Kennedy to Hold Faculty Olympics
The student government at John F. Kennedy High School will host its annual Faculty Olympics on April 24 at 7 p.m. More than 80 Kennedy teachers, administrators and secretaries, divided into four teams, will be led by team captains chosen by the government’s executive board, including Kerri Andree, Jon Dell’Olio, Michael Graziosi and Laura Rosenthal. Staff members will compete in a variety of events, such as cupcake wars, tug-of-war, “Are You Smarter Than an AP Student?” and musical chairs. Teams will be scored by student judges.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lung Cancer Research Foundation in memory of Ellen Sheldon, a Kennedy special education teacher who passed away in February after a lengthy illness. Students chose to honor Mrs. Sheldon for her 10 years of service in the district. To raise additional money, students will each donate $1 to participate in “Flannel Friday” the day after the event. The student leaders proposed the idea in hopes of showing solidarity for the cause and to collectively demonstrate appreciation for the career and life of Mrs. Sheldon.
The Kennedy Student Government is one of eight student councils in New York State to be named to the Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils. This recognition is a result of the group’s commitment to service and spirit. The Kennedy Student Government consists of an executive board, student senate and general assembly. Students are responsible for every aspect of the organization’s operations and the work necessary to host events such as this one.
Engineering Career Day Engages Students at MAMS
Merrick Avenue Middle School hosted its Engineering Career Day on March 26, inviting various local organizations, universities, technology-related companies and students from throughout the district to come together to learn and discuss engineering and technology. The fair exposed students in the district to the field of engineering and career possibilities for their futures, further developing the district’s already robust and thriving focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Technology-focused college program representatives, including SUNY Farmingdale’s aviation division, Hofstra University and New York Institute of Technology, were on hand to talk to students about the opportunities available to them after high school. Other companies present included Alleghany Education Systems, Leviton, Empower Solar, Long Island Fabricators, Underwriter’s Laboratories and Tequipment, among others. Students in the Project Lead the Way engineering program from the district’s high schools – Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham – were also present to show students what they work on in their classes. Additionally, students from Grand Avenue Middle School who are interested in pursuing the engineering track in high school were able to visit the fair.
“The reasons we have this fair every year is because we want students to see the possibilities of getting a Long Island-based education and a Long Island-based career,” said technology teacher Carl Yannuzzi. “These are the choices that they will have to make going into ninth grade to take the proper math and science courses to prepare them for entry into the engineering field or an engineering school. We want to make sure they are aware of these choices and show them that a proper engineering education and an engineering career can be had right here at home. That will help retain the high-quality industrial base that Long Island has had for so many generations.”