William Floyd High School recently hosted its first ever Senior Signing Day event for college-bound student-musicians. In order to be a collegiate musician, students must first be accepted to a college or university and then invited to audition, which involves rigorous preparation and a presentation of between two and five musical pieces performed before a panel of music professors. This year, 40 William Floyd High School seniors will be performing in collegiate music ensembles, five will minor in music and an additional 10 will major in music in the areas of music performance, music education, music therapy, music technology and music production/sound and recording. This talented group of student-musicians has been collectively awarded a total of nearly $1 million in scholarships.

Congratulations to the students and all of their teachers including those who have helped them along the way in elementary, middle and high school! Pictured with the students are George Ober, Music Department Chairperson and WFHS music teachers Barbara D’Orio, Michael Cordaro, Dr. Amy Mason Sckipp, Donia Rivera, Christopher Shaughnessy, Garry Helbock and Mick Singh.

Music majors include: Andra Henry, Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam, Music Education; Kaitlyn Sottung, LIU Post, Music Education; Amanda Ohlsen, Stevens Institute of Technology, Music Technology; Kaylee Monahan, Montclair State University, Music Therapy; Iliana Barcenas, Eastman School of Music, Viola Performance; Amanda Cain, Ithaca College School of Music, Music Education; Sarah Gross, Syracuse University Setnor School of Music, Music Production/Sound and Recording Technology; Justin Wheeler, Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam, Music Education; Elizabeth Scianno, Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance, Viola Performance; and Joseph San Pietro, Nassau Community College, Music Education.

Music minors include: Tim Klement, Sarah Latoraco, Albert Wheeler, Emma Bull and Dan Lombardo.  All students continuing in music in college are: Sarah Gross; Kaitlyn Sottung; Amanda Cain; Iliana Barcenas; Michelle Sylvert; Sadat Gresham; Albert Wheeler; Justin Wheeler; Tim Klement; Dan Lombardo; Jenna Linsalata; Amber Rios; Sarah Latoraco; Kaylee Monahan;  Joseph San Pietro; Elizabeth Scianno; Chelsea Shuren; Amanda Olhsen; Luca Columbano; Carlos Martinez-Mejia; Sean Siegel; Ashley Jahrsdoerfer; Emma Bull; Thomas Panicola; Adrienne Torres; Christian Nordstrom; Angel Velasquez; Gabbie Lettieri; Bonny Tran; Jack Guzman; Spiridoula Kaltsas; Samantha Streeter; Adwoa Enin; and Darien Gordon. Students who will also perform in collegiate ensembles are Ramona Gillio, Nikolis Koutrokois, Michelle Lara, Brianna Benitez, Christopher Hart, Alex Siegel and Miranda Sapio.

Additional photos from the ceremony are available in the flickr album linked below!

WFHS barbering instructor Anthony Montanez is pictured with some of his barbering students.

Anthony Montanez, William Floyd High School barbering teacher and owner of Monti’s Barbershop in Moriches, has been chosen to serve as a barber to the PGA Tour’s annual U.S. Open golf tournament held this year at Shinnecock Hills Golf Course in Southampton. Mr. Montanez will be in charge of ensuring that the athletes look their best throughout the tournament. Congratulations, Mr. Montanez!

Earlier this spring, William Floyd Elementary School students had the opportunity to take a trip “around the world in one night” during an event for staff, students and their families to celebrate the diversity within the William Floyd community and their own school.

Spearheaded by ENL teachers Brinna O’Hara and Melissa Glasshagel (pictured), the event featured student heritage projects, in which children had an opportunity to research their families’ heritage such as the languages spoken in the country, various holidays celebrated, traditional food, clothing and more. The projects were placed on display at the event as a “Project Walk.” Additionally, there were student cultural performances, cultural crafts, food samples from different cultures, a performance by the Mulvihill-Lynch Studio of Irish Dance and much more!

William Floyd Middle School seventh-grade students recently had the opportunity to participate in a living history lesson from members of Company K, 67th NY Infantry Regiment of The First Long Island Volunteers, a group that brings the Civil War era to life for the purposes of educating the public and preserving history. Students in Ron Ardito’s, Eric Shaffer’s, Christopher Meyer’s and Paul Tolksdorf’s social studies classes were treated to lessons about what life was like during the Civil War, what soldiers on both sides wore and ate, the different flags of the Union and Confederacy, camp life and more. “It’s important to provide our students with a live visual representation of what life was actually like for a soldier during the Civil War,” said Mr. Ardito. At the end of the presentation, students enjoyed a safe demonstration with non-live ammunition of the weapons used during the Civil War.

