the Newsletter - Glen Cove City Schools

Knightline
www.glencove.k12.ny.us
Fall 2011
The
Recycling Club Keeping It
Green
The Glen Cove High School recycling program is
giving students a sense of community and a handson
lesson in environmental sustainability.
Under the direction of teacher Matthew Ryan, students work
as an autonomous unit to pick and sort post-consumer
materials from the classrooms and offices every Monday at the
end of the school day. Each student is responsible for collecting
recyclable items (paper, plastic) from a section of the school and
depositing these materials in the appropriate recycling
receptacles situated just outside the school cafeteria. The
receptacles are picked up every week by Royal Recycling
Company and transported to a recycling facility.
“This is a great opportunity for students to have a stake in
such a collective service to their peers and the staff here at the
high school,” said Mr. Ryan. “It affords many of our students the
learning opportunity to be leaders. They all have a great
responsibility to maintain, and have done a great job
accomplishing the objectives set in this program.”
Students can earn between 10 and 20 hours of community
service credits every two quarters while serving as stewards of
the environment and keeping their school clean and green.
Glen Cove a Top 100
Community for Young People
Glen Cove has been identified as one of the 100 Best Communities
for Young People by the America’s Promise Alliance. This announcement
follows Glen Cove Youth Bureau’s (GCYB) successful efforts to write a
grant through America’s Promise Alliance. Glen Cove is the only
community on Long Island to be chosen for this honor, which recognizes
our holistic approach to educating students through innovative programs
that encourage the involvement of young people in the community. One
of the programs of note identified was Glen Cove High School’s
Community Action Using Student Empowerment (CAUSE) collaboration
with the GCYB, which teaches students how to be informed, responsible
and involved citizens.
IMPROVING THE
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Glen Cove School
District’s Facilities
Department has been hard
at work the last several
months on various projects
to improve key school
facilities and enhance the
learning environment
overall.
When Director of
Facilities Joseph Fiorino
arrived in the district last spring, he not only wanted to seek out new ways for the
school buildings to operate more efficiently and effectively, he also wanted to raise
the aesthetic value of the schools.
“As a resident of the Glen Cove Schools, I want people in this community to be
proud of their school buildings; we are invigorating the look of them as much as
possible,” said Mr. Fiorino. One of his first orders of businesses was to paint the
front exterior of Glen Cove High School, which had become discolored from years
of wear and tear. This included incorporating the signature Glen Cove red to add a
little school spirit to the environment. A section of Gribbin Elementary School was
also recently painted, and although there are no plans to give Glen Cove Schools a
complete makeover overnight, as painting is needed, schools will begin to look more
vibrant and the walls and halls will take on more of the Glen Cove Schools identity.
Additionally, playing fields throughout the district have been re-seeded to look
greener and withstand the demands of the sports seasons. Drainage has also been
improved at the fields and diligent upkeep will be the ongoing order as the year
progresses into the winter and spring schedules.
Looks are not everything, however, and the structural integrity of the school
buildings is also being addressed through some core building system upgrades. As a
result of the community-approved facilities bond, the roofs at Glen Cove High
School, Deasy Elementary School and Gribbin Elementary School have all been
replaced. There is a green element to the insulation in these roofs, which is expected
to produce a significant savings on district heating costs. Ventilation has also been
improved with the installation of roof fans. New energy-efficient boilers were also
installed at Gribbin School and Thayer House that will add to the anticipated
savings in district utility costs by using less fuel.
The Facilities Department, in conjunction with the Business Department,
Superintendent and the Board of Education, is looking at various energy
alternatives to help our schools run greener and leaner. The district is also in the
process of converting to ecologically safe cleaning chemicals. The district is
converting to these cleaners as the current inventory of cleaning agents is used up.
The green chemicals also cost less than the traditional cleaners.
Designs for four student restrooms – two each at Glen Cove High School and
Finley Middle School – have been completed and submitted to the State
Education Department (SED) and await approval. The district also awaits SED
approval on plans for new boys’ and girls’ gymnasium locker rooms as well as new
athletic team lockers.
