Hi All
It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr. John Murphy as the new principal of Walt Whitman High School. Mr. Murphy progressed through an inclusive search of over 70 applicants, as well as numerous rounds of screenings, committee meetings, writing samples, interviews, and reference checks. We are genuinely excited to have Mr. Murphy join our South Huntington family, and thank all of the staff members, students, and parents who provided input throughout the process. The collaborative approach that characterizes our South Huntington district was on full display during this important search, and we all look forward to great things in the years to come.
Mr. Murphy comes to us from the Brentwood School District, where he served as the assistant principal in charge of a building center that includes over 2000 students in grades 10-12. Mr. Murphy, who holds graduate degrees from Stony Brook University, and is currently working towards his Doctorate at St. John's, has a strong reputation as an instructional leader and community-focused administrator. Mr. Murphy's tenure at Brentwood High School brought an increase in academic performance at all levels and an emphasis on scholastic, social, and co-curricular success.
After accepting the principalship, Mr. Murphy expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged the totality of his efforts to the position. He communicated a genuine desire to immerse himself in our learning community and become an active part of the Walt Whitman family. To this end, Mr. Murphy, who officially assumes his new role in early August, will spend the next several weeks communicating with students, parents, teachers, and staff alike. He plans to tour our numerous summer activities, while arranging both formal and informal meetings with representatives of our various constituent groups. Additionally, Mr. Murphy will be working closely with Ms. Acker over these next several weeks to ensure a seamless transition and smooth September opening.
Mr. Murphy will be reaching out to the members of our learning community over the next several days and sharing his new email and phone numbers as they become available. Please take a moment to get to know this newest member of our South Huntington team.
Be well,
Dave Bennardo
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Mr. John Murphy
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Mr. John Murphy Appointed Walt Whitman High School Principal
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Summer Reading Program 2015 - I Reached 100 Points!
Click Hereto let us know that you have finished the Summer 2014 Reading Program and reached 100 points.
Every Hero has a Story
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Walt Whitman AP Summer Assignments
Please click here to view the AP summer assignments.
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LI Musical Theater Ready for Opening Night
The Long Island Musical Theater Festival gets off to a big start this evening when a troupe of Long Islands top musical theater students journey through the illustrious career of Tony nominee and Emmy winner, Liz Callaway. This celebration in song will honor and pay tribute to the career of this famed actress who made her Broadway debut in the original production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.
To add to an already special evening, Ms. Callaway will join the cast onstage for one of her more famous songs, as well as performing a couple of solo numbers to the delight of everyone in the audience.
Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 8pm
Tickets: $30 for Adults/ $20 for Students & Seniors
Adelphi University Performing Arts Center
1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
To purchase tickets, please visit www.LIMTF.org
The Long Island Musical Theatre Festival is a non-profit program dedicated to producing a full-length musical with a professional orchestra in two weeks. During that time, students receive training from industry professionals while being surrounded by peers who share the same passion and skill set. Students will have the opportunity to work with a Broadway guest artist, discuss resume building, and learn audition techniques.
This summer, LIMTF will be producing “Merrily We Roll Along” featuring master classes with Tony nominee and Emmy winner, Liz Callaway. Along with starring in Merrily We Roll Along, Cats, Baby, Three Musketeers, Miss Saigon, Something Wonderful and The Look Of Love, Ms. Callaway is famous for providing the singing voices of many female characters in animated films, such as Anya/Anastasia in Anastasia, Odette in The Swan Princess, and the Adult Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride.
The LIMTF program will take place at Walt Whitman High School on weekdays from July 20–July 31 from 10 am – 6 pm. Performances will be on Friday, July 31st at 8pm and Saturday, August 1 at 3pm.
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6th Grade Experiment to Be Tested in Outer Space!
A team of students from Silas Wood 6th Grade Center is interested in finding out if polymer beads can clean laundry in zero gravity. Their findings could help astronauts clean their clothes on the International Space Station, and in the future, on the moon or Mars!
Six students will have the opportunity to test their experiment on the International Space Station later this year. As a part of the *Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP), they will be among a select group of students who have had the opportunity to conduct research in microgravity.
