Authors Posts by Aramis Khosronejad

Aramis Khosronejad

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By  Aramis Khosronejad

This past weekend, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School hosted its homecoming tradition: a riveting pep rally, a night parade, and, of course, the homecoming carnival and its proceeding football game. 

The small town lacks nothing in charm and, as the high school’s principal John Ruggero explains, the high school reciprocates its town counterpart. 

The series of homecoming events started on Friday afternoon when the high school held its annual pep rally. That Friday night, the homecoming parade began at 7 p.m. The parade is the most recent addition to the festivities and also one of the most popular. People from around the Port Jefferson community came out in support of their local school. Various small businesses from around town collaborated with the parade, which Ruggero believes also advanced participation. 

“The parade embodies everything the pep rally, homecoming, and these events are about,” said Ruggero. “The town is just so accepting…that forces that inclusivity that the school tries to reciprocate.” 

The following Saturday morning, excitement and school spirit peaked at the homecoming game and carnival. Although the Port Jefferson varsity football team has not had a very victorious season, they remained enthusiastic.

Ruggero commented on how he was “so impressed by the level of engagement.” Foreshadowing the results of their game, the weather was raining and dreary; despite all these obstacles, the student body’s spirit remained high. Their game against Miller Place’s football game resulted in a 41-0 loss.

Senior Molly Becherer in the student section of the bleachers expressed a  sentiment pervasive among the school body. “It’s not about the game really,” she said, alluding to their crushing defeat. “It’s really about the school spirit and community.” 

This idea is reiterated by Ruggero, who emphasized how this year the participation was phenomenal. “These kinds of things are meant to bring the entire community together,” underscored Ruggero, “and it’s done a great job.” 

Ruggero talked about how the goal of the entire school through these events, not just limited to homecoming, is to make these “special connections with the community.” 

“Port Jefferson is such a special place and we want to make it even more special,” said Ruggero, “we want to give an opportunity to every child and every parent to be a part of the community too.”

By Aramis Khosronejad

Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown has been one of Long Island’s shining gems. Its endless outdoors activities for nature lovers and the beautiful scenery of Stump Pond have made it a favorite of Long Island residents. 

However, the North Shore flooding Aug. 18-19 dramatically changed the county park’s immediate future. The park, like the Mill Pond in Stony Brook, is suffering the repercussions of the flash flood. 

Blydenburgh Park is situated at the headwaters of Nissequogue River and is 627 acres of preserved land. Blydenburgh Lake, otherwise known as Stump Pond due to the stumps of the various trees that were cut down to create the lake, has an additional history which adds to its charm.

The lake was created by a dam constructed by Isaac Blydenburgh and his cousins all the way back in 1798. Over 200 years later, the original dam would be breached by a once-in-a-thousand-years flash flooding for Long Island, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) website description. The Weather Network said there was almost 12 inches of rainfall in Smithtown alone. 

The destruction of the dam was a catastrophe for Blydenburgh Lake. The water poured into the Nissequogue River, turning the remains of the famous lake into a dry mud land with only a few meager ponds here and there. 

There are various consequences of this kind of colossal drainage, one of which is the effect it will have on wildlife in the area. Blydenburgh was a favorite spot for locals to fish, according to On The Water magazine. The drainage of the lake resulted in a “popular fishery being wiped out overnight,” according to On The Water’s Nick Cancelliere. 

Residents who enjoy other outdoor water activities such as kayaking and canoeing are pushing for a quick restoration of the Blydenburgh dam. 

A month ago, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) made a public statement affirming the local sentiment about the reconstruction of the dam. “We will be restoring [the dam] as soon as possible,” he said.

The question remains: How will the county manage this immense repair and how long will it take? 

Peter Scully is director of business development for Hayduk Engineering of Ronkonkoma and former deputy county executive, and has an extensive history working for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In an interview with TBR, he underscored the rarity of such an event as the one witnessed by Long Islanders in August.

He continued on, saying how recovery for any park greatly affected by the flash flood, such as Smithtown’s Blydenburgh Park, would take a long time. 

Financial support for this size of repair will have to come from the state and federal government.

All that locals are able to do is wait and see how the reconstruction of the treasured Blydenburgh Park will play out, how long it will be and what it will take.

Superintendent of Schools, Jessica Schmettan. Photo by Aramis Khosronejad

By Aramis Khosronejad

A Port Jefferson Board of Education meeting was held at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School in the afternoon of Sept. 10. The meeting was led by Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan. 

