FALL 2013 FALL 2013 SyossetThe Leader SyossetThe Standard A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetistops.org www.syossetistops.org

WINTER 2016 FALL 2013 Syosset Pride SyossetThe Connect A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetschools.org www.syossetistops.org

FALL 2013 FALL 2013 BigTheIDEAs for Technology The Chromebooks, tablets, Makerspaces and other that students are very enthused and research, explore “digital storytelling” technologies are enhancing enjoying the new projects. However, and develop creative group projects Syossetwe want to be sure that what we are onShines animals for their ELA block, Syosset Scholar teaching and learning A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District doing not only interests them, but which concurrently meets a across the district. really benefits them as well.” Common Core digital presentation www.syossetistops.org www.syossetistops.org The workgroup established an requirement. Students throughout the Syosset identity called Project I.D.E.A. Third-graders at Walt Whitman CSD are participating in a variety of based on four guiding principles Elementary School are using their curricular pilot programs that place FALL 2013 for piloting technology projects. Chromebooks in a flipped/blended leading-edge technology in their Projects are designed to promote classroom setting, where they are hands while teaching them how to inquiry, differentiation of instruction, creating multimedia projects in middle schools. South Woods Middle put the tools into practice and think engagement, and must be applicable world geography and math using School eighth-grade social studies creatively. The in the real world. Web-based programs such as students are encouraged to not bring Last year, a districtwide One of the most significant, Peardeck, Kahoot and Sumdog. pens, pencils or paper to class, but Technology Workgroup was formed far-reaching initiatives being According to teacher Nina Trembly, rather to rely on their Chromebooks to develop a vision for educational implemented at multiple elementary in-class participation has grown to as digital notebooks. Through the technology with a ‘think big’ mindset and secondary schools is one-to-one 100 percent, and since students can use of Google Apps for Education, and a goal of expanding the breadth computing, which places Google take their devices home, they are students access all assignments of technology-related courses. The Syosset Chronicle Chromebooks in the hands of reviewing, changing and building through Google Classroom, A Publication of the Syosset Central School District ultimate goal is to engage students, middle, high school and elementary upon their work after the lesson is navigating through Google Docs, www.syossetistops.org enhance their understanding of students and equips kindergartners over. Slides, Sheets, Forms and other how technology works, promote with Samsung tablets. The devices “The Chromebooks are definitely Google tools. Primary documents a collaborative environment and provide instant access to the Internet, inspiring our kids to collaborate are annotated with DocHub, and inspire content creation across all digital textbooks and course materials more and share their ideas,” said authentic historical photos, speeches academic disciplines. anywhere. Village Elementary School Principal and videos are included in digital “We are trying different things Fourth-graders at A.P. Willits Jeffrey Kasper, whose fifth-graders notes, which can be utilized at any at different schools and targeting Elementary School have been using have been using the devices at home time. certain grade levels to determine their Chromebooks for a range of to write responses to each other’s which initiatives present the greatest activities, from an interactive project questions regarding material covered Continued on page 3 value and have the greatest impact about the impacts of severe weather in class. “They definitely enjoy the on our children overall,” said to persuasive essays on topics of camaraderie that has developed just Assistant Superintendent for Business interest, making their case for the by interacting with their classmates Patricia Rufo, who co-chairs the most strategic sport or the best outside of the classroom.” workgroup. “Our long-term goal vacation spot. Kindergartners at Chromebooks are also changing is to broaden opportunities for all Robbins Lane Elementary School are the in-classroom approach at the students and encourage them to be using the Samsung tablets to conduct creative. Teachers are reporting back

Syosset Central School District Nonprofit Organization Syosset, 11791 U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 36 Syosset, NY 11791

****ECRWSS**** Resident of Syosset Central School District

A.P. Willits fourth-graders track storm systems using their Chromebooks. A Message from Your Superintendent