During the mission, the student team will conduct two identical experiments – one on the Space Station and one in their classroom – to see if microgravity has an impact on the effectiveness of the polymer beads. The Polymer beads, supplied by Xeros Corporation, clean by expanding when in contact with a small amount of water, absorbing stains. The students predict the beads will work the same way in space, eventually allowing astronauts to clean their clothes while preserving water, a precious resource in space.
The winning team members are: Hassain Babar, Dylan Cellamare, Richard Kurjanski, Leo Musitano, Stephan Tsolis, and Jacob Veeder. The group will begin 7th grade next year at Stimson Middle School. Their teacher at Silas Wood is Ms. Carol Kelly.
The STEM Experiment was selected from 40 proposals submitted by 184 students from three South Huntington schools. A local committee made up of students, teachers and administrators from the Farmingdale University STEP Program, and a representative from the Astronomical Society of LI selected the top three experiments. A national review board, convened by the National Center of Earth and Space Science Education, which administers the program, selected the South Huntington experiment for spaceflight.
A student-designed mission patch will travel to the International Space Station with the experiment. Mia Stampfel and YiMei Potzinger both 5th-graders from Maplewood Intermediate School designed the winning patch. The patches will be certified as having flown in space and returned to display in South Huntington after the flight is completed.
Congratulations to all of our students who submitted experiments for judging, and especially to the finalists at Birchwood and Maplewood Intermediate School. This is an exciting example of how our STEM program in South Huntington is blossoming throughout the various grades and we are extremely proud of our winning team from Silas Wood, Long Island’s 1st STEM Career Academy.
Funding from local and national partners, including A Plus, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Casis, Cameron Engineering, Circor Airospace, Farmingdale State University, Long Island Forum for Technology, Subaru, and Zion Youth of Elmont made this wonderful experience possible.
*The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) is a national science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program undertaken by the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, which is working with NASA under a formal Space Act Agreement as part of the utilization of the International Space Station as a National Laboratory.
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Wildcat Sports Camp Highlights
The 2015 Wildcat Sports Camp came to a close last Friday, July 24th and the camper feedback has been extraordinary. Camp directors Vin Altebrando, Robin Rosa, Tom Fitzpatrick, and John DiGiacomo ran quite an operation with four weekly sessions that kept over 1,000 campers busy with Field Hockey to Flag football – Basketball to Baseball, and everything in between.
Campers chose from a half-day to a full day and the experienced staffers expertly guided their young charges in the finer details of their chosen sport. “This summer was another great all-around experience, especially to see our varsity coaches provide such a high level of instruction to the campers,” said Vin Altebrando. “This community type of sports camp gives everyone, from the young athlete looking to seriously up their game, to the youngster wanting an active and fun experience, the chance to do it all.” Seeing our Walt Whitman alumni return to their familiar fields, courts, and diamonds and engage with their much younger community members provided an exemplary environment that makes the South Huntington community so special.
Thank you to all the coaches and staffers, as well as our campers and their families for making this year’s Wildcat Sports Camp so successful. Enjoy the rest of your summer… see you all next year.
Photo Galleryfrom Session 2
Photo Galleryfrom Session 3
Photo Galleryfrom Session 4
Photo Galleryfrom the Huntington Manor Fire Truck
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Youth Program Connecting at Whitman
Suffolk County and Huntington Town Officials held a press conference at Walt Whitman High School on Wednesday evening to thank the South Huntington school community, Board of Education, and district administration for their overwhelming support for the Suffolk County Youth Connection program.
The Suffolk County Youth Connection is a summer activity program open to all, but aimed specifically to provide educational and recreational activity for youth in Huntington, Huntington Station, and South Huntington free of charge. More than 100 resident students, age 12-18, are participating in the five day-a-week program, which runs from July 13 to August 21. Activities range from basketball and golf to creative writing, photography and robotics.
Open enrollment every night ensures that students may sign up on the spot and attend at any point during the program. Tuesdays through Fridays have a Middle School program from 5-7PM and a High School Program from 7-9PM. Monday nights are dedicated to children with disabilities 6-7:30PM.
The program is the brainchild of Huntington Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards, who can be found at Walt Whitman almost every night speaking with her support staff and coaches, and most importantly, encouraging students and making sure they know that they are loved and supported. The program is one of the councilwoman’s action plans that include the promotion of quality of life initiatives; and the creation of additional partnerships with school districts and local businesses to increase youth programs.
