New Lane Memorial Elementary School students celebrated Fire Prevention Week from Sunday, October 9 to Saturday, October 15. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.
In honor of Fire Prevention Week, firefighters from the Selden Fire Department visited the New Lane Memorial Elementary School to speak to students on how to prevent fires and what to do if there is a fire. The elementary school students were also able to ask questions and learn about the fire safety types of equipment the firefighters use in their fire trucks.
“It was wonderful to have the Selden Fire Department visit our students to educate them on fire safety,” said Phyllis Saltz, Principal of New Lane Memorial Elementary School. “Thank you to the Selden Fire Department for taking the time to visit us and teach our students the essentials of fire safety!”
New Lane Memorial Elementary School students learning about fire safety with the Selden Fire Department
Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School recently welcomed hundreds of students, community members, and staff to enjoy its annual homecoming celebration.
“It’s always wonderful to see the energy, laughter, and great enthusiasm from our students, families, and our community,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “I love the level of pride and support that exists within this community. Special thank you to Laura Melfi, Student Activities Advisor, Dina Tiles, Students Activities Secretary, and the support of the administration and community members who helped coordinate the homecoming weekend!”
Before the homecoming game, Centereach High School families joined the high school athletic field for the Homecoming Cougar Carnival. This year, the carnival featured multiple inflatables such as a 75-foot obstacle course, an inflatable soccer dartboard, and a Connect Four basketball game. Attendees also enjoyed hair braiding, face painting, robotics games, competition field games, and food and ice cream trucks.
The Centereach High School Cougars won a close battle against the Smithtown East High School Bulls by 7-6. The cheerleaders, kickline, and pep rally band performed during halftime. This year’s Centereach High School’s Senior Class Homecoming Court was Khamani Vincent and Hayley Marron.
Every year, community members, families, the District’s PTAs, and businesses of the Middle Country Central School District come together to donate school supplies and backpacks to support the District’s students. This year was the first year students received donations from Old Navy, Port Jefferson Elk’s Lodge, and Healing Waters Church. Businesses such as Costco that have donated in the past were also contributors this year. Families of Middle Country Central School District were able to pick up donated school supplies and backpacks at their school.
“A huge thank you to everyone who donated school supplies and backpacks to support our students,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “The Middle Country Central School District has countless supporters and we are so grateful to have our community come together for our students.”
Donations received: Costco – backpacks Transportation – backpacks, notebooks, markers, and crayons Healing Waters Church – backpacks, binders, crayons, pencils, and pens Community Members – notebooks, pencils, folders, and erasers Old Navy – boxes of school supplies, folders, crayons, and erasers Port Jefferson Elk’s Lodge at Centereach – backpacks, folders, markers, and pencils
Donations from Port Jefferson Elk’s Lodge at Centereach, (left to right) Debra Farkas, Leading Knight and Contact Person, Ted Farkas, Chaplain, John Brigante, District Deputy, Joan Brigante,- Exalted Ruler, Stacey Hendershot, Middle Country Central School District Social Worker, and Elena Baldwin, Jericho Elementary School Principal Donations from Healing Waters Church, Kenneth Gutmann, Principal of Eugene Auer Elementary School, and Pastor Mary Comiskey of Healing Waters Church Middle Country Central School District students receiving free school supplies Middle Country Central School District students receiving free school supplies Some of the donations from the PTA
Middle Country Central School District’s Capstone Project Program is a unique program that challenges its students to complete regular research projects throughout their educational journey in the District.
“The Capstone Project Program empowers students to become independent critical thinkers and versatile, multiskilled students,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “The program first started in the 2014-2015 school year when we freshened up our STEM education and inquiry learning initiatives. This led to the creation of committees to examine and revamp our curriculum, focusing on creative problem-solving and research skills, with real-world connections to science and math.”
As of 2024, the Middle Country Central School District will be the only district across Long Island that requires the completion of a Capstone Project for graduation. Elementary school students are introduced to research skills adapted from the Big6 Research Model, a process leading students through six fundamental steps to answer information-based questions. Students will be taken through a series of structured activities and lessons leading to the selection of an information problem and the identification of reliable resources necessary to create a final project.
“Before the Capstone Project, I didn’t even know what a bibliography was, but now I know how to write one for both a website and a book,” said Katelyn Treharne, Holbrook Road Elementary School student. “My Capstone will be a 13-page report and the creation of a presentation on a trifold board!”
