Students at John F. Kennedy Middle School honored Constitution Day on Sept. 17 by participating in the school’s annual Preamble Challenge.

In a challenge created by Principal Kevin Fullerton, each student had the opportunity to memorize and recite all of the words in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Those students willing to participate gathered in a classroom during the final 15 minutes of their lunch period to recite the Preamble in front of the judge – Mr. Fullerton.

The student from each grade who recited all of the words correctly in the shortest amount of time is rewarded a special lunch with their Social Studies teacher as well as Mr. Fullerton and Assistant Principal Erin Hayes.

The district congratulates the winners and all participants! This year’s winners are sixth-grader Matthew Cusumano, seventh-grader Adrienne Blonder and eighth-grader Georgia Karaisarides. The school’s overall runner-up is sixth-grader Marco Perla. 

In addition to being one of only 20 students to earn a Scholar-Artist designation by the Long Island Arts Alliance, high school senior Michelle Zheng was honored with the highest overall score for her portfolio. The prestigious award carries with it the highest possible level of media attention for students and for their district art programs.

Zheng was the top of art students on Long Island that met the criteria of an unweighted average of at least 90 and a portfolio submission containing 10 works of art. The portfolio must demonstrate both technical and conceptual skill in addition to a written essay. 

The portfolio submitted by Zheng contained work created in Courtney Young’s fine arts class at the high school in addition to independent projects. The Long Island Arts Alliance held its annual Scholar-Artist Gala on Sept. 12 at the Tilles Center for Performing Arts on the campus of LIU Post.

Students worked through warm temperatures to bring in supplies, backpacks and books for the first day of school as the district began the 2018-19 school year on Sept. 5.

First-year Superintendent of Schools David Schneider was part of the welcoming committee at all five buildings to greet and encourage all students throughout the morning drop offs.

The district wishes all elementary, middle and high school students all the best throughout the school year and encourages the entire community to make it the best year yet!

Staff and faculty from the District kicked off the 2018-19 school year with the annual Superintendent’s Conference Day, for which they gathered in the high school’s auditorium on Sept. 4.

First-year Superintendent of Schools David Schneider began on a light note by asking the teachers to pick a photo on their phone and share a story about it with a nearby staff member. The room erupted into chatter and laughter as the teachers swapped summer stories and learned more about their colleagues. Congratulations were extended to those who celebrated marriages, children and retirements, while the new teachers and administrators in attendance were acknowledged. 

Schneider moved matters to updated school safety and security practices the district is undertaking. With regard to curriculum, a mental-health component will be added to all health classes in grades 6 through 10. The district also added a school psychologist in order to provide the support students may need. 

“We want kids to have emotional and social success as well as academic success,” Schneider noted.

Schneider also challenged the teachers to continue to grow and learn themselves. He asked them, “What are you going to do this year to take ownership of your own journey? What do you want to learn? And also what do you need to learn? That’s what being a professional is and that’s what we have in this room.”

In conclusion, the superintendent encouraged the teachers to take chances and expressed enthusiasm for a great school year.

A new cohort of distinguished individuals was inducted into the Bethpage School District Athletic Wall of Fame during a July 22 ceremony on the high school’s football field. This year’s group of honorees, who were the fifth to be inducted, included Anne DiPrima; “The Three Amigos” Thomas Cilmi, Frank DeCicco and Vincent Valenti; and the 1971 men’s high school track team.

DiPrima earned her place on the honorary wall as a pioneer for interscholastic sports at the middle school and high school levels since joining the district in 1970 as a teacher and coach. As the high school softball coach, she won 406 games in 34 seasons before retiring from the helm in 2014. As the current high school volleyball coach, she has accumulated 594 victories, the most in Nassau County history. 

Dubbed “The Three Amigos,” Cilmi, DeCicco and Valenti exemplify the meaning of a Golden Eagle as strong supporters of the high school football team. The trio received their nickname during the 1970s by the high school football coaching staff for their dedication to the program and their attendance at every game, home and away. The three supporters have 22 children and grandchildren altogether who have attended district schools.

The men’s high school track team of 1971 was named the top team in the state by the New York State Scholastic Track Association after going undefeated and winning the North Shore Championship. The group edged out Mount Vernon, Boys and Archbishop Molloy high schools in the closest decision in the history of state track selections. The Fred Meder-coached team also won the Mid Island Meet and the prestigious Eddy Meet during the 1971 season. 

Among the speakers at the event were current Superintendent of Schools David Schneider and recently retired Superintendent Terrence Clark, who served as master of ceremonies. Schneider concluded the ceremony with a presentation of a plaque to Clark from the athletic department for his support and dedication as superintendent. 

This year’s Maritime Festival is dedicated to our longtime friend and educator Sue Rankin.  Mrs. Rankin has onboard from the very first year, teaching the third grader’s all about the marine food web and the vital role of plankton.  This Maritime Festival was her last, she’s retiring in June and we wish her great happiness.  Mrs. Rankin’s energy, creativeness and love of all things related to the sea will be missed.  A special thanks to all the building and grounds, custodial, clerical and teaching staff who help make this event possible every year.

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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!