During the week of August 5, the District welcomed Tim Keefe to Central Boulevard Elementary School for a workshop in the Responsive Classroom approach to education.

According to its website, Responsive Classroom is an evidenced-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management and developmental awareness. The practice has been associated with higher academic achievement in math and reading, improved school climate and higher quality instruction. 

Approximately 30 elementary school teachers from the district gathered for four days with Mr. Keefe, a Responsive Classroom trainer, to gain knowledge on best practices and exercises. A teacher in Connecticut’s West Haven School District, Mr. Keefe is a Responsive Classroom Certified consulting teacher and provides training for schools. He led the district’s teachers in discussions on the benefits of Responsive Classroom while also introducing them to exercises and activities they can use in their own classrooms.

These techniques were first introduced to the district during the 2018-19 school year as Central Boulevard supported the “whole child” by implementing Responsive Classroom practices. Activities included morning meetings, energizers and closing circles. All of these activities enhanced the school community.

All three elementary schools within the district now look forward to the engagement of students through the Responsive Classroom approach, as well as the further development of skills, attitudes and knowledge to support emotional and academic learning.

The District and community gathered on July 21 for a ceremony to welcome the sixth group of inductees into the Bethpage Athletic Wall of Fame.

This year’s class included 1978 graduate Fran Brown along with former coaches Samuel Prioleau, Harry Settino, Jr. and Donna Weikman.

Fran Brown was a four-sport athlete and represented the Golden Eagles in field hockey, volleyball, basketball and softball. She was part of many league and divisional championships in volleyball, basketball and softball in addition to being captain and the most valuable player of the county champion field hockey team. She went on to play volleyball at Slippery Rock University. 

Samuel Prioleau was a beloved teacher, mentor and coach in Bethpage for 35 years. He holds one of the highest winning percentages on Long Island as a baseball coach and led the Golden Eagles to a county championship. Under his guidance, the junior varsity football team achieved many undefeated seasons. As a mentor, he encouraged students to fight for what they believed in and made them believe they could accomplish anything.

Harry Settino, Jr., had a positive impact on many student athletes during his 23 years in Bethpage. He was a “jack of all trades” by coaching varsity football, varsity baseball, girls’ varsity track and field and boys’ varsity bowling. He also went on to officiate basketball and baseball in addition to being a Nassau County lifeguard supervisor.

Donna Weikman was a symbol of excellence for the Bethpage girls’ bowling program for 43 years with 400 compiled wins, 21 conference championships and two county championships. She began her career in Bethpage in 1969 as a physical education and health teacher in addition to her role as a coach. Donna coached the field hockey team for 17 years that included five division championships, six conference championships and three county championships. She also led the badminton team for 28 years with a total of 312 wins and 11 conference championships. 

“We are very proud to welcome these four inductees into the Bethpage Athletic Wall of Fame,” said Superintendent of Schools David Schneider. “They are proud Golden Eagles.”

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Bethpage High School is one of 35 schools in the state to be recently named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. 2018-19 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction Award winner.

Bethpage earned the School of Distinction status by having 100% of its 28 varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award. The purpose of the awards is to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide honor. The number of recognitions by NYSPHSAA is the highest total since the award was established since 2002-03. 

The district congratulates the entire athletic department for this prestigious honor and academic success. 

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The district and Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on July 9.
Superintendent of Schools David Schneider was sworn in for his second year, and re-elected Board members John Lonardo, Christina Scelta and Marie Swierkowski took oaths of office for three-year terms through June 30, 2022.

Behind nominations and unanimous elections, Michael Kelly and Sandra Watson were elected as Board president and vice president, respectively. This will be Kelly’s ninth straight term as president and 10th consecutive year that Watson will serve as vice president.

The district looks forward to another exciting year with the Board of Education.

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