Outstanding Achievements

Technology Plan Approved for Smart Schools Funding

The district’s one-to-one technology initiative was approved for funding under the New York State Smart Schools Bond Act this past winter, and each student in Long Beach Middle School and Long Beach High School has received a Chromebook through this plan. Senator Todd Kaminsky’s office also provided support through a grant. 

The devices open many new doors for 21^st-Century learning. Instead of reading about the Mona Lisa, students will be able to see it through a virtual tour of the Louvre. Texts about the great pyramids will be enhanced by a visit to the structures through Google Earth. Video chats with NASA scientists will enable students to be part of space exploration firsthand, and electronic mathematical simulations will help them to visualize complex equations.

Chromebooks also accommodate the Google Classroom platform that many teachers and students utilize for organization, collaboration, communication, real-time editing and more.
 

NIKE Students Learn Business Success Strategies

Virtual Enterprises International is a worldwide simulation of entrepreneurship and business that provides high school and college students with experiences parallel with those in the corporate world. The NIKE Work-Based Learning Center introduced the program this school year, and participants have demonstrated their creativity, teamwork, commitment and enthusiasm as their innovations unfolded.

The group decided to focus on marketing premium, filtered, bottled water infused with fruits, vitamins and herbs, under the name 02H. They created a logo, business plan, business cards and other forms of branding, and achieved an Honorable Mention at the Long Island Virtual Enterprises Business Plan Competition and Trade Fair in February. They are now gearing up for a trade show in April, and continue to brainstorm and fine-tune their work.

Thanks to the district’s relationship with SUNY Farmingdale and the Perkins Consortium, Long Beach’s Virtual Enterprise students are able to earn up to 15 college credits for a modest fee upon completion of the program.
 

Fashion Show Fundraises for Morning Madness

Long Beach High School students modeled fancy formalwear on Jan. 31, during the 26^th annual Morning Madness Fashion Show fundraiser. This event, organized by the Parent Teacher Student Association, supports the substance-free Morning Madness post-prom celebration.
The fashion show was a collaborative effort that involved many classes, clubs, departments and staff members in the district. From design details to technological features and behind-the-scenes set-up, members of the Long Beach Public Schools and community came together to present another memorable evening.

The PTSA is still working toward its goal. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or making a donation can contact Morning Madness Committee Co-Chair AnnMarie Scandole at amscandole@optonline.net

 

Sister Act Takes the Stage

The Long Beach High School Theatre Department presented spectacular productions of Sister Act in March. Congratulations to all involved, from the cast members to those who contributed behind-the-scenes, on a job well done.

Amazing Achievers

Senior Alexandra (Ali) Thursland has earned the prominent distinction of National Merit Finalist through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Ali was named a semifinalist this past fall based on her Preliminary SAT scores and advanced to the next level after meeting rigorous academic requirements and achieving outstanding SAT results.

Each year, an estimated 1.6 million students from across the nation enter this academic competition by taking the PSAT, and approximately 15,000 meet the finalist criteria.

Sophomores Talia Fernandez and Philippe Vargas-Charlot were selected to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) New York State Leadership Seminar this June at Adelphi University. Both were chosen from a competitive process through which they were nominated by faculty members and administrators, submitted essays and completed interviews. As the primary winner from Long Beach High School, Talia’s essay detailed a volunteer service project she led. Alternate winner Philippe focused his essay on stereotypes and going beyond them.
 

Sophomore Melody Moy earned a second place award in the Nassau County Drugs Alternative PSA Contest. Her PSA is titled, “Alone,” and portrays various stories that convey the detrimental impacts of drug use. It features a set of scenarios that illustrate the danger and isolation that substance abuse brings. A second-year Television Studio and Production student, Melody edited her film in the Television Studio and Production 2 class, where she utilized the high school’s computers, Final Cut Pro software and recording equipment.
 

 

Four middle school students earned exceptional results in the Grade 8 American Mathematics Competition. Maya Arengo, Uma Arengo, Brady Romano and Alexandra Wiesendanger were recognized for their distinguished performance on this exam, presented by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).  Uma, an eighth-grader, took first place and a Gold Award. Brady and Alexandra are in the sixth grade and achieved wins of second place and Silver Awards. Eighth-grade student Maya Arengo placed third and received a Bronze Award. The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple-choice examination that engages students in problem-solving and analytical thinking.
 

Two elementary school students representing Long Beach LARC received perfect scores in the first of three meets for this year’s WordMasters Challenge™—a national vocabulary competition that involves critical thinking to complete analogies. Fifth-grader Hunter Stadtman and fourth-grader Ronin Rugolsky each earned this outstanding achievement. Fifth-graders Michael Rossi, Gabriel Klarikaitis and Dean Parenti and third-graders Luke Morita and Catherine Maguire also received excellent results in the first meet.
 

