The Deer Park High School cafeteria buzzed with excitement on the evening of Oct. 22 as students and their families attended the school’s annual College and Career Fair. The event offered a valuable opportunity for students to explore a wide range of post-graduation paths and speak directly with representatives from colleges and universities across New York State and beyond.

In addition to higher education options, attendees connected with members of the military, local trades and career organizations, gaining insight into the many possibilities available after high school. The evening encouraged students to ask questions, gather resources and begin planning their next steps toward the future with confidence.

“I’m incredibly proud of our students and staff,” Associate Principal for Guidance & Support Services Dr. Dina Pannone said. “The energy in the room – curiosity, courage, and possibility – made this an impactful College and Career Fair.”

Date Added: 11/3/2025

The Deer Park School District honored the exceptional commitment of its Board of Education for School Board Recognition Week at the Oct. 28 board meeting. In a heartwarming special tribute led by teachers Diana Saparito and Ashley Woolsey, John Quincy Adams Primary School students sang “A Million Dreams” to thank the Board for helping them reach their goals and dreams.

“In Deer Park, we are extremely fortunate to have the seven people that we have on the Board,” Superintendent James Cummings said, lauding their dedication to the district’s students “The only thing they care about is what’s best for our kids, and that comes out in every decision that they make.”

Additionally, Deer Park High School seniors Lauren Marable, Onwuka Offiah and Jaidyn Schabe were recognized for recently being named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Date Added: 10/31/2025

Deer Park High School celebrated its third annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 17, honoring a new class of outstanding contributors to the school’s athletic legacy. This year’s inductees included 13 individual athletes, two coaches, two honorary members, and one former team, all recognized for their lasting impact on the program.

The evening was filled with pride and nostalgia as honorees gathered in the auditorium, reconnecting with former teammates, coaches and friends. One by one, the inductees took the stage to be introduced with heartfelt tributes highlighting their many achievements. Following the ceremony, they admired their official plaques newly installed in the Hall of Fame wing outside the gym, a lasting tribute to their accomplishments and the enduring Falcons spirit.

The 2025 Hall of Fame induction class included the 1980 varsity baseball team (coach Carmine Argenziano and athletes John Antretter, Jasper Barone, Kevin Baugh, Linda Bertsch, Dave Bockstruck, John Brand, Diana Cellini, Brian Curley, Rich DiMaggio,     Alan Goldblatt, Quentin Greco, John Kaiser, Steve Kroencke, Joe LaDonna, Rich Loeb, Mike Miller, Shawn Miller, Lenny Petrone, Joe Purcell, Donald Quigley, Larry Rosano, Bill Russo and Jim Walters); Cary Gluck in the Coaches category; Dr. Anthony Donatelli and Steven Zimmerman as honorary members; and Thomas Cox, Ted DiPasquale, Malik Edmead, Mark Ganzer, Kishana Hudson, Michael McLaughlin, Michael McLaughlin, Patrick Policastro, Sabrina Riley, Ray Searage, Joseph Valentine, Larisa Zambelli and Adam Zimmerman in the Athletes category.

Date Added: 10/29/2025

Autumnal spirit filled the air once more as John Quincy Adams Primary School hosted its annual pumpkin patch celebration on Oct. 22. The lawns outside the school were filled with bright orange gourds and smiling students eager to find the perfect one to take home. Teachers and staff helped make the day special, encouraging the young students to explore the patch and pose for class photos. 

Date Added: 10/29/2025

Robert Frost Middle School sixth grade math teachers Lisa Abeltin and Denise Scholz recently set up a PEMDAS Operating Room in the school’s library, based on the math rule that stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction. Students became surgeons as they solved math expressions to “treat” their patients. In small groups, they rotated through themed stations, worked together to evaluate expressions with exponents and explained their thinking to one another. Each “patient case” gave math a real-world context, helping students understand why following the order of operations is so important. This hands-on activity allowed students to connect the rules of PEMDAS to real problem-solving, strengthen their procedural fluency and deepen their conceptual understanding. 

“By tackling challenging problems together and applying their knowledge in an interactive setting, our students practiced math in a meaningful, engaging, and memorable way, and we all had a blast doing it,” Abeltin said.

Date Added: 10/29/2025