English
A Message from the English Department
Welcome to the POB English Department! We are thrilled to have you visit our digital home, where the power of language and literature comes to life. Whether you're exploring classic works of literature, enhancing your writing skills, or discovering new ways to express your ideas, our department is dedicated to helping you unlock your full potential in the English language.
With a diverse range of courses, programs, and engaging opportunities, we offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the written word.
We invite you to explore all that our department has to offer and look forward to guiding you through an enriching journey in English education.
Mr. Jeffrey Yagaloff
Chairperson Grades 7-12
Phone: (516) 434-3185
Email:
- Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK Resources
- Mattlin and Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School Resources
- Contests & Opportunities for Students
- National English Honor Society (NEHS)
Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK Resources
- 2024-2025 Department Members and Teaching Assignments
- Useful Links and Resources
- Summer 25 Mandatory and Optional Assignments & Reading Suggestions
2024-2025 Department Members and Teaching Assignments
- Ms. Jessica Berry
12 Advanced Placement Literature & Composition, English 11R, Radio Fundamentals, College Radio Production, and Daily Radio Broadcast - Ms. Katelynn Brandow
11 Advanced Placement Language & Composition and English 10R - Ms. Colleen Cho
11 Advanced Placement Language & Composition and 12 Advanced Placement Literature & Composition - Mr. Paul Coluccio
12 Advanced Placement Literature & Composition and 11 Honors - Mr. Robert DiTolla
10 Regents, 10 Regents ICT, Contemporary Literature, Reality Readings, and Literature of the Supernatural - Ms. Jamie Feder
9 Honors and 10 Honors - Ms. Sophia Goodrich
Literature & Writing Fundamentals I/II and 9 Honors - Ms. Shira Harwood
Contemporary Literature, Facing History & Ourselves, Creative Writing, Literacy Lab 9, and Literacy Lab 10/11, 11 Regents, and 9 Regents - Ms. Kimberly Kerensky
10 Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar, English 11R ICT, and Theater Arts I/II/III/IV - Ms. Michelle Mifsud
English 9R - Ms. Lauren Rollens
9 Regents, 9 Regents ICT, Writing for College I, and Writing for College II - Ms. Donna Scully
10 Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar and 12 Advanced Placement Capstone Research - Ms. Lina Seaton
11 Advanced Placement Language & Composition and Public Speaking - Ms. Marissa Toran
English 9 Honors and 10 Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar - Mr. Jeffrey Yagaloff
10 Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar
Useful Links and Resources
- Updated Fall 2024 Personal Narrative College Essay:
- Level it Books:
- http://levelitbooks.com/
- The application (one that can be installed on all devices) gives you the ability to scan a book's ISBN # to view the Lexile, Guided Reading, Grade Level Equivalent, and/or DRA levels for the book.
- http://levelitbooks.com/
- Links to eLibraries:
- Community Library:
- University Libraries:
- Government Libraries:
- Curricular Resources:
Summer 25 Mandatory and Optional Assignments & Reading Suggestions
- Mandatory: English 10 AP Capstone Seminar
- Optional: AP Language & Composition (Grade 11)
- Optional: AP Literature & Composition (Grade 12)
- Optional: General Summer Reading Suggestions
- Optional: Summer 2024 Reading Comprehension / Multiple-Choice Modules
- We have created a number of modules for students to continue to develop their reading comprehension skills when reading works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. To that end, please use the following weekly resources designed to give students immediate feedback:
Incoming Grade 9:
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
Incoming Grade 10:
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
Incoming Grade 11:
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
Mattlin and Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School Resources
- 2024-2025 Department Members and Teaching Assignments
- Useful Links and Resources
- Summer 25 Mandatory and Optional Assignments & Reading Suggestions
2024-2025 Department Members and Teaching Assignments
- Mattlin:
- Ms. Laurie Catterson (English 7)
- Ms. Stefanie Hernandez (English 8)
- Ms. Trisha Ninivaggi (English 7, English 8, Writing AIS 7, and Writing AIS 8)
- POBMS:
- Ms. Lauren Infranca (English 8)
- Ms. Misha Khan (English 7 and English 8)
- Mr. Michael Loicano (English 7)
- Ms. Michelle Mifsud (English 7 and Writing AIS 7/8)
Useful Links and Resources
- Common Sense Media's website has a number of links to writing applications and websites:
- Access Website Here
- According to their site, "These apps and websites cover several of the skills that kids need to become strong writers. Whether you have a preschooler just learning to form letters or an older kid who's learning the finer points of constructing stories and self-expression through writing, you'll find excellent learning tools on our list."
