A loving and fun teacher, who was nick named “Fun Guy,” by his students, based on the scientific term “fungi,” is how Gregory Burger, a current 6th grade student described Mr. Campbell, a 4th grade teacher who received the prestigious award, “Long Island Educator of the Month,” by Dowling College/ News 12. Gregory continued to explain how “Science experiments with Mr. Campbell were great fun! I even remember one time, instead of using blocks, Mr. Campbell had students sit on a see-saw to learn how levers create a mechanical advantage.” You can hear the excitement of students learning as you pass by Mr. Campbell’s classroom. Throughout the year students are engaged in a multitude of hands-on experiments. In a recent trial, students were able to link the relationship between respiration and photosynthesis. A celebratory breakfast reception was held at the Stewart Manor School Library where Superintendent Al Harper, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara Schwartz, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kathleen Safrey, staff and PTA members attended to honor Mr. Campbell. Dr. Clyde Payne, Dean of the School of Education at Dowling College, shared some of Mr. Campbell’s accomplishments along with Mrs. Kranidis and Mr. Harper. Mrs. Kranidis touted, “It is rare to find a teacher who exudes the enthusiasm, motivation and willingness to try new methods and materials like Mr. Robert Campbell. Mr. Campbell remains a pioneer in the fields of mathematics and science, leading his students to continually exceed NYS Learning Standards by fostering higher-level learning.” Mr. Campbell connects student learning to real-world experiences. He was a New York State finalist for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Science and Mathematics. He and his students were two-time winners of the Young Consumer Olympics sponsored by Nassau County Consumer Affairs, and under his guidance, fourth graders cooperated with NASA in creating an experiment that flew onboard a recent space mission. Mr. Harper proudly affirmed, “This outstanding achievement for Mr. Campbell and our district is a total effort. The Stewart Manor leadership under Mrs. Kranidis, the strong staff and the supportive parents should all be proud. Mr. Campbell exemplifies what a teacher should be. Follow his lead and we will all be successful and so will our children.”
There have been many exciting happenings at Gotham Avenue School recently. The sixth graders are very excited to be able to read their new weekly newsletter called “Word for Word ;) “. Under the direction of Mrs. Richards, the children write and revise original stories, share recipes, write poems and riddles, and create new games. One section which seems to hold everyone’s interest is called Strange Facts. Each student looks forward to find out new facts that they never knew existed. The newspaper is published weekly by the following sixth graders: Sabrina Delva, Marie-Constance Elizee, Brianna Faison, Imani Fuller, Aurbrey Jerome, Amelie Pierre-Louis, Dean Robb, Tanecia Sears, Olanrewaju Soetan and Khalia Whyte.
During January the fifth and six graders participated in the annual Spelling Bee. Coordinated by Mr. Bernadel, Mrs. Hansen and Mrs. Cassar eighteen fifth and six graders went through a list of very difficult words. The two judges, Mrs. Cassar and Mrs. Callipari listened carefully for the correct spellings of the designated word list. After a difficult list was completed Tanecia Sears from Mr. Bernadel’s class won first place. Khalia Whyte from Mrs. Callipari’s class won second place. Tanecia will go on to compete in the regional completion which also involves written spelling tests as well as oral tests.
The Gotham Avenue Student Council, under the direction of Mr. Cowan, wrote letters to their foster child in Egypt. The 34 student council members from grades four, five and six all participated in this project and mailed gifts and letters in one huge package to the Save the Children Office in Helwan City in Egypt. Our foster child, Ahmed Hussein Omran, wrote back to our school thanking us for the letters, cards and gifts. This is the fourth foster child sponsored by the student council in the past 19 years. The council officers, Tanecia Sears, President, Co-Vice Presidents, Aubrey Jerome and Leilani Sears, Secretary, Marie-Constance Elizee, Treasurer, Oluwatobi Fadugba and representative, Ruby Vargughese worked at the Holiday Fair to raise money for this positive endeavor.
Gotham Avenue is off to a great new year!
