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Greetings!
Whether you call it STEAM or STEM, science, math, and the arts are core components of Lexington's curriculum. In March, the Lower School introduced an exciting after-school STEAM program for students in grades 1-5. On May 19th, Middle School students spent a morning learning to code under the guidance of a team from Google. This summer, Lexington is offering a special STEM Academy in conjunction with the Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute of the Deaf.
Other highlights this month included our Multicultural Celebration, the Senior Awards Ceremony, the Prom, and the Esther Lustig Basketball Classic versus the New York State legislators. I hope you enjoy this issue of our newsletter.
Sincerely,
Russell O. West
CEO/Superintendent
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Senior Awards Ceremony
High fives to Salvatore Fazzino, Valedictorian for the Class of 2023, and Heriberto Almonte, Salutatorian for the Class of 2023. Salvatore and Heriberto received their awards at the May 17th Senior Awards Ceremony. For more photos and a complete list of Senior Award recipients, click here to visit our webpage.
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Salvatore Fazzino received the Valedictorian award from Frank Dattolo, Upper School Principal (left), and Russell O. West, CEO/Superintendent (right) | |
Heriberto Almonte accepted the Salutatorian award from Frank Dattalo and Carlos Aponte-Salcedo, Jr., Director of Student and Family Engagement (right). | |
STEM Academy: NYC
The registration deadline is approaching quickly for STEM Academy: NYC! Click here to check out our video – we’re excited to have students join and participate in fun activities! Programs are open to all deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students in the New York City area. We are offering three separate two-week programs:
-Coding with VEX Robotics
-3D Printing
-Underwater ROV
The best part is that all programs are free!
For more information, visit us at lexnyc.org/academics/stem-academy.
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Andy Cruz Goes for the Gold
Congratulations to physical education teacher Andy Cruz on being selected to play for Team USA at the 6th World Deaf Basketball Championships in Heraklion, Greece, on June 10-24. If you would like to support Andy in his quest to bring home the gold, check out his Go Fund Me page by clicking here!
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Esther Lustig Basketball Classic
The varsity basketball team, cheerleaders, coaches, and staff traveled to Albany on May 23rd for the Esther Lustig Basketball Classic. Students toured the NYS Capitol building and were recognized by the NYS Assembly and Senate. Kipp Tech Valley Middle School hosted the fast-paced evening game against the Albany All-Stars (NYS legislators). The All-Stars were coached by Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry (35th District) with Speaker Carl Heastie (83rd District) leading the team. Lexington won the game 61-47 under the direction of coach Gerry Sorrentino. Special thanks to NYS Assemblymembers Jeff Aubry and Jessica González-Rojas and their staff, and NYS Senator Jessica Ramos, for making the day a success!
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34th District Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas (center) introduced Lexington to the NYS Assembly.
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Chair of the Assembly's Committee on Education, Michael Benedetto (82nd District), shared strategy on how to beat the Albany All-Stars. | |
The Bluejays will be bringing the Esther Lustig trophy back to the nest for another year. | |
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After-School STEAM Program
Elementary students had the opportunity to participate in a special ten-week afterschool Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) program this spring. Teachers Suhanthi Knower (Grades 1-3) and David Wilcox (Grades 4-5) led the program supported by instructional assistants Michelle Nappi-Peaks and Georgia DuBois. Topics included: clouds and weather watching, light and shadows, the color spectrum, and coding with Code and Go Robots. The students especially enjoyed participating in several STEAM challenges including the LEGO Push-Car Challenge and the 2023 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge.
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Students in 4th & 5th grade kept field notebooks to record what they learned. | |
Field notebook entries help students remember vocabulary and science concepts. | |
Students created kaleidoscopes as part of the unit on light and color. | |
Middle School Presents......
On May 12th, the Middle School Department treated the school to an engaging production of Judith Viorst's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."
Students participated in all aspects of the production from the front of the house (actors, ushers, and card holders) to the back (curtains, set design, scenery, props, costumes, and publicity). Everyone in the audience enjoyed the opportunity to participate in expressing Alexander's frustration with his "Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" throughout the play. Special thanks to the Middle School faculty and staff for adapting the script into ASL and overseeing a fun, interactive production.
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Track Team News
Lexington's Track Team had a strong showing at the Metro League Championship Track Meet on May 24th. The team of Robinho Cruz, Hunter Larsen, Braynerd de la Rosa, and Juan Valdez placed first in the 4 X 100m relay. Juan Valdez placed second place in the 100m and Robinho Cruz took third in the 400m. Coaches Patricia McKenzie and Spencer Stelmach congratulate all of the track and field team members for an excellent season.
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Multicultural Week Celebration
Lexington's Multicultural Week celebration kicked off on May 9th with a surprise dance performance from Lorenz Dance Studio. During the week, students decorated tote bags to represent their cultures, enjoyed special multicultural exhibits, and shopped for treats at the Multicultural Snack Shop. Special thanks to families and staff for their generous donations of snacks and beverages. Others who supported the event with donations included: Mr. Bruno's Pizzeria & Restaurant, Cassidy's Ale House, Plaka Grill, Terry Moore, Norma Reyes, Marina Segarra, and James Vlavianos.
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Jane Moran (third from left), Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, volunteered at the Multicultural Snack Shop. | |  |
Instructional assistant Wayne Stelmach and teacher Jane Kim helped students fill their multicultural tote bags with treats. | | |
Dancers from Lorenz Dance Studio led students in salsa steps during the opening ceremony. | |
The gym lobby was turned into a Multicultural Museum where students and staff shared cultural displays. | |
Google Hour of Code
Middle school students participated in Google's Hour of Code on May 19th. Students were introduced to Scratch, a visual programming language, and challenged to create versions of the Google doodle. Students were impressed with the ASL signing skills of the Googlers. At the conclusion of the program, students asked questions about careers at Google and, of course, how to obtain Google swag.
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Close Up Program in D.C.
High school students had a chance to see government in action as part of the Close Up program in Washington, D.C. The trip included a meeting with US Congressman Ritchie Torres (Ny-15). Close Up inspires students to become engaged citizens by learning about government and current issues.
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A Moonlight Night
The Senior Prom was held May 25th at Terrace in the Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Students enjoyed an evening of dining and dancing, topped off with a special dessert bar. Senior Class advisors Yvette Brown and Dolly Dominguez announced this year's Senior Class Royalty - Prom Queen Nakayla Padgett and Prom King Heriberto Almonte.
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How Does Your Garden Grow?
The budding botanists in elementary school have been busy tending to their vegetable garden. Students planted seeds in late March and have enjoyed watering and identifying the plants as they grow. Thanks to teacher Tara Benton and instructional assistant Georgia DuBois for sharing photos of the young gardeners.
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Junior-Senior Tea Party
The Junior-Senior Tea Party, hosted by the junior class for the graduating seniors, is a long-standing Lexington tradition. Through the years, the tea party has evolved into a barbeque lunch where the two grades socialize, share Lexington memories, and engage in some friendly sports challenges.
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(L-r): Class advisors Yvette Brown and Dolly Dominguez with seniors Heriberto Almonte and Sarker Safi. | | |
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Juniors and seniors enjoyed the
barbeque lunch.
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