To the Syosset Community, That new infrastructure laid translating what they learn to new the foundation on which we have challenges. We’ll be evaluating the Happy New Year to the parents, explored a number of approaches early results of these pilots with the staff and students of the Syosset – flipped classrooms, 1:1 initiatives Board and making decisions about community. I hope you had a restful with both tablets and Chromebooks, which are the best candidates for holiday break and are approaching coding, robotics, makerspaces, etc. expansion. the new year as invigorated as we are. – to see which ones work best for Just as this attention to the We’re excited to use this issue Syosset. district’s technology infrastructure of The Pride to give you a glimpse Our goal has been not to is making these enhancements of the pilot programs under study implement technology for its possible, we must continue to pay plan for the district that will address by the Technology Workgroup. own sake, but to emphasize those attention to the district’s “bricks and the needed maintenance and repairs The Board has made enhancing initiatives that foster Innovation, mortar” infrastructure and have been and consider any future facilities the district’s technology a priority, Differentiation, Engagement and working with our architects and the needs. and the fruits of that emphasis Application – Project I.D.E.A. Board of Education to identify and Best wishes to all in the new year! are ripening. Last year, the district We see the role of technology made significant investments in our as enhancing, not replacing, the prioritize our ongoing maintenance technology infrastructure, purchasing classroom experience, putting and rehabilitation efforts with Regards, increased bandwidth, finishing a students in the driver’s seat and the district’s physical plant. At backup system, and expanding Wi-Fi letting them explore the things the Board’s request we have been Dr. Tom Rogers coverage district-wide. that interest them personally and developing a comprehensive facilities Superintendent of Schools

A Message from Your Board of Education

Dear Syosset Community, consultant, additional investments in both physical and electronic safety measures will be made to Welcome to 2016! We hope your holiday continually reinforce the safety of our students season was filled with joy and we wish you all the and staff. Fortunately, many of these investments best for a happy and healthy new year. can be paid for by grants from the State’s Smart This holiday season, students and staff Schools Bond Act. throughout our schools put service above self Last spring, the Board created an Athletics to help those less fortunate. Through various Committee to examine the equity between boys toy, food and coat drives, among other acts and girls athletics programs, and the adequacy of of kindness, the Syosset schools showed the our athletics facilities. As a result, changes were future meetings (see Budget Workshops/Dates generous spirit that exists within our community. made to immediately improve the girls’ softball on p. 3) as we make important decisions for the Thank you to everyone who made a difference in field. Other improvements are underway while future. brightening someone else’s life. over the longer term the committee explores the As always, you are invited to attend the regular The midpoint of the school year is an possibility of a turf field. portion of our meetings. For those wishing to opportunity to take stock of the many initiatives Similarly, the Board’s Food Allergy Committee read a summary of Board actions and discussions, underway at Syosset. The Board has prioritized has been active helping shape a new policy that Board Meeting Notes are posted on the district using technology to enhance the learning process the Board adopted in December. Soon, the district website, www.syossetschools.org. Just click on and is looking forward to a presentation from will train a broader cross section of staff and the “Board of Education” tab. If you ever need to administration in March on the various pilot make Epi-pens more readily available in order to contact us, you can refer to our email addresses projects underway in our schools – from “flipped improve our response in a crisis. Going forward, online or in the district calendar. classrooms” to Chromebooks and makerspaces. the Committee’s next task is to harmonize the We look forward to seeing you at our meetings. This newsletter will give you a little preview. different prevention approaches employed across Last fall, the Board toured a number of sites in the district. Warm Regards, the district from leaky roofs to aging boilers to see At the State level, we’re pleased that the The Syosset School District Board of Education the various projects our architects have prioritized. Governor and Board of Regents have heeded our These needs aren’t glamorous, but the Board letters calling for a change in direction on testing Michael Cohen Rob Gershon is committed to maintaining the health of our and teacher evaluation. More time is needed for April Neuendorf Josh Lafazan facilities, and the district is developing a long-term these new changes to gain momentum, but they Chris Di Filippo Susan Parker plan to make needed maintenance a continuous represent a welcome departure from the state’s priority. previous positions. Andrew Feldman Laura Schlesinger Another high priority has been school security. At our January Board meeting, we held our Tracy Frankel Based on the recommendations of our safety first budget informational meeting. Please attend

2 Continued from page 1 BigIDEAs for Technology Chromebooks, tablets, Makerspaces and other technologies are enhancing teaching and learning across the district.

