Commack School District

CHS student Mehek S. capped an exciting week at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles with a lofty result and monetary prize.

Mehek placed second in the microbiology category at the international competition, while competing against 1,327 projects from 370 schools spanning 47 states and 67 countries. She earned a $2,000 prize.

During the all-expenses-paid trip to L.A. with science research coordinator Jeanette Collette and their team, the CHS group had the opportunity to exhale with visits to Universal Studios, the Warner Brothers Studio, Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood.

They also attended scientific workshops and enjoyed a Q&A with astronaut Jeannette Epps from the International Space Station.

Mehek’s research involved the secretion of the Francisella tularensis protein FTL_1123 by Escherichia coli containing the HlyBD operon. The project was developed under the mentorship of Dr. David Thanassi at Stony Brook University.

Nancy Carillo’s first-grade class at Rolling Hills had parents and other sponsors donate money for each book the students read.

And on Friday, visitors from the Helen Keller Services for the Blind — including guide dog Mocha — visited the class to accept the donation, offer their gratitude and share information about guide dogs and even sign language.

The class raised $250 for the foundation, and Carillo matched the donation to double it.

The foundation is near and dear to her heart, because her father used tools for the vision impaired.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is an organization that helps people of all ages with visual impairments to live their lives the best way possible. By either providing special equipment, tools or training, the staff members of Helen Keller Services do remarkable things for our friends with low-vision issues.

Commack Schools parent and accomplished author Jill-Lynette Piazza visited Burr Intermediate School on Friday to read from her book, “Belly Rise.”

Piazza joined Michelle Dick’s fourth-grade class.

The book is all about overcoming nerves and anxiety.

Piazza is a former elementary educator with 14 years of experience. She earned a master’s degree in reading. 

She also discussed the writing process with the students.

CHS seniors donned their college and military branch apparel during a gathering in the school's courtyard before classes began on Friday.

Burr Intermediate has enjoyed a relationship with the ALS Association for 24 years. It’s hard to imagine any moment during that span could have topped Thursday.

The ALS Ride for Life made its annual stop at Burr. And the event, moved inside because of the rainy weather, turned into a pep rally in the school’s auditorium.

The entire school greeted several Long Islanders who are battling ALS with signs and pompoms. Burr then presented a check for more than $5,000 to the association to help combat the disease.

In an emotional moment, Commack resident Desi Kessler — who has lost her ability to speak due to ALS — thanked the students for their support using computer-generated audio, which she typed with her eyes using an Eyegaze computer.

“You all give us hope and strength,” Kessler told the students.

Burr students have raised more than $100,000 for the ALS Association during the 24-year relationship. This year, the donation came from proceeds from the fifth-grade play, a basketball tournament, readathon, loose change and three students selling lemonade (which raised $131).

Principal Daniel Ciccone reminded the students about the importance of supporting their community.

“We are stronger and better when we all work together,” Ciccone said.

The event closed with the students in unison singing the ALS Association’s Anthem, “Ride for Life.”