The Middle Country Central School District proudly showcased the
creativity, talent, and dedication of its student artists at the annual
district-wide art show, held recently at Centereach High School.
“The annual art show is a true celebration of student expression and
creativity,” said District Director of Music, Fine Arts and Community Media
Relations Dr. Diana Cook. “We are incredibly proud of the remarkable work our
students produce and the dedicated educators who nurture their artistic talents
throughout the year.”
Centereach High School was transformed into a vibrant art museum,
featuring more than 3,000 pieces of student artwork. The festive atmosphere
reflected the hard work and imaginative spirit of students from all schools
across the district.
The event also included the District’s Kindergarten Folk Dance Festival,
featuring a festive may pole ceremony and series of festive dances to ring in
the spring.
Students and families could witness the engaging dance festival before
viewing a rich and diverse collection of visual art, encompassing various media
and artistic disciplines. From intricate drawings and vivid paintings to
digital designs and three-dimensional sculptures, each piece demonstrated the
students’ unique perspectives and artistic development.
The event drew families, faculty, and community members together in
appreciation of the arts, underscoring the district’s continued commitment to
arts education and fostering student growth through creative opportunities.
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
The Middle Country Central School District recently showcased 3,000 pieces of student artwork during its district-wide art show at Centereach High School.
The Middle Country
School District Boys Lacrosse team recently hosted its annual “Goals for
Giving” fundraiser at Newfield High School, marking another successful year of
community spirit and charitable giving. Organized by Regina Giambone, the event
rallied widespread support from the District’s athletic department,
administration, students, parents, and teams.
“We are incredibly proud
of the boys lacrosse team and the entire district community for coming together
in support of such a meaningful cause,” said Newfield High School Principal
Scott Graviano. “It was great seeing the enthusiasm and joy in the air as
everyone represented their teams, schools and Middle Country with pride.”
Funds raised during the
event will directly benefit the Middle Country School District’s Special
Education Program, with this year’s contributions earmarked for enhancing
sensory rooms across the District’s schools by adding new, adaptive equipment.
Supporters showed their
enthusiasm and solidarity by purchasing and proudly wearing event T-shirts
featuring the official “Goals for Giving” logo, both during the school day and
at the evening game. The event also featured a spirited 50/50 raffle and a
variety of gift baskets, generously donated by local businesses and community
members.
The District extends its
heartfelt thanks to all who participated, contributed, and made this event possible.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for next year’s Goals for Giving!
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
The Middle Country School District Boys Lacrosse team recently hosted its annual “Goals for Giving” fundraiser at Newfield High School.
Middle Country Central School District is proud to announce that Stagecoach Road Elementary School fifth-grade
students Grace Paplia and Peter Neu
have been named recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Physical Education
Elementary and Middle School Award by the Suffolk Zone of the New York State
Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYS AHPERD).
“Grace and Peter are
both exemplary students who show commitment and enthusiasm to physical
education, as well as in their classes and in their hallways,” said Stagecoach Road
Elementary School Shaun Rothberg. “We are so proud of them for earning this very
deserved honor and representing our community with pride and passion.”
The award ceremony, held
on April 29th at Bay Shore High School, celebrated the achievements of 320 elementary and middle school students across
Suffolk County who exemplify a commitment to physical fitness and positive
character. Grace and Peter accepted their honors alongside their physical
education teachers.
This prestigious
recognition is awarded annually to outstanding fifth graders who not only lead
active and healthy lifestyles in and out of school, but who also demonstrate
exceptional sportsmanship, character, civility, and citizenship. Grace and
Peter have consistently stood out as positive role models in their physical
education classes, achieving remarkable scores on their fitness assessments
through dedication and hard work.
The Middle Country
community congratulates Grace and Peter on this well-deserved recognition.
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
Stagecoach Road Elementary School fifth-grade students Grace Paplia and Peter Neu earned the NYS AHPERD 2025 Outstanding Physical Education Elementary and Middle School Award.
Several students and staff members in the Middle Country Central School
District were recognized at the most recent Board of Education meeting for
standing out in their school and community.
Board President Dawn
Sharrock presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Newfield High School senior
Rosmalin Paulino for her participation in the Longwood Annual Legislative Workshop
in February.
