Hello from the Principal's Office
January 10, 2026
Dear Baldwin Families,
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed some joyous time with your loved ones during our vacation. With five class days remaining in the marking period and first semester, students need to make sure all assignments, homework, and classwork are up to date. Please log onto the parent portal to review your child’s academic progress and to review their attendance and/or missing assignments for their courses. Please note the following:
January 12-16: In-Class Midterm Exams - Regular Classes
January 16: Last Day of Semester 1 / Marking Period 2 Classes
January 19: Schools Closed
January 20 - 23: Midterm / Regents Exam Week
*Students only attend if they have a scheduled exam, except 8:1:1 program
January 26: Classes resume - start of Semester 2 Classes / Marking Period 3
In-Class Midterms Calendar / Midterm & Regents Week Calendar
For more information about the testing week, including rules and procedures, go to January Midterm Regents Testing Information.
2026-27 Course Requests
Scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year has begun. Last week, 9th grade students visited with their guidance counselor during their regularly scheduled social studies class. 10th grade will be next week, followed by 11th grade. At this meeting, students will review course recommendations and select electives for the upcoming school year. Please refer to the Coursebook in this link for a full description of all of the courses offered next year at Baldwin High School. 2026-2027 BHS Coursebook
Students in each grade level are required to carry a full course load, with no free periods, except for a regularly scheduled lunch period.
Students will be visiting counselors as scheduled:
- Monday, January 12 - Friday, January 16th -- Grade 10
- Monday, January 26th - Friday, January 30th -- Grade 11
Please take some time to discuss academic choices with your child in the upcoming days so the best possible schedule can be created for the new school year.
Announcements
Please check out the latest issue of our digital newsletter, What’s Bruin in Baldwin.
Check out the Baldwin Herald for a wonderful article about this Fall's Musical, Footloose!
Check out the Baldwin Public Library Newsletter
In this episode of the Bruins Sports Podcast, Ava sits down with Jaden Small, Karan Punj, Samantha Joseph and Chideara Ubah from the boys and girls Cross Country teams. They discuss their love for cross country as a sport, their favorite courses, how they stay motivated, Coach Buckley and much more. Tune in!
https://bhs.baldwinschools.org/athletics/baldwin-bruins-sports-podcast
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2026!
the official site to purchase your caps, gowns, and graduation regalia is now live and will remain open until April. To ensure your attire arrives in time for the ceremony and to avoid late fees, please place your order as soon as possible.Ordering Link
Kickstart Your College Plan for the New Year
On January 15th at 8pm, Method Test Prep is hosting a virtual webinar to help students and parents understand where to start so they can move forward with confidence instead of confusion. In this session, you will learn
* The three areas where early preparation protects students from common pitfalls
* How to focus on what truly matters without adding more pressure
* How to organize the next six months so your student is ready for what comes nex
Attend this webinar and save yourself the time of trying to gather all of the information yourself.
Register here to attend live or to get the recording to watch at your convenience.
Congratulations to team Ramos, the 20th annual volleyball tournament champion of champions who secured a 25-23 victory in the finals. 2nd place went to Kennedy Thomas, Sabrah Folkes, Summer Hamilton, Isabella Fleck, Gavin Sparks, and Josh Cantre.
Baldwin High invites you to be part of our Black History Month Showcase, honoring this year's theme BLACK JOY! Auditions will be held on January 12th in the AUDITORIUM right after school . Students are encouraged to showcase Black Joy through music, dance, singing, poetry, or any artistic expression that brings them joy.
There will be rehearsals for the “Zombie” plays on Monday & Tuesday in Room 619 right after school until 4:00.
Girls Softball - Open gym workouts will begin next week. All workouts will be posted weekly on the team’s google classroom page. You can find the code to join the google classroom in the gym and by the locker rooms.
Boys’ Basketball – congratulations to the team as they won the Christmas tournament 80-42 over Hempstead & 47-38 over Elmont in the championship. Jordan Williams and Mical Saint Jean were named All-Tournament. Ethan Sainsbury was named MVP. Congratulations to the team as they defeated Uniondale Saturday, 38-28 on Saturday. Ethan Sainsbury was named MVP with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists & 4 steals. Rian Gittens had 13 points & 4 rebounds. Please come to support the team’s next game on Wednesday at 7:00 against Westbury.
Winter Track - Congratulations to Brandon Thweatt for winning the 55-meter hurdles at the Marine Corps Invitational in a time of 7.52 seconds, held at the Nike Armory in NYC. Thweatt later combined with Tyrell Holder, C.J. Graham and Mikhi Williams to place 4th in the finals of the 4x200 meter relay. Sophomore Khalil Williams also medaled in the Sophomore 55-meter hurdles in 9.27 seconds.
As the new year began the boys returned to the Nike Armory for the 2026 Apple Hispanic Games. Brandon Thweatt broke two school records as he placed 5th in the 55-meter dash in 6.49 seconds and 2nd in the 55-meter hurdles in 7.35 seconds which is the 7th fastest time in the United States. Other medalists included freshman Gio Dupplesy who placed 3rd in the Freshman 55-meter dash in 6.96 seconds and Chinonso Ajomiwe who jumped 43 feet 1.5 inches for 6th in the triple jump.
Marksmanship - Senior Captain Soren York shot her season high score of a 190 out of a possible 200 points to lead the Bruins to shoot their team high score of a 721 over top seeded Bellmore Merrick. Also scoring for the Bruins were Josie Engelhardt, Lucas Duet and Taylor Antoine. Congratulations to Josie Engelhardt for shooting her season high of a 187!
The Varsity Wrestling Team - defeated Herricks by a score of 38-35 yesterday. Wins were secured by Yaseen Khan, Ryen Madoo, Dayvien Devargas, Frantz Byron, Mitchell Carter, Devonte Young, and Adam Hilburger. Great job Bruins!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
December 19, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
Wishing you all a joyous holiday and a Happy New Year! So far, the 2025 part of the school year has been filled with many things to be grateful for. I look forward to an even better 2026 school year! We have our last two days on the 22nd and 23rd, and when we return on January 5th the second marking period will rapidly draw to an end, with 10 class days before our midterm week. To mark this critical moment of the year as well as the turn to 2026, I made the following announcement for all students and staff and I wanted to share it with you:
As we head into the final days before vacation, this is one of those moments in the school year that naturally brings excitement, reflection, and a renewed sense of hope as we look toward a new year. That energy is real and it’s something to celebrate.
At the same time, we still have two full days of classes ahead of us, and this remains important learning time. Being present, attending all classes, and staying engaged matters now more than ever. When we return from vacation, there will be only ten class days before midterms, and the work we do this week and next sets the foundation for a strong finish.
So lean in. Bring your best. Approach school with the same focus, effort, and enthusiasm you give to the things you care about most outside of school. If it matters to you there, it should matter here too—because that one way should be every way.
Join us for our last two spirit days of 2025!
2026-2027 Course Scheduling
Starting in January, each student in grades 9-11 will meet with their counselor for their course selections. I recommend using the vacation to review our coursebook in preparation for these conversations, which should include familiarizing yourself with our Academic Academy pathways. They offer a variety of leaving to learn experiences and career exploration opportunities! Our 2026-27 course offering book can be found HERE.
On Monday, December 22nd, our Department Supervisors and teachers are putting together an Elective Fair for students to learn more about our variety of electives. Students can visit the fair during periods 4-8 in the commons during their lunch or free period.
AP Exam Payment Instructions:
For those students enrolled in AP courses, go to www.myschoolbucks.com, or navigate here through the BHS homepage on the district website. Due to ordering deadlines set by the College Board, it is important that all payments be submitted by Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
To see the AP exam product list, click on “School Store” in the upper left. Then click on “Categories” to click and view “AP Exams.” Choose each exam to add and check the class and teacher name of each exam to ensure accuracy. Add the appropriate exam(s) to your basket for the correct student(s) and proceed to checkout by viewing the cart in the upper right corner of the screen. Payment may be made using a VISA, Mastercard, or Discover card. No checks are accepted. The online or printed statement from your financial institution will serve as your receipt.
Go to AP Testing Information to learn more!
Midterm/Regents Examinations
Our winter testing period, which includes Midterms and January Regents examinations, begins on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and concludes on Friday, January 23, 2026. Please read the attached letter for some pertinent information. A full testing calendar will be available shortly.
Announcements
Recently, our amazing Business students participated in the Apprentice Challenge! Check out the HERALD Article
Congratulations are in order for our DECA team. Three students qualified for the state competition following this weekend’s DECA Regional Competition. Layla Gentles and David Kreutz qualified in Team Entrepreneurship and Team Decision Making, while Nirvana Gosine qualified in the Individual Career Development Project category. Thank you to Brendan Malin for his continued support of these students in his role as DECA advisor. We are very excited for Baldwin to be invited to States two years in a row.
Congratulations to both Blue and Gold teams on a successful first week! Well done! Blue Banquet practice will be today, 3pm in Cafeteria A. Gold Entrance practice will be today, 3pm in Gym. Shout out to the Blue Sportsnite Girl of the week - Madeline Kurz and the Gold Sportsnite Girl of the week - Chelsea Lutchmenarine. Both have been doing a great job and are amazing teammates!
WOW! Sportsnite is entering it's 93rd year! This program is an amazing opportunity for all young women to show their school spirit and participate in a cherished Baldwin tradition. Sportsnite has two teams; Blue and Gold and they will compete in Entrance Routines, Dance, Stunts & Tumbling, Games, Art and so much more! This is an excellent leadership and team building opportunity for college. Learn more about Sportsnite by clicking this link. Upcoming Sportsnite practices will be on Saturday 12/20 at 9:00am and Monday 1/5 at 3:00pm in the gym. Sign up today!
Talent Show Auditions are happening! Auditions are right after the Holiday vacation. You MUST sign up through the google form. Flyers are around the school or come see Ms. Liemer-Kelly in room 416 for information. No auditions will be allowed, without filling out this form.
Boys’ Varsity Basketball – congratulations to the team as they defeated Herricks 72-53. Ethan Sainsbury had 19 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds & 5 steals. Karan Punj had a career high of 14 points & 3 assists and CJ Ogokeri had a career high of 12 points & 5 rebounds. Please come support our next game on Monday, December 29th at our annual Christmas Tournament as we play Hempstead at 6:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
December 13, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
As we approach our last seven school days before December break, it is important to note that we have reached the midpoint of marking period 2 already! Progress reports will be published to the portal on December 17th by 3pm. This also means that despite how close we are to a nice long vacation, these next seven days must be treated as critical learning days where all students need to be present and on time for.
When we return from recess, there are only 10 class days in the marking period before midterm exams. At this critical time in the marking period and school year, it is important for all students to attend extra help if needed, get in that little extra studying, and be on time and present to all classes. It does make a difference! To help students prepare, we offer a full slate of Regents Review sessions after school.
Important Upcoming Dates/Events
12/15: Winter Concert I, HS Auditorium - 7:30 pm
12/17: MP2 Progress Reports published to the Portal - 3pm
12/18 - Winter Concert II, HS Auditorium - 7:30 pm
12/23 - Last Day of Classes before Holiday Recess
12/24 - 1/2: Holiday Recess - Schools Closed
1/5 - Classes Resume
1/:6 PTSA Meeting, Virtual - 7:30 pm
2026-2027 Course Scheduling
This past week, our school counselors visited English classes to discuss the process for 2026-27 class scheduling. Yes, we are already making preparations for it! Teachers are completing course recommendations, and now is the time to start thinking about your courses for next year!
Starting in January, each student will meet with their counselor for their course selections. I recommend using the vacation to review our coursebook in preparation for these conversations, which should include familiarizing yourself with our Academic Academy pathways. They offer a variety of leaving to learn experiences and career exploration opportunities! Our 2026-27 course offering book can be found HERE.
On Monday, December 22nd, our Department Supervisors and teachers are putting together an Elective Fair for students to learn more about our variety of electives. Students can visit the fair during periods 4-8 in the commons during their lunch or free period.
One of our exciting course electives and part of our News, Film, and Media Academy, is TV Studio. Yes, we have a fully functional television studio! This year 3 option for students enrolled in this Academy is also an option for any student as an elective. Learn more about the course from this informational video, written, directed, edited, and starring our students!
AP Exam Payment Instructions:
For those students enrolled in AP courses, go to www.myschoolbucks.com, or navigate here through the BHS homepage on the district website. Due to ordering deadlines set by the College Board, it is important that all payments be submitted by Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
To see the AP exam product list, click on “School Store” in the upper left. Then click on “Categories” to click and view “AP Exams.” Choose each exam to add and check the class and teacher name of each exam to ensure accuracy. Add the appropriate exam(s) to your basket for the correct student(s) and proceed to checkout by viewing the cart in the upper right corner of the screen. Payment may be made using a VISA, Mastercard, or Discover card. No checks are accepted. The online or printed statement from your financial institution will serve as your receipt.
Go to AP Testing Information to learn more!
Baldwin UFSD Receives Multiple Nominations for “Best of Long Island 2026”
The 2026 voting period runs through December 15, 2025. Get your final votes in! You can vote once per category per day at www.bestoflongisland.com.
Go to Arts and Entertainment:
· Baldwin Bruins Sports Podcast: select “Podcast”
· The Baldwin Bruin: select “Mascot”
Go to Education:
· Ms. Erin Beirne: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Stephanie Pina: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Virginia Coles: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Baldwin High School: select “Best High School Spirit”
· Mr. Darius Burton: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Mr. Tom Catapano: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Dr. Neil Testa: select “Best School Principal”
· Ms. Meghan Kargman: select “School Psychologist”
· Mr. Dan Baxt: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. John Buglione: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. Scott Dunn: select "Best Teacher”
Announcements
Students who understand how to use the powerful built-in Desmos graphing calculator have a massive advantage on the SAT. Students/teachers/parents - share/watch these videos to give students that massive advantage on the SAT
How to Use Desmos to Ace the SAT - Part 1
How to Use Desmos to Ace the SAT - Part 2
How to Use Desmos to Ace the SAT - Part 3
Baldwin High School’s YCLC Climate Justice Group is conducting research on the most pressing environmental and climate-related challenges facing our community. They seek insight from our community about what is impacting their day-to-day life. Your perspectives would provide valuable community-based insight and greatly enhance the quality and impact of our work. To provide your input into this important topic, we invite you to complete this survey to share your thoughts!
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2026 FAMILIES! The PTSA Senior Parent Committee is
preparing a special montage video for the Senior Banquet and would appreciate your help gathering photos of our students. Please submit school-related pictures of your senior and their classmates to bhsclassof2026photos@gmail.com no later than January 2nd.
To ensure consistency, we can only accept photos from school events, including elementary, middle school, and high school activities. We are looking for school field trips, book fairs, holiday concerts, first day of school, and similar school-related moments. Unfortunately, we cannot include birthday pictures, home photos, or any non-school-related images.
If you have any questions, please contact Cat Perez at baldwinptsa@gmail.com
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As a reminder: We are still collecting Senior Dues of $50, which can be paid through Giveback. Every dollar raised goes directly toward senior activities. Please see the link below to make your payment quickly and easily. Class of 2026 Dues
Thank you in advance for helping us create a memorable celebration for the Class of 2026!
Recently, our students in our Education Academy visited Plaza Elementary as part of our Teachers of Tomorrow event, where our amazing students taught lessons for our elementary students! Check out the CBS 2 news story to learn more!
Check out the article in the Patch about how Baldwin High School students participated in the Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA) festival!
Colors for Coats will be meeting on Monday after school in room 631
Congrats to Amanda Aguiluz and Fahiem Jenkins on their selection as Baldwin's NYS AAPHERD most outstanding physical education award! This award recognizes two high school seniors from each school in Nassau for skill, leadership, and active lifestyle!
Congratulations to our Staff and Students of the Month!
