School Notebook: Students Learn 'Storigami,' Receive Drivers' Ed Honors

Here's a quick round-up of recent student achievements, teaching accomplishments, projects and happenings within the school district.

Art of 'Storigami'
students recently learned about origami from artist Rachel Katz, co-author of Fun Folds: Language Learning Through Paper Folding, as part of the Arts in Education program.

Origami is the Japanese art of paper-folding (“ori” means to fold, “kami” means paper, and together they form "origami"). Katz is known for her skill in the art of origami, or paper-folding, as well as her ability to entertain.

She explained that anyone could make animals, shapes, puppets, toys and masks in one lesson. And in her recent visit to the school she enjoyed combining storytelling and origami to get “storigami,” a technique used to illustrate a story by learning a fold and remembering it.

“Her presentation was truly engaging,” said art teacher Nicole Pappas. “Every student was excited to bring home their self-created origami.”

Driving Right
Allstate agent Steve Foray recently presented Students of Honor awards to Senior Rebecca Wright and Junior William Kienle for their outstanding achievements in the Driver Education course.

“These students were selected for continuous hard work and exemplifying what true role models are,” explained LHS Driver Education teacher Frank Devenuto. “These students are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Each winner will receive a free defensive driving class.

Devenuto also presented Foray a certificate of achievement for completing 10 years of service to the high school driver education program.

Foray has addressed the driver education classes three times a year for the past decade. In his recent visit he explained about insurance premiums and various methods to lower rates.

LMS Students Honored
Continuing the tradition the at once again honored students who have embodied Lindy Pride.

Each month, selected students - who are nominated by their teachers - are honored for their demonstration of Lindy Pride through their achievements with a breakfast at the . Students, parents, teachers and administrators take part in the monthly breakfast tradition.

“These students do great work. They do the right thing,” said LMS Principal Frank Naccarato.

The December 2011 Champions included Fiona Buckley, Kyle Doner, Brooke Halper, Samantha Joseph, Michelle Lemaire, Kayla Montaniz, Salar Qureshi,
Erich Ruckert, Jeremy Ruckert, Mae Vine, Salvatore Yannacone, Natalie Zabrocka and Adam Zimmerman.

Designer Gingerbread Houses
More than 100 LMS students and staff decorated houses this past holiday season during the Gingerbread House Holiday Workshop that was sponsored by the Family and Consumer Science Department and Gingerbread University.

The “professor” from the Riverhead-based university - which sponsors student-run gingerbread decorating workshops in the community - gave students background information about the spice and instructions for making a great gingerbread house.

Each participating student designed a pre-made gingerbread house using various
candy decorations. They also had the chance to win special holiday-oriented prizes and take photos with Santa and his special elf helper.

The afternoon featured a canned food collection to help those in need, as
well.

“Thank you to all of the teachers, staff and administrators who helped to make this event memorable and fun for all,” said teacher and coordinator Rosanne Giugliano.

Photos and information submitted by Carol Hauser.