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Curriculum

Curriculum Menu
K-12 Areas Secondary Education
Art Department Business Education
Libraries Computer Skills
Music Department Computer Science
Physical Education English Department
Special Education Family and Consumer Science
  Foreign Language/ESL
  Guidance Department
  Middle School Reading
  Math Department
  Practical Arts
  Science Department
  Social Studies Department

 

Pupil Personnel Services

The Department of Pupil Personnel Services provides support to students in need of speech/language, psychological, social work, occupational therapy, and health services. These services are provided in conjunction with the general education program.

Rights for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Ages 3-21

Special Education

Children (ages 3-18) with special learning needs are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. Parents/legal guardians who believe their child is a student with a disability should contact the Special Education office at 867-3100.

Special Education encompasses a comprehensive array of services, instructional methodologies, materials, and equipment to provide students with disabilities educational support. The goal of special education is to promote the maximum achievement of students with disabilities. The district seeks to accomplish this by adhering to the following:

  • Identifying students with disabilities as early as possible and providing instruction that will address their unique needs.
  • Providing programs designed to facilitate maximum contact between the students with disabilities and students in the general education population.
  • Guaranteeing due process procedures with regard to identification, evaluation and placement procedures.
  • Assuring that special education is provided in the “least restrictive environment.”
  • Guaranteeing the confidentiality of data and information.
  • Assuring students with disabilities complete access to all educational programs provided by the school district, including extracurricular programs and activities.
  • Providing the availability of appropriate classroom space.

After reviewing a variety of assessment information, the need for special education services is determined by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) for school-age students and by the Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) for pre-school age students. If the student is found eligible for special education services, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) is developed to address the student’s individual educational needs.

An IEP is developed by a multi-disciplinary team consisting, at the minimum, of the child’s teacher, school psychologist, special education teacher, and parent. The IEP identifies the special education program and, if necessary, the related services that the child would receive. In addition, the IEP includes specific learning goals and objectives that are designed to address the student’s learning needs. Furthermore, program/curriculum adjustments and testing accommodations are included as necessary.

The Lindenhurst School District offers the full continuum of special education services. For further details, please consult the school psychologist in the school building that your child attends.

SEPTA

The Lindenhurst Special Education Parent Teachers Association (SEPTA) is dedicated to the needs and potential of special education students. SEPTA provides information, advice and encouragement to parents going through the special education process with their child. SEPTA meetings are held throughout the school year. For more information, call the Special Education office at 867-3100 and ask for the current President’s phone number.

For more information on the Committee for Pre-School Special Education contact: Ms. Linda Kaye, CPSE Chairperson

For more information on the Committee for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services contact: Barbara Brown, Assistant to the Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services.

Libraries

Elementary Libraries

The elementary school library media center supports the instructional needs of its students, faculty and other members of the learning community. Due to the rapidly changing landscape of information technology, library resources need to accomplish more than simply supplementing classroom instruction. To meet this need, the library media center has expanded its mission into preparing students to become literate, lifelong learners and proposes to foster this by teaching students to become effective users of information.

Each elementary school student is scheduled for one 40-minute library class each week. During this time, students are able to access the full range of information resources and services that meet their intellectual, curricular, and recreational needs. Students are encouraged to enjoy reading and appreciate literature through author studies, group instruction and individual guidance.

The goal of the library media program is for students to gain competence in acquiring information through a variety of resources as well as to stimulate their interest in reading, viewing, and sharing information and ideas.

Middle School Library

The Middle School Instructional Media Center offers a wide array of resources to students and staff. The IMC is a place to research, study, and use computer programs, as well as a place to sit and enjoy a book or magazine. Our library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students and staff are invited to browse our collections any time during school hours.

Our holdings include over 16,000 books, 80 magazine titles and 700 videotapes covering a range of topics. A professional collection, consisting of books and magazines, is also available to the staff. A variety of electronic databases are available for research in the library and from home. Our computer lab features 28 IBM computers with high-speed internet access, as well as productivity and content-specific software. Teachers use this facility to conduct research projects with their classes. We also offer Destination 2000 mobile computers with large monitors for classroom presentations, as well as televisions, VCRs and overhead projectors for instructional use.

