West Elementary School
News
Proud Fifth Graders Promoted
Fifth-graders all around the district looked
back with nostalgia and ahead with confidence as they attended promotion
ceremonies marking their successful completion of elementary school.
The ceremonies included fond recollections of shared experiences and
lessons learned along the way, musical performances and slideshows.
Recognition awards were given to students for their individual
accomplishments, followed by the presentation of promotion certificates.
Each school had its own theme: East School celebrated a “Bucket Full of
Wishes,” West School students were “Rocking on Toward The Future,”
Lindell’s theme was “Looking Forward” and Lido School chose Dr. Seuss’s
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”
School Board President Dr. Dennis Ryan reminded students about the
importance of being wrong. “Too often in school the emphasis is about
being right. It’s important to learn from your mistakes and admit when
you are wrong. A little humility is good.”
Superintendent of Schools David Weiss described school years as a
journey full of obstacles to overcome. “It’s a long trip full of
hurdles, potholes and rivers to cross. Today is a day to look back and
see how far you’ve come, take a deep breath and prepare for the next leg
of your expedition. Use the summer well -- stay in shape, read and
explore new things. And remember to stay safe. When you are riding your
bikes and skateboards, always wear a helmet.”
Character Education Celebration
One of the Long Beach City School District’s key
educational goals is to support social and emotional learning and
development by creating a school culture where trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship thrive. After using
these six pillars of character as their guiding principles throughout
the year, students took time to reflect on all they had learned during
the district’s annual Character Education Celebration.
Lindell School held a Habits of the Heart Pageant. Each grade chose a
different pillar to highlight, creating posters and writing essays that
highlighted the meaning of the trait. In keeping with the pageant theme,
each grade also crowned one special teacher as a representative for one
of the six pillars.
At West School’s Character Rocks Concert, students gathered together to
celebrate the six pillars with a karaoke-style sing-along.
Representatives from each grade recited inspirational words that
expressed their sentiments about good character. They concluded the
celebration with a slide show chronicling the school’s recent
multicultural day, which was a celebration of diversity and the
commonalities we share with other people around the globe.
The Lido School Chorus performed at a character education assembly,
singing “I Make My Own Sunshine,” “Reach,” and “You Can’t Stop the
Beat.” The songs reflected the school’s philosophy that all children are
valued. The entire student body embraced the music as a celebration of
the school’s character education mission.
At East School, students spoke about the lessons they had learned on
what it means to be a “bucket filler,” which is a metaphor for
encouraging kind and considerate behavior. Each class appointed
representatives to recite examples of what it means to be a bucket
filler. They encouraged their fellow classmates to speak up when someone
is being bullied, help and encourage others, be a great friend, be
helpful, share and help those in need.
Long Beach WordMasters Place Fourth in Nation
Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the
WordMasters Challenge, a team of Long Beach third graders placed fourth
in the nation in the year-end cumulative standings among 520 school
teams participating at this grade level and division. Third grade team
members were Uma Arengo, Tyler Collinson, Francesca Macchia, Aadhi
Murugaverl, Maia Perez, Jude Pizzone, Elias Richter, Violet Schnabel,
Jasmine Soriano and Lucia Tomicick.
In addition, third graders Uma Arengo, Delphine Esformes, Giselle
Fernandez, Francesca Macchia, Aadhi Murugaverl, Maia Perez, Jude
Pizzone, Elias Richter, Mathias Roth and Lucia Tomicick tied for third
place in the nation in the year’s final meet.
Fourth graders Audrey Cozine, Lauren Crotty, Meilin Garfinkel, Arjun
Gupta, Hayden Henry, Elizabeth Kelly, Jack Libasci, Alex Melconian, Evan
Michaels and Erik Roll tied for sixth place in the nation in the year’s
final meet among 698 competing teams.
In addition, nine elementary students won highest honors for individual
achievement in the year’s final meet. Third grader Uma Arengo, Giselle
Fernandez, Maia Perez and Jude Pizzone; fourth graders Hayden Henry and
Evan Michaels and fifth graders Sabrina Eager and Hannah Zelinger all
earned perfect scores in this meet, while nationwide only 113 third
graders, 55 fourth graders and 131 fifth graders did so.
The students participated in the competition through the Long Beach
Public Schools Learning Activities to Raise Creativity (LARC) program,
under the direction of LARC teachers Beverlee Bertinetti and Caitlin
Fuentes.
At the middle school level, sixth grader Blaise Derenze also received a
perfect score in the year’s final meet, a distinction earned by only 110
sixth graders in the nation. Derenze participated in the competition
through the middle school’s Activities Promoting Thinking program, under
the direction of teacher Lorraine Radice.
The WordMasters Challenge is a national language arts competition that
challenges students to think analytically and metaphorically to complete
word analogies expressing various kinds of relationships.
West School International Fair
The celebration and appreciation of
multiculturalism has been a longstanding tradition in Long Beach Public
Schools. In keeping with this tradition, West School held its annual
International Fair, taking visitors on a whirlwind trip that featured
the sights, sounds, foods, songs, costumes and dances of 16 countries
around the world.