Click below to see additional photos!

Retired Navy Operations Specialist Frederick Luhrs is pictured with William Floyd High School NJROTC cadets.

The William Floyd High School National Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps recently received a generous donation from retired U.S. Navy Operations Specialist Class I, Frederick Luhrs, the father of William Floyd High School technology teacher, Fred Luhrs. Mr. Luhrs, a former William Floyd resident who currently resides in Florida, built and donated wooden naval relics that are now on display in the NJROTC classroom. Mr. Luhrs also secured and presented $1,000 in scholarships from the Disabled American Veterans for two William Floyd seniors – $500 each for NJROTC Cadet Lieutenant Commander Jordan Cooper and Mary Jones.

“We are grateful to Mr. Luhrs for donating these relics to our program,” said Commander Jay Tweed (USN/Ret.), Senior Naval Science Instructor, William Floyd High School. “His generosity means a lot to our program here at William Floyd.” Commander Tweed and the students are also thankful to Mr. Luhrs and the Disabled American Veterans for their generous scholarships.

Mr. Luhrs came to the high school earlier this spring to share stories with cadets of his time in the U.S. Navy, where he faithfully served for 30 years.

Story by Thomas Reilly
Public Relations Intern, St. Joseph’s College

WFHS chemistry teacher Kristen Drury (right) is pictured with Christine Chana, AACT Regional representative, receiving the AACT High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year award.

Kristen Drury, the 2018 American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) 2018 High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year, was recently honored by AACT for her dedication to chemistry education and service to the organization. In addition to a $1,000 prize, AACT New York State Regional Representative Christine Chana presented Ms. Drury with the award at a breakfast ceremony recognizing her accomplishment. Ms. Drury is an accomplished chemistry teacher and leader in her field. Past accolades include earning the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award and being named a New York State Master Teacher during the first year of Governor Cuomo’s program recognizing the state’s best teachers (she is one of five from William Floyd out of 70 on Long Island). She is also a published author in the journal Chemistry Solutions, as well as serving as a College Board chemistry reader for the AP chemistry exam in 2017 and 2018. You can read more about her award here!

Clockwise from top left Kylasia Bullard, Tatianna Kistner, Antoinette Miller and Jade Foster at the State Championships.

The William Floyd Colonials girls varsity track team concluded the program’s best season in its history with three second-place finishes at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) 2018 Outdoor Track & Field Championships held this past weekend at Cicero-North High School in Syracuse, NY.

At the competition of the best track and field athletes from across New York State, Kaylah Britt placed second overall in the NYSPHAA Triple Jump with a leap of 38’ 11.5” – a performance that earned the junior All-New York State honors. The 4 x 100 Meter Relay team also took home second place overall in the NYSPHSAA and in the Federation Championship race. The four-member team consisted of Antoinette Miller (senior), Jade Foster (junior), Tatianna Kistner (freshman) and alternate Kylasia Bullard (sophomore) – who filled in admirably for Kianna Hawkins (junior) who strained her hamstring during practice the day before the race. The 100 Meter Relay team finished with a time of 47.15 seconds in the Federation Championship, achieving the second-fastest time ever run by a Suffolk County team, according to head coach, John Ryan.

Additionally, four members of the Colonials were named to the Newsday All-Long Island team for their amazing seasons – Antoinette Miller, Jade Foster, Kianna Hawkins and Tatianna Kistner. The girls track team earned several accolades this year including a State Championship in the 4 x 200 Meter Relay at the NYS Indoor Track & Field Championships in March, dominating performances at the New York Relays, the Loucks Games and more.

Antoinette Miller competes in the relay at the State Championships.

Kaylah Britt excels in the triple jump.

In preparation for your child’s entrance into kindergarten, our elementary team will be conducting a screening as part of NYS Commissioner’s Regulations. The purpose of the screening is to identify your child’s strengths, and to provide important information to guide his/her unique kindergarten experience. This screening will consist of exercises that determine basic academic skills, motor skills and oral language.

