Plainedge School District and Individual School Report Cards 
RSS FEEDWelcome to the Plainedge Union Free School District Web Site
Budget is Approved by Voters - Thank You For Your Support!
Voters in the Plainedge School District approved the school budget for 2013-14 on May 21. The vote was 1302 in favor and 830 opposed. Proposition 3 was also approved and authorizes the Board to expend $500,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to further the district's capital program.
Voters also re-elected Douglas Pascarella to the Board of Education, re-elected Debra Grieci to fill the Board of Education seat vacated earlier this school year, and also elected Raymond Paris to the Board of Education. The budget for the Plainedge Public Library was also approved.
And the Winners are.....
This year's contest theme was "The Future is Now". The Winner is "Recycle, Study and Be Healthy by Daniel Chung a 4th grade student in Mrs. Newman's class at Schwarting Elementary school. The other four semi-finalists will also appear inside the calendar.
In other exciting news the new menu item receiving the highest votes was - the Grilled Club Sandwich- turkey/lettuce/tomato/turkey bacon.
High School Graduation
Plainedge High School Graduation will be held on June 20th, at 7pm at Hofstra University.
Attention High School Juniors
This is a reminder to all Juniors and Junior parents. Class of 2014 Senior portrait sessions are under way at the high school. It is important that you show up for your scheduled appointment time to have your portrait taken to ensure that your portrait selection appears in the yearbook. If you are unsure of your scheduled time, or need to change your scheduled appointment, please contact Lors Photography at 908-964-0847 or visit them at www.lorsstudio.com<http://www.lorsstudio.com/>
Million T-Shirt March
A single student who bullies can have a wide-ranging impact on the students they bully, students who observe bullying, and the overall climate of the school and community. As part of our commitment to effectively address bullying and educate our students as early as possible in their educational journey, the three elementary schools in the Plainedge School District, John H. West, Eastplain and Schwarting are taking part in the nation’s largest and most ambitious anti-bullying rally ever attempted, The Million T-Shirt March Against Bullying. We hope to be part of more than a million people nationwide on May 2, 2013 all wearing the same anti-bullying shirt. Together with caring people across the nation, we hope to have one million people make a difference. One million people with the same message, the same shirt, on the same day. This is also an attempt to set a Guinness World Record of “the most people wearing the same shirt on the same day.”
At West, Mrs. Muscarella worked with the Student Council members to educate them about bullying and what they can do as classroom representatives to help stop bullying. Student Council created an assembly that highlighted the bullying circle and members of the student council performed role plays showing the circle of bullying. One of our Student Council members and another fifth grade student have created a song that goes along with what they have learned about bullying during their Student Council meetings.
Please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwGOLoADXHw
For the NEWS 12 Coverage visit - http://www.newsday.com/long-island/million-t-shirt-march-against-bullying-at-john-h-west-elementary-school-1.5186751?p=765364
The Eastplain PTA sponsored an assembly by Camfel productions on May 1st entitled, THE PLEDGE. This multimedia assembly motivated students to make a positive difference in the world around them with their words, actions, and attitudes. The assembly stressed the importance of working together, and illustrated the negative impact of spreading & listening to rumors, teasing, and bullying.
On May 2nd, students met in the cafeteria at 9:30. The Student Council members taught the students the “No Bullying” song with hand motions. They sang the song together. Mrs. O’Brien said a few words about the march and then each class left the cafeteria and move on to the school field for the march at about 9:50. Each class carried a banner that was personalized by all of the members of the class.
At Schwarting, students met in the Gym at 1:45pm, where Mr. Mannino spoke about the march and then each class proceeded through the gym and marched around the school field with each class carrying a banner that was personalized by all of the members of the class.
Relay for Life
The Plainedge High School National Honor Society will be hosting our first ever "Relay for Life" (in cooperation with the American Cancer Society) at the high school track on Saturday June 15, 2013 from noon to midnight. Relay for Life is an organized community walk and fundraising event that educates and raises awareness about cancer; while uniting the community. The entire Plainedge school community is invited to attend our Relay for Life - students and their families, and Plainedge teachers & staff are all welcomed to create or join a Relay team. The goal of the event is to fight back against cancer, remember loved ones who lost their battle, and celebrate life.
