Category Archives: Community

Orientation for Parents of Incoming 8th Graders!

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Filed under Academics, Community, Curricula, Guidance, Parents, Presentation, Students

On Thursday evening, we welcomed parents of incoming 8th Graders (the Class of 2024) to Wheatley so they could learn more about our school, its many offerings and our ongoing support of all of our students. After providing parents with a varied overview of Wheatley, we turned the program over to a panel of wonderful students who answered questions from parents.

The 8th grade student panelists were:

  • Emma Azevedo
  • Mahdi Bhalloo
  • Sonia Patel
  • Evan Sheinman
  • Alex Wigginton

Thanks to our Director of Guidance, Mrs. Janna Varela, for moderating the student panel! Thank you as well to our leadership team for assisting with the evening:

  • Dr. Klapper (Assistant Principal)
  • Mrs. Anderson (World Language Chair)
  • Mr. Collier (English Chair)
  • Dr. Eckers (Social Studies Chair)
  • Mr. Kemnitzer (Director of Technology)
  • Mrs. Pace (Science Director)
  • Dr. Teseo (Mathematics and Business)
  • Mrs. Varela (Guidance Director)

Handouts from the evening included:

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ICU Assembly and Luncheon Celebrates the Diversity that Unites Us

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Filed under Assembly, Community, Student Clubs, Students

One of Wheatley’s wonderful traditions takes place on the final day of school before the December Recess. Sponsored by our Intercultural Unity Club (ICU), this combination talent showcase, fashion show and luncheon has been described by many as “the best day of the year.” The day provides the opportunity to showcase many of the talents of our incredible student body.

Through music and dance performances, students use the ICU Assembly to celebrate the diverse cultures within our community as a way of bringing us closer together.  After the assembly, students eat food (prepared by our community families) from across many cultures. Leftover food is brought to the INN at the end of the day.

This day has become one of Wheatley’s wonderful traditions. Many thanks to our ICU Advisor, Steven Fitzko, for his work with the students in bringing this day to our community!

Thanks to our friends at Island Photo for sharing some of the following photos from the day!

Wheatley’s Winter Concert (Part 2) Wraps Up the Season in Delight!

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Filed under Arts, Community, Concerts, Music, Student Clubs, Students

Earlier this evening, our Winter Concert (Part 2) featured delightful performances from the following performance groups: Stage Band (directed by Peggy Ho), Jazz Band (directed by Steve Fitzko), Intermediate Chorus (directed by Angela Luftig and accompanied by Rick Wilson), Intermediate/Concert Band (directed by Peggy Ho and Stan Orlovsky) and Symphonic Band (directed by Peggy Ho).

We are grateful for the dedication of our music teachers, Angela Luftig, Peggy Ho and Stan Orlovsky — as well as our “adjunct” music teachers, Rick Wilson and Steve Fitzko! Special recognition must go to Dr. Ho, who conducted tonight’s performances just a few weeks after breaking her kneecap!

Athletics Winterfest Brings the Community Together Around Basketball!

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Filed under Athletics, Community, Community Service, Student Clubs, Students

This past Saturday was a great event for our school district and community.  We hosted four basketball games (2 boys and 2 girls) both Junior Varsity and Varsity. As part of the activity, fans donated many coats for the coat drive (run through the Wildcat Foundation) and many toys for Wheatley’s National Honor Society’s toy drive.

A huge “Thank You” to Mr. Todd Richman and the Wildcat Foundation for the generous donation of pizza and water for the games—along with the big #1 foam fingers and other school spirit supplies!  Thank you for all the alumni, fans, younger students and parents who came out to support our teams.  Thank you as well to our Varsity Cheerleaders and Varsity Dance team whose performances entertained the crowd!

[Thanks to Michael Scaturro for the write-up and photos!]

Wheatley’s Winter Concert (Part 1) Kicks Off the Season!

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Filed under Community, Concerts, Music, Students

Earlier this evening, the first of our two Winter Concerts took place in the Wheatley Auditorium. The concert program included the following groups:

  • Intermediate Orchestra (Angela Luftig, Director)
  • Concert Orchestra (Stan Orlovsky, Director)
  • Chorale (Angela Luftig, Director; Rick Wilson, accompanist)
  • Honors String Ensemble (Angela Luftig, Director)
  • Symphonic Orchestra (Stan Orlovsky, Director)

We are thankful for the wonderful work of our faculty, the incredible efforts of our students and the terrific support of our community!