Pictured (left to right) are Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Councilman Neil Manzella; Salvatore Campo (Ms. Fogal’s father); Theresa Fogal; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilman Neil Foley; Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig; Councilman Michael Loguercio and Town Clerk Kevin LaValle. Photo from Town of Brookhaven
At the February 13 Town of Brookhaven Board Meeting, Councilwoman Jane Bonner recognized Rocky Point School District bus driver, Theresa Fogal, for safely maneuvering her bus full of students as it was sliding downhill during a recent snowstorm. By staying calm, Ms. Fogal guided the bus down the steep, icy hill and kept it upright and moving forward. No one was injured during the incident and all the children arrived home, safe and sound.
Councilwoman Bonner praised Ms. Fogal for her heroism and presented her with a Town Board Proclamation. To watch the video of the incident, please go to https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XqJh_YPrans.
Pictured from left, are Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Councilman Neil Manzella; Salvatore Campo (Ms. Fogal’s father); Theresa Fogal; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilman Neil Foley; Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig; Councilman Michael Loguercio and Town Clerk Kevin LaValle.
Port Jefferson Middle School production of 'Imaginary'
Port Jefferson Middle School production of 'Imaginary'
Port Jefferson Middle School production of 'Imaginary'
Port Jefferson Middle School production of 'Imaginary'
Port Jefferson Middle School production of 'Imaginary'
Port Jefferson Middle School recently presented Imaginary, an enchanting new musical that explores the magic of childhood, the power of imagination, and the journey of growing up. This exciting production, from Jan/ 31 to Feb. 2, was the New York premiere of the musical and captivated audiences with its heartfelt storyline and talented performers.
Featuring catchy tunes and touching ballads, Imaginary follows a young protagonist as they navigate a mystery at their new school—why are all these students acting like zombies? To save the day they must learn to harness the power of friendship and imagination. As the story unfolds, the audience is reminded of the importance of nurturing creativity and connection in a world that often emphasizes the pursuit of perfect grades instead.
“The themes of Imaginary resonate deeply with children and adults alike,” said Christine Creighton and Laurel Ormiston, the directors of the musical. “It’s a story about holding onto the magic of your imagination while embracing the changes that come with growing up. We were incredibly proud to bring this inspiring production to the stage for the first time in New York, and to be able to give that unique opportunity for both cast and audience to experience something brand new.”
The cast, comprised of Port Jefferson Middle School students, showcased their months of dedicated work by delivering joyful, expressive performances. “We could not be more proud of these students. For many, this was their first show, and we hope that this was the start of their journey here with our phenomenal Royals’ performing arts community,” said Dr. Michael Caravello, the Port Jefferson Director of Music and Fine Arts.
The musical was also brought to life through exquisite lighting, props, costumes, and beautifully crafted sets which were the result of generous efforts by both parent volunteers and Port Jefferson staff. “Our students and families have been one of the best to work with because of their enthusiasm, teamwork, and talent,” noted Creighton.
The Port Jefferson Middle School community came together to enjoy this extraordinary event, with many students, teachers, and families attending the performances. The success of Imaginary marks another milestone in the school’s long history of producing high-quality theatrical productions.
Allison Wong with her project. Photo by Kelly Gwydir
By Daniel Dunaief
Over 150 students around Long Island recently caught the science bug.
Allison Wong with Marivia Fernández-Serra. Photo courtesy of Kelly Gwydir
Students from kindergarten through 12th grade made one-minute videos to celebrate historic women in science as a part of the Institute for Advanced Computational Science’s (IACS) second annual competition.
Contestants in the Stony Brook University challenge described their connection with women who sometimes operated in the scientific shadows, while they also described an experiment they did that highlighted an important concept or achievement from the work of historical role models.
“We want to recognize the importance of women in the history of science and engineering,” said Mónica Buggalo, a co-chair of the event and professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineeringand at the IACS. Despite the young age of some of the participants, Buggalo was “blown away by how confident they are. It’s unbelievable.”
On Feb. 13, in honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the finalists provided a two-minute summary of their work and then the IACS named the winners, who will receive cash prizes.
Baylee Stanton from Saxton Middle School and Allison Wong from Lynbrook South Middle School were tied for first place. Each of them will receive $875.
“I’m really proud of myself because this is a pretty advanced topic,” said Wong.
The students presented their one minute videos on any of 10 women.
Wong selected Katherine Johnson, whom she had studied in fourth grade during Black History Month.
“She inspired me to keep learning,” said Wong.
Allison Wong describing her project. Photo by Kelly Gwydir
After describing Johnson, who was one of the scientists featured in the movie “Hidden Figures” and for whom two NASA facilities are named, as an “African American mathematician who fundamentally transformed the field of aerospace engineering,” Wong went on to describe her project.
She set up an experiment using a catapult and four projectiles, in which she recorded the flight time and distance for a ping pong ball, cotton ball, bottle cap and marble. She recorded these measurements five times each at three different angles.
In an interview, Wong suggested that Johnson’s legacy is important as she calculated trajectories for the first US manned space flight and for Apollo 11.
Wong, who wants to be a doctor when she grows up, explained that the experience of competing made her feel “really inspired.”
She plans to put the money into a bank account and hopes to use it later in life.
Allison’s father David Wong was thrilled with the program and hopes it grows exponentially over the years, as the experience about researching women role models is inspirational.
David Wong said he himself knew about three of the scientists the contestants profiled, including Rosalind Franklin, who helped determine the double helical structure of the genetic material DNA and Marie Curie, who conducted ground breaking research on radiation and was the first woman to earn a degree from the University of Paris.
The opportunity to learn about the other scientists on the list was “eye opening,” David Wong said.
Designing a paper bag
Lucy Jane Sammarco. Photo courtesy of Samarco family
While many grocery shoppers might take the paper bag for granted, that is not the case for Hampton Street second grader Lucy Samarco.
Samarco learned about Margaret E. Knight, who had 27 patents and 100 inventions and was called “Lady Edison.” Knight developed the machine that created the flat bottomed paper bag, which is still in use today.
Samarco, who won an honorable mention for her entry and will collect $300 from the IACS, said the morning announcements in school included her result in the competition.
Her classmates clapped for her, which made her smile.
Samarco, who made a volcano that included baking soda, white crystals and water the weekend after the competition, wants to be a scientist when she grows up. Her favorite animal is the pink parrot.
Lucy’s mother Tricia Samarco was overwhelmed with emotion.
Lucy Jane Sammarco. Photo courtesy of Samarco family
All the competitors, who were mostly but not exclusively girls, were “absolutely amazing,” said Tricia Samarco. She said she was impressed with their confidence and their ability to speak in public.
Mike Samarco, Lucy’s father, was concerned that the project might be too challenging for Lucy and that he and his wife might not be able to offer much help.
“She kept coming back and saying, ‘This project looks exciting,” Mike Samarco said. Eventually, Lucy’s enthusiasm won the day.
Ultimately, Lucy has no shortage of ambition or ideas, suggesting she wanted to discover things, change the world and, perhaps, become president.
Strawberry DNA
Julia and Valerie D’Amico. Photo courtesy of D’Amico family
Mineola sisters Julia and Valerie D’Amico, who took home an honorable mention in last year’s competition, received a third place prize for their description and experiment on Franklin.
“She played a great part in discovering DNAs double helical structure,” said Julia, who is in 7th grade at Mineola Middle School. “We were inspired by her.”
The tandem, who received $500 for coming in third, conducted an experiment to extract DNA from a strawberry.
“It was cool seeing how you could do it,” said Valerie, who is in third grade at Jackson Avenue School. Valerie has longer term ambitions to study archeology.
Julia suggested that some of the women scientists from earlier times might have confronted biases against them if they were interested in science or math.
The combination plans to enter the contest again next year as well.
Enriching and enjoyable
Marivia Fernández-Serra, who also co-chaired the event and is a professor in Physics & Astronomy and at the IACS, appreciated how much fun the participants have.
She enjoys watching them take pictures with their scientists.
Fernández-Serra described the event as a “celebration of students.
