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Ronkonkoma Middle School hosted its third annual Dezy Strong Week during its physical education classes. In preparation for the week, students were shown a video, telling Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano’s story and were given information about his foundation. The Dezy Strong Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano who was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in February 2019 and passed away in January 2020. The foundation helps support others affected by cancer. Dezy was a Sachem High School North alumni, teacher and coach whose family lives in the Connetquot Central School District. During Dezy Strong Week, the entire student body as well as members of the administration and faculty were split into two teams, team orange or team blue, to compete in a schoolwide volleyball tournament to raise money for the foundation. Teams were rotated every four minutes and scores were tallied during each physical education class. Each day, a “player of the day” from each grade level and a “teacher of the day” were selected for exemplifying characteristics that the coaches thought Dezy would be most proud of. In total, the fundraiser raised $6,381 for the foundation!
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Date Added: 4/26/2024
Students at Edward J. Bosti Elementary put a new twist on the classic book report, using the Book Creator program to create their own digital nonfiction books. Ms. Manzo’s class of second graders started their nonfiction unit in January. From there, they were taught how to research, learned note-taking and how to turn those notes into complete sentences. Then, in the computer lab, Educational Technology Specialist Victoria Pappas taught students how to use the Book Creator app and they practiced with its different tools and functions.
With all they’d learned, the second graders created books surrounding an animal of their choosing. Using the digital library, myON, the curricular content hub, PebbleGo, and the school’s library books, students performed research on their animals. Each book contained a table of contents, an “about the author” page, fun facts and information on their animal’s habitat, food life cycle and more. On April 18, the class held a book celebration to launch their finished literary creations. Students were asked to read one another’s finished projects and create questions about their book for their peers to answer. Still to come, students will record their voices, reading their books to turn their projects into audiobooks. “I think that using Book Creator for this project was very motivating for them, and they grew as writers because of it,” said Ms. Manzo.
On April 19, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office held an important informational assembly titled, “Choices and Consequences: Exploring the Dynamics of Drunken, Drugged and Reckless Driving” at Connetquot High School. According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24. The leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities among young people are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted and reckless driving. To reduce the alarming rates of death and serious injury caused by motor vehicle crashes each year on Suffolk County roadways, Bureau Chief of Vehicular Crime Carl Borelli proactively spoke to Connetquot’s students, educating them on how to prevent making bad decisions in the first place. During the presentation, real cases, evidence and people were presented to show that no one is invincible, that these incidents can happen to anyone and that they are almost always preventable. Then, guest speaker Alisa McMorris stepped to the podium. Alisa’s son, Andrew, and his Boy Scout Troop were tragically and fatally struck by a drunk driver while hiking. The lives of his family, friends and community were forever changes by his senseless passing. Alisa shared her story and experiences with the students with the goal of influencing their decision-making when it comes to drunk, drugged or reckless driving. At the presentation’s end, students were encouraged to make a plan to avoid bad or unsafe situations in the future.
The Tri-M Music Honor Society presented the annual RMS Talent Show! The show was filled with spectacularly talented singers, dancers, musicians, and more. Bravo to all who participated!
Date Added: 4/23/2024
On April 15, over 120 Connetquot High School World Language students received the Seal of Biliteracy during a special recognition ceremony. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by the New York State Education Department and Connetquot Central School District, recognizing students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The recognition becomes part of the high school transcript and diploma for these students. It is a statement of accomplishment that helps to signal evidence of a student’s readiness for career and college and for engagement as a global citizen.
Ahead of receiving their certificates, students stood at the podium to reflect upon their experiences in connecting with cultures and languages and the benefits of working on their Seal of Biliteracy projects.
Date Added: 4/17/2024