Huntington School News

The Huntington Blue Devil Special Olympics floor hockey team captured gold last weekend in competition at Southside High School. The team was led by Liam Mrotzek, who scored nine goals. Brendan Higgins also contributed to the goal scoring frenzy. Andrew Oh and John Cronin starred on defense. Isabel Casey was splendid in goal for Huntington. Stephanie Quesquen, Eric Vallecillo, John Manaker, Chris Sorensen and Rachel Stollmack provided play that was essential to the winning effort.

HHS Robotics Team Grant

The new Huntington High School robotics team has received a U.S. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) grant in the amount of $7,000 over the next three years. “All included, we have the first year program expenses covered and then some,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said.

“Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership,” according to the FIRST website.

Huntington’s new robotics team is working collaboratively with squads from Hauppauge and Half Hollow Hills “and will continue doing so, working on the drive train, electronics and programming,” Mr. Polansky said about the effort to construct a robot. “It’s a great start.”

Science teacher Judy Pazienza is the robotic team’s coach.

Next BOE Meeting

The next public meeting of the Huntington School Board is scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium. A detailed agenda and related materials will be posted on the Huntington School District’s website in advance of the meeting.

Creation of New Scholarship Approved

The Huntington School Board has approved creation of a new privately funded scholarship. The Straub Family Trust will award scholarships to two Huntington High School graduating seniors in the amount of $1,000 each. The scholarship fund is expected to last for a period of 10 years.

“Our family is longtime members of the Huntington community and our children and grandchildren have attended Huntington schools throughout the years,” states a letter written by James F. Straub and sent to the district. “As a measure of giving-back to the community, it is our intention to fund a scholarship in the amount of $20,000.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, a senior needs an “appropriate GPA (determined by the Huntington High School administration) to ensure some type of success and must be accepted into an accredited trade or technical school offering classes in programs that include, but are not limited to, cosmetology, aviation, plumbing, electrician, air conditioning, carpentry and auto mechanics,” according to Mr. Straub’s letter. “Additionally, we prefer the scholarships be awarded to students not receiving any other grants or scholarships.”

Trustees voted unanimously to approve the new scholarship.

Woodhull Brightens Thanksgiving

The Woodhull Intermediate School community helped make Thanksgiving a little bit brighter for local families in need by collecting hundreds of food and related items and donating them to the Helping Hand Rescue Mission for distribution.

Woodhull grade level teams engaged in a friendly competition throughout the drive. Students followed the drive’s progress on a turkey bulletin board. Stickers were placed on the board for every 20 items collected by each class.

“Although quite a few classes collected over 200 items, the sixth grade “white” team won,” Principal Mary Stokkers said. The items were boxed and later loaded into the Helping Hand Mission’s van.

“The students were so excited to make Thanksgiving special for many families,” Mrs. Stokkers said.

Woodhull students are also busy this month. The youngsters are in the midst of a toy and coat drive. The toys will be donated to the Tri-CYA and Family Service League’s holiday boutique.

Flower Hill Star Students

Flower Hill Primary School recognized its Star Students for November by announcing their names over the public address system, presenting them with certificates and assembling them for a commemorative photo.

The honorees included Christopher Butler, Jeremy Allen, Maximo Andrade, Belinda Velasquez Maldonado, Isabella Rodriquez, Melanie Carrillo, Valentina Maldonado-Martinez, Ella Ackerman, Henry Koelmel, Casey DiGioia, Kimberly Panameno, Raymond, Cumella, Kaci McDonald, Gianna Forte, Leah Sheran, Benjamin Weissman, Morgan Colleluori, Emily Roberts and Grace McCallion.

The youngsters were cited by Flower Hill Principal Marlon Small for their exceptional efforts their classrooms and around the building. The honorees were selected by the school’s teachers.

HHS Hosting Special Olympics Hockey

Huntington High School will be hosting a Special Olympics floor hockey tournament on Saturday, January 18. Huntington students and teachers are already volunteering to pitch-in and help make the day successful.

A 30-person set-up crew will work from 7:30-9:30 a.m. putting everything in place. A 20-person skills crew will help set-up and run events and later breakdown event stations between 8-11:30 a.m. A third crew of 30 persons will break everything back down between 12-2 p.m.

Various school groups are setting up tables and providing free snacks and water for the competing athletes as well as creating signs and banners and providing fans to cheer the young sportsmen on.

Contact Linda Costello-Roth at 631-673-2046/2093 or lroth@hufsd.edu to get involved.