School Notebook: Jericho student wins in 'unsung hero' contest
Emily Kim, a senior at Jericho High School, was one of two winners in the Outstanding High School Project category of the 2021-22 Discovery Awards, coordinated by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Kansas. Credit: Valerie Conklin
A Jericho High School student was among the top prize winners in a national competition that asked participants to research the lasting societal impact of an unsung hero.
Emily Kim, a senior, won $2,000 as one of two winners in the Outstanding High School Project category of the 2021-22 Discovery Awards, which was coordinated by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Kansas.
The competition challenged students to develop primary and secondary research projects that shared the stories of individuals from history whose accomplishments remain largely unknown to the public.
“I’m so thrilled and honored to receive such an amazing award,” Kim said. “This recognition is truly encouraging and motivating to a student historian like me.”
Kim’s project, “You Don’t Have to Ride Jim Crow,” combined historical artifacts with modern commentary from documentarians to tell the story of Irene Morgan, who was arrested under Jim Crow laws for refusing to relinquish her bus seat to a white couple in 1944.
The grand-prize winner was a Nebraska student who highlighted a woman named Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk, who as a teen saved hundreds of Jewish children from the Holocaust.
“Real heroes tower and guide,” said the center’s founder, Lowell Milken. “But their stories need to be discovered and heard. And when we do, we have the opportunity to motivate new generations to aspire to values that are essential during the challenging times we face individually, as a nation and as a world community.”
In Holtsville, staff members at Tamarac Elementary School in the Sachem Central School District pose with a large number “50” during the first week of school to celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary. Credit: Sachem Central School District
BETHPAGE
New principal
Dominique Siebert is the new principal of Central Boulevard Elementary School. She replaced Steven Furrey, who retired.
Siebert served the past 10 years as an assistant principal in the Floral Park-Bellerose School District. She has also taught grades one, three and four, and was a reading teacher in New York City and in the Three Village School District, in East Setauket.
Students and staff at Memorial Junior High School in Valley Stream wear maroon and white last month to show solidarity with those at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where a shooting last spring left 19 children and two teachers dead. Credit: Valley Stream Central High School District
“Along with Central Boulevard’s extremely dedicated staff, I share in the school’s commitment of caring for and believing in all students,” Siebert said. “I believe every child can excel and that the partnership between home and school builds confidence.”
ELWOOD
New principal
Corey McNamara is the new principal of Elwood-John H. Glenn High School. He replaced Carisa Burzynski, who is now assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Babylon School District.
McNamara had been Elwood’s assistant principal since 2018. He has also been an assistant principal, dean, coach and health educator over the course of 14 years in the Valley Stream Central High School District.
In Greenlawn, freshman at Harborfields High School were recently introduced to the school’s library with a “breakout room scavenger hunt.” Pictured here are students with school media specialist Jill Weiler. Credit: Harborfields School District
“My goal as an educator has always been to create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where all students can feel connected and comfortable while striving to reach their fullest potential,” McNamara said.
GLEN HEAD
Superintendent appointed
Christopher Zublionis has been appointed superintendent of the North Shore School District. He replaced Thomas Dolan, who had held the position on an interim basis.
Zublionis had been the district’s assistant superintendent of instruction since 2019.
Students at Glen Head Elementary School gather outside last month for the school’s convocation ceremony in which a “torch” was passed from fifth-graders to a new generation of kindergarteners. Credit: Shelly Newman
He has also been principal of Sea Cliff Elementary School, social studies director at North Shore High School, and a social studies teacher, coach and student government adviser in the Syosset School District.
“Leading the North Shore Schools as the next superintendent is a dream come true and an opportunity I will work hard to earn, each and every day,” Zublionis said.
“Our students and families value the power of ambitious educational programming and the many extracurricular opportunities that are offered in our schools.”
ISLIP
Principal named
Fourth-graders at Babylon Memorial Grade School were challenged with transferring as many mini marshmallows from one location to another within a minute using a straw as part of a STEM lesson. Credit: Babylon School District
Catherine Glaser has been named principal of Wing Elementary School in the Islip School District. She replaced Michael Giacchetto, who is now the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Glaser was previously an assistant principal at Daniel Street and William Rall elementary schools in Lindenhurst.
She has also been an assistant principal at the Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens and a special-education teacher for the New York City Department of Education.
“I am eager to work with the Wing community to support our youngest students in establishing a lifelong love of learning” Glaser said.
“I believe that all students can and will learn when provided with an environment that is designed to promote their academic and social-emotional growth.”
The William Floyd School District received a donation of more than 5,000 worth of school supplies to benefit its displaced or homeless student population from the Forum of Indian Women on Long Island. Credit: William Floyd School District
PLAINVIEW
New principal
Kerry Farrell has been appointed principal of Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School. She replaced Alice Bowman, now an assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in Pelham, in Westchester County.
Farrell previously served five years as the school’s assistant principal. She began her education career as an elementary teacher at PS/IS 266 in Bellerose, Queens, where she later became a literacy coach and assistant principal.
“My parents always held education in high regard and instilled the importance of education in my sisters and me,” Farrell said. “There is nothing better than being a role model to students and seeing that light-bulb moment in their eyes.”
WEST ISLIP
New superintendent
Paul Romanelli has been appointed superintendent of the West Islip School District. He replaced Bernadette Burns, who retired.
Romanelli had been assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Long Beach School District since 2019 and before that was principal of Long Beach Middle School. He began his teaching career as a math and literacy teacher at Oldfield Middle School in Greenlawn.
“I would like to thank the residents and staff for the overwhelming support and positive welcome,” Romanelli said. “West Islip is an excellent district, and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with our learning community to achieve great things.”
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
LI researcher braves cold in Antarctica ... Where to eat at Roosevelt Field ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
LI researcher braves cold in Antarctica ... Where to eat at Roosevelt Field ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