Thanks to a Nassau County grant, the district will also receive a total of
$100,000 to build two new playgrounds at
Landing and Gribbin Elementary Schools
($50,000 each). The funds are expected to arrive
soon so that the design phase can commence.
“We will continue to do everything in our power
to provide a safer and more productive and attractive
learning environment for students,” concluded Mr.
Fiorino. “In the process, we are saving taxpayers
money and protecting their investment in the school
district’s buildings and grounds.”

A Message from
the Superintendent
Dear Glen Cove School Colleagues, Parents and
Residents:
Words cannot describe how proud I am to have
the opportunity to serve this fine community and
the children who represent the future of Glen Cove
and America. While I was hired to fill a void on an
interim basis, the more people I met last year –
whether it was parents, community members,
school staff, or our children – the more everyone
made me feel like an integral part of this fine Glen
Cove family.
The more time passed, the more I wanted to
continue the work that we began 14 months ago.
When the Board of Education presented me with
the opportunity to remain as your permanent
Superintendent, I gladly accepted. For this I am
both honored and grateful. When we began this
journey last year, one of my primary objectives was
to create a better understanding of the schools for all
of the people who make their home here; to foster
and nurture a coalition of conciliation between
community; and to encourage active participation in
the governance of the schools. As your
Superintendent, I have two sacred trusts. One is
always to do the right thing for children. The other
is to safeguard the people’s hard earned money and
to make sure it is spent wisely and economically. Be
assured that I will not break faith with these two
trusts. I ask all staff to join me in that quest for the
good of the children and residents we serve.
Our community came together this past year as
good families usually do. Attendance at school and
school district functions was high – demonstrating a
strong interest and commitment to our children.
Attendance and open communication at Board of
Education meetings was also evident – again
showing active involvement in the school system.
Whether we agreed or disagreed, there was always
good and civil dialogue and in the end, I believe we
found our common north and struck the right
balance to do what is right for our children.
Ultimately, the Glen Cove community stood up and
delivered for its children, approving a school budget
in the midst of what was, and still is a very
challenging economic period in our nation’s history.
This year I have even greater optimism than I did
14 months ago because I have seen what we can
accomplish when we work together. At the
beginning of the last school year, I told our staff that
regardless of our jobs, we are all equal spokes in a
wheel that will drive our children to greater
successes. Despite a tough year in which some tough
choices were made, we came together for students
and were proud when we watched them accept endof-the-year
awards, accolades and advancements – all
of which are Glen Cove’s Points of Pride.
We expect nothing less than to continue
advancing our children, our school system, and our
community. This does not come without hard work,
commitment and
dedication. We cannot rest
on our laurels. Our staff
has been working diligently
to redesign our curriculum,
to enhance teaching and
learning, to set high
standards and to improve
achievement.
As we all go forward together, let us build
upon Glen Cove’s TRADITION OF QUALITY
so that we can create a lasting FUTURE OF
EXCELLENCE.
In that spirit, the Board of Education joins me in
asking that the community, parents and staff renew
its commitment to our schools; to have faith in us as
we work together to find better ways to create more
effective schools and to improve the quality of life in
our community; to have patience with us as we
continually strive to develop a climate of
cooperation, understanding, mutual respect and
trust and to continue giving each other our support
and assistance. TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN ...
WE CAN!
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph A. Laria
Superintendent of Schools
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Glen Cove High School hosted an
informative mayoral debate between
incumbent Mayor Ralph Suozzi and his
Republican challenger Paul Meli.
Organized through the high school
CAUSE (Community Action Using
Student Empowerment) class under the
direction of teacher Susan Poulos, the
entire senior class was invited to sit in and
watch the candidates respond to questions
delivered by their high school peers.
A student panel questioned the candidates on local issues such as the waterfront project,
traffic, law enforcement, quality of life, illegal housing and other issues, with the final
question being, “Why do you want to be Mayor of Glen Cove” Each candidate also had
the opportunity to give closing statements. In addition to asking questions, students
moderated the event and served on committees established to handle the decorations,
cleanup and security of the candidates, much like a real debate.
