TV Talk

Thanks to a donation from the Class of 1954, we were able to make a few technology updates in the Mepham Library. Firstly, we were able to replace the 6 iPads from the iPad Reference Bar. Next, we purchased two 55" Samsung LED 4K televisions to hang in the library. These TVs will display a library slideshow and will also broadcast our morning announcements and other special installments from Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting.

This project was set in motion before Covid-19 (in fact the televisions arrived on Friday, March 14, 2020 - our last day of in-person school for the rest of that year. Safe to say, it has taken a while to get this project off the ground! 

Starting Off the New Year with New Furniture

We are starting off the New Year in the Mepham Library with new furniture thanks again to a very generous donation from the Class of 1954. We were able to purchase 6 new tablet armchairs. The students seem to be settling into them very nicely. As always, this is YOUR school library. If you have any suggestions on how we can make it better, please let us know. We love hearing about your creative ideas. 

Happy 95th Birthday James Graziano!

One of the best parts of being a librarian and former student at Wellington C. Mepham High School is the fact that I get to be part of the rich legacy that comes with a school being built in the late 1930s. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to meet many of our distinguished alumni. I love hearing about their time here at Mepham with fondness and admiration. Some of them move on to impressive careers, join the Army, move across the country, or start their families right here in Bellmore, New York. Each story is unique and cherished. 

Graziano's Yearbook Photo (taken in January 1944)

James Graziano grew up on Long Island, the oldest of six children. Graziano was set to graduate from Mepham in June of 1944. He would have been the first member of his family to graduate from high school. But in April of 1944, Jimmy was drafted into the army and sent to fight in World War II. 

Graziano in his garnet cap and gown holding his diploma on his 95th birthday

He was sent to Europe as a scout with other American troops following the Battle of the Buldge. Because of his service in both Europe and Japan, Jimmy was never able to attend his high school graduation. This weekend for his 95th birthday, Jimmy’s family surprised him with his cap and gown and his diploma from Mepham High School. Happy 95th Birthday! #onceapiratealwaysapirate

Book Return

Thanks to another generous donation by the Mepham Class of 1954, we were able to purchase this library book return. Books will be quarantined in here until it is safe to take them out, check them in, and return them back to the shelves. We always appreciate the donations from the alumni association. They enable us to enhance this space for all who occupy it. 

Mepham Library Book Return

Do you have suggestions for items or books that you would like to see in our library? If so, please share them with us. We value your input and want this library to adapt to the needs of the students, faculty, and staff.

65

The Class of 1954 has so much school spirit. Every year since 2014, they have made a generous donation to our school library. This year in honor of their 65th anniversary upon graduation, they have donated $6,500. A donation to the school library benefits all our students, faculty, and staff. The items we have purchased in the past have included a 3D printer, iPad reference bar, newspaper stand, MakerSpace materials, furniture, eBooks, and so much more. Some of the items we plan to purchase with this donation include a large flat-screen television, new desks, and additional charging stations.

Mrs. Stack, Librarian and Mr. Gomez, Principal with representatives from the Class of 1954

Mepham High School means a lot to a lot of people.We strive to give a great education, sense of community, and opportunities to all our students. Your generous donations allows us to continue that pursuit. Thank you to the alumni for giving back.

Reading Nook

Thanks to a very generous donation from alumnus Mark Mobius, class of 1954, we were able to purchase items for our first ever reading nook. The new comfy chairs and end tables were a big hit here at Mepham on the first day of school. We had been looking for ways to create separate, yet cohesive spaces in the library to accommodate all of our patrons. Students had been asking for "soft seating." We wanted to design a space that was inviting and would foster communication and collaboration. Looks like we accomplished that goal! The chairs and tables can be moved around to create many different configurations depending on the needs of our students and teachers.

New library seating

Thank you so much Mr. Mobius for helping to make our vision a reality. Alumnus, Lance Blackshaw serves as an ongoing liaison between the alumni and our school, making these special projects come to life. Mepham's class of 1954 continues to be a prominent source of funding for our school library.

Our mission is to promote an environment that is warm and welcoming for everyone. The school library is the hub of our school community and serves many functions. Students come here to learn, create, read, interact, socialize, and so much more. We will continue to provide them with unique opportunities and resources with the help of our alumni and community partners.

Uncovering the Past

Our dear friend, Ms. Dennis has taught the Gilder Lehrman class, Uncovering the Past, here at Mepham for over 8 years. Her class can often been seen in the school library researching many different aspects of our strong and rich history. There is a plaque (see below) in the Mepham Library on the classroom side, and I have always wondered about it. Who was Donald F. Thompson? How did he serve Mepham High School? I enlisted Ms. Dennis's class to help solve the mystery. 

This plaque hangs on the classroom side of the Mepham Library 

Her class headed straight for the yearbooks. They picked up the 1964 Treasure Chest. Sure enough this yearbook was dedicated to Mr. Thompson. 

Mr. Donald F. Thompson

 In Memoriam

"Donald F. Thompson's untimely death has meant the loss of one of its ablest and most beloved teachers. Of his thirty-three years in teaching, twenty-four were spent here. His career was interrupted for a time during which he served in the North African campaign in World War II. Although we think of him primarily as a classical scholar, he taught English as well as Latin, bringing to both subjects the enthusiasm, learning, and inspiration which brought him the respect of faculty and students alike. We mourn his passing, but we take comfort knowing that his influence, like his memory, will remain ever with us."

"No place is perfect," he would say.
Ours is less so; he's gone away.
The ready smile, the earthy wit,
The cheery voice, th' endearing bit
Of boyishness within the man -
Can we forget them? No one can.
And if we learn from him to be
Patient, gentle, kind, and free
From all envy, malice, guile
As we mourn for him the while,
We'll thus improve our earthly lot.
And he? In pace requiescat.

Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate

On May 2, 2018, Lance Blackshaw representing Mepham's Class of 1954, stopped by our school library to present Ms. Stack, librarian, with another generous donation from the alumni. This is the Class of 1954's third donation in the amount of $1954 (not including their initial donation of $5,400). The funds go to support projects like our iPad reference bar, 3D printer, ELITE events, 3Doodler, Silhouette Cameo and so many others. The donations we receive enhance our library programs and make every student feel welcome. Thank you so much for your continued support.   

Mr. Blackshaw presents a check for $1954 to Ms. Stack

Thank You Class of '54

The Mepham Alumni have always been a very generous supporter of the school library. You may recall the restoration project they funded back in 2012. You can read about that project here and see what the library looks like after the restoration here.

Well in true Mepham Alumni fashion, the Class of 1954 has bequeathed a charitable grant to the library. On June 2nd, William Hall, Lance Blackshaw, and Barbara Carr Floryshak presented us with a check for $5,400. This grant will enable us to purchase an iPad reference bar for the school library. Our school library is a living environment and these funds will enable us to keep up with the times and provide much-needed resources to our students.

Check presentation with Marie Netto, English Chair; Michael Harrington, Principal; Shari Stack, Librarian; Hall; Floryshak; Blackshaw; Marla Gellerman, Senior Library Clerk

Plaque hanging in the school library

"Big" Alumnus

Dr. Michael B. Eisenberg, best known for developing the Big6™ information literacy model, as described in our last blog post, is also a Mepham alumnus! A graduate of the class of 1967, Dr. Eisenberg served as the layout editor of The Buccaneer, our school newspaper. He also served as a member of the repertory band, french club, and ski club. It certainly appears that he was destined for great things. I recently stumbled upon this information as I flipped through the pages of the Treasure Chest, our school's yearbook. This year Dr. Eisenberg has been selected to join the W.C. Mepham High School Who's Who Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Dr. Eisenberg. We are proud to call you one of our own!

Photo taken from the faculty directory at the University of Washington Information School

Happy 70th Mepham!

This year we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of Mepham High School! The Mepham High School Alumni has great information on the history of our school. This past Sunday they held a celebration in the school's auditorium which unveiled the major restoration of the North wall Long Island map, an installation of a bronze plaque to honor the late Coach Nick Sabetto, and awarded the Who's Who and Meritorious Service honors to five Mepham alumni. Check back for more events throughout the year that help Mepham celebrate 70!