Angel Bachez, a third-grader at JFK, recently received an award from Legislator Tom Donnelly for his outstanding work in the Suffolk County “Be Pool Smart” poster contest. Participants were asked to design a poster representing pool safety.

While attending an orientation at Robert Frost, fifth-graders met with administrators and guidance counselors, who described a typical sixth-grade schedule and described how the incoming sixth-graders can successfully make the most of their middle school experience.  The students also went on a tour of the building led by National Junior Honor Society members.

“This is always an exciting time of year where we look forward to meeting our newest group of students and helping ease the transition to their new school,” said guidance counselor Lisa McQuilkin.

Civic-minded John F. Kennedy Intermediate School students Alexis Borowski, Angela Gallina, Madeleina Gallina, Victoria Pollisic and Brooke Rivela helped out their classmates, Town of Babylon Junior Beautification Ambassadors Arianna Luppy and Giovanna Luppy, in planting at the Deer Park Commerce Association’s “Adopt-a-Spot” on Deer Park Avenue. Babylon’s Beautification Program was designed to help educate the community about the importance of keeping the town clean and beautiful.

High school Class of 2013 graduate Carrel Joseph recently played basketball in the FIBA Under 21 Caribbean Prequalifying Tournament for the Haitian National Team.

Joseph and his family moved to Deer Park in 2010 after they survived a devastating earthquake. He played two years of varsity basketball for the Falcons, winning league championships in 2012 and 2013, and advancing to the county finals in 2013. He then played four years of basketball at SUNY Cortland, where he scored 728 career points and earned 436 career rebounds while overcoming an ACL tear in his right knee during his junior year. His team played in the NCAA tournament during his sophomore year, when he scored 24 points in the SUNYAC championship game and was named MVP.

At the Board of Education's annual reorganization meeting on July 10, John Gouskos and Donna Marie Elliott were reelected to their positions as president and vice president, respectively, and sworn in to office. 

Fifth-graders at JFK completed an impressive unit of study in clay this year during classes with art teacher Sara Meyerback. The students created their own designs and developed glazed bowls and plates, which were then fired in the school’s kiln.

“Working with the fifth-grade classes and watching them create using clay was such a wonderful experience,” said Meyerback. “There has been a history of doing this project with fifth grade in past years, so I wanted to keep up with tradition. Not many elementary schools have a kiln or are able to use such an advanced and unique medium like clay. I felt so lucky to have this memory as my very first experience teaching my students how to work with clay. I am so proud of my students and their beautiful glazed pottery. Most importantly they had fun.”

All of the high school’s performing groups took first place in their respective categories at this year’s Music in the Parks festival competitions held in June at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, and the school’s wind ensemble received the Best Overall Concert Band award. The chamber orchestra, guitar ensemble and wind ensemble all earned ratings of Superior, and the women’s choir earned a rating of Excellent.

JQA students enjoyed a recent math fair, with students participating in different learning center activities ranging from basic skills to mathematics in daily life.

“These activities reinforced what was learned throughout the year,” said teacher Marianna Grieco. “Our goal is to foster positive learning experiences in order for the students to develop a love of math.”

Splendid accomplishments by the district’s students were recognized at Deer Park’s June 18 Board of Education meeting, with Suffolk County legislators Susan A. Berland, Steven J. Flotteron and Tom Donnelly in attendance.

After Ron Becker was honored on his retirement from the Deer Park Arts Council, high school student Tianna Greene was recognized for being the winner of Suffolk County’s “The Truth About Stimulant Drinks” PSA video contest. Adviser Gregory Menig honored this year’s DECA student winners.

The winners of the 2018 Grand Concours National French Contest were resented by Ashley Rosenberg, the district administrator for ENL and world languages. Recognized for their achievement in this annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French were high school students  Matt Berhalter, Usihma Chowdhury, Roose Desir, Nilufer Dilmen, Rebecca Fox, Kevin Garcia, Richardson Greffin, Anniee Jeanite, Emily Kleiber, Gregory Lazarte, James Raymond, Sameer Riaz, Matthew Rosati, Salar Saeed, Catarina Silva, Yasmeen Syedda-Hensley and Esteysy Yanes Amaya, and Robert Frost students Kristin D’Souza, Victoria Egan, Arianne Hernandez, Saima Hoque, Sonam Kataria, Bartlett Polster, Naomi Sauveur, Adam Stevens, Doindra Talleyrand, Liah Vidal, Arunan Xavier and Michelle Xuan.

