district awards spell - Levittown Public Schools

Summer 2016
District Awards Spell
Success for Every Student!
S-U-C-C-E-S-S
Kennedy Center Honor
The Board of Education was
honored as a finalist for the 2016
Kennedy Center and National
School Boards Association Award
for its commitment to and
support of the district’s visual and
musical arts programs. This award
recognizes individuals, schools
and organizations nationwide
that demonstrate exemplary
support for the arts and the
outstanding work that makes the
arts an essential component of a
student’s education. Also, earlier
this spring, Levittown was named
one of the Best Communities
for Music Education by the
NAMM Foundation for the third
consecutive year.
Frank Creter, the district’s
director of art, technology and
family and consumer sciences,
said the Board’s unwavering
support has been essential
to the district’s thriving arts
program. “I am proud to be a
part of a learning community
that embraces the arts and
understands the value and
impact of the arts in the lives of
its students,” he said.
Salk Rises with Character
This spring, Jonas E. Salk
Middle School was one of
During the 2015-2016 school year, the district and
high school received several prestigious awards for fine arts,
character education and academics.
“It has been an exemplary year for the district,”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald said.
“I could not be more proud of the Board of Education,
administration, faculty and students, as well the families
and Levittown community, whose support and hard work
have resulted in these notable achievements.”
68 schools nationwide to be
recognized by Character.org
as a National School of Character.
According to Character.org,
formerly known as the Character
Education Partnership,
the middle school clearly
demonstrated that character
education has a positive impact
on academics, student behavior
and school climate through its
R.I.S.E. character education
program. The R.I.S.E. program
is based on the tenets of respect,
integrity, safety and staying
healthy, and empathy, and
committee members include
administrators, teachers, support
staff, students and parents. The
school will keep its status for five
years and will be honored at the
National Forum on Character
Education in Washington, D.C.,
in October.
Rewarded for Achievement
In addition, MacArthur High
School joins Division Avenue
High School in being named a
Reward School by the New York
State Education Department.
Levittown School District
Levittown, NY 11756
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Each year, NYSED identifies
schools that meet the criteria
for high performance without
any significant gaps in student
achievement. In order to be
identified as a Reward School, a
school must be among the top 20
percent of schools statewide for
English language arts and math
performance for two consecutive
school years, must have made
adequate yearly progress for
the same time period for all
measures for which the school
is accountable, and must not
have significant gaps in student
performance. MacArthur was
one of just 220 schools, which
received the designation this year.
MacArthur High School
Principal Joseph Sheehan said it
is a proud moment and honor to
be identified as a high-performing
Reward School. “This proves that
dedication and teamwork lead to
positive results,” he said.
For more information on these
and other notable achievements,
log on to the district website at
www.levittownschools.com.
Dr. Tonie McDonald, Superintendent of Schools
Debbie Rifkin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Todd Winch, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
William Pastore, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Dr. Donald Sturz, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services
Board of
James Moran, President
Education
Peggy Marenghi, Vice President
Trustees: Marianne Adrian, Christina Lang, Michael Pappas,
Karen Quinones-Smith and Frank Ward (In Memoriam)
Elizabeth Appelbaum, District Clerk
A Message
from the
Superintendent...
Dear Community Residents,
Community Connection
Below, please find a list of district activities that are open for residents to attend.
Sept. 17 MacArthur High School Homecoming - 12 p.m. Parade and 2 p.m. Game
Sept. 24 Division Avenue High School Homecoming - 11 a.m. Parade and 2 p.m. Game
Nov. 16 MacArthur High School Musical - Senior Citizen Performance - 1 p.m.
I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing
Enroll for
summer, although if I remember back to the
days when my sons were in school, summers
were anything but relaxing! In any case, I hope
that you have had some quality family time and
have added new experiences to your lives.
Time on this earth is short. We were
confronted with that stark fact this past July
when we lost Frank Ward, a valued and trusted
member of the Board of Education. Frank was
taken too soon and leaves behind two children
to whom he was devoted. Although he spent
many hours in community service (Board of
Education, East Broadway PTA and Kiwanis,
among others), Frank was first and foremost a
father who made time for his children. He was
also a very kind and compassionate man. His
presence will be sorely missed by those who
knew him and it reminds us to take the time
to be good to each other in every capacity and
to make the most of the opportunities we are
afforded. Our district is filled with truly good
people who have great love in their hearts.
