North Side Lighthouses
When I returned from Thanksgiving break, I found the most wonderful surprise on my desk. The fourth graders and North Side art teacher Kiki Kyrou shared some of their terrific Lighthouse watercolor drawings that they have been working on this semester. I’m looking forward to hanging them in the District office.
Earlier this week, I had the chance to visit Ms. Kyrou and ask her about the various stages of the lighthouse project. When Ms. Kyrou joined the North Side School as its new art teacher this September, one of the first things she did was to check with each grade level to learn about the topics the children would be studying so she could plan a corresponding art project.
As I’ve mentioned before, we continue to work to build interdisciplinary curriculum connections for our students in all grades. This type of learning deepens students’ understanding and provides them with a multi-dimensional view of a topic.
The fourth grade studies Long Island history and geography so Ms. Kyrou chose the 18 lighthouses on Long Island as an art study for the students.
Students used their knowledge of Long Island geography to locate the lighthouses on a map and then studied photographs of each one. Children selected the lighthouse they wanted to draw.
They worked with special watercolor pencils and as they drew, they worked on such art skills as proportion, understanding how to fill the space on the paper, blending color and using what they see, not just what they know, to capture a realistic image.
Continuing the interdisciplinary connections, the fourth grade will now be working with enrichment teacher Henry Kupstas. Mr. Kuptsas will work with his students to take their two-dimensional lighthouse watercolor drawings and create three-dimensional lighthouse structures that will utilize electricity to light up.
Second Grade Habitats…Moving the Strategic Plan Forward
As I’ve written before, each year the district sets curriculum and instructional SMART goals (specific, manageable, achievable, results-focused and time bound) that address overriding “big picture goals” meant to be accomplished over several years, and which all support our overall Five Year Strategic Plan.
As part of our STEM strategic plan goal (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), each year the District pilots a new NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) unit in grades K-5 to be fully implemented the following year.
North Side’s second grade just completed the implementation of their Habitats unit, which, while a science unit, also crosses disciplines in a variety of activities, once again designed to support connected learning for our students.
Major essential questions that guide the unit include the consideration of how a variety of living things depend upon each other in a particular ecosystem and how ecosystems depend upon each other.
The ecosystems studied were woodlands, desert, ocean, rain forest, grasslands and tundra.
Each class studied a particular ecosystem with the opportunity later in the unit to share knowledge about their ecosystem with the other second grade classes.
Our students learned about the food chain, adaptation, land forms, vegetation, climate and weather. Working in groups, students wrote a research paper on an aspect of the ecosystem they were studying.
The research skills the children employed dovetails with the new ELA unit the second grade is currently exploring with LitLife, The Road to Knowledge.
Last month, the second graders shared all their work in a presentation for parents and other visitors.
Though I was in Albany that day, and was so sorry to have missed it, I heard spectacular things about the children’s presentations from parents and other visitors alike!
Students turned their classrooms into a virtual ecosystem habitat, allowing parents to have an opportunity to learn what the children had learned throughout the unit, asking questions of the second grade “experts.” Students’ research projects, newscasts and other technology projects were displayed in the various classrooms.
In another example of coordination of subjects, the second graders presented a wonderful musical presentation under the direction of their music teacher Ed Lattari.
The day began with the second graders singing in the auditorium. The song contained a verse for each habitat, information provided by our second graders.
With a list of information about the habitat, they created lyrics with Mr. Lattari. Mr. Lattari reflected, “It was a great day for the students. They really enjoyed it.
It is a very powerful thing to see an entire grade level on the risers singing in one giant voice! It was also a great way to start off the project as they started together in the auditorium and then branched off to their individual classrooms.”
In art, the students studied landscapes and pictures of the animals found in their habitats. Working with markers, crayon pencils and oil pastels, they began with horizon lines.
They were free to draw from the scenes they saw or from the books in the library they used for their research reports. The finishing touch was a picture of each student that was glued into their drawing so that it looked as if the student was actually in their habitat!
Technology was incorporated in the form of a multimedia presentation. Each class created a newscast about their habitat and the animals that live there.
This piece of the project was coordinated by both Mr. Kupstas, North Side’s Enrichment teacher and Audra Beberman, the District Technology Integration Coach.
In an example of jigsaw learning, the day after their presentation, the students went on a scavenger hunt, carefully designed by the second grade team.
Each class had the chance to visit the other second grade classrooms in the course of the scavenger hunt, and as such, experienced all of the different ecosystems.
The questions on the scavenger hunt were the same for each of the habitats so, through the process of visiting a different ecosystem, students realized that the organizing principals of ecosystems are the same, regardless of which one it is.
For example, in all cases, students learned that the sun is the start of the food chain.
Congratulations to all of the second grade teachers Christopher Campbell, Tracy Kasschau, Michael Mazur, Amy Potter, Caryn Farber, Kerri Spieler and Christine Truskiewicz; teaching assistants and aides Janine Agostino, Linda Bonasia, Aimee Suprenant and Sue Bergman; and Mr. Kupstas, Ms. Kyrou, Mrs. Beberman, Mr. Lattari and to Dave Casamento, director of science and technology and James Bloomgarden, North Side principal, on a wonderful learning experience for our students.
Girls on the Run
I’ve written before about this transformational physical activity-based, positive youth development program for girls in third-eighth grade. Life skills are taught through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K running event.
The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.
Sunday, Dec. 6, is this season’s culminating celebratory 5K event which was held at Hofstra University. It is a joyful and festive occasion where the girls’ perseverance throughout the season is honored, families witness the impact of Girls on the Run firsthand and the party atmosphere inspires all who attend.
The GOTR 5K is a noncompetitive run where everyone is a winner. Each year, there is no brighter moment than when spectators see the girls’ eyes beaming with accomplishment as they cross the finish line.
Congratulations to our very own North Side Girls on the Run members Maeve Brady, Anika Chabria, Kyla Darcy, Olivia Gismondi, Allison Hackett, Rio Malito, Sarah Moyal, Thandie Queen, Sofia Ramos, Angela Testani and Lilly Zarmehrbakhsh who participated in the Long Island event.
A special thank you to our coaches Kristine Hackett, Allyson Moyal and Mary Jo Brady. Thank you also to Ellen Lazarow, Willets Road reading teacher and PTO teacher liaison for serving as a volunteer at Sunday’s event, as well as to those members of Wheatley’s National Honor Society who are volunteering at the 5K.
Exciting news: We are working on a Girls on the Run Grades 6, 7 and 8 program at Willets Road and
Wheatley starting this spring!!
If you have questions or would like to volunteer with our East Williston Girls on the Run program, you can email me at kanase@ewsdonline.org.
Thirty-third Annual Mock Trial Invitational Tournament
Wheatley hosted its 33rd Annual SWS Mock Trial Tournament on Dec.
Teams from Syosset, Glen Cove, Roslyn, Great Neck North, Kellenberg, Manhasset and Baldwin joined three Wheatley teams in the courtroom competition. As always, what an amazing day to see our Wheatley students “transformed” into dark-suited legal professionals and our classrooms changed into courtrooms.
A first semester SWS course, Mock Trial, is taught by Wheatley SWS teacher Pat Clarke and prepares students for this tournament. Bob Bernstein, a retired Wheatley teacher, who started this Mock Trial Tournament so many years ago and Matt Haig, Wheatley Social Studies teacher, are the co-advisors of Wheatley’s Mock Trial Club. The Mock Trial Club entered two teams in the tournament, this year.
Preparing for a mock trial competition takes countless hours of work and preparation.
Students are presented with fact patterns and then develop either a prosecutorial or defense case, including witnesses. Students must fully understand, prepare and anticipate all possible arguments regardless of which side the team represents in the competition, in order to be most competitive.
The Mock Trial program is an excellent opportunity for students to build public speaking skills, develop analytical and quick thinking skills, as well as gain deep experience in using evidence to craft arguments. Mock Trial is performance based and students not only gain experience in drafting their written argument, but learn to pay added attention to the role of rhetoric when developing themes.
Congratulations to our students who prepared many hours to compete and to the Wheatley Club Team 1 who came in first place in the tournament, competing against the Roslyn High School Team.
Wheatley Club Team 1: Sam Avila, Michaela Balboni, Joy Bestourous, Ellie Chen, Jacob Chimerine, Caroline Crimmins, Chintan Datt, Jakob Gilbert, Lianna Golden, Abhishek Kumar, Julian Nathan, David Rosenzweig, Brooke Schwartz and Emily Wang.
Wheatley Club Team 2: Rahul Ajmera, Maggie Caroddo, Norah Gidanian, Sofia Greenfield, Andrew Hirsch, Cecilia Jozef, Ansh Jhaveri, Brett Katz, Megan Kirschner, Vani Kumar, Punit Kaur, John Li, Karen Li, Michelle Raja, Adam Rosenzweig, Emily Yagoda and Orell Rayhan.
SWS Team: Brianna Clarfield, Josh Dinetz, Avery Tanenhaus, Kelsey Bereshemian, Mike McCleary and Lindsay Mosca.
