March 2015 Jericho School News

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Three Students Named Intel Semifinalists

Ien Li, Steve Zheng, and Crystal Zheng, seniors at Jericho High School,were recently named semifinalists in the prestigious Intel ScienceCompetition. These students are three of only 300 selected from morethan 1,800 entrants from 460 high schools. From there, Crystal Zheng andIen Li went on to be named two of the 40 finalists nationwide. Each semifinalist received a $1,000 award from Intel with an additional$1,000 going to his or her school. Crystal Zheng’s project was entitled BDNF VAL66MET induces endo-cytosis-dependent dendritic spine collapse via proNGF-like collapsemechanism.Ien Li’s project was entitled Statistical Modeling of Major Depression:Bridging the Gap between Brain and Behavior.Steve Zheng’s project was entitled Synthesis of a novel MOF for CO2separation in Carbon Capture and Storage.Congratulations!

MS Seedlings Class Visits Islamic Center

Students in Elisa Waters’ SEEDlings class recently visited the IslamicCenter of Long Island. Isma Chaudry, president of the Islamic Centerof Long Island, Mufti Farhan PhD., a religious scholar, and SobhiaQuadri, coordinator of youth and women's programs at Masjid AlBaqi in Bethpage, greeted the students and shared that there are 6 mil-lion Muslims in the United States, and that Islam is the second largestreligion in the world, in addition to many other facts. SEEDlings is aMiddle School elective that fosters an understanding of cultural dif-ferences in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, spirituality/reli-gion, and other forms of diversity.

Cantiague UpdateCantiague has worked hard to amplify stu-

dent voice and give the children opportunitiesto pursue their passions. For example, thisyear Cantiague integrated the Genius Hourconcept and the children have about an houreach week to either pursue something of inter-est or participate in a creative activity that tapsinto their critical thinking skills. This has beena big hit with the children. When we thinkabout college and career ready students, wethink about individuals who can think critical-ly, work collaboratively and refine their ownpassions and interests, which is happening atCantiague. Furthermore, we have empowered our stu-

dents to take on leadership roles where recent-ly a group of them facilitated a professionaldevelopment session for the staff – they taughtthe teachers how to use certain apps. Also, the students recently facilitated a PTAmeeting where they taught the families how todevelop an argument or opinion and use it toconstruct a persuasive piece of writing orengage in a debate – it was really impressive. Additionally, we dove head first into the

whole world of computer science by introduc-ing various coding opportunities to all chil-dren K – 5 and the children have reallyenjoyed this too. Finally, we have continued to integrate tech-

nology in meaningful ways and one of ourmost recent successes is seeing many class-rooms use Google Classroom to help childrencollaborate and digitally publish their work sothey have a much broader audience than justfor a bulletin board in the hallway – we aretaking their writing global.

A student shows Mr. Grishmanhow to scan a QR Code.

Please visit us at our websitewww.jerichoschools.org

and follow us on Twitter@JerichoUFSD

Jericho Union Free School DistrictJericho, New York 11753(516) 203-3600

Board of EducationWilliam Ferro, PresidentJoseph H. Lorintz, Vice PresidentShawn GladstoneBarbara KriegerGina Levy

Superintendent of SchoolsHenry L. Grishman

Newsletter EditorDenise Nash

Dates to Remember

ECRWSSRESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHICKSVILLE, NYPERMIT NO. 238

Alumni Hall of Fame InductionThursday, April 16thJericho Public Library

7 PM

Conversation About Stresswith the Jericho Wellness Coalition

Sunday, April 19thMiddle School Library

10 AM

Board of Education MeetingThursday, April 23rdMiddle School Library

7:30 PM

Board of Education MeetingThursday, May 14thMiddle School Library

7:30 PM

Budget Vote & ElectionTuesday, May 196 AM - 9 PM

MS/HS Gymnasium

Jericho School News March 2015

Jericho High School Boys Basketball Coach Wally Bachman (left) washonored by the Board for his recent induction into the New York StateBasketball Hall of Fame. He is pictured with Jericho's Curriculum

Associate for Health, Physical Education, and Athletics John Mankowich.

JerichoSchool News

-Board of Education Adopts Budget

-Students Display Diversity

-Students Named Intel Finalists

-What’s Happening at the Elementary Schools?

