The Mud Puddle

The U.S. News & World Report Best Middle Schools Rankings evaluate public middle schools across the United States based on key metrics such as State Assessment Proficiency and Performance, Equity, Student Outcomes, Teacher-to-Student Ratio, and Enrollment and Demographics. These rankings highlight schools excelling in academic performance and overall quality of education.

Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School has been recognized multiple times for its exceptional academic achievements. In 2023, Gelinas earned praise for its strong academic performance, teacher quality, and supportive environment.In 2024, Gelinas once again achieved this prestigious recognition. Notably, it was the only middle school in Suffolk County to make the list of the top 50 middle schools in New York State.

Gelinas thrives because of the extraordinary efforts of its dedicated staff, supportive leadership, involved parents, and a strong sense of community. This achievement reflects the hard work and collaboration of everyone in the Gelinas family. We are incredibly proud of this shared success!

Earlier this month, Mrs. Keane, Ms. DeMartino, Mr. Jantzen (Murphy Principal), and Mr. Geoninatti (Murphy teacher) attended the 51st Annual American Middle Level Education Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, also known as Music City! This event provided an incredible opportunity to explore new strategies and best practices tailored to middle-level education.

The team engaged with peers from across the nation who share a passion for empowering middle-grade students. They attended workshops on critical topics such as Teaming, Middle School Scheduling, School Culture, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence in education.

Inspired and motivated by their experiences, the team is excited to bring fresh ideas back to Three Village as they plan for the future transition to a middle school model at Gelinas. These insights will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to create a dynamic and student-centered middle school experience!

The 9th Grade Chorus performed "Dare to Dream," a powerful and inspirational piece, along with an Andrew Lloyd Webber medley that celebrated the timeless music of this modern composer. The Chamber Choir delivered an eclectic program, featuring "Linus and Lucy," the iconic jazz melody from Peanuts, Mozart’s "Lacrimosa," a masterpiece by one of the world’s most renowned composers, and a medley from the Broadway musical Next to Normal. In the Andrew Lloyd Webber Medley, Karis Moody, Jordin Nilo, Charles Catania, and Madeline Butler delivered standout solos that brought the music of the legendary composer to life. Dare to Dream featured heartfelt performances by Sophia Maggiore and Ava Coffey, inspiring the audience with their passion and skill. The Chamber Choir's Next to Normal Medley was elevated by the powerful solo of Gianna Rulli, who captivated listeners with her performance. Students were exposed to a variety of musical styles during this pivotal stage of their development. This approach not only broadened their musical appreciation but also strengthened their foundational skills. A key focus for the 9th-grade choral students was developing their music literacy, particularly in note reading and notation. These performances reflected the program's commitment to cultivating well-rounded musicians capable of excelling across multiple genres.

The Symphonic Orchestra program opened with Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 4, a piece full of dramatic mood swings, moving from melancholy to exuberant to playful. The second piece, Contrasts in E Minor, featured a James Bond-style opening, a beautiful viola interlude, and a fast, thrilling conclusion. The highlight of the evening was the third piece: standout bass player Nora Twiss performed the first movement of Dragonetti's Double Bass Concerto in G Major. Nora, one of the most accomplished bass players in Suffolk County, worked tirelessly to deliver an outstanding performance alongside the 9th Grade Orchestra. The concert concluded with Finale in D, showcasing the orchestra's excellent lower string section and closing out their first performance of the year on a high note.

The 9th Grade Band delivered an outstanding performance in their first concert of their final year at Gelinas. The evening began with an arrangement from The Greatest Showman, featuring a dynamic drum set performance by Marlow Pannicia and a solo by William Tunstead. It was a vibrant opener that showcased the band’s hard work and dedication. Next, the band performed The Glacier Express by Larry Neeck, a piece that brought the journey of the famous Swiss train to life with its descriptive melodies. This advanced selection featured impressive solos by Frances Hao, Benjamin Duan, Layla Fayed, and Philip Peranio, with the entire ensemble stepping up to meet the challenge. The concert concluded with a crowd favorite: music from How to Train Your Dragon. The piece highlighted the talent of the horn section, Nicholas Manganas and Tony Xu, and included captivating solos by Emily Kral, Siobhan Reardon, and Jayden Yoon. With such a strong start, the band is excited to begin preparing for their next concert season!

This year, our school’s Annual Food Drive has taken on a whole new level of excitement! Students, teachers, and staff have come together to create an exciting event that is not only about giving but also about having fun and making a difference. From spirited competitions to a last minute surge, the food drive has brought out the best in all of us. Several different homerooms made it a challenge to see who could gather the most food, but in the end, Mr. Black’s homeroom achieved victory and won the ice cream social! The Student Government would like to thank everyone for their hard work and participation.

Get ready to cheer for an incredible story! This Thanksgiving Day, tune in to News 12 to catch Milo and Anthony's Stony Brook Football journey. Visit Team IMPACT (by clicking the photo above) to explore this incredible organization and their mission!

This November, the Gelinas staff reflected on the spirit of gratitude by celebrating the colleagues who inspire them. Teachers were invited to nominate a fellow educator who exemplifies dedication, creativity, and a passion for teaching. From the many heartfelt submissions, Mr. Ken Weiner was chosen as the first-ever recipient of the G.O.A.T. Award (Gelinas Outstanding Accomplished Teacher), a new honor recognizing exceptional teachers who make Gelinas a special place.

So, what makes Mr. Weiner so extraordinary? His colleagues describe him as a tireless educator who constantly reinvents his curriculum, creating innovative and engaging experiences for his students. "He never fails to go above and beyond for his students," one colleague shared. "He takes the time to come up with novel ideas and experiences for the kids each year, and the students care for and respect him immensely. He’s always helpful to his colleagues, offering support, advice, and even a good laugh when needed." Another teacher praised Mr. Weiner's dedication: "Ken has always inspired me. He works tirelessly to reinvent his lessons." Whether it’s implementing new technology, creating his own resources, or collaborating with peers, Ken continues to dedicate everything he has to creating interesting lessons.

Mr. Weiner’s commitment to his students and colleagues, combined with his creativity and tireless work ethic, make him a perfect representative of what the G.O.A.T. Award stands for. As one nomination put it: “Ken is the teacher we all would have wanted when we were kids, and he’s the teacher we all aspire to be today.” Congratulations to Mr. Weiner on this well-deserved honor! His passion, kindness, and dedication truly embody what makes Gelinas such an amazing school.

Elliot Torbenson, an 8th grader at Gelinas Junior High School, is making waves in the theater world. With a passion for performing that began when he was just four years old, Elliot has been acting on stage since the age of six. He has graced the Gelinas stage in several productions and continues to showcase his talent in theaters across Long Island.

Currently, Elliot stars as Augustus Gloop in the Engeman Theater's production of Willy Wonka, a family-friendly show featuring beloved songs like "Candy Man," "I've Got a Golden Ticket," and "Pure Imagination." His growing resume also includes roles in productions such as School of Rock (Freddy Hamilton), Legally Blonde (Ensemble), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ensemble), Something Rotten (Ensemble), Shrek Jr. (Peter Pan), The Sound of Music (Kurt), Matilda (Nigel), and A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge).

When asked about performing at Gelinas, Elliot expressed his appreciation for the amazing teachers who support the cast and crew, as well as his castmates, whom he described as “so nice and fun to work with.” His dedication and enthusiasm for theater continue to impress audiences and inspire his peers at Gelinas. Break a leg, Elliot!

The Gelinas cheerleading team recently had their first showcase at Ward Melville High School, and their dedication and hard work were on full display. The team was thrilled to show off their skills and school spirit, especially as all their stunts hit perfectly during the event! Isabella Nossa, a 7th-grade member of the team, shared that the highlight of the showcase was the time spent with the Ward Melville cheerleaders. The team valued their feedback and enjoyed building connections with their fellow Patriot cheerleaders. With this strong start, the team is eagerly looking forward to their first competition next month. Good luck, cheerleaders—your Gelinas family is cheering for you!

Congratulations to the boys' basketball team on a fantastic start to the season! In their first game, the team cruised to a 54-31 victory over Mount Sinai, with Max Sobel leading the charge with 13 points and Caleb Pimentel contributing 10. The momentum didn’t stop there—the boys also defeated Shoreham Wading River 59-42. Leo Fallon had an outstanding performance, scoring 14 points and dominating the boards, while Ramsey Fayed was a defensive powerhouse, adding 11 points and several steals. On Friday, the team continued their streak with an impressive 67-27 victory over Rocky Point! Chris Adkins led all scorers with 15 points, while Liam McNeil added 6 points and showcased his dominance on the boards. Their winning streak extended to Monday with another amazing win over Shoreham Wading River by a score of 75-46. Aafan Aden kicked things off with his first bucket, setting the tone for the game. Quinlan Murray contributed with some key three-pointers and tough defense against a scrappy Shoreham team. Leo Fallon led all scorers with 21 points, followed by strong performances from Max Sobel, Chris Field-Hernandez, and Chris Adkins. The boys remain undefeated at 4-0. Great job to everyone on the team—let’s keep up the strong performance!

Grade 7/8 Winter Concert 12/9 @ 6PM & 7:30 PM

Showcase Concert 12/12 @ 7PM

"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness." —Henri Frederic Amiel

Your involvement supports various programs and initiatives that benefit our students. Don’t miss the next meeting on January 14th at 7:00pm —a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and stay informed. We look forward to seeing you there!