North Babylon School Psychologists Receive State Recognition
At the Sept. 22 meeting of the North Babylon School District Board of Education, the board honored two high school staff members for recent regional recognitions. North Babylon High School psychologists Laura Dieckhoff and Michelle Smeraldi were named the Long Island Association of School Psychologists Chapter P Co- psychologists of the Year. In earning this recognition, they were nominated to be named the New York State psychologists of the year, which they were also awarded. “This dynamic duo is truly heroic,” North Babylon High School Principal Dr. Jonathan Klomp said. “They work amazingly together with the entire staff to support our students and their most critical needs. I am thrilled to have the psychologists of the year here at North Babylon High School.” Ms. Dieckhoff and Ms. Smeraldi will receive their awards from the New York Association of School Psychologists during a ceremony next month.

North Babylon Student-Musicians Earn All-County Nominations
Five student-musicians from North Babylon have been named as 2022 New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education participants. These five students earned a nomination for the NYSCAME High School All-County Music Festival. Congratulations to the following students: Gavin Aquino (orchestra), Llewana D'Silva (orchestra), Beth Ganser (mixed chorus), Talia Maio (mixed chorus) and Emily Meyer (treble choir). They are pictured with, from left, North Babylon High School Principal Dr. Jonathan Klomp, Director of Music and Art Elizabeth O’Brien, music teacher Tiina Buehler, and music teacher Nicole Verderosa.

Cosmetology Students Get Real-World Training in North Babylon
North Babylon High School students are getting real-world career experience as part of the Bulldog Salon career and technical education program. In the high school, one will find a full-service cosmetology lab, run by former salon owner Ms. Santora.

The program is in its second year, having gone through the approval of the New York State Department of Education to bring the technical training in house. The state-of- the-art lab was completed last October and features equipment found in a modern salon.

The two-year program can accommodate up to 24 students; this year, there’s eight seniors and 12 juniors enrolled in the program. Students in their junior year will spend the first three periods of the school day working in the cosmetology lab, and the seniors are enrolled during the last three periods of the school day. Bringing the training in-house allows these students to be with their peers for all their core classes and also participate in extracurricular activities after school since there’s no travel time to another location.

Students are required to complete 1,000 hours of cosmetology instruction and practical experience during the two-year period to be eligible to take the New York State cosmetology examination. Students are trained in hair, skin, nails and other services offered in a salon.

Those looking for salon services can book an appointment through the school’s Google form. Students conduct all of the services available at a regular salon. They hold a Salon Saturdays monthly so patrons can come in outside of school hours for services. The cosmetology students work with the theater members and cheerleaders for hair and makeup services as well. They have held fundraisers to support the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition.

Band Set to Participate in Local Festival
After a three-year hiatus, the Newsday Marching Band Festival will be returning to Mitchel Field Athletic Complex in Uniondale from Oct. 18-20 at 7 p.m. North Babylon High School’s marching band will be participating in this year’s event and most importantly, 50% of ticket sales goes directly back to the school’s band program. North Babylon’s high school band consists of 100 members including winds, percussion and kickline. This year’s show, “Illuminate,"  will feature music by Fall Out Boy, The Weekend and more.

Three All-State Musicians Chosen in North Babylon
Three students from North Babylon School District have been named All-State musicians by the New York State School Music Association. Gavin Aquino (left) was chosen for the symphony orchestra in viola. Llewana D’Silva (right) was named an alternate for viola, and Beth Ganser is an alternate soprano in the chorus. The NYSSMA 86th annual winter conference will take place in Rochester from Dec. 1-4. They are pictured with (from left) Tiina Buehler, music teacher, Nicole Verderosa, music teacher, Dr. Jonathan Klomp, North Babylon High School principal and Elizabeth O’Brien, director of music and art.

Setting Students Up for Success at North Babylon School District
North Babylon School District joined together with community organizations for a backpack and food distribution held at North Babylon High School on Aug. 25. North Babylon School District partnered with Island Harvest, News12/Optimum, Restaurant Depot and other local organizations to organize the distribution of 350 backpacks. Thanks to the support of Island Harvest, there was also a food distribution for families. North Babylon School District’s students, staff and members of the National Honor Society volunteered for the event and handed out food and other items. In addition to the packages of food offered, organizations donated hygiene items, COVID test kits and snacks. Neighbors Supporting Neighbors, Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, the Emily Meyer Foundation and Pams and Jams DJ were also on hand for the event.

Nothing But Smiles for North Babylon’s First Day
North Babylon School District welcomed back students and staff for the start of the 2022-2023 school year on Aug. 31. Administrators and teachers were on hand to greet students and welcome the students into the building to kick off the new year. Excited to begin their academic journey in North Babylon, kindergarten students – with backpacks filled to the brim – were guided to their classrooms. Older elementary students eased into the school day as they became acquainted with their new spaces, teachers and classmates. All were eager to reconnect with friends and find familiar faces. Sixth graders at Robert Moses Middle School and ninth graders at North Babylon High School eased into their schedules as they familiarized themselves with their new buildings. As the day went out, students and staff settled in for a productive year ahead.