Month: February 2021

Centereach High School Promotes Antibullying and Mental Health Awareness Through Local Initiative

CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2021)—The hallways at Centereach High School in Middle Country looked a tad different this week courtesy of P.S. I Love You Day, an initiative spearheaded by Ms. Arizmendi and Ms. Losito designed to promote anti bullying and mental health awareness. 

Students and staff radiated the hallways with their purple apparel in support of the initiative and collaborated to educate one another that mental health is just as important as physical health. People in the building were also able to show support by purchasing a purple mask for $10 or drafting positive affirmations for a staff shoutout.

P.S. I Love You Day, started by a local Islip resident in remembrance of her father, aims to spread love in order to stop bullying and promote mental health awareness by encouraging communities to wear purple on the second Friday of every February. Several schools around the Island joined together to stand up against bullying, help end depression, and prevent suicide by leading seas of purple throughout the Island.

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Newfield’s National Art Honor Society Takes VirtualField Trip to Pollock-Krasner House and Studio

CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2021)—The pandemic has certainly challenged educators to go above and beyond to ensure their students still receive the full learning experience. In Middle Country, Newfield High School National Art Honor Society club advisors, Mr. Berretta and Ms. LaLima, have capitalized on the opportunity to bring the Pollock-Krasner House and Studio right to Middle Country via a virtual field trip experience.

The Pollock-Krasner House and Studio, located in East Hampton, was home to Jackson Pollock, an American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement, and his wife Lee Krasner, an American abstract expressionist painter. Members of Newfield’s National Art Honor Society received a personal tour, in the comfort of their own classroom, which educated them on the two artists’ different approaches to their artwork, as well as their past time in the studio. Students also gained a firsthand experience from their tour guide of Jackson’s Pollock’s drip method, pouring paint straight from a can or along a stick onto a canvas lying horizontally on the floor.

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Congratulations Jonathan G. Mears

CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2021)—Centereach High School’s Jonathan G. Mears has been nominated by the White House’s Commission on Presidential Scholars as a candidate for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. The initiative, established in 1964 by executive order of President Johnson, recognizes the Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

Jonathan’s high scoring on his standardized tests, ranked among New York State’s top 20 male examinees for the SAT and ACT, earned him an exclusive invitation to complete an application for the presidential program. Applicants are juried based on academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay. Jonathan is now placed into a larger pool for the opportunity to be selected among 800 fellow-candidates as a semifinalist. His application will be forwarded to the Commission for further review.