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Students from Kings Park School District visit Smithtown Town Hall to learn more about local government

by Press Release - April 8, 2025

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0-5 — Kings Park Central School District's Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall on April 2. Photo from Town of Smithtown

On April 2nd, student leaders from RJO Intermediate School, in the Kings Park Central School District’s Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall for a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how local government serves the community.

Accompanied by Superintendent Dr. Timothy Eagan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Cartisano, the students were welcomed by Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and representatives from several Town departments for a special presentation on the inner workings of municipal government.

The Superintendent’s Council is composed of student leaders in grades 4 through 12 from R.J.O. Intermediate School, William T. Rogers Middle School, and Kings Park High School. Throughout the school year, the council meets monthly to explore leadership, service, and civic engagement. This year, the students focused on gaining a deeper understanding of local government functions and community service.

Kings Park Central School District’s Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall on April 2. Photo from Town of Smithtown

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome such a fantastic group of students from Kings Park to Town Hall. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and thoughtful questions truly impressed all of us. This is a remarkable group of young leaders, and it was inspiring to see their genuine interest in how local government works and serves the community. I want to sincerely thank Superintendent Dr. Timothy Eagan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Cartisano for encouraging these future leaders to engage in public service and civic education. We’re proud to support programs like this that help shape tomorrow’s community leaders,” said Supervisor Wehrheim.

The students participated in presentations from five Town of Smithtown departments, each offering a detailed look at the services they provide and their impact on the community. Presenters included: Simone Freeman, Assistant Town Attorney; David Barnes, Director, Department of Environment and Waterways (DEW); Peter Hans, Director, Planning and Engineering; Liam Trotta, Environmental Planner; Bill White, Director, Building Department; Leigh Wixson, Director, Smithtown Animal Shelter; and Denise Vibal, Animal Control Officer.

Each speaker offered valuable insight into their department’s role and responsibilities, shared advice for students interested in public service careers, and discussed academic pathways, internships, and volunteer opportunities within the Town.

“Our instructional theme this year in Kings Park is, ‘Learning and Preparing for My Future.’ I was both delighted and thankful that our student-leaders had the opportunity to learn about the functions of various town departments and future employment and/or volunteer opportunities. It is my hope that Kings Park’s best and brightest youth remain informed and committed to our town’s future. A special thank you to Supervisor Wehrheim and his staff for making this special event happen!” said Dr. Tim Eagan, Superintendent, Kings Park Central School District

Students who participated are members of the Superintendent’s Council, a group of student leaders in grades 4-12 who meet monthly over the school year. Every fall, two students are nominated to join the council by their peers in 4th grade, and they continue their participation through graduation. The students provide essential insight and a perspective on a wide range of topics. This year, the group focused on learning about local government, specifically the various town departments and their functions. In preparation for their visit to Town Hall, the students performed some internet research on specific departments and then shared what they found with the rest of the group.

The Town of Smithtown looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Kings Park Central School District and encourages students to remain active participants in their community’s future.

Anant Yardi, CEO of Yardi Systems, to deliver keynote address at SBU’s College of Business convocation

by Press Release - April 7, 2025

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Stony Brook University’s College of Business is proud to announce that Anant Yardi, Founder and CEO of Yardi Systems, will deliver the keynote address at the College’s convocation ceremony on May 21, 2025. Yardi, a pioneer in real estate technology and a champion of educational opportunities, will share insights from his career journey and discuss the importance of innovation, leadership, and giving back to communities.

“We are honored to have Anant Yardi as our Convocation speaker. His visionary leadership in real estate technology and entrepreneurship serves as an inspiring example for our graduating students, said Dean Haresh Gurnani. Anant’s journey from innovator to industry leader embodies the power of perseverance, strategic thinking, and technological innovation—qualities that will empower our students as they embark on their own professional paths. We look forward to his insights and the invaluable lessons he will share with the Class of 2025.”

Yardi Systems is a global leader in investment, asset, and property management software for the real estate industry. The company’s software solutions support both residential and commercial property management, integrating accounting, operations, and ancillary services. Yardi has offices throughout the US and the world, including in Melville on Long Island.

