South High Team wins 2nd place at State Science Olympiad tournament; qualifies for Nationals

The South High School Science Olympiad team won second place at the New York State Science Olympiad Tournament and qualified for the 2022 Science Olympiad National Tournament. This is the second consecutive year that South High will compete at the national level of competition.

A total of 60 teams from across New York participated in the state tournament in Syracuse on March 18–19. All participants qualified for the state competition by earning a top spot in a regional tournament.

The state competition featured 23 different challenges that required knowledge and skills in anatomy and physiology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, forensics, physics, ornithology, technology, and more. South High won first place in three events, and placed in the top three for a total of 10 events.

Members of the South High Science Olympiad team are: Matthew Tsui (president), Jansen Wong (vice president), Colin Hu, Luke Huang, Brandon Kim, Caden Li, Samuel Lurvey, Kira Nguyen, Keon Woo (Richard) Oh, Sangeon Park, Amit Saha, Dana Siong Sin, Lauren Siong Sin, Neal Sodhi, Emily Tsui, Erin Wong, Maggie Wu, Rick Xu, Laura Zhang, and Richard Zhuang. South High science teachers Nicole Spinelli and Dr. James Truglio are co-advisors for the team.

The 2022 Science Olympiad National Tournament will be conducted virtually in May.

South High celebrates the return of opera performances

South High School will celebrate the return of their live opera performances with a production of Così fan tutte, with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s Ruel E. Tucker auditorium, 341 Lakeville Rd.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the South High Performing Arts Department will proudly continue the school’s long-standing tradition of professional-caliber opera productions that are staged, costumed, and performed with full orchestra by students. In 2020, the cast and crew of The Merry Widow were only a few weeks away from opening night when COVID closures began. South High’s last live opera performance of Die Fledermaus in 2019 was also the 50th-anniversary celebration of the school’s opera program.

This year’s production of Così fan tutte will be under the musical direction of Dr. Janine Robinson, vocal music teacher; conducted by Michael Schwartz, performing arts department head; and directed by Robert Stivanello.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens, students, and children. Tickets may be reserved in advance (suggested) by calling 516-441-4851, or purchased at the door. There will be open seating for both performances.

North High presents Julius Caesar

The North High Junior Players will present their spring drama, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, on Thursday, April 7, Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9. All performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s Bernard Kaplan auditorium, 35 Polo Rd.

Reimagined for our contemporary world, come watch as a group of conspirators plot to save their beloved country from the hands of an ambitious ruler… or is he? Betrayals, brawls, and blood abound in this classical piece set in a modern world featuring contemporary music, projections, social media, and of course, the talent of North High students.

This production of Julius Caesar is directed by Andrew Wagner, theatre director/drama teacher, and designed by Len Antinori. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. Tickets will be available online beginning the week of March 28 via www.showtix4u.com. Links can also be found on the North High website, www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/nhs. For additional information, contact Mr. Wagner at awagner@greatneck.k12.ny.us.

World’s Fair at Parkville School

Parkville School hosted a World’s Fair for pre-K and kindergarten students on March 18. Students traveled to stations throughout the gymnasium that were decorated with flags, maps, and souvenirs from 13 different countries. Parkville PTO members and family volunteers at each station spoke about the traditional clothing, food, languages, and activities from their heritage. Students and staff were also encouraged to dress in attire that represents their culture for this fun and exciting day of learning and adventure.

Calendar notices for April 2022

Wednesday, April 6

• North High School Chamber Music Recital, 7 p.m., 35 Polo Rd. Info: (516) 441-4751. 

Thursday, April 7

• North High School Drama, Julius Caesar, 7:30 p.m., 35 Polo Rd. Info: (516) 441-4751.

Friday, April 8

• North High School Drama, Julius Caesar, 7:30 p.m., 35 Polo Rd. Info: (516) 441-4751.
• South High School Opera, Così fan tutte, 7:30 p.m., 341 Lakeville Rd. Info: (516) 441-4851.

Saturday, April 9

• North High School Drama, Julius Caesar, 7:30 p.m., 35 Polo Rd. Info: (516) 441-4751.
• South High School Opera, Così fan tutte, 7:30 p.m., 341 Lakeville Rd. Info: (516) 441-4851.

Tuesday, April 12

• Board of Education Recognition of North Middle School Students at 7:30 p.m., followed by Official Hearing & Adoption of Proposed 2022–23 Budget and Public Action Meeting at North Middle School, 77 Polo Rd. Info: (516) 441-4001.

Tuesday, April 26

• Board of Education Recognition of North High School Students at 7:30 p.m., followed by Public Action Meeting at North High School, 35 Polo Rd. Info: (516) 441-4001.