“This year, with the encouragement of our outstanding French teachers, Deer Park had 75 middle and high school students participate,” said Rosenberg. “I’m so pleased that of these participants, 29 were nationally recognized for their performance on the exam. It's such an impressive accomplishment, and these students should be immensely proud.”

June 20 was a night of welcomes and farewells, and of awards and certificates, for eight-graders at Robert Frost. Kicking off the moving up ceremony, National Junior Honor Society President Michelle Xuan led the pledge, while Student Council President Sofia Arrascue addressed her classmates, saying, “We now have to think of our future, and try to get as close to our dreams as possible.”

“This evening is an important commemoration of the past three years of your children’s educational and emotional journey,” Principal Eliana Levey told the proud assembled parents. “The middle school years can potentially be the most challenging school years for many students. At fifth-grade orientation three years, I told you that middle school was like a rollercoaster, with many ups and downs, but I promised you that we would end on a high note, and here we are today.”

JFK marked the transition to middle school with a memorable moving up ceremony on June 21, giving the school’s outgoing fifth-grade students a chance to share their memories as well as their excitement for the future.

Jessica Jones sang the National Anthem to begin the ceremony. The students heard from Principal Susan Bonner and fifth-grade Student Government President Erika Sy, as well as Robert Frost Middle School Associate Principal Philip Paniccia, who welcomed the students to sixth grade. Awards and certificates were presented, and the fifth-graders happily sang along to a “Moving Up Medley” mixed by Aba Farghaly. Fifth-grade Student Government Vice President Aiden Arifi gave a happy closing address, telling his classmates, “Have a great summer!”

It was a grand farewell to Falcons leaving the nest as the high school’s Class of 2018 celebrated the school’s 55th commencement on June 22. In keeping with tradition, the Roisin Dubh Pipe Band led the graduating seniors into the stadium. Providing the remainder of the music were the school’s symphonic and ninth-grade bands, directed by Jerry Cannarozzo.

Following a welcoming speech from Senior Class President Alan Korsiak, salutatorian Megan Zhang, a gifted flutist, used the silent moments of musicianship as metaphor to reflect on the moment the seniors found themselves in. “Beyond the horizon, the world is waiting,” she told her classmates.

Noting that her fellow seniors may not have known her well because she was often buried in her books studying at home, valedictorian Saraf Faruk said, “It’s amazing to think that we have come all this way, through 12-plus years of school together, and are finally graduating. We made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. It’s both frightening and exciting to think that from this moment on, our lives will have changed. Everything we have learned is preparation for our adult lives.”

Eschewing a traditional speech, Superintendent Eva Demyen instead uniquely chose to test the grads with a series of inspirational quotes on courage ranging from Winston Churchill to “Harry Potter” wizard Albus Dumbledore and Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” handing out gift cooler bags to those students who correctly identified the quotes’ sources.

Principal Charles Cobb paid heartfelt tribute to the late Donte McClurkin, whose family was on hand to receive his diploma, and reflected on the students’ many accomplishments throughout the year including academics, athletics, music and art, volunteerism and college acceptances.

“Be kind,” Cobb urged the new grads, before their tassels were turned, caps tossed and they had walked out as alumni. “Be kind to yourself, your friends, your families, to those you do not yet know, and to those who may be different than you. By treating each other with kindness, you will the opportunity every day to change the world.”

Beginning a memorable new tradition, high school seniors traveled to their respective primary school buildings for a senior walk on June 18. The graduates paraded through JQA and May Moore as the younger students lined the hallways, followed by a question-and-answer period where outgoing second-graders had the chance to talk to and gain inspiration from the seniors.

“These seniors spent 13 years in school, and they put a lot of hard work in and had a lot of fun,” said JQA Principal Christopher Molinelli. “We are really proud of them.”

At May Moore, the annual moving up ceremony for second-graders on June 7 marked the transition from primary to intermediate school, from one stage of education to another. Smiles and memories abounded, and after each graduating class and child had been recognized, and all the songs – from Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” to the school’s theme tune – had been sung, these proud Falcons marched down the aisles to the uplifting sound of “Wings” by Little Mix.

