Welcome

As I reflect upon another successful year for our research program, I continue to be amazed by our students' passion for inquiry and humbled by their academic accomplishments. Our program has grown to be one of the largest and most successful open-enrollment research programs in New York State. This year we had 175 research students completing over 100 different STEM based Research projects. From day one, the dedication and drive from both our research teachers and students were on full display. From our high school research classrooms, and in-house research laboratory, students interacted with their peers, collaborated with their teachers, and shared new and novel scientific ideas with one another. In return, many high-level research projects were born. With that, the successes of our program also extend outside the walls of POBJFK High School. This year every research student once again had the opportunity to share their discoveries to members of the scientific community at local, national, or international science and engineering fairs. From a competitive standpoint, over 50 students, from all four grade levels, won a research award this year. Additionally, we submitted 36 AP Research papers to the College Board. Most impressive of all, we continued to have multiple winners at the "Big 3" of Science Research Competitions: The Regeneron Science and Talent Search (STS), The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), and the Regeneron Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). I am confident that our research team has established a strong foundation for the 2024-25 research year and I look forward to the amazing projects our students will accomplish next year.

Before we look to the future, let's take some time to appreciate the accomplishments of this school year. The research symposium presented here is the culmination of a year’s worth of dedication to various fields of science. Please feel free to browse through the students’ final presentations which are categorized by grade levels. I know that the students are excited to share their work with the entire POB community.

I would like to personally thank our entire research team. This includes our high school teachers, guidance counselors, building administrators, central administration, and Board of Education. You provide the inspiration, structure, and resources that make this program a success. I want to give a special thanks to our research teachers. You all motivate our students to venture outside of their comfort zone and help them draw from their own passions to create a tangible investigation. I would also like to thank the parents of all our research students, as you always work with us when we ask for hours and hours of your child’s time.

I would like to give the biggest thanks to our research students. I hope when you view these presentations, you reflect on and truly appreciate what you have accomplished this year. As I often say, the old adage that good research never happens in a straight line, but rather in a spiral process, has never been more true than during these past few years. You continue to successfully navigate every obstacle put before you. Thank you for that.

To our research underclassmen, please know that the research process never stops, although it may temporarily slow down when the weather gets hot. I encourage you to take some time this summer to unwind, unplug, and decompress. Go to the beach. Take a bike ride with a friend. Read a non-research related book outside on a cool summer evening. However, when you are ready, know that I will be available throughout summer to continue to assist you in your research journey. 

I also would like to congratulate Dr. Joyce Barry on her pending retirement and dedicate this year's research symposium in her honor. For over 20 years, Joyce has always been a strong advocate of our research program. Our years of success and growth would not have been possible without her constant support and dedication to our research program. Thank you Joyce. We will also miss you.

In closing, I would like to offer my best wishes to our graduating seniors. You have made us all proud over these past four years. Your research teachers and I will continue to watch over you even as you move on to the next chapters of your lives. It has been an incredible journey. Remember, you have all been well trained. Now go represent POB proudly on the world's stage!

Sincerely,

Mr. Raymond Tesar

Lead Research Coordinator

A big thank you to our research team!

Mr. Raymond Tesar

Lead Research Coordinator 

Dr. Joyce Thornton Barry

Chairperson of Science, Research and Engineering

Mrs. Maria Carnesi

Chairperson of Social Studies and Business Department Coordinator 

Mr. Joseph Amorizzo

Research Teacher

Ms. Jody Barditch

Research Teacher

Ms. Elizabeth Cangelosi

Research Teacher

Ms. Stephanie DeNicola

Research Teacher

Ms. Candice Holdsworth

Research Teacher

Ms. Heather Rause

Research Teacher

Ms. Rohe Sheikh

Research Teacher

Ms. Jessica Winter

Research Teacher

Ms. Stacey Tamburello 

Research Support Services

Special thanks to......

Our Board of Education

Ms. Debbie Bernstein - President

Mr. Seth Greenberg - Vice-President

Mr. Gary Bettan - Trustee

Ms. Tara Rock - Trustee

Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed - Trustee

Ms. Ginger Lieberman - Trustee

Mr. Jared Goerke - Trustee

Our Central Administration

Dr. Mary T. O’Meara

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. James E. Bolen

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. Christopher Donarummo

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Safety

Dr. Christopher Dillion

Assistant Superintendent for Business

Our High School Administration

Dr. Heather Dvorak, Principal

Dr. Ben Wiley, Assistant Principal

Mr. Timothy Lamb, Assistant Principal 

 Mr. Thomas Schwartz, Assistant Principal

Ms. Katie Prudente, Assistant Principal