Deer Park High School’s Varsity Leaders Club and the Marching Falcons band were recognized at the Board of Education’s Feb. 28 meeting.

“Thank you to those Varsity Leaders Club students for all the times they have made a positive difference in the lives of other students and our community,” Board President Donna Marie Elliott said. “Their achievements on and off the field should be celebrated, as should our marching band, a group of students continually express their amazing talents through their music.”

Legislator Tom Donnelly, who was in attendance to congratulate and present the students with certificates, noted that both high school groups were “staples in our community.”

Elliott and Superintendent James Cummings also praised Varsity Leaders Club adviser Brian Tower and Marching Band Director Derek Schmelter.

“Thank you, Mr. Tower, for all the years that you have devoted to ensure the success of this club and for your dedication to your students and their successes,” Elliott said.

“Running a marching band is a labor of love, so we are so fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Schmelter, who has revived this program,” Cummings said.

East Meadow High School’s Spanish Honor Society recently sold hundreds of bracelets to raise money for underprivileged communities in Nicaragua and Guatemala. 

The Spanish Honor Society partnered with The Pulsera Project, a nonprofit organization that connects Central American artists with schools around the country to raise money to educate, empower and support artists. The Honor Society’s Pulsera sale (bracelet in Spanish) featured hundreds of unique, hand-woven bracelets created by Central American artists. 

With the support of East Meadow High School students and staff, 290 bracelets were sold and more than $2,000 were donated to the organization.

 

Photo caption: 1-5: East Meadow High School’s Spanish Honor Society recently sold hundreds of bracelets to raise money for underprivileged communities in Nicaragua and Guatemala.

 

Photos courtesy of the East Meadow Union Free School District 

 

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Students from Charles Campagne Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Day on March 2, 2023. Established by the National Education Association, Read Across America Day is recognized each year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Charles Campagne students marked the special occasion by sharing books and reading together throughout the day.

Older students read to their younger buddies and the school building was decorated by art teacher Danielle Hermann and school librarian Phyllis Ivers. The entire school community also participated in D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) time during the school day. Throughout the week, all library classes engaged in special Reading Day programs with Dr. Seuss books and activities. Many teachers also shared Dr. Seuss books in their classrooms. It was a fun-filled week of literacy love!

 

 

 

Wantagh Middle School students want everyone to have a healthy heart. That’s why they collectively raised more than $9,000 for the American Heart Association in the annual Hoops for Heart competition.

It was the 27th year that the school has raised money for the organization. Students participated in basketball shooting contests during their physical education classes, with teachers Eileen Keener, Thomas Liguori, Gary Reh and Keith Sachs. The winner from each class advanced to a schoolwide competition on March 3.

With eighth graders cheering from the bleachers, the 34 contestants battled it out until there were 12 finalists – six boys and six girls. They then participated in another round until a winner emerged from each group. And two champions just happened to be siblings, Alexander and Ava DeVita, who were presented with trophies. 

After the competition was over, the three middle school students who raised the most money for the American Heart Association this year were recognized. Victoria Guber, Bridgid Reilly and Logan Scrivanich each collected more than $750, and together their donations totaled about $2,400 – nearly a quarter of the money the school raised.

As a reminder of the cause, the gymnasium walls were covered in red paper hearts, on which students wrote words of encouragement or messages in honor of a loved one who battled heart disease.  

 

Photo captions:

1: More than 30 Wantagh Middle School students participated in the annual Hoops for Heart championship on March 3. This year, the school raised more than $9,000 for the American Heart Association.

2: Principal Anthony Ciuffo, Assistant Principal Rachel Quattrocchi and Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics Jennifer Keane congratulatethe Hoops for Heart winners as well as the three top fundraisers, from left, Alexander DeVita, Logan Scrivanich, Victoria Guber, Bridgid Reilly and Ava DeVita.

3: Boys semifinalists warmed up for the schoolwide competition. 

4: Semifinalists for the girls were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. 

5: Siblings Alexander and Ava DeVita were crowned champions of the Hoops for Heart competition. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District

The Waverly Elementary School community came together on March 3 for its annual St. Baldrick’s Event. Marking the first time the event was held in-person since the pandemic, Waverly was excited to have 10 shavees back on stage to support those affected by childhood cancer.

This year’s event was dedicated to Sarah Sorensen, a Waverly second grader who has been in remission for the past five years.

“The fact that her school today is honoring her is so overwhelming. Waverly is an elementary school that is completely supportive to all of its students,” Sarah’s mom, Michelle Sorensen, said.

Six students, two parents, a teacher and Waverly Principal Kevin Tougher were among those who raised at least $50 to have their heads shaved. Sachem High School East students in the cosmetology program held the buzzers to help out at the event.

This year’s event raised more than $9,000 for the St. Baldrick’s organization. Over the course of eight years that the school has been participating in the program, Waverly has raised more than $200,000.

 

Photo captions:

1 – Waverly second grader Sarah Sorensen (middle) was nominated by her teacher, Danielle Sexton (right), to be the honoree at this year’s event. Sarah is currently in remission.

2 – Sachem High School East cosmetology students shaved heads during Waverly’s event.

3 – Waverly Elementary School Principal Kevin Tougher was among the shavees.

4 – Students were excited to support the fight against childhood cancer by shaving their heads.

5 – Waverly’s St. Baldrick’s event had 10 shavees including students, faculty and parents.

 

Photos courtesy of the Sachem Central School District