Across every subject area, Chromebooks are serving as valuable learning tools at Edmund W. Miles Middle School. Every student in seventh, eighth and ninth grade received a device in February for use both in school and at home.

Teachers say that one of the biggest benefits is having the technology readily available, so students can easily access information and participate in interactive learning experiences. Through Google Classroom, teachers can share course assignments, reading passages, worksheets and more. 

Eighth and ninth grade math teacher David Takseraas posts multiple choice questions and can see student responses right away. This allows him to know how well they are understanding a concept. He also posts daily videos reviewing the homework, which students can watch on their own so more class time can be devoted to teaching new material.

“This is what they’re going to be doing in college,” Mr. Takseraas said of technology-centric learning. “We’re preparing them for their future educations and future careers.”

Seventh and eighth grade English teacher Justin Uliano had his students use Chromebooks extensively during a recent poetry unit. Using various online resources, they located and read different types of poems to inspire their own writing. Students then created poetry anthologies filled with original works. 

“It’s really opened up options for them as to what information they can find,” Mr. Uliano said. “It gives them a lot more independence and a lot more choice.”

Mr. Uliano added that having students use Google Docs for writing assignments makes it easier to edit and revise their pieces. There is also a comment feature which allows him to give feedback to his students throughout the writing process. Additionally, he has students use a program called Plot Factory to plan out the different elements of their stories for better structure and organization.

Social studies teacher Frank O’Brien said the Chromebooks allow students to easily access the historical documents he regularly shares. He also likes that the devices provide opportunities for easy collaboration on group projects.

To bring excitement into his lessons, Mr. O’Brien also uses interactive games for review during each topic. With Kahoot, students independently answer questions on the Chromebooks, and the class results are displayed on the SmartBoard, with rankings based on both correct answers and speed. Quizlet creates a competitive review session in a team format. 

Science teachers Ann Poulin, Christine Quigley and Jennifer Sanchez have found numerous ways to support the curriculum with Chromebooks. Students can take part in virtual labs, which gets them familiar with equipment and terminology before conducting hands-on experiments. They like to use Nearpod, an interactive learning platform featuring slideshows, videos and quizzes. Teachers say they particularly like the interactive games because they get every student involved. 

“When you don’t have technology, you can only pick on two or three kids who raise their hands,” Ms. Sanchez said. 

Teachers noted that because today’s learners are very proficient in technology, there is almost no learning curve when a new program is introduced. Students are quick to grasp the features of the different learning tools, maximizing instructional time.  

The 1980s comes to Amityville this weekend as the Edmund W. Miles Middle School Drama Club will perform “Fame Junior.” The show is set at a performing arts high school in New York City and follows the journeys of student actors, dancers and musicians throughout their four years.

The cast and stage crew consists of approximately 30 students. Lead actors include Wilnori Bouzy as Carmen Diaz, Aniyah Law as Serena Katz, Javier Rodriguez as Nick Piazza and Ashley Diaz as Schlomo Metzenbaum.   

There are several musical numbers including “Hard Work,” “There She Goes/Fame” and “Bring on Tomorrow.” Director Shannon McCann and Assistant Director Carolyn Mejia say the show has a great message about the importance of the arts in education.

Show times for “Fame Junior” are Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the middle school gymnasium. Tickets are $5 at the door. 

Science was all around the circular-shaped cafeteria on April 11 as Edmund W. Miles Middle School hosted its annual science fair.

Students shared information about their projects with teachers, administrators, board of education trustees, family members and other visitors. Each seventh grader completed an experiment following the scientific method, and had to create a poster board presentation outlining the process and results.

Science Chairwoman Natasha Lim said that the goal was to have students gain an understanding of the different steps of the scientific method through a hands-on project, as well as collect their own data and determine whether it proved or disproved their hypotheses. 

There were a wide variety of topics as students explored scientific concepts such as air flow, electricity, gravity and pressure. Several students completed experiments analyzing food and other household products, while others conducted surveys and performed statistical analysis. No science fair would be complete without a volcano, and there was also a slime-making station.

Students in the STEAM classes, an elective for seventh, eighth and ninth graders that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and math, displayed projects they have been working on throughout the year including boats, bridges, catapults, hydrogen cars and paper rollercoasters. 

Science research students also presented their projects, including their creation of ecosystems for betta splendens and leopard geckos, research on the vaping epidemic is schools and its nanoscribe 3D printing of a scaffold for dentinogenesis. They also showcased their mag lev vehicles which helped them earn first place in Brookhaven National Laboratory’s MAGLEV competition. 

Notable females from the past and present were celebrated at Edmund W. Miles Middle School on March 29. Students and teachers took part in the Women’s History Month celebration that included poems, songs and interviews.

Teacher Latessa Clairborne portrayed Oprah Winfrey and served as the host of the show. Throughout the program, she interviewed students taking on the roles of several famous females including Michelle Obama, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Maya Angelou, Madam C.J. Walker and Malala Yousafzai.

Jonathan Jacas sang and danced along to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” That served as a segue for an interview with female tennis legends Billie Jean King, Serena Williams and Venus Williams. 

Librarian Lynn Cesiro’s dance team accompanied Aaliyah Precil as she sang “That’s My Girl.” They also performed to medley of songs by female artists in a dance through the decades routine. The ninth-grade orchestra also performed under the direction of conductor Bianca Ferrante. 

The program concluded with a historical figures dance, as middle school teachers took on the roles of Pocahontas, Cleopatra, Rosie the Riveter and more. 

There was a strong sense of Warrior pride as the district celebrated its female athletes and coaches during a special ceremony on March 22.

The inaugural Warriors Girls and Women in Sports Day was held in the Amityville Memorial High School cafeteria to coincide with Women’s History Month. All varsity and junior varsity athletes from the three sports seasons were invited to attend, along with their coaches. The program featured guest speakers, dinner and a photo station, and each athlete received an “I am a Warrior” T-shirt.

“This is just a wonderful way for us to honor all of the female athletes and coaches we have in our district and to show them our appreciation,” said Evan Farkas, director of athletics, physical education and health. 

Coach Margot Howard opened the program by speaking about Women’s History Month and noting ways that opportunities have expanded for Amityville’s female athletes, including the introduction of a competitive cheer team and girls lacrosse program. 

Board of Education Second Vice President Laura Pawlewicz and trustee Allie McDonough, who were both Amityville athletes, helped coordinate the event. Ms. Pawlewicz, a four-year varsity soccer player, said they wanted to show the present-day female athletes just how much support they have from their community. She noted that the Amityville Parent Teacher Council and several local businesses helped make the event possible with generous contributions. 

Ms. McDonough said playing soccer and softball were among the best memories of her life. She told all of the girls that there are numerous opportunities for them to continue their athletic pursuits after high school. 

Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly, a volleyball, basketball and softball player in high school, said that Amityville’s female athletes are wonderful competitors who have had great successes in their sports, in addition to demonstrating great sportsmanship, remaining committed to their academics and carrying themselves with pride. 

The keynote speaker was girls varsity basketball coach Cherese Hinckson. She graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1997, and played soccer and basketball. Ms. Hinckson shared stories from her playing days and explained how that gave her a sense of determination. If she had just given up when times got tough, she said she never would have made the second All-Long Island team in basketball, received a college scholarship of been inducted into Amityville’s Sports Hall of Fame. She reminded today’s athletes that they should never let temporary bad moments stand in the way of greatness. 

The athletes participated in an interactive game to get to know each other better by having to find 25 people who met certain descriptions, such as someone who plays multiple sports, is a team captain, plans to play in college or has won a national championship.