Long Beach High School is proud to announce that three seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Maya Arengo, Uma Arengo and Tyler Collinson are among approximately 16,000 students throughout the nation to earn this distinction out of more than 1.6 million that took the PSAT last year. 

All three semifinalists are dedicated students who are actively involved in academics and extracurricular programs. They are each involved in the National Honor Society, for which Tyler serves as a board member, are International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates and have participated in the Science Research Program.

Twins Maya and Uma have many shared achievements as well as individual ones.  They are co-vice presidents of the math team and both are AP Scholars with Distinction, National Hispanic Recognition Program honorees and past participants in the Institute of Merit and Columbia University Scholars Program. They competed in the Long Island Math Fair, where Uma earned a gold medal and Maya won bronze, and express their writing talents through the Fragments literary magazine. Maya additionally contributes to the Tide school newspaper. Maya is working on an IB Extended Essay that features the Shakespeare play, Richard III. Uma is basing hers on the Joseph Heller novel, Catch-22. In addition to their academic accomplishments, Maya plays the viola and has performed in LISFA and All-County ensembles, while Uma is a violinist. 

Tyler is a World Language Honor Society member and is co-editor of the Tide and Fragments. Her IB Extended Essay will focus on the similarities and differences between two dystopian novels. She is co-captain of the varsity tennis team and a member of Athletes Helping Athletes. She plays the cello in the orchestra and outside of school, volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor. 
The district congratulates Maya, Uma and Tyler on their semifinalist honor and extensive lists of achievements. 

Long Beach High School senior Robin Xiao has been honored as a Merit Award recipient in the Long Island Arts Alliance’s Scholar Artist Awards Program. He is among only 20 students throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties to receive this distinction and is one of six that were recognized in the Visual Arts category. 

Robin has many art accomplishments to his name.Last year, his work was showcased in the “Advanced Visions 16: High School Artists of Excellence Exhibition” at LIU Post and his photography has been selected for the Long Island Arts Council Show in Freeport. He is in the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Program at Long Beach High School and has taken numerous art and photography classes. 
With strong math skills in addition to his artistic aptitude, Robin plans to study architecture in the future.  

The Long Beach Public Schools welcomed new staff members with a two-day orientation that included presentations, workshops and discussions prior to the re-opening. Sessions prepared attendees for a smooth start and successful school year, with a commitment to educating the whole child and cultivating lifelong learners. 

The orientation covered all departments and subject areas, with particular emphasis on literacy initiatives and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program as a framework for instruction. Technology was also a focus – the district has been enhancing learning opportunities with digital resources for many years, and these tools are increasingly important under current remote and hybrid instruction circumstances. 

The new staff members also reviewed district policies and procedures and had opportunities to get to know their administrators and colleagues.
Welcome to Natalie Aviles (Mathematics, LBMS), Amanda Betz (Elementary, Virtual), Erin Cain (West), Alison Caracciolo (Reading, LBHS), Kristy Cosgrove (West), Jessica Donato (West), Caroline Espinet (Special Ed., LBMS), Kylee Golden (Lido), Samantha Gropper (LBMS), Matthew Jones (East), Alexandra Krosofsky-Genovese (Lindell), Marisa Lorenzo (Lido), Samantha Metzger (LBMS), Lauren Muscarella (Lindell), Jennifer Papetti (Mathematics, LBHS), Teresa Perez (Elementary, Virtual) Nicole Petrullo (Reading, West), Sara Pollack (Elementary, Virtual), Stephanie Portillo (Elementary, Virtual), John Puccio (Special Ed., LBHS), Laura Renner (Elementary, Virtual), Janine Riomao (Lido), Bryan Rosen (Physical Ed./Health, West), Samara Rynecki (English, LBHS), Gina Scafidi (Foreign Language, LBMS), Anglea Schlicking (West), Jennifer Seychell (Lido), Michelle Spreckles (West), Victoria Stanishia (Lido), Dana Stuono (LBMS), Emily Taxin (Elementary, Virtual), Maggie Todaro (Science, LBHS), Heather Tullo (Art, Lindell), Marisa Tyd (ENL, LBHS), Erin Veltre (Physical Ed/Health, Lido), Dana Wachter (Special Ed., West), Benjamin Yazak (Science, LBHS), Erica Yoo (Lido), Calie Yousha (Science, LBHS) and Rachel Yousha-Spitz (Science, LBHS).