A North Merrick Minute
An e-newsletter from North Merrick Schools: Summer 2019
Students Explore a Variety of Summer Learning Adventures
North Merrick housed seven Summer Learning Adventure camps this year, and there was truly something for everyone. Students reinforced their academic skills while participating in fun activities in the Reading and Special Education Extended Year programs. Budding thespians created their own scripts and put on an original play in Theater Time. Musicians practiced and perfected their pieces to present a mini concert in Instrumental Music. Language learners became immersed in Spanish and Mandarin phrases and cultures. Campers practiced yoga and played games in SCOPE Recreation. And future scientists performed experiments and configured their own creations in Camp Invention. Everyone was busy learning and having a great time!
Camp Invention
Students aka Exploranauts in Action!
SCOPE Recreation
Making Friends on the Playground!
Theater Time
Recasting the Story of Little Red Riding Hood!
North Merrick Hosts National Math Foundation Summer Institute
North Merrick hosted the National Math Foundation Summer Institute for teachers across Long Island. North Merrick students had the opportunity to participate for free and demonstrate their familiarity with the Math & Movement program, which adds a kinesthetic component to the district's mathematics curriculum for K-6. Teachers learned about strategies and resources to strengthen students' math and reading skills while engaging them in dynamic, movement-based activities.
North Merrick Students Selected for Poetry Reading at Walt Whitman Bicentennial
After a year-long collaboration in the study of poetry between the North Merrick and Island Trees School Districts, Old Mill Road third graders and their peers from Island Trees were the only elementary students selected to recite their original poetry at the Walt Whitman Bicentennial Celebration in June. In addition, the students used the Buncee presentation tool to transform and share their sensory poems into guided meditations, which they led at the Walt Whitman Celebration. For this unique project combining English Language Arts with technology and community connections, English as a New Language (ENL) teacher Christina Moser and her colleague in Island Trees were awarded by the Walt Whitman Birthplace and the NASTECH Title III Consortium Celebration of Learning.
Dr. Seniuk Selected for NASTAR Technology Award and Newsday Column
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cynthia Seniuk was selected as one of 23 educators and administrators for the First Annual NASTAR Award from Nassau BOCES and the Nassau Association of School Technologists (NASTECH) at an end-of-year luncheon in June. The award recognizes innovative and exemplary leadership in technology. Dr. Seniuk was cited for her redesign of the classrooms and computer labs, installation of the Span walls and 3D printers, as well as the use of Chromebooks and Google Classroom. Look for Dr. Seniuk's inclusion in the Sunday Education column on the subject of technology in the September 1 issue of Newsday!
Second Annual Field of Flags Donation Sent to the Wounded Warrior Project
The Second Annual Field of Flags was sponsored this year by the Camp Avenue Student Council, and all proceeds from the flags benefited the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Wounded Warrior Project is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting wounded veterans and their families. At the flag commemoration on May 16, Camp Avenue Student Council was joined by central administration, Board of Education trustees, American Legion Post 1282, local legislators, and boy and girl scout troops who helped to post the flags on the Fayette front lawn. As a special treat, North Merrick alumnus Patrick Boyle played America the Beautiful and military unit songs on the bagpipes.
New Student Support Program - Homework Help and Other (H20)
A new after-school program, which piloted last spring, will continue to support North Merrick students during the new school year. The program is structured to be fluid and meet individual needs, such as when a student:
- is absent and needs to catch up, or
- struggles with a concept, or
- requires remediation with an academic skill, or simply
- needs to build confidence within a subject.
Teachers will be in touch with parents when to set up some H20 time!
New School Year! New District Logo! New District Calendar Design! New District Website Navigation!
Check out the new logo and tagline below, updated and sized for digital applications. The new expanded district calendar guide will be distributed by the schools and is posted on the district website under Announcements. Look for the improved website navigation coming soon at www.nmerrickschools.org. Be sure to register on the website and subscribe to your child's school or areas of interest to receive email alerts when content is updated. And visit the Apple Store or Google Play to download the free mobile app to stay in the know on the go.
School Supply Lists and Teacher Placement Cards
Do you have all your supplies ready for the new school year? The supply lists can be found on the school pages under Quick Links and Parents/Community.
The teacher placement cards are in the mail as of Thursday, August 22.
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 3!