The goal was of what she described as an “outreach activity” was to “get students excited about doing science and doing research and aspiring to come and start degrees at universities.”
Fernández-Serra suggested that the IACS may break the competition down into different age groups, with entries from elementary, middle school and high school.
Buggalo is thrilled that student competitors are demonstrating interest that extend beyond the challenge.
“There is a lot of excitement about science,” said Buggalo. “Some of them ask about opportunities that the university offers. We do have summer camps and academic activities in research.”
Board of Education meetings are typically held at William J. Brosnan School. Photo credit GoogleMaps
By Dylan Friedman
The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District Board of Education met Feb. 13 to discuss the district’s proposed budget for the upcoming school year. The meeting covered various topics, including the district’s five-year technology plan, facilities upgrades and security initiatives.
Technology investments
A significant focus of the meeting was the district’s five-year technology plan, presented by Director of Technology David Leis.
“Every technology investment we make is aligned with instructional purpose and keeping student-centric decision-making in mind,” Leis explained.
The plan outlines a strategic approach to upgrading the district’s technology infrastructure, including modernizing the fiber backbone, enhancing cybersecurity measures and expanding wireless capabilities to support digital learning and assessments.
“As we move more into a digital world, making sure our wireless network is robust and can keep up with the demands of all the mobile devices and online experiences is necessary to support our students,” Leis said.
The technology budget also includes funding for the district’s one-to-one device program, which provides students with laptops or tablets.
“We’ve developed a strategic plan to cycle in new devices for grades one, five and nine each year, aligning with key transition points in a student’s educational journey,” Leis noted.
Facilities upgrades
The district’s facilities and operations team outlined several capital projects and upgrades planned for the upcoming year. These include installing split-unit air-conditioning systems and heat pumps in large shared spaces such as cafeterias and auditoriums.
“We’re focused on creating equitable access to air-conditioned spaces across the district, so students have a comfortable environment for learning, especially during high-stakes testing,” John Lackner, buildings and grounds director, said.
Other facility improvements include restroom renovations, swipe card access for classrooms and upgrades to the district’s intercom and fire alarm systems.
Superintendent David Moyer explained, “We’re really trying to create learning environments that are conducive to our instructional priorities. “
Security initiatives
The district’s security team, led by John McEnroe, presented several security-focused initiatives in the proposed budget. This includes extending the district’s blue strobe lockdown system to interior spaces such as gymnasiums and auditoriums and adding a new server to expand video storage capacity for the security camera network.
“The most important layer of security is training and developing our staff,” McEnroe stated. “We provide ongoing training in areas like de-escalation, threat assessment and emergency response planning.”
Transportation enhancements
The transportation department, supervised by Patricia McGrane, is also slated for improvements. The budget includes funding for two additional full-time bus drivers, allowing the district to use more of its own fleet of buses rather than relying on contracted services.
“When we can use our own large buses, we save tens of thousands of dollars compared to contracting out,” McGrane explained.
The department is also implementing a new “way-finder” system to provide bus drivers with voice-activated turn-by-turn directions.
Recap
The proposed budget reflects the district’s commitment to investing in technology, facilities, security and transportation to support student learning and well-being.
As Moyer emphasized, “These investments are not just about numbers, but about how we can best support the educational experience for our students.”
The board will continue to review and refine the budget proposal in the coming months before presenting it to the community for a vote.
For more information visit www.northport.k12.ny.us.
Andrea Goldsmith will be Stony Brook University's 7th President. Photo courtesy of SBU
By Daniel Dunaief
Stony Brook University has named Andrea Goldsmith as the downstate flagship public university’s seventh president.
Goldsmith, who will start her tenure at Stony Brook on August 1st, has been the dean of engineering and applied sciences at Princeton University since 2020. She has been a dean, researcher in engineering, technology company founder and faculty member at Princeton and at Stanford University and Caltech.
Goldsmith will take over for Richard McCormick, who had been interim dean of the university after former president Maurie McInnis resigned last year to become president of Yale University.
”I would like to congratulate Goldsmith on her appointment as the next president of this prestigious university as I believe she will undoubtedly serve Stony Brook admirably,” Kathy Hochul (D), governor of New York, said in a statement.
Goldsmith’s research interests are in communications. control and signal processing and their application to wireless communications, interconnected systems and biomedical devices. She founded and served as Chief Technology Officer of Plume WiFi and of Quantenna Inc. and is on the board of Directors for Intel, Medtronic, Crown Castle and the Marconi Society. She has also served on the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology from 2021 to 2025.
At Princeton, Goldsmith helped establish the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute. She also developed interdisciplinary research in robotics, blockchain, wireless technologies and artificial intelligence.
Andrew Singer, the Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook, has known Goldsmith for over 25 years.
“She’s a fantastic choice,” Singer said in an interview. “She’s a community builder” and an innovator and has been a “highly visible and strong proponent for the intellectual communities she’s been a part of.”
The newly named SBU president was the founding chair of the IEEE Board of Directors Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and served as President of the IEEE Information Theory Society, as founding Chair of the Student Committee and as founding Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Information Theory.
Goldsmith will be joining Stony Brook at a time when the school has developed significant momentum in a number of areas. The university has risen in the rankings of US News and World Reports, climbing to 58th among national universities and 26th among public universities.
The university also secured a $500 million commitment from Marilyn and the late Jim Simons through the Simons Foundation, which was the largest unrestricted gift ever made to a U.S. education institution.
The university is also in the process of leading the developmentof a $700 million climate center on Governors Island.
During McCormick’s tenure at Stony Brook, which started last August, he outlined ways to improve and build on the university’s success, while also recognizing the need for investment.
McCormick highlighted how Stony Brook had an estimated $2 billion in deferred maintenance.
In an oral history interview with Mary Ann Hellrigel of the IEEE History Cente conducted on February 2, 2022, Goldsmith shared that she grew up in California, where she lived with her mother Adrienne Goldsmith after her parents got divorced. Her mother was an animator for cartoon shows, including “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.”
She is married to Arturo Salz and the couple has two children.
Goldsmith spent part of what would have been her senior year in high school as a singer in Greek night clubs before starting college.
Goldsmith has a Bachelor’s in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an MS and PhD in electricity engineering from UC Berkeley.
Zoe Abelson's serenading scene singing 'Take A Chance on Me'. Photo courtesy of CSHSD
Straight from the island of Kalokairi, this year’s Cold Spring Harbor High School musical delivered four unforgettable evenings of fast-paced performances and brilliant storytelling. From Feb. 7 to Feb. 9, audiences of all ages were treated to a fun-filled production of Mamma Mia! While bright costumes, talented vocals, and exciting dance scenes set the stage, it was the cast’s incredible chemistry that made this a spectacular performance. Based on songs recorded by Swedish group ABBA, the musical was clearly a cast favorite, featuring stand-out performances by seniors Zoe Abelson, Samantha Fiore, and Amelia Saladino.
From left, Zoe Abelson, Amelia Saladino and Samantha Fiore singing the encore of ‘Dancing Queen’. Photo courtesy of CSHSD
“I’ve been obsessed with Mamma Mia! and ABBA songs for years, so I was thrilled to find out it was my final musical at Cold Spring Harbor. The cast, stage and music came together better than I could have imagined,” said Zoe Abelson. “This year we had such a talented cast, including junior Sarah Thatcher who starred as Ellie, sophomore Charlotte Wells who played Tanya, and freshmen Max Yulico, Nick Apergis, and Andrew Bobelian who delivered amazing performances playing Sophie’s dads. I didn’t expect the last show to be so bittersweet. There was a lot of laughter but also a lot of tears. To my friends Samantha and Amelia, my cast and directors, I have loved every moment I spent with you. They were defining and something I will always treasure.”
Memorable performances include senior Zoe Abelson’s uplifting Chiquitita and hilarious rendition of Take a Chance on Me, senior Samantha Fiore’s charismatic Lay All Your Love on Me and energetic dance numbers like Gimme-Gimme-Gimme, and senior Amelia Saladino’s melancholy Slipping Through My Fingers and The Winner Takes It All.