- Here's a link to Level it Books, a really useful application that can be installed on to iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches:
- Access Website here
- The application gives you the ability to scan a book's ISBN # to view the Lexile, Guided Reading, Grade Level Equivalent, and/or DRA levels for the book.
- Links to eLibraries
- Community Library
- Government Libraries
Summer 25 Mandatory and Optional Assignments & Reading Suggestions
Summer Reading 2025:
- For Incoming Grade 7 Students:
- For Incoming Grade 8 Students:
- Check out the website created by POB's library media specialists:
-
Optional Summer Reading Comprehension / Multiple-Choice Modules:
We have created a number of modules for students to continue to develop their reading comprehension skills when reading works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. To that end, please use the following weekly resources designed to give you immediate feedback:
Incoming Grade 7
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
Incoming Grade 8
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
Contests & Opportunities for Students
Contests and Opportunities for English Language Arts Students in Grades 7 to 12
As contests and opportunities are presented, they will be listed based on the due date for submission (later dates on top).
Susquehana University Summer 2025 Writers Institute
Creative Patterns
- Creative Patterns is requesting submissions in art and literature for the 2025 edition from Kindergarten to 12th graders.
- Submission deadline: March 15, 2025
- Please submit all work through the following Google Form:
- Link to File
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association's 39th Annual Student Poetry Contest
- Submission deadline: March 1, 2025
- Link to information
Susquehana University's Apprentice Writer
- A publication for High School Writing and Visual Arts
- They accept rolling submissions.
- Link to Information
- Link to Submission Form
THE MID-ISLAND Y 24-25 POETRY SERIES
- One Sunday each month from 2:00 to 4:00 PM with a $3 donation charge
- For more information, please contact Alana Rosenstein at (516) 822-3535 ext. 385
- Featured readers and open mic opportunities:
10.20.24: Patti Tana11.10.24: Ria Meade12.8.24: A tribute to Robert Harrison1.5.25: Palusa Curci2.2.25: George Wallace3.2.25: Linda Opyr4.6.25: Adrienne Unger5.4.25: Denis Gray
National English Honor Society (NEHS)
National English Honor Society
National English Honor Society is a national organization that rewards excellence of achievement in language, literature, writing, and media arts. This chapter, formed in 2021, provides students with an outlet and creative forum for sharing ideas through their work while also interacting with their school community and the POB community at large.
NEHS Executive Board 2024/2025:
- Dylan Reimer (President)
- Hailey Eisenstein (Vice president / Fundraising)
- Alayna John (Recording Secretary)
- Julia Kesselman (Treasurer)
- Kayla Leibowitz (Vice president / Community Service)
- Hailey Richman (PR Secretary)
- Demeter Stathakopoulos (Vice President)
- Arjun Khashu (Historian)
Important Dates for 2024/2025:
- (Thursday) September 26, 2024 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Sunday) October 6, 2024 - Walk to End Alzheimer's @ Eisenhower Park
- (Tuesday) October 29, 2024 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Tuesday) November 26, 2024 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Thursday) December 19, 2024 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Thursday) January 30, 2025 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Tuesday) March 25, 2025 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Tuesday) April 29, 2025 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
- (Thursday) May 22, 2024 - General Membership Meetings @ HS LGI
Interested in joining for the 2025/2026 school year?
- Admission to NEHS is open to juniors and seniors who, at minimum, have final course averages that meet the following academic requirements from their past two English classes:
- AP Course: 90
- Honors Course: 92
- Regents Course: 93
- The application process will consist of the following steps:
- Phase I (May/June 2024)
- Students must:
- Complete a Google Form survey indicating their interest.
- Obtain two teachers' recommendations (one must be from an English teacher)
- Students must:
- Phase II
- Students must complete a virtual writing sample
- More information regarding this portion of the application process will be provided to eligible students after Phase I.
- Phase I (May/June 2024)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: