Congratulations Middle Country Central School District Long Island Arts Alliance Merit Scholar Artists Recipients

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.

Centereach High School and Newfield High School Students Pay A Tribute to 9/11 Heroes

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.


Congratulations to Middle Country Central School District’s NYSSMA All-State Musicians

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 Hosts Orientation for New Teachers and Teaching Assistants

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

Middle Country Welcomes New Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education

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.”