We have a Plainedge Relay for Life website set up where anyone in the district can create a team. If you would like to create or join a team click below and follow the online instructions. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY13EA?pg=entry&fr_id=54755
The day of the actual event will be a lot of fun. In addition to a survivor dinner and the illuminaria ceremony, there will be games, activities, entertainment, and food for everyone!
Please check out the Relay for Life website for more details - http://www.relayforlife.org/. We would love for this to be an event in which all Plainedge schools, teams, clubs, teachers, students, and community are represented. The NHS students have created committees for team recruitment, raffles, illuminarias, the survivor dinner, games & activities throughout the day, etc. If anyone is interested in getting involved they can contact Ms. Vidal!
Eastplain Promotes the TerraCycle Drink Pouch Brigade
Eastplain fifth graders are currently researching endangered species as part of an enrichment unit. Students discovered that animal habitats are often destroyed, which is one cause of a species becoming endangered. Fifth graders wanted to do something positive for our precious environment. Therefore the fifth grade enrichment classes guided by enrichment specialist Mrs. Conaghan along with Eastplain’s Student Council are showing initiative and working together to get the Eastplain community involved in a fascinating new recycling program: The TerraCycle Drink Pouch Brigade.
We are collecting empty foil drink pouches. These packages are very difficult to recycle and usually end up as garbage in landfills. TerraCycle takes the drink pouches, cleans them and turns them into new and useful consumer products like totes, backpacks and lunch bags. This means the usually discarded packages are not going into landfills and, better still, the new “upcycled” products use much less energy to make than items made from raw materials.
Our recycling project is still underway and we have already accomplished our goal which was to collect 1001 empty juice pouches! For every pouch recycled, TerraCycle will also send funds to the National Wildlife Federation to protect 36 square feet of wildlife land critical to the safety of bison, grizzly bears, gray wolves and other wildlife.
TerraCycle’s Drink Pouch Brigade is a perfect example of the idea that, if we each do a little, we all do a lot! We are proud to be guiding our students to be environmentally responsible agents of change through the Drink Pouch Brigade.
National College Decision Day
In recognition of National College Decision Day, students, faculty and administrators participated in College Pride Day at Plainedge High School. Seniors wore college shirts of the college or university they plan to attend in the fall, while the high school staff wore shirts which displayed the college/university they attended. Other students showed their college pride by wearing shirts of colleges that their family members attended and/or colleges they hope to attend in the future, making it a very successful event.
To see photos of the event click here.
Plainedge Schools on News12
Security In the Schools - Plainedge is Number One with the Most Advanced Video Security System in New York State - Watch it Now on News12.com
Recently, News12 asked to visit our District as the premier district with the most advanced video security system in New York State. The Board of Education had an opportunity to see the newly implemented system designed to improve the safety and security in our schools first hand earlier this week during our Board of Education Tour and now you can see it on News 12 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQa0e4DD2as
Board of Education Honors 2013 Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Summa Cum Laude Students
At the Board of Education Meeting on April 18th President Catherine Flanagan, Principal Amster and Dr. Salina recognized the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2013, Valedictorian is Terrence McSweeney and the Salutatorian is John Coacci. At the April 18th meeting Board President Catherine Flanagan along with Vice-President Maryann Capone, Principal Rob Amster and Superintendent Dr. Salina honored 14 students with grade point averages of 100 and over. To achieve this, students must excel in all their classes, including many weighted honors and advanced placement courses. The following students achieved this tremendous accomplishment and were recognized at the Board meeting: Carly Andrews; Jordan Brown; Cara Butcher; John Coacci; Alexa Filipe; Brandon Fiscina; Terrence McSweeney; Kyle Ruvolo; Marisa Scarcella; Anna Schozer; Andrew Sullivan; Sari Weisenberg; Emily Yorke; Wendy Zheng. These students had been previously recognized by Principal Amster on February 13th at the Summa cum Laude breakfast.
Honors Biology Class Visits Cold Spring Harbor DNA Lab
Honors Biology students went to Cold Spring Harbor DNA lab to participate restriction analysis and gel electrophoresis lab experience on April 29 and 30.
Schwarting Science Fair
About 30 Science honor society students traveled to Schwarting to judge the 4th and 5th grade science fair projects and to inspire and share their expertise in science on March 15
HS Robotics Team Places Second at the Long Island Regional
It was another successful season for Plainedge’s F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team 527. The team competed at two Regional competitions. The Virginia Regional took place in Richmond March 14th-16th. The team made it all the way to the quarterfinals competing against 65 different robots. The Long Island Regional took place at Hofstra University this past weekend (April 4th – 6th) in which Plainedge competed against 50 other robots and successfully qualified for the elimination rounds of the competition. Plainedge teamed up with two other schools: Port Jefferson Station team 1751 and Brooklyn’s team 369 making it all the way to the finals. After battling two matches against Westhampton Beach team 3171, Hauppauge team 358, and Long Island City team 1796 trio, Plainedge and its partners placed second in the competition. In the past five years, Plainedge F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team 527 has won first place twice and second place twice at the Regional competitions they have attended, an impressive feat.
In addition to bringing home the silver medal, members of the Plainedge F.I.R.S.T. robotics team were recognized for their leadership and dedication to their team and promoting the ideals of the F.I.R.S.T. organization. Junior, Dylan Wagner was honored with the Dean’s List award (an award that celebrates outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals is exemplary) from more than 100 applicants who applied. It is one of the most prestigious awards that the F.I.R.S.T. organization presents. Dylan’s name will be submitted for the same award at the F.I.R.S.T. National Competition in St. Louis taking place later this month.
Plainedge team 527 also recognized senior Robert Kane as the team’s MVP. Rob has been the senior programmer for the team for the past two years. His dedication to the team and the endless hours of time spent aligning all components of the robot with the computer program contributed greatly towards the team’s success this year.
F.I.R.S.T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a national organization whose mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders. To learn more about the F.I.R.S.T. robotics organization, visit http://www.usfirst.org/
Harlem Wizards visit Plainedge
On Thursday March 21st the Harlem Wizards visited the Plainedge High School and in front of a standing room only crowd of about 1,000 Plainedge students, staff and residents gave us a great performance.
This event was sponsored by the Plainedge PFT and raised funds for the PFT/PTA Scholarship program. What a great night for Plainedge Pride, out in full force as our teachers, staff and administrators along with our student body showed the Wizards what it's like to be a Red Devil.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
We are pleased to announce the opening of the New PowerSchool Parent Portal for all schools Grades K-12. Through this PowerSchool student information system, parents will have real-time access to attendance, schedules, and other school related information.
To begin using the Parent Portal for the 2012-2013 school year, you must create an account and then use the following information to link to your child's data. The new portal now has single-sign-on which allows parents to add multiple children under one account.
Please CLICK HERE to get started.
HS Cheerleading Squad Places 9th at the National Championships
The Plainedge High School Varsity cheerleading squad travelled to Orlando Florida this past weekend to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championship. Our squad under the direction of Coach Kerri Boye placed 9th in the country in this National competition. We are extremely proud of their excellent work and sportmanship.
Sandy Forces Changes in School Calendar
As a result of the six days of school lost to Hurricane Sandy, at the November 20th Board of Education Meeting, the Board adopted the following changes to the remainder of the 2012-13 school calendar:
- Friday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 28, originally designated as snow make-up days, will be regular days of instruction.
Please click here for more information on other potential school closing dates and FAQ's about the school calendar.
Inter-Scholastic Sports - New BOCES Website
In education, Response To Intervention (commonly abbreviated RTI or RtI) is a method of academic intervention that is designed to provide early, effective assistance to children who are having difficulty learning. Recently, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) established new criteria schools must use when determining if a student has a learning disability. Effective on and after July 1, 2012, a school district must have an RtI process in place that meets these new guidelines. To learn more about RtI and what Plainedge is doing to meet NYSED's deadline, click here. 
To help cut costs and in a move towards "going green," instead of printing thousands of copies and sending them home with students, the Plainedge School Lunch Program is now posting its menus and free and reduced cost lunch applications online. Also available are applications and instructions for Yearly Discounted Lunch Cards , and information about MySchoolBucks.com, an online school lunch management program. To view the information you need, click here.