At the Middle School level, eighth-grade students are required to complete two Capstone experiences, one involving scientific research in connection with their living environment lab, and a second Capstone project involving humanities research adapted from the National History Day model.
In high school, students are given independence to determine their own culminating Capstone experience. Students have the option to demonstrate their research skills by developing a research project in conjunction with an extracurricular activity. They have to select a completely independent topic to research under the guidance of a Capstone advisor or librarian and engage in a project outside of school where they can exercise their research skills under the supervision of a community-based mentor.
“The Capstone Project is a unique opportunity for each student in our District to explore, examine, and research a topic that they are passionate about,” said Robert Feeney, Middle Country School District Board of Education Vice President. “The skills acquired throughout the process will strengthen their success in all their classes and may even set the course of their future career path.”
Middle Country Central School District recently announced that Centereach High School seniors Finn Taich and Natalie Godinez had been named Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) Merit Scholar Artist Recipients. Finn received recognition in the area of theatre while Natalie was recognized in visual arts.
“Congratulations to our Centereach High School seniors, Finn Taich and Natalie Godinez,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “This was a very competitive award, with only eight seniors selected per arts area from all of Long Island! Special thanks to their sponsoring teachers, Brian Hough, and Karissa LaLima, for their relentless dedication and support of our students.”
LIAA Scholar Artist Merit recipients are nominated by their school district and must represent the highest level of artistic excellence in their area of concentration. Recipients must demonstrate superior academic achievement with an unweighted grade point average of 90 or above and submit an essay and a portfolio of their work or performance.
Finn Taich has been involved in theatre since the fourth grade. His exceptional skills allowed him the opportunity to play notable roles throughout his school years such as Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, and Troy Bolton in High School Musical. Finn is looking forward to playing Geppeto in this year’s upcoming musical, Pinocchio. Natalie Godinez has been an artist since the third grade, receiving recognition and awards for her creativity, vision, and use of various mediums. Natalie has had her work featured in the Middle Country Districtwide Art Exhibit for many years. Both students plan to continue to pursue their talents in college next year.
Middle Country Central School District high school students performed at both the Centereach and Selden Fire Department 9/11 memorial ceremonies.
“It was truly an amazing performance by our students,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “Thank you to our students who volunteered their time to honor our heroes and a special thank you to our Centereach High School and Newfield High School music teachers Brian Hough, Joan Meichner, and Dr. Harold Goldstein, for leading and preparing our students for these special community ceremonies!”
The Centereach Women’s Choir beautifully performed the Star Spangled Banner, The Rose, and Sing Me to Heaven at the Centereach Fire Department’s 9/11 memorial ceremony. Paul Sutherland, Newfield High School senior trumpet player, majestically performed Taps, and Heather Austin, a Newfield High School senior, sang the Star Spangled Banner and Amazing Grace at the Selden Fire Department’s 9/11 memorial ceremony.
The Middle Country Central School District is proud to announce that three students were selected to represent the District in the 2022 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Music Ensembles.
“Congratulations to Finn Taich, Centereach High School senior; and Cameron Unger and Eli Horowitz, Newfield High School seniors,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “The dedication that these students demonstrate for their music, coupled with the performance mastery, is inspiring and amazing. We are incredibly proud of these students who have worked diligently to achieve this honor. A thank you must also be given to their teachers, Mr. Brian Hough, Ms. Joan Meichner, and Dr. Harold Goldstein for their contributions and passion for these students’ success.”
Finn Taich will be singing Bass 1 in the NYSSMA All-State Mixed Chorus. Cameron Unger will be playing trombone in the NYSSMA All-State Symphonic Band and Eli Horowitz is a NYSSMA All-State Chorus Alternate, Bass 1. All three seniors achieved the highest scores on the highest level NYSSMA All-State solos last spring. They will perform some of the highest caliber music under the batons of accomplished conductors at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester this December.
Middle Country Central School District recently hosted New Teacher Orientation for the 2022-2023 school year. The orientation was held over the course of two days at the Newfield High School Library.
“New Teacher Orientation is a great way for our new teachers to become familiar with our schools and to learn what makes Middle Country Central School District so great,” said James Donovan, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. “We are thrilled to welcome our new teachers and teaching assistants to the Middle Country Central School District family. We are confident they will be great additions and make valuable contributions to the educational experience of our students!”
