In his annual Superintendent’s Conference Day address on Aug. 28, Superintendent James Cummings prepared new and current Deer Park School District staff for the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Among the topics discussed were recent, ongoing and summer projects around the district, including technology projects such as digital signage, switching to OneDrive, touchscreen Chromebooks in grades 3 and 9, Magic School AI software, new districtwide public address systems, and camera and security system upgrades. Cummings noted several important district goals and areas of focus for the year, including attendance; leading by example though professionalism in dress, behavior and actions; creating a positive culture via communication with staff, students and parents; curriculum and instruction; and student mental health.

“Our mission statement is that we are here for the kids,” Cummings said. “It’s important to build a positive school climate, one in which kids value coming here and trust the adults.”

Date Added: 9/16/2024

In a heartfelt display of respect for Patriot Day, Deer Park students gathered on Sept 11 for the annual flag-planting tradition in front of John Quincy Adams Primary School, May Moore Primary School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School. Students placed flags in the schoolyards as a symbol of unity and remembrance, honoring both the memory of those affected by the 9/11 attacks, and those who serve and protect our freedom every day.

Date Added: 9/12/2024

Eight recent Deer Park High School graduates – Hannah Ferguson, Angelique Jean-Pierre, Kathy Lin, Calvin Nguyen, Demitrius Plangetis, Valeriana Rosales, Liliana Salgado and Helena Thomas – earned the AP Capstone Diploma during the 2023-24 school year. Additionally, two Class of 2024 graduates – Nora Elmoussaoui and Julia Silva – earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration and presentation skills that are essential to academic success.  

“We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Associate Principal Dr. Dina Pannone. “With the help of dedicated teachers, our AP Capstone students explored their passions through scholarly research as part of an impactful, multiyear program. This meaningful college readiness program will serve our students well after high school.”

To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP Exams of their choice. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Student participation in the AP Capstone program has been steadily increasing, with over 100,000 students in over 2,500 schools worldwide taking part during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Approximately 21,000 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 11,100 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project-based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations and individual essays completed throughout the year. Instead of focusing on one specific academic discipline, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary, with students encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest. Students are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

Date Added: 9/10/2024

The Deer Park School District recently appointed Michael Quartararo as the new associate principal of John Quincy Adams Primary School, effective Aug. 22. He replaces Dr. Lynn Coyle, who is now the principal of Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District.

Quartararo comes to Deer Park from the Oceanside Public School District, where he served for a year as the assistant principal at the district’s Early Learning Center. He previously worked at Munsey Park School in the Manhasset Public School District for 14 years, teaching kindergarten, fourth grade, sixth grade and as a K-6 math specialist. He began his teaching career at Trinity Lutheran School, where he taught fifth and sixth grade for five years.

A Wantagh resident, Quartararo earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in elementary education from Adelphi University; an advanced certificate in elementary mathematics education from Queens College, and his educational leadership certification in school building and school district leadership from LIU Post.

“Being an educator and working with children has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I enjoy helping students discover ways to grow as good problem solvers and citizens,” Quartararo said. “I am truly excited to partner with Mr. Molinelli and the entire JQA staff in order to create a rewarding educational experience for everyone.”