Students in Jessica Gonzalez’s Apps to become more mindful of Spanish class at H.B. Thompson the importance of helping others. Middle School also learn in a Baylis Elementary School Library paperless Google Classroom Media Specialist Kelly Fokianos environment, which they refer to and Enrichment teacher Barbara as the BYOD (Bring Your Own Conover are leading third-graders Device) initiative. Gonzalez said the in a “Small Changes” community transition was seamless and BYOD action project through the Jane has empowered students to assume Goodall “Roots and Shoots” greater responsibility for their work website. Students are researching and collaborate with students in her and recording notes from various H.B. Thompson foreign language students learn in a completely digital environment other Spanish classes. This spring, digital resources, connecting through the Bring Your Own Device initiative. her students will use their devices to with authentic experts on the work jointly with a school in Costa environment and mapping areas Rica via the videoconferencing app in need using Google Earth. After house circuitry built by the students. will be utilized in conjunction with Google Hangouts. identifying human, environmental While the portability and ability STEM curricula at both schools. At Syosset High School, AP and animal needs both globally and to connect with others and gather, Additionally, the H.B. Thompson Economics students will use their within their community, the third- process and present information library is being redesigned to Chromebooks to research data graders brainstorm ideas on how has transformed the way Syosset create a more collaborative space from the Federal Reserve website they can help. They are currently students are learning, physical spaces that will include mobile devices, and simulate a bimonthly meeting mapping areas where food and within the school buildings are not an interactive projector and fluid with the Fed Board of Governors to water are wasted. According to being overlooked. Makerspaces seating design. determine interest rate targeting and Conover, children and parents alike — dedicated areas that encourage “New technology is exciting, so monetary policy. Math students at have embraced the project, and her students to tinker, create and share it’s tempting to focus on a device the high school have been utilizing students have substantially grown interest-based individual and group and try to work backwards to a iPads to design more collaborative as 21st-century learners who strive projects — are being developed at purpose. I’m especially pleased and engaging projects. to make a difference in the lives of South Grove Elementary School that our Technology Workgroup Tablets and iPads are also being others. and South Woods Middle School. focused first on goals – and then used to promote independence Fourth-graders at Berry Hill These spaces can include a variety identified the devices and software and self-paced instruction in H.B. Elementary School will get a taste of resources, such as simple tools for most likely to achieve them,” said Thompson seventh-grade special of project-based technological cutting and shaping wooden objects, Superintendent of Schools Dr. education students, as well as learning when they apply their electronics workbenches, molding Thomas Rogers. “There is no for personalized learning in the knowledge of electricity to build machinery to make the most out question that technology is a large resource room and first- and third- their own flashlights. The students of simple materials and promote part of students’ and adults’ daily grade classrooms at Walt Whitman will use online computer-aided ingenuity, and 3-D printers like the life. Our job is not just to expose Elementary. Occupational and design software to create 3-D one that will be utilized in the Berry students to more technology, but speech therapists are using iPads for representations of their flashlights. Hill flashlight project. to find ways for it to complement a intervention strategies district-wide. Each flashlight will be printed three- Both the South Grove “Fab Lab” teacher’s efforts while unlocking new Young students are using Google dimensionally and assembled to and the South Woods Makerspace potential in students.”

Budget Workshops/Dates: Kindergarten Registration All meetings will be held in the South Woods Middle School auditorium prior to Kindergarten registration for the 2016-17 school year will take the regular Board of Education meetings, which begin at 8 p.m. place on Wednesday, March 30 for students attending Robbins Monday, February 8: Budget Information Workshop, 7 p.m. Lane, South Grove and Village; and Thursday, March 31 for students attending J. Irving Baylis, Berry Hill, Walt Whitman and Monday, March 21: Budget Information Workshop, 7 p.m. Budget Information Workshop, 7 p.m., Budget Adoption A.P. Willits. For specific times, please contact your school or refer Tuesday, April 19:  to Follow to the district website at www.syossetschools.org.

Monday, May 9: Official Budget Hearing, 7:30 p.m. Official Budget Vote, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. at Robbins Lane Tuesday, May 17:  Elementary School, H.B. Thompson Middle School and Syosset High School 3 Students in the The Next Generationof Innovators Five Intel Semifinalists Named at Syosset High School Congratulations to Alexandra business success and different Chan, Daniel Hirsch, Rachel characteristics of the founders of Kang, Joshua Katz and Benjamin Fortune 1000 companies. These Senzer for being named five of the include birth year, education 300 national semifinalists in the level, college attended, hometown 2016 Intel Science Talent Search. location, previous work experience The Intel Science Talent and even the professions of Search, the nation’s oldest and the subject’s parents. He feels most prestigious pre-college that these conclusions can be science competition, has been used by companies, universities bringing together the best and and students alike to focus brightest young scientific minds their educational and business Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers congratulates Syosset High School’s five Intel Sci- in the for 75 years. experiences in order to achieve ence Search semifinalists along with Administrative Assistant for Science Tom Allen, Social Sciences Of the 300 semifinalists, 44 were entrepreneurial success. teacher Dan Manzo, Science Research Coordinator Veronica Ade, Business teacher Diane Malley and selected from schools, For her project on climate Syosset High School Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante. Semifinalists pictured (L-R) are Joshua Katz, with Syosset garnering the second- change, Rachel researched solar Alexandra Chan, Benjamin Senzer, Rachel Kang and Daniel Hirsch. highest total of selections in energy solutions for operating are both implicated in various Coordinator Veronica Ade, who Nassau and Suffolk. the Long Island Rail Road, Long cancers, when reintroducing TSP2 works closely with all of the “I couldn’t be more proud of Island’s largest electricity user. to cells, its inhibiting expression semifinalists and likened the our students and their teachers, She studied various models of ultimately degrades LOX. This 20-page entry paper to writing who work so hard to make their equipment to achieve optimal process could serve as an aid in an additional college application. success a reality,” said Syosset electrical output and found that treating cancer. “For many of these students, High School Principal Dr. most LIRR stations are south Benjamin assessed the negative it’s the culmination of four or Giovanni Durante. “To submit to facing, which would be beneficial effects of pollutants in marsh five years of hard work. Intel Intel is a major accomplishment to capturing sunlight using solar biomes by studying microscopic adjudicators are not only looking in and of itself, but to be panels. Computing the economic organisms taken from sediment for phenomenal research, they are selected as a semifinalist is truly benefits, Rachel determined that grains of shells collected from extraordinary. This is a true honor it would take only three to four looking for well-rounded students Tobay and Crab Meadow beaches. who have varied interests, are for the entire Syosset community.” years for the LIRR to net a profit Using an energy dispersive X-ray Each semifinalist receives a from shifting to solar power. good people and have the makeup spectroscope, he analyzed the for success.” $1,000 award from the Intel “Knowing that I was doing chemical compositions of the Foundation, with an additional something that could potentially “Intel STS alumni over the shells taken from different layers past three-quarters of a century $1,000 going to his or her benefit my community directly, of the marsh over time to identify have gone on to successful school. The competition overall I was constantly engaged and trace elements of pollutants (via STEM careers and to achieve top awards $1.6 million to provide motivated to ensure that each geochemical selectivity, shells honors and recognition in their the opportunities and resources and every calculation I made was absorb and remove sediment that students need to become accurate and precise,” said Rachel, possessing the greatest abundance chosen fields,” said Maya Ajmera, the next generation of inventors, who would often commute to of pollutants). As a result, president and CEO of Society entrepreneurs and STEM Stony Brook University as a tenth Benjamin was able to determine for Science and the Public and professionals. grader to conduct research. It which pollutants existed in the publisher of the Science News Alexandra was selected for was then, while riding the LIRR, marsh at certain periods of time. media group. “As a fellow alumna, her research that supports the that she took notice of how much “Geology is a much more I’m thrilled to congratulate the hypothesis that greater variation electricity was being used and how hands-on field of science than semifinalists and welcome them to in DNA sequences caused by an alternate source of power could most people realize,” said the Intel STS family. They are the sexual reproduction is beneficial benefit the environment. Benjamin, who found himself next generation of innovators, and to the evolution of organisms. Joshua examined the collecting samples while knee- we look forward to witnessing the Comparing both sexual and relationship between TSP2 deep in tidal marsh water. “My impact they will have on making asexual lineages of 10 mud proteins, which are found to project allowed me to go outside the world a better place.” snails, she determined that sexual inhibit the formation of new and physically experience what Semifinalists were selected activity facilitates the clearance of blood vessels, and LOX, which most people could only read from 1,750 entrants hailing potentially harmful mutations, has been linked to promote about in scientific journals.” from 512 high schools in 43 which accumulate more rapidly in metastasis of malignant tumors. “The Intel Science Talent states, Washington, D.C., asexual snails. He determined that although Search is the Nobel Prize of high Puerto Rico, and six American Daniel’s research demonstrates TSP2 and LOX levels directly school research,” said Syosset and international high schools that correlations exist between correlate to one another and High School Science Research overseas. 4 Students in the Spotlight National Hispanic Scholar Honored Congratulations to senior Brian Schultheis on being named a National Hispanic Scholar in the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program. Brian scored in the top 2.5 percent among Hispanic/Latino students in the region on the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Additionally, he had to complete an extensive application for evaluation by the College Board. In a survey of last year’s National Hispanic Scholars, 91 percent indicated that they felt recognition made them more competitive candidates for the nation’s top colleges and universities. Brian’s principal, Dr. Giovanni Durante, congratulates him here.

