At no time in our history has more beenexpected from our schools, teachers andchildren in the areas of teaching and learn-ing. For good or for bad, our nation hasembarked upon a course of tryi ng toimprove education by instituting testing forour public school students from 3rd grade

through the end of high school. It is a program beset withchallenges and frustrations for communities, parents, chil-d ren and educators. The South Country EducationFoundation is helping our teachers see their way throughthis effort by supporting their creativity in the classroomand in the school house. Look at the article about theEducational Grants; we have been able to support thesecreative ideas, with your generous help.

Only by coming together as a community and saying ina clear, unambiguous way that education is very importantcan we improve education. Parents must inspire their chil-dren to work hard and approach learning as if their futuredepends upon it—it does. The community must supportthe efforts of the teachers and schools to provide good,quality instruction. We all must be vigilant in checkingthat what is being done in the name of education makessense. We have to support what works and constantlysearch for ideas and programs that could work in ourschools.

One of the joys of our community is the immense tal-ent that our children have and are developing in theschools. Go to a play, a concert, a musical production, ora sporting event. Be amazed at what they accomplish.Think of the achievements of our alumni: they are leadersin every field of endeavor—science, fine arts, law, medi-cine, education, music and government. Our schools needour help, our support and our encouragement.

I want to thank you for your generous support in thepast, and I ask for your continuing support. Please use theform on the last page of this newsletter to make a tax-deductible donation to our efforts. —G E N E W E S T H O F F

For the second year running, the South Country EducationFoundation has issued grants totaling more than $11,000during its Fall Grants Program.

Grant monies have been awarded for projects enhanc-ing many areas of study including mathematics, reading,art and science.

What follows is a summary of the projects:SCEF has sup-

plied $996.22 for the purchase of 12 strapless heart moni-tors and a video for high school students participating inthe Dance Dance Revolution program funded by the SCEFlast year. Dance Dance Revolution encourages student fit-ness through an exciting dance program. The monitorswill be used by students as they track their physicalprogress and fitness while performing 30 minute danceroutines.

Fourth and fifth graders will partici-pate in an Olympic-style event that judges skills in mea-surement, estimation and special reasoning. The granttotals $923.94 and the money will be used to provide sup-plies and awards.

The foundation’s $1,000grant will be used to purchase materials through theJosephson Institute of Ethics for use at the BrookhavenElementary School. The Character Counts Program pro-motes ethical behavior that is both universal and non-discriminatory.

Winter 2007

tra-curricularx

delightful fundraiser at thehome of Chantal andRichard Berman. Please joinus there again on July 14thfor our main event to raise

funds for theprojects andprograms SCEFsponsors. For moreinformation or tomake a donation

to the auction, see our websitewww.scefonline.orgor call286-3760. See you there!

Winter 2007

Students at the Verne W. Critz Schoolwill benefit from this $1,000 grant that supplies each gradelevel classroom with one “Character Education Bag” thatincludes books, activities and writing supplies that relate tothe district’s Character Education Program.

The foundation isfunding two separate assemblies at the Verne W. CritzElementary School where students will learn aboutdance in other parts of the world. The object of theprogram is to create a deeper understanding amongstudents of diversity and an awareness of global differ-ences. This program is an adjunct to the district’s charac-ter education program. The grant amount is $932.

Film, music, puppets and scientif-ic illustration will be employed to take students at theVerne W. Critz Elementary School on a multi-sensory jour-ney through the endangered rainforest. The foundation isproviding $800 to fund two assemblies.

The foundation is supplying$1,000 that, along with other funds, will send two studentsto a summer conference for Students Against DrunkDriving. The Bellport High School students will participatein programs designed to develop leadership skills forSADD officers.

The Wildlife Conservation Societyand the New York zoos have created an interactive perfor-mance in which students explore the interdependence ofplants and animals. Fourth graders at the Frank P. LongSchool will benefit from this $750 grant.

This assembly will beoffered to Middle School students as part of the CharacterEducation Week program planned at that school. Studentswill be encouraged to strive toward exemplary behavior.SCEF is providing a $895 grant to fund the project.

Frank P. Long students will meetauthor Ray Negron (The Boy of Steel)through a $900 grantfrom the foundation. The program is designed to encour-age students to make connections with literature throughcontact with an author.

Twelve Middle School Science Clubmembers will have their entrance fees, experimental sup-plies and uniforms provided through a $780 grant from thefoundation. The students will enter the Science Olympicsand the Brookhaven National Laboratory Science Bowlwhere they will compete in events such as constructing aballoon launch glider, tower building and a fuel cell car.