As we begin the next school year, let’s begin
it with a feeling of hope for the future of our
community and country – it all starts with our
wonderful children.
Please enjoy the rest of the summer. I look
forward to seeing you at our schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tonie McDonald,
Superintendent of Schools
Save the Date
Wednesday, Sept. 7
First Day of School
2
Adult Education Courses
Now in its 50th year, the Levittown Adult Education Program is preparing for its fall
session, which will be held from mid-October through December 2016. Community
members ages 18 (with a high school diploma) and older can enroll in a wide variety of
courses including, but not limited to, art, business, physical fitness, computers, defensive
driving and more.
For the first time this fall, the program will offer a Zumba Gold class for senior citizens.
Also being offered is the popular hula-hoop workshop, as well as the iPhone photography
course for those participants who would like to improve taking photos with their smartphones.
Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at MacArthur High School, Jonas E.
Salk Middle School and Levittown Memorial Education Center. Brochures will be sent to all
Levittown homes, and you can visit the program’s webpage at www.levittownadulted.com for
a list of classes and to download a registration form. Participants must register in person and
checks are accepted as payment. Please call 516-434-7275 for additional information, after
Sept. 1.
Women of Distinction
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald and Board of Education President Peggy
Marenghi have both received a Women of Distinction Award from the New York State
Assembly’s 17th District for their extraordinary efforts in making the Levittown community a
better place to live. Dr. McDonald and Mrs. Marenghi were honored on Aug. 13 during the
Women of Distinction ceremony, held at the Farmingdale Public Library.
Notes from the Board
Saying Farewell
During the June 8 Board of Education meeting, the district congratulated 26
administrators, faculty and staff on their retirement and combined 635 years of service.
“We thank all of these individuals for their tireless service and dedication to the district’s
students,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald said.
Board Reorganized for 2016-2017 School Year
During the July 6 public meeting, the Board of Education and administration reorganized
for the 2016-2017 school year.
The Board elected James
Moran as president and
Peggy Marenghi as vice
president. In addition,
following her re-election in
May, Mrs. Marenghi took
the oath of office for an
additional three-year term.
Newly elected Christina
Lang was also sworn in for a
three-year term, while
re-elected trustee James
Moran will now fill the
unexpired term of Kevin
Regan.
Moving On
Moving UP
Applause and well wishes resonated
throughout the Wisdom Lane Middle
School auditorium as 153 students received
their certificates of completion from the
Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical
Center program on June 13. Each of
the graduates also received a career and
technical endorsement on their high
school diplomas through coursework
in automotive technology, computer
animation, cosmetology, culinary arts,
electrical technology, graphic arts, medical
assisting and health care, and police science
and EMT.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie
McDonald thanked the graduates for
their contributions, including printing
jobs, senior citizen services and delicious
catering. “We couldn’t operate without
you,” she said.
In his opening remarks, Director Frank
Creter told the students to follow their
passions and never stop learning. “Try to
overcome the challenges that prevent you
from becoming who you want to be,” he said.
In her address to the senior class,
SkillsUSA President Kimberly Herrera said
that being enrolled in GC Tech’s program
“helped us to realize that we must work
hard to succeed.”
Hempstead Town Councilman Gary
Hudes also gave the students some sound
advice. “Don’t worry about the big goals.
Go for the small,” he said, “and make
yourself stand out and apart from others.”
Prior to receiving their certificates
of completion, many of the graduates
were presented with student awards and
scholarships. In GC Tech tradition, a
slideshow developed by the computer
animation students was then shown to the
graduates and their families that recapped
the school year.
During separate ceremonies, Jonas E.
Salk and Wisdom Lane middle school
eighth-graders started a new academic
chapter as they moved up to Division
Avenue and MacArthur high schools.
The ceremonies were accentuated with
musical preludes, student reflections
on middle school experiences and the
presentation of class gifts.
In his remarks to the students,
Wisdom Lane Middle School Principal
John Avena noted that they “showed
up and moved up with style” and that
their positive choices and leadership
style served as a model for younger
students. Jonas E. Salk Middle School
Principal John Zampaglione remarked
that the students arrived as kids and are
now leaving as young adults. “May you
always lead by example and work hard,”
he said.
Prior to the distribution of
certificates, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Tonie McDonald encouraged the
graduates to become involved in clubs
and sports teams in order to fully enjoy
the high school experience.
