South Bay psychologist Laure Loughlin, along with fifth-graders Camila, Cassidy and Alejandra. The students participated in an after-school Mindfulness Workshop with Ms. Loughlin and created "mindful jars." The concept of the mindful jar comes from the book "Moody Cow Meditates" by Kerry Lee MacLean. The colorful glitter in the jar represents a person's angry thoughts. When the jar is shaken, the glitter "swirls around like crazy in the jar," just as our thoughts do when we are angry. But, then the glitter slows down and gradually settles to the bottom of the jar, just as our
minds do when we take deep breaths to recover from being angry. The girls intend to use their mindful jars, as well as other mindfulness techniques they learned from Ms. Loughlin, to help them stay calm and focused during stressful times.

For the second year, the fifth grade at South Bay is departmentalized – which means that the students move among three classrooms and teachers for writing, reading and mathematics instruction each day. Changing classes in fifth grade helps to prepare the students for their future experiences in junior high and high school. The students learn how to be organized and well-prepared, since there are no lockers to stow books and materials. Each students begins the day in their homeroom class followed by three 55 minute instructional periods. Additional instruction is provided by the homeroom teachers in the afternoon. Feedback from teachers, parents and students has been exceedingly positive.

South Bay students who met the district's optional 2016 Summer Reading/Summer Math criteria of reading at least 10 books and completing at least 300 minutes of IXL Math practice participated in a celebration on Sept. 17. The students shared their thoughts about many of the books they read and talked about the math skills in which they now feel more confident, after practicing them during the summer. (Not pictured are AmandaRose and Brian, who also met the criteria and were presented with a certificate.) All the children's names are displayed in the school lobby. We are proud of their efforts!

One Senior High School student-musician has been chosen by the National Association for Music Education as an All-National participant and five others have been selected for the New York State School Music Association’s All-State Conference.

Nicole Rinaudo Concessi will perform with the All-National Choir from Nov. 10-13 in Grapevine, Texas. The NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles represent the top performing high school musicians in the United States. 

Mary Grace Seward (treble choir) was selected for inclusion in the All-State Conference along with alternates Jason Arthur (mixed choir), Trent Boock (mixed choir), Matthew Desrosiers (concert band) and Matthew Lightsey (mixed choir).

The student-musicians will perform in the NYSSMA All-State Conference from Dec. 1-4 in Rochester, New York. They were chosen among thousands of student-musicians who auditioned at solo and ensemble festivals throughout the state.

Jessica Yawney has been appointed as assistant principal of West Babylon Junior High School, effective August 8.

Since 2008, Ms. Yawney has served as a college and career counselor and a school counselor in the Deer Park School District. She began working as an administrative intern in the Deer Park School District in August 2015.

Ms. Yawney holds a Masters of Education degree in psychological counseling, school and mental health counseling from Columbia University. She also earned a certification in school building leadership and school district leadership from the College of Saint Rose.  

In honor of International Pinwheels for Peace Day our fabulous Forest Avenue School joined in the Pinwheels for Peace Project. Each year this project strives to create a global, uniform visual public statement about peace. With their pinwheels raised high, our students and staff sang the “Kids’ Peace Song” as they pledged to be active participants in making our world a more peaceful place.

Suffolk County Police Officer Osias visited Forest Avenue to discuss the utmost importance of Internet Safety. Students learned that it is their responsibility to be good digital citizens while travelling on the Internet Highway. Students walked away with strategies and tips on how to stay safe while using their electronic devices, which include their computers, tablets, cell phones, and console gaming systems.

In collaboration with The Town of Babylon, Forest Avenue's 5th graders are participating in the Hope for Youth's "Too Good for Drugs" program. This wonderful, age-appropriate program focuses on building students' social and emotional skills. Over the course of the Ten-Week program, the goal is to provide students with strategies for making healthy choices, building positive friendships, communicating effectively, and resisting peer pressure.

On behalf of Forest Avenue, Principal Acocella recognized the K-5 students who completed the 2016 Summer Math & Reading Assignments. While enjoying their summer, these fabulous students made time to practice their math and reading. We are so very proud of them!

Two mystery readers visited Ann Lauricella¹s first grade class on Sept. 20. Throughout the year, the class has mystery readers come in and share a story with the students.

Kindergarten students in Carolyn Bogart’s class at Forest Avenue started their first week of school with a hunt for a storybook character.

On the first day of school, the kindergarten class read “The Gingerbread Man.” After reading the book to the class, Ms. Bogart showed them the gingerbread man cookie. Somehow during lunch that day, the gingerbread man “escaped” the room and the students spent the next few days looking for him all around the school.

Ms. Bogart used the activity to give the kindergartners a tour of the school, stopping at the nurses office, main office and other areas to ask staff member if they saw the gingerbread man. Finally, during their library period, the students were able to locate the gingerbread man in the library.

Junior Achievement of New York has selected John F. Kennedy Elementary School as Elementary School of the Year for fall 2016.

Junior Achievement of New York is the local affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, which provides students with work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy education. Its mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Staff members at JFK work with volunteers at Junior Achievement of New York, offering hands-on programs that enable students to develop economic skills.

Students and faculty started off the new school year on Sept. 6. Here’s a look at some of the happenings during the first days of school.

 

WB_Welcome Back_091416 from Syntax on Vimeo.

The Senior High School has a new greenhouse, thanks to the hard work and dedication of one of its students. Christina Capobianco has been working on her Girl Scout Gold Star project – building a greenhouse – for the past two years. Aside from the work of planning, designing and construction of the greenhouse, Capobianco also set out to raise enough money to make her project a reality.
    
In the final days of August before the start of the new school year, Capobianco, along with her family and student and local business volunteers, completed the greenhouse. Many of the materials for the project were donated by local businesses.
    
The greenhouse is located across from the Senior High School’s courtyard. Students and staff are now working to raise money and gather supplies to have the greenhouse operational by spring. The school plans to grow vegetables that the school kitchen could potentially use. Family and consumer science classes have also expressed an interest in growing various plants.

Additionally, the greenhouse will be used to grow flowers for the holiday seasons as well as award ceremonies. Classes, such biology, can use the greenhouse for experiments as well.

Students and staff ushered in the 2016-2017 school year on Sept. 6. Click here to see a slideshow of photos from around the district during the first week of school.

 

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable summer! I look forward to seeing our entire West Babylon school community on Sept. 6. To get excited for the 2016-17 school year, please enjoy this edition of WBTV! - Dr. Farrelly

 

Jennifer Carere has been named principal of Santapogue Elementary School, effective Aug. 1.

Carere has been a part of the district for more than 16 years, previously serving as assistant principal of the Junior High School since 2011. Prior to that, she was the district’s K-8 social studies coordinator and team leader from 2009-2011 and a seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher from 2000-2009.

Carere holds a masters degree in arts and liberal science from Stony Brook University. She also earned an advanced administrative professional certification from Dowling College.  

On Tuesday August 23rd, the Santapogue children had the opportunity to meet Jennifer Carere their new principal. This special Meet and Greet was hosted by Santapogue's PTA, which provided ice cream for the children as part of the celebration. Mrs. Carere gave each child a welcome bag to mark the occasion.

Welcome Jennifer Carere!