Suffolk School Notebook: Baldwin team wins Medical Marvels
A team from Baldwin Senior High School won this year's Medical Marvels Competition, coordinated by the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Northwell Health's Center for Workforce Readiness. Team members are, from left, Thalia Kontoleon, Reyna Palmer, Jessica Darcy and Rochelle Saunders. Credit: Baldwin Senior High School
A team from Baldwin Senior High School won the top spot in a local competition that challenged participants to share their ideas to stop gun violence.
The all-female team — Jessica Darcy, Thalia Kontoleon, Reyna Palmer and Rochelle Saunders — placed first last month in this year's Medical Marvels Competition, which is coordinated by the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Northwell Health's Center for Workforce Readiness.
The ninth annual science fair, which was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, asked freshman and sophomores to create three-minute videos that included a scientific research assessment, a technological component and a public health policy strategy to detail how to curb gun violence statewide. More than 150 students participated from 18 schools across Long Island.
Baldwin's team presented a revamped solution to gun laws by proposing legislation that included mental health screenings, drug tests and background checks — as well as safety courses for anyone trying to purchase guns.
"We are extremely proud of this dedicated and hardworking group of students," Baldwin School District Superintendent Shari L. Camhi said. "Not only did our high school students successfully present a solution to a real-world issue, but they did so under extraordinary circumstances."
Teams from New Hyde Park Memorial High School and John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore placed second and third, respectively.
Videos were evaluated using a five-point scale rubric on such qualities as innovation, clarity and approach.
In Port Jefferson, members of the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School's Class of 2022 filled more than 200 plastic Easter eggs with candy last month and put together 10 Easter baskets for children in a shelter in collaboration with Give Kids Hope, a Port Jefferson Station-based nonprofit organization. Credit: Port Jefferson School District
GLEN HEAD AND SMITHTOWN
Poster contest winners
Megan Schaefer, a fourth-grader at Glen Head Elementary School, and London Lampasona, a second-grader at Dogwood Elementary School in Smithtown, were among a dozen winners in this year's New York State "Kids Safe Online" Poster Contest, coordinated by the New York State Office of Information Technology Services.
This year's contest received more than 1,000 participants statewide. Winners advance to the national level and will be featured in the 2022 New York State "Kids Safe Online" calendar.
In Centerport, students at Washington Drive Primary School in the Harborfields Central School District wore colorful socks last month in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. Credit: Harborfields Central School District
"Students' interpretation of the integration of cybersecurity into their lives always provides a fresh perspective," said the state's chief information security officer Karen Sorady.
OAKDALE
Coffee Café
The Eastern Suffolk BOCES Islip Career Center has unveiled a new coffee cafe — along with barista training — to help get food-service experience for special-education students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cafe, which was launched by food prep teacher Lauren Daquet, enables pupils to be trained in the use of commercial-grade coffee equipment to create custom and seasonal drink orders for students and staff. The center's carpentry class also fabricated a large menu board, and graphics students designed custom drink sleeves, menus and frequent-buyer cards.
Westhampton Beach Elementary School students participated last month in a tropics-themed day by dressing in their Hawaiian-print best and writing down what they are looking forward to this spring on paper coconuts that were displayed in the hallway. Credit: Westhampton Beach School District
"There is a large job market for baristas, and it’s not just Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks," said Daquet. "It's small coffee shops, hotels and restaurants. It's such a skill to have."
ISLANDWIDE
AASA President-elect
Baldwin School District Superintendent Shari L. Camhi has been named the 2021-22 president-elect of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, an organization that represents more than 13,000 public school superintendents nationwide. She will begin her term on July 1.
Before becoming Baldwin's superintendent in 2014, Camhi was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Lindenhurst School District. She has also served as an assistant superintendent for secondary instruction in Glen Cove and an assistant superintendent for secondary instruction in Mineola.
"One of my top priorities in this new role will be to narrow the digital divide that exists in our country in order to provide equitable access to each and every student," Camhi said.
— MICHAEL R. EBERT
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
