Earl L. Vandermeulen High School is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Gold Honor with Access distinction by the College Board as part of the 2024 AP® School Honor Roll. This recognition highlights the school’s commitment to providing equitable access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses and fostering college readiness among all students.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes high schools nationwide for increasing access to AP courses while achieving strong academic outcomes. Earl L. Vandermeulen High School is one of 5,061 schools across the country to be recognized in the 2024 AP School Honor Roll, which includes only 32 percent of eligible schools. Additionally, the school received the AP Access Award, a subset of this recognition, awarded to just 1,962 schools for their successful strategies in providing AP opportunities to underrepresented student populations.

This remarkable achievement underscores Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s commitment to academic excellence and educational equity. By expanding access to rigorous coursework like AP, the school prepares students for college success and empowers them to earn college credit while still in high school.

We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the College Board, said Principal John Ruggero. This honor reflects the hard work of our dedicated teachers, the perseverance of our students, and the unwavering support of our school community. Our goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to the high-level coursework that will help them succeed in their academic and professional futures.

The AP School Honor Roll is based on a set of criteria that includes broadening participation in AP courses, increasing the number of students earning college credit, and fostering a culture of college readiness. By prioritizing access to these advanced programs, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School continues to provide students with valuable opportunities that prepare them for future success in higher education and beyond.

In addition to this significant recognition, the school’s AP programs have also contributed to a notable increase in college admissions and success rates among graduates, ensuring that students leave high school with a strong academic foundation that supports their next steps in life.

Date Added: 11/20/2024

Two science educators from Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, Amanda Perovich and Melissa Garcia, recently took part in the highly anticipated Science Education Day at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), an event designed to provide K-12 educators with cutting-edge scientific research and teaching strategies.

The event, which took place on November 5, 2024, brought together science teachers from across the region for a professional development workshop focused on incorporating current research topics into classroom curricula. This year’s theme celebrated the 10th anniversary of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), a state-of-the-art facility at BNL that has revolutionized materials science research.

During the workshop, educators such as Perovich and Garcia engaged in a series of hands-on activities focused on Physical Science, learning about the physics behind NSLS-II and exploring topics such as properties of matter, types of light, and accelerator science. Teachers were shown how these complex concepts can be effectively communicated to students at various grade levels, from elementary through high school.

“It was a great day to nerd out and focus on science and all the amazing research being done at this facility and to also work on how to apply it in our classrooms,” said Ms. Perovich. “Seeing a large NSLS-II in action and exploring nanoparticles is something you would think you would only see on the set of The Big Bang Theory, to explore it in real life was a dream come true!”

In addition to the hands-on labs, participants also learned about opportunities to collaborate with BNL and integrate its resources into their teaching. BNL staff provided valuable insights on how to bring real-world scientific applications into the classroom, helping teachers engage their students in the wonders of physical science. For Perovich and Garcia, the event highlighted the importance of connecting classroom learning with cutting-edge research to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

Students at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School enthusiastically participated in various hands-on activities this Election Day, learning about the importance of voting and the democratic process through creative and interactive lessons.

Across grade levels, students engaged in unique, age-appropriate elections that allowed them to explore the power of voting while having fun.

Prekindergarten children participated in a lively open ballot, casting their votes for their favorite snack. After a highly anticipated vote, Animal Crackers emerged as the winning choice, much to the delight of the young voters. Second-grade students took a creative approach to their Election Day celebrations by going on the campaign trail. The students visited the main office and district office, where staff members participated in a fun cookie taste test. The students presented their campaign speeches to encourage staff to vote for either Oreo or Chips Ahoy cookies. After a day of debate and votes, Oreo cookies were crowned the winner. Meanwhile, in Ms. Well's second-grade class, students voted on their favorite cookie, joining in the excitement of the day’s sweet competition.

In the first grade, students read popular books on the subject, including Grace for President and Duck for President. They then held their vote to decide which was more fun to play with: Play-Doh or Pop-its. The vote was close, with students eagerly casting their ballots for their favorite toy.

Ms. St. Pierre and Ms. Smith’s fourth-grade classes held a mock election to explore the significance of elections and how the choices made today can shape history. Students debated and voted on a mock candidate, learning how each vote contributes to making important decisions that impact the future.

“We are so proud of our students for participating in these hands-on activities and learning about the democratic process in such an engaging way,” said Principal Amy Laverty. “These activities not only provided a fun and interactive experience for our students but also helped them understand the importance of their voice and the power of voting.

At Edna Louise Spear Elementary School, Election Day was more than just a day off for staff and students; it was an opportunity for young learners to engage with civic processes in a way that made learning fun, meaningful, and memorable.

 

Click here to view the Edna Louise Spear Elementary School Observes Election Day with Fun, Learning, and Engagement slideshow.

Date Added: 11/18/2024