Bulletin Board

Lower School Students Proudly Celebrate the Insect Garden They Helped Create

Under beautiful blue skies, Lower School students performed songs and recited poetry as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Insect Garden that was all but an idea one year ago. The garden is now home to flowers, vegetables and a lovely sitting area and was made possible by the generosity and nurturing hands of parents, students and teachers. Be sure to visit the next time you are in the Lower School!

Students Begin Another Year Filled With Artistic Challenges

Middle School art teacher, Patrick Myers, introduced his 8th grade students to the art of drawing from still life while Doris Benter, Head of the Art Department, challenged her 3rd graders to imagine what the Oval Office would look like if they were President of the United States.

Susan Edwards-Bourdrez Honored on Founders Day for 25 Years of Service

The Portledge School community officially kicked off the school year with its traditional Founders Day celebration, an event that brings together students, parents, faculty and alumni for a day of games, rides and great food. The day began with a ceremonial school parade led by student decorated golf carts followed by the Portledge Board of Trustees and the entire student body. It concluded with a tribute to the Founders of Portledge and this year special honors were given to Susan Edwards-Bourdrez, Dean of the Middle School, for her twenty-five years of service. Susan’s family including her daughter, Emily '07, was on hand for the celebration.

Portledge Pride 2008-Icy Crunch Ice Cream to Be Served at Gooseberry Grove

Portledge Middle School student advisee groups went head to head in a contest to create a new ice cream flavor. The contest is the first in a series of school events leading up to our Founders Day celebration. Ms. Maiello's team winning combination, called Portledge Pride 2008-Icy Crunch, will be served at Founders Day and at Gooseberry Grove in Oyster Bay until December.

A Warm Welcome for Our New Families

Steve Hahn and several members of the Portledge community offered a warm welcome to the new families joining the School at a morning reception held on the back patio of the Lower School. It was a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to mingle and to get to know everyone from the school nurse to the heads of the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

New Portledge Faculty Say Farewell to a Portledge Treasure

Ten new faculty members joined the Portledge Community several of whom spoke of the beauty of the campus as one of the qualities that drew them to the school. It was therefore not hard to ask them to pose one last time in front of a beech tree that has contributed to that beauty for so many years, but sadly had to be cut down later that day.

Class of 2012 Begins Upper School Experience with a Portledge Tradition

In keeping with a 25-year Portledge tradition, our incoming 9th grade class began their Upper School experience with a three-day retreat at the Princeton University Education Center in Blairstown located on the Appalachian Trail near the Delaware Water Gap. Steve Hahn, Head of School, Elisabeth Mooney, College Counseling, Zoe Schwam, US History and Athletics, Jon Sandos, US History and Shane Cappuccio, US English participated in the opportunity for the Class of 2012 to share a common experience, integrate new and returning students, and respond actively to individual and group challenges that promote class spirit, school values, and a sense of responsibility.

Portledge School Salutes the Class of 2008

Under beautiful blue skies, the members of the Portledge School Class of 2008 accepted their diplomas and were inspired by the words of County Executive, Tom Suozzi. His mix of humor and wisdom added even more meaning to the event that also featured student speakers, Justin Lashley ‘08 and Elizabeth Lanza ’08 and the traditional presentation of honors and awards including the ’76 Award presented by a member of the tenth-year-reunion class to the teacher who is remembered as having the greatest impact on the class.

The 36 members of the Class of 2008 contributed to a school year filled with outstanding group and individual accomplishments including Daniel Minkin being selected as a National Merit Scholarship Winner and Miyuki Miyagi being named to the All County Orchestra and Austin Prey being named an Academic All American by US Lacrosse. In addition, many of the seniors contributed to the enormous success of the Portledge athletic program including Jessica Sarrantonio, captain of the Girls Varisty Ice Hockey team who led the lady Panthers to the best season in Portledge history marked by an 11-game winning streak.

Portledge Graduation Honors and Accolades

The ’76 Award was presented by Margaret Pitta ’08 to Upper School Math Teacher, Sunny Schniebolk; Distinguished Service Award was presented by the Portledge Board of Trustees to Thomas R. Suozzi in recognition of his accomplishments working for the betterment of society; The Senior Class Award was awarded by vote of the students and faculty to Jessica Sarrantonio in recognition of her generosity of spirit as a member of the class; The 2008 Senior Athletic Award was awarded to Jessica Sarrantonio and Raymond Weinmann by vote of the faculty in recognition of their outstanding athletic accomplishments; The 2008 Bliss Award was presented to Miyuki Miyagi in recognition of excellence in visual or performing arts; The 2008 Ayers Award was presented to Justin Lashley for best exemplifying the character and achievement of Barbara Lisanne Ayers (Class of 1977) through profound devotion to learning together with a consistently high level of academic accomplishment; The Slanetz Award was presented to Daniel Minkin in recognition of an academic record that showed the highest level of achievement throughout his sophomore, junior and senior years at Portledge, given in the hope that these scholars will apply their intellectual ability to improvement of the human condition and for the well-being of others; The Head of School Award was given by Steve Hahn, Head of School, to Paul Wirkowski in recognition of his unique contributions to the life of the school; The Portledge Bowl was awarded upon vote of the faculty to Miyuki Miyagi for best exemplifying the character and values Portledge holds in the highest esteem.”

Austin Prey '08 Named Academic All American

In recognition of his outstanding play on the Lacrosse field and his superior academic accomplishment, Portledge senior, Austin Prey of Oyster Bay, has been named an Academic All American. More than 150 of the nation's finest scholar-athletes for the sport of lacrosse have been named by US Lacrosse as Men's Division High School Academic All-Americans. In order to be considered, players must have senior standing, must be nominated, and must meet the minimum academic achievement requirements from their respective US Lacrosse Area. Each pre-determined geographic area is allowed one Academic All-American selectee for every ten teams in that area. Only varsity coaches who are members of US Lacrosse may vote in the selection of the nominees.

Austin delivered 24 goals and ten assists during regular season play and four more goals and two assists in the playoffs and consistently excelled as a ground ball player. He has been a starting varsity Lacrosse player since he arrived three years ago at Portledge from Green Vale. Austin, who also served as Student Council President has been accepted at Williams and Dartmouth and hopes to continue to play lacrosse in college.

Seniors Stroll Down Memory Lane

For several Portledge graduating seniors, memories of Portledge take them all the way back to their nursery school and elementary school days when they first began their Portledge education. Last week, Mila Kirstie Kulsa who will be attending New York University, Liz Lanza who will be attending Union College, Miyuki Miyagi who will be attending Princeton University, Alain Mathieu who will be attending Bowdoin College, Eric Mathieu who will be attending Bates College, and Paul Wirkowski who will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, were reminded of a special assignment they were given as third graders – an assignment that has become a tradition for all Portledge third graders.

Former third grade teacher turned computer teacher, Mrs. Karen Mucciaccio and current third grade teacher, Ms. Louise Galli, mailed each senior a letter they had written to themselves back in 1999 in an envelope addressed by their own third grade hand. Many of the seniors were overwhelmed by the memories that flooded back to them when they received the package in the mail. The letters highlighted the wonderful experiences they had as third graders and in turn reminded the seniors of how precious such memories can be.