Beyond its business success, Yardi Systems is deeply committed to education and community development. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the company partnered with 28 colleges and universities across North America, including Stony Brook, to provide scholarships for first-generation students. This initiative reflects Yardi’s core values: “Take care of our clients, take care of our employees, take care of our communities, stay focused and grow.”

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the class of 2025 at Stony Brook College of Business. I look forward to sharing my experiences in innovation, entrepreneurship and risk management during a 40 year period that saw immense technological change and gave rise to incredible business opportunities.”

Anant Yardi founded Yardi Systems in 1984 after recognizing the need for integrated accounting and property management software in the residential marketplace. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a global powerhouse in real estate technology. With an M.S. in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Yardi has been widely recognized as a visionary in the industry, earning accolades such as the Realcomm “Digie” Award and induction into the Multi-Housing News Hall of Fame.

The Stony Brook College of Business convocation ceremony will celebrate the achievements of graduating students and honor their hard work as they transition into the next phase of their professional lives.

For more information on the event, please visit https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/business/

Vandermeulen High School performs classic fairy tales with ‘Into the Woods’

by Press Release - April 6, 2025

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Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in the Port Jefferson School District recently presented a production of Into The Woods from March 28 through March 30.

A Stephen Sondheim musical, Into The Woods debuted on Broadway in 1987 and intertwined the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, reimagining them as if they all took place at the same time. Vandermeulen High School presented the show through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

The Port Jefferson production, which was directed by Anthony Butera and narrated by Marlo Pepe, starred Gianna Vivano as Cinderella, Patrick Hutchinson as Jack, Albert Jack Peterson as the Baker, Rose Meliker-Hammock as the Baker’s Wife, Eve Cruz as Little Red Ridinghood, Victoria Snaden as the Witch, and Isabela Thornsen as Rapunzel.

“Into The Woods is a show that I am incredibly proud of, and I know the cast and crew are too,” said Anthony Butera. “It was extremely special to share all of our hard work with the Port Jefferson community.”

For more information regarding the Port Jefferson School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website at https://www.portjeffschools.org and follow its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PortJeffSchools.

Middle Country school board recognizes outstanding athletes and discusses budget priorities

by Dylan Friedman - April 4, 2025

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By Dylan Friedman

The March 26 Middle Country Central School District Board of Education meeting celebrated remarkable student achievements while delving into critical budget and special education discussions.

The evening highlighted several exceptional student-athletes, including Leah Norman from the Centereach High School Girls Basketball team. Coach Steve Greco praised Norman, noting she was thrust into a starting role after an early-season injury and helped the team achieve an impressive 18-4 record. “She was an amazing defender and rebounder, averaging 8.1 rebounds per game and chipped in on the offensive end as well, averaging 5.4 points per game,” Greco said.

Another standout athlete, Hayley Torres, was recognized for scoring 1,000 career points as a junior — a milestone achieved by only two previous female basketball players in the school’s history. Greco emphasized her dynamic playing style, stating, “She has been named to the Newsday Top 100 Players to Watch list in each of the past two seasons, [and] had been named all league four times, and all conference and all county three times, including this year, she is seen as one of the best guards in the county and constantly sees the toughest defensive matchups each game.”

The board also celebrated Hannah Hughes, a senior gymnast at Newfield High School, who won her third state vault championship — a feat no Long Island gymnast has accomplished since 1979. Her coach, Melissa Valentino, described a dramatic moment in a prepared statement: “She stepped up, executed her vault flawlessly, and stuck the landing with perfection,” Valentino said.

The district’s Pupil Personnel Services department presented a comprehensive overview of special education programs. Director Jennifer Harrison revealed that approximately 1,607 students receive special education services, representing 16% of the district’s population — lower than the New York State and Suffolk County rates of 18%.

Harrison highlighted the district’s commitment to providing a continuum of services, including related services, resource room programs, integrated co-teaching services and out-of-district placements. The district is expanding its special education offerings, planning to add five kindergarten classes and an additional special education section at Newfield High School for the 2025-2026 school year.

According to Harrison, the PPS budget for the upcoming year (2025-2026) is approximately $61 million, a 7.1% increase from the current year. Salaries and benefits comprise approximately 72% of this budget. The department is also working diligently on Medicaid reimbursement, with current claims reaching an estimated $223,000.

In the budget development presentation, Assistant Superintendent Beth Rella provided insights into the district’s financial health.

The district’s recent exit from the state comptroller’s fiscal stress designation doesn’t negate historical trends, which show a precarious financial position and suggest the potential for future difficulties. Rella’s presentation also revealed that the district hopes to build its reserves over the decade further, thus progressing in stabilizing its financial position.

Key budget cost drivers include contractual obligations, health-care costs, special education program expansion, transportation, utilities and technology. The newly proposed budget shows a 3.33% year-over-year growth.

Upon the presentation’s conclusion, one board member noted the potential impact of COVID-19 on special education enrollment, with the conclusion being that the pandemic likely partially affected early intervention and preschool service usage in the district.

The next Middle Country Central School District Board of Education meeting will take place April 23 at the Dr. Karen J. Lessler District Conference Center at Centereach High School.

For more information visit the school website: www.mccsd.net.

Northport High School student wins Brookhaven Lab Bridge Building Competition

by Press Release - April 4, 2025

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BNL Maglev Competition — Mairead Carroll designed the most efficient bridge at this year's Bridge Building Competition. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/Brookhaven National Laboratory

And the results are in! Mairead Carroll, a senior from Northport High School, captured first place at the 2025 Bridge Building Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton on March 14.

Students from 13 Long Island high schools followed a strict set of specifications to try to construct the most efficient model bridge out of lightweight basswood and glue.

The annual event shows high schoolers what it means to be an engineer in a fun, hands-on way and is one of many activities organized by Brookhaven Lab’s Office of Workforce Development and Science Education to cultivate the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math professionals.

“Because many students spent the whole day at the Lab as a field trip, they were able to take some time to talk to our engineers and educational staff about their career journeys, making the experience about more than just building,” said Educational Programs Administrator Michele Darienzo. “Plus, we all had so much fun!”

Commack High School students Joshua Kim, left, Vincent D’Angelo, and Jordan Gleit earned three out of the four top spots awarded at the competition. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/Brookhaven National Laboratory

Carroll and second-place winner Vincent D’Angelo, a junior from Commack High School, qualify to bring their designs to the International Bridge Building Contest in Chicago, Illinois on April 26.

“Participating in the Brookhaven National Lab Bridge Competition was an incredible experience, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be part of it,” Carroll said.

“It was a great chance to learn and grow as an aspiring civil engineer, and I’ve gained so much from the talented competitors I had the chance to meet. I’m excited to continue this journey and look forward to representing Northport at the International Bridge competition in Chicago,” she added.

Students and judges watched closely as Brookhaven Lab staff and volunteers tested 95 bridges under a crushing machine that slowly added more and more weight from above until the bridges broke or bent more than one inch. Bridges were ranked based on efficiency scores that are calculated from the load the bridge supports divided by the mass of the bridge — all in grams. The structures could not have a mass greater than 25 grams.

D’Angelo, who visited the Lab with classmates on competition day, said he focused on simplicity and keeping his bridge light. His fellow Commack High School students swept the contest’s remaining awards: junior Joshua Kim earned third place with a bridge that used trusses to maximize efficiency, and junior Jordan Gleit won an aesthetic award for bridge design thanks to a structure with lots of cross beams.

While bridge testing was underway, students toured the National Synchrotron Light Source II and Center for Functional Nanomaterials, two DOE Office of Science user facilities at Brookhaven with unique capabilities that draw scientists from all over the world to Long Island. Students met staff scientists and engineers and learned about the paths that led them to careers at BNL.

Competitors further tested their engineering skills during an activity that challenged them to craft five increasingly difficult structures out of Geomag magnetic toys and earned Brookhaven Lab goodies if they were successful. Competition organizers also quizzed students with Brookhaven Lab and science trivia for chances to win more prizes.

Suffolk County Community College to hold an Open House April 6

by Press Release - April 4, 2025

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Faculty, administrators, staff and current students at Suffolk County Community College will welcome new and prospective students to open house on Sunday, April 6, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Open House will take place at all three of the college’s campuses in Riverhead, Selden and Brentwood, as well as its Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead. Explore scholarships, tour the campuses, speak with Admissions and Financial Aid counselors, learn about student clubs and more. RSVP at www.sunysuffolk.edu/openhouse/

Antisemitic incidents discussed at Three Village Board meeting

by William Stieglitz - April 4, 2025

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TVBOE1 — Ward Melville High School. File photo by Greg Catalano

By William Stieglitz

Over a hundred people attended the March 26 Board meeting for Three Village Central School District, where reported incidents of antisemitism were discussed. The week before, Superintendent Scanlon had sent out a letter saying the incidents were part of “a larger issue occurring that we need to address” and that the district “is planning immediate and long-term, systemic methods to address antisemitism, racism and hate speech.” The meeting’s high attendance required the use of two overflow rooms, where community members watched the meeting down the hall via livestream.

Scanlon said the incidents “occurred at our middle level” and “most incurred speech and insensitive acts or remarks,” though there were no acts of violence or threats. Under state regulations, he could not comment on the specifics as a matter of protecting students’ privacy, though the public comments from community members, along with the district’s proposed solutions, did provide context.

Community member Shelly Samson thanked Scanlon for the letter following what she described as “the antisemitism incident that occurred at Gelinas Junior High School… in a social studies class after viewing a film on the Holocaust,” expressing concern for the “very insensitive remark.” According to Scanlon, the board had met with the Westchester Holocaust Center following the incidents and Christina Cone, the director of social studies, will be bringing in a Holocaust survivor on April 9 for 10th grade students to meet. Additionally, he announced they have been communicating with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Partisan Educations Foundation (JPEF), and that the board will be looking at training for teachers and reviewing the current curriculum. “It doesn’t matter if it was 1 or 41,” he said regarding the incidents. “One is enough.”

Everyone who made public comments on the incidents thanked or praised the board for their handling of the matter thus far. Community member and parent Galia Lahav said she’d like to see education on implicit antisemitism in addition to the “very explicit antisemitism” of the recent incidents. Rabbi Aaron Benson from the North Shore Jewish Center spoke on the number of antisemitic incidents nationwide, saying there were 3,697 reported in 2022, then 3,291 from the time of the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel to the end of the year alone. Deborah Peretz, from the Israel advocacy group Stand With Us, asked for learning related to current issues, in addition to Holocaust education. “The Jewish people are living through history right now…. There’s a 23-year-old,” she said, referring to Israeli American solider Omer Neutra, who was reported killed during the October 7 attack. “He’s dead but he’s in the Gaza tunnels right now. He’s from Plainview. It’s 30 minutes away.”

Rabbi Josh Gray from Temple Isaiah did not speak during the public comment portion, but said afterward that he had met with Scanlon that week and is grateful the district is being proactive. Speaking on what actions community members can take to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination he said, “the best thing to do is to speak up when something is said… Call out hate wherever we see it. Be an ally to marginalized communities, and don’t let it slide. I think if we all stick together and stick up for each other we can create a community of communities, which is the ultimate goal.”

The other matters discussed at the Board meeting included the questions of whether to arm school guards and whether to take money from the emergency reserves to fund the budget. “The district is bankrupt in the sense that we can’t make payroll,” said trustee Dr. David McKinnon, who added they are currently projected to lose about 80 employees. The proposed budget is set to be adopted on April 9 with the community vote on May 20.

Cold Spring Harbor students take polar plunge for marine rescue fundraiser

by William Stieglitz - April 3, 2025

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By William Stieglitz

Students from the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District plunged into the water at Lloyd Harbor Village Park Beach on March 29 to raise money for the New York Marine Rescue Center. This was the second CSH Polar Plunge to be hosted by the school’s marine biology club, which had been planning the event since September. The group, which has about 50 members and does volunteer beach cleanups, is led by science teacher Erin Oshan.

“We are a coastal town. The kids all live near the water, so they’re familiar with the water and the issues that face our marine life,” said Oshan, who teaches biology, marine biology and physics. She emphasized that habitat loss, pollution and microplastics can cause the biggest problems. “So there’s a bunch of kids that are passionate about trying to fix some of those issues.”

About two dozen students participated, consisting mostly of grades 8-12 as well as some elementary schoolers who came with their parents. It was a $20 donation to plunge, with people also able to donate through the purchase of sweatshirts, cookies and hot chocolate. Students described the water as “freezing,” though thankfully not as cold as it had been last time.

“We had a polar plunge here two years ago. It was in February, though, when there was snow,” said ninth grader Molly Yulico. “This one’s nice because it’s, like, 75 degrees out, so it’s pretty warm in the outside temperature.” Several students, after coming out of the water, decided to go back in.

“It was a great success,” said Cold Spring Harbor Superintendent Joe Monastero, who emphasized his pride in the students. “We get our kids down here to participate in an activity to help support marine life and our local ecosystem, and it really brings us together as a community.”

The NYMRC, which received all profits from the event, had an information table set up to explain the work they do in the rescue and protection of marine animals such as sea turtles, dolphins and whales. “We’re in seal season right now,” said intern Lex Reveal. He explained that seals can get stranded for many reasons, but it mostly results from human interaction and pollution.

“Whenever we see a seal that is in an area that’s not safe for it to be in, so in someone’s backyard, for example, we’ll relocate it. If it’s injured, whether that’s from an entanglement situation or it’s been hit by a boat or it’s just sick for any reason, we will come by. We will take it back to the rescue center. We will go through the whole treatment process and then we will release it back into the water when it is healthy again.”

In terms of preventative measures, Reveal said that the best solution is education. “To get out there, tell people why interaction is bad and hopefully try and prevent it in the future.” He explains that interactions such as trying to feed, talk to or take selfies with the seals can be dangerous, not just for the animals but for humans too, especially with some species like the gray seal weighing around 400 pounds.

Reveal encourages anyone who finds a stranded marine animal not to get near it, and instead call the rescue center’s 24-hour hotline at 631-369-9829.

Cold Spring Harbor students recognized for efforts at Long Island Science and Engineering Fair

by Press Release - March 30, 2025

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CSH LISEF1 — From left, Lloyd Harbor students William Morin, Kaden Weber and Anthony Sierecki earned first-place honors in the Middle School Division at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. Photo courtesy of Cold Spring Harbor Central School District.

Cold Spring Harbor students showcased their scientific talents at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, earning top honors in both the Middle School and JV Divisions.

Junior Matthew Reford and Sophomore Alexander Janczyk secured third place. Photo courtesy of Cold Spring Harbor Central School District

Sixth graders Will Morin, Anthony Sierecki and Kaden Weber from Lloyd Harbor earned first place in the Middle School Division for their project, “Examination of the Efficiency of Perovskite vs. Silicon Solar Cells at Varying Temperatures.” This impressive achievement places them among the top 10% of middle school science fair competitors nationwide.

As a result, they are eligible to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, with a chance to travel to Washington, D.C., in October to compete for more than $100,000 in prizes, including the prestigious $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND Award. This marks the first time Cold Spring Harbor students have participated in the Middle School Division— a remarkable debut for the district.

Cold Spring Harbor Jr./Sr. High School students in the Advanced Science Research classes also delivered strong performances in the LISEF JV Division. Their research covered a range of scientific disciplines, from behavioral science to engineering. Among the honorees, junior Matthew Reford and Sophomore Alexander Janczyk secured third place for their project, “Piezoelectric Power: Exploring Temperatures Effect on Energy Output.”

Congratulations to Will, Anthony, Kaden, Matthew and Alexander for their outstanding achievements in STEM research!

Smithtown High School students hit the runway

by Press Release - March 29, 2025

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Smithtown High School East and West students dressed to impress at their individual PTSA Fashion Shows, held at Flowerfield in St. James.

On March 17, High School West seniors walked the runway with proceeds from the gala supporting senior scholarships and the school’s cultural arts programs.

The following night, juniors and seniors from Smithtown High School East participated in their annual PTSA/Leadership Dinner/Fashion Show, with proceeds also supporting the high school’s senior scholarships and cultural arts programs.

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