Hypnotist David Lawrence Visits Smithtown HSW

Smithtown High School West students put ‘under the spell’

Smithtown High School West students from Introduction to Psychology, AP Psychology and Rho Kappa (the Social Studies Honor Society) enjoyed a visit from renowned hypnotist David Lawrence on Jan. 4.  

Lawrence successfully hypnotized several students who engaged in various activities including driving a car, finding a lost puppy and eating ice cream — leaving the audience transfixed then roaring with laughter.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Smithtown High School West students volunteered to be hypnotized on stage by hypnotist David Lawrence.

The Gingerbread Man At Accompsett Elementary

Found: The Gingerbread Man at Accompsett Elementary

Kindergarten students at Accompsett Elementary School wrapped up their ELA unit lessons by going on a scavenger hunt to find the “Gingerbread Man.”

Accompsett Elementary kindergartners went on a scavenger hunt to find the Gingerbread Man. Students had been studying gingerbread stories culminating in the book, “The Gingerbread Man Loose in School,” and were recently alerted that the Gingerbread Man himself was spotted in school.

After an exhaustive scavenger hunt riddled with clues, the children found the Gingerbread Man in one of the school hallways.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

KP Students Sierra Healy, Mikayla Terrana And Matthew Werner Named All-State

KINGS PARK HIGH SCHOOL NYSSMA ALL-STATE WINTER CONFERENCE

Left to Right – Matthew Werner, Sierra Healy, Mikayla TerranaThe NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference is one of the most prestigious music festivals in New York. The yearly conference is host to band, chorus, orchestra, and jazz ensembles consisting of top students from music departments across the state. To be selected for All-State, sophomores and juniors must perform a Level VI solo at the NYSSMA Solo Festival and earn a score from 98-100. Every year, roughly 6,500 students participate in the solo festival but only 600 students are chosen to perform in one of the All-State honors ensembles. The conference concludes with concert performances held at the Kodak Hall-Eastman Theatre in Rochester, New York.

This year, three seniors from Kings Park High School were selected and attended the conference as part of the All-State Symphonic Band (Matthew Werner) and All-State Symphony Orchestra (Sierra Healy and Mikayla Terrana). Congratulations to our All-State musicians for this incredible accomplishment!

Eight SHSW Students Selected To Perform In LI String Festival Orchestra

Musical honors for Smithtown High School West musicians

From left, Assistant Principal Christopher Elsesser, Jacey Lin, Hannah Ren, Heng Ye, Madelyn Donaghy, Henri Buchet, Jonathan Cho, Melvin Cheng, Katie Greening and Orchestra Director, Joseph Cotignola Jr. Smithtown High School West are proud to acknowledge that eight students were selected to perform as musicians in the 2023-2024 Long Island String Festival Association orchestra.

These students have earned this very prestigious honor through outstanding scores at the 2023 NYSSMA solo festival. In addition to demonstrating superior musicianship, these students continually excel in their ensemble classes, rehearsals and many performances throughout the year.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Kings Park HS Student Mitchell Barker Recognized By Nat'l Merit Scholarship Program

L to R: Jennifer Martino-Principal, Mitchell Barker, Dr. Timothy Eagen-Superintendent  Mitchell Barker, of Kings Park High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

     About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). They have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success.

     We at Kings Park High School would like to congratulate Mitchell, along with his family, for this recognition. We wish Mitchell well in all his future endeavors!  

SCSD Teachers And Admin Faced Harlem Wizards At HS East

Smithtown CSD faculty takes on the Harlem Wizards

On Dec. 6, Nesaquake Middle School teamed up with St. James and Dogwood elementary schools for a fun community family event held at Smithtown High School East.

Organized by each school’s PTA presidents, principals, assistant principals and teachers laced up their sneakers for a full court basketball game vs the Harlem Wizards.

More than 650 people attended the event. All proceeds go to support the schools’ Cultural Arts PTA programs and all the extras the PTA provides throughout the year.

Smithtown Central School District teachers and administrators faced the Harlem Wizards in a basketball game held at Smithtown High School East.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

SHSW's Jack Melore Named Top Wide Receiver In Suffolk County

Smithtown High School West’s Jack Melore named top wide receiver in Suffolk County

mithtown High School West senior Jack Melore, named most outstanding wide receiver in Suffolk County, with head football coach Craig Perrino Smithtown High School West’s Jack Melore was named the National Football Foundation’s most outstanding wide receiver in Suffolk County on Dec. 4.

Jack had a season for the ages for the Bulls, finishing with 78 receptions for 1,258 yards and 17 TDs.

This season Jack also set the all-time Long Island record for career receptions with 158 and career receiving yards with 2,689.  

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Kings Park Senior Sierra Healy Named Semifinalist In Nat'l Merit Scholarship Program

2024 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist

L to R: Jennifer Martino-Principal, Sierra Healy, Dr. Timothy Eagen-SuperintendentKings Park High School Senior, Sierra Healy, has been selected as a Semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.  

     Sierra is amongst 16,000 Semifinalists in the 69^th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.  These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered in the spring from a pool of over 1.3 million students in about 21,000 high schools.   

     We at Kings Park High School would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sierra, along with her family, for this accomplishment.  Best wishes to Sierra for her continued academic success and ventures!  

SHSE's Jolene Cao Places 2nd In National Science Illustrated Poem Contest

Smithtown High School East student places 2^nd in National Science Illustrated Poem Contest 

From left, Smithtown High School East Principal Mr. Robert Rose, East ThINK Discovery Research Coordinator Maria Zeitlin, Jolene Cao, Smithtown Science Director Dr. Stephanie O’Brien.Smithtown High School East student Jolene Cao has won 2^nd Place in the National American Chemical Society Illustrated Poem Contest

In celebration of National Chemistry Week, the American Chemical Society sponsored an Illustrated Poem Contest. In 40 words or less, contestants were challenged to write an illustrated poem centered on the theme of “The Healing Power of Chemistry.” Entries were judged on the quality of their poem, the imagery of their artwork and the creativity of their overall submission. 

Jolene crafted a submission due to her passion for the subject of chemistry. She single-handedly created a Chem Club at East, and she strives to spread the wonders of chemistry to her peers. 

According to Ms. Maria Zeitlin, the East ThINK Discovery Research coordinator, “Chemistry is the central science. From polymers to drug delivery, we owe many of our modern healthcare marvels to the wonders of chemistry.” 

For her win, Jolene will receive $150. 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

St. James Elementary Student Amanda Denton Teaches Students About Diabetes

St. James Elementary third grader educates about Diabetes

Amanda Denton spoke to fellow students about diabetes awareness at St. James Elementary.Students and staff at St. James Elementary School wore blue on Nov. 14 to mark World Diabetes Day and support third grader, Amanda Denton.

Amanda, who has Type 1 diabetes, gave a morning announcement to remind the school to wear blue and presented to every class on her grade level to teach them about diabetes and how she manages it. 

“Her family and teachers are tremendously proud of her vision and hard work to bring awareness to her school,” St. James Elementary Principal Adam Javidi expressed. 

Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD