School notebook: LI marching bands win top honors
Malverne High School's Pride of Malverne marching band placed first in the Small School 1 Division at the 45th annual New York State Field Band Conference Championships in Syracuse. Credit: Malverne school district
Marching bands from Malverne High School and Mineola High School won first place in their respective divisions at the 45th annual New York State Field Band Conference Championships last month at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Malverne's band took top honors in the Small School 1 division — the first Long Island band ever to win that category — with its score of 91.65. The Mineola marching band placed first in the Small School 2 category with a score of 85.05.
The event included more than 4,000 students from about 50 high schools statewide and three out-of-state bands. Each band performed a seven- to 10-minute show and was evaluated on both musical and visual presentations.
"It was an incredible ride," Malverne band director Glen Johnson said. Of his group's performance, he said: "All the judges bought into it and loved what we did."
Malverne's show, titled "The Uninvited," portrayed a family who didn't know their new house was haunted. Mineola's show, titled "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence," portrayed a scientist who aimed to make a machine that fully functioned like a human.
Other bands from high schools in Nassau County placing in their divisions were: Floral Park Memorial, second place, Small School 3; Hicksville, third place, Large School 3; Division Avenue, fifth place, Small School 2; and Roslyn, ninth place, Small School 2.
GREAT NECK
Students at Schwarting Elementary School in the Plainedge district got a lesson on the proper way to plant bulbs, a project that involved the system's three elementary schools and resulted in the planting of 2,000-plus bulbs. Credit: Plainedge school district
New principals
The Great Neck school district has four new principals: Luciana Bradley at Saddle Rock Elementary School, Gina Cartolano at Great Neck South Middle School, Michael Grimaldi at Elizabeth M. Baker Elementary School, and Kathleen Murray at Parkville School.
Bradley previously was an assistant principal at Saddle Rock and replaced Michael Mensch, who was interim principal. Cartolano previously was an assistant principal at Great Neck South Middle School and replaced James Welsch, who retired.
Grimaldi had been assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Eastport-South Manor school district and replaced Sharon Fougner, who retired. Murray previously was an assistant principal at the district's John F. Kennedy Elementary School and replaced Debra Shalom, who retired.
Business students from New Hyde Park Memorial High School were audience members recently for the popular court television show, "The People's Court." The students listened to different cases, received a behind-the-scenes virtual tour, and met with Judge Marilyn Milian. Credit: Sewanhaka school district
LEVITTOWN
Mindfulness room
Lee Road Elementary School recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new mindfulness room to help students and staff channel their emotions and observe their feelings.
The room includes items such as calming glitter jars, sand for kinesthetic engagement, and comfortable benches, chairs and rugs. It is open to students and staff before, during and after school and also will be used by the school's Mindfulness Club.
"It's such a wonderful accomplishment and feeling that our children are learning how to focus their attention, regulate their emotions and bring mindfulness into everyday life," said Melanie Anderson, who chairs the school's Mindfulness Committee and is the Mindfulness Club adviser.
COUNTYWIDE
Red Ribbon Week
In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, many local schools hosted programs designed to steer students away from drugs and alcohol. The observance was Oct. 23-31.
In North Bellmore, children at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School signed drug-free pledges on small ribbons that were tied together to form one large ribbon. Students also wore sports jerseys to "team up" against bullying and "scared away" drugs with a Crazy Hair Day, school officials said.
In Seaford, pupils participated in art activities such as a ribbon-decorating project and the painting of "kindness rocks" at Seaford Manor Elementary School. In addition, the high school hosted a Unity Walk for the entire Seaford community.
In West Hempstead, a damaged car was displayed outside the high school to simulate a drunken-driving accident scene and students tackled tasks, such as stacking cups while wearing goggles that blurred their vision, to show the effects of alcohol.
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.
