Cold Spring Harbor High School proudly congratulates senior Ryan Smith on earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon civilian youth by the United States Congress. This esteemed recognition celebrates Ryan’s exceptional commitment to community service, personal development and civic engagement. In addition, Ryan received special distinction as a STEM Star, highlighting his outstanding contributions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award is a nonpartisan, voluntary program designed to recognize initiative, achievement and service in America’s youth. Gold Medal recipients must complete a rigorous set of requirements, including a minimum of 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and a five-day, four-night expedition or exploration to foster cultural awareness and growth.
Ryan dedicated over three years to meeting these requirements. His accomplishments include work at Northwell Health’s 3D Design and Innovation Lab, where he developed an application to monitor oxygen levels in portable tanks used for patient transport—enhancing both safety and efficiency. To further his knowledge, Ryan pursued advanced studies in computer science, artificial intelligence, and mathematics through summer coursework.
As part of his recognition, Ryan has been invited to attend the 2025 Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C., from June 11–13. During the summit, he will engage with Members of Congress, national leaders in business and public service, and fellow Gold Medalists from across the country. His itinerary will include meetings with New York legislators and a formal reception with the Vice President of the United States.
Ryan exemplifies the values of leadership, service and intellectual curiosity. The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District commends him on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued success.
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will host two free TeachRockworkshops at its Stony Brook location (97 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY) on Wednesday April 30th and Wednesday May 28th at 6 pm. The workshops are free for teachers and eligible for New York CTLE hours. Also included is free access to the LIMEHOF museum prior to the workshop and light dinner/refreshments will be provided.
“TeachRock brings music’s rich history and cultural power into the classroom, and I’m proud that LIMEHOF is helping Long Island educators tap into this inspiring, free resource,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHOF Education Chairman.
These workshops are made possible by BMA Architects. Teachers who wish to attend this free workshop at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame must register in advance at: https://teachrock.org/LIMEHOF/
Details of the workshops:
TeachRock Methods for All Classrooms
Wednesday, April 30th at 6:00 PM
This workshop introduces The TeachRock Method, which empowers educators to connect music, history, and critical thinking to engage and inspire students of all backgrounds. Participants will explore TeachRock’s unique approach to fostering active learning, meaningful discussions, and creativity in the classroom.
Designed both for music teachers seeking to bring more culture and historical context into their classrooms, as well as history and ELA teachers looking to enhance engagement through music, this course provides practical strategies to make learning more dynamic and relevant for all students.
TeachRock Methods for Music Classrooms
Wednesday, May 28th at 6:00 PM
This workshop introduces TeachRock’s method of creating more culturally responsive Music classrooms. Participants will explore how to connect historical events, cultural movements, and social issues to musical content, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
Teachers will walk away with standards-aligned lessons that integrate music with subjects such as history, social studies, language arts, and even STEAM.
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook, New York. To date, the organization has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.
The April 22 Smithtown Board of Education meeting. Photo by William Stieglitz
By William Stieglitz
At the April 22 meeting, the board of education for Smithtown Central School District voted unanimously to adopt the proposed 2025-2026 budget. Set at $294,998,455, it would be a 1.74% increase from last year’s approximate $290 million. According to Superintendent of Schools Mark Secaur, the budget will allow the continuation of existing programs, including summer learning, while also keeping class sizes within district policy parameters.
The proposed property tax levy is set at $225,253,356, a 2.66% increase from last year’s levy of approximately $219 million. This is the maximum allowable levy for the budget to require a simple majority to pass, as opposed to the over 60% that would be required were the cap exceeded. The tax limit is calculated primarily based on the rate of inflation but also includes factors such as the tax base growth for the area, the Payment in Lieu of Taxes receivable and the capital levy exclusion.
The budget’s other revenues are primarily from state aid and the school district’s reserves. Since the New York State budget has not yet been passed, missing the April 1 deadline for the fourth year in a row, it is unknown how much state aid the district will receive. The board, instead, based its calculations on Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) executive state budget as proposed in January, predicting about $51 million in aid. Should the state budget exceed what was expected, the board’s plan will be not to change the expenditure budget, but rather to reduce the dependence on around $7.5 million dollars in reserves.
These reserves include $3.65 million from the Employees’ Retirement System, $2.725 million from the Teacher’s Retirement System, $770,000 from Employee Benefit Accrued Liability and $400,000 from Workers’ Compensation Insurance. The use of this last reserve is a significant change from last years’ budget, which did not pull from it at all. The smallest reserve change, by contrast, is for EBAL, which sees the same amount used from it as last year. Employee benefits see decreases in Social Security and Medicaid but also increases in health insurance, with an overall $4.13 million rise in benefits.
There will be a budget hearing May 13 for community members to learn more about the budget. Then the vote for both the budget and board members will be May 20, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and locations including Nesconset Elementary, Accompsett Elementary and Smithtown Elementary schools. Smithtown residents must be registered with the Suffolk County Board of Election by May 13 in order to vote.
If the proposed budget doesn’t pass, the board may resubmit either the same budget or a revised version for a second vote. If this fails too, the board would have to adopt a budget with no increase to the tax levy, resulting in an approximate revenue loss of $5.85 million. In this situation, the district would have to either include more reductions or withdraw more from its reserves.
For more information visit the school website: www.Smithtown.k12.ny.us.
Scully competing at a state meet. Photo courtesy of Despina Scully
By Daniel Dunaief
Fresh off setting a county record in the shot put in the winter, Miller Place High School track star Jillian Scully has her sights set on setting a new state record in shot put and another track and field event this spring.
A high school senior, Scully is determined to etch her name into the record books in the discus as well.
Jillian Scully, center, at the 2025 State Championships
“I’m 100 percent confident I’m going to crush” the record in the discus, said Scully, who has suggested that the 2.2 pound discus has been flying out of her hand.
The current state record is 172 feet, while her personal best, which she threw last year, is 159 feet 8 inches.
“She has got enormous potential, which is why so many world class athletes are chasing her,” said Bill Hiney, the Assistant Track and Field Coach during the winter and spring seasons for Southold High School and Scully’s personal coach. Scully took a standing throw that traveled over 120 feet. Scully has also thrown the discus 150 feet against the wind and without warming up properly, Hiney said.
College coaches at several programs reached out to Scully to recruit her to their schools, hoping she could bring her athletic talents to their programs.
“We told her it was her decision” about which college to attend, said Jillian’s father James Scully, who owns and runs the construction company JFS Contracting. His daughter responded that she’d ask them if she needed their help.
As it turned out, she made the decision on her own, selecting Louisiana State University.
“I walked on campus and I said, ‘This is for me,’” said the six-foot, one-inch athlete. She should be able to throw discus and shot put outside year round. Scully would also like to explore competing in the weight throw and the javelin.
“When I go to LSU, I want to try it all,” said Scully.
Scully’s father believes the weather will work to her advantage in Louisiana.
“She practices in the rain and will be out throwing when it’s windy and cold,” he said.
Scully is intrigued by the range of foods available in the Pelican state.
During one of her visits, she enjoyed fried alligator with rices.
“It tastes like chicken,” she laughed.
Academic interests
Scully doesn’t just want to finish strong athletically: she also would like to have a successful final showing academically.
“I want to make sure I hit honor role for the third and fourth quarter,” she said.
As for her academic interests in college, she plans to study engineering and, in particular, is interested in biomedical engineering.
Scully could see herself as a Paralympic track coach one day.
She recalled watching a video of a world championship event in which a Paralympic athlete was preparing to compete. The athlete struggled with a prosthesis that was causing a problem.
“Not a single person there could help him,” Scully said. “He missed out on competing.”
She recalled telling herself that she’d like to be there to help, particularly after knowing how hard every athlete trains.
“I couldn’t imagine how that felt for him,” Scully said.
California dreaming
As for her own athletic performance, Scully would like to compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in the discus.
Hiney recognizes that athletes with Scully’s build and determination don’t come along too often.
“You don’t regularly get to train” athletes who have Scully’s strength and frame, he said.
“Ambition is not in short supply,” Scully’s father James added. “She’s motivated and she loves setting goals for herself.”
Scully believes his daughter can accomplish anything she decides to try.
He and his wife Despina “Debbie” Scully have gone to their daughter’s competitions during her high school years and are looking forward to traveling to some of the competitions in Louisiana as well.
As for their expectations, Scully believes they align with their daughter’s.
When she reaches her goals, he said, “Is it surprising? Yes. Is it exciting? Yes. Are we shocked by the fact that she broke a record? No.”
Clare Beatty, a PhD student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Clinical Psychology at Stony Brook University, is one of 100 doctoral students in the U.S. and Canada selected to receive a prestigious $25,000 P.E.O. Scholar Award from the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood. She was sponsored by Chapter N of New Canaan, CT.
The P.E.O. Scholar Awards were established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the United States and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. Scholar Awards recipients are a select group of women chosen for their high level of academic achievement and their potential for having a positive impact on society.
Beatty grew up in Darien, CT and is a 2018 graduate of Vanderbilt University, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, graduating summa cum laude and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. As an undergraduate, she received multiple academic excellence awards and merit-based scholarships.
Beatty’s doctoral research examines why some people are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression than others, particularly in response to uncertainty. “Uncertainty is an inevitable part of life—from small things like the weather to major events like a global pandemic,” Beatty explained. “My research investigates how our brains respond when facing unpredictable situations.”
Using advanced neuroscience techniques, she studies how different patterns of brain activity might help identify adolescents at higher risk for developing mental health challenges. This work aims to improve early intervention and personalized treatment approaches for young people.
Beyond her research, Beatty serves as a consultant for several digital mental health companies that aim to improve access to evidence-based therapy and treatment. She works as a therapist for individuals across the lifespan and is also dedicated to teaching and mentoring aspiring psychology students. Beatty plans to graduate in May 2026 and will complete her final year of clinical training at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York.
Beatty has been an author on over 20 published articles in prestigious scientific journals. Her accomplishments have been recognized by the Society of Clinical Psychology (American Psychological Association, Division 12) and the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (APA, Division 53), among several other honors.
Ward Melville High School. File photo by Greg Catalano
By William Stieglitz
Students and parents spoke out at the April 9 Three Village Central School District BOE meeting, arguing for the programs and staff they did not want to see cut. The board had previously announced that in order to balance the proposed budget with later start times for high school students, it would need to remove 14 elementary teachers as well as the fourth-grade Intellectually Gifted (IG) program.
Students who once participated in the IG program, as well as parents of such students, voiced their support for it, saying it provided them with an academic challenge and motivation they were not able to experience before. “Once I joined the IG program, I was toward the bottom of the pack, so it was wonderful to finally get that experience,” said Althea Grubbs Albrecht, who joined as a sixth grader in the program’s last year. “It really prepared me for academic struggles in junior high and now in high school.”
“The teachers I had there, they encouraged my love for reading, they encouraged my ability to think about and consider different ideas,” said new valedictorian Oliver Wu. “Eliminating the IG program without putting anything else in its place, without initiating a new program to give enrichment to students who would benefit from it, is very harmful.” He, along with others, expressed concern that the IG program could be phased out, thoughSuperintendent Kevin Scanlon said this would not happen.
Simultaneously, many parents stressed the importance of later high school start time levels for students’ health. “We all want our children to be academically excelled, but they need health first,” said Jade Zheng, a mother of two kids in the district. “If I have to make a choice, health first.” Others stressed the long timeline of the effort to make the change, citing a petition from 2019 that garnered 1,700 votes.
The proposed cuts to elementary teachers were a concern too, not just for the sake of the teachers, but for the elementary students who would then be forced into larger-sized classes. Oliver Wu said he has been “one of the biggest supporters of start time changes,” but if the board “had to choose between cuts to dozens of staffs and educational programs or the start time, I would support delaying the start time.”
Board members responded that all three concerns were priorities to them, and they did not want students and parents to have to argue for one program over another. “We’re at a point this year, unfortunately,” said Vice President Karen Roughley, “where we need to put the education of our elementary students against start times for the older students and I don’t think that’s a good place to be.” Trustee Stanley Bak also expressed concern that the board could have better communicated the planned cuts beforehand so they came as less of a surprise. “Programs cost money,” he said. “Communication does not.”
The board debated withdrawing from their emergency reserves, a possibility touched on by parents, but according to Scanlon, spending those funds would only cover costs to next year, and would put them at risk in case of an unexpected emergency. “When COVID-19 hit, we spent $7.3 million out of our reserves,” said Scanlon. “If another COVID-like event occurred… we will not be able to do [what we did] in 2020.”
The board also discussed removing start time changes for this year, as it would save over $1 million to fund other programs. With how long parents had been pushing for the change, some members, such as Bak, were hesitant to delay this another year. Referring to the 2019 petition, he said “Here we are in 2025, and I think about those parents… Is 2025 different?” However, others like board President Susan Rosenzweig, felt elementary classes were the higher priority. In a 4-3 vote, the measure passed.
Afterward, the board voted 6-1 to adopt the proposed budget at just over $238 million. This would be an increase of approximately $2 million from last year and mean a $336 increase in tax per household. The proposed budget offers a line-item budget for how the funds would be distributed, though these can still be changed over the next month. The next budget meeting is set for April 30, with the budget hearing on May 13 to discuss final details and the vote on May 20.
“This has been an impossible budget cycle,” said Rosenzweig before the end of the meeting. “It is not pretty, it is not perfect, people will lose, everybody’s going to lose a little bit, but it is the best that we can do.”
An aerial view of the Village of Port Jefferson. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson School District
By Daniel Dunaief
Benjamin Batter, a 10th grader at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, noticed a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con near the side of the road.
Rather than keep going, he took it apart, cleaned it, fixed the battery and got it to work.
Earl L. Vandermeulen High School
His decision reflects the kinds of actions the Port Jefferson school district is taking as it embraces evolving technology in a host of contexts, providing new classes such as Esports as well as clubs, STEAM and drone camps.
US News and World Reports ranked Earl L. Vandermeulen High School as one of the best STEM schools in the nation, encouraging administrators and the Board of Education to continue to invest “energy and financial resources to build in this area,” said Robert Neidig, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Port Jefferson school district.
Indeed, Port Jefferson built a computer science center in the high school that opened before the start of the academic year and wanted to capitalize on additional opportunities.
This summer, the middle school and high school are partnering up with Inspirit AI in a two-week artificial intelligence boot camp taught by graduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford and others that offers personalized teaching.
“We’re providing the venue while the professors come and teach and work with our students in terms of projects they can create and build under their leadership,” said Neidig. “It’s something I’m very excited about [as the school gets] some of the best and brightest minds to wet their palate.”
Summer projects with Inspirit AI for a middle school and high school class, which will start out with 10 to 12 students each, will deploy coding and AI skills to accomplish different tasks, such as efforts to improve the environment or enhance medical services.
Drone and STEAM camps
All year round, the school district offers STEAM and drone camps.
While rooted in the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, Port Jefferson schools envision using these technology-driven skills sets in other arenas.
Robert Farenga, center, with two of his students.
“In coding for social studies or science” students apply the same computer science skills in various contexts, Neidig said.
Drones, meanwhile, have provided an outlet for students interested in photography, videography and other applications.
Sixth-grader Jonathan Kogan appreciates the opportunity to work with others in the drone camp. He feels as if the drones expand his horizons.
“I like flying the drones and taking pictures and videos,” said Kogan. When he’s operating something in the air it “feels like you’re flying as well.”
When the school was considering the purchase of new tables in the cafeteria, Batter took overhead photos with a drone. The Board of Education considered those photos when choosing what kinds of new tables to buy.
Drones can help in other contexts. In Rwanda and Madagascar, officials fly medicines by drones to populations that might otherwise be difficult to reach with other transportation.
As for the safety of the drones, Port Jefferson has educated the middle and high school students on altitude limits.
“Education is paramount in all these endeavors,” said Neidig. “Before drones go up, [students] are looking at the rules for flights” which vary depending on the area. “We have the ability to understand what the flight rules are in Port Jefferson.”
Robert Farenga, a high school and middle school teacher who runs the STEAM and drone camps and teaches esports, is planning on collecting student images from the drones in areas of the town and the school and putting up pictures around the school and in his classroom.
Farenga has discussed the use of drones in real estate, entertainment, the party business, and advertising.
“A person who is trained in using drones and knowing how to edit that film or photography can create a lucrative business,” he said.
Esports
Drone photo taken by students attending the Port Jefferson School District’s drone camp. Photo courtesy the Port Jefferson School District
In the two sixth-grade Esports classes that started this year, students have had the opportunity to play games and learn about the business.
Farenga, who also runs the STEAM and drone camps, suggested the business is “one of the fastest growing sports industries around.”
Farenga teaches a mixture of high school students grades about programming, announcing of games, management, marketing and other aspects of the business.
In a class they take for academic credit, students learn about job opportunities while they also discuss social and emotional learning through gaming.
Students don’t take formal quizzes or tests, earning grades based on their participation and projects.
Eventually, Farenga would like to add virtual reality goggles, which allow drone fliers to see through the lens as the drone is flying.
He would also like bring in guest lecturers who can share their experiences and background.
Artificial Intelligence
Port Jefferson schools are encouraging teachers to embrace educational opportunities through artificial intelligence.
Screenshot
Eva Grasso, the middle school/ high school library media specialist, is dispersing information to the staff and works with the middle school computer science students and engages them in critical thinking and problem solving activities.
AI is “insanely cool and super provocative in its potential for education in lots of fields,” said Grasso. At the same time, it could “have detrimental effects on society.”
