Month: May 2023

Newfield High School hosted a Wellness Week in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Wellness Week is a school-wide event where each day has a theme of healthy habits and outlets for mental health.

“Wellness Week was a huge success. The SADD advisors and students were instrumental in organizing this event. Special thanks to advisors Danielle Dineen and Ashley Sabia,” said Scott Graviano, Principal of Newfield High School. “Our students’ positive mental health in and outside of school is vital to their education, academic success, and emotional well-being. We want our students to feel comfortable with their feelings and be able to express themselves in constructive ways that nurture and support their mental, social, and emotional health.” 

On Love Your Selfie Day Monday, students were invited to visit the tables outside their cafeteria where they had a selfie station. Students were encouraged to take photos with props with positive messages. Newfield High School’s cosmetology students were there to help everyone look and feel beautiful. Participants also had therapeutic hair brushing or hair extension sessions. For Tasty Treat Tuesday, students were given tasty treats while learning about nutritional wellness. A representative from Energize Nutrition visited to answer questions and address concerns related to diet and nutrition. On Paws-itive Mindset Wednesday, students were asked to write down any fears, obstacles, or problems they were currently dealing with. Then they were asked to use the shredding machine to “destroy” the things holding them back. Therapy dogs from Therapy Dogs of Long Island visited the classrooms. Thankful Thursday was all about gratitude. Students were asked to fill out a thank you gram for someone in their lives who they appreciate and are thankful for. The Wellness Week ended with a Fitness Friday. Students joined in on a fitness challenge where they had to participate in five different one-minute-long exercises. A personal trainer from Masá CrossFit made an appearance to speak to the students about how physical well-being was a critical factor in ensuring their mental health and well-being.

The Middle Country Central School District has announced that My’Kell Durham and Logan Haberstoh have been named middle school students of the month for the month of May 2023. The two students were honored at a recent  Board of Education meeting. 

Dawnwood Middle School student My’Kell Durham is an energetic student with a vivacious energy, smile, and welcoming personality. He is eager to help those around him, listen to his teachers, and put in extra effort in all subject areas. Throughout his years at Dawnwood Middle School, My’Kell’s growth as a student and an individual has been recognized by his teachers and peers. Once a shy young boy, My’Kell has blossomed into a youngster exuding self-confidence and congeniality.  Recently, My’Kell went around to students in his school to help raise awareness for the school’s dance and yoga fundraising event, culminating in the raising of $800. 

Selden Middle School student Logan Haberstroh excels academically. He has maintained impressive grades throughout his middle school career. Logan’s grades average  95 or higher. As a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Logan has done community service at a local home for handicapped adults and has worked to improve the gardens at New Lane Elementary School where he attended elementary school. Logan enjoys being involved in the National Junior Honor  Society, where his participation is providing him with the skills and knowledge to become a responsible local as well as global citizen.  

The Centereach High School Virtual Enterprise firm participated in the Youth Business Summit at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City recently. Over 6,000 students from around the world participated in the summit. Each firm set up its sales booth, students from each firm networked and exchanged ideas and information, and firms conducted business transactions and made purchases using their POS (point-of-sale) systems. As described by Virtual Enterprises International, organizer of the event, the Youth Business Summit is a dynamic three-day event that brings together young people from across the U.S. and around the world to compete, attend leadership events, and network with peers and professionals. During the three days, Virtual Enterprise students are given the opportunity to display the professional skills and business acumen they have developed through their participation in the Virtual Enterprise program during the school year.

“Our students did an excellent job representing our school,” said Thomas Bell, Principal of Centereach High School. “The international trade show allowed our students to have the opportunity to participate in an educational experience that aligns with their career interest and work-based learning.” 

Recently,  Middle Country Central School District students took part in a recording session on the Long Island News Radio 103.9 radio show, Spotlight on Long Island Schools, with host Bob Vecchio. 

Spotlight on Long Island Schools is a 30-minute broadcast aired every Saturday highlighting schools across Long Island, touching on topics impacting students and teachers. These thought-provoking interviews and meaningful discussions allow the show’s guests to speak about school pride moments, school messaging, and curriculum. Bob Vecchio is the executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association, serving over 100 Boards of Education on Long Island.

The Middle Country students can be heard during the show’s upcoming  Saturday, June 10, and Saturday, June 17 airings. A cross-section of students took part in the show’s taping, which allowed Vecchio to ask questions regarding student involvement with community service, athletics, theatre arts, and the rigor of Middle Country’s capstone program, a graduation requirement that challenges students to complete advanced research projects. 

Centereach High School Theatre Arts proudly presented Disney’s classic, Beauty and The Beast. In addition to the several evening performances for the general Centereach High School community, the Theatre Arts Department collaborated with the Centereach High School Student Council to invite senior citizens to an exclusive Disney’s Beauty and the Beast afternoon tea and show. Senior citizens were able to enjoy light snacks and desserts before enjoying the exhilarating performance.

“This was an all-hands-on-deck production. A round of applause to our cast, pit, crews, and committees for the countless hours dedicated to this production,” said Tom Bell, Principal of Centereach High School.  “I am incredibly proud of our staff and thespian students for presenting this spectacular performance.”

Finn Taich, a Centereach High School senior, was cast as the Beast. This is Finn’s eighth show at Centereach High School. He was selected for the 2022 NYSSMA All-State Conference and is the student director of  Centereach High School’s men’s choir. 

Tatiana Arezzo, a Centereach High School junior, was exceptional as Belle. She was also a guest soloist at Centereach’s Women’s History Month Celebration. Last year, Tatiana was a part of the production of High School Musical, an understudy for one of the main characters, Gabriella. During the fall season, Tatiana worked behind the scenes as costume manager for the plays. She also performs with the school’s varsity kickline team.

Cast:
Tatiana Arezzo – Belle
Finn Taich – Beast
Emily Strange – Mrs. Potts
Vincent Ferrara – Gaston
Molleigh Fetherston – Lumiere
Rowen Willis – Cogsworth
Zachary Atkinson – Lefou
Natalie Godinez – Madame de La Grande Bouche
Krystian Karwowski – Maurice
Julian Strano – D’Arque
Skyla Gotay – Babette
Isabella Jorge – Chip
Anastasia Vujovic, Dakota White, and Grace D’Acampora – Silly Girls