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Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School

 

Exterior photo of Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School

1100 Dixon Avenue
Copiague, New York 11726
(631) 842-4010
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Principal: Joseph M. Agosta
Assistant Principals: David Aguado, Jonathan Cutolo, Timothy Gilroy , Janine Proulx

 

Hours: 7:40 a.m. to 2:23 p.m.
Students: 1,507
Faculty and Staff: 200

 

The educational program at Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School is designed to meet the needs of every student through a unique variety of course offerings and support programs. The diversity of the school's student population enriches all who enter its doors and is one of the school community's greatest strengths. The faculty and staff of Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School believe that a student's high school education is the most important four years of a student's life.

The school serves approximately 1,600 students in grades nine through twelve. Through outstanding academic opportunities, support programs, and counseling, each student is constantly encouraged to reach his/her full potential. Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School has instituted a successful all-Regents program, an in-school and after-school remediation program, Advanced Placement courses in all disciplines, and offers a wide variety of elective courses such as drama, sports and entertainment marketing, and criminal justice. 

Current News

Former New York Yankee Visits Copiague for Unveiling of New Lighting

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When Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School finally unveiled their new lighting system in the gymnasium, it was shining bright with star former New York Yankee relief pitcher Mariano Rivera. Students, administrators, board of education members came together to celebrate the new lighting system on Dec. 13.

Music teacher Tristan Hayes led the “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the trumpet and was followed by a performance by members of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School drum line. The high school step team and cheerleaders wowed the crowds before the official unveiling of the lights.
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Copiague School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon welcomed guests including executives from Renu Energy Solutions and PlanLED, who donated the lighting system. The new NBA-style lighting is the only one of its kind in New York State.

The 19-year New York Yankee veteran pitcher Mariano Rivera was introduced to the crowd to a thunderous applause. He spoke to about the hardships he faced back in Panama and encouraged students to never give up on their dreams. Rivera spent some time signing autographs and speaking with students following the ceremony, including student-athletes from the baseball, basketball and volleyball teams.



Date Added: 12/19/2023
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Kicking Off the Holidays at Senior to Senior Dinner

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The seniors from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s Class of 2024 connected with seniors from the Town of Babylon at their annual senior to senior dinner and dance on Dec. 5 in the high school’s cafeteria.

The event serves as a kickoff to the holiday season. The members of the senior class served dinner to the senior citizens in attendance. Dressed in their holiday best, the seniors were all treated to holiday tunes by the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague Madrigal Choir to start the night of celebration.

When dinner was complete, the guests and students made their way to the dance floor, where they had plenty of opportunity to show off their dance moves and connect with each other while they enjoyed the holiday music.

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Date Added: 12/11/2023
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Starbucks Cup Contest in Copiague

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Students in Mr. Rodrigues’ drawing and painting I class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School are taking on a Starbucks-themed challenge this year. Modeled after a promotion run by Starbucks in 2014, the white cup contest allowed patrons to design a cup to be made into a real Starbucks cup design. The students learned about repetition, pattern and rhythm to design a Starbucks cup of their own. Staff and students had the opportunity to vote for their favorite cup while they were on display in the lobby and the top three winners received gift cards to Starbucks.

Date Added: 12/5/2023
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Combining Culture and Dance in New Elective Course

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New this year at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School is a foreign language elective class called cultural dance explosion. The goal was to create a course that would explore dance as an integral part of cultural identities around the world. Students learn about the history and cultural significance of a variety of dance styles while also learning the moves and getting out of their seats to dance. Students are currently in their salsa unit. The last few weeks, students have learned about the origin/history of salsa, different types, and the ways it is danced. Students also learned eight basic steps and are enjoying the movement created in this class.

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Date Added: 12/5/2023
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Students Explore AI Guring STEM Lesson

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Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students in the visual storytelling class recently completed a lesson on the 2009 animated film “Astro Boy.” This provided students the opportunity to explore themes of identity, the relationship between humans and technology, and the moral questions surrounding artificial intelligence. Through viewing, discussion, comprehension and a creative activity, students critically evaluated the messages and implications of the story. As a culminating activity, they completed a formal assessment and a STEM activity. The STEM activity included students choosing to make either a bristle bot or robotic arm.

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Date Added: 12/5/2023
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Basketball Game Honors Student’s Memory

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Copiague School District honored the memory of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School student Carmyne Payton during the first Carmyne Payton Classic varsity basketball game on Nov. 29. Administrators, teachers, staff and students came together to celebrate the life of Carmyne, who tragically passed away two years while trying out for the varsity basketball team. The Copiague basketball team and coaching staff wore the “Love Big” shirts in his honor as well. Bracelets and snacks were on sale during the event to raise money for scholarships that will be presented to a varsity female and varsity male basketball player.

Date Added: 12/4/2023
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Latinx Artists on Display During Virtual Field Trip

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Copiague Middle School and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Spanish language students recently participated in the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook’s virtual field trip. The trip highlighted the works of art from Latinx community members. The exhibition “SOMOS/We Are: Latinx Artists of Long Island” featured more than 80 artists.

Some highlights from the virtual trip included a viewing of Ofrenda, which represented the celebration of the Day of the Dead and incorporated the history behind the person who created the Ofrenda. In addition, students were able to view Neon Bunny (Bad Bunny), a portrait of the artist Bad Bunny created with spray paint, acrylic and gold foil on canvas.

