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Official Publication of the Sachem Central School District • www.sachem.edu
2010-2011 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Robert Scavo, President • Jim LaCarrubba, Vice President • Douglas Duncan Jr. • Anthony Falco
WINTER 2011
Christine Lampitelli • Michael F. Licata • Michael J. Timo • Sal Tripi • Superintendent James J. Nolan
Landmark Partnership Between Sachem High School East
and Brookhaven National Lab
High School Among First to Have Access to Highly Advanced NSLS Technology
In November, Sachem High School East became
one of only three Long Island schools to gain access
to Brookhaven National Lab’s (BNL) National
Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). The NSLS
inhabits a large facility where BNL researchers use
x-rays, ultraviolet light and infrared light to probe
materials as diverse as computer chips and viruses.
Sachem High School East is among the first schools
approved to receive this access under the newly
developed Introducing Synchrotrons into the
Classroom (InSynC) program. Teachers, students,
parents and district administrators visited BNL on
November 29 for a special award ceremony where
they received a first-hand look at the massive
synchrotron machine.
Brookhaven National Lab’s
National Synchrotron
Light Source
Launched last summer by NSLS and Brookhaven’s Office of Educational Programs, InSynC enables teachers and students to gain remote access to NSLS through
a competitive, peer-reviewed proposal process. Participating teachers each select a small group of students to conduct an experiment with them at NSLS, while the
remainder of the students watch and participate in the study from their school via Internet-enabled tools. During recent months, students from Sachem East (led by
teacher Michael Vaccariello) have used the NSLS to observe how biofilms from bacteria, algae and fungi might be used to clean up toxic levels of copper in fresh
water. These experiments were carried out using micrometer-sized x-ray beams at beamline X26A.
Sachem High School North Football’s Undefeated Run
Ends Just Short of Championship (Again!)
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After a record-setting 2009-10, Sachem High School North’s football
coaches and players had to anticipate a great year entering the 2010-11
season. The squad could never have predicted just how close it would
come to mirroring that landmark year.
Once again finishing the regular season 10-0
(tying the team’s best record, set last year) and
breaking the school record for the most points
scored during a season (422, exceeding the
former record of 358 set last year), the Sachem
North team progressed to the Division I Suffolk
County championship, but fell to William Floyd
for the second year in a row.
Despite the remarkable similarities to the 2009-10
season, it would be an understatement to say the
boys achieved a uniquely successful year. Τhe
team scored 422 points – a new program record
and the 13th highest amount in Long Island
football history – and scored 40-plus points in
6 of its 11 games (another program record).
Sachem won 10 games, tying the record set last year. Sachem has played varsity football for 49 years, and to achieve this record two years
in a row is no easy task. The District has gone a combined 20-2 over the last two seasons and is two-time Division I champion.
If the last two years are any indication, it’s safe to say that a new era of football dominance has commenced at Sachem High School North.
Sequoya Student Named Long Island
Young Scholar of Mathematics
Congratulations to Sequoya sixth grader Cynthia Brand, who was named a Long Island Young Scholar of
Mathematics and will attend the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students at
SUNY Old Westbury. Cynthia was recommended and guided through the application process by Waverly
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) teacher Stacy Rose.
One of only 75 students chosen Islandwide, Cynthia was accepted to the Institute from a pool of 850
students nominated by various school districts. Being selected means that a student is among the top
one-tenth of one percent in math of all students on Long Island in their grade. Acceptances were
based on five criteria: a rigorous entrance exam, nomination, school transcript, recommendation
of the student’s last math teacher and a brief statement written by the student.
Cynthia and other selected students will spend 60 hours at SUNY Old Westbury during 20 Saturday
mornings. The curriculum covers mathematical topics including algebra, geometry, number theory,
probability, theory of finite differences and mass point geometry. Past Institute graduates have gone
on to win prestigious national and international math, science and engineering awards and contests.
Cynthia and her family were recently invited to a Board of Education meeting to honor her
accomplishment. We are proud of Cynthia and know she will have much success in the future!