Michelle Gambino, Science Teacher
Chloe Smith, grade 9
Benjamin Walker, grade 10
Caden Wingate, grade 11
Kyle Haas, grade 12
Special thanks to Khloe Supersaad and Shelly Rivera for their contributions to the Chamber of Commerce Tree lighting, making posters in support of the event. Recently they were recognized with citations
Boys’ Varsity Basketball – congratulations to the team as they defeated Smithtown West on Saturday 82-72. Junior Micah Saint Jean had a career high of 35 points, career high 8-3 pointers, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Senior Ethan Sainsbury had a career high of 24 points, 7 assists, & 2 steals. Senior Jordan Williams had a career high 15 points, 3 assists & 2 steals and sophomore Matthew Pierre Louis led the team with 7 rebounds & 7 block shots. Please come support the team at our first home league game on Monday, December 15th at 7:00. Tomorrow night’s game has been rescheduled for January 21st.
Mr. Win and the Girls Varsity Volleyball team would like to Congratulate three seniors Kennedy Thompson, Sabrah Folkes and Gabby Vanterpool for being nominated to All-County Players awarded by the Nassau County Volleyball Coaches Association at the all-star game yesterday at Nassau Community College. Congrats also go out to Sophomore Shelly Rivera for being nominated to an All-County Honorable Mention Player. Thank you to all the players and fans for a sensational season.
The Baldwin Varsity Wrestling team had 4 champions and put 6 wrestlers into the finals of the MacArthur tournament this past weekend. Nahkin Stevens, Frantz Byron, Elian Nunez and Jayden Young all won championships in their weight class. Francis Campasano and Patrick Feeney also made the Finals at their weight. These wrestlers led the Bruins to a 2nd place finish out of the 8 teams competing.
Senior Captain Soren York led the Marksmanship team by shooting her season high score of a 180 out of 200 points as the Bruins defeated Glen Cove by the score of 693 to 611. Also scoring for the Bruins were junior Josie Engelhardt and seniors Lucas Diet and Kevin Rottkamp. In their next match, the team shot a season high of 705 versus Garden City! Senior Captain Lucas Duet led the team by shooting a 180 out of a possible 200. Also scoring for the Bruins were Juniors Aidan Smalling and Josie Engelhardt. Then, in the next match, Senior Captain Lucas Duet led the team by scoring his season high of a 184 out of 200 points defeating Sewanhaka 710-707. Scoring for the Bruins in our season high score were Juniors Aidan Smalling and Josie Engelhardt along with senior Soren York. Congratulations!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
December 6, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
December is well underway, with two solid weeks remaining in the month. These next ten school days are going to be critical for your child's academic success in the second marking period. This is because when we return from break there will be just 10 class days in the marking period and the first semester prior to midterms/regents exams. This is why the month of December is an important one with punctual daily attendance at school and engagement in all learning activities. To help students prepare, we offer a full slate of Regents Review sessions after school.
Next week, our school counselors will visit English classes to discuss the process for 2026-27 class scheduling. Yes, we are already making preparations for it! Teachers are completing course recommendations, and now is the time to start thinking about your courses for next year!
Starting in January, each student will meet with their counselor for their course selections. I recommend using the vacation to review our coursebook in preparation for these conversations, which should include familiarizing yourself with our Academic Academy pathways. They offer a variety of leaving to learn experiences and career exploration opportunities! Our 2026-27 course offering book can be found HERE.
Part of your preparation most likely will also involve determining what Advanced Placement courses you should consider, including two new ones: AP Business Principles and Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity! With this in mind, we would like to invite you to our Virtual Advanced Placement (AP) Informational Night on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, December 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Google Meet - https://meet.google.com/npq-qzuz-cyh
AP Exam Payment Instructions:
For those students enrolled in AP courses, go to www.myschoolbucks.com, or navigate here through the BHS homepage on the district website. Due to ordering deadlines set by the College Board, it is important that all payments be submitted by Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
To see the AP exam product list, click on “School Store” in the upper left. Then click on “Categories” to click and view “AP Exams.” Choose each exam to add and check the class and teacher name of each exam to ensure accuracy. Add the appropriate exam(s) to your basket for the correct student(s) and proceed to checkout by viewing the cart in the upper right corner of the screen. Payment may be made using a VISA, Mastercard, or Discover card. No checks are accepted. The online or printed statement from your financial institution will serve as your receipt.
Go to AP Testing Information to learn more!
Baldwin UFSD Receives Multiple Nominations for “Best of Long Island 2026”
The 2026 voting period runs through December 15, 2025. Get your final votes in! You can vote once per category per day at www.bestoflongisland.com.
Go to Arts and Entertainment:
· Baldwin Bruins Sports Podcast: select “Podcast”
· The Baldwin Bruin: select “Mascot”
Go to Education:
· Ms. Erin Beirne: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Stephanie Pina: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Virginia Coles: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Baldwin High School: select “Best High School Spirit”
· Mr. Darius Burton: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Mr. Tom Catapano: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Dr. Neil Testa: select “Best School Principal”
· Ms. Meghan Kargman: select “School Psychologist”
· Mr. Dan Baxt: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. John Buglione: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. Scott Dunn: select "Best Teacher”
Announcements:
Driver Education Spring Registration information is now available! Please register by January 16th.
Please check out the latest issue of Inside Baldwin UFSD by clicking here.
Baldwin High School recently welcomed back alum Chef Hal Udell, founder of Cooking with Hal, who shared nearly 30 years of professional culinary experience with students in the school’s culinary arts and life skills programs. Read the Herald Article to learn more!
Recently, our Boys' and Girls' Varsity Basketball team were featured in and article in the New York Post. Go Bruins!
Sportsnite Orientation was amazing! Congratulations to both Blue and Gold teams - it will be a great year! Unsure of what team you are on? Please look at the Sportsnite board. Still time to join Sportsnite! We are looking for dancers, singers, artists, athletes and anyone who want to be a part of a team - this program will be a highlight of your high school career. QR codes are in the commons and sign-up sheets are in the main office. Join today!
Sportsnite starts on Monday, December 8th! Blue practice will be in Cafeteria A at 3:00 and gold practice will be in Cafeteria B at 3:00. Wear team colors!
Congratulations to the Cast, crew and makeup artists for Footloose the Musical. Now that we have closed out a successful musical, we turn our attention to our Drama Production:
Auditions for 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse and Drama Geeks Vs Zombie Cheerleaders Will be Monday and Tuesday, immediately after school until 4:00 in the band room.
Varsity Basketball – Good luck to the Boys' team as they have their 1st game on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., at Bay Shore HS against Smithtown West in the Nassau Suffolk Challenge. For the Girls, they are hosting the annual Anthony Bolden Classic. Come out and support our teams!
Senior Captain Kevin Rottkamp led the Baldwin Marksmanship Team by shooting a 179 out of 200 as the Bruins defeated Freeport for their first win of the season. Also scoring for the Bruins were Lucas Duet, Soren York and Josie Engelhardt.
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
November 26, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
Wishing you and your families a joyous and loving Thanksgiving. It is with much gratitude and honor to serve as the Principal of Baldwin High School. See you in December!
Announcements
Please check out the latest issue of our digital newsletter, What’s Bruin in Baldwin.
Please note the first story in this newsletter, where Fox 5 New York featured Baldwin High School students from the Medical & Health Sciences Academy working with the new AI-powered patient simulators in their EMT class. The segment included interviews with Ms. Susan Ferrigno, our 6-12 science supervisor, and Mr. Vincent Fredricks, their science teacher. Both Ms. Ferrigno and Mr. Fredericks did a spectacular job integrating the simulators into the course!
Check out this wonderful article about Baldwin students recently getting a firsthand look at the power of innovation during the STEM X Festival at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
Please read and share with your classes, clubs the newest additions to the Golden Wave, Baldwin High Schools, online News site!
Students with the latest stories and photos:
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Olivia Pascal
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Audrey Finlay
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Chloe Paul
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Charles JoJo Yawson
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Layla Gentles
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Jameek Neely-Means
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David Kreutz
Varsity Football - Congratulations to Derek Coolbaugh and Kymani Heaven on their selection to the Nassau County Exceptional Senior Football Game! The game is set for tomorrow at 10:00 AM at the Mitchell Athletic Complex, with tickets available for purchase on-site that day. While we celebrate Derek and Kymani, we also want to acknowledge Senior Captain Ryan Healey, who was invited to participate this year but, unfortunately, will not be able to join due to injury. Let’s wish Derek and Kymani the best of luck and come out to support them!
Sportsnite season is almost here! Orientation will be on Tuesday, December 2nd at 3:00 in Cafeteria A. All students who signed up for Sportsnite must attend this event! Wear your spirit clothes and spread the word! If you have friends who are interested in joining the program, they are more than welcome!
Over 90 students have signed up for Sportsnite so far - and there is still time to join! QR codes in the commons and paper sign-up sheets are in the main office. This program is an amazing Baldwin tradition! If you signed up recently - check the Sportsnite board to find out your team.
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
November 23, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
Where did the month of November go?? November has always been my favorite month of the year, as we see the school year really take off and rapidly advance towards the new calendar year. From the start of MP2, Intramural Night, the start of the Winter sports season, and so much more. And especially, this year's musical, Footloose! was absolutely incredible. I brought my wife and kids to the matinee and we had a great time. The singing, dancing, and all around performances were incredible!
Important Dates
11/24 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 6:30 - 9pm by scheduled appointment
11/27-11/28 - Schools Closed for Thanksgiving
12/3 - FAFSA Completion Workshop, 7PM HS Cafe
12/4 - Bruins Sports Boosters Club Meeting, 7pm at HS
12/8 - AP Information Night, Virtual, 6pm
12/10 - Board of Education Meeting, 8pm at Lenox School
12/15 - Winter Concert I, 7:30 pm
12/17 - MP2 Progress Reports published to the portal, 3pm
12/18 - Winter Concert II, 7:30 pm
12/24 - 1/ 2- Holiday Recess, Schools Closed
FAFSA Completion Workshop – December 3
We invite families to attend our FAFSA Completion Workshop on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Baldwin High School Cafeteria B. This session will provide an overview of recent FAFSA changes and offer step-by-step support to help you complete the form during the workshop.
We are pleased to welcome Mark Campbell from the Nassau Community College Financial Aid Office, who will guide families through the process and answer any questions.
If you have questions regarding the workshop, please email Ms. Stephanie Piña at PinaS@baldwinschools.org. We look forward to supporting our families through this important part of the college application process.
AP Exam Payment Instructions:
For those students enrolled in AP courses, go to www.myschoolbucks.com, or navigate here through the BHS homepage on the district website. Due to ordering deadlines set by the College Board, it is important that all payments be submitted by Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
To see the AP exam product list, click on “School Store” in the upper left. Then click on “Categories” to click and view “AP Exams.” Choose each exam to add and check the class and teacher name of each exam to ensure accuracy. Add the appropriate exam(s) to your basket for the correct student(s) and proceed to checkout by viewing the cart in the upper right corner of the screen. Payment may be made using a VISA, Mastercard, or Discover card. No checks are accepted. The online or printed statement from your financial institution will serve as your receipt.
Go to AP Testing Information to learn more!
Baldwin UFSD Receives Multiple Nominations for “Best of Long Island 2026”
Baldwin Union Free School District is proud to announce that we have been nominated in multiple categories for the Best of Long Island 2026! The 2026 voting period runs through December 15, 2025. During this time, Baldwinites can vote once per category per day at www.bestoflongisland.com. At the end of the voting period, the nominee with the most votes in each respective category will be awarded the distinction of winning the Bethpage Best of Long Island 2026.
Go to Arts and Entertainment:
· Baldwin Bruins Sports Podcast: select “Podcast”
· The Baldwin Bruin: select “Mascot”
Go to Education:
· Ms. Erin Beirne: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Stephanie Pina: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Virginia Coles: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Baldwin High School: select “Best High School Spirit”
· Mr. Darius Burton: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Mr. Tom Catapano: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Dr. Neil Testa: select “Best School Principal”
· Ms. Meghan Kargman: select “School Psychologist”
· Mr. Dan Baxt: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. John Buglione: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. Scott Dunn: select "Best Teacher”
Announcements
Regents Exams in January are coming up soon! If you are scheduled to take one, (all 11th graders are taking the English Regents), come to a review session. Regents Review sessions are now available!
There is now a LocknCharge Tower which is available for students to securely charge their district Chromebooks. The cabinet is located in the 600 wing near the exit doors. Use the screen on the tower to select “Charge a device” or “Pick up a device”. You sign in to the tower using your Baldwin account to charge or pick up their device.
Students in Mr. Kelley's College-Level Personal Finance class recently demonstrated their financial literacy skills in Junior Achievement's prestigious Stock Market Challenge. This competition provided an opportunity for students to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.
The Stock Market Challenge features a live simulation environment where students apply their classroom knowledge to authentic market scenarios. Junior Achievement enhanced the experience by bringing in a professional volunteer who facilitated high-energy competitions centered around a fictional marketplace, creating an engaging and realistic trading atmosphere. This marks the second consecutive year that Mr. Kelley's Personal Finance students have participated in this event, demonstrating the program's commitment to experiential learning. The continued participation reflects the class's dedication to providing students with hands-on opportunities to develop essential financial skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
There will be a Club Fair on Monday in the Commons period 4-8. Please stop by to see some of the great clubs we have here at the HS.
Attention Seniors! We will be having a Yearbook meeting on Monday at 2:45 in room 635 to finalize your pages as our deadlines have passed. Please come to this meeting to finalize your Yearbook page. Please see Ms. Seepersad or Mr. Palumbo if you have any questions.
African Heritage Club – will be holding their meeting in Room 615 on Monday after school at 2:45. Feel free to bring a friend.
Varsity Bowling - Are you looking to join a Varsity sport this winter? The Boys and Girls Varsity Bowling team is actively seeking new athletes. It's not too late to join. If interested, please find Mr. LaForgia in room 629A or stop by the athletic office.
Are you interested in Sportsnite? We have over 65 students signed up so far! Still time to join - we are looking for dancers, artists, stunters, athletes, musicians or any student who just wants to be involved in this amazing 93-year-old program! This will be the best year yet! QR codes are in the commons and paper sign up sheets are in the main office - join today!
Colors for Coats will be having a meeting on Monday after school in room 631, and new members are welcome.
Mock Trial will be having a meeting on Wednesday at 2:45 in room 323. We will be discussing the state team auditions. If you're interested stop by!
Have you lost something during this 1st marking period? Water bottle, shoes, hats, pants, sweatshirts, etc.? On November 26th, during all 9th Periods and at Dismissal, all items currently in the Lost and Found closets will be displayed for students to claim. Any items not claimed will be donated.
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
November 15, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed your scheduled conferences with teachers this past Thursday! It was wonderful seeing our parents enjoying the night. Our next option for conferences is coming up soon on Monday, November 24th. Marking period 1 grades will be posted to the portal on Monday, November 17th at 3pm.
Eligibility Procedures
Right now, our administrative team is finalizing the end of marking period eligibility report. A student's eligibility status is determined based on behavior, attendance and academic factors.
Important Definitions:
Probation: The student will be permitted to participate in the total activity but will be subject to review and weekly monitoring.
Ineligible: The student will be excluded from all contests, performances, Leaving to Learns (trips) and competitions but is entitled to attend and participate in practices and meetings.
Disqualified: The student will lose the privilege to participate in all school events, performances, leaving-to-learns (trips), athletic and extracurricular activities during the period imposed.
Attendance Eligibility
A Student with more than five illegal or unexcused class absences for any subject/class period will be placed on probation, lasting for a period of five weeks. Any further illegal or unexcused class absences for any subject within the five-week period will make the student ineligible for participation. Continued illegal or unexcused absences will disqualify the student for all extra-curricular activities and sports for an imposed period.
Excessive TU may impact student eligibility according to the outlined procedures. Students who accumulate 15 or more TU in any class period are subject to the Eligibility procedures, which may result in their status being elevated more rapidly.
Academic Eligibility
Students failing two or more courses at the end of marking period, end of semester, or end of year, will be placed on probation or elevated to the next status as deemed by administration. The Probation period will remain for five weeks. The student’s Progress report may determine their status moving forward.
