Twelve students in the Copiague School District were recently the recipients of Leadership Awards presented by the Suffolk Zone of New York State AHPERD. Each year, two students are selected from fifth grade, eighth grade and 12th grade from each school district in Suffolk County to be recognized for their outstanding leadership and excellence in physical education. These students demonstrate hard work, dedication and make a positive impact within their physical education setting throughout the school year. 

The Copiague physical education and athletics department congratulates the 2024 recipients of the Leadership Awards:
Deauville Gardens East Elementary School: Shayla Hunter and Steven Sime Rodriguez
Deauville Gardens West Elementary School: Danika Eldora and Jadiel Vinas-Peralta
Susan E. Wiley Elementary School: Ismely Valera Flores and Hamlet Lora
Great Neck Road Elementary School: Jurnyi Payton and Michael Sime Estevez
Copiague Middle School: Kayden Callaghan and Taraji Lewis
Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School: Joshua Osofsky and Rosangel Peralta Plasencia

Date Added: 5/17/2024

Copiague School District’s Social Studies Chairperson Michelle Penyy was recently named the recipient of the New York State Council for the Social Studies Outstanding Supervisor Award for 2023-2024. Ms. Penyy has more than 20 years of experience in education and has held positions such as social studies teacher, assistant principal for secondary summer school, extended day coordinator, district mentor coordinator and principal for the Saturday Academy.

Ms. Penyy has developed multiple courses including Honors and AP Economics, Advanced Placement Program for Juniors, AP United States Government and Politics and Contemporary Issues Around the World. Ms. Penyy was honored by the Harvard Club of Long Island as the Distinguished Teacher of 2023.

Ms. Penyy was nominated for the award by David Scott, a colleague in the Northport-East Northport School District. Her nomination also included letters of recommendation from students, administrators and teachers. She was recently honored for her contributions to social studies education at an awards ceremony.

Date Added: 5/3/2024

Students in Ms. Santaly and Ms. Marcedo’s visual storytelling and foreign films studies classes at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School had a special visit from members of the Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Project on April 10.

Younhee Shin and Kyung Pak spoke to students about Korean history and culture globally, emphasizing both historical contributions and modern innovations that Korea shares with the world. Students watched a video called “Hangul: The Language of Compassion.” Created by King Sejong in the mid-15th century, Hangul aimed to democratize the written language, making it more accessible to the general population than the Chinese characters used at the time and improve living standards.

Ms. Shin and Ms. Pak highlighted modern advancements in Korea, including digital innovations like mobile check-in for doctor’s appointments, prescription orders, digital payments, and advancements in medical procedures. Students then created their own authentic Korean lantern to take home and enjoy.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/15/2024

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School celebrated the outstanding academic achievements of its student body at the National Honor Society induction ceremony held in the school’s auditorium on March 26. Surrounded by family, friends, district administrators and board of education members, 39 students were inducted in the Isabella M. Driscoll Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Following a welcome by club advisers Clare Nugent and Marie Accetella, the club’s officers spoke about the organization’s four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Each officer lit a candle to symbolize the pillars.

Each student was called to the stage one by one to be honored and receive their candle and certificate from an existing member of the National Honor Society. Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta spoke about the hard work and dedication of the students who were being recognized that evening. “Tonight we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students who exemplify the core principles of the organization,” he said. “Each of you had demonstrated unwavering commitment to academic excellence, showing that dedication and hard work are the keys to success. Your thirst for knowledge, coupled with your perseverance, had set you apart as scholars of the highlight caliber.”

Mr. Agosta then recited the National Honor Society oath for the new inductees to repeat, as they became official members of the organization. Congratulations to the following students: 12th grade: Jordyn Bell, Brian Gonzalez, La-von Green, Anahis Rodriguez and Kemmora Simmons; 11th grade: Mohammad Ali, Chloe Allen-Jackson, Yenifer Araujo Pena, Adriana Asturias Pacheco, Kaydee Bonilla, Tye Burrus, Cesar Fermin Jr., Lilian Gonzalez Amaya, Vaiva Kean, Alexis Lugay, Nicole Martinez Espinal, Maya Rybka, Michael Santos, Joy Scrivano, Maya Tyszko, Jonathan Valle, Davy Velasquez, Patricia Zepeda and Ethan Zheng; 10th grade: Hannah Alara, Damaris Bonilla, Amelia Bright, Heily Fernandez, Christian Franklin, Ronan Higgins, Mason Koziarz, Krzysztof Krasnowski, Kaia Malbi, Aneisa Nicholas, Rosa Solorzano, Sarah Theranus, Olivia Tyszko, Rosina Wickham and Carlos Zelayandia-Reyes.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/12/2024

Last year, Jaiden Urbina was in Mr. Jovic’s writing class, a new course which was offered to eighth grade students. As a hardworking, dedicated, and passionate writer, Jaiden entered a creative writing contest and became a finalist. Mr. Jovic then submitted the piece to the Young Writers Association where it was featured in its yearly publication. Mr. Jovic recently presented Jaiden with the book featuring his writing. Jaiden is pictured with Mr. Jovic (left) and Mr. Gaudioso, middle school English chairman.

Date Added: 4/4/2024

Date Added: 4/2/2024

Copiague School District students were recognized by members of the Knights of Columbus for their participation in the organization’s annual poster and essay contests at the March 11 board of education meeting at Copiague Middle School.

The poster contest, now in its 14th year, garnered more than 250 entries to tackle the issue of drug and alcohol abuse. Students received a certificate and gift card sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Ten students from Copiague School District were chosen as winners. The district congratulates the following students for their winning entries: Sophia Viacava (Copiague Middle School); Hailey Hitzel (Copiague Middle School); Aliyah Fernandez (Copiague Middle School); Nauddys Sanchez DeJesus (Copiague Middle School); Mia Guillen (Deauville Gardens East Elementary School); Olivia Charles (Susan E. Wiley Elementary School); Daniela Rodriguez (Susan E. Wiley Elementary School); Marek Gonzalez (Deauville Gardens East Elementary School); Sallyiah Abdullah (Deauville Gardens East Elementary School); and Yamila Guiterrez (Deauville Gardens East Elementary School).

This year’s annual essay contest focused on the concept of religious liberty. Each student winner received a gift card and council certificate. From Copiague Middle School, this year’s Knights of Columbus essay contest winners were: Keyrin Hernandez Burgos (first place), Jaden Rose (second place) and Aiden Lopez (third place).

Date Added: 3/25/2024

On March 18, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School hosted a successful college fair, where many seniors connected with college representatives from schools to which they applied and/or have been accepted. Juniors are beginning the process of speaking with college admissions counselors, with focus on exploring a variety of schools while learning about specific programs of interest.

Date Added: 3/21/2024