The candidates for both the Mayor’s seat and City Council participated in an informal
meet-and-greet with the students in the commons area following the debate. Students also
held a mock election in which Mayor Suozzi was reelected. News 12 and TV 55 covered the
debate on television and it was streamed live on the Glen Cove School District website.
Thinking Outside
and Inside the Box
Finley Middle School
students in Greg McGahan’s
and Natalie Camisa’s science
classes collaborated for an “Egg
Drop” competition, as students
brainstormed, then created,
various protective casings to
secure an egg and prevent it
from breaking when dropped
25 feet from a classroom
window. Creative ideas
included a rubber glove with
wet cotton balls, a loaf of bread, and an iPhone box with rubber
bands inside. They were not allowed to use bubble wrap, foam or
other conventional materials used to pack and ship materials. The
project provided students with an opportunity to think outside (and
inside) of the box to solve a problem while following the scientific
method. They based their process on NASA’s efforts to build a Space
Transport System that would protect an astronaut during a 12,000
mile per hour crash landing on a rocky surface comparable to Mars.
The majority of the eggs dropped survived.
Bringing the Movies Home
The Glen Cove High School PTSA recently sponsored the first annual Movie Night Under the Stars. Nearly 100
students enjoyed sipping hot chocolate, eating popcorn and socializing with their friends while watching the movie
Toy Story outside in the school courtyard. The event was made possible through the efforts of PTSA President Suzanne
Anderson and Delegate Antoinette Cappiello, who volunteered their time setting up lights, serving hot chocolate
and popcorn, and simply having a great time with our kids. Additionally, Glen Cove High School teacher Chris Barry
and several student members of the Communication Arts Academy were instrumental in ordering the large movie
screen and setting up the wiring and electronic devices.
2 • FALL 2011

All County Selections
The following Glen Cove School District student-musicians have been selected
to perform in the Nassau Music Educators Association upcoming concert in
January at the Tilles Center at C.W. Post University.
Glen Cove HS:
Victoria Andreotti - Soprano (Div. 5)
Alison Baade - Alto (Div. 5)
Michael Banks - Tenor (Div. 4)
Matthew Bellomo - Tenor (Div. 5)
Ryan Carmody - Bass (Div. 4)
Leilani D'Onofrio - Alto (Div. 5)
Paul Ferrante - Tenor (Div. 5)
Matthew Kolbert - Tenor (Div. 5)
Angie Martinez - Soprano (Div. 5)
Samantha Smith - Clarinet (Div. 4)
Sean Tan - Bass (Div 4)
Shania Wilcox - Alto (Div. 5)
Finley MS:
Evelina Backiel - Alto (Div. 3)
Grace Blinkoff - Viola (Div. 3)
Emily Chu - Soprano (Div. 2)
Catherine Hatala - Flute (Div. 3)
All-State
Amanda Ieraci -Violin (Div. 2)
Monika Jagustyn - Soprano (Div. 2)
Aexa Mundell - Trombone (Div. 3)
Christina Ng - Soprano (Div. 3)
Dominique Pawul - Soprano (Div. 2)
Meghan Smith - Clarinet (Div. 2)
Landing ES:
Band: Parri Sehgal - Flute
Orchestra: Michael Famigieltti - Violin
Chorus: Brianna Ambles, Jaynise
Espinal, Jasmine James, Olivia Martino,
Julianna Wilson
Connolly ES:
Band: Emily Budraitis - Flute
Orchestra: Judy Tuifel - Violin
Chorus: Christina Cavallone, Kayla
Demosthene, Leah Dwyer, Victoria
Gomez, Thomas Klimazewski
Congratulations to Glen Cove
High School student Victoria
Andreotti, who has been selected
to represent the school as a
member of the 2011 New York
State All-State Chorus. The group
will perform during the New
York State School Music
Association (NYSSMA) All-State
Conference, held at the
prestigious Eastman Theater in Rochester, NY, from December 1-4. Victoria was
chosen to participate based on her proficiency score achieved at the festival and teacher
recommendations. Chorus teacher Ed Norris congratulates her here.