The program is presented jointly by Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington in collaboration with the South Huntington School District, the Huntington Opportunity Resource Center Leadership Council, the Suffolk County Police Department, the Park Shore Science Camp Academy, the Huntington Manor Fire Department, the Huntington Ecumenical Ministers Alliance, Tri-CYA, REACH-CYA, David W Parker Lodge #72 and chapter 64, OES, and the Huntington branch of the NAACP. Other sponsors include the Huntington Community First Aid Squad, Integrity Golf and Canon USA.
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'Merrily We Roll Along'
There is a fantastic performance taking place this weekend at the Walt Whitman High School Performing Arts Center. The Long Island Musical Festival Theatre, which includes many of our talented students and music teachers, will be presenting “Merrily We Roll Along” by Stephen Sondheim on Friday, 7/31 @8 p.m.andSaturday, 8/1@3 p.m. The Performing Arts Center is sure to come to life with the sights and sounds of this wonderful show as Long Island’s finest talent comes to our community for a weekend of musical excellence. Please join ustonightortomorrowfor this fantastic show.
Tickets: General Admission - $25 adults, $20 students and seniors.
Merrily We Roll Along chronicles the lives and careers of three best friends. The story begins in 1976, and ends in 1957. The music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.
Walt Whitman students and alumni who are featured in the cast of “Merrily We Roll Along:” Sam Hoffman, Nick Magnus, Lauren Giglio, Marina Kopf, Megan Montemurro, Carlos Villatoro, and Tyler Zeoli.“Glorious…Heartbreaking…The charms of the music are still abundantly evident…The cheers began with the first bars of the show’s overture, the most infectious and conventionally stirring that Mr. Sondheim wrote.”– New York Times
Friday, July 31 at 8pm
Click here to purchase tickets
Saturday, August 1 at 3pm
Click here to purchase tickets
Walt Whitman Performing Arts Centre
301 West Hills Road, South Huntington, NY 11746
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Varsity Dance Team Kicks Off Season
Congratulations to Ms. Kiva Boozer and Nicole Mercurio, whose talented Walt Whitman Varsity Dance team took the National Dance Alliance Summer Training Festival by storm. Teams from Long Island and New Jersey attended this popular summer season tune-up and competition.After a rigorous several days we are proud to post the following results:
Team Awards:
Superior rating in Team Dance
Superior Showmanship Award
NDA Spirit Award
Gold - Team Leader Performance
Herkie Teamwork Award (Named after the founder of NDA)
Individual Awards:
3 All American Team Members -Katherine Cox, Amanda Moletz, and Arianna Carlson
Bid to the National Dance Championship in Orlando Florida
Top Gun Kick Winner - Marina Kilkenny
Top Gun Turns Winner - Katherine Cox
Congratulations girls! A special thanks to their coaches and parents who work incredibly hard helping to ensure a successful start to the new season.
2015-16 Team Roster: Arianna Carlson, Catherine Costantino, Katherine Cox, Taylor Greco, Jenna Kilkenny, Marina Kilkenny, Rachel Kilkenny, Amanda Moletz, Pamela Pulverenti, Madison Repetti, and Brittney Salerno.
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Audiences Love ‘Merrily We Roll Along’
Right from the opening scene you knew you were in for a treat. The professional orchestra was spot on and the wonderfully talented cast of the Long Island Musical Theater Festival (LITMF) once again captivated their audience with a top-notch production of Merrily We Roll Along.
Our very own vocal director, Mr. Steven Altinel is the Artistic and Musical Director of LIMTF and organized this special program which joined Whitman students and alumni Tyler Zeoli, Lauren Giglio, Marina Kopf, Nick Mangus, Sam Hoffman, Megan Montemurro and Carlos Villatoro onstage with the finest musical theater talent in the region.
Earlier in the week it was a genuine thrill to see Whitman students and staff performing side by side with Broadway star and Emmy winner, Liz Callaway. Ms. Callaway conducted a master class with the LIMTF cast in preparation for the performance, and joined them in a special performance at Adelphi University that honored and paid tribute to the career of this famed actress who made her Broadway debut in the original production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.
