A Message from the Chief Operating Officer of Western Suffolk BOCES

As you are aware, in the interest of protecting our students and staff and prior to any legislation mandating action, Western Suffolk BOCES initiated a program in June 2016 to test all potable (drinkable) water outlets for lead within our schools and facilities. We followed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines regarding how we conducted the testing and which water outlets we tested.  In September 2016, we sent letters to all parents and staff members informing them of the water testing results for their respective buildings.

Of the 14 buildings within Western Suffolk BOCES where water testing was conducted, eight (8) buildings had negative findings for lead. In the remaining six (6) buildings where positive findings were returned, we immediately secured these water sources and they are no longer in use. The complete Western Suffolk BOCES findings are listed on the “Western Suffolk BOCES Potable Water Testing Results” chart.  We are in the process of remediating these water outlets by replacing these units. These units will not be returned to use until the remediation is completed and follow-up testing confirms that the levels in the water are within EPA guidelines.

The North Babylon School District tested the potable water in Brennan Middle/High School, a building it owns.  Two faucets in the Brennan Middle/High School building had positive findings for lead and those outlets are being remediated by the district. New York State is testing the water outlets at the Sagamore Children’s Center, where Western Suffolk BOCES conducts an educational program. With regard to Western Suffolk BOCES ALC Program classes, the host districts are conducting the required water testing.

This month, the New York State Department of Health expanded upon the EPA guidelines that were initially followed for the water testing we conducted and is now requiring that every faucet in every school building be tested for baseline lead levels.  This includes water outlets previously not tested such as custodial utility sinks, outside faucets, etc. Although we have already conducted testing for 171 water outlets that were identified as potable (drinkable) water sources under the EPA guidelines, we are now beginning testing on all remaining water outlets to meet the new and expanded New York State Department of Health regulations.

As with the procedure to date, should any of the outlets result in positive findings for lead, we will immediately secure those outlets and perform the necessary remediation. We will share the findings of the new water testing with parents, staff and adult students through our main website, .

Thank you.

Michael Flynn
Chief Operating Officer

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�鶹��ý students took home top prizes in several categories at the Long Island Cosmetology Teachers’ Guild 52nd annual Student Hairstyling Competition May 9.

The guild is comprised of Long Island teachers who meet monthly to share ideas, skills and educational materials related to the cosmetology field.  At the annual competition, students vie for prizes in six categories:  Senior Styling, Junior Styling, Color, Mannequin Styling, Junior Fantasy, and Senior Fantasy, awarding medals to first through sixth place finishers. (See photos .)

Nineteen of the 36 medals awarded this year were earned by students in �鶹��ý’s high school and adult programs. Congratulations to the following winners and their teachers–JoMarie Anderson, Kathy Burke, Joanna Holik, Karen Milian and Alyson Ponzetti:

Mannequin Category

1st: Corinne Charbonneau, Elwood HS
2nd: Whidlyn Kernizar, Amityville HS (photo left)
3rd: Michaela Hunt, Kings Park HS
5th: Salma Almonte, West Babylon HS
6th: Yani Schiappacasse, adult student

Color

1st: Rosalie Evan, Elwood HS (model: Madison Hirshon, Commack HS)
3rd: Cassandra Pierce, Kings Park HS (model: Alexandria Bruzzi, Harborfields HS)
5th: Emilie Padnick, Northport HS (model: Danielle Klein, Commack HS)

Junior Styling

2nd: Colleen Moran, Northport HS (model: Dana DiGiglio, Deer Park HS)

Senior Styling

1st: Gabriella Collaro, adult student (model: Emily Ciaccio, adult)
5th: Alanah Kleeman, Smithtown HS (model: Gionna Ibenez, Commack HS)
6th: Katelyn Stanjones, Northport HS

Junior Fantasy

1st: Cierra Roberson, West Babylon HS (model Bailee Lawlor, Lindenhurst HS photo right)
2nd: Janet Valverde, Deer Park HS (model: Francesca Polsinelli, Cold Spring Harbor HS
4th: Katie Harrison, Commack HS (model: Emily Matias, Lindenhurst HS)
6th: Amanda Seger, North Babylon HS (model: Kim Puglisi, North Babylon HS)

Senior Fantasy

3rd: Ashley Ingordino, Lindenhurst HS (model: Olivia Costellano, Lindenhurst HS)
4th: Haily Reese, West Babylon HS (model: Isabella Commarata, West Babylon HS)
6th: Jasmen Behling, North Babylon HS (model: Stephanie Passos, Half Hollow Hills East HS)

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After BOCES evaluated several bid proposals, the website re-design project was awarded to , an award-winning website design and digital marketing company in Farmingdale. During the initial design planning, it was clear that the Maxburst team had a firm grasp of the students who attend �鶹��ý and how to make the website appealing to them. No wonder! Donny Escolastico, Maxburst’s lead art director and a partner in the business, completed �鶹��ý’s computer electronics course.

“A friend recommended Tech and those two years were the best years of my high school. I liked meeting students from different schools,” remembered the West Babylon native. After Tech, Donny attended Nassau Community College and then earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Briarcliffe College.

Give us your feedback!

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