Author Peter Catalanotto visited Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School on June 13 to share his expertise as both a writer and illustrator.

Mr. Catalanotto spoke to students about how he generates ideas for stories. When he first became a professional writer, he remembered advice from his elementary school teachers: write about something you know about or care about. That led to his first book, “Dylan’s Day Out,” inspired by his dog.

“Writing is about exploring ideas and finding your best idea,” he said in telling students that brainstorming is an integral part of the process.

He talked about how he was an illustrator for other authors before publishing his own books. Students excitedly watched as Mr. Catalanotto drew a face, demonstrating and explaining the steps he takes to created detailed facial features.

The author visit was sponsored by the Amityville Parent Teacher Council and organized by Library Media Specialist Timothy Quinn. The goal was to get students excited about reading before summer break, and staff from the Amityville Public Library also visited to talk about summer reading programs for children and teens. The school also hosted a book fair in the days prior to Mr. Catalanotto’s visit.

Elementary and middle school students celebrated their academic achievements during moving up ceremonies, which were held in the days leading up to the high school graduation.

A trend-setting class graduated from Edmund W. Miles Middle School, and they did so at the place where they will spend the next three years of their educational journey. During the ninth-grade awards ceremony at the high school on June 22, Principal Edward Plaia reviewed all the “firsts” that the class experienced. They were the first ninth graders in the district to take Advanced Placement courses and to build Lego robots. The 180 members of the class received their promotion certificates, and numerous awards were handed out.

Middle school now awaits the sixth-graders who graduated from Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School on June 22. Principal Robyn Santiago said that while they have great achievements to celebrate, they should strive to do even better next year. She reminded the youngsters that they don’t always have to follow the crowd and should always make good choices, even when no one is looking.

The 238 third-graders at Northwest Elementary School completed another step in their educational journeys when they were recognized for their achievements at the moving-up ceremony on June 21. Following a video in which students shared their memories of Northwest, teachers from each class announced their graduates and handed out completion certificates. Principal Kathleen Hyland reminded the students that “what’s worth learning is worth working for.”

Kindergartners completed one of their first major milestones when they graduated from Northeast Elementary School on June 20. The youngsters performed songs for their family members and Principal Dr. Pauline Collins presented perfect attendance awards. The students will comprise Amityville Memorial High School’s Class of 2029.

Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly wished the students luck as they head to their next schools. She encouraged them to continue reading over the summer and said the public library has a lot of good books available.

Edmund W. Miles Middle School Ninth-Grade Moving Up

Miles Middle School Ninth-Grade Moving Up

Northwest Third-Grade Moving Up

Northeast Kindergarten Moving Up

Learn how students at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School live by the six pillars of character.

 

Donovan Graham, a student at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, recently took his interest in music to the next level when he composed a piece that was played at the school’s spring concert.

The fifth-grader used music-writing software Noteflight, to create a ballad-style piece, “Bird Song,” approximately two and a half minutes long. Donovan conducted a woodwind ensemble comprised of teachers and fellow students, which he named Super Sound.

Music teacher Jolene Maccarone said she was very impressed when he brought her the music, and very few changes were made before the performance. She said this was the first time in her 23 years teaching at Park Avenue that a student-written piece was included in a school concert.

“His enthusiasm and his passion for music stimulates his creativity,” she said. “He’s a great musician. Donovan has only been playing for two years and he can play two instruments beyond his level.”

Donovan plays bass clarinet in the fifth-grade band and clarinet in the sixth-grade band. He is now composing a piece for a brass ensemble that he hopes will be performed at a school concert next year.

Several students from the district were recognized for their contributions to local art shows.

At Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, fourth-graders Jesus Barrios, Timothy Pratt and Emma Reme, and sixth-graders Messiah Marshall, Amaya Nelson and Makayla Warrick had their pieces selected for the Suffolk County Arts Leaders Association children’s art show. The SCALA show was held at Old Town Hall in Babylon.

Messiah and fifth-grader Aysia Francis represented their school in the Colors of Long Island Art Exhibition at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. All students completed their work under the direction of art teacher Susan Zaratin.

Astrid Dixon, a ninth-grader at Edmund W. Miles Middle School, and her art teacher, Nicole Scoca, will have their self-portraits displayed in the sixth annual SCALA Invitational Art Show at Farmingdale State College. Suffolk County art students have their exceptional artwork on display next to the artwork of their teachers in a side-by-side format. The reception will take place on Saturday, June 3 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Memorial Gallery of Hale Hall and the show runs through June 8.

Eight students represented the district in the 14th annual 12x12 High School Art Exhibition at LIU Post including ninth-graders Odalys Murcia and Ebony Toney, 10th graders Milagro Arevalo, Sharmin Arshad, Angela Kalin and Katherin Rojas and seniors Christina Brown and Kayla James. There art teachers are Nicole Scoca, Jennifer Dibble, Jayne Grasso, Heather Rickard and Nicole Pappas.

Aleyna Kokoglu, a student at Amityville Memorial High School, received the Visitor’s Choice Award in the Long Island’s Best Art Exhibition/Competition this year for her artwork, “Elegance.” He piece was exhibited at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington.