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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.

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Ward Melville High School. File photo by Greg Catalano

The change would mean later mornings for secondary students

By Mallie Jane Kim

After years of advocacy and discussion over shifting secondary school start times later, Three Village Board of Education settled on a framework to put forward for community input. If adopted, Ward Melville High School and the district’s two junior high schools — P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy — would each start 35 minutes later than they currently do, at 7:40 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., respectively. 

Any such adjustments would likely take place starting fall 2025, in tandem with the district’s plan to move sixth grade into junior high and ninth into the high school. To make the changes possible with the fewest added buses, the plan would mark a change for at least one elementary school. Currently, two schools start around 8:40 a.m. and three at 9:25. Under the proposed plan, only one elementary school could begin the day at the earlier time.

Three Village would have to find a bit over $1 million in other areas of the budget to accommodate the increased transportation costs incurred by a change in start times, according to district officials.

“That is the best that we came up with from both the dollar standpoint and also what seemed to work best,” said interim Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Carlson at an Aug. 21 board meeting as he laid out the rationale for the plan. “It’s not going to make everybody thrilled, but it does a number of things that we were looking to do.”

District administrators and some board members have said for many months that they believe and agree with study results that indicate starting later is better for adolescent physical and mental health and for academic outcomes, but concerns over financial implications have kept the district from committing to make a change — as has figuring out the most efficient configuration.

Advocates were hoping to push the high school start time past the 8 a.m. mark, though Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon pointed out the current proposal ends Ward Melville at 2:21 p.m., allowing time before sports begin at 3 for students to participate in a club or get extra academic help — something he said was a major concern expressed at public meetings on the topic.

“There’s no such thing as perfect,” said Scanlon, who also mentioned the later time should help the 10% of high school students who chronically miss first period. “This is getting us there a little better.”

The board had engaged a transportation consultant to help find efficient ways to change start times and possibly push the high school time to 8 a.m., but unfortunately that exercise produced results Scanlon called “lacking at best.”

The current proposal is one the board has had since at least January and came from a start time subcommittee that has been meeting over the past two years.

The district will seek community input on the change, particularly because of the over $1 million price tag, through a pair of planned public meetings in September, Scanlon announced, adding that the district planned to livestream the sessions and sort out the appropriate technology to allow people to participate and provide feedback virtually.

Board member David McKinnon, a long-time later start time advocate, emphasized that Three Village would source that $1 million by reapportioning funds within the whole budget — not tacking that amount directly onto what residents pay in taxes. Taxpayers vote each year on a budget number, not line-by-line allocations.

McKinnon also cautioned against looking at the change in terms of pure economic efficiency.

“Efficiency is making use of all our resources in an optimal way,” McKinnon said. “As students are starting school so early that they’re not learning, we’re wasting vast amounts of money on teacher salaries. It’s inefficient to be trying to teach kids when they can’t learn or when they’re learning less optimally.”

If the board decides this fall to adopt new start times for the next academic year, those changes would still be subject to the annual budget planning process.

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Mount Sinai High School. File photo

By Ava Himmelsbach

Mount Sinai School District Board of Education held its Aug. 21 meeting at which it considered its District-Wide School Safety Plan. The discussion covered the contents and purposes of this newly-revised draft for final approval before submitting it to the state. Also under consideration was the Student Records Policy, which covers the district’s legal responsibility of confidentiality.

The policy statement of the safety plan emphasizes the district’s refusal to tolerate violence or threats on school grounds, stating that it “will make every effort to prevent violent incidents from occurring.” In compliance with state Education Law Section 2801-a, the district Building-Level Emergency Response Plan will be remaining confidential in order to assure maximum safety for students and staff.

After using feedback from families to make the safety plan preferable, the members of the board had no objections toward continuing the process of implementing the plan at this meeting.

Numerous other topics regarding safety and wellness for Mount Sinai students and staff are addressed in this draft. The district has clear plans in place for the unlikely case of any type of emergency that could otherwise put members and students of the district at risk.

The district’s Student Records Policy promises privacy to students and their families. The first section of the policy clearly states the limits of who can access the records of a student. The board recognizes its legal responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of student records. 

The board also discussed budgets and plans for new implementations to enhance the school. They considered solar power plans, strategic planning updates and building a bright future for the district. 

Energy savings

An update regarding an energy performance contract with Energia — an engineering company that works with districts to help bring energy-saving initiatives to schools — was presented to the board. The company defined the term “performance contract” in its presentation. 

“It is a facility improvement project,” Energia’s senior project manager, Justin Benoit, said. “But the key difference or the key factor about energy performance contract projects is that these projects, on one hand, generate guaranteed energy savings. And through this process you are able to then leverage those guaranteed energy savings as a funding source for the upgrades themselves. So in that sense, it’s a little bit different than a traditional capital project. You are not going out to the taxpayers in order to raise money for those projects, you are able to take your existing utility budget, reduce that line item ultimately, and then use those energy savings to then in turn pay for the upgrades that you would have received.”

With school right around the corner, Mount Sinai School District has a promising year ahead — and it seems as though the additions and updates in regard to the district will benefit students, staff and families.

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Pixabay photo

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) invites residents to join him in helping to ensure local elementary school students have the essential supplies they need for the upcoming academic year. Donations for a back-to-school drive will be accepted at the legislator’s office, 306 Main Street, Port Jefferson, until Sept. 15. Supplies will be donated to United Way of Long Island.

Items needed for students in first to fifth grade include backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks, pencils, crayons, Post-its, index cards and more. Donated items must be new and can be dropped off at the legislator’s office from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, email [email protected] or call 631-854-1650.

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Pixabay photo

By Serena Carpino

Smithtown Central School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13, to discuss an updated safety plan and other policies for the upcoming school year.

As per New York’s Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, every public school district across the state must annually submit plans for districtwide school safety and building-level emergency response. Schools are also required to make these plans available for public commentary. The Smithtown school district posted its plan to their website on June 29, with an email address open for questions and comments until July 31.

At the meeting, the board voted on a resolution to approve the districtwide and building-level plans. Both were approved in a 7-0 vote. According to Kevin Simmons, assistant superintendent for instruction & administration, “The only structural changes that occurred from this year versus last year’s plan were some clarifications that were identified regarding language from New York State. With that said, the fundamentals of the plan remain consistent from year to year.”

In addition to the safety plan, the board approved changes to the meal plan policy, including revisions in parental notifications and timelines. A few memorandums of agreement were passed, one of which was between the school district and the Smithtown Security Guards Association in a 7-0 vote.

Additionally, Mark Secaur, superintendent of schools, issued his report. He expressed excitement for the upcoming school year and highlighted the Smithtown Promise, a set of principles for educators to model to students. According to Secaur, incidents of racism and antisemitism during the 2023-24 school year were “sobering reminders of the responsibility [district officials] have to make sure all students are accepted and feel they belong.”

Secaur then explained the details of the promise. “The Smithtown Promise outlines four principles and 16 habits for adults and young people to establish and nurture. We need to model and reinforce the following principles with each of our students: Your dignity is a given; You belong here; You are a difference maker; You were made to excel.”

The promise goes into more detail, with each principle having four habits. Secaur also clarified that it “is not a program or curriculum that needs implementing but will serve as a reference point and tool for motivating our students while setting expectations and desired norms within our school community.” He assured residents that more information about the promise will be provided soon.

Public input

To conclude the meeting, the board opened the floor to public input. One local resident voiced his disappointment with the school board in previous years but expressed hope for a better outcome with new board members. 

He explained, “Just two years ago this month, I stood at this very spot and noted that, from my perspective, the board’s activity for the previous year was totally dysfunctional.” However, he hoped “from this point on, with new board members in place and the tasks that lay ahead for our district’s administrators, we will get our district back right on track for the benefit of our students and our community.”

The community member shared a quote from Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Sunday in the Park with George.” The member concluded by saying, “So let’s all work together so that this year we will create a true work of art for our students.”

The next regular BOE meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.

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Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright, right, presented proclamations to, left to right, teacher Susan Archer, lunch monitor Jessica Carioscia and Minnesauke Elementary Student Aidan Sterne. Photo from Steven Englebright’s office

When Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) heard a Minnesauke Elementary student had been saved from choking at the end of the school year, he knew he had to honor the people involved in saving the fourth grader.

At the Suffolk County Legislature’s July 30th General Meeting, Englebright presented proclamations to Minnesauke student Aidan Sterne, lunch monitor Jessica Carioscia and recently retired fourth-grade teacher Susan Archer.

“What young people can do is incredible, especially when dedicated professionals surround them,” Englebright said.

Aidan, who will begin fifth grade at Minnesauke Elementary School in September, recently saved a friend from choking due to Carioscia’s training and Archer’s recognition of the importance of providing vital lessons in first aid.

At the beginning of each school year, Archer would conduct a lesson on identifying when someone is choking and then demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver for her fourth graders. She would review the lifesaving procedure at the end of the school year.

Aidan was fortunate to be in her class. On the day of the review, he noticed one of his friends in distress and remembered the signs of choking and the importance of notifying an adult.

Aidan quickly alerted Carioscia, who performed the Heimlich maneuver on his friend and was able to clear the food the student was choking on.

As Englebright presented the three with proclamations on July 30, the legislator thanked them for their dedication and vigilance.

“This incident is a testament to the importance of education in raising awareness about health emergencies and first-aid training,” Englebright said. “All three played a vital role in avoiding what could have been a horrific tragedy.”

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Kimberly Christian. Courtesy Rocky Point Union Free School District

The Rocky Point School District welcomes Kimberly Christian, as its new director of math, science, technology, business education, career and technical education, and family and consumer sciences. Dr. Christian will continue to advance initiatives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for the district.

Christian earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University, a Master of Arts in Teaching Biology, a doctorate in science education, and certification in school district leadership from Stony Brook University.

In her new role,  Christian aims to provide all students with a comprehensive, 21st-century education to develop information literacy, critical thinking, and analytical skills. She is known for her motivation, innovation, and problem-solving skills. She hopes to foster productive, collaborative relationships among colleagues, parents, students, and community members.

“I am pleased to join the Rocky Point community,” Christian said. “It is a privilege to work alongside our talented educators, supportive staff, and enthusiastic students and families. I look forward to advancing initiatives that will drive student success and inspire a passion for learning.”

Christian has been a science teacher at Smithtown High School East since 2004, where she taught AP Biology and Project Lead the Way: Medical Interventions, as well as Regents Living Environment and Oceans. She contributed to curriculum development and implementation and maintained innovative instructional practices, integrating technology and differentiation.

For the past decade, Christian has served as an instructional specialist at Smithtown High School East, where she facilitated dialogue between colleagues and district leadership. Her work included participating in the science curriculum committee, aligning K-12 science instruction with NYSSLS, and coordinating standardized testing administration, including local and state exams. She also collaborated with the district’s science director on master scheduling, managed materials acquisition, and provided professional development during conference days and department meetings.

She co-authored “NGSS-Based Teacher Professional Development to Implement Engineering Practices in STEM Instruction,” published in 2021 in the International Journal of STEM Education, and “NGSS Teacher Professional Development to Implement Engineering Practices in Science Instruction,” presented virtually at the 2020 International Conference of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching in Portland, Oregon.

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METRO photo

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s S.T.A.R.T. Resource Center team will be hosting a back-to-school giveaway on Monday, August 19 at 2 p.m. The free event is open to all Suffolk residents and will take place outside of the Yaphank Correctional Facility located at 200 Glover Drive in Yaphank.

Children in attendance will receive a backpack filled with various school supplies as well as a pair of pajamas courtesy of EJ’s PJ’s, free treats from Starbucks and other giveaways. In addition, various non-profit service providers will be on hand and there will be free activities for kids. The event is first come, first serve, and will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p,m, or until supplies last. The event is rain or shine.

For more information, call 631-852-3436.

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File photo.

By Samantha Rutt

Comsewogue School District, along with at least six other Long Island districts, will see a new mascot ahead of the 2025-26 school year. Included is Half Hollow Hills East High School, previously the Thunderbirds, now known as the Red Hawks.

Following a New York State policy set back in April of 2023, New York became the 21st state to restrict Native-themed imagery in public schools, banning Native American-themed names, mascots and logos for all school districts in the state. Five L.I. districts have active lawsuits against the state in respect of the mascot ban.

Comsewogue, hitherto the Warriors, will don the “Spartan” as their official school mascot starting July 1, 2025. The decision for the Spartan came from a series of conversations within the district.

“The district formed a student committee,” said Matteo DeVincenzo, school district athletic director. “They came up with some names that each particular building liked, we then took all of those lists and put it together for parents, the community, staff members and everyone related to the community had an opportunity to vote on what they liked best — it was a very democratic way of deciding.”

Back in January the district began gathering “insight into what terms best represent Comsewogue” as per the school district’s website. In February, the district used the insights to gather additional information through a survey.

Then in April, the Comsewogue Leadership Team, composed of students from grades 3-12, narrowed the search down to five possible mascot/logo ideas: the Chargers, Cobras, Commanders, Spartans and Wolves. A vote was held in June to determine the winner.

“We narrowed it down to a top five list and from there, each day we’d would remove one. That was ultimately how the Spartans were selected,” DeVincenzo said.

Historical background

Before Europeans had ever stepped foot on Long Island, from present day St. James to Wading River and as far south as Gordon Heights, the Setalcott Nation once inhabited the lands. Within that territory lies Port Jefferson Station/Terryville, an area known to the Setalcotts as Comsewogue, meaning “place where paths come together.”

The Terryville-Comsewogue School District was formed in 1874, and the senior high school opened nearly a century later in 1971. The school district has prominently showcased its precolonial heritage along with its name, boasting the Warrior mascot.

“The Spartans are a part of Comsewogue history. Before we were the Warriors, we were the Spartans, before the high school came into existence. At JFK [middle school] we were the Spartans. I believe it was prior to 1972 that we were the Comsewogue Spartans,” DeVincenzo claimed.

As for this school year, Comsewogue School District will still be represented by the Warrior and looks to continue developing a logo and other fine-tuning before the Spartan is unveiled.

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Stony Brook University: Entrance sign

Stony Brook University and the Simons Foundation were recently named recipients of the Insight Into Diversity magazine 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.

Insight Into Diversity is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Stony Brook University and the Simons Foundation will be featured, along with 82 other recipients, in the September 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.

“I am so proud of the cutting-edge research, outstanding teaching, and engaged scholarship and service gained from the collaboration of Stony Brook and the Simons Foundation around excellence in STEM,” said SBU Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Judith Brown Clarke. “We look forward to continued partnership in our quest for deep transformational impacts that are powerful and create long-lasting changes that have a positive effect on individuals, communities, and entire societies.”

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by Insight Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

“I take great pride in the dedication and enthusiasm shown by our scholars and staff in initiating this program with such vigor and excellence. We are grateful for this recognition and remain dedicated to advancing the legacy we have started,” said Erwin Cabrera, executive director of the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program. “The core values of Insight Into Diversity Inspiring Programs closely resonate with the objectives of the SBU Simons STEM Scholars program, and we appreciate the opportunity to be recognized alongside other distinguished recipients.

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