Sequoya sixth grader Cynthia Brand with principal Mr. Panasci and grade 5 GATE teacher Ms. Rose
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Sachem Students
Across the District, teachers are incorporating the lessons taught in Stephen R. Covey’s bestselling work, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,
into their classes. In the book, Mr. Covey presents his approach to effectively attaining goals by aligning oneself to what he calls “true north” principles.
Below are examples from several of our elementary schools as they seek to further student achievement by utilizing Mr. Covey’s advice.
As part of its Character Education curriculum, Lynwood Elementary School teachers are hosting
buildingwide events to help students apply the principles of Mr. Covey’s book. A new schoolwide incentive
program has been developed through The Seven Habits; teachers and staff are handing out Golden Tickets –
a form of school-based currency – to students who display the positive behaviors exemplified in the book.
Bi-monthly Character Education assemblies are also being held to help the school come together as a
learning community as students discuss how The Seven Habits are permeating their everyday life.
The staff at Merrimac Elementary School is holding weekly class
meetings to underscore the importance of The Seven Habits. Teachers
lead students in discussions on accountability, treating others with
respect, solving problems creatively, listening to understand and
beginning with the end in mind. These meetings, as well as the school’s
new Character Education Book of the Month Club, are working to bring
all grade levels together as a single learning community. A complete
list of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is posted in each
classroom, as well as in the cafeteria, to constantly remind students
and staff of the importance of living the habits.
Stephen R. Covey’s
Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People
1. Be Proactive
2.Begin With the End
in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand,
Then to be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw
At Tecumseh School, each classroom possesses a copy of The Seven
Habits, which was the first selection in the school’s Character Education
Book of the Month Club. After reading the work, students shared how
the lessons relate to their personal lives; they also created an assortment of artwork and writing as expressive
responses to the book. To further implement The Seven Habits, the school recently held an assembly focused
on using the text to revise the school’s rules and procedures for all students.
Civics Club at Seneca Hosts Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy
Seneca Middle School’s newly created Civics Club is off to a great start. The Civics Club hosts town
meetings and schoolwide assemblies to promote civic issues and foster a greater awareness of the
local community. So far, the club has played host to several notable guests, including Suffolk
County Executive Steve Levy.
The Suffolk County Executive made a return visit to his former middle school earlier this fall for an
enlightening assembly. Mr. Levy spoke with students about the responsibilities of his job, as well as
his memories of being a student at Seneca Middle School. He thanked veteran teacher Larry Pollack
as one of those who made a profound difference in his education. The County Executive then
opened to floor to questions from Seneca students, who asked about unemployment, challenges
concerning illegal immigration and personal questions, such as “What kind of student were you?”
During the assembly, Mr. Levy was presented with a banner created by Ms. Crowley’s art class
and eighth grade student Anthony Manaro, who drew a remarkable likeness of the County
Executive. The students and staff at Seneca are very grateful for Mr. Levy’s taking the time
to visit and offer his insights!
Sports News
7 Sachem High School North Lacrosse
Seniors Sign Letters of Intent
Congratulations to the seven Sachem High School North senior varsity lacrosse players who signed
letters of intent to play NCAA men’s lacrosse for their respective colleges. Pictured here are (L-R)
Freddy Golini (Hartwick), Jake Cabble (Robert Morris), Mike Andreassi (UMass), Timmy Lang
(UMBC), George Raum (Adelphi), Angelo Armine (Molloy) and Alex Harris (Stony Brook),
who posed for a group portrait outside the school in November. Each of these boys has been an
outstanding contributor on the Sachem High School North varsity lacrosse team and has worked
hard to achieve success – not only in the sport but also in the classroom.
Suffolk Zone Award Winners
Health, Physical Education and Athletics Director Peter Blieberg is proud to announce that Sachem High School East seniors Tim Doherty and Kelsey Ferguson
and Sachem High School North seniors Doug Wirth and Dana Castro have been honored by the Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYSAHPERD) for excellence in physical education. These students were recognized at the Suffolk Zone Physical
Education Awards dinner on December 1. To qualify for the Suffolk Zone Award, which honors the top male and female physical education students from each
high school in the county, students must maintain an “A” average in physical education classes as well as a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0
scale). He or she must also exemplify outstanding character, act as a role model for peers and establish him or herself as a leader in all aspects of school and the
community. Congratulations to Tim, Kesley, Doug and Dana on this great honor!
