To jump-start the school year in an exciting way, South Grove School infused its annual celebration of Constitution Day with many enriching and engaging activities. While the focus was mainly on second grade as part of its civics social studies unit, the entire school played a role in this special exercise.
This year the project incorporated the talents of many special-area teachers, as part of Syosset School District’s cross-cutting initiative. This initiative seeks to integrate concepts or “big ideas” across the curriculum to make learning more meaningful and relevant for students. Here are the highlights of our two-week Constitution Day program:
Second-graders participated in a lesson by enrichment specialist Michele Webb about the United States Constitution and wrote their own personal “constitution” that highlighted their values. This personal reflection was a powerful way to begin the school year.
Music teachers pushed into the second-grade classrooms during social studies to teach second-graders the preamble to the Constitution in song. Students loved this musical touch to their social studies curriculum and seeing their music teachers in this new light. In conjunction with this, South Grove hosted its eighth annual Preamble Challenge. Students in grades two through five were encouraged to memorize the preamble to the United States Constitution. Over 30 students were successful reciting the preamble from memory.
Students also had an opportunity to participate in a Brown Bag session during recess to learn about the judicial system from Judge Gina Summa. Over 60 students elected to participate in this informative and interesting presentation in lieu of their usual recess activities. Students enjoyed meeting this acting judge (who is also a South Grove parent) and were fascinated by her presentation.
On Sept. 18 the entire South Grove School came together for a special assembly. The school kicked off its character education program, and the 2017-2018 Student Council class representatives and officers were formally installed with the help of the school color guard, student council advisers, Judge Summa and Principal Mi Jung An. The school also introduced another special guest to students, Mascot Grover, who reinforced the importance of every student’s commitment to good character and making South Grove the best place it can be.
For many second-graders, the grand finale of this two-week initiative was when they “aged” their personal “constitutions,” using tea leaves to give the scrolls a weathered look. Teachers from the music, art, world language and physical education department pitched in to ensure that all students were successful.
Everyone had a hand in making this an exciting program for students.
View a video from the South Grove Constitution Day celebration below:
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All Hands on Deck for Constitution Day
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All-State Musicians
Syosset School District Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts, K-12, Michael Salzman recently had the opportunity to meet with Syosset High School student-musicians, who have been selected to participate in this year’s New York State School Music Association Winter Conference. This year, 34 students will participate in the All-State festival, either as active members of ensembles or as alternates, including some who were selected for multiple instruments.
Syosset High School regularly receives a high number of NYSSMA Winter Conference selections. This year’s particpants are seen here, being congratulated by Salzman and Syosset Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante (pictured at far left, middle and front row, respectively) and orchestra teacher Stephanie Merten and band teacher Larry Larry Ballereau. Missing from the photo is choral teacher Kristin Howell.
Congratulations to Syosset High School’s 2017 NYSSMA All-State Musicians: Sami Ahn, Matthew Ardizzone, Stephanie Benedictus, Gabrielle Bieder, Sydney Chen, Josephine Chuang, Sean Han, Allison Hsu, Susanna Hur, Maxwell Izakson, Brandon Ji, Jihoon Jun, Paige Kahn, Joseph Kim, Anthony LaBarca, Thomas Lam, Hannah Lee, Subin Lee, Justin Lee, Annie Lin, Kalena Liu, Nicholas Massimo, Gabriela Mataras, Ashkan Moghaddassi, Aileen Park, Jake Quadrino, Harrison Rubin, Madison Schatz, Albert Shabaev, Brandon Sung, Callista Tse, Derek Warshauer, Emily Wong and Charles, Zandieh.
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Notice of Board of Education Meeting - October 16, 2017
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Baylis Student Council Pajama Day
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A Walk for Unity
Syosset High School kicked off Spirit Week 2017 with its annual walkathon on the campus grounds. The entire student body, teachers and school staff walked in unison to raise money and awareness for tolerance education. Proceeds from the walk were donated to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County in Glen Cove. Every year the center welcomes more than 38,000 visitors to its exhibits as well as participants of its educational programs.
