Students from across the district got a great start on the year on Sept. 5 as the schools opened for the first day of learning.

“We were so thrilled to see such happy and excited students on day one of school,” said Robert Frost Middle School Principal Eliana Levey. “We’re looking forward to a phenomenal year.”

“Students arrived on the first day of school ready to learn,” said John F. Kennedy Intermediate School Principal Susan Bonner. “They were eager to enter the building and get started with the new school year. We are looking forward to many great times, adventures and learning experiences this year.”

“We are so happy to have the halls and classrooms filled with students again and are eager to begin another year full of engaging activities,” said John Quincy Adams Primary School Principal Christopher Molinelli.

“It was exciting to welcome our new pre-K and kindergarten students as well as our returning first- and second-graders,” said May Moore Primary School Principal Alicia M. Konecny. “Our teachers and support staff are eager to challenge our students to learn and accomplish great things – this is where we continue to develop the skills that build a strong foundation for learning.”

“I loved the first day of school because I have new teachers and I enjoyed writing and labeling our new supplies,” said May Moore first-grader Francesca Lathrop. “I think it’s going to be a great year.”  

 

 

 

 

 

The district has welcomed three new assistant principals to the administrative team. Kristen Anisis and Sean O’Brien will work at Deer Park High School, and Heather Levine will serve at John Quincy Adams and May Moore primary schools.

Anisis previously worked as an English teacher at Freeport High School. The Long Beach resident earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Stony Brook University, a master’s degree in literacy at Queens College and a post-master’s certificate in educational leadership from Stony Brook.

“I am honored to join the administrative team at Deer Park Schools,” said Anisis. “I am excited to serve this wonderful community and will tirelessly work to reach our collective goal of student success.”

O’Brien most recently worked for three years as a school counselor at Elmont Memorial High School, and previously served as a guidance counselor at Roosevelt High School. A resident of Saint James, he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology fron Stony Brook University, and his master’s degree in school counseling from Long Island University.

“ I look forward to working together with the amazing faculty and families of Deer Park High School as we prepare our students for the future,” he said.

Prior to joining the Deer Park administrative team, Levine worked for the Connetquot Central School District as a special education administrator. She has been in the field of education for over 14 years, and previously worked as special education teacher, chairperson and supervisor, as well as an instructional coach for the New York City Department of Education.  Levine earned her bachelor of science in human development and sociology from Binghamton University, her master’s degree in special education and general education from St. John’s University, and a gifted and talented advanced course of study from Touro College. She later obtained an advanced certificate in school building and school district leadership from the College of Saint Rose, and participated in the Teachers as Leaders program through Columbia Teacher’s College.

“Education is my passion,” said Levine, who resides in Levittown. “I am deeply committed to collaboration and support for all our students and believe in staying current with newest research-based trends in education. The early childhood years are critical times for students. What happens during these years will have a lasting impression on their growth and development, and we are the foundation that gives each student the opportunity to become a lifelong learner.”

The high school’s Italian Honor Society co-hosted a benefit dinner with the Brumidi Lodge Sons of Italy to raise money to help recovery efforts for victims of several recent earthquakes in central Italy.

Nearly 300 people were killed and hundreds displaced during these disasters, and numerous buildings were damaged, including homes, churches, businesses and hospitals. The students worked on different fundraisers to raise money for this cause.

At the benefit dinner, Italian Honor Society Secretary Peter Farquharson and adviser Josephine Conway presented a $500 donation check to Brumidi Lodge President Daniel Calisi to add to the proceeds of the relief fund.

Welcoming the future Class of 2021, the high school held its freshman orientation on Aug. 30, providing the new ninth-graders a chance to familiarize themselves with teachers, guidance counselors and administrators. After an address by Senior Class President Alan Korsiak, upperclassmen gave the younger students tours of the building and spoke to them about what a typical day at the high school is like.

“This was a perfect opportunity for our incoming freshmen to start to experience the many wonderful activities that Deer Park High School offers our students,” said Principal Charles Cobb. “It’s a great event that signified the end of summer break and let us look forward to the upcoming school year.”

Members of the high school’s Patriot and SADD clubs hosted a picnic this summer at The Veterans Place in Yaphank, a shelter that provides housing and support for homeless veterans of Suffolk County.

Club members hung red white and blue decorations and a banner painted by art students. Food was donated by Texas Roadhouse of Deer Park, and dessert was baked by students from FACS teacher Patricia Skjoldahl’s class. The high schoolers socialized with the veterans and shared their appreciation for the latter’s service to the nation. The Patriot Club also made a $150 donation to the shelter and raffled off prizes donated by retired Deer Park teacher Janet Werner. 

“This trip was one of the year's highlights for our students,” said Patriot Club adviser Laurie Osbern. “Both the students and the veterans really enjoyed spending the afternoon together.”