This past Monday evening families in our community got together at the Project Excel season opening orientation dinner. Project Excel is a special program, coordinated by Mr. David Perkins, which provides job training, mentoring, and academic assistance to our district students.
The main program, in front of a combined English/Spanish speaking audience opened with a call to action by Whitman sophomore Ms. Brianna Flythe. The audience heard from Mr. David Perkins, Ms. Jacqueline Harris, and Dr. David Bennardo before some words of appreciation that came from State Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci and Huntington Town Councilwomen Tracy Edwards. “It was inspiring to see and hear everyone focused upon "Developing a Lifestyle of Value," said Deputy Superintendent Harris in this weeks newsletter. “We are all excited about the activities planned for this special program and look forward to celebrating our students’ success in the year to come.”
At the midway point in the program our Spanish-speaking parents, along with their children relocated to an adjoining room for their own Keynote Address. Both speakers, English and Spanish, introduced this year’s theme ‘Developing a Lifestyle of Value,’ and what it means in their lives. The audience got to know keynote speaker and Walt Whitman’s new Principal Mr. John Murphy a lot better after his take on ‘Developing a Lifestyle of Value.’ “I want students and their families to understand the difference of what is important to value,” said Murphy. “Success will come to those who have a positive value system. Valuing education, family, and community will lead students to lead rich lives and be successful in any endeavor they face.”
District Social Worker Roberto Torres opened the special part of the evening for our Spanish speaking audience and parents heard a call to action from Whitman freshman Jason Moreno Quintanilla. Parents, along with their children, were enthusiastic with what keynote speaker Mr. Carlos Piovanetti Esq., had to say about a lifestyle of value.
A special acknowledgement went out to this year’s building coordinators; Ian Denson from Birchwood, Maria Colon from Maplewood, Shaka Williams at Silas Wood 6th Grade Center, Richard Garcia at Stimson Middle School and Roberto Torres at Walt Whitman High School.
Thank you as well to all of the service providers—the Huntington Community Resource Center, Family Service League, Head Start, Tri CYA, St. Joseph College, Suffolk Community College, South Huntington Public Library, LI Cares—and to our district mentors. These educators and community advocates do wonderful things for our students.
It looks like another great year to come for our Project Excel students at Birchwood and Maplewood Intermediate Schools, Silas Wood Sixth-Grade Center, Stimson Middle School, and Walt Whitman High School.
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