Syosset High School students and staff have also been raising funds for hurricane relief efforts, including a bowlathon sponsored by the Interact Club. The school’s Awareness Club and GSA are also conducting fundraisers and different club booths at this weekend’s Student Government Carnival will also donate a portion of their proceeds to hurricane relief.
In addition to the walkathon and carnival, other highlights of Spirit Week include a health fair, pep rally and the annual Homecoming game, scheduled for 1:30 pm this Saturday.
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Notice: Upcoming Facilities Planning Meetings
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Happy Homecoming
Syosset High School celebrated homecoming/Spirit Week in grand fashion, as six days of school spirit, thoughtfulness and Syosset PRIDE – patience, respect, integrity, dignity and empathy – culminated with a weekend highlighted by a fun-filled family carnival and a victory on the football field.
The annual Student Government Carnival raised money and awareness for numerous student clubs. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds raised during the three-day weekend event was donated to hurricane relief efforts. The week kicked off with the annual student and staff walkathon at Syosset High School, which raised money for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
Students also participated in and helped run the annual Health Fair held in the Syosset High School gymnasium. Numerous stations were set up to inform the entire student body and faculty about healthy eating, fitness, and smart decision-making, among other valuable lessons.
Later in the week, students were encouraged to don school colors and other Syosset wear to show their support for the school community and its athletic teams and student-based organizations. The school week ended with the annual pep rally to cheer the fall athletic teams. The event served as the appetizer for Saturday’s varsity football game vs. East Meadow.
On the gridiron, the hometown Braves built a 27-7 halftime lead on the strength of three Alex Berland touchdown passes and a fumble return by the defense. Alex finished the day with 229 yards passing and four touchdown passes overall. Thomas Dolciotta, who ran for 46 yards, scored two of the Syosset touchdowns, one on a pass from Alex and another on the ground. The Braves defense held off a second-half East Meadow scoring surge for a 39-28 victory.
The Syosset High School band, cheerleaders and kick line dancers entertained the audience and provided support for the home team throughout the game, with the latter two groups providing special halftime performances. The Syosset PTSA ran the concession barn, with proceeds benefitting student programs districtwide.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Syosset teams, the student organizations and their efforts to help others.
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Visit to Schmitt’s Farm
The kindergarten classes at Baylis Elementary school visited Schmitt’s Farm. Everyone enjoyed a wagon drawn ride to a vegetable and pumpkin patch. The classes learned how crops grow and are harvested. They were able to pick string beans, radishes and a pumpkin to take home. Each left with a string bean plant, corn stalk and pumpkin which we took back to our classrooms for a closer inspection. We talked about the properties of pumpkins both inside and out. Some brave children even touched the inside of the pumpkin. A good time was had by all!!!
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Seniors Named 2017 Semifinalists in Siemens Foundation Competition
Congratulations to Syosset High School seniors Jarrad Li and Rahul
Parthasarathy for being named 2017 semifinalists in the Siemens
Foundation Competition for Math, Science and Technology, the nation’s
premier science research contest for high school students. Jarrad
conducted research on safe, alternative energy at Stony Brook
University, teaming with two other students from nearby high schools.
Rahul worked independently at Brookhaven National Laboratory on
radiation detection.
Rahul is also one of only 11 Long Island students to advance to the
finalist round in the competition and the only student from this group
to have worked independently. The Syosset CSD wishes him the best of
luck during the remainder of the competition.
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Second-Graders Stand Tall at Rec Night
The Robbins Lane PTA recently hosted its second-grade Rec Night.
Students participated in various relay races and activities, including basketball, hockey, “giant egg” (i.e., soccer ball) in a giant spoon (i.e., lacrosse stick), and go-cart races, to name a few. The highlight of the evening was the all-important tug-of-war with the children battling against their parents. This year's second-grade class walked away with bragging rights, easily defeating their parents. Two fathers co-chaired the event with the help of parent volunteers. It was a huge success and an overall great start to the school year!
