Wyandanch Union Free School District

06/15/2026

Wyandanch Junior Selected for Prestigious Cold Spring Harbor Lab Internship

Wyandanch Memorial High School junior Andy Polanco Tejada, a member of the school’s P-Tech program, was recently selected for the prestigious Ellen Brenner Memorial Internship. This opportunity offers a stipend to high school students to work on a mentored summer project at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Library and Archives. Experienced science informationists, librarians and archivists at the lab will serve as mentors to the Brenner interns.

The P-Tech program is one of several innovative STEM initiatives within the WySTAR (Wyandanch Science, Technology and Research) program at Wyandanch Memorial High School.

06/15/2026

Wyandanch Musicians Strike a High Note at Music in the Parks Festival

Wyandanch Memorial High School’s marching band and chorus recently earned top honors at the Music in the Parks festival at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

Both ensembles received Superior ratings and captured first place in their respective categories. In addition, the groups were recognized as Best Overall Chorus and Best Overall Marching Band, highlighting the exceptional talent and dedication of Wyandanch’s student musicians.

“Our students represented Wyandanch Memorial High School with excellence, respect and pride,” teacher Nickolette Kacharaba said. “Congratulations to all of our talented musicians and directors on this incredible accomplishment.”

06/15/2026

Wyandanch scholars in the SCOPE AM Enrichment Program recently celebrated National Donut Day by making and decorating their own donuts!

06/12/2026

MLK Class Connects with Pen Pals Through Yearlong Letter Exchange

All year long, Joshua Barrett’s class at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School exchanged letters with fourth grade students at Roy G. Eversole Elementary School in Hazard, Kentucky, building friendships and learning about one another through handwritten correspondence.

The students recently celebrated the culmination of the project with a Zoom call, giving them the opportunity to finally see each other face-to-face after months of exchanging letters.

06/12/2026

Elementary Scholars Celebrate Learning Through Animal Adventures

Scholars at Lafrancis Hardiman Elementary School recently enjoyed two memorable animal-themed learning experiences that brought excitement and curiosity into the classroom.

As part of an annual tradition, Cheryl Dimperio’s second-grade class hatched chicks in the classroom, giving students a firsthand look at the early stages of animal life. The experience was shared schoolwide through a Google Meet livestream, allowing students and staff throughout the building to witness the chicks hatching in real time.

Meanwhile, Tamiko Rice’s class celebrated National Turtle Day with a turtle-themed read-aloud and writers workshop. The celebration also featured a special visit from a real turtle, giving excited students the opportunity to observe and learn more about the fascinating reptile up close.

06/12/2026

June is Immigrant Heritage Month & National Caribbean American Heritage Month

Involve EVERY Parent

06/11/2026

Wyandanch Senior Selected for Prestigious Brookhaven Lab Research Program

Wyandanch Memorial High School senior Iyana Carpenter has been chosen to participate in the Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program. This summer, Carpenter will be collaborating on a project titled “Using Machine Learning to Predict Beam-Induced Heating in NSLS-II Titanium-Coated Ceramic Chambers,” led by Aamna Khan at BNL’s National Synchrotron Light Source II facility. Students from across the nation are selected each year for this prestigious program.

Carpenter has been a part of the high school’s research program, studying under teacher Dr. Karl Spielmann, as well as the Science Bowl team, for over three years. She will attend Rochester Institute of Technology this fall, majoring in engineering.

06/11/2026

Wyandanch Scholars Step Into Celebration With New Sneakers From GEICO and Shoes That Fit

Scholars at Lafrancis Hardiman Elementary School laced up for a memorable day last month, when GEICO and the nonprofit Shoes That Fit program provided brand-new, name-brand athletic shoes to students through the organization’s nationwide donation program.

LFH was selected as a spring 2026 recipient through the partnership, and the school turned the special occasion into a fun-filled celebration themed “These Sneakers Are Made for Walking.” Students enjoyed a visit from the GEICO Gecko, listened to a reading of “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” and participated in a variety of sneaker-themed activities throughout the day. One highlight of the celebration was a sneaker decorating contest, where students designed their own creative sneaker artwork.

That evening, students and their families proudly wore their new shoes to the school’s annual Sneaker Ball in the gymnasium. The parent-child event brought the school community together for an evening of fun, connection and celebration.

“We are grateful for this generous partnership and excited for our students who will wear their new shoes with excitement,” Superintendent Dr. Erik Wright said. “Thank you to GEICO and everyone involved in making this special opportunity possible for our Wyandanch community.”

06/11/2026

Meet Wyandanch’s 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Wyandanch Memorial High School’s Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian are Katia Pereira-Alvarado and Keiry Argueta, respectively.

Pereira-Alvarado serves as secretary of the National Honor Society, vice president and treasurer of the Latinos Unidos Club, and a member of the school’s Art Club, Drama Club, Math Club, Science Olympiad team, Smart Scholars, drill team, colorguard and the physical fitness team. She has also been actively involved in Wyandanch’s Army Junior ROTC, where she served as a captain for two years and currently holds the position of battalion executive officer. Outside the classroom, she serves as a volunteer, accumulating over 400 community service hours.

Pereira-Alvarado will attend Stony Brook University, majoring in psychology on a pre-med track with the eventual goal of medical school and a career as a pediatrician.

Argueta serves as treasurer of the National Honor Society and in Wyandanch’s student government (she was named class vice president as a junior and executive vice president during her senior year), and is a member of the school’s varsity volleyball team and a participant in Stony Brook University’s HOPE program. She joined Army Junior ROTC as a sophomore, ultimately rising to the role of battalion commander.

Argueta will attend Stony Brook University, majoring in psychology on a pre-med track with the goal of a career as an obstetrician/gynecologist.

06/11/2026

“Pathways to Your Future” Week Explores Career and College Opportunities

Wyandanch Memorial High School’s counseling department hosted a special Career Week program this spring titled “Pathways to Your Future,” providing students with opportunities to explore college options, career pathways and future professions.

The week featured a trade fair, college fair and culminating Career Day event. During the trade fair, juniors and seniors explored opportunities in skilled trades, technical careers and workforce pathways. Students brought resumes and met with employers to learn about hands-on professions, training programs, internships and potential job opportunities.

At the college fair, students met with admissions representatives and gathered information about academic programs, campus life and scholarship opportunities.

The week concluded with Career Day, where presenters from fields including beauty, business and finance, community affairs, entertainment, health care and law enforcement shared insights about their professions and experiences with students.