The district’s fifth-grade students
also celebrated their success during
the primary years of education and
are now looking forward to attending
middle school. As part of the district’s
moving up tradition, the faculty and
staff at Abbey Lane, East Broadway,
Gardiners Avenue, Lee Road, Northside
and Summit Lane elementary schools
recognized the students with awards
and celebratory speeches during their
respective ceremonies. Each of the
principals offered words of advice on
how to excel in middle school.
After they were presented with their
certificates of completion, the students
joined their families for refreshments
and said goodbye to classmates for the
summer recess.
3
H
aving met the
requirements for
graduation, 593 seniors
from Division Avenue and MacArthur
high schools were led onto the floor
of Hofstra University’s Davis S. Mack
Sports and Exhibition Complex by
administrators and faculty to the
applause of family and friends during
the 2016 commencement exercises.
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Tonie McDonald encouraged the
graduates to continue to make the
Levittown district proud and “think
about how you will make your
mark in the world,” while Board of
Education President Peggy Marenghi
urged the graduates to think with
the their hearts. “You have changed
the world because of your hearts,”
she said.
In an emotional speech by retiring
Division Avenue Principal Joan
Lorelli, she noted, “It’s time to go
forward with strength, courage
and wonder, with lessons we’ve
4
A
learned, moments we’ve shared
and memories to treasure.” In his
first graduation speech, Principal
Joseph Sheehan dispensed the
valuable advice of “you have to find
the job that makes you financially
secure and one that makes you truly
happy.”
In addition to a speech by
Hempstead Town Councilman Gary
Hudes, who reminded the graduates
about the importance of having
confidence to overcome life’s speed
bumps, U.S. Congressman Charles
Schumer urged the students to
pursue their dreams and “go for it.”
In her address, Division Avenue
High School salutatorian Kristin
Schmidt noted that every step the
seniors have taken has helped to
make who they are meaningful,
while valedictorian Sepideh Vasseghi
said that, like Henry Clay, “all the
little things we have done have
set precedents that will last for
years.” MacArthur High School
Loo
at T
salutatorian Ashley Kim encouraged
the class to emulate General Douglas
MacArthur, who fought for a cause,
was open-minded and innovative,
and could adapt to new obstacles.
Valedictorian Gregory Matousek
likened life to a candle. “Use your
passions, your careers,
even your words to
kindle the flames
of friends, family
members and even
strangers,” he said.
“Together, our flames
can ignite the world.”
After Mrs.
Marenghi
certified
that
the
seniors had met
for graduation, e
approached the
his or her diplom
newest alumni o
School District.
ok
The
t the requirements
each graduate
stage to receive
ma and become the
of the Levittown
Class of 2016
Interesting Facts
Candidates for Graduation............................................................. 593
Diplomas Granted.......................................................................... 583
Graduation Rate...........................................................................98%
Total Regents Diplomas........................................................190 (32%)
Total Advanced Regents Diplomas........................................282 (48%)
Total Graduates Continuing Postsecondary Education..........514 (87%)
Attending four-year colleges.......................................340 (57%)
Attending two-year colleges.......................................166 (28%)
Attending trade/tech schools............................................8 (1%)
Military service and workforce.........................................31 (5%)
Postsecondary Plans:
Class of 2016 Top
College Acceptances
American University, Boston College, Boston University, Brown
University, California Institute of Technology, Cornell University, Fordham
University, Hofstra University, Macaulay Honors College, Marist College,
Maritime University, Notre Dame, NYU, Penn State, Princeton University,
Rensselaer Polytechnic University, Rochester Institute of Technology,
St. John’s University Pharmacy Program, Stony Brook University, Syracuse
University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of
Virginia, Villanova University, Yale University
5
Focus on Fine Arts
Focus on Fine Arts:
OnStage Performances
• The Division Avenue High School
symphonic band, under the baton of
Michael Bastone, and the orchestra,
under the direction of Mark Martufi,
received a Gold rating at the New York
State School Music Association Major
Organization Festival held at Hofstra
University in May. In addition, the vocal
jazz ensemble, under the direction of
Paige Hardison, received a Bronze rating.
• Under the baton of Iris Winter, the
MacArthur High School string orchestra
placed first with an Excellent rating
and received the Best Overall Orchestra
Award during the annual Music in the
Parks competition, held at Six Flags New
England in Agawam, Massachusetts.
Additionally, under the direction of Lisa
Levenberg, the MacArthur High School
concert choir placed fourth with an
Excellent rating.
