John F. Kennedy Middle School

 

500 Broadway, Bethpage, NY 11714 PRINCIPAL: Mr. David Schneider ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Mr. Kevin Fullerton DEANS: Brian Hennen and Jill Bennardo
Main Office: 516-644-4200 (Phone) 516-937-0540 (Fax)

 

 

In the News

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Read Across Bethpage

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Memory Sculptures

On January 23, 2012, a group of JFK students met with Ms. Maloney and Ms. Okita to create memory sculptures. These sculptures were three dimensional pieces that represented a special memory that they have. Among these memories were family vacations to Disney World, going to NYSSMA, family cruises, and winning trophies. Students used only white paper and glue or tape to create these sculptures. They shared their memories with eachother through writing as well. Everyone had a great time and showed just how creative JFK students are!

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Young Author’s Contest

On January 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th, students at JFK participated in the Nassau Reading Council Young Authors’ Contest for 21st Century. With over 25 students participating, students had to write a personal narrative completely on their own. Judges, Mr. Kramer, Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Zito had a hard time choosing only 5 entries for each grade. All entries will be displayed on the principal’s wall of fame bulletin board over the next few weeks. Thank you to all who participated.

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ARTS ALIVE

On Jan 26th, 2012 Ms. Cooper and Mrs. Saur went on a field trip to "Arts Alive" which is a program that focuses on music and art. There were 20 students in 6th, and 7th grade that attended. The day was filled with music and art workshops including musical theatre, water coloring and so much more. It was a great learning experience!

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KINEX TOYS and DNA

Students in Ms. Bennardo and Ms. Labriola’s classes used Kinex toys to construct a model of DNA. This model was then used to study the different parts of DNA and DNA replication.

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CSI Bethpage

On January, 31st students from JFK attended a field trip to the NY Times Dsicovery Center in NYC. Students participated in the CSI: Experience exhibit where they used their detective skills learned in their 21st Century CSI Bethpage activity. Students were first given time to view a crime scene and gather evidence. Later in the day they were able to analyze the evidence in the lab using toxicology, forensic entomology, DNA analysis as well as latent prints and impression evidence. JFK students cracked the case and gathered enough evidence to issue warrants for the arrest of the accused.

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Geography Bee

All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders competed in JFK’s Geography Bee. This annual event is run through the National Geographic Society. All classroom winners were provided a certificate for their accomplishments.

Philip Atkins, a grade 7 student from Ms. Mastellone’s social studies class won the school-wide Bee and the runner up was Jason Maund from Ms. Klein’s social studies class. Philip Atkins also took a state qualifying exam to determine whether or not he will move on to the state finals.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in this event.

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21st Century: Team Gale vs. Team Peeta vs. Team Katniss Change Drive

Hunger Games Change Drive

Over twenty eighth graders participated in the kick-off event for the Team Peeta vs. Team Gale vs. Team Katniss Change Drive for the Lustgarten Foundation. All eighth grade students are reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/) in English class. The main characters, Peeta, Gale and Katniss exhibit the character trait of courage throughout the book. In class, students discussed how each character demonstrated courage by their actions. Afterwards, students contributed change to the collection jar representing their favored character. All money raised will be donated as part of JFK's ongoing efforts to support the Lustgarten Foundation (http://www.lustgarten.org/). During the 21st Century kick-off event, students decorated t-shirts and change collections jars in the Library with Ms. McCarthy, Ms. Phillips and Ms. Zito. The t-shirts were worn the next day in order to create enthusiasm among classmates for the change drive. See the photo gallery for pictures.

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All Cracked Up

On a cold Saturday afternoon, students gathered with Mrs. Klein, at Dr. Reiss' Chiropractic office in Plainview for All Cracked Up. We learned the difference between chiropractic and medical care. Dr. Reiss showed us X-Rays, demonstrated how our nerves send messages throughout our body; by having kids represent the brain, the nerves and the body part. He mentioned the benefits of being a chiropractor: making your own hours, meeting many different people, healing with his hands and being able to do what he loves anywhere he wants. Dr. Reiss informed us that exercise, nutrition, sleep, a proper mental attitude and chiropractic care all lend to good health. The kids watched a chiropractic adjustment of the spinal cord. They left with a handful of products.

