The Lindenhurst Union Free School District SUMMER 2010

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Lindenhurst, NY 11757

LINDENHURST PUBLIC SCHOOLS350 Daniel StreetLindenhurst, New York 11757

Congratulations to theClass of 2010, who truly

enjoyed the 91st AnnualCommencement Ceremony atEdward Kienle Memorial Fieldin late June. It was a hotsummer day, as the festivitiesbegan to the tune of thetraditional “Pomp andCircumstance.” The processionof the candidates forgraduation marched onto thefield in their green and whiterobes, ready to officially benamed graduates ofLindenhurst High School.

After the presentation of colors, salute to the flag and the “Star-Spangled Banner,” senior classPresident Lauren Legotti addressed the audience with some words of wisdom. Followed by thepresentation of the class gift by senior class Vice President Kristel Kreppein, Valedictorian ThomasSchrank and Salutatorian Kevin Salvaggio gave their commencement addresses. Students,administrators, families, faculty, and staff were all present, adding to the sense of community, school

spirit, and pride that enveloped Kienle Fieldon this day. In addition, a beautifulrendition of “For Good” was performed bythe senior music students. Graduatingseniors were then called individually andpresented their diplomas.

New York Senator Charles Schumer cameto address the audience and promptly rippedup his speech as he said, “Congratulations tothe Lindenhurst High School Class of 2010.”The official toss of the caps in the airconcluded the ceremony.

Photos from Lindenhurst High School’sgraduation festivities.

Congratulations to the Class of 2010

LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 20102

Lindenhurst Union Free School District350 Daniel Street, Lindenhurst, NY 11757Tel: (631) 867-3023, Fax: (631) 867-3008e-mail: chauser@lindenhurstschools.org

Lindy Spotlight is the school district’s communitynewsletter, containing pertinent information onthe activities and issues of the district, publishedsix times annually, and mailed free of charge toall district residents. The district reserves theright to publish information pertaining tostudents regarding school activities, academichonors, sports programs, scholarships, etc.

BOARD OF EDUCATIONEdward J. Murphy Jr. PresidentDonna Hochman Vice President

TRUSTEESPatricia Ames

Robert BrandenbergerMary Ellen Cunningham

Raymond DoranEdward LangoneRobert F. Spero

Robert R. Vitiello

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIONRichard Nathan

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Dr. Robert TymannASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR CURRICULUM

AND INSTRUCTION

Jacqueline A. ScrioASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS

Louis J. AielloASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SPECIAL

EDUCATION AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES

The Lindenhurst School District hereby advises students, parents, employees, and the general public that it offers employment and educationalopportunities, including vocational educational opportunities, without regard to gender, race, color, national origin or disability. Inquiriesregarding this nondiscrimination policy may be directed to: Title IX Coordinator at 867-3075 and/or Section 504 Coordinator Louis J. Aiello at 867-3100 at the Central Administration Building, 350 Daniel Street, Lindenhurst, New York 11757.

Lindenhurst High School teachers Danielle Bottachiari, Carol Frederico, Jean Jacobs,Tracey Miller, Christine Sanfratello, and John Slokovitz have worked hard to make theAcademic Recycled Materials and Supplies (ARMS) program a success.

Throughout the school year, these teachers supplied students, teachers, guidancecounselors, social workers, and psychologists with supplies for students in need from eachdistrict school. These teachers worked closely with the custodians to salvage any leftoverschool supplies and clothing that could be donated, many of which were left in lockers atthe middle and high schools at the end of the school year.

The backpacks, along with lunchboxes, binders, loose-leaf paper, glue sticks, pencils,and folders will be distributed to Lindenhurst students before the first day of school. Inaddition to the school supplies, more than 15 large bags of clothing were donated to localveterans’ homes.

This program benefits all the schools in the district. If you are a parent in hardship,whose children can benefit from school supplies, please contact Ms. Bottachiari atdbottachiari@lindenhurstschools.org. Please write ARMS Program in the subject line andinclude the ages of the children, the grades they are entering and a phone number whereyou can be reached. You will be contacted when the supplies are ready for pick up at thehigh school.

Alleghany AvenueElementary Schoolconducted an “Everybody’sSpecial” assembly, tocelebrate the students’ hardwork and accomplishmentsthroughout the school year.

Academic Recycled Materials and Supplies (ARMS) Program Expands

MICHAEL HIGGINS AWARDED AAA DRIVER EDUCATION AWARD

Michael Higgins(center) withPrincipal DanielGiordano (left)and teacher FrankDevenuto (right).

