Suffolk students get hands-on lessons in fire safety
Students at Connetquot Elementary School in East Islip got a tour of a fire truck earlier this month from members of the Islip Terrace Fire Department as part of National Fire Prevention Month. Credit: East Islip School District
Members of Long Island fire departments highlighted National Fire Prevention Month, held annually in October, by visiting schools to familiarize children with fire safety techniques and advice.
In Copiague, the local fire department visited the district's elementary schools dressed in full gear, so that children could see what a firefighter looks like and not be afraid in the event of an emergency. In addition, students made posters for the department's annual contest, which was themed "Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives."
In East Islip, Connetquot Elementary School students were treated to a presentation led by Joe Felder, a former student who now is a firefighter for the Islip Terrace Fire Department. Activities included a tour of a fire truck to teach kids about its equipment and functions.
Students at J. Fred Sparke Elementary School in Levittown learned the importance of developing escape plans and meeting places outside the home in the event of a house fire. Members of the Levittown Fire Department also helped them practice the "stop, drop and roll" technique, which is used to quickly extinguish flames on a person's clothing.
"The fire safety program is an important annual event," Principal Penny Fisher said. "All of this learning takes place through hands-on experiences in which students talk with firefighters, touch the equipment, and sit in fire trucks. The students love learning this way."
In Malverne, kindergartners at Maurice W. Downing Elementary School had the opportunity to operate a fire hose during a field trip to the nearby Malverne Fire Department.
EASTPORT: School principals
The Eastport-South Manor Central School District has named two principals to different positions.
Joseph Steimel now is principal of Eastport Elementary School. Previously, he was principal of the junior-senior high school.
Salvatore Alaimo now is principal of the junior-senior High School. Alaimo previously had led the elementary school.
"Both Mr. Steimel and Mr. Alaimo are experienced administrators who have successfully led their staff and students, and this transition supports our vision for the district," Superintendent Mark Nocero said.
GREENPORT: Interim principal
Robert Feeney has been appointed interim principal of Greenport High School. He replaced Leonard Skuggevik, who now is superintendent of the Shelter Island school district.
Feeney previously was principal of William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach.
KINGS PARK: New principal
Kevin Storch is the new principal of Park View Elementary School, replacing Dwayne Adsitt, who held the position on an interim basis. Storch previously was principal of Tuckahoe School in Southampton.
"In my new leadership role, I am truly looking forward to working with students, parents and community members of Park View," Storch said. "Most of all, I look forward to watching the efforts of this incredible staff have a positive impact on the learning of our students."
ISLANDWIDE: Math scholars
Eighty-four students have been named Long Island Young Scholars of Mathematics by the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students at The College at Old Westbury. About 600 nominated students competed by submitting written statements and taking an exam.
Suffolk County scholars are: Commack: Gabriel Chan, Catherine Tawadros and Jordan Walsh, all of Commack Middle School; Dix Hills: Rishitha Kudaravalli and Felix Luo, Candlewood Middle School; Ray Chang, Alia Rizvan, Ann Marie Tehn-Addy and Anton Wu, all of Half Hollow Hills High School East; Eric Fung and Yun Jin Woo of Half Hollow Hills High School West; East Setauket: Justin Zhang, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School; Hauppauge: Alex Vasilakopoulos, Hauppauge Middle School; Huntington Station: Uma Alagappan, Vimala Alagappan, Swanand Kanere and Trevor Leong, all of Long Island School for the Gifted; Alex Clopper, Walt Whitman High School; Kings Park: Kenneth He and Suki Tekverk, Kings Park High School; Melville: Jared Bank, Kyle Kampta, Kavya Rao and Sohan Shetty, all of West Hollow Middle School; Northport: Andrew Blom and Keito Judson-Teranishi, Northport Middle School; Port Jefferson: Mayu Takenchi and Peggy Yin, Port Jefferson Middle School; Shoreham: Jennifer Searing, Shoreham-Wading River High School; Christopher Hayes, a home-schooled student; Stony Brook: Alice Liu, Caroline Liu and Claire Yang, all of William Sidney Mount Elementary School.
