Fifth graders across the Connetquot Central School District are preparing to take the next step in their educational journey as they transition to middle school. Throughout June, students from Edward J. Bosti, Cherokee Street, Helen B. Duffield, Idle Hour, John Pearl, Edith L. Slocum, and Sycamore Avenue elementary schools marked this important moment with moving up ceremonies.

Each celebration featured special awards, honoring students for outstanding achievement in academics, music and the arts, physical education, health and other areas. Principals, staff and student speakers took the stage to reflect on the experiences and memories that shaped their elementary school years.

In front of proud families, students received their moving up certificates, symbolizing their elementary school accomplishments and their readiness for the exciting challenges ahead at Oakdale-Bohemia and Ronkonkoma middle schools.

Click here to view the Connetquot fifth graders mark educational milestone with moving up ceremonies slideshow.

Date Added: 6/25/2025

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

Mrs. Lewis’ fourth grade students at Edward J. Bosti Elementary School combined their love for music, computer science and engineering to create music using Makey Makey.

Facilitated by Mrs. Hennessey and Ms. Russo, the students used their skills learned in computer science and engineering to showcase their note reading expertise from music to try and figure out how to play a popular song, “Hot Cross Buns.”

The students used the program Makey Makey to connect wires to a circuit board and Play-Doh to complete a closed circuit. Then, the students utilized a music staff to create a four-measure melody with four beats per measure, using the notes C, D, E, F and G to compose their own songs. They used their “Play-Doh Makey Makey Piano” to help bring their songs to life!

Click here to view the Bosti Fourth Graders Blend Music, Computer Science and Engineering slideshow.

Date Added: 5/20/2025

Ms. McNally’s kindergarten class at Edward J. Bosti Elementary wrapped up their 2D shapes unit with a deliciously fun shape pizza party! The kindergarten chefs crafted pizzas topped with green rectangle “peppers,” red circle “pepperonis,” triangle “mushrooms” and hexagon “onions.” After creating their masterpieces, they counted up all their toppings.

Click here to view the Bosti Kindergarteners Cook Up Shape Pizzas slideshow.

 

Date Added: 5/16/2025

The Helping Hands Club at Edward J. Bosti Elementary partnered with Suffolk Credit Union to host a successful coin drive, benefiting the Chestene Coverdale Food Pantry in Sayville.

Through the generous efforts of students and staff, the club raised over $1,500. Suffolk Credit Union then matched the donation, bringing the total to an impressive $3,100. A check was presented at the school’s assembly by Suffolk Credit Union’s VP of Corporate and Community Partnerships Laura Racioppi and Helping Hands Club adviser Lisa Manzo to Director of Chestene Coverdale Food Panty, Charlene Lehmann.

Date Added: 5/15/2025