School Notebook: Students participate in fall-themed lessons
Students in the Transition Services Program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES Brookhaven Learning Center create autumn bouquets. Credit: Eastern Suffolk BOCES
The changing seasons have been a popular topic in classrooms across Long Island.
Many teachers have been integrating the arrival of autumn into their curricula through everything from fall craft projects to pumpkin-themed science experiments.
In one lesson, students in the Transition Services Program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES Brookhaven Learning Center created bouquets that were available for sale to staff for $5 apiece. Participants also learned how to arrange flowers in vases and to operate a cash register.
“The ability to correctly follow directions and a sequence of steps are transferable skills that can benefit students at future places of employment,” said Eastern Suffolk BOCES horticulture teacher Rosemary Reichert.
In Copiague, children at Great Neck Road Elementary School predicted whether their pumpkins would sink or float before testing their theories. Meanwhile, kindergartners at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School compared different types of apples and learned about foods created from the fruit.
Kindergartners at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in Smithtown read the Dr. Seuss book “Ten Apples in Top” and put numbered apples in order from 1 to 10. They also participated in an apple taste test and graphed their favorite varieties.
In Oyster Bay, students explored and touched the different parts of an apple and created artwork by dipping apple slices in paint and using them as stamps at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School.
In Bethpage, students from John F. Kennedy Middle School learned to be mindful online citizens during a visit from author Katie Duffy Schumacher, who founded Don’t Press Send, a campaign to help children navigate social media. Credit: Bethpage School District
“It is important for all our students to learn about the science behind fall using their five senses, and apples are a great way to go,” said Theodore Roosevelt teacher Cindy Mulstay.
BRENTWOOD
CTE program launch
The Brentwood School District has collaborated with the Long Island Academy of Applied Technology, the career and technical educational program of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, to open a new cosmetology program at Sonderling High School.
In Lake Ronkonkoma, students at Hiawatha Elementary School were excited to “dunk” their principal, Joe Watson, as part of PTA membership drive. Credit: Sachem Central School District
Approximately 30 students — split among morning and afternoon sessions — are attending half-day classes as part of the program.
“For districts that have large numbers of students who wish to enroll in certain programs, bringing the course in-house can be an extremely cost-effective solution to providing students with top-quality career training and guidance,” said Leah Arnold, director of career, technical and adult education for Eastern Suffolk BOCES.
EAST HAMPTON
New head of school
Thomas Sturtevant has been named head of school for Ross School, a K-12 day and boarding school.
In Bethpage, students from John F. Kennedy Middle School learned to be mindful online citizens during a visit from author Katie Duffy Schumacher, who founded Don’t Press Send, a campaign to help children navigate social media. Credit: Bethpage School District
Sturtevant was most recently the executive director at Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx. He has also been Upper School principal at Friends Academy in Locust Valley and head of school at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts.
“We are thrilled for the direction he will lead us as Ross enters a new phase of growth,” said Emily Tisch Sussman, a member of the school’s board of trustees.
ROSLYN
Financial research lab
Roslyn High School has launched a new financial research lab and trading floor equipped with 24 student terminals featuring Bloomberg Terminal software and an interactive market wall that provides the latest stock and bond information.
Third-graders at Montauk School enjoy a day in the sun learning about different types of animals during a field trip to the Bronx Zoo. Credit: Montauk School District
Students are using case studies and software analytics to create equity portfolios and assess risk by researching specific companies and indexes. They will also participate in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge, a collaborative project in which teams try to achieve the highest profit.
“With our rapidly changing economy and geopolitical climate, our high school business and finance students need every advantage they can get,” said Michael Goldspiel, the district’s assistant superintendent for secondary education.
SYOSSET
New principal
John Barnes has been appointed principal of West Side Elementary School in the Cold Spring Harbor district. He replaced Alison Hazut, now the director of elementary curriculum and instruction for the Wantagh School District.
Sanford H. Calhoun High School freshman Betiana Mujica, seen here with reading teacher Brett Schwartz and English chair Kim Serpe, won first place in a Scholastic Magazine national writing competition. Her winning entry, which discusses her experiences growing up as the child of Mexican immigrants, was published in the magazine’s October issue. Credit: Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Barnes was previously principal of Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle, in Westchester County.
“I look forward to getting to know the West Side students and families and to collaborate with the dedicated faculty members to build on the West Side and school district traditions and legacy of achievement and success,” Barnes said.
ISLANDWIDE
Bullying prevention
Many schools educated students on the importance of accepting one another’s differences as part of National Bullying Awareness Month in October.
In Holbrook, Grundy Avenue Elementary School students were shown how to “hit the brakes” on bullying during a BMX stunt performance by the Dialed Action Sports Team, which incorporated anti-bullying messages into its show.
Pupils performed a special version of Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs’ 1965 song “Wooly Bully,” with lyrics incorporating an anti-bullying message, at Francis J. O’Neill Elementary School in Central Islip.
In Manorville, kids at Dayton Avenue Elementary School learned about craniofacial differences from representatives of the nonprofit myFace.
“Bad words and actions leave a mark on our hearts,” said Dina Zuckerberg, the nonprofit’s director of family programs.
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.