At its December meeting, the Board of Education recognized 33 Syosset High School students who were named Commended Students in the College Board’s National Merit Scholarship Program. As Syosset High School Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante announced the names, Board members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers congratulated those students who scored in the top five percent in the country on the PSAT/NMSQT. Earlier this year, the Board recognized the 16 students who were named semifinalists in the NMSP. Physically and Civilly Fit

Congratulations to seniors Josh Thomas and Kelly Siebert, who are recipients of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s annual Zone Award. The award is presented to students who exemplify and demonstrate an understanding for the New York State Learning Standards for Health and Physical Education by exhibiting a physically active and healthy lifestyle; demonstrating sportsmanship, character, civility and citizenship; exhibiting exceptional achievement in physical education class; and achieving a high level of fitness on an approved fitness test.

5 Tops in All-State Musicians Again Congratulations to Syosset High School’s 24 outstanding musicians who were selected as performers or alternates for the New York State School Music Association’s All-State ensembles, which performed at the 2015 NYSSMA Winter Conference this December. Once again, Syosset High School had the highest number of All-State musicians in the state, including two jazz musicians who were chosen for more than one instrument. The district congratulates the following students:

All-State Chorus: Dylan Eliassof – Mixed Chorus, Bass II Julia Naldjian – Mixed Chorus, Soprano I