Kindergarten students at Alleghany Avenue ElementarySchool conducted a special performance of MusicalBooks at the end of June for the entire school.

“Everybody’s Special” Highlights Accomplishments

Musical Books ENTERTAINS

Lindenhurst High School senior MichaelHiggins has been awarded AAA’s DriverEducation Award as the outstanding studentin the Driver Education course.

Michael was selected on the basis of hisdriving skills, knowledge of the rules of theroad, and a mature attitude and approach todriving.

Michael was presented with a personalizedplaque and a gift certificate for a defensivedriving class. Congratulations, Michael!

3LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 2010

Every year at the year-end Board of Education Community Forum, special awards are presented to deservingstudents, faculty and administrators in honor of their service to the Lindenhurst School District. At the lastmeeting, the district recognized the achievements of the Lindenhurst High School Baseball Team for winning theNew York State Class AA Championship.

Congratulations to Lindenhurst High School’s Foreign Language teacher Toni Valenti, who received this year’sHarvard Award for her 33 years of service to the district. Retired Plant Facilities Manager John Drenckhahn waspresented with the Yale Award, also for his many years of dedication to the school district. Harding Avenue fourth-grade teacher Fran Ulrich was given the Pride of Lindenhurst Award, along with Albany Avenue second graderMorgan Brown. Many administrators and staff received certificates for their 20+ years of service to the district.

Board of Education Honors DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS

(L-R) Superintendent Richard Nathan, HardingAvenue teacher and Pride of Lindy winner FranUlrich, and BOE Trustee Ray Doran.

LHS Bulldog first baseman KenGentile holds up the NYSChampionship plaque.

Superintendent Richard Nathan with YaleAward recipient John Drenckhahn.

Harvard Award Winner and LHS teacherToni Valenti with Superintendent RichardNathan.

Pride of Lindy Student WinnerAlbany Avenue second graderMorgan Brown.

Lindenhurst School District’s Orion program for gifted and talented

students held its annual end-of-year show as the sixth-grade students

graduated from the program. Many of the students have been together

for four years.

The special show included students performing guitar and piano solos,

poetry readings, pogo stick demonstrations, drawing, martial arts, comedy,

singing and dancing. During intermission, a special exhibition

was held to showcase the students’ art and photography talents.

After the presentation, Orion students spoke with 2010

scholarship recipients Dana Murano and Dan Sztanga, seniors

at Lindenhurst High School.

“Remember to always make the most of special gifts and

talents, and to be the shining stars that we know you are,”

stressed teacher and coordinator Barbara Terrell. Congratulations to West Gates StudentCouncil members (above) who raised moneyto send donated items to soldiers in Iraq. TheWest Gates Computer Club (below)researched countries around the globe andpresented traditional foods from the country.

Project Orion Says Goodbye to Talented Sixth-Graders

West Gates Student Counciland Computer Club Shine

LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 20104

F i f th G r a d e

West Gates

Albany Avenue Alleghany Avenue

WilliamRall

5LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 2010

P r o m o t i o n s

Edward W.Bower

HardingAvenue

Daniel Street

LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 20106

Dear Seniors:

As the grade-leveladministrator for the 12th gradeclass, I would like to thank theSenior Class of 2010 fordemonstrating excellence incharacter as they culminatedtheir Senior Year. Unlikemany schools thatexperience irresponsiblebehavior at the end of theyear, our studentsdemonstrated an act thatembodied Lindenhurstpride and socialresponsibility. Thefollowing letter wassubmitted anonymously inlieu of a senior prank.

I commend you on your decision. This is the way that you willbe remembered.

Sincerely, Michael Stam, Assistant Business Administrator

Lindenhurst High School’s History Club visitedWashington, D.C. We arrived in D.C. in the lateafternoon and proceeded to attend the WashingtonNationals versus Los Angeles Dodgers baseballgame. After the game, the group began theilluminated night tour of the monuments andmemorials.

The Lincoln Memorial was absolutely beautiful.The view of Washington, D.C. from the top of thesteps was breathtaking. The tour guide gave us abrief history of the Vietnam War before taking usto the Vietnam Memorial. We also saw the KoreanWar Memorial, which is a group of soldiers thatappear to be moving.

The next morning, the group toured theWhite House, visited Ford’s Theatre for a specialperformance on Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, and then went to the Jefferson Memorial.The architecture of the memorial was truly brilliant. The last stop was a guided tour of theCapitol Building.