Throughout the school year, the Robbins Lane PTA hosts a Rec Night for each grade in which children from a dedicated grade are invited to the gym for an evening of physical activity and family fun.
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Celebrating Diwali
Village Elementary School students recently learned about Diwali. The school lobby, hallways and cafeteria were colorfully decorated and students also learned about the cultural significance of Diwali, a religious celebration associated with Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
Last year, the Syosset Board of Education recognized Diwali as an official school holiday, making Syosset the first school district on Long Island to close its doors in observance of the holiday. School will be closed on Thursday October 19 for Diwali.
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Robbins Lane Raises for Relief
Upon returning to school in September, Robbins Lane Elementary School Student Council representatives from the 2016-17 school year got right down to business to help those who were hit hard by Hurricanes Harvey in Houston and Irma in Florida. The group immediately began fundraising for the American Red Cross and is proud to announce that they raised over $2,000 for these hurricane relief efforts.
Thank you to the Robbins Lane community for demonstrating enormous generosity! The school looks forward to supporting our neighbors in Puerto Rico in the very near future.
Robbins Lane enrichment teacher Robin Kleinman (pictured left) and members of the Robbins Lane Student Council award a big check to Senior Philanthropy Officer, American Red Cross, LI chapter Dawn Neilson.
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Siemens Semifinalists
Congratulations to Syosset High School seniors Jarrad Li and Rahul Parthasarathy for being named 2017 semifinalists in the Siemens Foundation Competition for Math, Science & Technology, the nation’s premier science research contest for high school students. Additional congratulations to Rahul, who advanced to the regional finalist round, one of only 11 from Long Island to reach this level.
Jarrad conducted research on safe, alternative energy at Stony Brook University, teaming with two other students from nearby high schools. They set out to eliminate carbon monoxide poisoning in proton exchange efficiency fuel cells, which drastically decreases the cell efficiency and durability of this otherwise burgeoning source of renewable energy. By synthesizing the optimal ratio of gold-silver alloy nanoparticles and coating the fuel cells with these nanoparticles, Jarrad and his team effectively catalyzed carbon monoxide oxidation and increased fuel cell power output. The end result was making the fuel cells more cost efficient and commercially viable as a source of alternative energy.
According to Jarrad, he gained a great deal of satisfaction from this project, as it allowed him to combine his knowledge of material science and chemical engineering.
Rahul worked independently at Brookhaven National Laboratory to identify crystals formed from a compound of cadmium, zinc and tellurium that are most ideal for use as radiation detectors. One common problem affecting the widespread use of these detectors is that crystals are prone to defects when grown. By analyzing the properties of cadmium, zinc and tellurium that affect detector performance – including testing 54 crystals – Rahul was able to compare their strengths and weaknesses and characterize and identify those crystals most ideal for use in detectors. This makes detectors more affordable and accessible, opening up a wide range of applications, including in nuclear medicine to help to monitor a patient’s exposure while undergoing treatment, and in national security, by enabling first responders to assess the threat of radiation. Astrophysics is another area in which the detectors can be used prominently.
Much like Jarrad, Rahul said he enjoyed his project because he was able to overlap two areas of great interest to him as well, medicine and physics
“Rahul and Jarrad are both determined and dedicated young scientists,” said Syosset High School science research facilitator Veronica Ade, who oversees the school’s participation in the Siemens competition. “They both followed their scientific passions to laboratories which could foster their talents and were able to use those experiences to enter the 2017 Siemens competition.”
Every year, students submit innovative individual and team research projects to regional and national levels of the Siemens competition as they vie for college scholarships ranging from $1,000 up to $100,000.
