Middle school students explored the world of coding on Jan. 18, when representatives from KidOyO visited foreign language classes. They introduced students to the “language” of coding through the Python programming system.

Bradley Turney and Sabrina Wagner of the KidOyO learning platform demonstrated and explained basic coding functions, which students followed along with using laptops. They learned to draw a graphic, name it, change its shape and color and make it move. They used turtle images for most of the lesson and attempted to make mandalas using loops. 

For most students, this was their first exposure to programming and they picked up the skills quickly. The district looks forward to more opportunities to further incorporate technology such as this into the classrooms.   

Students from the middle school and high school participated in the district’s Science Expo on Jan. 10, showcasing projects they executed following research.

Through authentic research, students cultivated a topic of interest and tested it using the scientific method. They used college-level databases to find articles related to their topic and become more knowledgeable in order to start the process of the scientific method. 

Students were initially judged by their science teachers in the classroom setting prior to the expo. Those deemed to have exceptional projects were judged for a second time during the science expo by another teacher in the school’s library, where projects were displayed.

Winners were announced during a ceremony at the end of the expo following the tallying of votes to determine first, second and third place in each category. Awards were granted to projects in science 7, science 8, earth science, living environment, chemistry and physics.

In addition to student awards, this year’s Joseph Harding Memorial Award was presented to West Hempstead Middle School teacher Dina Gould. The Harding Award is presented to a staff member who thoroughly supports their students through the process of researching and demonstrating scientific method.

The district congratulates Ms. Gould as well as all of the students that presented at this year’s expo!

The District recently took part in helping to grant the wish of a 14-year-old boy in Pennsylvania by creating holiday cards.

Class of 2018 graduate Lauren Faulds reached out to Superintendent of Schools Daniel Rehman to support Maddox Hyde. Maddox, an eighth-grader in Pittsburgh, has been battling neuroblastoma for the past eight years and his request this Christmas was to receive cards from all around the world.

Mr. Rehman asked all five school buildings in the district to support the cause by having each class to make cards for Maddox. On Dec. 14, Lauren collected the cards and drove to Pittsburgh to personally deliver them.

“Community is everything and helping someone out, even if it’s the littlest thing, is the greatest gift you can give,” said Lauren.

Members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council had the opportunity to meet with district officials and architects to exchange ideas during the latest meeting on Dec. 6.

Superintendent of Schools Dan Rehman gathered the council, comprised of students from each building throughout the district, to sit down with district representatives to review proposed upgrades to the school buildings. Students had the opportunity to offer feedback and share comments and recommendations based on their experiences. The meeting served as a way for district officials and architects to consider the opinions of the students as building enhancements are discussed.

The SSAC ended this month’s session by reviewing what was discussed at their last session and brainstorming topics to discuss in the future. Students returned to their respective schools to report on the meeting and share ideas being discussed.

The English as a New Language Department hosted its annual Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 21, when middle and high school students joined together in the high school gymnasium. The festive luncheon serves as an opportunity for ENL students to experience the traditions of a holiday in the United States.

ENL staff members and students worked together to prepare traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pies. Staff members served the food while students enjoyed conversation and interactions. On one half of the gym, a group of students engaged in a soccer game to help work up an appetite.

The district thanks the ENL staff including Director and Chestnut Street School Principal Faith Tripp as well as teachers Nicholas DiBenedetto, Lili Ferguson, Lisa McCarthy and Madeline Valencia for organizing and sharing the traditions of Thanksgiving with our ENL students.