Curriculum Corner

North Merrick School District - Winter 2023

Chamber of Commerce Honors North Merrick for 100 Years of Educating Youth

Chamber of Commerce Honors North Merrick for 100 Years of Educating Youth

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce is honoring the North Merrick and Merrick School Districts with the Community Partnership Award for over 100 years of educating the youth of the community. This is only the second time in the chamber's history that they have paused some annual awards to present this special recognition. The award will be presented to the district at the Chamber's Annual Installation Dinner on January 24 at Mio Posto Restaurant. The district has grown from an eight-room school house to the three district schools of Camp Avenue, H.D. Fayette, and Old Mill Road today.
Chamber of Commerce Honors North Merrick for 100 Years of Educating Youth
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North Merrick Teachers Recognized for Use of Instructional Technology

The Association of Suffolk Supervisors for Educational Technology (ASSET) has recognized Christina Moser, second grade teacher at Old Mill Road School, with the Bright Light Award. Mrs. Moser received the award on January 12 for her "impactful contribution to education through innovation, technology, and community engagement." See the short video, below, for a tribute to Mrs. Moser.


Additionally, ASSET has accepted a proposal by Amanda Hocevar, speech teacher at H.D. Fayette School, and Mara Karfinkel, WINGS teacher, to present "A Carousel of Ideas for Empowering Student Learners" at the ASSET Conference in March.


Congratulations to All!

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North Merrick Interactive Science Lessons Flow with Stream Tables

Fourth graders are literally getting their hands in the action while working with the stream tables in North Merrick's signature hands-on science curriculum. The students are studying the dynamics of rivers, streams, land, and water and learning about engineering solutions. The lessons reinforce the science skills of observation, classification, conclusions, and problem solving.
North Merrick Students are Competing in the First in Math Tournament

North Merrick Students are Competing in the First in Math Tournament

North Merrick is participating in the virtual regional qualifying round of the First in Math Statewide Tournament, which concludes on March 30. The students are demonstrating their critical math skills in the popular 24 (R) game series. The in-person championship event will take place on May 20.


Psst! As of this writing, Old Mill Road is placing 13 in the top 100 schools competing in New York State. More to follow!

North Merrick Students are Competing in the First in Math Tournament
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Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the 25th Season of Theatre Arts in March!

Theatre Arts is in its 25th season with this year's production of The Wizard of Oz. Rehearsals have begun and there are over 100 students participating in the main cast, show choir, and stage crew.


Performance week starts the morning of March 14 and curtains close the evening of March 18. "This promises to be one of our very best shows. We are excited by the talent, energy, and

willingness of the entire cast to try new things and to offer support to fellow cast members," says Joyce Kelley, Director.


So come follow the yellow brick road and have a night out with family and friends to see the

Wizard of Oz! Ticket sale information coming soon!

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What's Up with WINGS?

The WINGS program under the direction of teacher Mara Karfinkel is soaring this year for students in fourth through sixth grades.


Fourth graders recently completed a unit on sneaker design and their advertisements have been on display around the schools. The students will begin their first experience with 3D printing on Tinkercad to create and print a 3D object of their choice.


Fifth graders are prepping for their Shark Tank Presentation Night on February 2. Students have imagined an invention of their own that solves a real world problem and are ready to present it to the "sharks" in hopes of receiving an investment in their company.


Sixth graders have finalized their informational apps and are so excited to begin their 3D printing unit. They are also practicing to participate in the National Math League competition in late February.

Preparing for New State Assessments in Science and Computer-Based Testing

Preparing for New State Assessments in Science and Computer-Based Testing

Jaclyn Guidice, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel, and the Curriculum Advisory Committee are reviewing the new science lessons from National Geographic and preparing for the revised New York State science assessments. The state has published four mandated science "investigations" that students must engage with before taking the fifth grade science assessment in spring 2024. The principals and teachers are working to provide quality instruction to introduce students to this new format, and this year all students in grades 3-5 will participate in at least one of the investigations.


Ms. Guidice is also working with faculty to prepare for a transition to new computer-based state testing for grades 4 and 6. New York State is requiring districts to administer simulation assessments at the end of this month to test the readiness of hardware and software and to provide an opportunity for teachers and students to practice testing this way.

Preparing for New State Assessments in Science and Computer-Based Testing

Online Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Registration through February 10, 2023

North Merrick residents with children who will be four years old by December 1, 2023, are eligible for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) lottery for the 2023-24 school year. The online lottery started on January 13 and will stay open through February 10. The lottery will be live streamed on February 17 at 9 a.m.


The UPK program is contingent on state funding and will be placed within local preschool facilities. Go to www.nmerrickschools.org/upk for the link and information.

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Online Kindergarten Registration: January 24-26, 2023


Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year will be held online on January 24, 25, and 26, 2023, in alphabetical order. Children must be five years old by December 1, 2023 in order to register for the 2023-24 school year.



Last names starting from A through I may register on January 24, last names starting from J through R may register on January 25, and last names starting from S through Z may register on January 26.


Go to www.nmerrickschools.org/kindergarten for more information and links.
North Merrick School District

North Merrick School District

North Merrick School District
K-6 Public School District
1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY, USA pr@nmerrick.org (516)-282-1846 nmerrickschools.org