Volume 1 , Issue 2
February 2016
The Principal’s Message
Hello,
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Math Dept .......................... 2
Social Studies Dept………2/3
English Department .......... 3
At the January 25, 2016 Board of Education meeting I presented
the annual message on the state of Beacon High School to our
board members and the community at large. Like many State of
the Union or State of the State addresses there are themes.
Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his Four Freedoms speech, and
President Kennedy, during his second address, talked about
economic growth and being on the high road to recovery, but
cautioned that “we are gratified-but we are not satisfied.” And
so it is with Beacon High School’s graduation rate. Perhaps not
affecting as many, but for the two hundred plus Seniors each
year, it is just as important. Our theme and common message is
to improve our graduation rate. Over the last four years we gradually increased from a static 73%-74% rate to an average rate of
81% for the past two years, a modest buffer over the NY State’s
minimum standard of 80%. At best, the goal was minimally
achieved over the past two years; nonetheless, there is a compelling need to achieve a pattern of sustained improvement.
Improving the graduation rate must become intrinsic in our belief
system and become rooted in our everyday vocabulary. We are
about to commence with the second semester of the 2015-16
school year, only 95 days left of instruction. For our Seniors, the
graduating class of 2016, there are less than 100 days until
“commencement.” As you are coming to the end of your high
school years stay focused; be aware of “senioritis”, for which the
only cure is graduation.
Art Department………..……..4
Science Department........... 4
Athletics ............................. 5
Beacon Players ................... 6
Music Department…………..6
GYO/PBIS News ……….…. 6
Other News…………………….6
PTSO News......................... 7
Guidance Corner ................ 7
SPECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST
 Mock trials are set to begin
 Guest speakers come to our
Criminal Justice classes
 Chorus students head to
All-County Music Festival
 Swimming, basketball, track
and more from the Athletics
Dept.
 Tips for avoiding senioritis:
www.nacacnet.org
www.nbcnews.com
www.usnews.com
 Come get away to Neverland
Dr. Joannes Sieverding
 Lots of interesting projects
going on in all departments
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:
MATHEMATICSSTAFF WRITER DAVID RYLEY
Staff Writer:
MATTHEW STELTZ
The Beacon High School
Mock Trial team has
begun its preparation for
their 2016 case. The
case itself, The People v.
Kelly Roberts, centers on
the admissibility of
evidence obtained by
undercover police
officers. The Mock Trial
team will need to
examine evidence, read
affidavits, and prepare
an argument for both the
prosecution and the
defense. The team will
look to build upon last
year’s success, which
included making the
Dutchess County mock
trial playoffs. The
team’s strong litigation
abilities will be exhibited
by the return of Luisa
Uribe and Mahmoud
Lokman. The addition of
Camryn Tonic, Emma
Jacketti, and Hallie
Matthews should
contribute to the team’s
success this season. The
team will begin litigation
against other Dutchess
County mock trial teams
in February at the Marist
College Fishkill campus.

Students enrolled in Algebra B took the Algebra Regents in
January for the first time ever. In the past, these students waited
until June to take the exam. The new plan allows the students to
get a head start on Geometry during the second semester.

In Miss Morrison and Mr. Yacovone's Inclusion Geometry class,
the students did a unit on quadrilaterals. At the end of the unit
students were put in pairs and each group was assigned a
different quadrilateral in a poster design. They had to include
1) all the properties of their quadrilateral, 2) solutions to 2-3
math problems involving their quadrilateral, and 3) some real
life examples of their quadrilateral. The students did an
outstanding job on the project .
SOCIAL STUDIESSTAFF WRITERS, ASHLEY MAC EWAN,
FRANK LOFARO & ERIN HADDELAND

Joe Galbo– retired correction officer, police officer and also a Beacon
parent spoke to the Criminal Justice classes about careers in the
Criminal Justice and Corrections field.

David Collins-social worker and former NYC Assistant Commissioner
dealing with the juvenile justice system. David currently works as the
Assistant Vice President of Programs & Policy at the children’s village
in Westchester. David spoke with the government classes about social
policies, family services, public education, child care, etc. He also
spoke with the Criminal Justice classes about the juvenile justice
system.

Holly White-works for the UN, currently stationed in Africa. Holly has
also worked in public relations with UNICEF and several other large
corporations. The government classes discussed social issues with
Holly focusing on world issues such as lack of water, sewer, food,
hunger, poverty, maternal care, etc.

Kim Poholchuk-program coordinator for a sexually violent predator
treatment program in the South Carolina department of mental health.
Kim spoke to the Criminal Justice classes about what the sex offender
registry is, what the treatment programs are like, civil detention,
differences in programs state to state, etc. She also discussed her
college experiences and background in forensics and criminal justice.
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Aiden Lutley
Elizabeth Cenicola
Rebecca Oberle
Jessica Hockler
Cassandra Ruffy
Students in Mr. Burns' Global I Honors class created projects for
Quarter 2 based on ancient Empires. Their choices included creating
a model of an ancient architectural achievement or a display comparing two great empires. In addition to creating these elaborate
displays, students were asked to complete a writing assignment
about their topic, and cite sources they used to create their project.
Dan McGrath
Lucas Salcedo
Jamie Brown
Brianna Virtuoso
ENGLISH –STAFF WRITER JANET GASPAR

In English 12, students are looking at rhetorical and persuasive appeals in arguments for resolving
conflicts through both non-violent and violent responses. After peer-group discussion, students
determined that non-violent resolutions to conflicts are more effective and longer lasting. Although this
conclusion is borne out through empirical research, our students deduced the outcome through
reasoning.

In English 9 Honors, students are excited about creating Odyssey projects. Every year, the talent on
display is more impressive than from the year before. A video game, a rap song, and traditional board
games are being created, interviews with goddesses are being filmed, soundtracks worthy of a
Grammy Award are being composed, and many other incredibly creative ideas are in the works.

Five writers from English 9 and English 12 have submitted essays to the Southern Dutchess
Coalition’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Contest. Most agree that while King made the
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ultimate sacrifice to advance civil rights, a just society, and true freedom for all Americans, race
relations are not yet the non-issue that he envisioned.
ART DEPT—
MARK LYON STAFF WRITER
The BHS Winter Art Exhibition had an opening reception on Saturday, January 16th . Over 50 BHS art
students from Ms. Farley, Mr. Lyon and Mr. Perez’s
classes were showcased at The Lofts at Beacon
(located at 18 Front St). This is the 4th year that the Lofts
hosted this annual student exhibit. The artworks range
in style and media from drawing and painting to digital
art and photography. The show will be on view for the
duration of the month.
Emily Rodriguez
Autumn Lennon
George Stojakovic
Gage Derrenbacher
SCIENCE DEPT—
STAFF WRITER
ALEXA MARINACCIO
Ms. Marinaccio and Ms. Hala completed a
cross-curriculum unit connecting Science, Art
and English. Students completed research
about a pathogen, created a 3D model and
then wrote a “Once Upon a Time” story. This is
a culminating hands-on-project that encourages
student creativity, while embedding the Living
Environment Regents and Common Core
learning standards. These classes also
performed their annual rat dissection.
Katie Webster
Callie Boehm
Rachael Ng
Panagiotis Vakirtzis
Elyse Fox
Kahila Durso
Emily Purdy
Che Intaganzwa
AP BIOLOGY- Molecular Biology Lab
STAFF WRITER LAURA THOMAS
Background information: In the 1960s, scientists discovered that bacteria have enzymes that cut the DNA of foreign
organisms and thereby protect the cells from invaders such as viruses. Scientists have now isolated several hundred
of these enzymes, known as restriction endonucleases. Each is able to recognize and cut at a specific DNA sequence,
known as a recognition sequence. The discovery of restriction enzymes made genetic engineering possible because
researchers could use them to cut DNA into fragments that could be analyzed and used in a variety of procedures.
Laboratory work: Students in the AP Biology class performed this lab to learn about how restriction enzymes work and
to see the process of gel electrophoresis in action. The students casted an agarose gel, loaded the gel wells with
samples of DNA using a micro-pipette, and ran the gel using the electrophoresis chamber connected to the electrical
leads of a power source to supply the electricity for movement of DNA molecules. Once the genetic profiles were
complete, students compared fragments of unknown size to fragments of a known size to calculate the unknown
fragment sizes. The process of biotechnology makes it possible for humans to engineer heritable changes in
DNA, and this investigation provided students with the opportunity to explore the techniques that surround
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the manipulation of genetic information.
ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT—
MARTY NEMECEK STAFF WRITER


