The 2016-2017 School Year Brings Exciting Changes to Middle Country Central School District

Plainview, NY (September 14, 2016) —The Middle Country Central School District recently announced several new and exciting programs to engage the students throughout the Centereach and Selden communities for the 2016-2017 school year. The new programs—including specialized music, art and math curriculum for kindergarten students as well as extra physics classes and the introduction of a Capstone Project—are made possible by the District’s strategic budgeting practices and careful financial planning. The academic improvements are meant to prepare students for life at the next level.

“At Middle Country, we are dedicated to educating ‘the whole child.’ We are proud of the many programs we have put in place this year that will help provide students with the resources to excel in the classroom and in the community,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “These brand new classroom offerings will challenge our students to think critically and prepare them for successful futures beyond the classroom.”

During the first day of school, students throughout the District took advantage of the many new opportunities provided by the District. Kindergarten students from Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center participated in the new art and music classes as well as their math literacy program. These initiatives are intended to introduce students to essential Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts.

Other students are also experiencing the excitement of new programs as fifth grade students throughout the District embarked on a newly introduced Capstone Project. The Capstone Project is a two-semester independent research project that spans fifth through twelfth grade. Designated time for research is granted to seventh and eighth grade students and the eighth graders will now be able to participate in physics classes.

Outside of the classroom, other exciting news is underway, such as completed projects from the District’s 2015 Bond Referendum. At the beginning of this school year students and staff benefitted from the completion of roof replacements, security vestibules, high school track resurfacing, the installation of Smartboards in the classrooms and new buses and two-student vans.

For more information about academic programs available at the Middle Country School District and a calendar of events, please visit www.mccsd.net. To learn more about the student experience and news from the District, you could also visit www.mymiddlecountryschools.net.

Photo 1: Students at Bicycle Path Pre-K/Kindergarten Center hop off the school bus and into the first day of the 2016-2017 school year at the Middle Country Central School District.

Photo 2: Students at Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center walk into the school building on Middle Country Central School District’s first day of school.

Photo 3: Middle Country Central School District’s Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center kindergarten students create self-portraits of their 60 year-old selves on the first day of school in honor of the school’s 60th anniversary.

Photo 4: Middle Country Central School District’s Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center kindergarten students work on self-portraits of their 60 year-old selves in honor of the first day of school and the school’s 60th anniversary. The students were able to engage in this activity due to the return of a dedicated arts curriculum for the kindergarten students.

Photo 5: Middle Country Central School District’s Unity Drive Pre-K/Kindergarten Center students create music with “boomwhackers” during their music class on the first day of school. The students were able to engage in this activity due to the return of a dedicated music curriculum for the kindergarten students.

Photo 6: Middle Country Central School District’s New Lane Memorial Elementary School students enjoy their brand new playground on the first day of school. The playground was included in the District’s bond improvements.