Middle Country Central School District in the Media

The members of the Dawnwood Middle School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in the Middle Country Central School District recently embarked on their annual holiday shopping trip to Target. The event was a great success with over $250 worth of toys purchased for the Giving Tree.

“The annual holiday shopping trip to Target is a cherished tradition for our NJHS members,” said Karena Israel, advisor of the Dawnwood Middle School NJHS. “It not only allows them to experience the joy of giving, but also teaches them the importance of empathy, compassion, and community service. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.”

The Giving Tree is a charitable initiative that benefits Stony Brook’s Children’s Hospital, providing joy and comfort to children who are receiving medical care during the holiday season. Each year, the Dawnwood Middle School NJHS members eagerly participate in this heartwarming tradition, spreading holiday cheer and making a positive impact in their community.

Under the guidance of their dedicated advisor, the Dawnwood Middle School NJHS members carefully selected a wide variety of toys that catered to the diverse interests and age groups of the children at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. From stuffed animals to board games to art supplies, the students made thoughtful choices to ensure that every child would find something special under the tree.

Unity Drive’s Pre-Kindergarten class in Ms. Kelly Clancy-Nill’s room has introduced a unique and engaging Weather Channel Dramatic Play Center. This innovative learning approach allows young learners to explore different roles within a weather station, fostering their curiosity and understanding of weather-related concepts.

“Learning about the weather helps young students understand the natural world and make connections between different weather patterns such as rain, wind, clouds, and seasons. They also learn that weather conditions can have a significant impact on our daily lives. For example, they learn that excess snow could mean a snow day and rain means no outside play,” said Kelly Clancy-Nill. “

Each day, the students watch the daily News 12 Long Island weather forecast, learning about the different parts of the weather report. The students then have the opportunity to play in their weather station, choosing between roles such as a reporter, camera person, forecaster, or meteorologist.  Unity Drive students are equipped with microphones, video cameras, and a whiteboard, where they can draft their reports before presenting in their news studio and reenacting the News 12 weather report.

Enoch Kodua, a talented seventh-grade student at Selden Middle School, has completed an inspirational mural titled, Be the One to Keep Your Dreams, for the school’s cafeteria.

“We are incredibly proud of Enoch’s achievement and believe that his mural will inspire other students to express themselves creatively and strive for their dreams,” said Andrew Bennett, Principal of Selden Middle School. Mr. Bennett unveiled the mural at a special ceremonial event celebrating the young talent nurtured and encouraged at Selden Middle School.

The mural, which is now a permanent fixture in the school’s cafeteria, serves as a daily reminder for students to keep pursuing their dreams. Enoch’s work is a testament to Selden Middle School students’ creativity, dedication, and passion.

Centereach High School art teacher, Mrs. Karissa LaLima, recently presented at the New York State Art Teachers Associaton (NYSATA) statewide conference, sharing her innovative teacher methods with 40 art educators from across the state.

“Art is a personal journey, and I believe it’s important for students to have the freedom to express themselves creatively,” said Mrs. LaLima. “My teaching method is designed to provide students with the technical skills they need, while also encouraging them to explore their artistic vision.

Mrs. LaLima’s presentation focused on her unique approach to lesson organization, designed to give students a maximum choice in the outcome of their artworks. Her goal is to ensure that students not only learn the necessary skills to succeed in ceramics but also have the freedom to make their own artistic decisions.

Oxhead Road Elementary School students recently participated in the Hour of Code, a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries, to celebrate Computer Science Education Week (December 4 – December 10). The event is part of Middle County Central School District’s commitment to providing all students with 21st-century skills that promote creative problem-solving in a diverse and dynamic world.

“Participating in the Hour of Code not only introduces our students to the world of computer science but also encourages them to think creatively and critically,” said Phyllis Saltz, Principal of Oxhead Road Elementary School. “We believe that these skills are essential for our students’ future success in the 21st-century workforce.”

The students used Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools. This platform offers a wide range of coding activities suitable for all age groups and skill levels.

Newfield High School Theatre Arts students are proud to announce its recent production of the classic musical, Little Shop of Horrors. The performance showcased the exceptional talent of the school’s students, both on stage and behind the scenes.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their commitment and passion in bringing this production to life,” said Joan Meichner, Director of Little Shop of Horrors. “Their talent and dedication are truly inspiring and we are excited to share this performance with our community.”

The musical, a cult classic, tells the story of a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The production was a testament to the students, faculty, and staff’s hard work and dedication.

