Deer Park High School held its annual World Language Honor Societies induction ceremony on April 16, proudly welcoming 90 new members – six for French, 24 for Italian and 60 for Spanish – who have excelled at achievement in these languages.

“Tonight, we celebrate the diversity and cultural richness that language learning brings the Deer Park community,” Director for ENL and World Languages Ashley Rosenberg said. “Learning a language is a powerful tool that opens doors to new perspectives, cultures and ways of life. It connects us with people from all over the world, and allows us to appreciate their unique customs and traditions. It broadens our minds and deepens our understanding of the world. Tonight, we are so proud to honor those students who have gone above and beyond in their pursuit of language excellence. Their dedication and commitment to learning a new language have made them role models and leaders in our community. As we induct these exceptional students, we invite them to continue to pursue their passion for language learning and to promote the value of cultural diversity, not only here in Deer Park, but beyond.”

Additional speakers included French Honor Society President Bertrand Mondelus and adviser Susan Bollag, Italian Honor Society Vincent Vela and adviser Josephine Conway, and Spanish Honor Society President Lucas Di-Vanna and adviser Nicole Bjarnason. 

The school’s Phoenix Club opened the evening with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by musical performances from Caleb Pierre (Rosny Kayib’s “Mon ame soupire”), Sophia Sheeler (“Voce di donna” from Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda”), Heidy Gonzalez Morales (Natalia Lafourcade’s “Hasta La Raiz”) and the school’s string quartet of Payton Barr, Amaiyah Elsee, Madelyn Kleiber and Mikaela Ponte.

 

Click here to view the Celebrating Diversity Through Language at Deer Park HS Induction Ceremony slideshow.

Date Added: 4/17/2026

Last month, Deer Park High School librarian Evan DeNaro and Robert Frost Middle School library media specialist Anne Lotito-Schuh took their Library Leaders clubs on a field trip to Hofstra University’s Axinn Library. Students toured the stacks and explored the library’s graphic novel special collection. They also viewed rare archival items, including a geometry book from the 1500s, a map of Long Island from the 1600s and a copy of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland: from the 1800s with painted edges.

Following the tour, students created their own accordion journals, reflecting on their experiences as Library Leaders.

Click here to view the Deer Park’s Library Leaders Explore History and Creativity at Hofstra slideshow.

Date Added: 4/16/2026

Kindergartners at John Quincy Adams Primary School kicked off their “How-To” writing unit with a fun and engaging pizza party on April 13. Legendary pizza maker Tony Napolitano of Dalisa Pizza brought all the supplies and plenty of entertainment, showcasing his impressive pizza-spinning skills.

In addition to enjoying delicious pizza, students practiced their oral expression and sequencing skills, both essential components of the writing process and early literacy development.

 

Date Added: 4/15/2026

Deer Park High School’s public speaking students brought the English Language Arts Department’s “Book Love” to life at John Quincy Adams and May Moore primary schools. Under the guidance of teacher Christine Harbison, high schoolers visited second-grade classrooms to share their passion for storytelling and foster a new generation of lifelong readers.

This year’s program evolved beyond engaging readings: The public speakers also facilitated thoughtful discussions on social-emotional themes raised within the books. To sharpen their skills, each student took on the role of a guest educator by designing and executing original mini-lessons and activities.

“It was amazing to see the transformation of our students into leaders in the classroom,” Harbison said. “Their faces lit up when they began reading and teaching.” 

Click here to view the Deer Park HS Students Inspire Young Readers Through “Book Love” slideshow.