Huntington School Briefs
Woodhull Intermediate School students created a handprint flag to honor military veterans. Principal Mary Stokkers reminded the fifth and sixth graders at the school to reach out and thank a veteran on their special day, November 11. She asked the youngsters to reflect on the concept of why "freedom is not free."
Woodhull art teacher Todd Hiscox designed the flag and sixth grader Alize Lerner helped coordinate the process of students putting their handprints on the paper, holding the paint tray and instructing classmates where to place their hand, etc.
"We are Hopping"
Between students signing in before, during and after the school day and teachers bringing their entire classes to the facility, the Huntington High School library was visited 6,527 times during October. "We are hopping," librarian Patricia Dillon said. A whopping 989 students signed into the library before school during October.
Students are using the library's computers to surf the new Guidance Direct career exploration program, as well as using the machines to complete written reports and engage in research for classes. Periods 5, 6 and 7 seem to be especially popular with 723, 721 and 747 students signing in during those periods.
Teachers brought 59 individual classes to the library during October. A total of 448 students signed into the facility after-school. The figure would be even higher but the library was closed for two days due to a training program for student members of the club known as A World of Difference. The facility was closed for a third day because of the annual Safe Halloween program for elementary school age children.
"Students continue to use the textbooks in great numbers," said Mrs. Dillon about the extensive collection she maintains. Many teenagers at the school come to the library to complete homework assignments or to read in relative quiet. Some work jointly on projects.
Next School Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Huntington Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Abrams School auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
Alum in DC Marathon
Katie Lee, a member of Huntington High School's Class of 2003, recently completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. The course took runners past the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Washington Monument and the Capitol, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.
A May 2007 graduate of New York University where she played on the varsity tennis team, Ms. Lee works at ESPN in Manhattan. She starred on the Blue Devil tennis, basketball and softball squads during high school and graduated as one of the top members of her class. Her parents, Anne and Bob Lee, made the drive down to the nation's capital to see their eldest child make her way along the 26.2 mile course. The couple has a workout of their own and the hustled around the race. They were at the start and finish lines, as well as by the 10, 16 and 20.5 mile post, catching their daughter as she ran by.
"It was great to be among the monuments and the historic places," said Mr. Lee, who served four terms on the Huntington School Board.
Ms. Lee ran as a member of the Semper Fi Fund team that raised money by obtaining pledges. The race started in the early morning chill with a flyover of Osprey helicopters.
Mozer & Diabetes Divas Honored
J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth grader Annalise Mozer and the Diabetes Divas, her friends and classmates, were honored by the Huntington Town Board for the charity work the teenagers have performed on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and for raising awareness about Type 1 diabetes.
Ms. Mozer was recognized with a proclamation during a Town Board meeting. The Diabetes Divas, a fundraising/awareness group formed by Ms. Mozer received certificates of appreciation.
Washington Honors Balsari
Joan Balsari was a special member of the Washington Primary School faculty. She passed away last month following an inspiring struggle against breast cancer.
Ms. Balsari made a practice of arriving at school early each morning, parking in one of the first two parking spaces. Since her passing, the first parking space has been left vacant in her memory, with flowers and balloons affixed to the fence that stands along the front of the spot.