Spanish teachers Evelin Chavez and Karla Umanzor felt that one of the most important parts for their students during the virtual trip was the presentation of the Caja de Memoria Viva III. This was a living memory box dedicated to a survivor of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. In class, students had learned about Hurricane Maria and the devastation that it caused in Puerto Rico. Through this artwork, students could see the effects of the hurricane, the history behind the woman presented in the box and the objects that people preserved during and after the hurricane.

This field trip was incorporated into the students’ family tree, where they identified and described one tradition or celebration they have with their own families. Like the art pieces viewed, students used images, pictures and music to represent their traditions.

Date Added: 12/5/2023
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Copiague’s Top 10 in the Class of 2024

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Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School has announced the top 10 students for the Class of 2024. With a weighted GPA of 105, Kemmora Simmons has been named the valedictorian. Jonathan Singh has been named salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 104.97.

The district congratulates the top 10 students in the graduating of Class of 2024: Kemmora Simmons (valedictorian); Jonathan Singh (salutatorian); Rebecca Alara (third); Shenn Barredo (fourth); Shawn Smaldon (fifth); Jorge Villatoro-Amaya (sixth); Theresa Soraire (seventh); Victoria Wheby (eighth); Giselle Peralta (ninth); and Andrew Falco (10th).

Date Added: 11/30/2023
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Copiague Celebrates Accomplishments of Fall Student-Athletes

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On Nov. 14, Copiague School District held its annual Fall Sports Awards to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of its fall varsity student-athletes. Sponsored by the Booster Club, student-athletes in gymnastics, girls soccer, boys soccer, field hockey, girls tennis, volleyball, cross-country, cheerleading, swimming and football were recognized for their dedication to their sports by family members, coaches, Copiague School District administrators and members of the board of education.

Throughout the night, coaches praised the student-athletes for their success and distributed individual awards, including the Coaches’ Award, Most Improved and the MVP award, to worthy recipients. Six special memorial awards were handed out to outstanding athletes for demonstrating leadership on and off the field. Jonathan Valle (cross-country) was presented with the Christopher Urban Award, and Kennedy Hodges (gymnastics) was the recipient of the Dolores Sandefur Award. The Barbara Day Award was given to Julianna Milonas (field hockey), and Jocelyn Teel (volleyball) received the Debra Tekosky Award. Millie Cisneros (girls soccer) was presented with the Michael S. Cohen Award and Ashley Matute (girls soccer) was the recipient of the Brittany Walsh Memorial Award.

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Date Added: 11/20/2023

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Mock Trial Room Houses Copiague’s Criminal Justice Students

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The members of the Advanced Criminal Justice class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School now have the chance to participate and witness the justice system in action. Last year, the school unveiled a new mock trial room where the students can participate in a simulated trial and moot court competitions.

Taught by Stephanie Rafuse, students learn about the law and criminal justice system but also can work on their public speaking, debating skills and evaluate the effectiveness of the current criminal justice system. Students work on research projects and form oral arguments, which they can then present in moot court and mock trial competitions.

This month, the class will take a field trip to the federal court and witness a naturalization ceremony and get a tour of the facilities by a federal judge. The students also have plans to visit the Town of Babylon’s new courthouse this winter.

Date Added: 11/6/2023
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Senior Attends Leadership Conference

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Last year, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Hadasa Argueta-Botzec was chosen by the social studies department to participate in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute.

Hadasa was one of 60 participants representing Long Island at the student leadership conference. She had the opportunity to work with members of the NYS Assembly to debate current bills and participate in a mock assembly. She was selected as one of the outstanding student leaders because of her excellent participation throughout the event. Hadasa stood out among her peers in training, leadership and overall performance. Thanks to her hard work, she was chosen to travel with other students to Washington, D.C., last June, where she met members of Congress and visited the House of Representatives while it was in session.

Hadasa once again stood out among her peers and was chosen to attend the Somos conference, where she will spend five days in Puerto Rico from Nov. 8-12. She will participate in legislative workshops and a day of service. “These experiences have helped me to connect with my peers and hone my leadership and communication skills,” Argueta-Botzec said.

Date Added: 11/6/2023
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Leadership Class Honored with Gold Award by Junior Achievement

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Students in Colleen Gurtner’s leadership class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School were recently presented with the gold award from Junior Achievement for their work with the High School Heroes program. The leadership class worked with students at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School last year. The High School Heroes is a service-learning and leadership development program for high school students to teach the Junior Achievement curriculum to elementary students.

Date Added: 10/31/2023
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Pumpkin Paintings Bring History to Life

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History came to life on the faces of pumpkins thanks to Advanced Placement U.S. History students at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School on Oct. 27. Juniors in Dr. Allison Weller’s class came together after school in the courtyard to recreate historical events or historical figures on their pumpkins. Students chose events that have some historical significance to them and explained why they think it is an important event or figure in U.S. history, which helps build their historical thinking skills. This is the third year of the annual event, which started as way to bring what students are learning about in U.S. history into conversation with each other and help them socialize with each other. It serves a way for students to feel connected to the class and to each other.

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Date Added: 10/31/2023
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