The auditorium at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School was abuzz with energy as our faculty, administrators and Board of Education members kicked off the school year with Superintendent’s Conference Day on Sept. 3. “As we start the new school year, I want to thank you all for the wonderful things you do for our students,” Dr. Bannon said. “I hope you have a great school year and always remember: If it’s good for kids, it’s good.”

To help familiarize students with their new educational surroundings and walk through their schedules, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School and Copiague Middle School held their respective ninth grade and sixth grade orientations recently.

Two dozen new teachers were welcomed to the Copiague School District during their two-day orientation on Aug. 26 and 27. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon, Copiague School District Board of Education First Vice President Brian J. Sales and Copiague School District’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Todd J. Andrews welcomed the newest teachers.

Within the culturally and ethnically diverse community that is Copiague, the public schools occupy a unique position. It is our responsibility, in partnership with parents and the community, to enable every student to reach high levels of individual academic achievement, to acquire the sophisticated skills necessary for life and work, and to become informed, concerned citizens of a rapidly changing, interdependent society.

New this year at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School is a foreign language elective class called cultural dance explosion. The goal was to create a course that would explore dance as an integral part of cultural identities around the world. Students learn about the history and cultural significance of a variety of dance styles while also learning the moves and getting out of their seats to dance.