Reflecting on the ceremony, Konecny said, “This year, our schoolwide theme was’ Start Your Engines! May Moore was the first pit-stop on our students’ educational journey, and we hope when they think back in reverse they will remember us as classic.”

It was apt that the first song to be sung at the second-grade moving up ceremony at JQA was “To Make You Proud,” for the assembled parents, friends, teachers, and school and district administrators had nothing but pride in their hearts as they celebrated an educational milestone with the children.

Quoting Linda Kranz, Principal Chris Molinelli told his students, “There's only one you in this great big world – make it a better place,” before they marched out of JQA’s doors on June 12 and into a bright future at JFK.

“Saying goodbye to a great group of students like this year’s second-graders is always met with a range of emotions,” said Molinelli. “We will certainly miss every student and wish them the best of luck in their future.

Life skills classes at JFK and Robert Frost recently visited John’s Crazy Socks in Melville. The online sock store, run by father and son Mark and John Cronin, donates a percentage of sales to charities that help those with disabilities. John, who has Down syndrome, founded the company to make people smile by spreading happiness through socks. The Deer Park students had the opportunity to meet the Cronins and ask them questions. Students also enjoyed a tour of the John’s Crazy Socks warehouse and joined in to help sort and count personalized thank you cards for outgoing orders.

“Our students learned a very valuable lesson that people of all abilities are capable of being successful,” said JFK special education teacher Heather Buksa.

In a June 7 ceremony in the school library, high school seniors and standout athletes Robert Belotti and Thomas Nacchia signed national letters of intent to play baseball in college this fall.

Belotti, a pitcher, will attend SUNY Farmingdale. He is currently undecided on a major.

“They have a great baseball team and great educational system,” said Belotti on his selection of Farmingdale.

Nacchia, who plays outfield, will attend SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, majoring in international transportation and trade.

“The school has great job placement after graduation,” said Nacchia of his choice.

In front of a large audience of proud parents and family members, the high-achieving seniors of Deer Park High School accepted thousands of dollars worth of scholarships, department awards and schoolwide awards at the annual Senior Awards ceremony on June 7.

To kick off the event, held in the high school auditorium, Student Council President Saraya Jourdain led her fellow students and the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by Briseis del Cid. Director Jerry Cannarozzo and the jazz ensemble entertained the audience with a rendition of Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Members of the Horodnicki family presented several scholarship awards to Deer Park High School seniors in memory of Class of 2005 student Ryan T. Horodnicki; Marine Corps Sgt. Silent Walker presented the United States Marine Corps Scholarship Awards, recognizing students for citizenship and leadership in scholastics, athletics and music; Michael Reed, the husband of former Deer Park administrative assistant Rochelle Reed, presented the Rochelle Reed Memorial Scholarship to seniors who will pursue studies in music or theatrical arts; and Suffolk County Legislator Susan Berland presented a proclamation and county pin to student Taniyamol Tomy for winning the Overcoming Educational Obstacles award. Among the new awards were the Scott Schwartz, DDS Scholarship Award, given by orthodontist Scott Schwartz to a senior planning to pursue a medical or dental career.

“We are so proud of our students and all their achievements,” said Associate Principal Kristen Anisis. “We are exceptionally lucky to have such generous community members, politicians, military personnel and school officials who were able to recognize all of their hard work over the years.”

Students at May Moore articipated in their first Boosterthon Glow Run on May 18. Leading up to the event, they learned about character education and the five character traits of focus, self-awareness, respect, trustworthiness and creativity. At the conclusion of the Glow Run, educators including Principal Alicia Konecny and physical education teacher Craig Mangio were dunked in a dunk tank.

In their last tournament of the year, 10 top members of the Robert Frost math team competed at the Tournament by the Sea on May 18, held at Long Beach Middle School.

“Our students had the opportunity to grow mathematically and socially,” said team adviser Cynthia Jewell. “The problems were clever, engaging and challenging, and the atmosphere was exciting for students and teachers alike.”

In recognition of her outstanding work as an educator, Deer Park High School social worker Barbara Charity was recently presented with the Teacher of Excellence Award by State Sen. Phil Boyle. Charity, who is retiring this year, was honored at the third annual Teacher of Excellence Awards ceremony, hosted by Sen. Boyle on April 26 at the North Babylon Fire Department.