ALL-HONORS
Twelve seventh graders from the
Finley Middle School Band were
selected to perform in the Hofstra
Middle School Honors Band
Festival. Selection for this group
was by invitation and teacher
recommendation. Performers in the
festival included more than 450 of
the top seventh-grade band
musicians from Nassau and Suffolk
counties, along with 110 members
of the Hofstra University
Symphonic Band. The concert was
held in October on the field of
Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium. Students
selected from Finley were: Grace Brady, Lindsey Payton, Samantha Barry,
Dominic Gaudio, Amara Phillip, Jefferson Reyes, Graceanne Woods, Brian
Shannon, Julie Micko, Sydney Morris, Andrew Banos, and Nicholas Scarmato.
Brittney Frank is their teacher.
A Child’s
Perspective
The watercolor artwork of Finley Middle School student
Camille Yvette Lawrence Floyd is being featured as part of an
exhibit entitled “Sickle Cell Anemia: A Child’s Perspective” at
the College of New Rochelle’s Gordon Parks Gallery through
November 23. The Gordon Parks Gallery is located at the
college’s School of New Resources, John Cardinal O’Connor
Campus in the Bronx. Camille is seen here displaying a program
about her watercolor artwork as she is congratulated by Finley
Assistant Principal Lawrence Carroll (left) and guidance
counselor Gus Sirakis.
Select Chorale
Commended
The Glen Cove HS Select Chorale performed at the
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
Convention before more than 500 choral directors from
throughout New York State. ACDA President Brandon
Johnson invited the Glen Cove HS Select Chorale based on
the fine reputation of the Glen Cove Choral Department.
The group is one of eight choral ensembles to perform at
the convention, and the only group chosen from the Long
Island region. Congratulations to Glen Cove HS Chorale
Director Edward Norris, who said that the students were
far and away one of the better ensembles at the conference.
ACDA President Johnson commented that the Glen Cove
Chorale were so mature and advanced, they sounded like an
excellent college choir!
Big Red Band to Play
NYC Vet’s Parade
The Glen Cove High School ‘Big Red’ Band has been invited
to march in the 2011 New York City Veteran’s Day Parade on
Friday, November 11, 2011. Under the direction of Nicholas
Carbuto, his bands have marched in numerous New York City
Columbus Day Parades, the Salute to Israel Parade and the
Gator Bowl Parade and halftime show in Jacksonville, FL.
The parade will air live on Fox Channel 5 at 11:00 a.m.
GLEN COVE • 3

Around Our Schools
Deasy Horticulturalists
A GARDEN GROWS
Construction on the Deasy Elementary School
vegetable garden has been completed and the fall harvest
blossomed. Teich Garden Systems built the enclosed
garden, funded through a grant. The school community,
including parents and staff, had input into the planning.
“Farmer Brian” even stopped by to give students an
inaugural lesson on growing. Students planted vegetables
and monitored their growth. On November 2nd they
tasted their produce, as vegetables grown in the garden
were used to make a healthy snack.
CHARACTER FIRST AND FOREMOST
Deasy Elementary School held two opening
assemblies to teach students about the school’s
commitment to kindness, respect and “doing the right
thing even when no one is looking.” The first assembly
involved staff and student skits, and the second featured
performance artists Beth and Scott Bierko, who brought
character education to life through music and drama.
KIDS CARING
The Connolly Student Council participated in a
Breast Cancer Walk-a-Thon during Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, wearing the color pink and walking
on school grounds in lieu of their recess time! The
students also planted mums along the main entryway.
The school’s K Kids are also participating in Pennies for
Peds and collecting for UNICEF, as well as planting tulip
bulbs for Glen Cove Cares.
Community Comes Together
for Homecoming 2011
BULLIES NOT WELCOME
Students at Landing Elementary School participated
in an assembly conducted by Sensei Hender Alvarado of
Gold Martial Arts in Glen Cove. Sensei Hender’s
presentation focused on improving communication skills
with young students and teaching them how to detect
and avoid bullying.
