Great Neck receives national recognition for music education
The Great Neck Public Schools has again been named among the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation, a coalition of music and educational organizations. This year marks the fifteenth time that Great Neck has received this prestigious award since its inception in 2005.
The Best Communities designation is earned by districts that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. Great Neck joins 686 school districts nationwide to receive this recognition.
The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Selection was based on answers to a survey about the district’s music offerings, in cooperation with researchers at the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
Great Neck’s proud music faculty include: Fine & Performing Arts Department Head Dr. Pamela Levy and Joseph Rutkowski at North High; Performing Arts Department Head Michael Schwartz, Mark Boschen, Dr. Janine Robinson, and Anthony Virgilio at South High; Department Head Matthew Trinkwald, Andrew DeNise, Arielle Murdocco, and Anthony Virgilio at North Middle; Department Head Alan Schwartz, Mark Boschen, Korey Coppola, and Andrew DeNise at South Middle; Aurora Coman, Anne Fogarty, and Cynthia Gorney at Baker; Patrick Kennedy and Alexandra Lambraia at Kennedy; Juan Garcia, Maryann Tabibzada, and Jacquelyn Tomlet at Lakeville; Robin Golub at Parkville; Chad Lasky and Dr. Christopher Wilson at Saddle Rock; and Alexander Swerdlin for the Elementary Remote Program (ERP).
High school teams win Young Musicians Innovation Challenge
Three teams of high school musicians from the Great Neck Public Schools have been selected as winners of the 2021 Young Musicians Innovation Challenge, sponsored by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS). Two teams from North High and one team from South High have each been awarded a $1,000 grant and mentoring sessions with a CMS artist to help launch their creative chamber music initiatives.
The Young Musicians Innovation Challenge is a new competition that encouraged high school students to develop a creative program that would benefit the chamber music world, with a focus on areas such as performance, pedagogy, access, and social impact.
A team of vocal musicians from North High proposed establishing a Chamber Music Education Association, with student-run chapters spanning across school districts. This proposal was presented by Sara Rafaeil, Ashley Schlusselberg, Sahar Tartak, Maverick Williams, and Christopher Yang.
Two groups of instrumental musicians from North High entered the competition with proposals to expand upon the school’s current Lobby Music program, including more performances and outreach opportunities to promote chamber music among younger students. The two teams combined their proposals and worked together for the final round of competition. The Lobby Music project was presented by Stephany Barbu, Kevin Khadavi, Scott Levy, Jason Mei, and Nina Phillips.
A team of students from South High proposed the creation of a mobile app called Chamber Connect to explore chamber music and search for selections by instrument. This proposal was presented by Arianna Alvarez, Yonathan Eilon, Rosanna Gao, Eli Newman, and Nancy Schoen.
The 2021 Young Musicians Innovation Challenge was open to high school students in the New York Tri-State Area, Philadelphia, and Miami. Proposals were adjudicated based on creativity, viability, sustainability, and ways in which projects address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The North High chamber music program is coordinated by Dr. Pamela Levy, performing and fine arts department head/vocal teacher, and Joseph Rutkowski, instrumental music teacher. The South High chamber music program is coordinated by Michael Schwartz, performing arts department head/instrumental music teacher, and Dr. Janine Robinson, vocal teacher.
North High DECA members compete at States, advance to national competition
The North High School DECA Chapter had a strong showing at regional and state DECA competitions this year. A record number of North High students participated in the DECA State Career Conference in February, and 39 students have qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference from April 12–May 6.
The 2020–21 DECA competition season started with the Nassau County Regional Competition, and regional winners advanced to the DECA State Career Conference. A total of 120 North High students participated in the virtual state competition in February, which is the largest number in school history. State winners were announced on March 5.
Thirty-nine North High students placed in the top five in their event at the state competition and will advance to the DECA International Career Development Conference. Of the 39 winners, the following students won first place in New York State in their events: Dani Cohen, Lance Hakimian, Gavin Hakimian, Julia Khani, Claire Luo, Elizabeth Margiloff, Sahar Tartak, Rachel Tavazo, and Michelle Wasserman.
COVID restrictions and safety precautions have transformed the way DECA students prepare and compete this school year. Pre-COVID, weekly in-person DECA meetings at North High consisted of chapter advisors and student officers teaching student members about business concepts related to marketing, hospitality, finance, and business administration. Students worked cooperatively to build skills, develop face-to-face presentations, and offer suggestions. This school year, the planning and implementation of how to teach and train student members changed dramatically.
For the 2020–21 school year, all DECA meetings and competitions have moved to a virtual platform. Weekly chapter meetings now take place online, and students record their competition presentations using a computer or tablet device and upload the video to the internet for judges to view at a later time.
“Much credit goes to our student officers for making the necessary adjustments in order for our students to succeed in their competitions,” praises DECA advisor Richard Marchese. “Their hard work and dedication help our students learn and achieve.”
The North High DECA Chapter is one of the largest in New York with more than 200 members. The 2020–21 Officer Team includes co-presidents Mikaela Lipp, Mina Nabavian, and Gracie Tropp-Levy; vice presidents Matthew Bloom, Danielle Cohen, Lance Hakimian, Rebecca Nahavandi, and Avery Park; and officers Alexandra Ahdoot, Juliette Ahdoot, Mikaela Damaghi, Kayla Kavakeb, Benet Rahmanim, Julia Shaifizadeh, Sahar Tartak and Rachel Tavazo. DECA advisors at North High are Richard Marchese and Paul Rodriguez.
Students ‘Chalk the Walk’ to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day
Students at Saddle Rock Elementary School, North Middle School, and North High School participated in “chalk the walk” activities for World Down Syndrome Day in March to raise awareness, spread kindness, and promote inclusion.
The idea for the program started at Saddle Rock, where fifth-grade teachers Kate Mugno and Anna Policastro organized classroom lessons and awareness activities for World Down Syndrome Day. After learning about the genetic disorder, fifth-grade students completed random acts of kindness throughout the week to promote awareness. As a culminating activity, students used chalk and stencils provided by the Saddle Rock PTA to create uplifting messages and images on the sidewalk around the school entrance.
Inspired by the activities taking place at Saddle Rock, the Best Pals Club at North High organized a similar activity on their campus. ACE and Transitions students, teachers, and peer mentors at North High used colorful chalk to decorate parking spaces in the school parking lot with positive messages. Members of the Champions Club also visited from neighboring North Middle to participate in the activity. Best Pals Club advisors are Kathryn Duggan and Jennifer Nastri.
World Down Syndrome Day is observed annually on March 21 to spread awareness and celebrate the differences that make us all unique. These chalk activities were supported by acts of kindness and classroom discussions about respect and inclusion.