On the first day, the program’s focus was dedicated to introducing the new teachers and teaching assistants, going over professional development growth, member and community outreach, district benefits, accessing district technology, understanding the district’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), and reviewing New York State mentoring requirements. The second day was devoted to preparing the new teachers in the areas of classroom management and classroom preparation for individual school buildings.
New Hires: Maria Anderson, Psychologist Colleen Bellois, Physical Education Joseph Conklin, Social Worker Jason Fernandes, Speech Juliana Grant, Music Amy Guido, Psychologist Dominique Hagenbruch, Special Education Joseph Harris, Physical Education Michael Harris, Social Worker and Special Education Kirstin Hettinger, Transitional Specialist Alexandra MacNicol, Elementary Bianca Mammana, Elementary Angela Maxwell, Elementary Marisa Pakulat, Elementary Daniel Smith, Music Monika Cieslak, Teaching Assistant Siara Delgado, Teaching Assistant Cassidy George-Vasquez, Teaching Assistant Heather Hanak, Teaching Assistant Kimberly Keegan, Teaching Assistant Catherine Likewise, Teaching Assistant Jennifer O’Hanlon, Teaching Assistant Carla Pereira, Teaching Assistant Jennifer Signor, Teaching Assistant Samantha Vulpi, Teaching Assistant
The Middle Country Central School District recently announced the appointment of Mrs. Katie Haggerty-Ankner as the District’s new Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) and Special Education. Before being appointed to her new role, Mrs. Haggerty-Ankner was a teacher with the District since 2007.
Mrs. Haggerty-Ankner is a Middle Country Central School District alumni. She attended Oxhead Road Elementary School, Dawnwood Middle School, and Centereach High School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College, a Master’s degree from Long Island University, C.W. Post, and received an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University.
“We are excited to have Mrs. Haggerty-Ankner on board as our new Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “I have full confidence in Mrs. Haggerty-Ankner, who has taught in Middle Country for 15 years as both a General and Special Education teacher. Mrs. Haggerty-Ankner’s experience, leadership, and dedication to all her students as a teacher will be a great asset as she assumes the responsibilities of her new administrative role.”
“It has been an absolute pleasure to teach in the Middle Country School District,” said Mrs. Haggerty-Ankner. “I am incredibly grateful for all the time I have spent in the classroom as a teacher and I am honored to accept my new position as Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education. I am looking forward to working with Dr. Gerold, my central administrative colleagues, and the exceptional staff in our District to ensure that all our students are afforded the absolute best education possible.”
Over the last few weeks, four siblings at Middle Country Central School District worked together to raise $405 for critically needed school supplies for economically challenged district families. Students Isabella Muccio (9th grade, Newfield High School), Michael Muccio (5th grade, New Lane Elementary School), Giavanna Muccio (3rd grade, New Lane Elementary School), and Madelyn Muccio (kindergarten, Bicycle Path School) ran two lemonade stands in order to raise the funds.
“I am so proud of my children,” said the students’ mom, Michele Muccio. “They brainstormed \and came up with a wonderful idea to run lemonade stands to help other children purchase school supplies. They know how expensive it can be to return to school, and wanted to help out.”
Isabella, Michael, Giavanna, and Madelyn used the leadership skills they learned in school and the girl and boy scouts to make their lemonade stands a great success. They built the storefront stands, painted them, and set them up themselves. They ran both stands in their driveway and spread the word to family, friends, neighbors, and the Middle Country Moms Facebook group. Isabella and Michael’s former 4th-grade teacher, Mrs. Tricia Green, and New Lane School Nurse Susan Rossi stopped by to donate and offered encouragement.
In addition to refreshing lemonade, the Muccio’s sold cookies and chips and used all the earnings to purchase school supplies and backpacks at Target and Walmart.
“We are just so thankful for all that the Muccio family has done for the students of our district and community,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “The Muccios are an outstanding example of the students that attend Middle Country Central School District. Well done!”
The Muccios delivered all of the new school supplies and backpacks to Phyllis Saltz at New Lane Elementary School and Lisa Contarino at Bicycle Path School. The family was an inspiration to the community as people continue to drop off school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, and crayons to their home which will then be dropped off at schools.
These donations will be distributed amongst the schools and will be able to give many students the supplies they need and would not have been able to obtain otherwise.
