We are proud to announce our class of 2024 valedictorians and salutatorians for Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham High Schools.

Calhoun:
• Valedictorian Fiona Wong
• Salutatorian Joseph Darcourt

Kennedy:
• Valedictorian Gabriella Tejada
• Salutatorian Cole Wasserman

Mepham:
• Valedictorian Christiana Foufas
• Salutatorian Matt Yang

“Years of hard work, dedication, and outstanding educational achievements have led to these students to the top of their class,” said Superintendent Michael Harrington. “As valedictorians and salutatorians, they have not only excelled academically, but have also demonstrated leadership, determination, and a commitment to excellence.”

Andrew DelRosario, an assistant principal at Mepham High School, was recently recognized by Nassau BOCES and the Nassau Association of School Technologists as “a pioneering educator who has contributed significantly to the advancement of technology in education.”

DelRosario is a founding member of the CHSD’s Technology Integration Mentor program, which was instrumental in transitioning the district to multiple online platforms and workspaces, as well as enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring with compliance educational law regulations.

Each recipient is selected by their district based on various criteria. He was among 27 Nassau County educators acknowledged for their achievements in a ceremony conducted by Nassau BOCES NASTECH and Data Privacy and Security Service Supervisor Laura Pollak and Program Specialist Barbara Deal.

Joe Innaco, the Central High School District’s director of administration and instructional technology, was on hand to present DelRosario the award.

Date Added: 9/19/2023

The spirit and mission of the Be a Good Cookie campaign has taken off in a grass roots approach across the Central High School District.

This community endeavor honors the memory of Richie Capizzi — father of students at Merrick Avenue Middle School and Calhoun High School — and raises money and awareness for a cause that was close to his heart, pediatric cancer.All proceeds from fundraising and sales benefit the organization,Cookies for Kids' Cancer,in hopes that the community can raise enough money to fully fund a clinical trial research grant in Capizzi’s memory.

Community and school volunteers at Merrick Avenue set up a fundraising booth after school on Sept. 15.

“It has been truly inspiring to see an entire community honor the life of Mr. Capizzi by learning from his passion, dedication and philanthropy, and dedicating their efforts to support those battling pediatric cancer,” said Merrick Avenue Middle School Principal Katelyn Dunn. “It says so much about his legacy, but also about the beauty and power of this community.”

The Calhoun High School Key Club organized a cookie sale after school on Sept. 15 as well.

“When Key Club members are provided with community service opportunities it allows them to see firsthand just how much this can make a difference in the lives of others,” explained Melissa Stabile, a special education paraprofessional and Key Club adviser.

Through the sale of cookies today they raised $452. Their next cookie sale is planned for Sept. 29.

“It’s always a wonderful thing when a community joins together to support a good cause,” added Calhoun Principal Nicole Hollings. “This one is close to our hearts, and it has been great to see the support of so many.”

To learn more about the Be a Good Cookie campaign, click here.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 9/19/2023

Seniors in the Mepham High School Participation in Government classes will set up their 9th Annual Flag Field of Honor this fall.

This year's proceeds will benefit the Senior Service Learning Project's partnership with Team Rubicon. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Recognizing that veteran’s military training, service, and experience make them uniquely qualified to respond to disasters, Team Rubicon positions veterans to make decisions and take action in the austere environment of disaster. Since its founding in 2010, Team Rubicon has equitably served communities both big and small from Hurricane Harvey in Texas to Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast, to Dengue Fever in the Marshall Islands, and most recently the fires in Maui, Hawaii.

Since its inception in 2009, the Mepham Senior Service Learning Project has raised over $693,000 for local and national charities through the generosity and support of the school community.

Those interested in honoring a family member or friend, complete the attached form and return to Mepham High School Flag Field of Honor at 2401 Camp Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710 by Friday, October 2.

For more information, contact Kerry Dennis or Chris Patten at Mepham at 516-992-1500 or [email protected] or [email protected]. See the flyer here.

Date Added: 9/13/2023

Seven students in the Central High School District have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2024 competition.

Joseph Darcourt and Fiona Wong of Calhoun High School, Sara Maltempi, Avidan Moont and Cole Wasserman of Kennedy High School and Matthew Keegan and Matt Yang of Mepham High School were among those who earned this distinction.

“We are once again in awe of the academic achievements made by our students,” said Superintendent Michael Harrington. “It's amazing to watch them flourish in Bellmore-Merrick, especially knowing how well they are supported by our educational staff and faculty.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The semifinalists represent the highest scoring 1% of the students nationwide who took the PSAT.

More than 16,000 students qualified as semifinalists. This year, about 95 percent are expected to attain finalist standing. Finalists will be notified in February 2024 and scholarship winners will be announced in the spring of 2024.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 9/13/2023