For the second year in a row, the Bethpage Union Free School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“We are proud to be recognized by NAMM for the strength of our music programs,” Coordinator of Music Dr. Eric Kay said. “I thank the Bethpage community for their ongoing support of music in our school district.”

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org

The Bethpage Bytes, a team of eight student coders from Bethpage High School, set up a command center in the Bethpage Administration Building to compete in the high school level KidOyo Code Conquest: Dragon's Realm Hackathon on April 9. A hackathon is a timed event in which teams compete against one another in coding challenges. Typically, school districts throughout Long Island gather to participate in a hackathon, but due to health and safety guidelines the schools competed virtually.

The Bethpage Bytes were required to bring together different skills in creative ways to conquer territories against competitors, using a variety of different coding languages and platforms. The team tied for fifth place in the competition and was supported and trained by Director of Technology Andrew Choi, computer literacy teacher Leon LaSpina and technology teacher Daniel Zabell. 

The Sophomore Class Club at Bethpage High School ran a mask drive and an Apple AirPods raffle to raise money and collect masks for Birthday Wishes of Long Island, an organization that brings birthday celebrations and other essentials to teens and children experiencing homelessness in the area. In total, the club to donated more than 200 masks and more than $200 to Birthday Wishes. 

Students at Kramer Lane Elementary School participated in a virtual visit with author Kate Klise and sister and illustrator Sarah Klise on April 5. The school’s PTA supplied students with autographed titles from the author, including “Little Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth,” “The Greatest Star on Earth” and “Regarding the Fountain.”