The screening will take place at Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary on the following dates by appointment only:

• June 4 – 7 (4-7 pm)
• June 11 – 15 (4-7 pm)
• June 26 – 29 (8 am – 1pm)
• August 6 – 9 (8am – 1pm)

Please visit the following link to schedule your child’s kindergarten screening appointment: http://signup.com/go/sThtpdm. You will be prompted to enter in information about your child and select a time for screening that works best for you and your family. If you are unable to schedule your appointment online please call Arlene Oldham at 631-874-1132, or email her at aoldham@wfsd.k12.ny.us. If you get a voicemail, please leave a message with your name and phone number and your call will be returned. If your child is currently enrolled in Just Kids within one of the elementary buildings they will be screened before the end of the school year, so you do not have to make an appointment. Please complete the Parent Questionnaire that was mailed to you and bring it with you to the screening appointment or send it in with your child to their Just Kids teacher.

We are looking forward to working in partnership with you and watching your child grow socially, emotionally and academically!

If you would like to view the Kindergarten screening letter (in English and Spanish), please Click Here.

William Floyd High School science research students, under the tutelage of science research teacher Victoria Hernandez, continue to earn accolades at various research competitions including the Long Island Science Congress and the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) Andromeda Competition held this spring.

Earning top honors at the Long Island Science Congress are Asma Asghar and Farihah Chowdhury who took home “High Honors” and the “Distinguished Categorical Monetary Award for Ecology.” Asma and Farihah analyzed the pathogens present within lone star ticks. They concluded from their data that the environment influences the microbes within these ticks and that pathogen ancestral lineage appears to be associated with symptoms exhibited in humans.

Earning “Honors” at the Long Island Science Congress are Dominick Caputo, Jason Rattansingh, Elizabeth Scianno, Philip Oriuwa and Angela Ochoa; and earning “Meritorious” were John Hangley, Michael Borrayo, Nathalia Reis, Erin Tumbrello, Christian Meehan and Kyle LaSpisa.

At the NYSSEF Andromeda Competition, Nathalia Reis and Erin Tumbrello earned second-place honors for their project analyzing the biodiversity of biological vectors throughout wooded and coastal regions. They discovered that there were more vectors in wooded regions which they attributed to increased habitat complexity. They also found a potentially novel genetic sequence of a vector. In that same competition, Dominick Caputo and Jason Rattansingh took home “Honorable Mention” awards.

Meagan Hanna

Meagan Hanna, an eighth-grade member of the William Paca Middle School Stony Brook STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) club advised by Paula Kluse, recently took home first place in the 28th annual Middle School Maglev Contest at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory. Meagan, who along with fellow members of the STEP Club, entered the competition which is based on research by two Brookhaven engineers, the late Gordon Danby and James Powell, who invented and patented maglev technology — the suspension, guidance, and propulsion of vehicles by magnetic forces. Meagan won first place in the Futuristic Design category.

​“This is our second time in this competition and I could not be prouder of all the students,” said Ms. Kluse. “Their motivation and perseverance in troubleshooting vehicles they’ve already worked on for months was astounding. It has been an amazing hands-on, STEM learning experience for everyone involved. We hope to compete in a greater variety of categories next year and hopefully take home more awards.”

Nearly 200 students from Long Island middle schools entered the contest, in which they were required to design and construct model maglev vehicles according to engineering specifications in a choice of seven categories: electrified track, futuristic, wind power, gravity, self-propelled balloon, self-propelled-other, and scale-model design. Judging was based on speed, efficiency, appearance, and the students’ written design process.

The William Paca Middle School STEP Club.

Pictured left to right are: Monica Corona, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School Principal; Gabriella Cucuzzo (second grade); Juliana Dolezal (fourth grade); Caden Hetman (fifth grade); Sophia Viola (first grade); Sofia Flores (kindergarten); and Eileen Randazzo, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School art teacher. Not pictured: Marlin Varela Monroy (third grade).

Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School art teacher Eileen Randazzo, Principal Monica Corona, WFSD Fine Arts Chairperson Theresa Bianco and the Nathaniel Woodhull school community recently celebrated the six student-artists selected for inclusion in the 14th annual Nathaniel Woodhull Art Gallery. One student from each grade level was chosen based on his or her artistic ability, as well as character and citizenship. Congratulations to Sofia Flores (kindergarten); Sophia Viola (first grade); Gabriella Cucuzzo (second grade); Marlin Varela Monroy (third grade); Juliana Dolezal (fourth grade) and Caden Hetman (fifth grade). After the ceremony, students and their families enjoyed a bagel breakfast together in the art room. Congratulations to these talented student-artists!

