Cherokee Street and Helen B. Duffield elementary schools recently came together for a special event where students had the chance to meet their ENL (English as a New Language) pen pals in person.

After spending months exchanging letters, artwork and learning about one another’s cultures and experiences, the students were thrilled to finally connect face-to-face. The day was filled with smiles, laughter and shared activities that celebrated their growing friendships and diverse backgrounds. Teachers and staff from both schools were proud to see how the pen pal project had helped build confidence, language skills and meaningful connections across school communities.

Click here to view the Cherokee Street and Duffield pen pals meet face-to-face slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/13/2025

Cherokee Street fifth graders wrapped up their Earth Systems unit in Science with a creative project all about water conservation! After learning that only a small percentage of Earth’s water is drinkable, students designed posters filled with tips and reminders on how we can all help protect this vital resource.

Date Added: 6/12/2025

On June 10, representatives from the Connetquot Public Library visited Cherokee Street Elementary School to introduce students to their districtwide 2025 summer reading challenge, “Color Our World.” This annual program invites all seven elementary schools in the Connetquot Central School District to participate in an interactive and rewarding summer reading adventure.

The challenge encourages students to read, earn and win all summer long. For every 30 minutes read, participants can earn exciting rewards, including free books, collectible “brag tags” and virtual raffle tickets. These tickets offer a chance to win gift cards or the grand prize: a Toniebox audio player complete with Tonies characters, headphones and a carrying case.

The school with the highest level of participation will be rewarded with a special assembly in September to celebrate their achievement. Happy reading, Connetquot!

Date Added: 6/10/2025

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Connetquot Central School District proudly hosted a series of Wellness Days throughout May, bringing students, staff and community partners together to celebrate and support emotional well-being.

Each school in the district participated in activities aimed at promoting mental, emotional and physical health. These events featured dynamic presentations and assemblies from a variety of organizations, including Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Dragon Gate Martial Arts Academy, Youth Enrichment Services, Fit for Life, KidStrong, the Bionic Project, Kerboom Kidz and Northwell Health.

The district’s elementary schools enjoyed interactive sessions such as yoga, mindful reading and crafts, music and art activities, guided painting, self-love meditation and Zumba. Creative activities like affirmation stations and scavenger hunts helped students connect to wellness in fun, accessible ways.

At Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School, students explored a Wellness Fair, featuring healthy food samples, mindfulness education and wellness-themed activities, including “peaceful puzzles”, a Zen garden, “calm coloring”, “mindful music” and “fun with fidgets”. Ronkonkoma Middle School hosted a variety of self-care activities, including self-care bingo, an affirmation station, a spirited volleyball tournament in support of the Dezy Strong Foundation and a themed spirit week.

At Connetquot High School, students were encouraged to explore holistic wellness through yoga and meditation sessions, nutrition and food samplings and health and wellness vendors. The event emphasized the importance of mind-body balance and introduced students to local resources for maintaining their overall well-being.

While Connetquot’s commitment to student wellness continues year-round, May’s Wellness Days served as a great reminder of the importance of self-care.

Click here to view the Connetquot champions self-care through Wellness Days slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/9/2025

During the May 27 Connetquot Board of Education meeting, the trustees and administration recognized exemplary students and faculty for leadership and academic honors.

Helen B. Duffield Elementary School lunch aide Diane Rambold was recognized for her quick decision-making. She performed abdominal thrusts on a second grade student, dislodging a piece of a bagel and potentially saving her life.

Adrianna Clarelli and CJ Connolly from Ronkonkoma Middle School and Maeve Boland from Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School were also honored with the National Junior Honor Society’s Outstanding Achievement Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates the students’ exceptional dedication to scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. Adrianna, CJ and Maeve are three of the 500 students nationwide to receive this honor, along with a college scholarship to support their educational goals.

Nicolas Dilorio, a sixth grade student at Ronkonkoma Middle School, was recognized for being a 2025 Scholastic Storyworks National Contest winner. In his award-winning entry, Nicolas chose the animal superpower of night vision and explained how he would use it. His writing was chosen over entries from across the nation.

Connetquot supports student growth through emotional awareness and social learning, helping students build self-awareness, manage emotions and strengthen relationships. Each month, the district highlights an EASL theme such as collaboration and teamwork, responsibility, gratitude, citizenship and acceptance. Schools nominate standout students to be recognized as Connetquot’s Caring Leaders for their leadership in those areas. The following students were recognized as Caring Leaders: 

Roman Bradley (grade 8) – Ronkonkoma Middle School – responsibility

Aubrey Dean (grade 5) – Cherokee Street Elementary – grit

Emelia D’Antonio (grade 7) – Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School – collaboration and teamwork

Makayla Dowd (kindergarten) – Helen B. Duffield  Elementary – responsibility

Dylan Getty (grade 5) – Idle Hour Elementary – responsibility

Casey Mammolito (grade 4) – Edith L. Slocum Elementary – collaboration and teamwork

Vince Neckin (grade 5) – Idle Hour Elementary – acceptance

Peter Nicpon (grade 8) – Ronkonkoma Middle School – grit

Evangelos Paravalos (grade 4) – John Pearl Elementary – collaboration and teamwork

Francis Pipino (kindergarten)  – Edward J. Bosti Elementary – citizenship

Parissa Rana (grade 10) – Connetquot High School – responsibility

Gabrielle Takacs (grade 4) – Sycamore Avenue Elementary – citizenship

Alesa Wilson (grade 8) – Ronkonkoma Middle School – gratitude

 

The Connetquot High School turf field was the backdrop for Edward J. Bosti, Cherokee Street, Helen B. Duffield, Edith L. Slocum, Idle Hour, John Pearl and Sycamore Avenue fifth grade students who enthusiastically gathered for the Connetquot Central School District’s Coming Together Day on May 27. Sponsored by the Athletes Helping Athletes club and the high school’s Athletic Department, this tradition is an excellent, fun-filled opportunity for students to make new acquaintances prior to moving up to Oakdale-Bohemia and Ronkonkoma middle schools this coming fall.

The students first filed into the bleachers, according to school and wearing their color-designated T-shirts. Prior to the activities, Cherokee Street physical education teacher Joe Nelson riled up the students as he announced each school. Additionally, student-athlete and AHA club member Lily Jonas was presented the Tim Bassett Award for her extraordinary leadership qualities.

During the morning, the students participated in 10 different stations, including the cannonball brigade, crab soccer, noodle tag, tug-of-war, potato sack race and more. Best of all, the fifth grade students returned to their respective schools knowing that they made new friends and would see each other in the fall.

Date Added: 5/28/2025

Fourth grade students at Cherokee Street Elementary completed an electric, hands-on science lab titled “Light It Up”, where they explored how energy changes form and moves through electric circuits.

Students built a simple circuit using a battery, wires and three identical light bulbs. They observed how electrical energy flowed through the circuit and transformed into light energy. By creating and testing this setup, they were able to identify exactly where energy conversions were taking place.

Taking their investigation a step further, students then modified their original circuit to make one light bulb shine brighter than the others. This challenge encouraged them to apply what they had learned about energy transfer and helped them understand how electricity can be used in different ways in everyday life.

 

Click here to view the Cherokee Street students spark bright ideas through electricity lab slideshow.

 

Date Added: 5/12/2025

Devarchita Talukder, a second grade student in Ms. Abbinanti's class at Cherokee Street Elementary, earned Grand Champion status in the First in Math program! He worked diligently during the school day, and often at home, to earn stickers for successfully completing a variety of games that test his math skills. Way to go, Devarchita!

Date Added: 4/28/2025