Middle Country Central School District in the Media

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 (9^th grade, Newfield High School), Michael Muccio (5^th grade, New Lane Elementary School), Giavanna Muccio (3^rd 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. 

Middle Country Central School District students from Kindergarten through high school were afforded the opportunity to attend the District’s  Extended School Year Program from July to August.

The Extended School Year Program runs for approximately six weeks to maintain, support, and reinforce subjects in the school curriculum. Next year will make 10 years since the program opened. It has grown from 50 students to approximately 150 students. 

“The Extended School Year Program allows our students to continue all the skills they have worked on throughout the school year,” said Katie Haggerty-Ankner, Coordinator of Special Education-PPS and principal of the Extended School Year Program. “The teachers and staff create opportunities for our students to grow academically, socially, and independently. An important part of the program is the community outings that provide real-life experiences for these students as they work hard to maintain their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.”

During the Extended School Year Program, students have the opportunity to go on bowling trips to the Centereach Bowling Alley and to the Middle Country Public Library. The outings encourage the students to focus on school work during the week and help students to become part of the community. It also provides an opportunity for general education students to volunteer their time during the summer in service to the special needs students and add to their community service hours.

The Middle Country Central School District recently hosted commencement ceremonies for the 2022 graduating classes of Newfield High School and Centereach High School. The graduates received diplomas and commendations for their dedication and perseverance, which included overcoming the unprecedented challenges of the Covid pandemic. 

“Congratulations to our outstanding classes of 2022. These impressive young adults have made a positive impact on the Middle Country community with their academic and personal achievements and their excellence in academics, creativity, and athletics,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “I’d like to thank our dedicated teachers, staff, Board of Education members, and our Middle Country family for their continued support and dedication to our students’ wellbeing and education!”

During the Newfield High School commencement ceremony, the pledge of allegiance was recited by G.O. President Dora John and the anthem was sung by Allyson Short. Mr. Scott Graviano, Principal of Newfield High School, shared his welcoming remarks and Valedictorian Dora John and Salutatorian Abu Kalam took the podium to share their messages and encouraging words to their fellow graduates. 

During the Centereach High School commencement ceremony, following a welcoming message from Principal Thomas Bell, Senior Class President Hunter Emerson and  G.O. President Devyn Engelbert addressed their fellow graduates. During the ceremony, Valedictorian Nicholas Mattern and Salutatorian Isabella Fiore took the podium to reflect on the last four years of their high school journeys.

Newfield High School (NHS) senior Natalie Brendle recently received a senior scholarship from the Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA). The $600 scholarship was awarded for her outstanding performance in orchestra.

“We are proud of Natalie and all her accomplishments,” said Scott Graviano, Principal of Newfield High School. “She is a wonderful example for other students and what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.”

LISFA is an organization that supports and promotes high-quality orchestral string instrument performances at all levels. LISFA hosts annual festivals in both Nassau and Suffolk County, where musicians are able to come together and perform under the direction of talented string teachers. Festivals are hosted across Long Island for orchestral students from fifth through twelfth grade.

The World Language Honor Society at Newfield High School (NHS) recently held International Night for the first time since 2019. The event celebrates diversity in the Middle Country School District, featuring a wide variety of countries.

“We are so excited to be able to hold International Night once again,” said Laura Martin, World Language Honor Society Advisor. “Students and staff members from across the district were all able to celebrate cultures from all over the world with a fun night of talented performances and delicious food.”

In addition to Newfield High School students, performers at the event included students from Centereach High School, Selden Middle School, and Holbrook Road Elementary.  Irish step dancing, drum circles, and a karate demonstration were just a few of the many acts performed. Newfield High School senior Matthew Krol also gave a presentation about his interview with Ursula Von der Leyen, European Commission President. 

“I am proud of our students and the work they have done to host a successful International Night,” said Scott Graviano, NHS Principal. “We greatly value cultural diversity at NHS, and this is a perfect way for us to celebrate it.”

This year, the members chose to donate event proceeds to help humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The $1,000 raised was split among three different charities: World Central Kitchen, Save the Children, and Choose Love.

20 students from Newfield High School (NHS) and Centereach High School (CHS) recently signed letters of intent to their respective colleges and universities. 

“We are so proud of our student-athletes for taking their talents to the next level,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “They have prospered athletically and academically in our schools, and we cannot wait to see what their future holds.”