The report began with a review of the damage caused by the flash floods that swept through the Port Jefferson community in August and the possible repercussions. Then the report shifted to an overview about the summer programs that were available to students over the summer. Toward the end of the meeting, the chair of the Port Jefferson Royal Educational Foundation, Leza Di Bella, covered news on the annual fun run, which aims to fund projects in the school district. 

Schmettan’s report opened up with updates on the flood damage the local schools suffered due to the flooding that took place. The band room in the high school lost a wall, the entirety of the lobby was flooded with rainwater, the “bowl” in front of the high school was entirely flooded and ruined, as well as various losses to school materials and tools. 

The cleanup was quickly and impressively done before the school reopened. Deputy Superintendent Sean Leister addressed the funding that would need to take place in order to facilitate the repairs done to the school such as replacement of “music stands and chairs.” Leister explained how the district hoped to make Port Jefferson eligible for recovery funding. Meanwhile, he warned the board to anticipate some budget transfers. 

A few updates at the high school were highlighted during the meeting. The high school has implemented a new retaining wall behind the school, the middle school family consumer science classroom was redone, and a shining new computer lab was constructed which was an initiative led by Robert Neidig, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Summer programs

Award recipient, Tracy Zamek. Photo by Aramis Khosronejad

The meeting then moved to an overview of the different, eclectic programs the school district facilitated over the summer. Jodi Cahill, the director of special education, took the podium and began by describing the extended summer program held for special needs students. The program was divided into three age-based cohorts with 25 children total. Highlights included a “clowning around” event with Jester Jim, a Paris 2024 Olympics-themed program, a Holtsville Ecology Center field trip, an under-the-sea collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension and bowling at Port Jeff Bowl. The program concluded with a field day, in partnership with Sayville BOCES, featuring activities for the children. 

Michael Caravello, director of music and fine arts, then took over and talked about the various music programs that were available for students over the summer. The programs were aimed to encourage “collaboration and problem solving in a relaxed, fun atmosphere” according to Caravello. He mentioned how next summer they hope to broaden their array of programs beyond just musical instruments and onto further fields of fine arts. 

Next, Adam Sherrard, director of health, physical education and athletics, talked about the eclectic collection of sports. The athletic programs included football and tennis through volleyball, all meant to encourage younger children to become passionate and engage with Port Jeff athletics in the future. Older high school students also participated in these programs and helped coaches train and practice with these kids. In a turn of events, the summer athletic program this year increased in participation after a steady decline in recent years. Summer programs also consisted of a book club, social skills program, as well as STEM for both secondary and elementary students.

Di Bella took the podium and talked about the annual fun run. An award was given to Tracy Zamek, a BOE trustee, for her contributions to the school district. It was in fact her idea to facilitate the fun run which has funded so many Port Jefferson School events. The run this year will be held on Sept. 28.

Screenshot of the BOE meeting panel. Courtesy Northport-East Northport Union Free School District

By Aramis Khosronejad

The Northport-East Northport Board of Education met Wednesday, Aug. 22. The board began with an executive session on contract negotiations, potential litigation and property leases, emphasizing the need for a respectful environment.

Public comments followed. A community member raised concerns about transparency regarding the Bren building and supported its community use. Support was voiced for leasing agreements, particularly for Bellerose and Dickinson Avenue buildings, despite some concerns about short-term leases. Denise Schwartz discussed two major lease agreements: The Variety Child Learning Center will lease Bellerose Avenue Elementary School, starting summer 2025 for approximately $7 million, and Western Suffolk BOCES will lease part of Dickinson Avenue Elementary School for its Elementary Applied Behavior Analysis program.

The board approved the formation of four committees with goals in Student Growth and Development, Belonging and Safety, Long-Range Financial Planning and Stewardship and Communications and Community Engagement. These committees will focus on student growth, demographic trends affecting education and summer programs. New teacher orientation, including community tours, mentoring and ongoing support throughout the academic year, was introduced. The board also addressed declining attendance in the summer learning program, initially funded by a grant set to end next year.

Additionally, the student dress code was discussed. Village trustee Joseph Sabia raised concerns about bias and stereotypes in the current policy, suggesting Seattle’s dress code as a model. Lauren Bindelglass supported incorporating student input.

The board explored strategies to generate additional income, including leasing district buildings and seeking other revenue sources. The long-range planning committee will investigate potential opportunities and the impact of recent legislation allowing districts to seek outside income.

Plans to improve public accessibility to board meetings include adding links to the board agenda and installing Promethean boards in seating areas for easier presentation viewing.

The next Northport-East Northport Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5.