During the summer, freshmen in John H. Glenn High School’s Mock Trial Team had a unique and exciting opportunity to work with professional lawyers, federal judges and FBI agents as part of a program designed to teach them about the U.S. legal system.

The “EDNY Justice Institute: Crime, the Constitution and the Courts,” is a week-long program, run by the federal court in conjunction with the Touro Law Center and the Eastern District of New York Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. 

The district’s four students, Abby Rothleder, Isabella Marino, Jack Rersnick and Max Slesinski, who all recently returned to high school as sophomores, observed real court proceedings and worked alongside prosecutors, defense lawyers and deputy U.S. Marshals to develop basic advocacy skills, which they used in a mock trial competition against high school teams from East Meadow and Great Neck South. 

The students won both competition rounds working as attorneys, according to the club’s adviser, Megan Gieser.

The Elwood Board of Education welcomed its newest member and vice president, Michael LaMena, at its meeting on Sept 5. 

Mr. LaMena was sworn in by District Clerk Mary Lou Janelli first as a member of the board, and following a nomination by board member James Tomeo, he assumed the role of vice president as well. 

Mr. LaMena, who previously served multiple terms as a board member, including serving as the board president for the 2016-17 school year, was appointed to the board back in August to fill a vacancy left by former Board President Julia Fried. 

“It definitely felt like getting back on a familiar bicycle,” he said. “Being in the meeting last night, I think there’s great things going on in Elwood and any way I can help accelerate that I’m excited about.”

Recently appointed Board President and former Vice President Becky Marcus, welcomed Mr. LaMena’s “wealth of knowledge,” noting that it will be an asset to the board. 

Mr. LaMena was equally welcomed by the remaining board members as well as Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert. 

The Elwood Union Free School District was excited to welcome students back for the start of the 2019-20 academic year on Sept. 4.
At Harley Avenue Primary School, parents kissed and hugged their children as they prepared them for their first year of kindergarten. Some students posed for photos outside the school’s main entrance, holding chalkboard signs detailing their likes, dislikes and future plans. 

While doing so, other students filed off their buses and followed the “yellow brick road” into the school where they were met with high-fives from teachers and staff. Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Bossert was also there to welcome students back.

Classrooms were bustling with students putting away their supplies, engaging in relationship building activities and chatting with friends. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Maureen Hull explained that the first day was focused on icebreakers and transitions. 

Students at Elwood Middle School and Elwood-John H. Glenn High School also returned to class on Sept. 4. The halls were bustling with students trying out their locker combinations for the first time and teachers pointing freshmen in the direction of their classrooms. 

The Elwood community looks forward to another exciting and successful school year.