World Studies K-12 Director
Amy Pacifico and Newfield High School
Library Media Specialist Lisa Cook presented Certificates of Pride to several students
for contributing to Long Island History Day. Participants included Newfield High
School students Safina Afroz, Sreya Roy and Sylvia Zhao; Centereach High School
students Grace Bender and Julia Mahoney; Selden Middle School students Shaoda
Ahmed, Emma Crocco and Sarah Faridi, and Dawnwood Middle School student
Aishwarya Bhatee.
Science and Research
PK-12 Director Dr. Rachel Ndembera and Ms. Pacifico presented a Certificate of
Pride to Ms. Cook, who was recognized by the Long Island School Library
Association with the Fresh Start and Librarian of the Year awards.
Ms. Sharrock presented
Certificates of Pride to Newfield High School Earth and Space Science Teacher James
Nelson, Selden middle School Biology Teacher Edward Miller, and Centereach High
School Math Teacher Laura Melfi in honor of them receiving the Teacher Service
Award at SCOPE’s 24th Annual Awards Dinner in March.
Dr. Ndembera presented
Certificates of Pride to the several students who presented their science
research projects at the Long Island Science Congress, held in April at the
Cradle of Aviation Museum. Newfield High School Research Teacher James Nelson was
honored with his students Matthew Bedus, Julia Carter, Tiffany Gao, Umber
Sharma, Peyton Grieco, Abbas Laurence, Kiera Green-Wilson and Alishba Aziz. Centereach
High School Research Teacher Ms Malynda Nichol was honored with her students Isabella
Koch, Nathalie Teeple, Savanna Giordano, Gavin Astefanous, Keira Maliborski, Hayah
Khan, Janve Islam and Autumn Youngling.
Director of Music, Fine
Arts and Community Media Relations Dr. Diana Cook presented Newfield High
School senior and College Computer Graphics student Christian Gensinger with a
Certificate of Recognition for designing the winning “I Voted” sticker funded
by the Middle Country Education Foundation.
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
Newfield High School senior Rosmalin Paulino, left, was honored by Board of Education Presisdent Dawn Sharrock for her participation in the Longwood Annual Legislative Workshop in February. Newfield High School Library Media Specialist Lisa Cook, left, and World Studies K-12 Director Amy Pacifico, right, presented Certificates of Pride to several students for contributing to Long Island History Day.Ms. Cook left, was presented with a Certificate of Pride from Ms. Pacifico and Science and Research PK-12 Director Dr. Rachel Ndembera. Ms. Sharrock presented Certificates of Pride to Newfield High School Earth and Space Science Teacher James Nelson, Selden middle School Biology Teacher Edward Miller, and Centereach High School Math Teacher Laura Melfi. Students were recognized for presenting their science research projects at the Long Island Science Congress. Dr. Cook, right, presented Newfield High School senior Christian Gensinger with a Certificate of Recognition for designing the winning “I Voted” sticker, pictured above.
The Middle Country
Central School District is proud to announce the recipients of the April 2025
Students of the Month honors. The award recognizes students for their
exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and contributions to their
school communities. This month, four outstanding students were selected:
Zachary Atkinson from Centereach High School, Logan Squillace from Newfield
High School, Kara Zappasodi from Dawnwood Middle School, and Dylan Gregorio
from Selden Middle School.
Centereach High School
senior Zack Atkinson is a triple threat as a standout student both academically,
athletically and socially. He has been on the CHS honor roll every quarter, he
is an avid hockey player and a member of the CHS Junior fire department, and he
runs his own business. Additionally, Zack is a singer and actor who showcased
incredible range in playing Roger in the CHS musical production of Rent this
year and Jack Kelly in the CHS production of Newsies last year.
“Zack is an
exceptionally talented young man. He does a wonderful job in every aspect of
our music department,” said Allison Bush, the band director for both musicals.
“In preparing for his lead role as Roger, Zack took the time and
initiative to learn to both the Electric and Acoustic Guitars specifically
for the role. Zach is always willing to help with anything that the department
needs. He brings great energy and enthusiasm to everything he does.”
Brian Hough, the
director for both productions, also lauded Zack’s talents and said his work
ethic, humility and leadership shine through daily and make him such a valued
member of every ensemble. Zack will
attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, in the fall to study vocal
performance.