The high school congratulates six students who were selected to have their work showcased in the 21^st annual Long Island’s Best Young Artists Exhibit at the Heckscher Museum. The artistic creations of Maiya Abramson, Daniella Bruzzone, Lea Jaffe, Lindsey Kranitz, Kristen Miciotta and Madison Murray are among 82 of more than 380 entries from students across Long Island that were selected for this opportunity. Kristen was named Overall Third-Place Winner, and Daniella received a Promising Young Artist Award. Their work will be on display until April 9.
 

Three high school students had their photography accepted for distinguished exhibits. Senior Phillip Persky’s piece was displayed at the Art Guild in Manhasset, while juniors Sarah Reznick and Jovanna Vincente will have their works featured at the New York State Art Teachers Association’s Legislative Exhibit in Albany. Phillip earned his exhibit spot after entering the Art Guild’s “My Perspective” competition. Sarah’s and Jovanna’s photographs were submitted to the NYSATA and will be presented at the Legislative Office Building.
 

Around the Schools

East Elementary School fifth-graders danced the night away on March 9, when they showcased skills that the Dancing Classrooms of Long Island program taught them. Dancing Classrooms provides ballroom dancing lessons that cultivate mutual respect, teamwork, collaboration and self-esteem. Students spent 10 weeks practicing and perfecting Tango, Foxtrot, Rumba, Swing, Merengue and Waltz choreography, which they presented in teams and with partners. They also learned about the history and cultural significance of each dance.

Lido Elementary School fifth-graders held a fundraiser on Feb. 17 to help the endangered polar bears. Through sales of handmade awareness bracelets and raffle tickets, the group raised $205 for their mission. Students shared their research on polar bears, from basic fun facts to detailed statistics about the threats of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. This initiative tied into the non-fiction research and writing lessons that fifth-graders have been conducting. Students collected data and facts that they incorporated into writing pieces based on problem and solution or cause and effect structures. 

 

Lindell Elementary School’s fourth-grade brought Colonial times into the present through inquiry-based learning and explorations of literacy, technology, research and visual components. Dressed in hats, bonnets, long dresses, vests and slacks, the students provided detailed descriptions of the Colonial period in a museum-like settings. Their work involved the creation of PowerPoints, formulation of questions to generate conversations with the event’s attendees, and preparation of written pieces, illustrations and images and props.

 

West Elementary School supports social emotional learning with a program entitled “Family Matters.” The initiative’s events encourage students to be aware of their own feelings, as well as the feelings of others, and provide techniques that teach students to manage their minds and emotions positively and stay in the moment. In January, all classes engaged in group discussions on mindfulness and participated in a guided meditation exercise. Students visualized their favorite places and were conscious of their breathing and senses.

 

Long Beach Middle School students received important internet safety tips on Feb. 8, when Police Officer and School Resource Officer Josh Groshans led presentations on proper internet protocol. He discussed social media, texting, apps and other aspects of the digital world and reviewed risks and consequences, as well as advice to support positive, appropriate and beneficial use of technology.
 

Long Beach High School’s Guidance Department hosted a Career Day on March 9 as an opportunity for students to explore a variety of occupational fields and speak directly to professionals. The building’s gymnasium was transformed into an exhibit of booths that represented an assortment of jobs. In April, a college fair will introduce students to colleges and universities from around the country.

 

Winter Sports Highlights

Long Beach High School celebrated a successful season for its varsity athletes on March 7, when students, coaches, district leaders and parents gathered for Winter Varsity Sports Award Night. 

Members of the boys and girls basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, ice hockey, boys and girls track and wrestling teams were recognized at the event. Each team was introduced and coaches summarized the winter season’s highlights. Individual student accomplishments were also shared.

The wrestling team was ranked No. 1 in New York State and achieved Nassau County and New York State Dual Meet Champions titles. The gymnastics team was named an All American Team, members of the ice hockey team were named Nassau County Champions and the boys swim team achieved Division “C” Champions distinction.

This year brought changes to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Scholar Athlete program, with a greater emphasis on recognizing individual students and significantly higher standards for overall teams to achieve the honor. Long Beach High School congratulated more than 100 Scholar Athlete students.

Pictured below are: Front row (from left) All-State Wrestler Matt Maquet, All-American Gymnast Allison Cohen, All-American Gymnast Dakota Ejnes, All-American Gymnast Rivers Cunningham. Back row (from left) NYS Wrestling Champion Jacori Teemer, All-State Wrestler Tyrese Byron, All-American Swimmer Shane Morris, All-American Swimmer Matthew Cannon, All-American Swimmer Troy Morris, All-American Swimmer Ryan Aroesty.
 

Additionally, senior Alec Rovitz (pictured below) has been accepted to the U.S. Junior Boys’ Ice Hockey Team for the 20^th World Maccabiah Games, which will take place in Israel in July. He will be among 1,250 athletes from the United States participating in this worldwide event.
 

 

 

Four-time New York State Wrestling Champion Jacori Teemer.
 

The district also congratulates teacher and coach Eric Krywe for being recognized as Nassau County AAA3 Junior Varsity Coach of the Year. Mr. Krywe has coached junior varsity baseball for 13 years and basketball for 10 years.