Photo Galleryfrom Merrily We Roll Along
Photo Galleryfrom Master Class
The Long Island Musical Theatre Festival is a non-profit program dedicated to producing a full-length musical with a professional orchestra in two weeks. During that time, students receive training from industry professionals while being surrounded by peers who share the same passion and skill set. Students will have the opportunity to work with a Broadway guest artist, discuss resume building, and learn audition techniques.
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Meet Your New Principal Tonight!
On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at 7 p.m., Dr. Bennardo and I would like to cordially invite you to attend an informal reception to provide the parents and community the opportunity to meet before the start of the school year. This gathering will be held in the Walt Whitman High School south cafeteria with light refreshments served. It is my hope that many of you can attend.
Respectfully,
John Murphy
Principal
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Summer Music & Arts Camp Concludes on a High Note
The summer music and arts program once again provided excellent opportunities for students of all ages to try something new or improve on talents and skills they already have. Over 100 youngsters took advantage of this affordable and enriching camp held at Walt Whitman High School.
This summer’s music and arts camp menu included band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz, with daily rehearsals and small private and group instruction. A new and very popular addition to the music program this year was Rock Band. “Many of our staff have either graduated from college or are in graduate school and active in music and the arts,” said Mr. Allan Deitz, who co-directs the camp with Mr. Frank Yolango. There were special small group instruction classes that include piano, brass, woodwinds, violin, saxophone and percussion. Art classes were busy in several rooms with illustration, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry making, and basic art that include photography.
South Huntington has a strong dance program and a group of youngsters took full advantage in this summer’s dance classes. Responding to increased interest in the performing arts, classes were added in Pantomime, Intro to Acting, a Show Tunes Vocal Workshop, and a popular Theater Program. There was also a special elementary program that gave our second- and third-graders individualized exposure to music, art, and theatre. “This was a great camp with a long history and a terrific staff,” said Mr. Deitz.
As our creative and performing arts students’ progress through the district’s schools, it’s especially rewarding to see the tremendous increase in both quality and participation. The arts are truly alive and well in South Huntington.
Photo GalleryThursday Performance
Photo GalleryFriday Performance
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Drive Begins for Back to School Supplies
The Brandywine Senior Living Community is coordinating a "Back to School Supply Drive,” and all the supplies they collect will be donated to Countrywood and Oakwood Primary Center’s students. The supplies will go to students who may not be able to afford school supplies, art teachers, etc.
Supplies can be dropped off until August 29th at Brandywine Senior Living, 70 Pinelawn Road, Melville, NY 11747. For additional info call Charlene Loglisci at: (631) 531-0000
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Way to Go Epi and Gaby!
There have been two epiphanies in the lives of Gabrielle and Epiphany Ramirez, both of which are connected. It is truly difficult to find the two sisters separated, many peers know them better as the dynamic duo: ‘Epi ’n Gaby.’ The first epiphany is actually the younger sister Epiphany, or Epi as she prefers.
Epi was born with ocular albinism, which is the lack of pigment in the eyes. She was diagnosed as legally blind, but after surgery and many pairs of glasses she is no longer considered blind.
Since Epi and the rest of the members of the Ramirez family wear eyeglasses, the sisters quickly learned the high cost associated with eyewear. As a result, the second epiphany appeared in their lives: the creation of Eye Partners Inspire (E.P.I.).
Eye Partners Inspire is a non-profit foundation and its main vision is to provide eyeglass frames to disadvantaged Long Island residents. The girls collect used eyeglasses, clean them, and then redistribute the eyeglass frames to many of their neighbors. Epi and Gaby do not ship collected eyeglasses overseas because they understand the high need for quality eyeglasses among low-income Long Islanders.
As of now, Eye Partners Inspire has held two successful events: one at St. Hugh of Lincoln in Huntington Station and the second at St. Luke in Brentwood. Collectively, E.P.I. has donated over 225 eyeglass frames to Long Island residents. The group has saved these neighbors an estimated $22,500 (based on average retail price of $100 per frame).
After their first successful year, Epi and Gaby are very optimistic for Eye Partners Inspire's future. Recently the two sisters were interviewed by Huntington Patch, (http://patch.com/new-york/huntington/sisters-high-school-launch-nonprofit-serve-community-0). The girls are currently working on launching a new Eye Partners Inspire program: “Give the Gift of Better Vision.” The premise includes providing full eyeglass packages (eye exams, lenses, and frames) to Long Island children for the holidays.
