SEARCH Celebrates 30th Anniversary
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Huntington School District's SEARCH program. It has become popular with the students who have participated in it and parents love it, too.
The weekly SEARCH (Scholastic Enrichment and Resource for the Children in Huntington) pull-out program involves the top ten percent of students in both the fifth and sixth grades in the district. Students qualify for participation as a result of their respective percentile rank on state assessments and the OLSAT, which is administered to everyone on each of those grade levels.
SEARCH is multi-faceted with a several different programs and events falling under its wide umbrella. Maryann Daly, a longtime district teacher, is the program's chairperson.
Fifth graders extensively study genetics and jurisprudence while sixth graders delve into Shakespeare and forensic science. "Trips and workshops are scheduled for both grades throughout the school year with each group travelling to the DNA Learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor for full day science labs and activities," Mrs. Daly said.
Another activity for the fifth graders involves tackling a legal case from every possible angle. Students serve as prosecuting and defense attorneys and witnesses. Trial Day brings AP Government students from teacher Debbora Mellon's Huntington High School class into the mix. The seniors serve as legal advisers and courtroom judges for the initiative.
Sixth graders also participate in a presentation conducted by an assistant district attorney from Manhattan that involves an analysis of an actual case from a forensic science perspective.
"Workshops in Shakespeare (Chill with Will sessions) and lessons in stage fight choreography, including the basics of fencing, are also scheduled for this year to complement the Shakespeare unit," Mrs. Daly said.
"SEARCH has met the needs of students for three decades and continues to engage and inspire today's youngsters," Superintendent John J. Finello said.