Students who continue to fail two or more classes after the five-week period may then be deemed ineligible. Students who were not previously on the eligibility list and failed 3 or more classes may automatically be elevated to ineligible. The continued failure of two or more courses after the next five-week period may disqualify the student from all extracurricular activities and sports for an imposed period. The grade level administrator can revise the eligibility status of a student based on their academic progress, or lack thereof, at any point in the marking period.
Behavior Eligibility
All students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, staff, and for the care of school facilities and equipment. Students who do not meet this expectation and violate the Code of Conduct are subject to a change in their eligibility status at the discretion of the grade level administrator. Any student who is suspended from school will be automatically disqualified for the period of suspension and may be subject to further disqualification thereafter.
Wellness Center
Our Wellness Center is open! Now is the time to enroll! This opportunity, open to all High School students, can be a benefit in many ways. From getting your sports physicals done easily to flu shots and so much more! For more information on this opportunity, check out our flyer!
Wellness Center - How to Enroll
Baldwin Herald Feature Article - Wellness Center
Announcements
Recently, Fox 5 NY News visited the High School to learn about Mr. Frederick's EMT class, where they utilize state-of-the art technology and equipment to gain real-world experiences in the career field of an emergency medical technician. Check out the story here. Check out the story HERE
Baldwin High School made its mark at the annual Adelphi Challenge competition at Adelphi University with 10 dedicated students from the Global Business and Entrepreneurship Academy. These students arrived ready to tackle new challenges and expand their professional horizons through this unique learning opportunity. The experience mirrors real-world business environments where professionals must quickly adapt and collaborate with new team members. Teams had just one hour to brainstorm, strategize, and develop comprehensive marketing plans.
Get your tickets to Footloose! Tickets are on sale here.
Boys Basketball – tryouts for the varsity basketball team will be on Monday, November 17th at 3:00 for 11th and 12th graders. Tryouts for JV basketball will be at 6:00 on the 17th for all 9th & 10th graders.Please hand in a bi-weekly to Coach Burton before next Monday in order to try-out.
Varsity Bowling - Are you interested in joining the Girls or Boys Varsity Bowling Team? If so, please see Mr. LaForgia in room 629A. Tryouts start Monday, November 17th.
Sportsnite has over 60 students signed up so far - this will be the best year yet! This program is a competition between Blue and Gold to see who creates the best routines and wins the most points. The big night includes Stunts, Dance, Games, Art and so much more! Join your friends and sign up today - QR codes are in the commons.
The Baldwin Public Library will be hosting presentations on the Impact of social media tomorrow from 4-5 p.m. and again on November 15th from 3-4 p.m. It is open to all students; no registration is required.
Attention anyone interested in Winter Varsity Cheer! Tryouts are next Monday, Tuesday in the back gym , and Wednesday in the Commons at 3:30. YOU MUST BE ALL GREEN ON FINAL FORMS TO TRYOUT! Please make sure you have cheer sneakers.
The Haitian Heritage Club will be hosting a bake sale on Monday, November 17, 2025, after school in the Commons. All proceeds will go toward supporting relief efforts in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. We invite you to stop by, enjoy a treat, and support our school community’s efforts to make a meaningful impact.
Baldwin Football has completed its season, and we congratulate everyone for making the playoffs for the second straight year. Thank you to all the supporters and the fantastic student section; we look forward to enhancing the experience next year. Special recognition goes to our senior leaders: Derek Coolbaugh for All Conference and All County Honors, Kymani Heaven for All Conference, and senior captain Ryan Healey for All Conference.
The varsity wrestling season begins next Monday, so please clear out all lockers by Wednesday. Returning players should meet with Coach Robinson or your position coach to discuss next season.
Congratulations to all Intramural Night students! Saturday was an amazing performance - you all did a fantastic job! Sportsnite season is around the corner! Team A is Gold and Team B is Blue. Still time to sign and enjoy this amazing program - QR codes are in the commons!
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
November 8, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
We have reached the end of marking period 1! What a first quarter of the 2025-26 school year! Yesterday was a fun day, as I was duct-taped to the wall to help kick-off Intramural Night and the Sportsnite season! Intramural Night will take place this Saturday, November 8 at 6:50. Tickets will be $10 and sold at the door. Come by, support your friends and see this amazing performance!
CELL PHONES and other personal, internet-enable devices are prohibited during school hours. Students are expected to secure their device in their provided Yondr pouch that they will have to place their device in. You can review that information HERE. While the vast majority of students are adhering to to this policy, there appears to be a growing number of students claiming they don't have a cell phone.
Therefore, effective Monday, students who indicate at entry that they did not bring a phone will have that recorded in our entry system. If a student is then caught with a device and made this claim, it will be confiscated and will remain confiscated until a parent/guardian personally retrieves it. Students will additionally face disciplinary consequences.
At dismissal, any student who desires to attend extra help or club activity should immediately proceed to that location after 9th period ends. All teachers start their extra help at 2:40 pm and clubs begin at 2:45 pm. Athletes should not be hanging around in the commons waiting for practice to start. They should either exit campus or go do their homework/study in the Learning Collaboratory until practice starts. Students who do not have a school activity, extra help, 10th period, or sport, will not be permitted to hang out in the commons past 2:50 pm.
Regents Review for January English Regents
Earlier in October I shared that all 11th grade students will be taking the English Language Arts Regents exam in January. Administering this exam in January rather than in June gives our students a distinct advantage, as it allows them to complete this important graduation requirement earlier in the year. By doing so, students are better prepared to focus on being ready to succeed in our Dual Enrollment College English 4 course during their senior year, where they will engage in more advanced reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. This schedule ensures a smoother transition from Regents-level work to the rigor of college-level coursework. 11th grade students currently enrolled in AP English Language have always taken this exam in January, so that they can better focus on practicing and developing the skills needed for success on the AP exam.
To better prepare our students and ensure success, we are offering several review sessions, which can be viewed HERE
Parent Teacher Conferences
The High School Parent/Teacher Conference sessions are scheduled for Thursday, November 13 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM and Monday November 24th from 6:30 to 9 PM. As we did last year, we will use an online parent-teacher conference scheduling tool called Teacher Reacher. The sign up process for Parent Teacher Conferences is open through Teacher Reacher (https://www.teacherreacher.com/Login). The window for conference registration opens on Monday, October 27 at 10 AM and will close on Monday, November 10th at 10 PM.
Instructions on how to create your account and begin using Teacher Reacher can be found HERE. If you have used Teacher Reacher previously, your account is still active, and you do not need to create a new account. Just log in and make sure your child is connected to your account.
What is Chronic Absenteeism?
One of the most important factors in student academic success is directly connected to their attendance. Chronic absenteeism is defined as being absent 10% or more of enrolled school days for the school year for any reason, excused or unexcused. At this point of the school year, this means any student that is absent 5 or more full days this year is at risk in being considered chronically absent. In terms of instructional time, this is a full week of missed instruction. The research is clear that by ninth grade, good attendance can predict graduation even better than test scores.
Letters are being mailed home to students who currently meet this criteria so as to inform you of this risk. Now, I know you may be wondering, why if your child's absences are excused/legal, would you be getting this letter? The reason is due to the NYSED definition of chronically absent, which does include legal/excused full day absences. You can learn more about chronic absenteeism by accessing NYSED resources HERE.
Early Dismissal from School
While it is best that medical appointments are scheduled after school or on non-school days, we understand that sometimes it is necessary to take your child to a medical appointment. If this is the case or for another legal reason, your child must be formally dismissed by the attendance office. They should not leave campus without being dismissed and their reason verified with a parent. We also ask that parents do not show up to campus without contacting the attendance office at least one hour in advance of your desire to pick up your child.
Baldwin High School Wellness Center
Our Wellness Center is open! Now is the time to enroll! This opportunity, open to all High School students, can be a benefit in many ways. From getting your sports physicals done easily to flu shots and so much more! For more information on this opportunity, check out our flyer!
Wellness Center - How to Enroll
Baldwin Herald Feature Article - Wellness Center
Announcements
Ms. Giannone's Fashion class was recently featured on 1010 WINS and YouTube, highlighting their amazing work making FELT Monsters! Check out the story HERE
Recently, students in our STEM/Engineering Academy Intro to Drones class and Brookside 4th graders, were featured in the Herald for participating in Navigation Day. They participated in an exploration of air and sea navigation, featuring engineers and aviation experts from Lockheed Martin, a leading aerospace and defense company, and members of the Lufbery Flyers, a Long Island-based model aviation club, joined the event. Check our the Herald article HERE!
Tickets are on sale for Footloose! Get them here!
Congratulations to Mia Bryan and Brianna Horneck for being accepted into the LISFA festival! They will represent Baldwin as distinguished string players, excelling on their respective instruments. Their performance will be in February.
Support the Sports Boosters and purchase some awesome apparel HERE
Congratulations to our Staff and Students of the Month!
Ms. Corinne Campos, Teacher - Social Studies
9- Giuliana Orozco
10 - Tyler Ramroop
11- Sanaya Halyard
12 - Rohan Khan
Girls’ volleyball - Congratulations to the varsity girls’ volleyball as they continue their winning attitude and momentum to the post season by defeating Farmingdale 3-2 in the first round of playoffs last Friday. What a special treat for Halloween.
Did you know that this past week was National School Psychology Week? We wanted to take the time this week to highlight the contributions of school psychologists and the way they support our students, families, and school community. Baldwin High School has four school psychologists located in room 110D – Dr. Farrell, Mrs. Kargman, Mr. Quiroz, and Dr. Schnee. The theme for school psychologist week this year is “Follow Your Path” which recognizes the ways that school psychologists take an active role in helping everyone in their communities determine paths to learning, growth, and overall well-being that meet their unique needs.
The YCLC Climate Group is collecting as much plastic waste as possible for our community project, and we need YOUR help! Put your plastic bottles, chip bags, food wrappers, plastic bags, and any plastic products you have in designated bins with signs throughout the school. They will be located in the commons and cafeterias, just look for the signs to help you find them! Let’s show the world how amazing our school can be when we work together for a better planet and community!
Boys Basketball – there will be mandatory meeting on Monday, November 10th at 3:00 in the back gym for all boys interested in playing this year. See Coach Burton if you have any questions.
Sportsnite Forum was amazing! Big shout out to Lyra Gilling, Jamila Bennet, Kamilah Santesteban, Briya Narcisse, Brianna Dworsak and Mia Taverez for their Sportsnite leadership roles this year! Sportsnite sign up is real and growing - 93 is the year! Join your friends and sign up today - QR codes are in the commons.
Colors for Coats - Interested in learning more about public health, being creative, and helping others? Join Colors for Coats! Our next meeting will be on Monday after school in room 631. All are welcome.
GSA - The Gender and Sexualities Alliance - will be meeting on Wednesday after school in room 631. Everyone is always welcome.
There will be a Yearbook Club meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at 2:45 in room 635. We will be finalizing Fall pages and assigning Winter sports and activity pages. Any questions, please see Ms. Seepersad or Mr. Palumbo.
Any student interested in playing chess should attend a meeting on Thursday, November 13 at 2:45 in room 629. Any questions, please see Mr. Palumbo.
Check out the Baldwin Public Library newsletter Piper
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
October 31, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
Welcome to November! Our last week in October ended with such amazing positivity with a wonderful spirit week. It was great to see everyone participating, including me!
With the end of marking period one next week on November 7, we will soon begin the part of the school year filled with some incredible events and high spirit! Next week is a short week, with no school for students on Tuesday for Superintendent's Conference Day, and no school on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.
National School Psychologist Week
I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the incredible work of our dedicated school psychologists as we celebrate National School Psychologist Week. This is an annual event that falls between November 3, 2025, and November 7, 2025. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the invaluable contributions school psychologists make to our schools and students. They support not only academic success but also the emotional and social well-being of our students.
Please join me in expressing much gratitude to our outstanding school psychologists: Dr. Betyne Farrell, Ms. Meghan Kargman, Mr. Matthew Quiroz, and Dr. Scott Schnee. Each of them have been instrumental in addressing the unique needs of our students, promoting a positive and inclusive school environment, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. Our students will have the opportunity to learn more about the role of the school psychologist during lunch periods next week!
Important Dates/Upcoming Events
11/4 - Superintendent's Conference Day - Schools Closed
11/5 - PTSA Meeting, Virtual, 7:30 pm
11/6 - Parent Academy Workshop, HS, 7pm
Bruins Booster Club meeting, HS, 7pm
Friends of Music and Arts meeting, HS, 7:30pm
11/7 - End of MP1
11/8 - SAT
Intramural Night, 6:50 pm
11/11 - Veterans Day - Schools Closed
11/12 - Board of Education Meeting @Steele, HS Musical Preview, 8pm
11/13 - Parent Teacher Conferences (Option 1) by appointment
11/14 - Report Cards Published to the Portal
11/17 - Winter Sports Tryouts
Parent Teacher Conferences
The High School Parent/Teacher Conference sessions are scheduled for Thursday, November 13 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM and Monday November 24th from 6:30 to 9 PM. As we did last year, we will use an online parent-teacher conference scheduling tool called Teacher Reacher. The sign up process for Parent Teacher Conferences is open through Teacher Reacher (https://www.teacherreacher.com/Login). The window for conference registration opens on Monday, October 27 at 10 AM and will close on Wednesday, November 10th at 10 PM.
Instructions on how to create your account and begin using Teacher Reacher can be found HERE. If you have used Teacher Reacher previously, your account is still active, and you do not need to create a new account. Just log in and make sure your child is connected to your account.
Baldwin UFSD Receives Multiple Nominations for “Best of Long Island 2026”
Baldwin Union Free School District is proud to announce that we have been nominated in multiple categories for the Best of Long Island 2026! The 2026 voting period runs through December 15, 2025. During this time, Baldwinites can vote once per category per day at www.bestoflongisland.com. At the end of the voting period, the nominee with the most votes in each respective category will be awarded the distinction of winning the Bethpage Best of Long Island 2026.
Go to Arts and Entertainment:
· Baldwin Bruins Sports Podcast: select “Podcast”
· The Baldwin Bruin: select “Mascot”
Go to Education:
· Ms. Erin Beirne: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Stephanie Pina: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Virginia Coles: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Baldwin High School: select “Best High School Spirit”
· Mr. Darius Burton: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Mr. Tom Catapano: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Dr. Neil Testa: select “Best School Principal”
· Ms. Meghan Kargman: select “School Psychologist”
· Mr. Dan Baxt: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. John Buglione: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. Scott Dunn: select "Best Teacher”
Announcements
Hey Seniors-SUNY’S FREE Application week is currently happening. Save on your SUNY college application fees until 11/3/25. The application fee is waived for up to five SUNY colleges.
College On Site Visits are Here! Signing up and getting started begins now if you would like to attend.
Here’s what you need to know:
· A list of the colleges and their deadlines are in the Guidance Office.
· Talk to your School Counselor to find out what each college is looking for and what you need to do to join in for the Acceptance Day.
· If you meet the criteria, you may be accepted right after your interview!
· Don’t forget to continue to sign up on Naviance to join the Virtual College Visits each evening
Intramural Night is excited to announce an amazing fundraiser ahead - have you ever wanted to duct tape Dr. Testa to a wall? Well now's your chance! Intramural Night will be selling tickets on Wednesday and Thursday next week! Bring cash, show your school spirit and see which grade wins the battle!
The YCLC Climate Group is collecting as much plastic waste as possible for our community project, and we need YOUR help! Put your plastic bottles, chip bags, food wrappers, plastic bags, and any plastic products you have in designated bins with signs throughout the school. They will be located in the commons and cafeterias, just look for the signs to help you find them! Let’s show the world how amazing our school can be when we work together for a better planet and community!
Please enjoy the October issue of Inside Baldwin UFSD by clicking here.
There will be a Make-A-Wish Club meeting on Monday after school in room 324.
Are you interested in ordering a class ring? Please stop at the Main Office and pick up a catalog.
Student government meeting will be held next Thursday, November 6 in room 113.
