With graduation just a few weeks away, Rye Neck High School has ensured that all seniors are ready to embark on the next journey of their lives with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Through the school’s internship program, all members of the Class of 2017 are participating in internships for the remainder of the school year.

Karen Parisi, a social studies teacher and coordinator of the internship program, said the program provides students with an opportunity to experience a career of their choice while further exploring their interests and passions. Through the enriching experience, they’re able to learn important life lessons about responsibility and accountability, and apply their skills to real-life situations. The students have been exploring a number of fields, including medical research, physical therapy, education, real estate, architecture, engineering, public service, construction and more.

“The internship program allows students to explore an area that they would not have been exposed to in a traditional classroom setting,” Parisi said. “In addition to making new connections with people who can provide advice and guidance in future job searches, interns see what it is really like to work in a certain field. By the end of the internship, students have a clearer idea of whether they want to enter a profession and how to plan their future career goals.”

Since 1995, Rye Neck High School has been providing students with an opportunity to participate in an internship or complete an in-depth research assignment during their fourth-quarter marking period as a graduation requirement. This year, as well as last, all seniors participated in an internship of their choice.

“The program began with a handful of students and now, every senior participates in the internship program,” Parisi said. “In order to be eligible for an internship a student must be passing all classes. A student’s fourth-quarter grade in social studies and English is based on the internship assessment.”

Parisi said each student works with an internship mentor to gain professional knowledge and expertise, receive guidance and constructive feedback and complete assigned responsibilities. Throughout their internship, students are required to submit mentor evaluation forms, time sheets, an on-site interview and journal entries about their experience.

F.E. Bellows Elementary School third-graders, teachers and PTSA Garden Club representatives continued their work on the school’s “Life Garden” by planting annuals, perennials and other flowers on May 16.

They had been working together to revive the garden since April when they pulled weeds, spread mulch and prepared flower beds. Over the next several weeks, the students will plant seeds, while fourth-graders will plant additional flowers along the perimeter of the flower beds. As part of their “legacy project” before they transition from F.E. Bellows Elementary School to Rye Neck Middle School, fifth-graders will each paint one rock from the rock bed with a quote or saying.

Approximately 750 students in grades K-5 showcased their best artwork during the annual art show, held at F.E. Bellows Elementary School from May 9-11. Under the direction of art teachers Trisha Appel and Dara Goodman, the art show featured one project from each student.

“Since all children have varied physiological and conceptual stages of development and grasp art skills and concepts at different times, we used this knowledge and differentiated instruction to choose a project of each child’s area of strength,” Appel said. “The projects were created so every student can succeed and be challenged to their potential. As a result, the show focused on quality over quantity.”

The art show featured self-portraits, abstract portraits, still life, as well as art inspired by Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and more. Through their projects, the students were able to express their creativity and worked on developing an artist vocabulary and techniques while creating works based on master artists and art movements.

“As part of the art programs at Daniel Warren and F.E. Bellows elementary schools, students are exposed to a variety of media and techniques and are encouraged to take risks and make creative decisions – which, in turn, develop higher level thinking skills,” Goodman said. “Since we have the privilege of teaching students for consecutive years, we have the opportunity to build on previously taught concepts and skills, to understand our students and to watch them grow.”

First-graders at Daniel Warren Elementary School, who have been studying about insects as part of their science curriculum, welcomed visitors from the Rye Nature Center to their school for a lesson on bees.

As part of the lesson, the students learned about the life cycle of a honeybee family and its metamorphosis from an egg, to a larva, pupa and an adult bee. They also discussed the bees’ purpose in nature and the different adaptions they need to survive. During the hands-on learning experience, the students got to taste local honey and plant marigolds and snapdragons, which provide a source of food to bees.

“It makes the students feel like they are part of nature, part of the whole cycle and they helped it along by planting flowers,” teacher Madeleine Biegen said. “Hands-on science is a really important part of their learning.”

The first-graders will continue to study insects when they welcome butterfly eggs to their classrooms to observe their transformation into a caterpillar, chrysalis and eventually a butterfly. When the students are outside in the garden during recess, Biegen said they will investigate how the flowers they planted attract butterflies and bees.

The Rye Nature Center’s visit was generously funded by the PTSA.

Rye Neck Middle School students, who have been studying simple machines with a focus on levers in Lauren Zeoli’s seventh-grade science classes, participated in online simulated lab experiments. Using Gizmo, an online tool that supports research-based strategies to build conceptual understanding in math and science, the students tested how levers work to lift heavy objects.

“They made observations and conducted their own experiments,” Zeoli said. “They tested how the placement and setup of the lever affects how easy simple machines make it work. They also calculated the mechanical advantage of their levers, which is another concept they’ve been learning in class. Through the interactive activities, the students could lift heavy objects they wouldn’t be able to lift in real life.”

