Community Art

On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, fourth grade students at Parliament Place Elementary School were learned “hand on” about history using primary sources from the New York Historical Society.  Arranged by Mrs. Montuori and Dr. Lowenborg-Coyne, an educator from NYHS brought the students replicas of genuine New York Revolutionary War artifacts.  Students passed around the items,  working in groups, and studied historical artworks to better learn about such important events as the Battle of Brooklyn and the Inauguration of George Washington as our first President. Students of Ms. Montuori, Mrs. Jackman and Mrs. Cusumano enjoyed their classes with the NYHS educator as well as a visit from News 12’s Danielle Campbell, who filmed a segment for “Cool in Your School” during the visit.  At the conclusion of the workshops,  all students and teachers were invited to the Historical Society in Manhattan and given a free family pass for that visit.

This program was funded by the North Babylon School District’s Commitment to BOCES Arts in Education.  For additional information, contact Dr. Lowenborg-Coyne at klowenborg-coyne@northbabylonschools.net.

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Coffee with The Superintendent

Mrs. Godek will be hosting “Coffee with the Superintendent” on Wednesday evening, February 8, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the High School Boardroom. This evening version of “Breakfast with the Superintendent” will allow those who are unable to attend daytime meetings to participate in this series informal discussions. Parents and residents are invited to join Mrs. Godek to exchange information and concerns about our school district.

String Success

Four student-musicians at North Babylon High School were selected for inclusion in the Long Island String Festival’s First Annual Chamber Music Festival. The students Orhan, Christian, Christiana and Stephen attended the daylong program on January 14th, which including a master class and coaching with the renowned Bryant Park Quartet and concluded with a performance in the Staller Center Auditorium at SUNY Stony Brook.

NYSSMA Registration for North Babylon Students Open

Registration is now open for children who wish to participate in the annual NYSSMA Festival and are residents of the North Babylon School District. This year’s festival will be held on May 4 and 5, 2012 at Brentwood High School. For additional information, go to www.northbabylonschools.net and click on the Cultural Arts Department, or call Dr. Kim Lowenborg-Coyne, District Director of Art and Music Programs, at 631-620-7043. Deadline for registration is March 5, 2012.

Making the Holidays Brighter

North Babylon High School students took time out of their schedules to make the holidays a little brighter for families and community members one Saturday in December. The Students for a Better World Club, along with their advisor Veronica Murphy, hosted their annual Holiday Breakfast, where elementary students and their families were invited to attend a continental breakfast. While there, the young students created crafts, played games, and enjoyed the inflatable jumping house.
    
All of the funds raised throughout the morning were donated to Habitat for Humanity. Monique Summers, a single mother of two and the recipient of a student-built Habitat house in Bellport, was also in attendance. “If these students didn’t do what they do, I wouldn’t be able to afford my own home,” remarked Ms. Summers. “These students haven’t given me and my children a hand out, they’ve given us a hand up.”

Added Miss Murphy, “We choose to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity because the students actually get to work on the houses at the student build. They can meet the families that they are helping in person and work alongside them. Then we are able to see the finished project when it is completed. This year, we raised almost $1,000 at the Holiday Breakfast.”

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Way to Go NB Boys

The boys' winter track team claimed their first league championship since 1984.  Pictured is the team and coaches Tom Duffy and Mike Nehr. 

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History Comes to Life

History came to life for North Babylon fourth-grade students at Parliament Place Elementary School, as the New York Historical Society brought its American Revolution in New York interactive program to the school. Students worked with a teaching artist to understand the causes, effects, and significance of the American Revolution, as this important event was brought to life through an exploration of paintings, documents, and objects from the Historical Society’s touch collection. The classes also discussed how the new nation began and flourished in New York, a topic that is part of the fourth-grade social studies curriculum. Artifacts the students were able to touch included colonial money, a musket ball, and a pick and brush, which were used to clean the muskets.

To prepare for the visit, all of the fourth graders wrote brief research reports on an important figure of the Revolutionary period. In addition, students in Anna Montuori’s class completed a literacy assignment of writing persuasive essays regarding the acts that preceded the war. The students also wrote “historical fiction letters” to King George requesting that he and Parliament cease and desist their taxation without representation.  

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NBHS Senior Is a Standout in Service

North Babylon High School senior Alyssa was the recipient of the first annual Danielle Alduino Scholarship Award, presented by the Suffolk Region PTA. The $250 scholarship is presented to a graduating public high school senior who has dedicated him or herself to community service. This memorial award is dedicated to the memory of Danielle Alduino, past Suffolk Region PTA District Director, who believed in giving back to the community. Ms. Alduino spent many years advocating for children by volunteering in her local PTA, Suffolk Region PTA and the New York State PTA Board of Managers, where she served as a vice president.

As a high school senior, Alyssa is a member of Students for a Better World and Habitat for Humanity and is co-president of the Leaders Club. She is also a member of the Girls Scouts of America. Alyssa was presented her scholarship at the Suffolk Region’s annual Presidents' and Principals' Dinner held at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge.

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