With a team that featured only four seniors, William Floyd Colonials varsity boys lacrosse head Coach Desmond Megna and his coaching staff viewed the spring 2018 season as a year of growth and development for the program. Led by senior goaltender Andrew Brust, the Colonials (8-8) used this year as a building block for the future.

“We are the youngest team in class A,” said Coach Megna. “We started three freshmen and four sophomores,” said Coach Megna, who saw his team’s maturity and discipline develop as the season progressed. “They learned how a quality team prepares and practices. The offense started to make strides as they gained more experience.”

The Colonials represented the district, their team and themselves extremely well, garnering the respect of their rivals, noted Coach Megna. “With the exception of one loss they were in every game competing against some of the best teams in the county.” In addition to their on-field play, the team earned the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Team Award for the fourth consecutive year.

A big challenge for every team in high school sports is that eventually players graduate, leaving potential holes that need to be filled. That should not be a problem in 2019 for this team as many key contributors will be returning with another year of experience. “When your leading goal scorer is a freshman, your leading point scorer is a sophomore, your face-off guy is a freshman and you bring back your entire starting defense, the future is bright. I’m looking for my attack to take the next step and be a really lethal unit. My first midfield led by Bryan Lubitz and Ronale Thomas should also be a force next year,” added Coach Megna.

The work to build a top-tier team will not stop during the offseason. The progress shown by many key players this season has Coach Megna looking ahead to 2019 with higher expectations in mind for his group of student-athletes. Expectations that will only be met with hard work and dedication shown by everyone involved in the lacrosse program. “We have implemented a new lifting program to add to our summer and fall ball programs. If everyone buys into the concept and improves individually our expectations are to make the playoffs and make some noise next year,” said Coach Megna.

Andrew Brust, one of the four seniors who will be graduating this year, set a new William Floyd saves record in 2018 with 221, breaking the mark set last year by Andrew Desmond (208 saves). Brust, who was recently named All-County and Academic All-American, committed to play and study at St. Joseph’s College in the fall.

Additional awards presented to members of the team include: freshman Julian Duque who led the team in goals with 33, earning Suffolk Class A Rookie of the Year honors; sophomore Noah Taylor,  who was last year’s Class A Rookie of the Year, earned All-Division as attackman; and Jake Stellato earned All-Division as defenseman.

See more photos in the flickr album below!

A limited number of spots are still available for parents interested in enrolling their eligible children in the district’s free Universal Pre-Kindergarten program beginning in September!

The program is a half-day, five day per week program for children turning four-years old by December 1, 2018. Children must also reside within the William Floyd School District and meet all health and immunization requirements. Enrollment is limited so get your application in today! If more applications are received than slots available, a lottery will be conducted. Please watch the video above to learn more about the program.

Please call (631) 874-1668 for additional information. You can download an application and a copy of the handbook at the links below.

This program is funded by New York State.

UPK Registration Information

UPK application (English)

UPK application (Spanish)

UPK Handbook

The William Floyd High School Wind Ensemble.

Story by Katie Lindley, junior, William Floyd High School, Public Relations Intern

The William Floyd Wind Ensemble recently had the amazing opportunity to perform on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid during Fleet Week New York over Memorial Day weekend. As a flute player in the group, I had the privilege of being able to observe the audience, and the pride on Wind Ensemble director Michael Cordaro’s face from the first row.

After playing Symphony No. 1, “The Lord of the Rings” by Johan de Meij, an attendee asked Mr. Cordaro the name of the song and complimented the band’s ability to play such a sensitive piece. While continuing the planned level VI program, three different adults asked where the band was from, and all three of them had the same shocked expression on their faces when they found out we were a high school band from Long Island. During the hour-long performance in 90 degree temperatures, attendees hit the record buttons on their phones to capture the music I was creating with 100 of my friends.

Performing on the USS Intrepid was an honor that I was lucky to share with my musical role models, my talented peers and teachers from across the district. Being led by Mr. Cordaro and having the opportunity to perform alongside six teachers – Jullia Bellante on the clarinet, Wendy Gross on the flute, Garry Helbock on the saxophone, Sharon Kitzis on the flute, Chris Miranda on the trumpet and Christine Saraceno on the piccolo – was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always cherish.

The admiration that attendees showed for the music that we played is proof that the hard work by the teachers and my fellow music students is paying off. Tackling such a challenging performance during the prestigious Fleet Week was just another experience adding to the greatness of the William Floyd Music Department.

Please enjoy part of their performance below!

Recently William Floyd Middle School eighth grades visited St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue for a campus tour which included the opportunity to speak with college representatives and current students. Students had to complete mock college applications and write essays in order to attend the field trip.

