Jefferson Primary School’s Citizens of the Month for May were a proud group of boys and girls. The youngsters worked hard with their teachers and classmates and demonstrated fine behavior all around the building.
Teachers “spotted” the youngsters throughout the month, taking note of particularly noteworthy efforts. Since Jefferson School is home to the Jaguars, an animal well known for its spotted appearance, Spot Awards carry a great of meaning.
Jefferson Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide presented the award winners with certificates and posed for a photo with members of the group.
May’s honorees included Byron Arujo, Lucas Biancardo, Emma Boyle, Alexandra Centrone, Xavion Greene, Yobani Guzman Saravia, David Hernandez Garcia, Jack Hotine, Kiera McGuire, Emma Mortensen, Justyn Ortiz, Keyri Pacheco Mojica, Daniella Petrone, Sebastien Simon, Kyle Taylor, Hannah Valenzuela and Anthony Zelaya.
District Honors Retiring Faculty & Staff
Huntington School Board members and district administrators honored retiring faculty and staff during a reception held in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School rotunda earlier this month
The retiring employees include Lori Bennett, Adrienne Braun, Silvana Caruso, Frank Conforti, Maryann Daly, Eileen DeAngelis, Lisa Doherty, Mary-Lou Erickson, Jamie Fishlow, Patricia Gaspari, Silvia Gilbert, Marion Guilfoy, Patricia Hearn, Lloyd James, Kathleen Kraus, Eva Liberti, Patricia Maltempo, Barbara McKenna, CeCe Moffitt, Linda Gail Pierce, Paula Shivers, Patricia Sweeney and Gail Visco.
Superintendent James W. Polansky spoke about each of the retirees before a crowd that included many family members along with fellow faculty and staff. Light refreshments were served.
Finley Career Day
J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s spring career day gave students plenty to think about. Four professionals representing the fields of visual arts, music, criminal justice and education turned out to meet with the seventh and eighth graders.
Booths were set-up near the cafeteria making it easy for students to meet with the guests during lunch periods to learn more about various career options and what is required for each.
Students filled out career checklists, participated in a raffle for college gear and had fun taking their photo with friends in the career photo booth.
The career fair was held over the course of four lunch periods. “Many students took advantage of this great opportunity to think more deeply about their future,” said Kitty R. Klein, district director of guidance and testing, K-12.
Finley’s Hoops for Heart Fundraiser
J. Taylor Finley Middle School students participated in the American Heart Association’s Hoops for Heart initiative, raising $1,300. Students engaged in a basketball “marathon” to help generate funds for research and education into heart related diseases.
Finley seventh grader Jack O’Brien led all individual participants by raising $303. “I am so proud of the students for coming together to raise money for such a worthy cause,” said Finley physical education teacher Marissa Bergmann, who coordinated the event. “I am proud to work for a community that gives back.”
“The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke,” according to the group’s website. “Founded by six cardiologists in 1924, the organization now includes more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters. It funds innovative research, fights for stronger public health policies and provides critical tools and information to save and improve lives. Its nationwide organization includes 156 local offices and more than 3,000 employees. The American Stroke Association was created as a division in 1997 to bring together the organization’s stroke-related activities.”
Jefferson’s June Featured Artists
Jefferson Primary School’s Featured Artists of the Month initiative originated when Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide and art teacher Maria Mazzola decided the top pieces of artwork needed to be shared more widely with the school community and the students who created it needed to be publicly acknowledged for their exceptional efforts.
The artwork of one student from each Jefferson classroom is featured each month. The pieces are hung in the hallway and the students are formally acknowledged with a medal. The group is gathered together for a commemorative photo, too.
June’s Featured Artists include Jordin Aguilar Chavez, Bella Bernzweig, Yulisa Canas Ulloa, Deisy Dominguez Torres, Jayson Flores Menjivar, Oliver Frintzilas, Alison Hahn, Julia Hotine, Cesar Lovo Rodriguez, Maxwell Manu, David Parada Aguilar, Fintan Prinz, Andrea Reyes, Allison Rodriguez Iraheta, Gricelle Rojas, Gabriela Vilorio and Omaira Williams.
Finley’s Jorge Parada Cisneros Wins Essay Award
Finley Middle School eighth grader Jorge Parada Cisneros shined in the 18th annual Huntington Youth Writes program. Sponsored by the Town of Huntington’s Youth Bureau and Project Excel, the initiative encourages students from grades 4-12 to submit entries to win cash prizes and awards.
Mentored by Finley English as a new language teacher Eileen Gonzalez, Mr. Parada Cisneros won second place in the essay writing category for grades 6-8 for his piece titled, “I Love You, Grandma.”
“This young man demonstrated that he not only has a grasp of the English language, but that he has excelled in his skills as a writer and that is worthy of recognition,” Ms. Gonzalez said.