Dana Castro
Doug Wirth
Kelsey Ferguson
Tim Doherty
Music News
The following 13 Sachem High School East students and 13 Sachem High School North students were selected to participate in the Suffolk County Music
Educators’ Association (SCMEA) Division III All-County Music Concert, which will be held on March 19 at Ward Melville High School. These students join over
60 Lynwood, Merrimac, Sagamore, Samoset, Seneca, Sequoya, Tamarac and Wenonah students who were selected to play at the SCMEA Division I and II Concerts,
which will be held at Central Islip High School and Ward Melville High School, respectively, on March 20.
Lynwood Elementary School
Ethan Carr (Band)
Merrimac Elementary School
Maeve Abraldes (Chorus)
Alexa Paturzo (Chorus)
Richard Polizzi (Band)
Emma Rigaud (Band)
Tamarac Elementary School
Marc Rohrbacker (Band)
Wenonah Elementary School
Jessica Comito (Band)
Kaithlyn Albano (Band)
Caitlyn Humman (Chorus)
Kailey Valenti (Chorus)
Sagamore Middle School
Elizabeth Bednarik (Band)
Danielle Fisher (Band)
Brandon Guerrera (Band)
Tiffany Ly (Orchestra)
Kelly Mauro (Chorus)
Daniel Moore (Band)
Michael Pellegrino (Band)
Julianne Perrone (Band)
Sabrina Petroski (Chorus)
Iram Rahman (Orchestra)
Juliana Sottnik (Band)
Juliana Turano (Chorus)
Melissa Yorio (Chorus)
Alexa Zvinys (Chorus)
Samoset Middle School
Joseph Aneiros (Orchestra)
Marisa Birsner (Chorus)
Jacob Buhler (Orchestra)
Samantha Davison (Band)
Guy Dellecave (Band)
Daniel DeLuca (Chorus)
David DeLuca (Chorus)
Ariana Franz (Chorus)
Erik Klein (Band)
Anna Moceri (Orchestra)
Kaitlyn Mones (Chorus)
Elise Ramirez (Orchestra)
Emily Rouse (Orchestra)
Robert Steinberg (Band)
Kyra Stolz (Band)
Hilal Uyanik (Chorus)
Seneca Middle School
Ariana Garcia-Cassani (Band)
Julia Barclay (Chorus)
Kristina Chovnick (Chorus)
Liam Donohue (Orchestra)
Jacob Downs (Band)
Tyler Fairchild (Chorus)
Antonio Gordils (Chorus)
Lauren Lanna (Chorus)
Madison Moran (Chorus)
Julie Mystkowski (Orchestra)
Michael Tilbury (Orchestra)
Jasmin Villatoro (Chorus)
Sequoya Middle School
Jacquelyn Albanese (Band)
Ryan Angeloro (Band)
Marissa Angelos (Chorus)
Cassondra Balkin (Chorus)
Catherine Bukowski (Orchestra)
Kayla Caltalbellotta (Chorus)
Julliette Fanning (Chorus)
Emily Lamia (Chorus)
Erin Leonard (Chorus)
Ally Frances Manel (Orchestra)
Joby Mathew (Chorus)
Christopher Mingo (Orchestra)
James Mostupanick (Band)
Chloe Nidds (Orchestra)
Juliette Walcott (Chorus)
Sachem High School East
Ryan Fazziola (Chorus)
Jessica Heppler (Chorus)
Destiny Hiller (Chorus)
Eugene Iovine (Orchestra)
Veronica Kelly (Chorus)
Jenny Lam (Orchestra)
Olivia Lattanza (Orchestra)
Alyssa Masseria (Chorus)
Elijah Mueller (Band)
Rebecca Mueller (Band)
Danielle Nigro (Chorus)
Jin-mi Sohn (Band)
Monica Zaech (Chorus)
Sachem High School North
Phoebe Ambrosino (Band)
Michael Davison (Band)
Sean Dellecave (Band)
Matthew Downer (Band)
Jarred Fehrenbach (Band)
Kaleigh Frankel (Chorus)
Paul Gagliardi (Chorus)
Joseph Hannett (Band)
Victoria Isernia (Chorus)
Carl Jones (Chorus)
Rachel Kearns (Orchestra)
Ryan Lupo (Band)
Taylor Newsom (Chorus)
ESL Community Night at Nokomis
Inspires Learning and Brings Families Together!