The event was weeks in the making, as each class studied the customs,
literature, history and geography of a different country. Students wrote
research papers and created displays, maps, travel brochures and more.
For the day of the celebration, classrooms were transformed into
colorful replicas of Mexican markets, Brazilian rainforests, Greek ruins
and Egyptian artifacts. Parents were even given passports that were
stamped each time they visited a different country.
Students, dressed in colorful native costumes, delighted audiences with
their renditions of traditional songs and dances from Cuba, France,
Scotland, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Ireland, Japan, India, Italy, Greece,
Kenya, Egypt, Spain and Russia, concluding with a Navajo song from the
United States. Parents and students were also invited to sample an
abundant selection of traditional foods from each of these countries.
Special Olympians
Athletes from the Long Beach Public Schools began
training in March for the Special Olympics Spring Games, which were
hosted this year by Huntington High School and Connetquot High School.
The committed athletes practiced weekly for a variety of challenging
track and field events. Athletes Charles Butler, Alan Evangelista,
Robert Greengus, Sophie Hoffman, Anthony Hug, Matthew Karasin, Keegan
McCarthy, Max McCarthy, Jett McKevitt, Emanuel Muniz and Madeline
Sipperley represented the Long Beach Schools with spirit and pride.
Coaches Stacey Durnan and Stephanie Esposito, along with teacher
assistants Aileen Monahan, Justin Salorio and Jean Golia, prepared the
students for the various events. The athletes competed in the 50-meter
dash, running long jump and softball throw. In addition to learning the
skills necessary to compete in these events, the athletes also practiced
teamwork and perseverance. High school student volunteers Stephania
Flores, Ashley Arjune, Cathryna Hughes, Rachel Moehlehoff, Jillian
Bailey, Kelly Dublynn and Vincent Pasqua proved to be positive role
models throughout the training process. They assisted the athletes
during warm-ups, practice and on the day of the event.
“Our determined athletes took home several gold, silver and bronze
medals,” said Ms. Durnan. “It was evident on the day of the event that
athletes understood the meaning of the Special Olympics mantra, which
states, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the
attempt!’ All those involved were impressed to see Long Beach’s Special
Olympians put forth effort, determination and passion to achieve their
goals.”
District Art Show
The commons area of Long Beach High School was
transformed into an art gallery for Long Beach Public Schools’ sixth
annual District Art Show on May 18-19. The special weekend exhibit
included more than 700 paintings, photographs, prints, three-dimensional
pieces, ceramics, graphic art pieces, drawings and fashion designs, all
created by students in grades K-12. A number of pieces by high school
students that have won awards at juried art shows around the county were
on display, along with works created by the district’s 30 All-County
artists.
Senior Ambrose Plante opened the festivities on Friday evening with a
classical guitar performance, setting an elegant mood for visitors as
they viewed the artwork.
Dance Competition Winners
Teams of fifth graders from East and West Schools finished second and
third, respectively, in the first-ever Dancing Classrooms Long Island
Festival & Colors of the Rainbow Team Match. The ballroom dancing
competition took place on Sunday, April 29 at Sachem High School North
in Lake Ronkonkoma.
The East School team of Emily McDonnell, Javonte Neals, Jade Burkes,
Marquial Charles, Jessica Guadagnino, Aidan Kennedy, Emma McGovern,
Natalie Goggin, Giovanni Mangiafreno, Luis Garcia Portillo, Jasmin
Johnson and Alec Chasin practiced under the coaching supervision of
teacher-in-charge Sharon Weiss and music teacher Michele Bennett. The
West School team of Mia Enright, Dane Ceniceros, George Weisendanger,
Fiona Eramo, Emily Nazitsky-Piernick, Cory Eisel, Leila Bouchal, Lauren
Bulik, John Whelan, Emma Herbert, Nicholas Guido and Joseph Carr were
coached by school social worker Deb Bernardino and teacher Eileen
Clarke.
Dancing Classrooms is an innovative character education program that
encourages students to cultivate mutual respect, collaboration and
self-esteem through ballroom dancing. In the process, students also
learn to do a mean tango, foxtrot and waltz. Earlier in the year, the
entire fifth grade at East and West Schools completed ten weeks of
classes through a Dancing Classrooms residency. The festival gave these
students the opportunity to come together with other Nassau and Suffolk
school communities in a display of elegance, partnership and civility
that paid tribute to the invaluable life lessons the participants have
acquired through Dancing Classrooms.
“Students have become more poised and confident because of their
participation in this program,” noted Ms. Weiss. “Dancing together has
helped them become more mature about interacting with one another,”
added Ms. Bennett. “It is rewarding to see students interacting with
their peers with respect and courtesy.”