A visiting artist will instructBellport High School art students in Asian Brush Paintingthrough a $1,000 grant from SCEF. Approximately sixty-five students will benefit from this program which willfocus on watercolor landscapes as well as Asian philosophyand culture.

For the second year, SCEF will be a major contributor to adistrict-wide program Family Math Day. The event willtake place on Saturday, March 24 at Bellport High Schoolwith the theme “Math Rocks” and will put the emphasis onmath and music. Teachers from all the schools in thedistrict will come together to provide a day of learning forPre-K to 5th grade children and their parents. There willbe two workshops with math activities appropriate to thegrade level and local businesses are asked to come andshow how math is an important part of their company.Our support will enable the organizers to feature two per-formers who use math to stimulate and entertain youngaudiences. We are proud to be a part of this second annu-al South Country event and wish them great success.

For further information or to volunteer, contact ConnieHavens at chavens@southcountry.org.

S C E F ’s Becker/Gambles Music Fund supports music educa-tion in the school district throughout the year. The fundp resents concert swhich bring great music to our commu-nity. It also arranges master classes and assembly programsin which the gifted musicians share their talents with outstudents.

The fund provides scholarships to deserving studentsfrom 4th through 11th grade for summer music study. Italso runs an instrument donation program which helpsprovide instruments for our music students. We are look-ing for music instruments that can be used in the schools.Is there a clarinet, oboe, horn or violin lying unused in abasement, closet or attic in your home? Please considerdonating it to the music program in our schools. KarenRowley coordinates this drive and would love to hear fromyou, give her a call at 286-0975.

The music fund is guided by a hard working commit-tee which is dedicated to bringing the joy of music to ourstudents and community. Its members are ChantalBerman, Tim Hogan, Daryl Jordan, Nancy Marr, KarenRowley, Dava Stravinsky, Will Struyk, and Gene Westhoff.

South Country Education Foundation

This year we wish to thank those who responded toour letter asking for donations. The generosity of our com-munity was awesome—over $4,000 was raised. Thesefunds will go directly to students in the form of scholar-ships for this summer. If you wish to support the fund, justfill in the form on the last page of the newsletter and noteon your check (or on the form) “Music Fund”.

October 27, brought excitement and great music to thestage of Bellport High School, when Karmic Tiempo beganthis year’s concert series in grand style. This jazz combo,with local resident, Jim Ahrend on piano, Mike Frost onbass and Joe Chirco on drums, played their brand of latinjazz to the delight of the crowd. Several original tunes fromtheir new CD, Synergy, highlighted the evening.

A more entertaining event would be impossible toimagine. These musicians set a high standard for our con-certs with their hot, yet cool, performance.

And the beat continued in January, when the SUNYFredonia Jazz Ensemble returned to South Country onJanuary 12th for a day of master classes and concerts. Theday, sponsored by SCEF, began with a concert in the morn-ing at Bellport Middle School. It was met with great enthu-siasm by that student body and was followed by a masterclass with the BMS jazz band. The Fredonia musicians satnext to their respective players from the middle school and

worked through some of the new pieces they are preparingfor the winter concert. An assembly during the last periodof the day was the scene at BHS for the ensemble’s secondperformance. Over 500 students ended their school daywith another great performance, highlighting the returnof Sam Gelfer (BHS ’05) on bass now for Fredonia.Afterwards, the high school jazz ensemble split into groupsand worked one on one with the Fredonia musicians, com-ing together at the end of the period and playing selectionsof their new music.

After a dinner and rest, the band came back to performa concert in the auditorium at Bellport High School to raisefunds for the Becker/Gambles Music Fund summer studyscholarships. This year the fund is making all of its con-certs free to the students of South Country, and many ofthese students were in attendance at this concert.

There are two concerts remaining for this year. Please joinus at the following events and enjoy great music, close tohome.

, The Daedalus Quartetreturns to present a concert in the Bellport Middle SchoolAuditorium.

, The Whiffenpoofs, aworld-renowned chorus from Yale University, will performin the Bellport Middle School Auditorium.

under participated in the 1st Annual Kids Mile Run. Visitour website www.scefonline.org for full results and pictures.

After many years of discussing the Kids Mile Run, therace committee (Mary Jane Cullen, Tom Cullen, Mary &John Denise, Karen & Bill Hughes, Lori Klamut, MarieLena, Kathy Leone, Elaine Messina, Sara Morse, DickRealander, Lorie Roth, Lou Scordamaglia, Jill Stewart,

On Sunday, July 9, 2006, over 515 runners completed the23rd Annual Bellport Clipper Classic, 39 people complet-ed the 1500m Fun Walk and 29 kids 10 years old and

Winter 2007

South Country Education Foundation

Spencer Stickley, Dava Stravinsky, Paula Tirelli, and DianeZanazzi) decided to introduce this run to the ClipperClassic Race Day.

