The Bethpage High School French Club had "un voyage fantastique en ville de New York" on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Their first stop was "Gulliver's Gate," an exhibition of famous cities from all around the world all in miniature model size! The attention to detail was amazing! Students loved seeing La Tour Eiffel, L'Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Champs Elysees! Their second stop was the French restaurant, Cafe Un, Deux, Trois, where the students enjoyed many French foods, such as chicken cordon bleu, steak-frites, crepes, and escargot. Don't forget the delicious desserts including creme brulee, sorbet, and mousse au chocolat! Absolument delicieux!  Special thanks to Madame Ciarniello for organizing this experience!

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The District gathered on Nov. 6 for it’s fall Superintendent’s Conference Day, during which the various staff departments participated in presentations, workshops and activities to continue proactive learning and development as educators.

Staff members from the high school and JFK middle school along with Superintendent of School David Schneider attended morning sessions that focused on dynamic issues, led by Lauren Marra and Romila “Dr. Romie” Mushtaq, MD. Marra, a behaviorist who specializes on the topic of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, presented on proactive discipline approaches with students. Dr. Romie is a renowned neurologist that stressed the importance and techniques of mindfulness in education for both students and faculty. 

The afternoon was a time of collaboration as departments at both secondary schools traveled to the Island Trees School District and met with educators in their corresponding building and subject areas. They had opportunities to share ideas and broaden their instructional practices.

At the elementary level, faculty members from Kramer Lane, Charles Campagne and Central Boulevard broke into grade-specific groups to gain training in STEM and other pertinent topics. Led by district administrators and teachers, the STEM workshop demonstrated assorted grade-specific lessons and activities. The journeys session covered content requested by teachers and also provided time for them to discuss and navigate digital tools.

Other aspects of the day included CPR training for nurses and building monitors and the Hofstra Mental Health Conference, which was attended by guidance counselors and social workers. 

The district thanks Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Michael Spence and all that helped to coordinate and facilitate an educational day for district educators.

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Come see the Bethpage High School Masquers' Guild perform the High School edition of "Clue: On Stage"! You may be familiar with the movie or board game version of the classic story. Tickets are $8.00 each. The show runs three nights: Thursday, November 15, 2018; Friday, November 16, 2018; Saturday, November 17, 2018; at 7:00 PM at the Bethpage Center for the Performing Arts (at Bethpage High School).

Tickets are available for purchase at the door or from Mrs. Marino ahead of time.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Strongin (ihuertastrongin@bethpage.ws) or Mrs. Marino (mmarino@bethpage.ws).

Congratulations to Valenni Passaro, Adina Rahman, and Erica Marciante whose essays took 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place in the National Kids Philosophy Slam Essay Competition. Plato would be extremely proud! The Kids Philosophy Slam was created by John Davis to provide a powerful opportunity to help students grapple with life's big issues. Each year, a different question is chosen that requires students to think about a major philosophical idea that is relevant in their lives and society. This year's essay topic was "truth or deceit, which has a greater impact on society"? The winning essays can be found at the link below. Any Bethpage High School student who is interested in entering the 2019 Kids Philosophy Slam Essay Competition should see Ms. Way for details.

2018 Kids Philosophy Slam National Award Winners

Students at JFK Middle School have been enjoying lunch periods this year without the use of technology. Instead, they are interacting with one another through friendly competition in various games during what is being called Tech Free Lunch.

An initiative started during the 2017-18 school year provides students with an escape from technology during their lunch periods two times a week. On those days, students are able to select from games such as Connect Four, UNO, Jenga, Trouble, Battleship and many others from a game cart in the school’s cafeteria.

The purpose of the Tech Free Lunch periods is to create an environment of collaboration and fun without the consistent use of technology. The activity also helps to build communication skills as the students enjoy the excitement of a board or card game with one another.

