Bellmore-Merrick in the News - Feb. 2010

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Oct. 2009
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Jan. 2010

BELLMORE–MERRICK BOARD OF EDUCATION HONORS INTEL SEMIFINALISTS

The Board of Education honored three John F. Kennedy students, Daniel Bornstein, Barri Bruno, and Stephanie Weiner. These three young scientists were chosen as Intel semifinalists. The Bellmore Merrick Central High School District recognized these students at the February Board of Education meeting.

These students have demonstrated exemplary skills beyond the scope of science. All three of them are AP Scholars, members of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, the Math Honor Society, and the Spanish Honor Society. Two of them are National Merit Commended students and two are varsity athletes. In addition, all three are active participants in many school clubs and activities and have given generous amounts of their time to community service These three outstanding semifinalists, along with their dedication to their scientific research, academic studies, and community, are well on their way to becoming conscientious, caring, and successful adults in any field that they decide to pursue. Barri Bruno hopes to attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to pursue a degree in Engineering, Daniel Bornstein hopes to attend Williams College in Williamstown, MA to study International Relations and Environmental Science, and Stephanie Weiner will be attending the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

The Board of Education also recognized the efforts and support of the following persons in assisting these students in their research projects: Science Chairperson Mr. Robert Soel, and Science teachers Ms. Barbi Frank and Ms. Barbara Franklin.

From left to right: Mrs. Barbara Franklin, Barri Bruno, Daniel Bornstein, Stephanie Weiner, Ms. Barbi Frank, and Mr. Robert Soel.

CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL VALENTINES FOR VETERANS PROGRAM

The Abilities PREP program students at Calhoun High School participated in the Town of Hempstead’s Valentines for Veterans program. Councilwoman Angie Cullen, from the Town of Hempstead, personally went to Calhoun High School to pick up the cards. These cards were created especially for the local veterans.

The Valentines for Vets program taking place during the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week of February 11th -17th, encourages Americans from all walks of life to visit the Veterans and deliver Valentines to local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. School teachers use this week to educate young people about the importance of honoring veterans, especially hospitalized veterans.

The Prep students will be acknowledged for their efforts and presented with a personalized "Certificate of Recognition" from the Town of Hempstead.

Calhoun Prep students and Councilwoman Angie Cullen

GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS BAKE “TREATS” FOR TOWN ANIMAL SHELTER

Grand Avenue Middle School students from the Home and Careers classes, under the direction of Ms. Cullen, volunteered to make dog treats for animals in need. The students worked together to make 6 dozen delicious treats for animals at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter has one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. Animal Control Officers respond to over 6,000 requests for service every year, including 500 night emergency calls. They strive to maintain a clean and healthy facility for the humane care and housing of stray and abandoned dogs, and to find a new home for each of their animals that are deemed suitable pets.

Grand Avenue students

GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL DONATES TO THE HOMELESS

The Grand Avenue Middle School Builders Club recently took a field trip to the AC Moore Craft Store. They learned how to knit scarves from Hera Robinson, a store volunteer. In an effort to keep the homeless people warm, during February the students will be donating their hand made scarves to the INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), located in Hempstead, N.Y. The INN was founded in 1983, as a single soup kitchen that ran out of a church in Hempstead, by a small group of concerned volunteers. The volunteers discovered that not only were there a large numbers of hungry people on Long Island, but an alarming number of homeless people as well. The INN has grown to become the largest private social service agency of its kind on Long Island. It now operates in Long Beach, Freeport, and Central Islip. The INN is a working model of how to unite the community in the effort to overcome the challenge of hunger and homelessness.

Grand Avenue students

MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL CONGRATULATES KICKLINE AND WINTER ATHLETIC TEAMS

Mepham High School Kickline team recently competed in the Long Island Kickline Competition earning 1st place in Lyrical, 1st place in High Kick, 1st place in Pom, and 4th place in Jazz.

Every Mepham High School’s winter athletic team has been recognized by Nassau County as a Scholar Athlete Team for the 2009-2010 season. Congratulations to the Kickline, all athletes and Coaches for an outstanding performance.

GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL CITIZEN-OF-THE-MONTH

Grand Avenue Middle School is proud to honor its Citizen-of-the-Month for February. While leading by example, these students demonstrate courage, integrity, selflessness, accountability and consistently use good judgment. These students also embrace diversity, accept social responsibility and strive to fulfill Grand Avenue’s shared purpose of: Learn Well, Stay Safe and Graduate. The Grade 7 recipients are Kyle Piqueira, Alma Syla, Caitlin Buckley, Anthony Plantyn, and John Reardon. Grade 8 students are Jake Simon, Emmett Daly Jr, Rachel Weintraub, Shannon Kropelunski and Jennifer Alfonsi.

Grand Avenue Middle School Students with Principal Lewis Serra

STEFANIE BUSGANG
KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL
2010 NEUOROSCIENCE RESEARCH PRIZE FINALIST

Stefanie Busgang has been named a finalist in the 2010 Neuroscience Research Prize competition sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology. She is among ten national finalists. Stefanie's laboratory research has been concerned with developing new drugs for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and summarized her research project as follows: “Over four million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is estimated that every seventy seconds, someone develops AD. One characteristic of AD is diminished energy metabolism. This study investigates AD mouse models to determine the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on AD energy metabolism.”

She has been inducted into the Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, and National Art Society. She has received an Honorable Mention from the Long Island Science Congress and is an AP Scholar.

In addition to Stephanie’s academic achievements, she has been involved in many extracurricular activities and has also participated in numerous community service projects.

GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL VISITS THE VANDERBILT PLANETARIUM

Eighth graders from Grand Avenue Middle School had the opportunity to visit The Vanderbilt Planetarium in January. The Vanderbilt Planetarium opened in 1971, and is one of the largest facilities of its kind on Long Island. Once inside the Planetarium’s domed, 60 foot Sky Theater, the GOTO star projector fascinated students with its display of our sun, moon, stars and planets.

Outside the theatre, students visited space-related exhibits, such as a 6 foot diameter moon globe and imagery from the latest NASA space missions. Students left the museum with a greater understanding and appreciation of the nighttime sky, something many of them admitted to having taken for granted prior to this eye-opening experience.

“S” DAY IS COMING!

The Calhoun-Kennedy-Mepham Scholarship Committee* will hold its 45th annual scholarship drive on Saturday, March 20th. Students from all three high schools will be going door-to-door throughout the Bellmores and Merricks, seeking donations. The high school with the greatest participation of students will receive the Superintendent’s Trophy Award. The money raised through this tremendous joint effort will be presented to students in financial need to help further their post-secondary education.

Students wishing to apply for scholarship money must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, a Calhoun-Kennedy-Mepham Fund Application must be filled out and returned to the student’s guidance counselor. Both forms are available in the guidance offices in the three schools.

Students who wish to be considered, but have not yet filed the FAFSA should see their counselors immediately. Particular attention should be given to deadlines, as allocation of funds is based upon information reported in the FAFSA and scholarship application forms.

Eligibility for a Calhoun-Kennedy-Mepham Scholarship award is based solely on financial need. Students who apply are also required to participate on Scholarship Day for their senior year. Alternative work will be given to those who cannot participate due to work or religious observance.

Donations should be given only to students wearing Scholarship Day identification buttons. Donations by check are preferred and receipts will be given upon request. Residents who are not home may contribute by sending their donations in the return envelope, which will be left for them. Donations can also be sent to Calhoun-Kennedy-Mepham Scholarship Fund at 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, NY 11566.

DRIVERS ARE ALSO NEEDED to take students to their assigned areas. The Scholarship Committee urges volunteers to call and add their names to the list of involved community people for “S” Day. If you have any questions or would like further information please call: Mr. Terrence Hinson 992-1306 (Calhoun), Dr. Meador Pratt, 992-1402 (Kennedy), Mr. Kenneth Zisel 992-1502 (Mepham).

*Not for profit scholarship committee independent of BMCHSD.

JOHN F. KENNEDY STUDENT TO HOBY CONFERENCE

Blake Lippman has been selected as John F. Kennedy High School’s representative to the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) Conference. HOBY is a national organization that sponsors leadership seminars in the United States and around the world. It is structured to take young leaders like Blake, and further their leadership potential that they could apply to their schools and communities.

Blake is an outstanding Kennedy sophomore who is involved in a plethora of activities. A scholar and an athlete, Blake is a captain of both Kennedy’s volleyball and basketball teams. Blake is a member of Athletes Helping Athletes working with middle school students in teaching strategies to help them make good decisions. A member of the sophomore class student government, the science club, and variety choir, Blake is a peer tutor volunteering her time after school. Outside of school, Blake is an avid volunteer for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation where she helps at parties for children with cancer. Blake will attend the HOBY seminar with sophomores from all over the tri-state area. She will be a part of the many leadership activities that will help develop her promising skills.

Blake Lippman