Twenty-one talented PTA Reflections contest winners were recognized at the Elwood School District Board of Education’s Jan. 16 meeting, presented by PTA representative Vashmir Pascal-Turner.

Honored students for 2024 PTA Reflections included Harley Avenue Primary School’s Sean Clancy (photography honorable mention), Cornelius Driscoll (photography), Mia Mueller (literature) and Robert Romano Teschmacher (photography); James H. Boyd Intermediate School’s Kaia Abdulkhalek (visual arts), Yonatan Adaki (literature), Tyler Brown (visual arts), Jason Cabasso (visual arts), Kyle Clancy (photography), Mariah Fardette (dance choreography), Nolan Moreno (literature honorable mention) and Anna Scarola (photography honorable mention); Elwood Middle School’s Erika Assimilalo (literature honorable mention), Kaitlyn Fazal (photography), Joseph Febbraro (literature), Mia Giacalone (visual arts), Emily Meringola (visual arts honorable mention), Makayla Shek (photography honorable mention) and Syra Zaman (visual arts honorable mention); and Elwood-John H. Glenn High School’s Jia Chung (visual arts) and Sophia Vitevitch (visual arts honorable mention).

“On behalf of the Elwood Council of PTAs, I would like to thank all the students who submitted entries and the parents who encourage their students to participate,” Pascal-Turner said.

Also recognized by the Board was Elwood-John H. Glenn High School junior Camila Avila for being recently named a Grand Prize winner of the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest.

Date Added: 1/22/2025

During the Dec. 12 Elwood School District Board of Education meeting, the district recognized several individuals and sports teams for recent outstanding accomplishments.

After an outstanding holiday performance by the Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Symphonic Band, teacher Gabrielle Caviglia accepted a commendation on behalf of the students.
 
Senior Davin Li was honored for being named the Class of 2025 valedictorian, a National Merit Commended Student and a News 12 Scholar-Athlete for his accomplishments on the varsity boys soccer team.

High school special education teacher Sima Lis and technology specialist Matt McGuire were also recognized for being named New York State Master Teachers.

Regarding Sima, Principal Corey McNamara said, “Sima is a reflective practitioner who is continuously looking to hone her craft through innovative differentiated and co-teaching practices. She is also a continuous learner who is always bringing her worldly knowledge and travels to her classroom for an authentic learning experience. As a special education teacher, Sima creates a warm, welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all students to succeed.”

McNamara also described McGuire’s abilities to guide students in reaching their fullest potential throughout the school and his variety of projects displayed and utilized by so many.

“As past president of the New York State Tech Association, Matt has also been a leader amongst his colleagues while planning professional development for all Long Island CTE teachers,” McNamara said. “He has also been recognized at the state and national levels for his efforts in grant writing for implementing best practices strategies in the CTE classroom.”

In the area of sports, 2024 boys varsity golf team member Gavin Fazel was honored for placing first overall and for being designated an All-Conference player. The varsity boys soccer team was applauded for being named league champions, Suffolk County Class A champions and Long Island Class A finalists. Additionally, the girls varsity cross- country team was lauded for being the undefeated league and conference champions, as well as Suffolk County and Long Island Class A finalists.

Date Added: 12/17/2024