John F. Kennedy Middle School

Schools throughout the Bethpage School District recently participated in March Mammal Madness, an annual tournament of simulated competition among animals that uses scientific literature to predict likely outcomes of the battle. The nationwide project was developed by mammalian biologist and professor Dr. Katie Hinde in 2013 and since has grown to include thousands of students from grades K-12.

Bethpage High School science teacher Susan Sciglibaglio introduced the project as a fun way to highlight and emphasize the importance of sustaining biodiversity, which is the overarching theme of her AP environmental science classes. The activity is tied to curriculum units on evolution, habitats, attributes and adaptations and participants can make their picks from student-generated research posted in the classroom.

Mrs. Sciglibaglio, along with science teacher Tess Strauch, set up a Google classroom for participants to submit their picks. They then went on to recruit teachers from other schools in the district to participate. As a result, classes at Bethpage High School, John F. Kennedy Middle School and Central Boulevard Elementary School have opened the tournament to almost 400 students.

In each school, large brackets are set up in the hallways to track the competitions and the winners. The battles take place on designated evenings and video recaps are posted on YouTube the next day. The classes watch the recaps together in person and discuss the outcomes as it pertains to their science units.

The Character Education Committee at John F. Kennedy Middle School in the Bethpage School District aims to recognize students and staff for exhibiting certain character traits in the school building and throughout the community.

Each month, two teachers or school staff members sign up to take on a monthly character trait to focus on. Throughout March, school psychologist Kyle Bristol and literacy teacher assistant Danielle Attard decided to focus on compassion and developed an initiative called “Compassion in Action.”

All students and staff members were sent a Google Form in which they were asked to record the names of their peers or school staff they observed doing something compassionate, such as friendly greetings in the hallways, giving compliments or helping others with schoolwork. Students and staff have been recognized on the district’s Twitter page and via schoolwide emails for their upstanding commitment to having compassion for those around them.

The Bethpage Cyber Eagles, a team of student coders from John F. Kennedy Middle School, participated in the middle school junior division kidOYO hackathon on March 12. A hackathon is a timed event in which teams compete against one another in coding challenges. Typically, school districts throughout Long Island gather to participate in a hackathon, but due to health and safety guidelines the schools competed virtually.

This year’s competition was a Samurai Conquest in which teams had to gain control of territories by completing coding challenges. The Cyber Eagles conquered two territories and finished fourth in the hackathon. The team is supported and trained by computer literacy teachers Christopher Attard and Shannon Maloney, and Director of Technology Andrew Choi.

Schools throughout the district recently celebrated 100 days of school! Students participated in a variety of 100-day themed activities, such as dressing up as 100 year olds, constructing a 100-link chain, creating t-shirts with the 100-day theme and many others. Thank you to all involved to make this celebration of 100 days of learning so special. 

Members of The Masquer’s Guild at John F. Kennedy Middle School released “From Screen to Stage,” a virtual cabaret night featuring songs from Hollywood movies turned musicals, on Feb. 12. After two months of rehearsing remotely, more than 30 students filmed 15 performances, including solos, duets and trios, in the school’s auditorium. The show culminated with a socially distanced finale featuring the entire Masquer’s Guild.

“We wanted to find something to do to keep the students engaged,” teacher and coordinator Zachary Levy said. “The cabaret night was something I did in high school and it could be done safely and virtually.”