I learned so much about the nation’s capital. I would recommend going on the nextHistory Club trip. I want to thank the school and chaperones for enabling us to learn abouthistory firsthand.

The Lindenhurst High School HistoryClub in Washington, D.C.

Senior Prank Gone Good The High School History Club visited Washington, D.C.Here is a synopsis from one of the students on the trip.

My Trip to Washington, D.C., By Mike DiTomasso

L HSGraduation

2010

To view the letter from theSenior Class of 2010, please

visit the district’swebsite at

www.lindenhurstschools.org(under School News).

7

Congratulations to the Lindenhurst Middle Schooleighth-grade students, who celebrated theirpromotion ceremony on June 25th at the MiddleSchool field. Postponed from the day before due toinclement weather, the ceremony went off without ahitch. The students look forward to being theLindenhurst High School graduating class of 2014.

“We are very proud of all our graduates’accomplishments,” proclaimed SuperintendentRichard Nathan.

As a reward for a successfulschool year, eighth graders weretreated to a picnic full of fun,games and food. Students enjoyedlunch donated by the LindenhurstOutback Restaurant, and took partin a myriad of large outdoorgames, including a bungee run, obstacle course, and giant slide. There wasalso a selection of carnival games and unique face painting for students toparticipate in.

The highlight of the picnic was the “dunk tank.” Joining in on the dunktank challenge were Assistant Principals Bruce Hoffman and Leonard DiBlasi,and Administrative Assistant for Discipline Hans Sebald.

The eighth-grade picnic was a wonderful experience for students tocelebrate their time at Lindenhurst Middle School before setting off for theHigh School this fall. The Middle School would like to thank the OutbackSteakhouse for generously donating the food.

June’s Breakfast for Champions honored those students who gave a special effort inthe areas of service. Each month, students are honored for going above and beyondthe call of duty. “These students are a true example of what Lindy Pride is all about,”asserted Principal Frank Naccarato.

Lindenhurst Middle School continues to honor those students with a Breakfast forChampions at the Lindencrest Diner. Each month through the school year, selectstudents are recognized for their excellent achievements in and out of the classroom.The breakfast includes parents, teachers and administrators. This month’s specialguest sponsor was Carol Aliperti, owner of Space Self Storage.

Lindenhurst Middle SchoolPromotions

LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 2010

Eighth-grade boys have fun at the picnic.

Eighth-grade girls enjoy the picnic

Eighth Graders Celebrate End of Middle School

Servicing the Middle School with Pride

Breakfast for Champions June winners with Principal Frank D. Naccarato Jr.(left) and sponsor Carol Aliperti of Space Self Storage (right).

Ronnie AbbazioGabby AkcelikSadiqua Ali

Samantha CastiglioneBrandon ColbertJosh Huberman

Nicolle LeitkeInna Mankevych

Dan OwensAlyssa Pentaleri

Jackie PernaMary Ryan

Sabrina ScaliCynthia SchmidtJessica Webster

Zoe WhiteNina Williams

June Champs:

LINDY SPOTLIGHT - SUMMER 20108

BOYS GOLF COACHED BY LOU YAMPIRO

The team was honored with the league’s “Spirit of Sportsmanship”

award for Fall 2009. The team finished in second place.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALLCOACHED BY KELLIE BLOCK

Ninth grader Emily Clemens - Rookie of the Year,All-County and All-County Tournament Team.

Tenth grader Alyssa Marchino - All-League Award

Eleventh Grader Elizabeth Gorman - All-Conference Award

BOYS VOLLEYBALLCOACHED BY KEVIN MUSCARELLO

Joe Lovizio - All-CountyGerard Gigante - All-County

and Rookie of the Year.

BOYS CROSS-COUNTRYCOACHED BY GEORGE SMAWLEY

All-League - Brandon Ahl and Rich SchimmelAll-Division - Brandon Ahl

Town of Babylon Championships - 2nd placeNY State Scholar-Athlete team

WINTER TRACK COACHED BY GEORGE SMAWLEY

Craig Podzus - High Jump – 6 feet (broke school record)

All-League – Brandon Ahl, Rich Schimmell, CraigPodzus, Rich Demaio, Chris Langstrand

County Qualifiers - Brandon Ahl, Rich Demaio,Rich Schimmell, Craig Podzus, Greg Piegari, Chris

Langstrand, Alex Langstrand, Rob FestaNY State Scholar-Athlete team

GIRLS SOCCERCOACHED BY SARA MCGUIRE

Kim D’Angelo – Four-Year Varsity Starter, All-Conference, All-County, MVP

Rachel Blum – Four-Year Varsity Starter, All-County, Co-Captain

WRESTLING TEAMCOACHED BY RON FROLE

The team’s record was 18-5, breaking the schoolrecord for wins in a season, and beat

Sachem for the first time in more than 30 years.The team had eight All-League wrestlers.