• Exceptional talent and strong
choreography were the prescriptions for
success in two musical performances.
Based on the popular Disney movie,
Salk Middle School’s drama club drew
in packed audiences for the production
of “Aladdin Jr.” In addition, Division
Avenue High School’s 34-member cast
brought alive the romantic story of
Sharks versus Jets in the dramatic and
beloved tale of “West Side Story.”
Artistic Reflections
• Jamie Alvino, Jessica Giuliano and
Carmela Zampini from Division
Avenue High School and Avery Benson,
Nathalia Carvajal, Kristen Cassidy and
Kristen DiCicco from MacArthur High
School were winners in New York State
Sen. Kemp Hannon’s annual Best in
Town photo contest. The competition
seeks to catch the spirit of the
community through the photography of
people, places, animals and nature.
• The artwork of Maria Mancz and
Elena Votta from Division Avenue
High School and Jillian Mullane and
Shannon Scarano from MacArthur
Let’s Dance
6
High School were chosen out of 357
submissions for the Long Island’s Best:
Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum
exhibit. The students were honored with
a gallery opening, where their works
were displayed through May 15 at the
Heckscher Museum in Huntington.
• Star Perdergrass, a junior at Division
Avenue High School, was a regional
winner in the VFW Post 9592’s Young
American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.
Her art piece depicts Star wearing a
mask of the American flag to symbolize
the government’s protection of people
through their rights.
• Hundreds of works featuring the most
talented and dedicated artists were on
display during Division Avenue and
MacArthur high schools’ annual art
shows. Many of the art pieces were
selected for regional exhibitions and
scholarships and were the product of
commitment of both the students and
their teachers.
Now in its 67th year, the Levittown Public
Schools Dance and Gymnastics Program will offer
ballet and tap combination classes to students ages
3 1/2 to 4 years old this fall. This class will add to
an already rich and diverse dance and gymnastics
program offering kinderdance, pre-ballet, classical
ballet, creative movement, classical modern dance,
tap, jazz, acrobatics and gymnastics. Students may
also audition for classes in hip hop, pointe, kick/
tapline and contemporary lyrical.
Classes meet on Saturdays, September through
May, and students take the stage to showcase their
acquired skills during the program’s annual recital
in June.
A brochure containing information for
registration can be found on the district website,
www.levittownschools.com, and a three-part
registration form can be downloaded and printed
for your convenience. Registration begins on the
first day of school, Sept. 7, and is by mail only. For
more information, call Mary Basile at
516-434-7139 beginning Sept. 1.
Sports Wrap:
It was an exceptional year for district high
school athletes, who ended the 2015-16
school year with pride and accomplishment.
Under the direction of coach Bobby
Fehrenbach, the MacArthur High School
softball team defeated Commack, 8-7, to
garner the Long Island Championship,
while the Division Avenue High School
baseball team, under the direction of coach
Tom Tuttle, acquired the Conference A
championship title. In addition, the Generals’
football and softball teams were Nassau
County champs, while the girls bowling team
garnered a conference championship title.
In addition to athletic skills, Division
Avenue High School’s girls basketball and
district boys volleyball were named ScholarAthlete Teams. This same designation was
also acquired by MacArthur High School’s
Focus on Athletics
cross-country, baseball,
girls lacrosse, boys
soccer, girls/boys
winter track and girls/
boys spring track
teams. In addition,
the MacArthur High
School girls basketball team was designated
an Academic All-Star Team and a New York
State Scholar-Athlete Team.
Dan Agovino (girls lacrosse), Bobby
Fehrenbach (softball/football) and Tom
Tuttle (baseball) received Coach of the Year
awards. In addition, coach Steve Kissane
was congratulated for his 300th win during
the Freeport Girls Basketball Tournament
last fall.
District athletes also received the following
individual designations: four All-Long Island,
47 All-County, nine All-Class, 73 AllConference, 18 All-Division, 32 All-League,
six Scholar-Athletes, two Nassau County AllStars, three State Qualifiers, one Academic
All-Star, one Sportsmanship Award, four
League Champions, seven Conference
Champions, three Academic All-County, one
Unsung Hero, seven Honorable Mention
Scholars, two Honorable Mention Academic
All-County, five Honorable Mention AllCounty, two Honorable Mention All-Long
Island, two Academic All-Conference and
one Honorable Mention All-Conference.
This spring, 22 district
athletes signed National Letters
of Intent to continue their
sports on the collegiate level.