VOLUME 51, NUMBER 3 March 2015

Jericho Wellness Coalition Continues Success, Expands ReachThe Jericho Wellness Coalition wasformed in January 2011 as a solution-focused task force centering on sub-stance abuse and other at-risk youthbehaviors. High School Social Worker Todd

Benjamin and Jericho parent RandiPergament co-chair the coalition, whichis comprised of school and communityleaders, parents, students, religiousorganizations, law enforcement agen-cies, and businesses all working togeth-er to promote safety and wellness forchildren and families within the Jerichocommunity.The Coalition’s kick off event was a

showing of the film A Race to Nowherewhich is a close-up look at the pressureson today's students.Other events that the coalition spon-sored include a presentation by drugand alcohol addiction specialist TimRader, The Red Watch Program, aDon’t Text and Drive campaign which

brought a wrecked car to campus, a par-ent and student assembly featuring Dr.Stephen Dewey talking about the dan-gers of drugs and the brain, and RedRibbon Week in the elementary schools.The Coalition also sponsored an eventcalled Pledge 99, where members heldan evening meeting and encouraged 99parents to pledge to work together tohelp their child remain drug and alcoholfree. The most recent initiative is known asCafé 126, and allows high school stu-dents to hang out in room 126 in theHigh School in a drug and alcohol freespace, on a Friday evening. Mr.Benjamin offers pizza, snacks, desserts,games, and has held ping pong and bas-ketball tournaments on a quarterlybasis. These events have been a greatsuccess and something that Coalitionmembers would like to see continue. The next scheduled event is a

Conversation About Stress, which isscheduled for Sunday, April 19 at 10

a.m. in the Jericho Middle SchoolLibrary. All parents are invited to attendand discuss social media, standardizedtesting, peer pressure, test anxiety andthe changing landscape of the worldthat our kids are inheriting. Please seethe district website under announce-ments to RSVP.The coalition remains committed to itsmission statement, which is, “to inspireand nurture positive habits of mind andbody that foster health, wellness, andsafety within the Jericho community.”The coalition remains very active and islooking to expand deeper into the com-munity and address the needs of Jerichoresidents.“The Coalition serves to identify spe-cific issues within Jericho and helpunify our diverse community into a pos-itive force for change,” said Mr.Benjamin. For more information visit http://jeri-choschools.org/resources/community/wellness_coalition/

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In this Issue:

The cast of Shrek gave an amazing performance during the High School Musical.

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Middle & High School Diversity Performances Showcase Talent

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High School students remember the theme of this year’s Diversity Day,Express Yourselfie, during the “Dancing the Borders Away” routine.

Adriennetalks aboutInspiringHer Mindand herpassion forSTEM.

SistersSabrinaandBiancasing aBrazilianMedley.

The Gulabi Movement was a crowd favorite! p

Shruthi was not only an emcee butperformed with the Desi Girls.

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A beautiful dance routine entitled “Jing Hong Wu.”p

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Jericho School News March 2015

At Seaman, the Curriculum Fair inJanuary featured an engineering-basedtheme. Parents had the opportunity tosee what the students and teachers areusing in the classroom. Also in January,the PTA sponsored a very successfulFamily Game Night. Everyone therehad a great time.Seaman students celebrated KindnessWeek, which culminated with an anti-bullying assembly called Sticks andStones. The students learned greatlessons that they will carry forward. In fifth grade, Author Phil Bildner con-ducted writing workshops with fifthgrade classes, which the students andteachers really enjoyed. The fifthgraders also enjoyed the DNA lab thatwas held in conjunction with ColdSpring Harbor Lab. Third graders held an open house andthe theme was fractions. Students andteachers used a station model to demon-strate. First graders celebrated the 100th day ofschool, which was held after a few snowdays added to the calculation. The firstgraders also celebrated the Book FairStory-Time Kick-Off with the kinder-garteners and all Seaman studentsenjoyed the book fair.

Robert Seaman Update

These Seaman students celebrateBiography Day!