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Tenement Museum

21st Century Scholars visited NYC's Tenement Museum to see living conditions for America's immigrants. Thanks to Ms. Smith, Mr. Brace, and Ms. Mastellone for making the arrangements! Everyone had a great time!

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Winter Caroling

A group of JFK students participated in a winter caroling activity for the 21st Century Scholars Program. The carolers met three nights in December to walk through Bethpage and visit the homes of some of our neighbors. Students sang winter songs in order to spread holiday cheer to all. They really showed the true meaning of the holidays!

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Denny's Field Trip

The JFK Academy recently took a field trip to the restaurant Denny’s for brunch. This trip was the culmination of a speech project on restaurant vocabulary, procedure, adding tax and tip. Mrs. Keller, Ms. Jennings, Mrs. Pizzuto, Mrs. Fetner and Mr. Schneider all joined the students for the delicious brunch. A good time was had by all.

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Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center (formerly Schneider’s Children’s Hospital)

This Life and Career skills activity provided an opportunity for students to be educated about the functions of a stand alone children’s hospital directly from one of its staff members. Dr. James Schneider, attending Pediatric Intensive Care Unit physician and Director of the Hofstra Medical School Fellowship program visited students at JFK to describe the functions and team members of the various supports encompassing the health care available at the hospital.

Additionally, this activity provided a way for our students to show their appreciation to the staff at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center who work effortlessly to improve the lives of children in this area. The students created gift baskets with homemade cookies and wrote hand made thank you cards to the staff members. Principal David Schneider and Family and Consumer Science teacher Tom Scarola visited the hospital and delivered the baskets on behalf of their students.

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Poe House

21st Century Scholars visited the home of Edgar Alan Poe in Connecticut thanks to Ms. Green, Ms. Klein, Ms. Robb and Ms. Ahronheim. Everyone had a great time learning about the life of one of our greatest writers!

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Taking Responsibility for Your Community

During the month of November the character education trait emphasized at JFK was “Responsibility.” The JFK Middle School took responsibility for the community by collecting non-perishable food items. The 7th grade Blue team demonstrated the greatest sense of responsibility as they donated the most amount of food. As a “thank you” to the students of the 7th grade Blue team a pancake breakfast was provided by the administration and character education committee. Over 1000 pounds of food was collected for the community. It was a great opportunity to teach the meaning of responsibility for others, as well as sharing and caring for members of our community.

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Peace Mentoring Program

On Monday, November 28, 2011 JFK Middle School and Bethpage H.S. students combined to make history. This was the first session in our P.E.A.C.E. Mentor Program. (P.E.A.C.E stands for Pride, Empathy, Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment) The High School students working with Ms. Padalino’s 8th grade health classes are members of Mrs. Kennedy’s SADD Program. The students have been working with Mrs. Kennedy to fine tune their mentoring skills. The goal is to have our high school student’s model and practice with our middle school students situations they may be facing in their teenage years. So far the program is off to an amazing start; the students were broken up into small groups and participated in ice breaker activities. In the future we will be dealing with topics such as: peer pressure, conflict resolution, relationship issues, as well as social communication.

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Basketball Preview

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Child Study Workshop

Mr. Scarola's 7th and 8th grade Family and Consumer Science Classes had their first lab in the kitchens. They didn't cook something they could eat. Instead they cooked something to give away. They made play dough for the Child Study Workshop class run by Mrs. Schneider in the High School. The play dough will be used to help create lesson plans for the 4 year olds in the community. He delivered the huge box himself and surprised the high school students. Thanks JFK and Mr. Scarola for keeping the community connection strong.

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Alice in Wonderland

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Pictures Continued

Friday Video #1

Friday Video #2

Saturday Video #1

Saturday Video #2

Thanksgiving Craft

Close to a hundred students participated in this year's Thanksgiving craft activity in the JFK Library. Students were able to come during their lunch to create a Turkey Luminaria using paper bags and tissue paper. For the full instructions to make your own, visit http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/turkey-luminarias-783823/. See photo gallery for pictures of the event.

Happy Thanksgiving from the JFK Library!

