Young scientists at Edmund W. Miles Middle School in the Amityville Union Free School District have spent the spring studying the life cycles of animals.

In Rebecca Feehan’s class, students have been raising tadpoles since April, and recently, their creatures sprang feet. They are excitedly watching the tadpoles in their transformation into frogs. Students are keeping the reptiles well fed and also ensuring they have clean water to live in.

Ms. Feehan noted that the students also received caterpillars this year, and watched them become butterflies before releasing them outside.

In Living Environment classes with teachers Natasha Lim and Christine Quigley, students are raising Northern Bobwhite Quails. The school is taking part in a program with the Seatuck Environmental Association.

The science classes received eggs, which were in an incubator for about three weeks before hatching. After the quails came to life, they were transferred to a brooder and cared for by the students, who feed them and clean their cages. They have been observing and documenting the growth and development of the birds, which will eventually be released at various parks on Long Island. 

The Board of Education of the Amityville Union Free School District recognized nearly 40 staff members who are either retiring or have achieved a milestone level of service to the district. Staff Recognition Night, which was held on June 9, is an annual tradition to honor administrators, teachers and support staff for their dedication to Amityville’s students. 

Retirees include teachers Joan Peshler, Elbert Platt, Christine Quigley, Laurette Roddin, Deborah Ross and Susan Rutigliano; teacher assistants Susan McDougall, Alfreta Lidge, Patricia Monaco, Kathleen Rousseau and Yuko Suzuki; custodians James Carrington, Bernard Ricks, Anthony Tolliver and George Williams; and clerical staff Barbara Miller and Karen Petermann.

Several staff members were also recognized for milestone service anniversaries with the district.

20 years: Mary Abbruscato, Nicole Altamura, Daren Aversa, Michelle Eastwood, Steven Gafarian, Selina Gibbons, Francine John, Ronnie Johns, Mary-Ellen Loiacono, Joan Peshler, Susan Rutigliano, Lauren James Seubert, Diane Stokes and Colleen Vanni.

25 years: Sherefer Arrington, Angela Gibson, Adriana Gray, Michael Greco, William Maisel and Sikes Reese.

30 years: Donnell Lewis, Karen Petermann, Deborah Ross, Steve Wexler and Gail Wittke.

The Board of Education also presented a certificate of recognition to boys cross country coach Stephanie Barnes, who was named the League 7 Coach of the Year by the Suffolk County Track and Field Coaches Association. 

With the transition to middle school just a few months away for fifth graders in Amityville, they got some help from their peers who know the lay of the land. Members of the National Junior Honor Society at Edmund W. Miles Middle School spearheaded a “Virtual Transition to Middle School” workshop for fifth graders at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School.

Honor Society members, under the direction of adviser Carlee Brunson, created a presentation that included a picture tour of the middle school, a guide to block scheduling and the advisory period, and information about clubs and sports. They also discussed the expectations of middle school, the differences between elementary and middle school, requirements for NJHS and staff members they can turn to for support. The virtual program concluded with a question and answer session.

Noted Park Avenue guidance counselor Kim Balducci, “Although our fifth graders can't visit the middle school this year, we brought the middle school to them.”

To close out Autism Awareness Month in April, students in the Amityville Union Free School District brought attention to the disorder that is estimated to affect 1 in 54 children nationwide.

Students and staff at Edmund W. Miles Middle School took part in the Light It Up Blue campaign, and were encouraged to wear blue to school on Thursdays and Fridays throughout April. The school also made a donation to Autism Speaks. 

Math chairperson Monica Martin said that students learned about the importance of accepting others for their differences as well as how to be inclusive of students with autism. 

Northeast Elementary School held its first autism awareness walk on April 29 and 30. Pre-K students walked four laps around the school garden.  During class time, they modeled awareness by being helpful, showing kindness, being a friend and sharing. The students received certificates of completion to bring home to their families.