Lauren Shetter has been having a fantastic season
for the Lady Bulldogs. The Beacon High School
junior recorded a triple double to lead the Bulldogs to a key 58-50
road victory over Lakeland. Lauren had 23 points, 15 rebounds and an
amazing 13 steals in the win. This on top of her 33-point, 18-rebound,
eight-steal performance against Peekskill. She also has had a doubledouble (16 points, 12 rebounds) in a victory over Valley Central and
had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight steals against Mahopac.
The Boys Varsity Basketball team presently is 9-4 and 3-0 in league
play. The Bulldogs won the Terrence Wright Basketball Tournament
held December 18th and 19th, with Josiah McCall being selected to the
All-Tournament Team and teammate Milique Vaval-Paris being named
Tournament MVP.

The Boys JV came in second in their portion of the Tournament with
Jemond Galloway being named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Boys Indoor Track Team remains undefeated so far this
season. The Boys Varsity Track foursome of David Adams, Ian Soares,
Colin Battersby, and Rayvon Grey, traveled to NYC to qualify for the
109th running of the Millrose Games. In the process, they crushed the
15 year old Dutchess County record for the boys 4x400 relay that was
previously held by John Jay East Fishkill.
Summer Rotering is the only Dutchess County diver to
qualify for the Section 1 Championships. She is a two-time
divisional champion in two years of varsity diving, and has
a personal best score of 181.5. Way to go Summer!!

David Adams: Currently #1 in Section 1 in both 55 hurdles(7.69 seconds)
which is #6 in NY State. He is currently #1 in Section 1 in 600 meters
(1:23.94) which is #12 in NY State.

Friday, February 5th the Elementary "Family Fun and Fitness" night will
be held at Beacon High School from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the
Athletic complex. We hope to see you there!
Tracking
Rayvon & Terrel’s
Progress
-Bob Beaman @
25’ 3.5” holds the oldest
(1965) outdoor high school
track & field record on the
books for the long jump.
Beaman, was the Gold
medalist in the Olympic
Games, Mexico City 1968.
-Rayvon Grey@
24’ 8.5” is ranked US #1
in the long jump. Also
ranked US#2 in the triple
jump with a leap of
49’ 1.75” He is 7” shy of
tying Bob Beamans’s
Jamaica High School’s
long jump record.
-Terrel Davis @
23’ 5.25” is ranked US #7
in the long jump. Also
ranked NY State #2 in the
high jump @6’6”
Alumni News:

Jesse Rotering is a member of the RPI men's swimming and diving team
that captured the 2015 Liberty League Championship. Jesse is a
freshman diver for the Engineers which finished the season undefeated.
His sister Summer is a senior here at Beacon and recently qualified for
Sectionals in diving, the first female diver to do so at Beacon.
Congratulations!
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THE BEACON PLAYERS—MR. PJ DEVINE
STAFF WRITER
This past December, the Beacon Players presented “A Christmas Carol” to their largest audiences ever! After an
exciting fall season, the Beacon Players are looking forward to their spring 2016 production of Peter Pan!
Students have been working hard to design the sets and the costumes and are busy learning their lines and
choreography. Peter would not be Pan without some fairy dust and Tinkerbell and for this production, the Beacon
Players are bringing in Flying by Foy, a company that has its origins with the original Mary Martin Broadway
production of Peter Pan from the 1950’s. Foy will be working with students to help give them wings! Tickets are
available on the Beacon Players website and at the box office (Beacon High School lobby, Tuesday’s from 6:308:30 and Saturday’s from 9-11 am). Come see J.M. Barrie’s great tale come to life on April 8th,9th and 10th at
Beacon High School. For more information, contact P.J. Devine or visit the website.
MUSIC—STAFF WRITER MAUREEN STICKNEY
Freshmen, Alexander Ullian and Elizabeth Cenicola will be representing BHS at the Dutchess County Music Educators
Association All-County music festival. Students are selected from districts within Dutchess County to make up
choral, band and orchestra ensembles. Our students submitted an application with teacher recommendation, which
commented on musicianship, technical ability and overall character. The students were also selected on a singing
audition. The festival is the last weekend of January. Congrats to Alexander and Lizzy!
GROW YOUR OWN-(GYO)
OTHER NEWS—


