Middle Country Central School District in the Media

Middle Country School District Centereach High School students Jason Calderone and Abigail Zerbe each participated in an entrepreneurship competition at LIU Post recently. The two high school students competed against 1,500 students from 60 other high schools in the Elevator Pitch Contest. The event was sponsored by LIU Post and Virtual Enterprises International at the Business and Entrepreneurship Leadership Conference.

 

Participating students were tasked with presenting a 30 second pitch for a newly-created business to a 600-person crowd of peers and panel of regional business leaders and entrepreneurs. Jason pitched his company “Rapid Brew.” Abigail pitched her company “What’s in the Box?” Both placed in the top 13 out of 90 students to make it to the finalist round.

 

The Middle Country School District congratulates both students on outstanding performances at the Elevator Pitch Contest. For more information about academic programs available at the Middle Country School District and a calendar of events, please visit www.mccsd.net.

 

Centereach High School student Abigail Zerbe pitches her company, “What’s in the Box?” to the audience at the Elevator Pitch Contest at LIU Post.

The Middle Country Central School District announced its October Students of the Month at its recent Board of Education meeting. Centereach High School student Andrew Colletti, Newfield High School student Samantha Varone, Dawnwood Middle School student Kaitlyn Ippolito and Selden Middle School student Delaney Unger were all celebrated for their outstanding academic achievement, abundant extracurricular participation and providing an overall positive impact on their individual schools and entire community.

 

“Month after month, we have the incredible opportunity to celebrate four students who emulate the positive values and hard work of the entire Middle Country student body,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. “We are thrilled to once again honor students who go above and beyond in the classroom, inside their respective school and throughout their surrounding communities— a representation of what all Middle Country educators seek to instill in our students.”

 

Centereach High School senior Andrew Colletti is the perfect example of a multi-talented student. Andrew has a GPA of 94.8 and is currently enrolled in five college level classes in addition to physical education and the Philharmonic orchestra. Andrew is a star in the classroom, is an active member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and   a star on the football field where he is a Suffolk County All-Division player. Andrew is a leader on the tennis court as well, where he was recognized by Suffolk County coaches for his outstanding sportsmanship.

 

Samantha Varone from Newfield High School has been recognized for both her scholarly and volunteer work. Samantha will graduate this June with 36 college credits, along with several other distinctions. The Newfield High School senior is the General Organization vice president, the treasurer of the environmental club, a member of the National Honor Society, a girl scout with a gold star, and an active member of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

 

What makes Samantha so remarkable is that it has not always been such an easy road for her. Samantha had brain surgery in 2010 to help overcome moyamoya, a rare brain disease that narrows the blood vessels in the brain. Samantha plans to continue to give back to children in the future—planning to pursue a career as a special education teacher.

 

Dawnwood Middle School eighth grader Kaitlyn Ippolito is a distinguished scholar-athlete. Kaitlyn’s current cumulative GPA is 99.5. She is a three-sport athlete, participating as a doubles player in varsity tennis, a member of the junior varsity basketball team, and a member of the varsity lacrosse team. Kaitlyn has been nominated for the Student of the Month honor by her teachers during every month of sixth and seventh grades.

 

Selden Middle School eighth grader Delaney Unger has faced adversity head-on and has continued to shine in the classroom. When Delaney was in sixth grade she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Delaney returned to school last year after winter recess, and has maintained a 95 academic average through it all. She has become an activist for raising awareness for childhood cancer—traveling to Washington D.C. to speak with the staff of numerous members of Congress.

 

For more information regarding Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: http://www.middlecountry.k12.ny.us.

 

Centereach High School senior Andrew Colletti.

Newfield High School senior Samantha Varone.

Dawnwood Middle School eighth grade student Kaitlyn Ippolito.

Selden Middle School eighth grade student Delaney Unger.