A special thank you to Wheatley SWS teacher Mr. Clarke for coordinating this event.
Thank you to Mr. Bernstein and Mr. Haig for their support, as well. Also, thank you to our ‘judges’ who helped make this tournament a success. This year, we had two alumni who sat as judges, Vanita Vishnubhakat and Allison Sealove Lefkowitz, as well as Judge Ellen Greenberg, Steven Barnwell and Robert Greco.
Congratulations to Almost, Maine Cast and Crew
I was so disappointed that my schedule did not permit to see the Wheatley Theater Company production of “Almost, Maine” as that was the week I was at the state Education Department in Albany.
I have heard wonderful things about the production and wish to congratulate all the cast and crew along with director and faculty advisor, Colin McKenna.
Dr. Feeney on his blog www.thewheatleyway.org described the production as “Funny, touching and poignant, the show was truly exceptional!”
Congratulations to The cast members and crew listed here: Justin Vega, Caroline Crimmins, Ariana Arralde, Elan Mizhiritsky, Lianna Golden, Devyn Bennett, Morgan Misk, Max Hochstein, Jaclyn Stroud, Jason Manzaro, Alana Osroff, Noelle Molstad, Josh Dinetz, Sydney Behar, Kimberly Esquilin, Michael Koszalka, Liz Nolan, John Wanamaker, Hallie ArbitalJacoby, Victoria Manfredi, Danielle Smichok, Alex Kasparian, assistant director: Madison Misk, stage manager: Talia Rosen, Assistant Stage Manager: Caroline Connolly, Costume Manager: Maura Calio, Costume Assistant: Abigail Smichok, Prop Manager: Michelle Smichok, Stage Crew Manager: Avery Tanenhaus. A special thank you to director: Colin McKenna, co-director: Andrew Ardito and technical advisors and set design: Paul Chisholm and Thomas Storck.
Congratulations & Commendations
Wheatley Soccer Players Receive Awards at Section VII Dinners
The Nassau County Soccer Coaches Association honored Wheatley senior Pedro Lamarre with All-State status. Very few athletes receive this award, even fewer receive the honor twice in their high school career. Congratulations to Pedro on his second all-state honor! Pedro was also awarded the Mike Dillon Memorial Scholarship by the coaches association.
Congratulations as well to Wheatley senior Adena Bernot who, as mentioned in my previous newsletters was All-County, All-Conference MVP and, most recently, received the Sue Link Memorial Award at the Section VIII Soccer Dinner. Adena also shared the Nassau County Top Scholar Athlete Award. Congratulations Adena!
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Soccer team for receiving the League 3 Sportsmanship Award.
Wheatley Volleyball Player Receives High Honor
Congratulations to sophomore Jessica Hastings who was named an All-State Volleyball player!
Cross-Country News
Congratulations to Wheatley senior Allie Giordano who was a State Qualifier in Cross-Country. Allie was inadvertently omitted from the Fall Sports Award section of my newsletter.
Willets Road and North Students and Families Give Back
I’d like to acknowledge the generosity of the Willets Road and North Side students and their families. The North Side Coat Drive collected over 250 coats, hats, gloves and scarves. These items will be distributed to those in need by the Nassau County Department of Social Services. Thank you North Side PTO Community Service Committee for organizing the drive.
Willets Road Food Drive, organized by the Student Government, collected more than 2700 cans of food which will be distributed to Long Island food pantries and those in need by RockCANRoll, a 501(c)(3) non-profit hunger relief organization.
Willets Road Art Displayed at Public Library
Congratulations to the following Willets Road students who have their artwork on display now through January 4, 2016 at the East Williston Public Library:
Grade 5: Olivia Ching, Naman Chordia, Lital Farahnik, Pavan Gabbur, Taylor Grabowski, Ariel Rosenberg, Alex Wigginton and Sophia Zhong; Grade 6: Aidan Gee, Sarah Ostad, Kodi Triantafillou, Erika Ustick and Kristin Zachariah; Grade 7: Deshna Chordia, Tyler Konigsberg and Jaime Rothstein.
Special thanks to our Willets Road art teachers Colette Hardy and Melinda Gomez.
Calendar Cancellations/Changes
Friday Night Rec for Grade 5 at Willets Road originally scheduled for December 4 has been cancelled and rescheduled for December 18, 2015.
Have a Good Weekend
As always, please email me at kanase@ewsdonline.org or call me at 333-3758 with any questions, suggestions and/or any topics you would like to see in this newsletter.