“While we certainly value the use of technology during the school day to enhance the curriculum, it is also essential for our students to ‘disconnect’ every now and then so they can sharpen their interpersonal skills,” said JFK Assistant Principal Erin Hayes.

The Bethpage Union Free School District welcomed six individuals and one athletic team into the district’s Hall of Fame with an induction ceremony sponsored by the Bethpage Educational Foundation in the high school’s gymnasium on Oct. 27.

This year’s individual inductees included Steve Furrey, class of 1973 and current Central Boulevard Elementary School principal, Brian McGrath, Class of 1992, Robert Sarli, retired educator, Bernard Schutz, Class of 1964, Michael Trotter, Class of 1990, and Sandra Watson, Board of Education trustee since 1986. Additonally, the 2013 high school girls’ gymnastics team along with coach Kim Rhatigan were honored with inductions. 

The evening opened with remarks from Superintendent of School David Schneider along with former Superintendent Terry Clark, middle school principal Kevin Fullerton and high school principal Nicholas Jantz. All four administrators celebrated the theme of Bethpage being a wonderfully unique district and community, which all of the inductees symbolize as great examples. James McGlynn, Board of Education trustee and Bethpage Educational Foundation Secretary, also addressed the audience and thanked all those that helped create this year’s event while congratulating all of the honorees.

Nassau County Legislatures Rose Walker and Laura Schaefer were on hand as well to honor the inductees. Following a few remarks, the two County Legislatures presented citations to the new hall of famers as a congratulations from the county office.

The district thanks the Bethpage Education Foundation for a rememberable induction ceremony as well as the students and volunteers that assisted. And most importantly, congratulations to this year’s newest hall of fame members!

Elementary schools in the Bethpage Union Free School District celebrated Halloween by hosting costume parades on Oct. 31 at their respective buildings.

Charles Campagne celebrated Halloween with theme of “Book Character Dress Up Day.” Students paraded through the hallways and outside the school dressed as their favorite characters, and third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students visited kindergarten, first- and second-grade classrooms to read various books throughout the day. The older students selected books that they shared with their younger peers. 

Each grade at Central Boulevard paraded out of the main entrance to display their Halloween costumes while taking class pictures. Individual classes also took part in various Halloween activities throughout the day to celebrate the holiday. 

Kramer Lane held its Halloween parade in the afternoon. Students showed off their unique costumers and styles and many dressed in group costumes such as the “Three Blind Mice.”

The staff at each school also came together on Halloween to dress in group costumes. Those at Charles Campagne banded together as a football team, sporting Eagles shirts, eye paint and athletic wear while Central Boulevard’s staff represented the “Incredibles” and Kramer Lane’s dressed as superheroes.

Thank you to all of the parents who were able to come to each of the school’s parades and support the students! 

Charles Campagne Elementary School has an extraordinary feeling in the morning at the end of each school week as students in the ABA classroom have been taking part in Coffee Cart Friday since Oct. 12.

Since the inaugural Coffee Cart, students and teachers have been coming together in the morning to make and deliver coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water for staff members throughout the building. During the week, the students and teachers do the shopping for the needed materials and then start producing the products every Friday morning so they can make deliveries during the first class of the day.

As part of the classroom’s development of life skills, students are responsible for collecting inventory of the products while also counting the profits from the purchases. Teachers have the added incentive to buy the $1 products as for every five purchases, they receive a free coffee, tea, hot chocolate or water! Coffee Cart Friday is scheduled to run through the remainder of the school year.

Thank you to Julianne Tierney and all of the ABA teachers, assistants and the students for this exceptional Friday treat!

Students at John F. Kennedy Middle School in the Bethpage Union Free School District participated in Soaring Eagles Day, an annual character education program at the school during Red Ribbon Week.

The sixth- through eighth-grade students took part in a pair of assemblies throughout the day on Oct. 25. Guest presenters included Lynbrook native Larry Glenz and East Islip resident Rohan Murphy. Glenz is the author of “Forgiving Kevin: A Son’s Addiction Becomes a Father’s Greatest Teacher,” and travels to high schools, colleges and local community groups as a motivational speaker on the topic drug awareness. Murphy is an American Paralympian, wrestler and motivational speaker who presents on overcoming adversity and accepting differences. He shared his story, “No Legs, No Problem.” 

Following the two assemblies, teachers administered a variety of classroom lessons where students were able to react to the assemblies. The lessons also included team building games and the creation of inspirational messages for the community’s Special Olympics athletes.

The day concluded with a school-wide pep rally where the middle school athletic teams were introduced and cheered for. School groups including the cheerleading and kickline teams also performed for the audience. Teams delivered the inspirational messages created during the day to the Special Olympic athletes in attendance. 

As part of the “Thoughtful Thursday” series throughout the year for Central Boulevard Elementary School students, the month of October focused on creating positive self-image messages and pictures.

With October being National Bullying Prevention Month, students chose character traits that promote kindness and create a positive school environment to write and draw. The illustrations created on Oct. 25 are now on display in the school lobby surrounding the word “be,” in order to demonstrate various ways to be caring and encouraging. 

“Thoughtful Thursday” occurs on the last Thursday of every month, when students and teachers wear “Choose Kindness” shirts and participate in activities to help reinforce the important of being kindhearted and thoughtful.

On Thursday, October 11, 2018, students in the Bethpage High School Italian Club spent the afternoon strolling along Arthur Avenue. The club advisors, Mrs. Sagarese and Ms. Calio, guided the students along the historical area known as "Little Italy" of the Bronx. Everyone enjoyed buying fresh mozzarella, hand-made pasta, cannoli filled with delicious cream while you wait, and a variety of authentic Italian items in specialty stores along the strip. Vendors were also impressed to see that our students were up for the challenge of practicing their Italian skills as they searched and paid for their items. The group ended their trip with a wonderful meal at Trattoria Zero Otto Nove, enjoying Italian specialties such as pizza margherita, lasagna, gelato, and tartufo. Squisuto!

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During Red Ribbon Week, John F. Kennedy Middle School and Bethpage High School students visited all three elementary schools to educate the younger students on how to make healthy decisions.

During JFK students’ visit to Kramer Lane on Wednesday and high school SADD members’ trips to Charles Campagne and Central Boulevard on Thursday and Friday, respectively, the peer educators led visual presentations to spark conversations on how to maintain healthy habits. Following the presentation, the elementary school students were tasked with choosing a phrase or word that demonstrates a healthy decision. They expressed these thoughts on paper leaves, which were later placed on a paper tree to display all the behaviors that can support a wholesome lifestyle. 

The district thanks the middle school and high school students for taking the time to educate our elementary school students! 

The Bethpage Union Free School District joined forces with For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a not-for-profit charity, to welcome more than 100 people in hosting a FIRST Long Island Training Day at Bethpage High School on Oct. 20.

Facilitated and organized by FIRST Long Island, the training allowed schools participating in the FIRST Lego League, FIRST Lego League, Jr., and FIRST Tech Challenge to send two coaches or mentors and one student representative to learn about the rules and missions of FIRST competitions, project development, judging process, scoring, and gracious professionalism.

Approximately 100 people from schools across Long Island participated in the training and had the opportunity to attend beginning or advanced programming sessions and receive support. Students from the Bethpage High School Robotics Team, Regal Eagles, and John F. Kennedy Middle School's newest Robotics Team, RoboEagles, helped to support the event and sold drinks, snacks and lunch to help raise funds to support both teams. 

Founded in 1989, FIRST is based in Manchester, N.H. and is designed to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. The company also helps to motivate students to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM fields. As of 2018, FIRST had a global reach of more than 530,000 students and 61,000 teams.

It was a great day for Bethpage Schools to host and support the Long Island robotics community.

A pair of classes from Bethpage High School represented the district at the Virtual Enterprise Entrepreneurship and Leadership Conference on Oct. 19 at the LIU Post Tilles Center. Transforming their classes into business, one of the groups earned finalist honors following a full day of pitches and networking. 

Each company from Bethpage was represented by individuals from the class to deliver a sixty-second elevator pitch to the judges and audience. Senior David Campos spoke on behalf of MiSport while senior Andrew Sapuppo delivered a presentation on STEALTH. Dressed in business professional attire, each senior pitched to the judges on why their companies would be the one to invest in as entrepreneurial projects.

Sapuppo was able to help STEALTH move on to the finalist round with a stellar presentation while Campos also made his group proud with a exceptional pitch. STEALTH was one of 13 companies out nearly 90 in the competition to make it to the final round.

The VE Entrepreneurship and Leadership Conference is open to all VE high school students in Long Island. Students have the opportunity to deliver an elevator pitch regarding their companies in addition to networking with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs. Part of the conference is also dedicated to informative and exciting breakout sessions.

The conference was the first of three competitions the two classes will participate in this year. Under the direction of teachers Anthony Murray and Nancy Simpson as well as Business Department Coordinator and Assistant Principal Kevin Healy, the students are able to learn skills such as personal finance, entrepreneurial, networking and presentation among many other through this course.

Principal Nicholas Jantz and the entire district salute these students for a job well done and look forward to the growth of these companies throughout the year!

Members of the Bethpage High School varsity and junior varsity kickline teams participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach on Oct. 21. In total, the kickline program was able to raise $825 for the American Cancer Society.

The two teams joined hundreds of others in supporting those who have battled or are battling breast cancer as well as honoring the memories of those lost. The walk helps to raise awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. Each Making Strides event is a noncompetitive three to five-mile walk. The events raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support as well as to help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.

The district thanks the kickline program for its effort towards a great cause.

A total of 77 students from the high school have been honored by the College Board as AP Scholars as a result of their outstanding success on Advanced Placement exams. The exams were taken in May after students completed college-level courses in a variety of subjects. 

According to the College Board website, the AP program offers willing and academically prepared students the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP exams. 

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on these exams, including AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Scholar with Honor and National AP Scholar.

The high school had 43 students acknowledged as AP Scholars after these students received a score of three or higher on three or more exams. AP Scholar with Distinction was presented to 17 students for receiving an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken as well as scores of three or higher on five or more of these exams. Additionally, 17 students were named AP Scholars with Honor by earning an average score at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of three or higher on four or more of these exams. 

The district commends these students for their hard work and impressive academic achievements. 

The district is proud to have three schools that are ranked within the top 60 on recent lists published by Niche.com.

John F. Kennedy Middle School, Charles Campagne Elementary School and Kramer Lane Elementary School, as well as the district as a whole, all received A+ ratings from Niche. JFK earned the highest rank with a No. 15 showing in the latest list of Best Middle Schools in New York. Meanwhile, Charles Campagne and Kramer Lane earned respective rankings of No. 31 and No. 59 among the state’s best elementary schools. The district has been scored as No. 32 on the list of Best School Districts in New York.

The data for Niche is analyzed based on information from the U.S. Department of Education and over 60 million K-12 school reviews and survey responses. The 2019 rankings are based on analysis of academic and student life date from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data and ratings collected from millions of Niche users. 

Bethpage High School senior Nicholas Timoshenko has been chosen to perform in the New York State School Music Association’s All-State Electronic Music Composition Showcase at the annual Winter Conference this November. 

Nicholas’s musical composition was one of eight chosen by judges from a large pool of submissions from across New York. In addition to his performance on Nov. 30, he has been asked to give a brief discussion about his composition to the audience. 

Principal Nicholas Jantz and the entire school district congratulate Nicholas on this selection and wish him luck in November!