George A. Jackson HappeningsThis year the Jackson student leaders, under the supervision of Dr. StaceySchwartz and Milissa Seymour, planned activities and themes that promoteand teach peace and compassion. Every year Jackson’s ongoing theme ofpromoting peace is expressed in kindergarten through second grade by prac-ticing Acts of Kindness, and in third through fifth grade by focusing on thepractice of Paying It Forward. This year, Jackson celebrated Peace Week in recognition of the

International Day of Peace celebrated through the United Nations andaround the world. The week was dedicated to raising awareness throughspirit days with peaceful themes, each day representing a letter of the wordP-E-A-C-E. Jackson music teacher John Russo, sang with the students andplayed over the loudspeaker the song International World and Mrs. Seymourtaught lessons during the week teaching students peaceful conflict resolutionstrategies, such as being an active listener, which creates positive friend-ships. Student Leaders recognized World Language Week by making daily

announcements for over a month to celebrate the diverse languages and cul-tures that are represented in the building. Each day, the student leaderstaught everyone how to say “hello” in the language of the day and sharedinteresting cultural facts. Jackson students currently represent 27 lan-guages/cultures of the world!On April 1 all students and staff were encouraged to wear blue to Shine aLight on Autism. On April 24, the Jackson Student Leaders will be runninga fundraiser called Stack the Caps in which baseball type caps will be col-lected and donated for kids with cancer. Financial contributions will beaccepted as well and donated to pediatric cancer research. In May, Jackson will once again be organizing a coin drive for Island

Harvest. Jackson is typically one of the top money raising schools on LongIsland and we hope this year is no different.

Jackson fifth grade students in Mrs. Rosh’s class recently completed aresearch project, building on the lessons included in the CurriculumFair presentation “America.” Students researched a United States

President and presented their research to the class.

March 2015 Jericho School News

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Board of Education Adopts 2015-2016 Budget Jericho’s Board of Education unanimously adopted the proposed 2015-2016 school district budget

at an open meeting on March 26, 2015. The $121,185,238 budget represents a 1.35% budget increase and a tax levy increase not to exceed 1.61%

*This will NOT exceed the New York State Property Tax Levy Threshold*Since January, the district hosted a series of public workshops to review the financial status of the school district and cre-ate a budget for the coming year. The Board of Education and district administration requested input from members of theschool community at these workshops. “We have worked collaboratively to create a fiscal plan that continues the highestquality instructional program, expands investment in technology, and is extremely mindful of our taxpayers,” explainsJericho Superintendent Hank Grishman. A full Budget Newsletter will be mailed to residents in May.

BUDGET VOTE Tuesday, May 19, 20156 AM – 9 PM

Jericho MS/HS Samuel Springer Gymnasium

Voter Qualifications: • A U.S. citizen • Over the age of 18

• District resident for more than 30 days(Bring 2 documents for proof of district residency i.e.: drivers license, telephone bill, utility bill,

and house deed or rental agreement.)NEW VOTERS MAY REGISTER IN THE GYM ON THE

DAY OF THE VOTE.

Please call 203-3600, ext. 3214 for more information or to request an absentee ballot.

Visit www.jerichoschools.org to view proposed budget

BUDGET STRATEGIES:• Remain committed to being a premier district and continue to deliver a high quality, 21st Century education• Commitment to our District’s mission and goals• Keep a multi-year perspective on the budget• Long-range planning for our educational programsand goals• Maintain and renovate our facilities• Continue technology replacement plans and expand technological initiatives district-wide• Continue to pursue efficiencies in all areas of the school district.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY:•Continue tablet initiative throughout the district•Replace over 380 desktops and 60 laptops•Replace projectors, Smartboards and printers as needed•Increase network speed and reliability•Increase network storage•Synchronize data between network servers•Purchase additional iMacs for video editing classes

NEWHS COURSE OFFERINGS:*• Public Speaking• AP Physics 2• Adv. Computer Programming/Coding• Mathematical Problem Solving• Robotics• Video III* IMPLEMENTED WITH EXISTING STAFFAT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO TAXPAYERS.

On the Ballot... Proposition #2

Shall the Board of Education be authorized toestablish a Capital Reserve Fund known as theFacilities Improvement Program - Jericho PublicSchools II-The Maximum amount of the aforesaid Capital

Reserve Fund shall be an amount not to exceed$10 million -The term is to be 10 years