Long Beach High School marked a momentous occasion on June 12 with its 102nd Annual Commencement Ceremony, honoring the graduating Class of 2025. Held outside on the high school’s Alumni Field, the event brought together students, families, district leaders, and faculty in a heartfelt celebration of achievement, growth, and future promise.

The ceremony began with the traditional processional to “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Graduation Band, followed by a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem by the Graduation Orchestra and Choir.

Long Beach High School Principal Jeffrey Myers welcomed attendees and commended the graduates for a year filled with determination, resilience, and success. Board of Education Vice President Alexis Pace addressed the class with words of inspiration, encouraging students to live their lives in a way that would make both their 8-year-old and 80-year-old selves proud, urging them to stay true to who they are, show up for the people they love, and always remember to have fun.

Valedictorian Daniel Brenner delivered a speech filled with gratitude and encouragement. He thanked his family, friends, and mentors, and reflected on the memories and accomplishments of the past four years. “You all have worked so hard to accomplish so much,” he said, while also urging his classmates to embrace challenges, “Try something hard. Don’t just aim for the lay-up. Focus less on the results and more on the journey, the people, the lessons, the growth.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher shared heartfelt remarks, expressing how special this graduating class has been to her. “You are brilliant, talented, and generous,” she told the seniors. “The way you support each other and give of yourselves is extraordinary. Keep doing what you’re doing, keep being you.”

Salutatorian LiLin Garfinkel offered words of gratitude and encouragement, reflecting on the joy of the present moment and encouraging her peers to carry that joy with them into the next phase of their lives. “Whether your path is college, trade school, the military, or a new job, go forward with confidence and purpose,” she said.

Senior Class President Noemi Wright fondly recalled the shared experiences that bonded the class and offered her classmates well-wishes for the road ahead.

Following the speeches, each graduate proudly crossed the stage to receive their diploma, marking the culmination of years of dedication and learning.

Student Organization President Riley Barshak then led the ceremonial turning of the tassels, symbolizing the official transition from student to graduate. The celebration concluded with cheers and cap tosses, as the Class of 2025 stepped boldly into the future.

 

Date Added: 6/16/2025

 

In May, students at Lido Elementary were treated to a unique and engaging science experience as they witnessed the hatching of baby Bobwhite Quails right inside their school. The excitement continued June 2 with a special visit from three ambassador birds, part of an environmental education program designed to foster a deeper connection to nature while supporting local ecosystems.

The quail hatching initiative is part of a broader tick remediation and conservation effort led by the Center for Environmental Education & Discovery (CEED), a Suffolk County based nonprofit. CEED’s mission is to inspire connections to the natural world through discovery, art, and education. The organization reaches people of all ages through conservation projects, school-based programs, and live animal ambassador visits.

Bobwhite Quail, once common on Long Island, have experienced significant population declines due to habitat loss and predation from domestic animals. Their reintroduction is critical to ecological balance, not only do they help manage tick populations through their diet, but their iconic calls also enhance the island’s natural soundscape.

“This program is an incredible example of how students can witness the impact of their environment and their role in protecting it,” said Lido Elementary Librarian Tara Salvadore, who brought the initiative to Lido as part of her graduate studies in conservation education. “My goal is to help students see themselves as stewards of nature and to understand the connections between human actions and the natural world.”

The program is led by CEED naturalist Eric Powers, with support from a dedicated team of educators and volunteers who incubate, hatch, and care for the quail each spring. Once the chicks are strong enough, they move to outdoor pens to develop the survival skills needed for release into carefully selected wild habitats later in the summer.

The June 2 visit from the ambassador birds offered students an up-close opportunity to learn about local species and the importance of wildlife conservation. The event was made even more meaningful by the involvement of Scarlett Friedman, a seventh grader at Oyster Bay High School and daughter of Ms. Salvadore. As the caretaker of the ambassador birds, Scarlett played a central role in the educational exhibit, presenting the birds, conducting Q&A sessions with students, and safely facilitating hands-on interactions.

Through initiatives like this, Long Beach Public Schools continues to promote environmental responsibility and hands-on science learning, empowering students to become active participants in conservation efforts right in their own backyard.

Date Added: 6/13/2025

Long Beach School District is proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our music ensembles who recently participated in NYSSMA Majors over the last couple weekend. This was a record-setting year for Long Beach!

For the first time in history, the Long Beach High School Select Choir earned a Gold rating on Level 6, the highest level of adjudication possible. This is a remarkable milestone and a testament to the dedication, talent, and hard work of our student musicians and their exceptional teachers.

Bravo to all of the performers and music educators! Your commitment to excellence continues to make Long Beach shine!

·  West School/Mrs. Krywe-- 4th & 5th grade Chorus-Silver 

·  Long Beach MS/Mr. Neri--6th Grade Band -Silver

·  Long Beach MS/Mr. Lobenstein--6th grade Orchestra-Gold, 7th grade Orchestra- Gold, 8th Grade Orchestra Silver

·  Long Beach MS/Mr. Marks--8th grade Band-Gold, 7th grade Band-Gold

·  Long Beach HS/Dr. Capobianco-Select Choir-Gold (Level 6)

·  Long Beach HS/ Ms. Shin--Symphonic Orchestra-Silver

 

Date Added: 6/11/2025

Recently the LBHS Auditorium came alive with the sound of strings and song as the Long Beach High School Guitar Program presented its Guitar Show and it was nothing short of spectacular. Playing to a packed and enthusiastic audience, students delivered a powerful and diverse setlist that spanned genres and generations from the driving riffs of Guns N' Roses to the harmonies of The Eagles, with stops in folk, country, and classic rock along the way.

The night was a true celebration of musical talent and community. Current and former students joined forces on stage, showcasing the legacy and impact of the program. The audience sang along, cheered proudly, and shared in an unforgettable night of live music. Congratulations to all the performers and Mr. Rossi for creating a high-energy, heart-filled evening that reminded us all of the power of music to bring people together.

 

 

 

Date Added: 6/10/2025

Seventy-four Long Beach High School students have been awarded the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy, a recognition of their proficiency in multiple languages.

Among these outstanding recipients, seven students have achieved an extraordinary milestone, earning the Seal of Biliteracy in two additional languages beyond English. These languages include Bangla, Greek, Hebrew, Mandarin and Ukrainian. Their dedication reflects not only a commitment to language mastery but also a deep engagement with diverse cultures and global perspectives.

 

 

Date Added: 6/6/2025