All-State Jazz: Agostino Bellocco – Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, Tenor Saxophone; Wind Ensemble, Alto Saxophone; Jazz Alto Sax Alternate Jacob Sugarman – Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, Alto Saxophone; Symphonic Band, Bassoon Many of the district’s All-State musicians attended a recent Board of Education meeting, where All-State Band: they were honored. Julie Chou – Piccolo Alternate Natalia Koziel – Flute Alternate Staff Plays a Key Role Christopher Yang – Snare Drum Alternate Congratulations to Syosset CSD Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Salzman, who has been named NYSSMA’s president-elect. Salzman All-State Orchestra: currently serves as second vice president and this year presided over some 900 Eugene Ahn – Cello Alternate All-State students and their rehearsals and performances during the All-State Maximillian Chen – String Orchestra, Violin festival. Scott Feltman – Symphony Orchestra, Double Bass Syosset music educators also played a key role at this year’s conference. Victoria Kong – String Orchestra, Violin Syosset High School teacher and State Chairperson for the Tri-M Music Marisa Labarca – Violin Alternate Honor Society Rona Pontecorvo brought eight student officers from Syosset Sojin Lee – String Orchestra, Viola Tri-M to present on the benefits of joining the organization. Music teachers Vivian Lin – String Orchestra, Cello Dahyun Park – Violin Alternate in attendance were very impressed, took copious notes and asked excellent Ben Rhee – Symphony Orchestra, Violin questions. Michele Ripka – String Orchestra, Violin Additionally, South Woods Middle School teacher Mandy DeShrage Benjamin Senzer – String Orchestra, Double Bass presented on flute pedagogy, Village/A.P. Willits Elementary School teacher Emma Sun – Violin Alternate Matthew Wurtzel presented findings of his grant research on professional Jeremy Wang – Violin Alternate development for first-year music teachers, and Syosset High School leave Sidney Wong – Violin Alternate replacement orchestra teacher and NYSSMA String Coordinator Steve Fayette Jonah Wu – Violin Alternate conducted orientation sessions for new adjudicators. Several other Syosset Cameron Zandieh – Symphony Orchestra, Violin music teachers served as chaperones for the weekend. Kevin Zhang – Harp Alternate Artists Selected for Regional Honors

Three Syosset High School by hands comprised of phrases student-artists are being honored promoting cultural acceptance, for creativity that stands out. while the words “The world The artwork of Christy Qian belongs to all of us” appear in the and Matthew Weiss was selected center of the earth. Matthew, who for display in the Suffolk Center studied under art teacher Nicole (From left) Matthew Weiss, Isabella Charles and Christy Qian display their honored on the Holocaust, Diversity Lynch, used Adobe Photoshop to works of art with their teacher, Nicole Lynch. and Human Understanding’s create an image in the shape of the “Embracing Our Differences” United States, accompanied by the exhibition features 27 billboard- logo design contest. Isabella’s moving outdoor exhibit. phrase “We become not a melting sized images created by winning design has been printed Christy, who completed her pot, but a beautiful mosaic.” Both professional artists and students on T-shirts, sweatshirts and work last year under the tutelage students are currently enrolled in from all over Long Island. other articles that promote of Syosset High School art teacher Lynch’s class. Congratulations are also in NMEA All-County concerts Amanda Signorelli, used Adobe Curated by a group of highly order for sophomore Isabella taking place this winter. She also Illustrator to create a colorful respected art professionals, the Charles, who won the Nassau studies in Lynch’s class. image of the earth being touched “Embracing Our Differences” art Music Educators Association’s

