SSCM sent three teams to compete in the Sixth annual Catholic Middle School Mock Trial Program hosted by St. John's University Law School this past Saturday, May 17th, 2008. The day was a resounding triumph as each of our three teams met with success in their individual trials. Two hundred and three students from the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre competed in the event. According to Mrs. Mary Anne Cowan, moderator for the SSCM Mock Trial Program, the stated goals of these programs include, "providing students with an invaluable educational opportunity-they learn about our legal system, develop their analytical and reasoning skills, practice public speaking, and build up their self-confidence." And our students clearly honed their legal skills being advised by Barbara W. Clarke, Esq., an SSCM parent. The teams have been preparing since January and the long hours of work clearly were in evidence on Saturday.

This SSCM offering is another example of the diversity of academic endeavors offered to our students which extend the curriculum to educate the Catholic leaders of the twenty-first century.

I am pleased to inform you about a new recycling program that was started on 5/20/2008 in our school. Town of Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone was on hand to distribute twenty new gleaming blue recycling canisters for our use.

None of this would have taken place without the persistence of one of our students, third grader Gianna Pizzichillo.

She came to me and said that she thought our school should recycle its bottles and cans. I agreed with her, and she took it upon herself to contact Mr. Bellone’s office and set the wheels in motion to establish the program in our school.

Mr. Bellone was obviously very impressed with Gianna's leadership and initiative in this matter, so much so that he came in person to make certain that our recycling program got off to a wonderful start.

Pictures were taken outside of the building with these bright blue canisters, which you will now see all over the school building. I encourage all of the SSCM Family to make use of them in the cafeteria, gym, and other areas of the school. In this way we will be able to say that we are truly a “green” school that proudly recycles to help the environment.

I must say that I am personally so impressed by Gianna’s handling of this situation. She took a chance to come to me because she wanted to start something that she really believed in. Now she has made an impact on her school and the environment.

I know you will all join me in congratulating Gianna on a job well done.

Dr. Lana