The Mud Puddle

The beginning of February was all about transitions at Murphy and Gelinas! As you may know, we had two very exciting days dedicated to ensuring smooth transitions for our students. On Tuesday, February 4th, our entire 9th grade class spent several hours at Ward Melville High School, immersing themselves in the high school environment. This valuable experience allowed them to familiarize themselves with the campus, meet some of the staff, and get a feel for what awaits them next year. The following day, Wednesday, February 5th, our 8th graders had their turn to explore Ward Melville. This visit provided them with a similar opportunity to prepare for their upcoming transition to high school. These visits are a crucial part of our comprehensive transition program, designed to alleviate anxieties and build excitement for the next step in their academic journey.

While our 8th and 9th graders were experiencing high school life, we welcomed the future of Murphy and Gelinas Middle Schools! On Tuesday, we hosted 6th graders from our elementary schools, and on Wednesday, we welcomed the 5th graders. These visits were designed to introduce them to the middle school experience and prepare them for their transition to Murphy and Gelinas next year.

We structured these visits to be engaging and informative. Students were grouped with peers from other elementary schools, fostering new connections and building a sense of community. They spent time with our guidance counselors discussing schedules and navigating middle school life. They also had the opportunity to meet our fantastic specials teachers in FACS, Technology, Art, and Music, experiencing the breadth of our curriculum. Tours of the building, introductions to world language offerings, and other fun activities rounded out their day including a scavenger hunt full of amazing facts about our Gelinas history. Did you know the first mascot of Gelinas was a Viking and our colors were blue and orange? Or that our newsletter is called the MudPuddle to honor the very first literary magazine run at Gelinas in 1967.

The feedback from both the students and staff regarding these transition days has been overwhelmingly positive. Students expressed excitement about the opportunities that await them, and staff members noted the enthusiasm and engagement of the visiting students. We believe these experiences will significantly contribute to a smoother and more successful transition for all involved.

Our students were fully immersed in our P.S. I LOVE YOU celebration this month! The week was filled with activities promoting kindness, positivity, and mental health awareness. Students wrote down their stressors and ripped them up to free their minds from worries, relaxed in the Zen Den in the library, crafted positive messages for their peers, and enjoyed some cuddles from the most adorable and lovable therapy dogs. The National Junior Honor Society, Community Connections, and Student Government joined forces for a heartwarming Chalk the Walk event in recognition of P.S. I LOVE YOU Day. Students came together to decorate the cafeteria windows and the front walkway with uplifting messages, reminding everyone at Gelinas that they are loved, valued, and supported. It was a heartwarming week that reminded everyone of the power of kindness and connection.

On February 12th, students had the unique opportunity to be fully immersed in a Broadway experience. They participated in an engaging workshop led by Broadway, film, and TV actor Jeffrey Schecter right in our Gelinas auditorium. Following the workshop, students attended a production of The Addams Family at Gateway Playhouse.

The experience didn’t end there—after the show, students took part in a special Q&A session with Gateway’s casting director, gaining valuable insight into the world of professional theater. This exciting day provided students with a hands-on look into the performing arts and offered a fun way to bond over their shared passion for musical theater.

The Guidance Office has been full of activity this month! Guidance counselors kicked off the month by helping 8th and 9th graders plan for next year with classroom presentations, followed by one-on-one meetings to finalize their scheduling requests. To add some sweetness to the mix, the Guidance Office hosted a "Guess the Amount" candy contest, with Giuseppe Scarpa taking home the prize! A wellness table was also set up outside the cafeteria, where students got creative decorating inspirational quotes that will be displayed on a school wide bulletin board. It’s been a month full of planning, fun, and positive vibes! Looking ahead to next month, the Guidance Office will be conducting classroom presentations and individual meetings with current 7th graders to plan their schedules for next year.

Ms. Mannino is an enthusiastic and dedicated American Sign Language (ASL) teacher at Gelinas. Her passion for sign language began at a young age, and when her middle school didn’t offer ASL, she took the initiative to teach herself from a book. In high school, she was finally able to take a formal ASL course, which further fueled her love for the language.

During her undergraduate studies, Ms. Mannino focused on interpreting, but she soon discovered a deep enjoyment in helping her friends with their coursework. This inspired her to pursue teaching for her master’s degree. She was thrilled to join the Three Village Central School District last year and is incredibly grateful for the support and warm welcome she received from fellow ASL teachers.

Ms. Mannino loves everything about Gelinas, but she especially appreciates working with its incredible students. She describes the building as a truly welcoming place, from the students to the administration and every staff member she encounters. Outside the classroom, Ms. Mannino enjoys an active lifestyle. She spends time with her one-and-a-half-year-old Bernedoodle, Twila, and loves playing pickleball and rock climbing.

We are so fortunate to have such a passionate and caring ASL teacher who truly values and uplifts our students!

Christopher Guidice, an 8th grader at Gelinas, has a deep passion for computers and technology—a love he developed thanks to his older brother. He has also taken full advantage of the resources available in the school library, working closely with staff to refine his skills in 3D printing and using the Cricut.

Recently, Chris used the school's Cricut machine to help Ms. Carlson create a sign for P.S. I Love You Day. One of his favorite projects was designing stickers of teachers last year, which brought smiles to many faces. Beyond crafting, Chris regularly lends a hand in the library during his study hall and lunch periods, offering support to both students and staff. He calibrated the 3D printer and helped Ms. DeMartino’s class with research and printing projects. His favorite creation so far? A Gelinas-colored robot!

Chris’s favorite thing about Gelinas is the amazing teachers, and his teachers would likely say the same about him. His warm personality and eagerness to help others have made the library an even more welcoming space. His passion for giving back is evident not only in his daily actions but also in his future aspirations—Chris hopes to pursue a career in healthcare, following in his family’s footsteps.

With change and the future a common discussion topic this month at Gelinas—especially as elementary students visited to prepare for their transition—Chris was asked what advice he would give to incoming students. His response? "Don't be a stranger! Put yourself out there, and you will meet some good people (teachers included).” Chris certainly lives by his own advice, and his enthusiasm for learning and helping others has left a lasting impact on the Gelinas community. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this inspiring young man!

The Gelinas Girls' Basketball team is on a roll with two impressive victories! In their game against Shoreham-Wading River, the team secured a dominant 46-19 win. Brianna Tomicic led the scoring with 19 points, followed by Ryan McCormick with 9 points, while Harper Karp contributed with strong rebounding efforts.

The team continued their success with a 57-30 victory over Rocky Point. Vivienne Speidell led the charge with 16 points, and Maggie Giachetti added 9 points to help seal the win. Great work, team—keep it up!

The Gelinas Boys' Volleyball team is off to a strong start this season, currently holding a 3-1 record. The 8th-grade team captains—Jackson Cella, James Wright, and Fletcher Fortner—have been exceptional leaders, guiding the team with their dedication and teamwork. Offensively, Ramsey Fayed, Leo Fallon, Luka Rippe, and Chase Ukeiley have been standout players, constantly contributing to the team's success. With six games remaining, the team continues to improve and is only getting stronger. Go Patriots!

3/27/25: Evening performance @ 7:00 PM

3/28/25: Evening performance @ 7:00 PM

3/29/25: Matinee performance @ 1:00 PM

3/29/25: Evening performance @ 7:00 PM

Your involvement supports various programs and initiatives that benefit our students. Don’t miss the next meeting on March 11th at 7:00pm —a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and stay informed. We look forward to seeing you there!