May Moore Primary School was transformed into a magical space with a Polar Express theme on Dec. 20, replete with train tracks. Students were greeted by a conductor and rode the halls in pairs in special train cars – beautifully decorated boxes created by their families – down to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in the gym.

Date Added: 12/20/2024

At the Deer Park School District’s Dec. 17 Board of Education meeting, four Deer Park High School students attending the Wilson Tech program at BOCES who participated in the annual holiday dinner – Bryana Aguilar, Ramon Zapeta, Tyler Maliszewski and Mahaak Maqsood – were recognized by Superintendent James Cummings.

As part of a partnership between the district and Western Suffolk BOCES, Deer Park juniors spend half of their school day at the high school and the other half learning trades at Wilson Tech. Every winter, Wilson Tech’s culinary students treat WSBOCES superintendents and boards of education to a special appreciation dinner and demonstrate the skills they have learned.  
    
“It’s always nice to see the kids from Deer Park at the dinner, and the things they are doing in a program that we invest money and time into,” Cummings said. “The trades are really important, and seeing these kids so excited about their career path is great.”

Date Added: 12/20/2024

Christine DiProperzio’s Mindfulness Matters class recently took part in an hour-long yoga, meditation and sound bath class at Dazzled Utopia Studio in North Babylon. Students in this elective course embarked on a transformative field trip that combined the calming practices of yoga and meditation with valuable lessons in mindfulness and wellness. Led by Deer Park High School alumna Roseanna Napolitano Zahralban, the participants journaled, practiced holding yoga poses and practiced being mindful while being immersed in different meditative sounds. The class emphasized simple poses designed to improve flexibility, balance and strength, and was tailored to accommodate participants of all experience levels. Students practiced being present in the moment, quieting their minds and alleviating stress and anxiety.

Date Added: 12/17/2024

The annual winter concert at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School on Dec. 10 proved memorable but bittersweet, as it was the final concert for longtime JFK Orchestra Director Kathy Attard, who is retiring this month. The third-grade chorus, directed by Kristen Lombardo, sang the song “Remember Me” in Attard’s honor. Also performing in addition to the orchestra and chorus was the advanced band, directed by Gregg Romano.

“Thank you, Kathy, for your never-ending devotion to Deer Park, your talent, your expertise, your kindness and most of all your friendship,” Lombardo said.

Date Added: 12/17/2024

Deer Park High School students attended Adelphi University’s informative College Awareness Day on Dec. 11, held on the university’s Garden City campus. The event introduced Deer Park’s students to college life through a day packed with workshops, presentations and immersive experiences designed to prepare them for their academic futures.

Students began the day with a College Readiness Presentation, offering key insights into navigating the college admissions process. They then participated in three workshops, chosen from a diverse lineup covering topics like financial aid, college essay writing, campus involvement, mentorship, studying abroad and living on campus. These sessions, led by expert facilitators, equipped students with practical knowledge and tips for succeeding in higher education. The day also included a campus tour to showcase Adelphi’s facilities and a chance to enjoy lunch at the Ruth S. Harley University Center.

“Adelphi’s College Awareness Day was an outstanding success,” said Associate Principal Dr. Dina Pannone. “Our students left with a deeper understanding of the college process, greater confidence in their readiness for this next step and a clear vision of the opportunities available to them. We are grateful to Adelphi University for providing such an enriching experience.”

Date Added: 12/16/2024