Hicksville Public Schools

The Hicksville Public Schools and the Hicksville community came together this Thanksgiving season for a food drive that made a difference in the lives of nearly 100 local families in need. Coordinated by Efthymia Rafaelides, K-12 Guidance Supervisor, the school district partnered with the Hicksville Council of PTAs, Children’s Hope India (CHI) and Kiwanis Club of Hicksville to sponsor the annual food drive.

Seventh and eighth grade students enrolled in an elective creative writing class at Hicksville Middle School recently wrapped up their unit studying the writing techniques of mood, imagery, and suspense in a short horror scene with the emerging writers presenting an excerpt from their own story with fellow classmates. Additionally, the creative writing students created a cover to showcase their mastery of their writing in this genre.

Hicksville Middle School students are enjoying spending time during their lunch period playing games and engaging with members of the school’s leadership team and fellow classmates. Since the beginning of the school year, middle school administrators have been hosting different opportunities in the school’s Maker Space Room encouraging student involvement after they have eaten lunch.

Members of Hicksville High School’s Frontline Christian Club recently teamed up with members of the school’s National Honor Society to participate in Operation Christmas Child.

Eighth graders at Hicksville Middle School recently attended an assembly featuring Addiction Research Scientist Dr. Stephen Dewey speaking on the science of addiction. Discussion topics included causes of addiction and the reasons for underlying disease progression, internet and video gaming addiction, vaping and the vast number of drugs and behaviors associated with this disease and more.

Fourth grade students at Fork Lane Elementary in Hicksville held their Thanksgiving Balloon Parade on November 22. Students paraded through the halls of the elementary school for their peers and staff.

Hicksville High School Repertory Company presented “Mother Hicks” by Suzan Zeder at the Charles “Chuck” Arnold Theater with three performances on Nov. 17 and 18. One of the main characters, a deaf boy named Tuc, helps to narrate the story is played by Hicksville junior John Ryan Chaplin who signs his dialogue while other actors on stage speak the words.

At the Nov. 15 Board of Education meeting, Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton began his report by acknowledging Hicksville High School Class of 2024 valedictorian Melanie Unger and salutatorian Zahel Nasari.

East Street Elementary School in Hicksville hosted local veterans representing all branches of the military on Nov. 20. The program gave fourth and fifth grade students the opportunity to participate in an hour-long question and answer session with the veterans. In anticipation of the program, students attended with questions in hand they wished to ask each of the visiting veterans.

Old Country Road Elementary students celebrated Veteran’s Day with a visit from local Veterans. The third, fourth and fifth grade students learned about the American flag and the proper way to fold one as well as songs of the various branches of the military.

“The Digital Learner” is about the introduction of Education Technology and how through facing fears, overcoming challenges, staying optimistic and embracing change, one can be successful when discovering and learning with new and innovative digital technologies in the classroom.

Lee Avenue students contributing to a districtwide Thanksgiving Food Drive that took place in October. Food donations were collected at each school throughout the district and will be donated to local food pantries. This effort was organized by the Hicksville Council of PTAs.

At the October 24 Board of Education meeting, Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton began his report by acknowledging eleven high school seniors Dasia Stafford, Jack Beaudette, Siddh Agarwal, Samantha Castro, Andrew Fontanetta, Federico Garcia, Brian Jaco, Anthony Lopez, Victoria Rodriguez, Danna Taboafda and Cory Wright.

Hicksville Public Schools students and staff celebrated Halloween across their buildings on October 31. Students and staff dressed up in costumes and celebrated by participating in different Halloween crafts and activities in the classroom.

Woodland Elementary School in Hicksville recently installed a Communication Board on the school’s playground for nonverbal students. The outdoor communication tool allows students to express their wants and needs and aides in integrating all students into the general education population.

Hicksville High School was buzzing with school spirit as students, staff and the community came together to celebrate homecoming on Sept. 30.  Despite the rainy weather, the school still hosted its annual Homecoming Fair before the football game by moving the festivities indoors.

Hicksville High School students recently circulated through the school’s gymnasium during an extracurricular Club Fair learning about the clubs and programs available to join. Students were happy to learn the school offers 42 clubs for student involvement including the Helping Hands Club, Mental Health Awareness Club, Robotics and Mock Trial Club to name a few.

Hicksville High School is proud to announce that eight seniors Samantha Castro, Andrew Fontanetta, Federico Garcia, Brian Jaco, Anthony Lopez, Victoria Rodriguez, Danna Taboafda and Cory Wright were selected for the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP).

Hicksville High School is proud to announce that senior Dasia Stafford was honored by the College Board as a scholar for the National African American Recognition Program.

Hicksville High School is excited to congratulate Jack Beaudett and Siddh Agarwal for each being named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 69 th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Hicksville High School is proud to congratulate seven seniors Matthew Chun, Sasha Ger, Nikki Kamath, Arshdeep Kaur, Bilal Mahmood, Pariket Raval and Sean Ryan for being recognized as Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Sean Beatty, Sissi Goh, Alyson Kingsley, Arvin Mehra, Vanessa Patterson, and John Ryan Chaplin were recognized for being selected to perform at the 87th NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference. Brian Jaco was recognized for being named a Scholar Artist Merit Award Recipient for Visual Arts through the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA).

Hicksville sixth graders recently had an opportunity to attend a Library Orientation with Hicksville Middle School Library Media Specialist Claudia Lasurdo to explore firsthand everything the school’s library has to offer.

Dutch Lane Elementary School in Hicksville kicked off the new school year with a pep rally on Sept. 15. The student body and staff gathered in the gym for the afternoon event to set the tone for a successful school year ahead.

Hicksville Middle School recently hosted a Welcome Back Assembly with a focus on student code of conduct for each grade level in the school’s auditorium. While all middle school administration and guidance staff were present, the assemblies were facilitated by the school’s principal and an assistant principal providing students with an overview of rules and guidelines to ensure a positive learning environment for all throughout the year.

Hicksville School District welcomed back students for the 2023-2024 school year on September 5.

Hicksville Middle School welcomed new assistant principals Vinh Nguyen-Horan, Zeny Rodriguez and Jonathan Silkowitz for the 2023-24 school year. The three new administrators each bring unique experiences to their roles that will support the academic, social and emotional needs of the Hicksville Middle School student body.

At its July 26 business meeting, the Hicksville Board of Education appointed Ben Tangney as the district’s new middle school principal, effective immediately.

Hicksville Board of Education appointed Andrea Pekar as the district’s new Assistant Superintendent for Personnel at the July 12 Board of Education meeting.

Hicksville Public School District’s annual board of education reorganization meeting took place on July 12 in preparation for the 2023-2024 school year.