With the holiday season upon us and the knowledge that many men and women serving our country in the armed forces are not able to spend it with their families, the members of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s Bringing Unity Through Youth wanted to give back to those who defend America’s freedoms. Gathered together after school on Nov. 21, the students created holiday cards in English and Spanish and organized a collection drive, with assistance from the senior class, to send candy to the troops. The cards and candy will be sent to the Army Communication Unit, where high school teacher Christopher Porcellini’s brother is stationed.
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Bringing Unity Through Youth
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Making Wishes Come True
Continuing their annual December tradition of community service, the student council and Positive Energy Group at Copiague Middle School participated in Macy’s Believe “Letter to Santa” campaign. Under the direction of their advisers, Stephanie Colagiacomo and Aglaed Marcedo, the students gathered after school on Dec. 5 to craft their letters to Santa Claus in English and Spanish, with the goal of surpassing the previous year’s total of 800 letters written. For each letter written and delivered to the department store, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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Copiague Suffolk Zone Winners Announced
Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School seniors Alessandra Altruda and Zachary Wilson were presented with the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Suffolk Zone Award on Dec. 4. The two were awarded certificates and gold medals recognizing their outstanding achievements as physical education students, scholars and citizens. The ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency Wind Watch in Hauppauge.
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A Night of Dinner and Dancing - View the Video Here
A few snow flurries couldn’t keep the local seniors from visiting Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School and taking part in the annual Senior to Senior Dinner. Organized by the Class of 2014 and its advisers, Alline Stanton and Tracy Wenzler, the evening included a performance by the Madrigal Choir, directed by Gina Occhiogrosso, and music by the Hip Hop Club and its adviser, Yvan Garcia. Click the video below to enjoy a few highlights from the event.
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A Lesson in Shark Anatomy
To culminate their study of chondrichthyes, the class comprising the cartilaginous fishes, marine science students in Jonathan Cutolo’s, Jonathan Krawchuk’s and Cassie Matlin’s classes at Copiague’s Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School participated in a dissection of a squalus acanthias, more commonly known as a dogfish shark. “The purpose of the shark dissections was to give the students of Copiague an opportunity, quite possibly the only opportunity they may have to perform such an activity,” said Mr. Krawchuck. “The students have been studying sharks for the past few weeks, focusing on their behaviors and anatomy with a great emphasis on what makes them the apex hunters of the oceans.”
This exploratory procedure allowed the students to observe firsthand the differences between what they know of the human anatomy and what they can see as the most efficient saltwater hunter. “By performing these dissections, the students were able to leave the room with a significantly better understanding of the inner workings of the sharks’ anatomy and a respect for the process,” explained Mr. Krawchuck.
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A Day of Gingerbread
Kindergartners in Natalia Brite’s class at Copiague’s Deauville Gardens East Elementary School continued a sweet holiday tradition as they worked to construct gingerbread houses. The students, along with parent volunteers, gathered together to put their artistic abilities to use by tapping into their creativity and utilizing milk boxes as molds. Students added icing, graham crackers and colorful candies to construct the delightfully delicious and sweet houses.
In preparation for the activity, the students read multiple versions of “The Gingerbread Man” and “Gingerbread Baby,” followed by a writing activity about their gingerbread houses and the steps they took to make the edible creation. Additionally, the students taste tested gingerbread men cookies and graphed which part of the body they bit first.
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A Special Holiday Treat
At the Dec. 16 Copiague Board of Education meeting, a student performance group traditionally showcases a portion of their winter concert repertoire. This year, under the direction Chantall Charles-Alleyne, the Deauville Gardens East and Deauville Gardens West elementary schools combined select chorus sang two songs. As a special treat to kick off the meeting, the choral group performed “Frosty the Snowman” and “I Have a Little Dreidel.”
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Winter Wonderland - Watch the Video
With their gym turned into a winter wonderland, the students at Great Neck Road Elementary School participated in winter-themed activities during their physical education classes. Using a Wii gaming system, the students participated in down hill skiing, with carpet tiles on their feet they played a game of ice hockey, utilizing their brain power the children enjoyed a holiday-themed memory game and with the assistance of scooters they simulated an ice luge, among other activities. To see highlights from the winter wonderland, please enjoy this edition of Copiague TV!
