Breakfast with South Side High School's Dr. Burris

South Side High School Principal Dr. Carol Burris welcomed the school’s English as a Second Language students to a sit down breakfast on June 1, and commended them on their hard work and dedication to their studies. She also awarded certificates to each of the students to acknowledge the many milestones they reached this year.

According to ESL teacher Virginia Stamatakis, some of the students — for the first time — participated in the school’s science fair, winning third place. On their own, she said, they have created study groups at the Rockville Centre Public Library and reserved rooms to prepare for the upcoming Global Studies and Living Environment regents.

The group also attended an ESL orientation at Nassau Community College during the spring. Stamatakis described her students as very academically oriented and motivated for success. She also attributed their achievements to South Side High School's environment and Dr. Burris's interest in their progress as they become accustomed to their adopted country.

From left in the photo on the previous page, are Cheng Zeng, Joel Ramirez, Elfy Rosario Matias, Wilvin Fernandez, Pamela Mendez, Diego Bolaños, Jonathan Ortiz and Migelina Ramirez. In the 9th, 10th and 11th grades, they are from China, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and El Salvador.