Schools

WHB School Board Notes: Two Students Recognized for Heart Association Dance

Casey Ruchs and Haley Schoeck raised $23,500.

Two Westhampton Beach high school students, Casey Fuchs and Haley Schoeck have done what no other two high school students have done before — they raised $23,500 for the American Heart Association.

The girls were honored for their efforts by the Westhampton Beach Board of Education at the school district’s bi-monthly board meeting on Feb. 7.

The girls, both juniors and who both lost their fathers to heart disease said they wanted to give back.  To do so, they raised funds through a Heart Ball dance that they held on Feb. 4 in the high school gymnasium.

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Schoeck said, “Both our dads died of heart disease. We’ve wanted to give back and we are now at an age when we can do that. We have the responsibility and knowledge to do it.”

Christopher Herr, principal of Westhampton Beach High School, said he told the girls that he would be proud, if they raised $500 for the American Heart Association, but to his surprise, the girls far exceeded expectations.

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“They are leaving behind a legacy,” said Herr.

And their legacy, he said, had gained the attention of the American Heart Association, which has said that it plans to use the girls’ fundraising model for future fundraising events.

Showing off the Math Skills

Westhampton Beach School District board members were treated to a few lessons in mathematics as students showed off skills they have learned in class.

Herr explained to board members that the faculty is working hard to continuously improve student learning and curriculum in mathematics to better prepare them for college.

For example, teacher Joseph Clifford, who graduated WHB schools in 1990, showed board members how he has managed to get students excited about math. He presented a short video, or rather commercial, that he presents to students. The video, which features hip-hop music and exciting graphics, shows students the exciting things they can learn in computer classes, such as video game programming.

“We are trying to change the face of computer sciences,” said Clifford.

Two students then stood before the school board and presented video games that they created in Mr. Clifford’s class. Board members took turns trying out the games.

Budget Vote Scheduled

The school board has scheduled May 9 for a public hearing on the district’s proposed budget, which is currently being worked on.  Thet also set May 17 for a public vote on the budget.

Adult Education

The school board approved the district’s spring adult education program, which will feature 50 courses. There are numerous courses being offered that have been chosen based on popularity. New this spring will be Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday classes, as well as several workshops that will run over the course of three evenings. For more information, visit the district’s website.

 

 


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