Great Hollow Middle School Student Muizz Chattha Wins Geography Bee

Great Hollow Holds Geography Bee 

Great Hollow Middle School in the Smithtown Central School District held the final round of the National Geographic Society’s Geography Bee on Jan. 21. Prior to the schoolwide round, all of the finalists successfully completed the individual classroom and academic team rounds. 

In the upcoming weeks, Great Hollow’s Geography Bee winner seventh-grader Muizz Chattha will complete a written test to qualify him to represent Great Hollow Middle School on the state level.  

Photo Caption: Great Hollow Middle School seventh-grader Muizz Chattha (center) was named the winner of the National Geographic Society’s Geography Bee. He is shown here with (from left) Great Hollow Middle School Principal John Scomillio and finalists Rebecca Bode, Lorraine Valenzano, Emily Desmond, William Boeri, Matt Leto, Austin Fahey, John Lorefice and Anna Fisk, Great Hollow Geography Bee coordinator.   

Photo courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District

Legislator Trotta Wants To Open An Investigation Into County's Law Enforcement Operations

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta is calling on colleagues in the legislature to support his procedural motion establishing a special committee to review Suffolk County law enforcement operations.  The motion is on the agenda to be heard at the Public Safety Committee meeting 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 4 at the William Rogers Legislature Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, North Complex, Hauppauge, NY

“As a result of the recent allegations of wrongdoings by top officials in the Suffolk County Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, I felt compelled to sponsor this measure to review all aspects of law enforcement operations in Suffolk County,” said Legislator Rob Trotta. 

In December of 2015 Suffolk County’s top police officer James Burke was indicted and remains in prison for violating the civil rights of a Smithtown man arrested for burglarizing a vehicle being used by Chief Burke. Federal prosecutors are handling the case. 

According to Trotta if the legislature supports his motion, the committee (consisting of six Suffolk County legislators) will review the operations, procedures and practices of the Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. Committee members will also conduct an investigation into allegations of  favoritism, the lack of adequate rules and procedures, the failure to comply with existing laws, rules and procedures relating to internal affairs investigations in the Police Department, the selection of cases for criminal prosecution, and the appointments and promotions within the aforementioned Department and Offices.

Trotta’s motion includes granting the committee the power to administer oaths and affirmations, the authority to compel the attendance of witnesses, and the production of books and papers related to the review and investigation. 

“It will have subpoena power with approval of the legislature and will hold meetings and hearings as needed. In addition, the Committee is authorized to hire the necessary staff to conduct its investigation, subject to appropriations by the County Legislature.” said Trotta in a released statement.

The Public Safety Committee meeting is open to the public.

Kings Park Students Score Big In Suffolk County Math Tournament

Kings Park Scores Big in Math Tournament 

 L to R – Merrick Cai, Kameron Sedigh, Julian Ubriaco, Suki Tekverk, Kenneth HeThe Suffolk County Math Tournament, held on January 8^th at Suffolk Community College showed the strength of the Kings Park Math Program.  The upper division team finished 3^rd place out of 49 teams.   Competing for Kings Park, are Merrick Cai, Kenneth He, Kameron Sedigh, Suki Tekverk and Julian Ubriaco.   Two of our students were named individual winners.  Julian Ubriaco won first place in the 12^th grade level, and Merrick Cai won 2 second place in 11^th grade.  This is a remarkable accomplishment considering he is in 9^th grade.   

Ms. Melissa Fink, the Kings Park High School Math Team Coach was filled with pride and excitement for these outstanding students.  “This team is made up of amazing students and wonderful young adults.  I am so proud of all they accomplished.”

Level 1 Sex Offender Arrested In Fort Salonga Shopping Center

Suffolk County Police today arrested a registered Level 1 sex offender for having sexualKieran Bunce contact with a minor in a motor vehicle at the Fort Salonga Shopping Center parking lot early this morning.

Fourth Precinct Police Officer Dennis Lynch, on routine patrol observed a car parked in a darkened area of the parking lot at approximately 12:10 a.m. As he approached he observed two occupants who had their clothes off inside the vehicle.  After a brief investigation the officer determined Kieran Bunce, 48, a registered Level 1 sex offender, and owner of the vehicle, was in the company of a 14-year-old boy.

Fourth Squad detectives determined that sexual contact did occur with the youth and Bunce, and had been pre-arranged between the two via a cell phone app.

Bunce, 48, of Melville, was charged with two felony counts of Criminal Sex Act 2^nd Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1^st Degree, a misdemeanor.  Bunce is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on January 29.  

Fourth Squad Detectives are requesting anyone who may have knowledge of any others who may have been victimized by this individual to contact detectives at(631) 854-8452.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

SHSE Art Teacher Tim Needles Recognized With 2016 AET Outstanding Teacher Award

Smithtown HSE Art Teacher Honored

Smithtown High School East art teacher Tim Needles is the recipient of the National Art Education Association’s 2016 AET Outstanding Teaching Award.  Needles was nominated for the honor by art education colleague Rebecca Mir of the Guggenheim Museum. 

This award honors an art educator/teacher who applies exceptional instructional applications in K-12 classrooms, museum education, higher education, or alternative settings. An outstanding art educator/teacher honored is also recognized by students, colleagues and/or supervisors as someone who consistently inspires and mentors students in a cooperative, collegial, collaborative and nurturing manner or who has made a special effort to apply innovative pedagogy and technology integration into art teaching.

Needles will travel to Chicago in March to the NAEA National Conference to receive the award and showcase some of the work he has done in Smithtown Central School District, such as merging art and technology as part of the school’s Digital Media class.

Photo Caption: Smithtown High School East Principal Ed Thompson (left) and Smithtown Central School District Director of Fine Arts Michael Mastrangelo (right) congratulated Smithtown High School East art teacher Tim Needles on winning the National Art Education Association’s 2016 AET Outstanding Teaching Award.  

Photo courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District