District News

Franklin Early Childhood Center, in collaboration with the PTA, hosted its highly anticipated One World Cultural Celebration on the evening of April 8, 2025. The event, which brought together families, staff, and the broader community, provided an exciting and engaging opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that defines the Franklin community.

The evening was a vibrant showcase of global traditions, with attendees exploring diverse cultures through music, dance, food, and interactive activities. Families represented countries and regions from across the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. Participants received "passports" and had them stamped as they visited each country’s station, learning about unique customs, traditions, and cultures along the way.

Event Highlights:

• Delicious Foods: Attendees sampled a variety of traditional dishes from countries such as Greece, Nigeria, Mexico, India, China, and more.

• Cultural Performances: Live performances included Irish step dancing, Greek dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and much more.

• Interactive Activities: Visitors enjoyed hands-on activities like “Continent Connect 4,” multicultural art projects, sensory games, and even a family photo booth for a keepsake from the night.

• Global Learning: The event encouraged children to explore different cultures and connect with the world in a fun and educational way, all while promoting respect, inclusivity, and global unity.

"We’re so proud to see our students and families come together to celebrate the incredible diversity in our community," said Dr. Lorraine Smyth, Principal of Franklin Early Childhood Center. "The One World Cultural Celebration not only highlights the various cultures represented at Franklin but also fosters a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation for one another."

The evening was made possible through the support and collaboration of the PTA, staff, teachers, and parents. Their dedication and hard work ensured that the event was a success, creating lasting memories for everyone involved.

As the event concluded, the Franklin Early Childhood Center community celebrated the importance of diversity, unity, and inclusion. The school looks forward to continuing these efforts and fostering a welcoming environment for all.

For more photos from the One World Cultural Celebration, please visit the District’s Facebook page.

On April 7th, students at Hewlett Elementary School had the opportunity to explore a diverse range of careers during Career Day. Parents, community members, and District administration served as presenters, visiting classrooms to share their expertise and inspire young learners. From law and medicine to engineering, public safety, and more, students gained valuable insights into the many career paths they can pursue in the future.

“We are grateful to all those who participated and made this event a success,” said Principal Heather Sosnovsky. “Career Day was a wonderful way to engage students and show them the possibilities that await them.”

Career Day at Hewlett Elementary was a fantastic day of learning, engagement, and community spirit that will leave lasting inspiration for years to come.

Woodmere Middle School recently wrapped up its highly anticipated production of "Beetlejuice Jr.", a spooky and hilarious adventure that captivated audiences. The musical, brought to life by the school’s talented students, was a true display of creativity, teamwork, and dedication.

Under the direction of Jessica Felber and with musical direction by Thomas Riley, the cast and crew put on unforgettable shows on April 2, 4 & 5, showcasing their passion for theater. The production was made possible through the hard work of countless students, teachers, and volunteers, all of whom contributed to the success of the event.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and everyone involved in this production,” said Jessica Felber, Director. “Their talent, energy, and enthusiasm truly brought ‘Beetlejuice Jr.’ to life, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how the show turned out.”

The show’s success was a testament to the dedication of all involved, and the school is excited to continue offering students opportunities to showcase their talents through the arts.

On April 2, 2025, both the Junior Varsity and Varsity Quiz Bowl teams from G.W, Hewlett High School competed at the Long Island Quiz Bowl Championship, marking the first time in school history both teams qualified for the event. The Junior Varsity team emerged as the Long Island Quiz Bowl Champions, while the Varsity team advanced to the finals in the Varsity division.

Junior Varsity Team Roster:

• Captain: Micah Newman
• Joshua Simms
• Jacob Tenenbaum
• Jack Reich
• Deep Aryal

Varsity Team Roster:

• Captain and Club President: Rachel Chen
• Daniel Baum
• Ryan Bernstein
• Isabel Ginsberg
• Aviv Parag

The District extends thanks to Quiz Bowl Advisor Jessica Hoefer for her leadership, as well as to Janice Nolan and Alex Caramanica for their support during the event. Without their assistance, the teams' success would not have been possible.

On March 27, Hewlett Elementary School transformed into the heart of New York City for its 2nd Annual HES State Fair. The event gave students, families, and staff the opportunity to explore iconic NYC landmarks, including Broadway, Madison Square Garden, the Museum of Natural History, and the StarLab Planetarium.

The evening was filled with energy, excitement, and community spirit. HES expressed its sincere gratitude to all the students, families, and the HES PTA for their support in making the event a resounding success. Their enthusiastic participation helped create an unforgettable night for everyone involved.

Hewlett Elementary School looks forward to continuing this beloved tradition in the future.

Bionica, Long Island's only all-girl FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics team, has earned a coveted spot at the brand-new FTC Premier Invitationals, which will take place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from July 25 to 27. This exciting event follows their impressive performance at the Long Island Regional Championship on March 16, where they were awarded the prestigious Inspire Award, the highest honor bestowed by FTC.

The Inspire Award is presented to a team that exemplifies the core values of Gracious Professionalism® both on and off the playing field. According to FIRST, the recipient of this award must inspire others through their enthusiasm, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration with teams, sponsors, and the community. Bionica stood out not only for their technical achievements in designing and building a robot but also for their ability to inspire and uplift those around them.

Bionica’s remarkable success follows their journey to the FTC World Championships last year, further establishing them as leaders in the robotics community. This year, the team is honored to participate in the FTC Premier Invitationals, a new and exciting opportunity for the most outstanding teams.

Led by Daniel Duffey-Birkenstock, a special education teacher at Hewlett High School, Bionica has been pushing boundaries in robotics, all while fostering an environment of teamwork, inclusion, and innovation. Under his guidance, Bionica has grown into a powerhouse of inspiration for young women in STEM.