In fact, elementary schools throughout the district are
utilizing the “Connected and Respected” curriculum
guide to instill sound character education concepts in
young children and to prevent bullying. Students are
taught expressive ways to get to know one another’s
similarities and differences. They learn about empathy
and active listening, how to support one another, how to
identify and stand up to bullying in a peaceful manner,
and how to manage feelings of anger, including ways to
de-escalate and resolve conflict.
Peaceful Conflict Resolution at Landing
Students, alumni, families, and friends gathered under the lights to celebrate
Homecoming 2011 and show their support for their Big Red Varsity Football team.
The festivities began with the traditional school Pep Rally Friday afternoon at Glen
Cove High School. In recognition for winning the Summer Stars program, MSG Varsity
provided several fun stations to make it a true party experience for students. The
celebration continued on Saturday afternoon with the annual Homecoming Parade,
complete with floats representing each of the district’s schools. Later that
evening on the field, the 2011 Homecoming Court was introduced prior to the
players charging onto the field to take on the Roslyn High School Bulldogs.
With the score tied at 7 in the first quarter, the Big Red scored four
consecutive touchdowns to take a commanding 35-7 halftime lead. They never
looked back en route to a 47-21 victory.
Varsity Cheerleaders, Varsity Kickline, and the High School Drum Line
provided halftime entertainment. 2011 Homecoming King and Queen Nick
Manzione and Cristina Cappiello were crowned. Junior Varsity Cheerleaders
also provided entertainment during the game.
The Glen Cove High School Booster Club would like to thank all those who
volunteered their time and effort to make Glen Cove’s Homecoming 2011 a
great success!
LITERACY COMES TO LIFE…AND CRASHING
DOWN TO EARTH
Connolly and Gribbin Elementary Schools welcomed
renowned children’s author Patricia Polacco, who shared
with the students some of her interesting childhood
experiences of growing up in the Midwest. Ms. Polacco is
the author of popular books such as Thundercake and
Meteor. She even brought with her a chunk of the
legendary rock from space for which the book was
written and shared it with the children. Librarian Robin
Schapira and the respective PTAs were instrumental in
arranging the visits.
Gribbin Students Make a Responsible Pledge
READ AND REMEMBER
As part of the district-wide recognition of the 10th
anniversary of 9/11, Gribbin School Principal Francine
Santoro read a special poem to students encouraging
them to “always remember and never forget.” Music
teacher JoAnn Criblez performed “America the
Beautiful,” after which Gribbin students participated in a
moment of silence. Principal Santoro also encouraged
them to read the book September 12th: We Knew
Everything Would Be Alright, written and illustrated by
first-grade students from H. Byron Masterson Elementary
School in Kennet, Missouri.
RED RIBBON WEEK RECOGNIZED
Schools throughout the district recognized Red
Ribbon Week with assemblies promoting the prevention
of substance abuse. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph
A. Laria stopped by several of the schools, where students
wore red clothes and donned red ribbons as a symbol of
solidarity and commitment to saying no to drug use and
other destructive decisions. Red Ribbon poster contest
winners were also acknowledged by the local Substance
Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) organization.
Supt. Greets Connolly Kids for Red Ribbon Week
Congratulations to…
Girls Varsity Lacrosse players Ariana
Cavallone and Alex Gerin for achieving
Academic All-American status which is
awarded to a player who exhibits exemplary
lacrosse skills and excellent sportsmanship on
the field while representing high standards of
academic achievement in the classroom.
Additionally, selected players are recognized
for making significant contributions of service
to the school or community.
Coach Pete Falen and the Girls
Varsity Soccer team for winning the
regular season Conference Championship.
Coach Adrienn Tonner and the Girls
Varsity Tennis team for winning the
Division Championship.
2011-2012 BOARD OF EDUCATION & ADMINISTRATION
The Knightline
Richard Dr. Joseph A. Laria, Superintendent
Kevin Wurtz, Deputy Superintendent
www.glencove.k12.ny.us
Maccarone, President
David Huggins, Vice President
Barrie Dratch
Grady Farnan
Ida McQuair
Gail Nedbor-Gross
Joel M. Sunshine
Dr. Shari L. Camhi, Assistant Superintendent for
Curriculum, Instruction and Technology
Maureen Hocker,
Assistant to the Superintendent for Human Resources