Deauville Gardens East Elementary School hosted a “Chill Out and Read” literacy night for kindergarten through second-grade students and their families.
Following a brief presentation titled “Building Your Child’s Vocabulary,” parents joined their children in the classroom to complete a penguin craft. Children were served a “chilly” ice cream snack and received a free copy of either “National Geographic Readers: Polar Bears” by Laura Marsh or “The Biggest, Best Snowman” by Margery Cuyler.“Literacy nights are such special events at our school,” said elementary teacher Jacqueline Kelly. “They are great nights to get families excited about reading.”
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Chill Out and Read
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Strengthening The Home-School Connection
Susan E. Wiley Elementary School hosted its third annual Family ESL/Bilingual Night on Jan. 22.
Students and their families were welcomed to the event with a goody bag filled with a copy of the night’s PowerPoint presentation, a book order form, flash cards in Spanish and English, and labels to put on household objects for practice at home. Families enjoyed complimentary pizza and refreshments while they watched a presentation by members of the ESL and bilingual department.
To conclude the event, teachers and administrators took parents on a building tour to expose them to the learning environment their children are in every day.
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Literacy Night Kicks Off PARP Program
As a kickoff to the Parents As Reading Partners program, Great Neck Road Elementary School hosted a Family Literacy Night for students and their families.
During the event, families traveled to four different stations, where they engaged in literacy activities and had the opportunity to bond with friends. To foster a love for reading, students enjoyed a read-aloud from teacher “mystery readers,” selected a free book to take home and decorated a bookmark with their parents.
At one of the stations, families enjoyed a complimentary meal served by the Great Neck Road faculty and staff. To conclude the evening’s festivities, families watched and participated in a PTA assembly called “The Unique Game Show.”“Literacy Night is a wonderful opportunity to get our families excited about PARP,” said Great Neck Road Assistant Principal Karla Cangelosi. “We want to encourage parents and their children to read together every day to help children become lifelong readers.”
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Superintendent Announces Retirement; Board Appoints New Superintendent Effective Sept. 2015
On Jan. 12, the Copiague School District Board of Education accepted
the resignation for the purposes of retirement of Superintendent of
Schools Charles A. Leunig, effective Aug. 31, 2015, while simultaneously
appointing Associate Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bannon as his
successor.
During Mr. Leunig’s seven years as superintendent, Copiague’s Regents
Diploma rate rose to 93%, the Advanced Placement Program was nationally
recognized by the College Board three times in the last five years,
including being named Small School District of the Year in 2012, and
student academic, athletic and extracurricular programs were expanded,
with the inclusion of a science research program at the high school and
middle school.
He joined the Copiague School District in 1994, serving as the Director
of Personnel, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administrative
Services and Deputy Superintendent before being named Superintendent of
School in 2008.
The Board of Education considered their options regarding the selection
of the next superintendent, carefully analyzing the professional
qualities and personal characteristics that would be ideal to lead
Copiague into the future. Following many internal discussions, the Board
decided the clear candidate was already serving the district, and
unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Bannon to the position of
Superintendent of Schools, effective Sept. 1, 2015. By appointing Dr.
Bannon, who has worked closely with Mr. Leunig in her role as a central
administrator, the Board continues to ensure the stability of the
District.
Dr. Bannon began her teaching career in the Brentwood School District,
working 11 years as a classroom teacher at North Elementary School. She
joined Copiague in 1998 as an Administrative Assistant to the Principal
at Deauville Gardens Elementary School. Following a year as an
elementary school principal in the Valley Stream UFSD #13, Dr. Bannon
returned to Copiague in 2001 to serve as Principal of the Great Neck
Road Elementary until her promotion to Assistant Superintendent for
Curriculum & Instruction in 2005. She was appointed to Associate
Superintendent in 2012.
Dr. Bannon holds a Bachelor of Arts in comparative history from SUNY Old
Westbury, a Master of Science in elementary education from Dowling
College, a professional diploma in educational administration from
Dowling, and a doctorate in educational administration from St. John’s
University.“The Board of Education takes great pride in our ability to hire from
within to fill management positions with the district,” said Board of
Education President Brian J. Sales. “We are fortunate to once again find
an exceptional candidate within the ranks of our current administration
to lead our district into the future. We thank Mr. Leunig for his years
of service and tireless efforts on the part of the students, staff and
community of Copiague and look forward to working closely with Dr.
Bannon during these challenging times for education in New York.”
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Literacy Night Kicks Off PARP Program
As a kickoff to the Parents As Reading Partners program, Great Neck Road Elementary School hosted a Family Literacy Night for students and their families.
During the event, families traveled to four different stations, where they engaged in literacy activities and had the opportunity to bond with friends. To foster a love for reading, students enjoyed a read-aloud from teacher “mystery readers,” selected a free book to take home and decorated a bookmark with their parents.
At one of the stations, families enjoyed a complimentary meal served by the Great Neck Road faculty and staff. To conclude the evening’s festivities, families watched and participated in a PTA assembly called “The Unique Game Show.”“Literacy Night is a wonderful opportunity to get our families excited about PARP,” said Great Neck Road Assistant Principal Karla Cangelosi. “We want to encourage parents and their children to read together every day to help children become lifelong readers.”
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Circus Program Puts Students in Action
Students at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School put their juggling and balancing skills to the test in an interactive, PTA-sponsored arts in education program provided by the National Circus Project.
Led by National Circus Project artist-instructors, the program provided student with a unique opportunity to learn traditional circus tricks during their physical education classes. In each workshop, students were trained in skills such as scarf juggling, balancing plates, devil sticks, Chinese yoyo, stilts, feather balancing and more.
“I think this is a great program because students are introduced to different physical activities they may not have experienced before and learn new skills,” said physical education teacher Wendy Hrzich.
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HS Principal Promoted to Assistant Superintendent
During a special meeting of the Board of Education, the Board
unanimously approved the appointment of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague
High School Principal Jeanette Altruda as the new Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Altruda will replace
Dr. Kathleen Bannon, who has been appointed Superintendent of Schools
effective Sept. 1, 2015.
This newest appointment is part of the district’s ongoing succession
plan that the Board of Education and retiring Superintendent Charles A.
Leunig have been finalizing since he initially broached the subject of
his retirement with the Board more than a year and a half ago. This
planning is designed to provide stability for the district moving
forward.“When the discussion turned to replacing Dr. Bannon, the Board, Dr.
Bannon and I all felt that the right person was already in our midst,”
said Mr. Leunig. “Mrs. Altruda brings to the position a depth and
breadth of background and experience with respect to curriculum and
instruction, and as High School Principal has worked very closely with
Dr. Bannon, me and the other members of the Central Office
administrative team.”
In addition to her five years as principal of the high school, Mrs.
Altruda has worked in Copiague as an assistant principal, districtwide
technology trainer and secondary special education teacher. Prior to
joining Copiague, she began her educational career as a teacher at the
Martin DePorres School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special
education from SUNY Geneseo, a master’s degree in instructional
technology from NYIT, and a master’s degree in school district
administration from Stony Brook University. She is currently enrolled in
the St. John’s University Doctoral Program.
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National Wear Red Day
In recognition to the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day, students, faculty and staff at Susan E. Wiley wore red shirts to support and raise awareness about women’s heart disease on Friday, Feb. 6. National Wear Red Day occurs on the first Friday in February and is an annual reminder to women to care for their hearts.
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Eagles Are League 3 Champions
For the first time in Copiague history, the Walter G. O’ Connell Copiague High School varsity wrestling team won the League 3 Championship Tournament, held at Smithtown East High School on Feb. 7.
As a result of their victory, varsity wrestlers Jaquan Brown, Brett Connor, Kory Corkins, Will Estevez, Jesus Flamenco, Mike Hararah, Rashaad Harry, Steven Illcete, Edwin Ortez, Nazir Roe, Erick Rosado, Elijah Ross, Tephonte Smith and Kenny Tavares qualified to represent Copiague at the Suffolk County Championship Tournament at Hofstra University on Feb. 14-15.
“We are very proud of all the athletes for this accomplishment,” said varsity wrestling coach Anthony Cipriano.
The district congratulates the team and wishes them the best of luck at the tournament!
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Points of Perseverance
Ihnacinse Grady, a point guard for the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School girls varsity basketball team, marked a major milestone in her athletic career by becoming the seventh female basketball player in school history to reach her 1,000th career point.
During the team’s Jan. 20 win against West Islip, Grady scored the milestone point. To commemorate this achievement, Director of Physical Education and Athletics Peter Cesare and girls varsity basketball coach Carole Olsen presented Grady with a special basketball award prior to the Lady Eagles’ Jan. 30 game.
Grady will continue her basketball career at Molloy College this fall on a basketball scholarship.
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New High School Principal Announced
Continuing the district’s administration succession plan, Joseph Agosta, currently the principal at Great Neck Road Elementary School, has been appointed as the new Principal of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School effective for the 2015-16 school year. Mr. Agosta replaces Jeanette Altruda, who was named the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.“We are extremely fortunate to have an experienced educational professional already in our schools who is well qualified to fill the role as high school principal,” said Superintendent of Schools Charles A. Leunig. “During his years in Copiague, Mr. Agosta has demonstrated his commitment and dedication to the success of all of our students.”
Apart from a two-year hiatus from the district, Mr. Agosta has spent his entire educational career as a member of the Great Neck Road family. Mr. Agosta began his teaching career at Great Neck Road in 1997, where he spent nine years teaching second, fourth and fifth-grades. Following two years as Assistant Principal in the South Huntington School District, Mr. Agosta returned to Copiague in 2008 and has served as Principal of Great Neck Road since that time.
Mr. Agosta received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Long Island University, Southampton Campus where he was the valedictorian. He holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from SUNY Stony Brook and numerous certifications including an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Computing and NYS School Administrator and Supervisor.
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Celebrating Women in Sports
To commemorate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Booster Club presented a plaque to Copiague School District Associate Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bannon, who has been a district faculty member since 1998 and longtime supporter of Copiague athletics. Dr. Bannon was recognized for her many years of dedicated service and contributions to the young women of the Copiague community.
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Committed to Community
To continue tradition, members of the Copiague Middle School Builders Club, along with adviser Maria Ostrofsky, traveled to the Tanner Park Senior Center for a Valentine’s Day celebration.
During their visit, students created Valentine’s Day cards for the seniors and hand-delivered the cards with an artificial rose. The lively group of seniors and students took to the dance floor, with students learning the steps to some of the seniors’ favorite line dances. “It was amazing to see how vibrant the seniors were and how much they love to spend time with the younger people,” said eighth-grade Builders Club member Catherine Gonzales.
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Musical Excellence
Twenty-two Copiague School District student-musicians have been selected to represent Copiague at the 2015 SCMEA All-County Music Festival in March.
The district congratulates the following students for receiving this prestigious honor:
SCMEA All-County III West Band
Mikayla Angel – Flute
SCMEA All-County II West Band
Aaron Eng – Trombone
Emily Korba – Bb Clarinet
Cecilia Libertella – Flute
SCMEA All-County I West Band
Andrzej Bubilo – Baritone/Euph
Leighla Forrester – French Horn
Jayleen Garcia – Flute
Katelyn Gonzalez – Bb Clarinet
Sophia Gonzalez – Alto Sax
Josephine Jeanbaptiste – Alto Sax
Zuri Milliner – Baritone/Euph
Valeria Padilla – French Horn
Obar Velasquez – Trombone
SCMEA All-County III West Chorus
Lesly Decastro – Tenor
Nick Favichia – Tenor
Sarah St. Jean – Alto
SCMEA All-County II West Chorus
Ladrea Buffaloe – Alto
Jamila Jackson – Alto
Samantha Sattler – Soprano
SCMEA All-County I West Chorus
Nia Blackmon – Children’s Voice
Trinity Roberts – Children’s Voice
Arianna Tirino – Children’s Voice
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Board Honors Student Achievements
Twenty-one students from throughout the district stood out among their peers and were honored for their hard work by the Board of Education at the biannual Student Recognition Awards on Feb. 11.
The district extends its congratulations to the following students:
Deauville Gardens East ES
Chloe Allen-Jackson
Tiana Newman
Valeria Padilla
Luis Tejada
Deauville Gardens West ES
John Compono
Julianna Sakin
Great Neck Road ES
Martin Rybka
Kayla Allison
Luis Rosario Balbuena
Susan E. Wiley ES
Davante Jenkins
Paige Wilimczyk
Copiague Middle School
Mery Gomez Herrera
Daniel Gutierrez-Huertas
Jamila Jackson
Faith McCombs
Joshua Molina
Walter G. O’Connell Copiague HS
Jennifer Cabrera
Joseph Pearson
David Szabo
Demitrius Terrell
Lauren Zisman
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Art of Substance Recognized
During the Feb. 11 Board of Education meeting, students Andrea Flores, Mgim Lee Gousse, Catherine Rodriguez and Gabriela Sanchez were recognized by the Board for their winning entries in the annual Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Art Poster Contest. The students’ artwork will now move on to the state-level competition. Additionally, Jeanice Torres received honorable mention in the contest.
Each student received a certificate of participation and a $50 gift certificate provided by the Knights.
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Kindergartners Celebrate Being 100 Days Smarter
Kindergarten students at Deauville Gardens East and Deauville Gardens West elementary schools celebrated being 100 days smarter with 100th day of school activities.
With gray wigs, glasses and walking canes, Deauville Gardens East kindergartners arrived at school dressed as 100-year-olds. Along with their daily routine of curricular activities, they colored and pieced together 100th day of school crowns.
As part of a 100th day counting activity, kindergarten students at Deauville Gardens West collected and donated 100 canned food items to a local food pantry. To show off their new math skills, the students counted the cans by fives and 10s to 100. All collections were donated to the Full Gospel Church in Copiague.
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A Mile for Melissa
Students, faculty and staff at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School went the extra mile to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research, with all the proceeds donated in honor of Melissa Firms, a Copiague Chamber of Commerce member who is currently battling leukemia.
More than 75 participants, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce athletic teams and Key Club, walked 12 laps, equivalent to one mile, on the second floor of the high school. Students in the Junior Chamber of Commerce wore special T-shirts demonstrating their support to walk the extra mile for Melissa.
With the combined efforts of participants and the additional money collected, the high school raised more than $1,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
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Great Neck Road Hustles for Heart Health
Students at Great Neck Road Elementary School demonstrated their commitment to leading a heart-healthy lifestyle when they participated in the school’s Jump Rope for Heart program.
To culminate their unit on heart health, students participated in the school’s weeklong Jump Rope for Heart program. During their physical education classes, they jumped rope and rotated to six different stations geared toward increasing their heart rates, all in an effort to raise awareness for heart health and money for the American Heart Association.
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United by Reading
In conjunction with National Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2, Susan E. Wiley Elementary School kicked off its Drop Everything and Read program, a national monthlong celebration of reading designed to remind people of all ages to make reading an active priority.
During the kickoff event, students in kindergarten to fifth grade, faculty and staff lined the hallways with their reading books. At exactly 2:30 p.m., the entire school took part in the program and dropped everything to read.
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