The kids who took part in the race were very excitedand happy to be included. We anticipate many more par-ticipants this coming summer as the kids share their expe-rience with their friends.

1st Wyatt Banninger 0:07:15.92nd Remington Stehling 0:07:25.13rd Brendon Richardson 0:07:36.8

1st Estella Clasen 08:27.82nd Anna Mendez 10:53.33rd Jamieson Merrill 11:00.0

1st Sean Hopkins, Brookhaven 0:15:48.72nd Andrew Corral, Bellport 0:16:00.13rd Rich Velazquez, New York 0:16:06.0

1st Kelly Powell, Patchogue 0:19:15.82nd Eileen Casey, New York 0:20:39.73rd Lorie Roth, New York 0:20:50.0

The Bellport Clipper Classic Scholarship Race raisesmoney for Bellport High School graduating seniors. Thefollowing 2006 graduates received awards to help themfurther their education:

Brittni Colichio Christopher KavenderRyan Gabriel Bianca MirabellaElizabeth Gallagher Alicia PaganChristopher Gradilone Jessica PolisMegan Huber Ashley ScutariMeghan Hughes Apatsara Veeraplin

Many thanks to our sponsors King Kullen Grocery;Swezey Fuel Co.; Brookhaven Eye Surgery, PC; PalermoPavi ng; Pai nters’ Restaurant; Frank R. Egan, DDS,Orthodontics; Bellport Teachers Association; Long IslandA d v a n c e; Sil-Kraft Custom Screen Printing; BellportWorkout Studio; and Searles Graphics.

Speci al thanks to the members of the Bell port ,Brookhaven, and Hagerman Fire Departments, the SouthC o u n t ry A mbulance Company, Suffolk County PoliceDepartment, Suffolk County Department of Public Works,and the Village of Bellport as well as to all the volunteerswho make this race possible.

The South Country Education Foundation would liketo express its gratitude for the generous donationsreceived from the individuals, alumni, businesses andorganizations listed on the facing page. We arepleased to have such widespread support for oure ff o rts to fund innovative programs to enrichthe education of our South Country School Districtstudents.

The following list reflects contributions fro mSeptember 1, 2005 to December 1, 2006. We havemade every effort to include all of our contributors,and we regret if anyone or any group has been omit-ted.from the list of individuals, alumni, businessesand other organizations listed on the facing page.

Dear SCEF Members,

To commemorate twenty years since graduation,

Bellport High School’s Class of 1986 recently cele-

brated with a Reunion Weekend. There were many

activities planned, one of which was a raffle the night

of the dinner. We held the raffle to raise money for

your organization in order to give back to the school

community from which we graduated and help future

alumni from the district.

Enclosed is a check for $542.00, which includes

proceeds from the raffle and the residual money from

planning the reunion. We hope this comes in handy

as your organization continues to serve the students

in the South Country School District.

We know you will put our donation to good use

and wish you continued success with your organiza-

tion’s endeavors.

Sincerely,

Ann M. Armann

BHS 1986 Reunion Chairman

Jim and Mary SanfordJoan Scanlan

Ellen Jo SchainBob Schancupp

Gary SchneiderChristopher Schwenker, P.T.

Kate and Jim ScordamagliaSearles Graphics

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas SheridanSakae Shirane

Sil-Kraft Custom Screen PrintingMelanie and Harold Snedcof

South Country CleanersSouth Country Inn

South Country Lions ClubRhoda SparrowWesley F. Springhorn, Jr.

Cheryl and Dave SteinhauerSpencer Stickley

Florence and Sheldon StiefeldRichard and Elizabeth Stock

Dava and John StravinskyMr. and Mrs. Oscar Straus

William StruykSummer Salt

Bonnie and Norm SutinSwezey Fuel Oil, Inc.