List of the seniors who signed their college letters of intent:

• Joshua Jacob, Messiah University (Baseball)
• Joseph Hackal, Stevenson University (Baseball)
• Evan Hughes, Russell Sage College (Baseball)
• Carter Rothwell, Ithaca College (Cross Country/Track and Field)
• Megan Spina, St. Joseph’s College (Basketball)
• Lauren Cordero, Mitchell College (Soccer/Lacrosse)
• Lidia Vaquez-Sinisi, Manhattanville College (Field Hockey)
• Geffrey Alpers, Buffalo (Track and Field)
• Anthony Batista, Mitchell College (Baseball)
• Tyler Vath, McDaniel College (Baseball)
• Erin Lema, Mount Saint Mary (Softball/Volleyball)
• Britany Dost, St. Joseph’s College (Softball/Volleyball)
• Oscar Garces, Queens College (Soccer)
• Daniela Hunt, University at Albany (Track and Field)
• Jaymarly Blanchard, University at Albany (Track and Field)
• Adrianna Romo-Laroux, Farmingdale State College (Basketball)
• Jasmin Williams, Quinnipiac University (Track and Field)
• Grace Miller, Sacred Heart University (Cross Country)
• Anthony Fabris Jr., St. Joseph’s College (Soccer)
• Courtney Kotlyar, Queens College (Softball)

Congratulations to the students, their coaches, and their families on this amazing accomplishment!

 Five teachers from the Middle Country Central School District have been recognized by the New York State (NYS) Master Teaching Program. Donna D’Auria from Newfield High School, Agnieszka Taciak from Centereach High School, Preston Tucci from Selden Middle School, Alyssa Hughes from New Lane Elementary, and Ed Miller from Selden Middle School have all been recognized for their STEM teaching abilities.

The NYS Master Teacher Program network consists of outstanding teachers recognized by Governor Hochul for their dedication to providing the most innovative STEM education to their students, their commitment to professional growth, and their enthusiasm for sharing their successful practices with colleagues in their schools, districts, and regions. This year 230 teachers were recognized; all of whom serve as curriculum and department leaders or members of district and state-level committees and mentor teachers for students and early career teachers.  

“Education is what we do, to be recognized for our STEM program is a huge honor. I couldn’t be prouder of our teaching staff,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools.

Newfield High School Theatre Arts cast and crew of The Little Mermaid walked the red carpet at East End Arts Council’s Teeny Awards recently.

Newfield High School was selected to be the guest performers at the awards ceremony. Sophomore Jasmine Recova was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Long Island Music Theatre Festival in the summer. Jasmine will be working with the world-renown composer, Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the musicals, Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and many more.  Mr. Schwartz has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, four Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards and has been nominated for six Tony Awards. In 2015, he received the Isabelle Stevenson Award and a Special Tony Award for his dedication to serving artists and fostering new talent.

“I am proud of each and every one of my students,” said Joan Meichner, Director of Newfield High School’s Musical, The Little Mermaid. “It was an honor to be able to work with such a talented group of students. The cast, pit, and crew were a dream to work with. Special thanks to the East End Arts Council for inviting our talented students to the Teeny Awards!”

East End Arts is a multi-award-winning non-for-profit arts organization that serves the five East End towns of Long Island since 1972. The organization is dedicated to building and enriching its community through arts by encouraging a wide range of artistic expression through education, exhibition, collaboration, and performance.

To view all the Newfield High School students’ Technical Recognition Honorees please visit:https://www.eastendarts.org/programs/teeny-awards/teeny-awards.html

Newfield High School (NHS) senior Austin Pelissier was recently selected for a Suffolk New York State Council of Administrators and Music Education (NYSCAME) Senior Scholarship. Austin was one of only nine seniors selected for this award in Suffolk County.

The New York State Council of Administrators and Music Education is an organization committed to the administration of music programs in schools throughout New York State. In addition to providing scholarships for graduating seniors involved in the organization, NYSCAME Suffolk holds annual festivals for Suffolk County musicians of all ages.   

“We are all extremely proud of Austin and his musical accomplishments,” said Dr. Diana Cook, Director of Music, Fine Arts, and Community Media Relations in the Middle Country School District. “His scholarship is certainly well deserved and we cannot wait to see where his musical journey leads him in the future.”

Austin was awarded the Jon-Michael Lasher NYSCAME Scholarship for outstanding achievement in music. Austin received the $500 scholarship at a scholarship luncheon at the Irish Coffee Pub in East Islip, NY. Austin was also joined by his teacher, Dr. Harold Goldstein. 

Recently, members of the Centereach High School LGBTQ+ Club and the Centereach National Tech Honor Society volunteered their time for Habitat for Humanity. The students dedicated their day at the job site and helped with various tasks in finishing the house being built in Shirley, New York.

“Time and time again, our students never cease to amaze me with their compassion and passion for giving back to our community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. “I am incredibly proud of this group of young, selfless individuals who dedicated their time. Great job everyone!”

Habitat for Humanity is a global non-profit housing organization that works with local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. as well as in about 70 countries. Habitat for Humanity’s vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”