This year out of the more than 1,860 projects submitted, 491 students have been recognized as semifinalists and only 101 as regional finalists. Next up, on Nov. 18 Rahul will present his research via videoconference to judges at Carnegie Mellon University. On the line is a seat at the national finals at The George Washington University this December, where $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded, including two top prizes of $100,000. The Syosset Central School District wishes Rahul the best of luck as he moves on in the competition!
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Reading for Relief
On Friday, October 13th, Baylis School participated in a read-a-thon to raise money for the American Red Cross hurricane relief efforts. Students dressed in their favorite pajamas, brought a stuffed animal from home and made themselves comfortable as they read from 2:45pm-3:15pm. The Baylis school community was very generous, raising $2,478 for hurricane relief. Way to go Baylis!
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Diwali Brown Bag
South Grove was honored to host a Brown Bag about Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Several of our very own South Grove moms facilitated this information and crafts Brown Bag. Over 60 students in grades 2 through five opted to participate during their recess time, in lieu of their usual activities. Students briefly heard about the cultural significance of this holiday and then had an opportunity to do a craft. Students enjoyed coloring and applying glitter, while traditional Indian music played in the background. A special thank you to our wonderful parent community, and we welcome your ideas for Brown Bags to enrich all students.
South Grove’s Brown Bag Program offers a variety of optional recess-time experiences throughout the year as part of its Schoolwide Enrichment Program.
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The October Board Briefs are now available
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South Woods Mathematicians Win 7 Medals
Twelve students from South Woods Middle School combined to win seven medals at the Long Island Math Fair held at Hofstra University in April. According to the LI Math Fair website, the event is designed to encourage students with an interest in mathematics to explore topics outside the realm of the traditional required mathematics courses. Participants have the opportunity to create original mathematical problems on their own.
Gold medals went to seventh-grader Giselle Rasquinha, eighth-grader Yan Luo, and the eighth-grade team of Merin Thomas and Victoria Guo. Seventh- grader Kevin Li, who competed at the high school level, also won gold. Eighth-grader Julia Klimberg took home a silver medal, while the seventh-grade team of Kiersten Louie and Amanda Qian, the eighth-grade team of Archisha Datta and Yvette Sol, and the eighth-grade team of Patrick Chen and Jishaan Alam all won bronze medals.
Congratulations to the students and their advisers Heidi Pasternack and Nancy Zagajeski for making the South Woods community proud!
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South Woods Girls Impress at Science Congress
Five seventh-grade students from South Woods Middle School won trophies at the Science Fair for Long Island Science Congress, recently held at St Anthony’s High School in Huntington.
Congratulations to Sydney Gurewicz, Alexa Trapani, Emma Van Dorn, Lara Weinberg, and Stephanie Yormack, who all won Honor trophies, with Alexa and Emma taking High Honors!
Emma, Sydney, Stephanie, Lara Weinberg, and Alexa are pictured (L-R) displaying their trophies.
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Six from HBT Head to NYS History Day
Six students from H.B. Thompson Middle School won first-place honors at the National History Day Long Island Regional competition held last month at Hofstra University, advancing to the New York State competition in Cooperstown on April 18.
In the Junior Group Website category, students Connor Chen and Ronit Dhulia won for their website project “The Development of the Heliocentric Model,” which addresses the astronomical model in which the Earth and planets revolve around the sun at the center of the solar system. In the Junior Group Exhibit, the team of Sophie Bernard, Abby Blick, Riley Kelly and Kiera Sherman won for their research and presentation on French Naval officer and explorer Jacques Cousteau.
National History Day contests are held in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, and at international schools in Central America, China, Korea and South Asia. Students create historical projects in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website. Using primary and secondary sources, participants focus their projects around the annual theme. The top two entries in each category from each affiliate are invited to the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest in College Park, Maryland, held June 12-16.
Congratulations and good luck to Connor, Ronit, Sophie, Abby, Riley and Kiera!
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Notice of Board of Education Meeting - January 11, 2016
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