The Northport-East Northport school district is hosting a “Goodnight Northport: Celebrating Differences” nighttime storytelling initiative, where teachers and staff read books via Google Meet to students at night. The districtwide initiative is helping bring students in grades kindergarten through fifth together across the elementary buildings.
Teachers and staff volunteered and chose books that include characters with different backgrounds, including diverse races and family structures. “It’s really important that every student sees themselves in books. We want the children to value people who are different from themselves,” said Bellerose Avenue Instructional Coordinator Dana Ward.
The initiative runs through April 15.
Saluting Scholarship
Fifty six Walt Whitman High School seniors who were recently recognized at the ACT/SAT Scholar Ceremony & Breakfast.
They were:
Anastasia Akapnitis, Zaen Asghar, Thomas Baranowski, Bina Batyosef, Noah Biton, Katie Block, Grace Buckshaw, Pamela Carey, Mia Coll, Sophia Del Priore, Matthew Desmond, Abby Dinstell, Daniel Donovan, Cal Eidinoff, Salmaan Ejaz, Aidan Garemani, Devin Gaynor, Tyler Grosso, Piper Huntington, Elisa Hustedt, Aaron Jurrist, Anna Keller, Matthew Kerner, Ryan Kiesnoski, Sebastian Koch, Rebecca Kurjanski, Richard Kurjanski, Jeremy Lanz, Ellena Lunt, Dalton Marzigliano, Chloe Murphy, Margaret Neiland, Juliana Nguyen, Jack O’Loughlin, Chelsea Perry, Julia Posillico, Zack Reichhold, Wendell Saint Jean, Kristen Salas, Anastasia Samba, Daniela Santoiemma, Benjamin Schlansky, Caroline Schrama, Christopher Scortichini, Aarav Shah, Rena Shapiro, Paul Smitelli, Amanda Smuss, Colin Sorce, Jesse Strenger-Skolnik, Adam Tabibzada, Jasmine Thai, Stephan Tsolis, Jacob Veeder, Julianna Villena, and Riley Wagner.
Tops in Music Education
Huntington school district has again been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the country.
“The pandemic can do nothing to suppress the talent and passion possessed by Huntington students and staff nor will it dampen the community’s artistic spirit,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “The ongoing recognition we receive from NAMM comes as no surprise, as Huntington is truly a place where the arts are valued and become lifelong endeavors for many. Congratulations to all.”
Now in its 22nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in their efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Huntington answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instructional time, facilities and support for the music program. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
Best Music Education
The Half Hollow Hills Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its commitment to music education. Now in its 22nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This is the 11th year the district has been selected for this impressive distinction.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Half Hollow Hills answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Our educational community in Half Hollow Hills is so incredibly supportive of our music education programs, helping to provide equitable access to music education for all of our students,” said Dr. Darlene Lilla, Director of Fine Arts in Half Hollow Hills. “Receiving our 11th Best Communities for Music Education Award from The NAMM Foundation celebrates our dedication in Half Hollow Hills to music education as part of a well-rounded education.”
Northport Candidate Deadline
District residents who want to seek election to the Board of Education can pick up candidate packets from the District Clerk at the Administrative Building, 158 Laurel Ave. Call the District Clerk (262-6608) for further information. Minimum Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the District for one year, and a qualified voter of the District. The deadline for submission of completed packets is 5 pm on April 19.
South Huntington Teacher of the Year
Keith Goldman was named Walt Whitman’s and South Huntington School District’s Teacher of the Year! Over the course of his 17 year career, he has helped students within the ENL program, providing them opportunities to succeed but is reaching students with disabilities to find avenues of success within the Earth Science curriculum, the district said.
Student Highlights:
Half Hollow Hills East student Brooke Broder received the highest honor in the New York State PTA Reflections competition, the Award of Excellence, for her photo collage, “Cool the Flame.” The PTA’s Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts.
- Hills West’s Maxwell & Theodore Schriro were recognized by State Assemblyman Keith Brown for earning Students Building Bridges Awards from the Jewish Community Relations Council. The honor recognizes them for their efforts in creating a more civil society and is part of the Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Program, sponsored by the Suffolk County State Senate and Assembly Delegations.
- The Huntington girls’ fencing team has garnered the Section XI Sportsmanship Award for its fine display toward opponents and opposing coaches this past winter. The Blue Devils are coached by Michelle O’Brien and Burke Tomaselli. Coaches submit ratings of their opponents to Section XI following every contest. The rankings are tabulated and announced at the conclusion of each sports season. The roster included Madelyn Bavaro, Adora Colay, Emely Cruz, Aislyn Franciscovich, Alexandra Kustera, Lilianna LaVertu, Allison Malone, Abigail Simon and Haileigh Smith.
- Hills East student Jacob Leshnower took first place in the Senior Individual Performance category at the Long Island History Day Regional Competition for his original research and creation of a performance titled “An Instrument of Good and Evil: Music’s Critical Role as a Communications Tool in the Holocaust.” The National History Day Contest is a competition in which students conduct research based on an annual theme and then present their work to be evaluated, beginning at the regional level.
Half Hollow Hills West football
Students are invited to apply to join the student-athlete advisory committee of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. The committee discusses topics involving high school student-athletes and develop ways to maintain a positive athletic experiences. Two athletes are chosen from each section in the state.