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A Lesson in Shark Anatomy
To culminate their study of chondrichthyes, the class comprising the cartilaginous fishes, marine science students in Jonathan Cutolo’s, Jonathan Krawchuk’s and Cassie Matlin’s classes at Copiague’s Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School participated in a dissection of a squalus acanthias, more commonly known as a dogfish shark. “The purpose of the shark dissections was to give the students of Copiague an opportunity, quite possibly the only opportunity they may have to perform such an activity,” said Mr. Krawchuck. “The students have been studying sharks for the past few weeks, focusing on their behaviors and anatomy with a great emphasis on what makes them the apex hunters of the oceans.”
This exploratory procedure allowed the students to observe firsthand the differences between what they know of the human anatomy and what they can see as the most efficient saltwater hunter. “By performing these dissections, the students were able to leave the room with a significantly better understanding of the inner workings of the sharks’ anatomy and a respect for the process,” explained Mr. Krawchuck.
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A Day of Gingerbread
Kindergartners in Natalia Brite’s class at Copiague’s Deauville Gardens East Elementary School continued a sweet holiday tradition as they worked to construct gingerbread houses. The students, along with parent volunteers, gathered together to put their artistic abilities to use by tapping into their creativity and utilizing milk boxes as molds. Students added icing, graham crackers and colorful candies to construct the delightfully delicious and sweet houses.
In preparation for the activity, the students read multiple versions of “The Gingerbread Man” and “Gingerbread Baby,” followed by a writing activity about their gingerbread houses and the steps they took to make the edible creation. Additionally, the students taste tested gingerbread men cookies and graphed which part of the body they bit first.
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A Special Holiday Treat
At the Dec. 16 Copiague Board of Education meeting, a student performance group traditionally showcases a portion of their winter concert repertoire. This year, under the direction Chantall Charles-Alleyne, the Deauville Gardens East and Deauville Gardens West elementary schools combined select chorus sang two songs. As a special treat to kick off the meeting, the choral group performed “Frosty the Snowman” and “I Have a Little Dreidel.”
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Building Community Connections
As part of the efforts of Susan E. Wiley Elementary School’s Shared Decision-Making Committee to bring local community leaders into the school to support the curriculum, the Copiague school invited Jackie Narkiewicz, head of children’s services at Copiague Memorial Public Library, to read to the kindergarten and first-grade classes. During her visit, “Ms. Jackie” read and discussed nursery rhymes with the kindergartners and fables with the first-graders, literary genres that are both featured as part of the first Common Core module of study.
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Fun with Art and Gingerbread
Using their artistic and architectural skills, students in Jean Anziano’s kindergarten class at Copiague’s Susan E. Wiley Elementary School constructed gingerbread houses. Working with parent volunteers, the students created their edible houses by using graham crackers as the walls, bases and roofs, and melted marshmallow as the glue to hold the walls in place. Prior to building their houses, the students read multiple fictional stories featuring gingerbread and created a graph that charted class favorites. By one vote, “The Gingerbread Pirates” by Kristin Kladstrup and Matt Tavares was chosen as the class favorite.
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‘The Polar Express’ Rolls into Copiague
As many children across the country read Chris Van Allsberg’s novel “The Polar Express” in preparation for Christmas, third-grade students in Jeanie Mullins’ class at Copiague’s Great Neck Road Elementary School took it one step further. Before an audience of parents and fellow students, the third-graders performed a Reader’s Theater presentation of the novel. Reader’s Theater productions are dramatic presentations of books through scripted form that help students focus on fluency development, motivate reluctant readers and strengthen comprehension. “I decided to work on a Reader’s Theater presentation with my class to build fluency and confidence in their reading and to put a well-loved text into a play presentation,” said Mrs. Mullins.
To prepare for their performances, the students spent two weeks learning their lines and creating scenery. As a special treat at the end of the performance, the students sang and signed along to Josh Groban’s “Believe,” a song featured in “The Polar Express” movie.
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Creating Sweet Treats
Kindergarten students in Maritza Winkler’s bilingual class at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School in Copiague put their artistic talents to the test this December. After reading “Celebrating Christmas,” which focused on holiday decorations, the students created edible holiday trees. Using ice cream cones, green frosting and a variety of candies as decorations, the kindergartners created their sweet treats to be brought home and shared. Once their holiday trees were complete, the students wrote in their journals about the project, describing the items they used as ornaments and why they chose certain decorations.
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Copiague to Hold Kindergarten Registration - Feb. 3-7
Kindergarten registration for the Copiague Union Free School District will be held at the District Administrative Office, located on the side of Copiague Middle School on Great Neck Road, from Feb. 3-7, 2014, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., by appointment only.
Children who have turned age 5 on or before Dec. 1, 2014 are eligible to attend school in September 2014. Registration requirements include proof of the child’s age, residence within the boundaries of the Copiague School District, and immunizations against polio, measles, rubella (German measles), mumps, diphtheria and hepatitis B. Additional information on immunizations should be requested from your child’s physician. A law enacted in 2008 expands a physical to include a dental health screening.
For registration information, call 631-842-4015, ext. 538. Those who do not plan to register their children at this time should also call school officials to assist in the district’s planning.
En Español
NIÑOS QUE CUMPLEN 5 AÑOS DE EDAD ANTES DEL PRIMERO DE DICIEMBRE DE 2014 DEBEN MATRICULARSE PARA KINDERGARTEN EN LA OFICINA ADMINISTRATIVA CENTRAL LOCALIZADA EN EL 2650 GREAT NECK ROAD EN COPIAGUE COMENZANDO EL 3-7 DE FEBRERO, 2014. POR FAVOR DE LLAMAR AL 631-842-4015, EXT. 532 PARA HACER UNA CITA.
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Road to College Continues (Watch the Video)
Recognizing the importance of higher education and early planning, the Copiague School District hosted its sixth annual College Day on Jan 10. Following months of planning, each school hosted various events centered on getting students excited about the prospect of attending college. The goal of the initiative is to create a positive college-going culture among the young students, and to have every child achieve his or her potential and be college and career ready by the time he or she graduates high school. To see highlights from the day, please enjoy this edition of Copiague TV!
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Musical Moments
Based upon their performances at last year’s New York State School Music Association Solo Evaluation Festivals, as well as recommendations by their school music teachers, 22 students in grades 5-10 from the Copiague School District were selected to perform in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County Festivals. The students were selected to participate from hundreds of applicants representing districts across Suffolk.
Students prepare for the festival with their school music teachers and then participate in rehearsals that culminate in a series of concerts in March. The students will have the opportunity to perform under the leadership of highly skilled conductors from the college music community and professional music industry.
The district congratulates the following students:
Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School
Gabriela Datola, Alto
David Grinthal, Tenor
Victoria Grinthal, Soprano
Kassandra Hanson, Alto
Tiffany Holland, Trumpet/Cornet
Steven Szabo, Mallets
Copiague Middle School
Priscilla Biseno, Children's Voice
Ladrea Buffaloe, Children's Voice
Duryea Deanna, Trumpet/Cornet
Aaron Eng, Trombone
Nicholas Favichia, Alto
Jaime Kister, Bb Clarinet
Rachel Korba, Soprano
Cecilia Libertella, Flute
Jillian Payne, Soprano
Donna Rivera, Flute
Andrew Szabo, Trumpet/Cornet
Deauville Gardens East
Elementary School
Josephine Jean-Baptiste, Alto Sax
Deauville Gardens West
Elementary School
Gabriela Genao, Bb Clarinet
Great Neck Road Elementary School
Delia Exantus, Alto Sax
Susan E. Wiley Elementary School
Andrzej Bubilo, Baritone/Euph
Zuri Milliner, Baritone/Euph
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Day of Horn
On Jan. 10, two student-musicians from the Copiague School District traveled to Commack Middle School to participate in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association’s Day of Horn. During the event, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Rob Favichia and Deauville Gardens East Elementary School fourth-grader Valeria Padilla participated in a clinic led by Julie Landsman. Ms. Landsman held the position of principal horn of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 25 years until her retirement in 2010. She is currently the professor of horn at the Juilliard School and Bard College and guest professor at the Curtis Institute. To conclude the Day of Horn, Rob and Valeria participated in small ensemble concerts for family and friends.
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Valentines for Veterans
To express their gratitude to those who have served in the U.S. military, the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in Copiague’s Deauville Gardens East Elementary School student government created Valentine’s Day cards, which will be distributed to local veterans. Students used construction paper, glitter, markers and, most importantly, well-chosen words of thanks to honor these brave men and women.“This project is a good way to get the kids involved in the community at a young age,” said adviser Ashley Price. Added student government president Olivia Healy, “It makes me feel good to make these cards, and I hope they make the veterans feel happy that we were thinking of them.”
All of the cards will be sent to the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook.
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