The learning experience further enhanced the students’ inquiry, problem-solving skills and understanding of the concepts. It also provided them with an opportunity to take learning into their own hands and explore the aspects of conducting a science experiment.

“They learned about the scientific method and, through Gizmo, they applied the skills they would normally use in class in a different way,” Zeoli said. 

As part of their next science unit, the students will study how simple machines transfer energy. 

Fifth-graders at F.E. Bellows Elementary School recently put their science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills to the test when they became coaches of an ice hockey team during an online learning experience.

In coalition with the National Hockey League, the students made predictions about the passing angles and collected data on the angles that were formed during an animated hockey drill, called a bank pass. They also concentrated on taking into factor the kinetic and potential energy, as well as magnitude and friction.

“They controlled the players actions’ while manipulating the hockey stick and puck on a simulated ice rink,” Principal Michael Scarantino said. “The students received an online trophy for completing each task and their teachers monitored their progress. Once all tasks and games were completed, all students were awarded the ‘Stanley Cup’ trophy.”

Daniel Warren Elementary School students participated in a fun and interactive program that allowed them to engage in circus yoga exercises. Sponsored by the PTSA, the program covered partner balances and counterbalances and taught students introductory circus stunts.

“The students loved it and it excited them to try the activities they have seen at the real circus,” physical education teacher Kristin Desio said. “Many of the activities involved work on fine motor skills and, basic to advanced, body awareness practices, which we focus on within our own yearly curriculum.”

An instructor from the Rye YMCA led the students through a number of activities, including stilt walking, spinning plates, balance feathers, Chinese yo-yo, juggling and angle sticks. Rotating through a variety of stations, the students practiced hand-eye coordination and ambidexterity.

Through the program, the students also gained experience and learned new skills they will put to the test when they transition to F.E. Bellows Elementary School, where they will have the opportunity to put on a circus performance for the community.

Rye Neck Union Free School District students had outstanding performances at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair, held on April 22 at White Plains High School. The science fair showcased exhibits from students in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties.

The students presented before a team of three judges in their respective categories. Congratulations to the following students who received awards for their projects in the following categories:

High School Health and Medicine
•    Matthew Ponticiello, third place, “Preparing and Testing Immunomagnetic Beads for Cancer Hyperthermia,” Rye Neck High School senior

Middle School Biology
•    Peter Nicholas, second place, “The Bioremediation of Plastic,” Rye Neck Middle School seventh-grader
•    Anne “Julie” Van Roijen, third place, “Do People’s Heart Rates Change When They See Different Colors?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fifth-grader

Middle School Chemistry
•    Derek Ryan, first place, “Which Type of Carbohydrates is Best Metabolized by Yeast and How Does the Concentration Affect the Rate of Fermentation?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fifth-grader

Middle School Engineering and Technology
•    Dayana Bubb and Anna Maulucci, third place, “Will the Type of Fin Affect How a Bottle Rocket Will Fly?” Rye Neck Middle School eighth-graders

Middle School Environment
•    Kyle Ryan, second place, “How Do Nutrients in Fertilizers Affect the pH and O2 Levels of Aquatic Systems?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fifth-grader

Middle School Health and Medicine
•    Constancja Litwak and Isabel Palacios, third place, “Whose Skin Becomes Wrinkly the Fastest?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fifth-graders

Middle School Math and Computers
•    Amadea Toutoungis, second place, “How Does Air Resistance Affect an Active Cannonball?” Rye Neck Middle School seventh-grader
•    Linus Ringstad, third-place, “The Effects of Frequency on Visible Light,” Rye Neck Middle School seventh-grader

Middle School Psychology
•    Naomi Young, second place, “The Relationship Between Mindset, Praise and a Student’s Decision to Challenge Themselves,” Rye Neck Middle School eighth-grader
•    Julia Flood, “Does Gender Affect Mathematical Ability?” Rye Neck Middle School seventh-grader

Elementary School Biology
•    Thehara Ubayawardena, Excellent award, “How Best to Make Plants Grow” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-grader

Elementary School Chemistry
•    Samina Quil, Outstanding award, “How Does Soda Affect Your Teeth?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-grader

Elementary School Earth/Space Sciences
•    Ella Grann, Excellent award, “How Does Warmer Climate Impact Sea Levels?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-grader

Elementary School Engineering and Technology
•    Carys McGrory, Outstanding award, “What is the effect of the Temperature of Butter on Baked Cookies?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-grader

Elementary School Environment
•    Natasha Gozlan, Outstanding award, “How Do Greenhouses Help Plants Grow Taller?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-grader

Elementary School Health and Medicine
•    Marco Griffo and Boden Sivere, Excellent award, “How Much Methane Do Different Foods Produce?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-graders

Elementary School Physics
•    Michael Messina and Mark Di Maggio, Outstanding award, “Do Ferrofluids Work Differently from Water?” F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-graders

Rye Neck High School students and staff members participated in Ally Week from April 17-21 in support of the LGBTQ community. Throughout the week, students watched videos and participated in meaningful discussions and various activities to bring awareness to the topic.

