Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School ninth grader Jaiden Urbina will have his writing published thanks to his participation in a writing contest. Urbina submitted a piece of writing as part of Lucijan Jovic’s English class last year at Copiague Middle School. “Jaiden was passionate about this and came to extra help during his lunch period for several days prior to submitting his piece,” Mr. Jovic said. “He wrote a wonderful piece, and I am happy to share that he was selected for publication by the Young Writers Association.” Jaiden’s piece would be featured in a publication called “Unsolved Secrets Revealed.” His piece is called “Darkness is in the Eye of the Beholder,” a mystery genre. He is pictured with Mr. Jovic (left) and Copiague Middle School’s English department chairperson Christopher Gaudioso.

Date Added: 9/18/2023

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School has three student-musicians selected to the 2023 Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association’s vocal jazz ensemble. This is a first for the school district. “This is such a tremendous opportunity for these students and our growing program,” said choral teacher and vocal jazz director Katherine Butera (pictured far right). Ms. Butera introduced the vocal jazz group at the high school last year and is excited to see the potential for this year. Shawn Smaldon (right) and Daniel Kister (left) were selected to the group, and Valery Cedeno (center) was chosen as an alternate. The concert is scheduled for Nov. 4 at East Islip High School. Students are pictured with Copiague School District’s director of fine arts Jennifer Ross-Troise (far left).

Date Added: 9/18/2023

During Superintendent’s Conference Day on Sept. 5, Copiague School District recognized 36 staff members for their dedicated years of service.

Copiague School District’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Todd Andrews announced each staff member and called them up to the podium one by one to receive their service award. Copiague School District’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon expressed her appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the students of Copiague School District.

Congratulations to the following staff members:
45 years: Michael Beck
30 years: Mary Alice Dunn
25 years: Nicole Alamia, Lisa Amodeo, Pam Atlas, Maryanne Basso, Daniel Broadbent, Patricia Caputo, Barbara Carroccio, Maureen Green, Yolanda Jamiolkowski, Jennifer Kelly, Lisa Key, Dawn Koziarz, Melanie Luck, Adrienne Mahoney, Kerri Maroney, Joanne Norman, Cynthia Perez, Jennifer Phillips, Charles Ragusa, Melissa Solomon, Mercedes Soluri, Karen Steigert and Stephanie Valeiko.
20 years: Kevin Beach, Erica Cunha, Jonathan Cutolo, Flor Hernandez, Ophelia Hines, Cara Horigan, Veronica Kolbasuk, Eric Leibowitz, Walter Lenski, Lauren McElmoyl and Deena Ryan.

Date Added: 9/7/2023

With plenty of sunshine, Copiague School District opened its doors to students and staff for the start of the 2023-2024 school year on Sept. 6.

As the morning began at Copiague Middle School and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, students were greeted by staff members and familiar faces as they began the new year. The incoming sixth grade and ninth grade students familiarized themselves with their buildings, lockers and schedules during their respective orientations prior to the start of the school year.

Smiling faces entered each of the elementary school buildings with the backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies. As they got off the buses and entered the buildings, eager learners were excited to explore their new classrooms and connect with their classmates. As they settled into their new routines, students and staff looked forward to the year ahead.

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Date Added: 9/7/2023

Incoming sixth and ninth grade students explored their new buildings as Copiague Middle School and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held orientation days on Aug. 30 and 31, respectively.

At Copiague Middle School, students and parents received a brief orientation conducted by Principal Andrew Lagnado before touring the building and trying out their new lockers. Students also met with their homeroom teachers to go over schedules and ask questions.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s ninth grade orientation for both students and their parents began with a presentation by Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta. Students were introduced to administrators, department chairs and class advisers. Director of Guidance Sabrina Meehan went over graduation requirements before students broke into smaller groups to meet with their student ambassadors.

Student ambassadors are handpicked seniors who will work with the ninth graders as mentors throughout the school year. The ambassadors met with students for breakout sessions, bonding activities and a scavenger hunt around the building. To close out the day, the ninth graders received their schedules and locker assignments.

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Date Added: 9/1/2023