“We are incredibly proud of our team’s achievements,” said Coach Duffey-Birkenstock. “Their dedication, teamwork, and spirit have brought them to this remarkable point, and we look forward to the upcoming FTC Premier Invitationals.”

The team’s co-captains, Deniz Artan and Rachel Chen, were integral to Bionica’s success. Their leadership has helped propel the team to new heights, and both students continue to inspire their peers.

The Hewlett High School community is excited to watch Bionica represent the school at the upcoming FTC Premier Invitationals in Edmonton and wishes them the best of luck as they continue to make waves in the world of robotics.

Photo credit: HHS Junior Maxx Star

The Hewlett-Woodmere Euro Challenge Team has earned a spot among the top 25 teams nationwide, advancing to the National Semifinal Round of the prestigious Euro Challenge competition.

On March 21, the team had the opportunity to present their economics research projects at Touro College in New York City. Demonstrating professionalism and poise, they represented Hewlett-Woodmere with pride.

A special thank you goes to Mr. Joseph Van Wie, Social Science Research Teacher and Euro Challenge Advisor, for his leadership, as well as to Joe Moritz for chaperoning the students during their field trip.

Euro Challenge is a program of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, in partnership with the Moody’s Foundation, W!se, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Since its launch in 2006, the program has inspired thousands of students across the country to enhance their understanding of the European Union and its single currency, the Euro (€).

The National Semifinal Round will take place on April 28 in New York City. Stay tuned for more updates as the team continues to impress with their hard work and dedication.

Seven students from Ms. Emma Kriss' Intro to Research class at G.W. Hewlett High School have earned Honorable Mentions in the highly respected Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition. This honor places them in the top 10% of all projects submitted nationwide, recognizing their exceptional ideas and innovative thinking.

The ExploraVision competition challenges students to envision how current technologies will evolve over the next ten years. With only two awards—Honorable Mentions and Regional Finalists—each year, this recognition is a significant achievement. Among the thousands of entries, Ms. Kriss’ students stood out with two exceptional projects earning Honorable Mentions:

• Project 1: Prospective Cure for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
  Team Members: Jack Reich, Aleksander Koroveshi, Nathaniel Shamalov

• Project 2: The Portable Handheld Terahertz Scanner
  Team Members: Ariya Rahmanzada, Talha Ashrafi, Julian Katsnelson, and Benjamin Lamdan (not pictured)

Both teams demonstrated their ability to think critically about technological advancements and their potential impact on the future. These outstanding projects were selected for their creativity, research, and potential to revolutionize current technologies.

Ms. Kriss and her students have shown incredible dedication, and their success in the ExploraVision competition highlights the importance of fostering innovative thinking and scientific curiosity at the high school level.

Two talented students from G.W. Hewlett High School, Sophia Sepe and Rei Preis, recently participated in the prestigious American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Festival in Dallas, TX from March 19 - 22. Both students were accepted into the festival based on their audition performances and had the honor of joining an ensemble composed of students from across the United States.

The ACDA Festival, part of the 2025 National Conference, celebrated the rich tradition of choral music while looking forward to the next generation of choral talent. Sophia and Rei’s participation was supported by their teachers, Thomas Riley and Mrs. Napoli, who attended the event to cheer on their students and celebrate their accomplishments.

The 2025 National Conference featured an array of spectacular performances, including those by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, University of Pretoria Camerata, Batavia Madrigal Singers, and many others. The event also highlighted the expertise and musical excellence of choirs and ensembles from around the world, making it an unforgettable experience for all participants.

Sophia and Rei's dedication to their craft and their achievements at the ACDA Festival exemplify the outstanding talent emerging from Hewlett-Woodmere High School’s music program. We look forward to seeing their continued growth as they pursue their musical passions.

Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools is proud to announce the distinguished Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2025: Ava Morgan and Rachel Chen, respectively. These two remarkable students have not only excelled academically, but have also demonstrated leadership, dedication, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their school and community.

Valedictorian: Ava Morgan

Ava Morgan has earned the honor of Valedictorian through her outstanding academic achievements and involvement in numerous extracurricular activities. A dedicated student and leader, Ava has been an active member of her school community, contributing significantly to a variety of organizations. She has served as President of the PE Leaders Club, where she organized events for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the highly successful Friendship Games. Ava’s leadership extends to the Virtual Enterprise program, where she served as Chief Operating Officer for a company focused on sustainable animal products.

In addition to her leadership roles, Ava has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, earning high honor roll recognition throughout high school. She has also received several prestigious awards, including the Business and Leadership Award from the Rochester Institute of Technology and the NY Comptroller's Office Award for Financial and Mathematical Excellence.

Ava plans to study Accounting in college, though she has not yet made a final decision on where she will continue her academic journey. Her passion for business and finance, combined with her academic discipline, will surely lead her to success in her future endeavors.

Salutatorian: Rachel Chen

Rachel Chen, the Class of 2025 Salutatorian, is equally accomplished, with a diverse range of interests and talents. She has made significant contributions to her school, particularly through her leadership in the FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics team, where she served as Captain and Head Programmer. Rachel’s passion for STEM has extended beyond robotics; she has also been deeply involved in music, serving as President of the Band Council and performing in various ensembles, including the All-County Concert Band and the Pit Orchestra.

Rachel’s leadership shines through in her role as General Chair of the Model Congress team, where she successfully organized and led events that brought together students from across the region. She has been recognized for her academic excellence as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Finalist, among many other honors.

Rachel is committed to attending Stanford University in the fall, where she plans to study Mechanical Engineering. Her dedication to academics, leadership in extracurriculars, and passion for empowering others make her an exceptional role model for her peers.