The Middle Country Central School District recently launched its Trayless Tuesday program which removes Styrofoam lunch trays from cafeterias, and replaces them with ‘paper boat’ trays, at Jericho Elementary School, Selden Middle School and Dawnwood Middle School on Tuesdays during the 2018-2019 school year. This environmentally-conscious program was initiated following last year’s successful capstone project by Mrs. Katherine MacDonald’s fifth grade students at Jericho Elementary School that earned a $50,000 grant from New York State Assemblyman Steven Englebright to implement.

 

“The years spent in elementary school are an extremely formative time during a student’s educational journey. From learning their letters and numbers in kindergarten to becoming engaged and thoughtful community members, it is incredible to witness this progression,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. “The completion of this trajectory is perfectly captured during our fifth grade students’ capstone project—utilizing their years of education, teamwork skills and their observations of the world around them to effect meaningful change.”

 

Last year, the fifth grade students in Mrs. Katherine MacDonald’s class began to conduct research on the Styrofoam lunch trays that are a staple of cafeterias across the nation. During their research they discovered the harmful effects that Styrofoam has on the environment: 2.3 million tons of the non-biodegradable Styrofoam ends up in landfills each year. It is extremely harmful for animals’ digestion tracks and it releases chemicals that pollute the air we breathe and the earth’s atmosphere.

 

“When the students began to discover the damaging effects that these trays—which are used for less than 30 minutes and then disposed of—have on our environment for decades and even centuries to come, they were immediately invested in this as their project and truly put their hearts into its success,” stated Jericho Elementary School Principal Glen Rogers. “This became less of a classroom project for them and more of a mission.”

 

In June, the now sixth grade students presented their findings and caught the attention of local leaders including Assemblyman Englebright. Following a secondary presentation by the students, Englebright granted the District $50,000 to conduct a program that would begin to remove Styrofoam trays from District schools. The initial grant has provided funds to provide ‘paper boat’ trays one day a week to Jericho Elementary School, where the program initiated, and the two District middle schools, where the students behind the program now attend.

 

“The students didn’t stop at researching the impact that Styrofoam has globally but also learned that our cafeteria uses roughly 275 Styrofoam trays a day,” added MacDonald. “Their proactive stance on limiting that amount has produced real change in the Middle Country community that will continue into future years. I am extremely proud of my students’ accomplishments and know they will continue to excel as they begin their new chapter in middle school.”

 

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

 

 

Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School senior Erin Metzendorf was recently recognized by the Long Island Arts Alliance as the Long Island Scholar Artist in Dance. Erin, one of two students to win this award in Suffolk County, is the first Middle Country Central School District student to be recognized for this honor. .

 

Erin, her family, and Centereach High School music teacher Mr. Brian Hough, who nominated her for the award, will attend a Long Island Arts Alliance reception later this year at the Tilles Center, where Erin will be presented with $250 scholarship. The District continues to provide its students with opportunities to participate in art, music and theater programs and looks forward to students’ regional recognitions in the arts throughout the school year.

 

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

 

The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) is excited to announce that two administrators have joined the District staff this fall. Brigit DiPrimo and David Erlanger have been appointed as Newfield High School’s two new assistant principals. Principal DiPrimo will provide strategic direction for ninth grade students with last names beginning with letters A through F and the entirety of the tenth grade class. Assistant Principal Erlanger will provide strategic direction for ninth grade students with last names beginning with letters G through M as well as the entirety of the eleventh grade class.

 

“It brings me great pleasure to welcome Ms. DiPrimo and Mr. Erlanger to our District for the 2018-2019 school year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. “It is our top priority to provide our students with the best guidance and educational experiences during their time in the Middle Country School District. Both Ms. DiPrimo and Mr. Erlanger come to us with exceptional credentials and I am sure they will both add to the excellent support we provide our students.”

 

David Erlanger, a Dowling College National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Scholar, holds an advanced graduate certification in Educational Leadership, School Building Leadership and School District Leadership. He received a master’s degree at Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing a doctorate program in Educational Administration and Supervision at St. John’s University. Mr. Erlanger brings over a decade of professional experience, previously working as a high school science teacher and research director. Most recently, Mr. Erlanger worked at the elementary level as a private school principal. Mr. Erlanger enjoys working at the secondary level to educate and shape students as future leaders.