A sun-filled day set the perfect stage for the district to host homecoming on Sep. 29, and was highlighted by a victory against Floral Park for the varsity football team.

The day started as members of the community lined Stewart Avenue for the annual parade. A Bethpage fire department truck led the march as local organizations and student representatives from each class as well as the band, cheerleaders and kickline team drew energy from those in attendance. This year’s homecoming king and queen, Alex Kavazis and Amanda Imbriale, waved to the crowd as the last part of the procession.

Former Superintendent of Schools Terry Clark drove in a golf cart with Director of Athletics John Franchi during the parade to greet those lining the streets. Meanwhile, current Superintendent of Schools David Schneider marched alongside high school principal Nicholas Jantz ahead of the class floats. 

Following the parade were class skits in the front of the high school. This year’s themes included “Toy Story Seniors,” “Jingle Bell Juniors,” “Storytime Sophomores,” and “Fifties Freshmen” as the grades performed next to their decorated floats. The band continued to play as attendees made their way to the athletic complex prior to the start of the game. 

The Golden Eagles varsity football team claimed a 15-7 win against Floral Park to put a cap on the day’s festivities. In addition to enjoying the outcome of the game, fans at the athletic complex were treated to halftime performances by the marching band, the kickline team and the cheerleading squad before the football team posted a shutout in the second half towards the triumph.

Central Boulevard Elementary School of the Bethpage Union Free School District carried an old tradition into a new school year when it held its first Thoughtful Thursday of 2018-19 on Sept. 27. This month’s lesson focused on ways to “choose kind.”

Teachers led their classes in discussions about the way to be kind to each other and the community. The book “We’re All Wonders” by R.J. Palacio was the focus of discussion in Kristen Ghisone’s kindergarten class. Meanwhile, Barbara Cataldi and her fourth-grade class worked in groups to create banners on five ways to be kind as a class, then decorated individual balloons on how to be kind as a person.

The entire school came together to wear Thoughtful Thursday shirts with #ChooseKind on the back to spread the theme of the month. 

After representing the Bethpage School District and Bethpage High School as well as New York State at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston this past June, Bethpage High School junior Rahul Busri was presented an official Award of Excellence by the National Leadership Academies. The award certifies his successful completion of the Congress.

At the Congress, Rahul was surrounded by many fellow high school students that share his passion, ability and potential. He was among the delegates that were able to help new friends reach aspiring dreams while also having the opportunity to collaborate with potential future colleagues.

Part of the experience allowed Rahul to watch live surgery and ask the surgeon questions in real time. Some of the greatest living minds in medicine and winners of the world’s most prestigious international prizes were among the teachers.

The National Leadership Academies supports America’s high-achieving high school students through career and focus-area programs and services. All Congresses are highly-selective and have strict requirements as all attendees are nominated by teachers or the Academy based on proven academic excellence and a demonstrated desire to achieve the very best.

Bethpage High School Principal Nicholas Jantz presented the award to Rahul on Sept. 27 and the entire district congratulates him on a remarkable accomplishment and bright future.

Bethpage High School seniors James Prince and Bhavika Garg have been named Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. The two are among an approximate 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2019 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Principal Nicholas Jantz presented Letters of Commendation to both Prince and Garg on the morning of Sept. 21. The district congratulates the two seniors on a job well done!

Abby Ouslander an 8th grader at JFK middle school nominated Ms.Sciara on K98.3’s Teacher of the month competition. Ms. Sciara went against one other teacher on Long Island where everyone was able to vote once a day. At the end of the month Ms. Sciara won and is now taking 25 students to a Long Island Ducks game on June 17th where she also gets the throw the first pitch! 

Thanks once again to the Harlem Wizards for coming to Bethpage and putting on a great game!  The CBS PTA did a great job organizing the event and thanks to Mrs. Wodicka and her team of volunteers!  Thanks also to the Bethpage teachers, administrators and staff for agreeing to play in the game!  A great time was had by all!