The Senior PTSA committee is hosting a Community Yard Sale to support our amazing Class of 2026! Come shop this Sunday, November 2nd from 10 am - 3pm at the Yard @ 81 Church St. Baldwin. All proceeds will go directly toward reducing costs for Senior Year Events. Please help us make this a HUGE success!
Please check out the latest issue of our digital newsletter, What’s Bruin in Baldwin.
Taifur Rashid has been named a QuestBridge National College Match Finalist , a distinction awarded to high-achieving students nationwide who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and leadership
In this week's episode of the Bruins Sports Podcast, Sabrah, Ava and Mia with down with Ryan Healey, Aiden Johnson, and Coach Appel from the Varsity Football team. They discuss the ups and downs of this season, the team dynamic, practices, team bonding and so much more. Tune in!
https://bhs.baldwinschools.org/athletics/baldwin-bruins-sports-podcast
After listening, read about the article in the Herald published recently about it's 7th season!
Congratulations to our musicians selected to participate in NMEA (Nassau County Music Educators Association) All County festival in January. This is an honor for the students and a proud moment for our music teachers!
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Rabin Tika |
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Hayden Castello |
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Celeste Iraola Velasquez |
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Laura Velasquez |
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Aaron Martin |
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Johan Sampson |
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Sabrah Folkes |
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Samantha Desantos |
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Griffin Reyer |
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Malachi Codio |
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Lucas Chingcuangco |
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Samiah Banjo |
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Alyssa Clay |
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Rohan Khan |
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Brandon Firth |
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Alan Wilson |
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Damian Figueroa |
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Nathan Dieujuste |
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Andrew Johnson |
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Taylor Boyce |
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Benjamin Mason |
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Gavin Brownell |
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Motunrayo Odilli |
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Caleb Deratus |
Coach Burton will be running a basketball clinic for 9-12th grade boys & girls on Sunday at Freeport Rec Center from 12pm-3pm. See Coach Burton for details.
Sports Nite Forum will be on Monday, in Cafeteria A at 3:00. Stop by, learn more about the program and hear from your peers!
There will be an informational meeting for boys and girls indoor/winter track and field on Thursday, November 6th at 3:15 in room 427. All interested are encouraged to attend.
Anyone interested in Winter competitive Cheerleading must come to a meeting on Thursday November 6th at 3:30 in the back gym.
Any student interested in joining the Coed Marksmanship team should attend a meeting on Thursday, November 6 at 2:45 in room 629. Any questions, please see Mr. Palumbo.
A big congratulations to the varsity girls’ volleyball for concluding their regular season with a perfect record of 14 and 0 by winning 99.9 percent of the game in 3 straight sets including defeating East Meadow. The team is now officially the Conference Champions and advancing to the first round of the playoffs on Friday against Farmingdale which they won in five sets last night and now advance to face Plainview JFK on Monday! The team has played with tremendous tenacity and resiliency that pushed them to the top. Coach Win is very proud of the team's accomplishment. Go Bruins!
Congratulations to the JV Football team on their 32-14 win over North Shore High School. The Bruins were led by Gio Duplessey with 3 Touchdowns and 1 interception as well as Jayden Smith with 1 touchdown and a fumble recovery. The Bruin’s defense was outstanding, holding North Shore scoreless in the second half. This win moves the Bruins to 5 and 2 on the season, heading into their final game. Go Bruins!
Attention Baldwin Varsity Football Community! 📣 We are excited to announce Saturday's home game against Calhoun High School, which carries significant playoff implications for our team! Join us as we rally behind our Baldwin Bruins on Saturday at 1:30 PM.
Ceremonies will kick off at 12:00, where we will honor our senior players, cheerleaders, and band members. This is a special opportunity to recognize their hard work, dedication, and contributions to our school spirit and athletic excellence.
Additionally, our seniors will participate in a meaningful jersey swap ceremony this week, honoring a teacher or administrator who has profoundly influenced their lives. It's a wonderful moment to show appreciation to those who have guided and inspired them throughout their journey.
We invite all fans, families, and community members to come out and support our Bruins as we strive for victory and a place in the playoffs! Your support this season has been invaluable, and we look forward to seeing you at the game!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
October 24, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
October has been a fantastic month so far and even more so with some lovely fall weather! With two weeks left of the marking period, it is important that each student finish strong, get in those assignments, and attend extra help as often as possible.
The High School Parent/Teacher Conference sessions are scheduled for Thursday, November 13 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM and Monday November 24th from 6:30 to 9 PM. As we did last year, we will use an online parent-teacher conference scheduling tool called Teacher Reacher. The sign up process for Parent Teacher Conferences is open through Teacher Reacher (https://www.teacherreacher.com/Login). The window for conference registration opens on Monday, October 27 at 10 AM and will close on Wednesday, November 10th at 10 PM.
Instructions on how to create your account and begin using Teacher Reacher can be found HERE. If you have used Teacher Reacher previously, your account is still active, and you do not need to create a new account. Just log in and make sure your child is connected to your account.
IMPORTANT TIP #1: When scheduling your appointments, please avoid scheduling your appointments back to back. You will need time to walk from one conference to the next. Having at least one conference time slot in between will give you five minutes to get to your location.
IMPORTANT TIP #2: Schedule your conferences by building. So if there are two teachers you want to conference with in the 6 building, schedule them in sequence which will minimize your walking and maximize the slots available you can utilize.
To afford as many parents as possible the opportunity for conferences, we have created the 5- minute timeframe. For this scheduling plan to work well for all, please know that teachers must limit conferences to five minutes. It is important to use your brief time wisely. The purpose of the Parent-Teacher Conference is to meet your child’s teacher, to review their progress and, if necessary, to discuss what should be done to maximize student success. There simply won’t be enough time for lengthy, personal discussions during these 5-minute conference sessions.
With Halloween rapidly approaching next Friday, it is important to remind everyone that costumes must be appropriate for the school learning environment and aligned with the student dress code. Toy swords/knives, toy guns, and any other prop items will not be permitted. Face-makeup or masks that conceal one's face/identity cannot be worn nor compromise students' safety. We encourage students to dress up appropriately!
All students are expected to bring their student ID every day to school. It is needed for entry to the building, open their locker, and to be marked present for attendance, and to obtain food in the cafeteria. In the cafeteria, students will be expected to scan their IDs.
Wellness Center Open House
Join us for our Wellness Center Open House! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the school-based health center, our partnership with Harmony Health, and how enrolling will benefit your high school student. Details can be found in the attached flyer.
When: October 29th, 4 - 5pm
Where: Baldwin High School
Wellness Center - How to Enroll
Baldwin Herald Feature Article - Wellness Center
Announcements
Hey Seniors! College On Site Visits are Here! Signing up and getting started begins now if you would like to attend.
Here’s what you need to know:
· A list of the colleges and their deadlines can be found HERE
· Talk to your School Counselor to find out what each college is looking for and what you need to do to join in for the Acceptance Day.
· If you meet the criteria, you may be accepted right after your interview!
· Don’t forget to Continue to sign up on Naviance to join the Virtual College Visits each evening.
Hey Seniors - SUNY’S free application week is currently happening. Save on your SUNY college application fees until 11/3/25. The application fee is waived for up to five SUNY colleges.
Attention Seniors enrolled in College Civics and News Literacy! The NEW ACE registration deadline is Friday, October 31st. This will allow your students more time to register for ACE courses and make payments. Please remind students that they must register and pay by this new deadline, to receive Stony Brook University for their ACE course(s). To register students must select their high school, the Stony Brook University (SBU) course name that they are registering for, and the instructor’s name. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact ACE@stonybrook.edu.
In this week's Bruins Sports Podcast, Ava and Soren sit down with Gabrielle Johnson and Kennedy Thompson from the Varsity Volleyball team. They discuss what got them into volleyball, their current UNDEFEATED season, role models, the bond of this team and so much more.
https://bhs.baldwinschools.org/athletics/baldwin-bruins-sports-podcast
Halloween Spirit Week!
Monday- Meme Day Dress as your favorite Meme
Tuesday -Teachers dress like students' day-teachers copy typical students fits
Wednesday - wear Pink on Wednesday
Thursday 2000's day Throw it back with your best 2000s fit
Friday- Costume Day -Appropriate and school safe costumes
Yearbook Club will be meeting on Wednesday October 29 at 2:45 in room 635. We will be discussing Senior Superlatives. Any questions, please see Ms. Seepersad or Mr. Palumbo.
Colors for Coats will be meeting on Monday at 2:45pm in room 631. Come to learn about topics in public health and helping in your community .
The African Heritage Club will be meeting on Monday at 2:45pm in room 615. This meeting will cover fundraising events and future activities.
Ticket sales will begin Nov. 1 for the BHS production of Footloose The musical. Here is a link that can be shared https://cur8.com/projects/Baldwin
Varsity Football – The Bruins secured a hard-fought 24-14 victory over Roosevelt giving us a season record of 3-3. The Bruins were propelled by key plays on both sides of the ball, including clutch first-down catches by Aljandro Acosta that kept the offense moving. Touchdowns came from Kamani Heaven, Ralph Bordeaux, and Michael Jordan, with Gavin McGinley adding a crucial 28-yard field goal to give Baldwin a 17-6 lead in the third quarter. Jordan later sealed the game with a 1-yard touchdown run in the final minutes.
Congratulations to the JV Football team on their 22-0 win over Uniondale. Scoring for the Bruins was led by Gio Duplessey with 2 Touchdowns and Tremaine Jackson with 1. The Bruins also had fumble recoveries by Francis Campasano and Keon Bossi. The Bruins defense held the Knights to negative yards on the day, with major efforts from Ethan Whitfield, Donato Salerno, Christian Alverez, and Darlens Pierre. With this win the Bruins moved to 4 and 2 on for the season. Go Bruins!
Congratulations to the JV Volleyball team on their victory over Westbury. The team was led on the offensive by Keira Lorusso, Kalia Fecu, and Troi Watson, with great defense being played by Savannah McMillan and Keila Siri.
Girls’ Varsity Volleyball - Congratulations to the team for their 12th consecutive win against Westbury in 3 straight sets on Saturday. Coach Win is very proud of everyone on the team for having the winning attitude and positive energy . Go Bruins!
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Volleyball on their 14th consecutive game winning streak by defeating Hicksville 3 to 0 before a packed home crowd. They are now 1 game away from being undefeated conference champions since 2005. The next game will be on Tuesday at East Meadow. Hope to see you there.
Baldwin Varsity Field Hockey is headed to playoffs! The team will be playing Port Washington on Wednesday, 10/29 - come and support our field hockey girls! Game starts at 3:05 at Port Washington. Big shout out to Varsity captains - Emma Tiong-Smith, Isabella Fleck and Alexis Abrahams - who's strong leadership has been very positive for our program! Go Bruins!
Have you heard of Sports Nite? There will be an interest meeting on Monday 10/27 in RM 113 at 3pm. Stop by and learn more about the program!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
October 17, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
The school year sure is moving along rapidly! With just 14 school days remaining in marking period 1, the next two weeks are critical for your child if they need to boost their academic performance or improve their attendance. As you know, marking period grades and attendance affect eligibility to participate in clubs, sports, activities, and leaving to learns. Let's bring out our best for marking period 1!
As we do every year, our students and staff will be involved in several safety drills as required by New York State. Drills serve as an opportunity to practice procedures that keep our students safe in the event of an emergency. Next week, the High School will review these skills through conducting a lockdown drill. Please be assured, these serve only as practice for our students. The district’s safety plan can be found on the website HERE.
Speaking of safety, I want to remind everyone of the importance of keeping personal belongings secure throughout the school day. We’ve provided both hallway and gym lockers for students to store their items safely, and I encourage everyone to make use of them. Likewise, students who ride their bikes to school should be sure to lock and secure them in the bike racks. While the school cannot assume responsibility for items or bikes that are left unsecured, we will always do our best to assist in locating any lost belongings. Let’s work together to keep our school environment safe and our personal items protected.
Any student wishing to attend the Baldwin Varsity Football game at Roosevelt High School this Saturday must bring their school ID in order to be admitted into the game. Students who do not present a valid school ID will not be permitted to enter.
Financial Aid Night
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Financial Aid Informational Night on Tuesday, October 21st at 7pm in the auditorium. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Isaiah Washington, Assistant Director of Financial Services at Adelphi University. Mr. Washington brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of financial aid. He will cover a wide range of topics, including:
- The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application Process
- Understanding the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans
- Exploring scholarship opportunities
- Navigating the world of grants and financial assistance
This event is an excellent opportunity for parents to gain valuable information and insights that will be instrumental in supporting your child's college journey. Whether you are a first-time college parent or have been through this process before, there is always something new to learn.
We encourage you to mark your calendars for this important event.
Last Call for Senior Portraits!
10/23 and 10/24 by scheduled appointment via PrestigePortraits.com.
First-Time Seniors (No Previous Photo Taken) can book a session online using the following information:
-
Zip Code:
- First Name
- Last Name
- School Name
Visit PrestigePortraits.com and follow the prompts to schedule a session.
Resit Appointments (Retakes – $20 Fee):
Students who need a retake can also schedule during the in-school event. To do so:
- Go to PrestigePortraits.com
- Click on the HELP tab for Chat/Get Support for customer service to schedule.
Farmingdale Studio Option:
Both first-time and resit appointments can also be scheduled at the Farmingdale Studio. To book:
- Visit PrestigePortraits.com
- Click Find a Studio Near You
- Create an account
- Select your School Name
- Choose your Session Type
- Schedule your preferred date
2026-2027 New York State STEM Incentive Program
The 2026-2027 New York State STEM Incentive Program application is now open for NYS students who plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY college. To be eligible, students must:
-
- Be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class at a NYS high school.
- Enroll in an undergraduate program in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics.
- Commit to living and working in a STEM occupation in New York State for five years.To learn more and to apply, visit the HESC New York State STEM Incentive Program website.
- Nearly 130 colleges and universities throughout New York State are waiving their application fees for College Application Month! That means students can apply to multiple colleges without the burden of application fees, removing a big barrier and making it easier for students to pursue their college goals. Visit HESC’s College Application Month website for a complete list of participating schools and fee waiver dates.
Announcements
Attention All Students: Your photographer proofs are in. Please stop by the Main Office on your lunch or free period to pick up your packet.
Congratulations to our 52 students who have earned National Recognition from the College Board! Check out the article HERE
Good luck to Gabriel Phillips, Ethan Sainsbury & Mical Saint Jean as they will be playing in the Alzheimer's Nassau/Suffolk All Star game at Brentwood H.S. on Saturday at 4:00 .
Are you interested in learning more about LGBT+ topics and connecting with others with the same interests? Join GSA - the Gender and Sexualities Alliance! We will have our first meeting on Wednesday after school in room 631. Everyone is welcome.
Intramural Night is selling t-shirts this year! Take a look at the information in the Main Office and order a shirt - support your grade!
The Step Team is looking for new members. Step Team try-outs will begin October 2Oth from 2:45- 3:45 in the small gym. All are welcome to try out.
Great job on Friday Night at the first Movie Night hosted by the Student Government. Thank you to all of the volunteers for their hard work in putting this great event together. A special thanks to Layla, David, Mia and Celeste for MCing the night and organizing a fun night!
Sportsnite News! Interest Meeting & Forum will be on Monday, October 20th - ALL students were are interested in Sportsnite must attend in cafeteria A at 3:00. This will be an amazing year!
Mathletes we have our next competition on Tuesday, October 21. We will meet in room 424. See you there.
Poetry Club - will meet on Tuesday, October 21st, after school in Room 619. All are welcome. Reach out to Ms. Miller with questions
Congratulations to the JV Volleyball team on their victory over Academy Charter. The team was led by strong serving from Dreyana Raymond and great net play from Alyssa Young and Kristina Jones.
The Boys soccer team defeated Plainview 2-1 on Saturday night behind goals from Mikey Grannum and Matt Alexandre.
Congratulations to The Girls Varsity Soccer team, they had an incredible game yesterday, defeating East Meadow 2–0! The first goal scored by Kristen Hester from a break away great job lettuce and second goal scored by Ameena Joseph with a great shot that went right over the goalie’s head. The defense was rock solid thanks to standout performances from Amanda Aguiluz (ah-gee-lose), Nicole Lopez, Jayla canales, and speedy and mighty Akua Bonsu with support from Kristen Hester, Ameena Joesph, Olivia Lazo in midfield and Dee coming up huge in goal, making incredible saves as per usual. Good job bruins keep it up!
Congratulations to the JV Football Team who are now to 3-2 on the season with their 22-14 win over Valley Stream Central. The Bruins were led to victory with touchdowns by Giovanni Duplessey, Jayden Smith, and Treymaine Jackson. The Bruins also had forced turnovers by Francis Campasano, Keyonne Bossi, Jared St. Bernard, and Rondy Valce. Go Bruins!
Girls’ volleyball - Hello volleyball fans, please come out and cheer for the varsity as they continue their 12th winning streak tomorrow home against Westbury at 10:45 am.
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
October 10, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
Wishing everyone a relaxing three-day weekend! As the weather begins to cool, our students should be heating up their focus and engagement on their classes, and should have an established routine for completing homework, assignments and studying. With progress reports being available on the portal this Tuesday starting at 3pm, you will be able to get a better sense of how the school year is going thus far.
Baldwin High School is excelling year after year, with a 98% graduation rate and ranked as one of the best schools in the nation, according to US News & World Report. This is because of our students who immerse themselves in not only their academic pursuits, but also extra-curricular activities and sports. It's no secret that the more involved you are in Baldwin High School, the more success you will have as a student.
This is why it is so important that each Baldwin High School student discovers at least one thing that connects them to our school. We have a comprehensive list of clubs and activities to engage your children. Check out all that we offer in clubs and activities HERE
Attendance
Attendance is one of the most important factors contributing to student outcomes. As such, students are expected to attend school daily. The full district attendance policy can be found HERE
- If a student is absent, a parent/guardian should contact the attendance office the morning of the absence.
- Students who are absent must also submit a note to the Attendance Office within five days of their return to school. Notes must include the date(s) and reason for the absence and must be signed by a parent/guardian. Notes submitted beyond the five-day limit will be treated as a cut for eligibility purposes. The Attendance Office is located on the 2nd floor of Building 7.
- Students who become ill during the day must check in with the classroom teacher and request a pass to the Health Office.
- Any student leaving the campus during scheduled classes for health-related reasons must first report to the Health Office for parental and office approval. Failure to do so will result in a cut/illegal absence.
- Any student looking to be dismissed for an appointment or other legal reason must be formally dismissed by the attendance office. They should not leave campus without being dismissed and their reason verified with a parent.
The only legal/excused reasons for being absent or late to school are:
1.personal illness
- illness or death in the family
- impassable roads or weather
- religious observance
- quarantine
- required court appearances
- attendance at health clinics
- approved college visits,
- approved cooperative work programs
- military obligations
- such other reasons as may be approved by the appropriate building administrator.
*Absences due to vacation will be automatically considered unexcused.
Attendance Coordinators: Mr. Kappel (Grades 9 & 11), Ms. Plotke (Grades 10 & 12)
Emergency Drills
As we do every year, our students and staff will be involved in several safety drills as required by New York State. Drills serve as an opportunity to practice procedures that keep our students safe in the event of an emergency. Next week, the High School will review these skills through conducting fire evacuation drills. Please be assured, these serve only as practice for our students. The district’s safety plan can be found on the website HERE.
Baldwin UFSD Receives Multiple Nominations for “Best of Long Island 2026”
Baldwin Union Free School District is proud to announce that we have been nominated in multiple categories for the Best of Long Island 2026! The 2026 voting period runs through December 15, 2025. During this time, Baldwinites can vote once per category per day at www.bestoflongisland.com. At the end of the voting period, the nominee with the most votes in each respective category will be awarded the distinction of winning the Bethpage Best of Long Island 2026.
Go to Arts and Entertainment:
· Baldwin Bruins Sports Podcast: select “Podcast”
· The Baldwin Bruin: select “Mascot”
Go to Education:
· Ms. Erin Beirne: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Stephanie Pina: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Ms. Virginia Coles: select “Best Guidance Counselor”
· Baldwin High School: select “Best High School Spirit”
· Mr. Darius Burton: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Mr. Tom Catapano: select "Best High School Sports Coach”
· Dr. Neil Testa: select “Best School Principal”
· Ms. Meghan Kargman: select “School Psychologist”
· Mr. Dan Baxt: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. John Buglione: select "Best Teacher”
· Mr. Scott Dunn: select "Best Teacher”
Show us your Baldwin spirit by voting! Please share this exciting news to help Baldwin win!
Announcements
Attention Seniors enrolled in College Civics and News Literacy: Since this course is associated with Stony Brook University, upon completion of this course, not only will your child receive high school credit, your child is also eligible to receive college credits if they register with Stony Brook University. The registration period ends on October 24, 2025 and the cost for the three college credits is $300. For more information, please see the attached flyer. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Michael Butler, the Social Studies Supervisor at 516 434 6150 or visit the departmental web page.
SENIORS! SUNY and CUNY's "Free App Weeks" is coming! from October 20th through November 3rd, you can apply to up to five schools for FREE with no application fee! Click HERE for more details!
Please mark your calendar for the Baldwin Council of PTA's annual Legislative Forum and Voter Registration. This year's event will take place Wednesday, October 22 (NOTE DATE CHANGE) at Baldwin High School, beginning at 7 pm with the Voter Registration followed by the Legislative Forum at 8 pm. See the FLYER for more information.
Congratulations to our Students and Staff of Member of the Month!
Mr. Adam Kappel, Mathematics Teacher and Attendance Coordinator
Tessa Francis
Karah Jean-Louis
Rogelio James III
Maya Seemungal
THANK YOU to the KEY CLUB volunteers for helping to make annual Grand Baldwin Festival a wonderful event. This is the 5th year they did the festival, and Key Club Volunteers have become an essential part of this day. And as always, our students really rise to the occasion and shine doing community service in Baldwin. Thank you to:
Kenley Appolon, Sanaya Halyard, Taylor Antoine, Brianna Burczyh, Jada Benjamin
Isabella Anderson, Avery Augustine, Jamila Bennett, Keeno Bell, Samiah Banjo, Mackenzie Biggs, Samantha Desantos, Synthia Desantos, Malia Cort, Leah Diaz, Jeyson Castro, Liam Francis, Abigail Ebanks, Chloe Harding, Zoe Hans, Kari Hans
Ariana Foster-Guy, Sandra Harding, Zyliah Bailey, Mehlia Garlick, Jason Joseph
Ashly Perez, Austin Jarrett, Tyler Johnson, Ameenu Joseph, Andrew Johnson
David Kreutz, Luke Lastique, Saliha Lopez, Rohan Khan, Stephanie Loubeace, Minal Mazahar, Amber McKenley, Benjamin Mason, Amanda Mordan, Lexie Ellis, Brya McConnell, Alexis Morales-DeGuzmon, Amanda Mejia, Matthew Mirakaj, Matthew Pierrelouis, Brianne Petty, Chelsea Perez, Ashly Perez, Christian Rickford, Shayanne Resil, Saralynn Resil, Jody Roque, Lenny Pochan, Kaylie Quintero, Zoe Ramlacksingh, William Scott, Kimoya Smith, Shelly Rivera, Steven Rivera, Maia Ross
Joyce De Rougemont, Jairel Solomon, Haram Raza, Aniya Ramnarine, Chisom Ubah
Eliaz Velasquez, Darrell Turner, Luis Valeriano, Joni Wallace, Marques Webster
Micah Walkes, Zoraya wilson
Baldwin High School Named School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association One of Seventy-seven Long Island High Schools Chosen! The School of Distinction status requires that 100% of a school’s varsity teams receive the association’s Scholar-Athlete Team Award, while School of Excellence status requires that at least 75% of a school’s varsity teams receive the award, according to the association. To earn the Scholar-Athlete award, 75% of a team’s players must have a grade-point average equal to or greater than 90%. Check out the article in Newsday HERE
Attention Seniors! IRA Schwartz Lead LI Scholarship is a great opportunity to earn a $1,000 if you have demonstrated leadership, resiliency, academic success. Click HERE for more details.
In this week's episode of the Bruins Sports Podcast, Mia and Soren sit down with Matt Alexander and Coach Soupios from the Varsity Boys Soccer team. They talk about this season, the challenges in HS soccer, the importance of allowing time for your body to recover, staying motivated, the importance of watching film and so much more. Tune in!
https://bhs.baldwinschools.org/athletics/baldwin-bruins-sports-podcast
The high school has also been featured in several articles in the Herald:
Girls' Volleyball Seeks Conference Title
Baldwin Football Top 100 Players
Baldwin Boys' Soccer Top 100 Players
You don't want to miss the 93rd Sportsnite - this will be the best year yet! Check the Sportsnite board, located outside the front gym, on the girl’s side, for more information. Sign up today! Learn more about Sportsnite by clicking this link. Sign up today!
Congratulations to the Senior Class for winning the Double Good Popcorn fundraiser, raising a total of 2,451.00 for their Senior events! They have earned themselves their very own Spirit Day!
Intramural Night and Sportsnite has excellent leadership positions to showcase your skills and talent. Sign up today! Intramural Night Aerobics practices are on Mondays for Juniors / Freshman. Tuesdays for Sophomores / Seniors. Check the flyers, check the schedule, and get ready — Let the battle... BEGIN!
Attention All Students: Your photographer proofs are in. Please stop by the Main Office on your lunch or free period to pick up your packet.
The Step Team is looking for new members. Step Team try-outs will begin October 2Oth from 2:45- 3:45pm in the small gym. All are welcome to try out
Congratulations to the JV Football Team with their 14-0 win over Hicksville. The Bruins were led to victory with touchdowns by Tremaine Jackson and Giovanni Duplessey. The Bruins also had 3 forced turnovers on the game, with a fumble recovery by Darlens Pierre and interceptions by Giovanni Duplessey and Jared St. Bernard. With this win the Bruins moved to 2-2 on the season. Go Bruins!
Girl’s Varsity Soccer - The Bruins took home an impressive 4–2 victory over Levittown Division High School! The first goal came from Christal Walton, assisted by Amanda Aguiluz. Amanda Aguiluz then found the back of the net for the second goal, with a perfect corner assist from Liz Hill. Our fantastic goalkeeper, Dee Ikechewuku, scored the third goal with a powerful free kick! The final goal was a highlight reel moment as Liz Hill dribbled through the defense and scored with style. The team showed incredible teamwork and determination throughout the game. Strong defensive efforts came from Akua Bonsu, Nicole Lopez, and Natalie Espinosa, while the midfield—Aubri Niera, Kristen Hester, Emily Mejia, and Jayla Canales—controlled the pace beautifully. Up front, strikers Liv Lazo, Leila Antoine, and Kristen Crichlow kept the pressure on and created scoring opportunities all game long. Amazing job, ladies—keep up the great work! Let’s go, Bruins!
Congratulations to the varsity girls’ volleyball as they continue to their 10th game winning streak by spiking out Valley Stream Central in 3 sets. Stand out players were Kennedy Thompson with 13 kills and Gabby Vanterpool with 17 consistent serves and 4 aces.
Congratulations to JV Volleyball on their exciting victory over Valley Stream Central. The team was led by strong serving from Dreyana Raymond, great spikes by Jasmin Mcleod, and outstanding defense from Liv Pascual and Gia Fernandez.
Girls’ volleyball - congratulations to the varsity girls’ volleyball as they continued their 11th consecutive win against Uniondale yesterday in 3 sets 25-20, 28-26 and 25-13. Stand out player of the game was Shelly Rivera with her 12-consistence good serving, and 4 aces which helped the team to gain momentum and even up the score in the second set. Coach Win would like to thank the fabulous fans for their support, especially the football and basketball team members. Keep up the good work everyone.
Boys’ basketball – congratulations to Gabe Phillips, Ethan Sainsbury and Mical Saint Jean for making the Nassau County All-Star game. Please come support them as they will be playing on Sunday at 5:00 at Amityville H.S.
Get ready to show your school spirit — tomorrow’s home game is our White and Pink-Out for Breast Cancer Awareness! 💗 We want the entire student section decked out in pink and white, so grab your Baldwin gear, your brightest pink, and come out to support our team and a great cause. Let’s fill those stands and make some noise! Again — White and Pink-Out this Saturday! Don’t just show up… show out, Baldwin
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
October 3, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
We had an incredible September with a strong start to the school year! October is also off to an excellent start and we are officially at the midpoint of the marking period. Progress reports will be published on the portal on Tuesday, October 14th at 3pm. Students should be in the habit of checking the portal at least once a day to ensure that their attendance is accurate and that their grades are up to date. This is also important because at this midpoint we review student eligibility status based on their attendance.
After one month of prohibiting cell phones and other personal, internet enabled devices, I can happily report that this has made such a positive impact on the school. Students are thriving! It is important to reiterate that it is also expected that earbuds are also placed in the Yondr pouch, as it is a personal electronic, internet enabled device. Thank you for your support!
English Regents - January 2026
This January 2026, all 11th grade students will be taking the English Language Arts Regents exam. Administering this exam in January rather than in June gives our students a distinct advantage, as it allows them to complete this important graduation requirement earlier in the year. By doing so, students are better prepared to focus on being ready to succeed in our Dual Enrollment College English 4 course during their senior year, where they will engage in more advanced reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. This schedule ensures a smoother transition from Regents-level work to the rigor of college-level coursework. 11th grade students currently enrolled in AP English Language have always taken this exam in January, so that they can better focus on practicing and developing the skills needed for success on the AP exam. We are confident that our students will succeed as they always do!
Insurance Option for District Devices (Including Chromebooks)
Baldwin UFSD offers an optional insurance agreement with Smart Tech Insurance to provide peace of mind for any damage to your child’s Chromebook, as well as loss or theft of the device. The price for the insurance policy is $29 and will be effective until July 1st, with an option to renew each school year. Parents will need to purchase the insurance policy directly with Smart Tech Insurance using the instructions below. Also, all insurance claims are handled directly through Smart Tech. Baldwin UFSD DOES NOT need to be involved with any insurance claims.
To Sign Up
To sign up for the 2025-2026 school year, simply go to Baldwin Schools - Smart Tech Insurance to enroll. The optional Chromebook insurance policy can be purchased starting July 1, 2025 until December 1, 2025.
Announcements
Any student wishing to attend the Baldwin Varsity Football game at Valley Stream Central must bring their school ID in order to be admitted into the game. Students who do not present a valid school ID will not be permitted to enter.
Please check out the latest issue of our digital newsletter, What’s Bruin in Baldwin.
Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Commended Students! These students are part of 34,000 students throughout the nation being recognized for their exceptional academic promise, and have earned this commendation for scoring in the top 50,000 in the nation on the PSAT.
Matthew James Caraan
Demir Kadioglu
David Kreutz
Congratulations to Senior Luna Questelles, has been recognized as a Semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program after achieving a perfect score on the PSAT and a 1560 on the SAT. National Merit Semifinalists represent less than 1% of all high school seniors.
Hey Juniors and Seniors! College representatives will be visiting Baldwin High School through November 17th to talk to you about their schools. You can join these visits in person or online! Check out the schedule posted across from the Guidance office and on Naviance.
Attention all students! Looking to sharpen your resume and get career-ready? All next week, the School2Career coaches will be hosting a Resume Workshop in the Meadow Room of the Learning Collaboratory during periods 5 through 7. Stop by to get advice, tips, and guidance to make your resume stand out. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare for your future!
Congratulations to our student-musicians selected to perform in the 2025 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble!
Alan Wilson - Symphony Orchestra - Tuba
Ava Celeste Iraola-Velazquez - Mixed Chorus - Soprano 1
Brandon Firth - Symphonic Band - Euphonium
Damian Figueroa - Alternate - Trombone
Rohan Khan - Wind Ensemble - French Horn - Part 1
Are you interested in joining Sportsnite this year? There will be an interest meeting for all students on Monday, October 6th at 3pm in Caf A.
Intramural Night Aerobics is a great way to show your school spirit! This is your chance to show up and bring home the bragging rights for your class. Still time to join - stop by and represent your grade! Aerobics practices are on Tuesdays at 5:30pm for Sophomores / Seniors! Wednesdays for Juniors / Freshman. Check the flyers, check the schedule, and get ready — Let the battle... BEGIN!
The first meeting for Make-A-Wish is Monday October 6th in room 324. Come help make a difference in the lives of children facing critical illnesses. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out on the canvas page. See you then!
The Varsity Football team celebrated a triumphant homecoming, defeating Roslyn with a commanding score of 42-0. The team showcased impressive offensive prowess, racking up a total of 425 yards while limiting Roslyn to just 3 first downs on defense. Quarterback Michael Jordan played a pivotal role, contributing two touchdowns—one on the ground and a spectacular 64-yard touchdown pass. Kassimi Taylor-Ba added two rushing touchdowns to the tally, while Aiden Johnson and Mikhi Williams each found the end zone as well. Gavin McGinley excelled in his kicking duties, successfully converting all 6 extra point attempts. Defensively, the team was anchored by a formidable front line consisting of Derek Coolbaugh, Jayden Young, and Andrew Parchment, who helped stifle Roslyn's offense. Looking ahead, the Bruins will travel to Valley Stream Central this Friday night at 6:00 PM. Let’s go Bruins!
Boys Varsity Soccer team won their second game in a row at home on Friday for senior night. Senior Allan Paredes scored a minute into the game on a cross by Max Ascencio. Seniors Abraham Orellana and Devonte Young combined for the second goal near to give the Bruins the victory. This was senior Goalie Toni Aguilar Lopez’s third shutout of the season. Congrats to the team and especially to all the seniors.
Girls’ volleyball - congratulations to the Varsity Girls Volleyball as they continue their 8th game winning streak against East Meadow last night in 3 straight sets. Captain Kennedy Thompson lead the team with 17 kills, 15 digs, and 3 aces. Baldwin is now first place in their conference. Coach Win (Nguyen) is very proud of the team for playing well under pressure. Special shoutout for the fans, especially the football team for their fantastic cheering.
Congratulations to the girls’ varsity tennis who defeated Farmingdale 4 to 3. Deciding match at first Singles was Alexendra Baez winning the match in three sets, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
September 26, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
Today was filled with great spirit culminating in a wonderful pep rally out on the turf field! We hope to see you at our Homecoming celebration starting at 1:30 pm and the football game at 2pm. See you there!
Academic Academies Night – September 29 at 6:00 PM
Join us for Academic Academies Night to learn more about the exciting opportunities available through Baldwin High School’s academies and our School2Career program. This event is perfect for families interested in learning about internships, academic pathways, and career readiness programs. You'll also have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Gabriella Franza, Assistant Director of Instructional Programs, and get your questions answered about any of our academy programs.
Date & Time: September 29, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Location: Cafeteria B
Explore a Career in Engineering with Lockheed Martin – September 29 at 7:00 PM
Is your child curious about a future in engineering? Lockheed Martin, a global leader in aerospace and defense, will be visiting Baldwin High School to share insights into the field and connect with students. This is a great opportunity to explore potential career paths, ask questions, and learn about fellowships that may be available after graduation. This program is for current seniors at the high school.
Date & Time: September 29, 2025, at 7:00 PM
Location: Cafeteria B
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/X4FBVq32ND9Ufx9y8
Announcements
Hey Juniors and Seniors! Starting September 29 through November 17, college representatives will be visiting Baldwin High School to talk to you about their schools. You can join these visits in person or online!
Here’s how it works: In-Person Visits: These happen during the school day in the Guidance Office. If you want to join, see Mrs. Tynan to sign up in the Guidance office. Virtual Visits: These happen in the evening after school. You and your family can join from home or anywhere using your devices. These visits are a great way to learn about colleges and ask questions in a relaxed setting.
To see the schedule check the Guidance Office Showcase, Look on Naviance (through your Clever account) for the Virtual Visits or ask your School Counselor. If you need help signing up, just ask Mrs. Tynan or your Counselor. Don’t miss this chance to start your college journey!
The Big Apple College Fair is this Sunday! See more details HERE
Baldwin High School is excited to present for its Musical Production, Footloose! Information will be out soon for how to purchase tickets November 20-22.
Mathletes, we will have our first meeting on Tuesday, September 30th after school in room 424. We will be holding office elections at this meeting. Hope to see you all then.
Are you a senior and interested in a Sportsnite leadership position? Please meet in room 113 at 3:00 on Tuesday, September 30th
The first meeting for Make-A-Wish is Monday October 6th in room 324. Come help make a difference in the lives of children facing critical illnesses. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out on the canvas page. See you then!
Are your students looking for community service opportunities? We invite them to explore Molloy University’s Teen Leadership Program, a leadership development community service-learning program for high school students, aged 14-18 years.The program meets at Molloy’s campus in Amityville, one or two Friday evenings a month. There is no cost to participate.To participate in this year's program, all applications must be received by October 10th, 2025. For additional information, please go to: https://www.molloy.edu/about/community-outreach/mu-teen-leadership-program/
Bruins Sports Podcast
In this episode, Ava and Sabrah sit down for Sanai Hylton and Isabella Fleck from the Field Hockey team. They discuss the start of their season, balancing their schoolwork during the season, the homefield advantage of playing home games on grass and Emma's playlist. They also played "This or That" for the 1st time. Tune in!
https://bhs.baldwinschools.org/athletics/baldwin-bruins-sports-podcast
The Baldwin Fired Department is hosting an Open House on Saturday, October 4th. See the attached flyer for details.
Baldwin PAL Winter Sports Flyer
· Congratulations to the JV Volleyball team on an outstanding weekend. The team defeated Freeport Friday night 3 games to zero, then they followed that performance up by winning the Carle Place Tournament, defeating Carle Place, Sewanaka, and Long Beach in straight sets. The team is currently undefeated with major contributions from all players.
Varsity Volleyball - congratulations to the Varsity Girls volleyball team on their 6 games winning streak by defeating Freeport 25-17, 25-18 and 27-25 last Friday. The outstanding player of the game was Sabrah Folkes with 10 kills, 9 digs and 8 end line attacks. It was an exciting game with the support of fabulous fans. Keep it up Baldwin.
Congratulations to the Girls JV soccer team as they won 4-0 yesterday against New Hyde Park. A shutout by Nyla Narcisse. A goal by Madilee Buchanaan, Serena Saroop, Alexa Sinclair and Victoria Rogers. Come support us at Herricks High School on Friday!
Girls Volleyball - congratulations to the Girls Varsity volleyball team for their 7th consecutive game winning streak against Hicksville by the score of 3-0. They are now rallying for first place in their conference against East Meadow on Monday. Please come and support them! Great job ladies!
Congratulations to The Girls Varsity Soccer team, as they had an incredible game, tying New Hyde Park 2–2! The girls were down 2-0 but made an incredible comeback with two goals from Amanda Aguiluz (ah-gee-lose) with both assists from Aubriana Niera. The defense was rock solid thanks to standout performances from Amanda Aguiluz (ah-gee-lose), Nicole Lopez, Natalie Medina, and speedy Akua Bonsu with support from Kristen Hester, Ameena Joseph, Olivia Lazo in midfield and Dee coming up huge in goal, making incredible saves as per usual. Good job bruins keep it up!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
September 19, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
It was wonderful to see our parents in the building this week for Know Your School Night! I hope you enjoyed your experience and left feeling great about your child's academic program. I enjoyed seeing you and saying hello!
While we are still early on in the first marking period, it is always critical for our students to get off to a strong start in their course of study. Good study habits, time management, organization, and good attendance are critical factors for student success. Our teachers are ready and willing to support their students and we encourage them to take advantage of extra help on a regular basis. We also have a Saturday Academic Academy program, where we have certified teachers available to help support students. This is available to all students. If you are interested, speak to your child's counselor to sign up for a particular Saturday date.
What is Canvas?
Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) that supports online learning and teaching in grades 9-12. More than 30% of universities and colleges from all over the world currently use this LMS, and thus, our students will be better prepared for their future beyond Baldwin High School. As a parent, you can also get access to your child's Canvas as an observer! Along with the parent portal, having observer access to Canvas will allow you to see assignments posted, announcements, due dates, and much more! Click HERE for instructions on how to register as an observer.
Registration for the PSAT
Registration for the PSAT is now open! All juniors should register! The exam is being held at Baldwin High School on Saturday, October 11. The cost of the exam is $23 using myschoolbucks. The deadline to register is September 26th. Click HERE to view the presentation given at our PSAT Information Night this past Tuesday evening.
Join the PTSA!
We’re excited to invite you to our first PTSA meeting of the year! Whether you’re a returning member or new to our school community, we welcome you with open arms and can’t wait to kick off a wonderful year together. Our first meeting will be held on 9/15 @ 7:30 PM in Cafeteria A. Even if you can't attend meetings, simply joining the PTSA is a great way to support our students and our school. Click HERE for details on how to join.
College Essay Workshop
Join us on Thursday September 25 at 7:00 in the Baldwin High School auditorium for an informative and interactive College Essay Workshop hosted by Ms. Vanessa Gonzalez, School Counselor. This workshop is designed to guide 11th and 12th-grade students, as well as their parents, through the essential aspects of crafting compelling college essays.
Event Highlights:
- Expert Guidance: Ms. Vanessa Gonzalez, an experienced School Counselor, will lead the workshop, providing valuable insights into the college admissions process and the pivotal role of the college essay.
- College Admissions Officer: Ms. Lisa Sayo, Associate Director of Admissions from St. John’s University, will share her perspectives on what makes an outstanding college essay and offer tips on how to stand out in the competitive application process.
- Interactive Discussions: Engage in thought-provoking discussions about the importance of personal storytelling, authenticity, and uniqueness in your college essay. Discover how to make your essay a true reflection of your aspirations and experiences.
- Q&A Session: Have burning questions about the college application process, essay prompts, or anything else related to college admissions? Our experts will be available for an open Q&A session to address your concerns.
Important Announcements
This year’s Baldwin HS Class of 2026 Lawn Signs will be offered via our online order form. To place your order, log onto our website: www.liathletic.com See FLYER for details and IMAGE for an idea of what it will look like! Order deadline is 10/26.
Prepare for the November SAT with Method Test Prep review classes at Baldwin High School. Eight classes (Mon & Wed) from 7 to 9:15 pm at Baldwin HS. Register HERE! First class is September 29.
Join us for an exciting competition between all grades at Baldwin High School! The grade with the highest sales will win a spirit day and ultimate bragging rights. Let's discover which grade reigns supreme at BHS! The BHS PTSA will receive 50% of all sales for 9th, 10th and 11th grades. For the first time, all proceeds raised by seniors will go directly to the Class of 2026 events. A huge thank you to the PTSA for granting this exception! Sale starts 9/.26 and ends 9/30
9th Grade Link: https://s.dgpopup.com/doz635n7
10th Grade Link: https://s.dgpopup.com/z2i42gd9
11th Grade Link: https://s.dgpopup.com/2824lxfn
12th Grade Link: https://s.dgpopup.com/5z9iq45v
Hey Juniors and Seniors! Starting September 29 through November 17, college representatives will be visiting Baldwin High School to talk to you about their schools. To see the schedule check the Guidance Office Showcase, Look on Naviance (through your Clever account) for the Virtual Visits or ask your School Counselor. If you need help signing up, just ask Mrs. Tynan or your Counselor. Don’t miss this chance to start your college journey!
Please see the flyer below for the Nassau Counselors' Association 2025 Fall College Expo which will take place on Tuesday, September 30, from 5:30-8:30 at Adelphi University. Fall 25 College Expo
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15 to October 15. Throughout the month, we’ll be honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This year’s theme is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.” The theme reminds us that heritage is something we carry within ourselves, our families, and our communities. It’s built, preserved, and passed down through generations, shaping who we are today and who we’ll become tomorrow. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to our entire Baldwin Community!
The Student Government would like to invite all staff and Students to join us for our first Spirit Week of the Year. Kick Off Homecoming Week on:
Monday -Pajama day!
Tuesday - Wednesday NO SCHOOL!,
Thursday - White lies Day- wear a white tee with a harmless lie on it. REMINDER: KEEP IT APPROPRIATE
Friday - Blue + Gold rock your Baldwin colors to show off your school spirit!
Mathletes, we will have our first meeting on Tuesday, September 30th after school in room 424. We will be holding officer elections at this meeting. Hope to see you all then.
Boys Basketball – the next open gym is tonight at 8 p.m. Any questions, see Coach Burton.
Boys Varsity Soccer – congratulations to the team as they defeated Oceanside who was previously undefeated. Matt Alexandre had the game winning goal and Toni Lopez Aguilar earned his first varsity shutout.
Congratulations to the girls’ Varsity Tennis team on their 5-2 win against East Meadow yesterday. Special shout out to Chloe Harding and Mia Tavares for their two-hour match which ended in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win at third doubles.
The Baldwin Varsity Football team kicked off their season with a remarkable 42-0 victory over Glenn Cove on Saturday. Aiden Johnson and Kymani Heaven each contributed two touchdowns to the win. The defense was outstanding, limiting the Big Red offense to just 50 total yards and only three first downs. Notably, Adam Hillburger scored a defensive touchdown by returning a fumble 25 yards for a score, which was caused by a sack from Ryan Healey. This weekend, the Bruins will head to Garden City to face off against the team with the second-longest winning streak in high school football. The game is set to start at 2:00.
The JV Football team kicked off their season yesterday with a 22-0 win over Manhasset. The Bruins were led with 2 touchdowns by Conner McGinley and a third from Gio Duplessy. An interception by Gio Duplessy and a fumble recovery by Darlens Pierre, as well as sacks from Kolyn Goosen and Jamal McCoy helped secure the Bruins victory on defense. The JV Bruins face New Hyde Park this Saturday morning at 10 am. Go Bruins!
Congratulations to the JV Volleyball team who improved their record to 4 wins and 0 losses with a victory over Academy Charter. The team was led by strong play from Liv Pascual and Troii Watson.
Congratulations to the JV Volleyball team who improved their record to 5 wins and 0 losses with a victory over Westbury. The team was led by strong play from Jasmin Mcleod and great serving from Kristina Jones.
Girl’s Varsity Volleyball –- Congratulations to the team on their fifth consecutive win against Westbury. Outstanding players were Jalaena Jorif with 18 consecutive serves, Kennedy Thompson with 18 awesome attacks, Sabrah Folkes with 12 digs and 7 aces and sensational setting by Mia Randazzo. Keep up the good work ladies. See you at the top. The fans were exceptional!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
September 12, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
It was another excellent week of school! Academic coursework is well underway, and the positive vibes continue at the High School! This past week I and the building administration team held grade level assemblies to discuss important expectations and goals for the year. We spoke about the importance of strong attendance, eligibility, leading with character, and getting involved in the school. Ultimately, we want students to approach their education with the same attitude and effort that they put forth in their most enjoyable activity outside of school. With maximize effort and a positive attitude, just watch what can happen!
Important Dates
9/15 - PTSA New Parent Mixer, 6:30 pm / PTSA Meeting, 7:30pm
9/17-9/18 - Lifetouch portraits for grades 9-11 in PE class
9/18 - Know Your School Night (see details below)
9/23-9/24 - Schools Closed
9/27 - Homecoming
9/29 - Academic Academies Orientation for Families, 6pm
10/2 - Schools Closed
10/4 - SAT / Baldwin Grand Festival, 12 - 4:30 pm
Know Your School Night
Next week, please join us for Know Your School Night, which will be held on Thursday, September 18th beginning at 6:55 pm. This is an excellent opportunity to tour the school, meet teachers and administration, and enjoy a pleasant evening. Please view the attached letter for details about the bell schedule and other important information.
Emergency Drills
As we do every year, our students and staff will be involved in several safety drills as required by New York State. Drills serve as an opportunity to practice procedures that keep our students safe in the event of an emergency. Next week, the High School will review these skills through conducting fire evacuation drills. Please be assured, these serve only as practice for our students. The district’s safety plan can be found on the website HERE.
Capital Improvements
The Baldwin Union Free School District continues to make enhancements to the 100+year-old facilities and upgrades to meet modern standards, as well as the needs of the 21st century learner. These improvements are a testament to the district's commitment to creating safe, modern, and inviting learning environments for our students, staff, and the community. Learn more about the incredible things happening with our facilities, including photos, by clicking HERE
Update Contact Information
Please make sure your contact information is up to date, including a cell phone number and email address, to receive important emails, phone calls, and text messages from the district. To update your contact information or if you believe you are not receiving all messages from the district and/or school, please contact the Main Office at 516-434-6101.
Communication
The Baldwin Union Free School District has developed these communication protocols to promote direct, open and respectful interactions so that problems and concerns can be worked out quickly and efficiently. Important communications, including email messages and letters to families from the District Office, can be accessed at www.baldwinschools.org/announcements. Connect with Baldwin UFSD on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) for the latest news about our people and schools as well as job opportunities within the district. All of these communication resources and more can be accessed at www.baldwinschools.org/communications or click on “News & Updates” located at the top of every web page on the district's site.
Registration for the PSAT
Registration for the PSAT is now open! All juniors should register! The exam is being held at Baldwin High School on Saturday, October 11. The cost of the exam is $23 using myschoolbucks. The deadline to register is September 26th. Click HERE to view the presentation given at our PSAT Information Night this past Tuesday evening.
Join the PTSA!
We’re excited to invite you to our first PTSA meeting of the year! Whether you’re a returning member or new to our school community, we welcome you with open arms and can’t wait to kick off a wonderful year together. Our first meeting will be held on 9/15 @ 7:30 PM in Cafeteria A. Even if you can't attend meetings, simply joining the PTSA is a great way to support our students and our school. Click HERE for details on how to join.
Important Announcements
Baldwin High School has an incredible list of extracurricular activities! All are underway and planning wonderful events and activities. Our club information and meeting times/locations can be viewed HERE.
Welcome back to Season 7 of the Baldwin Bruins Sports Podcast! We are excited for another great year of sharing everything Baldwin Athletics with our listeners! Tune in to meet your new staff members for this school year! Mia and Ava got us started with a great interview with Akua Bonsu and Dorcas Ikechukwu from the Varsity Girls Soccer team. They discuss how their roles have changed now that they are captains, the team dynamic and how they see a strong future for this program. Tune in and share with your friends and family.
https://bhs.baldwinschools.org/athletics/baldwin-bruins-sports-podcast
U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand is hosting her annual 2025 Service Academy Night on Monday, September 15th from 6 PM - 8 PM at SUNY Farmingdale. See the attached flyer for more details and how to register. They are presenting September 25th at 8 pm ET a free webinar for parents, counselors, and students: Filing the FAFSA & CSS Profile like a Pro!
Attention Business Students! Are you currently enrolled in Virtual Enterprise, College Accounting, College Business Management, or College Personal Finance, College Engineering, Robotics, CAD, Coding, or Technical Drawing? If so, you can register and enroll in dual enrollment with Farmingdale State College!
Click HERE to register starting September 15th!
Student Government is excited to present Baldwin High School’s first ever Student Section of the season at our football team’s home opener this Saturday at 2:00 against Glen Cove. The theme is Western Showdown! Wear your cowboy hats, flannels, boots, denim, and bandanas to show your Baldwin pride and get ready to cheer on our team in true western style. All students must have their school ID to enter! No ID, no entry! There will be no entry to the game once the 3rd quarter begins, and no re-entry if you leave once the 3rd quarter begins. Additionally, only Baldwin students and students from the school visiting are permitted to attend without the supervision of an adult.
Future Educators of America will be having our first meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16th at 2:40 in room 312. We already have High School Heroes Leave-2-Learns lined up and permission slips will be handed on. You must attend the meeting to receive a permission slip. New members are welcome! Can't wait to see you all there! See Valentina Colmenares Delatorre or Ms. Billig with questions.
Crochet Club starts next Tuesday after school in room 419.
Boys Basketball – the next open gym will be on Monday, September 15th from 6-8 pm in the front gym. All grades are welcome. Any questions, see Coach Burton.
Congratulations to the varsity girls’ volleyball for their third consecutive win against Uniondale. They went on to defeat Valley Stream Central in their next match in three sets. Sabrah Folkes and Jalaena Jorif each had four serving aces, and Kennedy Thompson added five kills to complete Baldwin's second consecutive victory. Kudos to everyone on the team!
Congratulations to the Girl’s Varsity Tennis team on their 4-3 win against Farmingdale. Securing our win at 2nd singles Molly Curran with a third set 6-3 win.
Baldwin Varsity Field Hockey team had a fantastic game, defeating Seaford 3-1 last Friday! Goals scored by Alexis Abrahams, Isabella Fleck and Emma Tiong-Smith. Alyssa Clay did an incredible job in goal! Overall, it was an incredible team effort. Go Bruins!
Girl’s Tennis – Congratulations to the team on their first win last Thursday and on their 5-2 win against Division Avenue High School yesterday! Clinching the match at 3rd doubles were Chloe Harding and Mia Tavarez. The duo worked hard to come back and win in 3 sets. Kimmy Perez and Kylee Hopkins won their match in a 3rd set tie breaker.
The 2025 Baldwin Football season kicks off this Saturday at 2:00 PM, as the #8-seeded Bruins face off against the #6-seeded Glen Cove Big Red. This highly anticipated matchup brings added excitement, as the Bruins look to settle the score with the team that ended their playoff run last season. Let’s pack the stands and show our support as Baldwin battles for redemption!
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
September 5, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
What a fantastic first week of the 2025-26 school year! It was wonderful to see the students smiling and enjoying being back! This was my 7th opening week of school as Principal, and I can say without hesitation that this was the absolute best start to a school year I have seen.
Our policies and procedures to uphold the NYS mandate banning cell phones and other personal devices has started very strong. The immediate, positive difference in student affect is incredible. Simply put, students are talking to each other more, engaging in more eye contact with their teachers and other adults, and overall, has already created a very nice vibe.
While the transition to being without these devices will still take some time, it seems that our students will soon acclimate nicely and feel better, happier, and more focused. Thank you to our students and to our parents for your support in this important endeavor! Click HERE if you want to know more about how the Yondr pouch works and other frequently asked questions.
This year, we challenge all students to bring the same energy, focus, and pride to their academics that they show in the things they love most outside of school. The way students do their favorite thing—the way they show up, give their all, and strive for excellence—should be the same way they approach their learning. One Way...Every Way. This can be accomplished through consistently having a positive attitude and maximum effort, both which require no talent. Already, the building administration team is speaking with all students by grade about this, along with critical expectations, including attendance and academic eligibility procedures.
Emergency Drills
As we do every year, our students and staff will be involved in several safety drills as required by New York State. Drills serve as an opportunity to practice procedures that keep our students safe in the event of an emergency. Next week, the High School will review these skills through conducting fire evacuation, lockout, and lockdown drills. Please be assured, these serve only as practice for our students. The district’s safety plan can be found on the website HERE.
PSAT Registration & Virtual Information Night
Registration for the PSAT is now open! All juniors should register! The exam is being held at Baldwin High School on Saturday, October 11. The cost of the exam is $23 using myschoolbucks. The deadline to register is September 26th.
Our Virtual PSAT/NMSQT Informational Night on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This session will provide essential details about the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT, including its benefits and how it can support your child's academic journey.
To join the meeting, please use the following link:PSAT/NMSQT Informational Night
Chromebook Insurance
To protect your child’s Chromebook against accidental damage or loss, we strongly recommend considering the Chromebook insurance offered through SmartTech. This insurance provides peace of mind and can help avoid any unexpected expenses. For more details and to enroll, please visit the district website.
Free Digital Monitoring App – Qustodio
Baldwin families should take advantage of Qustodio—a free app provided by the district that allows you to monitor your child’s online activity, manage screen time, and more. Please visit www.baldwinschools.org/qustodio for enrollment information and to learn more about what’s included with this free resource.
Announcements
SUNY Old Westbury is offering, "The Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)," for students in grades 7-12 who are interested in pursuing professional licensure and careers in mathematics, science, technology, and health-related fields. Students who are looking for enrichment in these areas can attend courses in STEM fields on select Saturdays. Check out the attached flyer, calendar, and application for more details!
Are you a senior and enrolled in College English 4R? If so, check out our college dual enrollment information on how to purchase the credits! Parents, this is an absolute must purchase of credits if your child is planning to go to college. Since we partner with Nassau Community College, you will earn potentially up to 6 college credits that can easily transfer in to any college/university. Students who purchase the credit (and earn the minimum grade required for credit) will be able to complete English 101 and 102, which is the standard required courses in nearly all colleges/universities. Talk about an amazing deal! Also, students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch can also qualify for free tuition! In order to qualify for free tuition, you first have to complete the district's free/reduction lunch form to determine if you are eligible. Act now! The deadline to register for the credits is September 24th!
Are you a Senior enrolled in College Civics and News Literacy? If so, don't delay in purchasing the credit (with the minimum grade required) through Stony Brook University, which is highly transferable to many colleges and universities. See the attached flyer for details. Registration for Fall and Year-long ACE courses will open September 15th. The deadline to register and pay is October 24th.
On September 17th and 18th during PE classes, students will have their portraits taken in an effort to update our student management system. You will also have an opportunity to purchase portrait packages via Lifetouch if you so choose. Details will be sent to you via email.
Planning on taking the SAT this fall? Then consider taking a high quality SAT prep through Method Test Prep. Classes are held in the evenings at Baldwin High School. See the attached flyer for details.
Attention Seniors! Your Code of Conduct was due on September 5th! You should have received a copy in the mail this summer. Copies can also be picked up in the main office. Seniors cannot be eligible for activities if the Code of Conduct is not submitted.
Poetry Club will have its first meeting after school on Tuesday, September 9th in Room 619. All are welcome. Reach out to Ms. Miller with any questions.
Calling all artists! Calling all dancers! Calling all athletes! There will be an Intramural Night / Battle of the Classes interest meeting on Monday, September 8th at 3pm in Cafeteria A. Stop by and sign up for a great program!
ATTENTION BHS! COME SUPPORT THE VARSITY CHEERLEADERS AND GET YOUR CAR WASHED THIS SATURDAY FROM 12-3 @ BHS! Thanks for your support! See the attached flyer for details!
The Girls Junior Varsity soccer team is seeking new players. Interested individuals should contact Coach Stuart or visit the Athletic Office for information.
The Girls Varsity Soccer team had an incredible game, defeating Hicksville 3–2! Goals were scored by Emily Mejia, assisted by goalie Dee Ikechukwu, Ameena Joseph, and Olivia Lazo, assisted by Danielle Rivera. The defense was rock solid thanks to standout performances from Akua Bonsu, Amanda Aguiluz, Nicole Lopez, and Natalie Medina, with Liz Hill controlling the midfield and supporting every ball and Dee coming up huge in goal, making six to seven incredible saves. Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved win!
Congratulations to the girls' varsity volleyball team on their season opener win against Hempstead yesterday.
Congratulations to the JV volleyball team on dominating 3 game shutout over Hempstead. The team was led by strong serving from Dreyana Raymond and Kristina Jones.
Baldwin Public Library Sept/October Newsletter
Support Bruins Athletics - Weekly Schedule
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
August 29, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
We are looking forward to our first day of school on Tuesday! Please review the following important information with your child!
First Day of Classes - September 2nd
*We are following a Community Circle Bell Schedule - Day A for the first day.
*Students will go to their scheduled first period class, second period class, then their community circle room location. This is located on their schedule listed as period 11. After community circles period, students will resume their schedule with period 3.
*Please check schedules on the portal as room locations may have been modified since you last viewed it. Check your locker information, as this may have changed as well.
*Don't forget your Student ID! You need it every day!
*Students will be receiving their Yondr pouches during the community circle period. Once received, students must immediately pouch their personal devices - cell phone, smart watch, earbuds. Personal laptops, iPads etc. are also prohibited and there is also no more access to student WiFi. Only district issue chromebooks are permitted.
*For lunch periods (4-8) and free periods, students will be able to unlock their pouches when they exit outside to the courtyard. When they return from lunch, they must secure their devices in the pouch and demonstrate to security that it is pouched and locked before they can re-enter. Please view the attached information sheet for more details about procedures, policies, and consequences for violating the ban on cell phones and other internet-enabled devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
-What if there is an emergency and I need to contact my child? What if my child needs to contact me?
Our clerical staff is ready to help you! Please call the school and we will quickly facilitate your needs and your message. This document has all the important phone numbers to our offices. We also have a phone in the main office that is available for students to contact their parents. Additionally, all of our offices have unlocking devices for emergency purposes and extenuating circumstances.
-What if I do not have a cell phone?
Your child should communicate that to the security staff. We will also note their name and verify this information with a parent. Of course, if this is unverified/proven to be a lie/caught with a phone, the student will face disciplinary action.
-What if I forgot my pouch at home?
The phone will be collected and stored in a secure location until the end of the day. The student can retrieve it at the end of school.
-What if I have to come back into the building for sports?
We will be issuing all Fall Athletes a sticker to be placed on the back of their student ID. Those participating in clubs or sports will not have to secure their phone in their pouch. We do encourage you to keep your phone in your bag or locker so you can fully engage and be present in your activity.
What if I have extra help or a 10th period?
You must have your cell phone/personal devices secured in your pouch. The end of 10th period/extra help is our official end of the school day.
Can I use my phone in the courtyard during the school day?
According to the policy as written, no. Cell phones and personal electronic devices are prohibited on school grounds during the school day. The district policy defines the school day as the entirety of the instructional day, during all instructional and non-instructional time. So this means from the start of period 1 (7:42 AM) to the end of 10th period (3:20 pm).
The policy defines school grounds as in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the property of the school. So, during the school day, you should not be using your personal device. Please wait until after you leave the courtyard and are departing school grounds.
We appreciate greatly your understanding and support of this new law that prohibits these devices. I know we can all agree that removing this distraction for our kids will have a very positive impact on their well-being and ability to learn.
Announcements
If you are student attending Barry Tech/BOCES this year, classes begin on September 4. Until then, you need only to attend your Baldwin schedule as listed on the portal. For those that take the bus from the HS to Barry Tech/BOCES, AM departure from the HS is 7AM sharp!
PSAT Registration
Registration for the PSAT is now open! All juniors should register! The exam is being held at Baldwin High School on Saturday, October 11. The cost of the exam is $23 using myschoolbucks. The deadline to register is September 26th.
Virtual PSAT/NMSQT Informational Night
Join us on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM for essential details about the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT, including its benefits and how it can support your child's academic journey. The PSAT is highly recommended for current 10th and 11th-grade students as it plays a key role in their academic planning and college readiness. Be on the lookout for the link!
Attention Seniors! Your Senior Code of Conduct is due Friday, September 5th. You should have received a paper copy in the mail. You can also obtain a copy HERE.
Are you a senior and enrolled in College English 4R? If so, check out our college dual enrollment information on how to purchase the credits! Parents, this is an absolute must purchase of credits if your child is planning to go to college. Since we partner with Nassau Community College, you will earn potentially up to 6 college credits that can easily transfer in to any college/university. Students who purchase the credit (and earn the minimum grade required for credit) will be able to complete English 101 and 102, which is the standard required courses in nearly all colleges/universities. Talk about an amazing deal! Also, students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch can also qualify for free tuition! In order to qualify for free tuition, you first have to complete the district's free/reduction lunch form to determine if you are eligible. Act now! The deadline to register for the credits is September 24th!
Lifetouch Portraits for students in grades 9-11
On September 17th and 18th during PE classes, students will have their portraits taken in an effort to update our student management system. You will also have an opportunity to purchase portrait packages via Lifetouch if you so choose. Details will be sent to you via email.
Congratulations to Alexandra Francois who recently received the Nassau County SHIELD Award for Academic Excellence and Community Leadership! Check out the article HERE
Congratulations to Class of 2025 graduate and now Stanford University student-athlete Sariah Doresca! Sariah advanced to the top 15 in the National Youth Athlete of the Year competition! Check out the article HERE
Support Bruins Athletics! Weekly Game Schedule
Have a fabulous Labor Day Weekend and see you on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
August 25, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
I am proud to welcome you to the upcoming start of the 2025-26 school year! This new school year affords us an opportunity to renew our commitment to ourselves and our school community! With that renewal also comes a desire to work together to accomplish amazing things for our children.
As the year progresses, please routinely check the parent portal to stay informed about your child’s academic progress and attendance. Additionally, please check your email at the end of each week for my weekly messages titled, Hello From the Principal’s Office. These messages will contain all sorts of information and celebrations of student and staff success stories. The school website will be a valuable resource for you. I suggest bookmarking the following link: www.baldwinschools.org/bhs and go to the section titled For Parents and Students. This is the primary information center for the High School.
As a school community, we believe in bringing the same energy, focus, and pride to our academics that we show in the things we love most outside of school—whether that’s sports, music, gaming, art, or anything else that lights us up. The way students do their favorite thing—the way they show up, give their all, and strive for excellence—should be the same way they approach their learning. One Way...Every Way. That’s how we grow. That’s how we lead.
I invite you to reinforce this mindset at home--by celebrating effort, encouraging consistency, and reminding our kids that how they do anything is how they do everything.
We are excited to see our students back on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please make sure to view the portal to view your class schedule, as this will be the only means to obtain it. Please note that the first day we will be following a Community Circle bell schedule. Students will begin their day with their period 1 class. After period 2, they will report to their Community Circle Homeroom as listed on their schedule. You can view the community circle bell schedule HERE
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
ALL students must show and scan their school ID upon entry to the building, and have it visible at all times during the school day. Students who do not have their ID can only enter after being verified and provided with a temporary ID sticker. This sticker must be worn in a visible area for security and staff to be able to see it.
CELL PHONES and other personal, internet-enable devices are prohibited during school hours. On the first day of school during their community circle period, students will be provided a secure pouch that they will have to place their device in. Previously, I sent you specific information regarding the daily procedures for securing their cell phone/personal devices in their pouch. You can review that information HERE.
Prior to period 1, students will wait in the cafeterias until 7:35 AM. At that time, the bell tone will sound and students will be permitted to go to their lockers before proceeding to their first class.
School starts at 7:42 AM. If you are dropping your child off, it is strongly suggested that you do so before 7:30 AM. Any later and you risk your child being late to class (which will be considered unexcused) and getting stuck in the volume of cars and buses trying to get in and out of campus. Please also respect and follow the security staff and the directions they give so that we can have a safe and orderly arrival.
If you DO NOT want your child(ren) photographed or filmed by the District, please complete the form below and submit to the Main Office of your child(ren)’s school no later than SEPTEMBER 5. Opt-out photo form
As the new school year begins on September 2, please remind your children of some important expectations and aspects of our code of conduct policies. This information can be found in our Baldwin High School Information Packet, linked HERE. It is important for all students and parents to review this information each year. Additionally, please note the following reminders.
Critical Expectations:
- Dress for Success in a professional learning environment – no hoods, hats, head coverings allowed in learning spaces. No hoods on anywhere.
- Be on time and engaged in all your classes
- All cell phones and personal, internet enabled electronic devices are prohibited and must be placed in your school-issued secure pouch
- Must have a pass and visible student ID in the halls
- Locker access should occur before/after school, passing time only.
- Stay in class for the First 10 minutes and remain for the Last 10 minutes of class
- Be Kind; Respect yourself and others
- Threats made to the school on social media or other means will result in automatic Superintendent Suspension
- Closed Campus per. 1-3, grades 9-11
Student Dress Code:
A student’s dress, grooming, and appearance, including hairstyle/color, jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:
1. Be unlikely to injure people or damage property, appropriate according to this code, and not substantially disrupt or materially interfere with the educational process.
2. Recognize that extremely brief garments and see-through garments are not appropriate.
3. Ensure that underwear and midriffs are completely covered by outer clothing
4. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed.
5. Not cover the student’s face to the extent the student is not identifiable except for a medical or religious purpose. (Parental or doctor’s notes required.)
6. Not wear hats, bandannas, or other head coverings in school unless otherwise permitted for a school activity or for a medical or religious purpose.
7. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, discriminatory, libelous or denigrate others based on a person’s actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists), color, weight, religion, religious practice, national origin, ethnic group, gender (including gender identity and expression), sex, sexual orientation, or disability.
8. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
9. Not include headphones or earpieces or other electronic devices at any time while on school property, except for instructional purposes and in designated areas as directed by the teacher or administrator.
10. Not include items of clothing that advocate a prohibitive group identification or affiliation.
11. Not include sunglasses unless a medical necessity.
Student Entry into the building:
All students are required to secure their cell phone/personal device in their issued pouch (they will receive this on the first day during community circle after period 2 on the first day. See above for this information). All students must show their issued student ID upon entry to the building as well as demonstrate that their personal device/cell phone is secured in their pouch. This is required at arrival to school and any other time during the school day when re-entering. Students who do not have their ID upon entry must be verified and provided a temporary student ID sticker. This sticker must be visibly worn. Students who are frequently without their school ID will be assigned lunch detention and/or lose their open-campus privileges.
If your child lost their ID, they can request a new one at the Dean's office. A replacement fee of $5 will be charged.
IDs are also necessary to access assigned lockers and enter the Learning Collaboratory.
Attendance
Attendance is one of the most important factors contributing to student outcomes. As such, students are expected to attend school daily. The full district attendance policy can be found HERE
- If a student is absent, a parent/guardian should contact the attendance office the morning of the absence.
- Students who are absent must also submit a note to the Attendance Office within five days of their return to school. Notes must include the date(s) and reason for the absence and must be signed by a parent/guardian. Notes submitted beyond the five-day limit will be treated as a cut for eligibility purposes. The Attendance Office is located on the 2nd floor of Building 7.
- Students who become ill during the day must check in with the classroom teacher and request a pass to the Health Office.
- Any student leaving the campus during scheduled classes for health-related reasons must first report to the Health Office for parental and office approval. Failure to do so will result in a cut/illegal absence.
- Any student looking to be dismissed for an appointment or other legal reason must be formally dismissed by the Attendance office. They should not leave campus without being dismissed and their reason verified with a parent.
- A Student with more than five illegal or unexcused class absences for any subject/class period, or one or more full day unexcused absence within a marking period, will be placed on probation, lasting for a period of five weeks. Any further illegal or unexcused class absences for any subject within the five-week period will make the student ineligible for participation. Continued illegal or unexcused absences will disqualify the student for all extra-curricular activities and sports for an imposed period, up to the remainder of the school year.
- Students are expected to arrive on time for all scheduled classes. Students who reach 5 TU in a particular class are subject to teacher intervention, which includes but is not limited to, mandatory extra help, teacher detention, loss of class participation points for the marking period.
- Students who are tardy unexcused more than 5 times are subject to a disciplinary referral to the grade level administrator. Teachers will be responsible for initiating a referral for disciplinary action.
- Excessive TU may impact student eligibility according to the outlined procedures. Students who accumulate 15 or more TU in any class period are subject to the Eligibility procedures, which may result in their status being elevated more rapidly.
The only legal/excused reasons for being absent or late to school are:
- personal illness
- illness or death in the family
- impassable roads or weather
- religious observance
- quarantine
- required court appearances
- attendance at health clinics
- approved college visits,
- approved cooperative work programs
- military obligations
- such other reasons as may be approved by the appropriate building administrator.
*Absences due to vacation will be automatically considered unexcused.
Attendance Coordinators: Mr. Kappel (Grades 9 & 11), Ms. Plotke (Grades 10 & 12)
Important Reminders from the Health Office:
- Except Epi-Pens and inhalers, medications (prescribed and over the counter) are not permitted to be self-carried. For Epi-Pens and inhalers, a completed medication form (for self-carry or otherwise) must be completed by a licensed physician and submitted to the Health office for review. All other prescribed medications directed to take during the school day must have a completed medication form submitted to the Health office. In those cases, the medication must: 1) be delivered to the nurse in the prescription bottle or original packaging; 2) remain in the Health Office and 3) be administered under the supervision of the school nurse.
- Students are not permitted to wear any type of apparatus (i.e. slings, braces, bandages, boots, soft/hard casts, etc.) or use crutches unless a doctor’s note specifically indicates that it is needed. Students in school without the proper medical documentation will not be permitted to remain in school and/or attend classes.
- In general, students should be symptom-free before returning to school and resuming normal activities. In some instances, students may be asked to provide a note from their licensed health care provider before they return to school or participate in the full range of school activities. Students who exhibit flu-like/Covid symptoms and/or fever/vomiting are not permitted to remain in school. The final decision to permit participation rests with the school physician. The Superintendent of Schools, or his/her designee, in consultation with the school physician, nurse and other appropriate staff, will develop protocols to address a student’s return to activities when there has been a serious illness or injury.
Baldwin High School Wellness Center
Our Wellness Center will be ready to open soon! Now is the time to enroll! This opportunity, open to all High School students, can be a benefit in many ways. From getting your sports physicals done easily to flu shots and so much more! For more information on this opportunity, check out our flyer!
Wellness Center - How to Enroll
Baldwin Herald Feature Article - Wellness Center
Transportation information
The Baldwin School District follows the transportation guidelines set by New York State Education law. In Baldwin, transportation is provided for resident students attending both public and non-public schools as follows: K - Grade 12 residing more than 1.5 miles from the school attended, to a maximum of 15 miles. Please visit the Transportation page on the district website for more information and details.
Late Bus Schedule:
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BHS - 2 BUSES 1 north 1 south |
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3:30 |
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4:30 |
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6:00 |
Important Dates:
September 2 - First Day of Classes - following the Community Circle Bell Schedule - view HERE
September 4 - First Day of Classes for Barry Tech/BOCES students.
September 9 - PSAT Registration Information Night, Virtual 7pm
September 10 - Board of Education Meeting, High School, 8pm
September 15 - PTSA New Parent Mixer (6:30pm) and Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm
September 18 - Know Your School Night - 7 pm
September 23-24 - Schools Closed
September 25 - College Essay Workshop, HS 7pm
September 27 - Homecoming
September 29 - Academic Academies Orientation for Families, 6pm
See you soon!
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa
August 1, 2025
Dear Baldwin Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer! While we still have four weeks until the first day of classes, we are already well underway with our preparations for the 2025-26 school year! By summer's end, we will have newly renovated bathrooms in our 400 building!
Now that we are midway through the summer, this is a good time to remind our students to get moving on any summer reading or summer assignments they need to complete! Information for all summer reading/assignments can be found in the links below. Incoming 9th grade students enrolled in AP Human Geography, please make sure to complete your assignment as instructed!
Social Studies AP Course Summer Assignments
Attention incoming 9th grade students and parents!
Welcome to Baldwin High School! Very soon you will receive a letter in the mail inviting you to our 9th grade Orientation program on Tuesday, August 26th. You can also view the letter HERE. We hope to see you all there! We will go over pertinent information and other details, so make sure you attend! In High School, there are no supply lists that are put out for materials required. Students are expected to bring their school-issued Chromebooks everyday and have writing utensils. Other than that, each teacher will review what may be needed for class on the first day of school.
New York State Law Banning Cell phones and personal electronic devices
The Baldwin School District recently adopted a new policy regarding the recent implementation of Governor Hochul's mandatory banning of cell phones and other internet-enable devices in school. To that end, Baldwin High School is preparing to meet this new law and the District's policy. Our aim is to create a more focused and distraction-free learning environment. Below is the District policy, which aligns with New Your State Education Law Section 2803, restricting the use of internet-enabled personal electronic devices during the school day.
5695 Students and Personal Electronic Devices
Effectively immediately for the 2025-26 school year, the use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices (including personal laptops) are prohibited on school grounds for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), during classroom time and other settings. This includes, and is not limited to, cafeterias, offices, community circle periods, homerooms, and during passing time between classes.
Why the change?
New legislation requires schools across New York State to establish clear rules limiting the use of personal devices-such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets-on school grounds during the instructional day. We agree that this legislation will provide our kids many benefits, including:
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Enhanced Focus: Students will be able to concentrate more fully in class without the significant distractions that cell phones create.
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Improved Social Connection: Students will have more opportunities for meaningful face-to-face interactions with peers and teachers.
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Better Mental Health: Reducing exposure to social media during school hours can help protect students' mental well-being.
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Increased Academic Performance: Research shows that removing cell phone distractions can improve information retention and learning outcomes.
What Families need to know:
Internet-enabled personal electronic devices are prohibited during school hours and while on campus. Students may not use these devices at any time during the school day anywhere on campus, including the cafeteria, hallways, learning collaboratory, and classrooms.
*School issued technology such as Chromebooks provided by the district for learning purposes are still allowed.
Implementation Details
Our implementation plan is being finalized and we are examining the use of secure pouches to keep devices throughout the school day. This approach allows students to keep their phones with them--without being able to access them during the day on campus. Additional details will be provided very soon as to how the NYS law and Baldwin UFSD policy will be implemented.
We recognize that many students will find it challenging to adjust to being without access to their devices during school hours. This is completely normal and expected. We are committed to supporting both students and families through this transition, and we need your partnership to make this successful. We strongly urge all families to begin discussing this policy with your students now. It's crucial that students understand the expectations before the school year begins.
Chromebook Insurance
Baldwin UFSD offers an optional insurance agreement with Smart Tech Insurance to provide peace of mind for any damage to your child’s school issued Chromebook, as well as loss or theft of the device. The price for the insurance policy is $29.
Parents will need to purchase the insurance policy directly with Smart Tech Insurance using the instructions below. Also, all insurance claims are handled directly through Smart Tech. Baldwin UFSD DOES NOT need to be involved with any insurance claims.
To Sign Up
To sign up for the 2024-2025 school year, simply go to Baldwin Schools - Smart Tech Insurance to enroll. The optional Chromebook insurance policy can be purchased starting July 1, 2024.
For More Information
Please see this flyer (English | Spanish) for more information. A detailed FAQ can also be found on the Smart Tech Insurance website.
Textbooks/Debts Owed
Please make sure that your child returns any textbooks issued and/or settles any outstanding debts they may still have from this past school year. Debts and items can be returned resolved in the main office, Monday - Thursday from 8 AM - 2PM in August.
Important Dates:
The one-pager of the 25-26 Baldwin UFSD calendar is now available on our website, and linked HERE. The full, digital calendar will be available shortly.
August 13 & 18 - Sports Physicals
August 18 - Football begins
August 11 -14 - Senior Yearbook Portraits by appointment only at HS
August 22 - Class Schedules released on student portal only - no paper schedules
August 25 - Fall Sports Tryouts
August 26th - 9th Grade and New Student Teen to Teen Orientation - 9 AM
August 26th - 9th grade and New Student Parent Orientation - 7pm
September 2 - First Day of Classes
Announcements
Makeup sessions for Yearbook portraits will take place at Baldwin High School this August 11-14 by appointment! This will be your last opportunity for retakes/makeups at the High School! Seniors must have their photo taken by Prestige to be included in our school’s yearbook. Our yearbook image requirements are Tuxedo/Drape head and shoulders on a moonlight blue background. You will be able to schedule your appointment using this link: schedule.prestigeportraits.com
Check out the Herald for a wonderful story about our Mentor Program!
Recently, our very own Mr. Chris Soupios, English teacher, was honored by Sakiel Ruff, a graduate of Baldwin High School, at Cornell University! Check out the article HERE.
Congratulations to Girls' Varsity Track Coach Sandra Cole for being selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as the 2025 Girls' High School Track & Field Coach of the Year for New York state!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Sincerely,
Dr. Testa