Huntington School Briefs
Washington Primary School's PTA launched this year's Parents as Reading Partners program this week. The 2013 theme is "Blast Off With Books: The Solar System." The program encourages parents or other adult family members to read with children for at least 15 minutes each day for the next three weeks.
Washington students were given a coupon book for the initiative. Parents are asked to sign and date a coupon following each 15 minute reading session and send it to school with their child the following day. Each coupon presented earns the child's class points in a school-wide solar system game. There are 24 coupons in all. Coupons handed in late will also be accepted.
Superintendents to Meet Gov. Cuomo
State Senator Carl L. Marcellino is arranging a meeting between school superintendents in his district and Governor Andrew Cuomo. The session will be held in Albany in March.
"You have expressed a great deal of concern in regard to the direction of public education in the State of New York," Mr. Marcellino wrote in a letter to Huntington Superintendent James. W. Polansky. "I believe such a meeting will be greatly beneficial to you and hope that your schedule will permit you to attend. I am looking forward to a constructive and open conversation between you and Governor Cuomo."
Students Comment on Women's Studies
Huntington High School's women's studies course has a devoted following and so does teacher Camille Tedeschi, who leads the class.
"I loved Ms. Tedeschi's class so much in my freshman and sophomore years that I wanted to take her class one more time my senior year," Todd Colvin said.
"If you haven't traveled with Ms.Tedeschi, you're missing out," Claire Beach said. "I had Ms. Tedeschi for two years as a teacher, traveled with her to Peru and couldn't wait to have her again as my teacher during my senior year in women's studies."
Women's History Month is being celebrated at Huntington High School during March and students enrolled in the women's studies are engaged in some special studies.
"I gave up special attendance first period just to be in this class," senior Hannah Pipolo said. "That says a lot."
Senior Joshua R. Stickell is also sold on the class. "The women's studies course is unlike any other class in Huntington High School," the teenager said. "Students have the opportunity to learn through the eyes of a group of people who have been disenfranchised for centuries and have struggled for equal treatment. Ms. Tedeschi not only creates an environment where it's fun to learn, but where students are familiar with one another and feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and opinions. As a senior I had the option of having special attendance first period, meaning that I wouldn't be obligated to come into school until second period and I gave it up to take this course and I do not regret my decision at all. In fact, it's one of the few classes where I can genuinely say that I can't wait to go back to and enjoy being in! What makes the class so enjoyable is the fact that Ms. Tedeschi is so passionate about what she teaches and it rubs off on the students!"
K-Factor is a Hit
Last week's K-Factor talent show sponsored by Huntington High School's Key Club was a hit with contestants and several hundred students who turned out for the three-hour affair in the school auditorium. Proceeds from the event were earmarked for the school's Relay For Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Key Club President Samantha Levine said the organization's officers were "bursting with excitement" during welcoming remarks prior to the start of the show. "Yes, we may have used the TV show, 'The X-Factor' as our inspiration, but here's the only place where can find two major forces acting together; caring and relaying. Tonight, Key Club's motto, "caring-our way of life" will meet Relay For Life's motto of 'Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.' We can't wait for you to watch that happen."
Key Club Vice-President Cynthia Gowani cited the talents "that our amazing participants" displayed during the show. "We must acknowledge the diligence and determination that each person in this auditorium has had toward spreading the word and promoting Relay For Life," she said.
The Key Club's slate of officers also includes Mike Stafford (secretary), Beth Coneys (treasurer), Victor Tellez (historian) and Alexandria Mandriota (lieutenant governor). Teachers Gina Colica and Kelly Krycinski are the organization's faculty advisors.
Black History Month Celebration
Tri-Community & Youth Agency and Huntington High School sponsored a Black History Month celebration last week in the high school auditorium. Ronald Wilson and Nyasia Martin served as co-master of ceremonies. Huntington grad Crystal White started the evening off with opening remarks.
The program included skits, song, dance, poems and special tributes to Minister Flythe and Kevin Abt, a 2012 Huntington High School grad who passed away earlier this winter. He was in his freshman year at Five Towns College in Dix Hills.
Huntington's National Honor Society President Nicole Smoot spoke about Mr. Abt and how he was "a very talented and wonderful young man," she said. "We will always miss him and love him very much."