6 Around the Schools and a projector, they can share such as Greenfoot, a program that their work with the entire class for teaches how to code in a gaming valuable feedback. environment. “Not only is it fun to play these games while coding, but FIRST Hosts you can also really learn a lot,” said Syosset High School’s robotics Berry Hill student Samir Panchal. program hosted the FIRST (For “I can look ahead and anticipate Inspiration and Recognition of problems and then plan on how to Science and Technology) Tech solve them.” Challenge robotics scrimmage and workshop. This student-led Programming Unplugged event was held at the Composite Students throughout the Prototyping Center in Plainview, district are also participating in where Syosset welcomed teams various “unplugged” exercises to Making bots go at Village. from four other schools to test learn how to write algorithms and and modify their robots, tour the understand the basics of coding. Analyzing Words & Time during lunchtime to learn the very state-of-the-art CPC composites One activity at Baylis Elementary As a tool to help students basics of coding. They recently manufacturing facility and network School consisted of using playing visualize and analyze lengthy texts, created a track of code and with engineering professionals. cards to demonstrate how creating South Woods Middle School has programmed miniature Ozobots to conditionals can tailor a program to been using a word cloud program move around the track and follow Flipping for Video specific information by tying cards’ called Wordle. The program the path they charted. Fourth- Earth science teachers at H.B. suits, colors or values to outcomes, amplifies words based on how and fifth-graders at Robbins Lane Thompson Middle School have then drawing cards and awarding frequently they are used in the Elementary School also learned been using a program called points to determine success. material and helps jump-start how to program the Ozobots for Screencast to record short video students’ close reading of primary their Hour of Code activities. lessons of important concepts for Vital Skills Through the Virtual sources by discussing key words in students to view from home. This World advance to support comprehension. Cast Your Vote “flipped classroom” model enables The occupational and physical Recent texts used in Wordle include At A.P. Willits Elementary teachers to use in-class time to therapy departments at South the Declaration of Independence, School, fourth-graders are solving focus on more hands-on activities Grove and Walt Whitman Patrick Henry’s speech at the Stamp the problem of the day using and address the “why” and “how” elementary schools are raving about Act Congress and John Winthrop’s handheld Mimio vote devices that questions, rather than “what.” It the a new Web-based, interactive, “City Upon a Hill” sermon. The make class participation fun and also allows for additional time to virtual motion gaming system school is also using the program a little less intimidating. Students assist students who require more called Timocco. Using tennis-sized Dipity to create timelines of key respond to a problem posed on the guidance with the content. balls, a webcam and a desktop historical events, demonstrating Smart Board quickly. According computer, the program has helped the importance of chronological to teacher Anthony Roche, aside More Than Hanging Out improve a multitude of cognitive reasoning. For a recent chapter, from being fun to use, the devices Fifth-graders at Berry Hill and motor skills in students, students developed the top ten also serve as an excellent assessment Elementary School conducted including bilateral coordination, reasons why the Colonists broke tool that provides the teacher with Google Hangout sessions (distance hand-eye coordination, posture, away. instant feedback. learning) with Syosset High School visual discrimination, visual computer programming students memory and attention. Timocco Beyond the Hour Deeper into the Doc to see for themselves how their requires students to control their Schools throughout the district Students at Walt Whitman elders work. They learned some hand movements (represented on a participated in the national Hour Elementary School have been quick basic programming tips computer screen) to reach specific of Code by logging on to collaborating in small-group as well as the logic behind the targets and can be adapted to meet Code.org to practice block coding reading instruction using language with the help of programs each child’s specific needs. (Java) by programming their own Chromebooks, traditional books Answering is fun at Willits. “Minecraft,” “Frozen” or “Star and Google Document to write Wars” video games. Students are thoughtful responses to questions also being encouraged to further that arise from the texts. According their programming practice at to third-grade teacher Nina home. At Robbins Lane Elementary Trembly, students are thinking School, students have been more deeply about the material and following suit via links such as requesting to work on assignments www.kodable.com and outside of their regularly scheduled Scratch.mit.edu. group time. She said writing has improved immensely. Mirroring360 Brown Bagging Robots is another new feature that Village Elementary School Whitman students are enjoying. kindergartners have been taking Through a few simple keystrokes advantage of Brown Bag seminars