Shirley and Charles SwiftFran Tabone

Erin TacaJerry and Priscilla Knapp Teich

Thai Angel RestaurantMr. and Mrs. Ed ThiebergerSava and Roger Thomas

Agnes TorontoPatricia A. Trainor

Ceci and Jim TrippJoanne and Terry Tuthill

Variety MartMarni and Fred Varney

James E. VaughanMary Veitch

Maureen VeitchWill Veitch

Verne Critz Elementary SchoolFaculty

Verne Critz Elementary School PTAUdo von WimmerspergPatricia Wakim

Myrle WallMindy and Paul Warner

Herman WashingtonCindy and Doug Watson

Sigrid and Steve WeinsteingEugene Westhoff and Colette

GirardRalph and Virginia Weston

John WiecksWild by Nature

Tom and Ellen WilliamsAnn S. Wiswall

Fran and Jeff WoodJane F. Wood

Barbara and Tom WrightWorkout Studio Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Robert Youth

Michael R. YoungRoberta and Terry Young

Mary ZaffaranoChuck and Karen Zahradka

Gary and Diane ZanazziAndy Zimmerman

Susan Agruso

Jim AhrendHolly Allen

Lisa AndersonChristina Angel Unique Jewelry

DesignsBarbara and Jack Antos

Mary Louise AnetrellaJai and Bob Apfel

Argosy Foundation ContemporaryMusic Fund

Association. of Performing ArtsPresenters

Ed Bank

Kathleen BarneyBay Travel and Tours

Arthur BeckerJohn Beitel

Jeff BehrensJason Belkin Enterprises

The BellportBellport Country Club

Bellport DentistryBHS Class of 1986

Bellport High School PTSABellport Jewelers

Bellport LiquorsBellport Middle School PTA

Bellport Paint StoreBellport PrintersBellport Teachers' Association

Bellport Workout StudioStanley and Marion Bergman

Richard and Chantal BermanHugo and Carol Berntsson

David W. BianchiJulia Binnington

Sherry and Tom BinningtonBlack Tie

Carol and Edward BleserBlue Moon Restaurant

Jim BonomoHarry Brew

Joyce BrodieBrookhaven Country Florist

Brookhaven Elementary FacultyBrookhaven Elementary PTABrookhaven Eye Surgery

Hugh N. BrownElizabeth J. Markow-Brown

Lynn and Gary BrownHelen and Ken Budny

Nan BunceDes and Chrisa Burke

Frank CalamitaChris Calhoun

Donald CallahanPat Campbell

Candy CravingsLiz and Jeff Carey

Carla Marla's Ice Cream ShopKate Carmel

Leslie CarrollCascading JoyVirginia Cayley

Dr. and Mrs. Robert ChernaikChez Fran Fine Foods

David CleavesPete Cisek and his F. P. Long

Intermediate Class

Mr. and Mrs. William W. CobbsCarol A. Conquest

Francisco CostaCradle of Aviation

Kathy and Tom CullenMichael Cullington

Patrick CullingtonAnita Cullington

Gloria and Larry CummingsKathie and Rich Dallin

Jeff DaviesAlun Davies

Cecile DefforeyDesigns for Vision, Inc.

