As part of Junior Achievement’s High School Heroes program, 20 Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students enrolled in the leadership class became teachers for a day at Great Neck Road Elementary School on March 27.

The high school students spent the day in the third- and fourth-grade classrooms teaching five different lessons. Materials were provided for the lessons and both the high school students and the third-grade teachers completed a training program through Junior Achievement. 

The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students acted as teachers for the day, following Junior Achievement’s Our City module. “The high school students followed the teacher schedule and were able to make some great connections with the staff and students,” said Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Assistant Principal Jonathan Cutolo. “The elementary student were extremely excited about the High School Heroes and some made welcome signs and asked them for their autographs.”

The curriculum introduces students to financial literacy and learning objectives for social studies, including the characteristics of cities, the importance of economic exchange, and how people and businesses in cities manage their money. At the end of the day, the third-graders were each provided with a certificate of completion.

“Copiague is a great place to learn and our high school students were able to give back to their community and at the same time work on skills that will make them successful young adults such as time management, organization, responsibility, preparation and commitment,” Cutolo said. “One of the most important aspects of bringing our leadership class to the elementary school is that it gives the younger students the opportunity to interact with the high school students as role models.”

The High School Heroes program is a service learning project that provides high school students the opportunity to become role models by teaching and empowering elementary students within their school district. High School Heroes work in teams to mentor students with hands-on, interactive lessons to students centered around work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. 

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. 

Students and staff at Great Neck Road Elementary celebrated being 100 days smarter in February. Dressed like they were 100 years old, the students participated in various activities that centered on the number 100. Check out the video from the day.

Students at Great Neck Road Elementary School recognized Kindness Week in mid-February by performing random acts of kindness throughout their school and community. The students celebrated “going the extra mile to make someone smile” by discussing what makes them smile and how they can be good friends.

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).

Dressed in their red-and-white striped hats, fifth-graders in Elaine Remstein’s class at Great Neck Road Elementary School celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday/Read Across America Day on March 2 by participating in several Seuss-themed activities.

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.

Second- and third-grade students, along with their families, from Great Neck Road Elementary School enjoyed an evening together at Family Literacy Night on Feb. 6.

Students gathered in their respective classrooms to enjoy the book “Dragon Was Terrible” by Kelly DiPucchio. After discussing their thoughts on the main character and his behavior with their teacher and peers, the students made their own “dragon treats,” complete with green icing, horns and colored eyes to take home and enjoy. There was also a take-home worksheet that students could bring back to school for a special prize from their teacher.