October 2018
A Board Boarrd o Bo off E Education du d uca cati tion io on nP Publication u lication ub
Celebrating 30 Years!
Thirty years ago the Commack Schools underwent a major organizational change and our current grade and school structure began, with four primary schools with grades kindergarten, first and second, two intermediate schools housing grades three through five, one middle school with grades 6-8 and one high school with grades 9-12. Incorporated in 1899, the Commack Union Free School District began with two small schools. The population grew steadily until 1972, when there were 15,000 students and 21 schools! As the years went by, the end of the Vietnam War led to the end of the thriving defense industry on Long Island, inflation and unemployment. Schools closed and by 1986, with enrollment around 6,000 students, the “neighborhood school” model
of grades K-6 was too expensive and no longer sustainable. After much debate and many meetings, our current school and grade-level configurations began in 1988 with full-day kindergarten, smaller class sizes, and science and computer labs in each setting. This is a very brief summary of the rich history of the Commack School District. We celebrate the decisions of previous Board of Education, administrators, and community members who had the foresight to set the stage for the success of our schools and most importantly, of our students. For a complete history of the Commack School District, read “Commack...a beautiful place,” published by the District in 1999 for the 100 year anniversary.
NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS We’re happy to announce that six Commack High School seniors were named National Merit Semifinalists. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring students who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT®). The PSAT serves as the initial screening of program entrants in each state. Congratulations to Kathy, Gabriel, Joshua, Delina, Deniz, and Kyle. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to com-
pete for one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships. Winners will be announced in the spring and will share in scholarships totaling more than $31 million. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. In the photo with the Semifinalists are: proud Principal Leslie Boritz (left), Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jordan Cox and Director of Guidance Nicole Kregler.
School’s Open - Drive Carefully!