Ethan Behrens is pictured with his principal, Toni Komorowski, and his teacher Ellen Flynn-Nigro.

Two William Floyd students – Ethan Behrens, a Tangier Smith Elementary School kindergartner and Riley Meyer, a Moriches Elementary School first grader – both recently received “Honorable Mention” awards at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Elementary School Science Fair. In the competition, which included more than 500 students from 120 Suffolk County schools, only 46 “Honorable Mention” awards were presented from students all across Suffolk County, along with six overall grade level winners (K-6).

Ethan Berhrens, a kindergartner in Ellen Flynn-Nigro’s class, was recognized for his project “Animal Tracker,” in which he set up a camera and food each night to see which type of food deer liked the best among apples, carrots, meat and potatoes. His results revealed that deer preferred apples above the rest.

Riley Meyer is pictured with her principal, Eileen Filippone (left) and assistant principal, Deirdre Redding.

Riley Meyer, a first grader in Wendy Kadletz’s class at Moriches Elementary School, was recognized for her project “Saving Water,” in which she compared the amount of water used in a shower versus a bathtub. Her results revealed that taking a shower used less water.

The Elementary School Science Fair, sponsored by BNL and supported by Brookhaven Science Associates (the company that manages the Laboratory for the Department of Energy), is coordinated by BNL’s Office of Educational Programs with support from the Lab’s scientists, engineers and technical staff, as well as volunteers from the Long Island Matrix of Science and Technology and local elementary school teachers.

Recently, fifth graders in Barbara Sapanaro’s music classes at John S. Hobart Elementary School participated in the third annual “Reader’s Theater,” a live-action audio dramatization of five beloved children’s stories – “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Frog Prince,” “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” “Gingerbread Man” and “Bremen Town Rappers” an updated version of the “Bremen Town Musicians.” The students, dressed partially in costume of their characters, read these classic tales to some of the school’s kindergarten- and first-grade classes.

“Reader’s Theater helps students become more confident in their literacy skills, while providing an opportunity for them to get a taste of a live theater performance,” said Ms. Sapanaro. “The younger children thoroughly enjoyed the performance and look forward to their turn at the microphone in a few years.”

Graduating seniors and members of the Class of 2018 are pictured in front of their former elementary school – Tangier Smith.

Members of the Class of 2018 visited their former elementary school – John S. Hobart Elementary School.

Today, nearly 250 members of the William Floyd High School Class of 2018 participated in the district’s second annual “Graduation Walkthrough,” an opportunity for the seniors, donned in their caps and gowns, to visit their former elementary schools – John S. Hobart, Moriches, Nathaniel Woodhull, Tangier Smith and William Floyd. The event is designed to inspire current elementary students on to great things in their academic careers, as well as give the graduating seniors an opportunity to go back to where it all began for them and express their gratitude to their former teachers, teaching assistants and principals. With “Pomp and Circumstance” playing on each school’s public address system and elementary students lining the halls of each school, the soon-to-be alumni were welcomed, congratulated and cheered on by the elementary students and staff for all that they have accomplished.

“I am always amazed at the level of enthusiasm the elementary schools generate which helps make this event fulfilling for all involved,” said Matthew Sanders, William Floyd High School Assistant Principal and coordinator of this event. “I wish all could have seen the looks on the seniors’ faces as they returned to the high school and described the bittersweet feeling of returning to the place where it all began.”

See additional images and clips of the Graduation Walkthrough at Tangier Smith Elementary School and John S. Hobart Elementary School below!

This summer, the William Floyd School District will offer a variety of sports camps for students who are interested in participating.The registration fee varies depending on the camp. Proceeds will benefit the William Floyd Athletic Department for supplies and equipment.

Please be advised that the new start date for boys and girls basketball and wrestling summer camps will be on Tuesday, June 26 – start times will remain the same.

Boys and girls basketball will now end at 1 pm, wrestling will now end at 11 am for Grades K-3 and 1 pm for grades 4-6.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

The William Floyd Middle School Colonial Volunteers recently planted flowers in front of their school to add a touch of spring to the landscape. The group spent time digging and planting a colorful array of flowers. Members of the Colonial Volunteers pictured left to right are Anthony Ochoa, son of WFMS secretary Ann Ochoa, Jonathan Cullum, Sara Maisano, Eric Corn, Vera Swensen, John Gallagher and Dominick Engle.