“Ally Week is a week for students to identify, support and celebrate allies against anti-LGBTQ language, bullying and harassment,” said Janine Rocchio, a teacher and interim advisor of the Gay Straight Alliance club. “This year, we are extending that definition to be against harassment of any kind, whether it be against race, gender or disabilities. Rye Neck’s GSA message is about tolerance.”

Members of the Gay Straight Alliance club handed out “I am an ally” signs to students and teachers and discussed how they can show their support and let everyone know they support a safe school environment.

Rye Neck Middle School students in Cathy Toolan’s eighth-grade English classes held their annual Literary March Madness. Each student nominated his or her favorite book and defended it against other books in class.

Once in the Final Four, students’ written defenses were presented to the teachers for final votes. This year’s winner was eighth-grader Sophia Gennusa, who defended author R.J. Palacio’s “Wonder,” outperforming 63 other students and their books.

Rye Neck Middle School students in Allison Reynolds’ sixth-grade advanced math classes found a unique approach to solve math problems. They used toilet paper to calculate the surface area and volume of a roll of toilet paper.

“They learned a little more about the history of toilet paper and then set out to discover the area and volume of one roll,” Reynolds said. “Each group had a different approach, but after some precise measuring and careful calculation, they found success.”

The students, who recently completed their units on 2D and 3D geometry, worked in groups to unwind the roll of toilet paper, place it on the floor in the form of rectangles and calculate the surface area. They also determined how many rolls it takes to cover a football field.

Daniel Warren Elementary School students welcomed award-winning children’s author Emily Jenkins to their school on April 24 for a variety of educational activities.

Jenkins, whose books include Lemonade in Winter, Toys Meet Snow, The Fun Book of Scary Stuff, Skunkdog, Toys Go Out, Toy Dance Party and Toys Come Home, talked about the inspirations behind her books and offered advice to the young budding authors.

“She did a fantastic job with the students,” said librarian and media teacher Leigh Ann Kowalchick-Porphy, who organized the PTSA-sponsored event along with parent Nora Lucas. “She made connections to her work and engaged the students in ways that could help them think about and explore their own work as readers and writers.”

Following her meeting with each grade level, Jenkins was treated to a special lunch session with representatives from each class. For more information about the author, visit her website at www.emilyjenkins.com.

Rye Neck Middle School sixth-graders, who have been studying about robotics, brought the concepts to life when they used the Lego Education Mindstorm EV3 to design, build and test their solutions on real-life robotics technology.

The students worked in small groups to program their robots to perform specific tasks. As they continue to explore robotics basics, they will learn new ways to collaborate, communicate, think critically, solve problems and more. 

The PTSA generously funded the purchase of the Lego products.

In honor of Earth Day, Daniel Warren Elementary School students – who have been learning about the importance of recycling, conserving electricity and caring for their environment – were treated to a special performance by “Bash the Trash” musicians on April 19.

During the performance, three musicians showed the students how they built instruments from reused and repurposed materials such as plastic bottles, coffee cans, cardboard tubes, pipes and Styrofoam. They also demonstrated what sounds different objects make, and got the students to feel the vibrations on the floor, clap along and snap their fingers to the beat.

“The limit is your imagination,” said musician John Bertles, who asked the students to promise to help keep our planet clean and find creative ways to “bash the trash.”

Founded by Bertles and his wife Carina Piaggio in 1988, “Bash the Trash” combines science, music and environmental awareness through musical performances and programs. The duo brings their creative messages to schools, concert halls and other performing venues.

The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Rye Neck PTSA. Celine Dujeux, a member of the PTSA and chairperson of the STEAM committee, said the program not only provided entertainment to the students, but it also allowed them to experience how trash can be turned into something useful.

“Children really see the correlation between the trash and music,” Dujeux said. “They love music, so it was a fun way for them to learn about a subject through music. Earth Day is all about making people aware of the concepts of reuse, recycle and reduce. It’s something that we all believe in.”

F.E. Bellows Elementary School students and parent volunteers worked together to revive the school’s “Life Garden” on April 19, just days before Earth Day. They spent the afternoon pulling weeds, spreading mulch and preparing flower beds.

Over the next several weeks, the students will plant seeds and grow a few vegetables, which they can harvest in the summer. The collaboration to bring the garden back to life was made possible thanks to Principal Michael Scarantino, his staff and members of the PTSA.

“We are all excited about this joint endeavor and cannot thank our parents and PTSA representatives enough for their time and donations,” Scarantino said. “They generously donated items, such as gardening tools and seeds for planting, while Magnoli Landscaping donated the mulch. We’ve already begun discussions for the garden’s use in the fall.”