In addition to helping students and staff locate information, the media specialists also organize programs for National Library Week, Teen Read Week, Children’s Book Week and World Book’s Partners In Excellence program to encourage independent reading.

High School Library

The Lindenhurst High School Library Media Center is a unique blend of non-print and print resources tailored to meet the educational, vocational, and informational needs of the staff and student body at the high school. The philosophy of our media center is to support and enhance learning for students, staff and parents of the Lindenhurst school community.

Our Library Media Center comfortably sits 50 students, and boasts an extensive reference collection that supports all areas of the curriculum. We archive over 100 periodical titles for 3-5 years. We offer videoconferencing services, and a 50-inch television for instructional use. Fax and lamination services are available for faculty and staff.

Computer facilities include two labs, one with 15 and one with 30 computers. Both labs have high-speed internet access. The available software includes productivity applications like Microsoft Office, content-specific titles, our subscription databases, and access to our online catalog. We have five Gateway Destination 2000 mobile computers with large monitors for classroom presentations.

The New York State Education Department recognized the High School Library Media Center in February 2005 as an “Electronic Doorway Library.” A library with this distinction uses computer and telecommunication technology, a full range of library resources and the services of skilled school library media specialists to meet the educational information needs for the entire school community. According to Janet M. Welch, State Librarian and Assistant to the Commissioner for Libraries, “this official designation recognizes that the Lindenhurst High School Library Media Center is using advanced technology to revolutionize the delivery of library services.”

Art Department

The Lindenhurst Art Program (K-12) has been designed with the goal of having students experience the full range of the visual arts with an emphasis on the New York State Standards of Learning for the Arts and an emphasis on the Elements of Art and thePrinciples of Design. Art history is an integral part of the curriculum and is integrated in the art classroom at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The art curriculum is designed to teach students how to create, analyze, and critique their own and others’ art as well as finding individual ways of expressing themselves.

Art instruction encourages students to:

  • Develop visual literacy and creative thinking
  • Strengthen cognitive skills
  • Express themselves with confidence
  • Refine and expand problem-solving techniques
  • Learn and practice social skills
  • Expand vocabulary and language skills
  • Increase their awareness and appreciation of the world around them, past and present
  • Experience the joy of their own creations and the creations of others

Parents can further enhance their child’s appreciation of art by visiting museums and exhibits showing original art such as at local libraries, the Hecksher Museum in Huntington, the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook and the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City.

In addition, parents are encouraged to:

  • Read books to their children about art and artists such as a biography of Van Gogh, Linnea in Monet’s Garden, or Harold and the Purple Crayon.
  • Supply their child with inexpensive papers, crayons, paints, clay, markers, and scissors
  • Use artists and art as subject matter for classroom book reports and research
  • Value, respect, and display children’s art in the home
  • Visit websites appropriate for children that contain information and instructions for art projects such as Crayola.com

During the course of the year there are numerous art competitions and shows both in the district and across the metropolitan area that the art students of Lindenhurst are encouraged to participate in. They include:

  • The Lindenhurst Fire Department Fire Safety Poster Contest.
  • Long Island Media Arts Show
  • Ward Melville Heritage Organization Cultural Arts Show
  • Lindenhurst Library Art Exhibition
  • NYSATA Art Festival
  • Senior High School Art Exhibition
  • SCALA Art Festivals
  • Spring Exhibit
  • Celebration of the Arts

This past year, at the WMHO Cultural Arts Show in Stony Brook, one of our talented seniors at the high school won First Prize in the senior high school division and Best Overall in Show. The students of the Advanced Computer Graphic’s Class designed the CD covers and jewel cases for the Middle School and Senior High School Spring Concert CDs.

Music Department

The Lindenhurst music department has always strived for excellence in music education and the musical development of every student. Elementary school students begin exploring music through the use of simple movement and Orff instruments such as xylophones and drums in their music classes. The exploration continues with singing and playing recorders. As students get older, they have the opportunity to participate in performing groups such as band, chorus, and orchestra. Lindenhurst music students are also encouraged to further their musical development by competing in NYSSMA festivals every year. Outstanding students participate in district-wide select performing groups such as the All-Lindy Chorus, Band, and Orchestra. This past year, the Daniel Street Elementary Select Chorus received a Level I Gold NYSSMA Rating at the NYSSMA Ensembles festival at Five Towns College. In addition, students from the Rall Elementary School participated in the Long Island Recorder Festival at the Brentwood Senior High School. They performed in a concert with other top elementary and middle school student musicians from across the tri-state area.

Music education does not stop when the student reaches the secondary level. Besides continuing classroom music training, young musicians can perform in the Middle School Band, Chorus, Orchestra and other select performing groups such as the Middle School Select Chorus, Jazz Band, and Chamber Orchestra. These groups perform at a high level and have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. This past year at the Six Flags Great Adventure Competition, the Middle School Select Chorus won first prize in their category and Best Overall Performing Group. The Middle School Jazz Band performed admirably as well and came in second place in their category. Community service is an important part of the middle school music education philosophy. Each year, the middle school select chorus and jazz band perform in Brookville at the AHRC. They also perform at the Rainbow Center in Lindenhurst.

Lindenhurst High School offers the opportunity for students to further develop their musical abilities. There are six performing groups (Concert and Symphonic Orchestra, High School Chorus, Concert Choir, and Concert and Symphonic Band) and five select performing groups (Songbirds – female vocal ensemble and Odyssey- mixed vocal ensemble), Marching Band, Jazz Band, and String Chamber ensemble) students can study music simply to broaden their education or prepare for musical studies on a collegiate and conservatory level. The High School produces an annual musical that allows students to showcase their talent.

This year, Dance will be offered at the high school. The dance class will focus mainly on contemporary or modern technique. The dancers will learn movement ideas that will teach them about effort, shape, dynamics, rhythm, body alignment, and awareness. They will learn how to move through space in an efficient and logical manner. The dancers will be required to not only physically perform through dance, but also learn dance history, choreography and compositional work, improvisation, and performance skills. The dance students will be able to; know, do, value, and create dance on many different levels.

The Theater Arts class offers students the opportunity to learn about the many areas that are involved in theatre arts. The theatre department, vocal department, dance department, and art department will teach theatre Arts collaboratively.

Music Theory I and II is offered as well. These classes are for the performing arts students whom are planning to continue their music studies after high school. The theory II class prepares students for the entry-level college theory entrance exam.

Lindenhurst High School takes great pride in the excellence of their performing groups, which are among the best on Long Island. Students from the Concert Choir and Symphonic Orchestra were selected for this year’s All-County and All-State performing groups. Lindenhurst is always well represented at the highly selective SCMEA concerts. In short, Lindenhurst offers an outstanding musical education to all students. The Senior High School Concert Choir received a Level VI Gold NYSSMA Rating at the NYSSMA Ensembles Festival at the Suffolk County Community College. This year, the Marching Band won First Place in their division of the USSBA competition.

Physical Education

Physical Education contributes to the broad goals of education through the development of personal living skills reflected in the manner and degree of participation in lifelong activities. This is achieved through the pursuit of more specific objectives encompassing skills and knowledge in movement, understanding the effects of physical activity upon the body, feelings of adequacy and mastery, and the development of a personal value system regarding physical activity.

Personal living skills are those skills that contribute to an individual’s becoming a fully functioning, productive and concerned citizen. They are seen as necessary catalysts for effective implementation of lifelong patterns of participation in planned activity. They include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing physical fitness (cardiovascular and musculoskeletal)
  • Fostering communication
  • Promoting cooperation
  • Seeking challenge
  • Encouraging safety
  • Developing initiative
  • Engendering leadership
  • Following directions
  • Nurturing trust
  • Promoting respect

General areas of study and participation include:

  • Rhythm/Dance/Movement
  • Team Sport Activities
  • Individual Sports and Lifetime/Recreational Activities

Each of these areas encompasses instruction and practice in requisite skills, as well as common themes that promote good character. These include:

  • Knowledge of rules
  • Sportsmanship and teamwork
  • Safety
  • Care and use of equipment
  • Competition

Secondary Education

Computer Skills

The computer skills program at the Middle School teaches computer applications in the context of subject area curriculum to students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Our intention is to provide students with a consistent approach to computer skills instruction that can be applied to learning in any class. Whenever possible, long-term projects and individual lessons are tied into topics from other content areas. With emphases placed on reading, speaking, research and writing, these classes support school wide instructional goals of higher achievement.

The applications and skills covered in the department over three years include keyboarding, word processing, graphic organizers, web page design, multimedia presentations, internet research and information literacy, digital graphics, desktop publishing, and spreadsheets. We have begun to introduce digital audio and video editing to advanced 8th grade classes over the past two years. Our course offerings cover a full range of current computer applications, and not only assist students in completing assignments, but also allow subject area teachers to better integrate technology resources in the classroom. In addition, students are prepared to succeed in more specialized courses at the High School level.

Computer Science

A comprehensive course of study is offered in the High School that exposes students to current and emerging issues in the field of computer science, and prepares those who wish to pursue a career in computers for entry into college computer science programs. Applications and languages studied include Visual Basic, Visual C++, HTML, DHTML, Java, Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks.

Courses:

  • Computer Science 1 & 2
  • Computer Science 3 & 4
  • AP Computer Science
  • AP Computer Science Independent Study
  • Web Publishing
  • Web Publishing Independent Study

For more information, consult the High School Course guide or your guidance counselor.

English Department

The English Department is committed to providing our students with a well-rounded and formative literary experience. Through intense study of world, American, classical, and contemporary literature, it is our goal to encourage our students to develop their analytical skills as well as a love for reading. Our writing program recognizes that writing is a process and involves creative and critical thinking at every stage. We also offer several electives to meet the needs of our school population.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language/ESL Department of the Lindenhurst Public Schools consists of 28 full-time teachers, one part-time teacher and a District Coordinator. Courses are taught to non-native speakers in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The primary goal of the Department is to give students speaking, listening, reading and writing abilities in the foreign language of their choice.

Foreign Language study for most Lindenhurst students begins in Grade 7. Middle School students who successfully complete Language A1, Language A2, and the New York State Proficiency Examination receive one (1) unit of High School credit. All students are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum New York State Regents sequence. Courses in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels are offered in each of the five languages. College level courses in French, German, Italian and Spanish are offered through a program in conjunction with Adelphi University. Students pursuing this option, earn six (6) college credits in the Senior year of Foreign Language study.

In addition to the everyday classroom experience, field trips are an integral part of the Foreign Language curriculum. Students are exposed to aspects of foreign culture in the immediate area, as well as in New York City. Several field trips have also been taken to France, Germany, Italy and Spain. It is the strong belief of the Foreign Language Department that language study is an on-going process which requires a great deal of commitment from the student. Furthermore, foreign language study must include an in-depth study of the culture of the native speakers of each language.

In the words of Goethe:

"Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiss nichts von seiner eigenen."
("He who does not know foreign languages, knows nothing of his own language.")

Guidance Department

The Guidance Department provides a comprehensive guidance counseling program for students at the middle school and high school levels. Our programs focus on assisting students in their academic, social, and emotional growth, as well as in the development of a career plan. Our guidance activities serve to promote the realization of each individual student's unique potential.

The High School Guidance Department is staffed by seven certified school counselors and five clerical workers. Counselors see students in large groups, in classroom settings, and in individual meetings in the Guidance Office. Parents, guardians and other family members meet regularly with their child's counselor as different needs arise. Counselors also meet with teachers and administrators, as well as other support staff such as the Nurse or Psychologist or Social Worker in order to promote the growth of the students in their caseloads.

Link to FAFSA on the Web at http://fafsa.ed.gov/

The Middle School Guidance Department is staffed by four certified school counselors and three clerical workers. Counselors meet regularly with students and their teachers both individually and in the team environment to promote learning. Counselors at the Middle School work closely with support staff and administrators also to assist students in their personal and academic development.

The Coordinator of Guidance monitors and supports efforts in both buildings, and between the Guidance Department and other departments within the district. The goal of the Guidance Department is to work together as a cohesive team with parents and teachers to meet the needs of our students at all levels.

Math Department

The Lindenhurst High School Mathematics Department believes that all students have the ability to become creative problem solvers, to experience success in their math classes, to demonstrate competence on their NYS Assessments and to become productive members of our increasingly complex society.