Cast:
Audrey – Jasmine Recova
Seymour – Alexander Yagud-Wolek
Mr. Musnik – Tommy Lasher
Crystal – Jaidy Pagano
Ronette – Jacqueline Gonzalez-Molina
Chiffon – Gloria Caracappa
Orin (Denist) – Gavin Wilson
Audrey II (The Plant) – Kyle Bogad
Skip Snip – Payton Astromovich
Bernstein – Ryan Gudelinis
Mrs. Luce – Alyssa Austin
Patrick Martin – Aidan Wilson
Audrey Understudy – Jaidy Pagano
Seymour Understudy – Ryan Gudelinis
Mr. Mushnik Understudy – Kyle Bogad
Crystal/Gonette/Chiffon Understudy – Alyssa Austin
Orin (Dentist) Understudy – Patton Astromovich
Audrey II (The Plant) Understudy – Aidan Wilson 

Middle Country Central School District’s Newfield High School and Centereach High School students recently showcased their musical talents at a concert held at Northport High School.

“We are incredibly proud of our student’s achievements; they truly embody the district’s commitment to fostering musical talent and providing enriching opportunities for its students,” said Dr. Diana Cook, Director of Music, Fine Arts, and Community Media Relations. “Congratulations to the All-County Musicians and their teachers, Tom Austin, Allison Bush, Dr. Harold Goldstein, Brian Hough, Dan Martinez, Joan Meichner and Greg Sevian!”

The students had a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside other exceptional 11th and 12th-grade student musicians from across the county. Under the guidance of master conductors, they performed major masterworks, demonstrating their exceptional musical abilities.

Selection for this prestigious event was based on the students’ outstanding performances as soloists in the NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival held in the spring of 2023. Their selection was also influenced by the strong recommendations of their music teachers, who recognized their talent and dedication to their craft.

Centereach HS

Shawn Edbert, French Horn, All-County Orchestra

Zachary Atkinson, Tenor 1, All-County Mixed Chorus

Yohani Chen, Flute, All-County Symphonic Band

Vincent Ferrara, Tenor 2, All-County Mixed Chorus

Ryan Bard, Tenor 1, All-County Mixed Chorus

Joelle Washington, Alto 1, All-County Mixed Chorus

Rowan Willis, Tenor 1, All-County Mixed Chorus

Newfield HS

Emma Geraci, Violin, All-County Orchestra

Addison Rothwell, Flute, All-County Symphonic Band

Alexander Yagud-Wolek, Tenor 2, All-County Mixed Chorus

Rebekah Giglio, Baritone Sax, All-County Symphonic Band

Jaidy Pagano, Soprano 2, All-County Treble Choir

Thomas Lasher, Euphonium, All-County Symphonic Band

Ten students from Newfield High School, part of the Middle Country Central School District, recently participated in a Compassion Without Borders event held at Half Hollow Hills East High School.

“We are so proud of our students for how they represented Newfield High School,” said Scott Graviano, Principal of Newfield High School. “They demonstrate our school’s commitment to fostering leadership and community service.”

The event brought together high school students across Suffolk County to explore their leadership potential and ignite their passion for positive change. The students engaged in a series of workshops and activities designed to foster empathy, compassion, and a commitment to community service.

The Newfield High School students demonstrated leadership skills and a strong desire to positively impact their communities. Their participation in the event is a testament to the school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded students who are not only academically successful but also socially responsible. 

Holbrook Road Elementary School was recently honored with a visit from the New York Police Department’s Jazz Band. The ensemble, comprised of 18 talented members from the ranks of the NYPD’s police band, delighted students and staff with a lively performance of jazz and pop standards.

“We are thrilled to have had the NYPD Jazz Band visit our school. Their performance was not only entertaining but also educational. Our students were introduced to a genre of music they may not be familiar with, and they learned about the important role music plays in our society,” said Dr. Craig Unkenholz, Holbrook Road Elementary School Principal. “We are incredibly grateful to the NYPD Jazz Band for taking the time to perform for our students. Their visit has left a lasting impression on our school community, and we look forward to future collaborations.”

The NYPD Jazz Band, known for their musical prowess and dedication to community outreach, brought a unique blend of entertainment and education to the school. Their performance not only showcased their musical talents but also provided an opportunity for students to learn about the rich history and cultural significance of jazz music.

Schools across the Middle Country School District celebrated Thanksgiving in various ways before heading into their break. The celebrations were inspired by a variety of different subjects including art, nutrition, and STEM.

At Oxhead Road Elementary School, students created their version of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, complete with drawings of balloon dogs inspired by artist Jeff Koons. Holbrook Road Elementary School held a parade, with students showcasing their STEM project, Balloons Over Broadway. This project challenged students to design a method to keep their balloon suspended in the air as if it were filled with helium.

Another example of how students in the District celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday took place at Selden Middle School, where students engaged in a math-based scavenger hunt to find the missing turkey. The turkey was eventually found in the school library, thanks to the students’ problem-solving skills.

At Centereach High School, students participated in a disguise a turkey art project, adding a creative twist to the holiday celebration. Newfield High School students in the Food and Nutrition and Culinary Techniques classes prepared a full spread of Thanksgiving foods and held a Friendsgiving celebration.