Dawnwood Middle School’s grounds were filled with more than 100 American flags in memory of the fallen heroes and victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001. The entire school building, including students and staff wore red, white and blue to show their patriotism and all participated in a moment of silence.
The Middle Country Central School District recently announced several new and exciting programs to engage the students throughout the Centereach and Selden communities for the 2016-2017 school year. The new programs—including specialized music, art and math curriculum for kindergarten students as well as extra physics classes and the introduction of a Capstone Project—are made possible by the District’s strategic budgeting practices and careful financial planning. The academic improvements are meant to prepare students for life at the next level.
“At Middle Country, we are dedicated to educating ‘the whole child.’ We are proud of the many programs we have put in place this year that will help provide students with the resources to excel in the classroom and in the community,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “These brand new classroom offerings will challenge our students to think critically and prepare them for successful futures beyond the classroom.”
During the first day of school, students throughout the District took advantage of the many new opportunities provided by the District. Kindergarten students from Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center participated in the new art and music classes as well as their math literacy program. These initiatives are intended to introduce students to essential Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts.
Other students are also experiencing the excitement of new programs as fifth grade students throughout the District embarked on a newly introduced Capstone Project. The Capstone Project is a two-semester independent research project that spans fifth through twelfth grade. Designated time for research is granted to seventh and eighth grade students and the eighth graders will now be able to participate in physics classes.
Outside of the classroom, other exciting news is underway, such as completed projects from the District’s 2015 Bond Referendum. At the beginning of this school year students and staff benefitted from the completion of roof replacements, security vestibules, high school track resurfacing, the installation of Smartboards in the classrooms and new buses and two-student vans.
For more information about academic programs available at the Middle Country School District and a calendar of events, please visit www.mccsd.net.
Middle Country Central School District Students Participate in 13th Annual Middle Country Public Library Music Competition
Four Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) students recently won a music competition, “Island Idol,” sponsored by the Middle Country Public Library.The event featured performances by 21 talented students from throughout the District. The contest was judged by Middle Country Central School District alumnus Victor LaBozzetta, who is currently a student at Rochester University’s Eastman School of Music, and Middle Country Central School District music teachers Dan Martinez and Steve Normandeau.
Newfield High School (NHS) sophomore Kathleen Flaccomio won best solo vocal/dance performance and NHS senior Katelyn Costa finished in second place. In addition, Dawnwood Middle School (DMS) seventh grade student Grace Miller won for best musician/band performance and DMS eighth grade student Robert Montano finished in second place.
The event was intended to provide students an opportunity to showcase their musical abilities for a live audience, as they prepare to begin the 2016-2017 school year.
Students Learn How Plants Grow and Change by Harvesting Vegetables
Kindergarten students in the Middle County Central School District’s Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center recently participated in a district-wide gardening activity. As part of the activity, the class was challenged to cultivate a garden and grow food that they could eat themselves. Students then used their green thumbs and their knowledge of science to harvest spinach, lettuce and radishes from their box gardens.
In addition, the students learned how plants grow and change over time, and how to harvest and care for plants. These students observed their garden and recorded data in their Class Garden Books. The students celebrated their hard work by eating their newly-harvested vegetables in a salad.
The activity was intended to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) within the school’s kindergarten curriculum and to give the students a sense of pride by growing a garden of their own.
Students at Middle Country Central School District’s Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center help harvest vegetables they planted in box gardens to research the question, “Can we, as a class, cultivate a garden and grow food that we can eat ourselves?” The students used science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lessons to learn how plants grow and change over time.
A kindergarten student of the Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center enjoys a salad during their Kinder-Garden party in the Middle Country Central School District. The students planted, observed and harvested vegetables as part of their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lessons. The students were able to use the vegetables for food in celebration of the completion of the lesson.
A kindergarten student from Middle Country Central School District’s Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center displays her “Class Garden Book,” after growing, observing and harvesting vegetables. The students used science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lessons to observe plant growth and record data in these books.
Centereach High School Provides Music at Luncheon to Honor Suffolk County Valedictorians
Middle Country Central School District Valedictorians, Peter VanNostrand from Centereach High School and Michelle Bartolo from Newfield High School, were recently honored at the Suffolk County School Superintendent’s Association (SCSSA) Valedictorian Luncheon. The students were recognized for their academic excellence in the presence of their families and school administrators, as the Centereach High School jazz ensemble provided music for the event. Jazz band teacher Lee Schaarschmidt led the students in a performance for families and school administrators from throughout Suffolk County, NY.
Middle Country Central School District Valedictorians Peter VanNostrand from Centereach High School and Michelle Bartolo from Newfield High School (center bottom row) were recently honored at the Suffolk County School Superintendent’s Association (SCSSA) Valedictorian Luncheon. The students were recognized for their academic excellence in the presence of their families and school administrators.
The Middle Country Central School District Centereach High School recently jazz ensemble provided music for the Suffolk County School Superintendent’s Association (SCSSA) Valedictorian Luncheon. Jazz band teacher Lee Schaarschmidt led the students in a performance for families and school administrators from throughout Suffolk County, NY.
