Northport High School’s recently established Math Honor Society is stepping up to help others by offering a peer tutoring program. Led by Honor Society Tutoring Chairs Griffin Crafa and Julia Graziano, with oversight from math teacher Kristen Rozell, students are offering after school tutoring in a variety of math related subjects.  

District Chairperson of Mathematics Robin Rann said “Part of the reason we wanted the Math Honor Society was because we wanted to provide service. One important piece of that service was providing help from those who understand the subject best to those who need help understanding it better.” 

While peer tutoring was taking place last year, the students adapted to the new school environment by going virtual this year, ensuring all students had access to the program. Math Honor Society students are leading the organization with oversight from Ms. Rozell, handling the scheduling and application process themselves. If at any time a student needs additional help, a math teacher is always on standby to provide additional support during the sessions.  

“The kids are really excited to help others, and the students that have come for tutoring have found it to be a positive experience thus far,” shared Ms. Rozell.  

Over 40 students volunteered to tutor and were able to choose which math subject area they felt most comfortable tutoring in. The program will be taking place throughout the remainder of the year.  

With the ever-changing media and technology landscape, Northport High School is bringing their broadcast and media production learning opportunities to the 21st century by introducing a new course called Media Arts Production. The course, which will be available during the 2021-2022 school year, gives students the opportunity to both learn about and produce news content tailored to modern times.  

Alongside more traditional broadcasting, such as television news segments, students will also have the opportunity to learn about podcasting, radio, blogging, vlogging and more. The course is designed to address the way news information is consumed today, which has shifted from television to more online and web-based news as well.  

“While many high schools offer some sort of broadcast program, what we’re doing is a little different. We’re not just looking at it as a broadcast program, but looking at where broadcast is now in the 21st century,” shared arts teacher Mr. Michael Gutheil.  

Once the course begins, students will be preparing news segments for a YouTube channel, as well as an internet-based radio station that anyone with access to web browser can listen in to. The content of both the YouTube and radio segments will be developed by students, allowing them to explore topics that are of interest to them.  

The moment that many of Northport-East Northport student athletes have been waiting for has arrived with the return of low-risk winter sports. Beginning January 7th, Northport High School boys and girls track and bowling teams as well as boys swimming began practicing for their shortened season.  

The boy’s swim team kicked off with some conditioning on the field before returning to the local YMCA to get in the water, while track teams also began warming up and making their way around the track.  

The bowling season officially kicked off on Monday, January 11th at Larkfield Lanes, with excited bowling team participants getting back into the rhythm of competing. The bowling alley, complete with plastic barriers between each lane, had various measures in place to keep students safe. 

Despite the cold weather and unique circumstances, students appeared excited for the beginning of the season. Northport Girls Track team captain Grace Wertheimer shared “I’m excited that we got back at all. Running alone is hard because there is not as much motivation, so being around other people is definitely a positive for me.”  

“Seeing how excited the students were to return to their sports made all of the additional planning worth it” shared Mark Dantuono, director of physical education, health and athletics for the district. “It brought back a sense of normalcy to see them competing and enjoying themselves, and we can’t wait for all of our athletes to do the same.” 

 

This month, Northport High School senior Dillon Heinzman was honored with the Technology and Engineering Student of the Month award and fellow senior Maxwell DeBrino was honored as Science Student of the Month. Both students showed incredible passion for their respective courses and will be honored during the January 21st Board of Education meeting.  

Dillon’s commitment to his technology and engineering courses was apparent throughout high school, having taken both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes as well as Project Lead the Way engineering courses. District Chairperson for Science, Technology and Engineering David Storch said “Dillon’s diligence and tenacity in all his STEM courses exemplify his determination to comprehend complex and highly specialized concepts along with outstanding computer science and technological skills.” 

Similarly, Maxwell DeBrino has had an impressive educational career, starting the school’s Trout Team and a co-captain of the school’s Science Olympiad team. When describing Maxwell, Mr. Storch said “He is a creative and inquisitive scientist who possesses a passion, commitment, and sense of wonder when he is conducting experimental research.”