Malverne and Garden City get new science labs

In Malverne and Garden City school districts, new science labs are giving students the tools to experiment at an early age.

Malverne's Davison Avenue School unveiled a science room last month that enables rotating groups of more than 300 third- and fourth-graders to conduct weekly hands-on projects in a central location. Teachers previously did occasional labs in classrooms, district officials said.

Meanwhile, Stratford and Stewart elementary schools in Garden City launched labs last month for students in grades 2-5. Recent lab projects included observing the effect of water temperature on the dissolving rates of Alka Seltzer tablets and measuring the weight of Gummi Bears before and after soaking them in water for four hours.

"So much of education is happening in seats these days," said Cinthia Thorpe, a Davison fourth-grade teacher credited with spearheading the school's lab. "Science is something that really shouldn't be taught out of a textbook."

Thorpe said Davison's concept for a dedicated room materialized last school year when teachers began suggesting ideas for an empty classroom and collectively settled on the science lab. In early September, teachers pooled equipment - ranging from microscopes to test tubes - and set up geology, physics, chemistry and biology stations inside the room.

One standout project, Thorpe said, was creation of a mini volcano out of bread dough that erupted with vinegar and baking soda. Kids also viewed photographs of Mount St. Helens on a SMART Board, an interactive whiteboard.

"We're trying to push science and get it integrated into the curriculum in a very seamless way," said Marietta Cleckley, the district's science director.

"These hands-on experiences support what is taught in the classroom and give students the opportunity to become young research scientists," said Teresa Prendergast, Garden City's assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

BALDWINStrings academyMore than 140 string musicians from Baldwin Union Free School District boosted their skills through a first-time summer strings academy at the district's middle school. The three-week program required students in grades 4-12 to bring their own instruments for small group lessons and large ensemble rehearsals, district officials said.

As a culminating event, students engaged in a workshop with professional violinist Jerry Guerrero, who offered basic instruction and performed excerpts from a Mozart concerto. Parents were also invited to attend the last group lesson to see what the kids had learned.

FARMINGDALE

Klocek named principalPatrick Klocek is the new principal at Woodward Parkway Elementary School. He replaces Carol Anselmo, who retired.

Klocek most recently served as assistant principal at PS/IS 178, an elementary school in Jamaica Estates. He also taught third and fourth grades at PS 173 in Fresh Meadows.

"I consider myself fortunate to serve such a wonderful community and I'm grateful to our students, their caring families and our outstanding staff for making me feel at home," Klocek said.

WOODMERENew superintendentJoyce Bisso is the new superintendent of Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District. She replaces Les Omotani, who retired.

Bisso most recently served as the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She has also been principal and assistant principal of George W. Hewlett High School and an English teacher at Jericho High School.

"These times of policy and fiscal challenges for public education call for leadership that assures that the whole child remains at the center of the work we do," said Bisso. "I look forward to meeting this commitment."

COUNTYWIDECounselors get an 'A'

Two Nassau guidance counselors - Patrick Doyle of Garden City High and Michael Tweed of Oyster Bay High - were among a group of 44 "Top High School Counselors in the United States" selected to participate in a recent survey about "A-List Colleges" done by Parade magazine.

The survey - published in one of the magazine's August editions - listed counselors' top college choices in categories ranging from small state schools to internship opportunities to arts programs.

ISLANDWIDESchools of distinctionTen Long Island schools were among 19 statewide to recently receive School of Distinction Awards from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. To qualify, all of a school's athletic teams must have received the association's Scholar/Athlete Team Award in the previous school year by attaining academic averages above 90 percent.

Winning high schools were Farmingdale, Garden City, Half Hollow Hills East and West in Dix Hills, Jericho, Massapequa, Port Washington, Sayville, and Smithtown East and West. Jericho has won six times in the program's eight-year history. Garden City has won five times.