Poster Perfect: Sophomore Charlotte Wells and seniors Zoe Abelson and Amelia Saladino. Photo courtesy of CSHSD
“I am exceptionally proud of our Cold Spring Harbor students in their performance of Mamma Mia! As the vocal director, I worked with the cast to learn an exceptionally high number of songs for one musical. Most songs had ensemble chorus as well, and the students took it in stride,” said Mr. Daniel Santangelo, chorus and theatre director. “They were able to achieve a great musical performance in addition to their acting and dancing. During the show, I wore a different hat as bassist in the pit and I was so glad to be able to contribute to the show and see it from that perspective. Bravi to the entire cast and crew!”
The encore of Dancing Queen inspired audiences to dance and sing along, and the performance of Super Trouper stole the show.
“I had a great experience conducting the pit this year. We brought back many previous musicians who have played for us, making it something of an all-star band,” said Mr. Andrew Hochler, band and wind ensemble teacher at Cold Spring Harbor High School. “It doesn’t hurt that I personally love the music of ABBA. The musical is one of my favorite things to do all year, and Mamma Mia! was no different!”
Smartphones are an attractive nuisance not just during family time, when parents might otherwise struggle to see anything other than the top of the heads of their children, but also during school.
Lauren Hale. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Medicine
In a recent research letter published in JAMA Pediatrics, scientists led by Lauren Hale, Professor in the Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University, found in a study of 117 students from the ages of 13 to 18 that smartphone use during school hours typically consumed an average of about 1.5 hours. That’s about 23 percent of a typical school day.
“School time should be a time for being present,” said Hale. It should involve interacting with peers and learning from teachers. “When a quarter of your day is spent with your finger on the phone” students are missing opportunities for academic and social growth.
The study, which was funded by the Della Pietra Family Foundation, comes as Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has unveiled a plan to restrict cell phone use during the day for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The governor’s plan allocates $13.5 million for pouches, cubbies and other storage devices and comes as other states and countries seek to limit the kinds of distractions that diminish learning and that prevent face-to-face social interactions.
The JAMA study “really does underscore the need to help children reduce their screen time, both at school and at home,” said Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.
At this moment, “we are seeing a crisis in childhood that is highly correlated with the introduction of the smartphone and social media platforms,” Perry added.
In the JAMA Pediatrics study, the researchers found that a quarter of the participants spent more than two hours on their phone during school.
The top five most used apps or categories, other than internet browsing, were messaging, Instagram, video streaming, audio and email.
The study may underestimate the amount of time typical students spend on their phones, in part because the participants in the research knew that their phone use was being tracked.
Study design
The students in the study, who were divided almost equally between boys and girls and who came from a representative sampling of different backgrounds, completed a 15-minute smartphone-based survey and installed RealityMeter to measure their smartphone use.
The researchers examined data from these students, whose phones sent signals throughout the day about the time they are using the phone.
The average number of hours these students were on their phones during the day was 5.59, which excludes other electronic devices such as video games, desktop computers or laptops.
To be sure, the survey didn’t analyze the times during the day that these students were on their phones. Some of these participants, for example, could have used their smartphones during their lunch or free periods rather than during calculus classes or lectures about American History, French or any other subject.
“We didn’t have the granularity of each student’s schedule to know” when the phone usage was the highest, Hale said.
Still, using the phone instead of interacting directly with students in the room, at a lunch table, or in a hallway is a “missed opportunity for eye-to-eye contact in real life,” said Hale.
In the study, about 22 percent of the participants indicated that their parents restricted their phone use when they are at home.
The data for this group during school tracks, however, closely with the students who said they didn’t have any such similar phone restrictions at home. The study also compared phone usage for students whose parents attended college with those who didn’t attend or finish college.
The children of college graduates used the phone about 30 minutes less per school day.
Combination of factors
Several factors may have contributed to any potential increase in the use of smartphones in school.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdown and remote learning, students relied on technology to log in to their classrooms. Adolescents who couldn’t interact with each other in person also spent considerable time texting and interacting with each other on social media.