Way to Go Epi and Gaby!
For more information regarding this exceptional foundation please visit the EPI website: www.epilongisland.org.
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SHEF FAMILY FUN DAY THIS SUNDAY!
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Getting a Jump on the New School Year
As in the past, the 2015 English as a New Language (ENL) Jump Start Program included incoming kindergarten students into our ‘Parents and Children Together’ (PACT) classes. These two classes welcomed 24 students who have never attended preschool and will start kindergarten in September. Throughout the four-week program, students and parents became familiar with school in preparation for the start of school on September 1st.
The transition into kindergarten can be stressful for children who have never been exposed to a school setting, but not for our kindergarten PACT families! Through songs, art, play, books and daily school-home communication, they have learned and enjoyed what our schools have to offer. Each Friday, parents join their children in class for an hour of learning activities and discussion. On the last day of summer school, they took the learning outdoors for some playground literacy fun! Ms. Maria Rodriguez and Ms. Joanne Sanchez welcomed our youngest students with four weeks of dynamic activities that planted the seeds for a great start of kindergarten and a better school career.
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TOPSOCCER Fall Registration Open!
SOUTH HUNTINGTON SOCCER CLUB
TOPSOCCER (SPECIAL NEEDS DIVISION)
Join us in this extraordinary non-competitive program for children with mental and/or physical disabilities. This program is for special needs children who are not able to participate in a regular soccer activity. Children learn to play soccer in a fun and pressure-free environment while also improving their self-esteem.
This program, for players ages 4-18, consists of a one hour weekly clinic consisting of drills and a scrimmage. The clinic is held on Saturday mornings at Maplewood Intermediate School in Huntington Station from 10:00-11:00AM. There is a spring season and a fall season.
Registration is currently being accepted online for the Fall 2015 season at www.southhuntingtonsc.com
The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt, team photo and trophy.
For more information contact Christy Gudaitis at 631-421-2876 or cgudaitis1@optonline.net
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Exciting News From Our Wildcat Marching Band
You can support the marching band cause and have a great lunch/dinner by visiting Mario's onAugust 26thfrom11AM-10PM. Simply show the attached flier, enjoy your meal, and know that you are helping our students shine.
The excitement continues on September 9th and 10thwith auditions for our upcoming Wildcat Marching Band "Who's Got Talent" Competition. This audition, which will be held from5-8PMin Room 224 at WWHS provides participants a chance to be included in our Friday, October 22ndDistrict-Wide Talent Show.
Those interested in auditioning can email:bpa@wwhsmb.comwith your name, date you would like to audition, and a brief description of your act. You will receive a return email with your audition time. Please be prepared to pay the nominal $5 registration fee at the audition. Additional information is included on the attached flier.
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Fall Adult Education Courses Set
Adult Education Registration Open!
Sign Up Today for our Adult and Continuing Education Courses.
Download course booklet below.
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Healing Through Teamwork
Sean and Kilian Duclay are having a busy summer. This past weekend the brothers led a small armada of 30 sailboats out of Northport harbor and into the Long Island Sound for a day of sailing. But these boats were not manned by your average sailor, they were skippered by Veterans who have learned, thanks to the Duclay brothers program, ‘Sail Ahead,’ that sailing offers healing therapeutic benefits for veterans with post-traumatic stress.
This first annual event, held at the Centerport Yacht Club, hosted over 80 veterans, their families and devoted volunteers. Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci joined members of the Huntington community to celebrate Sail Ahead. “To be here, at the inaugural Sail Ahead event, is to bear witness to the nautical culture of Long Island paying homage to our veterans in a unique and unconventional way,” said Lupinacci.
Sean and Kilian, who were inspired to use sailing as a healing method for veterans with post-traumatic stress, coordinated the event. We’ve highlighted these two young men before but in case you would like to know more, please use the following links about this remarkable program and Sean and Kilian Duclay.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Jennifer Duclay, a freshman at Walt Whitman, did many of these fantastic photos. Jenny has been very involved in this event and in the Sail Ahead organization as well. She was assigned to the USMMA RHIB and boarded every boat to take pictures.
http://www.shufsd.org/News/Story.aspx?id=21553
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/sail-ahead-group-uses-sailing-trips-as-therapy-for-veterans-1.10765263
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