Student-Artist Makes NYC Debut
Talented artist and high school student Jessica Curry was selected to have her work featured in a Manhattan exhibit. Her dynamic drawings and paintings are on display at 430 Park Avenue and can be viewed from the street and inside the building.
Jessica has taken advantage of a variety of district art class offerings, including Drawing & Painting and Advanced Placement Art Studio. In addition, she was enrolled at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts last summer, where she studied with Deer Park art teacher Derek Mainhart. When the New York City show is complete, her artwork will be relocated to the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus in Old Brookville.
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Students Work for Healthy Hearts
The John F. Kennedy Intermediate School joined the efforts of the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise funds for the organization while promoting a healthy lifestyle for students. Since 2006 the school has participated in the “Jump Rope for Heart” and “Hoops for Heart” community service programs, which support life-saving research for heart and blood vessel diseases and stroke.
During their physical education classes, students were educated on AHA research, which shows that the habits and choices developed in childhood directly influence whether or not a person develops heart disease later in life. Reducing the risk of many forms of heart disease can be as easy as maintaining a regular exercise routine.
Motivated by the health statistics, physical education teachers designated two weeks in January to help students learn about the importance of heart-healthy exercise. All students participated and became active in aerobic activities, which included Skip-Its, hula hoops, swing bars, straight bar ropes, jump ropes, long ropes, hopscotch and jumping lines. Through the generous sponsorship of students’ family members and friends, the school was able to raise more than $16,000 for the AHA and its mission. This year the school donated in honor of fifth-grade teacher Dennis Maffei who suffered a heart attack this winter.
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Students Say: Gung Hay Fat Choy
The Year of the Dragon was off to an auspicious start for third-grade students at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, as they celebrated the Chinese New Year in authentic fashion. After studying the geography, economy and culture of China, students were ready to take part in one of this country’s most famous customs. Students gathered together to read about the origin of Chinese New Year celebrations such as dragon parades, fireworks and feasts. Teacher Helene Cotter provided each student with a red envelope containing play money, a traditional Chinese custom that is said to bring good luck in the New Year. At the conclusion of their celebration students enjoyed a feast of Chinese food.
This was the second leg of a yearlong virtual trip through the seven continents using the district’s distance learning technology. It has become a memorable way for students to complete the third-grade social studies curriculum.
“At the beginning of the year students made paper suitcases to take on their travels,” explained Ms. Cotter. “We began in North America, by studying the U.S.A. As they complete each leg of the journey, students will be using their suitcases to gather information and mementos to remind them of all that they have learned.”
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Students Engage in Extreme Water Safety
Students at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School advanced their safety knowledge during the district’s extreme water safety program. Fifth graders visited the high school swimming pool to participate in dynamic water activities. Students learned physical skills related to self-rescue for critical situations such as muscle cramps, exhaustion and sudden immersion into cold water.
While clothed, students entered the pool to simulate emergency scenarios and practiced survival techniques, including floating, swimming, huddle positions, using clothing as flotation devices, and understanding the importance of lifejackets. Students also learned how to handle unusual circumstances, such as a submerged vehicle or capsized boat.
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Student Rocks the Competition
Robert Frost Middle School student Daniel Fisher was named a semifinalist in “Rock the Statue Green: A Transatlantic Art Contest.” District French language students participated in this worldwide competition, which celebrated the 125th birthday of the Statue of Liberty.
Students created inspirational work through various artistic media, including songs, essays, photos and drawings, while keeping the spirit of the environment at the forefront of their visions. Daniel’s detailed and expressive drawings, presented in poster form, infused green ideals and impressed the judges, who awarded him semifinalist designation.
The program was organized by the French Embassy, in collaboration with the U.S. National Park Service, Statue of Liberty National Monument and the American Association of Teachers of French, who hosted this Franco-American contest for K-12 students in both the U.S. and France.
Pictured below, Daniel Fisher showcased his artistic abilities and environmental awareness through his detailed portrayal of the Statue of Liberty and with the assistance of foreign language teacher Nancy Wolman.
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Student to Compete in Regional Spelling Bee
Robert Frost Middle School held its first annual spelling bee as part of the Howard Scripps National Spelling Bee. Preliminary rounds began with a written quiz that was administered during all English classes. Fifteen standout spellers scored 100 and advanced to the building-wide competition. Following an intense battle of words, student Kailey Tenn was named the winner and will now participate at the regional level in March at Hofstra University. If successful at this tournament, Kailey will join students nationwide at the televised Howard Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
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Teacher Receives Award in Education
High school earth science teacher Janet Werner has been named the Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month. Throughout her 34-year career in the fields of science and education, including the last 14 years as a teacher within the Deer Park School District, Ms. Werner has worked to inspire students through her innovative teaching techniques and positive perspective.
Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen identified Ms. Werner as a valuable member of the educational community, noting, “It takes a specific quality to have the ability to draw people in, and that is what she does every day.”
Ms. Werner possesses a dedication to academia that surpasses classroom instruction, demonstrated by her efforts to stay ahead of the curve on current topics and themes through seminars and educational programs. Within the high school, she has expanded course opportunities for students by spearheading a college oceanography class (in conjunction with Stony Brook University) and an astronomy class, both of which are extremely popular within the student body. Working to develop well-rounded students, Ms. Werner has also held the position of advisor for a myriad of extracurricular clubs, including the Scallop Bowl, the Environmental Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), which hosts and sponsors a variety of island and district-wide programs and conferences.
Upon receiving this award, Ms. Werner described her passion for education and stated, “It’s not work when you love what you do.”
Dowling College Dean of Education Dr. Clyde Payne visited Deer Park to present the award to Ms. Werner and capture video footage to highlight her accomplishments, students and school, which will air on News 12. Dr. Payne shared that Ms. Werner was a standout selection. “Of all the nominations, she was overwhelmingly chosen as number one,” he stated. “She is not just doing outstanding classroom work, but engages in more worldly endeavors as well.”
Curriculum Associate for Science and Technology Samir Biswas, along with district administrators, colleagues and current and former students, nominated Ms. Werner for this award.
Pictured below, Dowling College Dean of Education Dr. Clyde Payne presented teacher Janet Werner with the Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month Award. During the ceremony she was congratulated by (l-r) High School Principal James Cummings, Curriculum Associate for Science and Technology Samir Biswas and Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen.
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Collaborative Learning
John F. Kennedy Intermediate School fourth-grade students learned the art of literature through the Reading and Writing Curriculum of Teacher's College at Columbia University. District teachers followed the published work of author and professor Dr. Lucy Calkins, entitled Writing Fiction: Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions.
Students explored the curriculum through various writing units in which they used different elements to create realistic fiction writing pieces that featured genre-specific characters, plots and scenes. To exercise these skills, students participated in lessons on the complete writing process by imagining stories they wished were true, developing believable characters, creating different leads to their stories, and writing powerful endings.
In order to showcase their work, fourth-grade students came together for a culminating Realistic Fiction Writing Celebration. Students were grouped together to share their writings with their peers and provide positive feedback to one another.
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A Conference for Change
The High School Students Against Destructive Destructions (SADD) Club hosted a districtwide "Neighbor to Neighbor" conference that engaged students in a unique initiative. Ten students from grades five through eight were invited to participate in a series of workshops and activities to address current issues that young people face today. The goal of the daylong program was to create an awareness of these challenges and develop unified plans of action.
Workshops included bullying and its effects, strategies to overcome bullying, and the sharing of stories with those who have experienced bullying. In one workshop, groups expressed themselves by creating a series of skits, which they presented on a variety of topics including texting, social acceptance and peer relationships. The day culminated with each group creating a poster depicting what they had learned. Each piece will be displayed in the students’ respective schools for their peers to view, along with a certificate of participation.
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Student Santas
The high school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club convened for a "Wrapping and Rapping" party to cap off the districtwide Adopt-A-Cherub holiday program.
SADD Club advisor Janet Werner-Kempski and club members recruited organizations and clubs within the high school to donate and wrap more than 100 gifts, which will be given to the student "cherubs" they adopted for the holiday season. Each club was provided with the age and gender of their cherub and then selected appropriate gifts, including clothes, figurines, board games, books, teddy bears, playing cards and sporting goods.
SADD Club staffers were pleased to have the opportunity to make someone else’s holiday a little brighter this year, especially those less fortunate in these tough economic times. "The gifts will be given to district students in need," Werner-Kempski said. “This event is about music, fellowship and wrapping presents.”
While students wrapped the gifts, they enjoyed a festive afternoon of chatting with teachers, listening to music and bonding with their fellow classmates. The SADD Club was joined by members of Deer Park High School's Anti-Bullying Club, Community Service Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Theater Club, Comic Book Club and Senior Class Boys' Varsity leaders, all of whom participated in the program and made it a success.
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No Snoozing During the Winter Play
Under the direction of Ms. Lubrano, the students of May Moore Elementary School’s Music Club presented their annual wintertime performance of Snoozy Snowflake for parents, classmates and community members.
Set during the wintertime, the story centers on Snoozy Smowflake, played by student Jordan Perez, whose actions have held up the first snowfall of winter. Snoozy claims to be tired and just wants to rest, but the real reason for her lack of enthusiasm is that she desires to be different. Her teacher, Mr. Frost, played by teacher Jeremy Smith, reminds Snoozy that all snowflakes are different and each possesses unique qualities. Hearing that she is special is a joyous revelation to Snoozy and she is reminded that each person is special and capable of making a unique contribution to his or her family, school, and community.
A cast of 20 student ‘snowflakes’ and 11 others dazzled the audience with a variety of songs including “Snow’s a No-Show” and “Get Flakey.” Special thanks to Ms. Lubrano, the entire cast, Ms. Cullinane (set design), Ms. Bogart (audio), Ms. LoPiccolo (t-shirts), Mrs. Skoljarev (snowflake) and all of the parents for attending.
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Students Provide Simple Comforts
The Pajama Program is a not-for-profit organization that provides new, warm pajamas to children in need throughout the United States, and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School has joined its mission. Students in Kate Torres’ class organized a schoolwide drive and encouraged their peers to donate new pajamas to the cause. As a class, students sorted the pajamas and created a display in the hallway to graph the clothing collected by size and gender.
Students worked to raise awareness of the need to provide at-risk children living in group homes and shelters, many of whom are orphans, with warm, clean nighttime clothing. The school’s assistance with the Pajama Program comes during the most urgent time of the year, when the thermostat dips and the harsh winter months settle in.
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Celebration of the Arts
The district inducted 29 students into the high school’s chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. These newest members of this prestigious international organization were selected based on their musical ability, academic excellence and school involvement.
Tri-M Music Honor Society is designed to recognize and reward students for their achievements while inspiring their peers to excel at music and leadership. Another goal is to increase student and school involvement with music and to build a stronger and more unified music program. The 29 new inductees will join the current 11 members who will be led by advisor and music teacher Mr. Abrams. Members participate in a variety of community service projects and school performances throughout the school year.
Across the island, Deer Park student-musicians participate in a variety of elite performances and concerts. Four students were selected for the Long Island String Festival and will join the organization’s countywide ensembles. In addition, the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME) and the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) All-County Music Festivals will include six Deer Park students who will join other division central schools and perform in the chorus ensembles.
Seven of the district’s youngest musicians were chosen to participate in the PEAK Festival, sponsored by SCMEA. PEAK, which stands for “Parents, Educators and Kids,” is a special program for musically talented fourth graders in which students, parents and music teachers participate in a variety of musical workshops to hone and enhance students’ skills and broaden their interests in music.
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