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Get Your Game On @ Your Library

JFK celebrated National Gaming Day on Monday, November 14th during all lunch periods. Students played computer games or chose from a variety of board games like Apples to Apples, Monopoly and Battleship. For mroe information about National Gaming Day, visit http://ngd.ala.org/. Check out the photo gallery for pictures from the event.

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Metropolitan Opera

On November 19th, students from Central Blvd. Elementary School, Charles Champagne Elementary School, Kramer Lane Elementary School, and JFK Middle School attended the Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD Program. Accompanying the students for this 21st Century trip were Mrs. McGrath and Ms. Austin. We saw Glass’s Satyagraha at the Westbury UA Theater. For many of the participants it was their first Opera. We were all truly captivated by this performance despite the lack of subtitles. Many audience members complimented the Bethpage students on their spectacular behavior and interest in opera. They were also thrilled to hear that we are the only school district in Long Island that participates in the Metropolitan Opera partnership. Everyone is looking forward to the next Opera, which will be held in December.

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Junior Forensics Trip

Participants in the 21st Century Junior Forensic workshops facilitated by Mrs. Sciglibaglio and Vultaggio, recently attended the Discovery Expo Center - CSI exhibit in Times Square. Three teams of investigators worked to gather evidence to solve three different crime scenes. After gathering evidence, they worked in the laboratory to analyze the data. Finally, they submitted their results to present their culprit. Afterwards, we dined at Dallas BBQ...where the food was delicious and the portions were huge!

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21st Century: National Cup Stacking

JFK Students participated with over 350,000 students world wide in National Cup Stacking Day on November 17, 2011. Students representing over 85 countries participated in this event and JFK students are now included in the Guinness World Book of Records for their participation. JFK Teachers Mrs. Muller and Ms. Okita facilitated the event and all students received a certificate of World Record Day! Click the below link to view photos of students stacking on Nov. 17.

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Alice in Wonderland

The JFK Drama Club put on a fantastic production of Alice in Wonderland! The acting, the singing, the choreography, the set design and the staging were all fabulous! Congratulations to the cast and to Ms. Cooper and Mrs. Shresta for all their hard work! Thanks to all the stage crew folks led by Ms. Kruzynski and Mr. Scarola!

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Letters to Soldiers

Students at JFK worked hard to compose letters to American troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar during the “Letters to Soldiers” program on November 2nd. With the help of Ms. Grothmann, Ms. Zito and Ms. Fitje, twenty members our military overseas, including friends and family of the staff and even some Bethpage grads will receive notes of gratitude and appreciation before the holidays. Thank you to all of the students and teachers for their efforts.

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21st Century: Goal Setting

On Wednesday, November 9th, 18 students met and discussed Goal Setting with Dr. Richard. Dr. Richard spoke of short-term goals leading to your longer term goals. He had the students share their goals aloud. By doing this, it validated the goal and then others would be able to help them achieve that goal. What was incredible was when Dr. Richard shared his story. Born with Cerebral Palsy, and a learning disability - Dyslexia- Richard went on to get his Ph.D last October 2010. Many said to him 'it could not be done.' He chose not to listen to them and pursued his passion. He is now involved with Schneider's Hospital and will be working with other children with Cerebral Palsy.

Spare Change Drive

JFK Middle School’s PTA held a Giants vs. Jets Spare Change Drive during the recent Book Fair. After purchasing a book, students donated their spare change in the box of their favorite New York football team. In a narrow victory the Giants won the challenge over the Jets. This meant that Mr. Schneider and Mr. Fullerton each had to wear a New York Giants jersey for the entire school day. The PTA raised $150 for the students of JFK. Thanks to all of the students who donated and for the PTA for holding the Spare Change Drive.

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Statue of Liberty 125th Anniversary

Friday, October 28th marks 125 years since the Statue of Liberty was dedicated to the U.S. from France. In celebration of Lady Liberty's Anniversary, JFK students met after school on Tuesday, October 25th. Students researched the history and symbolic meanings of the statue. They also created a bulletin board for all JFK students to view!

