementary School sent “smiles” to patients who are recovering at the Affinity Skilled Living Rehabilitation Center in Oakdale. The students chose this facility because one of the member’s grandfather is currently living there. Inspired by Mark Borella’s “Seeds of Happiness,” the students created smiley faces made from Play-Doh and get-well cards for the residents.

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. 

As a culmination of their writing lessons, first-grade students at Great Neck Road Elementary School invited their families to celebrate their love of writing on May 31. Students showed off their literacy skills and had their writing binders on display. Family members were given stickers to place on student writing samples to praise their writing efforts.