Seniors at Newfield High School and Centereach School Sign National Letters of Intent to Attend Some of the Best Schools in the Country
Thirteen Middle Country Central School District students, from Centereach High School and Newfield High School, recently committed to play collegiate-level sports at some of the best schools in the country during the 2016-2016 school year. The students include:
Centereach High School:
Newfield High School:
Thirteen Middle Country Central School District students from Centereach High School and Newfield High School recently committed to participate in collegiate-level athletics this coming school year. To commemorate the students’ announcement, the District organized a National Letter of Intent signing day that was attended by parents, coaches, teachers and District administrators.
Jericho Elementary School Hosts Eleventh Annual St. Baldrick’s Event and Raised More Than $3,200 in Donations
Students from the Middle Country Central School District’s Jericho Elementary School recently hosted its eleventh annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation head-shaving event to raise awareness and support research to fight children’s cancer. This year, more than 35 students, teachers and parents had their heads ceremoniously shaved and raised more than $3,200. The event is coordinated by fifth grade teacher Eric Burchard.
The event is part of the Middle Country Central School District’s initiative that provides students opportunities to participate in community service programs and encourages them to find ways to help those in need. Over the past 11 years, Jericho Elementary School has raised more than $30,000 through its St. Baldrick’s Foundation head shaving events aimed at funding research to cure childhood cancers.
Middle Country Central School District Jericho Elementary School students raised $3,200 and shaved their heads to help fight children’s cancer during the school’s annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation event.
Middle Country Central School District Jericho Elementary School students have raised over $30,000 to support children’s cancer treatment in the eleven years the school has been hosting its St. Baldrick’s Foundation event. The event was first introduced by fifth grade teacher Eric Burchard (center).
Recycling Goes Digital
High School Students Team Up With Town of Brookhaven and Collect 3.5 tons of Recyclable Electronics
Student members of the Middle Country Business Advisory Board partnered with the Town of Brookhaven to host its Sixth Annual eWaste (recyclable electronics) collection. Students created eWaste sites at both Newfield and Centereach High Schools and collected a record 3.5 tons of recyclable electronics to help protect the environment. Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle visited both high schools to thank the students for their contributions. The Middle Country Central School District students learned the importance of recycling and community service.
Students collected computers, monitors, cell and landline phones, keyboards, VCRs, fax machines, circuit boards, camcorders, wires, cords, rechargeable batteries, MP3 players, video cameras, microwave ovens, computer mice, GPS navigators, networking equipment, scanners, televisions, CD and DVD players, tablets, eReaders, laptops, cameras, stereo equipment, game systems, copiers, iPods/iPads, printers and PDAs.
Middle Country Central School District’s Newfield High School students helped collect 3.5 tons of electronic waste to be recycled in partnership with the Town of Brookhaven’s Sixth Annual eWaste collection. Students learned the importance of recycling and community service. Participating students are pictured here with Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle.
Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle, pictured here with Middle Country Central School District Centereach High School students, thanked all student members of the Middle Country Business Advisory Board for their contributions to the Sixth Annual eWaste collection. Students gave back to the community and the environment by collecting 3.5 tons of recyclable electronics.
Pre-K/Kindergarten Center Welcomes High School Students to Host
Dr. Seuss Learning Sessions
Middle Country Central School District’s Bicycle Path Pre-K/Kindergarten center recently celebrated Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’s birthday by inviting students from Newfield High School (NHS) to read Dr. Seuss’s Wacky Wednesday to pre-k students. The students dressed in wacky costumes as the NHS Tri-M Music Honor Society students and the Thespian Theatre Honor Society students read to them. NHS junior Nicholas Gardell surprised the pre-k students by dressing as “The Cat in the Hat” and encouraging them to continue reading.
Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading activity that takes place annually on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing children together to celebrate their love of reading.
Middle Country Central School District pre-kindergarten students at Bicycle Path Pre-K/Kindergarten Center celebrate Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’s birthday with students from Newfield High School as guest readers.
Newfield High School (NHS) student Nicholas Gardell dressed up as “The Cat in the Hat” to surprise pre-k students at Bicycle Path Pre-K/Kindergarten Center for Read Across America Day. Gardell read to students alongside other NHS students.
Pre-Kindergarten students at Bicycle Path Pre-K/Kindergarten Center listen to a guest reader from Newfield High School in celebration of Read Across America Day. The high school students read Dr. Seuss classics in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
The Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School Theatre Department recently performed a student production of the musical “West Side Story.” The actors and actresses, including Michaela Catapano and Isaiah Washington who played the lead roles of Maria and Tony, showcased their musical and dramatic talents.
Students, teachers administrators and community members attended the performance and showed their support for the performers.
Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School students, Isaiah Washington and Michaela Catapano, performed lead roles in a recent production of “West Side Story” for families of the District and the Centereach community.
Middle Country Central School District’s Centereach High School Theatre students thanked audience members after a recent production of the Musical “West Side Story” performed for families of the District and the Centereach community.