 

Brigit DiPrimo, a graduate of Molly College, earned a master’s degree and advanced certificate in Educational Computing and Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. Prior to holding two administrator positions as an elementary school principal, Ms. DiPrimo worked as an elementary educator—with a combined nearly fifteen years of experience in the educational space. As assistant principal, Ms. DiPrimo’s top priority will be to help each of her students learn and grow in a safe and caring environment.

 

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

 

Newfield High School’s Assistant Principal David Erlanger.

Newfield High School’s Assistant Principal Brigit DiPrimo.

Student musicians from Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School and Newfield High School recently participated in two local September 11 memorial ceremonies. The students performed patriotic music to commemorate the lives lost on that day. The Centereach High School Women’s Choir performed at the Centereach Fire Department under the direction of Mr. Brian Hough. On the other side of town, Newfield High School senior, Kathleen Flaccomio, sang to attendees at the Selden Fire Department memorial ceremony and was joined by her music teacher, Mr. James Lowe.

 

The District continues to participate in annual community-wide events that serve as an opportunity for the student body, most of whom were born after the terrorist attacks, to learn about the events of that day and the sense of community and patriotism that followed. District students will continue to share their musical talents both at school functions and community events throughout the 2018-2019 school year.

 

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

 

The Centereach High School’s Women’s Choir following their recent performance at the Centereach Fire Department’s September 11 memorial ceremony.

Newfield High School senior Kathleen Flaccomio (center) stands with her teacher Mr. James Lowe (right) and Ex-Chief Michael Matteo Jr., of the Selden Fire Department (left) following her performance at the Selden Fire Department’s September 11 memorial ceremony.

The Middle Country Central School District recently received two separate school supply donations from local partners—Costco Wholesale of Nesconset and the United States Postal Office in Centereach—providing District students with the necessary materials needed to begin the 2018-2019 school year. Costco representative, Joanne Frischling, presented District administrators with 150 new backpacks and U.S. Post Office officials, Robert Spera and Dawn Gould, donated a generous amount of pens, pencils, notebooks, folders and backpacks.

 

“The District appreciates and is thankful for the many enduring partnerships we have been able to develop with organizations in our community – like Costco and the Centereach branch of the U.S. Postal Service – that make it possible for us to provide students in need with useful school supplies each year,” said Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “We look forward to continuing these partnerships and creating new community relationships that will allow us to expand on this program in the years ahead.”

 

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

 

(l-r) Middle Country Central School District Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources James Donovan and Deputy Superintendent for Instruction Francine McMahon stand with Costco representative Joanne Frischling during Costco’s recent school supplies donation.

(l-r) Middle Country Central School District Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources James Donovan and Superintendent of Schools Dr.  Roberta Gerold stand with United States Postal Service of Centereach representatives Robert Spera and Dawn Gould during the Post Office’s recent school supplies donation.

The Middle Country Central School District recently hosted its 4^th Annual STEM Celebration—welcoming the community to support students from each elementary school as they competed in various Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) challenges. The event opened with various STEM activities for all community members to try, including building a LEGO tower.

 

Every grade from all eight elementary schools received grade specific LEGO engineering and NAO Robotics programming challenges in October and worked enthusiastically to perfect their models leading up to the event. The students’ hard work culminated with presentations of their creations to a panel of expert judges from the fields of technology, engineering, architecture, business and education. Kindergarten students also participated in a DUPLO engineering challenge, the results of which were presented in video feed throughout the evening.

 

High school and middle school science research students were also in attendance to present their projects.  They were joined by members of the middle and high school robotics competition teams who were demonstrating their award winning robots.

 

After the LEGO competition, students participated in the on-demand problem solving competition, during which students had to think on their feet to use certain materials to solve a given problem. Teams had 10 minutes to process the challenge, engineer a solution and build a prototype before receiving their scores.

 

Hawkins Path Elementary School was named the Middle Country Central School District Elementary STEM School of the Year. The District continues to provide students with educational experiences that not only actively engages them in STEM activities inside the classroom, but provides students with extracurricular opportunities such as the Annual STEM Celebration.

