The NYSSB (NYS Seal of Biliteracy) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages. This special recognition highlights the importance of being biliterate in today’s global society. It highlights the arduous work and achievement of students and encourages them to pursue language study while in school, including the continued development of one’s home language. In helping prepare students with twenty-first century skills, its purpose is also to recognize the value of language instruction and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

These 29 successful candidates earned three points in English and three points in each world language from a matrix, which includes course grades, national and state exams, transcripts, and culminating projects. Congratulations to all our 2024 NYS Seal of Biliteracy recipients! #OwlProud

Date Added: 6/26/2024

The Lynbrook Board of Education’s June 5 regular meeting was a celebration of outstanding achievements by several students, educators and community members.

The Lynbrook High School tennis team enjoyed a perfect season with a 14-0 record. Wins were made by players Liam Raykis on second singles, Sean Hensley on third singles and Sean Raykis and Gabe Lewner on first doubles.

South Middle School student Sylvia Sullivan is a recipient of the 2024 Promising Young Writers Award from the National Council of Teachers of English. For the award, 177 students across 33 states participated. During the meeting, Sylvia shared a blurb describing her story.

From the No Place for Hate organization, Jillian Agin, a fourth grader from Marion Street Elementary, was named a recipient of the Cynthia Marks’ Student Legacy Award. The award recognizes students who show exceptional commitment and leadership in standing against bullying and harassment.

While the meeting was taking place, LHS Key Club members were in the midst of visiting Yankee Stadium after being named winners of the Blood Drive Championship. The Key Club hosted three blood drives this year, saving 918 lives. A Key Club representative attended the meeting to accept recognition from the board.
The LHS Student Government Association held a pickleball fundraiser to support Nassau/Suffolk Services for Autism. About 42 teams played, whose entry fees contributed to a $900 donation to the organization. NSSA presented junior Cooper Schorr, who helped organize the event, with a certificate of recognition.

Recognition of Schorr’s efforts did not stop there. Schorr also received the New York State Senate Public Service and Youth Leadership Award from Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, exceptional academic achievement and performance in selfless volunteer efforts for the betterment of the community.

The combination of athletic and philanthropic events continued with the junior varsity and varsity baseball teams’ benefit game. The teams raised more than $2,300 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Buxton family in Lynbrook.
Project LIFTOFF winners Aidan Michaels and Jack Murray presented the findings of their experiment, which was conducted on the International Space Station. The experiment, along with art patches designed by two students, flew on the ISS for over a month. Aidan and Jack distributed stickers with the mission’s art patches to trustees and administrators.

Two retirements were accepted by trustees. Retirees include MariaGrace Egan, a school monitor at Marion Street Elementary, and Robin Kurtin, a teacher aide at Waverly Park.

Eleven educators from throughout the district received tenure. They include Josie Botwinick, Kelly Donovan, Kaitlin GaNun, Caitlin Hopkins, Ashley Keon, Giuliana Losapio, Kathleen McAuley, Joseph Martillotti, Christopher Persaud, Patricia Schwetz and Timothy Waldvogel.

Finally, trustees shared farewell messages for Ellen Marcus, who attended her last meeting after 16 years of service on the board.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 6/10/2024

“Painting is poetry, that is seen rather than felt,

and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”

Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous quote served as an inspiration for a perfect cross-curricular collaboration between the English and art departments. Art and poetry, two timeless forms of expression, have always been closely linked. For centuries, poets have found inspiration in various art forms, capturing their essence in words and bringing them to life on the page.

This month, the Bern Seiderman Art Gallery is proud to present a special cross curriculum exhibit featuring original poetry and artwork from the English 12R and AP Art classes. The culmination of this project, which came to fruition as a way to revise the long standing LHS Senior project was able to hit the ground running after we received the Annual Spector Grant last year.

The work on display is just a small sample of the work that was produced. On the left side of the gallery, the AP Art students’ pieces serve as inspiration for the original poems below which were written by the English 12R students. On the right side of the gallery, original poetry written by the English 12R students serve as inspiration for the artwork below created by the AP art students. Some of the themes that were explored in both the poetry and the artwork include: Losing a loved one; The healing powers of Nature; Happiness; and Urban Whispers. #OwlProud

Date Added: 6/6/2024

The work of the young journalists and designers of Horizon, the student-led newspaper from Lynbrook High School, was recognized in the 2023 New York Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

The Horizon team submitted nominations for some of the students’ best work throughout 2023 in February. With five awards and two honorable mentions, this year’s NYPA showing continues Horizon’s streak of earning annual recognitions. At the May 8 board of education meeting, Horizon members were praised by administrators and trustees.


The awards include:
• General Excellence - Third Place - The Horizon Staff

• Best Website - Second Place - The Horizon Staff

• Best Print Design - Honorable Mention - The Horizon Staff

• Best News Story - Third Place - Amelia Doyle, “Environmental Club Hosts Semi-Annual Beach Cleanup with Restore the Seas”

• Best Feature Story - Second Place - Madeleine Malinka, “The Kindergarten Center’s New Reading Curricula”

• Best Feature Story - Third Place - Cassandra Levinson, “Lynbrook Alumna Chooses Life Over War”

• Best Sports Story - Honorable Mention - Colette Doyle, “Aimee Quinlan Swims Her Way to States”

Photo caption:
1) Members of Lynbrook High School’s Horizon newspaper received accolades at the 2023 New York Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.
2) At the May 8 board of education meeting, Horizon members received praise from administrators and trustees.

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

Date Added: 5/15/2024