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JFK Spooktacular

Close to a hundred students participated in the JFK Library Spooktacular. Librarian Mrs. Phillips and Library Aide Mrs. Quinn hosted the event during lunch periods on Halloween. Students were treated to popcorn and candy and played a trio of ghoulish games: Minute-to-Win-It Witches Brew, Pin the Face on the Jack o' Lantern and the Great Costume Race. Ghost and horror story books were on display. Check out the photo gallery for pictures from the event.

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JFK Dance

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JFK Second Step Program: Promoting Positive Behaviors and Building Good Character

JFK Middle School held their first Period 0 Second Step Day on Thursday, October 13th. All students were exposed to a Character Education lesson on Empathy and Communication during a 50 minute block in the morning. The entire Middle School staff delivered this important lesson to all of the students in the building prior to their regular scheduled classes. Each lesson included audio and visual components with video clips, group discussions, and worksheets that prompted students to apply their skills as they examined various situations. The Second Step Program aims to prevent risky behaviors among students and improve school success through skills emphasized in the classroom.

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Spirit Week

Each year, the students, staff, and faculty of JFK Middle School show their spirit for their school and community by coming together for Spirit Week. By honoring their favorite decade on Decade Day, coming to school in their craziest hat or pajamas, and wearing Bethpage blue & gold, the students of JFK work together to show their spirit.

The culmination of Spirit Week is a battle for bragging rights where each grade and a faculty team participates in team building events such as the obstacle course, basketball shoot-out, letter game, and the sentence scramble.

Thanks to all who participated and showed their school spirit!

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All County Jazz Band

Congratulations to Michael Cipolla for being selected to the All County Jazz Band Division. Only 17 students, out of hundreds who auditioned, get chosen to participate in the All County Jazz Band and Michael will be 1 of only 4 trumpets in the band!

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Pep Rally

To kick off Spirit Week and the Character Trait of Pride, JFK Middle School held a Pep Rally on Monday, October 17th. The event began with the beautiful singing of the National Anthem by 7th grade student Carly Sesti. The 7th and 8th grade cheerleaders energized the crowd with a spectacular cheer routine. All of the student athletes who are currently playing a fall sport for JFK Middle School were introduced along with their coaches. One of the highlights of the event was the Golden Eagle Mascot who distributed mini Bethpage basketballs and Bethpage t-shirts to the excited crowd. The event ended with Eagle’s Voice singing an inspirational rendition of, Don’t Stop Believing. Thanks to everyone who participated in this memorable event.

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Homecoming

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TGIF - October

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The Preamble Challenge

In recognition of Constitution Day, JFK students participated in a Preamble Challenge contest.  Seventy five students successfully memorized and recited correctly all of the words in The Preamble to the Constitution.  Two students from each grade level won the contest as they recited the words correctly in the shortest amount of time.  The overall grade level winners of the contest were:
Jeremy Miller – Grade 6 (7.2 seconds)
Heather Palmer – Grade 6 (7.2 seconds)
 
                             Jack Lewis – Grade 7 (6.9 seconds)
                             Sara Suozo – Grade 7 (6.9 seconds)
 
                             Valerie Kress – Grade 8 (7.8 seconds)
                            
Honorable Mention – Joey Gilio – Grade 6
 
The students were awarded certificates for their accomplishments and Gift Cards to Pappardelle’s.  Congratulations to all of the students who participated.

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Survey

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TGIF

Over 500 students showed up for our first TGIF event of the year! Everyone had a great time! Thanks to Mr. Schneider, Mr. Fullerton and all the JFK teachers who helped out! And thanks to the BHS Custodians and Security staff who took good care of us! Looking forward to the next one!

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JFK Family and Consumer Science Letters

Family & Consumer Science Teachers Tom Scarola & Theresa Schneider from JFK Middle School in Bethpage had students write letters to military personnel over seas in conjunction with Northrop Grumman & the USO.

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Bethpage's Newest Teachers

Congratulations to the new faculty members of the Bethpage School District. They all attended the New Teacher Orientation program where they learned a great deal about our community. Then they took a bus tour narrated by Superintendent Terrence Clark with stops at Cablevision and Northrop-Grumman. The day was arranged by Ms. Lavelle, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and everyone is looking forward to the new school year!

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