With small but symbolic American flags in their hands, the young students at John F. Kennedy, John Quincy Adams and May Moore honored Patriot Day by planting the flags in front of each school in honor of all those lost on 9/11. The schools also read poems, played the national anthem and offered a moment of silence.

“Although our students were born long after the tragic events of September 11, 2001 happened, we honor Patriot Day as a day of remembrance by planting flags and wearing red, white and blue,” said May Moore Principal Alicia Konecny. “We teach our students that 9/11 changed our world. But with each story of sorrow and pain comes one of hope and courage. As we move forward, all of us have an opportunity to become better people and to learn valuable lessons about heroism, love and compassion.”

  

 

Students from across the district got a great start on the year on Sept. 5 as the schools opened for the first day of learning.

“We were so thrilled to see such happy and excited students on day one of school,” said Robert Frost Middle School Principal Eliana Levey. “We’re looking forward to a phenomenal year.”

“Students arrived on the first day of school ready to learn,” said John F. Kennedy Intermediate School Principal Susan Bonner. “They were eager to enter the building and get started with the new school year. We are looking forward to many great times, adventures and learning experiences this year.”

“We are so happy to have the halls and classrooms filled with students again and are eager to begin another year full of engaging activities,” said John Quincy Adams Primary School Principal Christopher Molinelli.

“It was exciting to welcome our new pre-K and kindergarten students as well as our returning first- and second-graders,” said May Moore Primary School Principal Alicia M. Konecny. “Our teachers and support staff are eager to challenge our students to learn and accomplish great things – this is where we continue to develop the skills that build a strong foundation for learning.”

“I loved the first day of school because I have new teachers and I enjoyed writing and labeling our new supplies,” said May Moore first-grader Francesca Lathrop. “I think it’s going to be a great year.”  

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth-graders at JFK wrote to the Crayola company to try and reverse the retirement of the yellow crayon color known as dandelion this past spring. While their efforts to bring back dandelion did not succeed, Crayola representative Deborah Lintvedt thanked the students for their arguments and suggestions, and sent them a special package of crayons to recognize their effort.

Ecology-minded artists from JFK participated in two recent poster contests promoting recycling, earning accolades for their work.

In the New York State Senate’s Earth Day Poster Contest, organized by State Sen. Phil Boyle, JFK fifth-grader Haley Reyes was named the first place winner. Her poster, reflecting the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” was hung in Boyle’s offices.

In the annual Covanta recycling poster contest, winners from JFK were third-graders Kaylee Nguyen (who won first place in grades 1-3) and Jaidyn Schabe (third place for grades 1-3), fourth-graders Isabella LaPuerta (third place in grades 4-6) and Gloria Min (first place in grades 4-6), and fifth-grader Juliana Meo (second place in grades 4-6). They were recognized by Covanta representative Mark O’Brien, Babylon Town Councilman Tony Martinez and Babylon Town Commissioner of Environmental Control Vicki Russell at a ceremony at the Covanta facilities in West Babylon. Having two first-place winners also earned JFK a $1,000 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

Fifteen math-minded students from JFK were recently named Math Olympiad winners and honored at a Board of Education meeting for their achievement. Joined by teacher Lisa Baker, the students – Nick Aparicio, Matthew Flores, Jade Griffin, Damon Ierulli, Joann Jobson, Philip Kellarakos, Gloria Min, Dylan Nguyen, James Nguyen, Adithan Omprakash, Oviya Omprakash, Valentina Rebecca, Prisha Tanna, Jason Turner and Reza Zorakhsh – received certificates and congratulations from Superintendent Eva Demyen and the Board.