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Young Minds Dive Into Discovery at Camp InventionMore than 300 students were surrounded by science as the Massapequa Sch...
08/17/2026

Young Minds Dive Into Discovery at Camp Invention

More than 300 students were surrounded by science as the Massapequa School District hosted Camp Invention in August. The popular summer STEM camp takes place at schools across the country and has been a mainstay in Massapequa for two decades.

This year’s program was held at Unqua Elementary School, and it was the first time the district offered two weeks of camp, reflecting the high demand. About 200 elementary students explored a variety of scientific concepts from Aug. 3-7, and the camp repeated for another 110 youngsters the following week.

Classes were led by district teachers, following the Camp Invention curriculum. In Space Morphers, students launched a mission to transform a faraway planet’s atmosphere and built their own space rockets. They grew crystal trees and hatched a mysterious animal egg. Make Waves featured hands-on-buoyancy challenges and tested their aluminum foil boat creations. “Fur-ensics” captivated students in the world of forensic science and featured an animal mystery, including an analysis of animal tracks. The Infringers helped campers spark their innovative superpowers and identify challenges in their local community. Among their tasks were analyzing the components of a smartphone and creating a wearable device.

The camp was led by Director Nancy Porcellini along with Assistant Directors Allyson Owens and Chris Weaver. Several seventh, eighth and ninth graders served as leaders in training, supporting the teachers with lessons and activities. Students entering grades 10–12 volunteered as leader interns and each was assigned to a grade level group.

Massapequa High School senior Nicholas S. was a leader intern for the first time and supervised students entering second grade. He was tasked with bringing his group to each classroom and helping campers with their projects.

“They’re very joyful and happy all the time,” he said, noting that the students in his group enjoyed the hands-on, collaborative projects. “Seeing them being happy to learn science and engineering makes me happy because I enjoy that, too.”

Many of the campers return year after year. Because there are different units each summer, a student could come to Camp Invention throughout elementary school and never repeat a project.

“I like getting to create stuff and getting to be with my friends while I’m doing it,” said fifth grader Sarah H., who attended the camp for the fifth time. “We make different stuff and I learn new things every year.”

Engaging Summer Workshop Builds Leaders at BernerNearly two dozen seventh graders at Berner Middle School are ready to l...
08/12/2026

Engaging Summer Workshop Builds Leaders at Berner

Nearly two dozen seventh graders at Berner Middle School are ready to lead with purpose after participating in an engaging two-day leadership workshop.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workshop: Begin With the End in Mind was hosted by the FranklinCovey Institute. It was held in the Berner library on Aug. 10 and 11 and featured 23 student participants. Through interactive experiences and team-building activities, they learned leadership skills and how to serve as role models for others. Students explored practical strategies to become more confident, responsible, resilient and effective leaders.

Superintendent Dr. William Brennan explained that the workshop aligns with Massapequa’s Profile of a Learner and Leader, and reinforces the qualities that the district strives to cultivate in every student.

“I’m thrilled that our middle school students are participating in a globally recognized program and that they are actively engaged in this experience,” Dr. Brennan said. “They are developing habits of mind and heart to achieve success and are ready to make a positive impact in their school and beyond.”

Students completed a mystery drawing based on vague instructions. While it was supposed to be a small house with a sun and tree, many drawings were vastly different. The purpose was to show students that it’s hard to take the right steps when they don’t know the desired outcome. They also worked in teams to solve a peg game, with a goal of having only peg remaining. It taught them how to think ahead and also to try again if they didn’t succeed the first time.

The presenters were Cat DiGioia, director of curriculum, and Tori Kass, Leader in Me coach, from the FranklinCovey curriculum department. They noted that the program strongly aligned with the district’s vision and mission, and it gave students practical tools to develop the competencies of a Massapequa Learner and Leader.

Ryan K., the seventh grade class secretary, said he signed up for the leadership workshop because he wants to be more outgoing and talk to peers he doesn’t know. He said the experience taught him resilience.

Ella S., who said she would like to join student government in the future, said her biggest takeaway was learning new strategies to manage time and set priorities.

“I think it’s a really fun program and a great way to learn new skills that can go into different aspects of my life,” Ella said.

Owen M. said he wants to lead with kindness, and that’s why he signed up for the workshop. He wanted to learn skills to be an inclusive leader who sets an example for others to follow.

“I’m learning how to be a leader and how to help other people out,” he said.

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Brian Trapani said several administrators have attended a workshop on FranklinCovey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and wanted to bring that to Massapequa’s learners and leaders. The opportunity for the summer workshop was made available to all rising seventh graders.

“The hope would be that they ultimately pass along the leadership traits they learned,” Dr. Trapani said, “and exhibit them in their lives, particularly in school to become model students for those around them.”

The Massapequa School District is now hiring teaching assistants, monitors and substitute teachers for the 2026-2027 sch...
08/11/2026

The Massapequa School District is now hiring teaching assistants, monitors and substitute teachers for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information or to apply, visit www.msd.k12.ny.us/jobpostings.

Summer Sparks Innovation and Ingenuity at Robotics CampsRobots large and small were under construction this summer at Ma...
08/11/2026

Summer Sparks Innovation and Ingenuity at Robotics Camps

Robots large and small were under construction this summer at Massapequa High School, as young engineers assembled, programmed and tinkered during a pair of camps.

