Reflecting their successful season, three members of Deer Park High School’s girls varsity swimming team – juniors Alexa Flores and Vanessa Cayea and senior Andrea Cayea – were recently awarded All-League honors at the Suffolk County Coaches Association dinner.

“These multisport athletes spend only a few months swimming each year, yet demonstrate the capacity to compete and reclaim All-League honors against their competitors who swim year-round,” coach Craig Mangio said. “I find that impressive. Congratulations to Andrea, Vanessa and Alexa on achieving this feat.”

Date Added: 2/4/2025

Working with teacher Ashley Woolsey, all students at John Quincy Adams Primary School recently participated in a collaborative piece on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The students wrote a word on a piece of colored paper that they felt emulated Dr. King's vision and represented how we can build community. The paper pieces were then glued together to create a mosaic image of MLK.

Date Added: 2/4/2025

For the past 14 years, John Quincy Adams Primary School has participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Math-A-Thon under the guidance of math lab specialist Marianna Grieco. This year, the school’s students completed Math-A-Thon Funbooks and entered a poster contest, raising a remarkable $5,300 for this worthy cause. All participants received a certificate and homework pass, and the classes in each grade who raised the most money earned an ice cream party.

Date Added: 1/29/2025

Deer Park High School recently unveiled a fabulous facelift for its gym, installing a brand-new floor consisting of almost 11,000 square feet of Robbins maple wood for the benefit and enjoyment of athletes and physical education classes.

Working with Milburn Flooring and Renu Contracting & Restoration, the bleachers were removed and the old gym floor was completely ripped up to install the new one. A rare full-court stain in gray was applied. While upgrading the court, a new custom logo for the Falcons was added. New sporting lines for the students were incorporated, provding for multiple volleyball courts and the additon of badminton to the athletics lineup. After finishing the gym floor, the rest of the gym was enhanced and repainted.  The school’s varsity basketball team was the first to play on the new surface during a special game against Brentwood on Dec. 10.

“If you ask me, it is probably one of – if not the – nicest gym floors in Suffolk County,” Director of Facilities Jeffrey La Flair said.

“This incredible space represents the hard work, pride and community spirit that bring us together as Falcons,” said Dominick Fontana, Deer Park’s administrator for athletics, physical education, health and recreation. “A heartfelt thank-you to Milburn and Renu for their outstanding craftsmanship in installing this floor, and to our district’s buildings and grounds staff and the high school’s custodial crew for their dedication and oversight throughout the project.”

Date Added: 1/29/2025

Deer Park High School’s Muslim Student Association hosted its annual Winter Social on Jan. 17, a vibrant celebration of culture and community that brought together students, teachers, administrators and Board of Education members together. Guests enjoyed freshly brewed chai tea, made using MSA President Alishba Syed’s delicious family recipe, and indulged in a variety of desserts while admiring the beautifully decorated space.

The event featured a dazzling fashion show with over 15 participants showcasing traditional shalwar kameez and kurtas. The show was judged by Board of Education trustee Mahwish Yaqoob, while Board President Donna Marie Elliott added excitement to the evening by running the raffles. Also in attendance were Board of Education trustee Jerry Jean-Pierre, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Alicia Konecny, and Executive Director of Secondary Education and Human Resources Jeanne Kozlowsky. Adding to the festive spirit, five talented MSA members provided intricate henna designs for the enjoyment of all those attending, making the event even more special with their artistry and care.

“It was wonderful to see our club’s members connect with other Deer Park High School students, enjoying desserts, sipping chai and reveling in the beauty of their culture,” MSA adviser Nicole Bjarnason said. “We were honored to have Mr. Jean-Pierre join us for the event, where he made a heartfelt effort to connect with the students, taking the time to genuinely get to know the members of the MSA and fostering a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. We are also deeply grateful for the support of the administrators, who connected with students throughout the evening and joined us in celebrating the beauty and richness of our shared culture. Thank you to everyone who made this event such a tremendous success.”

Date Added: 1/28/2025