7 Committed Athletes Fifteen of Syosset’s most distinguished boys varsity lacrosse coach John Calabria, student-athletes recently signed Letters of whose team had the highest number of Intent to play their respective sports at the signing students. collegiate level, pending admittance to their “There is really nothing like playing respective schools. Students donned caps sports at the collegiate level, and that has or attire from their school of choice as they been the goal of everyone here who is about signed their letters in front of family, coaches to sign a National Letter of Intent,” Calabria and special guests. Coordinator of Health, said. “Syosset High School works hard to These Girls Lacrosse players were among the student-athletes who signed Physical Education and Athletics Drew ensure its athletes thrive, and these students Letters of Intent to play in college. Cronin hosted the event in conjunction with represent the elite of the elite.” Jetting to the End Zone CongratulationsAthletic to senior Mike with 52 catches, Accomplishments totaling 876 yards yards with a 19.1-yard average Elardo on winning the 2015 Jet with an average of 19 yards per per catch and 28 touchdowns. Receiver Award as Nassau County’s catch, this season. He also scored He is also a two-time All-Long top wide receiver in varsity six touchdowns, leading the Braves Island selection, 2015 Conference football. This marks the second back to the playoffs. Player of the Year and First-Team consecutive year that Mike has For his three-year varsity career, All-State. Coach Paul Rorke won the award. He led all seniors Mike totaled 154 catches, 2,941 congratulates Mike here.

Girls Swimming Boys Volleyball The varsity swim team broke six The boys varsity squad finished Fall Sports school records in the medley relay, as conference champions for the 200-meter freestyle relay, diving, first time in 14 years, posting a 14-1 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter record. Only undefeated Massapequa Wrap-Up freestyle and 400-meter freestyle finished with more conference wins events while qualifying for the during the regular season. Boys Cross-Country and qualified for the playoffs. They county championships in 13 different The boys earned a Nassau County finished with a record of 5-4 overall. events. The team also had county championship this fall, winning their Girls Volleyball finalists in four different events: The girls team made significant 11th consecutive championship in Boys Soccer Isabell Hen (100-meter backstroke strides this season after finishing track and field and cross-country and The boys had another successful and 400-meter freestyle) and Liz Lu with just three wins a year ago. They once again securing the Division 1A run in the playoffs, advancing to the (50- and 100-meter freestyle). title. They were undefeated in 150 final four of the Nassau County Class entered the season ranked fourth in events, and 16 runners broke 18 AA championship for the fourth Girls Tennis Class AA, compiled nine wins and minutes in the 5K. consecutive year. Despite losing in The team advanced to the advanced to the county semifinals. the semifinals, they posted a season semifinals of the Nassau County They also won the Nassau County Girls Cross-Country record of 12-4-1. tournament, finishing with the third Volleyball Coaches Association Team The girls earned their sixth Nassau most wins in conference with eight. Sportsmanship Award. County championship in eight Girls Soccer years and boasted an undefeated The girls won the AA2 conference regular season at 13-0. This title again, following up last year’s included division and conference accomplishment with an impressive championships and qualifying for the 6-2-1 conference record and a state championships. remarkable playoff run. They began FALL 2013 FALL 2013 the season neck and neck with FootbaThell regular season champ Baldwin and The In defense of their Long Island had several comeback wins that championship, the team earned showed their true character and fourthSyosset place in the conference (5-2) perseverance.Leader Syosset Standard A Publication of the Syosset Central School District The boys cross-country team won their 11th consecutive countyA Publication championship. of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetistops.org www.syossetistops.org

Winter 2016 FALL 2013 board of education Dr. TheMichael Cohen, President April M. Neuendorf, Vice President Christopher Di Filippo Andrew Feldman Tracy Frankel Rob Gershon Joshua A. Lafazan Susan Parker Syosset Pride Syosset Laura ConnectSchlesinger A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetschools.org Dr. Thomas Rogers, Superintendent of Schools www.syossetistops.org

FALL 2013 FALL 2013 SyossetThe Shines SyossetThe Scholar A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetistops.org www.syossetistops.org

FALL 2013 SyossetThe Chronicle A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetistops.org