http://www.threevillagecsd.org Copyright 2012 Syntax Communications Contractor's for Kids and the Three Village School District announce the 5th annual 5K Walk/Run and Health and Wellness Fair. Please click here to view the flyer. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4402 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Please see our new website containing information about our Health Education program in Three Village. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4392 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village CSD is seeking residents’ feedback on budget priorities for 2012-13 by encouraging participation in a web survey. The survey, which can be accessed through the link listed below, will be live for about 10 days. “Obtaining the opinions of our residents will enable us measure the perceptions and priorities for budget planning," said Superintendent Neil Lederer. "It is one element of an overall plan to garner as much input as possible as we build a budget for the next school year." You can access the survey by going to the following web address. If you cannot click through to the survey, please paste this address in your browser. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLRLFP http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4367 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT Please click here for the Swim Registration brochure. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4303 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Interim Superintendent Neil Lederer talks about the 2012-13 budget season and the challenges faced by the district. This is the first in a series of videos that will be utilized during the next few months. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4294 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The District has created a webpage containing information regarding the 2012-2013 budget process. Using “Quick Links” to the left of the homepage will bring you to this new page. Information will be updated regularly, and members of the community are encouraged to visit the webpage in order to remain current with the information being posted. Click here to visit the Budget Information Page http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3937 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to Anna Sato, Ward Melville High School senior, who has been named an Intel finalist for her research using nanotechnology to develop a passive filter capable of removing radioactive iodine and cesium from water. This project was inspired by the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. Anna is one of only five Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) finalists on Long Island, and one of only forty students selected nationwide. She will present her research in Washington, DC at the Intel Science Talent Institute in March, and has the chance to win up to $100,000 in scholarship money. Good luck Anna! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4306 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Students in the Global Language Honor Society of Murphy Junior High celebrated National Foreign Language Week. In recognition of this educational week, students offered cooking and culture classes in French, Italian and Spanish after school for fifth and sixth-grade students. During classes, the honor society members taught basic foreign language phrases and conducted a variety of hands-on cultural activities, including making crepes, piñatas and masks. Murphy students also celebrated the week by participating in trivia, door decorating and poster contests. In addition, ninth-grade honors students taught foreign language lessons to seventh-grade introductory classes. To conclude the week, Murphy held its fourth annual International Night. National Foreign Language Week was a great success for all those who participated. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4276 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Information concerning any weather related changes in the Saturday morning Jan. 21 LISFA Elementary Rehearsal at Elwood Middle School will be posted at www.lisfa.org. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4247 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to Rocco Morra, Anna Sato, Shubha Sekar, Jesse Xing and Jack Zhou on being named semifinalists in the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search. These five students are among 300 semifinalists selected nationally. Finalists will be announced later this month and will travel to Washington, D.C. in March to compete for a first prize of $100,000. Congratulations and good luck! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4185 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT First-grade students in Michael Dragotta’s class at Minnesauke celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a very special way. Students wrote letters, drew pictures and made cards that were sent to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, where their work will be displayed for all to see. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4194 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Three Village JHS Jazz Nite The Gelinas and Murphy Junior High School Jazz Programs directed by Mark Portugal and Todd Schievelbein will conduct their Sixth Annual Jazz Nite on Wednesday evening, January 18th. Students will participate in clinics and a performance developed specifically for the Jazz Ensemble students. Both Junior High Schools will host the Gary Henderson Nonet. The student musicians will begin Jazz Nite by attending clinics in small group settings for each individual instrument. During this one-hour segment the students receive jazz performance instruction from adult professional musicians highly proficient on their instruments. The Nonet is comprised of Long Island music educators and metropolitan area professional musicians. The group features a refined instrumentation of three saxophones, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass and drums. Following the clinics the Gary Henderson’s group of musicians will perform a one half-hour concert at 7:30pm in the Murphy Junior High School auditorium. The free concert is open to the public and will be attended by all of the Jazz Ensemble students, their parents, friends and jazz enthusiasts. The third segment of the event will bring the Gelinas and Murphy Jazz Ensembles on-stage, joining their professional mentors in a massed ensemble performance. The musicians will perform three songs that were rehearsed during the earlier clinic sessions. This event was created in order for the students to experience the jazz idiom in a non-competitive environment, while providing an atmosphere of concentrated efforts on jazz performance. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4200 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Registration forms for the March 30-31, 2012 NYSSMA Festival at Port Jefferson should be returned to your school music teacher no later than Jan.19. Registration forms can be found on the district web-site; click on music department, then important forms. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4214 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Please click here for brochure and registration information. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4219 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District would like to congratulate Ward Melville High School senior athletes Jordan Porretto (lacrosse), Alicia Ramos (lacrosse), Nicholas Nunziato (baseball), Frank Lucatuorto (lacrosse), John Edmonds (lacrosse), Andrew Archer (lacrosse), Ryan Kellerman (lacrosse), Jack Matthews (lacrosse), Ryan Buckley (lacrosse), James Coughlan (lacrosse) and Elizabeth Rullan (lacrosse/soccer) on signing letters of intent to play at the Division I and II collegiate and Service Academy levels. Also recognized for their commitment to play at the Division III collegiate level were Rebecca Arent (lacrosse), Caysea Cohen (golf), Adriana Morra (soccer) and Christopher Lilley (volleyball). In a room full of proud parents, coaches and administrators, students signed their letters and smiled for photos. “It is an honor to recognize these student-athletes and their parents for the time, effort and dedication they have given to their sport,” said Erin Blaney, Executive Director of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics in Three Village. Addressing the students, she said, “We are so proud of you and look forward to following your careers at the collegiate level.” Congratulations to these student-athletes! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4152 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Setauket Elementary School in the Three Village School District has a very special visitor every Monday at 11:00 am: Charlotte, a Brussells Griffon who was adopted four years ago by Arlene Leone, Special Program Manager at Little Shelter. Charlotte was a “throw away,” an unwanted dog, and when Arlene saw her, she knew she could provide a permanent home for her. Since 1927, the not-for-profit Little Shelter of Huntington has been the oldest no-kill shelter on Long Island. The staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to save the lives of companion animals like Charlotte whose lives are in jeopardy. The shelter operates on donations and has established the Little Shelter Humane Education Program, of which Charlotte takes part, as a way of giving back to the community. Charlotte is one of four reading dogs in the program. She has undergone weeks of training and is now able to visit schools like Setauket to work with students who need the additional support and confidence in their oral reading ability. Charlotte visits with six students on a weekly basis. The children take turns reading books to her and learn to interact with her as well as the other children in the group. This is the first year of the program at Setauket, and the changes in the students who have taken part have been positive. “The children are reading with much greater confidence,” said Leone. “It’s beautiful to see.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4142 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT January 13, 2012 at 5:30 pm Please click here for more information http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4086 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT On December 23, staff members of the Three Village School District had the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Roger B. Tilles, New York State Regent for the Tenth Judicial District, as he addressed the group during their Superintendent’s Conference Day. One of only 17 New York State Regents, and the representative for 126 school districts in both Nassau and Suffolk County schools, Regent Tilles discussed the NYS reform agenda, the 2% tax cap, and the Board of Regents’ goal of closing the performance gap between schools. “It was an honor to have Regent Tilles visit with our staff,” said Interim Superintendent Neil Lederer. “He is certainly a friend to education, and we truly appreciate his words. I hope his words resonate with the Governor, and that these reforms will be modified to benefit our students.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4040 Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Second-grade students of Kim Rosner’s and Jessica Oppenheim’s classes at Nassakeag Elementary enjoyed learning about and celebrating holiday traditions as part of the second-grade social studies curriculum. Students explored the similarities and differences of people living together in the same community. Through writing, literature, technology, cooking and art projects, the children shared their holiday traditions. Mrs. Rosner shared her family tradition of making and decorating chocolate houses with the students. She prepared 45 chocolate houses for the students of both classes to decorate with their parents during the annual in-school Chocolate House Party. The children were able to bring home their projects to share with their families during their holiday celebrations. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4043 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT SAVE THE DATE!!! TVTA Blood Drive! 12-6 pm Murphy More information to follow, but if you have questions now, please contact: John Black: jblack1@3villagecsd.k12.ny http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=4067 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT In early December, students of Ward Melville High School captivated a packed auditorium with three evening performances of Fiddler on the Roof, produced by the Ward Melville Music Department and the Ward Melville Players and directed by Linda Contino. The performance was a huge success. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3948 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Students of W.S. Mount Elementary School were visited by author, producer and New York Yankee advisor Ray Negron. Author of The Boy of Steel and The Greatest Story Never Told: The Babe and Jackie, Mr. Negron spoke to students about his life experiences and his newest book, One Last Time: Good-bye to Yankee Stadium, a story that honors the close of the original Yankee Stadium after 85 years. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3949 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Members of the student councils of R.C. Murphy Junior High School and Minnesauke and Arrowhead Elementary Schools took part in a “Stuff a Bus” event in which approximately 1,000 toys were donated, gathered and packed into a 17-foot box truck. They were delivered to the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch, where they will be shared with families in need. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3951 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Please log into the Campus Portal to view your child's report card. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3881 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Student representatives from W.S. Mount Elementary and P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Middle Schools attended the 11th annual Our Kids in Action Youth Conference (OKIA) Anti-Bullying Rally held at SUNY Farmingdale on Friday, December 2. OKIA highlighted teenagers on Long Island who have fought back against bullying by turning their experience into something positive that can benefit others in their communities and around the world. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3873 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT December 8, 9, & 10th at 8:00 pm WMHS Auditorium Call 730-4357 for tickets Click Here for more info and flyer http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3728 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students competed against each other in the “Battle of the Cans,” a program sponsored by the school’s student government and the National Junior Honor Society. Collecting more than 695 cans of food, the eighth-grade class won the competition. More than 570 cans were donated by the seventh graders and over 400 cans were collected by the ninth-grade class. In total, the students were able to present Brian Beedenbender, Chief of Staff for Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko, with over 1,660 nonperishable donations for the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau. The Bureau will, in turn, offer the cans to various agencies that will provide food to families throughout the community. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3703 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT More than 80 Three Village School District staff members, including administrators, teachers (retired and presently teaching), teaching assistants and substitutes, tried their hands in the world of theater production as they worked together to present The Wizard of Oz. The show raised money for the Three Village Teacher Association Scholarship Fund. The show, directed by Anthony Pollera, a theater arts and music teacher at R.C Murphy, ran from November 16 through 18. Every aspect of the show was conducted by members of the Three Village staff, from set construction and makeup application to costumes and music accompaniment. In addition, administrators acted as ushers during the performances to lend a helping hand. Bravo to the staff of the Three Village School District! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3668 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT First quarter report cards for all students in grades 7-12 are now viewable in the Campus Portal. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3617 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Auditor's Report - June 30, 2011 Financial Statements - June 30, 2011 Management Letter - June 30, 2011 http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3620 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT In late October, the Siemens Foundation announced the Semifinalists and Regional Finalists of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, revealing the brightest high school minds in contention for one of the nation’s most coveted teen science prizes. Ward Melville ranked third in New York State with five Semifinalists: Tyler Corsello, Fay Lin, Anna Sato, Murali Varadaraj, and Jack Zhou. This original research competition in math, science and technology for high school students is administered annually by the College Board, and awards college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 in individual and team categories. New York State placed first in the country with 57 Semifinalists. A record number of 1,541 projects nation-wide were received for the Siemens Competition this year. “I am continually amazed by the accomplishments of our InSTAR [science research program] students, and our Siemens Semifinalists are no exception,” said Principal Dr. Alan Baum. “It is amazing what these students are able to accomplish. They are owed a tremendous amount of credit for their determination, desire to learn and improve society, and motivation to succeed. It is also a credit to their parents, teachers and mentors who have encouraged them and guided their education. I am very proud of them and look forward to their further accomplishments.” Congratulations to these our hardworking research students! Siemens Semifinalists project list: Tyler Corsello-Stem cell gene, SALL4 represses target genes transcription through recruitment of DNA methyltransferases Xiaofei (Fay) Lin- Creating a Biocompatible Gelatin Model to Analyze the Effects of Substrate Rigidity on Cell Motility and Morphology Anna Soto- A Novel Adsorptive Filtration Approach for the Removal of Radioactive Isotopes of Iodine and Cesium from Water Jack Zhou- Multiplexed Molecular Imaging of Esophageal Cancer Using Molecularly Targeted SERS Nanoparticles and a Novel Endoscopic Probe. Murali Varadaraj- Unique Role of Aquaporin in Corneal Wound Healing http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3625 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to Ward Melville High School students Anthony Humphreys and Lindsay McCulloch on their selection as recipients of The New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYSAHPERD) Suffolk Zone Award. Each year, every high school in Suffolk County recognizes the top male and female physical education students based on the following criteria: physical education achievement, scholastic achievement, outstanding character, physical education class leadership, school-wide and/or community leadership, and positive role modeling. The health and physical education staff at Ward Melville High School were in unanimous in their selections. Congratulations Anthony and Lindsay! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3539 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Students in grades four through six at Setauket Elementary School had the opportunity to explore possible career paths and listen to presentations from members of the community during Setauket’s Annual Career Day. Visitors represented a variety of careers, ranging from orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists to inventors, policemen and art directors. Presenters explained the details of their occupation, including the schooling and determination required to take on the role. Students had the chance to ask questions and witness firsthand the possibilities that lay before them. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3490 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3470 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT On October 28, the gymnasium of the Murphy Junior High School was transformed into a cabaret for the over 800 people in attendance. A PTO fundraiser that began nine years ago, Cabaret Night at Murphy experienced its largest turnout ever this year. An event that once boasted a turnout of 150 guests in the cafeteria now packs the gymnasium. Audience members were entertained by musical performances, dance routines and comedy acts led by Murphy students, staff and parents. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3488 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to Emily Huang, a student enrolled at W.S. Mount, on being named a Long Island Young Scholar of Mathematics. Emily was one of only 75 students selected for this honor, placing her among the top one-tenth of one percent in math of all students on Long Island in her grade. Congratulations Emily, and keep up the great work! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3489 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT During the October 25 Board of Education meeting, Three Village Central School District Board President, John Diviney, announced that after several years of searching, the Board was prepared to announce the selection of a new Superintendent of Schools. In a unanimous decision, the motion passed to appoint Cheryl Pedisich, former Assistant Superintendent for Education, Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Personnel Services, to the position. Ms. Pedisich will officially assume the role of Superintendent effective July 1, 2012. She has been appointed Deputy Superintendent, effective immediately, which will allow her and Interim Superintendent of Schools, Neil Lederer, to work together and ensure consistency of the Board’s approaches and initiatives. The appointment of a permanent superintendent has been one of the major tasks of the Board this year. Faced with the critical need for a permanent District leader, the Board worked with a search consultant to assist in identifying the appropriate qualities of a superintendent. “I am proud and happy to announce that we have found the person we feel represents all of the attributes and qualities that the Board felt were critical in order to move us forward and afford us the stability to face the challenges that lie ahead,” said Mr. Diviney. When asked for her thoughts, Ms. Pedisich said, “This is a great honor. I have to thank everyone, most especially the Board of Education for their confidence in me. I look forward to this position with great enthusiasm and dedication, as we all work together to sustain and support the excellence of the Three Village School District.” Ms. Pedisich has worked within the District for over 28 years. A graduate of Long Island University - C.W. Post, she began her Three Village career as a counselor in the guidance department. She chaired the department before going on to become the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel, the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel, and ultimately, as of 2008, the Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel. According to Mr. Diviney, “[Ms. Pedisich] has exhibited significant success and tremendous achievement in all of her positions. She has been exposed to all aspects of the District and has the extensive knowledge and expertise in the educational issues that we confront.” He went on to praise the quality of her leadership, compassionate diligence and work ethic. “She represents the best of what we aspire to in the District in terms of our staff and our kids, and how we want to be envisioned as a District. She has an unwavering dedication and commitment to our kids and the future of their education.” “It’s a great day for the District,” added Mr. Lederer. “We will continue to work together and she will be well prepared to take over on July 1. The District will be left in good hands!” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3384 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT 2011-2012 Board of Education Goals http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3389 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Award-winning children’s book author, Jon Scieszka, spoke to the district's 535 fourth grade students who were bused to Ward Melville HS for the October 11 presentation. Mr. Scieszka, known for his witty The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! (told from the wolf’s point of view) and Stinky Cheese Man books, as well as his popular series books, Time Warp Trip and SpaceHeadz, held students spellbound for 45 minutes with tales of his growing up years as one of six brothers in Michigan. Mr. Scieszka gave his presentation pro bono, and even presented each of the 535 students with an autographed copy of his popular SpaceHeadz #1. The books were provided by the elementary school Parent-Teacher Associations. Click here for a multimedia slide show of the event! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3347 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Paul J. Gelinas Theatre Arts Program was proud to present its 9th Annual Adolescent Issue Play: Pickin' A Bullying Story. The Gelinas students performed on Wednesday, October 12, for their fellow 9th grade students during the school day and in the evening gave a free performance for the Three Village community. On Friday, October 14, they took the show "on the road" and performed 3 times for BOCES: Islip Career Center. The goal is to leave a lasting impression on students that will prevent bullying. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3352 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to Donald Della Pietra, a student co-enrolled at Gelinas and Ward Melville High School, on being named a Long Island Young Scholar of Mathematics. Donald was one of only 75 students selected for this honor placing him among the top one-tenth of one percent in math of all students on Long Island in his grade. He is currently participating in the Institute of Creative Problem Solving For Gifted and Talented Students at SUNY college at Old Westbury. Congratulations Donald and keep up the great work! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3285 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to the following students for being named a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Congratulations to the following fine young scholars: Jennifer Bohlman Tiffany Chang Dhruv Desai Rachel Gallagher Sean Han Lucy He Sara Herschander Jennifer Li Sonya Li Lee Lopez James Ninia Anna Sato Rachel Sclafani Shubha Sekar Lauren Todd Aretha Walls Alexander Wolfe Jonathan Yin Victor Zheng http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3368 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Students of the Three Village School District proudly displayed their scarecrow submissions for the 21st Annual Stony Brook Village Center Scarecrow Competition, with friends and family around to support them. Many schools in the District participated in the seasonal contest, including Mary Fernandes’ third-grade class from Arrowhead Elementary, who submitted “Docrow,” a character that came about after much brainstorming. “The class developed a list, with everyone adding their input. We then voted,” explained Mrs. Fernandes. “I discussed how this is a fair way of choosing the character, and the students were open to listening to their classmates’ ideas and opinions.” In addition, approximately 132 sixth-grade students, under the guidance of Arrowhead art teachers Rachel Condron and Chris Esser, showed off the seven-foot Play-Doh-themed scarecrow that they had designed, built, plastered and painted, which they accompanied with five oversized Play-Doh containers. Gelinas teacher Brian Scripture and members of the student government also created a submission in honor of breast cancer awareness month that was, as they described, “decked out in pink and featuring dancing ghosts.” The competition’s main purpose was to help decorate Stony Brook Village Center, but the students got much more out of it. "I didn't know it would be so much fun," said Jackie Sorvillo, a sixth grader at Arrowhead. All of the Three Village students embraced the idea of cooperating in order to create a masterpiece for their community. “I really liked how we all worked together,” remarked Erica Blaney, one of the Arrowhead students who participated in the construction of the scarecrow. “I also loved painting the Play-Doh buckets!” The scarecrows will be on display at the Stony Brook Village Center at Main Street on the Harbor until Monday, October 31. Voting ballots for the public are available in the stores located in the Village Center. Ballots will be accepted until Sunday, October 23. Winners will be announced at 2 pm on October 31. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3221 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village School District would like to congratulate Leanna O’Brien for being selected by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as a recipient of the 2011 NCTE Achievement Award in Writing. Leanna was one of only 520 students nationwide selected for this prestigious recognition. Congratulations also to Kelsey Weymouth-Little for her First Place Honor in the 2011 String Poet Poetry Contest honoring Women Writers of Tomorrow, a contest supported by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association. Kelsey was honored for a poem she submitted last spring. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3366 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Please check the Campus Portal for student grades. Open the Schedule and click on the "book" icon to open the grades for each course. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3202 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Honoring Mr. Vincent Vizzo, Principal and Mr. Mike Vitale, Community Member Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Old Field Club visit www.3vef.org for more information http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3216 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A link to our e-blast feature is located on the left side of the website under Quick Links labeled Sign Up for District Updates. We will e-mail you events going on throughout our district!! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3175 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT School will be in session on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - Election Day. December 23, 2011 will be a Superintendent's Conference Day for professional staff. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3176 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT PICKIN':A Bullying Story(Ninth Annual Adolescent Issue Play) at Paul J.GelinasJHS - Free Performance Wednesday, October 12, 2011 @ 7:00 PM in the Auditorium. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3177 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Click above for Registration Form and additional info. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3124 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Homecoming was huge success, despite a Patriots loss. Over 4,000 students, staff and community members were in attendance at the pre-game carnival, showing their support for the Patriots Homecoming game against William Floyd High School. The cheerleaders and marching band performed during the half-time show. The homecoming parade consisted of students from every school in the district displaying their “Inspire the World” themed banners. The winning banner was selected from Murphy Junior High School. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3130 Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT McGraw‐Hill Education is offering five of its ten Everyday Math Games Apps for FREE on September 24‐26, 2011 via the iTunes app store. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3107 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Annual Budget Yes – 323 No – 71 Thank you to all. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3096 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Click here to view a presentation made to the B.O.E. on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3070 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Please be advised that the L.I. Philharmonic Performance date has been changed to Thursday, March 8, 2012. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3058 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to the following students for being named a Semifinalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Three Village is very proud of these 12 academically talented seniors. They will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million. All the best! Andrew Aicher Daniel Hsu Julia Huang Stephen Karp Allison La Rocco Rocco Mora Murali Varadaraj Kelsey Weymouth-Little Anna Whitney Jesse Xing Ariel Yang Jack Zhou http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3061 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Jaclyn Steigert, a third-year earth science teacher at R.C. Murphy Junior High School, is being honored by STANYS (Science Teachers Association of New York State), an organization that aims to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science education. Ms. Steigert is this year’s recipient of the Fellows New Teacher Conference Award. This award benefits the career of a promising second- or third-year science teacher and supports his or her attendance at the 116th Annual STANYS Conference, which will be held at the Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, NY from November 5-8, 2011. As a participant in the conference, Ms. Steigert will attend a field trip into the Genesee River Gorge and attend special workshops. Congratulations! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3367 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village School community honors heroes, remembers those who were lost on 9/11 and commits to community service as a way to celebrate the spirit of America in a post 9/11 world. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=3009 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT This notice provides information for individuals who wish to apply for Federal assistance as a result of damage caused by hurricane Irene. The document contains English and Spanish versions of a notice prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) entitled “How Do I Apply for Disaster Assistance?” FEMA Community Relations staff has asked that we distribute the notice via Suffolk school districts. Click here for document “How Do I Apply for Disaster Assistance?” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2995 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The students of the Three Village School District enjoyed a successful first week of school. Everyone arrived with supplies in their school bags and smiles on their faces ready to learn. It was a great start to what will be a great year! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2984 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Click here for brochure http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2965 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Due to the power outages and damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene on Sunday, August 28, the Three Village School District was without power. As the days passed, individual schools began to regain their electricity. As of September 1, W.S. Mount Elementary School was the only school left in the dark wondering whether they would be able to open on time. There is no longer concern, as the power has been currently restored through the use of a generator. “We are very grateful to the District for providing us with a generator while we wait for power,” stated W.S. Mount Principal, Dr. Nathalie Lilavois. “As of right now, we are fully operational and will open with the rest of the District on September 6.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2946 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Due to power outages and hazardous road conditions, and in consultation with the Emergency Management Team, the start of school will occur on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. There will be NO school for students on Thursday, September 1 and Friday, September 2, 2011. Teachers, TA's and paraprofessionals - Staff meetings on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:45 am. More info to follow. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2914 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Gradebook workshop scheduled for August 27 has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 1 at 9:00 am. If you are interested in attending, please call 730-4040 to register. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2929 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Interim Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Edward Sallie, was acknowledged for his commitment and dedication to the District during the August 30th Board of Education Meeting held at Setauket Elementary School. Board President, John Diviney, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the work done by Mr. Sallie, and presented him with a plaque on behalf of the Board of Education “in recognition of his contributions and service to the Three Village School District.” Dr. Gary Dabrusky will hold the position of Assistant to the Superintendent for Human Resources moving forward. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2932 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT All faculty should report to WMHS on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 at 7:45 am for district wide staff meetings. We will follow an abbreviated schedule (that was mailed home in August) of grade level and department meetings at the HS. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2933 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Important announcements will also be communicated via WALK radio, 97.5. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2918 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT 10th grade schedule changes will occur on Wednesday, August 30, at 9:00 am at Murphy JH. HS guidance counselors will be at Murphy to handle all 10th grade schedule changes. 11th and 12th grade changes will not be done on Wednesday - those can be done during the first week of school in the guidance office. Please do not arrive prior to 9:00 am. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2922 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT September 21, 2011 – 2:00-9:00 pm Click here for more information Absentee Ballot Application http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2912 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to the several hundred students within the Three Village School District who were honored with Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. These awards are given to individuals or groups that have dedicated their time to improving the community through various service activities. Students received either a bronze, silver, or gold level award based on the number of community service hours they performed over a period of one year. Click to see the list of Students http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2907 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT JH Schedules will be available on Tuesday,August 23 at 9:00 am. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2895 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Please click here for offerings. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2869 Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Click Here for the 2011-2012 District Calendar The District Calendar can also be found under the Calendars tab. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2887 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The children of the Three Village School District had an opportunity to participate in the District’s engaging Summer Enrichment Program. The program, coordinated by the Director of School and Community Partnerships, Catherine Taldone, is offered annually. Students, both residents and non-residents of the District, were welcome to participate on a first-come, first-served basis in summer classes that not only enriched the curriculum, but encouraged individual interests and creative expression. On July 5, students ranging in age from those entering kindergarten to those entering ninth grade attended the classes they had selected from the possible 22 courses in the program. For the next ten days, in-District and out-of-District teachers and professionals engaged students as they were exposed to a wide array of subjects. Children were able to pursue their academic interests through courses such as Math Games Galore and Creative Writing, where they had the opportunity to explore their imagination and creativity. There was even a class called Getting Ready for Kindergarten, in which young students were prepared for the routines and program of kindergarten. Those interested in arts and crafts and the performing arts were thrilled to take part in classes like Children’s Theater, Creative Movement, Fun with Clay, and even courses like Sweet Tooth, where students explored the fun to be had with making food! Classes were also offered in special interest areas such as Digital Photography and Science Olympiad Adventures, where students experimented with science through hands-on activities. “Everyone seems very happy to be part of the program,” Ms. Taldone remarked. “Parents wish it were longer, students enjoy the classes because they chose them, and the teachers are there because they want to share a skill or hobby or teach a subject that they love. It's been a win-win for many years.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2888 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Our Infinite Campus portal view has been updated to be more user friendly!! Please make sure your portal account is working and ready to go for the fall!! The 2011-2012 schedules will be available later in August. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2870 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village School District warmly welcomes Dr. Gary Dabrusky to his new role as Assistant to the Superintendent for Human Resources. Dr. Dabrusky comes to the District with a great deal of educational experience. Most recently he served as the administrator for personnel and operations in the Plainedge School District. Prior to that he was the intermediate principal in the South Country School District, where he also held positions as elementary principal, summer school principal, assistant principal, and elementary school social worker. In addition to holding a master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Brooklyn College, Dr. Dabrusky received his doctorate in educational administration, leadership, and technology from Dowling College. He also received New York State certification as School District Administrator (SDA) and School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS) from Stony Brook University. When he is not spending time with his two sons, ages seven and four, he is coaching the Mount Sinai Soccer League or teaching at St. Joseph’s College, where he is an adjunct professor. Congratulations and good luck, Dr. Dabrusky! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2864 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s talented art students can add yet another accolade to their already impressive resumes – the honor of being named the $50,000 award-winning school in the 2011 Vans Custom Culture Contest. For the contest, art students Omar Field-Rahman, Mary Kate Anselmini, Robin Caselli, Kerilynn McDonald, Elizabeth Serdock-Porto, and Holly Manz worked beside teacher Jim Swierupski to complete original designs for the well-renowned shoe company. Competing against high school art classes from across the United States, Ward Melville was first named one of ten regional winners before being announced as the first-place winner in the national competition in early June. "This is an amazing moment for the students and Jim Swierupski,” stated Ward Melville Chairperson for Art and Technology Jennifer Trettner. “It's a wonderful example of what true teamwork can accomplish. When a team works together, anything is possible!" The students’ designs took approximately three weeks to complete. After sketching their designs, the students painted pairs of donated Vans sneakers to resemble their concepts. A panel of judges, including Vans artists and athletes, selected Ward Melville as the winning school during a final event in New York City and presented the building’s art department a $50,000 check. The students completed designs will be put on display in a museum and the students’ shoe designs might be reproduced for next spring’s shoe line. The art department’s teaching staff is in the process of examining the needs of the program and identifying the best ways to apply the winning prize to strengthen the school’s program. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2624 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School English Department Chairperson Nicole Waldbauer has been elected to serve as Long Island Language Arts Council (LILAC) Executive Board President during the 2011-2012 school year. Ms. Waldbauer has been a member of the executive board for the past six years and most recently served as the organization’s first vice president for the past two years. Ms. Waldbauer explains, “Being a part of this organization, especially in a leadership role, has allowed me to share best practices in the area of English instruction with teachers and administrations from across Long Island. It has provided an invaluable network of resources.” As the president, Ms. Waldbauer will also act as a liaison between the LILAC and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as well as the New York State English Council (NYSEC). http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2625 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School students enrolled in the school’s Woodworking and Principles of Engineering classes had the chance to hone their wood sculpting craft during an in-school field trip provided by the Long Island Wood Turners Association. Both Ward Melville teacher Mark Suesser and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School technology teacher Ed Moloney, who also assisted in the workshop, organized the workshop. During the workshop, the students learned how to turn several different types of wood into bowls and how to make acrylic pens. The students were able to keep their finished bowls and donated the completed pens to members of the armed forces through a “Freedom Pen” project. “These types of courses help to develop the students’ fine motor skills, teach them the design process, and challenge them to deal with problem solving,” stated Mr. Moloney. “I hope that by participating in this workshop the students take away an appreciation of wood turning and perhaps take it up as a hobby,” added Mr. Suesser. The Long Island Wood Turners Association received a grant from the American Association of Wood Turners to purchase the blades, mini lathes, and chucks used during the demonstration. The school received a “Learn and Serve America” grant, which covered the supplies to create the pens as well as a “Penn State Industries” donation, which provided the “Freedom Pen” kits. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2626 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT This May, the Ward Melville High School’s Varsity Girls Soccer team sponsored their annual “Lose the Shoes” fundraiser benefiting AIDS prevention in Africa. This fundraiser began as a grassroots effort and has become an international event led by Inspi(RED) Soccer. Juniors Caysea Cohen, Adrianna Morra, “JP” Porretto and Lizzy Rullan chaired the events and recruited their fellow teammates for their support and help. Students from fifth to twelfth grade and beyond “lost” their shoes to participate in the 3v3 Barefoot Soccer Tournament. Brackets were formed as teams played against each other for the “playoffs.” Players received chances to win a variety of baskets donated by local businesses. The day was beautiful, with 50 players losing their shoes to play and enjoying the food, music, and laughter at Ward Melville High School. The Varsity Girls Soccer team raised $831 this year for this worthwhile cause! Many of the team members are pictured here. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2579 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School tenth grader Phoebe McAuliffe and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh grader Katie Wang have been named winners in the 2011 Kenneth F. Gambone Writing Contest sponsored by the Long Island Language Arts Council (LILAC). For the competition, both students were called to submit their best piece of writing as well as complete a timed piece based on the prompt “The Promise of the Future.” Phoebe submitted her poem “Perfect” while Katie entered her piece “Midnight Sestina,” a poem about the moon, stars, and nature. Both students were honored for their winning pieces during the LILAC luncheon in May. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2580 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT As an extension of their social studies curriculum, fifth-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District stepped back in time when they recently participated in an immigration simulation. From the moment the students, who were dressed as early immigrants from Europe or Asia, stepped off the school bus and entered the building, they were transported to the year 1903 and challenged to play the role of a family ancestor who had immigrated to the United States. Prior to the event, the students researched a family ancestor who had immigrated to this country, learning about their ancestor’s life in his or her native country as well as during the immigration process. The students documented all of the details in a journal and used the information collected to create a profile on the ancestor they would embody on Immigration Day. “I used the website EllisIsland.com and spoke with my grandparents to learn more about my ancestor,” stated Shannon Grady, who passed through the simulated workshop as Martin Opila, Jr., her great-great uncle. “My favorite part was learning about how Martin’s last name was changed during the immigration process. Immigration in 1903 seemed to be a very challenging process, but the benefits of becoming an American citizen were well worth it. This process meant a new beginning for the immigrants.” During the event, the students made their way through “Ellis Island” and passed through a series of “immigration” stations, which checked the immigrants’ background, vocation, character, health, and ultimately cleared them for citizenship – but not before putting a few immigrants in “quarantine” or tasking them to repeat a station for re-evaluation. At the conclusion of the program, the students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Loyalty Oath. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2553 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Several talented young writers in the Three Village Central School District recently were recognized by the Promising Young Writers program for their creative submissions to the program’s annual contest. More than 1,000 students were nominated nationwide, of which 380 came from New York State. In New York, 111 students were selected as winners, with nine in the Long Island region, four of whom were from Three Village. Congratulations to R.C. Murphy Junior High School eighth grader Erika Riley and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School eighth graders Kimberly Koon, Sarah Martin, and Rachel Martin for their winning submissions. In addition to these students’ recognition, R.C. Murphy eighth graders Dasha Shavarina, Gabriella Benedicto, and Grace McBride were recognized for their submissions with Certificates of Participation. For the contest, the students were required to submit a copy of their best piece of writing and craft a short, timed piece according to the prompt “Looking for the Real Me.” Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges who assessed each composition’s content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style. The Promising Young Writers program represents the commitment of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to early and continuing work in the development of writing. The school-based writing program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize students’ writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students. Students currently in the eighth grade who are nominated by their schools may participate in the program. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2554 Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT After a comprehensive search process, the Three Village Central School District has appointed Kathryn White as the new principal of Setauket Elementary School, effective July 1, 2011. Ms. White has been working in the school district since 2009 as the assistant principal of Setauket Elementary School and has become a valuable asset to the learning community. “As the new principal, I look forward to working with the entire community, especially the children, to strengthen the Setauket spirit and establish our school as a leader in student achievement,” stated Ms. White. “I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to lead our building into the future. I look forward to working with our teachers in planning and successfully achieving standards-based quality instruction in every classroom to ensure that students experience lessons that are intellectually challenging, rewarding, relevant, enriching, and self-fulfilling.” During her tenure in education, Ms. White has served as an assistant principal in not only Three Village, but also in a Nassau County school and a New York City public school. She has worked with peers to strengthen their instructional craft and individual learning progression in all academic areas. Ms. White has also been a leader in districtwide staff development, and, as a trained literacy and math coach, has played an integral role in bolstering student success in these academic areas. As a seasoned educator, Ms. White holds an associate degree in early childhood education from Kingsborough Community College, a Bachelor of Science in science, letters, and society with a minor in elementary education from C.U.N.Y. at Staten Island, and a Master of Science in administration and supervision from Pace University. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2548 Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT 11 Ward Melville Seniors Sign National Letters of Intent Ward Melville High School in the Three Village School District is proud to announce that 11 seniors recently signed letters of intent with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to play on athletic teams at some of the top institutions of higher education. “These signings are a great testament to you, your families, and the hard work you put into becoming successful,” Director of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Erin Blaney stated during the signing. “This is an achievement garnered by only a small core of athletes each year and we at Ward Melville are proud of your athletic and academic achievements while you were in the Three Village Central School District.” In addition to being provided with the opportunity to compete against the top athletes from across the nation, several of the students were awarded financial scholarships. Congratulations to the following Ward Melville seniors and best of luck next year! Mary Kate Anselmini – Stanford University, Cross-Country/Track and Field Laura Barger – University of Pennsylvania, Fencing Abby Beltrani – Duke University, Field Hockey Haley Blunt – Adelphi University, Volleyball Samantha Jacobsen – Kutztown University, Field Hockey Samantha Jehle – Adelphi University, Soccer Sami Reilly – Quinnipiac University, Cross-Country Track Adam Schuster – Dowling College, Baseball Alexa Stonish – Stetson University, Beach Volleyball Lauren Tarantino – University of Connecticut, Field Hockey Callie Vitalo – Providence College, Field Hockey http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2555 Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary School third-grade students learned about electricity, important safety tips, different types of power, and fossil fuels when LIPA representative Peter Berman visited the building to conduct an informative workshop in honor of National Electric Safety Month. During the workshops, Mr. Berman shared his knowledge of working with electricity and even conducted a demonstration. Using a model house, he explained what would happen should a downed electric current enter the house from an outside source. “When it comes to electricity, if you make a mistake you most likely won’t get a second chance,” stated Mr. Berman, noting that the current travels through the system at 185,000 feet per second, but an individual’s reaction time is much slower. At the end of the program, each student received an activity book and teachers conducted follow-up discussions on the topics of electricity and magnets. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2507 Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Throughout the school year, Setauket Elementary School fifth-grade students in Adrienne D’Onofrio’s class have been engaging in community service projects with residents of Jefferson’s Ferry in South Setauket. The students have been meeting with the facility’s residents to participate in a variety of activities, the most recent being a spring planting project. After germinating a plethora of seeds, the cultivated flowers were planted in the gardens of the facility by the students. Following the plantings, the students had the chance to play games and socialize with the seniors. In addition to the class visits, several of Ms. D’Onofrio’s students participated in an “adopt a grandparent” program with some of the Jefferson’s Ferry residents. The class’s visits have been arranged with the help of retired Three Village teacher Ellen Young. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2508 Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School’s sixth-grade students have a tradition of creating a lasting piece of artwork as a graduation gift to the school they have attended for the past seven years. This year, working with art teacher Christine Fieldman, the building’s sixth-grade classes created alphabet calligram (words that make pictures) panels to hang in the school. The art and poetry was based on work completed by Minnesauke students four years ago (current ninth-grade students), many of whose siblings are now members of the sixth-grade class. These designs were used to create 4’x4’ panels for each letter of the alphabet. The completed designs were in the form of mixed media, mostly paintings, and each has a variety of collage or 3D elements. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2499 Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School students have been working together this spring on a recycling project they called “mine”-mize waste. From packing reusable items, such as lunch boxes, refillable water bottles, and reusable utensils, to packing items that come naturally wrapped (oranges and bananas), the students worked to help reduce the amount of garbage collected at the school. The school’s campaign culminated with an outdoor picnic in late May, during which discarded items were collected to be composted by a school parent. Keeping with the theme of recycling, sixth-grade students worked with teacher Nicole Connelly to create two life-sized copies of one of HA Schult’s “trash people,” which were made famous in Europe. Prior to creating Mr. and Mrs. Trash out of recyclable items donated by the school’s families, the students learned about ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. “We think that this is a great project for our grade level to do as we prepare to move up to junior high school,” stated sixth grader Giulia Boyle. “We are not only helping to make a difference not only in our school but also in our community by setting an example for the younger students.” “Everyday people create garbage,” stated Ms. Connelly. “There are about six billion people on Earth who regularly throw things away. The sixth-grade students wanted to take some of that trash and put it to good use.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2500 Sat, 21 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Continuing with their mission to educate students and community members on the dangers of substance abuse and the ramifications of bullying, the Three Village Central School District hosted their second drug and bullying prevention workshop of the year in early May. The event started with a one-hour panel discussion featuring several health professionals as well as a member of law enforcement, followed by three workshop programs. Students interested in attending this year’s senior prom were required to participate in the evening’s program and a workshop called “Sobering Facts – Learn How to Stay Safe While Having Fun.” “When you are dealing with drugs, you are dealing with death,” stated physician Dr. William Konczynin, who noted that an average of eight people from across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Manhattan die every day due to drug overdoses. “Only by working together can we make a difference. I encourage each of you to look out for your friends and to be there for each other,” added school social worker Debbie Johnston. The evening’s attendees found the forum informative and educational. In addition to the workshop noted above, other workshops focused on tips to follow when hosting or attending a party and how to safely navigate social networks and the Internet. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2437 Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary School fifth-grade student Julia Hu has been named the New York State winner of the 2011 “SunWise with SHADE” Annual Poster Contest, sponsored by the SHADE Foundation of America and the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency. Julia’s winning entry showcased the importance of using sunscreen all year long and why it is essential to be “SunWise.” To see a copy of Julia’s winning entry, visit the SHADE Foundation’s website at http://shadefoundation.org/voting/national/posters.php. The poster contest, in its fifth year, is conducted each year by the New York State Department of Health (the Department) in collaboration with SHADE and the EPA to teach children ways to protect their skin and eyes from excessive sun exposure. It is also a fun and interactive way to teach young children the importance of practicing sun-safe behaviors. This year the New York Skin Cancer Program received over 4,000 eligible posters from schools across the state. Each student who submitted a poster received a certificate of achievement as a "sun expert" and an ultraviolet (UV) bracelet. The bracelets change color when exposed to the sun’s UV rays and are a popular tool to remind children to practice sun-safe behaviors. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2436 Sat, 14 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Although the school was closed for spring break during this year’s official Earth Day, students at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District did not let that stand in their way of working to create a waste-free living environment at the end of April. “Recycling is something that we should do all year round,” stated sixth grader Kathryn Leung. “Through this type of project we are working to build a better future for our future generations.” With the help of the sixth-grade students in Robyn Weinstein’s class, the school’s K-6 students successfully participated in a recycling campaign that focused on having students bring lunches from home in reusable packages. The students also made posters about recycling and participating students documented ways in which they have worked to “be green” in school or at home. The school’s PTA generously donated a Barnes and Noble gift card for each class to use to purchase a book on recycling. “According to research, it takes between 10 and 20 years for a plastic bag to breakdown and decompose,” stated sixth grader Ryan Cassidy. “We hope that by using recyclable materials we are doing our part to put less pollutants in the world, in particular the ocean.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2435 Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Thirty-one Ward Melville High School juniors have embarked on the journey of becoming a National Merit Scholarship winner as it was recently announced that they have qualified for the first round of this highly-regarded competition. The annual scholarship program is based on students’ scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). With a Selection Index of 202 or higher, each of these students is ranked among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants of the approximate 1.5 million program entrants. In this first stage of the competition, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, who sponsors the competition, will be refer each student to the two colleges or universities in the United States in which they are especially interested in attending. Of the more than 50,000 students achieving this status, about 16,000 will be named National Merit Program Semifinalists, representing the top scorers in each state, and approximately 34,000 additional high scorers will be commended for their performance. Semifinalists and Commended Students in the 2012 program will be announced in September. Students named Semifinalists will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, to be offered in the spring of their graduating year, 2012. Congratulations to the following junior who have qualified for the first round of the competition: Andrew Aicher Jennifer Bohlman Tiffany Chang Dhruv Desai Rachel Gallagher Sean Han Lucy He Sara Herschander Daniel Hsu Julia Huang Stephen Karp Allison Larocco Jennifer Li Sonya Li Lee Lopez Rocco Morra James Ninia Anna Sato Rachael Sclafani Shubha Sekar Lauren Todd Murali Varadaraj Aretha Walls Kelsey Weymouth Anna Whitney Alexander Wolfe Jesse Xing Ariel Yang Jonathan Yin Victor Zheng Jack Zhou http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2365 Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Science Olympiad teams from P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools in the Three Village Central School District placed second and third, respectively, in the NYS Science Olympiad Tournament this April. With a second-place win, the team from P.J. Gelinas has qualified for the National Tournament. A total of 40 teams from throughout New York State competed in 25 events, which ranged from building towers and robots to demonstrating knowledge of ecology, fossils and forensic science. Science Olympiad competitions ask students to apply the principles of biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, problem solving and technology to events that ask competitors to do everything from constructing a trebuchet catapult to reconstructing a crime scene. The Science Olympiad brings out the talents, resourcefulness, teamwork and skills of the top young scientific minds in the state. P.J. Gelinas’s and Ward Melville’s Science Olympiad teams will compete in a field of 60 of the best teams in the nation at the 2011 National Tournament, which will be held at the University of Wisconsin in Madison this May. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2298 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Math teams from Setauket, Minnesauke, Arrowhead, and W.S. Mount Elementary Schools in the Three Village Central School District participated in the annual Suffolk County Math Tournament held in early April at Stony Brook University. During the event, 45 teams comprised of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from across Suffolk County competed in two different categories – individual and team. In the sixth-grade team competition, W.S. Mount placed first and third and in the fifth-grade team competition, Arrowhead placed third. In the individual competition, which included participants from all grade levels, trophies were given to the top ten students. W.S. Mount students placed exceptionally well, as Sophia Abanov placed second, Albert Liu placed third, Dylan Masters placed fifth, Emily Huang placed eighth, and Kathryn Zhao placed ninth. Setauket Elementary student Ian Baram took sixth place in the individual competition. Out of 16 possible trophies Three Village students were awarded nine. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2297 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Following a blight in the 1950s, all but two Long Island American Chestnut trees were destroyed – a problem that the fifth-grade students in Brigit DiPrimo’s class at Arrowhead Elementary School are working to correct. Since early winter, the class worked to germinate 20 resistant American Chestnut seeds donated by the American Chestnut Foundation. After planting the seeds in calcium-free soil and tending to the plantings, four saplings grew in a pop-up greenhouse at the school. In celebration of Earth Day, the class planted the saplings in the school’s courtyard. Once fully grown, the trees could stand as tall as 630 feet and are expected to begin producing chestnuts in two to three years. For this initiative, the class was named a New York State runner-up in the Disney Planet Challenge. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2296 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT After an impressive showing at this year’s regional FBLA competition, Ward Melville High School’s FBLA team dominated the competitions at the FBLA competition in Rochester, NY this April. The team, which is advised by Ilene Littman, received 17 awards, and eight of its members qualified to compete in this year’s national competition. This is the ninth consecutive year that a team from Ward Melville has achieved a bid to attend the national competition, which will take place in Orlando, FL during the last week of June. Congratulations to the following students who placed during the NYS FBLA Competition: Student(s) Placement Competitive Event(s) Joanna Jin 2nd Place Jesse Xing 1st Place 2nd Place Cyber Security Technology Concepts Lily Chen 1st Place 4th Place Digital Video Production Technology Concepts Victor Zheng 4th Place Business Communications Sean Han 1st Place 5th Place Business Calculations Parliamentary Procedures Michelle Liao 1st Place 2nd Place Intro to Parliamentary Procedures Business Math Jonathan Yin 1st Place 3rd Place 3rd Place Networking Concepts Computer Problem Solving Cyber Security Alexa Rohan 4th Place Basic Decision Making Jenny Li 1st Place 5th Place Business Procedures Computer Problem Solving Julia Huang Jenny Li 2nd Place Business Ethics http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2295 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT While they still have a few years ahead of them before they will enter the workforce, students at W.S. Mount Elementary School and Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District recently took a look at their futures when they learned firsthand about a variety of careers during the school’s career day programs. At Mount, the entire school had the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of presenters during their Career Lab, which was structured into four interactive workshop sessions. During the program, students had the chance to learn about the careers of a lawyer, hairstylist, orthopedist, cardiologist, news reporter, and pastry chef. Nassakeag’s fourth through sixth-grade students had a similar experience during their school’s Career Day. After selecting career topics that interested them, the students spent the morning learning about such professions as acupuncture, anesthesiology, culinary arts, event planning, law enforcement, and veterinary medicine. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2294 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School students celebrated world cultures and languages during the months of March and April as part of the Global Language Department’s Foreign Language Appreciation Month. Throughout the month, students embarked on field trips to Ellis Island, participated in poster and door decorating contests, and had the chance to learn about the cultures of several French, Spanish, and Italian-speaking regions, as well as a few other select areas. This year’s International Month culminated just before the spring break at the school’s annual International Night. During the evening program, attendees had the chance to sample dishes from around the world, some of which were prepared by the Global Language Honor Society, and enjoy a variety of live entertainment, including performances by dancers and vocalists. Additionally, a traveling exhibit of Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, and Claude Monet was on display and the winners of the poster and door decorating contests were announced. Congratulations to eighth grader Kristen Gonzalez, who was named the poster contest winner, and to the students in Jackie Korzenko’s and Andrea Farley’s classes for winning the door decorating contest. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2293 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School students continually engage in community service opportunities during the school year. Most recently, the sixth-grade classes coordinated a fundraiser for the Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Center in Islandia, NY. The project was initiated by sixth grader Elaina Massimo, whose two brothers often visit the site. “My brothers really enjoy going to Pal-O-Mine and I think it is a great place for children of all ages to visit,” stated Elaina. “I am proud of how my peers have come together to help this great place.” For two dollars apiece, Nassakeag students purchased thousands of silicone wristbands reading “Nassakeag Cares” for this cause. As a result of the school’s generosity, $2,600 was raised for the organization. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program that teaches skills to individuals of all ages with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. The program promotes self-esteem and confidence, as well as improves posture, balance, hand-eye coordination and muscle tone. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian currently teaches over 200 students weekly. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2292 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School second-grade students celebrated New York Agricultural Literacy Week when Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher visited the building’s classrooms to share the story Chicks & Chickens by Gail Gibbons and proudly show off a hen named Simone, one of the Legislator’s five chickens from home. During the celebration, the students learned about the variety of products that the poultry industry provides and had the chance to take an up-close look at Simone. This visit was an educational complement to the lessons the students had been learning in their science unit. New York Agriculture in the Classroom is a partnership of Cornell University, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, NYS Education Department, and NY Farm Bureau. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2291 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School students learned about fitness in a whole new way this spring when they participated in the iGame4 Fitness Program during their physical education classes. The program, which was provided by the school’s PTA, promoted physical fitness and healthy lifestyles by integrating activity-based video games into the school curricula. During their classes, the students rotated through thirteen fitness stations, each featuring a large screen, projector, video game console, and a select curriculum-related video game that kept the students active and their heart rates up. The games focused on endurance, flexibility, balance, and overall health. Students were encouraged to choose similar types of activities when they desired to play video games at home. As an extension of the weeklong program, the students and their families were invited to participate in Fitness Night at the school. During the event, the iGame4 was featured and attendees had a great time learning how to be active while playing a game. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2290 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Continuing their on-going efforts to revitalize the Nature Preserve on the campus of W.S. Mount Elementary School, the building will host a community clean-up program on Saturday, April 16th starting at 8:30 a.m. Individuals as well as groups (scout troops, teams, clubs, etc.) are invited to register (either before the day or on-site) for this event, which is coordinated as part of the 4th Annual Great Brookhaven Clean-up Day. For more information about the clean-up or to pre-register, please visit Mount School’s website, which can be linked to through the Three Village Central School District page, www.threevillagecsd.org. Questions can also be addressed to Mount Principal Nathalie Lilavois at 730-4300. Every spring, individuals and groups join the Great America Clean-up initiative, the nation’s largest organized clean-up, beautification, and community improvement program to help make a difference in their local community. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2237 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that several talented student-artists from Ward Melville High School and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School received high commendations during this year’s Long Island Media Arts Festival at Five Towns College. Ward Melville photography students Ryan Dorfman, Sam Halleen, Dali Jung, Stephanie Leonardi, Xavier Petromelis, Toussaint Rosefort, and Kailey Vern all received an honorable mentions; Kailey Vern also received Best in Show. P.J. Gelinas media art students Trevor Munch and Alan Wei received honorable mentions for their photography as well. Advanced Advertising seniors Kevin Kiriluk and Alexis Fallon received a Best in Show for their public service announcement/video, “Every Seven,” on bullying and cyber bullying. This video will now move on to the Westhampton Beach Film Festival. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2238 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that as a result of continued scholastic achievement and academic promise, all six of Ward Melville High School’s National Merit Semifinalists have been named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. These seniors, Robin Caselli, Kevin Chen, Shannon Csorny, Emmanuel Kim, Alexa Krupp, and Ilana Scandariato, were announced as Semifinalists in the program last fall based on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores, and now have the chance to receive some of the 8,400 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million. Additionally, Ward Melville High School senior, Sasha McIntosh has been named a Finalist in the 2011 Competition for National Achievement Scholarships. She has now qualified to receive some of the 800 Achievement Scholarships from the competition. These scholastic programs present high school seniors with scholarships to be used towards their pursuit of a degree in higher education. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2239 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District’s annual Spring into Art show will take place on Saturday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization Education and Cultural Center located in the Stony Brook Village Center. This is a free event for the community and will feature artwork completed by students in grades K-12. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2240 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team continued their winning season as several members placed first, second, or third during the Nassau/Suffolk County FBLA Competition held at Molloy College in Rockville Center. Due to their excellent results, the following students will be competing in Rochester, New York this April. This is the ninth consecutive year the school will be represented at the state level of the FBLA competition. Congratulations to the following award-winning students: Lily Chen - 1st Place in Technology Concepts Julia Huang - 2nd Place in Business Calculations Jonathan Yin - 2nd Place in Business Communications Michelle Liao - 1st Place in Business Math Rocco Morra - 3rd Place in Economics Amy Zhu - 2nd Place in Introduction to Business Upasna Malhotra - 2nd Place in Introduction to Business Communications Alexa Rohan - 1st Place in Basic Decision Making Ian O’Brien - 1st Place in Job Interview Joanna Jin - 1st Place in Public Speaking I Rocco Morra - 2nd Place in Public Speaking II Ajay Shah - 3rd Place in Impromptu Speaking http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2241 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT In addition to the school’s first-place win during the Regional Science Olympiad competition, the Science Bowl team from R.C. Murphy Junior High School took first place in the Regional Science Bowl Competition held at Brookhaven National Lab in late March. Two teams from Murphy (Team 1 and Team 2) participated in this year’s competition. The competition consisted of fast-paced Jeopardy-style questions based upon math, life science, chemistry, earth science, astronomy and physical science. There was also a car racing component to the competition, during which the students have to design and build a car using a hydrogen fuel cell supplied by the National Science Bowl organization. The car had to traverse a ten-meter track in the fastest time possible. As first-place winners, Murphy’s Team 1 will represent the region at the National Science Bowl competition in Washington, D.C. in late April. Congratulations to both Murphy teams and advisor Patrick McManus! R.C. Murphy Team #1 Felix Wang - 8th grader & Captain Daniel Redlinger - 8th grader Matt Cornell - 8th grader Rajiv Moturu - 7th grader Jake Welde - 8th grader R.C. Murphy Team #2 Michael Badalamenti - 7th grader & Captain Michael Skolnick - 8th grader Kevin Cao - 7th grader Alexander Gilson - 7th grader Keshav Subramanian - 8th grader http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2153 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT From hit 80’s songs to the story of an orphan child who captures the hearts of audiences, theater enthusiasts in Three Village rejoiced this March when they were treated to two wonderful musical performances thanks to the talented student-actors at R.C. Murphy and P.J. Gelinas Junior High Schools. Murphy students gave a stellar performance in Footloose, while those from Gelinas put on an equally impressive show in Oliver! From the opening numbers the audiences were impressed by the students’ talents and the high-quality caliber of the productions. The months of hard work and preparation were evident during the sold-out performances and had many feeling as those they were on Broadway. This year’s musicals were directed by Anthony Pollera (Murphy) and Melissa Davis (Gelinas). http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2154 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Eighth Graders Attend Career Fair to Gain Insights into a Variety of Professions Did you know what career field you wanted to enter when you were in junior high school? Well, the eighth-grade students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District got a jump-start on planning for their futures when a variety of area businesses visited the school for a Career Awareness Day Fair coordinated by the school’s Career Awareness Committee. During the event, the eighth graders spoke with a variety of professionals about their jobs, educational background, and how to best prepare to enter those fields. The career fair featured businesses in the areas of technology, trades, entrepreneurship, sports, medicine, law enforcement/public services, military services, and entertainment. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2152 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT To Purchase Tickets Contact (631) 730-4357 Ward Melville High School’s Concert Choir, Women’s Choral Ensemble, Camerata, and Chamber Orchestra will once again perform a major choral and orchestral work on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 8:00 p.m., at the Tilles Center located on the campus of Long Island University – C.W. Post. This special concert will be presented under the direction of Guest Conductor Lawrence Doebler of Ithaca College and will feature a quodlibet mass, which is a major work for choir and orchestra comprised of the melodies of numerous major works, such as Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Tickets are $25 and are available through participating students, or by calling (631) 730-4357. Sponsorships are also available to support the event. Since 1994, Ward Melville’s Choral Director, Linda Contino, and Orchestral Director, Phil Preddice, have been collaborating on major choral and orchestral works. Both teachers feel that every student in the choir and orchestra should have the opportunity to perform such a work at least once while in high school. This performance marks the final gala performance by Phil Preddice, who will be retiring at the end of this school year. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2142 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that with eight gold medals, the Science Olympiad Team from R.C. Murphy Junior High School placed first in this year’s New York State Regional Science Olympiad Tournament. Additionally, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s Science Olympiad Team placed second in the regional competition with six gold medals. At the conclusion of the competition, the teams were tied based on points (47 in 16 events) and the number of gold medals awarded determined rank. A total of 40 teams from 26 schools participated in this year’s tournament. As a result of these victories, both schools will be sending teams to the New York State competition. Additionally, Ward Melville High School’s Science Olympiad team placed second out of 50 teams from across the state during the New York State Science Olympiad Tournament at the end of March. With this win the team has qualified to compete in the national tournament, which will be held at the University of Wisconsin in late-May. In order to qualify for the state tournament, Ward Melville’s team placed second at the Eastern Long Island Regional Tournament, held in February. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2089 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT A celebration of global language commenced at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in March in conjunction with the nationally honored Foreign Language Week. Spreading their celebration over a month, the students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School will have the opportunity to learn about the languages they have been studying in new and exciting ways. From field trips to Ellis Island to poster, trivia, and door-decorating contests, the students will have the chance to learn about the cultures of several French, Spanish, and Italian-speaking regions, as well as a few other select areas. To kick off this year’s Global Language Month, the members of the school’s Global Language Honor Society coordinated several afterschool activities for the community’s fifth and sixth-grade students. With the help of R.C. Murphy French teacher Jacqueline Korzenko, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School French teacher Anna Maria Raney, and Murphy’s Global Languages Chairperson Kerri Golini, the school hosted a French cooking class, which was attended by more than 50 students in the community. During the event, the attendees learned how to make a croque-monsieur sandwich and how to speak a few helpful French sayings. Later in the month, the school coordinated an Italian afternoon, during which attendees learned to make Carnevale masks. They also held a Spanish-themed workshop, where attendees had the opportunity to create piñatas. This year’s International Month will culminate on April 14 with the school’s annual International Night. During the evening program, which will commence at 6:00 p.m., attendees will have the chance to sample dishes from around the world, some of which will be prepared by the Global Language Honor Society, and enjoy a variety live of entertainment, including performances by dancers and vocalists. Additionally, a traveling exhibit of Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, and Claude Monet will be on display. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2088 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District congratulates W.S. Mount Elementary School fourth grader Dana Chiueh for placing second in the Long Island Spelling Bee finals on Thursday, March 10. Dana competed in the competition against 20 other students in grades 4-8 from across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including R.C. Murphy Junior High School seventh grader Ashley Hong and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh grader Dana Smith. Ashley successfully completed seven rounds in the competition and Dana was ranked seventh in the contest. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2087 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District was excited to learn about poetry in a new way when award-winning poet, motivational speaker, and children’s book author Darren Sardelli visited the school in early March. During the assembly, which was sponsored by the school’s PTA, Mr. Sardelli brought poetry to life by performing several of his funny poems for the fifth-grade students. He also spoke about the importance of writing down ideas and the wonderful things that can be created with those ideas. As an extension of their classroom studies on poetry, the students had the chance to create original funny poems with the help of Mr. Sardelli. They were excited to learn how to infuse humor into their poetry and were eager to create several catchy poems of their own. Mr. Sardelli’s poems are featured in twelve children’s books in the U.S. and England and six textbooks in the Netherlands, Germany, and Israel. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2086 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT In an effort to be more energy efficient and as part of the District’s scheduled capital projects, the Three Village Central School District partnered with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to upgrade its facilities by participating in LIPA’s Efficiency Long Island/Commercial Efficiency Program. Through this partnership, the District completed several upgrades to the lighting systems in each of its eight school buildings and at the North Country Administrative Office. These projects included: - Replacing more than 16,000 inefficient fixtures with energy-efficient high-performance T8 light bulbs - Installing more than 700 occupancy sensors - Installing a 5 kW photovoltaic (electrical) system With these improvements, it is estimated that the District will save approximately 996,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. As lighting constitutes for the largest portion of energy used in commercial buildings, often accounting for 25-30% of a facility’s total energy consumption, the financial savings equated with these upgrades are sure to be beneficial to the District’s overall operations. The District was able to offset the cost of these upgrades with a $197,500 rebate from LIPA. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2085 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School student Arezu Esmaili has won the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing. The NCWIT honors young women at the high school level for their computing-related achievements and interests and selects winners based on their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing offers both national and local "affiliate" competitions to generate support and visibility for women's participation in communities nationwide. Arezu will be recognized at an award ceremony in Manhattan at the Eventi Hotel on May 24. She applied for this honor after attending the Tech Prep summer camp, and she was endorsed by Murphy teacher Brian Pickford. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2084 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT After applying their keen understanding of world geography during the schools’ geography contest (sponsored by the National Geographic Society) this past winter and placing well during subsequent qualifying tests, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School eighth grader Jessica Ju and R.C. Murphy Junior High School seventh grader Jasper Chen have been selected to compete in the New York State Geography Bee this April. During the competition, these two students will compete against 98 peers from throughout the state for a chance to take part in the national competition in Washington, D.C. The Three Village Central School District congratulates both Jessica and Jasper and wishes them well at the state competition. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2031 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School eighth grader Jake Welde was recognized on the regional level of The Scholastic Writing Awards of 2011 and was presented with the Gold Key Award for his short story “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Golden Idol.” This year, 185,000 works were submitted to the competition, 12,000 of which received Regional Gold Keys. As a regional winner, Jake’s piece was submitted to the national level of judging. Winners in this category will be announced on March 11. Approximately 1,500 young artists and writers will earn recognition at the national level. Since 1923, these awards have recognized some of America’s most celebrated writers for when they were teenagers. This competition is presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2030 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School senior Nevin Daniel has earned a number of national recognitions this school year for his work as a science research student. This February, he was granted another prestigious honor. Nevin was selected as a winner in the 2010-2011 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, for which he was presented with a college scholarship. Nevin was selected for this award based on his exceptional performance on the math and science Advanced Placement exams. Only one male and one female student in each of the 50 states are awarded this scholarship. Nevin is pictured here with Ward Melville Principal Dr. Alan Baum proudly displaying the plaque he received for this honor. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=2029 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Inspired by a recent visit to the United Nations, the Student Government at R.C. Murphy Junior High School has challenged their peers to help “collect” one million grains of rice by participating in a web-based program through the World Food Programme. The website, freerice.com, challenges users to answer trivia questions in a variety of subjects ranging from art to geography to science and foreign language. For each question the students answer correctly, the website donates 10 grains of rice. “It only takes a few minutes to answer the questions, and in those few minutes we are working to make a difference and end world hunger,” stated ninth grader Katelyn Winter. “With a click of the mouse we are making a difference halfway around the world; I enjoy visiting the site in my downtime and watching our total grow each day,” added eighth grader Michelle Antonio. To date, the school has “collected” approximately 600,000 grains. While involved in this project, the Student Government also worked to make a difference at the local level. The students sold silk roses for $1 during their lunch periods, and all of the money collected (a total of $850) was donated to the Murphy Food Pantry. Additionally, just before the February break, a school dance was coordinated at the school with the help of the Student Government and student Sophia Stoddard. The proceeds from the dance were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the name of Aidan Binkley. Aidan was Sophia’s cousin who recently passed away from cancer, but not before getting his wish to meet the NY Jets. With the help of the Student Government, Sophia worked to coordinate this event as a means of “paying it forward” in Aidan’s name. Thanks to her effort and donations received from the community, this endeavor collected $2,700 for the organization. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1951 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Structured after the book “Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-it Note at a Time,” several sixth-grade students at Nassakeag Elementary School have been working with School Psychologist Dr. Karen Futtersak and intern Amanda Soldano to inspire the school’s sixth-grade girls to foster a deeper sense of self-confidence. By placing post-it notes around the school, the students are encouraging their peers to think positively about themselves, recognize the positive character traits they possess, and know that they are beautiful, both inside and out. Speaking to what they hope their peers will take away from the program, sixth grader Julia Hoffmann stated, “I hope that others will feel inspired to pay it forward and that the notes will help them have a better day.” Looking to the future, Kayleen Litka noted that she hopes the effects of the program will spread to the junior high school level and beyond. Originally, Nassakeag’s 20 Operation Beautiful Task Force members met with Dr. Futtersak and Ms. Soldano in small groups and worked to create special notes for the school’s female faculty members and sixth graders. “Sixth grade is such a transitional year; we wanted to do something to help encourage the students to feel good about themselves and to create a goodwill environment,” noted Dr. Futtersak. “We have received such positive feedback from the students, faculty members, and parents – everyone seems to be enjoying the project.” “The reactions we are seeing when someone finds a post-it note are amazing,” commented Lauren Senia. “I think it is helping everyone to feel more confident about themselves and others.” Operation Beautiful was started by author and blogger Caitlin Boyle, who placed a post-it note in a public restroom that stated “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.” From there the “operation” evolved into the workplace and has attracted attention across the nation. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1944 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary School will be hosting its 3rd Annual Nintendo Wii fundraising event on Friday, March 18. All of the money raised during this event will be donated to the ALS - Ride for Life Foundation, benefiting those afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as their families. The event will take place from 5pm-8pm in the school's cafeteria. In addition to playing the Wii version of MarioKart, attendees will have the chance to win a variety of prizes. Over the last seven years, the Mount Community Service Team, with the tremendous help of the school's students and staff, has raised more than $20,880 for this organization. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are welcome to attend and put their "driving" skills to the test with Wii MarioKart. Only students with a parent or chaperone will be admitted. The school kindly asks for a donation of $5 to play. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1925 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Arrowhead Elementary School students came together just before Valentine’s Day this year to create handwritten cards for the residents living in the Atria Senior Living Facility and in Jefferson’s Ferry in Setauket. The fourth-grade students in Alexandra Gallagher’s class and their buddy class taught by Michele Turner sparked the initiative, which collected hundreds of cards from the entire school. Pictured here are the students in Ms. Gallagher’s and Ms. Turner’s classes displaying some of their handmade cards. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1906 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that W.S. Mount Elementary School fourth grader Dana Chiueh, R.C. Murphy Junior High School seventh grader Ashley Hong, and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh grader Dana Smith have all qualified to advance to the final round of the Long Island Spelling Bee, which will be held this March. These talented spellers will be competing against students in grades four through eight from school districts across Long Island. Dana, Ashley, and Dana will be mentored by their English teachers as they prepare for the final round of the competition. The winner of this competition will represent Long Island in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1864 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT As a follow-up to the Rachel’s Challenge assembly program conducted at the school earlier this year, the first and second-grade students at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District are committed to fulfilling their pledge to accept Rachel’s challenge of leading a kind and compassionate life by participating in a newly-formed school club. The Kindness and Compassion Club or KC Club, is just one of the ways the elementary school is promoting the message of the program and encouraging students to embrace its challenges. The club, which meets twice a month and currently has 73 members, teaches others that kind actions truly do make a difference in the lives of others. Through activities focused on showing appreciation to the various staff members at Nassakeag, the students are working to spread their mission. During their meetings, the students have been creating thank you cards to show their appreciation to the school’s custodial staff, food service workers, and, most recently, the school nurse and secretary. All of the completed cards have been put on display in the hallway outside the cafeteria to remind those passing by of the importance of thanking others for their kindness. The messages of Rachel’s Challenge are also being introduced in classroom lessons and through a variety of exercises. Students are being recognized for the acts of kindness they demonstrate by inscribing their names on paper links, which when combined serve as a symbol of the school’s commitment to create a chain reaction – the underlying mission of the Rachel’s Challenge program. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1863 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Fourth-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District participated in a unique cultural arts social studies program entitled “Journeys into American Indian Territory.” The program is designed to enrich lessons about Native Americans taught in the classroom. Cultural anthropologist Robert Vetter and co-presenter Eric Powers visited the school to teach students about the history and culture of Native Americans. Students listened during the school assemblies as the presenters spoke firsthand about tribal traditions, which included games, arts and crafts, and songs and dances. The students also embarked on walking tours through a museum set up on the stage in a classroom. They were excited to have the chance to see historical artifacts such as bows and arrows, period clothing worn before European contact, and a replica longhouse. Additionally, the students had the chance to create Woodlands-style clay pots and learn how the Iroquois government operated. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1862 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Through several fundraising programs, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School has secured more than $31,000 in donations to aid in the construction of a new Children’s Hospital at Stony Brook University. This total represents three times the pledged donation the school aimed to achieve; an accomplishment that was made possible thanks to matching donations of $10,000 from Dr. Pam and Stephen DellaPietra and Vincent DellaPietra, two P.J. Gelinas Junior High School families. “While we have been fortunate enough not to have any children need to be in the Children’s Hospital, we strongly believe in the work that is done at the facility and feel that it is a true asset to our community and to anyone with children in the county,” stated Dr. Pam DellaPietra, commenting on her family’s generous matching donation. “It is truly fantastic how the school came together to help fundraise for the hospital and to learn about being philanthropic contributors in their local community – it is indicative of the top-notch education they are receiving,” added Dr. Thomas K. Lee, the Chief of Pediatric Surgery and Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Stony Brook University. After learning of the hospital’s plans to expand the facility’s current Children’s Hospital last June, the school’s student body and faculty knew they wanted to help raise a portion of the approximate $80 million needed for the renovations. This January, that dream was realized, as the school collected more than $11,000 dollars through several fundraising initiatives. The school’s student government coordinated a students-versus-faculty basketball game called “Hoops for the Hospital” that raised approximately $2,000. They also organized “A Touch of Class” gala event, featuring performances from the school’s chamber orchestra and refreshments served by the school’s National Junior Honor Society, which collected almost $3,000 for the cause. Additionally, students and faculty members helped the cause by contributing spare change during a month-long collection drive as well as purchasing tickets to the school’s winter dance. On Thursday, February 10, the P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students and faculty members came together to present their cumulative donation to representatives from the hospital and to speak about the fundraisers they coordinated. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1851 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School jazz ensemble members had the chance to learn about their craft from professional musicians in early February when the buildings conducted the District’s Fifth Annual Jazz Nite. During the evening program, the students participated in clinics with members of the Leon Petruzzi Jazz Orchestra (LPJO) and held a performance before an audience of family and friends. The LPJO is comprised of Long Island music educators and professional musicians from the metropolitan area. The group features complete big band instrumentation. The student-musicians began Jazz Nite by attending clinics for each instrument in small group settings. During the one-hour segment, the students received jazz performance instruction from adult professional musicians who are highly proficient on their instruments. Following the clinics, the LPJO performed a half-hour concert, which was free to the public, and the junior high school students joined their professional mentors in a massed ensemble performance. The combined group of musicians performed three songs that were rehearsed earlier during the clinic sessions. The school’s jazz ensembles are directed by teachers Mark Portugal and Todd Schievelbein. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1852 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Arrowhead Elementary School fourth-grade students stepped back in time when they participated in the school’s annual Colonial Day program. Dressed in replica clothes indicative of the period they had studied, the grade level completed hands-on lessons and had fun playing some traditional colonial games. “This is a program that the students look forward to each year and one that they will remember for years to come,” stated teacher Brianna Wyllie. “The program is a great way for our students to better understand colonial life and develop a deeper understanding of the lessons we have had on Colonial America. It really makes the information they read about come to life.” With the help of their teachers, the students fashioned feather pens, learned how to write in a colonial script, and made pinwheels and several colonial games. At the end of the day, to top off their experience of what life was like during the colonial period, the students enjoyed several food items, such as cornbread and gingersnaps, which were considered treats during that time. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1804 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School eighth-grade technology students learned the ins and outs of going green during a recent alternative energy project study on wind turbines. The wind energy project is a new component to the school’s “green initiative” curriculum started by technology teacher Edward Moloney. Mr. Moloney received special training on this subject and was certified as a WindSenator following a summer workshop course provided by KidWind in Albany, NY. During the unit of study, the students learned about the electricity generated by windmills in other parts of the country and worked in groups to research and create different types of turbines. The groups studied how the size and pitch of the blades affect the productivity of the turbines as well as the benefits these resources create. Using the knowledge gained from their research, the students created weight lifting wind turbines as well as wind turbines, which were tested to see how many grams could be lifted and how many volts of energy could be created, respectively. After making adjustments to their turbines, the students were able to lift 2.8 grams (453.6 grams = one pound) and generate 1.55 volts of energy, or the equivalent of one AA battery. This study was a part of the grade level’s 15-week technology course, which also includes bridge building, technical drawing, and the study of aerodynamics. As part of the new “green initiative” students will also be learning about energy conservation, home energy audits, global warming, their carbon foot prints, and solar power. Later in the year, the students will work to create solar cooking ovens to utilize in their Family and Consumer Science class as well as wind tunnel to use in an interdisciplinary unit in science. These projects are being funded through Three Village Educational Foundation and New York State Technology Education Association grants obtained by Mr. Moloney. A similar “green initiative” is also being piloted at Ward Melville High School in the Principals of Engineering class. Special thanks to long term Technology Education substitute Paul DeSimone for piloting the initiative. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1803 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The immortal Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington said it best: “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!” and Ward Melville High School Jazz Ensemble students have been hard at work trying to recapture that standard. For the second year in a row, the Ward Melville High School Honors Jazz Ensemble submitted a taped recording to the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Competition. This international competition requires jazz ensembles to prepare original Duke Ellington arrangements as well as those of Count Basie, this year’s featured artist. The Jazz Ensemble prepared three tunes, “Portrait of Mahalia Jackson” by Duke Ellington and both “Swingin’ the Blues” and “Tippin’ on the Q.T.” by Count Basie and his orchestra. As part of the high school’s jazz program’s Visiting Artist Series, three workshops were held featuring internationally acclaimed jazz musicians and educators who worked with the jazz ensemble in preparing their repertoire. This year’s artists included bassist James Commack, who has garnered international recognition as the bassist with the famed Ahmad Jammal Trio; drummer, composer, and arranger Rich DeRosa, who has written and arranged extensively for Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; and Todd Coolman, bassist and director of the Jazz Studies program at SUNY Purchase. The culmination of these events and countless hours of preparation were captured at a studio recording session at Five Towns College. The school’s Jazz Ensemble will be a part of the colleges invitational High School Jazz Band Festival this March. Looking ahead, the Jazz Ensemble will be attending SCMEA Jazz Day on February 12, where Ward Melville High School trumpeter Timothy Fogarty will be part of the select All-County Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is also honored to be the opening act for an April 29th performance by jazz legend and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center and to be taking part in an open rehearsal with the newly established SCMEA Jazz Repertory Orchestra (SJRO) in February. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1802 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Using the format of the hit Discovery Channel TV show “MythBusters,” the fifth-grade students in Brigit DiPrimo’s class at Arrowhead Elementary School completed science projects aimed at proving or disproving a few of their own “myths.” The students put ideas such as, “Is a dog’s mouth or a cat’s mouth cleaner?” “Can guinea pigs play soccer?” and “Does double-dipping spread germs?” to the test and shared the results with the class on the day of the class science fair. Dressed as some of the show’s personalities, the students uncovered their findings and noted whether their myths were “proven” or “busted.” Ms. DiPrimo taped the students’ reports and submitted a video on the project to the Discovery Channel in the hopes they will feature the students in an upcoming episode. The students’ projects will also be featured during the upcoming Stony Brook University Technology and Science Fair in April. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1769 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools conducted their first-ever school spelling bees in concert with the Scripps National Spelling Bee this January. Prior to the schoolwide spelling bees, the buildings’ seventh and eighth-grade students practiced 450 pre-selected words and went head-to-head in classroom competitions to determine the schools’ semifinalists. The emerging competitors completed several challenging rounds before a winner was crowned at each school. On the word “pyrite,” R.C. Murphy seventh grader Ashley Hong was named the building’s first-place winner and P.J. Gelinas seventh grader Dana Smith was named the school’s winner after correctly spelling “elevation.” R.C. Murphy eighth graders Hannah Yen and Ramya Rao were named the competition’s second and third-place winners, respectively. At P.J. Gelinas, eighth grader Stephanie Chen was named the second-place winner and eighth grader Donald Della Pietra came in third. Ashley and Dana will now compete in the next round of the competition – the Long Island Spelling Bee written exam. If either student wins that level of the contest, they will compete in the Long Island Spelling Bee Finals. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1752 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT In the last six years at R.C. Murphy Junior High School, and across the planet, spoken word and slam poetry have evolved into an exciting cultural mission, helping writers speak boldly in their own unique ways. Each year, Murphy students have the opportunity to participate in events centered on the idea of creative poetry, including the school’s annual poetry slam project. To kick off a unit of study on this topic and to increase the students’ understanding of this type of literacy, this January, the school hosted several workshops in conjunction with the organization Urban Word, NYC. This organization is noted to be central to the youth spoken word, poetry, and hip-hop movements in New York City for more than a decade. During the day of the workshop, the school’s seventh-grade students, who are the building’s newest aspiring slam artists, experienced an assembly highlighting exemplary slam poets. Eighth graders attended writing and performance-based workshops in their English classes to improve the quality of their poetry slam performances, and many experienced ninth-grade slam artists attended a "Poet's Lunch," connecting with mentors and youth poets from Urban Word, NYC. “By connecting with Urban Word, NYC and celebrating the art of poetic performance, teachers at Murphy are helping students enhance their critical literacy skills while improving their self confidence,” stated English teacher and workshop coordinator Laurie Burke. “Performance poets write to tell what is often a very personal story, or write about something about which they feel very strongly. Poets write about their lives, personal stories and the social issues that affect them most. This kind of work is daring and full of honesty and openness.” The poetry slam unit of study will culminate in the school’s poetry slam event on Friday, March 4. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1751 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Students Receive Visit from Suffolk County Water Authority Representative As an extension of the school’s science curriculum, the fourth-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District recently received a special visit from Suffolk County Water Authority Director of Administration Donna Mancuso to learn the ins and outs about the water that is provided to residents on Long Island. During the program, the students learned about Long Island’s water cycle, how water is extracted from the ground, how contaminants filter into the water tables, and why water towers are found so high off the ground. Before leaving, the students were each presented with a booklet of information to share with their parents and an assignment to complete in order to receive a certificate for successfully completing the course. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1750 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Students Go on an Arctic Adventure Kindergartners at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District have been making their way through the Arctic. As part of a study of arctic life, the multipurpose room in the school’s lower level was transformed into a frozen tundra filled with student artwork and tons of adventures for the youngsters to enjoy. The Arctic Adventure has become a staple of the curriculum at Nassakeag Elementary, as it was introduced several years ago as an enjoyable way to extend students’ understanding of the animals, environment, people, and traditions of the Arctic. As students and parents strolled through the tundra, they were able to take part in activities such as ice fishing, sculpting animals with clay, hiking in the snow (with actual snowshoes), story time in an igloo, and blubber tasting. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1749 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School sixth grader Conor Heaphy was one of 1,454 drummers in 15 cities that played the same groove at the same time during a program called “The Big Beat 2010.” This feat was achieved through a video internet connection, with a director in each city following the conductor in Seattle. As a result of this project, nearly $54,000 was raised for the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps fund music programs and instruments for schools that otherwise could not afford them. The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation will acquire almost $36,000 to purchase musical instruments for deserving children in Big Beat cities, while the remaining $18,000 will go to children's organizations and food pantries in the various Big Beat areas. The Big Beat 2010 took place simultaneously in 15 cities across North America, bringing drummers "together" virtually for a great cause. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1748 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Dreams of a peaceful tomorrow, a cure for autism, and a decrease in the United States oil consumption level were just a few of the aspirations shared by 22 seventh-grade students during P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s 13th Annual “I Have a Dream” Oratory Contest. The event, which is held each year in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, drew the largest number of participants to date. Following the start of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the student-orators shared their hopes and dreams for the future. In preparation for the event, the students worked with program coordinators Louis Laird and Doug Elliot to draft messages fashioned after Dr. King’s famous speech. “I am extremely impressed with what I heard this morning,” stated Principal Gus Hueber. “The ideas and aspirations of the students were truly wonderful. My dream for each of them is that they get to accomplish their dreams and what they have set out to do, because that will make every one of them a better person and the world a better place.” During the event, each of the speakers read their prepared messages, members of the Gelinas Chamber Choir performed two song selections, and several students shared inspirational poems. This year’s judges, Assistant Principal, Antonio Santana, Informational Specialist, April Hatcher, and Social Studies Teacher, Richard Romero scored the students based on their delivery, organization, content, appearance, and poise. Congratulations to Nick Pisano, Marcus Miller, and Sarah Gutman, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the contest. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1731 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT In one of their toughest and longest competitions to date, W.S. Mount Elementary School students went through 45 grueling rounds in this year’s spelling bee before a winner was ultimately announced. The competition, which began with nine students in fourth through sixth grade, was whittled down to the top two students, Dana Chiueh and Julia Hu, after just seven rounds. The two students proved to be tough competition for each other, spelling more than 100 words correctly during the nail-biting contest. After more than 45 minutes of back and forth competition, Dana emerged as the winner of this year’s contest and will now compete in the written version of the Long Island Spelling Bee in February. The winner of that contest will compete in the Final Spelling Bee in March. Congratulations to Dana, Julia, and third-place winner Urooj Haleem. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1732 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT After countless hours of comprehensive science research in real-world laboratory settings, six Ward Melville High School students have been named Semifinalists in this year’s Intel Science Talent Search competition. Congratulations to Kevin Chen, Nevin Daniel, John Kelly, Aditi Malhotra, Jordan McHugh, and Ilana Scandariato, who were selected for this honor from among 1,744 entrants representing 499 high schools in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and one school overseas. This year, 25 Ward Melville High School students submitted their research projects to the competition. As Semifinalists, each student was awarded $1,000 in recognition of their outstanding scientific research. “I am extremely proud of these students’ accomplishments and the other students in our InSTAR program,” stated Principal Dr. Alan Baum. “Achieving this level of recognition is a tremendous testament to the hard work and perseverance of our students.” As Semifinalists, these students will now have the chance to advance in the competition to become one of the 40 Finalists who will present their projects during the Intel Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C., for the chance of some $630,000 in awards. The students’ project titles are listed below along with the names of the mentors that helped them complete their research: Kevin Chen, mentored by J. Peter Gergen, Ph.D., Stony Brook University Project: A Pair-Rule Response Element for Wingless in the Drosophila Embryo Nevin Daniel, mentored by Iwao Ojima, Ph.D., Stony Brook University Project: Novel Asymmetric Trojan Horse PAMAM Dendrimer Conjugates as Model Systems for Optimal Anticancer Taxoid Drug Delivery John Kelly, mentored by Roy Lacey, Ph.D., Stony Brook University Project: A Possible Indication of Local Strong Parity Violation via Charge Asymmetry Measurements Aditi Malhotra, mentored by Luis Gruberg, MD, Stony Brook University Project: Gender-Specific Impact of Body Mass Index on Left Atrial Size and the Presence of Atrial Fibrillation Jordan McHugh, mentored by Kristina Simonyan, Ph.D., M.D., Mt. Sinai Hospital Project: Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging to Analyze the Neurological Pathways and Focal White Matter Tracts in Dystonia Ilana Scandariato, mentored by Harriet Waters, Ph.D., Stony Brook University Project: Children’s Attachment Narratives: A Window into Secure Base Scripts in Middle Childhood http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1681 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School fourth through sixth-grade students in the Three Village Central School District recently challenged their minds and bodies to play Long Island Survivor Challenge, a team-based game centered on the main concepts of the hit television show Survivor. The Nassakeag Survivor Unit, which was coordinated by the school’s physical education teachers, was an in-depth unit that reinforced the fourth-grade social studies curriculum on Native Americans, specifically those native to Long Island, while challenging the students to problem-solve athletic missions. After the gym classes were divided up into four tribes, the students were asked to work as teams to solve the physical challenges. After completing ten different challenges, which included such obstacles as “fishing” while crossing parallel balance beams, using a foam bow and arrow, and swinging across the Long Island Sound, the students worked with their teammates to answer questions about Long Island geography and history. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1682 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The beautifully crafted musical pieces of three students from the Three Village Central School District will be featured during this year’s Young Composer Concert at the Eastern Division Conference of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. The winning pieces, "Rêves" by P.J. Gelinas Junior High School ninth grader Kayla Rose Benaburger, "Chanson Pour Alice" by Ward Melville High School tenth grader Madeleine Vaillancourt, and "Le Grand" by P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh grader Martin Vaillancourt, will be featured during the conference’s concert on April 1, 2011, in Baltimore, Maryland. Only 13 pieces were selected for the concert. The competition was open to students from twelve Eastern states, Washington, D.C., and American schools in Europe. While at the conference, Kayla, Madeleine, and Martin will also participate in a Young Composer Forum with professional composers and composition teachers. In addition to the three students who were selected for performance of their pieces, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh grader Emily Winston and Setauket Elementary School sixth grader Kathleen O'Brien were named finalists in the competition. Their compositions were highly rated by the New York State adjudicator, Dr. Rob Deemer, Head of Composition at SUNY Fredonia. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1683 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT In a service-learning project geared towards helping others, eighth-grade students in Cynthia Carrucciu’s Family and Consumer Science classes at R.C. Murphy Junior High School are making knitted hats and fuzzy blankets for the neonatal intensive care unit and the pediatric oncology unit at Stony Brook University Hospital. “I wanted to work on a project with the students that would connect them to the community around us and with Stony Brook University Hospital being so close, I thought it was a perfect fit,” stated Ms. Carrucciu. “I feel really good knowing that these hats will be used to help babies struggling to survive,” added eighth grader Morgan DeBoer. Using round looms donated by the school’s PTA, the students are shaping different sized hats for the two units and hope to create at least 75, or one per student, by the end of the project. To express their gratitude for the students working on the project and to share some information about their hospital wards, a nurse from each of the two units visited the classes to speak with the students. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1684 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh and eighth-grade students demonstrated their vast knowledge about world geography and map skills when they participated in a nationwide geography contest sponsored by the National Geographic Society this winter. To determine the top ten competitors in the schoolwide contest, each of the building’s seventh and eighth-grade students took the program’s written exam during their social studies classes. As a result of their submissions, the top ten overall scorers were announced as the school’s finalists and competed in the second round of the competition at the school in late January. During the contest, the students were challenged to answer both oral and written questions that centered on their innate knowledge of geography, and were tasked with the challenge of interpreting a map. Congratulations to eighth grader Jessica Ju, who was named the first-place winner of this year’s competition, and to Arial Leong and Liam Field, the seventh graders who respectively captured second and third place. Jessica is now eligible to take the qualifying test for the New York State round and will be notified in early spring if she is one of the 100 students chosen to compete at the state level. Winners of the state round will take part in the national competition in Washington, D.C. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1685 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The college selection process can often be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming one for graduating seniors. The choices between local universities, state schools, and institutions throughout the nation can sometimes leave students unsure of which path to choose. As this year’s senior class members begin to narrow down their college choices for the fall, Ward Melville High School’s guidance department once again coordinated its Alumni Day event to help seniors better understand college life on a number of campuses throughout the nation. More than 100 Ward Melville Class of 2010 alumni returned to their alma mater to participate in the annual event, which this year included an underclassman discussion portion. “This is a great way for our current students to learn a little bit more about the college world from individuals who were sitting in their very seats only months ago,” stated school guidance counselor and program coordinator Jennifer Sheppard. “The panelists are able to relate to our current classes and give seniors a bit more information than they could find out on a campus tour or through the college’s website.” During the day-long program, the returning graduates engaged in a straightforward question-and-answer session that focused on pressing issues facing college freshmen. Graduates also spoke about their first-semester experiences. The students discussed things from roommate conditions, to the workload at their school, to the moment they knew that their school was “the one” for them. During in-class discussions with the building’s tenth and eleventh-grade students, the panelists spoke about which classes they believed helped to prepare them for college, which courses they wish they would have taken, and an overview of what their college campuses and experiences have been like. “I encourage you to take advantage of as many Advanced Placement classes as possible while at Ward Melville,” stated alum Andrew Li, who is currently attending Columbia University. “Your high school teachers are able to provide you with a greater deal of support during the class - a class which, if you don’t take while in high school, you might end up having to take in college, where you will have to pay for it.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1666 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School is proud to announce that Brian Droesch and Brittany Antonucci have been named New York State Suffolk Zone Award winners based on their character, leadership, physical education commitment, and overall academic achievement. As noted by his teachers, Brian is a true leader in physical education and in life. He leads by example in the classroom, gym and field. Brian is great with his peers, loves participating in physical education, and excels as an overall student. He is always respectful in and out of class, willing to help set up and help out during all activities. Brian has applied for early decision to Tufts University. With commendation from her teacher, Brittany is noted to be one of those students who is always going above and beyond. She strives for excellence in anything she puts her heart into and does so with a smile on her face. Brittany has a great work ethic and is very self-motivated. She is an active member of physical education class and is a great overall student. The Three Village Central School District congratulates these two students on this outstanding honor. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1667 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Students, staff members, and families throughout the Three Village Central School District came together this December to coordinate community service projects for those less fortunate during the holiday season. At Ward Melville High School, Keri LoGuidice and Darlene Chiappino, along with SHARP, adopted a family for the holidays. They were able to purchase everything on their wish list except for one item which was out of stock. However, they gave several gift cards to cover the cost of that item. Additionally, Ward Melville High School’s student government helped to coordinate a variety of clothing, coat and food drives during this season. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1582 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Arrowhead Elementary School’s kindergarten students celebrated the holidays honored in different countries as they traveled from classroom to classroom in late December. With the help of their teachers and several parent volunteers, the students learned about the holiday traditions celebrated in Holland, Russia, India, and Israel during the “Holidays Around the World” adventure. With their passports in hand, the students participated in several hands-on learning experiences, including creating paper clogs filled with presents, a Russian musical instrument, and menorahs, as well as learning about the Festival of Elephants. “This adventure helps the students to develop a basic appreciation and respect for how others celebrate different holidays,” stated teacher Meryl Nani. “We have learned about how we are a school community. This lesson teaches the students how there is a global community and how the different parts of that community often recognize different celebrations.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1583 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Familiar Gingerbread Man Becomes Focus of Class Lesson Learning about more than just the familiar story of The Gingerbread Man, first-grade students in Patricia Woods’ class at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District recently completed a cross-curricular unit of study. After reading a variety of stories on the famous character, the students employed their literacy skills to compose a class story on a Minnesauke Gingerbread Boy, participated in several math-based activities, and, as an extension of their social studies lesson, created a “community helper” gingerbread person. The students’ creations were fashioned in the images of a chef, guide dog, police officer, firefighter, solider, nurse, and even the President of the United States. As a fun culminating activity, the students created gingerbread cottages to enjoy with their families during the holidays. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1584 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School student-musicians performed Christmas and Hanukkah songs for the senior citizens living at Atria Assisted Living Home in an effort to spread some holiday cheer to the residents. Both the school’s vocal and wind ensemble were featured during the event. Following the performances, the students had the chance to meet the senior citizens and present them with holiday cards made by the school’s student government and National Junior Honor Society members. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1585 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT In a production that rivaled that of the Broadway original, Ward Melville High School in the Three Village Central School District became one of the first high schools to perform a fully-staged version of The Phantom of the Opera in early December. Under the direction of Linda Contino, the 60 cast members worked tirelessly since the start of school to ensure that this year’s production was flawless and inspiring for audiences. The production, which ran for three evening performances featured Leanne Contino as Christine, Chris Sarling as Raoul, and Ryan Cooper as the Phantom. The talented pit orchestra, comprised of 80 members, was directed by Phil Preddice. Mr. Preddice also helped guide the set design, which was organized by a 25-member crew. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1518 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School seniors James Cashin, Sean Cleary, Tyler Hegarty, Shannon Lampe, and Jessica Liberty recently signed National Letters of Intent with some of the top colleges and universities in the nation, committing to perform on the schools’ athletic teams. “I commend each one of these students on their outstanding academic achievements and athletic talents,” stated District Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics Erin Blaney. “Their commitment to their sport is evident and I am sure they will make Ward Melville proud next year at college. I also wish to express my appreciation to their parents and coaches who have helped guide them down the road to success, and for their commitment to our athletic program.” The Three Village Central School District congratulates these students and wishes them well at their campuses in the fall. James Cashin – Siena College for Lacrosse Sean Cleary – University of Massachusetts for Lacrosse Tyler Hegarty – University of Massachusetts for Lacrosse Shannon Lampe – Binghamton University for Swimming Jessica Liberty – Old Dominion University for Lacrosse http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1519 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT As the culmination to a history lesson on the nation’s 50 states, fifth-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District worked in groups to create mosaic pictures using the shapes of the states found in one of the seven different regions. Prior to the group projects, the teachers shared aloud the book Puzzle Maps U.S.A. by Nancy L. Clouse and The Scrambled States of America Talent Show by Laurie Keller. In subsequent discussion groups, the teachers discussed that although the size of the states may change depending upon the map viewed, the shapes of the states remain the same and are easily recognized. Using their creativity and critical thinking skills, the students worked in their groups to model the ideas and strategies used in Puzzle Maps U.S.A. to create their artistic posters, which included cutouts of each state in their region at least once, as well as creative titles that clued viewers into which region the poster was depicting. The finished projects lined the main hallway at the school and students and teachers enjoyed trying to guess the correct region. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1520 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District proudly congratulates Ward Melville High School senior Nevin Daniel for placing second in the Siemens Science Competition National Finals this December. Working with a professional mentor, Nevin researched and developed a novel chemotherapeutic drug that specifically targets cancer cells and only activates when inside the cells. As a second-place winner in the individual category, Nevin received a $50,000 scholarship from Siemens. “Nevin is highly deserving of this recognition, and I am not surprised at this exceptional accomplishment,” stated Ward Melville InSTAR program director Dr. George Baldo. “Nevin is intensely motivated and extremely passionate about his research even at this early stage in his career. Coupled with his high intelligence and scientific curiosity, he can make a tremendous contribution to the world during his lifetime. It has been a rewarding experience working with Nevin for three years in the InSTAR program.” “It is amazing to me to see a young man accomplish so much,” stated Principal Dr. Alan Baum. “This is an amazing achievement and Nevin should be very proud of himself. It is especially pleasing because his success demonstrates the kind of intellectual excellence and muscle that our students are capable of. As a school, we are very proud of our students and it is rewarding to see Nevin recognized for his outstanding achievement. He is a very determined young man and I have no doubt he will accomplish great things in his life. A special thanks to Nevin’s parents, teachers, and mentors for nurturing such an inquisitive mind!” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1483 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Looking to bring a piece of home to those soldiers serving the country during the holiday season, third-grade students in Claudia Camassa’s class at Arrowhead Elementary School created more than 100 beautiful holiday cards as part of the Adopt-a-Platoon for Brookhaven National Labs. The finished cards were included in the holiday care packages sent to an army IED unit currently stationed in Afghanistan. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1484 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School fifth-grade students in Sean Dowling’s class recently completed a service-learning project in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. After visiting with Community Housing Innovations (CHI) social worker Kim Livingston and speaking about the homeless on Long Island, the students coordinated a project to help those who have fallen on hard times. Working together, the students collected enough food to create Thanksgiving baskets for three homeless families. They also created napkin holders in the shape of turkeys. The students are pictured here with their finished projects. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1485 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s aspiring business students have successfully competed at two local challenges. During the Annual Adelphi Apprentice Business Competition, in which approximately 25 schools from across Long Island participated, three Ward Melville students were named high achievers. Ian O’Brian and Alexa Rohan were named semifinalists and Michelle Liao was named a finalist, all in the marketing plan competition. During the event, teams were comprised of students from different schools in order to challenge the students to enhance their teamwork skills. Each team chose one of two case studies proposed, and the team that proved to have the most successful marketing plan was awarded the coveted title of the “Adelphi Apprentice.” Each team presented to a panel of judges. Six teams (three from each case study) were chosen as semifinalists, of whom two became finalists (one from each case study). Ten Ward Melville students competed in this year’s event under the guidance of business teacher Ilene Littman. Additionally, during the Annual Briarcliffe College Business Plan Competition, 12 Ward Melville students challenged their competitors from across Long Island. As a result of their outstanding individual business plan, the team comprised of Kirpal Kochar, Upasna Malhotra, Ian O’Brien, Rachel Sorrentino, Scott Vaeth, and Amy Zhu placed second in the competition, while Ward Melville High School was named the second-place overall school. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1449 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School third through sixth-grade students experienced Rachel’s Challenge, a dynamic program that motivates positive changes in the way individuals treat one another, when guest speaker Adam Northam visited the school. Inspired by Rachel Scott, the first person killed during the tragic shootings at Columbine High School 11 years ago, the kind acts she demonstrated during her life and the contents of her diaries serve as the catalysts for this national program. During the assembly, Mr. Northam engaged the students with powerful video and audio footage of Rachel’s life and spoke about the her mission to bring a positive change into the world; or as she called it a “chain reaction.” “Rachel was someone who has made a great impact on the world just by treating others with kindness and compassion,” Mr. Northam stated. The presenter encouraged the students to embrace the five challenges of the program, which focus on treating others with kindness, accepting those that are different, not giving up on one’s dreams, and working to be a positive example for others. At the conclusion of the event, the students were invited to demonstrate their commitment to being a part of Rachel’s Challenge by signing a commemorative banner displayed outside the school’s main office. Throughout the year, the students will be engaged in team-building activities, such as creating a giant chain out of strips of paper that state what they did to be kind, in order to help create a positive chain reaction. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1450 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT After spending several weeks studying different types of poems, third-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District prepared to jump into winter by celebrating the end of the fall season. Before their peers, proud parents, and friends, each of the four third-grade classes prepared and recited fall-themed class poems and melodic songs, which followed the literature lessons learned in the classroom. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1451 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT With the use of a community relations grant and funding from the local BJ’s wholesale club, 26 sixth-grade students at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District recently completed a community service project for the Welcome Inn in Port Jefferson. The donated funds were used to purchase items to create cold lunches for the visitors to the Inn, a soup kitchen that provides hot lunches to visitors on Tuesdays along with a brown bag lunch for the following day. During their project, the students created approximately 50 bag lunches. They are pictured here with BJ’s community relations specialist Joe Trentadue. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1452 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Students throughout the Three Village Central School District gave thanks this November for the things they were most grateful for and marked the annual holiday with special school and grade-level celebrations. From festive feasts, complete with all the trimmings of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, to plays and schoolwide drives geared towards collecting non-perishable goods for those less fortunate, the District students learned the true meaning of the holiday. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1420 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT After giving thanks for the things they were most grateful for this holiday season, reading the book An Angel for Solomon Singer, and discussing ways in which they could make others know they were cared for, fourth-grade students in Christine Beck’s class at Arrowhead Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District created original Thanksgiving cards for those less fortunate. “I feel very sad that many of the people receiving our cards do not have anyone to talk to or celebrate Thanksgiving with and hope that after reading our messages they will know that someone cares about them,” stated student Jack Slater. “I hope that the recipients will feel more at home, and that we are all part of a family after they read our cards,” added student Brendan Schmidt. The class created more than 70 cards, all of which contained positive messages of hope and kind words for a happy holiday. The cards were donated to Project Give, an organized led by Jackson Heights teacher Danielle Mahoney. Ms. Mahoney will include the finished cards in Thanksgiving food bags that she will deliver the day after Thanksgiving a day when most of the government agencies are closed. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1419 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School student Genna Goldstein was named the first-place winner in the high school category for the Shanti Fund Poster Contest held in honor of Gandhi’s birthday. The poster Genna created in her advanced advertising class at Ward Melville is a typography design using quotes from Gandhi. Genna was honored for her winning design during a celebration in the office of Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. She is pictured here, proudly displaying her poster, with Ward Melville High School Chairperson for Art and Technology Jennifer Trettner. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1400 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT As the first leaves of fall began to drop, first-grade students in Michael Dragotta’s class at Minnesauke Elementary School were excited to incorporate the changing foliage into several classroom lessons for science and English. After reading the book “Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf,” by Lois Ehlert, each student collected three leaves from the front lawn of the school and began to examine their different properties – including the veins, stems, points, and texture. Using a ProScope, a tool used to magnify objects in the school’s science lab, the students were able to take an up-close look at the detail of their leaves. With collections properly reviewed, the students picked out their favorite leaf and, as a class, shared several descriptive words that best illustrated the different leaves. Back in their classroom, the students put pencil to paper and drafted a writing project about their leaf and what they discovered using the ProScope. The entire project was shared with the school on a bulletin board outside of Mr. Dragotta’s class. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1384 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Members of the P.J. Gelinas Junior High School home and careers community service club have been hard at work this November creating picture frames for the residents of the Long Island State Veterans Home (LISVH). “These veterans have given so much for our country and we feel good about creating these gifts for them,” stated eighth grader Mia Panno. “Participating in this project really made me feel good, especially since November is a month where we salute our veterans,” added eighth grader Emma Sobocinski. With the help of their advisor, Janet Broadhurst, the students have been cutting out patriotic printed fabrics, which will be wrapped around batting and recycled cardboard to create the original frames. “I feel really good about helping to create these frames knowing that the recipients have served to protect our freedom; it is good to give them thanks for their service,” commented seventh grader Melissa Riddle, who felt extra special about the project because members of her family have served the nation. The completed frames, which include placemaker pictures with the saying “I’m Proud to Be an American…In the Land of the Free,” will be delivered to the residents by the end of November. The students are aiming to complete several hundred of these frames and hope that the LISVH’s new photography club will help the residents fill them with pictures. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1385 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Looking to learn about the vast number of careers that will be available to them in the years to come, Setauket Elementary School fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students participated in a Career Day program held at their school. During the second annual event, the students had the chance to rotate through different career workshops and meet with local professionals to discuss their jobs. Students learned about the type of education required for each field, the daily responsibilities of the professionals, and, at several stations, had the chance to delve deep into the career with hands-on activities. "The PTA and I were so excited to have been able to bring Setauket's Second Annual Career Day to our fourth, fifth and sixth graders,” stated Assistant Principal Kathryn White, who along with parent volunteers Karen O’Dell and Elizabeth Della Salle coordinated the event. “It is so important to expose our students to careers in the fields of math, science, technology and engineering as we truly are preparing the leaders of tomorrow!" The careers represented during the program included medical doctors, network technicians, FBI special agents, financial planners, a speech pathologist, educators, and attorneys. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1439 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Seventh-grade students at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School will be learning about a variety of technology concepts this year, including centripetal forces, gravity, inertia, and momentum, during their technology class. As a kickoff to their studies they had the opportunity to see these topics in action as their teachers used a giant catapult, called a trebuchet, to launch pumpkins high into the air. Students in all grades had the chance to see the trebuchet in action throughout the daylong launching event and were amazed to see the contraption in action. During the month of November, in their technology classes the seventh-grade students will have the chance to build miniature trebuchets. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1440 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT With approximately 850 attendees, who included community and Board of Education members, district administrators, teachers, and students, this year’s Cabaret Night at R.C. Murphy Junior High School was by far the largest to date. More than 400 students, teachers, and parents came together to perform and organize the eighth annual event, which was coordinated by the school’s theatre department and PTO. The event was held in the school’s gymnasium, which had been transformed to look like a black box-theater. The program was full of entertaining comedy, song, and dance numbers, as well as, a mouth-watering catered meal served by Family and Consumer Science students, and an abundance of raffles. The proceeds from this event are used to sponsor other school events throughout the year and to purchase educational materials. This is the largest fundraiser the school organizes. In the past, the funds raised during this event have helped to purchase or support the following: Sponsorship of Regional Poetry Slam competition Sponsorship of Cheerleading competition Jerseys for RCM Football Large Industrial Freezer for FACS Embroidery Machine for FACS Laser Color Poster printer for Student Activity Projects Commercial Strobe lights for School photography Sponsored International Night New Ceramic Kiln for Art Department Baldwin Piano for Music Department New Scoreboard for Gym Mac Computers Ping Pong Tables for Gym Cordless Driver Sliding saw for Technology Digital Light Board for Theatre Department http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1441 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School sixth-grade students in Robyn Weinstein’s class are putting their creativity and business skills to the test this year as they launch a start-up class business. The company, marketing original student-crafted bookmarks with the slogan “Mark a Page, Make a Difference,” is working to raise funds for the Morgan Center. As part of this project, the students are working in different teams, each responsible for a distinctive job within the business. They are utilizing a cross-curricular skill set. The sixth graders have been visiting the school’s classrooms to speak with their peers about their new venture and have already received several orders. The Morgan Center is dedicated to providing preschool age children with cancer the opportunity to learn and socialize in a safe environment. Ms. Weinstein is pictured here with her class. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1442 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT As a kickoff to the school’s yearlong study on character education and in conjunction with the U.S. Senate’s resolution designating the third week in October as “National Character Counts” week, students at Minnesauke Elementary School began learning about the six pillars of character by singing along to a catchy song performed by a group of sixth-grade students. Seventeen students volunteered their time to learn the words to the “Six Pillar Shuffle” and choreographed a dance to the tune with the help of Assistant Principal Patricia Essenfeld. The students performed the finished routine during the building’s lunch periods. Throughout the year, the school will provide all students in grades K-6 with lessons on character education. The building’s steering committee will be creating events and programs based on a monthly character theme and students will be working on different class projects. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1318 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT A fundraising dinner and dance event to support the Friends of Patrick Tardo Supplemental Trust called “A Night for Patrick” will take place on November 16, 2010 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at Villa Lombardi’s restaurant in Holbrook. Tickets for the event, which will include a chef’s buffet, open bar, and live entertainment, are $75 per person. Patrick Tardo is the husband of an Arrowhead Elementary School teacher and the father of a seven-month-old baby girl. This September, in a freak accident, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury and, as a result, may never regain the use of his legs. He is currently a resident of the Kessler Institute in New Jersey, where he is working with the therapist team to restore movement in his wrists and fingers. This Trust has been established to provide the financial support this young family will need during this difficult time. Anyone interested in attending this event, donating to the cause, or learning more about this Trust is encouraged to contact Laura Lastorino at 516-662-3061 or visit the Arrowhead School website at www.threevillagecsd.org and click on the Friends of Patrick brochure. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1317 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Although the forecast caused this year’s Homecoming Pep Rally to be canceled, the spirit and pride that fans, athletes, and community members had for the Three Village Central School District Patriots was at an all-time high as Ward Melville High School celebrated Homecoming 2010 on the third Saturday in October. With the sun shining and cool winds blowing, hundreds of Three Village community members came together to kick off this year’s festivities at the Homecoming Carnival organized by Ward Melville High School’s Student Government. Different schools and organizations throughout the District were featured at the fair and set up entertainment booths for kids of all ages to enjoy. Just before kickoff, representatives from each of the District’s eight schools paraded the track to display the homecoming banners their building created for this year’s banner contest. This year’s contest tested the students’ creativity and called for them to create banners following the theme of “Dare to Dream.” Taking to the field, the Ward Melville Patriots proved to be strong competition for the Brentwood football team and dominated the competition in an action-packed game that ended with a Ward Melville win of 24-7. Members of the District’s cheerleading squads kept up the crowd’s excitement with dazzling routines, and the Ward Melville marching band and color guard performed brilliantly during half time. Congratulations to Setauket Elementary School for winning this year’s banner competition with their “Reach for the Stars” entry, to seniors Kurt Steinmuller and Haley Blunt for being named Mr. and Mrs. Patriot, and to Karina Gerry for winning the “most spirited” award. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1274 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students performed their eighth annual adolescent issue play this October in the school’s gymnasium. This year’s production, “Addict,” was an emotionally charged play by Jerome McDonough that depicts the lives of a group of teenagers dealing with alcohol and substance abuse. The cast was comprised of 18 ninth-grade students and was directed by Robert DePersio, with help from assistant directors Jillian Higgins, Alec Shangold, and Anna Torzulo. “My hope in creating this annual event is that these performances make people realize the importance of the topics discussed,” stated Mr. DePersio, who explained that “Addict” featured short vignettes of individuals dealing with heroin, inhalants, alcohol, and cocaine addiction. “If we help even just one person, then we accomplished what we set out to do.” The play was performed for the entire ninth grade during an in-school assembly, and the cast performed a free show for the community in the evening. This year, the students were invited to visit the Islip BOCES center and to perform for the facility’s students and staff. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1269 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Looking to help reduce their carbon footprint and make the world a ‘greener’ place, students in Brigit DiPrimo’s fifth-grade class at Arrowhead Elementary School are coordinating a schoolwide recycling project in coordination with TerraCycle. TerraCycle was founded in 2001 by 19-year-old Princeton University freshman Tom Szaky and makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials through a process called upcycling. “While recycling in its purest form is wonderful, the process requires items to be broken down, which emits chemicals into the environment,” stated Ms. DiPrimo. “In my class we talked about the process, and the students were amazed to find out the effects recycling can have on the environment. The process of upcycling ensures that all parts of an item are used to create something new without creating waste or having a negative effect on the environment.” The students are collecting Capri Sun juice bags, outside wrappers from Huggies brand diapers, Chips Ahoy packages, and empty Country Crock and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter plastic tubs. The collected materials will be donated to TerraCycle, who will upcycle them into affordable, high-quality products ranging from lunch and diaper bags to folders. For each item collected, TerraCycle will donate two cents to a high-needs school or organization of the class’ choice. Completed products are sold nationwide at stores, including Target, the Home Depot, and Walmart. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1270 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Volunteers from the Setauket Fire Department visited kindergarten and first-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School this October in celebration of Fire Prevention Awareness Month. During the visit, students tried on some of the uniforms used during emergency fire calls and boarded several of the fire trucks to get a firsthand glimpse of what it is like to be a volunteer firefighter. More importantly, the firefighters delivered the message that a child’s only job during a fire is to get out of the building. “Never go back in the building for a doll or a pet,” firefighter Tom Gulbransen told the students. “We want you to keep practicing and talking about fire safety each year so that if an emergency situation comes up, you are ready to act.” The Setauket Fire Department also made the annual visit to the school in order to allay fears that many children have about firefighters. “We are regular people,” Mr. Gulbransen stated. “We love to take care of the community and make kids safe.” Inclosing, the volunteer gave the students two pieces of homework: to make sure they had a family meeting place, and to talk to their parents about how they would exit their house in an emergency. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1271 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Cytoplasm, mitochondria, and cell walls were just a few of the items sixth-grade students in Judy Larson’s, Robyn Weinstein’s, and Jon Stecker’s classes at Nassakeag Elementary School learned about when studying plant and animal cells and their organelles. In a cross-curricular project, the students worked in small groups to examine plant cells under microscopes during science lab time and, as an English Language Arts component, created songs and poems that included several organelle terms. The final projects, some of which were set to familiar tunes including “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and popular songs such as “Billionaire,” were shared by the groups during science class and put on display outside of the school’s science lab. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1272 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School tenth grader John Adam Strub has been selected as the first-place winner in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) Composition Contest -- String Division II. John Adam received a cash award of $500, and the MYO String Orchestra will perform his piece An American Dream on Sunday, March 20, 2011, at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. Of his composition, John Adam stated, "In An American Dream, I have tried to communicate the simple grandeur and mythic image of America. Even if it is not the America I know, it is the America I believe in." The P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s symphonic orchestra, under the baton of Phil Gelfer, premiered the piece last spring. "An American Dream was truly a joy to work on with John," said Mr. Gelfer. "From the very beginning of rehearsals, the students were clearly touched by its moving harmonic structure and the feelings it inspired. For an orchestra director it was a rewarding experience on so many levels." Ward Melville High School’s chamber orchestra also recorded a beautiful performance of the composition, and two Wisconsin youth orchestras have programmed it for performance this season. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1273 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT As a result of their academic performance on the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), 15 Ward Melville High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 34,000 students throughout the nation are being recognized for this exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2011 competition for National Merit Scholarships, being named a Commended Student recognizes that these students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition. “As demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country,” commented a spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The Three Village Central School District congratulates the following students for receiving this honor: Andrew Ahn Mahvash Beg Daniele Brown Daniel Cartwright Eugene Cheung Nevin Daniel Prashant Kota Gina Krupp Paul Levy Roxana Mata Patrick Ohea Juliana Ouderkirk Esme Ricciardi Yaqing Xu Joy Zhong http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1231 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School senior Sasha McIntosh has been named an outstanding participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Program for scoring in the top three percent of more than 160,000 students who requested consideration when taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1232 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT With a focus on coming to peaceful resolutions not only within their school building but also around the planet, students at W.S. Mount Elementary School participated in a schoolwide peace project. In coordination with the Shanti Fund Peace for the Planet Project, the students created writings and drawings following the prompt, “My Wish for Peace.” The students’ artwork was collected and displayed in the main hallway of Mount. Joining together, the students and teachers wore white on October 1st to symbolize their united desire for peace. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1233 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has presented NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing to Ward Melville High School students Danielle Behrendt, Nevin Daniel, Emmanuel Kim, and Ashley Mendriski. Only 543 students nationwide were selected for this honor and with four winners, Ward Melville High School has the most number of winners in the State of New York. “These students are extremely talented writers, and each focused on something different in their submissions,” stated English Department Chairperson Brian McAuliffe. “I congratulate them for achieving this national honor and thank the teachers for all of the support they provided these seniors along the way.” For the competition, the students submitted an original piece from their portfolio and created a piece of writing based on one of the competition’s two writing prompts. According to the NCTE website, “Achievement Awards in Writing is a school-based writing program established in 1957 to encourage high school students in their writing and to recognize publicly some of the best student writers in the nation. The National Council of Teachers of English will give achievement awards in writing to students nominated and cited as excellent writers by judges.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1230 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT As a kickoff to the 2010-2011 school year and in an effort to welcome new District students to R.C. Murphy and P.J. Gelinas Junior High Schools, the buildings held a special welcome breakfast in mid-September. During the event, the District’s new students enjoyed a breakfast buffet, where they had the opportunity to meet some of their new peers, and learn about the schools from the Student Government volunteers and administrators in attendance. “The new student breakfast was a great way to make new students feel welcome,” stated P.J. Gelinas Student Government advisor Brian Scripture. “We want everyone to feel like their school is their home away from home, regardless of how long they have been attending.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1186 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Looking to reach out and help others in the community, Ward Melville High School juniors James Coughlan and John Edmonds organized and coordinated a three-on-three basketball tournament at the school at the end of last school year. The event, called Ward Melville’s Hoops for Hope Basketball Tournament, raised more than $700 for Hope House Ministries through donations and participation fees. “The young men from Hope House enjoyed participating in the tournament and more importantly, they were profoundly touched by your hard work and generosity in organizing that event,” stated Hope House Ministries Executive Director/Founder Father Francis Pizzarelli in a letter to the students. “Your power of example is something to be admired and respected.” Both Ward Melville students and young men from Hope House participated in the friendly competition. James and John hope to coordinate another tournament at the school in the near future. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1157 Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School is proud to announce that seniors Robin Caselli, Kevin Chen, Shannon Csorny, Emmanuel Kim, Alexa Krupp, and Ilana Scandariato have been named Semifinalists in the 2011 56th National Merit Scholarship Program. These talented high school students qualified for this honor as a result of their placement scores on the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Nationally, approximately 16,000 students were named Semifinalists in this year’s competition, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. "I commend these students for achieving this prestigious designation," stated Principal Dr. Alan Baum. "Being named a Semifinalist in this competition is an outstanding honor and a true testament to their dedication to their studies. I look forward to continuing to hear great things about them in the future." As Semifinalists, these students have the opportunity to continue in the competition for the chance to earn some 8,400 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million. To become a finalist in the competition, these students must maintain their outstanding academic record, be endorsed/recommended by Dr. Baum, and earn SAT scores that confirm their earlier performance on the qualifying test. In addition, each student must submit a detailed scholarship application, containing a personal essay and information regarding their participation and leadership in school and community activities. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, approximately 90 percent of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1158 Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students from Setauket Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District had the chance to view something only before seen by a handful of individuals when a 1779 letter written by General George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge was put on display in the school’s auditorium. The letter, which is part of Stony Brook University’s library of special collections, was the focal point for a Historical, Educational, and National Resources Celebration held at the school in mid-September. “Today we come together to honor our community’s past and celebrate the rich history that surrounds us,” stated Principal Dr. Anne Rullan. “This is the first time this letter has been put on display at a public school. It is incredible to have this part of history with us today, especially since it makes reference to Setauket and the culper spy ring that was formed in our area.” During the event, special guest Congressman Tim Bishop presented the school and the Three Village Community Trust with a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Setauket, and the Congressman along with Assemblyman Steve Englebright spoke about the upcoming dedication of Long Island’s first state forest, which is located adjacent to the school. The forest, which will be named Patriot’s Hollow, will provide outdoor educational opportunities for the students and the surrounding community. In addition, students from Setauket’s band performed “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” during the ceremony, and local historian Beverly Tyler was on hand to speak as Mr. Tallmadge. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1133 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT The days of summer vacation came to a close as the Three Village Central School District opened its doors and welcomed students to the start of the 2010-2011 school year on Tuesday, September 7th. This September brought several changes for District students. At Ward Melville High School, students returned to attend classes based on a nine-period day. They were also excited to begin exploring some of the new instructional spaces created as a result of the District’s bond project. From the new science and music spaces to the refurbished auditorium, the students and staff were pleased with the results. At Minnesauke Elementary School, students began school at an earlier start time, aligning their schedule with Nassakeag Elementary School, while start times at W.S. Mount, Setauket, and Arrowhead Elementary Schools were concurrent. Even with the distant feeling of summer in the air, the students acclimated to their buildings and schedules seamlessly. The year ahead is gearing up to be filled with many new and exciting experiences for all students throughout the District. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1126 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School senior Eric Rizzo has been named the "Head Student Fundraiser" for “Kids Stock the House,” a new community service group based out of the Hamptons. The group raised $15,500 in goods and monetary donations for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. For this project, Eric worked with two students from Hampton Bays and one student from Southampton. During his work, Eric raised approximately $1,500 and donated many of his personal baseball (Mets/Yankees) tickets for the community service group to use in its raffles. In recognition of his efforts, Eric has been presented with a Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Steve Isreal, a Certificate of Love from the Board of Directors at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, and will receive an additional Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Time Bishop in October. Eric is pictured here with "Kids Stock the House" founder and supervisor Donna Christina Oliverio displaying some of the awards/plaques the group received. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1103 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT 72 1024x768 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Professional Development & Collaboration Were Focus of Superintendent’s Conference Day With a message focused on teamwork and collaboration, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Neil Lederer, welcomed the Three Village Central School District’s faculty and staff members to the start of the 2010-2011 school year during a Superintendent’s Conference Day held in early September. “I hope that today is a most rewarding day for all of you and that we can all work together this year to better prepare our students for the challenges that lie ahead and build upon the reputation this District has so rightful earned,” Mr. Lederer commented. Continuing with the theme of working together, Board of Education President John Diviney remarked, “This year we will most likely face many of the challenges that were brought forth last year and it is my hope, and the hope of your Board of Education, that we will successfully meet those challenges head on and that our District will be a better one as a result of our collaborative efforts.” Also addressing the crowd and extending their best wishes for the new year were Suffolk County Legislator, Vivian Viloria-Fisher, Three Village School Administrators Association President, Vincent Vizzo, Three Village Teachers Association President, Claudia Reinhart, and Three Village Council of PTAs President, Hilary Berger. Before breaking off into the variety of professional development workshops scheduled for the remainder of the day, several members of the staff were recognized as mini-grant recipients, which were awarded by both SEPTA and the Three Village Educational Foundation. Congratulations to the following winners: SEPTA Arrowhead ES Angelo Campo Marisa DeMarco Marisa DeRosa Brigit DiPrimo Donna Ann Gallo Christina Maffia Dawn Milligan Tammy Oestreicher Laurance Raio Michelle Talento Jill Williams Nassakeag ES Eleni Homenides Gelinas JHS Robert Fenster Rebecca Marino Ward Melville HS Samantha Chereb Maureen Kula Three Village Educational Foundation Arrowhead ES Janine Pelkofsky Jennifer Giambalvo Debra Michalski Christina Maffia Brigit DiPrimo Lorraine Hegarty Setauket ES Laura Cooley Lee Ann March Pam Roberts Alaina Schnitzer Administrative/Districtwide Glenda Gregory Laura Jankowski Nancy Murolo Debbi Rakowsky Pam Roberts Michelle Virga Ward Melville HS Linda Barrett Jean-Pierre Dion Laura Gustavsen Maureen Kost James Swierupski Minnesauke ES Irene Berman Kate Hunter Gelinas JHS Michelle Virga Janet Broadhurst Edward Moloney Mount ES Linda Earls Nassakeag ES Jennifer Betz Eleni Homenides Robbin Teitelbaum Grouped according to department, grade-level, and/or specialty area, District teachers and support staff attended morning and afternoon workshops focused on discussing curriculum enhancements, learning about the technological resources available, receiving necessary training, and reviewing the different support services offered to students. The following day, faculty and staff members visited their assigned buildings to attend District, department, and grade-level meetings, as well as prepare their classrooms for the first day of school. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1104 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT On one of the last days of summer vacation, Ward Melville High School and P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools opened their doors to the incoming tenth- and seventh-grade classes for a summer walk-through orientation. The informal orientation was designed to allow the students to acclimate to the new buildings that will be like their second homes for the next three years. “You are all a part of the Ward Melville family,” stated Principal Dr. Alan Baum during this welcoming address. “I encourage you to challenge yourself, strive for greatness, and go beyond your boundaries during your time here. There are so many opportunities for you to get involved, I implore you to explore your interests.” Armed with their class schedules and locker combinations, the students embarked on self-guided walking tours of the buildings with parents and friends. In addition to meeting several teachers who were busy preparing their classrooms, the students also had the chance to meet some upperclassman volunteers. At Ward Melville, the school’s administration was there to welcome the incoming students and introduce them to key personnel in the school. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1105 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that Ward Melville High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter successfully competed at the National FBLA Competition in Nashville, TN this summer. During the event, Jesse Xing placed seventh in the Computer Problem Solving contest and Ross Bernstein and Don Strong placed tenth in the Global Business team event. "I'm very proud to be working with such talented students,” stated FLBA advisor Ilene Littman. “This is the eighth consecutive year that our FBLA chapter has become eligible to compete at the national level of the contest. I'm looking forward to another successful year advising our ‘future business leaders’ at Ward Melville.” Last spring, eight Ward Melville students were selected to advance to the national level of the contest based on their scores at the state competition. The Three Village Central School District proudly congratulates the three students who placed in the prestigious level of the competition and Lily Chen, Sean Han, Michael Marcel, Jonathin Yin, and Nevin Daniel who also competed at Nationals. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1075 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT With heads held high and smiles stretching their faces, Three Village Central School District students in grades six and nine proudly participated in their respective school’s moving-up programs this June. Family members, friends, and members of the district’s administrative team gathered together to celebrate this year’s elementary and junior high school Class of 2010 and help guide them on the start of the next chapter of their academic journey. “You have worked so hard during your time here and today we celebrate all that you have achieved and all of the hopes we have for your future…remember the start of something new brings the hope of something great,” stated W.S. Mount Elementary School Principal Nathalie Lilavois. “Watching you grow over the last three years I am confident to say that we have put you on the road to a successful future but now it is up to you to continue down that path,” added R.C. Murphy Junior High School Principal Vinny Vizzo. During their ceremony, the students crossed the stage to receive their moving up certificates, as well as several awards and honors. Additionally, during many of the programs students took to the stage to share their favorite memories of the past several years, and to perform a variety of musical numbers. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1009 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Pride was the emotion of the day, as parents and invited guests witnessed the Ward Melville High School Class of 2010 graduation program on June 27th. As the school’s symphonic band performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” the soon-to-be graduates emerged from the building that had been their home for the past three years and proceeded to their seats, which covered the school’s front lawn. Following the lead of senior Crissy Vogric, the crowd sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In his opening remarks Principal Dr. Alan Baum noted, “A right of passage is occurring right before our eyes….our celebration today is the conclusion to one chapter in these students’ lives; a journey that began in 1997, a journey through our school district.” Congratulating the class for all of their achievements, Dr. Baum also noted that the Class of 2010 has been the recipient of more than $22 million in grants and scholarships, a total that exceeds the classes before them. In his salutatory speech Ruo Yi Jiang thanked all those that had helped him achieve during his educational journey, and to his fellow peers stated, “I admire your creativity, talents, abilities, but most of your discipline and hearts.” Rather than a traditional speech, Valedictorian Shelby Y. Lin recited a poem she wrote for the class on the subject of dreaming, during which she stated, “I hope that you never see all of your dreams come true, as that will mean you have no dreams left to reach for.” Also addressing the crowd were Board of Education President David Micklos, Interim Superintendent of Schools Donald F. Webster, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, and Class President Daniel Roth, who noted that the Class of 2010 had donated new picnic tables for the senior patio. Principal Dr. Baum and Assistant Principal Michael Owen met the seniors at the foot of the dais to present them with their diplomas. As each student’s name was announced, family and friends cheered and applauded the newest Ward Melville alumnus. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=1003 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a time capsule filled with school memories from the year must be worth quite a bit. As an end-of-year project, fourth-grade students in Robbin Teitelbaum’s class have been working to bottle up their school year memories by creating individual time capsules which they will open at the end of their senior year in 2018. “I am really proud of the written piece I created, as it describes all of the things that are close to my heart,” stated Maxwell Ruffner. “I’m sure I will change a lot between now and 2018 but I hope to remain creative, caring, and still love baseball.” Each student filled their capsule with a journal book, which among other things described the people they look up to most, their best friends, how they want to change the world as well as letters to both their future selves and their parents. Additionally, the students included newspaper clippings from local papers and Time For Kids, work they created during the year, a class picture, and different items that hold a special meaning for them. “I have been helping my students put together projects like this for the past eight years,” stated Ms. Teitelbaum, who noted that many of her former students have told her they still have their boxes and are looking forward to opening them. “It is a nice reflective project for them, and when they look back on the items included they are sure to be more meaningful.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=986 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Students at Arrowhead Elementary School are constantly working to display good character traits, both during the school day and outside of the classroom. To help encourage others to do the same, the students put their creativity to good use this year and participated in a character education mural contest. Primary-grade students created artwork centered around character education words, while the intermediate grades incorporated the saying “Seek First to Understand and Then Be Understood” in their drawings. Congratulations to fifth grader Mariella Sigayan and second grader Zermeen Khan for winning the contest. With the help of art teacher Tom DiPierro, the students’ artwork was recreated on large boards, which will be placed in the building’s courtyard. The project was funded through a Three Village Educational Foundation grant obtained by Math, Science, and Technology teacher Christina Maffia. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=987 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT With the use of a Learn and Serve grant obtained by Arrowhead Elementary School Math, Science and Technology teacher, Christina Maffia, and under the guidance of autism consultant, Dawn Milligan, the students in Christina Tarabocchia’s and Michelle Talento’s self-contained classes have been working to cultivate the grounds in the school’s courtyard and create a sustainable vegetable garden. In several boxed areas, the students are working to grow such things as strawberries, squash, peas, corn, and tomatoes. As the students attend school year-round, the students and their teachers will tend to the garden during the summer and use the produce as a part of their life skills curriculum. Additionally, this summer, Ms. Tarabocchia and Ms. Talento will be working to develop a curriculum plan for next school year, included in which will be plans for a sensory garden. “This has been a great thing for our students as it gives them a new sense of responsibility,” stated Ms. Tarabocchia. “Working in the garden also enhances the students’ educational experience as they typically learn by using the five senses.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=988 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School fourth grader Ashley Resnick was awarded second place in the “Pool Smart” pool safety poster contest, sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher. Ashley encouraged swimmers to use the buddy system when at the pool. She is pictured here with Assistant Principal Patricia Essenfeld and her teacher, Scott Alu, displaying a certificate she received from the school in recognition of this honor. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=979 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Eight W.S. Mount Elementary School fourth-grade students participated in the Portfolio Project this spring. The event, which is an initiative of the New York State Art Teachers’ Association (NYSATA), is an authentic assessment tool that is based on the New York State Learning Standards and provides students with an opportunity to present portfolios of their work at regional adjudication sites. During this year’s event, the students showcased their artwork before a panel of judges. The students were assessed based on their artistic content and two written components, as well as on an oral presentation, which included knowledge of art terminology, artistic influences, and process. Impressing the judges with their breadth of understanding, all eight Mount students scored at the highest level, the Distinguished Artist category, and six achieved a perfect score. Congratulations to Simone Atwa, Shannon Brazier, Ivy Guan, Julia Hu, Emily Huang, Cameron Liquori, Claire Miller, and Jessica Wang, and their art teacher Loretta Corbisiero, on this accomplishment. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=980 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Five Ward Melville High School student-athletes will be continuing to shine in the athletic arena this fall at some of the nation’s top colleges. This spring, Peter Freiss, Megan Mullaney, Kevin Naslonski, Xiomara Ortiz, and Chris Sullivan signed National Letters of Intent, symbolizing their commitment to play on their chosen institution of higher education’s athletic team. “I am extremely proud of these dedicated students…they have achieved something that only two percent of their peers will ever realize,” stated Interim Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Erin Blaney. “These students have not only achieved athletically but they have met the academic standards we have set before them and the challenges that arose along the way.” Congratulations to the student-athletes and best of luck on the next part of your educational journey: Peter Freiss (Fencing) – Sacred Heart University, Nursing Major Megan Mullaney (Swimming) – Rider University, Undecided Major Kevin Naslonski (Lacrosse) – Southern Florida College, Physical Therapy Major Xiomara Ortiz (Volleyball) – Binghamton University, Physical Therapy Major Chris Sullivan (Fencing) – Duke University, Political Science Major Five Ward Melville High School student-athletes recently signed National Letters of Intent with some of the nation’s top colleges. The students, (l-r) Kevin Naslonski, Peter Freiss, Chris Sullivan, Megan Mullaney, and Xiomara Ortiz, are pictured here with Interim Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics Erin Blaney and Principal Dr. Alan Baum. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=981 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Talented film creators and students in Chris Esser’s video production class at Ward Melville High School, Jillian Holler and Al Destefano, have won a 2010 MSG Varsity “V Award” for their public service announcement, “Incognito.” The students’ piece visually demonstrated how, by not washing your hands after coughing, germs could be spread. Jillian and Al’s piece was named the winner in the news category out of more than 700 entries. The winning piece can be seen on the MSG Varsity website www.msgvarsity.com. As winners, the students were presented with trophies and were featured in a half-hour special on MSG Varsity in mid-June. Additionally, Ward Melville High School will receive a $5,000 grant to be used in the area of visual arts. Congratulations to both Jillian and Al for this award, as well as Ward Melville student Sam Halleen, who was selected as a finalist in the Best Original Production category. The Three Village Central School District was the only school district on Long Island to be nominated twice. The “V Awards” were presented by the MSG Varsity television network and The New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NY NATAS). http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=973 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Three Village Central School District students dressed in patriotic colors and gathered together at their respective schools to honor our nation’s freedom and the American flag during the schools’ annual Flag Day ceremonies. At W.S. Mount Elementary School, the posting of the colors was coordinated at the beginning of the ceremony by the school’s Boy and Girl Scout troops, while an emotional call to colors was performed by Sean Jordan. “Today we come together to honor our most cherished national symbol, the American flag,” stated Mount Principal Nathalie Lilavois. Speaking to the crowd about what the flag means to her, Ms. Lilavois remarked, “The flag symbolizes our country and all that we stand for…it represents honor, respect, and courage, and keeps us thinking about doing the right thing all of the time.” Veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces were present during the schools’ ceremonies and joined in on the program’s festivities. The students added to the celebrations by singing patriotic songs, including Yankee Doodle, This Land is Your Land, America the Beautiful, and You’re a Grand Old Flag, and the winners of the patriotic essay contest were announced. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=974 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh-grade student Sarah Martin and Ward Melville High School tenth grader Anna Whitney were both named first-place winners in the Annual Gambone Essay Contest sponsored by the Long Island Language Arts Council (LILAC). The contest was open to students in grades four, seven, and ten and schools were invited to submit the work of one student in each of the specified grade levels. For the entries, Sarah and Anna completed a timed writing assignment following the prompt “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave,” a Native American saying, and selected a writing piece from their portfolio that they felt reflected their best work. Sarah explained that her timed piece was a poem that focused on the civil war era; a topic she selected based on interest, as well as because it was the focus of her history class at the time. Anna’s timed piece centered on World War II and was structured as a short essay. As first-place winners, the students were given The Phyllis Wilens Award in the amount of $100 and a commemorative plaque. Congratulations to these two young writers! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=975 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Fifth-grade students in Brigit DiPrimo’s class at Arrowhead Elementary School participated in Disney Planet Challenge for 2010 and received runner-up status for New York State. For their project, the students created a PowerPoint on saving the piping plover’s that nest along West Meadow and Cedar Beach. The students conducted extensive research on the piping plovers, their nesting habits, and why they are endangered. The class’s completed PowerPoint was presented to the entire Arrowhead student body at an assembly conducted by the students. To help increase the school community’s understanding of the need to save the piping plovers, the students created bracelets, bookmarks and other handmade items to sell during lunch hours. The project raised more than $200, which will be used to purchase metal signs along the beach where the plovers nest. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=976 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT As an extension of their social studies curriculum, fifth-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District stepped back in time when they recently participated in an immigration simulation. From the moment the students, who were dressed as immigrants from Europe or Asia would have, stepped off the school bus and entered the building, they were transported to the early 1900s’ and challenged to play the role of a family ancestor immigrating to the United States. Prior to the event, and with the help of their art teacher, Maria Maritato, the students researched a family ancestor who immigrated to this country and created an immigrant journal. Then, using that information, the students created a profile of the immigrant they would embody on Immigration Day. “We try to recreate the immigration process and experience as best we can,” stated teacher Janet VonBargen. “By acting as immigrants and filing through the process, the students are able to gain a deeper understanding of not only this time in history but also the experience their ancestors had when coming to America.” Upon arriving at school, the students made their way into the cafeteria or “Ellis Island” and began the process of becoming an immigrant. Parent and staff volunteers were on-hand in the school’s mini-gym monitoring the different immigration stations, which checked the ‘immigrants’ background, vocation, character, health, and ultimately cleared them for citizenship. “I became the person I was named after, he immigrated in 1903,” stated fifth grader Jacob Klipstein. “I found it really interesting to go through the different stations and learn what the immigrants were asked when they arrived in America.” At the conclusion of the program, the students gathered in the auditorium to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Loyalty Oath. As a reflection on the event and still pretending to be their alter egos, the students wrote a letter home to their family ‘overseas.’ http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=910 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Three Village Teams Excel in Science Competitions After placing well in the Eastern Long Island Regional Science Olympiad tournaments, teams from P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools and Ward Melville High School in the Three Village Central School District were selected to compete in the New York State Science Olympiad competition at SUNY New Paltz. The schools’ teams triumphed over the competition from 35 schools in the state and placed high during several events. At the conclusion of the state tournaments, the P.J. Gelinas team was in first place, the team from R.C. Murphy was this year’s third-place winner, and Ward Melville’s team placed second in their respective divisions. As a result of their first and second-place wins, P.J. Gelinas and Ward Melville High Schools’ students were eligible to compete at the 2010 National Science Olympiad tournament, at which the team from Gelinas placed third and the Ward Melville team placed 14th. In addition to their outstanding results at this year’s Science Olympiad tournaments, R.C. Murphy Junior High School’s Science Bowl team was named the fifth-place winners in this year’s National Science Bowl competition. For this honor, the team was awarded $1,000 to be used toward the program. Congratulations to the team’s five members, Harrison Li, Daniel Redlinger, Felix Wang, Raymond Yin, and Akilesh Tangella. This was the second consecutive year that the school was represented at the national competition. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=895 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School’s Science Olympiad team recently placed third in the nation at the 2010 National Science Olympiad tournament; making them the first middle school in New York State to finish in the top five at the annual science competition. During the event, the team competed in a variety of contests based on principles of physics, chemistry, biology and geology, among other fields of study. Gelinas captured third place in the overall competition by scoring at the top in a range of events and winning medals in nine categories: four 1st places, two 2nd places, two 5th places, and one 6th place. Medals were awarded for 1st-6th place in the 23 national events, and 1st-3rd place in three trial events. In addition to Gelinas’s victory, Ward Melville High School’s team also triumphed over the competition at the high school level, earning 14th place in the prestigious tournament, which included 60 teams from 47 states. Ward Melville earned medals in nine events, including three 2nd places, three 3rd places, two 4th places, and one 5th place. The district congratulates the schools’ teams on their outstanding accomplishments. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=896 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Walls at both Nassakeag and Minnesauke Elementary Schools received a facelift as the schools’ students recently completed tile murals on a wall at each building. As their class gift, the sixth-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School worked with their art teacher, Christine Fieldman, to create a multicultural tile mural at the front entrance of the school. Each student created a drawing depicting their family heritages, which were then imprinted on tiles. Two drawings from each class were selected be recreated on large ceramic pieces, which were also used throughout the mural. At Nassakeag, students had the chance to help create a beautiful mural in the shape of a butterfly. With the help of art teacher Rachel Condron, sixth-grade teacher Jon Stecker, and teacher aide Lori Gibson, students created original artwork, which was printed on tiles by Square 1 Art. The finished tiles were used to form the butterfly shape (seen here) and line the archways of several nearby walkways. Several of the building’s students are pictured here with Mr. Stecker, Principal Gail Casciano, Ms. Condron, and Ms. Gibson. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=897 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT While they still have a few years ahead of them before they will enter the workforce, students at W.S. Mount Elementary School and Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village School District recently took a look at their futures when they learned firsthand about a variety of careers during the school’s career day programs. At Mount, the entire school had the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of presenters during their Career Lab, which was structured into four interactive workshop sessions. During the program, students had the chance to learn about the life of a beekeeper, how to make decorative chocolates and different paints, and the work done by a racecar driver. Nassakeag’s fourth through sixth-grade students had a similar experience during their school’s career day. After selecting the career topics they were interested in learning about, the students spent the morning learning about such professions as an anesthesiologist, airline pilot, event planner, horse management, and baker. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=898 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School eighth-grade students (l-r) Katelyn Winter and Kerrin Archer have been selected as winners in the National Council of Teachers of English Promising Young Writers Contest. This year, there were 415 students nationwide who competed and only 135 were selected as outstanding writers; eight of which were from New York State. The contest challenged students to write a piece around the theme “Scattering Clouds, Spreading Light.” Katelyn based her piece on her grandpa, while Kerrin wrote about a family friend. The students are pictured here with their English teachers, Laurie Burke and Jackie Pardi. R.C. Murphy Junior High School is proud to announce that out of more than 5,000 entries, ninth-grade student Melvin Li has been selected as one of 10 Honorable Mention winners in the 24th Annual Walt Whitman Poetry Contest. Melvin’s winning entry was based on the changes of the seasons. He is pictured here with English Department Chairperson Catherine Duffy. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=899 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Members of Nassakeag Elementary School’s Student Council recently coordinated an after-school game day with seniors from South Setauket’s Atria senior living facility. During the event, the students spent the afternoon playing board and card games with the visiting seniors, and enjoyed some tasty treats. Upon leaving the school, the students presented the visitors with gift bags. The student council is advised by Robbin Teitelbaum and Adele Gibbons. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=900 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team has once again demonstrated a strong foresight for the business world at this year’s State competition. As a result of their outstanding performance, 15 of the 19 students that competed placed in their events, nine of who have qualified to compete in the National FBLA tournament in Nashville, TN this July. Congratulations to the following students and their advisor, business teacher Ilene Littman. Eugene Cheung, Jonathan Corona & John Kelly Business Plan Team Event – First Place Don Strong & Ross Bernstein Global Business Team Event – First Place Nevin Daniel Business Calculations & Business Communications – Second Place Prashant Kota Business Communications – Third Place Lily Chen, Michael Marcel & Rocco Morra Entrepreneurship Team – Fourth Place Sean Han Business Math – Second Place Intro to Business Communications – Third Place Jenny Li Intro to Technology Concepts – Third Place FBLA Principles & Procedures – Fifth Place Jesse Xing Computer Problem Solving – First Place Jonathan Yin Cyber Security – Second Place Lily Chen Website Development – Second Place Jack Zhou Business Math – Fourth Place http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=901 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Setauket Elementary School’s Math Olympiad team, which is advised by Della Caputo, scored in the top 10% of 3,776 teams worldwide in the MOEMS (Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools) contest. The team, which is comprised of fifth and sixth-grade students, met weekly for an hour to explore a topic or mathematical strategy in depth using Creative Program-Solving in School Mathematics, and practice for the monthly contests. Congratulations to the team and Ms. Caputo for this outstanding achievement. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=902 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT At Nassakeag Elementary School’s spring concert, attendees not only had the chance to listen to beautiful music performed by the school’s students, but to also help out less fortunate members of the local community. In conjunction with an in-school food drive, the student-musicians asked concert attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to the event, all of which were donated to the Saint James Food Pantry in Setauket. Fourth-grade students (l-r) Casey Sullivan, Giovanna Marrano, Ricky Frantellizzi, CJ Lala, and Steven Chan are pictured here with some of the donated items. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=903 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School students and staff members recently coordinated a fundraising activity for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, which offers families with a sick child a place to stay in close proximity to their treatment facility. The building’s teachers volunteered their time to work at a local McDonald’s and the school’s sixth graders created posters and signs to help promote the event. As a result of their efforts, the students raised $700 for the organization and collected several boxes of items off their wish list, including white towels, hand towels, washcloths, and infant toys. Several Nassakeag Elementary School students are pictured here with Matthew Campo, presenting their check donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=867 Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT When it comes to business savvy, Three Village Central School District students are right on the money! Three students from Ward Melville High School and two from R.C. Murphy Junior High School recently placed among the top five in their categories at the annual Long Island Business Teachers’ Association contest. Two hundred and forty students from 17 Long Island districts competed in 13 different areas of business. Congratulations to Julia Deng (1st place Fashion Merchandising, WMHS), Joseph Saypoff (2nd place Sports Marketing, WMHS), Carolina Zheng and Gloria Zheng (3rd and 4th places, respectively, Computer Applications, R.C. Murphy JHS) and Edward McDermott (5th place Career & Financial Management, WMHS), who proved that they are future captains of industry. Three Village was the only district to place two students in the top five in the Computer and Career Essentials course. Eleven district students participated in the event in seven different categories. Business education teachers Ilene Littman and Jeanne Schnupp accompanied them to the event. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=868 Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Spinning plates, walking on stilts, and tricks with the diabolo were among the circus activities the students at Minnesauke Elementary School learned when representatives from the National Circus Project visited the school to conduct workshops during physical education classes. During the weeklong lesson, students in grades K-6 worked with the trained professionals and perfected the skills necessary to perform a number of circus tricks. As a conclusion to the school’s participation in the National Circus Project, the school’s sixth graders conducted an evening Rock and Roll Circus event for their family and friends. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=869 Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District coordinated a dinner-and-a-movie program to help raise funds for Haiti relief. During the event, attendees enjoyed a delicious meatball and spaghetti dinner (donated by various restaurants), followed by a showing of the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. For their admittance to the event each person made a donation of $5, and during the night they had a chance to enter a variety of raffles. Additionally, the students and staff members had the opportunity to purchase “Hands for Haiti” T-shirts, and two classes helped create enormous “scale drawings” to advertise the event. The scale drawings were not only a fun activity for the students, but also helped to reinforce several topics of the grade’s math curriculum. More than 150 T-shirts were purchased. As a result of this sale and the movie night, the school raised $1850. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=870 Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Working together to be future leaders for not only their school but the surrounding community, approximately 50 eighth and ninth-grade students from R.C. Murphy Junior High School participated in a daylong Language of Leadership Workshop conducted at the school. The program, which was facilitated by both school staff and outside professionals, was aimed at raising students’ self-awareness about how messages (particularly in the media) effect the way they perceive themselves and each others, encourage and support them to become leaders, and create an understanding of the social dynamics of teasing and bullying. Throughout the workshop, the students explored a variety of topics, including interpersonal dynamics, leadership styles, non-verbal communication skills, and bullying prevention. “Students have become so desensitized to meanness and cruelty that often they do not see their words and actions toward each other, even toward their own friends, as a problem,” stated Murphy teacher and program coordinator Dr. Laurie Mandel, who along with fellow teacher Brian Pickford secured a MESTRACT grant to fund the event.“When one doesn't see a problem they can't be part of a solution. This workshop engaged the students in a series of powerful consciousness-raising activities and exercises to explore the dynamics of bullying and social cruelty.” In addition to the large and small group exercises, using the drum as a metaphor for one's "voice", world-renowned drummer and psychotherapist Robert Lawrence Friedman lead each student in an interactive activity. With a drum in hand, the students worked collectively to explore the notions of positive and negative social power and status through non-verbal communication. At the conclusion of the workshop, the students filled out an Action Statement, on which they explained the steps they will take to reach their commitment and be a better leader. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=820 Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Some of the lesser-known facts about the Civil War were the topic of conversation at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District when the members of Company “K,” 67th NY Historical Association visited with the school’s fifth-grade students to perform a Civil War reenactment. Through their social studies lessons, the students have been studying the Civil War, making the program an excellent accompaniment to the grade level’s curriculum. During the presentation, the group took on the persona of three members of the Union and spoke with the students about different aspects of the war, in addition to having some relics from the era on display. Acting as living historians, the members reviewed the different types of weapons used, the types of medicine available and what types were developed as a result of the war, the food the soldiers ate, and the different components of their uniforms. After discussing each area, the historians conducted a brief question-and-answer session. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=821 Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Murphy Students Learn About the Holocaust from Survivor In recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day, R.C. Murphy Junior High School eighth-grade students sat in silence in the school’s auditorium as special visitor and holocaust survivor Werner Reich shared his story about living through one of the most devastating historic events ever recorded. Through pictures and newspaper clippings, Mr. Reich took the students back in time and clearly outlined what it was like for those imprisoned in concentration camps, and the long, hard struggle they were faced with. “The most difficult experience for us was not knowing if you were going to live another day or if today was your last,” stated Mr. Reich. “There was no place for your mind to escape to…no one to talk to that could make you feel better and, if only for a moment, forget about where you were.” Throughout the event, Mr. Reich stressed one main message – intolerance kills. He encouraged the students to better themselves and work to create a better world. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=798 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT The surrounding grounds of Setauket Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District are rich in history – a history dating back 355 years. In celebration of the area’s past, the school recently hosted their Fifth Annual Founders Day program under sunny skies. During the event, Principal Dr. Anne Rullan spoke briefly about the individuals the program was honoring and recalled how she learned a part of the school’s more recent history when she discovered a letter written by Ward Melville (for which the current high school is named) dating back to 1951. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” she stated. “From the murals in our auditorium to the historians here today, this program is something that teaches everyone more about the history found in our own backyards.” Board of Education President Dr. David Micklos also spoke to the importance of the program and noted that a new piece of history now lays on the grounds of the school – a beautiful marquee donated by the school’s Classes of 2009 and 2010, as well as the PTA. Throughout the remainder of the program, attendees enjoyed listening to performances by the school’s band and chorus, in addition to participating in a variety of activities that blanketed the front lawn. These included learning how to make ice cream with representatives from Benner’s Farm, engaging in lively discussions with costumed docents, and making taffy. Additionally, visitors enjoyed taking a walk through time by viewing the breathtaking Vance Locke Murals depicting the history of Brookhaven Town, which are permanently displayed in the school’s auditorium. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=799 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District congratulates Ward Melville High School students Micky Aliosio, John Sanders, Matthew Farrell, James Lamberg and Kurt Steinmuller, who were named Best in Show winners in the video/film category at the Long Island Media Arts Competition. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=781 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Throughout the month of March, the Global Language Department at R.C. Murphy Junior High School coordinated several activities for the school’s and District’s students and staff. Fifth and sixth-grade students from the District were invited to learn about French and German cooking during two after-school cooking classes. Murphy students currently enrolled in the building’s French classes were invited to attend a French Night organized by the NY Islanders, and all Global Language classes visited the Cinema Arts Centre to view a movie about the language they are studying and eat at an authentic restaurant serving that country’s customary dishes. The building’s students also participated in a poster contest, themed Languages Connect Us, as well as a door-decorating contest. As a culminating activity to the monthlong celebration, Murphy’s Global Languages Honor Society organized and catered an International Night, which was open to the entire community. During the event, attendees feasted on a wide variety of traditional dishes and watched as students performed the Can Can, Tarantella, and Irish stepdance, and two professional dancers performed the salsa and merengue. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=782 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT What will I be when I grow up? R.C. Murphy Junior High School eighth-grade students worked to answer that very question when they attended the school’s recent Career Awareness Day. During the program, which was coordinated by committee members Jeanne Schnupp (business teacher), and Cindy Carrucciu, and Ginger Ferraro (family and consumer science teachers), the students had the chance to learn about a variety of careers from professionals in the industry. “We hope that this day helps the students learn something about careers they never thought of before or realized they have an interest in and the realities about careers they thought they knew,” stated Ms. Schnupp. “Now as students plan their high school years, they will hopefully do so with more understanding about what courses, electives, and clubs they should participate in to learn even more about the career areas they are interested in.” Presenters covered the fields of health services, the arts, humanities, engineering, technology, natural and agricultural science, human and public services, and business and information systems. “It was really exciting to speak with all of the presenters,” stated eighth grader Jennifer Zhong. “It really opened my mind to the endless possibilities I have for my future.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=780 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to R.C. Murphy Junior High school eighth-grade honors student Akilesh Tangella, who received an honorable mention certificate at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair for his project entitled “How Can Robots Help Agriculture?” Akilesh is pictured here with Linda Padwa, one of the organizers of the event, and John Maiorca, one of the judges. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=761 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Arrowhead Elementary School fourth grader Nolan Adelsky is putting his love for animals into action this March as he works to coordinate a schoolwide drive for the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter. With the help of his peers and teachers, Nolan has been collecting a variety of items for the shelter, including blankets, dog and cat food, towels, sheets, and toys. “I really liked the idea of helping out animals in our community…animals that are living in a shelter and in need of some love,” stated Nolan, who hopes to pursue a career in the field of animal care when he grows up. “I really appreciate the donations that have been brought in and know they will go towards a good cause.” Nolan coordinated the drive throughout the month of March not only with the desire to help his furry friends, but also in the pursuit of a Presidential Community Service Award. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=749 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Community service and working to help others is a yearlong mission for the students in Kate Hunter’s and Irene Berman’s fifth-grade classes at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District. Throughout the school year these students have been working on service projects aimed at helping the less fortunate members of their community, both locally and regionally. This February and March, the students worked on a unique food drive that not only collected non-perishable goods for the school’s and St. James’ food pantries but also demonstrated that giving back starts at home. Over a four-week period, the students completed chores at home in exchange for food donations. “I made sure to make my bed and clean my room each day…chores that I did not enjoy doing in the past, but recently did with enthusiasm, knowing I was working to help others,” stated Alexander Langrock. “There are people in the world that are not as lucky as we are…people that do not have food or shelter. I hope that this project we coordinated will help those living in our community who are in need of some assistance,” added Alexander Young. As a result of the drive, the students collected 291 items. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=750 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT After hearing about the fire that ripped through South Bay Elementary School in the West Babylon School District in February, the student council at Setauket Elementary School wanted to do something to help out their peers across Long Island. With the help of their advisors, the school’s PTA, and the Three Village Teachers Association, the students coordinated a School Book Drive. Rising to the occasion, Setauket’s students, teachers, and families displayed their giving nature and donated more than 3,800 picture books, intermediate novels, science reading material, and early reader books to the cause. The student council fifth and sixth-grade members separated the boxes of books into genres, teaching material, and reading level for easy distribution. The collected books were delivered to South Bay Elementary School’s temporary location and several other schools in need in mid-March. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=751 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT As a part of the school’s Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program, Arrowhead Elementary School students were recently visited by several Community Guest Readers. Each of the volunteer guests visited the students in their classrooms and spoke about why they felt reading was an important part of their lives, and also, shared a book aloud with the class. This year the students were not only visited by several district administrators and community members, but also had the chance to meet with Dr. Samuel Stanley, Jr., the President of Stony Brook University, and local elected officials Suffolk County Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher and New York State Senator John Flanagan. “It is a great pleasure to have the chance to meet with all of you and share our love for reading,” stated Dr. Stanley as he visited with the sixth-grade students in Daniel Walsh’s class. “Stony Brook University is a part of your community and we hope that you will have the chance to visit our campus and take advantage of the resources we have.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=752 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT The students at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School celebrated a wide range of cultures the second week of March as they recognized National Foreign Language Week. To kick off the school’s celebration, students attended the Foreign Language Department’s first-ever FLING (Foreign Language International Night Gala) at Lombardi's on the Sound. More than 200 students, teachers, and parents attended the festivities, which was made possible by a grant from the Three Village Educational Foundation and featured international cuisine, music and entertainment. The Gelinas PTSA and the Lombardi family donated international gift baskets that were raffled off to benefit the victims of the recent earthquake in Chile. Students had a wonderful time celebrating the importance of learning another language and enjoyed taking a swing at a piñata created by an art student with the help of her art teacher, Michael Sacco. During the weeklong celebration, students were read interesting facts about each country and listened to cultural music during the morning announcements. With the help of the district’s nutritionist, during their lunch periods students also had the chance to feast on a delicious international cuisine reflective of the different days. Eighth-grade Spanish students in Brian Scripture's and Isabel Rendon's classes were treated to a Paella cooking class thanks to the expertise of Mr. and Mrs. Alventosa, two Gelinas parents. The students enjoyed learning about and sampling the most famous dish from Spain. Lastly, the building’s Global Language Honor Society members participated in the Annual International Week Poster Contest. The theme for 2010 was "Languages Connect Us" and this year’s winner was ninth grader Samantha Cassidy. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=753 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools’ Theater Companies astounded audiences with their high-energy, talent-filled musical productions this March. For their show, Gelinas students took on the timeless story of The Sound of Music, while Murphy students dazzled audiences with the Disney musical Cinderella. Audiences sat on the edge of their seats as the casts took to the stages to deliver near-perfect performances. The students, who had been practicing for several months under the direction of Melissa Davis (Gelinas) and Anthony Pollera (Murphy), performed their respective shows before packed houses. In addition to their sold-out evening performances, both schools performed free shows for the district’s sixth-grade students and senior citizen residents. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=754 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Teaming up together, Nassakeag and W.S. Mount Elementary Schools coordinated an evening author night, which featured more than 30 local writers. During the program, students and their parents had the chance to speak with the authors about their books and the writing process, as well as purchase books and have them personalized. Earlier in the day of the Long Island Author Night, eight of the local authors visited W.S. Mount Elementary School and spoke with the buildings kindergarten through fifth-grade students about their profession. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=755 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT As a result of her placement on the National German Exam, an oral interview, and a recommendation from the Long Island Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German, Ward Melville High School tenth grader Constanza Arevalo has won an all expenses-paid study trip to the Federal Republic of Germany. Only 39 students from across the country were chosen for this honor. “I am extremely excited to have been selected and am really looking forward to this experience,” stated Constanza, who in addition to studying German is fluent in Spanish. “I am most looking forward to learning about the country and culture firsthand.” During her trip, Constanza will live with a host family and attend school (in both English and German) with the other students in the program. Her trip will last approximately three weeks. “There is only so much that we can teach during the 40-minute class,” stated German teacher Michele Aweh. “This trip will give Constanza the opportunity to learn about and live in the culture 24/7.” Ward Melville has produced a winner in the competition the last three out of four years. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=756 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “Luck Be a Lady” were just two of the familiar songs echoing through the auditorium at Minnesauke Elementary School as more than 80 students performed Guys and Dolls, Jr. Since their auditions in October, the students have been rehearsing their lines, musical numbers, and perfecting their characters’ traits under the direction of music director Susan Aupperlee and stage director Ken Hall. Before an audience of their peers, teachers, family, and friends, the student cast dazzled audiences with their theatrical talents in late March. In addition to the large cast, 19 students participated in this year’s set design club and five students worked as the stage crew. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=757 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary School’s community service club hosted their second annual Nintendo Wii fundraising event at the end of March to benefit the ALS - Ride for Life Foundation, which helps those afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Over the past six years, the club, with tremendous help from the Mount students and staff, has raised an unbelievable $16,740. This year’s event, which challenged students to go head to head and put their driving skills to the test with Wii Mario Kart, was open to the entire school and community. The students in attendance enjoyed the friendly competition and the chance to win several game-themed prizes, including a new Nintendo Wii system. As a result of the program and the school’s regular snack cart sales, Mount collected more than $4,000 for the organization this year. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=760 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT Looking toward their futures, students from R.C. Murphy Junior High School, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School, and Ward Melville High School attended a recent Career Awareness Evening to speak with individuals from a variety of different professions. During the event, the students discussed career options with civil engineers, video game builders, information technologists, advertising executives, comic book developers, an accountant, and many others. The students left the program with a better idea of what type of college to choose in the future in order to enter their desired career. Pictured here are several students with representatives from Advanced Sports. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=728 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy JHS Students Aspire to Write the Next Hit Broadway Play Students in Cathy Duffy’s ninth-grade English classes at R.C. Murphy Junior High School have been working on writing the next great American Broadway play this winter as they participated in the Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest presented by Billy Elliot The Musical. With the help of Ms. Duffy, the students have each composed a ten-minute play that incorporates one or more of the three themes from the Billy Elliot story: an individual aspiring to achieve their dream, discovering and developing a special talent, or overcoming an obstacle. Before submitting their final play, the students attended a special in-school workshop conducted Through the Stage Door teaching artist John Shorter. Mr. Shorter spoke with the students about the playwriting process and shared some tips on how to improve their manuscripts. Additionally, Mr. Shorter reviewed several of the students’ submissions and encouraged them to continue to find ways to improve their plays. The students’ submissions will be judged by a panel of Broadway professionals. Through the first round of judging the panel will select the top 25 and, in the second round, will identify the top finalists. The overall winner’s play will be performed at the Fidelity FutureStage Finale at the Imperial Theatre in New York City in mid-June. Last year, Murphy was named one of the top 35 schools in the contest. In recognition of their participation, the school received two complimentary tickets to an upcoming performance of Billy Elliot The Musical. The school awarded these tickets to ninth grader William Stieglitz, who is selected by the school’s teachers to have the winning play at Murphy. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=729 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT After hearing about the tragedy in Haiti, Nassakeag Elementary School librarian Debrah Bogenhagen and library secretary Judy Gavin worked to create an activity that would not only help to raise funds for the nation in need but also engaged students in a meaningful learning activity. The project, which they called Helping Hands for Haiti Read-A-Thon, has been successfully implemented in all five of the Three Village Central School District’s elementary schools. For their participation in the program, the students were asked to seek monetary donations from their friends and family as a reward for the books that they read. To date, the students have raised $14,479, which will be divided between Action Against Hunger and Doctors Without Borders. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=689 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School’s Student Government donated the proceeds of their Valentine’s Day rose sale to UNICEF, one of the organizations working to help rebuild Haiti after the recent earthquake. The students purchased the artificial roses during their lunch periods, which were delivered to the intended recipients just in time for Valentine’s Day. As a result of the sale, the students raised more than $1,000 for UNICEF. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=690 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT Students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District have learned that life’s obstacles, big or small, do not define, nor should they limit a person from participating in activities that they enjoy. In conjunction with the school’s desire to promote disability awareness, this winter students learned how their choices can change their life in an instant when two inspiring speakers visited the school. Brooke Ellison, a former R.C. Murphy Junior High School student and highly decorated individual, spoke with the school’s seventh graders about her life as a quadriplegic and the obstacles she has been faced with. On Brooke’s first day of seventh grade at R.C. Murphy, a car struck her while she walked home from school, an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. “It is always so nice to come back here and visit Murphy,” stated Brooke, who addressed the students with her mother, Jean, by her side. “I believe that we all have a responsibility to share what we’ve learned with others…there will always be challenges in your life, but as long as you have a true understanding of who you are deep down, you will be okay.” Jason Soricelli, a man bound to his wheelchair after a dirt bike accident, spoke with the school’s students during their gym classes and demonstrated that, even though he needs the assistance of the chair to get around, it has not stopped him from maintaining an athletic lifestyle. After speaking with the classes, Jason invited each of the students to join him in playing a game of wheelchair basketball – a sport Jason has become a professional in. Students, and even a few teachers, enjoyed learning the rules of the game and testing their skills at the sport. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=691 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT Gelinas Students Participate in National Geographic Bee Putting their geography knowledge to the test, this winter P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students once again participated in the nationwide geography contest sponsored by the National Geographic Society and organized at Gelinas by social studies teacher Lou Laird. The building’s seventh and eighth-grade students entered the contest when they took the program’s written exam during their social studies classes. As a result of their submissions, approximately 10 students were announced as the school’s finalists and competed in the second round of the competition at the school in late January. During the contest, the students were challenged to answer both oral and written questions, centered on their own innate knowledge of geography, and were tasked with the challenge of interpreting a map. Providing a challenging experience for all participants, the competition came down to a nail-biting victory. Congratulations to eighth grader Jonathan Finke who placed first in this year’s contest and to seventh grader Max Carrion, who was presented with the second-place trophy. With the school’s first-place win, Jonathan is now eligible to take the qualifying test for the NY State round and will be notified in March if he is one of the 100 students chosen to compete at the state level. Winners of the state round will take part in the national competition in Washington D.C. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=650 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools jazz band students recently participated in the schools’ Fourth Annual Jazz Nite, which was held in early February and conducted by band teachers Mark Portugal and Todd Schievelbein. During the event, the students had the opportunity to participate in small group clinics alongside professional musicians highly proficient on their instruments. Following the one-hour workshops, the students listed to the “Black Tie Affair Orchestra”, under the direction of Ward Melville High School music teacher Thomas Manuel, and then joined the professional mentors on stage to perform three songs learned during the clinic sessions. This annual event was created in order for the students to experience the jazz idiom in a non-competitive environment, while providing an atmosphere of concentrated efforts on jazz performance. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=651 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School’s Global Language Honor Society organized a garage sale to help raise funds for disaster relief efforts in Haiti. The building’s staff and students donated hundreds of items, including home goods, decorations, and clothing to the sale, which was held at the beginning of February in the Murphy Cafeteria. As a result of the event, the school raised $900, all of which was donated to Action Against Hunger (www.actionagainsthunger.org). The group is pictured with their advisors Emiliano Geoninatti and Kerri Golini. Ms. Golini is also the building’s Global Languages Department Chairperson. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=652 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s Student Government rallied their peers together to help out the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and through the generosity of the building’s students and staff members, the organization collected more than $885 during the one week drive at lunchtime. All donations made were donated to the American Red Cross. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=653 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School sophomore Adam Gittin is receiving some help from sixth graders from Jeanine Villari’s class at Setauket Elementary School and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s National Art Honor Society members as he works to achieve the highest honor among the Boy Scouts of America; Eagle Scout status. In order to achieve this title, Adam must meet a number of requirements, including completing a multilayer community service project aimed at bettering his community. For his project, Adam is working to restore the nesting colonies of least terns to West Meadow Beach, which is part of one of the largest coastal wetland ecosystems on the North Shore of Long Island. Helping him accomplish this task, the Setauket and Gelinas students have volunteered to paint decoys shaped and colored to look like actual terns. The completed decoys, along with a soundtrack of the birds’ mating calls, will be placed on a cleared section of land on the beach in late March to early April. "The terns have not nested on West Meadow Beach in some time…(and as they) are considered threatened in New York State, it is our goal to help the birds find adequate nesting grounds to repopulate," stated Adam, who has a strong passion for environmental issues. "The Gelinas and Setauket students have been a phenomenal help. Painting the least tern decoys gives the students an opportunity to become involved in the community, a fundamental aspect of what the Eagle Scout project is all about.I believe it is very important for students to be active in the community and to use their talents, in this case art, to benefit the environment." In addition to his fellow Three Village students, Adam is also working closely with the Director of Environmental Protection for the Town of Brookhaven, a Regional Bird Biologist from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, and a representative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Special thanks are extended to the Avalon Park and Preserve, who, through a Kids and Nature Grant, provided the funds to purchase the decoys. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=654 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dipper was a question heard around Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District following a recent character education assembly program. The event, which was based on Carol McCloud’s popular children’s book “Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids,” taught students that bucket fillers are those who share kind words or perform kind deeds as opposed to those that make mean comments or show disrespect. Prior to the assembly, each teacher received a copy of the book and are now working to incorporate the story’s lessons into their classrooms. To help the students further understand how to better themselves as bucket fillers, the Bucket Ladies, Peggy and Brooke Johncox, conducted several grade-level assemblies and an after-school teacher workshop for the faculty. At the conclusion of the assemblies, the Bucket Ladies certified the elementary building as an official Bucket-Filling School. At the faculty workshop, the presenters expressed her desire to help make the world a bucket-filling place and spoke with the teachers about ways in which to help guide the students in doing so. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=631 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Photo Caption: As a result of their outstanding athletic abilities and dedication to their sport, three Ward Melville High School seniors have been named to Newsday’s All-Long Island Team for their respective sports. Congratulations to Georgia Holland (Field Hockey), Noelle Morrison (Girls Volleyball), and Quinn Raseman (Boys Cross-Country). In addition to these three rising star athletes, Ward Melville Girls Swimming Coach Chris Gordon was selected as this year’s All-Long Island Coach of the Year. Pictured here is Quinn, Georgia, Noelle, and Interim Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Athletics Erin Blaney. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=619 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School sophomore Rocco Morra was named a Semifinalist in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District Leadership Conference held at Molloy College. Rocco competed against students from 16 other high school FBLA chapters in the area of Impromptu Speaking. During the event, Rocco delivered a speech on how he would change the world, identifying how one’s character could lead to accomplishing that mission. As a Semifinalist, Rocco will now compete in the FBLA State Leadership Conference to be held in Rochester, NY this April. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=620 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT As an extension of their studies on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., second-grade students in Kim Rosner and Kim Lindner’s class at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District took to the school’s stage to perform a play about the famous man for their peers and parents. Through a variety of songs and skits, the students took the audience through the life of Dr. King, Jr. starting with his early childhood and ending with his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C. The performance was adapted from a play by Bobbi Katz. In the true spirit of what Dr. King, Jr. strived to achieve, the students donated the proceeds from their evening performance to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. More than $397 was raised as a result of the play, all of which was given to the school’s fundraiser Helping Hands for Haiti, which is being coordinated by school librarian Debrah Bogenhagen and library secretary Judy Gavin. To date, the school’s students have raised more than $3,200 for Haiti relief by seeking donations for time spent reading for pleasure. The sum of Nassakeag’s donations will be divided between Action Against Hunger and Doctors without Borders. In addition to the monetary donations made by the school, Jon Stecker’s sixth-grade class coordinated a clothing drive for the people of Haiti. Thanks to the generosity of the school’s students, faculty, and family members, Mr. Stecker’s class collected and sorted more than 50 boxes of clothing. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=621 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Throughout their educational career in the Three Village School District, students are afforded a wide range of chances to learn about the opportunities that will be available to them post-graduation. This January, Ward Melville High School’s guidance department coordinated two programs geared towards this very mission. More than 60 Ward Melville Class of 2009 alumni returned to their alma mater to participate in the building’s annual Alumni Day. During the event, the returning graduates engaged in a candid question-answer session with members of the current Ward Melville senior class. The past students focused on pressing issues facing college freshmen and spoke about their experiences during their first semester. The panelists included students attending schools both locally and throughout the United States, including several of the SUNY schools, Harvard University, Suffolk County Community College, American University, St. Joseph’s College, Yale University, and Fordham University. During a Parent College Night, which was combined with the school’s traditional Financial Aid Night, parents of juniors and seniors gathered in the school’s auditorium to learn how best to begin planning for their child’s post-secondary education. During the event, Peter Van Buskirk, a former dean of admissions, author, and a terrific speaker on college admissions, addressed the audience and shared his expertise on the college application process and the best ways to secure financial aid. In addition to these two January programs, this year the guidance department once again partnered with several colleges to offer an on-site Admissions Program for members of the Class of 2010. During the event, college admissions staff visited with seniors to conduct personal interviews, evaluate their applications, and ultimately render a decision for acceptance. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=606 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School in the Three Village School District is proud to announce that 14 seniors, the highest number at one time in recent history, signed Letters of Intent with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to play on athletic teams at some of the top institutions of higher education. “The amount of time and effort that these students put into not only their sport, but also their academics, is extremely commendable,” stated Interim Director of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics Erin Blaney. “This commitment is a result of the students work, along with the support they received over the years from their parents and coaches. I am so proud of all of their accomplishments, both on and off the field, and know that they will make Ward Melville and Three Village proud next year.” The District extends its congratulations and best wishes to the following student-athletes: Joseph Bellavia – Florida Southern (Boys Lacrosse) Kaitlyn Caballeira – Fordham University (Girls Soccer) William Casey – Stony Brook University (Boys Soccer) Albert DeStefano – West Point Prep (Boys Lacrosse) Nicholas Giampaolo – Bryant College (Boys Lacrosse) Georgia Holland – Yale University (Field Hockey) Richard Hurley – Siena College (Boys Lacrosse) Matthew Kunkel – Duke University (Boys Lacrosse) Kaitlyn Meade – Hartford University (Softball) Kelly Naslonski – Virginia Tech (Girls Lacrosse) James Ryan – Colgate University (Boys Lacrosse) Brian Slevin – University of Vermont (Boys Lacrosse) Jennifer Walsh – University of Cincinnati (Girls Lacrosse) Jonathan Wolcott – Belmont Abbey (Boys Lacrosse) http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=607 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Last school year, the Three Village Central School District piloted a new handwriting program for students in kindergarten and first grade. As a result of the success of the pilot program, the District began using the Writing-Right with Professor Pendleton Pencil program in all five elementary schools this September. The students and staff have adapted to the new curricula seamlessly and use the program’s instructional tools daily. As a special treat, the program’s founder, occupational therapist Lori Licker, and Professor Pendleton (a 6-foot animated character featured throughout the pages of the workbook) recently visited the kindergarten and first-grade classes at Minnesauke Elementary School to conduct a small workshop on the handwriting program. During the assembly, the students demonstrated several of the Writing-Right lessons they have learned and enjoyed singing along with some of the interactive songs that are associated with the program. As stated on Ms. Licker’s website, Writing-Right with Professor Pendleton Pencil is a complete handwriting program which teaches proper grasp of the pencil and correct body position in the chair at a table or desk, and provides basic finger warm-up exercises suitable for most children. In addition, the book teaches pre-writing concepts (i.e., types of lines, directionality concepts, right/left recognition and an introduction to top, middle and bottom lines), proper letter and number formation, and where to place the letters and numbers on the paper. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=608 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Just in time for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, students throughout the Three Village Central School District spent time discussing the importance of this legendary man and engaging in a variety of activities as they celebrated a districtwide Diversity Day. With prepared speeches in hand, thirteen P.J. Gelinas Junior High School seventh-grade students took to the school’s stage to participate in the building’s annual “I Have A Dream…” Oratory Contest. In preparation for the event, the students worked with program coordinator Louis Laird and teacher Doug Elliot to draft messages fashioned after Dr. King, Jr.’s famous speech. The students’ speeches touched upon their personal goals, such as becoming a professional athlete, to those that would reach the masses, including finding a cure for cancer and strokes, to developing a national program geared towards preparing students for college. After each student delivered their compelling speeches, this year’s judges, Richard Romero, April Hatcher, and Andrew Pelosi, scored the students based on their delivery, organization, content, appearance, and poise. Congratulations to Caite Bucco, Joseph Barbieri, and Emily LaRosa, who placed first, second, and third place, respectively, in the contest. Additionally, Gelinas’ Junior Art Honor Society members created a mural in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nineteen students ranging from grades seven through nine worked on the project both after-school and independently to create a collaborative piece of artwork that was unveiled to the school on Diversity Day. Each student was given his or her own square to complete and selected a color and medium to work in, including pencil, paint, collage, charcoal, and pastel. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=609 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School in the Three Village Central School District once again dominated over the competition from 44 high schools in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four overseas schools during this year’s Intel Science Talent Search Competition. On Wednesday, January 13th, seven of the school’s talented student-research students enrolled in the school InSTAR program were named 2010 Intel Semifinalists. With seven, Ward Melville was noted to have the most Intel Semifinalists on Long Island. In recognition of their outstanding research projects, each student was presented with $1,000 and Ward Melville received $7,000 ($1,000 per Semifinalist) to be applied toward furthering the District’s science, math, and engineering program. From the group of 300 Semifinalists, 40 Finalists will be chosen to attend the Intel Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C. from March 11–16, 2010. During their trip to Washington, these Finalists will participate in a final judging process and share in $630,000 in awards. The 40 Finalists will be announced on January 27, 2010. The District congratulates the following students and wishes them well on the next level of the competition: Yuval Yaacov Calev Project: Language Perception, Production, and Memory: A Comparison of Older and Younger Adults Conor Bodkin Diviney Project: The Synthesis of Compounds as Inhibitors of the Menaquinone Biosynthetic Pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ruoyi Jiang Project: Targeting Loop Dynamics in BI/BIII Isotype Tubulin: The Application of in silico Techniques in Combating Chemotherapy Drug Resistance Andrew Li Project: An Estimate of the Viscosity of the Quark-Gluon Plasma via Anisotropic Flow Measured in Au + Au Collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider Pooja Mysore Project: Effects of Algorithmically Derived Calcitonin Receptor Peptide on the Formation of Bone Matrix Rashmi Rao Project: Pattern Classification of fMRI Data for Understanding Brain Activity in Drug Users Nimali Ayanthi Weerasooriva Project: Inhibition of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Towards a Novel Tuberculosis Chemotherapeutic http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=563 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT In schools throughout the Three Village Central School District, students, faculty members, and administrators took time out during this holiday season to spread some holiday cheer to those less-fortunate members of the community. The student council members from Arrowhead and Minnesauke Elementary School teamed up with the R.C. Murphy Junior High School student council to stuff a school bus with as many holiday toys as possible for the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch. The three schools collected hundreds of toys, both gently used and new, and delivered them to the center just before the Christmas holiday. Nassakeag Elementary School’s student council coordinated a collection drive during the holiday season. Each class donated funds, which were used by the class representative to purchase a new toy for a local child in need. The council members wrapped the donations after school and made sure they were delivered in time for the holiday. For their community service project, the sixth graders in Gina Castellano’s class at Setauket Elementary School coordinated a schoolwide coat and winter apparel drive through the middle of December. The drive received tremendous support from the school’s student body and all of the items donated were given to the Salvation Army, which then distributed the clothing to needy families in the area. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=530 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School fourth-grade students recently tested their creative skills when musician, songwriter, and storyteller Susan Trump visited the school to conduct a multidisciplinary Arts in Education program. The workshop, which was a songwriting residency, enabled the students to use their English Language Arts and music skills to compose a song about a book they had read as a class. The students met daily with Ms. Trump during the course of a week and performed their finished songs during a closing assembly for their parents. The final pieces served as a concise overview of their chosen book, set to extremely catchy tunes. At the end of the program, each teacher received a written copy and recording of the songs. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=531 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School’s Justice Club members recently volunteered during a local Special Olympics floor hockey competition. During the event, while the participants were taking time from the game, the students created door hangers with those individuals participating in the floor hockey competition. “As advisors, Allison Babb and I always try to reach out to engage our students in community service-learning opportunities that make them become more aware that no matter what differences you may have, we are all people who have something special to share with others,” stated co-advisor Nicole Silverman. “During this event the children realized that no matter what, an individual has feelings, can make you laugh, and can put a smile on your face!” This was the second time the Justice Club volunteered during a Special Olympics event. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=532 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT The students from Ward Melville High School recently had the opportunity to showcase their talents at the 14th Annual Long Island Woodworkers Show and 1st Annual High School show. The show was held at the Old Bethpage Historical Restoration Village fairgrounds and more than 1,000 attendees viewed the craftsmanship of woodworkers from Long Island, including students who are enrolled in the Woodworking Elective Courses, offered from ninth through twelfth grades, at the P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools and Ward Melville Senior High School. Each student who took part received a ribbon of excellence for their individual pieces and will be recognized at the Long Island Woodworkers Club meeting in Smithtown on Monday, January 4th. In addition, all participating students received membership into the newly formed Ward Melville Woodworkers Guild established by the Technology Education Department at Ward Melville earlier this year. The student woodworkers taking part were Mike Esposito (Mission Rocking Chair), Chase Godt (Splined Box), Emma Borrie (Mantel Clock), Kevin Johnson (Skateboard), Neil Hyland (Camp Seat), and Trevor Holotka (Backscratcher). Next year the Technology Education Department hopes to represent even more students and their work. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=533 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Broadway’s legendary musical Les Misérables came to life on the stage at Ward Melville High School when the building’s talented student-actors performed the show at the end of December. The epic story, recounting the struggle against adversity in 19th century France, is one that has become a favorite for all audiences. Approximately 200 Ward Melville High School students were involved in this year’s production on stage, off stage, and in the pit. They rehearsed for months before the play’s debut, under the direction of Acting, Vocal, and Staging Director Linda Contino; Orchestra, Set, and Technical Director Phil Preddice; and Theatrical Consultant George Loizides. As the students sang the musical’s favorite songs, including “I Dreamed A Dream” and “On My Own,” the crowd was transported back in time and reveled in the students’ unwavering talent. The students performed nearly flawless shows for three evening performances before packed crowds, and left the audiences hoping next year’s production would be just as wonderful. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=534 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Three Village Central School District’s Board of Education, PTA/PTSA members, and administrative team are proud to announce that six district students have been commended for the creative projects they produced for the 2009-2010 PTA Reflections Contest. These pieces were selected from the numerous submissions made to the annual contest and recognized as Suffolk County Award of Excellence and Award of Merit winners. Each of the five projects presented with Awards of Excellence will now move on to the next level of the competition – the state level of judging. This year’s submissions were based on the theme “Beauty Is…”. Congratulations to the following students: Nolan Adelsky (Arrowhead Elementary) Award of Excellence in Visual Arts Shaelea Carroll (P.J. Gelinas JHS) Award of Excellence in Film Production Yiran He (W.S. Mount Elementary) Award of Excellence in Musical Composition David Kirsch (Ward Melville HS) Award of Excellence in Visual Arts Thomas Li (W.S. Mount Elementary) Award of Merit in Musical Composition Constance Mulford (Setauket Elementary) Award of Excellence in Musical Composition http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=535 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT If you have attended one of the Cabaret Nights at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the past, you know that the evening is one of the most enjoyable times you can have off, off-Broadway. Recently, the school hosted its Annual Cabaret Night and opened its doors to its biggest audience yet! Transformed to look like a Manhattan-style dinner theatre, the gymnasium at the school was almost unrecognizable. The program was an evening full of entertaining comedy, song, and dance numbers by the school’s most talented students and even a few guest stars. More than 200 students performed and participated in the event, which was attended by more than 775 people. Comprised of live professional music, a mouth-watering catered meal, entertaining performances, and plenty of raffles, it was no wonder that the event continues to grow in popularity over the years. In attendance were community members, district administrators, teachers, and students, who all enjoyed a fun-filled, entertaining evening. As a result of the event, more than $20,000 was raised by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=536 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students Create Gingerbread Hospital for Mather Hospital’s 80th Anniversary Nassakeag Elementary School first-grade students in Meg Sheehan’s class put a twist on a holiday favorite this year as they worked on a project involving math, creativity, character education, and community service. With the help of their teacher and several parent volunteers, the students created a large gingerbread hospital for Mather Hospital in celebration of its 80th anniversary. Using gingerbread crackers, icing, gumdrops, and other candy-coated items, the students worked to construct a two-foot by three-foot structure resembling Mather’s actual building. The completed hospital was put on display in Mather’s main lobby. While waiting their turn to help with the hospital project, each of the students also assembled miniature gingerbread houses made of foam at their desks. Incorporating a lesson on English into the project, the students put their pencils to paper and wrote creative essays about where their gingerbread homeowners were vacationing for the holidays or a special trip they took. The finished projects were used to create a holiday village in the classroom. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=510 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School kindergarten students in Jennifer Ruger and Michele Rifkin’s class were surprised when Suffolk County Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher visited their classroom as a special guest reader. To help kick off the holiday season, Legislator Viloria-Fisher read one of her favorite holiday books, Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett. The students sat with awe as she shared the story about a gingerbread baby in search of a friend just his size. Pictured here are the kindergarteners with their teachers and Legislator Viloria-Fisher. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=511 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT America’s brightest minds and the innovators of tomorrow took on revolutionary research in biophysics and mathematics during this year’s Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. Hundreds of applications were submitted to this year’s contest but only one individual and one team were named winners during the National Finals held at New York University in early December. As a result of his hard work and determination, Ward Melville High School senior Ruoyi Jiang has been named the $100,000 Grand Prize winner of the competition in the individual category, which makes him the first Long Island student to win the competition since its creation in 1998. Ruoyi won the $100,000 scholarship in the individual category for his research on chemotherapy drug resistance. His project used state-of-the-art computational techniques to develop a more complete understanding of how Taxol functions kill tumor cells. Ruoyi’s project, entitled Targeting Loop Dynamics in BI/BIII Isotype Tubulin: The Application of In Silico Techniques in Combating Chemotherapy Drug Resistance, addresses very important outstanding questions surrounding Taxol; the understanding of such questions can help develop better chemotherapeutics for treating cancer. Ruoyi worked on this project with his mentor, Dr. Carlos Simmerling, Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Stony Brook University, as well as Dr. George J. Baldo, Director of Ward Melville’s science research class, InSTAR. In addition to this honor, Ruoyi has received honors during a variety of science competitions, including the National Science Bowl, the Toshiba ExploraVision Competition, and has been recognized for his involvement with the school’s Science Olympiad team. He is editor of Ward Melville’s school newspaper, Kaleidoscope, and a member of the Science Bowl Team. The prestigious Siemens Competition is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation and is administered by the College Board. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=512 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance has named Ward Melville High School seniors James Ryan and Sabrina Pryor Suffolk Zone Award winners. James has competed on the school’s Varsity Football team since twelfth grade, serving as a captain during his senior year. Additionally, during his athletic career at Ward Melville, he has received several honors, including being named All-County for Lacrosse and All-Division for Football. Sabrina competes on Ward Melville’s Varsity Field Hockey, Basketball, and Lacrosse teams. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been named All-Long Island in Field Hockey and was a member of the NYS Championship Field Hockey team last year. The Suffolk Zone Chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance honors one male and one female student from each school district in Suffolk County who meet established criteria for outstanding physical education achievement. In addition to that requirement, winners are expected to maintain scholastically sound academic records, display outstanding character, be a physical education and schoolwide activities leader, as well as serve as a role model for their peers. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=513 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District is involved in a unique and colorful community service project this December. With the help of the school’s student government, the students are conducting a “character band-aid” collection drive for Stony Brook University Hospital. Knowing how a fun, colorful bandage can help bring a smile to the face of a child, the hospital often uses character band-aids, such as Miss Kitty and SpongeBob, when treating patients. The student government members hope that the school’s donations will help the hospital’s patients smile during their recovery process. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=514 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT The second-grade classes at Nassakeag Elementary School encouraged their classmates and the entire student body to clean out their coat closets this December and donate their gently used outerwear to their grade level’s annual coat drive. The outpouring was amazing, and all of the donated items will be given to food banks, churches, and other charitable organizations throughout Suffolk County. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=515 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT More than 30 students in P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s Home and Careers Community Service Club put a dash of sugar and holiday spice into mixing bowls this December as they cooked more than 18 trays of baked goods for the Three Village Historical Society’s 31st Annual House Tour. The more than 1,000 visitors who partook in the tour and visited the Avalon Park and Preserve Hospitality Center enjoyed the tasty cookies, breads, and treats. Pictured here are several members of the club with advisor Janet Broadhurst and Three Village Historical Society Candle House Tour Co-Chairs Christine Petrone and Patricia Vitale. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=516 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT If you have attended one of the Cabaret Nights at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the past, you know that the evening is one of the most enjoyable times you can have off, off-Broadway. Recently, the school hosted its Annual Cabaret Night and opened its doors to its biggest audience yet! Transformed to look like a Manhattan-style dinner theatre, the gymnasium at the school was almost unrecognizable. The program was an evening full of entertaining comedy, song, and dance numbers by the school’s most talented students and even a few guest stars. More than 200 students performed and participated in the event, which was attended by more than 775 people. Comprised of live professional music, a mouth-watering catered meal, entertaining performances, and plenty of raffles, it was no wonder that the event continues to grow in popularity over the years. In attendance were community members, district administrators, teachers, and students, who all enjoyed a fun-filled, entertaining evening. As a result of the event, more than $20,000 was raised by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=517 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School senior Anna Lubitz has a true passion for animals – a notion that is behind her recent initiative to help out pets living in shelters. Anna, who aspires to become a vet after graduation, created Saving Shelter Animals with Volunteer Efforts (SSAVE) at the school last year and has continued her efforts this school year. “I have noticed a great turnout this year,” stated Anna, who has five birds, two dogs, and a cat at home. “I have a real love for animals and wanted to do anything I can to help out the less-fortunate ones around.” Anna’s SSAVE drive is running through December 18th and calls for donations for unopened food, bowls, blankets, beds, and crates. All donations will be given to the local Save-A-Pet organization and the SPCA. In addition to her volunteer work with SSAVE, Anna is a member of the school’s student government, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honor Society, InSTAR, the DVD yearbook staff, and an active student-musician. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=463 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Does the next Picasso or Leonardo Da Vinci currently attend Arrowhead Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District? Well, visitors to the South Setauket International Deli on Belle Mead Road can be the judges. From November 15-January 1, several selected students from grades 1-6 will have their artwork featured at the deli during an exhibit called “The Arrowhead Heros and a Side of Slaw.” The art projects were created in a variety of medias, including paint, chalk, and cut paper. “This is a great way for us to bring attention to the wonderful artistic talents of our students and show the community how important the subject is to students,” stated art teacher Tom Dipierro. “It is also a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their work in a venue outside of the District.” A reception for the artists and their families will be held on December 5. The event, which will run from 1:00-4:00 p.m., is also open to the community. Attendees will have the chance to work on an art project while they admire Arrowhead’s gallery. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=464 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT This fall, 43 Ward Melville High School students were selected to perform during the NYSCAME-SCMEA All-County Music Festival on November 20 in Hauppauge, while 18 student-musicians were chosen to participate in this year’s NYSSMA All-State Conference in New York on December 3-6. “We are extremely proud of these students and thank their teachers for helping to encourage their love for music,” stated Three Village Director of Music Thomas Jones. “I know that they will represent Three Village well during these festivals.” The students qualified for participation in the ensembles based on their scores in last spring’s NYSSMA solo and ensemble festival. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=465 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Flashing lights, sirens, and members of the U.S. Marshals Service were on hand to help kick off a schoolwide celebration at W.S. Mount Elementary School in honor of the building being named a National Blue Ribbon School. Dressed from head to toe in blue clothing, students, staff members, and the parent community gathered in front of the building to watch as the school’s character education mascot, Character Ed, presented Principal Nathalie Lilavois with the commemorative plaque and flag that signified W.S. Mount’s Blue Ribbon status. Since being named a National Blue Ribbon School earlier this year, a coveted recognition shared by only 19 schools from New York State, the building has been abuzz about the honor. During their schoolwide celebration, the sixth graders sang, “We are Blue Ribbon,” a tune set to the sounds of “We are the Champions,” and the whole student body performed a choreographed dance to the Black-Eyed Peas hit song “I’ve Gotta Feeling.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=466 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT District Hosts November ASSET Meeting The Three Village Central School District strives to provide students and teachers with the latest technological resources and identify ways to integrate technology into all curriculum areas and across grade levels. Continuing with this mission, this year the District introduced a new course at Ward Melville High School. The program, which is called Mechatronics, is offered through Suffolk County Community College and allows students to learn the necessary skills to secure an entry-level position as a CNC machinist. Looking to share information about the new program and the District’s overall instructional technology resources, the District hosted the Association of Suffolk Supervisors of Educational Technology’s (ASSET) regular meeting in mid-November. In attendance were representatives from local school districts, including Comsewogue, West Hampton Beach, and Elwood, as well as several technology vendors. During the event, Executive Director for Instructional Technology, Kerrin Welch-Pollera, the District’s Lead Teacher for Instructional Technology, Jim Fargione, and technology teachers, Steven Rogers and John Williams, shared information about the District’s programs and fielded questions from the audience. “This forum provides a great opportunity for professionals to share information about the field of technology,” stated Ms. Welch-Pollera. “We were happy to host the meeting in our new Board Room and showcase the District’s instructional technology program.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=467 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Native American headdresses and Pilgrim hats were out in full force as the first-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District participated in a Pow-Wow as a culminating activity for their Thanksgiving unit of study. In their classes the students constructed both a Native American or Pilgrim hat and coordinating vests with Native American stories on them. Joining together in the school’s cafeteria, the students proudly displayed their creations and recited a Thanksgiving-themed poem or song. With ‘feather pens’ in hand, the students then signed a peace treaty symbolizing their commitment to be lifelong friends and feasted on tasty cornbread and fresh butter that they had hand-churned earlier in the week. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=468 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Schools throughout the Three Village Central School District participated in food drives to help out less fortunate individuals both near and far. P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students competed against each other in a program sponsored by the school’s student government and National Junior Honor Society called Battle of the Cans. Throughout the program, the progress of the donations was charted on paper in the school’s cafeteria. With more than 300 nonperishable cans, the winner of the competition was the eighth-grade class. More than 175 cans were donated by the seventh graders and more than 100 cans were donated by the ninth-grade class. All of the donated cans will benefit Island Harvest http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=469 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Two Three Village Central School District art teachers have been awarded mini-grants from the Mid-East Suffolk Teacher Center (MESTRACT). Congratulations to Ward Melville High School art teacher Cortney Weisman and Ward Melville High School Chairperson for Art and Technology Jennifer Trettner, for earning $3,000 for the school’s art department. The first grant will be used to fund a recycled fashion project. Students will be given an opportunity to construct a garment using recyclable materials such as newspapers, plastic bottles, plastic grocery bags, etc. They will first create sketches of a design, then use dress forms and various materials to construct the garment into a wearable design. The money awarded will be used to purchase sewing forms and a couple of sewing machines. The second grant will go toward an advertising campaign and product design project. This project will first explore successful advertising campaigns throughout history such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Apple Computers, etc. Students will study different companies packaging designs, print ads and commercials to find out what made these campaigns so successful. Students will then use Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and iMovie to create package designs, magazine ads and commercials for their own product. The money awarded will be used to purchase video cameras, tripods, digital cameras, memory cards and card readers. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=470 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s aspiring business students have once again dominated over their peers and captured several awards during this year’s Briarcliffe College Annual Business Plan Competition. One of the school’s teams placed first, and the school as a whole, which was represented by four teams, placed second. The first-place team was awarded $250 and a trophy was presented honoring Ward Melville High School’s second-place status. The team of Scott Brekne, Eugene Cheung, Jonathan Corona, Nevin Daniel and Prashant Kota were the top achievers for their business plan presentation. The company they created was called GamerNet, which is a dot com site that enables users to subscribe at varying membership levels to purchase and review games and gaming devices. Overall, they placed first out of 15 presentations given by various Suffolk County school districts. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=471 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Siemens Foundation has announced that three Ward Melville High School talented student science researchers have been named Regional Finalists and two students have been named Semifinalists in the 2009 Siemens Math, Science, and Technology Competition – a program that is often thought of as one of the most coveted teen science prizes. Congratulations to Regional Finalists Ruoyi (Roy) Jiang, Aneesh Sampath, and Kevin Zhou. Additional praise goes to this year’s Ward Melville Siemens Semifinalists Nevin Daniel and Cara Lin. These students worked with mentors on a number of critical research projects, including ones dealing with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. With three Regional Finalists, Ward Melville High School had the highest number of finalists in New York State. The Regional Finalists will present their work at either Carnegie-Mellon or MIT in November. The District congratulates all of the Regional Finalists and Semifinalists for their outstanding work. Best of luck to the Finalists as they advance through the competition. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=431 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT A big yellow school bus, unlike any other, visited the elementary schools in the Three Village Central School District to teach the students about bus safety. “Safety Sally”, as the Eastern Suffolk BOCES bus is commonly called, is a full-sized school bus with an open, carpeted interior filled with several television screens. During Safety Sally assemblies the students learned the Ten-Step Rule for crossing the street in front of a school bus, watched an age-appropriate educational film describing the rules of bus safety, and learned proper emergency evacuation procedures. To further their understanding, students were provided with coloring books and handouts to take home with them, which depicted the rules of bus safety. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=432 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT In honor of one of the most recognized holidays in Mexico, students in R.C. Murphy Junior High School’s Global Language Club, which is advised by Jessica Mottola, coordinated several fun activities geared towards informing their peers about the Day of the Dead. The entire school was involved in a food drive called “La Ofredna” from the middle of October to the beginning of November. The nonperishable goods collected were sorted by the club and donated to the District’s Time for Giving program and the R.C. Murphy food pantry, which is organized by Home and Careers teacher Chantal Salzano. Special thanks goes to the R.C. Murphy Global Language Department teachers for all of their help in collecting the donations. Additionally, in their Spanish classes students participated in a skeleton contest. Winners were selected in each class and three overall winners, who were presented with giftcards to iTunes, were announced. Congratulations to Ben Giordano, Steven Crowe, and Lexi DeManuel for their winning entries. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=433 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to the Ward Melville High School Boys Varsity Golf team, who recently completed their first undefeated season since 1974. The team, which is coached by Robert Spira, finished the season and won the league with a 12-0-0 record. The team is pictured here with Mr. Spira. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=434 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School physics teacher Robert Spira has been recognized for his exceptional achievements in continuing education activities and presented with the 2009 IEEE Educational Activities Board (EAB) Pre-University Educator Award. In a citation, Mr. Spira was honored “for inspiring and motivating high school students through imaginative teaching and extracurricular activities to excel in the study of physics and to choose careers in science and engineering.” “I am extremely grateful to the IEEE for selecting me as the recipient of this prestigious international award,” stated Mr. Spira. “It is so great to be in a District that supports it's teachers so that they can support their students .I look forward to work every day, knowing that I have interested and motivated students waiting to work with me. The students at Ward Melville have made this award possible, without learners, there are no teachers.” This award was established by the IEEE EAB to provide recognition for current pre-university classroom teachers who have inspired an appreciation and understanding of mathematics, science and technology and the engineering process in students and have encouraged students to pursue technical careers. IEEE is the world’s largest professional association advancing innovation and technological excellence for the benefit of humanity. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=435 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students in grades four through six at Setauket Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District received a sneak peak at a variety of professions during the school’s First Annual Career Day, which was held in late October. During the program, which was coordinated by parents Karen O’Dell and Elizabeth Della Salle, students visited with the presenters in workshop settings to gain a deep sense of what the profession was like, what type of training was needed to work in that career, and gather advice on how to be successful in the career path. Seventeen professionals, including architects, a police officer, an orthopedic surgeon, and a fishery biologist, were on hand to teach students about their different career fields. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=436 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District worked hard this fall to beautify and improve the school’s butterfly garden, which is located in the school’s courtyard. With the help of visiting artist John DiNaro and art teacher Rachel Condron, the students created butterfly benches, wooden steppingstones, and wooden flowerpots to display. The project involved all students. Pictured here are several students working on their artistic creations. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=437 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School Home & Careers Community Service club, which is advised by Janet Broadhurst, has been busy making reusable fabric tote bags for the St. James Church in East Setauket. With plastic grocery bags not being eco-friendly and with little supply, the food pantry is in need of a way to distribute groceries to the needy in the local area. Throughout the month of October, more than 30 seventh- through ninth-grade students have been cutting, pinning and sewing tote bags in time for the holiday food drive. Pictured here are several of the students working on their projects. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=438 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District, in concert with local law enforcement officials and health care representatives, hosted their second drug and alcohol awareness forum this October for parents and students. The program was focused on educating attendees on the signs and symptoms of abuse and was well attended by the community. “This is an issue that effects school districts all over the world and we cannot put our heads in the sand and pretend it is not a part of our community,” stated Interim Superintendent of Schools Donald F. Webster. “The more aware we are the better we can understand and the more proactive we can be.” Throughout the multi-hour event, a panel of presenters, including District principals, social workers, a health teacher, parent and student representatives, a Suffolk County narcotics detective and health professionals, along with a Stony Brook University Hospital Emergency Room Physician, shared their experiences with the topic and fielded questions from the audience. Mr. Webster and Suffolk County Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher moderated the program. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=439 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Walking through the halls of W.S. Mount Elementary School on Wednesday, October 28th it was obvious that something was different with the building’s fifth-grade students – they were completely silent. After reading the book “No Talking” by Andrew Clements, the students made a pledge to hold a “No Talking Day,” just as the book’s main character did at his school. In order to maintain a positive learning environment while following the no talking rules, the students and teachers used creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and cooperation to make the day a success. Throughout the day, when speaking with an adult, the students limited their sentences to three words, and only conversed with their peers on note paper, when it was necessary and connected to learning in the classroom. An honor system was established to encourage the students to honestly report any word infractions. At the end of the day, the students and their teachers reflected on the event and shared their feelings about remaining silent during the school day. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=440 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to Ward Melville High School junior Robin Caselli for being named a first-place winner in the 2008-2009 Long Island Language Arts Council’s (LILAC) Kenneth F. Gambone writing contest. Named for Kenneth F. Gambone, a superlative English and writing teacher, the contest honors young writers with “both a talent and a love for writing.” Open to fourth-, seventh-, and tenth-grade students, the contest requires students to create a 45-minute response to a prompt. Last year’s topic, “Where the Road Leads,” brought a record number of entries. At the May ceremony, attended by the Caselli family, Ward Melville High School English Chair, Brian McAuliffe, and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School English Chair and LILAC First Vice President, Nicole Waldbauer, the top three entries from each grade level received a certificate and a book award from Everbind book company. To close the ceremony, the first place winners gave readings of their work. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=441 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT In honor of October being called Fire Safety Month, students at Setauket and Minnesauke Elementary Schools in the Three Village Central School District learned about the consequences of playing with matches and lighters and the precautions to take when faced with a fire, during recent fire prevention and safety assemblies conducted by local Setauket Fire Department firefighters. The students listened as firefighters spoke about the need for a predetermined escape plan in the event of a fire, the importance of household smoke detectors, and learned about the different pieces of equipment the firefighters wear when entering a burning building. “Firefighters are just regular people, but we get to dress up in all of this special gear in order to help people,” stated firefighter Tom Gulbransen. “Your only job during a fire is to get out – you run out, we run in.” After the informative assemblies, the students also had the chance to step aboard an actual fire truck, take an up-close look at the equipment the firefighters use, and ask any questions they had. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=387 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT The P.J. Gelinas Theatre Company at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School in the Three Village School District tackled a show dealing with serious adolescent issues this October. The performance of this type of play has become a tradition at the school over the past eight years. This year’s production, Running, was an emotionally charged drama, which depicted the lives of several teenagers dealing with and trying to overcome the pain of being exposed to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Under the direction of Robert DePersio and five student assistant directors, fourteen Gelinas students and two teachers took to the school’s stage to perform three free shows, two in-school assemblies and one evening show. In a question-and-answer session following the daytime shows, the cast members spoke about their feelings about the characters they portrayed in the production and noted that even if the show only helped one person it was well worth it. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=388 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the help of a SEPTA grant received by Math, Science, and Technology Coordinator Christina Maffia, students at Arrowhead Elementary School are working to reduce their carbon footprint. Under the leadership of Ms. Maffia, the students have embarked on a yearlong recycling initiative. Each classroom was provided with a box to collect used or extra white paper, all of which is collected and deposited into the school’s recycle bins each Friday. Classes are asked to volunteer for a month to collect the paper from their peers. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=389 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Each year, the National Achievement Scholarship Program honors academically talented Black American high school students and provides scholarships for a substantial number of outstanding program participants. Ward Melville High School senior Christal Nworjih was recognized in this prestigious program this Fall. Christal stood out in a pool of 160,000 students nationwide who took the qualifying PSAT/NMSQT exam in 2008. Christal is pictured here with Principal Dr. Alan Baum. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=390 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Although the weather predicted a washout, Patriot Pride reached record high numbers this October when the Ward Melville High School Patriots celebrated Homecoming 2009. On the Friday before the big game, the high school’s student body gathered together for a pep rally in the gymnasium. Fall sports team members were announced as the crowd geared up for the upcoming festivities. With the help of the school’s student government, the Three Village community came together early on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the annual homecoming carnival. During the event, children of all ages smiled as they had their faces painted, attendees feasted on traditional tailgating dishes, individuals partook in a variety of games, and representatives from each of the District’s eight schools proudly paraded through the school displaying the artwork they created for this year’s banner competition. From the first catch the Homecoming game against Commack High School was in the hands of the Patriots. With the encouragement of the school’s cheerleaders and marching band, the crowd was on their feet encouraging the team to make touchdown after touchdown. The 44-14 Homecoming win was celebrated by all, and R.C. Murphy Junior High School was congratulated for having this year’s winning banner submission. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=391 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT As has been done for the past 18 years, school districts throughout New York State paused this October to celebrate and honor the volunteers that serve on their district Board of Education during School Board Recognition Week. In Three Village, these community members, who volunteer their time to serve on the District’s Board, were honored during the October 13th Board meeting and thanked for their dedication to schools’ children, to education, and to the community. Throughout the year, these individuals devote many hours of service to the District and, as stated in a proclamation by the Governor, they “continue to strive for improvement, excellence, and progress in education.” “Tonight we honor these volunteers who help to guide our school district,” stated Interim Superintendent of Schools Donald F. Webster. “We thank you for all that you do for the children and staff of this District.” Staff members from each of the District’s eight schools honored the Board members, including the Board’s student representative, Kyle Seibert, by reading personal essays about the volunteers and expressing their deepest appreciation. At the conclusion of the celebration, each member was presented with a token of appreciation. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=392 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Twenty-four Ward Melville High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented to each of these scholastically talented seniors by Principal Dr. Alan Baum. Approximately 34,000 students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise and presented with this award. Although they will not continue in the 2010 competition for National Merit Scholarships, being named a Commended Student recognizes that these seniors placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2010 competition by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Congratulations to the following Ward Melville students who received this honor: Fahmida Akhter Yuval Calev Gregory Casino Alyssa Chai Trevor Christian Caroline DeLuca Julia Deng Conor Diviney Ethan Geller Christopher Gibbs Casey Kramer Andrew Li Eva Lyubich Molly McBride Kerry McGlinchey Anthony Monteforte Katie Parker Daniel Roth Lisa Tan Zeruo Tang Michael Tao Alyssa Wisekal Don Yu Kevin Zhao http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=362 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Japanese is a language that takes years of practice and discipline to understand and master. Recognizing the complexity of the language and the desire some Japanese American students have to understanding their heritage, Ward Melville High School sophomore Anna Sato and her mother, Eriko, created a book, My First Japanese Kanji Book, designed to introduce readers to more than 100 basic kanji characters. The bilingual book, which is comprised of 36 kanji lessons, including poems and illustrations by Anna and workbook lessons by her mother, the director of the Pre-College Japanese Language Program at Stony Brook University, is both child-friendly and culturally rich. The entire book is written in Japanese and English, and the accompanying audio CD is also recorded in both languages. Anna began her work on the book when she was in the fourth grade and hasn’t looked back ever since. She remarks that looking at the pieces completed over the years is a source of great enjoyment and inspiration. “It is nice to look back on the first illustration I did when I was nine years old and then flip to the more recent drawings and see how I’ve grown as an artist,” stated Anna. Anna began studying Japanese when she was much younger, during her mother’s Sunday program on the language, and felt that creating a heritage book like this would help other Japanese Americans understand the language. “Anna’s keen eye for observation, combined with her advanced artistic skills and intuitive imagination are truly remarkable,” stated R.C. Murphy Junior High School art teacher Laurie Mandel, Ed.D., who taught Anna in junior high. “She is a promising artist whose commitment to professional standards is captured in the beautiful illustrations on the pages of her book.” Anna is also involved in music, sports, and is highly academically motivated, taking advanced classes, Ward Melville’s student research class InSTAR, and attending Julliard’s Pre-College program. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=363 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School students Julia Deng, Shelby Lin, and Wendy Zhang have been awarded the 2009 National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award in Writing. Only 31 students from New York State and 544 nationally were selected for this prestigious honor. The Achievement Awards in Writing is a school-based writing program established in 1957 to encourage high school students in their writing and to recognize publicly some of the best student writers in the nation. The National Council of Teachers of English present achievement awards in writing to students nominated and cited as excellent writers by judges. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=361 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT As the first leaves of fall began to drop and the start of the autumn season began, first-grade students in Michael Dragotta’s class at Minnesauke Elementary School were excited to incorporate the changing foliage into several classroom lessons – including science, math, and English. After each student collected 10 leaves from the front lawn of the school, they grouped their leaves by color and examined their different properties – including the veins and texture. With their collections properly grouped, the students used their math skills to complete bar graphs that depicted their piles’ characteristics. Incorporating lessons on greater or less than, the students explained which was the majority color and which color they had the least amount of. With the help of their student teacher, Dusty Drago, the students picked out their favorite leaf and wrote down several descriptive words that best illustrated that leaf. The entire project was then shared with the school on a bulletin board outside of Mr. Dragotta’s class. It was a true interdisciplinary project and a great start to the new season! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=354 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the picturesque shoreline in their own backyard, students in Three Village are committed to protecting the natural beauty of Long Island’s beaches. In mid-September more than 220 volunteers from the Three Village Central School District community participated in International Beach Cleanup Day at West Meadow Beach. The annual event, which is sponsored by the American Littoral Society, was coordinated by science teacher Peter Schuchman and Town of Brookhaven Environmental Educator Eileen Gerle. Volunteers included numerous scout groups and more than 130 students, their families, and staff members from P.J. Gelinas Junior High School. The event is a documented beach cleanup, meaning that each team of participants records the type and amount of debris that they find. The data is then sent to the Center for Marine Conservation for processing and has been used to help develop solutions and stop the dumping of trash in the coastal environment. During this year’s cleanup, 2,049 pounds of debris was removed from the shoreline along West Meadow Beach. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=355 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT To help celebrate the changes of the season, students at Nassakeag and Minnesauke Elementary Schools in the Three Village Central School District participated in the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Annual Stony Brook Scarecrow Competition. Fourth-grade students in Stefanie Murray’s class at Nassakeag worked with art teacher Rachel Condron to create a scarecrow that depicted what they were studying in their social studies curriculum. The students constructed an American Indian scarecrow and a representation of his dwelling for the competition. The students began work on the project at the start of the school year. “We hope that this project helped to expand the grade-level’s curriculum for the students and that this multi-disciplinary project was a fun and educational learning opportunity,” stated Mrs. Murray. At Minnesauke, sixth graders in Dan Petrucci’s class worked to create a scarecrow based on their studies of the prehistoric Stone Age. The class, with the help of their teacher and student teacher, Harry Savage, sculpted an “Ice Crow” scarecrow, which took three days to complete and included several of the weapons that humans during that time period utilized. “Prior to completing the scarecrow we talked about the ice man that was discovered in the Italian Alps and watched the video on the subject,” stated Mr. Petrucci. “We felt that this was a different way for the students to learn about the tools ice men used and the time period. It brought a great deal of relevance to the curriculum and gave the students better insight into that historic time.” Prior to constructing their scarecrow, the sixth-grade students spent time researching the topic and identifying different characteristics from the time period. Judging for the competition began on September 27 and runs through October 28. Individuals are invited to cast their votes for their favorite scarecrow at any store located in Stony Brook Village. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=356 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT The United States Constitution has been described as the written document that stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans through history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those unalienable rights for every American. This September, in celebration of the 222nd anniversary of its inception and in honor of Constitution Week, Nassakeag Elementary School fourth graders shared information about this historic document with their peers. Throughout the weeklong celebration, students from each of the building’s fourth-grade classes read several pre-written essays aloud to the school using the public address system. Included in the pieces was an overview of the Constitution, a brief history of the document, information about the three branches of government and the Bill of Rights, as well as some notable changes that have been made to the Constitution over the years. “I found it really interesting when we learned about the amendment dealing with a woman’s right to vote,” stated Ashley Robinson. “Without the constitution I think it would be hard to control the country…because there would be no rules,” added James Koester. The school’s Constitution Week program was coordinated by teacher Jennifer Betz, who is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=347 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Not long after the first bell of the 2009-2010 school year rang, P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools in the Three Village Central School District hosted student breakfast programs for students new to the District. At Gelinas, approximately 25 new students started the year by enjoying the breakfast celebration sponsored by the school’s student government, which is advised by Brian Scripture. Each student was invited to the cafeteria for the event and encouraged to mingle with some of the building’s current students. In addition, Gelinas Principal Gus Hueber and Assistant Principal Antonio Santana personally welcomed the students and spoke a bit about the school. The entire guidance department was also in attendance and helped to put any scheduling fears to rest. Before returning to their classes, the students played some icebreaker activities and enjoyed spending time getting to know each other better. R.C. Murphy welcomed 22 new District students this September during the welcome back breakfast program hosted by the school’s student government. Assistant Principal Patrick DiClemente welcomed the new students and reminded them that in life everyone is forced to make transitions. “I know it can be hard moving from school to school and from District to District,” stated Mr. DiClemente, who shared his feelings about coming to the District from Patchogue-Medford several years ago. “While this morning is filled with bagels and juice, we hope the program serves as the start of a new beginning for you, and you turn to the students around you for friendship, help, and guidance.” During Murphy’s program, the new students had the chance to mingle with members of the student government and learn a bit more about the school they are attending. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=348 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT As in years past, Three Village Central School District’s talented young composers have triumphed over the competition and placed well in the annual statewide Call for Compositions competition. The New York State Music Association (NYSSMA) has announced that six Three Village students have been selected to perform at the 2009 All-State Winter Conference in Rochester, New York, on December 4, 2009. An additional four students received Honorable Mention. The 11th Annual NYSSMA Young Composer Honors Concert will feature pieces by Ariel Leong and Thomas Li (W.S. Mount Elementary School); Kayla Benaburger and Stephanie Chen (P.J. Gelinas Junior High School); Hannah Yen (R.C. Murphy Junior High School); and Ethan Geller (Ward Melville High School). A panel of music composition professors selected only 15 pieces out of 112 submissions in this statewide search for compositional talent and achievement. During the NYSSMA Winter Conference, the students will participate in composition workshops and seminars with prominent professional composers, including Composer-in-Residence Dr. Joan Tower, hailed by The New Yorker magazine as “one of the most successful woman composers of all time.” A Grammy Award winner, Dr. Tower was the first female recipient of the Grawemeyer Award ($200,000) and is a member of the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters. Congratulations also goes to the following students who received the distinction of Honorable Mention: Martin Vaillancourt (Setauket Elementary School); Devin Cowan (P.J. Gelinas Junior High School); and Mitchell Berger and Gloria Zheng (R.C. Murphy Junior High School). Their compositions were reviewed more than once and were top contenders for inclusion in the Young Composer Honors Concert. "We are proud of all of our students,” stated Director of the Student Composition Program Daniel Deutsch. “Their compositions are inventive, expressive, and heartfelt. It is wonderful to see them recognized for their talent and achievement." http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=323 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Although the 2009-2010 school year has just started, several students and one teacher in the Three Village Central School District have already been honored for their artistic talents and abilities. Ward Melville High School senior Jeff Stern has been named by the Long Island Arts Alliance as one of two Long Island Scholar-Artists for the month of October. Jeff is being recognized for his accomplishments in visual arts and he will be honored at an annual recognition event at the Tilles Arts Center, in Newsday, and on Newsday.com in October. Ward Melville senior Andrew Visconti has had his artwork selected by The College Board to be included in the 2009-2010 AP Studio Art Exhibit. The exhibit is an annual project for The College Board and consists of 30 pieces. Andrew's work was selected from over 35,000 portfolios, each of which represents the extremely high level of rigor, commitment, and accomplishment that AP Studio Art students can achieve. The exhibit will travel throughout the nation during the 2009-2010 school year. Ward Melville junior Colleen Scriven won first place in the Ward Melville Heritage Organization “Celebrating 100 years of Service” photo competition. Colleen was honored at an awards ceremony over the summer and had her work on display in Stony Brook Village. Lastly, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School art teacher Mike Sacco has been selected to have an original article featured in the field’s October publication of SchoolArts. A copy of the article can be seen by viewing this .PDF. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=324 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT W.S. Mount Elementary Named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School by Department of Education The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has named W.S. Mount Elementary School a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School, an honor shared by only 19 schools from New York State. This award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are either academically superior, or have made dramatic gains in student achievement and helped close gaps in achievement among minority and disadvantaged students. “These Blue Ribbon Schools have shown that all children can learn with appropriate supports,” Mr. Duncan commented. “They are producing outstanding results for their students…{and are} places where improved teaching and learning benefits every student, and where students are challenged to meet high expectations with the active support of teachers, parents and the community.” W.S. Mount Elementary School’s Blue Ribbon Committee worked tirelessly to complete the program’s application before its deadline in December 2008. As a result of their work, it was found that Mount’s educational program not only meets New York State’s guidelines but also the ones set forth by the U.S. Department of Education. Mount’s application was judged based on a program summary, indicators of success, assessment data, and curriculum and instruction components that reflected school leadership, student performance, differentiation, community engagement, sharing successes, core curriculum, and instructional delivery. School Principal Nathalie Lilavois and teacher Michael Schlank will be attending a November ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they will receive a plaque and flag signifying W.S. Mount’s Blue Ribbon status. “This award represents the collective effort of the Mount community to provide an outstanding education to its students,” stated Ms. Lilavois. “It is a tremendous honor to work with such dedicated professionals. We are very proud to have been chosen for this prestigious recognition.” Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. Using standards of excellence, as evidenced by student achievement measures and the characteristics known from research to exemplify school quality, the Department celebrates these schools, including those that beat the odds. Special thanks go to the W.S. Mount Blue Ribbon Committee members: Nathalie C. Lilavois, Principal Bernadette Gentile, Assistant Principal Michael Schlank Karen Birbiglia Linda Turner Stefanie Baldante Phylene Fizzuoglio Andy Weik Carol Doherty Linda Figliozzi Lynn Farbiaz http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=314 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School seniors Michelle Chang, Ruoyi Jiang, Shelby Lin, and Ling-Ling Zhang have been named Semifinalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors qualified for this honor by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. These students now have an opportunity to continue in the competition alongside approximately 16,000 students nationwide in order to obtain some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $36 million. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements and advance to the Finalist level of the competition. “This is a prestigious honor and we are extremely proud of our students,” stated Principal Dr. Alan Baum. Finalists in the competition will be announced in the spring of 2010 and winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July. The Three Village Central School District congratulates this year’s National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=315 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Inspiring stories and beautiful music hung heavy in the air when seven talented student-cellists from SUNY Fredonia’s cello choir, The Cello Fellows, visited Ward Melville High School in mid-September. The college cellists, along with Fredonia School of Music professors Dr. Natasha Farny (cello) and Dr. Angela Haas (voice), performed several musical selections for the school’s orchestra students and conducted a master class workshop with the Ward Melville chamber orchestra in the building’s brand new orchestra room. “This was a great opportunity for our students to learn from musicians that attend one of the main music schools in New York State,” stated orchestra teacher Philip Preddice. “It is a special treat, too, because one of the students in the group graduated from Ward Melville in 2006. That is truly inspirational for our students to see.” During the program, professor of cello Dr. Farny spoke with the students about the university, the school’s music program, and shared her bio, and invited Dr. Haas and the student-musicians to share their background information as well. With the chamber orchestra, The Cello Fellows and the high school musicians joined together to perform a piece by Vivaldi. Rob Davies, Ward Melville alum and son of W.S. Mount Elementary School’s string orchestra teacher, Robert Davies, said he was happy to be back at the school and was excited to see the room’s construction project complete. “I remember a program such as this visiting Ward Melville when I attended and remember how it inspired me to get to a higher level with my music,” observed Rob, who is working towards a degree in music education. The work done on the high school’s music room was completed for the start of school and the students and teachers are enjoying the new facility immensely. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=316 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT In an effort to help acclimate its new teachers to the District, the Three Village Central School District conducted a two-day new teacher orientation program prior to the first day of school. At the inaugural meeting, members of the district’s administrative team and Board of Education officially welcomed the more than 30 new professionals to the District and shared their excitement for the upcoming school year. Under the guidance of teacher mentors, Kristianna Martindale and Brenda Lamiroult, as well as Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary, Dr. Kenneth Bossert, and Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary, Mary Castiglie, the new employees were instructed on the District’s philosophy on teaching and given a comprehensive overview of the District’s policies and regulations. Additionally, during the program, the teachers had the opportunity to ask any questions they had about the school district and receive training on the District’s network system from Executive Director for Instructional Technology, Kerrin Welch-Pollera. Building upon a tradition that bloomed last year, the new Three Village teachers were given an insight into the world of education from some of the very students they will be teaching. Several current Ward Melville High School students spoke during the program to share the positive impacts some of their teachers have had on them. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=303 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT As the remaining days of summer vacation came to an end, students in the Three Village Central School District began preparing for the school year that lie ahead. Just before the official first day of school, which would be September 9th, the District’s schools opened their doors and provided new students with the opportunity to get acquainted with their building. On a sunny late August morning, kindergarten students gathered for play dates and walking tours at each of the District’s five elementary school buildings. After receiving colored nametags the students walked and played on their school’s playground equipment, and enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing who their classmates would be. To help with the transition between elementary and secondary school, P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools welcomed the buildings’ incoming seventh graders in early September and invited them to embark upon walking tours of the building. With schedules in hand and with the help of upperclassman volunteers, the new students took turns opening their lockers and following their schedules to locate each of their classrooms. After receiving welcoming remarks from High School Principal Dr. Alan Baum and members of the school’s administrative team, Ward Melville’s incoming sophomore class also had the opportunity to take walking tours of the building, map out routes to and from their classes, and spin the dials of their lockers. “I encourage you to get involved in our events, clubs, and athletics,” stated Ward Melville High School Assistant Principal Michael Owen. “I hope you have a wonderful experience here at Ward Melville and I welcome you to our school family.” As the welcome programs drew to a close, the students left confident that 2009-2010 would be a great school year. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=304 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT The familiar scene of yellow school buses rolling through the streets in town and students anxiously waiting at bus stops carrying bright new backpacks marked the end of the hot summer months and the start of a new school year in the Three Village School District. Well rested and ready to begin the new year, students arrived at their respective buildings filled with an array of emotions. Entering their “Back-to-School” decorated schools, the students were greeted by smiling and welcoming teachers and administrators, ready to assist with first-day adjustments and ease the common first-day jitters. The students' adaptation to being back in school was seamless districtwide, making for a smooth and successful start to another new school year. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=305 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Faculty, Staff, & Administrators Welcomed Back During Superintendent’s Conference Day On the morning before the official first day of school, Three Village Central School District’s faculty, staff, and administrators gathered together for a Superintendent’s Conference Day and to kick off the 2009-2010 school year. Interim Superintendent of Schools Donald Webster focused on the District’s educational program and the vast array of opportunities offered to students in his opening address. Welcoming the District’s new teachers, Mr. Webster stated, “You have come to a fantastic place and we are here to assist you in any way.” Speaking to the group as a whole, Mr. Webster commented, “It is by working together that we as a District can move forward. I implore you to keep our District’s mission at the center of the decisions you make as educators. We affect students’ attitudes and have a direct impact on their lives.” During the morning address, Board of Education President David Micklos, Three Village Teachers Association President Claudia Reinhart, Three Village School Administrators Association President Vincent Vizzo, Three Village Council of PTAs President Charlene Vitale, District Lead Teacher for Instructional Technology Jim Fargione, Assistant Superintendent for Educational & Pupil Personnel Services Cheryl Pedisich, and teacher Shannon Watson also addressed the crowd. Mr. Micklos spoke about the need to pay close attention to the details and the importance of data, while Ms. Watson, a graduate of Ward Melville High School, told the audience how she was positively affected by her teachers. “My teachers made me want to make a difference,” she stated. “Teachers affect who students are and where they go in life.” Before moving into grade level, department, and building meetings, several teachers were honored and presented with mini-grants from the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) and the Three Village Educational Foundation (3VEF). These teachers were selected through a detailed selection process and, using the monies awarded, will be able to complete several special supplemental projects with their students. Congratulations to the following grant recipients: SEPTA Mini-Grants Cheryl Taborsky Christina Maffia Janine Pelkofsky & Pamela Roberts Janet Broadhurst Diana Carlson, Casey Giles & Victoria Hoffman Rebecca Marino & Robert Fenster Lee Ann March, Susan Sangiamo, Nicole Colletti & Jaclyn DeLorenzo Rene LaScala Educational Foundation Mini-Grants Brigit DiPrimo Edward Kunkel Christina Maffia & Phyllis Pastore Susan Archer & Kimberly O’Shea Christine Fieldman Kate Hunter & Irene Berman Jayne Murphy Laura Brown & Lisa Lachler Jennifer Betz Deborah Kiriluk Alyson McGrath Gina Varacchi Eric Gustafson Sarah Bradshaw, Brian Scripture & The Global Language Department Douglas Elliot Cynthia Carrucciu Virginia Ferraro Laurie Mandel Christopher Esser Jennifer Mullany Jay Negus http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=306 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT In classrooms throughout the Three Village Central School District, teachers, students, and administrators took time on September 11, 2009 to remember those lives lost during the tragedy that took place eight years earlier. Some teachers utilized the day as a teaching moment in classes, while others observed the date with a moment of silence. At R.C. Murphy Junior High School, the entire building gathered together to observe the historic day. Walking in silence to the school’s gymnasium, students reflected on the significance of 9/11 and how the nation was changed in 2001. “September 11th is a national day of remembrance,” stated Assistant Principal Patrick DiClemente. “At Murphy today we recognize the significance of this day and celebrate the importance of this moment.” Bowing their heads in silence, the students reflected on the lives of the many family members, friends, and Americans that lost their lives on 9/11/01, and felt a deep sense of pride for their country. Select members of the ninth-grade chamber choir, under the director of music teacher, Anthony Pollera, sang a moving rendition of “God Bless America.” The memorial celebration at Murphy was coordinated by the building’s student government, which is advised by Brian Pickford. In addition to encouraging their fellow peers to wear the nation’s symbolic colors – red, white, and blue – the student government members presented each student and staff member with a flag pin and asked them to wear it proudly throughout the day. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=308 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT To come... http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=284 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT Fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District took a look at a variety of career paths during the school’s first-ever Career Day. During the event, the students had the chance to meet with a variety of professionals and learn about their occupations. The presenters spoke with the students about the education needed to enter into their field of expertise, as well as their typical day on the job, and worked with the students to complete hands-on lessons dealing with their profession. During the program, students visited with the presenters in preselected workshop settings to gain a deep sense of what the profession was like, what type of training was needed to work in that career, and gather advice on how to be successful in the career path. Among the fields represented were physical therapists, cardiologists, dog groomers, horse caretakers, and medical examiners. The students had the opportunity to meet and attend two workshops with the professionals during the event. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=245 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Writing is a craft that is enjoyed by many – especially the students in the Three Village Central School District. Recently, as a result of their outstanding original pieces of literature, several students from R.C. Murphy and P.J. Gelinas Junior High Schools were commended by The Promising Young Writers program. This program represents the National Council of Teachers of English’s (NCTE) commitment to early and continuing work in the development of writing. It is a school-based writing program that was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize students’ writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students. Students currently in the eighth-grade, who are nominated by their schools, may participate in the program. Schools in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as American schools abroad and the Virgin Islands, are eligible to nominate. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by two judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style. Congratulations to the Three Village students who were honored in this year’s competition: P.J. Gelinas Kathryn Barnitt – Certificates of Recognition Jamie DeLuca – Certificates of Recognition Rachel Gutman – Certificates of Recognition Phoebe McAuliffe – Certificate of Participation R.C. Murphy Joanna Jin – Certificate of Recognition Bisma Kamal – Certificate of Participation Christopher Lin – Certificate of Participation Amy Zhu – Certificate of Participation http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=246 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT In recognition of the school’s Multicultural Week, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy visited Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village School District and presented the school’s students with a proclamation recognizing their efforts to celebrate multiculturalism and diversity. Additionally, during his visit Executive Levy presented a proclamation to school librarian Andrea Francisco in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=247 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Former, current, and future R.C. Murphy Junior High School students and their families gathered on the front lawn of the school for a family night to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the building. Approximately 1,500 people came out for the event, which was complete with great food and entertainment. Students who have graduated from Murphy and are now in high school, college and beyond, sang along with a professional band and kept the crowd amused for hours. Special thanks to teachers, administration, PTO and community businesses (Fratelli's, O’ Sole Mio, Famous Dave's BBQ and Ian's Cotton Candy) for their help in making this a great event. The celebration was a great example of the strong community spirit of the Murphy Family. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=248 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students enrolled in Maureen Kost’s Critical Health Issues (CHI) classes at Ward Melville High School acted as safe teen driver ambassadors this spring and coordinated a daylong informational event on the topic. Set up in the school’s commons area, the CHI students coordinated a game show event called the “100 Deadliest Days Game,” which tested their peers about driving, encouraged their classmates to sign a pledge to be safe while in a car, listened as guest speakers shared information about the topic, and finally showcased a series of video Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on the issue. The PSAs submitted were then judged and one winning announcement was selected. This year’s winning PSA was created by John Kelly, Andrew Barbakoff, and Prashant Kota and called the “100 Deadliest Days – Dangers of Drunk Driving.” For their efforts this team was awarded a $100 prize. For their efforts, the classes were issued a $1,000 grant from Allstate Insurance Company. The students plan to use the grant money to purchase a trivia buzzer system for use in the CHI classes. Ms. Kost stated she hopes to include the trivia game as part of next year’s curriculum. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=249 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is pleased to announce that tenth grader Eva Simpson-Abrams has won the Suffolk Piano Teachers Foundation Competition in the senior division, and performed during the annual honors recital at the Staller Center Recital Hall. This honor recognizes Eva for her performance during sponsored recitals and acknowledges her as an outstanding achiever in repertoire and practice habits. In addition to playing the violin, Eva is also an accomplished jazz player. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=250 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Although their first official day of school was still a few months away, the incoming Setauket Elementary School 2009-2010 kindergarten class got a sneak peak at their new school during an orientation program held at the beginning of June. Accompanied by their parents, the youngsters entered the school’s cafeteria, where they were met by a sea of smiling faces. Parent Teacher Association (PTA) volunteers were on hand to speak with parents, while students in grades four through six volunteered to act as tour guides and accompanied the new students to the kindergarten wing. While the incoming kindergarteners had a chance to meet with the teachers, work on projects in the classrooms, and even go on a bus ride, the parents received a brief overview about Setauket School. Principal Dr. Anne Rullan, PTA Co-Presidents Deborah Petraco and Tasha Grillo, and School Nurse Donna O’Brien, reviewed the grade’s curriculum structure, and shared information about some activities and events that take place in the building, as well as the health information needed to enter kindergarten. Approximately 90 families attended the event. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=251 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Sometimes you just have to “Do the Math!” and the W.S. Mount Elementary School math team did just that during the second annual Suffolk County Mathematics Tournament held in the Student Activities Center at Stony Brook University. During the competition, the school’s team competed against 37 teams of fourth through sixth-grade students from 24 different elementary, intermediate, and middle schools representing 15 different Suffolk County school districts, all vying for the title of high-scoring team. The event, which was organized and directed by local elementary math specialists Megan Roth-Ueno, Melora Lane, and Byron Lane and supported by the Suffolk County Math Teachers' Association, was hosted by R. David Bynum, Director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Stony Brook University. During the competition students were challenged to answer higher-level and multistep math problems in both individual and team competitions. The individual portion challenged competitors to work independently on ten difficult problems in a 30-minute time slot. For the team portion, the students worked in teams of five to complete ten even more complex problems in only 20 minutes. The problems for this tournament were contributed by the Math Olympiads organization through Executive Director Richard Kalman. As a result of their participation, Mount’s teams emerged as one of the top three highest-scoring teams in each of the divisions – grade 4/5 and grade 6. In addition to their outstanding work as a team, Mount Elementary School students Gary Ge, Niyati Desai, and Yiran He were among the tournament’s top ten individual competitors. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=252 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students put their creative talents to the test when they participated in this year’s Coffee House Poetry Jam. The event, which was coordinated by the English department, featured several students and even a few “special guest” readers. A great time was had by all and the attendees left looking forward to next year’s festivities. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=253 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the help of a mini-grant provided by the Three Village Educational Foundation, sixth graders in Christine Fieldman’s art classes at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District created nine artistic gates using 2x4 treated lumber and outdoor fabric. The project was created to resemble The Gates project completed by Christo and Jeanne Claude over a 25-year timespan. The Minnesauke gates are stationed in the front of the building and will remain up throughout the rest of the school year. Pictured here, several sixth graders stand below one of the completed gates. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=211 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT What would you do if you discovered the remains of a bear deep in the forest? Well, if you were the brother of third-grade Minnesauke Elementary School teacher Leslie Cross, you would give it to your sister as an early holiday present. Recognizing Ms. Cross’s love for bones and artifacts, that is exactly what her sibling did after discovering the skeleton of a bear while backpacking in Washington State. After receiving the cleaned skeleton bones, Ms. Cross and her class began the cumbersome task of putting the pieces together in order to reconstruct the bear’s skeleton. The project, which began in November, took approximately four months to complete and involved a great deal of math and science concepts. “The wrist and ankles were the hardest part because the bones are so small,” commented student Molly Fernandes. Using the book “Building Bear Bones,” by Lee Post, the students worked in groups to label each piece and construct the skeletal form. “Every day was a challenge,” explained third grader Ryan McMullen. “It was a lot of fun and took at lot of teamwork in order to put this giant puzzle together.” Throughout the reconstruction process the students learned a great deal about the bear they eventually named Blackberry. They discovered it was a female, had been shot in the front paw, was in her teens, weighed approximately 150 pounds, and had developed arthritis in her injured paw. Wanting to share what they learned, the students created a museum tour and invited the school’s other students to visit the display. This project served as a hands-on extension of the class’s study of food webs, decomposers, and animals’ diets. In previous years Ms. Cross’s class has worked to reconstruct cat and bird skeletons, as well as identify other bones. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=212 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School student Danielle Behrendt recently lent her voice to radio and participated in a public service announcement (PSA) campaign aimed at informing teens about the dangers distractions can play when operating a car. Danielle was selected as one of several student representatives from across Long Island to participate in the campaign, which is being conducted by Allstate Insurance Company during what experts call the 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Driving. Pictured here is Danielle with WBLI Internet sales manager Dain Alaia and Allstate Senior Corporate Relations Manager Krista Conte. Danielle’s PSA will run on WBLI from now through Labor Day weekend. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=213 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School science teacher Kevin Stiegelmaier put his love for the outdoors into words recently when he wrote a book about canoeing and kayaking in New York State. After taking notes and pictures while mapping the many journeys he took throughout the State, Kevin compiled the information into his book called “Canoeing and Kayaking New York.” The project, which took approximately two years to complete, began when Kevin started paddling local rivers three springs ago, and really took off when he expanded his journeys to territories further upstate soon after. He explains, “I would do a lot of research on an area first, locating all of the rivers and streams that I wanted to visit. I would also look up any canoeing or kayaking outfitters or paddling clubs in the area and contact them about the best places to go.” The book is described as a great paddling guidebook to the rivers and streams of New York State and is available at amazon.com and Borders book stores. It was published by Menasha Ridge Press. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=214 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students in Meg Sheehan’s class at Minnesauke Elementary School rallied their peers together this May to conduct a fundraising event to raise not only funds, but also awareness about ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease. With the help of more than 40 Minnesauke families, the students coordinated a walk-a-thon event on Friday, May 8th. As a result of their efforts, the school raised close to $8,000 for this worthy cause. As a special thanks to the school for their help, Chris Pendergast, a person living with ALS and founder of the Ride for Life organization, visited the school as he and his fellow Ride for Life volunteers embarked on the 2009 Ride. Pictured here are students from Ms. Sheehan’s class as they cheer the Ride for Life crew on and prepare to present Chris with their donation. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=215 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Colorful flags representing countries from across the world and how to say “hello” in a variety of languages were decoratively placed across the front lawn and walkway of Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village School District to welcome guests to the school’s annual Multicultural Festival, an evening full of community and cultural celebration. Numerous students, siblings, and families gathered at this year’s event, which was once again sponsored by the PTA. Upon entering the building, students received their ‘passport’ and began their journey around the world. In the school’s cafeteria and gymnasium, attendees explored displays from more than 20 countries and enjoyed learning about each one’s rich history. Additionally, attendees enjoyed food tasting from around the world, and viewed the variety of musical instruments created by the school’s second graders. In addition, an array of musical and dancing entertainment and martial arts demonstrations enthralled audiences of all ages. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=204 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Members of Nassakeag Elementary School’s Student Council recently coordinated an after-school game day with seniors from South Setauket’s Atria senior living facility. During the event, the students spent the afternoon playing board and card games with the nine visiting seniors, and enjoyed some tasty treats. Fifth-grade student council member Sarah Roarty stated, “It feels good to host community programs like this…I hope we can expand the program next year and have the seniors visit us a few times a year.” The student council is advised by Robbin Teitelbaum and Adele Gibbons. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=205 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT After reading a letter to the editor written by a California student and printed in the February 12th edition of the Village Times Herald, third-grade students in Kimberly O’Shea’s class at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District rallied together to help that peer with a school project. The student’s letter explained how they were working on a report about New York and would be presenting their research during the school’s “State Fair” in May. During the fair the student was hoping to display a variety of information and items about New York and was soliciting help in doing so. During their computer and library time, the 21 students in Ms. O’Shea’s class researched different aspects of New York State and the culture of the region. Their findings fell into eight categories: sports, fashion, famous places, food, a day at Minne, state facts, animals and natural resources, and land features. Looking for a special way to share their information, the students chose to create a news broadcast, which Ms. O’Shea taped and prepared on CD for the California student. “I really enjoyed listening to everyone’s findings,” stated Logan Doran, who worked with friends to research the New York Mets. “I think that the California student will be most interested in all the sports information or the state facts,” added Alana Abesamis, who researched state facts, but admitted her favorite was the fashion piece. The class sent the final newscast on New York to the student in time for their State Fair. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=206 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT After observing and waiting patiently for a whole month, the first-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District watched as a special science project they had been working on came to life – literally. Standing with their eyes open wide and their hearts racing, the students were in awe as several baby chicks broke free from their shells and took their first breath. In preparation for the little birds arrival, incubators were set up in the five first-grade classrooms. In each incubator were six chick eggs, all of which were provided by the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Over the course of the month, the students learned about temperature and humidity in the incubators, the cycle of the chicks’ development, and watched their little furry friends progress using an Elmo machine, an overhead projector device. Additionally, the students kept journals and learned many scientific words in their study of the chicken life cycle. “The best part was watching the first one hatch,” stated Kieran McGinley, who noted their class’s first egg hatched at dismissal time. “It was really cool how they broke free of their shells but the hardest part was seeing the ones that didn’t hatch,” added Jack Holland. The hatched chicks were delivered to Hoyts Farm in Smithtown just before the Memorial Day break. The project was a great hands-on learning experience and is sure to be a cherished first-grade memory! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=207 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Elementary School’s Join Us Students Together in Creating Equality (Justice) Club recently volunteered their time in April to help set up the soup kitchen at St. James Church in Setauket prior to individuals coming in to eat dinner. Before to going to the church, many members created spring murals to hang in the basement of the church and collected money to purchase bunches of bananas for the attendees to enjoy. The approximatly 10 fifth and sixth-grade volunteers helped set up the tables and had the soup kitchen ready for the visitors. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=208 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School students received a life lesson on personal finances and the consequences credit cards can pose when representatives from SafeGuard Credit Counseling Services, Inc. visited the building. As a nonprofit firm, SafeGuard educates students about the pitfalls of credit card (revolving) debt by addressing personal finances and reaching young adult consumers across the nation before they fall into a dangerous cycle of debt. Through an educational program, which was coordinated by SafeGuard Director of Education Carolyn McCormack and Assistant Director of Education Linda Furey, high school students, specifically seniors who will soon have financial freedom and responsibility, learned about the dangers of revolving debt (credit cards) prior to being in college or living on their own. Furthermore, the seminar provided an engaging experience for students during which they gained useful knowledge on personal finances, which most people typically learn about after they are already in financial distress. The students left the workshop with valuable information about their credit score and the diligence and effort needed to maintain good credit, as well as how to monitor it throughout their lives. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=209 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Third-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District had a unique geography lesson when the world’s largest map was unrolled in the school’s gymnasium. The program, which is run by BOCES through National Geographic, focused on the continent of Asia. After removing their shoes, the students and teachers were able to walk across the world’s largest and most populous contingent and take an up-close look at the rivers and terrain. With the help of two program coordinators, the students enjoyed deciphering the map’s markings, locating the equator, the continent’s 47 countries, and the surrounding bodies of water. “Map skills and continents are included in the third grade curriculum,” stated teacher Susan Archer. “We focus on understanding a map and the different items included in them. This is a great way for the students to put what they learned in the classroom into action.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=210 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy Junior High Schools’ Theater Companies recently impressed audiences with their high-energy, talent-filled musical productions. For their show, Gelinas students performed the beloved musical Singing in the Rain, while Murphy’s student-actors showcased their talents in a production of Bye Bye Birdie. Audiences sat on the edge of their seats as the casts took to the stages to deliver flawless and picture-perfect performances. The students, who had been practicing for several months under the direction of Robert DePersio (Gelinas) and Anthony Pollera (Murphy), performed their respective shows before packed houses. In addition to their regularly scheduled performances, both schools performed free shows for the district’s sixth-grade students and senior citizen residents. Prior to the performance for the senior citizens, attendees feasted on delicious meals and enjoyed interacting with the cast members. As the curtain closed on this year’s musical productions, attendees left looking forward to next year’s shows. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=189 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Kindergarten students in Dawn McNally’s class at W.S. Mount Elementary School jumped into the Spring season during their study on bears. During the unit, the students learned about black, brown, panda, and polar bears, and became familiar with the habitats of each type of bear and how their environments affect the type of foods they eat. As a culmination to their study, the class enjoyed a “Bear Brunch,” during which the students had the opportunity to eat like a “bear.” Prior to the brunch, each student chose his or her favorite type of bear and made a hat to represent either a black bear, a brown bear, a panda bear, or a polar bear. On the day of the brunch, the students arrived to school dressed in clothes to match the color of his or her favorite bear. As a celebration of the arrival of spring and the end of the bears' hibernation, the students also had the chance to feast on apples, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries), honey, fish (goldfish crackers and Swedish fish) and "twigs" (pretzel sticks). http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=190 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School seniors Ashley O’Shea, Colleen Murphy, junior Brittany Lucatuorto, sophomore Mary Kate Anselmini, and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School freshman Caroline O’Hea have been named All-Americans athletes as a result of their performance during the Nike Indoor Nationals meet in Boston. In addition to this honor, Ashley was also named the National Champion for her performance in the race/walk event. The four other girls competed in the distance medley event. Each of these girls compete on Ward Melville’s Girls Winter Track team and are advised by head coach Tom Youngs and coach Laurie Burke. “The girls had a fabulous season and we are really proud of their performances during Nationals,” commented Mr. Youngs, who noted that this year’s All-Americans mark the 20th All-American section for the school. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=191 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Putting their creativity to the test and as the class gift to the school, sixth graders in Christine Fieldman’s art classes at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District have rolled up their sleeves and created five hand-painted and student-inspired benches for the school. Each student had the chance to submit a design for a bench and the grades voted to pick the top five choices. Each bench was inspired by a 20th Century artist to follow the school’s art show theme. Pictured here are several sixth graders with Ms. Fieldman (far left sitting) and fellow sixth grader Kendall Godt (center) whose winning world peace design was chosen for one of the benches. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=192 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the help of school social worker Laura Jankowski, students at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District have opened their hearts this school year and created a food pantry in Ms. Jankowski’s office for the less fortunate members of the school and local community. Throughout the school year, the students have donated hundreds of non-perishable food items and toiletries, and members of the Minnesauke family as well as families from the other schools are able to visit the pantry and gather necessary items in a private setting.“So many people donate during the holiday season, but we really wanted to do something that could help these families out year-round,” stated Ms. Jankowski, who is pictured here with several second graders from Michael Licausi’s class. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=193 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School seniors Trish O’Toole and Sara Atai have signed National Letters of Intent to play softball and volleyball, respectively, this fall at schools of higher education. Trish will be joining West Point’s softball team, an impressive accomplishment and one that makes her the first Ward Melville female athlete to play a sport at the renowned school. Sara, who received a partial scholarship and will be majoring in hospitality and tourism management, will be competing on Pace University’s volleyball team. “These two students have shown great athletic promise throughout their time in Three Village,” stated Three Village Central School District’s Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics Don Webster. “I am extremely proud of them and the coaches that have lead them along the way. I know they will make Three Village proud next year.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=194 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Eighth Graders Attend Career Fair to Gain Insights into a Variety of Professions Did you know what career field you wanted to enter when you were in junior high school? Well, the eighth-grade students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District got a jump-start on planning for their futures when more than 30 area businesses visited the school for a Career Awareness Day Fair coordinated by the school’s Career Awareness Committee. During the event, the approximately 300 eighth graders spoke with a variety of professionals about their jobs, educational background, and how to best prepare to enter those fields. “This was a great opportunity for our students to speak with local professionals and gain a deeper understanding of the career opportunities out there,” stated family and consumer sciences teacher Cindy Carrucciu, who helped coordinate the event along with fellow family and consumer sciences teacher Ginger Ferraro and business teacher Jeanne Schnupp. “The students were prepared with several questions to ask the professionals and engaged in some really great conversations. We hope that what they learned during the fair will help them choose which elective classes to take in the future.” The event was conducted as part of the grade-level’s five-week careers class. The career fair featured businesses in the areas of technology, trades, entrepreneurship, sports, medical, law enforcement/public services, military, and entertainment. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=195 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District celebrated a variety of different languages during the school’s Global Language Week. Included in the weeklong program was a Global Language Expo. Several members of the community and school district participated in the Expo and spoke to the students about how knowing a global language has influenced each of their lives, both professionally and personally. Throughout the program, the speakers rotated through each of the global language classrooms and spent approximately 10 minutes with the students about their language, including Spanish, French, Russian, and Korean. In addition to the Expo, students created posters to celebrate the study of foreign language, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and with the help of the school’s cafeteria staff, students enjoyed a different “native” cuisine each day of the week. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT Professional musician and storyteller Johnny Cuomo visited Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District to perform two music programs for the kindergarten through third-grade students. During his performance he introduced the students to a variety of instruments, including the guitar, harmonica, penny whistle, and mandolin, and performed a musical fairytale called The Story of the Porcupine, the Peach, and the Pear. Following the performances, the students and staff members had a chance to pick up an advance copy of Mr. Cuomo’s new CD. Mr. Cuomo is pictured here with several first graders. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District congratulates W.S. Mount Elementary School student Stephanie Chen, who won an Award of Merit in the New York State Reflections contest. Stephanie was presented with this citation based on her musical composition for the piano entitled “Poseidon’s Dream.” Her work will be displayed at the state convention. Stephanie is pictured here with Mount PTA Co-President Joy Schneider and Principal Nathalie Lilavois. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT The math team at R.C. Murphy Junior High School is experiencing an outstanding competition year. The team, which is advised by teachers Mary Gorman and Mike Podstupka, has placed high in their division competition, as well as during the county competition. The Three Village Central School District congratulates the entire team and following students on their success: Division 2 First Place 7th grade Team A Harrrison Lee Lauron He Akilesh Tangella First Place 8th grade Team B Upsana MalhotraVinny Christina Moore Cathy Wang Tracy Wang Amy Zhu First Place 9th grade Team A Sean Han Jesse Xing Victor Zheng Suffolk County 1st Place 7th grade Team A Harrison Lee Lauron He Akilesh Tangella 1st Place 9th grade Team A Sean Han Jesse Xing Victor Zheng http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A motivational speaker and survivor of the April 20, 1999 Columbine High School school shooting, Nicole Nowlen visited the students at Ward Melville High School in the Three Village Central School District to present a program called Rachel’s Challenge. The program is offered to schools across the nation and is designed to help school administrators, parents, and students create a safer and more productive place to learn and achieve. “The value of this program is immeasurable,” stated Assistant Principal Adam DeWitt. “We were very fortunate to have a survivor of that tragic day visit with our students to share both her and Rachel’s message.” During the program Nicole told the story of Rachel Scott, one of the first students shot during that event. Nicole explained, “While I went to high school with Rachel I did not know her…however, I have been touched by her story and the way she lived her life.” The dynamic program, which was based on an essay written by Rachel entitled, “My Ethics, My Codes of Life,” inspires, instructs, and enables students and parents to break down barriers and bring positive changes to their school and community atmosphere. During the program, the students watched powerful video/audio footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy, as well as listened to Nicole’s motivational message detailing how making positive changes in the way that you treat others can have a widespread effect. Following the assembly programs, students were invited to sign a commemorative pledge poster and accept Rachel’s Challenge to effect change in their school and community. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT As an extension of the school’s participation in the Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) program, district administrators, elected officials, and community volunteers visited Arrowhead Elementary School to speak with the students about the importance of developing an early passion for reading and to share some stories aloud, during the school’s community reader day. During their visit, the guests dropped by individual classrooms to read select books from the school’s library and encouraged students to become successful readers. The students enjoyed hearing about how reading plays an important role in a variety of professions and were eager to ask the visitors questions about their jobs. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT Songs about a great white shark and how to say hello in a variety of different languages were echoing off the walls at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District when renowned singer songwriter John Farrell visited with the school’s kindergarten students. The interactive program, which ran approximately one hour, focused on different musical techniques and character education pillars. Pictured here is Mr. Farrell and students from Jennifer Ruger’s class. Ms. Ruger and class aid Michele Rifkin are also included in the photo. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=148 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT This spring, the athletic aspirations of five Ward Melville High School seniors will not end, as these talented student-athletes have been chosen to sign National Letters of Intent with some of the top colleges and universities from across the country. In addition to being afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their athletic abilities on the colleges’ and universities’ sports teams, each of the students were presented with scholarship monies and will attend class on these campuses this fall. “I congratulate all of our athletes on this outstanding accomplishment,” stated Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics Don Webster. “I am confident you will continue to make Ward Melville proud next fall and I look forward to learning about your future endeavors.” The Three Village Central School District congratulates the following students: Cameron Iallucci – Wagner College Football, Possible History/Pre-Law Major Pat Day – West Point Lacrosse, Undecided Chris Bozza – Adelphi University Baseball, Possible Business/Sports Medicine Major Emilee Rahner – Adelphi University Field Hockey, Possible Elementary Education Major Kathryn Dircks – Loyola University Volleyball, Possible Business Major http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT In today’s trying economic climate it is often difficult to think past our own struggles and consider donating money to those in need around the world. This idea is not lost, however, on the students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District, as the school’s students recently rallied together and coordinated two fundraising events. With the help of the school’s career classes, their advisor, and teachers, the Murphy Student Government organized an event they called “Yummy Tummy Pretzels,” which raised money for a student-run organization at Northport High School called “Students for 60,000.” This organization is working to combat poverty in the country of Nicaragua. Through the generosity of the students and staff, Murphy raised $100 during the pretzel sale. Those funds, along with more than 85 suitcases of medical supplies, school supplies, clothing and sports equipment, were donated to the country on a nine-day trip during this February break. The donation made by Murphy will construct a latrine for an entire village in Nicaragua. This project was proposed and chaired by eighth grader Rachel LaBarbera, a member of the Student Government. When asked about her motivation, Rachel stated, “It’s easy for us to forget about the struggles of the people in third-world countries like Nicaragua. I had learned about the project from a friend at Northport HS and it seemed like a no-brainer to help out.” In addition to the pretzel project, the Student Government hosted a dance to benefit the American Heart Association. As a result of this event, $1,000 was raised for the organization. “It was so nice to see the students thinking beyond themselves and coming together to raise money for such a great cause,” stated Student Government advisor Brian Pickford. “They always amaze me with their maturity and work ethic.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School senior Preya Shah has been selected as a winner in the 2008-2009 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement and has been presented with a $2,000 college scholarship. Preya was selected for this honor based on her exceptional performance on math and science AP exams. One male and one female student from each of the 50 states has been awarded this scholarship. Pictured here, Preya helps Principal Dr. Alan Baum display the commemorative banner the school received. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT As a result of their outstanding literary skills, seven talented Ward Melville High School students have been recognized with a Gold Key in The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of 2009, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Only the most accomplished works submitted to the regional programs of The Awards earn Gold Keys. In 2009, more than 140,000 works were submitted, from which only 1,300 writing manuscripts were selected as Gold Key winners. These students’ works are now forwarded to the national level of judging for The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, which occurs in late March. Congratulations to this year’s Scholastic Arts and Writing Award Program Gold Key winners: Nevin Daniel – Personal Essay/Memoir “The Calling” Shelby Lin – Personal Essay/Memoir “White Ashes” & Poetry “Journey to the Mainland” Sara Roncero-Menendez – Poetry “All Is” & Short Short Story “Of Beer and Armageddon” Melanie Wilson – Short Story “Illumination” Jaimie Kaplan – Poetry “I Will Be Free” Jimmy Mocko – Poetry “The Robin Hoods” Allyson Zacharoff – Humor “Writing Portfolio General” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=152 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that 10 highly talented Ward Melville High School seniors have been named Finalists in this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program, a scholastic program that presents high school seniors with scholarships to be used towards their pursuit of a degree in higher education. These students were announced as semifinalists in the program last fall based on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores, and now qualify for the chance to win one of the competition’s scholarships, totaling $33.9 million. Congratulations to the following Ward Melville seniors: David Gittin Peter Gustafson Andrew Han Penelope Hobbs Naureen Osman Preya Shah Benjamin Sherman Christine Shrock Yanchi Victor Zhou Zhou Zhou http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=153 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT After reading about the horrible break-in at Save-A-Pet over the holidays Brigit DiPrimo’s fifth-grade class at Arrowhead Elementary School vowed to do their best to help them get back on their feet. The class’s families donated many pounds of dog and cat treats and, giving up their recess time, Ms. DiPrimo’s students worked together to create and sell treat bags for pets during their lunch periods. Thanks to the generosity of the school’s student body and teaching staff the class raised more than $300. The class is pictured here with their teacher and Save-A-Pet representative and volunteer Kerri Glynn. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=154 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students have done it again, and placed high in a number of events during the FBLA Suffolk County competition. These talented students, under the direction of FBLA advisor Ilene Littman, triumphed over the competition and received an invitation to compete at the State Leadership Conference in Rochester, New York in April. The Three Village Central School District congratulates the following students on their achievements during the competition: Kevin Zhao 1st Place Business Calculations Charlie Liu 2nd Place Business Calculations Rashmi Rao 1st Place Business Communications Zeruo Tang 3rd Place Business Communications Ross Bernstein 1st Place Business Law Nevin Daniel 1st Place Business Math Prashant Kota 2nd Place Business Math Don Yu 1st Place Economics Jonathan Corona 2nd Place Introduction to Business Megan Earl 3rd Place Introduction to Business Laura Kirsch 2nd Place Intro to Bus. Communications John Kelly 2nd Place Marketing Joshua Belanich 3rd Place Marketing Aaron Lifton 1st Place Parliamentary Procedure Max Tcherivik 2nd Place Parliamentary Procedure Don Strong 1st Place Entrepreneurship Team Event Danny Mele Jon Goodman Laurence Coman 1st Place Global Business Team Event Don Yu Steven Abel http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=155 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Nassakeag Students Go on an Arctic Adventure Kindergartners at Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District have been making their way through the arctic. As part of a study of arctic life, the multipurpose room in the school’s lower level was transformed into a frozen tundra filled with student artwork and tons of adventures for the youngsters to enjoy. The arctic adventure has become a staple of the curriculum at Nassakeag Elementary, as it was introduced several years ago as an enjoyable way to extend students’ understanding of the animals, environment, people, and traditions of the arctic. As students and parents strolled through the tundra, they were able to take part in activities such as ice fishing, sculpting animals with clay, hiking in the snow (with actual snowshoes), story time in an igloo, and blubber tasting. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT In celebration of the school’s annual Guest Scientist Week, Arrowhead Elementary School students explored the world of science with special guest instructors, including Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary, Kenneth Bossert, Ed.D. Throughout the week the students, under the guidance of their instructor, classroom teacher, and Math, Science, and Technology coordinator Chris Maffia, conducted a variety of hands-on experiments. The experiments, each of which was in line with the grade level, district, and state curriculum, enabled the students to explore a variety of topics, including Newton’s Law of Motion and if it was possible to make square bubbles using pipe cleaners. “I believe the guest scientist program at Arrowhead helps to bring excitement and enthusiasm to the valuable topics covered,” stated Dr. Bossert, who worked with fifth-grade students in Lorraine Hegarty’s class on a force and motion lesson. “The diverse background and experiences of the guests, combined with the advantage of the new lab space makes this a program that successfully engages a large number of students in a meaningful way.” During Dr. Bossert’s lesson, students were challenged to build a parachute that was used to test the theory of whether an egg dropped from a certain height would break. Many of the projects that were conducted used a variety of the school’s technology resources, including SMARTBoards, streaming videos, and PowerPoint presentations. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=157 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT As a follow-up to their early participation in the qualifying round, Danielle Brando, Sonya Li, Rocco Morra, and Ashleigh Silipo, four R.C. Murphy Junior High School students, recently participated in the semifinalist round of the New York Knicks Poetry Slam competition. Only 100 students out of 500 from the metropolitan area made it to this around. As a result of her poetry talents and work during the competition, Sonya Li has been selected as one of 10 finalists. For this honor, Sonya won a session to customize her own NIKEiD shoes and will compete during the final round in early March for the chance to win several outstanding prizes and more than $48,500 in cash awards. The Three Village Central School District congratulates all of the participants and wishes Sonya the best of luck during the final competition. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=158 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT The RC Murphy Musical Theatre Company will present Bye, Bye Birdie March 24 through the 28. With a cast made up of over 200 students performing, with another 40 plusstudents assisting behind the scenes,this year's production promises to be a hit! Tickets are only $10 andmay be purchasedbeginning 3/11. Ticket saleswill continue Monday through Thursday in the RC Murphy auditoriumbetween the hours of 6:30-8:00pm. For more information please call 730-4831. Performance Schedule: Tuesday March 24that 6:00pm Wed - Sat , March 25th - 28th 7:30pm http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT This March, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School’s talented student-actors will perform in the famous production Singing in the Rain for the school’s 25th Annual Spring Musical. Show times are March 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., March 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., and March 28, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. For tickets, please call 730-4789. Tickets are $12 and will go on sale to the general public beginning March 11, 2009. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=108 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District and R.C. Murphy Junior High School congratulate the Murphy cheerleading team on a successful season, one complete with a number of competition wins. The team, which is lead by Coach Meghan Barnett, competed in several recognized competitions for the first time in five years. Through tireless fundraising and afterschool and weekend practices, the girls were able to accomplish many achievements: • Performing as the opening act for Murphy Junior High’s “Cabaret Night” • Winning first place in the “Power-4” contest at the LICCA competition at Half Hollow Hills • Placing 5th in the LICCA team competition at Half Hollow Hills • Placing 3rd out of 7 in the LICCA team competition at Garden City • Placing 2nd out of 9 in the LICCA team competition at Walt Whitman http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=109 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School seniors Preya Shah and Christine Lee Shrock, have been named Finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search Competition. Ward Melville was among only three high schools on Long Island to produce Finalists in the 2009 Science Talent Search. Preya’s project was titled “Combating Cancer: Design and Synthesis of Dual-Warhead Tumor-Targeting Drug Conjugates.” This project worked to create a new synthetic drug that targets cancer cells, while leaving healthy ones unharmed. Preya was also announced as a Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology Finalist earlier this school year. Christine’s research endeavor was also focused on cancer and called “Effects of Lid Dynamics on the Binding of MDM2 to the Tumor Suppressor Protein p53: Implications for Cancer Therapeutics.” Her aunt’s and grandfather’s struggles with cancer inspired her project. Christine focused on structural changes in the molecular level of the protein MDM2 and how those adjustments can help design better cancer drugs. Last year, Christine was named a Regional Finalist in the Siemens competition for a project she completed with her sister. That effort was on HIV. These two young scientists will now attend the Intel Science Talent Institute for a week in March where, along with the 38 other Finalists, they will compete for more than $500,000 in prizes. Congratulations Preya and Christine! http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=110 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District recently had the opportunity to attend a book fair sponsored by the school’s PTA, browse the varied selections, and purchase a new book to enjoy. Additionally, during the program, students were able to create wish lists comprised of the books at the fair they would like to own at a later date. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT As an extension of the school’s curriculum, W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District recently held a Math, Science, and Technology (MST) educational evening program for students and their families. Hundreds of students from all grades gathered in the school for fun-filled programs centered on the three areas. An educational entertainer from the Mad Science touring group engaged students in an array of creative learning opportunities, including an amazing demonstration about how an ordinary fire extinguisher can be turned into a jet pack. Also included in the show were demonstrations centered around Newton’s three laws of motion. Additionally, teacher, parent, and student volunteers shared manned different stations in the school’s cafeteria to provide a more hands-on approach to learning about math, science, and technology. Included were projects dealing with a smoke ring generator, computer parts, lego robots, forensic studies, and a demonstration by the school’s math club, which operates under the direction of parent volunteer and Board of Education member Glen T. Whitney. Special thanks to the school’s PTA and event chairperson Lely Schwartz for all of their efforts in making the program a huge success. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=112 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT While the tale of Percy Jackson may not be one many would consider to be a traditional Greek myth, it is a story that has captivated students and their parents around the globe in recent years. The students in the Three Village Central School District are no different. Recently, the author of the famous series, Rick Riordan, visited the district’s five elementary schools to speak with the students about being an author and the struggles he has faced on his way to success. During the program, Mr. Riordan told the students how he got his start in writing, shared a copy of his first rejection letter that he received while still in school, addressed the necessity of the writing revision process, and showed the groups different sample artworks for his books’ covers. Mr. Riordan is the author of The Lighting Thief, Sea of Monsters, The Titans Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The 39 Clues. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=113 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society invites all community members to attend their upcoming benefit concert on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Performances will include eight student acts. Music selections will include everything from self-accompanied vocalists and a violin duet, to an up-and-coming rock band. Tickets are $7 for students, $15 for adults, and $25 for preferred seating. All proceeds will be donated to Arts Education International, which provides art and music education to impoverished children around the globe. For more information please contact Tri-M advisor Laura Gustavsen at 730-4374. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=114 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that Ward Melville High School senior and advanced video production student Emily Miller was selected to present her short documentary film on the Setauket wetland preserve to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) and the President of the School of Visual Arts at the WMHO cultural center. Emily’s project, which she calls “The Wetlands,” was created in her class and stemmed from her work with the Ward Melville Youth Corps and a desire to inform the community about the area. “I hope that people realize that this wonderful ecosystem is more than something you read about…that it is something in our own neighborhood,” stated Emily, who aspires to attend the School of Visual Arts for film production this fall. “My ultimate goal is that the project inspires others to help protect the 88-acre preserve.” In addition to the footage shot by Emily, the eight-minute movie also includes original music composed by fellow senior Nicole DeMarco. Nicole is enrolled in Ward Melville’s Advanced Placement Music Theory class and aspires to continue her passion for song writing at a school of higher learning in the fall. The two students hope to share the project with other schools through a distance-learning program and are looking to show it during an upcoming environmental day at the Educational and Cultural Center in Stony Brook Village. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=115 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT A group of Ward Melville High School students have put their mark on the world and created a project focused on the deteriorating water quality at Setauket Mill and Stony Brook Mill Ponds. As part of the project, the students conducted an extensive study of the water quality that confirmed the situation was worsening and worked to raise awareness in the community via brochures, a blog, news releases, flyers, and a Facebook group. As a result of their efforts, the team has been named one of 17 national winners in the Lexus Eco Challenge. For this honor, the school was awarded a $10,000 prize and remains in the running for the grand prize of $50,000. Congratulations to the following students and their teacher advisors George Baldo, Ph.D. and Jennifer Visconti. Tanya (Mahvash) Beg Alexandra Botlo Kevin Chen Nevin Daniel Emmanuel Kim Priyanka Patel Esme Ricciardi Stephanie Tjiong Jessica Wu http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=116 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Selected sixth-grade students from all five of Three Village Central School District’s elementary schools recently showcased their musical talents during an All-District Elementary Festival Concert held at Ward Melville High School. This annual festival, which is intended to recognize and encourage musical achievement, included three ensemble groups - orchestra, chorus, and band. The students performed together for three rehearsals and showcased their talents during an evening concert under the direction of experienced guest conductors. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=117 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The tragic events of April 20, 1999 not only affected the students at Columbine High School in Colorado, they shook the nation to its core. On that horrible afternoon two students, armed with guns, took the lives of several of their peers, the first of which was Rachel Scott. In an effort to share Rachel’s message of kindness and compassion with the students at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School, Shane Hamman, the strongest man in America and one of the program’s official spokespeople, visited the school to present Rachel’s Challenge, a national campaign designed to help school administrators, parents, and students create a safer and more productive place to learn and achieve. The dynamic program, which was based on an essay written by Rachel entitled, “My Ethics, My Codes of Life,” inspires, instructs, and enables students and parents to break down barriers and bring positive changes to their school and community atmosphere. During the program, the students watched powerful video/audio footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy, as well as listened to Shane’s motivational message detailing how making positive changes in the way that you treat others can have a widespread effect. Following the two in-school assemblies, students had the opportunity to accept Rachel’s Challenge by signing a commemorative pledge poster that was displayed inside the school’s cafeteria. In addition to the morning programs for the students, Shane made a special evening presentation of Rachel’s Challenge for parents and community members. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=118 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the help of the school’s PTO and a grant from the Three Village Educational Foundation, the global language department at R.C. Murphy Junior High School recently hosted an International Night as a culmination to the building’s celebration of Foreign Language Week. Throughout the weeklong event, the students participated in organizing a poster, trivia, and door-decorating contest, morning announcements were read in different languages, and the cafeteria menu reflected the different countries of languages studied in the school. Additionally, a traveling exhibit of Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, and Claude Monet were on display in the building’s foreign language wing. During the evening program, more than 250 attendees sampled dishes from around the world, some of which were prepared by the Global Language Honor Society, and were treated to a variety of entertainment, including dancers and vocal performances. “In today’s world where nations and people are ever more dependent on one another, it is important to experience and embrace the many different cultures that exist among us,” stated R.C. Murphy Global Language Department Chairperson Kerri Golini. “I hope that this evening event and the week’s activities helped to afford the students that opportunity.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=119 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The postal system is a complex entity that can confuse even the most experienced patrons. As a special part of their Valentine’s Day celebrations, kindergarten students in Rebecca D’Agostino’s class from Nassakeag Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District participated in a special Post Office program. With the help of their teacher, the students created postal worker hats and took on the different postal occupations, including stamp sellers, letter carriers, sorters, and deliverers. The students were enthused to fulfill their responsibilities and deliver their peers’ holiday greetings. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=120 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Fourteen Ward Melville High School student-artists’ work is now on permanent display at the Central Islip Courthouse. Through a request by the U.S. Attorney’s office, the school’s photography students, who were advised by Three Village Central School District Chairperson for Secondary Art & Technology Jennifer Trettner and teachers Kristen Dietz and Cortney Weisman, submitted original photographs depicting scenes from Long Island. The winning students’ pieces were framed and put on display in the courthouse. Additionally, the Office of the United States Attorney Eastern District of New York, Long Island Criminal Division recognized the winners during their Annual Awards Presentation. Congratulations to the following talented student-artists: Krisitne Beckmann Paul Bertolino Nick Evans Billy Fernandez Seren Karasu Sam Mathew Kristen Mingione Jaime Porciello Sydney Poupis Erick Steinberg Alexa Stonish Lauren Tarantino Christian Thorne Andrew Visconti http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=121 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The move from junior to senior high school can often be a challenging one for students. In an effort to better prepare them for the choices that lie ahead, nine teachers from Ward Melville High School’s art, technology, business, and family and consumer sciences classes visited with the ninth-grade students at R.C. Murphy and P.J. Gelinas Junior High School to give them a feel for the different elective courses they can enroll in next year. “Previously, we would host an ‘elective day’ fair, at which students would walk up and down the halls to pick up literature describing the classes,” stated Director of Visual Arts & Career Development Linda Messina. “Over the years, though, we found that it was important for the students to meet some of the teachers that are in charge of the classes, in order to provide them with a better understanding of the curriculum and put some fears they might have to rest.” Throughout the two-hour program, students traveled in groups and listened as teachers explained the classes offered by different departments and showed a few projects completed by previous students. Students left each classroom with a brochure on the courses and were encouraged to discuss the options with their parents. The students finalized their elective choices for the 2009-2010 school year by the end of February. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=106 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Two members of the Stony Brook University ice hockey team, the Seawolves, addressed fifth and sixth graders at Minnesauke Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District about the importance of being a positive individual and focused at school. Senior defenseman Dan Capizzuto and sophomore forward Jake Dietz took time out of their academic and sports schedules to relay the message that school sets the foundation for success in life. “People will always tell you that you can’t do something,” Jake stated. “It is important, however, to stay positive and to remain focused in order to achieve your dreams.” Both hockey players have skated their entire life on ponds in small communities in upstate New York and admitted that they have faced decisions dealing with peer pressure, like other teenagers in suburban school districts. Dan emphasized that an athletic life, one without drugs and cigarettes, helps students lay the foundation for lifelong habits and career success. The students were allowed to ask the players questions at the conclusion of the assembly, which included inquiries about the number of hours per week they practiced and their plans after college. The players then revealed that free tickets for the Sunday, January 25 ice hockey game against Rutgers’ University Scarlet Knights were available for all students. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=107 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students were able to travel around the world this January without ever having to leave their school’s library. As part of the school’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program, seventh- through ninth-grade ESL students brought a bit of their native country to their new school during the annual Passports Around the World program. With the help of teacher Monica Aston, the ESL students created posters about their countries and shared this information with the school’s student body. Students learned about the transportation options, language, culture, and sports programs in India, Korea, China, Hong Kong, El Salvador, and Brazil during the presentation. In addition to hearing about the countries around the world, students also had a chance to sample some traditional foods from a variety of lands. Included in this year’s food tasting was Irish soda bread and sausage from Italy. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=99 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School is widely known for their exemplary science research program, InSTAR, and that reputation was solidified again this January it was announced that the school has 11 Semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search – the highest number of Semifinalists in one school in New York State and the third highest number in the country. “Many hours of hard work and unbounded enthusiasm are required to reach the levels of achievement we celebrate here today,” stated Board of Education member Diane Peritore. “These students aren’t waiting for the future to come to them…they are grasping the future in their hands and helping to form its shape.” Three hundred Intel Semifinalists were named from schools throughout the globe. For this honor, each student received a $1,000 prize and an additional $1,000 was presented to the school. Forty finalists will be named at the end of January, each of which will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete for more than $500,000 in prizes. Congratulations to this year’s Ward Melville High School Intel Semifinalists: David Gittin Michael Gurevich Jason Karelis Hiba Khan Amy Lin Jie Min Naureen Osman Taejoong Park Preya Shah Christine Shrock Yuanchi Zhao http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=100 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT As the words to “Preserve, Protect, and Defend,” our country reverberated over the grounds of the nation’s capital this January 20th, students throughout the Three Village Central School District paused with their fellow Americans to be a part of history and watch as the nation’s first African-American president was sworn in. As President-elect Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States, students and their teachers tuned in and watched the historic inauguration ceremony. “Today’s inauguration is ripe with symbolism,” stated R.C. Murphy Junior High School Social Studies Chairperson John Andruszkiewicz. “On the day after we celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our nation is swearing in our first African-American president. It is amazing to look back and see how far we have come.” As a special tribute to the nation, students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School lent their voices and sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem and God Bless America. Additionally, in each of the schools, teachers used this momentous occasion as a teaching moment and incorporated the event into their history lessons. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=92 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT After receiving a special visit from Kenya native Oliver Mashaka and hearing how children in that country are not afforded the same type of education as Americans, the students in Colleen Maier’s class at Arrowhead Elementary School became involved in a unique community service project. Mr. Mashaka, who visited the school on International Human Rights Day, spoke with the school’s sixth graders and members of the JUSTICE Club about Kenya, the schools in the region, and how books are very rare and seen as being precious objects. Following his visit and in hopes of building up one Kenya school’s library, Ms. Maier’s class rallied their peers together and coordinated a weeklong book drive. As English is the official language of Kenya, Arrowhead’s studentbody knew that the children from across the globe would appreciate the new books. “Each year the sixth-grade classes engage in several community service projects,” stated Ms. Maier. “They were extremely excited about this one as they felt a strong connection to the cause after meeting Mr. Mashaka. This was also a terrific way for the lessons on Africa to come alive for the students.” During the event, students in all grades graciously donated gently used storybooks and four girls from Ms. Maier’s class volunteered to seperate them by reading level and then box them for delivery. More than 40 boxes of books were donated during the drive and, with the help of Ms. Maier and Arrowhead’s Math, Science, and Technology teacher Chris Maffia, they were sorted by sixth graders Keira Gavan, Nicole Scotto, Joanna Szymanski, and Gabriella Benedicto. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=93 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT In celebration of the district’s diversity day program and keeping with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s mission, seventh-grade students at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District took to the stage in the school’s auditorium to participate in the school’s 11th Annual “I Have A Dream” Oratory Contest. The program, which was coordinated by social studies teacher Louis Laird, called for students to finish the sentence “I have a dream…” and share what their hopes and dreams are. Fourteen students were selected to share their essays with their peers during a grade-level assembly program. A wish to cleanse the world from the ravages of war, desires to become a diplomat, and hopes for the economic crisis to be eradicated echoed throughout the auditorium. Seventh-grader Alan Wei, who dreams of an end of the war abroad, stated, “I believe that this is not only my dream…but it represents the aspirations of others.” In addition to the students’ speeches, members of the school’s ninth-grade chamber choir performed several songs, and students Haley Gillan and Katherine Sweeney shared a poem entitled, “Underneath We’re All the Same.” The winners of this year’s contest were Jessica Carpenter (first place), Gabriel Nekrutman (second place), and William Spitz (third place). Each participant was presented with a commemorative certificate and the top three were also given trophies. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=94 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Seventh and eighth-grade students at R.C. Murphy Junior High School put their geography skills to the test when they participated in the National Geography Bee this January. The first round of the competition took place in the grades’ social studies classes, and the winner from each class was invited to participate in the final schoolwide round. A total of 26 students participated in this round. As the questions grew increasingly difficult two students emerged as victorious and made it to the Championship Round. In a very tight and well-matched competition, seventh grader Henry Lane and eighth grader Tracy Wong battled back and forth. With the correct answer of “The Aztecs,” Henry was crowned the winner and qualified to take a written geography exam in hopes of advancing to the New York State portion of the finals. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=95 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District offers a full day kindergarten program for district residents. In order to be admitted to kindergarten in September, a child must be five years of age on or before December 31 during the school year in which they enter kindergarten. A proof of residency (either a lease, deed, tax bill or signed contract) must be provided along with the child’s original birth certificate, social security number, and copy of their immunization records at the time of registration. Registration occurs daily at the Central Registration Office at the North Country Administration Center (100 Suffolk Avenue, Stony Brook) from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. This year’s kindergarten screening program will take place on: Arrowhead: April 30, May 1, & May 4 Minnesauke: April 24, April 29, & May 7 Mount: April 21, April 23, & April 28 Nassakeag: April 17, May 20, & May 21 Setauket: May 8, May 11, & May 12 Children must be registered with the Central Registration office prior to kindergarten screening. For more information about the registration process and the immunizations required, please visit the district website, www.3villagecsd.k12.ny.us and reference page 18 of the district calendar. Additional information can be obtained from the registrar’s office at 730-4555. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=96 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT Through their participation in the school’s Fitness and Nutrition (FAN) bag pilot, second-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School are learning that the life skills emphasized in their character education lessons go hand in hand with physical activity and healthy eating. The initiative, which was created by health teacher Kristina Fiore-Rosenfeld to increase families’ awareness of their child’s fitness and nutrition needs, enables students to “adopt” a FAN bag for the weekend. “Fitness education really begins at home,” stated Ms. Fiore-Rosenfeld. “In the fight against childhood obesity, parents are the number one line of defense. We hope that the FAN bags will encourage families to come together and enjoy a fun physical activity together.” Each of the fourteen bags includes one main fitness activity, as well as several smaller fitness activities, relating to the life skill being emphasized. For example, the bags on flexibility include two books on the topic, a yoga kit, and pedometers. Additional skills include friendship, organization, patience, perseverance, problem solving, and sense of humor. This initiative was funded with the help of the school’s Site-Based Team. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=97 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the help of parent volunteer and Fitness Together gym owner Jen Lang, students at Setauket Elementary School in the Three Village School District are warming up their muscles and learning how to incorporate physical activities into their daily lives. Through the school’s fitness initiative called Setauket Sunrise Fitness Workshop Program, students in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to come to school early two days a week and participate in a variety of exercise activities. “We are working to develop long-term changes in the way that our students view fitness,” stated Principal Dr. Anne Rullan. “Every extra bit of cardiovascular activity we engage our students in can only help them on the road to lifelong wellness,” added Ms. Lang. The program, which started in November, runs before school each Wednesday and Thursday. The school hopes to expand the workshops in the spring to include two after-school times. Each time a student attends the program they are given a ticket; for every ten tickets the students are able to cash them in for foot charms that they can attach to a bracelet. In addition to the morning program, the school has brought back its monthly fitness calendar and includes a healthy tip of the week to the morning announcements. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=98 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT The fourth annual Ward Melville High School Senior Prom Fashion Show, which is sponsored by the school's PTSA, will take place on January 29, 2009 from 7:00-11:00 p.m. at Watermill Caterers, located at 711 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown, New York. Tickets will go on sale January 7th & 12th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. In the high school auditorium and on January 9th in the high school commons area during all lunch periods. Tickets are $50 and checks can be made out to the WM PTSA. 100% of the profit from this event goes to the PTSA Scholarship Fund. For more information, please contact Luann Monteleone at 246-5864 or Karen Foda at 246-5161. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=58 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School in the Three Village Central School District has been selected as the first prizewinner in the Samsung’s Hope for Education contest. For this honor, the school has been awarded $61,000 in prizes, including $30,000 in Samsung equipment, $30,000 in Microsoft software, and a $1,000 DIRECTV package. Only 30 schools nationwide were awarded this honor. Ward Melville High School was nominated by psychology and world history teacher Robert Wilson, who wrote an essay describing how the school could benefit from being selected as a contest winner. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=59 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT R.C. Murphy Junior High School student William Stieglitz was invited by the Performance Poets Association to read his original poetry “Tzedakah” at the Smithtown Library this December. This was a great honor for William and the school congratulates him for being recognized as an up-and-coming writer. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=60 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Students in the Home & Careers club at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District teamed up to bake cookies, bundt cakes, breads, brownies, and coffee cakes for the candlelight house tour sponsored by the Three Village Historical Society. The finished baked goods were delivered to the president of the society. Pictured here are club members Tatiana Torres, Haydee Ruiz, Meinke Hora, Eva-Marie Billadello, and Marissa Paglia with some of the items they made. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=61 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Three Village Central School District is proud to announce that ten teachers and one administrator have been acknowledged as leaders in their fields and been awarded MESTRACT grants from the Mid-East Suffolk Teacher Center. This organization supports new and innovative ideas in teaching through the funding of Terri Peters Mini Grants, Technology Grants, Parent Projects, and Design Your Own Staff Development Grants. In order to be considered to receive one of these grants, the recipients needed to complete a comprehensive application process, including detailing how their proposed project was aligned with the New York State Standards for education. Congratulations to the following Three Village educators: Terri Peters Mini-Grant Program Recipients: Kerry Magnuson – “Get to the ‘Heart’ of the Matter” Project Cynthia Carrucciu – “Connecting Students to their Community Through Service- Learning” Project Antonio Santana – “Rachel’s Challenge” Project Corinne Connors – “Rachel’s Challenge” Project Pete Schuchman – “Rachel’s Challenge” Project Sarah Doepp – “Citizen Science: Classroom FeederWatch” Project Derek Angermaier – “Citizen Science: Classroom FeederWatch” Project Barbara Kmioteck – “Weather Station – Future Weather Reporters” Project Allison Cooper – “Weather Station – Future Weather Reporters” Project Technology Mini-Grant Program Recipients: Linda Barrett – “None for the Road” Project Maureen Kost – “None for the Road” Project http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=62 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT As a culmination to a physical education golf unit, Nassakeag Elementary School’s gymnasium was recently transformed into a miniature golf course, complete with holiday music. The students, who have been learning the principals of and skills necessary to successfully play miniature golf, had the chance to take a swing at the beloved passtime. Through the sixteen holes, the students practiced different swinging techniques, kept score of their progress, and worked to improve their golfing methods. Each class had the chance to travel through the course two times. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=63 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT With the help of some volunteers, second-grade students in Suzanne Payne’s class at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village School District created turkey craft bags before the holiday season. The cute craft project came complete with a recipe for “Gobble-Good Turkey Casserole.” http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=64 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Ward Melville High School’s Music Department and the Ward Melville Players proudly presented the 1991 Best Book of a Musical Tony Award winner The Secret Garden as this year’s school musical. As the lights went down on opening night, the auditorium’s stage was transformed into a vine-covered garden and the audience embarked on a captivating journey with a young girl named Mary Lennox. The play, which is a musical written by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon, and is based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, tells the story of Mary, who is sent to live in England with her uncle following the death of her parents in a cholera outbreak in India. There, she brings to life not only a neglected garden, but also all of those who surround her. Approximately 200 Ward Melville High School students were involved in this production on stage, off stage, and in the pit. They rehearsed for months before the play’s debut under the direction of Acting, Vocal, and Staging Director Linda Contino; Orchestra, Set, and Technical Director Phil Preddice; Choreographer Denise Baio; Theatrical Consultant George Loizides; and Costume Directors Irene Gische and Kathy Loizides. The students performed nearly flawless shows for three evening performances before packed crowds, and left the audiences hoping next year’s production would be as wonderful. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=65 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hundreds of students and faculty members at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village School District stood up to cancer this October by participating in the school’s 3rd Annual Fun Run/Walk & Talk program. The annual event is aimed at not only working to promote wellness and exercise, but also to show good character and raise funds for a charity of the school’s choice. This year the school elected to donate the monies raised to cancer research, as this disease has affected many families, faculty, and staff members in the school over the years. With their jogging clothes on and donations in hand, the school’s student body walked and ran countless laps during their gym classes over the course of a week. For each lap completed, the students received a predetermined donation/pledge from their family and friends. Additionally, as the students participated in the program, the school’s physical education teachers tracked the laps completed and created a map of the United States marking the distance walked by the students. In past years the students’ laps equated to walking to Colorado and Utah. This year the students raised more than $1,500 during the walk. “This is a great schoolwide event that incorporates not only a character building component, but a physical education lesson at the same time,” stated physical education teacher Erin Triolo. “The students are excited to participate in this event each year and come together as a school and community.” As a kickoff to this year’s walk and following the theme of standing up to cancer, the school’s faculty and staff came together to raise money for cancer research. Wearing the symbolic color of pink, the teachers, administrators, and staff members donated $1 toward this worthy cause the Friday before the weeklong walk. The idea for this effort, which raised $200, was developed by staff member Brenda Papazzissimos and teachers Stephanie Baldante and Suzanne Luhmer. Ms. Baldante and Ms. Luhmer were also instrumental in coordinating the student walk. The monies raised during both of these events will be split between the Long Island 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, two Long Island-based organizations. The school plans to continue to raise funds for this cause throughout the year. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=46 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT In honor of Veterans Day, the Home & Careers club at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District teamed up to make 250 flag pins for the residents of the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. Using USA and patriotic colored beads and hearts, the students worked since early October to craft these keepsakes in an effort to say thank you to the men and women who have worked hard to keep our country safe. “It was a lot of fun creating the pins,” stated eighth grader Amanda Ogazon, whose grandfather is a veteran. “We wanted to do something to thank them for the sacrifices that they have made and let them know that we remember them…especially on the holiday dedicated in their honor,” added eighth grader Marissa Paglia. The finished pins were delivered as a surprise to the veterans just in time for this year’s Veterans Day. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=47 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT This November 4th marked a monumental day in the nation’s history and, even though they weren’t able to vote in the actual election, students at Setauket and Arrowhead Elementary Schools in the Three Village Central School District wanted to be part of the unprecedented event. At Arrowhead, the school’s student council, which is advised by Dan Walsh and Debby Cheney, coordinated a schoolwide election for students in grades K-6. Prior to the vote, the school’s teachers spoke about the two candidates running for president and the issues that separated both senators. “It was really interesting to learn about both candidates,” stated sixth grader Sarah Alaimo. “The issues that I was most concerned about were the economy and global warming – they really helped me decide who to vote for.” As part of a grade-level initiative, sixth-grade teachers at Setauket Elementary School took this year’s presidential election as an extension of the grade’s social studies curriculum and an opportunity to take an in-depth look at the democratic process. Just as in years past, the school’s sixth graders were required to write a research paper, and this year’s topic was the 2008 Presidential Election. In addition to their papers, the students created individual persuasive essays, posters, political cartoons and propaganda ads about the two candidates and several issues surrounding the Democratic and Republican parties. Following the sixth-grade research project, the school’s grades 2-6 students were invited to participate in a mock election and vote to elect one of the two candidates. “Kids should get involved in the election process early, because one day we will be the adults voting,” stated sixth grader Rachel Martin. “I looked through Internet articles and magazines in order to learn about the two presidential candidates,” added sixth grader Kim George. After the ballots were tallied both schools voted to elect Senator Obama as the next president of the United States. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=48 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT If you have attended one of the Cabaret Nights at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in the Three Village Central School District in the past, you know that the evening is one of the most enjoyable times you can have off, off-Broadway. On Friday, October 24th, the R.C. Murphy Theatre department, in conjunction with the PTO, hosted its sixth annual Cabaret Night. The evening was widely attended by more than 750 community members, teachers, administrators and students. Over the years, the event has grown to its current size and the event planners decided this year, for the first time, to move Cabaret Night from the cafeteria to the Murphy gym to accommodate the large crowd. Attendees were treated to hors d’oevres, a fully catered meal, and dessert – all baked by the school’s students. Aside from the gourmet dinner, the event also featured a gift basket silent auction and a variety show performance, which was hosted by ninth graders Christopher Lilley, Kaylee Weitz, and Jenna Wilson, who worked as Masters of Ceremony. The evening included singing, dancing and comedy skits performed by more than 250 students, 50 student waiters and waitresses, and 28 teachers. "Cabaret Night is a great team effort,” stated music teacher and one of the event’s coordinators Anthony Pollera. “It is a chance for us to come together, teachers, students, administrators and community members, to raise money to enhance the school experience for Murphy's students. The event is successful because of the collective involvement of us all." In total, the evening raised more money than ever before to benefit Murphy’s PTO. Beyond the tremendous amount of fundraising success, the event showcased the great community spirit of the Murphy family. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=49 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT For students at Setauket Elementary School in the Three Village School District, celebrating Halloween has gone beyond the confines of the actual day and traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. In an effort to tap into the true spirit of the holiday and show students that it can be more than just a candy-filled event, the school’s physical education teachers have been hosting a Spooky Gym event for the past 10 years. In their gym classes, the students travel through a haunted maze and participate in Halloween themed activities, including a Haunted Pumpkin Patch game that is similar to a memory match game. Using scooters, the students traveled through the gym to find different items inspired by the holiday. Each student had the chance to visit the Spooky Gym two times during the week of Halloween. “This was a great way to get all the students involved in a fun activity prior to Halloween,” stated physical education teacher Mike Still. Teachers Matt Brand, Mike Still, and Chris LaRochelle volunteered their time the weekend before the activity to set up the maze. Included in the decorations were artificial spider webs, a remote-controlled rat, and several other spooky surprises. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=50 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Putting some favorite holiday decorations to good use, and as an extension of their classroom literacy, science, and math lessons, the third-grade students in Dianne Greene’s class at Minnesauke Elementary School conducted several experiments on their family pumpkins. From measuring the circumference of their pumpkins to reading the book “How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin,” the students had a great time putting their discovery skills to the test. At the end of the lesson, the students, with the help of some parent volunteers, each took turns carving jack-o-lanterns http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=51 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT This past October 4th was International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, an event sponsored by the International Mountain Bicyclists Association (IMBA). Three Village Central School District teachers Kevin Stiegelmaier, Pete Schuchman, Doug Elliot, and Jeff Schaentzler collaborated together to organize a local ride for 15 P.J. Gelinas Junior High School students. The ride took place at a local mountain bike trail in East Setauket. Carl Hart Bicycles, a local bike shop, offered free bicycle safety checks to all participants prior to their ride. Additionally, the students received free snacks and bike gear from IMBA. Along with two parent chaperones and a National Mountain Bike Patroller, the group rode for two hours, stopping occasionally to practice techniques or to simply rest and relax. All students had an excellent time and cannot wait to do it again. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=52 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Have you ever thought about exploring a career as a children’s illustrator? Well, the kindergarten through second-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School recently got a sneak peak and learned a few tricks of the trade when author and illustrator Jose Aruego came to the building for a cultural arts program. During the event, Mr. Aruego walked the students through a step-by-step process for drawing a variety of different animals, including a pig, owl, shark, and lion. The students, who were drawing along with Mr. Aruego, were amazed at how simple shapes and letters can come together to make an artistic figure. Following the hands-on assembly programs, each student received a copy of Mr. Aruego’s book Leo the Late Bloomer, courtesy of the Mount PTA. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=41 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Volunteers from the Setauket Fire Department visited students at Minnesauke Elementary School this October in celebration of Fire Safety Month. During the visits, students in kindergarten through second grade learned about the consequences of playing with matches and lighters, and the precautions to take when faced with a fire. “I want you all to know that firefighters are just regular people,” stated volunteer firefighter Tom Gulbransen. “When we have our protective gear on we might start sounding and looking different but there is no need to be afraid…we are there to help you.” The students listened as firefighters spoke about the need for a predetermined escape plan in the event of a fire and the importance of household smoke detectors, and learned about the different pieces of equipment the firefighters wear when entering a burning building. One message that echoed throughout the assemblies was the only job a person has during a fire, and that is to get out of the building. “As firefighters our job is to go in…while you are running out, we are running in to help,” stated Mr. Gulbransen. “You should also pick one meeting place, make a plan, and practice that plan with the family. That way you know where to run to.” After the informative assemblies, the students also had the chance to step aboard an actual fire truck, take an up-close look at the equipment the firefighters use, and ask any questions they had. Just before heading back to their classrooms, Mr. Gulbransen gave the students a piece of homework – to set up a meeting place and to also have their parents check their house’s smoke detectors. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=42 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tenth Ward Melville Senior Named a National Merit Semifinalist In addition to the nine Ward Melville High School seniors that were announced earlier this school year, another Ward Melville student has been awarded the coveted honor of being named a Semifinalist in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. Zhou Zhou, who transferred to the Three Village Central School District this school year from Colorado, has been selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for this honor. Zhou now has the opportunity to join his peers in competing for some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million, and the title of National Merit Scholarship Finalist. To become a Finalist, Zhou must maintain his superior academic record, receive a recommendation from high school principal Dr. Alan Baum, and earn SAT scores comparable to his performance on the qualifying test. According to the organization, more than 1.5 million juniors in over 21,000 high schools entered the 2009 National Merit Program by taking the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The district congratulates Zhou and wishes him the best of luck on the next part of the competition. http://www.threevillagecsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=43 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT After studying several famous contemporary artists from the 20th Century, students at Minnesauke Elementary School were inspired to put paintbrushes to canvas and create some remarkable pieces of their own. Each grade level was assigned to study a modern artist and then, working according to class and with th