March has arrived at Great Hollow, bringing with it the first signs of spring and a renewed sense of energy in our classrooms! As the days grow longer, we are excited to see our students continue to push themselves, showing the growth and resilience that makes our community so special.

This month is a wonderful time to celebrate the progress our students have made since the start of the year. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, or on the athletic fields, their spirit and curiosity remain the heartbeat of Great Hollow Middle School. A huge thank you to our families and staff for your continued partnership in making this a successful year for every student.

We hope you enjoy reading through this month's newsletter and seeing all the amazing things our students have been up to!

Mr. Scomillio, Mr. Macaluso, and Mr. Olsen

On March 2, Great Hollow celebrated "Read Across America Day" by: READING! Students and staff took time during the day to borrow books from Sora/Overdrive, and everyone made time to read throughout the day, highlighting the fact that reading is a fun, social, and accessible activity for all!

In April, we will celebrate National Library Week with a special author visit from Long Island author, Brian Heinz. Mr. Heinz has been to Great Hollow a few times over the years, and we look forward to his Writer's Workshop presentation with our 6th grade ELA classes after spring break!

From the Classroom to the Lab: The 2026 MAGLEV Challenge at BNL

The AMS and GHMS Technology Clubs are proud to have participated in the annual MAGLEV Competition at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Our young engineers spent the day at BNL on Wednesday, March 25, with advisor, Ms. Kerr-VanGostein, competing against schools from all over Long Island. Students had the opportunity to win trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, showcasing their hard work in optimizing vehicle design and performance.

Congratulations to all students for a job well done! Pictured below, Abigail Matvenko with a First Place trophy for futuristic design and Madalyn Heidenfelder who came home with a Second Place trophy for scale model!

World Language Week is a celebration of different languages and the understanding of cultures from around the world. During World Language Week, teachers and students promote cultural awareness, global understanding, and an appreciation for the diversity of languages spoken in many different countries. Students often participate in activities such as language games, music, art projects, and learning common phrases in different languages. By celebrating World Language Week, schools help students build connections with people from different backgrounds and broaden their understanding of the world. It encourages respect for other cultures and inspires students to appreciate and love different languages.

Bravo! A huge congratulations to the talented cast and crew of "High School Musical, Jr." led by our wonderful teachers, Mr. MacCarthy, Ms. Kopf and Mr. Roth. After weeks of tireless rehearsals, set building, and costume prep, students put on a fantastic performance to a sold out ampitheater! It was a joy to see our students' creativity and teamwork bring this musical to life. Thank you to everyone for sharing your talents with us and for making this production a highlight of our school year!

On March 17th, Great Hollow celebrated College Day. Students and staff were encouraged to wear their favorite college gear to school. Teachers were asked to take five-ten minutes to speak with their classes about their college experience and admissions representatives from three colleges (LIU, Stony Brook, and The College of New Jersey) were present to meet with our 8th graders during their lunch periods. The focus of College Day was to create excitement for our students about the possibility of attending college after high school. Additionally, a bulletin board was created that included pictures of our faculty from their college years and shared information about their college experience.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, Theatre Three came to Great Hollow to present, "From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust," to our 8th grade students. This play traces the life of Rachel Gold, a Berlin teenager, and her experiences from 1937 to 1945. The play begins with a soldier writing to his mother about what he has seen at a concentration camp that he has helped liberate, and then shifts back in time to 1937, where it chronicles Rachel's story. The play follows Rachel from the inception of the Nuremberg Laws through Auschwitz and finally on the death march to Mauthausen. The play, From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust, is based on extensive research and, although the characters are fictional, the experiences of the characters are not.

On March 4 and 13th, students attended a presentation from the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying. From their website, their mission statement is as follows:

To emphasize the importance of bully free communities on Long Island through education, increased awareness and therapeutic outlets.

Our approach to combating bullying exists on two levels:

A global level aimed at educating and impacting the lives of young children and staff in educational settings by partnering with schools
A grassroots level working deep within the community to advocate and support individual families impacted by bullying

LICAB's presence in schools has contributed to developing inclusive environments where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered. By conducting workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns, LICAB educates students about the detrimental effects of bullying while promoting empathy, respect, and understanding. Through our efforts, LICAB has successfully fostered a culture of acceptance and tolerance, encouraging young individuals to embrace diversity and celebrate differences.

You can read more about the LICAB organization HERE.

April 1: Quarter 3 ends

April 2-10: Spring Recess

April 13: Quarter 4 begins

April 14: Family Connect Night

April 15: Brian Heinz Writer's Workshop, Grade 6, Library

April 15: MVTP Awards 8:30 am, Cafe East

April 15: PTA Meeting, 7pm, Library

April 21-22: NYS ELA Assessments

April 23-24: Grade 8 Field Trip to Adventure Park

April 28: NJHS Mandatory Rehearsal 2:45 pm, Gym 170

April 28-29: NYS Math Assessments

April 29: NJHS Induction Ceremony, 7pm, Gym 170