COMMACK SCHOOLS

The Board of Education honored student leaders from CHS who had effectively lobbied on behalf of fellow students and the district during a trip to Albany as well as student science and mathematics achievers. The Legislative Advocacy Committee student members had met with state senator Mario Mattera and assemblymen Keith Brown and Michael Fitzpatrick as well as Department of Education officials on March 19 in the state’s capital city. The students were joined on the trip by superintendent Dr. Jordan Cox, Board of Education president Steven Hartman and other district officials. Among the topics for which the students advocated: school safety, financial literacy, agriculture education and mental health. Commack students annually make the trip in order to meet with legislators and state education officials and advocate for their rights as well as our community’s interests.

Meanwhile, the Board of Education also recognized CHS science researchers who scored big at the Long Island Science & Engineering Fair. Of the nine students who were selected to compete, five projects earned Grand Awards, including Mehek S. finishing first in microbiology. She advanced to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio, in May. The other Grand Award winners: Michael P. (second place, robotics, intelligent machines, software and math), Ishana C. (third place, animal science), Liza Z. (honorable mention, chemistry and material science) and Saswati B. (honorable mention, behavioral science).

Also on Thursday evening, the board honored CHS senior Edwin J. and CMS eighth grader Easton W. for their mathematics achievements in the American Mathematics Competition. They each finished in the top 5 percent of all participants in the AMC. The AMC is a mathematics competition with more than 300,000 students participating from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. It is designed to inspire students and bolster their confidence and passion for mathematics.

Also on Thursday evening, the board honored CHS senior Edwin J. and CMS eighth grader Easton W. for their mathematics achievements in the American Mathematics Competition. They each finished in the top 5 percent of all participants in the AMC. The AMC is a mathematics competition with more than 300,000 students participating from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. It is designed to inspire students and bolster their confidence and passion for mathematics.

CHS seniors Natalie B., Ishana C., Max L. and Mehek S. impressed educational officials from throughout the state when they spoke at the New York State School Board Association’s Annual Convention and Education Expo in Manhattan in October. The quartet of student leaders were further recognized on Thursday evening when the Board of Education awarded them certificates for their impressive public speaking at the NYSSBA event for superintendents and other high-level state educators. The CHS students had shared at the conference how their hands-on learning experiences in CHS spaces such as the Bloomberg financial lab and mock-trial courtroom have benefited their education. CHS’ financial lab, which debuted this school year, also is due to be featured in the Jan. 13 edition of “On Board,” the official publication of school boards across the state.