From July 27-30, nine students from the high school’s Robotics Club began their preparations for the upcoming Vex Robotics competition season. The team, led by technology teacher Matt Swanson, will take part in regional events in the winter against other high schools. This year’s challenge requires building a robot that can pick up and stack different game pieces on the competition field, such as cups and pins. Students worked on building the lift – an extension of the robot that allows it to stack objects at heights up to 50 inches.

Team members Caiden K., a senior, and Anthony B., a junior, said this summer they focused on the hardware, then shift to programming when the school year begins. One of the components they have to program is an AI vision sensor that helps the robot detect objects on the field.

The following week, 51 students entering grades 6-9 took part in the Lego Robotics Camp at the high school. Mr. Swanson was joined by fellow technology teachers Matt Anderer and Mike Spiritis to teach the enthusiastic young engineers how to build and program robots from Lego Spike kits.

The camp took place over four days, five hours per day, providing ample time for students to build, test and adjust. Leading up to the camp, Mr. Anderer designed the robot build and created instructions, ensuring that students would have a uniform experience to understand the basics. They learned how to move it forwards and backwards, how the sensors work and how to move an arm up and down. Students could then be creative with their robots and add more components after mastering the planned build.

Participants programmed their robots using Scratch-based coding through the Lego Spike software. They use the same kits in Berner Middle School’s technology classes and can also gain more experience by participating in the Robotics Club, which attends regional First Lego League competitions.

“At the camp, the goal is for them to have fun and get a taste of how stuff works,” Mr. Anderer said. “We also like to introduce them to the Robotics Club and what it’s all about.”

This year’s Robotics Camp featured many returning students along with several newcomers. Rising ninth grader Nicholas S. attended for the fourth time and hopes to join the high school Robotics Club in the future.

“It’s very fun,” he said of the camp. “You get to create and explore. I like seeing what other people can make and seeing how I can improve my robot.”

Seventh grader Daniella R. came to camp for the first time and had a blast. She enjoyed making new friends with similar interests and working with others to complete the different challenges.

“Legos and robots are my two favorite things, so if I came here, I could combine them,” she said.

08/10/2026

Dear Massapequa School Community,

We are excited to introduce Massapequa Board: Key Takeaways in Two, a new way to help our community stay informed and connected to the important work of the Board of Education.

After each Board of Education meeting, one of our trustees will spend just a couple of minutes highlighting the key discussions, decisions and important information shared during the meeting. We understand that many families, staff members and community residents may not have the time to watch an entire Board meeting, so this brief recap provides a convenient way to stay connected and informed.

If a topic captures your interest, we encourage you to watch the full Board discussion for additional details and context.

You can view our first and all future Massapequa Board: Key Takeaways in Two recordings on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/massapequaps. Videos will also be shared on our district social media pages.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the Massapequa School District. We hope this new resource helps keep you engaged with the important work taking place on behalf of our students and school community.

Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District

Work is nearing completion on the Hawthorn School, where extensive interior and exterior renovations have been taking pl...
08/07/2026

Work is nearing completion on the Hawthorn School, where extensive interior and exterior renovations have been taking place for several months to create a modern learning facility. The building will be leased by Nassau BOCES and generate new revenue for the district.

It's the final week of the Summer Fine Arts camp and students have been thriving in their art, music and theater classes...
08/06/2026

It's the final week of the Summer Fine Arts camp and students have been thriving in their art, music and theater classes. Some new classes included 3D Collage Arts, Drawing Extravaganza and ProCreate Studio.

The auditorium and main gymnasium at Massapequa High School are getting major upgrades this summer, reflecting the distr...
08/06/2026

The auditorium and main gymnasium at Massapequa High School are getting major upgrades this summer, reflecting the district's commitment to supporting the arts and athletics programs. A new sound system, lighting and projectors are being installed in the auditorium to improve the experience for both performers and the audience. A full renovation of the gymnasium will include new ceiling, lighting, bleachers, floor and paint, and enhancements are also being made in the adjoining lobby.

As part of our continued upgrades this summer, new boilers are being installed at East Lake and McKenna elementary schoo...
08/05/2026

As part of our continued upgrades this summer, new boilers are being installed at East Lake and McKenna elementary schools, and Massapequa High School's main campus.

Recreation Program Delivers Summer Fun for TeensMiddle school students from the Massapequa School District enjoyed the s...
08/04/2026

Recreation Program Delivers Summer Fun for Teens

Middle school students from the Massapequa School District enjoyed the summer vibes with friends old and new for the past five weeks. The Summer Recreation program’s Teen Center, which took place at the Massapequa High School Ames Campus, ran from June 30 to July 31 for students entering grades 6-8.

Supervised by a director, certified teachers and college assistants, students were able to choose their daily activities. The Teen Center is designed to be less structured than the elementary program to recognize the increased independence students have upon reaching middle school. The different centers they could visit included arts and crafts, a game room, movie room, and indoor and outdoor sports.

There were also several special events and field trips. Students enjoyed milkshake Mondays, snack shack Tuesdays with hot dogs, chicken nuggets and French fries, and pizza Fridays. They ventured to arcade centers Main Event and Round One. July 30, the second-to-last-day of camp, featured a block party with a basketball competition, kickball, tug-of-war and water balloon toss, as well as cotton candy, a photo booth and dunk tank. Students competed as they were split into the blue, green, red and yellow teams.

Each week averaged a little more than 100 participants, with a peak of 130. Rising sixth graders benefitted from interacting with seventh and eighth graders and establishing friendships with their future Berner Middle School peers.

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4925 Merrick Road
Massapequa, NY
11758

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