Newfield High School
senior Logan Squillace received 20 nominations for Student of the Month who
cited his generosity, compassion and work ethic. Pamela Murolo, one of Logan’s
former teachers, said “Logan is always looking to help others. He is the
student in class that looks to see how he can help when the wind blows the
teacher’s papers fly to the floor or a student drops his pen. He’s one of
the most selfless students I have ever met. He works hard in class to be
successful and puts 100% effort into his academics. Logan’s perseverance,
work ethic, and motivation to succeed will ensure he does great things in life!”
Michelle Westby, a
former math teacher of Logan, said “Right out of the gate in 9th grade math,
Logan was a standout student and human being. He always strived to reach his
fullest potential, demonstrated maturity beyond his years, and exhibited
kindness and compassion toward everyone he crossed paths with. Logan often
received perfect scores on exams in my class and has continued on to more
advanced math classes. He is a great example of a student who recognized early
how he could utilize everything Newfield has to offer to his advantage. Logan
is a wonderful role model for others as he has accomplished a great deal and
has always remained extremely humble about his achievements.”
Lastly, Margaret Derasmo,
another teacher of Logan’s, said, “I had the pleasure of teaching him in Food
and Nutrition, where his passion for cooking first began to shine. Since then,
he has continued to develop his skills through the BOCES culinary program,
showing both talent and determination.”
Logan is also on the
verge of achieving the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, a reflection of his
leadership and commitment to service. For his Eagle Scout project, Logan asked
if he could build a memorial bench and plant a tree in the front area of
Newfield High School in memory of Robert Bush.
On graduating, he will
be joining the U.S. Army reserves as a cook and combinie his culinary passion
with a deep desire to serve his country. From there, Logan will be attending
the Pennsylvania College of Technology as a member of its culinary program.
Dawnwood Middle School
eight-grade student Kara Zappasodi is described by one of her formers teachers,
Kelley Paternoster, as a wonderful, confident, smart and funny student. “I have been one of Kara’s teachers since she
was in fourth grade,” she said. “I first met Kara during Covid. Although we
were in the same room, we had to sit very far apart. It was a terrible
situation, but she became comfortable enough to start chatting with me. From
that time forward, we always make time for chatting in the beginning of our
sessions. She tells me the ‘scoop’ of what is happening in school and then asks
me questions about my day. We ‘laugh, eat, work.’ Kara is truly one of my
favorite students.”
“Kara regularly
recommends some fantastic places to eat.
She could have a side gig as a food critic. She is also a joy to spend
time with during lunch, when our schedules match up. Kara brings kindness,
positivity, and extra brightness to every day,” said Math Teacher Michelle
Dellapina.
“Kara is a shining example of excellence in
every sense of the word,” said Teacher Aimee Scotto. “Not only has she
maintained a perfect average in ELA, she also consistently demonstrates a
passion for learning. Kara is a gifted writer, using her creativity and insight
to bring depth and beauty to her work. Her ELA skills are exceptional, and she
is an inspiration to all!”
Kara’s overall average
for her sixth and seventh-grade school years is 96.1 and Kara’s average for the
first three quarters of this school year is 98.5. Outside of the classroom, she
is a member of the Girl Scouts where her mother is her troop leader. Kara
enjoys spending time with friends and drawing.
Kara has a photographic memory and when she sees something, she
memorizes it and then draws it.
Selden Middle School eighth-grade
student Dylan Gregorio has maintained consistent grades each quarter of his
middle school career and has been a fixture on his school’s Honor Roll. His
favorite subject is social studies and he has a particular love for learning
about the bravery and dedication of soldiers during World War I and World War
II.
Dedication is something
that Dylan has embraced himself and applied to his love of wrestling as an
athlete for Newfield and two community teams. He looks forward to travelling
out of state to New Jersey and Philadelphia to take part in tournaments there.
Dylan also likes archery and the band Nirvana.
Dylan’s teachers describe
him as a hard worker, a polite young man with an outstanding work ethic, a
great role model and a conscientious student who leads by example.
“He asks questions, comes for extra help, and
will redo assignments until he is pleased with the results,” said Dylan’s
English Language Arts teacher, Danielle Pernicone. She added that he “genuinely
cares about doing well and shows great maturity.”
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
The Middle Country Central School District April Students of the Month are, from top-left, Centereach High School senior Zachary Atkinson, Newfield High School senior Logan Squillace, Dawnwood Middle School eight-grade student Kara Zappasodi and Selden Middle School eight-grade student Dylan Gregorio