Additionally, various apps have enhanced their platforms to encourage users to stay on them for longer periods of time.
“The algorithms know that I like Shih Tzus, so I keep getting reels for tiny white dogs doing tricks,” said Hale. “If they put up cats, I wouldn’t watch.”
The same is true for adolescents, who see sports clips or other content regularly that compels them to stay online and that may interfere with their ability to learn in class or to socialize with people around them.
These apps and the devices adolescents use could provide information about usage patterns.
“I would love to see social media platforms share more information,” said Hale.
Perry added that parents act as important role models for their children when it comes to screen time. “What you’re modeling is going to be replicated,” she said. “Things that adults do without thinking, their children are copying.”
Next steps
Hale indicated that the research team has just finished collecting a second wave of data on the same participants. The scientists will be following up to see screen use patterns as well as any observed changes in mental health and physical well being.
The recent work published in JAMA Pediatrics is a “descriptive baseline” of smartphone usage in school, said Hale. She suggested that researchers need to conduct further research to understand the impact of phone usage patterns on education. “We need replication in science” to uncover more details over a larger population for smartphone use.
Like Gov. Hochul and others who have focused on this issue, Hale believes these personal electronics may hinder the learning process.
“I’m concerned about kids losing precious school hours to distracting devices,” Hale said. When students go to school, they should “be ready for learning and social time. That’s what’s going to make a difference in their education.”
Ever since the October incident when a loaded gun found its way into Ward Melville High School — a student’s father having left it in a backpack identical to the student’s, which the student accidentally brought to school — parents have been vocal about a need for increased security. In response, at the Oct. 23 board of education meeting, Security Coordinator Jack Blaum said that the district would be considering AI security technology, and at the Jan. 22 meeting, the plan to use ZeroEyes was expounded upon.
ZeroEyes software works by connecting to a school’s pre-existing security cameras. The AI analyzes thousands of images per second, and if it detects what it thinks is a firearm, the image is sent to a ZeroEyes technician to review. If the technician verifies that the image is accurate, he or she notifies the school administrators and local law enforcement, all in a process expected to take 3-5 seconds. Three Village will be the first Long Island school district to implement this system, where it will operate in all school buildings as well as the North Country Administration Building, and will cost the district $112,000.
At the October meeting, Blaum touted the AI system as a more efficient solution than metal detectors, which he said by contrast would take more time to install, need to be located at every door as well as at outside and require armed staff day and night. At the January meeting, Superintendent Kevin Scanlon said the ZeroEyes system will provide “24/7/365 coverage” and won’t require the district to purchase more cameras than normal, as additional cameras are already added each year.
“If even part of a weapon is spotted with this system,” Scanlon said, “the notification goes in. And we’re talking a matter of seconds, from when it’s viewed and when we’re notified.” He also said the ZeroEyes system fits with all present software and hardware in the district — a concern which was relevant in Philadelphia last year, when Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority learned the cameras used for their ZeroEyes pilot program weren’t fully compatible. According to Scanlon, it is expected that other Suffolk districts will follow suit and use ZeroEyes, with BOCES being involved.
The ZeroEyes system does have limits, as it can only detect guns that are within a camera’s view. ZeroEyes Chairman and CEO Mike Lahiff said, “Good security comes in layers. Do I think we can really help in certain situations? Absolutely. But are we the end all be all? No.”
Three Village’s other layers currently include security guards, sign-in procedures, license readers, background checks on all employees and additional measures that are kept confidential to avoid counteraction. The school district is also considering arming their security guards, though it is hotly debated among parents and community members whether this would help or hinder school safety, with hundreds having taken up each side of the argument via online petitions.
Board member David McKinnon, sharing a study from the American Medical Association sent to the BOE by a parent, said the study found the rate of death was 2.83 times greater in schools with an armed guard than without. The study attributes this to school shooters actively being suicidal, resulting in armed guards acting as a potential incentive rather than a deterrent.
“The evidence,” McKinnon said, “is it’s not clear that having armed guards is going to help very much. But I’m not completely convinced it would hurt either.” He suggested polling school employees, parents and students on their views. “However this plays out, it would be better if everyone felt they had some say in this decision.”
