The innovative ideas of three teachers in the Amityville Union Free School District resulted in $2,000 in grant awards, which will be used to further enhance learning opportunities for students. 

Amityville teachers received two out of the five Model Schools awards from Western Suffolk BOCES for their creative use of instructional technology. Northwest Elementary School co-teachers Kerrin Faulkner and Jenny Smith earned one of the $1,000 awards and Amityville Memorial High School social studies Jack Zider received the other. 

Ms. Faulkner and Ms. Smith have taught second grade together for the past four years and have continued to expand the use of technology to engage their students. Every year, students complete nonfiction writing pieces, including a research-based project on topics of their choice. This year, the project came about right after holiday break, but with Amityville schools on remote learning for the first two weeks of January, they looked for a new way for students to complete their projects.

The teachers turned to Book Creator, an app that students could access from their Chromebooks at home. Instead of paper projects, students created digital books on topics ranging from animals to historical events to sports. 

Ms. Faulkner and Ms. Smith said the addition of the technology component raised the level of engagement among students, who worked extremely hard to create their digital books. They were so proud of their finished products, the teachers said, they couldn’t wait to share with their classmates. All of the books were compiled into a digital book museum. 

“This technology really lifted the level of their writing,” Ms. Faulkner said. “It also really opened our eyes to new possibilities for the future.”

The teachers added that in addition to helping them with their research skills, the project showed students the important of including different text and non-text features in their writing, like photos and graphics, a table of contents, a glossary and fun facts pages.

For Black History Month in February, ninth graders in Mr. Zider’s social studies classes created a “Periodic Table of African-American Achievement in History” using Google Slides and Jamboard. Students, working independently or in small groups, created an interactive database in which they identified the accomplishments of notable Black figures throughout history. 

In addition to their Google Slide and Jamboard presentations, students created Flipgrid videos describing the impact those individuals made on society. The ninth graders explained why they chose their particular subjects and why their accomplishments should be celebrated. The projects were uploaded to their digital portfolios on Google Sites and shared with sixth graders at Edmund W. Miles Middle School.

“It’s very exciting,” Mr. Zider said of receiving the grant, “but all of the credit goes to the students. They really made it come to life. I’m just happy that they're being recognized for how dedicated they were to this project.”

Mr. Zider, who taught at the middle school for six years before moving to the high school this year, said that digital citizenship is an important part of social studies education He explained that the work his students do now should prepare them for the digital world they will experience after graduation, which is why he uses technology to such a great extent in his classroom. 

Ms. Faulkner, Ms. Smith and Mr. Zider will be able to use the grant money to pick out instructional resources of their choosing for their classrooms to enhance opportunities for their students. They will be honored at a Model Schools virtual celebration later this year and will be invited to speak for a few minutes about their projects. 

Two Amityville Memorial High School students connected with their peers from Long Island as well as state legislative leaders through their participation in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute. 

Senior Tatiana Barrera and junior Fatima Mendez Oliva took part in the virtual conference on March 13 and 14. The event is a collaboration between the New York State Assembly and the New York State Education Department’s Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages. It included civic engagement workshops, cultural events, a mock assembly, student recognition and a scholarship presentation. The girls heard from keynote speaker Dolores Huerta, an American labor leader and Civil Rights activist, and attended the Saturday night performance by singer Taína Asili. 

Tatiana and Fatima learned about the different branches of New York State government and how a bill becomes a law. They also heard about legislation currently in front of the Assembly that could impact the Latino community. 

The students were chosen to represent Amityville by the English as a New Language and World Languages Department. Director Mary Stephens said students are chosen each year for this valuable leadership and empowerment opportunity, and she was glad that, despite the pandemic, it continued virtually so Tatiana and Fatima could participate. Before the conference, they took part in three virtual training sessions with BOCES.

Each student was also assigned to a mentor from the Assembly. Tatiana was paired with Michaelle Solages, an assemblywoman from western Nassau County, and Fatima was with Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, whose district includes Amityville and North Amityville. 

In a mock Assembly session, Tatiana and Fatima were able to discuss and debate issues with students from other high schools. Because some participants are more comfortable with English and others with Spanish, arguments were presented in both languages. Tatiana and Fatima said they enjoyed the experience because it helped with their public speaking skills and showed them the importance of respectful dialogue. Not only did it help build confidence sharing their own opinions, but it gave them an opportunity to listen to and consider other people’s viewpoints and ideas.

“It was a good experience,” Tatiana said. “It helped me develop life skills.”

Fatima added that it brought to life lessons about government from her social studies classes.

Students also took part in an arts experience, showing how they can have a voice through the arts. They were split into smaller groups based on their areas of interest. Tatiana submitted a photography project about an environmental issue, using a picture she took of a big plot of land of trees cleared near her home. Fatima did a drama presentation about her ambitions and aspirations.  

The girls said they learned about the importance of participating in the political process and knowing who represents them at different levels of government. Their voices have power, they said, which they can use to advocate for positive changes. 

Amityville Memorial High School celebrated Women’s History Month in March with a tribute to the Warriors female athletes. Students on all of the fall sports teams, which is the current athletic season, received gray and red “I Am A Warrior” T-shirts with silhouettes of girls playing multiple sports. 

Students also shared what being a female athlete means to them. Cheerleader Dana Rickenbacker, who grew up attending her older brothers’ football games and wrestling matches, aspired to have the same sense of belonging to a team when she reached high school. 

“I wanted to be a part of a group where we are all passionate about what we are doing,” Dana said. “Having a sisterhood in cheer is one of the things I love most. I can talk to anyone about cheerleading but they don't understand it; no one would unless you are a cheerleader yourself. In school, cheerleading is my motivation and seeing as this year has been strange, cheerleading has been pushing me more than ever because I want to maintain being a scholar-athlete.”

Quanasia Anthony said being a member of the volleyball team lets her do what she loves, while basketball player Makayla Warrick said her success shows that young women have the power to do anything they put their minds too. 

“I feel confident while playing sports because it's empowering to do what I can do to the best of my abilities,” added tennis player Makayla Gunter. “To improve myself psychically, mentally and socially makes me feel better about myself. Being on the tennis team for more than a year has greatly improved my self-esteem.”

She added that she strives to become a positive role model and ambassador for the sport like famous tennis players like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.

Tchama Louis of the track and field and cross-country teams likes sports because it brings her together with other people and teaches valuable lessons such as goal-setting, respect, teamwork and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Soccer player Genesis Perez says sports helps her feel more confident in her own skin.

“We build a family with other empowering women and girls,” Genesis said. “It means having the opportunity to inspire other girls and being able to learn from them each and every day.”

Gianely McCatty, of the softball team, said being a woman in sports means more to her than just the gender, label or the difference between a man in sports. 

“I take pride in playing a sport, and so should everyone else,” she said. “With that being said, being a woman in sports is more than just playing, it’s an encouragement for change.”

The calendar may say March, but the fall sports season is in full swing in the Amityville Union Free School District. The return of high school sports following the shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic began with winter sports in January, followed by a condensed fall season, and ending with spring sports.

At Amityville Memorial High School, the cheerleading, cross country, football, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis and girls volleyball teams are back in action. The athletes are following all safety protocols as they look to make the most of the experience.

Senior Genesis Perez is excited to be back on the soccer field donning her red Warriors jersey.

“Although it is a short season, it is great to be able to have our last season during our senior year,” she said.

Cristian Escobar, a senior on the boys soccer team, said it is good to again feel the energy and enthusiasm that comes with competition. He plans to enjoy every minute of the soccer season, even if it is a little different than years past.

“Representing Amityville feels good,” Cristian said.