Sean Walsh was third in the county and became amember of the Suffolk County Century Club,

finishing his career with 107 wins.

BOYS BASKETBALL COACHED BY JOHN ALBANO

The team completed the 2009-2010 season with a record of 15-6, and was selected as third seed

in the county playoffs East Islip Holiday Tournament Champions.

Kamil Parzych - All-County, Academic All-County,Second Team All-Long Island

Rob Balkam - All-LeagueLorrenzo Stew Warren - All-Conference and

Suffolk County Final FourEd Pearson - Junior Varsity Coach of the Year.

Coach John Albano - 250th career win.

The Lindenhurst Girls Varsity Lacrosse team ended their season with a 9-5 league record. A highlight ofthe season was defeating Ward Melville for the first time ever in Girls Lacrosse history. Another excitinggame for the Lady Bulldogs was going into double sudden death overtime with #4 ranked West Babylon.

With an exciting season of great wins and some very close games, the team entered the playoffs withexcitement. The successful season unfortunately ended during the first round of playoffs, with a loss to WardMelville by the score of 10 to 9. It was an exciting game of two evenly matched teams. The girls fought back,but came up a goal short. The team is looking forward to rebuilding next year and coming out even stronger.

The seniors that will be greatly missed include Kelsey Russo, Kimberly D’Angelo, Kate Byrne andBrianna LaMarca. In addition, several underclassmen who completed an excellent season are Jessica Wharry,Dana Colton, Trisha Serras and Alexis Serras. “They synchronized their game and played to their fullestpotential,” observed Coach Thomas Carro.

Individual Baseball Honors include:

Jon McGibbonAll-Long Island Baseball Team and Ultimate Athlete

Magazine All-Regional Team.Jon was one of the key players in the strong Bulldog

offense.He hit .403, had six home runs, 29 RBIs,

and had a .583 on-base percentage.Jon was drafted by the Seattle Mariners Baseball team.

Rich VranaAll-Long Island Baseball Second Teamand Long Island Empire State Team

Rich went 9-0 with a 0.98 ERA. He had 3 shutouts andwent 3-0 in the postseason.

Jimmy BriggsSuffolk County Yastrzemski Award and

All-Long Island First TeamThe Yastrzemski award went to the outstanding high

school baseball player in Suffolk County. Jimmy batted

.554 with five home runs and 39 RBIs. He had an on-base percentage of .683 to

help lead the Bulldogs to their 26-1 record. Steve Skon

New York State Sportsmanship AwardKen Gentile

Bulldog Tenacity AwardMike Roehrig

Long Island Empire State TeamTom Bammann

MVP of County Playoffs and Courage AwardDan DiBlasiAll-LeagueJoe Lovizio

League 2 Outstanding Pitcher and All-LeagueRyan Manning

Academic All-LeagueAlex Genao

Long Island Empire State Team

Coach Mike CanobbioSuffolk County, Western Suffolk Umpires

and Newsday Coach of the Year. Coach Mike led the Bulldogs to a 26-1 season,

winning their first state championship and county title since 1963.

Athletic Points of Pride

Girls Softball Showed SpiritThe post season for the 11-10 Lindenhurst

High School’s Girls Varsity Softball team reallyshowed what they had. The team lost in theplayoffs to a highly ranked Commack team.

The team beat Ward Melville, Northport,Central Islip and Brentwood, and was defeatedby Commack, Connetquot, Bay Shore andWhitman. Led by senior Lyndsay Coppola, whoranked number two in Suffolk County for hereight home run season, the team showeddetermination and spirit. Pitcher AmandaRamirez also made All-League.

Rookie coach Rick Caravaggio said,“Thegirls played hard all season.”

COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL SEASON

Lindenhurst Girls Lacrosse

Parade Held for Lindenhurst Bulldog Baseball TeamThe incorporated village of Lindenhurst held a parade to honor the Lindenhurst High School Varsity Boys Baseball team on their winning the New York State

Championship. Lindenhurst residents and fans lined Wellwood Avenue as the Bulldog players and coaches made their way from Firemen’s Memorial Park to theLindenhurst Middle School field. The parade was attended by the district’s administration, Board of Education members and town officials.

Jimmy Briggs – Mike Canobbio – Jon McGibbon