Cayuga Elementary School in Lake Grove was the recipient of a TangerKids grant. Photo courtesy of Tanger Riverhead
As part of a continued commitment to support education and invest in the local community, Tanger Outlets in Riverhead recently announced its 2024 TangerKids Grants recipients. Local winners include Cayuga Elementary School in Lake Grove, to create a sensory room; Hampton Bays Middle School in Hampton Bays, benefitting their Life Skills Academy; and Mattituck-Cutchogue Elementary School in Cutchogue, benefitting their school decodable book library.
Tanger donated over $190K across the country to fund classroom investments through the TangerKids 2024 Grants program. Title 1 schools represent more than 60% of the recipients selected by Tanger centers.
“Tanger Riverhead is proud to support families in our community by investing in student success,” said Tanger Riverhead Marketing Director Lesley Anthony. “Each year, we listen closely to the specific needs of our local educators and provide funding for projects that make a real difference. Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand how these grants help create more inclusive and productive learning environments, equipping students with the tools they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.”
Throughout the program’s history spanning nearly 30 years, Tanger has contributed more than $3.7 million to school-focused initiatives in the communities it serves. The annual program is eligible for public and private schools from pre-K to grade 12. Applications were open from Aug. 12 – Oct. 18, 2024, and winners were chosen from numerous applicants within the Long Island area. Cayuga Elementary School received an extra $1,000 in funding as the winner of TangerClub’s member’s choice voting.
Tanger Riverhead celebrated TangerKids Day on Jan. 31 with check presentations at each school.
To learn more about TangerKids Grants, please visit grants.tanger.com.
Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants on Long Island announced the official launch of their 9th annual Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest. The annual essay contest celebrates outstanding teachers, nominated by their students, by awarding each a $500 sponsorship check and hosting a special end-of-year class party.
The essay contest is open at participating Applebee’s restaurants on Long Island that are owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises (see complete list of participating restaurants below).
This spring, four exceptional educators – two from Nassau County and two from Suffolk County – will each receive a $500 sponsorship check to enhance their classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the winning teachers will enjoy a celebratory end-of-year party with their current class!*
To participate in the contest, students are invited to submit an essay in person at their local Applebee’s, detailing why their teacher should be named Applebee’s “Teacher of the Year.” Elementary school students are asked to write a ½ page essay, while middle and high school students must submit a 500-word essay explaining why their teacher stands out.
As an added bonus, all students who submit an essay will be rewarded with a free ice cream certificate for future use.
Each student may submit only one essay, and entries will be accepted at participating Applebee’s locations through Sunday, March 16, with a strict deadline of 10 pm ET. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 18, and the class parties will take place in June. If class parties are not feasible, they will be substituted with two Dinner for Four certificates for the student who wrote the winning essay.
“We’re excited to kick off the ninth annual Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest at our Long Island Applebee’s locations,” said Brian McDonnell, director of operations for Doherty Enterprises’ Applebee’s Long Island. “It’s an honor to celebrate the incredible teachers who dedicate themselves to shaping young minds. This contest gives students the opportunity to highlight the lasting impact their teachers have made while shining a spotlight on the educators who go above and beyond every day.”
Applebee’s Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest entries will be accepted at the following Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises on Long Island:
Nassau County: Baldwin, Bellmore, Bethpage, Elmont, New Hyde Park, Rosedale, Valley Stream, and Westbury.
Suffolk County: Bohemia, Brentwood, Commack, Deer Park, East Farmingdale, East Islip, Farmingville, Lake Grove, Lindenhurst, Miller Place, Patchogue, Riverhead, and Shirley.
Two winners will be selected from both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Prizes are subject to change. If end-of-year parties are not viable, class parties will be replaced with two Dinner for Four certificates.
To participate in the contest, students are invited to submit an essay in person at their local Applebee’s, detailing why their teacher should be named Applebee’s “Teacher of the Year.” Elementary school students are asked to write a ½ page essay, while middle and high school students must submit a 500-word essay explaining why their teacher stands out.
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