Congratulations to John H. Glenn High School music students for being selected to perform in the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association Division III All-County band, chorus and orchestra ensembles.

The 10th and 11th graders, who were selected based on their New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) scores, will join students from high schools across Suffolk County for three rehearsals, culminating in a concert at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington on March. 14.
Additionally, congratulations to John Glenn, Elwood Middle School and James H. Boyd Intermediate School orchestra students who recently participated in the annual Long Island String Festival Association’s secondary concert on Jan. 12.

Students from James H. Boyd Intermediate School and Elwood Middle School also recently participated in the Long Island String Festival Association’s intermediate festival on Jan. 24.

SCMEA-All County:
Esaia Bell, Clarinet
Gabrielle Bouzas, Soprano
Braden Gastaldi, Bass
Blake Goerhing, Double bass
Quinn Hines, Tenor
Ason Kwan, Bass
Aarm Lee, Violin
Aiden McNamara, Tenor
Toni Meyer, Alto
Jacob Ribowsky, Tuba
Kaitlyn Schieble, Soprano
Max Slesinski, Bass
Maya Tallo, Violin

Long Island String Festival Association:
Ryan Kang, Violin
Aaram Lee, Cello
Rithika Narayan, Viola
Maya Tallo, Violin
Oliva Cheng, Double Bass
Angelina Song, Cello
Davin Li, Violin
Emma Rothleder, Violin
Maeve O'Connor, Viola
Jia Chung, Cello (not pictured)

Students at Elwood Middle School are taking robotics to new heights. As part of the 2019-2020 Vex IQ Challenge, “Squared Away,” students were tasked with building a robot designed to lift three plastic cubes onto raised platforms.

Two teams, comprised of sixth and eighth grade Elwood Middle School students, also competed in the competition’s Teamwork Challenge, during which they worked collaboratively to score points in one of two ways: by placing 3” diameter balls inside one or more of their team’s 7” cubes, or by moving their cubes to their respective scoring zones.

During the five qualifying matches, each team competed against a team from another school to accomplish the task. In the fourth qualifying round, the two EMS teams earned a total of 60 points.

Overall, the middle school’s sixth grade team tied for 20th place and the eighth grade team, after finishing ninth in the qualifying rounds, earned third place with a strong performance in the finals.

The students had been building their Vex IQ robots during club meetings since October and performed spectacularly well, according to advisor Dave Trabulsi.

To begin the Elwood Board of Education meeting on Feb. 10, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert was thrilled to call upon James H. Boyd Intermediate School Principal Dr. Denise Toscano to recognize two exceptional students.

Dr. Toscano welcomed fifth graders Adam Siddiqui and Gianna Viteritti to the podium to commend them on their leadership skills. She noted that each have exceeded the expectations they set for themselves upon being sworn is as co-presidents of the school’s student council. She described Adam and Gianna as responsible and respectful leaders, hard workers and “good friends to all.”

As student council presidents, both Adam and Gianna are deeply involved in the school’s recycling program. Each week, council representatives collect paper and plastic recycling bins from each classroom to weigh and record. At the end of the month, the information is sent to the county. Adam and Gianna not only manage their bins but also train and inspire others to get involved.

The duo also does an exceptional job of informing teachers, staff and students about important school news during morning announcements and serve as master of ceremonies for all school assemblies and concerts.

“Gianna and Adam have made an exceptional team,” Dr. Toscano said. “They are true role models and display leadership qualities on a daily basis. We applaud all that they do to make our school a better place.”

Congratulations to John H. Glenn High School junior Rithika Narayan, who was recently recognized by the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. Please click on the link below for the full story.

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/elwood-student-at-math-meeting-1.41205238