Author: middle-country

Centereach, New York (October 2020)—The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) invites the school community, students and parents to attend the Ryan Zinna Virtual Paint Night Scholarship Fundraiser on Friday, October 23. Hosted by Newfield High School’s chapter of National Art Honor Society, proceeds will benefit graduating art seniors at Centereach High School and Newfield High School in their post-high school graduation endeavors. Live instruction for the virtual paint night will begin at 6:00 p.m. The event will also be recorded and made available to watch at participants’ convenience. Participants can choose between 3 wooden painting kits— ascarecrow, a pumpkin, and a haunted house—for only $20. Kits also include paint and brushes. For those interested in participating, please contact Dr. Diana Cook (DCook@mccsd.net). The district encourages all participants to bring their creativity and Halloween spirit.

Centereach, New York (September 2020)—The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) is proud to announce that Kyle Mathew, a graduating senior at Newfield High School (NHS), has been named a semifinalist in the 2020-21 National Merit Scholarship program. Kyle was among 16,000 students in the nation selected for their exceptional performance on the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSA/NMSQT) and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

“Our district is ecstatic to recognize Kyle for his outstanding academic achievement and celebrate his advancement in the National Merit Scholarship program,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Middle Country Central School District. “Kyle is a phenomenal representation of the work ethic and commitment of students in the Middle Country School District, and we are thrilled to support him through his future endeavors and accomplishments. On behalf of the Board and community, we wish Kyle the best of luck in the rest of the program.”

Kyle, a well-rounded individual, is involved in a number of MCCSD’s extracurricular activities and clubs. He’s an active member of the following clubs: environmental, robotics, foreign language, debate, social sciences, and book club. He’s also been involved in the district’s orchestra for the last 10 years, the fencing team for three years, and the Foreign Language Honor Society for two years.

“I’m very grateful for this amazing award, but it would be amiss of me to forget who and what got me here,” said Kyle. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my friends and family, and to them, I’m always grateful for what they do to help.” After Kyle completes the next steps in the program—which includes a recommendation from a high school official and the completion of a comprehensive essay—he will have the chance to be selected among 15,000 students for the Finalist level. Finalists will be notified in February 2021.

Middle Country Central School District Announces Two Additions to Leadership Team for Year Ahead

Centereach, New York (September 2020)—The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) is proud to announce that it has appointed two new administrators to the district’s leadership team—Dr. Beth Rella as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Mr. Karl O’Leary as Assistant Principal of Newfield High School.

“It brings us great excitement to welcome Beth and Karl to our district’s leadership team as we begin the 2020-21 school year,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of MCCSD. “Both Beth and Karl bring with them years of experience, exceptional credentials and vast knowledge in the education field. I am confident that the two will be tremendous assets in helping us build upon the educational excellence within our district and provide extraordinary experiences for our students.”

Prior to joining Middle Country, Dr. Rella worked in finance and marketing management for a non-profit organization and served many years as the executive director of business for Freeport Public Schools.

Dr. Rella received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Binghamton University, a Master of Business Administration from Dowling College and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration, Leadership and Technology from Dowling College. Additionally, Dr. Rella also received her School District Business Leader (SDBL) certificate from Dowling College.

With twelve years in the education field on Long Island, Karl O’Leary brings experience as a teacher and administrator to his leadership position at Newfield. Prior to joining MCCSD, Mr. O’Leary worked as a middle and high school English teacher, as well as a special education and high school principal in Upstate New York. Mr. O’Leary earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta, a master’s degree from Stony Brook University, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Building and District Leadership from SUNY Cortland. He is currently working on his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership through New England University. 

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Centereach, N.Y. (December 2019)—Middle Country Central School District high school students in the child development class at Newfield High School recently visited various classrooms at North Coleman Road Elementary School to complete their first field study experience. The upperclassmen observed and interacted with several of North Coleman’s Pre-K students to explore and gain first-hand experience in the educational career field.

Centereach, N.Y. (December 2019)—Six student musicians from the Middle Country Central School District were selected to perform in the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) All-State Performing Ensembles. From Newfield High School, Victoria Bartunek was chosen for All-State Symphonic Band, Logan Mazer was selected for All-State Wind Ensemble, Gabrielle Pegg was chosen for All-State Mixed Chorus, and Natalie Wilson was chosen for All-State Wind Ensemble. From Centereach High School, Laura Diaferia and Natalie Walsh were chosen for All-State Mixed Chorus. These six students traveled upstate to Rochester, N.Y. to perform at the Eastman Theatre.  All-State Alternates from Newfield High School were Nick Douglas, Maggie Lasher, and Isabel Rodriguez for All-State Band, Julia Ingemi for All-State Orchestra, and Centereach’s Robert Montano was selected for the All-State Mixed Chorus but declined as he is currently performing at Radio City Music Hall in the Christmas Spectacular. 

Middle Country’s students were among 900 students selected to take part in this esteemed performance. The District is committed to providing students with opportunities to build their skills and hone their talents, sparking creativity and innovation. The District is proud of each of these students and their teachers—Dr. Harold Goldstein, Mr. Brian Hough, Ms. Joan Meichner, and Mr. Dan Martinez—for their continuous dedication and incredible work ethic.

Centereach, N.Y. (December 2019- Sixteen students from Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) were selected to perform in the NYSCAME/SCMEA All-County Band, Orchestra and Chorus Festival. Held at Huntington High School, students from across Suffolk County convened to rehearse and perform an impressive repertoire of pieces under the direction of expert conductors.

MCCSD’s participating students were selected based on their NYSSMA All-State score(s) from the previous spring, alongside various recommendations from their teachers. The District strives to provide students with opportunities such as this to foster creativity, hone their talents, and develop skills in an environment outside of the classroom.

Centereach High School students:

Laura Diaferia, Soprano 2 – Mixed Chorus

Nick Galdemis, Bb Clarinet – All-County Band

Evan Jenkins, Percussion – All-County Band

Robert Montano, Tenor 1 – All-County Mixed Chorus

Suzanne Scaccio, Trombone 2 – All-County Band

Natalie Walsh, Alto 2 – All-County Mixed Chorus

Newfield High School students:

Victoria Bartunek, Baritone Sax – All-County Band

Nicholas Douglas, Baritone Euphonium 1 – All-County Band

Jacob Grijalva, French Horn 3 – All-County Band

Eviana Holmes – All-County Treble Choir

Julia Ingemi, Violin 2 – All-County Orchestra

Maggie Lasher, Alto Sax 1 – All-County Band

Logan Mazer, Clarinet 1 – All-County Band

Gabrielle Pegg, Soprano 2 – All-County Mixed Chorus

Isabel Rodriguez, Flute 2 – All-County Band

Natalie Wilson, Trumpet 2 – All-County Orchestra

Centereach, N.Y. (December 2019)—Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School recently competed in the Long Island Mentor Moot Court competition, a constitutional law competition that stimulates the mind and provides experience for aspiring law and litigation students. Led by Ms. Reilley and Ms. Strong, Centereach High School brought a team of seven to the competition. Student participants included David Stein, senior; Gianna Gurovich, senior; Joshua Hunsucker, senior; Thomas Gambra, senior; Madison Murray, junior; Olivia Nobs, junior; and Payton Lancer, sophomore.

“This experience has been one of a kind for these driven and intelligent students,” said Dr. Roberta A. Gerold, superintendent of Middle Country School District. “The District strives to provide students with these real-life and career-building experiences to help open doors and provide insight into future career paths. It helps to instill in them the skill, passion, and motivation necessary to thrive in the working world. All students who participated should be proud of all that they accomplished.”

MCCSD’s participating students spent weeks preparing with a real attorney to present a constitutional case to a panel of federal judges. Beforehand, students had the opportunity to practice their litigation skills in an educational setting that represents constitutional law in an accurate light. During the competition, participants assumed the role of lawyers to stand before the U.S. Supreme Court on a constitutional question. The Long Island Mentor Moot Court was developed in 2016 as part of the Second Circuit’s Civic Education Initiative, “Justice for All: Courts and the Community.” This new addition to the civics education program for Long Island high schools was born from a partnership between the Nassau County Bar Association, Hofstra University Law School, the Federal Bar Association, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and the Justice Resource Center.

The Middle Country Central School District recently announced the October students of the month at its Board of Education meeting. Newfield High School senior Nicholas Douglas, Dawnwood Middle School eighth grade student David Class and Selden Middle School eighth grade student Tiffani Barosa were all recognized for their many academic achievements, serving as a role model for their peers within the District and community, and their dedication to extracurricular activities.

 

“We are proud to recognize these students as they demonstrate the true spirit, passion and values of the Middle Country Central School District” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. “Nicholas, David and Tiffani have achieved so much at such a young age, and we have no doubt that their powerful drive, innovative minds and shining personalities will take them far in their lives.”

 

Newfield High School senior Nicholas Douglas was honored for his academic excellence, strong commitment to extracurricular activities and his thoughtful yet disciplined disposition. With a GPA of 99.5625, Nicholas will potentially be able to graduate in June with 40 credits. Nicholas is a member of the National Honor Society, the Foreign Language Honor Society and is the Executive Director of the Tri-M Honor Society. He is vice president of the senior class, captain of the cross country team, and a member of both the spring and winter track teams. Nicholas has also excelled within the music department as a member of the drum club and has been selected for all-county band for the past seven consecutive years.  Nicholas is a 5-time recipient of the Middle Country Minds in Motion Award and the varsity athletic award.

 

Nicholas is described by teachers as hard-working and diligent and he is always seeking constant improvement. A fan of chemistry and calculus, Nicholas plans to continue on to higher education to major in chemical engineering. He is applying to Stony Brook, New York University, Northeastern University, Manhattan College, and Penn State.

 

Eighth grade student David Class was honored as the Dawnwood Middle School Student of the Month due to his contagious positivity, constant kindness and his dedication to making each of his peers feel welcome and included. David is said to have an impressive enthusiasm for learning; his favorite subject is history and he can educate almost anyone he meets on the Reconstruction Era. David is described by those around him as a well-rounded student who always tries his best to succeed, no matter what task.

 

Selden Middle School eighth grade student Tiffani Barosa is a shining example of what it means to be a Selden student. With a cumulative GPA of 97.4, Tiffani excels in her two favorite classes math and social studies. She is involved in a number of extracurricular activities within the school community as well as out of school programs. An accomplished athlete, Tiffani is a member of Newfield’s JV Cheer Squad, plays soccer in her free time, and assists with dance instruction at the “On the Edge Performance Center.” Tiffani hopes to one day attend the University of Florida and ultimately become a profiler for the FBI, as she is inspired by the TV show Criminal Minds, which she watches routinely with her family.

 

For more information regarding Middle Country School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.

 

 

 

Middle Country Central School District’s Newfield High School senior Ashley Wall was recently recognized as a Long Island Merit Scholar Artist in Dance. Ashley is one of only five dancers on Long Island that was recognized this year, bringing tremendous pride to the Middle Country community. She was nominated in June by her dance instructor, Kristi Adams.

 

Ashley, accompanied by her family, was recognized at the Long Island Arts Alliance Induction Ceremony, held at Long Island University on September 11, 2019. This accolade is a tremendous accomplishment earned through hard work, dedication and passion. The District will continue to implement a diverse and well-rounded curriculum, providing students with numerous opportunities to shine in art, music and theater. Congratulations to Ashley and all other award recipients!

 

For more information about academic programs available at the Middle Country School District and a calendar of events, please visit www.mccsd.net.