Robbins Lane Elementary School third-grade classes participated in an interactive workshop about Chinese culture provided by singer/songwriter Patricia Shih. As an extension to the curriculum, Shih performed original songs that incorporated Chinese words, used hand gestures to lead students in movement and conducted a game in which students identified Chinese artifacts. Shih shared stories, history and known superstitions of China
Students had the opportunity to play instruments dressed as characters from Shih’s stories. As a finale, all of the students took part in the traditional ribbon and lion dances in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year.
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Chinese Culture Comes Alive in Class
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Unity and Expression at South Woods
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Dr. Durante Named Best Principal on L.I.
The votes are in — Syosset High School Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante has been named Best School Principal on Long Island. Sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the Best of Long Island poll identifies the best of the best on Long Island covering 14 different categories, including arts and entertainment, education, food and drink, health and wellness, and much more.
Every year from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, voting is open for the Best of Long Island program on bestof.longislandpress.com. During this 75-day window, everyone can vote for the person, local store or restaurant, business or service they feel should hold a Best of Long Island title in a designated category.
“I am humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award, and graciously accept it on behalf of my many colleagues, both inside and outside of the classroom, who work tirelessly to make a positive impact and difference in our school community,” said Dr. Durante. “Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me. I feel blessed to work in a supportive and cohesive school district like Syosset, where we are given the freedom to explore multiple perspectives and make a difference in our students’ lives.”
Dr. Durante began his career at Syosset High School in September 1994 as a teacher of world languages. After six years, he became the dean of discipline, and two years later was promoted to assistant principal, a role in which he served for eight years before being appointed as principal. He is currently in his sixth year as principal.
Since graduating from Stony Brook University in 1994 with a B.A. in Italian and concentration in Spanish, Dr. Durante has earned his M.A. and Advanced Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from CUNY Brooklyn College and his Doctor of Education from St. John’s University. He has also been an evaluating professor for the University of Scranton Education Online Program, helping graduate students obtain their administrative licenses.
Dr. Durante was honored with the St. John’s University’s Award for Outstanding Achievement as an Educational Leader in 2012 and was chosen as the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony of Stony Brook University’s department of European languages in 2014. He is also a past recipient of the Syosset High School PTSA Founder’s Day Award, as well as the PTA Jenkins Award as a faculty member. “It is obvious to everyone that Dr. Durante has a genuine appreciation for the students, staff and parents of the community. He is an enthusiastic, dedicated and progressive leader who takes the time to really know people and support them in any way he can,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers. “Dr. Durante is a institution at Syosset High School and we value his leadership in all things large and small. On behalf of the Board of Education, I congratulate him for receiving this well-deserved recognition.”
The official Best of Long Island 2016 guide is widely distributed across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including at every Bethpage Federal Credit Union location. Dr. Durante shares this honor with Glen Zakian, principal of Farmingdale High School. The District extends its congratulations to Mr. Zakian and the Farmingdale School District.
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Celebrating National Nutella Day!
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South Woods Spirit Week
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Notice of Board of Education Special Meeting - February 7, 2016
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Bringing Community Together for Multicultural Studies
H.B. Thompson Middle School held its annual Multicultural Week in January, sponsored by the World Language Department and its teachers. Students were engaged in approximately 40 presentations by staff from the building and around the district that included presentations on dance lessons from Israel, Greece and Latin America, crepe preparation, music of the world, and language presentations ranging from American Sign Language to Russian and Yiddish. Each morning, students delivered the daily announcements in a different language with a staff member serving as a mystery voice.
Multicultural Week at HBT culminated with a Multicultural Exposition, consisting of more than 70 exhibits representing every continent. Parents worked with students and gave presentations about their cultures, covering countries such as Costa Rica, Japan, China, Korea, India and Pakistan. Chinese ribbon and Indian dance demonstrations filled out the event, capping off a week of fun and cultural pride for everyone involved.
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Board Meeting Information
This post is to clarify any confusion regarding the meetings of the Board of Education this month. On Sunday, February 7, 2016, the Board of Education is holding a meeting solely in Executive Session. There will be no public session and no business will be transacted. At the regular Board meeting, most of the time typically reserved for an Executive Session will instead be used for a Budget Information Session and an Audit Committee meeting, necessitating the scheduling of the Sunday Executive Session.
The Audit Committee is a committee of the whole Board. The public is welcome to attend the meeting at 6:00 p.m. at South Woods Middle School. The purpose of the meeting will be to accept the annual report of the Internal Auditor, R.S. Abrams & Co. LLC for the 2014-15 school year. The Internal Auditor’s role is to ensure that the school district has adequate internal controls to reduce risk relating to its financial processing and reporting operations. (The report of the Internal Auditor for the 2013-14 school year was accepted by the Board on December 15, 2014.)
After the Audit Committee meeting, it is anticipated that the Board will enter into a brief Executive Session prior to the Budget Information Session at 7:00 p.m.
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Tonight's Board of Education Meeting will not be able to be broadcast live on the District Radio Station, WKWZ 88.5 FM.
A recording of the meeting will be made available at a later date.
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Due to the inclement weather, all after school activities are cancelled except for SCOPE.
The meeting of the Audit Committee is cancelled.
The budget presentation and Board of Education meeting scheduled for tonight will take place as scheduled.
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Notice of Monthly Board of Education Meeting, February 8, 2016
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Calendar Changes
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Coding Collaboration
As part of a schoolwide enrichment “Brown Bag Seminar” series, 22 Berry Hill Elementary School fifth-graders took a trip to Syosset High School to meet with Advanced Computer Coding students and get a close-up look at the games they have been programming using Java. Under the guidance of the high school students, the Berry Hill students had the opportunity to write some code and test the games. Berry Hill enrichment teacher Mary Kolkhorst arranged the trip in conjunction with high school teacher Christine Owens, math coordinator Angela Kozlowski and the support of Berry Hill Principal Joanne Mannion, who attended the trip as well.
The Brown Bag seminar was a follow-up to a Google Hangout videoconference between the two groups held earlier this year. Brown Bag seminars involve students who volunteer their recess time to participate in enrichment opportunities of interest.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn more about programming and to see the code behind the video games created by the high school students,” said Kolkhorst, who has held Brown Bag Seminars on a wide variety of topics. “Our kids have now become beta testers. They had a lot of fun meeting with the high school students, testing their games and offering feedback. In turn, the high school students were wonderful and informative mentors. ”
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Insight into the Writing Process
Baylis Elementary School welcomed popular children’s author Kate McMullan, who met with students of all grade levels to share her experiences as an author and to provide a fun and informative overview of the writing, illustrating and publishing process.
Sponsored by the Baylis PTA Author-Illustrator Committee, McMullan’s workshop in the school library included a student Q&A, with the author answering interesting questions such as “When did you decide you wanted to become a writer?,” “Where do you get the inspiration for your books?” and “How do you handle rejection?” “You have to have thick skin to be an author,” McMullan told the students in response to the last question.
According to committee chairperson Lauren Goff, the Baylis library contains many of McMullan’s popular books, so students were familiar with her work. This includes the popular “Dragon Slayer Academy” series, for which she provided some insight. McMullan also took the time to autograph books.“I always liked to write,” McMullan told students. “I like doing it, even though it’s hard work.”
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Board Briefs from the February 8, 2016 meeting are now available
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The HS Girls Basketball team has advanced to the semifinal round of the county playoffs
The Syosset High School Girls Basketball team has advanced to the
semifinal round of the county playoffs against Baldwin. The game is
scheduled for Saturday, February 20 at LIU Post in Brookville, beginning
at 5 p.m. Tickets are $6.
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Colonial Times Revisited
South Grove Elementary School recently took fourth-graders on a trip back in time in the comforts of the school’s all-purpose room. As a culmination to their unit on the Colonial period, students participated in popular games and activities of the time. Stations were set up to make candles and sachets, play the stick toss game, try out the whirligig toy and create silhouettes.
Students learned that candles were the primary source of light back then, while sachets were used to keep Colonists smelling fresh, as they did not bathe as frequently as we do today. Native Americans taught Colonists the popular stick toss game, and since only the very wealthy could afford portraits of themselves painted in oils, silhouettes were very popular.
“We want students to be involved in the curriculum and get excited about what they are learning,” said teacher Jody Braun, who organized the event with teacher Marie Wood. “When you make history come alive, it makes learning really interesting.”
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Student Musicians ‘Practice’ to Fight Hunger
Robbins Lane music students are participating in the Harry Chapin Practice-A-Thon this month. Students are logging in the minutes they practice throughout the month and are asking sponsors (family and friends) to match their practice minutes with monetary donations. All proceeds from the students' donors will go directly to Long Island Cares, a food bank originally launched by the late pop musician Harry Chapin. The Practice-A-Thon is a wonderful way to strengthen students' practice habits while encouraging empathy and empowering them to make a difference in their community. Last year, more than 30 schools participated in the Practice-A-Thon, raising over $25,000.
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Health Information Flyer from NYS Department of Health
Parents with questions about the flyer should contact their child's school nurse or family physician.
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Status of Snow Make-up Days
I just wanted to update you on where we stand with remaining "snow
days". Our calendar adjustments gave us a 182-day year - essentially
meaning 2 "snow days". We used one of those days when we closed on
February 5, we used the other by closing yesterday. In order to ensure
we do not fall below 180 days, any future closures will necessitate"make-up" days starting with May 26 and then May 27.
For additional information, please refer to our calendar memo from earlier this year.
-- Tom Rogers
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