The NY State Education Department Standards demand that students demonstrate proficiency with:

  • Using mathematical reasoning, logical thinking and problem solving to solve "real-life" problems
  • Understanding the use of numbers and numeration
  • Using mathematical operations to complete complex problems
  • Modeling math concepts and utilizing multiple representations of the same idea
  • Understanding different systems of measurement and how they can be used to solve problems
  • Using probability and statistics to solve problems involving uncertainty
  • Studying patterns and functions and their relationship to algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics and calculus

In order to achieve these ideals, it is critical for parents, teachers and students to work together constantly. In particular, it is critical for students to set aside time to study every night, do homework, and go to extra help as soon as they experience any difficulties with their assignments. Parents can support these efforts by speaking to their children about what's happening in math class, checking their homework, reviewing their test grades and calling their teachers when problems are detected.

Finally, the Mathematics Department offers a wide variety of classes to meet the needs of all of its students. A list of courses provided would including Math A1, Math A2, Math B1, Math B2, Math B, Intermediate Algebra, Statistics, PreCalculus, Calculus and ESL Math. Weaker students can attend lab and strong students have the option of honors classes that lead to Advanced Placement Calculus in the 12th grade.

In order to graduate from High School, a student must obtain a Regents Diploma by completing a minimum of 3 years of high school mathematics and passing the Math A Regents Exam with a score of 65 or higher. To obtain an Advanced Regents Diploma, a student must also pass the Math B Regents Exam.

Practical Arts - Business, Technology, Family & Consumer Science

The Practical Arts department is where a student can go when he or she desires courses that offer real world applications of content offered in other subjects. We provide the student experiences in areas from automotives and accounting to culinary arts and wood production with many areas in between. The student who takes our courses should expect to learn something that will help him or her acquire and maintain employment immediately out of high school. Practical Arts also offers college credit for certain courses while students are still in high school.

In the middle school, students take Practical Arts class as part of their requirements in Technology Education and Family & Consumer Science (formerly Home Economics). Once they enter high school, students can opt to take elective offerings of Practical Arts courses, which are available to all students when they have availability in their schedule. As soon as 9th grade, any student may take courses in any or all of the three subdivisions of Practical Arts: Business Education, Family & Consumer Science and Technology Education. Each area provides a robust offering of courses designed to meet the varied needs of all learners. To learn more about the specific courses the department offers, please consult the LHS course catalog, speak with one of the teachers in the department, or with your Guidance Counselor.

Business Education is an integral part of the total academic structure and provides a significant contribution to the education of all students in a business-oriented society. Therefore, courses are designed and sequenced to enable students to handle their own personal business matters, to prepare students for immediate successful entry into the business world and to provide those students who desire advanced study on the college or the university level with the business background essential for successful performance in their chosen careers.

A core of electives provides students with opportunities to pursue college preparation, career interests and life-long living skills. The Business Education Department  will provide a comprehensive curriculum stressing goals consistent with the educational philosophy of the Lindenhurst School District, The Business Department offers a wide variety of Accounting, Fashion Merchandising,  Finance, Computer Applications & Programming, Marketing, Management, andBusiness Law,  courses using current technology and addressing issues that are pertinent to the students.

Science Department

Science provides us with an insight into the workings of the world around us. Each student at the high school will have the opportunity to take at least three years of science. During this time they will experience at least one course each in a Physical Setting and Living Environment program. Advanced Placement courses are available for students seeking to further enhance their science repertoire on the road to college and university study while remedial courses are in place to help assist those students requiring additional focus on areas of science they may be experiencing some difficulty with. Detailed course descriptions are available in the course offering section of this site.

Social Studies Department

All students are required to take four years of Social Studies. We offer a variety of courses that are designed to promote an understanding of our society and the world that we live in. We try to teach respect for individuals and cultural differences and also to appreciate one another.

Middle School Reading

The focus of this reading class is to strengthen the reading comprehension of our students through the strengthening of basic reading skills and strategies. Strategies taught will include inferring, predicting, summarizing, questioning, visualizing and connecting. Students will be exposed to an extensive variety of both fiction and informational literature as they learn to apply these strategies across the curriculum. Graphic Organizers will be utilized throughout the year to guide students toward making sense of the text before, during and after reading. Students will learn to view reading as a meaning-making process.