A collaboration of district faculty and Bellport High School students have developed a new and invaluable resource to assist parents and the community with navigating through the online world. Under the advisement of the guidance department and with assistance of students enrolled in Sophia Black’s video production class, the Virtual Parent Help Center, located under the Resource tab of the district website, contains links, videos and tutorials to help parents grasp further understanding about topics such as the Parent Portal, Student Portal, Google Classroom and much more.

Director of Guidance and Counseling Programs Jenna Restivo explained that this important resource is in line with the Board of Education’s priorities to increase parent involvement and communication within the schools and learning community and to assist parents in supporting their children’s accountability and success with remote learning.

“Instead of sending a letter to parents, they can now look at a video or link, which is much more helpful,” Ms. Restivo said.

Furthermore, Ms. Black talked to her students about areas of assistance parents needed the most help. She then asked the video production class to research each of the topics and, using their newly acquired screen recording skills, to record videos and voice overs using green screen technology.

“The students needed practice editing, so this was the perfect opportunity for the students to use their skills to help the community,” Ms. Black said.

To access the Virtual Parent Resource Center, viewers need to click on the district website’s Resources tab > Parent Resources > South Country Parent Resource Page. There, viewers will be able to access social media sites, school websites and staff directories and administration information. The Resources and Tutorials page also contains videos about the portals, Google Classroom tips, student videos and more. There is also an invaluable tab, “What do I do if…” which answers frequently asked questions and the persons to contact in case of an issue with a Chromebook, getting locked out of Google Classroom, how to reset a Naviance account and more.

There is nothing children enjoy more than to put on their pajamas and snuggle up to listen to a good book before bedtime. Such was the case as Verne W. Critz Elementary School students attended three Google Classrooms where teachers volunteered to read their favorite books during the annual Snuggle Up and Read event held virtually on Feb. 4.

In the past, the Snuggle Up and Read event has been held in-person, with participating teachers decorating their classrooms to match the theme of their book selection. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event had to be held virtually, but the excitement was still felt by participants who logged on.

The fun was facilitated by the following teachers: Tina Barone – “Why is an Orange Called an Orange,” Donielle Brower – “Finley Gets Moving,” Lynn Cullen – “Zathura,” Melissa Fels – “How I Became a Pirate,” Jennifer Hayhurst – “Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct,” Megan Huber – “The Day the Crayons Quit,” Stacey Kevelos – “Ponyella,” Jennifer Petti – “Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise,” Sarah Rauch – “The Great Fuzz Frenzy,” Ashley Sagistano – “If You Give a Dog a Donut,” Shelley Tooker – “The Three Ninja Pigs,” Jackie Ward – “Press Here” and Danielle Wilcox – “Snowmen at Night.”

In celebration of Black History Month, Bellport High School students had the rare opportunity to attend a Google Meet presentation with South Country Central School District 2008 graduate and New York Times best-selling author Mateo Askaripour whose book titled “Black Buck” strongly resonates today with the nation’s black and brown communities.

Mr. Askaripour spoke to the students and faculty about the process of writing fiction and what spurred his writing of “Black Buck,” which tells the story of Darren who receives an opportunity to work for a technology startup as part of an elite sales team on the thirty-sixth floor in New York City. However, the cult-like atmosphere of his new workplace is not as it seems. After hitting a low point in his personal life and career, Darren eventually hatches a plan to assist young people of color to infiltrate the American workforce.

“I wanted ‘Black Buck’ to redefine what it means to be black in the workplace,” Askaripour said. “My intended audience was the black and brown communities who are often the only people of color in a work environment.”

Askaripour also gave writing advice to aspiring writers. He explained that he never envisioned being an author, but that writing fiction has been his salvation.

“I wouldn’t be here without going to Bellport High School and having engaged in all types of learning,” Askaripour said. “Putting goals out there can make you feel naked, but it’s important to bet on yourself. I decided to bet on myself.”

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, Jennifer Drake’s kindergarten students at Brookhaven Elementary School utilized and combined English language arts, science, art and mathematics skills as they participated in a fun holiday celebration of love and kindness.

The students designed colorful and creative bags that hung from their desks and which served as festive receptacles for the handmade valentines written by and received from classmates. The class then collectively followed directions to combine active key ingredients for pink slime. Students also competed to see who could stack the most candied hearts the fastest, but only after reading the heart’s imprinted message.