BHS sponsored its second blood drive of the
2015-16 school year on Thursday January
14,2016 in the Auxiliary Gym, collecting 56 pints of
blood. At its first drive back in October 82 pints of
blood were collected throughout the day. All students 16 years or older were able to donate. Student volunteers from Mr. Lofaro's government and
psychology classes help run the drive by assisting
with check-in, registration and escorting of
donors. All are welcome to donate. The next
blood drive will be held in the Spring.
STAFF WRITER—FRANK LOFARO

The Bridge class has partnered with a class from
Olenivka in the Ukraine through People
International to become school pen pals. Students
will write, email and send each other class stories
and artwork to learn about students from another
part of the world. I am excited to share the talents
of our Beacon High School Students.
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STAFF WRITER—REGINA MERCER
The “Grow Your Own” program (GYO) is off to a good
start. Students are beginning the process of self
discovery and determining what characteristics an
effective teacher must embody. As a group, we are
discussing the importance of individual goal setting and
the steps needed to achieve those goals. Student
motivation and attendance are high! We are looking
forward to our future visit to Marist College later in the
spring. Our next meeting will be on February 24 at
2:15 in the community room.
PBIS

BHS faculty and staff have begun to show their BHS
PRIDE by wearing the “I Am Beacon” t-shirts every
Friday. The PBIS team and students are in the process
of creating a song, video, and dance that will represent
what Beacon is made of. Stay tuned for more to come!
MS. JACKSON –STAFF WRITER
GUIDANCE CORNER—
FROM THE PTSO

Beacon High School’s Annual College Fair will be on
Wednesday, March 30th from 7:00-8:30 pm in the
Gymnasium. There will be a panel of admissions
counselors speaking on the college application process
held directly before the fair from 6:00 –7:00 pm

The 2016-17 BHS Course description catalog is now
available on the district web-site:
http://www.beaconcityk12.org/Beacon HS.cfm?
subpage=448878

If you or your child are planning on attending college in
the fall, get help paying for college. Submit a free
application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA):
fafsa.ed.gov

Colleges will be requesting mid-year reports. All transcript requests must be received in writing. Transcript
request forms can be found on-line at
http://www.beaconcityk12.org/beaconHS.cfm?
subpage+856744, also at the BHS kiosk and in the
Guidance office. Pease allow 24-48 hours for processing.

A presentation for the BOCES Career Technical Institute
will be held during the week of February 8, 2016 with a
field trip to follow. Interested sophomores may sign up
for the presentation during the week of
February 1, 2016 , in the Guidance office.
We are looking for volunteers for the
following West Point games:
-Lacrosse men’s and women’s back
to back games @12:00 and 3:30 on:
3/19, 4/2, and 4/16
We need two teams of 8-10 people
for each game and people are welcome to volunteer for both events.
-Black n’ Gold Football Scrimmage at
Michie Stadium on:
4/29 at 7pm
-Graduation at West Point on:
5/21 at 9am (this is the week before
Memorial Day)
Security clearance will be required for
graduation volunteers.
Volunteers must be 16 or over.
The following are our upcoming BHS
PTSO meetings, held at 7:00 pm in
the BHS Library:
February 11, 2016
March 10, 2016
April 14, 2016
May 12, 2016
Your PTSO executive board:
Kim Lennon
Risa Ostrow
Jen DiGregorio
Christi Landers
Beacon High School
101 Matteawan Road
Beacon, NY 12508
Phone: 84-838-6900
Fax: 845-838-0796
E-mail: [email protected]
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