Featured Bulletins

For nearly three decades, the Harborfields Central School District has hosted a Black History Month celebration, during which students from each of the district’s schools recognize the accomplishments and contributions of African American trailblazers throughout American history. While this year’s performance was held virtually to adhere to safety guidelines, it did not disappoint. 

To kick off the celebration, Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rory Manning acknowledged the Black History Month committee, consisting of teachers and administrators, and each of the schools’ custodial staff for ensuring safe spaces for the night’s performers to rehearse. Additionally, he thanked Harborfields High School Senior Class President Melina Sandel for her contribution to the production of the virtual celebration. 

This year’s theme: dreams, was evident in each of the students’ performances, including Washington Drive Primary School’s original song, “Washington Drive has a dream for all,” and Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School’s original poem “Dreams.”

Students from Oldfield Middle School represented this year’s theme through artwork and at Harborfields High School through music and dance.

The virtual celebration also welcomed special guests, including Al Roker from NBC’s the Today Show, Broadway star Derrick Davis, New York State Commissioner Tracey Edwards and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. Each spoke to the strength and resiliency that Harborfields students have shown throughout the past year and offered advice for their futures.

“Being that we’re celebrating the accomplishments of trailblazing women and men, I just want to encourage you to consider the work that went into those accomplishments,” Mr. Davis said. “While you’re going through school and preparing for your future and dreaming big, make sure you’re putting in the work because that’s the only way that you’ll be prepared. It’s all a journey, but every step that you take forward takes the strength from the step before it to get you there.”

Harborfields social studies students at Oldfield Middle School culminated their unit on Ancient Egypt with a series of activities designed to test their knowledge of the topic. 

Sixth graders in Kelli Benchimol’s, Taylor Soete’s and Jennifer Klein’s classes recently created paper pyramids, complete with information about a specific Egyptian pharaoh, including their life story, best achievement and their name in hieroglyphics.

In addition, Ms. Soete’s class also engaged in a virtual tour of the “inside” King Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as constructed pyramids using mini marshmallows and toothpicks.

During the month of February, Harborfields High School students in the Musicians Helping Musicians program made some connections with their younger counterparts by virtually dropping in to fourth and fifth grade band lessons at Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School. 

These seasoned musicians spoke eloquently about why they were so happy that they joined the band program as TJL students. They shared information about the opportunities and experiences they’ve had in music in the intervening years, hoping to inspire the younger generation to get involved in the arts.

After listening to the Harborfields High School musicians perform, the younger students were eager to ask questions and play along as their counterparts led them through some warm-ups and band music.  

Ms. Allison Scilla, who coordinates the program at the high school level, and Ms. Courtney Kassinger, who helped to facilitate the visits for her students, both spoke to the importance of these encounters.   

"This was such a great experience for the 4th and 5th graders," Ms. Kassinger wrote. "They were so interested to hear about all of the many and varied musical opportunities that they will have in high school." 

Ms. Scilla was equally enthusiastic about the program. "While we miss the ability to visit our younger student musicians at TJL like we have in the past, we are grateful for the technology that allows them to still connect. The Tri-M members are so enthusiastic about sharing their passion for music with the next generation!"