The seventh- and eighth-grade band from Robert Frost performed at the Music in the Parks music competition at Dorney Park on June 2, winning first place with a superior rating. The band, led by director Michael Livorno, also received a trophy for Best Middle School/Junior High School Band.

At the May 22 Board of Education meeting, the district recognized retiring and newly tenured administrators, teachers and staff and rewarded valued personnel for their many years of service.

Congratulated for receiving tenure were Curriculum Associate for Fine and Performing Arts Bradley Murphy; District Data Coordinator Wendy Kraus; Deer Park High School teaching assistant Sandra DiThomas; Robert Frost Middle School ESL teacher Michelle Champlin, math teacher Lauren Stein and special education teacher Lori Sullivan; John F. Kennedy Intermediate School teaching assistants Michelle Alo and Linda MacDonald; John Quincy Adams School speech teacher Patricia Baldwin and ESL teacher Vanessa Pizzo; and May Moore Primary School ESL teacher Danielle Finocchiaro.

Recognized for their years of service were Gary Duprez and Lawrence Tronolone for 35 years; Ann Marie Abeltin, John Bennett, Peter Colletti, Lisa Feingold-Smith, John Giffone, Donna Novack and Lorraine Sears for 30 years; Dawn Mauceri-Guzzardi for 26 years; and Pamela Attonito, Ann Castagna, Clara DeDona, Michael Gennaro, Alicia Konecny, Brian Kruger, Richard Miller, Louis Nicolosi, Linda Stow and Debbie Smith for 25 years.

Twelve retiring staff members –teachers Pamela Attonito, Maria Adams, Barbara Charity, Gary Duprez, David Kessler, Marie Marck, JoAnn Romann, Debbie Smith and Victoria Wilson –  and non-instructional employees Jay Denen, Olivia Vogler and John Zimmerman – were all honored for their contributions to the district.

“One of the hallmarks of our staff is their commitment and dedication to this district, which is evident in the years that they have spent here,” said Superintendent Eva Demyen. “I truly cannot thank each and every one of our retirees for all they have done for their colleagues, this community, and most importantly, the children.”

Addressing his retiring colleagues, Deer Park Teachers’ Association President Bruce Sander told them, “Your dedication and love for the children will be missed. We wish you all the best.”

At the May 22 Board of Education meeting, Tanger Outlets General Manager Nancy Larson presented a $75,000 grant check to May Moore teachers Alannah Boccard and Susan Mirman. The funding, part of the TangerKIDS grants program, will support literacy in the school’s autism program.
“It is a pleasure and an honor to give money to worthy causes, and the school systems are clearly our worthiest cause,” said Larson, who noted that this was Tanger’s 10th anniversary in Deer Park.  

“We are so proud of Mrs. Boccard and Mrs. Mirman,” said Principal Alicia Konecny. “This grant focuses on concepts of print, repetitive language and using picture clues to tell the context of a story. Big books are beneficial in our autism program because they provide a large visual for small group guided reading. Thank you to Tanger for giving back to their local community.”

Showcasing a year’s worth of confident, constant improvement, student-musicians at Robert Frost displayed their performance skills at a spring concert on May 16.

Performing ensembles included the jazz band and seventh- and eighth-grade band, directed by Michael Livorno; the seventh- and eighth-grade chorus, directed by Youngsun Koh-Lee; and the seventh- and eighth-grade orchestra, directed by Maria Wingert.

Some highlights included a rendition of the Miles Davis classic “Freddie Freeloader” by the jazz band, Bela Bartok’s “Echoes of Bartok” by the orchestra, and Swahili song “Dansi Na Kuimba” by the chorus.

“I am amazed at the progress and growth that my students make throughout the year,” said Livorno. “The spring concert is the culmination of all their hard work.”

The high school’s Class of 2018 valedictorian and salutatorian are Saraf Faruk and Megan Zhang, respectively.

Faruk, an AP Scholar with Distinction, New York State Scholar-Athlete and vice-president of Deer Park’s National Honor Society, is also a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Gold Honor Roll. In her spare time, she volunteers at Good Samaritan Hospital. Faruk will attend Stony Brook University this fall, majoring in biology.

Zhang, an AP Scholar with Distinction, is also a member of the National Honor Society and serves as president of the Spanish Honor Society. An All- Eastern and All-State band musician, she served as section leader in the  Nassau/Suffolk Wind Symphony, Long Island Youth Orchestra and New York State Summer School of the Arts 2017 orchestra studies program. Zhang will attend Brown University this fall, majoring in music and international relations.  

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Building on a long year of practice, the young musicians of JFK showcased their hard-won skills in a series of spring concerts in May. The performances – two consecutive evening concerts and a daytime performance in front of their fellow students – featured the cadet and advanced bands, the orchestra and chamber orchestra, and the third-, fourth- and fifth grade choruses.

“The students made so much progress since our winter concerts and their enthusiasm made every performance so special,” said orchestra director Kathryn Attard. “We are very proud of all the JFK performing groups.”

“All of the groups performed skillfully beyond their level of experience,” said band director Louis Nicolosi. “My own students were very excited to perform in concert and display the outstanding progress they made over the course of the year. I couldn't be any happier with their performance.”

Led by teacher Marie Tortorici, the JFK Fun Club ecently came down to Robert Frost to cheer on Frost’s girls softball team. Making sure not to disappoint their fans from JFK, the team won a great game against Bay Shore that afternoon.

“It is always nice to have support at our games, but the kids from the Fun Club holding their signs makes it that much better,” said coach Keri Schumacher.

The goal of the Fun Club skills program is to increase opportunity for children to be socially successful in school and at places in the Deer Park community.

Each year, bus driver Juan Rodriguez buys red noses for his students at May Moore in time for their participation in Red Nose Day, when students dress up in clown noses to raise funds to help child poverty.

“Mr Rodriguez is awesome,” said May Moore Principal Alicia Konecny. “He said that he does it because it’s a great cause and the kids love it.”

On April 27, Deer Park held its fourth annual International Poetry Festival, a multicultural celebration of National Poetry Month. Performing poets came from all five of Deer Park’s schools, originate from countries all over the globe and speak a multitude of languages. Students recited poetry in multiple languages, sang songs demonstrating poetic rhythm and performed dances representing various cultures.

“We hold this festival each year, as we have such a wonderfully diverse group of students in our programs,” said Ashley Rosenberg, district administrator for ENL and world languages. “Deer Park celebrates Poetry Month by integrating poetry instruction into curriculum districtwide. Our department places a particular emphasis on poetry because we strive for our students to practice language and deepen their understanding of culture through poetry, song and dance.”

Students at  Robert Frost who maintain an average of 95 or above earn gold cards, and on May 11, the gold card winners for the third quarter were invited to an assembly where they had the chance to spin the “Golden Wheel.” The students cheered each other on as nine were randomly selected to spin the wheel for various prizes.

After many months of practicing after school, second-graders in the May Moore music club took the stage to show off their acting and singing skills in a production of “Cinderella.” Under the direction of music teacher Kristen Lombardo, the students presented a daytime show for delighted fellow students on April 26 in the gymnasium, and a second sold-out evening performance the following night for their families.

“All the students’ hard work certainly paid off,” said Assistant Principal Heather Levine, noting that they began rehearsing in October, with only one session per week until the big day came.

“I am truly blessed to get to work with these wonderful children,” said Lombardo. “Each and every one is unbelievably talented and enthusiastic. You would never believe that they are only 7-8 year olds. I am so incredibly proud of their performance.”

Sisters Arianna Luppy and Giovanna Luppy, both students at JFK, were recently selected by Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer to be appointed as Junior Beautification Ambassadors for their leadership skills and dedication to the betterment of the community. Arianna and Giovanna attended an induction ceremony on May 14 at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village, where they were presented with certificates of appreciation.

The Beautification Program was designed to help educate the community about the importance of keeping Babylon clean and beautiful. The appointed Junior Beautification Ambassadors assist with program initiatives while gaining an understanding of issues impacting the town’s neighborhoods, sharing acquired knowledge with their peers and helping to organize interactive volunteer events.

“We honor Giovanna and Arianna for their volunteerism and stewardship, which has greatly contributed to the success of the Town of Babylon Beautification Program,” said Schaffer.