http://www.deerparkschools.org Copyright 2013 Syntax Communications Robert Frost Middle School eighth-grade student Christy Jourdain received the gift of life with a heart transplant last year, and during this challenging time, used her creativity to fuel her strength. Throughout Christy's heart transplant journey, which included long stays in the hospital and myriad tests, she wrote a series of poems about colors, titled “I Need Colors, Colors Mean Life!” which described the emotions each shade evoked at that time. Christy’s sister Saraya, a seventh-grader, was inspired by her sister’s fortitude and bravery and decided to pay homage to Christy’s literary works by bringing them to life. Led by art teachers Danielle Menig and Maria Giglio, students honored Christy’s vision by taking each of her poems and creating original acrylic paintings to illustrate her words. Christy’s written words, included the passage, “Aqua Green is the courage to keep going, Nothing is going to stop me moving forward it would be fire that gets bigger and never stops and always keeps light up like the fire in my heart that never goes out.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=11439 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT The High School SADD Club, led by adviser Janet Werner, works year-round to support the local community and those far away who are in need. To spread some warmth to the devastated town of Newtown, Conn., the club created an inspirational quilt for the Sandy Hook School. The quilt is decorated with words to motivate the students and staff and fabric hearts to represent the lives lost. The center panel reads, “From Our Hearts to Yours.” SADD members and staff personalized their design, signing their names to the back of the quilt, and sent a club photo displaying the project. In recognition of their tireless efforts, the SADD Club recently received a donation from the Suffolk County Police Explorers Post 1st Precinct. A number of Deer Park students – all members of the Explorers team – volunteered their time to wrap books at Borders. A portion of the proceeds was given to SADD in recognition of their community work. The students also attended a “Compassion Without Borders” conference held at Brentwood High School. The program stressed compassion and forgiveness in the face of life’s difficult situations. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=11438 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School hosted the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, where more than 350 middle and high school students from across Long Island and New York City presented their research projects to a panel of judges. The collaborative event was a platform for discussion on a variety of topics and provided students with the opportunity to display their work and educate their peers and teachers on their extensive studies. Seven Robert Frost Middle School students qualified for this prestigious competition and tackled projects including Testing Lead in Local Soil, Supercooling Water and Snap Freezing, and Oily Aquatic Plants. Congratulations to Carli Fonseca, Chris Martinez, Michael Mieses, Alima Hossain, Jade Wilson, Gustano Giffone and Badar Zaman for representing Deer Park in this prestigious event. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=11067 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT The thespians of Deer Park High School recently presented “The Drowsy Chaperone” as the district’s featured spring production. The dynamic parody of a 1920s American musical comedy focuses on a musical theater fan as he plays the record of his favorite musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” In this unique show-within-a-show setting, the story came to life onstage as the "Man in Chair” commented on the vibrant scenes, lively actors and musical ensembles. Student actors took on the roles of these versatile characters, telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=11068 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT John Quincy Adams Elementary School hosted a night of numbers with its annual Family Math Night. More than 20 district teachers volunteered their time to share math concepts with students and their parents. A collaborative learning experience, families visited classrooms equipped with interactive stations that featured math problems, games and puzzles. Students and parents worked together to complete estimating and graphing activities and discuss with teachers grade-specific educational tools and resources. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10917 Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT The professional musicians of Project Trio returned to Deer Park to facilitate master classes for district student-musicians. Project Trio worked with students one-on-one and through group ensembles to prepare for a live community concert, featuring the first performance by Deer Park’s newest musical group, the Didgeridoo Club. Music students in grades 5-12 – including the string, band and didgeridoo ensembles and flute, cello and bass players – participated in these interactive workshops, during which they learned unique techniques and fine-tuned their theatrical performance pieces. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10918 Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Each spring, the high school transforms into a forum for educational advancement during the district’s annual College Fair. More than 100 colleges, universities and academic institutions were represented at the event, which is now in its eighth successful year. Students and parents were also able to connect with SAT/ACT test prep centers and financial aid organizations, all critical resources when making educational plans. The district’s goal is to expose students of all ages to the options higher education holds and instill the message that it’s never too early or too late to start the college process. To meet students’ diverse needs, a variety of representatives were available to students from top-tier universities, vocational training schools and military service academies. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10562 Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT The student government at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School hosted a sophisticated and educational event, A Night at the Wax Museum. Each representative in the club selected a celebrity, historian or athletic figure that inspires them and conducted research through literary, video and photo resources. At the exhibit, students got into character by dressing up as their figures and positioned themselves in display showcases. Guests toured the hallways, visiting the live student attractions, and read the informative presentations, which served as the backdrop for the museum. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10563 Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT The members of the district’s athletic teams are well-rounded student-athletes who excel in the classroom and work hard on the playing field. As a result of this commitment, six varsity squads, including girls basketball, swimming and diving, girls track, boys track, cheerleading and kickline, were named New York State Scholar-Athlete teams. To achieve this honor, students had to maintain a cumulative GPA of 90 or better throughout the season. Demonstrating outstanding character, the varsity wrestling, junior varsity wrestling and eighth-grade boys basketball teams received the Sportsmanship Award. This award is designated for teams who, based on the recommendations of officials and opposing teams, stand out for their fair play and good sportsmanship on the field of competition. In addition, teams also advanced to postseason play, defeating their competition in tournament playoffs. Boys varsity basketball claimed the League IV championship and were led by coach John McCaffrey, who was named the League IV Coach of the Year. More success on the court was achieved by the girls varsity basketball team, who qualified for the Class AA playoffs. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10564 Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School students committed to a "greener" world and spread the word to their peers to think about the positive impact they could have on the earth by repurposing items. Prompted by this initiative to become more eco-friendly and eco-conscious, they made posters featuring tips on clean living and created mini-books with the message of reduce, reuse and recycle. Throughout the month of April, students brought in plastics, take-out containers, egg cartons, broken costume jewelry and toys, frames, bottles, glassware and assorted bric-a-brac. The unwanted items received a second life as they were transformed into useful and beautiful products in the "Trash to Treasure" recycling project. Students were challenged to use their resourcefulness to design, plan and create useful products using the discarded materials. Older students assisted younger students, and all were encouraged to develop their problem-solving skills, working outside the box to accomplish their "green" goals and do their part to improve the environment. The result was a variety of innovative items, including a vinyl record clock; a "green footprint" shoe organizer; iPod holders; an automatic plant-watering system; hand-sewn grocery shopping bags made from discarded Capri-Sun drink pouches; a purse made from old library books, bamboo and burlap; and leather jewelry made from old softballs. Students learned that transforming old trash into a new product rather than buying a brand-new packaged item saves energy and money and reduces air and water pollution. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10441 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT May Moore Elementary students in Pamela Arcuri’s class made an Earth Day pledge to support the sloth. After reading “A Little Book of Sloth” by Lucy Cooke, students were inspired to help these tree-dwelling mammals. The elementary schoolers researched the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica, a facility that advocates the protection and rehabilitation of sloths in recovery, and then brainstormed ways they could raise funds for this organization. Students got active, completing earth-friendly chores around the house and writing informative and persuasive essays seeking donations for the Sloth Sanctuary. Their efforts continue as they learn more about the sloth through books and interactive videos. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10442 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT At John Quincy Adams Elementary School, students in Lisa Stallone’s class honored Earth Day by learning how used items can be transformed into beautiful and useful products. Students collected cans, plastic, paper and wood and used their imaginations to reinvent these materials to create robots, toys, clocks, birdhouses, accessories and stationery supplies. Through careful engineering, students took old water bottles and other used plastic containers to plant seeds and grow plants, demonstrating how something old can be reused to create something new. In addition, students studied the process of recycling and how to keep our environment clean through books, poems and songs. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10443 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Larisa Zambelli has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pa. Larisa has served as the Falcons girls varsity goalkeeper since the eighth grade and has been recognized as an All-League, All-County and All-Conference selection. An outstanding student-athlete, Larisa will be receiving a four-year academic and athletic scholarship to this Division I institution. In addition to leading the district team, Larisa also showcases her skills as a member of the Albertson Fury, a competitive soccer club. Pictured at right, girls varsity goalkeeper Larisa Zambelli signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and play soccer at LaSalle University. She was joined by her parents Joseph and Lisa Zambelli, coach Ian Kyranakis and District Athletic Director Dominick Fontana. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10317 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate students represented the district at the Suffolk County Art Leaders Association Children’s Show. Nine talented student-artists in grades 3 -5 had their artwork selected for display at Babylon Town Hall. This is the first year the school participated in this prestigious event, in partnership with the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts. Students and their families had the opportunity to visit Town Hall to view the entire exhibit and were honored at a special reception. Pictured at right, students from John F. Kennedy Intermediate School (back row, l-r) Isabella Coon, Jonathan Petrizzo, Giavanna Pitagno, Gianna Candelaria, Evan Loyola, (front row) Michelle Xuan, Rumeysa Camlica, Huda Nawaz and Jade Reyes had their artwork featured at the Suffolk County Art Leaders Association Children’s Show at Babylon Town Hall. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10318 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The League of Women Voters of Huntington visited the high school to present “Vote 18” to the senior class. These community leaders introduced students to a moving presentation on the importance of exercising the right to vote and the journey to universal suffrage in the United States. In addition, the league is sponsoring student Alicia Legland to go on a three-day conference and represent Suffolk County at Students Inside Albany. Students Inside Albany is a conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation Inc. The program is designed to increase students’ awareness of their responsibility in representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. Alicia is looking forward to exploring the political and legal aspects of various environmental issues. Pictured at right, high school student Alicia Legland was selected to attend the Students Inside Albany conference. She was congratulated by Heather Stewart, the district’s curriculum associate for social studies, and sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, represented by Brenda Reiss, League of Women Voters of Huntington co-president; and Judie Gorenstein, League of Women Voters of New York State Youth Program chair. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10042 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Students of John F. Kennedy Intermediate School participated in their annual Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart fundraiser. Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart are national education and fundraising events sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. During physical education classes, students completed a circuit of basketball-themed activities and learned how to develop heart-healthy habits while being physically active. The stations engaged students in teamwork challenges while empowering them to improve their own health and help support other kids with heart-health issues. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10043 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT In an effort to support the four-legged members of their community, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School’s Let’s Make a Difference Club held an animal supplies drive. Led by adviser Jacqueline Amato, students collected a variety of items to be donated to the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter. Students volunteered their lunchtime to man the donation station and enticed their peers to participate by providing raffle tickets with the chance to win prizes in exchange for donations made. Through the generous efforts of the school, the club donated many essential products, including food, pet shampoo, toys, biscuits and treats, grooming tools, blankets and towels to comfort the shelter animals until they find their forever homes. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=10044 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Students Sample Nutritious Foods In conjunction with National Nutrition Month, and in an effort to educate students on the new FDA nutrition recommendations, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School hosted a Healthy Snack Festival. Students visited stations set up throughout the cafeteria that featured visual displays and taste samples representing the new food plate in all of the food groups. Students received a sample of grains, fruits and vegetables and accompanying literature on healthy eating. The district’s food service provider, Aramark, sponsored the event, which was held at all of the primary schools. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9863 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate School fifth-grade students Samantha Giroux, Makenzie Koury Caldone and Angelina Pititto recognized that the need for help in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts is still prevalent throughout their community. These student leaders decided to take action and organize a targeted donation drive. They assessed the situation and asked their peers to contribute everyday necessities that are often overlooked, including household products, personal care items and baby supplies, to support the local nonprofit Long Island Cares and its grassroots mission. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9864 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Heralding a commitment to music education, the NAMM Foundation designated the Deer Park School District as one of the districts across the country named a Best Community for Music Education. The Best Community designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education an integral part of the core curriculum. According to NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen, the Best Communities for Music Education program, or BCME, is the bellwether of rising endorsement for this vital cause. “There is overwhelming research tying music education to higher overall student success in school and in life,” she said. “This designation recognizes communities for their commitment to music education and strengthens support for these programs. Having widely embraced the evidence indicating that music education yields great things in schools and communities, people are increasingly affirmative, advocating for school music curricula and championing programs like Best Communities that recognize this commitment to music education.” Now in its 14th year, the BCME program requires each school and district to detail funding, staffing, commitment to standards and access to music instruction. Responses are meticulously reviewed by researchers at the Institute for Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, Kan. (an affiliate of the University of Kansas) and the NAMM Foundation to calculate the designated districts and awarded schools. “It is gratifying that the music teachers and students from Deer Park are being recognized for their exceptional work,” stated District Administrator for Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Jeff Dailey. “The music program in Deer Park is very advanced and includes instruction in wind, string, and percussion instruments, as well as piano, organ, guitar, didgeridoo, dulcimer, and theremin. In addition, vocal music is also an integral part of the program, as is musical theatre, and the district offers college-level instruction in music theory. Our hope is to expand these programs and add new ones in the future.” As school districts across the United States finalize their 2013-2014 budgets, the announcement of this year’s Best Communities for Music Education designees focuses attention on the importance of keeping music education as part of schools’ core education. Past designees report that receiving a BCME designation significantly improved their ability to preserve their schools’ music education programs. The BCME program is a significant tool in the NAMM Foundation’s advocacy efforts on behalf of school-based music education. Numerous studies have demonstrated that learning to play music can boost student achievement and contributes to a school’s and district’s goals for success for all students. “The designation reveals the elements of music programs so that educators, administrators, teachers and students can see what they have, what they need, what they have accomplished, and what work needs to be done to strengthen their music education now and for the future,” Luehrsen said. According to its official website, the NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9810 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Pre-kindergartners at the Abraham Lincoln School, along with their special adult helpers, participated in a winter workshop themed “You Gotta Have Heart.” The workshop culminated lessons on heart health and was inspired by Steven Kellogg’s “Mystery of Missing Mitten,” a book the students had read that tells a tale of a young girl, her favorite mitten and a snowman’s heart. Students created their own snowman out of a sock and designed a big, unique red heart for their sock snowman. Students also listened to the rhythmic beats of their heart and their helper’s heart using a stethoscope and then completed an aerobic activity to track how their heartbeats change following activity. “Teachers read a story to students about a lost mitten, and we incorporated that literacy lesson into a seasonal activity,” explained Abraham Lincoln Principal Dr. Christine Criscione in describing the multidisciplinary approach to the winter workshop. “In addition, students completed exercises that taught them about their heart rate while working with a family member.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9720 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT A talented cast of Deer Park High School thespians performed Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” Students worked for weeks to portray this coming-of-age tale that focuses on Jay Kurnitz (Alexander Stephani) and his younger brother Arty (Sam Henkel), left in the care of his grandmother (Megan Cain) and Aunt Bella (Faith Ahmed) in Yonkers, N.Y. Jay's father Eddie (Joseph McGarty) must work as a traveling salesman to pay off debts incurred following the death of his wife. Supporting characters Uncle Louie (David Reyes) and Aunt Gert (Michelle Rubino) add to the mix of this highly dysfunctional family. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9721 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rebecca Fox, a sixth-grader at Robert Frost Middle School, worked her way to the top when she participated in her school’s annual spelling bee. The eight contestants in the schoolwide bee were those who received a score of 100 on the written spelling test, which was administered by the middle school’s English department to every classroom. Rebecca’s win placed her in the Long Island regional competition, held at Hofstra University as part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. Students in grades 4-8 from 103 schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties attended the event, which was led by Hofstra University’s Dr. Carole Clark Papper. Dr. Papper, a noted professor of writing studies and composition, served as head judge and moderator. Rebecca was a strong competitor and had an impressive finish, taking the 18th spot. At right, sixth-grade student Rebecca Fox is congratulated by curriculum associate Lynn Winters and Principal Eliana Levey. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9587 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Abraham Lincoln School pre-kindergarten students learned the importance of dental health through an interactive program led by local dentist Eric Hanson. Dr. Hanson taught students about dental characteristics and the stages of tooth development. Utilizing props, he demonstrated the ways to keep one’s mouth healthy, including brushing twice daily for at least two minutes, using proper flossing techniques and making regular visits to the dentist for check-ups. In addition, students learned that healthy eating habits help maintain strong teeth. Dr. Hanson encouraged students to eat vegetables and stay away from sweets and soda. Students also became aware of how important teeth are to speech patterns and practiced articulating statements such as, "There's magic in a healthy smile,” saying the phrase normally at first and then attempting to say it without touching their tongue to their teeth. Following the presentation, students received a new toothbrush to bring home and practice what they had learned. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9382 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Crystal Harris has signed a National Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at the University of Albany. Crystal is a four-year member of the Deer Park girls varsity lacrosse team and is the starting goalie. As a field player and goalie, Crystal has worked hard to improve her skill sets and joined the Albany Elite Lacrosse Club team, allowing her to compete with the state’s best athletes in tournaments such as the Northeast Challenge and Northern Rise. An active member of the educational community, Crystal has participated in the Varsity Leaders Club, SADD Club, Spanish Honor Society and International Culture Club and has been the recipient of a Breakfast of Champions and New York State Scholar-Athlete award. In addition, Crystal participates in Explorers at the 1st Precinct, which works to teach youths about the dangers of substance abuse and criminal activity. Pictured at right, Student-athlete Crystal Harris, joined by parents John and Maria Harris, is congratulated by Deer Park varsity lacrosse coach Anthony Saccone (far left) and District Administrator for Athletics Dominick Fontana (far right) for signing a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Albany’s lacrosse squad. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9383 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate School students connected through videoconferencing technology with Deer Park graduate and United States Army Specialist 4 Andrew Farquharson. Students were able to see and interact with Farquharson while learning about his deployment, military facts and life in Iraq via Skype. Andrew’s younger brother Matthew is a student in Marie Finley’s class, and his peers wanted to express their thanks to those who serve our country. The class began a letter-writing campaign, sending messages of thanks to the men and women of the armed forces, local firefighters, first responders and police officers in honor of 9/11 and Veterans Day. Specialist Farquharson wanted to personally thank students on behalf of U.S. Army 6/8 Cavalry Squadron, 3rd Infantry Division, who were recipients of the letters overseas. The informative discussion supported the students’ social studies curriculum and provided insight on topics of government, good citizenship and cultural literacy. Farquharson enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 2010 and attended basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. before being assigned to Fort Stewart, Ga. in May 2010. He was deployed to Ninewa Provinice, Iraq from July 2010 to June 2011 and has received numerous awards for bravery and tactical skills, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Sniper Selection, Good Conduct Service Medal and Member of the Order of the Combat Spur. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9098 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT John Quincy Adams Elementary School celebrated Parents as Reading Partners Month with a variety of literary events and activities. This year’s theme, “Put Your Heart into Reading,” was based on the character of the Tin Man from L. Frank Baum’s classic tale of “The Wizard of Oz.” The program kicked off with a visit from performing arts students from the high school, who engaged the audience in a reader’s theater version of “The Wizard of Oz.” Following the presentation, reading teachers explained the goal of PARP to students. "PARP is about getting us extra excited about reading in the cold, cold winter!" teacher Lauren Corcoran enthused. Each student received a commemorative button that illustrated the PARP theme, and teacher Elissa Martin described how students could participate. “During PARP, you will be doing a lot of fun reading activities at home,” she explained. “You can read to your sibling or dog and share your books in your favorite reading spot.” In school, storyteller LuAnn Adams engaged students in an interactive program where she told educational stories and utilized puppets and visual props, which students controlled as the story progressed. Students and their families also enjoyed Pajama Activity Night, which included a performance from author Lee Knight and story time with JQA teachers. The school set a reading goal of 10,000 books, tracked by a yellow brick road winding throughout the hallways. If they meet that mark, students will vote for Principal Jennifer Rodriguez to complete a silly celebratory action based on their suggestions. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9097 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park High School student-athlete Sabrina Riley has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at Le Moyne College. A senior, Sabrina will join the Division II Dolphins squad next spring and has one more season left to excel in the district’s athletic program. Sabrina shares her athletic and academic talents through the high school’s National Honor Society, Varsity Leaders Club and Senior Class Club. At right, high school senior Sabrina Riley is joined by Deer Park varsity softball coach John McCaffrey, mother and father Joy and Chris Riley and District Administrator for Athletics Dominick Fontana for her Le Moyne College National Letter of Intent signing. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=9096 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The music students and teachers of Deer Park High School were a captive audience for a unique recent concert featuring The Volunteers, a U.S. Army rock band from Fort Drum, NY. The band performed a variety of tunes that had everyone off their feet, clapping and singing along. The talented ensemble – which included string, brass, percussion and vocal musicians – interacted with students throughout their set. The Volunteers are the rock component of the United States Army Field Band. Members described the mission of an Army band, which is to build morale throughout the country and entertain the troops, as well as their experiences traveling around the world and training. The United States Army Field Band has long been active in the educational community, and The Volunteers, together since 1981, presented Deer Park students with an educational and entertaining production. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8963 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The students of Deer Park High School wanted to respond to the devastation Superstorm Sandy brought to their community and found a way to make a local impact. As Babylon residents continue to recover following the storm, students organized the "Maroon Cross" project, inspired by the Red Cross and playing off their school colors. Led by teacher Kyle McCourt, students created a list of essential items that residents need for everyday living. The high schoolers launched a campaign and collected winter clothing and household items to donate to towns in Babylon. A variety of products were donated, including bottled water, cleaning supplies, garbage bags and canned foods, as well as bags full of coats, hats, scarves and boots. Students prepared the donations and loaded the packages for delivery and will continue to plan outreach efforts. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8964 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT During the cold winter months, Deer Park High School students stay active helping the community through various outreach efforts. For the past 10 years, the school’s Health Education Action Team club has organized an annual winter coat drive. The donation drive was spearheaded by senior Kim Block, who has coordinated the drive for the last three years. The club was successful in its mission and collected more than 50 gently used and new coats to help keep local families warm. Led by Deer Park health educator and HEAT adviser Sherry Deacon, the coats were brought to Whitehouse Cleaners & Tailors in Bay Shore, where they will be sorted, cleaned and then distributed to those in need. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8965 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT When fifth-grade student Steven was placed on long-term medical leave following surgery, his John F. Kennedy Intermediate teacher John Colford implemented distance-learning technology to keep him connected to his peers and curriculum. Every day, Steven used the communications software Skype to virtually connect with his class from his bedside during their morning meetings. At these meetings, which serve as important tool for students to build recall and life skills, students review their “business cards,” describe the weather and highlight subject areas. In addition to watching and listening to lessons, Steven was also included in the activities of the day and actively participated during instruction by responding to questions. In addition, Steven was able to enjoy read-aloud time three times a week when the school librarian visited the classroom and read a story to him and his classmates. Web chats also facilitated the fifth-grader’s connection to his peers, teachers and staff. “It’s very clear to see the spirit that Steven brings to the dynamics of the class,” said Mr. Colford. “The students loved interacting with him through Skype. It also allowed him to be included and to not fall behind simply because he is at home.” To supplement classroom lessons, Mr. Colford sent home worksheets to Steven, who also received two hours of instruction from a teacher every night, along with his speech and physical therapies. Steven returned to school in early January and seamlessly re-entered class thanks to the use of technology as an educational portal. At right, John F. Kennedy Intermediate teacher John Colford utilized visual props during a Skype session with a student, whose classmates completed the same lesson simultaneously from their desks. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8871 Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The art department of Robert Frost Middle School responded to a request from the National PTA and came together to support the community of Newtown, Conn. The organization asked schools throughout the country to use their artistic talents to craft 3-D paper snowflakes to decorate the halls of the new school building, following the closure of Sandy Hook Elementary School due to the recent tragedy. Art students got to work and created more than 100 beautiful handcrafted snowflakes with bright ribbon woven throughout the delicate patterns. The whimsical winter hanging art was sent to Newtown to welcome Sandy Hook students into their school. In addition, middle school student Emily Mahon developed an outreach letter-writing campaign and during English language arts classes students penned personal messages of encouragement for Sandy Hook students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8872 Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Students at John Quincy Adams Elementary School participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Math-A-Thon. This is the second year that students completed the Math-A-Thon Funbook and raised donations to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Under the guidance of math lab teacher Marianna Grieco, students were engaged in a variety of math lessons through both the written workbook and the online component. They applied their general math knowledge and solved varying formats of math questions, which incorporated problem-solving, puzzles and activities. More than 50 students took the challenge and raised more than $3,100 to help the children and families of St. Jude. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8769 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Totianyu Guadalupe has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for the 2011 NCAA Division II Champions at the College of Saint Rose. Totianyu is a seasoned athlete and three-year member of the district’s varsity soccer team and plays for East Meadow United in a national league. She was a key member of Deer Park’s 2009 undefeated squad and the 2010 league championship team. In addition, she was named an All-Conference soccer selection and is captain of the track team, for which she was named All-League and All-Conference and was recognized with the Most Valuable Player Award. As an active member in the school community, Totianyu gives back through the Varsity Leaders and Community Service clubs. Pictured at right, Deer Park High School student-athlete Totianyu Guadalupe has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer at the College of Saint Rose. Totianyu was joined by (l-r) coach Ian Kyranakis, mother Andrea Guadalupe, sister Kaleena Guadalupe, father Edward Guadalupe and Administrator for Athletics Dominick Fontana. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8770 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Rome Jenkins has accepted a full scholarship to attend Concordia College in Westchester County. An elite athlete, Rome will join the Clippers Division II basketball team and has signed his National Letter of Intent. Rome has been a member of the Falcons boys varsity basketball team for three years and leads the successful squad as a captain. In addition, he has been recognized as an All-League and All-Conference player and was selected as an Alzheimer’s All-Star for two consecutive years. Pictured at right, Senior athlete Rome Jenkins signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Concordia College and was joined by (l-r) father Ray Jenkins, boys varsity basketball coach John McCaffrey and District Administrator for Athletics Dominick Fontana. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8642 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT When John F. Kennedy Intermediate School teacher Angela Giannotti’s son John wanted to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the school stepped up in a big way for both the young boy and the organization. John was granted a wish through the foundation and decided he wanted to give back and help Make-A-Wish children like himself who are in need of emotional support. He created a toy drive and enlisted the help of the JFK educational community, who hosted the event. Students, families and staff spread the message and through a variety of donation drives collected an enormous amount of gifts to be shared with ill children. To thank John and JFK for their tremendous efforts, Make-A-Wish representatives visited the school to present them with congratulatory plaques. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8641 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Throughout the district, student-musicians excel within their schools’ programs and are being recognized by regional ensembles for their talents. Four students were chosen for the 2013 Long Island String Festival, which featured the musical styling of Kalvin Guyer and Noah Roff of Deer Park High School, Maya Kovic of Robert Frost Middle School and Catie Wilkonski of John F. Kennedy Intermediate School. Selection to a LISFA ensemble is a highly competitive process, based on superior scores at the annual New York State School Music Association solo festivals and school music teacher recommendations. In addition, an impressive 23 fifth-grade students from John F. Kennedy Intermediate have been accepted to the Eugene Reichenthal Recorder Festival. This festival is held in the spring and sponsored by the Suffolk County Music Educators Association. All JFK students have the opportunity to learn the recorder in the third and fourth grades through musical instruction. Upon entering, fifth-grade students who excel on the instrument are invited to join the school’s recorder band and thereby become eligible to participate in the recorder festival. The district congratulates the following students and music teacher Gregg Romano for their hard work and success: Tahana Ahmed, Wendy Aparicio, Alexis Bell, Jamie Borah, Jack Brennan, Ryan Brown, Gabrielle Costa, Megan Curry, Diana Damian, Emily Destefano, Christina Diaz, Jenna Fisk, Jordan Galaor, Kalenna Guadalupe, Aramys Gutierrez, Brianna Hazoury, Danielle Izzo, Morgan Keular, Joseph Ortiz, Giavanna Pitragno, Alexa Skoubas, Alisha Suhail and Maya Vazquez. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8640 Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park educational community came together to celebrate the post-season honors of its fall student-athletes. Teams were recognized with both academic and athletic awards and most notably, eight squads were named New York State Scholar-Athletes. Members of the kickline, varsity cheerleading, boys cross-country, girls swimming and diving, girls varsity tennis, girls varsity volleyball, girls varsity soccer and boys varsity soccer teams received certificates and pins for achieving and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 90 or better throughout the season. In addition, the varsity football, girls varsity swimming and diving and Robert Frost Middle School seventh-grade girls soccer teams were presented with the Sportsmanship Award based on the recommendations of officials and opposing teams for their fair play and good sportsmanship on the field of competition. During their successful season, the boys varsity soccer team claimed the League IV Championship and their coach, Rob Franco, was named League IV Coach of the Year. Both the girls varsity soccer and girls varsity volleyball teams were playoff qualifiers, while the boys junior varsity soccer team finished the season undefeated, with an overall record of 15‐0. Pictured at right, the Deer Park boys varsity soccer team was recognized at a recent Board of Education meeting for their League IV Championship win. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8541 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT May Moore Primary School hosted a book fair for students – one that took a multidisciplinary approach to a traditional event. Students had the opportunity to browse an extensive collection of reading materials and select the genres that interested them most. Examining fiction and nonfiction books, magazines and graphic novels, students read plot summaries and author bios to choose their purchases. In addition to building a love of literary works, students also engaged in monetary lessons. They were challenged to calculate their budget and the money they had available to spend, and add the cost of each of their items to determine how much they could afford. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8527 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT First-graders at John Quincy Adams Elementary School came together, along with their parents, to construct gingerbread houses for the winter season. Parents guided students through the gingerbread house-making process, which required the use of frosting, graham crackers, candy, licorice and other decorative yet edible treats. The first-graders eagerly designed each of their winter wonderland houses, with their parents assisting when necessary. Students were able to bring their creations home to enjoy with friends and family. Principal Jennifer Rodriguez said that the event provides an excellent platform for the parents to come into the school and work with their children. “It builds a sense of community,” she said. “It is a creative activity for the students to do with their parents and have something tangible to bring home.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8528 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park High School hosted its annual Wrapping and Rapping Party to culminate the district’s Adopt-A-Cherub project. Organized by the school’s SADD Club, and in partnership with the district social workers, students adopted 37 “cherubs” and collected more than 100 gifts. Needy families throughout the community were identified and their age, gender and interests provided for students to purchase appropriate gifts. Students reached out to their peers and were able to enlist the help of more than 100 student volunteers to purchase wrapping materials and wrap the gifts. Participating club members included the student council, Gay-Straight Alliance, ICC, Cornerstone Club, Art Club, Freshman & Senior Class, Leaders Club, Women’s Choir, HEAT Club and Varsity Leaders Club, as well as individual students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8529 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Music Club of John Quincy Adams Elementary School dressed in western hats, printed bandanas and cowboy boots for their performance of "Christmas at the O.K. Corral." Under the direction of teacher Matt Spataro, student-actors played their roles and sang songs such as “Christmas in the West” and “Bubble Gum Goo” in front of a festive Wild West backdrop. Students entertained the audience with choreographed musical routines and even Santa made a cameo appearance. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8530 Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School students responded to the call for help this holiday season by launching Operation Shoebox. This community service project benefited Babylon residents who were adversely affected by Superstorm Sandy and was done in partnership with the local organization Neighbors Helping Neighbors Babylon. Led by teacher Lindsay Baudier, students selected the gender and age of a person in need and filled a shoebox with respective items that may bring some cheer and help fulfill life’s necessities. Students got creative and festively decorated boxes, which contained small toys, toiletries, warm socks, puzzles and crayons. Each box was accompanied by personal messages of encouragement and tagged for recipients. All of the boxes will be delivered to families in Babylon during the holiday season. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8443 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Fashion Club students at Robert Frost Middle School lent their trendy skills to the Giving Doll project. The Giving Doll was created by Jan Householder in March 2006 as a community outreach project when a friend’s daughter, Katherine, became a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Handmade cloth dolls were constructed by volunteer sewers, and Katherine brought the dolls with her to the hospital when she went for treatments. Katherine found comfort in the simple toy and shared her fabric companions with other children, thus beginning a beautiful movement. The program has now expanded to include children in a variety of settings worldwide, and in December 2011, the Giving Doll reached a milestone with 10,000 dolls donated. For the project, led by teacher Cindy Adriaenssens, more than 60 Deer Park students came together to craft the delicate tote bags that hold the doll accessories. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8444 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT High school students recently entertained the community with the One Act Play Fall Festival, produced by district teachers Michael Moriarty and Kristen Wallace. Students performed seven short plays, each directed by a student stage director who chose their respective casts from a talented pool of high school thespians. The young actors met every day after school to rehearse scenes and perfect their roles in such artistically challenging plays as “The Lottery” by Brainerd Duffield, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Burton Bumgarner and “The Banana Trial” by Eddie Zipperer. The festival showcased the students’ diverse acting skills and took the audience on journeys to the darkness of mankind's soul, the obstacles of romance, the silliness of human behavior and the bond of lifelong friendships. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8274 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Six students from Deer Park were selected for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association’s PEAK (Parents, Educators and Kids) Festival at Northport High School. These fourth-grade students attended a day of music activities with their parents. The intergenerational program allows students and parents to connect on an artistic level. Festival entry was highly competitive, but thanks to the outstanding talents of Deer Park’s young musicians and the leadership of teacher Catherine Lubrano, students and parents alike enjoyed this educational experience. The district congratulates fourth-graders Diya Chabra, Casey Fonescda, Arianna Lerch, Sandra Patino, Alisson Ponte and Kimberly Robles on being selected. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8275 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park Arts Council presented a live radio show version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on Tuesday, December 11th at Deer Park High School. This production was staged as an old-time radio show, with the actors speaking their lines into stage microphones. The performers were selected from throughout the Deer Park Schools and community. Members of the Synergy Theatre Company are also part of the large cast of characters. 2012 marks the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth, and his beloved Christmas story of Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge has not lost any of its appeal over the centuries. The Deer Park Arts Council was formed in 2010 to support the arts in the Deer Park Schools and in the community. Proceeds from A Christmas Carol will help fund scholarships for Deer Park students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8149 Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT May Moore Elementary School held a special election for students to vote for their favorite author. Students launched campaigns for candidates Eric Carle and Cynthia Rylant and created election videos using state-of-the-art multimedia technology. They learned the techniques of filming on a green screen, a blank backdrop that allows the videographer post-production to superimpose a scene on the background so that it looks like students are posed in various virtual locations. Prior to voting, students received voter registration cards complete with their personal information needed for voting. They entered one of four private voting booths equipped with computers and were led through the proper voting process. Following voting, students visited three tables, where they received a certificate, bookmark and stickers for participating in the democratic process. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8164 Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT To kick off Election Day at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, student government candidates running for the positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer stood at a patriotically dressed podium and presented their nomination speeches. The speeches, which were delivered in the gymnasium, festively decorated in red, white and blue for the occasion, brought an interactive element to the study of the election process that the intermediate school students had been learning. In this fourth annual event, students organized and ran campaigns, designing posters and persuading classmates for their votes under the direction of student government advisors Ms. Ghiraldi and Ms. Lombardo. “The students go through the entire process, simulating a real election,” said Ms. Ghiraldi of the student government campaign. “There is a primary election, students campaign around the school and deliver their self-written speeches to the school, and then the student body votes.” Following the assembly, students returned to their classrooms to receive their ballots and place their votes. Upon their election, those in student government will convene once a month to plan for the upcoming year. “We do a lot of fundraising—mostly to benefit the school, but also for charitable organizations,” stated Ms. Ghiraldi. “This year we are going to be focusing on raising money to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8017 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Eighth-grade members of the National Junior Honor Society at Robert Frost Middle School came together to organize and assemble holiday food baskets for those in need throughout their community. A variety of nonperishable donations were collected from the entire school prior to Thanksgiving. Assisted by NJHS adviser Seth Margolin and teacher Tim Lamb, students sorted the donated food items into categories such as pasta, stuffing and dessert items before filling approximately 20 baskets with complete, well-balanced meals. The baskets will be distributed to local Deer Park families to help during the holidays. “This is important because it keeps the students helping out the community. All of the baskets go to families within Deer Park,” said Margolin, noting, “It is really staying within the community.” NJHS secretary Jenna Norizsan said that the food collected for the drive will help people throughout the community. “We are helping people in need by donating food for Thanksgiving,” she added. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=8018 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Abraham Lincoln pre-kindergarten students enjoyed the school’s Thanksgiving Feast with their classmates in a dining room festively decorated with autumn-colored leaves and turkey characters. Students expressed their individuality by wearing different headdresses – representing Pilgrims, Native Americans and live and cooked turkeys – and were served a traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and biscuits. The lunch, which culminated classroom lessons on the fall holiday, reinforced the concepts of unity and acceptance of others and illustrated the diversity upon which the United States was founded. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7874 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park High School hosted a day of advanced education for its students with a Career and PSAT Day. The collaborative effort was coordinated by business teacher Jill Perry-Eising and the Deer Park School/Industry Advisory Board. Sophomores and juniors applied their knowledge for the comprehensive practice test, while the ninth-grade class participated in an interactive career day program. The freshman event kicked off with a group assembly and featured keynote speaker Jean Alerte, a Deer Park graduate and successful entrepreneur. Students then broke into small groups to tour job stations, which included approximately 50 representatives from a variety of industries. The ninth-graders took notes as professionals offered helpful information about their educational paths and specifics about their careers in diverse fields, including sales, finance, athletics, communications, technology, medicine and journalism. The interactive sessions provided students with valuable insight into areas of career interest and the chance to network with people established in those industries. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7867 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Seventh-grade students in Lindsay Baudier’s social studies class at Robert Frost Middle School showed their appreciation to both past and present military personnel by participating in Applebee’s National Thank You Movement. In honor of Veterans Day, the students personalized their own postcards with messages of thanks and praise for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. “On Veterans Day, it is important to remember the soldiers who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Baudier. She explained that the postcard activity taught students the importance of thanking all veterans who have served the country through their continued commitment, courage and honor. “Freedom is not really free,” she added. The cards written by the students at Robert Frost will be sent, along with all cards from the New Jersey and Long Island area, to military personnel on active duty overseas, according to Applebee’s. Since its inception, Applebee’s has collected 2.6 million thank you messages and is striving for a goal of 5 million thank you messages this year. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7868 Sun, 18 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Advanced Placement Program, offered at Deer Park High School, presents several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. In addition to the honoree receiving an award certificate, this achievement is acknowledged on any AP score report sent to colleges the following fall. The high school tallied an impressive 54 students who earned a 2012 AP Scholar Award throughout various categories and achieved an average score of 3.30. Two National AP Scholars Granted to students who received an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. 11 AP Scholars with Distinction Granted to students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. 11 AP Scholars with Honor Granted to students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. 32 AP Scholars Granted to students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7568 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Pre-kindergarten students at Abraham Lincoln School participated in their annual pumpkin workshop. This year, students worked with a “special guest” to make a pumpkin votive candleholder. Parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles assisted the children in transforming an empty jar into a festive decoration. “It’s a great opportunity for parents to see the skills their children have developed since the start of the school year,” said teacher Laura Oddo. “For most students, this is their first time attending a day program, so everything they’ve been learning is brand new to them.” Prior to the workshop, students studied pumpkins in the classroom. “This workshop allows students to improve their motor skills, which will help prepare them for writing,” stated Principal Dr. Christine Criscione, who encouraged parents to let their children do most of the work. “The fun for the kids today will be the fact that you are here to give them your undivided attention.” Students enjoyed the seasonal activity, putting their imagination to work cutting, pasting and painting. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7569 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT In the effort to help save lives and encourage families to make a pledge together to limit or eliminate distractions in the car, Allstate Insurance Co. brought the Allstate Family Driving Challenge course to the high school. The Family Driving Challenge is designed to heighten awareness around the dangers of distracted driving. Participants drive a course, trying to navigate cone-lined lanes and focus on the road while encountering a range of common driving distractions. Teens, parents and teachers rode together in the capacity of driver and passenger and attempted to safely drive while texting, talking on the phone, listening to loud music and handling rowdy passengers. Utilizing state-of-the-art driving technology, Allstate driving professionals tracked course data, calculating completion times through the various obstacles and charting the number of objects hit during each run. “It is imperative that we as a district are proactive in keeping our students safe, whether they be in the classroom or on the road,” stated high school principal James Cummings. “With the help of Allstate’s program, we were able to bring this unique opportunity to our students and engage the entire community in this life-saving initiative.” Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens and take an average of 11 teen lives each day; motor vehicle-related injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1-34; and teens crash four times more often than any other age group. Tragically, younger, more inexperienced drivers under the age of 20 are the most likely to be involved in distraction-related fatal crashes. In fact, car crashes remain the leading killer of American teens overall, with nearly 5,000 teens killed and 300,000 injured annually. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7426 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT John Quincy Adams and May Moore elementary schools participated in an artistic seasonal activity. Local nursery Hewlynn Home and Garden Center donated pumpkins to every first-grade class that came together to craft unique works of art. Students painted, glued and sculpted pumpkins into diverse characters and scenes and presented their creations to the school so that their peers could vote for their favorite. All of the pumpkins will be displayed at the nursery located at 1971 Deer Park Ave. during the month of October. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7286 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Abraham Lincoln Pre-kindergarten Center celebrated Fire Prevention Week with a visit from the local Deer Park fire department. Students learned from fire and EMT professionals who spoke about fire safety and how to respond in case of a fire emergency. Students learned to “stop, drop and roll” and how to navigate through a house filled with smoke. A firefighter, dressed in his equipment, showed students how the gear protects him from flames, and allowed them to handle certain materials. For the grand finale, students received a fire truck tour where they inspected the truck’s equipment and witnessed the power of the truck’s water hose. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7287 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park community celebrated homecoming by paying homage to its past, as the district invited Deer Park High School’s Class of 1964 to serve as grand marshals of the pre-game parade and also renamed the football field in honor of former board member and booster club president Al Centamore. High School Principal Jim Cummings announced that the district wanted to honor the school’s original graduating class in recognition of the building’s upcoming 50th anniversary. “Some things have changed over the years, but what has never changed is our strong Deer Park community,” Principal Cummings told the sizable crowd that turned out for the game between the Falcons and the Huntington Blue Devils. “I think today is a great example of that. The amount of people that were on this parade route was fantastic. We thought it was a fitting tribute to recognize members of our first graduating class and invite them to serve as grand marshals. It’s important to hold onto some of the great things from our past and our rich tradition. That’s what makes a community strong.” Additionally, Superintendent Eva J. Demyen was pleased to announce the football field renaming in honor of Al Centamore, a lifelong Deer Park resident and former district board member. “We wanted to show our appreciation for Mr. Centamore’s lifetime of commitment and his thousands of hours of volunteer work for the Deer Park community,” Ms. Demyen said. “His presence has been instrumental in this community for the past 50 years. He is a former Deer Park student, he raised his entire family here, his children are graduates of our great school district, he was on the school board for almost two decades and he is a past president of the booster club.” District student-athletes, musicians and club members walked together in the annual parade and showcased the class floats inspired by this year’s theme, cartoon shows. The homecoming court waved to onlookers, and Nicolette Tortorici and Dan Keller were named homecoming queen and king. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7161 Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT High School Principal James Cummings announced that senior Jessica Curry has been named a Commended Student in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, was presented by the principal to this scholastically talented student. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. An active member of the educational community, Jessica belongs to the National Honor Society, serves as co-president of the high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, competed in the Varsity Challenge on the Academic Team and is part of the editorial team for Enigma Art and Literature magazine. Jessica also takes advantage of the rigorous coursework the district offers students and has completed or is currently enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement classes, including English Literature, Economics, Government, Art History and Art Portfolio. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7162 Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park Arts Council will host its season kickoff event on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The community is invited to attend an evening of performances and exhibits, which will feature the talented student and staff musicians and artists of Deer Park. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, a variety of festivities will take place, including a keynote address by Roger Tilles, member of the Board of Regents for Long Island. Selected students will be honored with the induction of new Tri-M Music Honor Society members and the highly anticipated announcement of the musical for 2013, which will be accompanied by a special preview performance. Faculty members will showcase their fine and performing arts prowess with a concert by the faculty jazz band and a display of artwork created by the art faculty. Finally, Arts Council members will provide an overview of what the council has done and what it plans to do in the future. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7160 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The district continues to advance its instructional technology program with the recent expansion of the one-to-one student laptop program. Currently, students in grades 5, 6 and 7 are equipped with personal MacBooks, covering more than 1,000 students across three grade levels and two schools. Now in its third year, the laptop initiative has placed MacBooks in the hands of students earlier than in the previous years, which is advantageous in supporting lesson plans and academic research and enhances curriculum from essentially the start of the school year. Students will experience differentiated academic-driven activities, and future plans include providing students with virtual field trips and the opportunity to develop and publish their work to a wide Internet audience. “Over several years the 1:1 laptop program has evolved and students are further engaged in a variety of diverse subject areas,” stated District Administrator for Instructional Technology Andrew Choi. “Instructional technology classroom resources help provide students with individualized lessons, while allowing them to learn at their own pace and challenge their learning potential.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=7011 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tuesday marked the anniversary of Sept. 11, a day that revealed the profound human capacity to care for one another and to recognize common humanity through spontaneous acts of generosity and response -- acts that transcend differences of race, nationality, religion, economic strata and political affiliation. In remembrance of 9/11, May Moore Elementary School planned a day of honor and historical education. Students and staff wore red, white and blue to commemorate the day now known as Patriot Day and began their morning by joining in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by second-grade students. Students then gathered on the school’s lawn with small American flags in hand. Each student took time to place his or her flag in the grass, creating a blanket of red, white and blue across the green landscape. In addition, students created an American flag mural out of colored cups, which they featured on the school’s front fence. Inside classrooms, teachers engaged students in the book “On That Day: A Book of Hope for Children” via SmartBoard applications that addressed the critical question, “What can you do when bad things happen?” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6823 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bright smiles, fresh shoes and sharp, new backpacks shone through the cloudy day as district students arrived for the first day of school. Teachers, staff and administrators greeted them as they descended from the bus steps and walked through the entrances of their schools. Classroom walls were vibrantly decorated with charts, graphs and educational facts and resources as students settled into their seats, met classmates and started off the school year in style. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6747 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The district not only works to educate well-rounded students, but strives to educate students year-round. Most recently, the Deer Park partnered with the Suffolk County Department of Labor Summer Youth Employment program, which funded employment for 10 of the district’s special needs students to work with younger students within the district’s special education summer school program. Students worked as classroom assistants throughout the versatile summer school program and completed various tasks, including working with teachers to help younger students succeed through educational activities. The comprehensive, extended school year offers special education students the opportunity to expand and enhance their skills throughout the summer with technology-based projects, literary problem-solving tasks and interactive tactile learning. In addition to the financial education they receive by earning a paycheck, student helpers also benefit from weekly work readiness workshops led by a district business teacher who guided students through the resume writing and job application process. This innovative initiative benefits everyone involved and fuels the cooperative learning experience. The district is able to employ students and provide them with an opportunity to prepare for the future and make money, while helping teachers nurture and develop students enrolled in our summer school program. Students participating in the summer program are able to practice what they have learned during the school year, ensuring a seamless transition into the next phase of development. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6685 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park welcomed the district’s incoming kindergarten students in style with schoolwide play dates. John Quincy Adams and May Moore Elementary Schools opened their doors prior to the first day of school for an afternoon of fun and introductions. Students and their parents arrived at their respective schools and had the opportunity to meet their principals, teachers and classmates. The playground served as the social center where students played together and enjoyed a snack provided by the schools’ PTAs. As the play date came to a close, students exited through the gates to board a bright yellow school bus, where they became familiar with proper bus etiquette and practiced a safe riding experience. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6655 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park High School sophomore and girls varsity lacrosse athlete Shannon Doolan has been named a 2012 Brine National High School All-American. The high school attack player was selected to represent Long Island in the 2012 Brine National Lacrosse Classic, which was held this summer in Boyds, Maryland. The Brine National Lacrosse Classic brings the top 400 high school underclassmen lacrosse players in the country to one venue, where 16 regional teams competed to become the 2012 National Champion and qualify to compete for an international championship later in the year. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6523 Sun, 29 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Members of the high school’s DECA Club have received numerous honors at competitions for their work on various levels this past school year. Students were honored with Suffolk County Legislative Proclamations from Legislator Steve Stern and certificates from the district for their achievements. Four students earned honorable mention in the Suffolk County competition, with 13 taking home trophies. Kayla Downs won first place in Suffolk County for her project in Food Marketing, while Alyssa Orzo won third place in Apparel & Accessories. At the New York State competition, held in Rochester, four students were named in the top ten. These included Andreas Stamataskis, who also took first-place honors in the county, for Principles of Marketing, Magnolia Chiri and Merly Bonilla for the Professional Selling Event and Phil Scarfi for Food Marketing. Additionally, Merly and Magnolia were invited to participate in the Senior Management Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to Deer Park High School DECA advisor Greg Menig, DECA is open to any student who has taken a business class at the high school, and covers fields such as marketing, business management and administration, finance and hospitality. The club participates in regional, state and national competitions throughout the year. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6513 Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park students have ranked regionally and nationally in the National French Exam, administered by the American Association of Teachers of French. Many students from the district took the test, with four students – two from Robert Frost Middle School and two from Deer Park High School – placing in Suffolk County and the nation. High school sophomores Danny Desroches and Yasameen Saleem competed on Level 3. Danny was ranked fifth in the Suffolk County chapter and 11th nationally, while Yasameen was ranked seventh in the county and 13th nationally. Robert Frost Middle School eighth-graders Sabah Siddique and Kathleen Colbert placed in the top ten of Suffolk County and nationally. Sabah competed on Level 1A, placing seventh in the county and eighth nationwide, and Kathleen on Level 1B, placing eighth in the county and ninth nationwide. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6514 Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tanger Outlets presented grants to the district’s two elementary schools to support their educational programs. May Moore Elementary School received a $4,000 grant to purchase 15 iPads to be used by language and speech classes, while John Quincy Adams Elementary School was awarded $1,010 to help support its Family Fun Math Night event. Both grants were offered as part of the TangerKids Grant Program. “This year Tanger has established TangerKids Grants, and our mission is to provide funding for schools in our primary markets,” said Nancy Larson, the general manager at Tanger Outlets at the Arches in Deer Park. “We are very excited to be able to contribute to Deer Park’s academic initiatives.” Pictured below, Tanger Outlets at the Arches General Manager Nancy Larson (second from left) presented Superintendent Eva Demyen (far left) and (l-r) May Moore instructional technology teacher Wendy Kraus and speech teachers Karen Acquilino and Christine Michels and JQA math lab teacher Marianna Grieco with grants to purchase 15 iPads and to fund Family Fun Math Night, respectively. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6515 Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT District athletic teams were recognized for their on-field and academic achievements during the 2012 spring season. Seven teams were designated as New York State as Scholar-Athlete Teams, which requires students to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90 or above for the entire season. These teams included varsity softball, varsity boys lacrosse, varsity girls lacrosse, varsity boys golf, varsity boys tennis, varsity boys track and varsity girls track. Additionally, the varsity boys lacrosse team, led by head coach Matt Griffith and assistant coach Mike McLaughlin, and the junior varsity boys golf team, led by head coach Dan Ferguson, received the Sportsmanship Award in their respective leagues. This award is given to teams based on their outstanding sportsmanship on the field. Individual students received honors for Academic All-League, All-Division, All-County, All-State and sportsmanship achievements. Varsity boys lacrosse player Thomas Kalkowsky and varsity girls lacrosse player Jordan Lazarich received the Unsung Hero Award. Varsity softball player Sabrina Riley was named a League IV Player of the Year Runner-Up. Recognized for his strong coaching ability, junior varsity boys lacrosse coach Brian MacConnell was honored as Junior Varsity Coach of the Year for the respective league. In addition, the varsity boys golf team, coached by Alex Mesimeris, was a Suffolk County Playoff Qualifier for the season. Pictured below, the varsity softball team was recognized as a New York State Scholar-Athlete Team for the 2012 spring season. Team members were also recognized with honors including All-League, All-Division, All-County and All-State. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6516 Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park educational community came together for the high school’s 49th commencement ceremony to honor the Class of 2012. Seniors, teachers and administrators, dressed in maroon and white caps and gowns, were led by members of the American Celtic Pipe Band, while family and friends cheered for the graduates as they processed into the school’s gymnasium. Student Council President Samantha Effinger began the ceremonies by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by senior Jesse Pimpinella performing a rousing rendition of the national anthem. Senior Class Advisors Alison Branca and Michael Barrigas introduced President Philip Scarfi, who urged his peers to “remember this moment” and all of the thoughts and feelings associated with this monumental time in their lives. Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen then congratulated students on their accomplishments thus far and encouraged them to maintain their adventurous spirit, stimulate innovation, continue to prosper and always move forward. Valedictorian Kevin Tresselt noted that their diplomas do not come with a roadmap to outline their future, and that this is a time for the class to find their own way, explore different paths and take advantage of opportunities presented to them. Salutatorian Ishrat Ahmed described the journey she and her classmates have taken together and their shared experiences, which have helped them grow into unique individuals. In Falcon tradition, the guest commencement speaker was Class of 2002 Valedictorian Michael True, who instructed students to create a personal definition of the term “success.” He asked students to think about what success means to them, identify what is important in their lives and work towards that goal, always staying true to themselves. High School Principal James Cummings concluded the addresses and reminisced about his time serving as principal of this class at both the middle and high schools. He described the growth and maturity of the Class of 2012 throughout the years and the pride he felt for the newest alumni of the Deer Park School District, who will soon enter a new phase in their lives. Superintendent Demyen performed the conferring of diplomas, after which Board of Education members had the distinct honor of awarding diplomas to the Class of 2012. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6381 Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The district celebrated moving-up milestones at Robert Frost Middle School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School. The district’s eighth and fifth-grade classes were honored at their respective events, which highlighted various achievements and looked towards the future. Students, teachers, families, administrators and Board of Education members supported the student-focused ceremonies with cheers and congratulations. At Robert Frost Middle School, Principal Eliana Levey opened with a welcome address and Student Council President Joseph Ramirez shared class memories. Board of Education trustees presented student awards, which included academic and service recognitions as well as community-sponsored scholarships. To conclude the ceremony, the eighth-graders received certificates signifying their completion of middle school and their much-anticipated advancement to the high school. The John F. Kennedy Intermediate fifth-grade class convened in the school’s gymnasium as Principal Susan Bonner and Student Council President Dominick Albertelli welcomed everyone in attendance and reflected on the past year. Building administrators presented attendance awards and national academic recognitions, and parent groups selected students for special awards. In addition to entertainment provided by the Flute and Clarinet Choir, the entire class performed a rendition of “We’ll Meet Again.” Fifth-grade teachers took the podium to speak about classroom highlights before announcing each student, who proceeded to the front of the gymnasium to receive his or her certificate. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6357 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT May Moore and John Quincy Adams Primary Schools culminated a year of learning and laughter with moving-up ceremonies at their respective buildings. The district’s second-grade class came together to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their new adventures at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School in the fall. The festive mornings featured a presentation of the class, which was highlighted with student academic, community service and attendance awards. Students also expressed their talents through musical performances and thanked their buildings’ respective PTAs for their support throughout the school year. May Moore second-graders wore signature maroon school shirts and sung the school song, performing the tune in English, Italian and Spanish. To conclude the ceremony, students showed their patriotism by waving American flags as they marked the end of the school year. At John Quincy Adams Elementary School, “Where Falcons Learn to Fly,” the inspirational poem “Children Are Like Balloons” set the stage for a joyful ceremony. In addition to the moving-up tradition, the class left their mark with a tree-planting ceremony. Students gathered on the school’s lawn to help fill the hole with dirt where their new crape myrtle tree stands. The school also unveiled their lettered sign and entrance fence donated by local business Gappsi with a PTA-led ribbon-cutting ceremony. Abraham Lincoln’s pre-kindergartners invited their families for a day of entertainment at their “All Aboard…Next Stop Kindergarten!” presentation. The children performed unique choreographed songs and dances that conveyed important messages of friendship and learning with numbers such as “Me Complete,” “I’ve Been Working Hard in Pre-K” and “I Am Special.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6351 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School student Gianna Locker is a scholarship recipient in the Babylon Covantage Ecotech program. Expanding upon her eighth-grade curriculum knowledge, Locker studied the possibility of generating fuel production from goose droppings and developed a comprehensive science research project, which took first place in the competition. She was assisted throughout the research process by teacher Dawn Ferro, who was also recognized for her leadership in science education with the Teacher Advantage Award. In addition, John F. Kennedy Intermediate students Adriene Campos and Alyssa Rivera took first and second place, respectively, in the Babylon Covanta Recycling Poster Contest. These students identified key issues in the areas of pollution and waste and created viable solutions that address and remedy these problems. Sponsored by the Town of Babylon in partnership with Covanta Energy Inc., these awards are presented annually to top-ranking school science projects with eco-tech themes. The projects, which in the past have included themes such as alternate fuel generation, emissions reduction, environmental mitigation and sustainable building methods and materials, are meant to help introduce new and creative ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Pictured below, science teacher Dawn Ferro and Robert Frost Middle School student Gianna Locker were honored by the Babylon Covantage program for their work in the areas of environmental preservation. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6219 Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Members and representatives of the High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club, Health Education Action Team (HEAT) and the sophomore class gathered to present a $500 donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering of Commack at the conclusion of its Hair Extensions Cancer Fundraiser. Administrative Manager of Regional Care Administration Lisa Nemerson accepted the check on behalf of Sloan Kettering. Also in attendance were SADD advisor Janet Werner, HEAT advisor Sherry Deacon, sophomore class advisor Jenine Moran, event coordinator Barbara Charity, High School Principal James Cummings and Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen. During the fundraiser, which is in its second year, Cactus Salon in Deer Park donated hair extensions, which were bought by students and then applied by beauticians. Each color available represented a different form of cancer, which was the main focus of the event. “We wanted to emphasize the fact that there isn’t just one type of cancer,” said Ms.Werner. “Cancer comes in many colors and that is what the extensions represent - pink for breast cancer, teal for ovarian cancer, etc.” Nemerson, who has been with Sloan Kettering of Commack since it opened10 years ago, assured students that their donations will be used for research purposes and will in fact make a tremendous difference locally. “We wanted to keep the money in the community so the students could see the fruits of their labor,” said Ms. Werner. Added Ms. Charity, “This fundraiser educates the students, gets them involved with a good cause, and shows them that they really can make an impact.” Students also made contributions to the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition and to Deer Park High School alumna Jaelene Chow. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6177 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The district’s elementary schools combined an active day outdoors with friendly competition at their respective field days. John Quincy Adams Elementary School students were motivated by this year’s theme “We Go Together,” inspired by the classic movie Grease. Wearing field day t-shirts that represented their team colors, students participated in a variety of water-themed activities, including sponge relay races and events such as fly-fishing to test their coordination. At May Moore Elementary School, students played their version of the popular show Survivor, in which they were encouraged to “Outwit, Outplay & Outlast” the competition. The jungle-themed activities challenged students to complete an array of tasks, including the Kangaroo Relay, Coconut Chase and Lava Jump. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=6012 Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT May Moore Elementary School students sprang into fitness mode through the use of active video games during their physical education classes. Fitness professionals brought the iGame4 Fitness Program into the school to promote physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle by integrating larger-than-life interactive and educational video games into school curricula. In small groups, students rotated through diverse fitness stations consisting of dance, aerobic and adventure activities, each of which featured 100” screens, projectors and video game consoles, while heart rates and calories burned were tracked to collect data. Throughout the sessions, students improved their endurance, flexibility, balance and overall health while building teamwork skills. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5905 Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club organized a schoolwide food drive to benefit local food pantries. Students advertised the event through posters and made daily announcements encouraging their peers to participate. The drive was a success, with students collecting more than 600 pounds of food to be distributed to community organizations. To recognize students’ contributions, Town of Babylon Community Development Program Project Manager Florence Findley and Town of Babylon Human Services Deputy Commissioner Traci Fonville visited the school to accept the donation and present students and club advisor Janet Werner with certificates of appreciation. Officials thanked students for participating in the Global Youth Service program and described how their efforts will help support families within the community. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5906 Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park hosted the New York State Science and Engineering Fair’s Andromeda and Broadcom divisions at Robert Frost Middle School. Over 375 students from various middle and high schools presented their science research to judges. Among those awarded for top projects were Deer Park eighth graders Mohammed Babar and Nicholas Pascalli. All seven of the district’s students who were selected to participate are middle schoolers enrolled in the STAR (Science, Technology and Research) classes taught by Dawn Ferro. Students’ preliminary work was assessed for viable topics eligible to enter the junior division of the competition known as Broadcom. After researching a concept in the fall, the students conducted additional research on the science behind their idea before creating and designing an experiment to conduct independently. They executed their projects after collecting and analyzing the necessary data. Matthew Pacheco, Ahmed Abdeltawab, Nicholas Pascalli, Daniel Perepezko, Neha Ali, Mohammed Babar and Joseph Sanchez were selected for the competition and showcased diverse topics, including those representing the environmental, electrical and chemical sciences. During the fair, students presented their research problems, methods, abstract summaries, research logs and results to the judges. Award recipients will be recognized at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair ceremony at Jericho High School. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5834 Sun, 20 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Critically acclaimed local author Brian Heinz visited John F. Kennedy Intermediate School to conduct writing workshops for students. His passions for nature, science and environmental research inspire the themes and unique characters that comprise his popular children's books and award-winning tales. Mr. Heinz conducted his signature program, “The Book: From Writer to Reader,” with the use of a 'road map' style mural board and visual aids. Through this special lesson, students learned how a book becomes a reality, from raw idea to finished product, and the many steps and people involved in the process. Students had the opportunity to view manuscripts, book “dummies,” sketches and final art, layouts and paste-ups, negatives, press proofs, blue lines, page signatures and unbound covers of his personal works, including Red Fox at McCloskey's Farm, The Alley Cat and Nanuk: Lord of the Ice. Throughout the lesson, Mr. Heinz shared writing tips and humorous anecdotes of his "on location" research trips to wild environments. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5701 Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Spanish language students from the High School participated in this year’s Spanish Poetry Contest at Hofstra University, a competition in which they displayed and shared their works with students from across Long Island. The Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Poetry Contest has provided high school students with a forum to culturally expand their minds and gain recognition for their achievements in Spanish for the past forty years. Inspired by their Spanish curriculum, students crafted poetry that included cultural, historical and geographic literary elements. Deer Park student Liza Chowdury’s standout writing took second place in the original poetry category, along with the submissions of students Henry Aguinada, Hashim Gray, Jonathan Hurtado-Salinas, Stephanie Lopez, Ismaldo Matias, Ada Ramirez and Nicholas Ruiz. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5602 Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The district recently hosted its first Long Island Student Shakespeare Festival. Students from schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties assembled in Deer Park to perform scenes from Shakespearean plays, explore the world of Elizabethan England, and participate in creative activities. The event was inspired by festivals promoted by the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC. Deer Park Director of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Jeff S. Dailey developed this unique educational program which featured musical performances and interschool activities. Student groups prepared for the event by rehearsing scenes from Shakespeare’s works before taking the stage to perform for other students. Festival adjudicator André De Shields provided feedback for the young thespians. Mr. De Shields originated the title role of The Wiz on Broadway and has also appeared in the Broadway productions of Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Full Monty, Stardust and Impressionism, among others. He recently returned from the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, where he performed in Tennessee Williams’ Camino Real. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5603 Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT To promote literacy across the district, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School special needs students visited Abraham Lincoln pre-kindergarten students for a reading buddies program. Students paired up and selected their favorite book titles, which JFK students read aloud to their eager partners. The morning provided an opportunity to apply and develop critical social skill sets and created an interschool educational experience for the district’s youngest learners. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5557 Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Following a successful season on the field and in the classroom, six Deer Park varsity winter teams have earned New York State Scholar-Athlete status. In order to receive this designation, the teams achieved and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 90 or better throughout the entire season. In addition, the Varsity Bowling and Varsity Boys Swimming/Diving teams received the Sportsmanship Award for their respective leagues. These teams were selected for this award based on the recommendations of officials and opposing teams for their fair play and good sportsmanship on the field of competition. Individual student-athletes were also named State Qualifiers, Academic All-County, All-League, All-Conference, All-County, Class AA All-Tournament Team and All-Rookie Team. Winter teams also advanced in playoff tournaments, where the Varsity Boys Basketball team became League IV Co-Champions and competed in the Class AA Semifinals. The team was led by Head Coach John McCaffrey and supported by Junior Varsity Coach Ron Langella, who were named Co-Varsity and Co-JV Coaches of the Year, respectively. Female athletes also had exceptional performances, with the Varsity Girls Basketball team advancing to the quarterfinals of the Class AA playoffs, while Varsity Kickline finished first in pom and kick and third in lyrical at the LIKA Championships. ATHLETIC AWARDS-WINTER 2011-12 Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach: John McCaffrey Assistant Coach: Justin Gutman This team was Co-Champions of League IV and advanced to the “Class AA” Semi-Finals. Coach McCaffrey and Coach Langella were named Co-Varsity and Co-JV Coaches of the Year respectively. Lenny Bates - Academic All-County Aaren Edmead - 1st Team All-League Keith Williams - 1st Team All-League, Class AA All Tournament Team Rome Jenkins - 1st Team All-League, All-Conference Kyle Bradford - 1st Team All-League, All-Conference, All-County Sean Scott - 1st Team All-League, All-Conference, All-County Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach: Mike Gennaro Assistant Coach: Holly O’Donnell This team advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the Class “AA” playoffs and was recognized by New York State as a Scholar Athlete Team. Gianna Locker - All-Rookie Team, Scholar Athlete Kelsey Dillon - All-League, Academic All-County, Scholar Athlete Nicole Gomez - All-League, Scholar Athlete Andrea Desvignes - All-League, All-County, Scholar Athlete Additional Scholar Athlete Members Kristina Anantua-Brown Kristen Fischer Jordan Lazarich Varsity Wrestling Head Coach: Mike McLaughlin Assistant Coach: Rich Englehardt David Hamil - All-League Robert Madgum - All-League Frank Matos - All-League Cory Muroff - All-League Valter Piccini - All-League Kenny Sciabarassi - All-League Mike Schutt - All-League Zach Lugo - All-League, All-County Boys Winter Track Head Coach: Chris Kauter Assistant Coach: Tom Brouillard This team was recognized by New York State as a Scholar Athlete Team. Scholar Athlete Members Henry Aguinada Adam Ahmed Jerome Berdecia-Alvarado Anthony Bolson Vincent Cotrone Joshua DeLeon Sean Dudley Rick Guerra Jihad Hameed Wai-Ga Ho Abul Karimi Daniel Keller Brandon Lynch Kiani Marcellus Ismaldo Matias Shahan Mian Tam Nguyen John Pfundstein Thomas Sandoval Andrew Schaefer Manan Singh Tyler Teng Girls Winter Track Head Coach: Jim Petti Assistant Coach: Mario Fiore This team was recognized by New York State as a Scholar Athlete Team. Scholar Athlete Members Ashley Brennan Gina DePietto Caitlin Drake Jessica Gormandy Isis Hodge Amanda Khare Sandra Popa Britney Ramnauth Nora Seem Melissa Spindler Nicole Spoelstra Victoria Trovato Ginger Valle Tyrane Williamson Daniela Zabbatino Varsity Bowling Head Coach: Anthony Tannacore This team received the Sportsmanship Award for their league. Adam Zimmerman - All-League, Sportsmanship Additional Sportsmanship Members James Brennan Jennifer Depre Steven Dorney Brianna Fatone Timothy Getchius Krystle Kozakevitch Matthew Montanez Zeth Rand William Rathje Varsity Boys Swimming/Diving Head Coach: Craig Mangio Assistant Coach: Gwen Bonn This team was recognized by New York State as a Scholar Athlete Team and received the Sportsmanship Award for their league. Brandon Peskett - All-League, Scholar Athlete, Sportsmanship Bryan Rennhack - All-League, Sportsmanship John Pawelko - All-League, All-County, State Qualifier, Scholar Athlete, Sportsmanship, School Record in the 500 Freestyle Additional Scholar Athlete and Sportsmanship Members Samir Bacchus Trevor Bernard Matthew Caldwell Max Christianson Kyle Doogan Justin Gallo Robert Hunt David Izsak Matthew Leichert Matteo Mule Ian Murray Anthony Porras Andreas stamatakis Kevin Tresselt Sergio Valoy Eric Wolff Kendrick Wong Kevin Xie Additional Sportsmanship Members Cristian Aguilar-Recinos K.C. Carter Marcus Diaz Daniel Gerardi Joshua Larcom Emmanuel Leger Kenneth Leger Scott Lovinger Sebastian Martinez Sergio Martinez James Murtha Reise Rand Varsity Cheerleading Head Coach: Lia Demyen This team was recognized by New York State as a Scholar Athlete Team. Scholar Athlete Members Chinella Charlton Karissa Fitzpatrick Concetta Gioeli Danielle Guida Victoria Herbst Jessica Lugo Julia Matera Micaela Morella Megan Murgittroyd Nicole-Ann Pagan Marissa Ramage Kedeisha Rose Keri Sickenberger Nia Thomas Varsity Kickline Head Coach: Kristen Smith Assistant Coach: Samantha McIllwaine This team finished in 1st place in pom, 1st place in kick and 3rd place in lyrical at the LIKA Championships. They were also recognized by New York State as a Scholar Athlete Team. Scholar Athlete Members Danielle Calcagno Nicole Cito Toni Ann Cox Amy Dinoff Kelsey Heyne Arianna Leo Gabrielle Miceli Emily Panzenbeck Nicole Pirro Taylor Thomas Sophie Watkins Kimberly Zelaya http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5558 Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT To celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, the students of the high school enjoyed a performance and workshop from Sergeant First Class (SFC) John Altman, who plays the trumpet in the U.S. Army Field Band. SFC Altman held a master class for the school’s trumpet players, who had the opportunity to thank him for his service. The Deer Park High School Jazz Band also had the distinct honor of having SFC Altman join their ensemble during an evening rehearsal. The day was a musical treat for students as they listened to the lead trumpeter play music by composers Haydn and Arutunian and had the opportunity to meet and perform with a member of the prestigious U.S. Army Field Band. Before joining the U.S. Army Field Band, SFC Altman received his B.A. at the Centre College of Kentucky and his master’s in jazz pedagogy and performance at Northern Illinois University. In addition to performing lead trumpet with the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, he has also been a member of the Florida Chamber Orchestra, Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Washington Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5446 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The students at John Quincy Adams Elementary School sprung into spring with green lessons. During the school’s Agricultural Literacy Week, students learned the importance of preserving the environment as well as the scientific process that occurs when seeds grow into plants. As part of the program, Robert Frost Middle School and Deer Park High School Family and Consumer Science students visited the elementary school to mentor students through the reading and writing activity “What Plant Am I?” Students learned about a variety of seed types and how seeds transform into beautiful plants. They were surprised to learn the unique ways that seeds mature, discovering that each seed has one tiny living plant embryo resting inside. The upperclassmen guided students through their projects, educating them on the changes both inside and outside of a germinating plant, and helped students prepare their seeds for planting. All of the elementary students went home with seeds of their own so they can plant trees and share their knowledge with their families. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5318 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Music students at the High School and Robert Frost Middle School recently participated in an interesting musician-in-residence program that left them in awe. Musician Rob Schwimmer performed on a Theremin, a small, box-shaped electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. Mr. Schwimmer taught students how to manipulate melodies using this unique musical instrument. They watched and listened as the musician methodically moved his hands between the two metal antennae without making physical contact with the instrument. As Mr. Schwimmer played, he explained that he creates music using the antennae; one determines the frequency, while the other controls the amplitude. Students were interested in learning the science behind the Theremin and took turns playing on the instrument themselves, experimenting with sounds. Theremins are also used in concert music (especially avant-garde and 20th- and 21st-century new music) and in popular music genres, including rock. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5319 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The district culminated National Language and Culture Month with a Hispanic Heritage Festival. Robert Frost Middle School Spanish language and English as a Second Language (ESL) students organized the vibrant event, which featured a performance by professional flamenco dancer Sol y Sombra. Students sampled Latin cuisine and celebrated the people, landmarks and history of the diverse Spanish-speaking countries around the world. In addition, the International Culture Club held its annual International Night, which was attended by hundreds of students and community members. Attendees enjoyed live music, demonstrations of martial arts and traditional dances from Peru, the Dominican Republic and Argentina. Students also performed international songs. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5310 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Students at Robert Frost Middle School had the opportunity to help the less fortunate, while learning important core educational concepts during a baking presentation. King Arthur Flour Life Skills Bread Baking Program instructor Gina Ciancia was on hand to show approximately 160 seventh-grade students how to make two loaves of bread – one of which the students could keep and the other to be donated to a local soup kitchen. Math and science theories were incorporated into the baking demonstration. Students Javairia Nadeem and Gulsum Camlira assisted Ciancia throughout the demonstration, from measuring the ingredients and kneading the bread to displaying the final products for other students to see. Ms. Ciancia explained how to make French and braided bread, cinnamon rolls, and pizza dough. “Students learn lessons in science and math,” said Director of Family and Consumer Sciences Celeste Archer of the baking program. “They also get to see how they can give back to the community by providing bread for those in need.” Each of the students took the ingredients home to bake both loaves, bringing one back for donation. This community service endeavor was provided to the school for free, courtesy of King Arthur Flour. The donated loaves of bread will be given to Presbyterian Soup Kitchen and Ascension Lutheran Church in Deer Park. “We feel it is important because students learn all of the academic skills behind it – they learn the math and the science, then they learn the food safety, time management, and the organization,” Ms. Ciancia added. “They also get the community service piece. It really is a holistic kind of approach to education, and they take a lot out of it.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5116 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The students at John Quincy Adams Elementary School participated in an interactive Kid Power assembly that educated them on the value of good nutrition and exercise. The musical show, entitled “Operation Lunch Line,” took students on a 3-D journey of exploration into the human body, using a boy named Max who does not eat or exercise properly. Students actively participated in the lessons as they worked together to motivate Max, giving him helpful tips on how to make himself a healthier person. The program identified the daily steps students should take to fully develop their knowledge and skills about good health and the necessary behaviors to accomplish a productive day. They also learned the importance of balancing nutritious foods and physical activities. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=5018 Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Each year, the John Quincy Adams Elementary School participates in the Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program. PARP is a literacy-based initiative that expands students’ reading skills and provides an opportunity for students and parents to spend educational time together. This year’s theme, “Catch a Good Book,” encourages students to read literature that appeals to their interests. Buddy Reading Days worked to pair students with their peers in other grades and classes and allowed them to share their favorite books with each other and learn something new from their reading buddies. During this activity, students also took part in “Wear a Hat to Read Day,” where they were asked to choose a hat that coincided with their book of choice. As part of the Buddy Reading Day, teaching assistant and resident author Darrel Clark visited classrooms to discuss his book The Happy Frog with students. He shared his experiences as an author as well as the steps taken to complete the writing and publishing process. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4966 Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Musicians from the John F. Kennedy Intermediate School Advanced Band had the opportunity to perform side-by-side with students from the High School Wind Ensemble. The unique program provided younger student musicians with the opportunity to be mentored by accomplished high school musicians, which culminated in a special assembly that entertained the audience in the intermediate school gymnasium. The district is known for its rich music program, and the event served as an excellent way to kick off March's Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM), which is a nationwide initiative to put the spotlight on music education. According to Dr. Jeff S. Dailey, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, the purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children, and to remind the community that school is where all students should have access to music. Not only is MIOSM an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and community, it also serves as a chance to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4894 Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT This year, May Moore Elementary School students will celebrate the Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program with the theme “Wild About Reading.” Students gathered in the school’s media center to hear the African tale Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema, read by Telecom Literacy Pioneers volunteer Kerry Brennan. The pages of this animated story were projected onto the SMART Board to provide an interactive reading experience. Students played an active role throughout the storyline, taking on the characteristics of the jungle animals including the iguana, monkey, owl, python, rabbit and crow. In addition to learning the origins of nature’s mysteries, students gained an appreciation for the delicacy of life and how all actions have repercussions. Telecom Pioneers is a national organization made up of a network of volunteers and corporate sponsors who have worked for more than 100 years to provide fellowship, loyalty and service to communities. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4895 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Students at May Moore and John Quincy Adams Elementary Schools kicked off Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) month with an animated performance by award-winning author, storyteller, educator and musician Michael Caduto. The program celebrated Native American culture through stories, song and dance in Flying Turtles and Talking Bears. Students were introduced to a cast of humorous characters with unique personalities as they were immersed in the experience of traditional storytelling. Students sang along to the accompaniment of guitar and drums and danced to the rhythm of rattles. The vivid tales sparked students’ imaginations and gave them a new perspective on nature and its inhabitants. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4835 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate School general education and special needs students came together for a production of “Friendly Neighborhood Helpers.” Students performed an action-packed play that educated the audience on the important contributions of local service people and professionals. Students took to the stage, dressed as crossing guards, firefighters, police officers and doctors to illustrate each profession’s contribution to a community, acting in skits and employing their respective occupational skill sets. Through vibrant scenes and informative dialogue, the young actors described how these people help others every day and expressed appreciation for their dedication and work. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4824 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Aaron Thompson signed a national letter of intent to attend and play football at Stony Brook University. An accomplished student, Aaron will major in physical therapy. He has helped lead the Varsity Falcons Football team to successful seasons which include playoff appearances. Individually, he has multiple All-County, All-Conference and All-Around selections, as well as a 2012 Zellner Award nomination for outstanding lineman in Suffolk County. In addition, Aaron was a member of the wrestling and track teams and is active in the community as a church youth leader. Pictured below (l-r) head football coach Ron Langella, strength coach John Furia, Kaylar Thompson (mother) and Athletic Director Dominick Fontana congratulated student-athlete Aaron Thompson on signing a letter of intent to play football at Stony Brook University. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4825 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT To support an ill student, the district came together to raise funds and lift her spirits. Robert Frost Middle School launched the Have a Heart for Christy campaign to benefit a student who has been hospitalized with a severe heart condition and is on the list for an immediate transplant. Students and staff at Frost, as well as parents, made generous contributions to the cause, and teachers came together to provide Christy with a special technology gift so that she can stay connected with her friends and teachers. In addition, students created heart-inspired paintings and drawings to express their care for Christy. Some of the artwork will be given to Christy to decorate her room. Through these amazing community efforts, the district has collected $2,311 to help the family cover medical costs. A very special thank you goes to the Transportation Department, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, CSEA members, and the students and driver of bus route #17 for their donation and card, as well as everyone who contributed to Christy and her family. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4720 Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The students of May Moore Elementary School in Tammy Cotrone’s first-grade class learned an important lesson about helping others as they prepared for their 100th day of school celebration. Students collected cans of food to donate to a local soup kitchen, tallying the number of cans brought into the classroom each day. The class couldn’t be more proud to see the shopping cart overflowing, which meant they had accomplished their goal of collecting at least 100 cans and non-perishables by the 100th day of school, a goal they achieved while learning the importance of community service. At John Quincy Adams Elementary School, first-grade students turned the clock forward and dressed as if they were 100 years old, with looks that included white wigs, pearls and spectacles. Students rotated to educational stations centered on the “100” theme, where they worked on MacBooks, counted and sorted various items, and created art projects. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4721 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The National League of Women Voters, Huntington division, visited Deer Park High School seniors to present them with “Vote 18.” The interactive presentation educated the Class of 2012, many of whom are of the legal age to vote, on the importance of exercising their right to vote and the journey to universal suffrage in the United States. To conclude the program, students completed voter registration forms and are now eligible to vote in local, state and national elections. In addition, the league announced that they would be sponsoring student Ishrat Ahmed at Students Inside Albany (SIA). The three-day conference brings together students from across the state to increase awareness of their responsibility in representative government, and to provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. SIA workshop topics will include ethics, lobbying and media and will allow Ishrat to connect with politicians and observe how the government operates. Ishrat was selected by the Huntington League for her outstanding essay and application submissions. Pictured below, the Huntington League of Women Voters (l-r) Judie Gorenstein, Brenda Reiss and JoAnn Alario-Paulsen congratulated student Ishrat Ahmed on her selection to the Students Inside Albany conference. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4637 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT High school foreign language students studying French, Spanish and Italian all had the opportunity to videoconference with students at either John Quincy Adams or May Moore Elementary School in a three-day initiative designed to benefit both groups with language enrichment. On day three of this effort, Ms. Conroy’s Italian class, comprised of seniors, teleconferenced with second graders at JQA Elementary School. “Doing this helps students express language in a fun and immersive way,” said Deer Park Curriculum Director of World Languages/ESL Gina Palasciano. Ms. Conroy’s class prepared skits, created posters, sang songs and used props that reinforced the basic learning of the Italian words for numbers, colors, animals and foods. Elementary students had worksheets and crayons to use as they followed along during the lesson and completed activities. The high school students sang the familiar children’s ditty “Old MacDonald,” which they combined with their posters and puppets to teach the names of the animals. Students have been participating in this type of interaction between the grades for many years, using teleconferencing for over five years. They use SKYPE, projected onto Smartboards, to view one another, while the camera and microphone are attached to standard computers. Students will be celebrating National Foreign Language Week throughout the week of March 5. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4638 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Jenai Davidson has signed a national letter of intent to attend and play soccer at Wake Forest University. Jenai will join the Demon Deacons this fall and continue her academic career at this prestigious academic institution. While a Falcon, Jenai and the Girls Varsity Soccer team made playoff appearances for four years in a row, claimed multiple League VI titles, and competed in three Elite 8 tournaments. At the central midfield position, Jenai was a team leader and named an All-County selection during her junior and senior years. A well-rounded student, Jenai’s exceptional character on the field translates to her performance in the classroom, where she is a respected and accomplished student. Her exemplary work ethic and determined attitude push her to reach her full potential and encourage her peers to do the same. Pictured below, Girls Varsity Soccer Head Coach Ian Kyranakis, Associate Principal Jeanne Regan, Lauryn Davidson (sister), Nicole Davidson (mother), Troy Davidson (father), Assistant Coach Greg Menig and District Administrator for Athletics, Physical Education, Health & Recreation Dominick Fontana joined senior Jenai Davidson during her letter of intent signing for Wake Forest University. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4639 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate School’s self-contained fifth-grade class, led by teacher John Colford and speech therapist Dana Hagan, were part of a team of educators, administrators, iPad app developers and camera crew that came together to showcase what students have learned using the iPad ShowMe application. The makers of ShowMe are in the process of creating a promotional video to illustrate the exemplary use of its application in schools, and JFK was selected for its successful integration of the program into the classroom. ShowMe is an interactive whiteboard that allows users to record words, write on the tablet, and import pictures to create an original and unique final product. To begin production, Mrs. Hagan was interviewed on how she utilizes the app during speech-language therapy, and how the tactile and phonic exercises benefit students. The class then engaged in small group work to demonstrate ShowMe lessons and reviewed previously recorded ShowMe projects featuring U.S. landmarks. Students also worked with Mr. Colford on a literary lesson, which focused on the parts of speech. The cameras documented the students’ development throughout the session as they expanded their vocabularies and improved pronunciation. Following the taping, students had the opportunity to review the tape and learn how the audiovisual equipment is used. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4581 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT In its continual efforts to provide students with innovative educational opportunities, the district recently opened a groundbreaking facility for its special needs population. The Life Skills Center, located in the Washington School, features a multi-room design that simulates a home setting. Each room, including a kitchen, bedroom and living space, provides a platform for students to learn specific skill sets and encourages them to become independent problem solvers. Throughout the school year, students visit the center to complete various activities. Robert Frost Middle School special education teacher Laura Valente’s class engaged in a food lesson. Students, with the assistance of speech teacher Christine Sokol, took a hands-on approach to making an ice cream sundae. They began by identifying the tools and utensils needed to create the sweet treat and then used key words to describe the ingredients. Building teamwork skills, students took on a variety of roles in gathering and setting tableware and practiced tactile learning by scooping their favorite ice cream flavors. They also reviewed proper table and dining etiquette and expressed their creative sides by decorating their desserts with a selection of toppings. This hub of education allows students to take on everyday tasks in an interactive learning environment. Students have the ability to work to their full potential and assist one another through the process. Expanding the center’s benefits districtwide, self-contained classes from John F. Kennedy Intermediate School will begin to utilize the center to enhance curriculum and development. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4503 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT First-grade students at John Quincy Adams Elementary School spread the love during their Valentine’s Day activities. During reading time, teacher Debbie Sciacca shared books that highlighted the character education themes of caring, compassion and friendship. To support their literary lessons, students described and graphed what they love about JQA, sharing sentiments about their classmates, teachers and favorite curriculum topics. Students then selected a personal statement and wrote their messages on fabric squares, accompanying their writings with drawings to illustrate their words. Once all of the squares were complete, each piece was connected to one another to form a unified class quilt of love. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4511 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Talented artist and high school student Jessica Curry was selected to have her work featured in a Manhattan exhibit. Her dynamic drawings and paintings are on display at 430 Park Avenue and can be viewed from the street and inside the building. Jessica has taken advantage of a variety of district art class offerings, including Drawing & Painting and Advanced Placement Art Studio. In addition, she was enrolled at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts last summer, where she studied with Deer Park art teacher Derek Mainhart. When the New York City show is complete, her artwork will be relocated to the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus in Old Brookville. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4380 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The John F. Kennedy Intermediate School joined the efforts of the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise funds for the organization while promoting a healthy lifestyle for students. Since 2006 the school has participated in the “Jump Rope for Heart” and “Hoops for Heart” community service programs, which support life-saving research for heart and blood vessel diseases and stroke. During their physical education classes, students were educated on AHA research, which shows that the habits and choices developed in childhood directly influence whether or not a person develops heart disease later in life. Reducing the risk of many forms of heart disease can be as easy as maintaining a regular exercise routine. Motivated by the health statistics, physical education teachers designated two weeks in January to help students learn about the importance of heart-healthy exercise. All students participated and became active in aerobic activities, which included Skip-Its, hula hoops, swing bars, straight bar ropes, jump ropes, long ropes, hopscotch and jumping lines. Through the generous sponsorship of students’ family members and friends, the school was able to raise more than $16,000 for the AHA and its mission. This year the school donated in honor of fifth-grade teacher Dennis Maffei who suffered a heart attack this winter. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4344 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Year of the Dragon was off to an auspicious start for third-grade students at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, as they celebrated the Chinese New Year in authentic fashion. After studying the geography, economy and culture of China, students were ready to take part in one of this country’s most famous customs. Students gathered together to read about the origin of Chinese New Year celebrations such as dragon parades, fireworks and feasts. Teacher Helene Cotter provided each student with a red envelope containing play money, a traditional Chinese custom that is said to bring good luck in the New Year. At the conclusion of their celebration students enjoyed a feast of Chinese food. This was the second leg of a yearlong virtual trip through the seven continents using the district’s distance learning technology. It has become a memorable way for students to complete the third-grade social studies curriculum. “At the beginning of the year students made paper suitcases to take on their travels,” explained Ms. Cotter. “We began in North America, by studying the U.S.A. As they complete each leg of the journey, students will be using their suitcases to gather information and mementos to remind them of all that they have learned.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4322 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Students at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School advanced their safety knowledge during the district’s extreme water safety program. Fifth graders visited the high school swimming pool to participate in dynamic water activities. Students learned physical skills related to self-rescue for critical situations such as muscle cramps, exhaustion and sudden immersion into cold water. While clothed, students entered the pool to simulate emergency scenarios and practiced survival techniques, including floating, swimming, huddle positions, using clothing as flotation devices, and understanding the importance of lifejackets. Students also learned how to handle unusual circumstances, such as a submerged vehicle or capsized boat. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4251 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School student Daniel Fisher was named a semifinalist in “Rock the Statue Green: A Transatlantic Art Contest.” District French language students participated in this worldwide competition, which celebrated the 125th birthday of the Statue of Liberty. Students created inspirational work through various artistic media, including songs, essays, photos and drawings, while keeping the spirit of the environment at the forefront of their visions. Daniel’s detailed and expressive drawings, presented in poster form, infused green ideals and impressed the judges, who awarded him semifinalist designation. The program was organized by the French Embassy, in collaboration with the U.S. National Park Service, Statue of Liberty National Monument and the American Association of Teachers of French, who hosted this Franco-American contest for K-12 students in both the U.S. and France. Pictured below, Daniel Fisher showcased his artistic abilities and environmental awareness through his detailed portrayal of the Statue of Liberty and with the assistance of foreign language teacher Nancy Wolman. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4238 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School held its first annual spelling bee as part of the Howard Scripps National Spelling Bee. Preliminary rounds began with a written quiz that was administered during all English classes. Fifteen standout spellers scored 100 and advanced to the building-wide competition. Following an intense battle of words, student Kailey Tenn was named the winner and will now participate at the regional level in March at Hofstra University. If successful at this tournament, Kailey will join students nationwide at the televised Howard Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4186 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT High school earth science teacher Janet Werner has been named the Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month. Throughout her 34-year career in the fields of science and education, including the last 14 years as a teacher within the Deer Park School District, Ms. Werner has worked to inspire students through her innovative teaching techniques and positive perspective. Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen identified Ms. Werner as a valuable member of the educational community, noting, “It takes a specific quality to have the ability to draw people in, and that is what she does every day.” Ms. Werner possesses a dedication to academia that surpasses classroom instruction, demonstrated by her efforts to stay ahead of the curve on current topics and themes through seminars and educational programs. Within the high school, she has expanded course opportunities for students by spearheading a college oceanography class (in conjunction with Stony Brook University) and an astronomy class, both of which are extremely popular within the student body. Working to develop well-rounded students, Ms. Werner has also held the position of advisor for a myriad of extracurricular clubs, including the Scallop Bowl, the Environmental Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), which hosts and sponsors a variety of island and district-wide programs and conferences. Upon receiving this award, Ms. Werner described her passion for education and stated, “It’s not work when you love what you do.” Dowling College Dean of Education Dr. Clyde Payne visited Deer Park to present the award to Ms. Werner and capture video footage to highlight her accomplishments, students and school, which will air on News 12. Dr. Payne shared that Ms. Werner was a standout selection. “Of all the nominations, she was overwhelmingly chosen as number one,” he stated. “She is not just doing outstanding classroom work, but engages in more worldly endeavors as well.” Curriculum Associate for Science and Technology Samir Biswas, along with district administrators, colleagues and current and former students, nominated Ms. Werner for this award. Pictured below, Dowling College Dean of Education Dr. Clyde Payne presented teacher Janet Werner with the Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month Award. During the ceremony she was congratulated by (l-r) High School Principal James Cummings, Curriculum Associate for Science and Technology Samir Biswas and Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4145 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate School fourth-grade students learned the art of literature through the Reading and Writing Curriculum of Teacher's College at Columbia University. District teachers followed the published work of author and professor Dr. Lucy Calkins, entitled Writing Fiction: Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions. Students explored the curriculum through various writing units in which they used different elements to create realistic fiction writing pieces that featured genre-specific characters, plots and scenes. To exercise these skills, students participated in lessons on the complete writing process by imagining stories they wished were true, developing believable characters, creating different leads to their stories, and writing powerful endings. In order to showcase their work, fourth-grade students came together for a culminating Realistic Fiction Writing Celebration. Students were grouped together to share their writings with their peers and provide positive feedback to one another. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4071 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The High School Students Against Destructive Destructions (SADD) Club hosted a districtwide "Neighbor to Neighbor" conference that engaged students in a unique initiative. Ten students from grades five through eight were invited to participate in a series of workshops and activities to address current issues that young people face today. The goal of the daylong program was to create an awareness of these challenges and develop unified plans of action. Workshops included bullying and its effects, strategies to overcome bullying, and the sharing of stories with those who have experienced bullying. In one workshop, groups expressed themselves by creating a series of skits, which they presented on a variety of topics including texting, social acceptance and peer relationships. The day culminated with each group creating a poster depicting what they had learned. Each piece will be displayed in the students’ respective schools for their peers to view, along with a certificate of participation. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4072 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The high school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club convened for a "Wrapping and Rapping" party to cap off the districtwide Adopt-A-Cherub holiday program. SADD Club advisor Janet Werner-Kempski and club members recruited organizations and clubs within the high school to donate and wrap more than 100 gifts, which will be given to the student "cherubs" they adopted for the holiday season. Each club was provided with the age and gender of their cherub and then selected appropriate gifts, including clothes, figurines, board games, books, teddy bears, playing cards and sporting goods. SADD Club staffers were pleased to have the opportunity to make someone else’s holiday a little brighter this year, especially those less fortunate in these tough economic times. "The gifts will be given to district students in need," Werner-Kempski said. “This event is about music, fellowship and wrapping presents.” While students wrapped the gifts, they enjoyed a festive afternoon of chatting with teachers, listening to music and bonding with their fellow classmates. The SADD Club was joined by members of Deer Park High School's Anti-Bullying Club, Community Service Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Theater Club, Comic Book Club and Senior Class Boys' Varsity leaders, all of whom participated in the program and made it a success. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3927 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Under the direction of Ms. Lubrano, the students of May Moore Elementary School’s Music Club presented their annual wintertime performance of Snoozy Snowflake for parents, classmates and community members. Set during the wintertime, the story centers on Snoozy Smowflake, played by student Jordan Perez, whose actions have held up the first snowfall of winter. Snoozy claims to be tired and just wants to rest, but the real reason for her lack of enthusiasm is that she desires to be different. Her teacher, Mr. Frost, played by teacher Jeremy Smith, reminds Snoozy that all snowflakes are different and each possesses unique qualities. Hearing that she is special is a joyous revelation to Snoozy and she is reminded that each person is special and capable of making a unique contribution to his or her family, school, and community. A cast of 20 student ‘snowflakes’ and 11 others dazzled the audience with a variety of songs including “Snow’s a No-Show” and “Get Flakey.” Special thanks to Ms. Lubrano, the entire cast, Ms. Cullinane (set design), Ms. Bogart (audio), Ms. LoPiccolo (t-shirts), Mrs. Skoljarev (snowflake) and all of the parents for attending. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3928 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Pajama Program is a not-for-profit organization that provides new, warm pajamas to children in need throughout the United States, and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School has joined its mission. Students in Kate Torres’ class organized a schoolwide drive and encouraged their peers to donate new pajamas to the cause. As a class, students sorted the pajamas and created a display in the hallway to graph the clothing collected by size and gender. Students worked to raise awareness of the need to provide at-risk children living in group homes and shelters, many of whom are orphans, with warm, clean nighttime clothing. The school’s assistance with the Pajama Program comes during the most urgent time of the year, when the thermostat dips and the harsh winter months settle in. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3915 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The district inducted 29 students into the high school’s chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. These newest members of this prestigious international organization were selected based on their musical ability, academic excellence and school involvement. Tri-M Music Honor Society is designed to recognize and reward students for their achievements while inspiring their peers to excel at music and leadership. Another goal is to increase student and school involvement with music and to build a stronger and more unified music program. The 29 new inductees will join the current 11 members who will be led by advisor and music teacher Mr. Abrams. Members participate in a variety of community service projects and school performances throughout the school year. Across the island, Deer Park student-musicians participate in a variety of elite performances and concerts. Four students were selected for the Long Island String Festival and will join the organization’s countywide ensembles. In addition, the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME) and the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) All-County Music Festivals will include six Deer Park students who will join other division central schools and perform in the chorus ensembles. Seven of the district’s youngest musicians were chosen to participate in the PEAK Festival, sponsored by SCMEA. PEAK, which stands for “Parents, Educators and Kids,” is a special program for musically talented fourth graders in which students, parents and music teachers participate in a variety of musical workshops to hone and enhance students’ skills and broaden their interests in music. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3845 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Following a successful fall season, the district is proud to announce that eight teams have earned New York State Scholar Athlete status. In order to receive this designation, the teams achieved and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 90 or better throughout the entire season. In addition, two varsity teams and the Robert Frost Middle School seventh-grade boys soccer team received the Sportsmanship Award for their respective leagues. These teams were selected for this award based on the recommendations of officials and opposing teams for their fair play and good sportsmanship on the field of competition. On the field, four teams qualified for playoff competitions, with the Girls Varsity Volleyball team capturing the League IV Championship. Individual student-athletes on all teams were named to the elite All-County, Academic All-County, All-Conference, All-League and Academic All-League teams. Girls Varsity Volleyball player Jean Etersque was named the League IV Most Valuable Player, while teammate Julia Connolly was named the League IV Rookie of the Year. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3749 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT In addition to being academically gifted, members of the Robert Frost Middle School National Junior Honor Society recognize the importance of giving back, especially during the holiday season. To make a positive impact within the community, Deer Park students came together to sponsor a Thanksgiving food drive. The middle school students crafted posters and made daily announcements to encourage their peers to donate nonperishable food items to the cause. Following weeks of collection, students volunteered their time to sort the cans, boxes and bottles and created complete meals, from snacks to desserts, for families in need to enjoy. The Thanksgiving meals were distributed to families in the community prior to the holiday. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3687 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The pre-kindergarten students at Abraham Lincoln School came together to give thanks and share a Thanksgiving feast. Students learned the history of Thanksgiving and crafted traditional garments including hats, vests and headdresses. Dressed as Pilgrims, Native Americans and turkeys, students sampled a variety of foods and discussed what they are thankful for in their lives. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3690 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The professional musicians of Project Trio facilitated master classes for the student-musicians of Deer Park. Project Trio members Greg Pattillo, Eric Stephenson and Peter Seymour worked with students one-on-one and through group ensembles to prepare for a live community concert, which took place later that evening. String and brass music students districtwide, including the High School A Cappella Chorus, High School Chamber Orchestra and flute, cello and bass players in grades 5-12, participated in interactive workshops. Through innovative instruction, students learned distinctive techniques and fine-tuned their theatrical performance pieces. The master classes also enabled students to explore their creative prowess and expand their musical repertoire by experimenting with diverse genres of music under the guidance of Project Trio. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3621 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Students at May Moore Elementary School learned about American history and the value of service by actively participating in Veterans Day. Tammy Cotrone’s kindergarten class honored their heroes by building a visual display of their loved ones who served, and are currently serving, in the armed forces. The faces of the service men and women, their military commendations and references to the wars fought comprised a timeline of the brave actions of these men and women. In addition, students crafted flag pendants as patriotic symbols of their support for our troops, which are now displayed in the Town of Babylon Hall. Students also expressed their thanks through letters to local veterans, which were distributed to community veteran groups. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3660 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School student Nicholas Alo placed third in the Town of Babylon Veterans Awareness Week Essay Contest. As seventh-grade social studies teacher Lindsay Baudier educated students on the significance and meaning of Veterans Day, she made students aware of the opportunity to participate in this competition. Inspired by this year’s theme of “My Hero” and the American History curriculum covered through classroom lessons, Nicholas wrote a moving piece on his grandfather, Frank Alo. Over the years, Nicholas has connected with his grandfather through listening to stories about his time and experiences serving in the armed forces. Mr. Alo joined the Army in 1955 and had to leave his family to travel overseas and serve in Germany as a member of the artillery squad. Through these conversations, Nicholas not only gained a great respect for his grandfather, but for all of the men and women who have protected America’s freedoms throughout history. Nicholas was eager to participate in the Town’s Veterans Day tribute and submitted his personal essay. He attended a Town Hall ceremony for the competition’s winners, where he was recognized for his achievements with an award certificate and given the opportunity to read his essay for a group of veterans and political officials. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3565 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park’s Health Education Action Team (HEAT) presented at the annual New York Highway Safety Symposium. High school students Keesha Hilarion, Haley Pratt, Steven Lynchard and Brandon Ramsaran, under the leadership of club advisor Sherry Deacon, were selected to share their knowledge of innovative district programs during the symposium, which featured critical information on teens and destructive decisions. Students spoke about the need for teens to make better decisions when getting behind the wheel, especially refraining cell phone use, specifically texting while driving. During their presentations, students addressed state agencies, including the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Transportation, and spoke on topics of prevention, enforcement, prosecution and proactive education. Students interacted with various professionals, exchanged information, and learned about grants, legislative issues, data and statistics, as well as effective local, state and federal initiatives to make the roads safer. The New York Highway Safety Symposium attracts more than 350 professionals from local, state, federal and private agencies who are involved in efforts to reduce deaths and injuries related to traffic accidents. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3564 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Autumn artwork served to decorate the walls at Abraham Lincoln School, where pre-kindergarten students completed seasonal pumpkin activities. Students invited special adults guests to join them in a variety of educational and artistic projects. Students and their adult assistants created decorative pieces using different simple materials. Expressing their individuality, they added unique characteristics and practiced their crafting skills. As their pumpkins dried, the pre-kindergarteners engaged in fall-themed academic activities, including piecing together a leaf puzzle. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3509 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The district works throughout the school year to ensure the safety of its students and educate them to carry out a healthy lifestyle. Most recently, Robert Frost Middle School students participated in Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for students to make a personal commitment to live drug-free lives, with the ultimate goal of a drug-free America. Throughout the week, students engaged in a variety of drug prevention programs such as Police Smart. Police Smart is facilitated by local law enforcement officers who speak to students on the devastating consequences of drug and alcohol use and draw from personal and professional experiences to impact the student audience. In addition, National Junior Honor Society and Student Council members created a visual display for their peers and community by placing red ribbons on the trees that border the school. During the week, all students attended school wearing red to signify their dedication to the drug-free movement. Students at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School united for Red Ribbon Week to promote a drug-free environment and raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. Students wore red ribbons that symbolized their commitment to the positive movement and participated in a variety of educational activities. Each day of the week was designated to being drug free and featured its own theme, such as “Be a Hero - Pledge to Be Drug Free” and “Go Green - Don’t Let Drugs Pollute Your Life.” Students learned about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drug use through an engaging assembly entitled, “We’re No Dummies, We Don’t Take Drugs.” In addition, all students had the opportunity to participate in the school’s essay contest, which was inspired by this year’s theme “HERO” - Help, Encourage and Respect Others. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3472 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT High school senior Kevin Tresselt has been named a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Kevin is one of approximately 34,000 students nationwide who earned this honor, placing him among the top five percent of students who competed for this recognition. More than 1.5 million students entered the 2012 competition by taking the SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, placing Kevin in an elite group of academically talented students. Academically, Kevin excels in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society, Academic Team and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. In addition, he is involved in a variety of extracurricular activities including Student Council, Varsity Leaders Club and Jazz Band. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3168 Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Bold signs that read “Diversity, Respect and Dignity” lined the gymnasium of Robert Frost Middle School. The eighth-grade class came together to experience a powerful workshop led by motivational speaker Paul D. Failla. A retired twenty-seven year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department, Mr. Failla’s character education program combined humor, role-playing and storytelling to deliver a message of tolerance and human diversity. Mr. Failla drew on real-life experiences and historic events that addressed many of the challenges and stresses young people face at school and in social settings. Through this interactive program, students built self-confidence, self-assuredness and leadership skills while gaining a heightened awareness of the impact made by their decisions on their own and others’ lives. The program encouraged students to build positive relationships with their peers and embrace the differences that make each of them unique. Following the presentation, students reflected on the topics discussed and signed a “No Bully” banner, which will be displayed in the halls of the school. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3169 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A bright yellow bus parked in front of Abraham Lincoln School served as a life-sized educational tool for pre-kindergarten students. Safety Sally, a bus safety program provided through Eastern Suffolk BOCES, visited students to educate them on the proper way to board, ride and exit the bus. Instruction began with lessons on how to cross the street when waiting at the bus stop for pickup and at the end of the day for drop-off. Students learned the different bus signs and signals and the distance needed to walk in front of the vehicle. After climbing the stairs of the bus, carefully holding onto the handrail, students watched an animated video in which the characters illustrated how to behave on the bus during rides to and from school. The hands-on transportation program concluded with a simulated emergency exit. Students practiced how to exit from the back door of the bus with the assistance of an adult and move to a secure area for further directions. The experience helped students to become more comfortable when riding the bus and ensure that they are knowledgeable in bus safety. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3170 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The district is proud to announce that its high school students have received 41 Advanced Placement (AP) designations. Throughout their high school careers, students have the opportunity to explore a multitude of AP courses where they are challenged to complete rigorous curricula and develop advanced problem-solving skills. In addition to the academic opportunities AP courses provide to students, the successful completion of these courses and assessments can also result in college credits, preparing students for higher education and saving money on tuition costs. Congratulations to the following students who earned this prestigious award. National AP Scholars The designation of National AP Scholar is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. Deer Park’s National AP Scholars are: Mohammed O. Ahmed Erik M. Zimmerman AP Scholars with Distinction The designation of AP Scholar with Distinction is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Deer Park’s AP Scholars with Distinction are: Mohammed O. Ahmed Dominick J. Calvao Brittany Guttadauria Dana L. Norman Emma R. Rosenthal Shi-anne J. Shakes Kevin T. Tresselt Erik M. Zimmerman AP Scholars with Honor The designation of AP Scholar with Honor is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Deer Park’s AP Scholars with Honor are: Ahad Arshad Ka-chung Hung Ronald L. Marciszyn Casey R. McKenna Shanta S. Ramsaran Melissa K. Raynoha AP Scholars The designation of AP Scholar is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Deer Park’s AP Scholars are: Ishrat Ahmed Ahmel Arshad Brett K. Burnor Jaclyn M. Cartwright Annamichelle Caruso Christopher A. Ciuffo Kenneth R. Dejohn Jean Etersque Valerie Gerig Jasmine M. Gonzalez Matthew R. Keller Yong-woo Kim Patrick Lamonica Sarah F. Lombardo Tiffany Lopez Quinones Erica S. McKitty Hassan Mujeeb Elizabeth J. Nicolas Paul A. Pfundstein Ashita Samroo Farah Siddique Muhammad Siddiqui Michael A. Soldano Emma F. Tapada Christine Verghese http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3118 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The district honored the lives lost on September 11th and those who serve our country with patriotic ceremonies throughout the schools. At John F. Kennedy Intermediate, John Quincy Adams and May Moore Elementary Schools, students participated in lessons and projects that educated them on the events of that tragic day and how it has affected New York and the world. To mark the ten-year anniversary, school assemblies were held in which students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang songs that celebrated the unity and strength of America and its people. Following the presentations, each student received a flag to be placed on the school grounds during flag-planting memorials. Students embedded small flags on the schools’ lawns, creating a landscape of red, white and blue. In addition, teachers shared age-appropriate literature that described the importance and impact of September 11th. Students worked from the book On That Day: A Book of Hope for Children by Andrea Patel in their classrooms, which sparked discussion and answered critical questions. The book responds in a remarkably uplifting way to the September 11th tragedy and describes the simple yet hopeful message that even though bad things happen in the world, individual people always have the choice to do good things. The impactful day was dedicated to life and learning as it reflected on this monumental time in history for Americans and New Yorkers. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3026 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park School District’s newest teachers participated in an orientation program prior to the start of the school year to familiarize themselves with the mission, goals and resources of the district. Administrators provided the eight new teachers with helpful hints on becoming successful educators and guided them through the necessary steps for designing effective lessons. A theme of preparation and planning was highlighted throughout the presentations, and in the workshops, teachers were encouraged to collaborate with experienced colleagues to gain insight and knowledge. During the technology portion of the program, teachers learned how to infuse technology into the curriculum and streamline student information for easy access to biographical and academic statistics and facts. To ensure the health and safety of staff and students, the School Safety Officer described the proper protocol in emergency situations and ways to be proactive in safeguarding the building and those inside. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2969 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT High school student Rachel DiGangi applied her knowledge of advertising to win a once-in–a-lifetime experience. Students in Laurie McGill’s High School Advertising class studied the history of Coca-Cola, specifically focusing on the evolution of its advertising and marketing campaigns. As part of their studies, students were challenged to research old print ads and compare and contrast the design, format and content with current ads. During their lessons, students viewed one of Coke’s most iconic ads, the “Hilltop Ad,” which depicts young people on a mountaintop in Italy singing together and incorporating the Coke slogan “It’s the Real Thing.” To update this classic commercial, Coke created the Perfect Harmony competition, which asked people to vote on new lyrics for the song. Rachel analyzed the words in each of the options and selected the message she thought best described the Coke brand. Her submission automatically qualified her for the contest and she was selected as the grand prize winner. Coke, a sponsor of American Idol, provided Rachel and a guest with free airfare to Los Angeles, California, for a four-day, three-night stay at the L.A. Live Hotel and two tickets for both the finale and results show of American Idol. During her red carpet visit, Rachel was interviewed by Fox affiliates and had the opportunity to meet Idol contestants. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2782 Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The high school continued its mission to keep its students and community safe with a powerful program entitled “Project Impact.” Project Impact is a staged demonstration that shows students what happens when an automobile accident involving alcohol and destructive decisions occurs. The demonstration uses a simulation that incorporates audio, video, and student performances. This community effort utilized a local panel consisting of Suffolk County Police Officers, the Deer Park EMT/Fire Department and a prosecution attorney, as well as real-life victims of accidents involving substance abuse. Led by the school’s Health Education Action Team (HEAT), students simulated a serious car collision involving a driver and friends. Rescue squads responded to the injured passengers by rushing to their aid, illustrating the critical time crunch of a life-and-death accident scene. Each student represented the potential consequences of such a crash by acting out his or her injuries using physical and medical equipment, props and makeup. Project Impact identified the spectrum of outcomes, which ranged from a student walking away from the accident unharmed to a student’s death at the crash site and another in the emergency room. In addition, the driver at fault was taken through the legal and monetary repercussions of his or her actions. At the conclusion of Project Impact, each student reflected on his or her role in the simulation, expressing emotions of guilt, hurt, fear and relief. Project Impact was presented to students during the day, while a special night event invited parents and community members to view this moving program. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2781 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT John Quincy Adams second-grade students in Mrs. Kathy Fontaine’s class have been inspired by the literature of Lois Lowry’s series of Gooney Bird Books and brought her work to life through classroom activities and projects. While reading Gooney Bird Greene, they have studied the main character, a young girl named Gooney Bird whose name is as eccentric as her personality. Through reading this story, students gained an appreciation for the art of storytelling and the ability authors have to play with words and their meanings. Students also learned how to build a story and its components and have been exercising their writing abilities by creating their own “absolutely true stories,” based on Gooney Bird’s own tales, which feature word play and story context. In order to get their creative juices flowing, students emulated Gooney Bird’s style and wore mix-matched outfits and odd accessories, expressing their individuality. Students used their vocabulary words to describe the character traits that make Gooney Bird unique and worked together to brainstorm book titles that entice readers and make a statement of interest. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2780 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The high school hosted its annual college fair, which featured more than 80 academic institutions located throughout the country. Representatives from various colleges and universities, including Tufts University, Yale University, George Mason University, Penn State, SUNY Albany and the University of Michigan, spoke with prospective students about the academic opportunities and programs their schools have to offer. Students and their parents were able to ask questions about acceptance requirements and campus life and took home informational brochures and resources. In addition to the in-house college fair, throughout the school year Deer Park students also attend fairs sponsored by the Western Suffolk Counselors Association, Eastern Suffolk BOCES Career & Technical, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Students also participate in college prep programs and events throughout the school year at financial aid nights and through SAT courses and Suffolk Community College’s Early College Program. The high school also houses the College & Career Center, where counselors meet with students to discuss their college and career plans, explore scholarship opportunities, assist with college essay and resume writing, and provide students with valuable information and direction regarding potential career opportunities. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2369 Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The district celebrated World Languages and Cultural Awareness Month this March through a wide-range of activities and projects. As a conclusion to their celebration and as a means of better ‘connecting’ to the languages celebrated, the students throughout the district came together to share in their collective appreciation for the different dialects spoken around the world. High School LOTE (Languages Other Than English) students visited May Moore and John Quincy Adams Elementary Schools to teach students foreign language lessons. The elder students introduced the young scholars to the basics of Spanish, French and Italian and instructed them on numbers, colors, animals, songs and months of the year. High school students created visual aids to enhance their lessons and reinforce the information the students learned in a variety of curricular areas. Through interactive activities, students completed projects that applied their new skills with the assistance of high school students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2368 Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT District students had the opportunity to spend the day learning from the professional musicians of PROJECT Trio. The members of PROJECT Trio, Peter Seymour on bass, Greg Pattillo on flute and cellist Eric Stephenson, believe that there is a direct correlation between artistry and scholastic achievement and instructed students in ways for them to reach their fullest potential. The day began with an inspiring concert where students were introduced to the high-energy chamber music ensemble. Blending their classical training with an eclectic taste in musical styles, PROJECT Trio showed students the versatility of their instruments. Groups of student-musicians, including the high school jazz band, the high school guitar ensemble, and flute players in grades 5-12, then worked with PROJECT Trio on selections of music that fused hip-hop, rock and pop with traditional instrumental music. The day culminated with a community concert led by the members of PROJECT Trio, which showcased the students’ new musical styling. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2367 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT In celebration of Earth Day, May Moore Elementary School held a “Friends of the Earth” planting event. This program was a large-scale beautification project that included a variety of earth-friendly activities sponsored by the May Moore PTA, who donated a variety of plants, seeds, flowers and trees to the cause. Prior to gardening, the district’s buildings and grounds crew, led by Head Groundsman Phil Cortese, created decorative stone structures and prepared the soil for planting. Students were equipped with garden gloves, shovels and rakes and worked together to plant throughout the school’s lawn with the help of parent volunteers. The Deer Park Fire Department also lent its resources to the project and watered the newly planted foliage with their fire truck hoses. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2366 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Click Here for More Information http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2261 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Work/Budget Session scheduled for Saturday, March 26 (as noted on the school calendar) has been cancelled. Please join us for the next Work/Budget session on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in District Office. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2092 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School students have the opportunity to investigate the world of science through their enrollment in the school’s Science Research course. The course is formatted to have students explore various topics using the scientific method. Students design and perform unique experiments and present and explain the findings to their peers. The interactive experiments use diverse elements including rockets, bridges, organisms, environmental science, chemicals and computers. Through hands-on learning, students collect data, conduct experiments and record procedures in lab books. Students learn the scientific process and work in collaboration with lab partners to apply their knowledge. In addition, they have the opportunity to attend various competitions, including the Long Island Science Congress and the New York State Science and Engineering Fair. The middle school course works to develop students’ analytical skills for the advanced Science Research Program offered at the high school level. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1924 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The John F. Kennedy Intermediate Student Government performed a character education play for students at John Quincy Adams and May Moore Elementary Schools. The play was adapted from the book ONE by Kathryn Otoshi and is part of a series of stories that deals with bullying. JFK students worked together to construct costumes and learn their roles for the anti-bullying production. The play served to educate students in an effective and entertaining manner while connecting students districtwide. The program enlightened the district’s younger students about the importance of standing up for what they believe in and helped to unite all students in the effort to prevent bullying from occurring in the schools. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1923 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The district inducted 17 students into the Deer Park High School Tri-M Music Honor Society. The district’s newest members were selected for this prestigious international organization based on their musical ability, academic excellence and school involvement. The program is designed to recognize and reward students for their achievements, while inspiring their peers to excel at music and leadership. The goal is to increase student and school involvement with music and to build a stronger and more unified music program. The new inductees will be led by advisor and music teacher Mr. Abrams and will participate in a variety of community service projects and school performances throughout the school year. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1922 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Nineteen district students from the high school, Robert Frost Middle School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School participated in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) All-County Music Festivals. Students joined other division central schools and perform in the band, orchestra and chorus ensembles. Congratulations to the following music students for their selection in SCMEA’s All-County winter concert series: Alexander Stephani Faith Ahmed Crystal Harris Noah Roff Mayedun Ogunsanwo Christopher Zieris Trevor Bernard John Dimodica Justin Napolitano Vincent Verdile Kimberly Blair Olivia Grizzle Sam Henkle Mauricio Montes Lexxi Saal Sydney Staton Dana Buquicchio Francesca Powers Joseph Giammona http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1921 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Abraham Lincoln School pre-kindergarten students infused green efforts into their winter curriculum. Students in Laura Oddo’s class collected empty milk jugs from their homes and recycled the materials to build an igloo inside their classroom. More than 672 milk cartons created the igloo where students then met for their daily lessons. While inside the structure, students learned about winter weather changes, hibernation, Arctic habitats and animals. Students also used technology to connect with wildlife through a live video stream, viewing a bear and her cubs hibernating. Following the winter unit, the Town of Babylon will visit the school to pickup the milk jugs and transport them to the local recycling center. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1920 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT High School Class of 2011 Valedictorian Emma Rosenthal has been named a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. Emma received this prestigious academic recognition from the College Board based on her superior performance on the PSAT and her ability to secure a grade point average above 3.5. The National Hispanic Recognition award is a competitive program which identifies nearly 5,000 outstanding Hispanic/Latino students each year from a nationwide pool of more than 200,000 students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1633 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT John Quincy Adams Elementary School sparked imaginative learning in students through the Mad Science program. Mad Science is the world’s leading science enrichment provider that delivers unique, hands-on science experiences. Scientist William visited students and introduced them to a world of discovery that focused on scientific literacy. Students worked as assistants to Scientist William, who conducted a variety of visual experiments. He took students through the scientific process, explaining and discussing with students the supplies needed, proper procedure and chemical reactions in each experiment. For the grand finale, students had the opportunity to ride atop a Hoover Craft as Scientist William described the mechanics of the “floating” vehicle. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1632 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Based on her outstanding athletic talents and academic promise, Deer Park High School senior Holli Locker was selected to sign a Letter of Intent to play lacrosse and attend Dominican College. Holli is an active member of the Deer Park educational community who participates in the Environmental, Varsity Leaders and African American clubs. In addition, she has been recognized for her character on the athletic fields, receiving both the Sportsmanship Award and Scholar-Athlete status. High school senior Holli Locker was joined by (l-r) her father Samuel Locker, Jr., Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach Anthony Saccone and District Administrator of Athletics, Physical Education, Health & Recreation Dominick Fontana, when she signed her Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at Dominican College. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1631 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Bright orange t-shirts and a wide variety of fundraisers were the cornerstones for a recent initiative the district put into place in support of Robert Frost Middle School student Karl Zaharia. Karl was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in August 2010 and has fought hard to battle this disease and its effects on his body. Rallying together to help support Karl, the district coordinated several events to not only raise funds for the Zaharia family but also to work to find a cure for Karl’s ALL. In a partnership with DKMS Bone Marrow Donor Center, the district recently hosted a bone marrow donor drive. More than 100 volunteers including students, teachers, administrators and community members helped to register and screen participants and raise awareness of this worthy cause. The drive was a tremendous success, resulting in more than 750 people getting swabbed and completing the potentially life-saving process. On the day prior to the bone marrow donor drive, students, teachers and administrators wore orange t-shirts - the signature color of Leukemia awareness and the color of Karl’s favorite hockey team, the New York Islanders - which read “Kourage for Karl.” In addition, students sold “Kourage for Karl” bracelets as a constant reminder of their classmate’s strength and struggles. Within the schools, students throughout the district have organized fundraising efforts to benefit the Zaharia family. Karl’s Studio in Art class created handmade holiday cards as part of the “Kards for Karl” project. Students are selling these unique items to their peers, who are in turn writing personal messages that will be delivered to Karl. The district will continue to facilitate a variety of fundraisers throughout the school year and keep Karl connected with his school and peers. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1480 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT High school students competed in Adelphi University’s Apprentice Competition claiming first and second place. Business students from across Long Island were challenged to develop an advertising campaign for Snapple products and create a marketing strategy for a holiday film. After formulating their projects, teams presented their ideas and plans of action to a panel of judges from Adelphi University. The high school’s championship students credited the district’s business curriculum for their successes in the apprentice competition. The school offers diverse business courses, such as Advertising and Multimedia and School Store, in which students manage the finances and merchandise of the school store. In addition, as members of the school’s DECA club Deer Park students have participated in a variety of programs that have prepared them to emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs in careers such as marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Pictured below, business students (l-r) Magnolia Chiri, Kayla Downs, Phil Scarfi and Merly Bonilla competed in Adelphi University’s Apprentice Competition. Phil Scarfi’s team took first place, while Kayla Down’s team came in a close second. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1479 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The district works together to educate the whole student and provide them with opportunities to showcase and enhance their talents. Four fine and performing arts students were recently selected to participate in the Long Island String Festival and will perform during the organization’s countywide ensembles. High School student Noah Roff will play the viola, along with high school violinist Catherine Xie and Robert Frost Middle School violinist Juliet Quirindongo who will perform in the Suffolk Secondary Festival. Robert Frost Middle School student Nicholas Dimodica will represent the district in the Suffolk Elementary Festival, playing the violin. In addition, district elementary students were chosen to participate in the PEAK Festival, sponsored by the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA). PEAK, which stands for “Parents, Educators And Kids,” is a special program for musically talented fourth graders in which students, parents and music teachers participate in a variety of musical workshops to hone and enhance students’ skills and broaden their interests in music. District students Kristen Alo, Christopher Burke, Sam Canonica, Amaya Castor, Alexandria Costanza, Julie DeBiase, Rebecca Fox, Julianna Monaco and Katelyn Reuss came together to enjoy a new perspective on musical education. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1478 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT High school seniors Tom Miele and Conner Hickem have committed to attend the New York Institute of Technology in the fall of 2011. Tom and Conner were recruited and signed letters of intent to play on the men’s lacrosse team. This spring Tom and Conner will play their final season of high school lacrosse and bring their experiences as talented individual athletes and teammates to the NYIT Bears squad. To recognize this achievement (l-r) District Administrator of Athletics, Physical Education, Health & Recreation Dominick Fontana, Varsity Lacrosse Coach Thomas Zummo and High School Principal James Cummings came together to watch Tom and Conner sign their letters of intent. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1476 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT High School senior Erik Zimmerman is an accomplished student within the district who serves as a member of the National Honor Society and World Languages National Honor Society, and has achieved Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction status by the College Board. In addition to his superior performance in the classroom, the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program has announced he is also a Commended Student. Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students, in some 22,000 high schools, who entered the 2011 competition. The 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) served as an initial screening of program entrants. Erik received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which was presented to him by High School Principal James Cummings. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1392 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Students from 17 participating high schools took part in the Sixth Annual Deer Park Invitational, a postseason robotics competition sponsored by the School Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI), FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the Deer Park School District. The daylong competition challenged students’ engineering skills as they worked together to solve intricate problems and engaged in friendly competition. At the event, students programmed their robots to compete on a 27-by-54-foot playing field setup in the high school’s gymnasium and attempted to earn points by collecting soccer balls in goals. Additional bonus points were earned for each robot suspended in air and not touching the field at the end of the match. The Deer Park High School Robotics Team designed, built and controlled Robot 270 for the Deer Park Invitational. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1391 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The High School hosted a Veterans Day Symposium this November to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have worked and continue to work to protect the nation. Social studies students spent the morning speaking with and learning from local veterans and active duty soldiers. Ten United States Army and Marine Corps members who served in Vietnam and are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan visited the district and interacted with students. During the symposium, the soldiers shared their personal experiences and stories of their time in the service as well as described the culture and climate of the United States and the lands abroad in which they fought. Additionally, the veterans and soldiers explained the various missions they were involved in while impressing upon the students that their ultimate mission was to protect America and the country’s freedoms. All of the soldiers’ stories echoed characteristics of strength, courage and teamwork, as well as the strenuous tactical and physical training soldiers endure. The students gained a unique perspective on the roles of soldiers during times of war and peace and were able to compare and contrast wars throughout history. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1390 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The district community came together for their annual Homecoming weekend, which kicked off with a festive parade. The streets were lined with students, graduates and residents who cheered for the marching band and school clubs, youth athletic leagues, community organizations, and local fire and rescue crews who paraded throughout the town. Each class designed and crafted a float based on this year’s theme, “Cities of the United States.” The senior class took first place for their New York City skyline, which featured the city’s iconic buildings, characteristics and even a live Lady Liberty. The Keep the Drive Team thanked the community for their help in achieving first place in Allstate’s national Act Out Loud competition, for which they received a $10,000 grant. The team rode on a float that carried a demolished car from an accident and a supersized cell phone with messages of the dangers of distracted driving. The Catapult Team also unveiled their award-winning, pumpkin-flinging trebuchet, “The Dark Falcon.” Prior to kickoff, District Administrator for Athletics, Physical Education, Health and Recreation Dominick Fontana helped the district honor Head Groundsman Phil Cortese, who was named Homecoming Grand Marshal for his dedication and superior work on the fields and facilities throughout the schools. In addition, public officials, including Suffolk County Legislators Steven Stern and Lou D’Amaro and Babylon Town Clerk Carol Quirk, showed their Falcon pride by attending the opening ceremonies. Members of the Homecoming Court were announced prior to game time, and Gina Tortorici and Troy Corbin were crowned Homecoming Queen and King. The Varsity Football team took the field against Huntington and after a hard-fought battle claimed the 21-20 victory - improving their record to 4-1. The Falcon’s defensive unit made an impact tallying five sacks on Huntington’s quarterback, while on offense, Vinny Vitale rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries, scored the go-ahead touchdown on an 8-yard run in the third quarter, and recovered a huge fumble to stop a fourth-quarter Huntington drive in the red zone. Special teams joined the efforts with two blocked extra points by Dimitry Russ. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1240 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT The district is committed to providing its students with educational programming that is challenging and rigorous, and prepares students for the academic challenges they face beyond high school. Through a diverse selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and assessments, students are able to accelerate their curriculum and gain college credit. As a result of these opportunities, the College Board has recognized 41 Deer Park High School students as earning 2010 AP Scholar status. These awards are divided into several categories based on the students’ performance. Congratulations to the following young scholars: National AP Scholars The designation of National AP Scholar is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams, Deer Park’s National AP Scholars are: Thomas DiBenedetto Brian Giunta AP Scholars with Distinction The designation of AP Scholar with Distinction is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams, Deer Park’s AP Scholars with Distinction are: Anthony Ambrosio Matthew Engle Umer MuJeeb Christopher Otterson Melissa Raynoha Emma Rosenthal Randy Singh Erik Zimmerman AP Scholars with Honor The designation of AP Scholar with Honor is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams, Deer Park’s AP Scholars with Honor are: Mohammed Ahmed Dominick Calvao Lisa Corleto Christopher Drake Adrian Hurtado Hui-Hung Hwang Gianella James Yong-Woo Kim Ronald Harciszyn Dana Norman Shi-Anne Shakes AP Scholars The designation of AP Scholar is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Deer Park’s AP Scholars are: Tyler Amend Shafique Arnab Ahmel Arshad Richard Blumengold Brett Burnor Salvatore Caldarello AnnaMichelle Caruso Samantha Friend Mojdeh Ghanbarian Adam Grunseich Ka-Chung Hung Jose Jean Jocelyn LaVarata Alessandro Leo Tangier Mieh Abdul-Samad Mirza Melissa Nau Daniel Ninez Bridget Roy Nicole Zebisky The Deer Park School District would like to congratulate these students for representing the academic integrity of the educational community. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1238 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School students recently participated in a Character Education Program focused on fostering traits of respect, responsibility, citizenship, perseverance, and self-leadership throughout the student body. The Character in Action workshop, Dare to Move, included a multi-media presentation that encouraged students to live their lives to the fullest in spite of their fears. Students were inspired by personal stories of teens throughout the country that have overcome physical, social, emotional, and psychological obstacles to become successful students and people. Dare to Move showed students that everyone will encounter hardships that will force them to ask questions, explore new options, make responsible decisions, and break free from their comfort zones. Students discussed how living courageously means standing up to bullying, encouraging those who need help, saying no to drugs and alcohol, and being a friend to those in need of one. Throughout the presentation, students gained the confidence to move in a positive direction with their lives and take control of the challenges confronting them in order to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Pictured below, Kelsey and Michael Domeny of Camfel Productions engaged Frost students in a Character Education presentation designed to challenge students to “Dare to Move.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1239 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT In an effort to acclimate new teachers to the Deer Park School District newly hired staff attended a three-day orientation program. District Administrators and Curriculum Associates mentored the new members of the academic team through a variety of workshops and seminars. The program began with a welcome message from Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen, who described the academic standards and community culture of the district and set forth the expectations and plans for the upcoming school year. New teachers were instructed on how to design and execute an effective lesson plan and how to manage their classroom through the Infinite Campus Student Information System by Administrator for Instructional Technology Dr. Jared Bloom. Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Frank Caliguiri spoke about the importance of academic and social support and the services the district offers its students to ensure their success. To culminate the training sessions, teachers met at their respective buildings and spoke with their building and curriculum administrators to become familiar with their schools, classrooms and facilities. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1100 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT District Administrators came together for an Administrative Council Retreat to prepare themselves, their buildings and staff for the start of the school year. Administrators discussed a variety of topics including educational leadership skills, evaluation models and most important student safety. Deer Park Aquatic Director and American Red Cross instructor Jeanne-Marie Kavanagh facilitated an American Red Cross Adult and Child Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED) training sponsored by the American Red Cross Schools and Community First Aid/CPR/AED program. The comprehensive training provided all District Administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to help sustain life and minimize the consequences of breathing and cardiac emergencies until advanced medical assistance arrives. The program’s content and activities combined online media and testing with physical skill scenarios which helped district personnel learn how to recognize potentially life-threatening emergencies and make appropriate decisions and actions for rapid medical assistance. Critical skills learned included providing care for conscious choking, unconscious choking, rescue breathing for a child, CPR for an adult or child, and when and how to appropriately use an Automated External Defibrillator. This proactive program prepared district administrators to be in the best position to provide assistance should anyone in the school community require it and with the completion of the intensive training administrators received American Red Cross certificates. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1101 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Prior to the first day of school, the Deer Park School District invited incoming kindergarten students and their parents to a class playdate. Students who will be attending John Quincy Adams and May Moore Elementary Schools this fall visited their respective buildings for a social afternoon with their future peers. The event provided students with the opportunity to meet their teachers, administrators and create new friendships while exploring the schools outside play areas. To prepare the students for the complete first day of school experience, the soon-to-be kindergarteners climbed aboard a parked bus to practice the proper way to behave when riding and how to safely enter and exit the vehicle. In addition, parents were able to speak with the schools’ Parent Teacher Association members and learn about the various annual events and activities the students will participate in throughout the school year. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1102 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT James Henry teaches college level Pre-Calculus and inclusion Algebra Regents to students at Deer Park High School by utilizing leading-edge academic technology resources. This past year Mr. Henry operated one of the district’s model classrooms, which was equipped with interactive technologies including SMART Board whiteboards, MacBooks, SMART Document Cameras, iPod Touches, SMART Response interactive testing systems and SMART AirLiner Wireless Slates. Through these tools students incorporated podcasting into the math curriculum and created live presentations to share and review with their peers. A variety of software applications enabled students to work directly with virtual materials such as graphing calculators, protractors and rulers and better prepare for exams. The “SMART” devices also enabled Mr. Henry to collect and sort data in order to tailor his lessons and increase student performance. Due to the initial successes of the model classrooms, the district plans to expand and further develop model classrooms throughout the district. Chief Operating Officer of Western Suffolk BOCES Dr. Michael Mensch recognized the district’s initiatives and honored Deer Park Director of Technology Dr. Jared Bloom as Administrator of the Year for the BOCES' Model Schools program. In addition, May Moore Elementary School teacher Susan Steinman won a Technology Integration Award and a $1,000 grant for her work at the primary level. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1060 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT The district is proud to announce that five high school fall athletic teams achieved New York State Scholar-Athlete status. In order to receive this designation the team achieved and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 90 or better throughout the entire season. In addition, two varsity and two junior varsity teams were selected as Section XI Outstanding Sportsmanship Teams for their fair play and good sportsmanship on the field of competition. What makes this award so genuine is that it is determined by officials and opposing teams. The Girls Varsity Lacrosse squad claimed the Division II Championship, while Boys Varsity Golf won the League I Suffolk County Championship for the sixth consecutive year. The Robert Frost Middle School athletic program was represented by the Girls Seventh-Grade Softball team, who tallied an undefeated season. In addition, individual spring athletes were named to numerous All-League, Academic All-League, All-County, All-Tournament, All-Division and All-State teams, and Girls Varsity Lacrosse player Jasmine Gonzalez who received the Unsung Hero Award. New York State Scholar-Athlete Teams: Boys Spring Track Girls Varsity Golf Girls Varsity Lacrosse Girls Varsity Softball Girls Spring Track Section XI Sportsmanship Team Award: Boys Varsity Spring Golf Boys Junior Varsity Spring Golf Girls Varsity Golf Girls Junior Varsity Lacrosse http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1061 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park Business Education students have fostered a partnership with MSG Varsity, the first television, online and interactive network devoted to local high school sports and activities. Students enrolled in the high school’s Multimedia Business Applications course submitted segments to the network throughout the year, and in recognition of the exceptional content they provided, Deer Park High School was named "MSG Varsity's Outreach Partner of the Week." In addition, 12 business students received $2,000 in scholarship monies for their outstanding audiovisual contributions. To signify their accomplishments, an MSG Varsity reporter and camera crew visited the high school classes and interviewed students on their experiences working behind the camera with audiovisual and editing computer software, as well as serving as reporters, sharing Deer Park news on a regional platform. Schools selected as Outreach Partners of the Week exhibit the values of community, leadership, friendship, teamwork and camaraderie, while engaging in activities that help to teach kids about the ideals of these principles. Deer Park was selected for the students’ ability to maximize the power of media by bringing stories to life through compelling reporting, creative use of the camera and editing, and overall production value. Prior to shooting and producing content for the channel, students learned about effective and responsible communication in an increasingly multimedia world. MSG Varsity provided students with the technology necessary to create segments and demonstrated how to properly edit and effectively present events and news. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1062 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT The American Celtic Pipe Band led the Deer Park High School Class of 2010 through the opening processional of the district’s annual commencement ceremony. Principal James Cummings shared his welcome address with the students, teachers, administrators, elected government officials, community and Board of Education members in attendance. Mr. Cummings shared his pride in the graduating class and recounted the years spent, as both their middle school and high school principal, watching them mature and develop into young adults. Board of Education President Dennis Ryan introduced honored guest United States Congressman Steve Israel, who reminded students that they are valuable members of society and their contributions will continue to impact their community and world. In addition, Congressman Israel stressed the importance of public service and the valuable lessons “giving back” provides. Valedictorian Thomas DiBenedetto described how the entire Deer Park community had served as a strong, supportive network, which helped students surpass their goals and reach their full potential. Salutatorian Brian Kavanagh spoke about the unity of the class and the educational and social experiences that have shaped them as individuals and as a group. Senior Class President Michael Prescia reflected on the activities and events which both challenged and brought the class together, and thanked the district’s educators for their dedication and commitment to student success. Commencement speaker and Deer Park Class of 2000 Valedictorian Elaine Kabaservice connected with students through common educational and extracurricular experiences within the district. She encouraged students to become lifelong learners, always striving to discover, explore and improve the world around them. Prior to conferring the diplomas, Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen used the initials of Deer Park Schools in her motivational message to students, describing the components of Distinction, Pride and Scholarship, all characteristics of a successful, well-rounded person. Select seniors were recognized and received Memorial Plaque Awards in honor of their service and leadership, while the Principal’s Awards were presented to those who had contributed positively to the overall high school community. The ceremony concluded with the Board of Education’s presentation of diplomas to the Class of 2010. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1021 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Students at Robert Frost Middle School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School were joined by district teachers, administrators, Board of Education and community members for their moving-up ceremonies. The events marked educational milestones and students were celebrated for their academic accomplishments. Robert Frost Principal Eliana Levey welcomed all in attendance and encouraged advancing eighth-grade students to explore the diverse courses, clubs and organizations the high school has to offer. Student Council President James Boss reflected on their years spent at Frost, and the mental, physical and social growth which the class has experienced. To honor the outstanding in-classroom efforts of students, the district recognized those who achieved Presidential Academic Achievement and Presidential Academic Excellence Awards, while community awards recognized those students who made positive contributions to the school overall. To conclude the ceremony, Board of Education members presented students with graduation certificates. John F. Kennedy Principal Susan Bonner kicked off the fifth-grade moving-up ceremony at JFK by thanking the educational community for their support and congratulating students on their successes over the past three years. Student Council members spoke to classmates about the activities, assemblies and classes which brought them together, and looked towards the bright future of the class as they enter middle school. Musical talents of the fifth-grade class shone bright when students sang and performed a variety of musical selections, including “We’ll Meet Again. ” Students were individually recognized through various awards from community and school organizations, and every graduate was presented with a certificate by the school’s administrators. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1022 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT The District celebrated the academic milestones of its students with primary moving-up ceremonies. District teachers, administrators, Board of Education and community members came together to recognize the John Quincy Adams (JQA) and May Moore Elementary Class of 2010 second-grade graduates. Students at JQA crafted paper balloons for their themed event “Up, Up and Away to JFK,” while May Moore students sported their falcon pride dressed in maroon T-shirts, which read the school’s logo “May Moore - The Place To Be.” Students at both schools entertained the crowd singing a variety of musical selections including Ready to Go and I Learned From You. The events concluded with a presentation of students, during which teachers recapped the school year’s activities and presented students with graduation certificates. John F. Kennedy Intermediate School Principal Susan Bonner then welcomed students from both JQA and May Moore to their new school, and encouraged them to become active learners inside the classroom and participate in JFK’s diverse clubs and organizations. At Abraham Lincoln’s Pre-Kindergarten “Faces of the Future” celebration, classes performed choreographed songs and dances, which illustrated the educational and social lessons students learned throughout the year. Decorating for the festive occasion, students created their likenesses painting faces, bodies and clothes on paper cutouts, which covered the school’s stage. All of these advancing students had the opportunity to visit the schools they will be attending next year and meet the administrators and teachers who will guide them through their future academic ventures. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1023 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park School District has been selected as the winner of Allstate’s Act Out Loud contest. As the nationwide winner, Deer Park will be presented with a $10,000 grant to expand the community’s safe teen driving program. Special thanks to the students, teachers, administrators and community members who came together to perform and record a choreographed routine on the dangers of drunk and distracted driving. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=892 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recently honored four Deer Park School District students and presented them with the 2010 Physical Education Leadership Award. This honor is designated for students who demonstrate excellence in physical education, and also perform well in the areas of fitness, citizenship and leadership. These students exemplify positive characteristics and traits, which make them role models for their peers and community. Congratulations to (pictured l-r) Anthony Fiorentino (Robert Frost Middle School), Connor Hewlette (John F. Kennedy Intermediate School), Kristen DeBiase (John F. Kennedy Intermediate School) and Jordan Lazarich (Robert Frost Middle School) for being selected for this honor. The students were presented with commemorative T-shirts in celebration of their accomplishments. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=893 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT The district offers a diverse range of courses in which students can explore personal interests and learn through unique avenues. Two of these courses are Advanced Placement Art History and Advanced Placement Art Studio, which are taught by Derek Mainhart. Both of these courses infuse curriculum and creativity and place students on an accelerated track for future endeavors, with the potential to earn college credit. Art History focuses on humanities and the human condition, while building a connection between the fine arts, literature and world history. Students gain a fresh perspective on artwork as they research various periods of time and delve deeper into historical events by researching the artwork that framed the cultures and social structures. Beyond the classroom, students view the works of professional artists during visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other iconic New York venues. As a culminating activity students share presentations on various artists, and create a piece of personal artwork inspired by a selected artist of their choice. Advanced Placement Art Studio features hands-on learning, with individualized instruction. Students illustrate their passions through various mediums, including painting, drawing, watercolor and collage, and utilize tools such as charcoal, oil paint, ink and erasers to create varied textures. They are encouraged to draw upon inspiration from their surroundings, including the nature in the school’s courtyard. By the completion of the course, students construct a comprehensive portfolio for colleges and employers, which demonstrates a progression of ideas and a deep breadth of knowledge and technique. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=894 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Students Janai Clark and Arianna Pantin won the 2010 Honoring Our Future Leaders Competition, which was sponsored by Congressman Steve Israel. The students wrote essays inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, giving their personal interpretations of the speech and describing personal obstacles that they have overcome throughout their lives. Janai and Arianna also had the prestigious honor of having their names read into the Congressional Record and were presented with an official proclamation from Congressman Israel. Pictured here, Advisor of the African American club Monet Cooper and High School Principal James Cummings congratulate Arianna and Janai on their accomplishments and recognition. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=794 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT John F. Kennedy Intermediate School Special Education students are utilizing the most advanced resources in instructional technology with the school’s new SMART Table. Similar to a SMART Board, the SMART Table is an interactive surface. It is the first of its kind, as it creates a multiuser interactive learning center. Within the classroom, students and teachers are interacting with the SMART Table to introduce, enhance, reinforce and expand lessons and curriculum topics. Activities are tailored for student success and adjusted to meet educational levels. Teachers have the ability to refine and redesign activities using the SMART Table, in order to maintain challenging and engaging classes. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=795 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT As a part of their studies on American History, Robert Frost Middle School students received a lesson in United States history and warfare from the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were America's first African American fighter pilots who were trained in Tuskegee, Alabama during World War II. They flew during a time when many people believed that black men lacked the intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism to represent the U.S. in war, and they worked hard to overcome these negative stereotypes while facing the obvious challenges of combat. The airmen veterans Victor Terrelonge and William Wheeler spoke to students about the intense physical training and mental preparation in readying for war, as well as tales of discrimination and prejudice. They described the camaraderie of their unit and the people who risked social ridicule to support them and their heroic mission. By the end of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen had destroyed or damaged more than 400 enemy aircraft, but just as important were their contributions in breaking down the racial barriers among the armed forces in the United States. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=796 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT The district is proud to announce that seven high school winter athletic teams achieved New York State Scholar-Athlete status. In order to receive this designation a team must achieve and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90 or better throughout the entire season. In addition, the Varsity Bowling team was selected as a Section XI Outstanding Sportsmanship Team for their fair play and good sportsmanship during the heat of competition. What makes this award so genuine is that it is determined by officials and opposing teams. At the middle school level, the Robert Frost Kickline team, coached by Dena Hermanek and Dina Peragine, won the Long Island Kickline Association Championship and were named the Long Island Pom Champions. Standout athletes on all teams received the following accolades: Boys Varsity Basketball Coach: Mr. John Mc Caffrey Assistant Coach: Mr. Justin Gutman Marques Charlton – All-Conference, All-League Matthew Rigert – All-League Anthony J. Alleyne – All-League Honorable Mention Hui-Hung “Mike” Hwang – Academic All-County Girls Varsity Basketball Coach: Mr. Michael Gennaro and Ms. Holly O’ Donnell Nicole Alvarez – All-League Andrea Desvignes – All-League Additional Contributing Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Kelsey Dillon Kayla Saraniero Jasmine Gonzalez Felicia LaSorsa Joanna Tarzi Shayna Robinson Kristen Fischer Varsity Bowling Coach: Mr. Anthony Tannacore Erik Zimmerman – Second Team All-League Scholar-Athlete Alexander Herrera – Second Team All-League Scholar-Athlete Individual Sportsmanship League Award Adam Maugeri – Second Team All-League Edward Kane – Scholar-Athlete Individual Sportsmanship League Award Additional Contributing Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Fariha Khan Rebecca D’Agostino Krystle Kozakevitch Oksenia Dyer Boys Swimming Coach: Mr. Craig Mangio and Mr. Ed Libretto Tyler Di Domenico – All-League Jacob Sonera – All-League Jake Pisano – *NEW SCHOOL RECORDHOLDER for: 200-meter Freestyle 500-meter Freestyle Additional Contributing Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Kevin Tresselt Linas Ramanauskas Joseph Giammona Salvatore Caldarello Joseph Paskewicz Edward Matinez-Salinas Brian Kalladeen Michael Pagan Ryan Littman Ricardo Carter Thomas Embry Girls Track Coach: Mr. Jess Prochilo Assistant Coach: Mr. Joseph Schlessinger Thailia Le Grendre-Hobbins – All-League Denise Davis – All-League Totianyu Guadalupe – All-League Scholar-Athlete Megan Reilly – All-League Scholar-Athlete Ayshawna Baldwin – All-League Additional Contributing Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Kayla Downs Blanca Tovar Ashita Samroo Brittany Cali Amanda Orzo Magnolia Chiri-Garcia Nicole Goh Gianella James Diane Kalladeen Valeria Tovar Boys Track Coach: Mr. Christopher Kauter Assistant Coach: Mr. Mario Fiore Kevin Martinez – All-League Additional Contributing Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Ahad Arshad Philip Scarfi Jose Cisneros Wai-Ga Ho Ismaldo Matias Paul Anthony Pfundstein Rick Guerra Andrew Bylicki Ka-Chung Hung Christian Gonzalez Ian Kowalchuk Bryant Phan Daniel Friend Kickline Coach: Ms. Angela Bonnano Assistant Coach: Ms. Kristen Smith Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Dana Norman Bridget Roy Kaitlyn Lucas Kristin McDonough Kimberly Zelaya Crystal Harris Danielle Calcagno Gabrielle Miceli Nicole Cito Cheerleading Coach: Ms. Lia Demyen Assistant Coach: Ms. Lauren Funaro Scholar-Athlete Team Members: Brittany Guttadauria Victoria Russell Concetta Gioeli Stephanie Ognibene Alyssa Frohnhoefer Chinella Charlton Briana Gati Deanna Merlino http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=797 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} High School student-musicians had the distinct opportunity to meet and perform with Sergeant First Class John Altman of the United States Army Field Band. A decorated trumpet player, Sergeant Altman taught a master class focused on careers within the music industry and the steps and work he put in to become a successful musician. The day ended with Sergeant Altman instructing the Jazz Band ensemble. The student-musicians also gained valuable insight into the audition process and preparation, while learning the benefits of networking and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships have in relation to becoming assets to organizations not just as musicians, but colleagues. Sergeant Altman described his personal experiences as an aspiring musician and the desire he had to turn his passion into a career. He encouraged students to become well-rounded, test their limits and explore a variety of avenues in order to break into the business. Sergeant Altman also stressed the importance of academics and encouraged students to achieve higher levels of education. Joining the Jazz Ensemble, Sergeant Altman performed and instructed students on different techniques and styles. He reflected on the day’s experiences, stating, “The students’ enthusiasm and musical interests were inspiring; it is a testament to the high level of instruction they receive from their music teachers and directors. Exposing them to programs such as this gives Deer Park students a competitive edge in planning and preparing their academic and career futures.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=704 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} John Quincy Adams Elementary second-grade students experienced a hands-on Science Workshop entitled "Gluey & Gooey Chemistry." Scientists from the Long Island Science Center visited the school for this interactive program in which students created glue using milk and other simple household materials. The student scientists applied their measurement and mathematics skills to concoct the sticky substance and continued their experimentation, combining additional molecules to create new materials. Throughout the program students articulated their observations and made predictions as to the unique chemical reactions of the glue. The Long Island Science Center, located in Riverhead, is an organization that encourages student enthusiasm and excitement forlearning, and stimulates discovery and creativity through science exploration. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=705 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT The halls of May Moore Elementary School were transformed into the paths of a cultural celebration as students dressed in red, wore decorative masks and headdresses and played percussion instruments during their annual Chinese New Year celebration. To commence the Year of the Tiger, students paraded through the halls singing out Gung Hay Fat Choy!, the call of Happy New Year, and waved their origami umbrellas and lantern crafts. The dance of the Lion-Dragon highlighted the celebration as students dressed up as the mystical creature, hoisting the head and body in the air and marching together. Following the lively parade, students sampled Chinese cuisine and listened to ancient tales of the Chinese culture, learning their history and heritage. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=706 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT Abraham Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten students recently found themselves engaged in an instructional and interactive winter workshop of educational tasks and activities. Special adults (parents, family members) were even invited to join them at various multidisciplinary stations designed to nurture a diverse range of skills. Students practiced their mathematics skills by predicting, counting and sorting items. They played dice games to build number sequences and constructed a snowman in “Roll-a-Snowman.” They also exercised their hand-eye coordination through an “ ice fishing” activity of matching the letters and numbers they hooked. In an effort to “warm people’s hearts,” as a literacy lesson students wrote letters of appreciation and inspiration that were delivered to local community outreach organizations, including the Family Service League and local veterans hospitals. Applying their science knowledge, students examined the human heart by measuring their fists and comparing the ruler results to the size of heart diagrams. Throughout the day students had the opportunity to examine aspects of the winter season and create corresponding projects. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=707 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT In collaboration with the Deer Park Partners for Safe and Drug Free Schools (DPS) Council, the district sponsored a Drug Summit for students, parents and community members. The forum, entitled “Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention,” was held at the high school and featured a variety of professional and expert speakers. Suffolk County Legislator Steven Stern, Town of Babylon Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon, and Deer Park Fire Department Rescue Crew member Thomas Cronogue joined Strategic Protection Group Inc. President Michael Zotto and representative James Murphy for a discussion on how to combat the growing teen drug problem. Local police officers, firefighters and EMT workers, many of whom live in the community, were in attendance to lend their support and expertise. Deer Park Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Higher Education Area Transit (HEAT) club members volunteered their time, sharing informational brochures and educating community members based on their experiences at Deer Park High School and colleges, respectively. In concert with the Drug Summit, Legislator Stern and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department also conducted a “Shed-the-Meds" program in the high school lobby. Attendees of the summit were encouraged to bring their unused, expired over-the-counter and prescription medications to the school so that they could be disposed of properly. The goal is twofold: to keep these medications out of the water supplies, as well as out of the hands of adolescents, many of whom scour their home medicine cabinets looking for pills to use for recreational purposes. Board of Education President Dennis Ryan described drug abuse as a community issue, which requires diligent, proactive action from families, friends, neighbors and local government and law officials. Mr. Cronogue described a variety of incidents which he and his crew have responded to over the years in Deer Park. He even described the consequences and irreparable damage done to the drug users and their families, ranging from brain and neurological damage to death. Mr. Zotto and Mr. Murphy, both experienced members of the New York City Narcotics Unit, shared a powerful presentation and encouraged students to speak out against the drug abuse that is occurring in the community. Attendees learned the staggering statistics and facts of drug abuse, as well as the history and trends of specific drugs and their use in pop culture. In addition, they provided photos and videos illustrating the visual realities of drug use and abuse and the numerous physical and psychological effects they have on the body. Strategic Protection Group Inc. uses a proactive approach to build awareness and develop solutions to prevent drug crimes and abuse through the education of children and adults. Based in West Islip, the organization has provided educational seminars in schools throughout New York State. To expand and reinforce the knowledge learned at the Drug Summit, Strategic Protection Group Inc. will facilitate assemblies for Deer Park High School students through in-school presentations in the coming months. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=633 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT In an effort to bring comfort to the children affected by the earthquake, students at May Moore Elementary School donated more than 2,000 stuffed animals for the displaced children of Haiti. All of which the students loaded onto a large bus, beginning the journey to their final destination. To help increase the number of donations, May Moore partnered with a high school in upstate New York through a program called Project Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE). The schools combined donations were brought to the United Nations, which then facilitated the delivery of the stuffed animals to Haiti. The students’ goal was to provide children with a sense of security during this turbulent time in their lives, and the results were a huge success. Each day students in Susan Steinman’s class collected and sorted the stuffed animals placed in the drop-off locations throughout the school. They used a teddy bear graph displayed in the school lobby to tabulate the number of stuffed animals collected. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=634 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Science Museum of Long Island brought its learning lab to John F. Kennedy Intermediate School and engaged students with hands-on experiments that brought them through the scientific process. JFK students worked with professional scientists in Kitchen Chemistry, during which their objective was to identify the proteins, sugars and carbohydrates found in a range of foods and household materials. Using common household materials, students learned about the world of chemical reactions, determining the differences between an acid and a base by using an indicator. They developed hypotheses, sharing and discussing their predicted outcomes with their peers. In their experiments, students utilized pipettes and test tubes to study simple foods and products, mixing a variety of chemicals and observing chemical reactions, then documenting the effects. Cabbage water was the liquid used as a constant throughout the experiments, as students added a variety of common products including lemon juice, baking soda and detergent to observe the reactions. Once completed, students analyzed the visual results of the chemical reactions with a color spectrum chart that identified various components. Color codes corresponded with varying pH levels to help students decipher whether each ingredient was an acid or base, as well as the respective degrees of strength. By the end of the exercise, students gained a strong understanding of the components that make up these household materials and were equally excited that they were able to cause chemical reactions with a little sizzle and pop! http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=635 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Forty high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society. Students, families, teachers, administrators and local officials came together for the annual induction ceremony. Joining the district for the academic celebration were Suffolk County Legislators Steven Stern and Louis D’Amaro and Babylon Town Clerk Carol Quirk, who spoke to students about the importance of academic achievement, as well as exhibiting good character throughout their lives. National Honor Society Officers described the history of the National Honor Society and its pillars - Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character - articulating the purpose of the organization, which is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in students. Advisors Annemarie Lenio and Jill Perry-Eising will lead National Honor Society members in community outreach programs during the school year, including tutoring high school students and moderating study groups for Robert Frost Middle School honors math and science students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=546 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School’s Student Council sponsored a schoolwide collection called “Soap for Seniors,” which provided local senior citizens with a variety of toiletry items. By creating eye-catching posters, students marketed their effort to their peers, encouraging them to donate personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, lotions, cotton balls, toothbrushes and toothpastes. Student Council members came together to sort and package the diverse variety of items they collected from their classmates. The Robert Frost Chamber Choir has been visiting local Nursing Homes, delivering the care boxes to residents after serenading them with a concert. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=547 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT District special needs students in grades Kindergarten through eighth are participating in an in-district aquatics program in which they visit the high school pool and become familiar with the water and swimming safety. Before entering the pool, students are instructed on how to properly enter and exit the water, as well as the correct arm and leg movements of swimming. The students also practice proper breathing exercises. Once in the water, lifeguards and teachers assist them as they float, layback, sit and swim, navigating their way through the pool. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=548 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Five seniors from the high school recently attended the first annual “Compassion Without Borders” leadership summit, sponsored by the Suffolk County High School Principals’ Association (SCHSPA). During the summit, student representatives from every high school in Suffolk County gathered to take part in the unique conference, geared at breaking down geographic borders between the schools and uniting the students to work toward one common cause. The group’s first mission was to raise money for Dylan Thompson, a sophomore at Harborfields High School who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dylan’s condition confines him to a wheelchair and presents him with a myriad of health-related issues. Dylan’s home is in disrepair and is not wheelchair accessible. Each high school pledged to raise $1,000 for Dylan’s cause over the course of the school year. Through this effort, more than $50,000 will be collected to help repair Dylan’s home and make it wheelchair accessible. The student leaders from Deer Park are pictured here with Social Studies/Family Consumer Science Curriculum Associate Daniel McKeon and Senior Class Advisor Jenine Moran. They are (L-R) Class Vice President Samantha Friend, Monica White, Student Council member Marissa Tianga (standing), Blaise Cresciullo, and Class President Michael Prescia. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=474 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School’s Catapult Team took second place at the annual Pumpkin Fling competition at Yaphank Farm, with an impressive pumpkin launch of 439 feet, 7 inches. The school’s Catapult Team was formed at the end of last school year after receiving a $1,500 grant, written by Science and Technology teacher Bruce Sanders, through Suffolk’s Edge Teachers Center. The competitive team, comprised of ten students, submitted essays on why they should be members of the team. Their essays included their completed research on Medieval Siege Machines. Students worked together for months to build a Medieval-style catapult, otherwise known as a Trebuchet. In building the structure they learned construction methods such as measuring, cutting, drilling, and bolting, as well as engineering principles and the science of forces and motion. Weighing between 350-400 pounds, the Trebuchet measures 16 feet long, 4 feet wide and 8 feet tall, with a 13-foot throwing arm, and utilizes 6 commercial garage door springs for power and solid steel bars to support the springs and keep them from bending. In traditional Deer Park spirit, community members and local businesses supported the students’ mission by providing everything from test pumpkins to discounted supplies and materials. Blue Skies Sign Company in Deer Park donated signs, American Garage Door in Deer Park donated the springs, and Modica Machine Tools was instrumental in helping obtain the correct steel and assorted parts necessary for successful construction. To view the Falcon’s Claw in action at the Pumpkin Fling competition, please go to the following link. http://www.mylitv.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e3f45b3cce8ffe386ee9 http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=475 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT May Moore Elementary School gave thanks and gave back to the community by sponsoring a schoolwide food drive. A Thanksgiving shopping cart was set up in the school’s lobby, where students and staff donated a variety of items ranging from canned vegetables and baking mix to paper towels. As part of an ongoing districtwide mentoring initiative, high school students visited their May Moore buddies to help them create individual baskets containing all of the necessary ingredients for a Thanksgiving feast. The baskets will be delivered to families in need throughout the school community. Grocery store gift certificates were also donated by the school’s Parent Teacher Association for families to purchase their holiday turkey. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=476 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT School Officials Power HS Lights at Pep Rally to Kick Off Homecoming Weekend On Friday, October 23, under the night sky, Deer Park School District officials turned on the lights at Deer Park High School’s athletic field for the first time. It was all part of a “Friday Night Lights” Pep Rally to kick off Homecoming weekend and celebrate all of Deer Park’s athletic teams. Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen introduced the Deer Park High School Women’s Chorus, who performed the National Anthem. Board of Education President Dennis Ryan thanked the community members who packed the stands for their ongoing support and demonstration of Falcon Pride, even sharing a conversation he had with former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley about how great a community Deer Park is. The Board of Education also thanked Tanger Outlet Center and the Town of Babylon for their financial contributions that made the new lights possible. Tanger General Manager Curt Fickeisen was presented with a plaque and Town Supervisor Steve Bellone (who admitted he attended North Babylon Schools) was given a framed Deer Park Falcon jersey. One by one, each Deer Park athletic team (Robert Frost MS, DPHS JV and DPHS Varsity) were introduced and marched around the track to great applause. It was a festive night that started what will be many exciting triumphs under the lights to come. In addition to providing Falcon fans with nighttime games, the lights will alleviate scheduling conflicts by extending the athletic day. Click here for more photos... http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=412 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT The District announced the high school’s Top 10 academically ranked students for the Class of 2010. Students, teachers, guidance counselors, families, Board of Education members and administrators came together for a breakfast that honored these talented students for their successes within the classroom and beyond. Each student’s character was highlighted along with their educational accomplishments, community outreach, and extracurricular activities, representing the diverse makeup of the high school’s student body. Class of 2010 Top Ten: Thomas DiBendedetto - Valedictorian Brian Kavanagh - Salutatorian Brian Giunta - Third Christopher Drake - Fourth Nicole Zeblisky - Fifth Randy Singh - Sixth Christopher Ottersen - Seventh Hui-Hung Hwang - Eighth Daniel Zito - Ninth Daniel Nunez - Tenth Central Administration and the high school administrative team congratulated all the students and looked towards their senior year, encouraging students to stay focused and prepare for graduation. Pictured here are (standing, left to right) High School Associate Principal Craig Evans, Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen, Daniel Zito (#9), Daniel Nunez (#10), Hui-Hung Hwang (#8), Randy Singh (#6), Christopher Ottersen (#7), Principal James Cummings, Associate Principal Kimberly Johnston, (seated, left to right) Christopher Drake (#4), Brian Giunta (#3), Thomas DiBendedetto (#1), Brian Kavanagh (#2), and Nicole Zeblisky (#5). http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=381 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School students recently participated in the Scholastic Books Summer Reading Challenge. In promotion of the districtwide effort to increase and incorporate student literacy throughout the curriculum, students were encouraged to read during the summer months and develop good habits, with the goal of nurturing lifelong readers. Research shows that students who read four or more books during the summer perform better on reading tests in the fall than those students who simply read one or no books during the summer. The challenge incorporated reading and writing skills; requiring students to read for approximately 30 minutes each day, record their time in a log, and complete one project for each book read from an activity packet given to them. Partnering with parents, the district provided suggestions of grade-appropriate, popular authors and series, as well as specific book titles. Students were encouraged to choose their literature based on their personal interests. After reading each book students were required to complete various tasks that incorporated critical-thinking skills and literary analysis. Activities included “Critic’s Corner,” where they articulated their opinions about their favorite character, explained why they liked or didn’t like the book, and to whom they would recommend the book. A “Read, Relate, Respond” activity required students to dissect components of the story to complete thoughts such as, “Wow! This part is exciting because…” or “This part is puzzling because...” or “The surprising part of the book is…” Creating Character Analysis T-shirts, students identified the literary elements used by the author to describe a character. Traits, personal conflicts, strengths and weaknesses, as well as story descriptions were illustrated on specific positions on the blank shirt. Character Scrapbooks gave students a chance to visually interpret the book’s storyline and characters with a collection of pictures, drawings and notes. Upon returning to school this fall, students who accepted the challenge gave a Book Talk in their English Language Arts class about one of the books they read. They each received a certificate and prize for reaching their reading goals. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=382 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT The District prepared its youngest learners for a safe educational journey. Abraham Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten students boarded the Eastern Suffolk BOCES mobile classroom and received an interactive lesson from ‘Safety Sally,’ a trained professional educator on bus safety who administers the program. Through instruction and simulations, students practiced the proper way to cross the street in the presence of a school bus. Counting together, students walked the appropriate 10 steps from the front of a parked bus, identified the bus driver, and looked both ways before crossing the street. In an organized single file line, they climbed aboard the bus, hands on handrail, seated themselves and learned how to securely fasten their safety belts. Following an informative video demonstration of proper conduct while on board the bus and at bus stops, the students identified the emergency exits and how they should maneuver during an evacuation. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=383 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT School officials continue to research and implement initiatives to achieve energy conservation. Most recently, the district partnered with experts in the energy industry to further their “green” agenda for school facilities and community resources. As a leader among school districts in the area of green initiatives, the Deer Park School District has already installed light sensors with automatic shutoff controls at the high school, with Robert Frost Middle School installation to be completed this spring. These sensors will conserve the use of light in these buildings, resulting in utility cost savings. The anticipated immediate savings will pay for the sensors within three months of their activation. Cogeneration Units (Cogens) are being utilized throughout the schools, including two at the high school, one at the middle school, and one at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School. Cogens use natural gas to generate electricity and these units produce up to $120,000 per year savings for the district. In addition, high efficiency boilers were installed at the high school and have reduced the yearly bill by a substantial $350,000 dollars and achieved a 50% reduction in therm usage, otherwise known as units of heat. Johnson Controls, a nationwide leader in optimizing energy use and providing solutions for plant facilities, is currently conducting an energy audit on the remaining school district building systems to determine other areas to be addressed to achieve even greater efficiency. Various components will be analyzed, including boiler controls, computer management systems, heating and ventilation systems, and solar panels and other options and ideas will be considered to reduce energy bills. “We realize that in order to become a truly green environment, we must do our due diligence and review all of our school buildings,” said Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen. “The district is benefiting from the savings produced by our recent efforts in this area, and we will continue to explore new technologies to bring our facilities into the 21st Century for the benefit of our entire community.” Deer Park Board of Education President Dennis Ryan, Board Trustee and Chairman of the district’s Energy Committee Keith Rooney and district administrators hosted representatives from National Grid, Clean Cities Coalition, and Engineered Energy Solutions to discuss the opportunities to further reduce costs at Deer Park schools through the implementation of natural gas buses. Various aspects of the project were highlighted, including installing a natural gas pumping station at the district’s transportation facility and converting the district’s bus fleet to natural gas. The first Long Island school district to convert to a completely ‘clean-air’ fleet of buses was the Long Beach City Schools in 2003. They purchased natural gas buses and retrofitted several existing buses with converters to run cleaner and more efficiently. “We are already saving money through lower operational costs, which then allows us to redirect budgetary funds for educational programming,” said Mr. Rooney, who has spearheaded many of the district’s energy projects. “Our efforts, many of which have become realities thanks to the diligent work of Plant Facilities Administrator Kirk Gostkowski and his Buildings & Grounds crew, are also simultaneously supporting positive global change, while educating the students of Deer Park within an optimal environment.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=384 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT The schools of the Deer Park District were filled with bright backpacks and fresh notebooks as students walked through the halls and into their classrooms for the 2009-2010 school year. Greeted by the encouraging smiles of administrators, teachers, faculty and staff, the day was highlighted with introductions, classroom arrangements, and planning for the academic year ahead. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=320 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen welcomed the district’s teachers, faculty and staff for a day of planning and preparation prior to the opening of the new school year. Ms. Demyen reinforced the theme of community and the district’s ultimate goal of preparing students for future successes to the staff. The collective mission of Deer Park’s educators and support staff is to provide each and every student with exemplary programs of study within a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. The expectation is that students will achieve academic excellence, mastering those concepts, skills and processes that will enable them to become thoughtful, productive citizens in society. Welcoming new faces, district administrators introduced the newest hires and their various positions throughout the schools. Veteran teachers will aid the new teachers during their transition to Deer Park, sharing their experiences and advice. Teachers reviewed strategies for student comprehension and retention and broke down the components of an effective lesson plan for the first day of school and beyond. Department leaders and core curriculum teachers were commended for their across-the-board gains on New York State assessment scores and were encouraged to keep up the good work. Growth in literacy skills, student achievement, and use and availability of technology will be key areas of focus for the administration entering the new school year. This fall, students and parents will notice improved buildings and grounds, district-wide. In fact, the orientation culminated with a visual presentation of the extensive facility upgrades that were completed throughout the district over the summer. Some of the key improvements include new and improved art rooms, computer and science labs, physical fitness locker rooms, and choral rooms. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=321 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Superintendent of Schools Eva Demyen welcomed the district’s newest teachers with a comprehensive orientation program. In order to fully integrate the faculty into the classrooms and community, teachers spent three days getting to know one another and their schools. In preparation for the first day of school, Deer Park administrators coached new teachers on how to design an effective lesson plan. Meeting a variety of district administrators and directors who they will interact and work with on a regular basis, new teachers learned about district practices, policies, and protocols, and their own roles. New teachers received an introduction to the district’s Student Information System - Infinite Campus. Through the professional development program PRIME, they were connected with experienced colleagues to establish mentoring relationships and promote district camaraderie. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=322 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park School District will host the United States Army Field Band on Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The public is invited to experience the music of this multifaceted performing group, which consists of a 65-member instrumental ensemble and a 29-member mixed choral ensemble. The United States Army Field Band is the premier touring musical representative of the United States Army and is highly active in the educational community. Its members, selected through a highly competitive audition, represent some of the most talented musicians in America. As the military's most traveled performing group for more than six decades, the Army Field Band has earned the title, "The Musical Ambassadors of the Army." Deer Park Director of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Jeff Dailey anticipates the positive musical experience for students and community members alike. "The Deer Park Music Department is proud that the US Army Field Band and Chorus decided to make Deer Park a stop on their east coast tour. The music students of Deer Park will have the unique chance to interact with and residents will be able to view and listen to some of this nation's finest instrumentalists and singers." The following Deer Park High School student musicians will perform with the US Army Field Band during their concert: Flute players: Christina Marmo and Bridget Roy Clarinet players: Nicole Zeblisky and Jazmine Quirindongo Alto Sax players: Daniel Nunez and Nicholas Scotto Trumpeters: Tyler Amend and Adam Grunseich Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance by calling 631-274-4112. Deer Park High School is located at 1 Falcon Place, Deer Park, NY. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=313 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT District-wide Scores Rise; Double-Digit Gains in Many Areas The Deer Park School District’s commitment to educational excellence can be seen in the latest New York State Assessment results. Deer Park student scores have improved, or remained at a high level, across the board in grades 3-8 on the 2008-2009 Math and English Language Arts (ELA) exams. Many of the impressive gains over the 2007-2008 school year can be attributed to the cooperative hard work and dedication of the district’s students, teachers and administration. “Greater emphasis was placed on using individualized student reports and teacher reports,” said Deputy Superintendent Eva J. Demyen, who led the effort. “Curriculum was rewritten in both disciplines to strengthen student attention in areas where they showed prior deficiencies. The key was not to teach to the test, but to focus on New York State core curricula and use the best practices to deliver the concepts, skills and processes that are needed at that particular grade level.” The district-wide effort has been implemented and its positive effects are already benefiting students and their academic careers. The following are the percentages of students meeting or exceeding the New York State standard by scoring in Levels 3 and 4 of the respective exams. Grade Level ELA 07-08 ELA 08-09 Math 07-08 Math 08-09 3 83––––> 83 97––––> 98 4 75––––> 87 90––––> 90 5 83––––> 87 87––––> 93 6 80––––> 90 90––––> 93 7 72––––> 90 92––––> 97 8 61––––> 74 74––––> 94 “We are all very proud of our students and the fact that they are achieving a significantly higher level of success on these exams,” added Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino. “It’s a testament to the many hours of staff and curriculum development our educators put in. Our goal is to continue to improve teaching and learning; so that we can be the best we can be and help the children of Deer Park achieve their full potential and exceed expectations.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=241 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT High School student Nikita Shah has earned the distinction of Valedictorian, while classmate Anna Salvatore received Salutatorian designation for the Class of 2009. Both students exemplify the strong character, commitment to education and community spirit that make the district a success. Nikita’s extensive awards and honors include competing and placing at the Suffolk County Math Contest four years in a row, as well as placing in the top five her junior and senior years at the Regional New York State Science Olympiad. Earning the respect of her teachers, she has been the recipient of a variety of departmental awards including English Language Arts, math, global history, AP Biology and foreign languages. Extending her talents to the court she earned the title of Scholar-Athlete and was an All-League selection tennis player. On stage she participated in the school’s theatrical productions as part of the stage crew, and musical ensemble, as well as being President of the Tri-M Honor Society. Working towards a career in the medical field Nikita has volunteered her time at Brookhaven Hospital and has worked with the Young Scholarship Program at Stony Brook University. Scoring three and higher on four challenging Advanced Placement Exams, Salutatorian Anna Salvatore received the AP Scholar with Honor Award. Excelling in diverse curriculum areas she also was given the SEA-BBS Certificate of Excellence in Art award and her works were displayed in a community showcase. Her creative skills have been highlighted in the high school’s publication Phantom Press where she held the positions of staff reporter and Co-Editor. Serving as a district role model Anna was a member of the Peer Leadership committee where she attended conferences and worked with elementary school children on an anti-bullying and tolerance campaign. Connecting with the community she volunteered with the Patchogue First Political Campaign preparing campaign literature. The district congratulates the Class of 2009 Top Ten for their vast accomplishments and contributions to the school and Bayport-Blue Point community. Valedictorian Nikita Shah Salutatorian Anna Salvatore #3 Margaret Muller #4 Alison Bernicker #5 Michael Hanusch #6 Declan Diemer #7 Adam Jansen #8 Trevor Dougherty #9 Dylan Kann #10 Darcy Cahill http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=280 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT The District provides its students with opportunities to develop healthy minds and bodies through their successful athletic program. Promoting an environment where students learn about teamwork, hone problem-solving skills and interact through positive competition, each grade level offers students a chance to connect with their peers and educators. Combining their talent on the field and their academic performance in the classroom, six Bayport-Blue Point spring athletic teams were recognized by the Section XI Athletic Association as New York State Scholar Athlete teams. This designation means that as a group each team maintained a grade point average of 90% or better throughout their entire athletic season. These Scholar-Athlete Teams include Varsity Baseball, Varsity Boys Lacrosse, Varsity Girls Lacrosse, Varsity Boys Spring Track, Varsity Girls Spring Track and Varsity Girls Golf. In addition, the Girls Varsity Softball Team was awarded the distinction of being named New York State Section XI Sportsmanship Teams, which means that during competitions their fair play earned them the respect of opponents, coaches and officials. Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Athletics Timothy Mullins, on behalf of the district, would like to congratulate its student-athletes and their coaches for successfully representing the school district and the community in the classroom and in athletic competition. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=281 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT District Elementary Schools celebrated literacy with publisher’s night. An event to showcase the writing and reading skills of the district’s youngest authors, teachers, parents and community members came together to view and listen to their original stories and tales. Each class and author’s work featured a diverse theme and was inspired by the people, activities and places that they love. Creating an interactive experience a “comments to the author” page provided space for readers to reflect on the work. The variety of writings provided personal insight into students’ thoughts and imaginations including “The ABC’s of…” and All About…”, while illustrations described scenes and added visual impact to storylines. In intimate viewing sessions authors practiced their public speaking sills and revealed their books through their voice reading aloud to an eager audience. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=282 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT Good Grades, Sportsmanship and Successful Play Highlight Awards Ceremony The District provides its students with opportunities to develop healthy minds and bodies through the regular physical education curriculum and a plethora of athletic teams and clubs. Promoting an environment where students learn about teamwork, hone problem-solving skills and interact through positive competition, each grade level offers students a chance to connect with their peers and educators. To further encourage student-athletes of Deer Park to excel both on the field and in the classroom, Board of Education members, administrators and community members came together to honor those students who make the extra effort to excel in both capacities. Combining their talent on the field and their academic performance in the classroom, five Deer Park spring athletic teams were recognized by the Section XI Athletic Association as New York State Scholar Athlete teams. This designation means that collectively, each team maintained a grade point average of 90 or better throughout their entire athletic season. In addition, three Deer Park spring squads were awarded the distinction of being named New York State Section XI Sportsmanship Teams, which means that during competitions their fair play earned the respect of opponents, coaches and officials. Competitively, the Boys Varsity Spring Golf team captured the League I Suffolk County Championships for the fifth consecutive year and standout player Robert O’Connell qualified for the New York State Tournament. On the Lacrosse field, Varsity athlete Melyssa Mathewson made the National High School Girls Team, along with teammate Monica White who was also named to the Under Armour All-American Team. These talented Deer Park athletes are led by a group of dedicated coaches, including Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse Coach Ian Kyranakis who received the honor and title of being selected by the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association as Junior Varsity Coach of the Year. The following teams received New York State Scholar-Athlete status as well as had individual players earning All-State, All-County, Academic All-County, All-Conference and All-League awards: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Girls Varsity Lacrosse Boys Spring Track Girls Spring Track Boys Varsity Tennis The following teams earned New York State Sportsmanship Team Winners: Boys Spring Track Girls Varsity Golf Boys Junior Varsity Spring Golf http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=274 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School math teacher Anthony Tannacore combines his passions in life with lessons in mathematics. Mr. Tannacore’s teaching philosophy is focused on fun and relevancy. He uses unique techniques to spark student interest and participation. Interactive lessons pull from a variety of sources allowing students to see math in everyday situations. Using the analogy of a video game, Mr. Tannacore describes the student learning process as starting at the lowest level, gathering all the necessary information, asking the correct questions, and developing clues before advancing to the next level. “As a student, I have always learned best when the lessons were fun, but more important, relative to the real world,” he said. “As a teacher, I try to accomplish these two principles in my lessons to make math come to life.” For example, referencing the popular game show The Price is Right, Mr. Tannacore taught students about the probability of items being priced at certain values based on the number of multiple choice guesses a contestant was given. To teach students about algebra he introduced jumping jacks; for every set of jacks a student performed the student was given 2 pieces of candy. With the number “2” being the constant and the number of jacks being the variable (in this case, variable j) the class learned algebra in a more quantifiable, fun and tasty manner. He also draws correlations to the left side/right side of the brain when teaching about place value of numbers and uses a chant from the movie Remember the Titans that references football plays. In the movie, the team shouted out “strong side” when running to the left and “weak side” when running to the right. In similar fashion, students are asked to chant “strong” in a deep tone when identifying place value to the left, and “weak” in a softer tome when identifying values to the right. As a result of Mr. Tannacore’s techniques, students are not only gaining a better grasp of the material, they apply their knowledge to their own lives. His approach has undoubtedly engaged and motivated them to learn and succeed. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=275 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT John F Kennedy Intermediate School teachers engaged their classes in a variety of literature during Literacy Week. Each classroom door was transformed into a life-sized book cover portraying a popular children’s story or novel, and teachers celebrated their students as writers and readers with classroom activities. Inside the school library students were exposed to the works of professional authors and introduced to the diverse genres available to them. As a culmination of week’s events, district students and families were invited to an author evening. Teachers kicked-off the night with a literary performance using puppets to engage students, read stories and act out scenes. From the stage teachers prompted students to complete character lines and describe story lines. After the show the school’s gymnasium served as a meet-and-greet for students, parents and the featured authors. Authors displayed a collection of their books and students had the opportunity to speak with them about their stories, the writing process and how a book goes from a vision to a published work. Books carrying themes of science, sports, friendship, and fortitude were represented and students shared classic tales as well as new titles of interest with friends and family. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=276 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park School District announced its Top Ten academic students for the 2009 graduating class and leading the list were Valedictorian Ekta Patel and Salutatorian Christopher Wankel. Valedictorian Ekta Patel Teachers and guidance counselors documented Ekta’s combination of extraordinary intelligence, superior work ethic and unique intellectual curiosity. Ekta is not only determined to do her best, but as a leader in the classroom, helps her peers achieve their full potential. Ekta’s academic dedication has propelled her to be an Advanced Placement Scholar and a perfect score of 800 on the Math portion of the SAT. Outside of the classroom Ekta’s skills extend to extracurricular activities. An active member of Student Council, International Culture Club and National Honor Society as well as being an integral member and Vice President of the district Math Team and four-year member of the Chamber Orchestra on 2nd violin and girls’ lacrosse program. She has also competed academically in the Suffolk County 2007 Math Tournament and 2009 National Science Bowl. Bettering her community and the lives of others, the past two summers Ekta has participated in the Lead America’s conference on Medicine and Healthcare at St. John’s University, and the Science and Research Awareness Series at Stony Brook University. Volunteering countless hours at Good Samaritan and Stony Brook University Hospitals, her experiences will help in her journey pursuing a career in the medical field. Salutatorian Christopher Wankel Described as having a wonderful blend of intelligence, wit, compassion, creativity and modesty, Christopher is a humble leader who is grateful for all he has and feels a responsibility to give back to his school and community. Scoring a perfect 800 on the Math section of the PSAT, Christopher has equally impressive scores on both the ACT and SAT. An Advanced Placement scholar, he is also an accomplished musician who plays the Bassoon and Piano and has performed on stage in a variety of school plays, as well as behind the scenes as stage manager. An emerging artist, Christopher also uniquely illustrates his creative talents, making crafts from “found objects.” Christopher has worked alongside Suffolk County Pastors, where he organized a Hurricane Katrina relief group, in which he traveled to Louisiana to rebuild houses for those who lost their homes. An advocate for universal, cultural literacy Christopher has served as an instructor of English as a Second Language through the Ascension Lutheran Church. His work this past summer at BRAC USA, a nonprofit organization that aids the underprivileged toward fiscal independence, made Christopher the first high school intern to participate in the organization. Ekta and Christopher were joined by the rest of the outstanding Top Ten students and were recognized at a breakfast where each student’s outstanding accomplishments and character was highlighted. The Top 10 academically ranked students for the Deer Park Class of 2009 are: Ekta Patel Valedictorian Christopher Wankel Salutatorian Justin Walsh Third Michael Pesca Fourth Ebne Safi Fifth Michael Ferguson Sixth Karamveer Singh Seventh Amanda Hoffman Eighth Eric Wuu Ninth Alyssa Napoli Tenth http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=277 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT Middle School Class Writes Winning Recipe in Nationwide Contest Robert Frost Middle School Family and Consumer Science students were recently named the winners of the Stirring Up Health recipe contest sponsored by the Healthy Kids Challenge organization. The goal of this national effort is to encourage students to enjoy healthy eating and physical activity as part of their overall lifestyle. Healthy Kids Challenge is a nationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization led by registered licensed dietitians with years of school, program and community wellness experience. For over 10 years, the organization has pioneered the path of onsite and distance assistance. Robert Frost students applied their culinary curriculum to create the “Deer Park Paco,” an innovative combination of a pizza and a taco using all natural ingredients. In class, students prepared different versions of their recipe and conducted taste tests voting for the school recipe winner. Students then submitted that recipe to an esteemed panel of Healthy Kids Challenge judges who selected the winning chefs. Recipes were judged on originality, creativity and taste and contestants also were required to submit essays explaining how they planned to make positive changes in their lives and the lives of others by making and encouraging better nutrition decisions. In reward for their winning entry, Frost students were visited by Chef Thomas J. Delle Donne of Johnson and Wales University who worked in the kitchen with the young chefs to teach them about kitchen tools and techniques. Slicing and dicing during a live demonstration, Chef Thomas introduced students to the latest technologies in food science, creating edible molecular based snacks and using the students winning recipe to recreate the Deer Park Paco with them. “I truly believe that it is imperative to educate students on healthy eating and cooking habits,” said Chef Thomas. “While they are young we need to empower them with proper ways to prepare and eat as opposed to commercial advertising, exposing them to snack foods and sugar loaded treats. One of the ways we can do this is to show them the best practices and provide reasons why good health and moderation are keys to a happy life.” Deer Park’s Home and Career Skills winning recipe can be viewed at http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/?q=content/kids-recipe-contest-winners. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=242 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT High School student Mohamed Abbas recently lent his voice to radio and participated in a public service announcement (PSA) campaign aimed at informing teens about the dangers distractions can pose when operating a car. Mohamed was selected to join other student representatives from across Long Island to participate in the campaign, which is being conducted by Allstate Insurance Company. Based on fatal accident statistics, the increased number of cars on the road and the fact that holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day) and activities such as the senior prom historically result in increased alcohol use and subsequent drunken driving, experts identify the spring and summer months as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Driving.” Mohamed’s PSA, which he recently recorded at the studios of WBLI radio station in West Babylon, will air on 106.1 from now through Labor Day weekend. Earlier in the school year, Deer Park was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation and hosted a program at the high school entitled Direct The Drive: Show Off for Safety for which Mohamed was involved in coordinating. Under the program, high school students performed their own music videos and commercials about the dangers of distracted and reckless driving for their peers and the community. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=243 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Through the Arts in Education program John F. Kennedy Intermediate School students had the opportunity to work with professional artist John DiNaro in a school-wide beautification project. Students in Laurie Schwartz’s classes created visual pieces of art to be placed throughout the building hand carving and painting wooden carousel animals and a signature dragon with the inspirational message “believe” written across its body from sketch drawings. Adding their personal style to the project, they decorated their animals with jewels and beads. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=244 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT The world is a little greener thanks to a partnership fostered between May Moore Elementary School and Tanger Outlets at the Arches. In celebration of Earth Day, students joined the TangerStyle Greener World campaign, which includes a variety of onsite, eco-themed promotions as well as special community events nationwide. May Moore students crafted a visual display to remind the community and Tanger shoppers to be active members in our global community. They designed and painted storefront windows illustrating a heart shaped earth with the poignant slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Carrying their eco-friendly, re-usable shopping totes and wearing their “May Moore Primary School is Going Green” t-shirts, students demonstrated their commitment to the movement to help make our world cleaner and healthier. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=184 Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT The District Office of Pupil Personnel Services, under the direction of Assistant Superintendent Frank Caliguiri, has worked with the Administrator of Student Services Mary Reynolds and Administrator of Special Education Randi Medeiros to develop extensive after school socialization programs for all district special needs students, grades K-12. The goal of these specialized athletic and aquatics programs are to increase the opportunity for special needs students to be socially successful. Each program is designed to teach students (in an engaging environment) appropriate social skills to use when working with their peers in school, as well as adults outside of school. Students focus on abilities acquired through the various weekly after school activities and are provided with necessary life lessons needed for success. A variety of specific strategies are learned, including health and safety, appropriate communication, personal interactions, turn taking, team building and self-esteem concerns. With the help of the Special Education Parent Faculty Club (SEPFC) and support of the Board of Education, special needs students are excelling through this valuable district program. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=185 Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School Fashion Club has gone beyond trends and styles and is lending their design skills for the community outreach program Warm Up America. Warm Up America is an organization made up of volunteers who create handmade Afghan blankets, clothing and accessories to help those in need. These items provide warmth and comfort to people who have lost their homes, fled abusive relations, or are being cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals, and nursing home. Members of the Frost club are each knitting and crocheting 7 X 9 rectangles, which will be sewn together to create a unique and personal blanket. Fashion Club Advisor and Family and Consumer Science teacher Cindy Adriaenssens, has exposed her students to this program for three years and believes that through helping others students are able to build their own self worth and self esteem. In addition to this project Fashion Club students are also participating in an American Sewing Guild community service project by creating pillowcases to be used in Ronald McDonald Houses, which provide temporary housing for families of ill or injured children. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=186 Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Skills Taught ‘SMART’ at Pre-K Center Abraham Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten teachers have cooperatively developed a SMARTBoard program, allowing all Pre-K teachers to take full advantage of this relatively new interactive whiteboard technology. This is providing Deer Park’s youngest learners with an edge as they approach the critical years of their development. Teacher Susan Ricciardelli employs SMARTBoard’s interactive features throughout the school day. Daily routines range from identifying the date, time, and seasonal weather characteristics using a calendar application, to working within the system’s language arts portal on developing literacy and phonics skills. “I use SMARTBoard’s TeachSmart feature to enrich the teaching of letter recognition, formation and sound so that students can breakdown words and sentences and build upon basics,” said Ms. Ricciardelli, who worked with colleagues to develop fun and effective lessons that address differentiated levels of student progression, incorporating different system features and various computer applications, Activities also teach youngsters rhyming and patterning. Students apply their knowledge of nursery rhymes and fables to identify key plot elements and coordinate sequential events. Pre-Kindergarten teacher Bobbie Colby uses TeachSmart on the SMARTBoard to enhance mathematics skill development. A unique feature of the system allows students to vocally record and print problems they write on the board to solve math problems using a feature entitled “self-talk.” During these sessions, Ms. Colby records their work and plays it back for each student in order to reinforce previous activities. Lauren Oddo, a fellow pre-kindergarten teacher, utilizes TeachSmart to motivate pre-k students to effectively develop auditory, visual, and motor skills by integrating core subject areas with engaging “play” tasks. This has sparked student interest in a multitude of educational topics, while inspiring academic goal setting and increasing student success. The program helps teachers develop individual digital portfolios that track student growth and accomplishments and allows them to share this information with parents. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=187 Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in America today, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries each year. To combat this shocking statistic, Deer Park High School students created a multifaceted campaign to get their peers to drive smarter. In addition to potentially saving lives, the teens won $5,000 for their school through The Allstate Foundation’s “Keep the Drive National Activism Contest.” The award-winning campaign used creative peer-to-peer approaches to promote smart driving. A key event of the students’ campaign was the school’s first-ever Keep the Drive ‘Rap Off’ during which groups of students and teachers performed raps and poems they created about distracted driving. More than 350 students, parents and community members attended the event, including local fire and EMS officials. Continuing to make an impact around the district, students staged a “Grim Reaper Day” to create awareness that an average of 14 teens die each day in crashes. Additionally, they created a smart-driving showcase in the school’s lobby and engaged teens and parents in writing letters to one another about how it would feel if the teen died in a crash. “Our school community has recently suffered the loss of a wonderful teacher from a car crash, which makes this issue very relevant for us,” said Deer Park Principal James Cummings. “Our students were inspired by the unique ‘Keep the Drive’ summit to spread the smart driving message and prevent the senseless loss of life in our community. We’re thrilled about this recognition, and the prize will enable us to continue to reach more teens. We thank The Allstate Foundation for their generous donation, and helping us to get the message out.” Students learned about Keep the Drive, a national teen-led smart driving movement, during a Long Island teen driving summit and through their health class curriculum. At the summit event student leaders from Deer Park pledged to be responsible drivers and smart driving advocates. Students were provided with tools to tackle the teen driving issue through peer-to-peer grassroots initiatives. In class, students discussed ways to initiate smart driving conversations and created action plans for how they will communicate responsible driving decisions to their peers. Pictured, Allstate Senior Corporate Relations Manager, NY Region, Krista Conte (top row, far right) and Wheatley Heights Allstate Agency Owner Darin Reed (second to left) presented (top row, L-R) Deer Park High School Principal James Cummings, Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Frank Caliguiri, Deputy Superintendent Eva Demyen and (bottom left) teacher Sheryl Deacon with the check to promote continued safety and health initiatives. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=160 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT District students learned health and safety tips on a variety of fronts from local law enforcement officials through the Suffolk County Police Department’s PoliceSmart program. Oriented towards grades Kindergarten through eighth, the program brings police officers into classrooms to tackle age-appropriate topics; the goal is to help students make smarter decisions and think about the consequences of their actions. Not only are students informed on the legal consequences, but also of the health and social consequences and how they can impact their lives and the lives of others. To reinforce and cover topics in depth, officers make multiple visits throughout the school year utilizing personal in-class visits and interactive school-wide assemblies. Suffolk County Police Officer Antoinette Semetsis, who grew up in Deer Park, returned to the schools she attended to connect and create a partnership between law enforcement and district students. Serving the department for 20 years, Officer Semetsis takes pride in Deer Park student achievement and community success, and hopes to mentor local youth through productive, law-abiding decision-making. Through the PoliceSmart program, Deer Park elementary students learn about pedestrian, fire and home safety and handling emergency situations through illustrated action posters, while intermediate and middle school students explored drug, alcohol and tobacco use, Internet bullying and car safety with influential power point presentations. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=161 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT May Moore Elementary School students kicked-off their Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program by celebrating the birthday Dr. Seuss. This year’s theme, “Would You, Could You, Read a Book” was inspired by Dr. Seuss’ rhymes from the book Green Eggs and Ham and kicked off the school’s week of literacy. Educational presenter Lee Knight led off an interactive, improv concert with a presentation of “Books Alive.” Wearing their handcrafted Cat in the Hat, tall top hats students sang and danced on stage as their favorite books came alive through music. Students transformed into the unique, colorful characters that have appeared in childhood storybooks, using props and percussion instruments to retell these Seuss tales. Students cheered while their peers strung together a series of stories including Are You My Mother? and Horton Hears a Who!. Following the performance students enjoyed Seuss classics, Green Eggs and Ham, Yurtle the Turtle shells and cheese and 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Jell-O as a lunchtime treat. PARP is an educational program used to promote student literacy at the earliest stages of development, while fostering a school to home connection. PARP encourages students and parents to come together and read aloud every night for at least 15 minutes of practice. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=162 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT Abraham Lincoln Pre-Kindergarten students and teachers invited District parents for a workshop on pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills while educating parents on environmentally friendly educational tasks. The school gymnasium was transformed into an arena of activity, filled with engaging stations that challenged students’ minds and provided parents with tips on how to facilitate simple, inexpensive projects for their children to complete at home using everyday products and supplies. Learning through play, students predicted, sorted and counted; incorporating their math skills to plot and read candy graphs and form number equations. Applying their science curriculum, students traced their fist to represent the size of their heart and using a ruler measured the diameter and circumference. Mastering fine motor skills, students played a dice game and manipulated forceps to create cotton ball snowmen. They even went “ice fishing,” matching the numbers and letters hooked on to their pole. Providing Deer Park’s High School Child Development students with firsthand experience, the students were assigned to different workstations to teach the parents who attended environmentally friendly, educational activities that can be replicated at home. Combining a healthy mind and body students became active at Fitness Day. The objective of the day was to provide an entertaining and energetic circuit workout for which the students could enjoy themselves in a vigorous setting, while appreciating the importance of fitness goals. A concentrated lesson in physical education, Fitness Day emphasized the importance of living an energetic lifestyle with students moving through a series of stations that focused on diverse elements of fitness. Teachers joined the physical fun, assisting students at each station to ensure that they effectively participated at each event. The sessions concluded with a cool down parachute activity where students demonstrated their teamwork skills. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=163 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT Scores 1,000th point for Falcons; Receives All-American Consideration Deer Park High School Senior Josh M., a four-year member of the Boys Varsity Basketball team, has netted his 1,000th point for the Falcons. Head Coach John McCaffrey recently presented Josh with the game ball from this milestone moment before the team tipped off against Riverhead (pictured here). Additionally, Josh has been nominated for the McDonald's High School All-American Game. The McDonald's High School All American game is the highest honor a high school basketball player can receive and Josh has received consideration for one of just 12 roster spots on the team, comprised of the elite high school basketball players from throughout the eastern United States. Members of the nation-wide Selection Committee as well as New York State representatives, nominated Josh for team. Josh has also received regional recognition as a Class AA All-Playoff Tournament player and All-League, All-Conference and All-County athlete. At 6’4”, he leads the team in scoring this season and will look to further his academic and athletic career next year, strongly considering Quinnipiac, Stony Brook, Wagner, Old Dominion and Delaware. 11 Scholar Athlete Teams, 4 Sportsmanship Awards The Section XI Athletic Association recognized eleven Deer Park High School varsity teams as New York State Scholar Athlete teams. This designation means that as a group they maintained a grade point average of 90 or better throughout their entire athletic season. In addition, four Deer Park teams were awarded the distinction of New York State Section XI Sportsmanship Team Winners, which means that during competition their fair play earned the respect of opponents, coaches and officials. The following teams received New York State Scholar Athlete status as well as individual players earning All-State, All-County, Academic All-County, All-Conference and All League awards: Varsity Football Varsity Girls Soccer Varsity Boys Soccer Varsity Girls Swimming Varsity Girls Tennis Varsity Girls Volleyball Varsity Boys Cross Country Varsity Girls Cross Country Varsity Cheerleading Varsity Girls Kickline Marching Band The following teams earned New York State Sportsmanship Team Winners: Varsity Boys Soccer Varsity Girls Volleyball Robert Frost Boys Soccer Robert Frost Girls Soccer http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=134 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Eighteen students from Deer Park High School represented the district in the Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce sixth annual business leadership competition at Farmingdale State University. The Deer Park students were among 177 students, representing nine different schools that competed in categories such as Fashion Marketing, Graphic Design, E-Commerce, Sports Marketing, Real Estate, Advertising, Hospitality Services, Entrepreneurship, Sports Management and Job Interviewing. Teachers and students prepared intensely over the course of months on these competition subjects. Many of the students worked cooperatively to prepare their research, design marketing advertisements, and job interview skills. The competition not only demonstrated Deer Park students’ academic and personal strengths; it provided them with an opportunity to interact with students from other school districts, business professionals, and community leaders, including Assemblymen Andrew Raia. During the competition, the Chamber of Commerce held “Ten Minute Talks,” each presented by a professional guest speaker. These informative seminars covered subjects such as computer technology, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, safe driving practices, and everyday etiquette for a successful future. Students involved were commended for their participation, diligence and professionalism. One Deer Park High School Junior, Joe F., was awarded with a first place plaque in the Job Interview category, while sophomore Vincent M. was invited to the Headquarters of the New York Islanders where he presented the Sports Marketing team’s project to Islander President Chris Dey. District self-contained students received an Honorable Mention Certificate for their participation. Several of the students recognized attended a recent Board of Education meeting, where they received Board commendations, awarded by Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Frank Caliguiri. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=135 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Teachers at Deer Park Robert Frost Middle School are motivating students through positive, proactive participation. Curriculum Associate for Humanities Oslyn Rodriguez has instituted the Renaissance Program, an educational enrichment program developed to inspire and encourage the acceptance and excitement for academics through student empowerment, recognition, and reward. Renaissance exercises are designed to increase student performance through engagement and raising the level of school unity. Homework, Agenda, on-Time (H.A.T.) Patrol is one of several recognition activities that has been implemented at Frost Middle School. On any given day during the week, Ms. Rodriguez dons the most creative, lavish hat she can find and begins her highly anticipated “H.A.T. patrol.” Walking the halls of the school, she randomly visits classrooms and searches for a class where everyone present has met the following criteria: Completed their Homework, brought their Agendas, and reported to class on-Time. If everyone in the class has met the program requirements, the entire class enjoys a reward. Students look forward to Ms. Rodriguez’s surprise visits (pictured here), resulting in increased student self-preparation and an overall sense of pride for students in their daily successes. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=136 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students Named to Numerous Regional Music Conferences The Deer Park School District and Department of Fine and Performing Arts would like to congratulate its All-State Ensemble members. Deer Park High School Violinist Bradley B. was selected to perform with the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Orchestra. Selected to the NYSSMA All-State Chorus were Dayna F., Victoria G., Michelle J. and Michael N., all of which performed at the NYSSMA All-State Music Conference held at the famed Eastman Kodak Theater in Rochester, NY back in December. Bradley and Michael have also been selected to perform in the prestigious All-Eastern Honors Ensembles. Michael will be a member of the 350-voice All-Eastern Chorus and Bradley will be a member of the 150 All-Eastern Orchestra. These two will further showcase their talents at All-Eastern Concert to be held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium for the Performing Arts in Providence, Rhode Island in March. Bradley and Michael were among top student-musicians selected regionally from 10 states and Washington D.C. Other Deer Park School District island-wide music honors went to Toni Nicole T., Noah R., Bradley B., Eric W., Meghan H. and Kevin T. who recently performed in the Long Island String Festival Association Concert held at Ward Melville High School in East Setauket. Additionally, 23 students have been chosen from Deer Park High School, Robert Frost Middle School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School for the 2009 All-County Ensembles in Chorus, Band and Orchestra. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=137 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT The High School’s Academic Team competed in the Long Island Challenge on News 12. The Challenge is a televised quiz show for high schools featuring the best and brightest local students that tests their knowledge of history, arts and literature, science and math. The Deer Park Falcons defeated an intellectually tough East Islip team, advancing to the second round of the tournament (date/time to be determined). Tune to News 12 on Sunday, February 8, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. when Deer Park’s exciting win over East Islip will air. To view online, log onto powertolearn.com where it will be available for the rest of the year. Academic Team and Long Island Challenge winners (L-R) Michael F., Rob V., Justin W., Eric W. and D.J. R. are pictured with team advisor Mr. Murphy. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=83 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The administrative team at Robert Frost Middle School honored 54 students who were selected as Project Wisdom representatives. Each of the nine academic teams chose students to be recognized for their outstanding efforts to simply “do the right thing.” Principal Eliana Levey brought character education program Project Wisdom to Frost Middle School two years ago, and thanks to faculty support and student engagement, it has grown to be a highly successful initiative. The program facilitates staff members to read inspirational, thought-provoking quotes and life lessons each day during the morning announcements. The daily reminder has encouraged students to make better decisions, even when facing adversity and obstacles. Each month, students who demonstrate the lessons taught through Project Wisdom are identified and awarded a certificate, which is presented to them by their team teachers and before their peers. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=84 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Recognized for Recycling The District has put its green initiatives to work. In the Deer Park High School cafeteria, students are doing their part to help the environment and community by using color-coded recycling bins (placed throughout all District buildings) to facilitate the sorting and proper disposal of all the District’s solid waste in accordance with the Town of Babylon. High school students have been placing their empty plastic containers in blue recycling bins as part of this cooperative effort. Town officials recently visited the school to commend students and school officials for their participation. Students are pictured here with Town and school officials. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=85 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The District, as part of an ongoing effort to connect the curriculum with current events, supported a district-wide live broadcast of President Barack Obama’s Inauguration. Each school hosted various Internet streams for students to experience and interact with the swearing in of the new president and vice president, as well as discuss the festivities that marked this event. Tailored for each grade level, the lessons and activities prepared students for what would take place in Washington, DC and throughout the country. Students learned about the historical and cultural significance of the day by reviewing the ceremony proceedings, taking notes, completing worksheets associated with the event, and analyzing the president’s proposals to restore the economy, improve healthcare, and his views on other domestic and foreign policies. They also listened to and analyzed President Obama’s Inaugural address. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=86 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Tanger Town Collaborate on Donation of Field Lights The District received a donation from Tanger Outlets at the Arches for $125,000 to construct lights on their varsity athletic field. Deer Park Varsity Football Team members and Athletic Director Anthony Amesti, Board of Education President Dennis Ryan, Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino and Town of Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone assembled at the Deer Park High School field where district officials accepted the check from Tanger General Manager Curt Fickeisen while visiting the future site of Deer Park’s nighttime athletic competition. Pictured here are (standing row L-R) High School Principal James Cummings, Town of Babylon Council Member Anthony Martinez, Babylon Town Clerk Carol Quirk, Town of Babylon Supervisor Steven Bellone, Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino, Board of Education President Dennis Ryan, Tanger at the Arches General Manager Curt Fickeisen, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Marguerite Jimenez, Varsity Football Coach Ron Langella, Booster Club President Fran Theiss, Athletic Director Anthony Amesti with Varsity Football players. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=66 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost Middle School students recently conducted a videoconference with the Ward Melville Heritage Organization and National Grid Foundation. As part of the Environmental Education unit, Curriculum Associate for Humanities Oslyn Rodriguez engaged Ms. Tortorici, Ms.Rossi and Mr. Quirk's sixth grade social studies classes in a distance-learning program to learn about worldwide travel and extreme environments and habitats of Easter Island a Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean off of the coast of Chile. Students gained an awareness and importance of ecological preservation through their virtual tour and involvement in the interactive tasks. During the videoconference, students asked and answered the explorer questions using the knowledge they gained during their virtual journey of this intriguing and often mysterious island. The students received t-shirts that read “Discover…Experience…Read!” (pictured here) after completing the videoconference. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=67 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students in John F. Kennedy Intermediate School’s “Let’s Make a Difference” club recently visited the new Tanger at the Arches center in Deer Park where they were among the first students to take the ice on the center’s new skating rink. Deer Park School District officials were joined by JFK Principal Susan Bonner and club advisors to accept a check of $500 from Tanger, which will be used for club activities. Town of Babylon officials were also on hand to commend the students for their efforts. The “Let’s Make a Difference” club organizes and supports a multitude of community outreach programs that not only benefit those in need, but teaches students to give of themselves in a positive manner. Deer Park Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino accepted a $500 donation from Tanger at the Arches from General Manager Curt Fickeisen for JFK Intermediate School’s “Let’s Make a Difference” club. Babylon Town Clerk Carol Quirk, “Let’s Make a Difference” club advisors Julianne Rotunno and Joyce Carmen, JFK Principal Susan Bonner, Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone, Babylon Town Councilman Tony Martinez and Deer Park Board of Education President Dennis Ryan holding JFK Student Council President with JFK students in the background joined the winter celebration. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=68 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT John Quincy Adams Elementary students celebrated the holiday season with classmates and family during an interdisciplinary gingerbread project. Students in the school’s special needs self-contained class invited their parents to join them for a dual lesson in literary and gingerbread house construction. Reading The Gingerbread Man, a classic folk tale, students helped retell the story of a little gingerbread man and his adventures running through town. Meeting locals during his cookie journey, students repeated and recited key terms and phrases, engaging family members in their story. Students learned about the gingerbread man’s habitat, by later giving them the opportunity to build their own gingerbread home using their favorite Christmas’s candies. Laying a foundation of white icing, students created M&M windows, gumdrop doors and even fences with licorice landscapes. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=69 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT The District has announced its Top Ten academic students for the 2008-2009 graduating class. Students and their families, guidance counselors and administrators gathered for a celebratory breakfast and honored each Top 10 achiever. The Top 10 academically ranked students for the Deer Park Class of 2009 are: Ekta P. - Valedictorian Christopher W. - Salutatorian Justin W. - Third Michael P. - Fourth Ebne S. - Fifth Michael F. - Sixth Karamveer S. - Seventh Amanda H. - Eighth Eric W. - Ninth Alyssa N. - Tenth Valedictorian Ekta P. Ekta has secured the prestigious position as Deer Park High School Class of 2009 Valedictorian. Teachers and guidance counselors documented Ekta’s combination of extraordinary intelligence, superior work ethic and unique intellectual curiosity. Ekta is not only determined to do her best, but as a leader in the classroom, helps her peers achieve their full potential. Ekta’s academic dedication has propelled her to be an Advanced Placement Scholar and a perfect score of 800 on the Math portion of the SAT. Outside of the classroom Ekta’s skills extend to extracurricular activities. An active member of her class she participates in Student Council, International Culture Club and National Honor Society as well as being an integral member and Vice President of the district Math Team and four-year member of the orchestra and girls’ lacrosse program. Bettering her community and the lives of others, the past two summers Ekta has participated in the Lead America’s conference on Medicine and Healthcare at St. John’s University, and the Science and Research Awareness Series at Stony Brook University. Volunteering countless hours at Good Samaritan and Stony Brook University Hospitals her experiences will help in her journey pursuing a career in the medical field. Salutatorian Christopher W. Christopher represents the Class of 2009 as the Salutatorian. Described as a wonderful blend of intelligence, wit, compassion, creativity and modesty, Christopher is a humble leader, who feels grateful for all he has been given, and feels a responsibility to give back to his school and community. Scoring a perfect 800 on the Math section of the PSAT, Christopher has equally impressive scores on both the ACT and SAT. An Advanced Placement scholar, he is also an accomplished musician who plays the Bassoon and Piano and has entertained audiences with his performances on stage in a variety of school plays, as well as behind the scenes as stage manager. An emerging artist, Christopher also uniquely illustrates his creative talents, making crafts from “found objects.” Making his mark in the world, Christopher has worked alongside Suffolk County Pastors, where he organized a Hurricane Katrina relief group, which allowed him and other youth members of neighboring churches to travel to Louisiana rebuilding houses for those who lost all they had. An advocate for universal, cultural literacy Christopher has spent the past three years as an instructor of English as a Second Language through the Ascension Lutheran Church. His work this past summer at BRAC USA, a nonprofit organization that aids the least privileged around the world toward fiscal independence through micro-financing, made Christopher the first high school intern to participate in the organization. Congratulations to Ekta, Christopher, and all of the members of the Top 10 who have worked hard to get to this point. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=53 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fire Prevention Safety Exercise Benefits Students at JFK School John F. Kennedy Intermediate School are more aware of the dangers of fire and how to react when confronted with one, thanks to a hands-on lesson from a teacher and volunteer firefighter. Teachers employed behavior modifications for Autistic students in the class who benefited significantly from the preparation and visual learning tools. Under the direction of teacher Tom Alcabes, a volunteer fireman, small groups worked together in interactive stations set up at the school, practicing their “stop, drop and roll” techniques. Students even wore an official firefighter gear, and reviewed the equipment and responsibilities of a firefighter, stepping into authentic fire pants and sliding on a bright yellow, fireproof jacket students. They rolled back and forth on the classroom rug to extinguish the Velcro flames that teachers stuck to their clothes while their peers assisted using towels to muffle the flames. Students were also given discussion points to share with their families, in case of a fire. This included how family members can help one another in emergency situations. Teachers employed behavior modifications to assist autistic students who participated in the lesson and benefited significantly from the preparation and visual learning tools. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=54 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Elementary Schools have developed unique, extensive Character Education programs to expose students to proper decision making skills and equip them with the ability to lead a healthy, fulfilling life. May Moore students learned from actor-singer-storyteller Lou Del Bianco with his original stories and songs that illustrated the concepts of character in “Make A Good Choice.” Honesty, responsibility, tolerance, effort and self-control were illustrated through Lou’s experiences growing up. His relatable “crossroad” situations engaged students in interactive songs and stories demonstrating how individual character is tested in various life events. Photos from his childhood were posted throughout the gym and students learned lessons from Lou’s personal tales; taking care of the family dog, sharing a home with six sisters, and his adventurous outings. Pre-show activities conducted in the classroom combined artistic and literary skills connecting students to the scenarios and preparing for the themes of the event. John Quincy Adams celebrated the character trait “respect” through authentic literature, specifically, Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon. At this month's character education assembly, students connected with Deer Park High School drama students, led by Mrs. Lila Schmitt. Drama students reenacted Stellaluna and role-played characteristics of respect, even performing a “respect” rap song written by a high school student, tailored for the younger students. The partnership between the Deer Park schools will continue throughout the Character Education themes facilitating an outlet for all grade levels to understand and relate to common topics. Principal Kelly Diamond reflected of the ultimate goal of the year-long program, “We encourage our students to show these traits throughout the year, in a way we are hoping that behaving respectfully, kindly will become "natural" to our students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=55 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Robert Frost student Nicholas V. was awarded second place in the Town of Babylon Veteran's Awareness Week Essay Contest. For his efforts, Nicholas received a $75 Savings Bond to put towards his future academic endeavors. Nicholas was recognized at a Town of Babylon Hall Meeting, during which he read his award-winning essay in front of Town Supervisor Steven Bellone, council members and town residents. The committee that selected Nick’s essay was comprised of war veterans who selected the literary submissions that best illustrate the role of the United States military. Infusing the school’s 8th grade social studies history curriculum, students researched the current and past wars and the men and women who serve. Nicholas met with veterans who have served in various capacities and conflicts and listened to their tales of life abroad and the pride they take in protecting our country. In his essay, he showed his appreciation of the many veterans in attendance by stating, “The freedom our country has is a privilege. We should thank our troops everyday for the sacrifice they go through to ensure our freedom.” Nicholas also shared his unique perspective on life as a middle school student: “It is because of our brave military that we are able to live in peace, harmony and happiness. Many of us complain about the price of gas, food and taxes, but that is not nearly as much of a price that the military troops must pay.” http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=56 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Deer Park School District Elementary Schools have developed unique, extensive Character Education programs to expose students to proper decision making skills and equip them with the ability to lead a healthy, fulfilling life. May Moore students learned from actor-singer-storyteller Lou Del Bianco with his original stories and songs that illustrated the concepts of character in “Make A Good Choice.” Honesty, responsibility, tolerance, effort and self-control were illustrated through Lou’s experiences growing up. His relatable “crossroad” situations engaged students in interactive songs and stories demonstrating how individual character is tested in various life events. Photos from his childhood were posted throughout the gym and students learned lessons from Lou’s personal tales; taking care of the family dog, sharing a home with six sisters, and his adventurous outings. Pre-show activities conducted in the classroom combined artistic and literary skills connecting students to the scenarios and preparing for the themes of the event. John Quincy Adams celebrated the character trait “respect” through authentic literature, specifically, Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon. At this month's character education assembly, students connected with Deer Park High School drama students, led by Mrs. Lila Schmitt. Drama students reenacted Stellaluna and role-played characteristics of respect, even performing a “respect” rap song written by a high school student, tailored for the younger students. The partnership between the Deer Park schools will continue throughout the Character Education themes facilitating an outlet for all grade levels to understand and relate to common topics. Principal Kelly Diamond reflected of the ultimate goal of the year-long program, “We encourage our students to show these traits throughout the year, in a way we are hoping that behaving respectfully, kindly will become "natural" to our students. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=38 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT The Deer Park Falcons soared above the competition at Homecoming, winning the featured Varsity Football game against the Huntington Blue Devils by a score of 19-14. Uniting athletes, students, alumni and community members, High School Principal James Cummings was the Grand Marshal of the day’s events, which were kicked off with a parade and float competition. Each grade level designed and crafted their own float and featured it during the march through town. Led by Board of Education members, District administrators and Town of Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone, Homecoming King and Queen nominees were featured atop convertibles, while the dance team and members of the Marching Falcons entertained crowds of onlookers. Taking their final lap around the varsity field track, the senior class float was announced as victorious and Brandon Carr and Kristina Watt were dubbed Homecoming King and Queen. Board of Education President Dennis Ryan thanked everyone in attendance for the overwhelming support and encouragement that is shown for the athletes and district, specifically identifying Supervisor Bellone as a tremendous friend to the community. Supervisor Bellone, who cited the Deer Park District as one of the best on Long Island due to their high energy and spirit, announced that the athletic program will receive a $125,000 grant from the Tanger Corporation to construct field lights in order to facilitate night game play. http://www.deerparkschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=40 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT