Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School recognized its finest musicians and artists during the third annual Fine Arts Honor Society Induction on May 22. Fourteen students were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society and 14 students were inducted into the National Art Honor Society in front of administrators, board of education members, friends and family.
Jennifer Pierre-Louis, director of fine arts and Tri-M Honor Society advisor, offered opening remarks about the hard work and dedication of the student-musicians who were nominated for induction to both their school and community.
Five points of distinction – scholar, character, leadership, cooperation and service – must be possessed by these students in order to qualify for the Tri-M Music Honor Society as explained by the society’s officers. They must also receive teacher recommendations, maintain a 90 average or above in music courses and an 85 average or above overall.
National Art Honor Society inductees must also receive teacher recommendations, possess a 90 or above average in art classes and submit a piece of artwork, according to Damin Gomes, National Art Honor Society advisor. Each new candidate for induction also adds signs their name to a canvas, adding their personal touch to a piece of art.
Students each received a certificate and pin before reciting the pledge of their respective honor society in unison with their fellow inductees.
The district congratulates the following students inductees: Tri-M Music Honor Society – Kaihya Banks, Ladrea Buffaloe, Ashley Collado, Nelson Flores, Daniel Galeas, Melanie Garcia, Anthony Gonzalez, Shari Jackson, Jaime Kister, Michelle Kumah, Marvin Pineda Lobo, Jonah Ramdas, Allison Reyes and Jake Weiss. National Art Honor Society – Patric Gudel, Spencer Hodges, Liam Mahabir, Faith McCombs, Jacqueline Mendez, Melinda Mercedes, Wendy Moreno Marroquin, Jessica Norwood, Nayeli Pena, Jillian Petroglia, Kailee St. Angelo, Olivia St. George, Yafreycy Taveras and LeeAnna White.
Current Tri-M members played for guests prior to the start of the induction ceremony, and artwork produced by current seniors was on display around the cafeteria.
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Artists, Musicians Inducted Into Honor Societies
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Key Club Recognized for Service Efforts
The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Key Club was recently presented with an appreciation award from the New York Blood Center for holding three blood drives during the 2016-2017 school year. The Key Club blood drives yielded 169 pints of donated blood.
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BACCA Nominations Plentiful for Student-Actors
The Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts and the Teen Theatre Committee has nominated student-actors from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School for Teen Theatre Awards for their performances this year. Winners will be announced at the June 9 ceremony at Lindenhurst High School.
The district congratulates the following actors and support staff on their nominations: Kishaar Hodge – Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical; Crystal Betz – Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical; Amy Rodriguez – Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical; Jade Dickenson – Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play; and Amorelle Penick – Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play.
Other nominations include: Outstanding Production Value of a Musical; Outstanding Ensemble of a Musical; Outstanding Stage Crew of a Musical; Outstanding Musical; Outstanding Production Value of a Play; and Outstanding Stage Crew of a Play.
From the recent production of “The Little Mermaid,” dance captains Nicholas Favichia, Jenna Langan and Amorelle Penick will be recognized. Future Star awards will be given to Sydney Walsh, Alejandro Claros-Sanchez and Madison Dudley for their performances in “Drama Night.”
The “Teens in Tune” award – given to outstanding pairs and small groups – will be presented to Ladrea Buffaloe, Samantha Sattler, Darley Senat, Taylor Sharpe-Adams, Samantha Sloane and Nilsu Yildiz. The Teen Theatre Committee will honor the Hip Hop Club’s performance of “Taking Back the Music” as a special performance and club members will be recognized with awards.
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Board of Education Audit Committee Meeting Notice – 6/13/17
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Student-Athletes Honored for Dedication On and Off the Field
The Copiague School District honored its spring student-athletes during its annual Sports Awards dinner at the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School on May 23. District administrators, board of education members, friends and family gathered to honor the athletes in girls track, girls lacrosse, boys track, boys lacrosse, softball and baseball.
As coaches recognized each of the student-athletes for their contributions throughout the season, individual awards were given to most improved players, most valuable players and coach’s award for each team. Three special memorial awards were presented to student-athletes for boys lacrosse and baseball. The Jared J. Pennington Memorial Lacrosse Award was given to Noble Matubber, Tquan Wint was the recipient of the Sean Ryan Noonan Memorial Lacrosse Award and Joshua Lester received the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Baseball Award.
The Section XI Gold Key Award, the highest Section XI honor that an athlete can receive, is awarded to student-athletes who letter in eight junior varsity or varsity seasons in grades 10-12. This year’s recipients were Mikayla Angel (field hockey, winter track, spring track), Cris Castillo (field hockey, winter track, lacrosse), Maya Jones (soccer, winter track, spring track, softball), Amira Kemp (tennis, winter track, spring track), Vincent Ruggiero (soccer, bowling, baseball), Matthew Spadone (soccer, bowling, lacrosse), Sean Walsh (soccer, football, bowling, lacrosse) and Anna Zaborowska (volleyball, basketball, lacrosse).
The Golden Eagle Award is given to the student on each team who had the highest cumulative grade point average for the season. For the spring season, Mikayla Angel (girls track), Kelly Cheung (girls lacrosse), Noble Matubber (boys lacrosse), Peter Milillo (baseball), Christopher Canenguez (boys track) and Sofie Wilson (softball) received the Golden Eagle.
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Spec. Board of Education Meeting Work Session Notice – 6/12/17
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Student-Athletes Honored with Zone Awards
The Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance sponsored the annual Physical Education Student Leadership Awards Ceremony at Longwood High School on May 3. Students who qualify for the award are recognized for their achievements in physical education, leadership, character and academics.
Honored at the ceremony was Copiague Middle School eighth-graders Sarah Manzanarez and Kenneth Tejada; Deauville Gardens East Elementary School fifth-graders Ava Reichelt and Zachary Rosenzweig; Deauville Gardens West Elementary School fifth-graders Stanley Buissereth and Stefana Lipari; Susan E. Wiley Elementary School fifth-grade students Brian Gonzalez and Jordana Jagnarine; and Great Neck Road Elementary School fifth-grade students Nicole Araujo and Kamar Birthwright.
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Empowering Words During Women’s Breakfast
The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Industry Advisory Board held a women’s power breakfast on May 24 featuring district administrators, local businesswomen and community leaders along with Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students.
Assistant Principal Tamika Eason offered opening remarks, encouraging students to find their voice. “Ask yourself how you want to be perceived,” she said. “Women are faced with many different challenges in the workplace; the playing field isn’t always equal. Know your craft, identify your passion and goals and turn that interest into your professional goals.”
District administrators and community leaders shared their career experiences and obstacles with students in an effort to prepare them as they enter the workforce. Each shared stories of how they navigated through their career paths. Attendees included: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon; science chairperson Renee Locker; Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School teachers Linda Aims, Allie Stanton and Allison Stritzl; Lasheca Lewis (New York State Assembly); Danika Hall (Teachers Federal Credit Union); Linda Penuela Rannazzisi (Bethpage Federal Credit Union); Melissa Firmes (Kids Need More); Sharon Fattaruso (Copiague Chamber of Commerce); Stacy Screiber (Professional Physical Therapy); and Tammie William (New York State Senate).
Students had the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice from the professional attendees. The following Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students participated in the breakfast: Katherine Abreue, Sully DeLaCruz Brito, Alexandra Bugajczyk, Jennifer Diaz, Catherine Gonzalez, Jeanine Gulee, Cameren Jackson, Carla Jackson, Kriyal Patel, Tiana Roe and Sarah St. Jean.
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Key Club Members Honored at Kiwanis Breakfast
Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students received accolades and scholarships from the Kiwanis Club of Copiague during their annual breakfast on May 31.
Members of the Key Club were recognized with scholarships presented by Kiwanis Club president elect Phil Guerra. The Anthony Iannotta Scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to Lyndsey Wilson. The Robert McIntosh Scholarship was presented to Jackalyn Gonzalez and Sofie Wilson won the Warren Gumbs Scholarship, both for $500. Additionally, six Key Club members were awarded $250 scholarships each: Ashley Burgos, Jenna Langan, Nicole Mikolajczak, Amorelle Penick, Tiana Roe and Nilsu Yildiz.
Key Club president Alexandra Saczawa and vice president Joshua Taveras spoke about the many volunteer activities in which the club participated this year. Sophie Bright, president of the Middle School Builders Club, the junior version of the Key Club, also shared some of the various community service activities completed this year.
The cast of the recent production of “The Little Mermaid” treated the audience to a special performance of some of the favorite hits from the show.
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Notice of Board Meeting – June 19, 2017
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MS Students honored at L.I. Science Congress
Two Copiague Middle School students – Olivia Healy and Sophia Bright – were named winners in the Long Island Science Congress. Olivia’s project on different insulations took an honors award at the ceremony on May 23 at St. Anthony’s High School. Sophia’s project on the effects of pesticides on bees took a high honors award. Long Island Science Congress is an adjudicated exhibit of science projects by students in middle and high schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties, sponsored by the Long Island Sections of the Science Teachers Association of New York State.
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Six Inductees Named Members of National Junior Honor Society
Six Copiague Middle School students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a ceremony held at the school on June 1.
Advisers Paul Harvey and Francesa Walker welcomed the board of education members, administrators, family and community members to the ceremony. In order to qualify for membership, seventh- and eighth-grade students must possess a cumulative grade point average of 92 or above and receive faculty recommendations. The National Junior Honor Society officers spoke about the qualities of scholarship, character, service and leadership that members must demonstrate in order to qualify.
Principal Andrew Lagnado led the oath for newest inductees to the National Junior High Society: Adam Antosiak, Arlin Alvarez Almonte, Adela Guifarro Soto, Sofia Lounici, Marcela Torres and Emmeli Vizcaino.
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Math Mania Tests Speed and Accuracy
Students at Great Neck Road Elementary School have been busy working on honing their math skills throughout the school year in preparation for the Math Mania event on May 26.
Students came to school dressed in shirts with numbers to show their support for the Math Mania event. Each grade gathered in the library for their online mathematical quiz. Fifth-grade members of the TechTeam club helped assist students in their online setup while Great Neck Road Elementary School technology coach Jeanie Mullins read the rules of the competition.
Students in grades K-5 have been practicing basic math facts throughout the month to commit them to memory. During the first round of Math Mania, students competed to be named one of the top three in their class. Using their tablets, students had to answer 10 questions accurately and quickly. The top three students from each class then went against the other classes from their grade level to be named champions of the competition.
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Twenty-Eight Inductees Welcomed into National Honor Society
Twenty-eight new members of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s Isabella Driscoll Chapter of the National Honor Society were inducted in a ceremony held in the school’s auditorium on June 1.
Members of the National Honor Society each held candles as they entered the ceremony. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon offered welcoming remarks to the board of education members, administrators, family, friends and community members in attendance and congratulated the new inductees for their hard work, community involvement and academic excellence in achieving membership into the National Honor Society.
After National Honor Society advisers Allison Weller and Clare Nugent lit the first candle of knowledge, National Honor Society officers each explained the four main pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and character before lighting their respective candles.
National Honor Society members chose social studies chairperson Michelle Penyy as guest speaker for the ceremony. Ms. Penyy spoke about her many travel experiences and lessons she had learned along the way with each new trip. “As National Honor Society members, you are all stewards of our past and your knowledge and appreciation of it will guarantee all of us a better future. Each of you has taught me and your fellow students how to be more confident, flexible, humble, appreciative and kind,” Ms. Penyy said. “The fact that you are being recognized for your service, scholarship, character and leadership demonstrates that you possess the very characteristics needed to be global citizens. Think of your membership into the National Honor Society as your passport.”
Principal Joseph Agosta offered words of encouragement before reading the oath for new members. The district congratulates the following inductees: senior Ona Kean; juniors Ashley Collado, Brittany Faustin, Ayana Fields, Sierra Lenee Gaul, Isabella Gilbert, Jordy Hernandez-Rivera, Kyria Moore, Rianna Rivera and Davina Smith; sophomores Jackson Bright, Aleksandra Bugajczyk, Ajhani Carroll, Mercy Gomez Herrera, Jeanine Guelee, Melinda Harris, James Holland, Emily Korba, Faith McCombs, Lacy McIntyre, Gabriela Ordonez, Jimmy Padilla-Ortez, Kriyal Patel, Kembalee Rolle, Abigail Romero, Owen Rosenberg, Samantha Sattler and Deana Simon.
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Free Summer Food Program
To ensure students continue receiving proper nutrition during the summer months, the District will offer free lunch for children 18 years old or younger at no cost to local taxpayers. Open sites will serve lunch Monday-Friday, from July 10 through Aug. 18. Additionally, the Bethel AME Church will have breakfast service. Please note, the Copiague Memorial Public Library site is only open on Tuesdays and Fridays. There will be no residency or identification required; however, all meals must be eaten on site. Menus vary by location.
Below is a list of sites, serving times and addresses.
Bethel AME Church
Breakfast: 8:30-9:45 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
20 Simmons St., Copiague
Christian Life Center Church
Lunch: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
450 Bayview Ave., Amityville
Copiague Memorial Public Library
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Tuesdays and Fridays Only
50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague
North Amityville Pool
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Albany Avenue, North Amityville
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District Celebrates Retirees, Newly Tenured teachers
Copiague School District administrators and Board of Education members recognized the faculty and staff members who will be retiring at the end of the 2016-2017 school year and also acknowledged teachers who were granted tenure during the June 5 board of education meeting.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon, board of education members, district administrators and department chairs offered their congratulations to the five retirees, who have close to 150 years of combined service to the district. Retiring at the end of the school year are Stacy Bach, Rose Marie Bell, Lynne Cook, Deirdre Whiston and Rosette Verriotto.
Four teachers ¬– Karen Kazlaukas, Michael Olsen, Danielle Russo and Ioanna Spyris – who were recently granted tenure, were also celebrated prior to the board of education meeting.
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Watch the High School Graduation Live - Thursday, June 22nd 7PM
HS 7 PM - http://thecube.com/e/737966
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Watch the Middle School Moving Up Ceremony Live (MS 10am / MS 1pm) - Wednesday, June 21st
MS 10 AM - http://thecube.com/e/737964
MS 1 PM - http://thecube.com/e/737965
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Spring Sports All-Stars
Congratulations to the student-athletes who were awarded for their play
on the field and in the classroom during the spring 2017 sports season.
For a full list of winners, click here.
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Sixth-Grader Honored for her Service Initiative
Senator John Brooks visited Copiague Middle School on May 31 to present a proclamation to a sixth-grade student who is making a difference in her community.“I wanted to recognize this young lady in front of her whole class so you can really understand what she is doing in her community and the initiative she is taking on her own,” Sen. Brooks said.
For almost a year, student Lydia Pacheco has spent her Sunday mornings helping to feed the homeless both in her neighborhood and beyond. Pacheco started by using the money she received for her birthday and allowance to buy food at local fast-food restaurants. Now, the sixth-grader’s movement has grown to include family, friends and members of her church community who travel with her or on their own for weekly deliveries.“I’ve gotten to know a lot of the people I see every week and they look forward to seeing me and my dad,” Pacheco said. “It brings me a real feeling of joy to know that I am helping someone.”
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