Each participating school sent a team of students as its representatives
in the competition. The team selection process was threefold: a
combination of student, teaching artist and classroom teacher
nominations. Students were nominated based on their ability to
demonstrate the Dancing Classrooms values of honor, respect, acceptance
and self-confidence, as well as a passion for social dance.
This festive affair included the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match competition (as seen in the film
Mad Hot Ballroom),
a special dance exhibition of Dancing Classrooms’ eighth-grade
syllabus, performances by special guests, and selected readings and
artwork created by Dancing Classrooms students. Video footage from this
event will be featured in an upcoming documentary on Dancing Classrooms
Long Island.
Jazz Night Swings
Jazz in all its forms, from the Swing Era to
more contemporary numbers, was interpreted in all its glory when the
Long Beach High School Music Department hosted its annual Jazz Night.
Student performers from the West School Recorder Club, Middle School
Jazz Band, High School Lab Jazz Band, Select Choir and High School Jazz
Ensemble were joined by special guests Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz
Orchestra, filling the auditorium with the music of Herbie Hancock,
Buster and Bennie Moten, and Joe Garland. As an added treat, junior
Russell Goetz, who is an All-State Jazz Vocalist, performed a solo
rendition of “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
For the opening reception, the high school commons area was transformed
into a cozy lounge. Hors d'oeuvres prepared by students in Scott
Brecher’s home and careers class were passed around to guests. Members
of the newly formed Friends of the Arts were on hand to welcome guests,
and National Honor Society members volunteered their time as ushers.
Director of Comprehensive Arts Dr. Dale Johanson served as the MC for
the evening. Marino Bragino, III directed the High School Lab Jazz Band
and the High School Jazz Ensemble. He was joined by fellow directors
Vanessa Krywe (West School Recorder Band), Elizabeth Altbacker (Middle
School Jazz Band), and Michael Capobianco (Select Choir). This is the
first year that a professional jazz band has shared the stage with
students on Jazz Night, giving the young performers, as well as the
audience, an opportunity to further expand their appreciation of jazz in
all its forms.
“It was an exciting experience to see all of our student musicians at
all grade levels performing jazz alongside a professional group like the
DIVAS,” said Dr. Johanson.
“Jazz Night was an amazing success,” echoed Mr. Bragino. “Seeing my
students light up on stage when they perform is why I became a music
educator. This evening was a legendary moment in our department. Thanks
to all who helped make this event such a success."
Students’ Artwork at LI Children’s Museum
Before an artist picks up a paintbrush or pencil, a great deal of time is spent observing the subject. West School students in Leslie Blanopf’s kindergarten class used this approach recently to create the nature scenes that were on display at the Long Island Children’s Museum. The class began by studying the seasons during science class. They also read and wrote about each season before putting pencil, crayon and glitter to paper to create their own interpretations of a spring scene.
District Career Fairs
Two of the main goals of Long Beach Public
Schools are to provide students with college and career-readiness skills
and to give them meaningful opportunities for community engagement. To
help fulfill both of these goals, schools around the district hosted
Career Day celebrations, giving students a chance to meet and speak with
local professionals. The guest speakers shared their keys to success
and their insights into dozens of traditional and nontraditional
careers.
Leading off the celebration was the Long Beach Middle School Career Day.
In the days leading up to the event, students filled out surveys to
give them an idea of which careers might best suit their interests and
abilities. The middle schoolers were paired with specific presenters
based on their survey results. In small group settings, guest speakers
talked about the skills and training they needed to be successful in
their chosen careers, the tasks they perform on the job, and the
challenges and rewards they experience on a daily basis. At the end of
the day, students came away with a list of ideas for things they can
start doing now to help them reach their future career goals.
The Long Beach High School Career Fair gave students an opportunity to
network with local professionals representing a wide variety of careers,
including law, medicine, public service, marketing, broadcasting,
public relations, green technologies, school administration, business,
finance, banking, accounting, hospitality, publishing, library services
and the military. Students were also able to speak with representatives
from local technical schools and explore summer job opportunities in the
local community.
Lindell School hosted a two-day Career Awareness program for fifth
graders. Parents and community members were invited to share their
career experiences, focusing on the education and training needed to be
successful in their careers. Brian Patton, who works for Global Security
at NBC, explained the importance of working as a team, being
responsible and demonstrating strong character. Long Beach Fire Chief
Richard Corbett found math, science and history very helpful in his
career. Andrew Miller, a criminal defense attorney, enlisted students to
help him solve the "The Case of the Missing Lunch Box." Pediatrician
Dr. Matthew Cohen shared his lifelong fascination with the human body.
Although the 18 guest speakers represented a variety of professions,
they all shared a love for their work and stressed the importance of
being lifelong learners.
At Lido School’s Sixth Annual Career Fair, students went on a hands-on
adventure in career exploration, led by alumni, parents and local
professionals representing careers as varied as real estate, law
enforcement, web design, retail merchandising, lifeguarding and
communications. Lts. Anthony Fallon and Sam Pinto of the Long Beach Fire
Department allowed students to don their fire gear to help them
experience what it feels like