Grasso sends out weekly tips to the middle and high schools that are meant to provide ways to learn more.
She has also worked with sixth graders in a range of subjects from algebra to language.
Even with AI, students are “finding their way back to those core skills that students 100 years ago and 100 years from now will need: can you collaborate, can you work well with others and can you recognize that frustration at not knowing something, which is not just a part of the process, but is an essential part of the process,” Grasso said
As educators, Grasso urges schools to teach students how to use AI responsibly.
In addition to Inspirit AI, Port Jefferson is also planning to offer a high school cybersecurity class this fall.
“We’re moving into this technology and offering these” options as a way to prepare students for the next steps in their lives, Farenga said.
A scene from Lloyd Harbor School’s production of “The Addams Family Musical.” Photo courtesy of CSH School District
A scene from Lloyd Harbor School’s production of “The Addams Family Musical.” Photo courtesy of CSH School District
A scene from Lloyd Harbor School’s production of “The Addams Family Musical.” Photo courtesy of CSH School District
Lloyd Harbor Elementary School’s recent production of “The Addams Family Musical” in the Cold Spring Harbor School District proved to be a resounding success, captivating audiences with its charm, wit and theatrical flair. Featuring a cast and crew of fifth and sixth grade students, the show brought the iconic Addams family to life in a spirited performance that showcased the incredible talent, creativity and dedication of the young performers.
With a perfect blend of spooky charm and heartwarming humor, the fifth and sixth grade cast and crew welcomed brave souls and curious mortals to a world where the creepy is endearing, the kooky is captivating and being different is something to celebrate. From the opening number to the final bow, the talented young performers delivered an incredible show filled with impressive singing, polished choreography and impeccable comedic timing.
The fan-favorite number, “Full Disclosure,” captured the spirit of the musical’s message – that even the strangest families can bond over dinner. And while the characters may have emerged from the cobwebs of Broadway, it was hard to believe these stars-in-the-making were only in elementary school.
Under the inspired direction of Jennifer Cové, the production shined with professional- level quality. The costumes, makeup and set design were extraordinary, while the backstage crew executed seamless scene changes with quiet precision and tireless dedication.
Bravo to the entire cast, crew and production team for embracing the eccentric, celebrating the macabre and reminding us all that there’s magic in the mysterious.
Legislator Sanin presents a proclamation to contest winner, Andreas Psarris. Photo courtesy of Leg. Sanin's office
A Suffolk County teen’s creative vision took center stage at the Suffolk County Legislature, where his inspiring bike safety video captivated a room full of lawmakers and community leaders. In front of all 18 legislators, Walt Whitman High School senior Andreas Psarris was proudly honored by Legislator Rebecca Sanin as the countywide winner of the Legislature’s Annual Bike Safety Video Contest.
Each year, the Legislature encourages students across Suffolk County to create informative and engaging content promoting bicycle safety. The initiative empowers young people to raise awareness about vital public safety issues through creativity, education, and media.
This year, Andreas Psarris distinguished himself through his deep understanding of bike safety and his impressive videomaking skills. His fast-paced, creative video delivers life-saving safety tips in just 60 seconds—with detail, heart, and clarity. Psarris’s work rose above entries from all 18 legislative districts and his video will be used by the Suffolk County Police Department to promote bike safety across the county.
“Andreas is a remarkable example of the talent and leadership we have right here in the 16th Legislative District,” said Legislator Rebecca Sanin. “His video not only educates, it inspires—and it will help keep residents safe. We are so proud of his achievement and know this is only the beginning of the incredible contributions he will make to our community and beyond.”
Andreas reminds us what young people can accomplish when we give them a platform. Legislator Sanin presented Andreas with an official proclamation recognizing his accomplishment and commending his efforts to make Suffolk County a safer place for all.
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Starting on April 1, Dogwood Elementary School in Smithtown celebrated Autism Acceptance Week. Children have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Mrs. Nielsen’s students wrote and shared about the different things that make them special.
Mrs. Braun and Mrs. Diemer’s class learned about autism acceptance. After listening to a story, students brainstormed ways they can be kind and include others and worked on this project together.
On April 2, students were encouraged to wear red, gold, rainbow or blue to show support and acceptance of individuals with autism.
One characteristic of autism is to show incredibly focused passion for topics of interest. On April 3, students shared their passions and interests.
On April 4, students dressed in cozy pajamas in recognition of the fact that individuals with autism often have a variety of sensory sensitivities.