 

For more information about academic programs available at the Middle Country School District and a calendar of events, please visit www.mccsd.net. To learn more about the student experience and news from the District, you could also visit www.mymiddlecountryschools.net.

 

The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) recently announced that Anthony Roman from Centereach High School and Logan Ortiz from Newfield High School are the Class of 2018 valedictorians, and Olivia Zhu from Centereach High School and Diogo Martins from Newfield High School are the District’s salutatorians. Throughout their four years in their respective high schools, these students excelled academically, became active community leaders and participated in countless extracurricular activities.

 

“As we approach the conclusion of the 2017-2018 school year, it is my distinct honor to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of these four students,” said MCCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. “These students not only shined in their classroom studies but outside of the classroom as well—setting an example for what it means to be a good peer and community members. On behalf of the entire Middle Country community, we congratulate them on their accomplishments and wish them the best of luck in all future endeavors.”

 

Centereach High School Class of 2018 valedictorian Anthony Roman will graduate in June completing no less than 14 Advanced Placement (AP) classes and four additional college level courses—all while maintaining an unweighted GPA of 98.2. Due to his incredible success in his AP courses, Anthony has been recognized by the College Board as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Scholar. He is a member of several student groups including Thespian Honor Society, Italian Honor Society, National Honor Society, school newspaper and Science Olympiad. Anthony will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall to study Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science.

 

Newfield High School valedictorian Logan Ortiz is set to graduate in June with potentially more than 40 college credits due to his hard work and dedication to his studies. He is often described as an exceptionally intellectual student, holding an unweighted 98.7 GPA. He is active in all things Newfield—participating in student government, National Honor Society and Tri-M Honor Society, as well as serving as captain of the Mock Trial Team, president of the Video Club and captain of the golf team. Logan is set to attend Georgetown University next fall to study political science, with his sights set on law school and elected office.

 

Olivia Zhu, this year’s salutatorian of Centereach High School, has seen some outstanding academic accolades throughout her time in high school, all while maintaining a rigorous course schedule. Olivia will have completed no less than 11 AP courses and two college level courses upon graduation, earning her the recognition of National AP Scholar with Distinction from the College Board. Olivia is a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, Math Team and Science Olympiad. She has also been a member of the varsity tennis team since the eighth grade—serving as captain and earning the distinction of Most Valuable Player from her coach over the past two seasons. Olivia will be attending Cornell University to study computer science and engineering.

 

Newfield High School’s salutatorian, Diogo Martins, has an unweighted 98 GPA and has the potential to graduate with more than 45 college credits. Diogo has been praised by his teachers and peers as a born leader—serving in leadership roles in the Thespian Honor Society, World Languages Honor Society and National Honor Society. He has played a consistent role in almost every fundraising event in Newfield during his four years, a testament to his commitment to giving back to his community. Diogo will be attending Villanova University in the fall and intends to major in finance.

 

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: http://www.middlecountry.k12.ny.us.

 

Centereach High School’s valedictorian Anthony Roman.

Newfield High School’s valedictorian Logan Ortiz.

Centereach High School’s salutatorian Olivia Zhu.

Newfield High School’s salutatorian Diogo Martins.

The Middle Country Central School District recently hosted its third annual literacy event to celebrate and encourage literacy throughout the District’s ten elementary schools. The night, titled “Spring into Literacy!”—is held each year to provide the District’s youngest students an unforgettable night in which reading and writing come to life.  The evening featured three sessions filled with an assortment of workshops focused on engaging students through popular literary works and practicing their reading and writing skills.

 

Coinciding with the informative and engaging workshop, was a poetry café in the school library – allowing the young writers to recite their self-written poetry to an adoring audience. Additionally, a young authors’ showcase was held in the cafeteria giving students the opportunity to showcase a story they wrote during the 2017-2018 school year. The District continues to host engaging after-school educational events, providing a platform for students to share their creative accomplishments.