The district congratulates the
following athletes on these
achievements and wishes them
continued success in their
sports.
Division Avenue High School:
Arjuna Bello – Wrestling, Nassau Community College
Nick Bongiorno – Football, Mount Ida College
Joseph DeStefano – Soccer, LIU Post
Jessica Giuliani – Swimming, Adelphi University
Giovanni Lonetti – Soccer, Nassau Community College
Brendan Maher – Lacrosse, SUNY Maritime College
John McMahon – Basketball, New England College
Jackie Monroe – Cheerleading, Nassau Community College
Ronmel Ocampo – Baseball, Concordia College
Victoria Perricone – Cheerleading, Sacred Heart University
Nick Tomaselli – Baseball, Concordia College
Elena Votta – Lacrosse, Widener University
MacArthur High School:
William Acerenza – Lacrosse, LIU Post
Nicolette Agostinacchio – Track and Field, LIU Post
James Carroll – Baseball, SUNY New Paltz
Travis Cooksey – Lacrosse, Molloy College
Shane Gunning – Lacrosse, SUNY Delhi
Matt Imbrogno – Baseball, Molloy College
Dolan Jones – Lacrosse, Roger Williams University
Gillian LeRoy – Cheerleading, Sacred Heart University
Patrick McAllister – Lacrosse, SUNY Maritime College
Vincent Thron – Football, Becker College
7
Middle School Musings
Salk Middle School’s Mathletes were honored for their math skills and
sportsmanship during this year’s competitions. Consisting of students
in grades 6-8, Mathletes is an enrichment club where students learn
how to approach and solve various math problems. During in-house
competitions, the club challenged the students’ math skills, developed their
self-confidence, and rewarded them for their achievements and ability to
develop problem-solving strategies.
Out of a possible 30 points for the year, the top scorers were sixth-grader
William Valinotti with 10 points, seventh-grader Emily Zhang with 19
points and eighth-grader Ben Horowitz with 14 points. In addition, eighthgrader Isabella Molina received the Elmer Heinecke Sportsmanship Award.
Everything
Elementary
Abbey Lane students handed over their passports to attend
the school’s first Multicultural Night, where they enjoyed a
delicious meal of diverse cultural foods with parents and friends.
Entertainment included Irish step dancing, flamenco, Greek
dancing, taekwondo and a snake charmer demonstration.
Families also submitted recipes to include in the school’s
cookbook.
Curing ALS, or Lou Gherig’s disease, was an important cause
for East Broadway students in their support of the Ride for Life
campaign. During an assembly, the students learned about the
neurological and incurable disorder. They also made colorful
banners and cheered for the riders who passed the school this
spring.
Student council members at Gardiners Avenue collected
supplies for Rock and Rawhide, an organization whose goal is
to increase the quality of life for shelter animals. The students
collected toys for animals in shelters throughout the tri-state
region to reduce their stress and barking, making them more
adoptable.
Lee Road students competed against their peers during the Math
Fact Competition. Math equations were flashed on a smartboard
screen as students competed in pairs. According to Director of
Mathematics Dr. Ellen Stegman, the goal of the program was to
reinforce fluency and demonstrate that math is fun.
Wisdom Lane Middle School students took part in the 30th annual
Student Poetry Contest, sponsored by the Walt Whitman Birthplace
Association in Huntington. In preparation for the contest, the students
read poetry by Whitman and wrote their own poems in his style, which
uses sensory and figurative language, longer lines, unusual wording and
descriptions of objects found in nature. Applying this style to their entries,
the middle schoolers based their writing on the contest theme “There Was
a Child Went Forth.”
The competition winners were Kelly Anzalone, Orianna Davniero,
Jarrod Dunn, Christopher Powers, Isabelle Saint and Lydia Schnell. They
attended an awards ceremony on June 5 and were invited to tour Walt
Whitman’s birthplace.
Summer 2016
Success for Every Student!
Soft, cuddly teddy bears
and stuffed animals
positioned in handmade
floats were pulled through
the halls at Northside
School during the
kindergarten Bear Parade.
This was a culminating
activity for a unit on
polar, grisly and brown
bears, as well as their
natural habitats and the
process of hibernation.
In accordance with
the scientific method,
Summit Lane students
identified a problem,
formulated a hypothesis
and developed a
method to facilitate
an experiment for the
annual fifth-grade
science fair. After the
experiments were
conducted and results were analyzed, conclusions were made
and presented to peers.