Kathy DesmondJohn de StefanoDiane's Nail Cottage

Teresa DobzenieckiDodici Restaurant

Donna WatersMaureen Donovan

Joanne DownsLoretta Drew

Sandra DyerDavid Ebner

RoyJoyce and Jess Edward

Frank R. Egan, D.D.S., P.C.Endless Summer Tanning

Susie and Stan EsikoffVal Gilliam-Esnes

Lois EtzelJulia FaheySara and Seth Faison

Suzette FandaleJill and Jim Fedge

Henry FinneganKathy and Bill Fischer of

DC RolloffKaren and Kevin Fittinghoff

Charles and Barbara FlaggKathy Fleming

Anna Lou FletcherFour Seasons Salon

Judith FreidKen Fried

David FreimanJoanna and Bill FowlerDiane Gallagher

Lisa Zaccaro GallagherJackie Gannon

Harold and Marcia GassnerGateway Playhouse

Helen GeraghtyCourtney Gibson

Collete GirardSusan Gittler

Claire and Steve GoadBill and Lois Goelz

Sue GormanJane Gorrell

Steve GouldJane Graham

William and Carol GriffithStephen C. GrossLisa and Mark Grossman

Chris and Tom GubaHai Nails

Evonne and Ron HammondRita and Joseph Harder

Carolyn Harrington

Barbara HarrisMr. and Mrs. Andrew D. Havens

Anne HayesIra Hayes

Carl HedinElaine and Joseph Hendrie

Joel E. Hershey, M.D.Tim Hogan

Carolyn HoltzHome Appliance, Inc. of Oceanside

Wilma HooverSusan and Rick Hornik

Caryn and Scott HorsleyValerie Horvath

James HueyAntoinette HuffineLynn and Michael Ierardi

Marlies Carsten IhmelsMaryanne and James Jankowski

Angela and Wil JansenAlic and Jeff Johnsen

Jayne Johnsen-SeebergerJune Johnson

Chris JoinnidesDaryl Jordan

Ted KamoutsisPavel Kapic

Fran KatzmanDebbie and Bill Kendrick

Jackie and Keith KendrickKaitlyn Kendrick

Kevin KendrickLisa KerrKing Kullen

Barbara and Ed KnowlesMary Knowles

Jane KoberJeff Korn

Barbara KoutsKreamer Street Elementary School

PTAKreamer Street Elementary School

StaffThe Kreb Cycle

Elaine and Sanford LacksLakeview Mercedes-Benz

Suzanne and Steve LairdJames LansillLawntasia

Larraine LeelikeLynn Leistman

Vito and Marie LenaAlexandra Lennen

Diane and Frank LentoMerle Lento

James G. LeoneAlan Levenstein

Arnold LizanKathy Loizides

Long Island AdvanceLong Island Ducks

Long Island Flower GardenDeborah and Robert Love

Hans and Margie LudewigLyons Fuel Oil Co., Inc.Therese and John Mackie

Frances MagurnoEllie Mahoney

Mr. and Mrs. Robert MahoneyJuliette Marotta

Nancy Marr

Angela MarshallRobert Martinson

Lilian MastenRalph and Karen Maust

Nicole and Roger MaySam and Alice McAleese

Maryanne and Brian McCarthyHarvey and Marie Louise

McChesneySteve McCloskey

Riley McDonoughDr. and Mrs. Brian McGuinness

Rona and Ian McKechnieMichael and Marilyn McKeown

Larry and Alice McLerranAnne and Charles MeinholdMeritage Restaurant

Mid-Island Collision &Detail Center

Brittany MillerJessica Miller and Robert Kapnek

Lauren MillerLouise and Rob Miller

Josephine MillerClyde Mitchell

Michael MizrahiAnnie Modica

Chelsea MojallaliChristian Mojallali

Mary and Ben MojallaliDr. Molinoff

Craig MorrisonJudy MottHwa Soon and Michael Mullaney

Angela MullerPhil and Margaret Munson

Steve NarkerJoann and Bill Neal

Mr. and Mrs. Harold NelsonLeck Nhotsoubanh

The Old InletSteve Orluck

Laurinel Owen PTA Council

Painters' RestaurantPalermo Paving

Nancy ParadiseAngelika ParkerDiane Pettit

Monique and Laurence PettitJudith Petrone

Mr. and Mrs. Greg PilgerTerrie and Andrew Pipa

Jean PokornyLeigh and JoAnne Powell

Michelle ProcidaSarah Rauch

John RenningerBenjamin Rice

Mary Jane RichardsonDanielle Robbins

Mario RodriguezRobin and Pete Roe

Walter A. RoeAnnie and Karl RohrmeierJeanne Rojas

Pamela and Bob RosenbergKaren and Keith Rowley

Steven RowleyEileen Ryan

Haideh SahimSusan and Rick Salomon

Winter 2007

South Country Education Foundation, Inc.P.O. Box 512, Bellport, New York 1 1 7 1 3 - 1 5 0 2

The South Country Education Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to impro v i n g

educational opportunities for all students in the South Country SchoolDistrict. Its mission is to promote and enhance educational initiativesby providing supplemental financial support for projects and pro -grams that are outside of the South Country School District budget.

NON PROF ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 167PATCHOGUE, NY

Gene Westhoff, PresidentLori Klamut, Vice PresidentFran Tabone, Vice PresidentJackie Kendrick,Secretary

Leigh Powell, Treasurer

Richard BermanElena Brodie-Kusa

Art CooleyKathie DallinFran DuntonTom DuntonBill Griffith

Mary P. HainesDaryl Jordan

Wes SpringhornCheryl Steinhauer

Jill StewartSheldon Stiefeld

Ceci TrippTerry TuthillTom WilliamsKerry YoungTerry Young

Wil JansenBarbara D. Knowles

Louise Miller

Dava StravinskyRobin Young Roe

Diane Zanazzi

Mary MojallaliJoann Neal

Eleanor MahoneyNancy Marr

Michael MullaneyMindy Munson Smith

Greg PilgerJohn Ringold

John J. Roe, IIILorie Roth

Karen RowleyKen Searles

Dava Stravinsky & Robin Young Roe, EditorsJoAnne Powell, S C E F logo art

Barbara D. Knowles, Design & ProductionSearles Graphics, Printer

$25 $50 $100 Other $

N A M E

S T R E E T

C I T Y S TAT E Z I P

P H O N E E-M A I L

Make your tax-deductible checks payable to:South Country Education Foundation, Inc.P.O. Box 512, Bellport, NY 11713-0512

or pay by credit card

Visa Mastercard Discover Amex

# Exp.

Signature

Susan Agruso, Superintendent, ex officiomember

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