It was cold and rainy outside, but inside the mood was warm and welcoming as Sachem celebrated its English as a
Second Language (ESL) Community Night at Nokomis Elementary School earlier this school year. The focus of the
evening was on the Sachem family, with administrators, teachers, parents and children gathering to share and discuss
the many support services available for ESL members of all ages.
Approximately 100 ESL students, from elementary to high-school level, and their families attended the event.
Students enjoyed the inspiring words of a visiting member of the basketball/ character education team, The Harlem
Wizards. Derek Murphy and his team visit schools to share the dynamics of being a Wizard, which include healthy
eating, fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship and other important character themes. Derek spoke to students about
doing homework before playing, taking school seriously and listening to teachers and parents. The students
then participated in several games that Derek designed to inspire creativity.
While children enjoyed crafts and snacks, parents gathered information from a cafeteria full of booths run by
volunteers from the Sachem Public Library, Suffolk County Community College, tutoring services, health
services and other community organizations. Thank you to all those who made ESL Community Night
such a success!
Teaching Character Through Ballroom Dancing at Lynwood
This school year, Lynwood Avenue Elementary fifth graders are participating in the Dancing Classrooms
Long Island program. Through movement and the art of ballroom dancing, Dancing Classrooms – American
Ballroom Theater’s in-school artist residency program – supports students in developing a positive self-image
and skills through two 45-minute sessions each week for a
10-week period.
So far, the program has far exceeded expectations.
Students have learned a diverse range of social ballroom
dances that collectively incorporate Latin American,
Northern European and African-American cultural
influences, along with the cultural history of each dance
form. Not only have the students excelled during their
culminating ballroom performances for their families,
but they were also able to use the experiences from the
program to make closer interpersonal connections in the
classroom. Lynwood has been extremely grateful to host
Dancing Classrooms. They look forward to collaborating
further in the future.
Kindergarten Registration
Beginning February 1, 2011, all children who will turn five by
December 1, 2011, will be eligible to register for Sachem’s 2011-2012
full-day kindergarten program. Registrations will be held at the Central
Registration Office (inside the Administrative Annex at 51 School
Street, Lake Ronkonkoma, connected to Samoset Middle School)
Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We ask that
you please register by April 15, and screenings will be held the
week of May 16.
Sachem’s Upcoming
Theatrical Performances
Buy Your Tickets While You Can!
No appointment is needed, and it is not necessary for your child to be
with you at the registration. Parents of any student currently enrolled
in our Universal Pre-Kindergarten program will be receiving updated
information about registration through the mail.
At the time of registration, please remember to bring your proof of
residency and custody, if appropriate, as well as your child’s proof
of birth and immunizations. All registration information, including
the residency affidavit, can be obtained on the district website,
www.sachem.edu.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All documents must be presented at the time of
registration. We cannot accept any incomplete registrations, and failure
to provide the proper documents will result in having to return to our
office a second time to complete the registration.
Sachem High School North Sachem High School East
Beauty & the Beast
The Drowsy Chaperone
February 10-12, 7:30 p.m.
March 10-12, 7:30 p.m.
All Middle Schools: March 25 and 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Sagamore – Disney’s Aladdin
Samoset – Little Shop of Horrors
Seneca – Guys & Dolls
Sequoya – Disney’s High School Musical