School Notebook: World Math Day, Right Start

Here's a quick round-up of recent student achievements, projects and happenings within the school district.

Math Day Adds Up
Students at celebrated the sixth annual World Math Day, a free web event during which students answered arithmetic problems online and competed with other students their age from around the world.

Daniel Street’s fourth and fifth-grade students participated in the world-wide math competition, as more than 1.5 million students from more than 200 countries competed.

Each math game lasted 60 seconds, and students were encouraged to play as often as they desired.

World Math Day generated excitement about math.

“In addition to sharpening students’ math skills, the program also reinforced the students’ geography knowledge,” explained Math AIS Specialist Angela Marzocca. “They loved competing with students in countries throughout the world.”

Learning to Budget
business students recently participated in a program called Right Start, which taught them about financial literacy.

The mission of the program - which was supported by a grant from Legislator ’s - was to “educate young adults in personal finance in order to become more responsible members of the community, according to district officials.

School Business Advisory Board Member Connie LoCascio taught students about interest rates, credit cards, savings, the importance of budgets, the dangers of debt and the role of credit bureaus. She also provided an overview of credit awareness and personal financial skills.

“Paying your bills on time gives you power,” explained Ms. LoCascio.

As a part of the program, students received a “paycheck” from a career in which they’re interested. Various representatives visited the school to interact with and educate students, and to determine what they could afford, based on the paycheck.

Students learned they needed to make choices based on their paycheck.

“The program successfully made students think about what goes into budgeting,” said teacher Caroline Naluai.

Students Showcase Artwork
LHS students Francis Zuber and Kaitlin Hohwiesner were recently selected to participate in a special exhibit entitled Advanced Visions VIII: High School Artists of Excellence.

It was a display of creative expression representing artwork by 50 students from schools across Long Island.

The exhibit was sponsored by the Long Island University, C.W. Post Art Department, which also hosted a reception and awards presentation for the students being honored.

“These students are extremely talented,” said art teacher Suzette Picozzi.

Female Athletes Celebrated
recently celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day for 180 seventh- and eighth-grade female student-athletes.

The students attended a breakfast, during which they were honored for achievements on and off the field, in leadership and dedication to their teams.

It was part of the nation-wide celebration that incorporates community-based events, ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements, and encouraging participation of, girls and young women in sports.

“This program is a special day honoring our female middle school athletes,” said co-organizers Maureen Sconone and Kristina Nicolich.

Now in its 12th year the program awarded LMS student-athletes blue T-shirts. Co-organizer Michelle Cicero was the guest speaker, and Superintendent Richard Nathan congratulated the student-athletes.

Photos and information submitted by Carol Hauser.

Editor's Note: Take a peek through the at the photo highlights.