The Connetquot community came together for an evening of reading, writing and student achievement on April 10 at the district’s 14th annual Library Literacy Celebration, presented by the district’s library media specialists.

The event showcased an impressive collection of student work from every school in the district, including original poems, stories and essays. Hallways were transformed into literary galleries, highlighting students’ talent in reading and writing.

Families also joined in the fun through a bookmark-making station and a scavenger hunt in which students uncovered letters around Connetquot High School that spelled out a secret word. The Connetquot Public Library also held a raffle drawing for attendees.

A standout moment of the evening was a special reading by student-author Meghan Miller, a junior at Connetquot High School, who shared her published children’s book, “The Great Adventures of Martha Mae”. Inspired by her real-life pet hamster, Martha Mae, the book began as an assignment in her ninth-grade children’s literature class and was completed in a sophomore creative writing course. Meghan detailed her two-and-a-half-year journey to publication in a question-and-answer session after the read aloud. The evening culminated in a book signing, where excited young readers lined up to meet Meghan and have their copies of “The Great Adventures of Martha Mae” personally signed by the author.

Click here to view the Connetquot’s 14th annual Library Literacy Celebration slideshow.

 

Date Added: 4/14/2025

Connetquot High School was buzzing with energy, creativity and talent during the annual Showcase of the Arts, held on April 4. Parents, students and community members had the opportunity to peruse hundreds of elementary and secondary-level artwork, and attended multiple concerts and performances in the auditorium.

Director of Fine Arts and Music Vincent Malafronte thanked the community for attending the event and the faculty for sponsoring such fine workmanship. “Because of the support from families and the community, we are able to provide opportunities for our students that showcase their creative talents,” Mr. Malafronte said.

The performance schedule included the Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School kickline, Ronkonkoma Middle School kickline and Connetquot High School’s color guard and kickline. Elementary school-level student musicians also showcased their talents in the districtwide orchestra, ukulele, band and chorus ensembles. There were also more intimate performances by the high school’s chamber orchestra and the middle school chamber orchestra.

Click here to view the Connetquot’s Showcase of the Arts slideshow.

Date Added: 4/8/2025

For Edith L. Slocum Elementary’s PARP celebration, Mrs. Marrazzo led two engaging assemblies for grades K-2 and 3-5 in which she shared her journey to becoming an author and taught students how a simple idea can grow into a published book.

Mrs. Marrazzo is a second grade teacher and Mindfulness Club leader at Edith L. Slocum. She is also a kids’ yoga instructor and the author of Everyday Mindful Mantras for Minis and Mantras for Me: Stories of Calm, Confidence, and Courage.”

Through sharing her books, mindfulness exercises and interactive activities, she showed how positive words and mantras can help build confidence and calm.

Click here to view the Edith L. Slocum Teacher Shares Her Journey to Becoming a Published Author slideshow.

Date Added: 4/3/2025

On March 28, Edith L. Slocum Elementary fourth grader Arisha Asif shared a book about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr with her class. She wanted to teach the class about the month-long holiday that she and her family celebrate every year. She also provided the students in Ms. Pinelli’s class with gift bags that contained food and treats that are traditionally served when celebrating Eid at the end of the month of Ramadan.

 

Date Added: 4/1/2025

Mrs. Guastella’s first grade class at Edith L. Slocum Elementary celebrated National Scribble Day on March 27 with creativity and kindness! The first graders were inspired by the book, “I’m Not Just a Scribble” by Diane Alber, a heartwarming story about acceptance and celebrating differences.

After listening to the story, students discussed how such a short story can have such a big impact and shared their thoughts about the author’s message. Students completed a reader’s response and had the chance to create their own unique scribbles, turning simple lines and colors into imaginative works of art.

Each student’s scribble was framed and proudly displayed in the classroom’s very own Scribble Gallery. Mrs. Guastella, a certified art teacher who brings her passion for art into the elementary classroom, loves incorporating artistic expression into her lessons to engage and inspire her students.

 

Date Added: 3/28/2025