SHSW Senior Douglas Antaky Makes School Racing History

Douglas Antaky makes Smithtown High School racing history

Smithtown High School West senior Douglas Antaky Douglas Antaky finished as the state runner-up in the boys Class A Cross-Country State Championship on Nov. 11Smithtown High School West senior Douglas Antaky finished as the state runner-up in the boys Class A Cross-Country State Championship on Nov. 11.

Douglas, running for the Smithtown High School East/West team, finished second out of 107 runners in the 5K, with a time of 15.56.
             Douglas is just the second Smithtown High School athlete ever to place runner-up in the event (1969, 2007)

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Mills Pond Students Host Veterans Parade

Mills Pond Elementary hosts first Veterans Parade

Mills Pond Elementary School Principal Ireen Westrack proudly told local veterans that, “We wanted to do something more personal this year.”

So, she, Mills Pond staff and students hosted their first “Mills Pond Veterans Parade” on Nov. 9.

Veterans related to students and staff were invited to the school in honor of Veterans Day.

The veterans walked down a red carpet with their relatives, were served a hot breakfast, received thank-you certificates and participated in a parade in front the school.

The 5th grade choir also performed some patriotic songs and local Girl Scouts proudly led the parade.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

 

Sawmill Students Honor Veterans With "Bookmarks For Bravery"

Special Veteran Visit!

Mrs. Sabatelli’s fifth-grade class at Sawmill Intermediate School in Commack honored our veterans this week. Students created “Bookmarks for Bravery” with American Flag icons and quotes about bravery. The bookmarks are being sent to local veterans organizations to share the students’ love of literacy, as well as to student’s family members serving in the armed forces.

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Special guest visitor, Vietnam Army veteran Paul Pedersen, who is Mrs. Sabatelli’s grandfather, shared his experiences in the armed forces with the children. He also shared his favorite pastime - reading! The class was so excited to do their part to help veterans and to thank their Mr. Pederson for his service.

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Photo courtesy of Commack Schools

SHSW's Eva Supa's Essay Earns Her A $2,000 Scholarship From Smithtown Historical Society

Smithtown High School West student wins essay contest 

From left, Smithtown High School West Assistant Principal Annemarie Freund, social studies teacher Joan Havranek, Eva Supa and Director of Social Studies Charles Benvenuto.Smithtown High School West student Eva Supa is this year’s winner of the Mildred Smith Scholarship Essay, sponsored by the Smithtown Historical Society. 

Eva will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship for her essay addressing the theme: “The Immigrant Experience in Smithtown.” 

Eva did extensive research in the L.I. Room at the Smithtown Library, and wrote about the history of Irish immigrants in Kings Park. 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Oceans Students + Engineering + Dedication Make For Brighter Shores

Full steam ahead! Oceans students use engineering and dedication for brighter shores 

        Smithtown High School West students recently explored and researched ways to protect local waters at Sunken Meadow State Park.    Students in Ms. Carone and Ms. Williams “Oceans” classes at Smithtown High School West recently headed to Sunken Meadow State Park to model how researchers explore, monitor and protect the water. In the morning, they worked with staff at Western Suffolk BOCES to design and engineer underwater robots called Remotely Operated Vehicles that had to perform various tasks when deployed in the water at the park. 

 In the afternoon, students participated in a beach cleanup and completed a training they’ve been working toward with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. The goal of the training was to help students learn how to monitor the beaches for marine debris. Additionally, students searched for federally protected sea turtles, who, while migrating may get caught by a sudden cold shift in the weather, resulting in a state similar to hypothermia.                   

Students used models of turtles to role play proper procedures they would use to help facilitate the AMSEAS rescue and rehab process. 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Six Commack HS Students Semifinalists In National Merit Scholarship Program

Commack High School Announcement!

Seated: From L to R: Jack Damato, Sofia Ahmed, Eunice Jeon, Alyssa Pascale Standing: Timothy Russo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; James Yu; Dr. Jordan Cox, Superintendent; Jonathan Zhang; Nicole Kregler, Director of Counseling, and Carrie Lipenholtz, Principal.Photo is Courtesy of the Commack School District.Commack School District is proud to announce that six students were selected as Semifinalists in the 69th annual 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program: Sofia Ahmed, Jack Damato, Eunice Jeon, Alyssa Pascale, James Yu and Jonathan Zhang. The National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC) honors students with exceptional academic capability and poses the potential for success in rigorous studies.

These talented students now have the opportunity to continue on in the competition. National Merit Scholarship winners for 2024 will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July. Good luck to our students as they continue the application process to become a finalist. Finalists compete for a $2500 scholarship or one of the college and university or corporate-sponsored scholarships.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program and to honor individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Photo: Permission granted for use on all digital and print platforms.

Photo is Courtesy of the Commack School District.

Seated: From L to R: Jack Damato, Sofia Ahmed, Eunice Jeon, Alyssa Pascale

Standing: Timothy Russo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; James Yu; Dr. Jordan Cox, Superintendent; Jonathan Zhang; Nicole Kregler, Director of Counseling, and Carrie Lipenholtz, Principal.

KP Student Emma Murphy Presents Research At NYS Ornithological Conference

Kings Park High Student Presents Research at NYS Ornithological Association Conference

Kings Park High Student Presents Research at NYS Ornithological Association ConferenceBelted Kingfishers are common along streams and shorelines across North America, and a healthy population exists in Kings Park along the Nissequogue River.  Chances are you’ll probably hear a loud, rattling call before you see the kingfisher. This bird has a distinctive large head and hefty bill.  It nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. 

From left to right: Mr. Ken Ferrazzi (WTRMS Principal), Emma Murphy, and Dr. Timothy Eagen (Superintendent).

While in 7^th grade, Emma Murphy conducted a study on the Belted Kingfisher for her Science Fair project.  Emma shared her study with her club, New York State Young Birders Club. One of the club’s adult leaders suggested that she share her study with the New York State Ornithological Association.  In September, Emma present her study on the Belted Kingfisher at the New York State Ornithological Association’s annual Birders Conference in Tarrytown. She was by far the youngest presenter at the conference, which included two Ph.D’s.  Dr. Eagen shared, “The District in incredibly proud of Emma and the research that she has conducted, and it is outstanding that she was asked to present her findings at this state conference.”

Commack Students Celebrate Constitution Day

We the People - History in Action

Students across the Commack School District celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day this year by honoring the foundational document of the United States. They wore patriotic colors, learned about the Constitution’s history, read the Preamble, made a patriotic video about the Constitution, and learned about the flag and other symbols of American democracy. They also paid their respects to those who fought for our freedom.

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Constitution Sawmill Intermediate SchoolAt Sawmill Intermediate School, students participated in a variety of activities to learn about the Constitution and its importance. They read the Preamble aloud, and discussed its key principles, and designed artwork to celebrate the document.

Constitution Day at North RidgeAt North Ridge Primary School, students held a special ceremony outside to commemorate Constitution Day, singing patriotic songs and displaying the American Flag.

Photos: Commack School District.

Kings Park H.S. Recognized As A Best H.S. BY U.S. News & World Reports

U.S. News & World Reports Recognizes Kings Park High School as a 2023-2024 Best High School 

Kings Park High School has earned recognition as a U.S. News and World Report Best High School for the 2023-2024 School Year. The 2023-2024 edition of Best High Schools includes a numerical ranking of nearly all public high schools nationwide – almost 18,000 of them – based on multiple sources of objective data.  There are over 1,500 public high schools in New York.

Kings Park High School was ranked 65^th in New York State in Graduation Rate (99%), which measures the proportion of ninth graders who successfully graduated in four academic years.  Kings Park High School was ranked 239^th in New York State by U.S. News and World Report as a result of a strong commitment to Advance Placement (AP) Programs, College and Career Readiness, Regents scores, and availability of advanced coursework (including dual enrollment programs with local area colleges and universities), among other factors. 

Superintendent Eagen and Dr. Cartisano presented the Kings Park CSD Board of Education with a U.S. News and World Report banner at their September 12^th Regular Board Meeting.  According to Superintendent Eagen, “This recognition is strong evidence of our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our students.  At every grade level, our teachers, administrators, and support staff go above and beyond to ensure academic and social emotional growth.  Our District’s firm belief is that all students should graduate with an actionable plan for continued work in college, career, or the military.”

Hauppauge Students Jojo Provenzano And Stefania Abruscato Dellecave Award Winners

Hauppauge High School Seniors Honored at Dellecave Awards

Hauppauge High School nominees Jojo Provenzano and Stefania Abruscato are flanked by Butch Dellecave Foundation President Mark Dellecave (left) and Executive Director Guy Dellecave (right). [Photo credit: Artist Lake Media] HOLBROOK, NY – JUNE 19, 2023: Hauppauge High School seniors Jojo Provenzano and Stefania Abruscato were recently honored at the 23^rd Annual Butch Dellecave Awards held recently at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook.

Named in memory of the legendary educator, official, and coach Gaetano “Butch” Dellecave, the award is the product of a highly successful 23-year partnership between local school districts in Suffolk County and the award organizers: the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc., the Butch Dellecave Foundation, and Newsday.

Athletic Directors from all sixty-six Suffolk County school districts were asked to nominate one male and one female from their high school senior class. Nominees must be students who are not only at the top of their athletic game, but also score high in classroom performance and in their commitment to local community service.

About the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.

The Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. – a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization – has been serving Suffolk County since 1967. It is the county’s federally designated Community Action Agency, designed to assist low-income families and individuals. The agency’s mission is to promote a goal of self-sufficiency by broadening the minds of children, revitalizing communities, and assisting families and children in need through coordination of public and private resources.