Under the direction of Suzanne Sommerhalter, Edith L. Slocum Elementary’s Advanced Band traveled to Longwood High School to participate in the NYSSMA Clinic Festival on June 3.

Here, the students performed two pieces for two adjudicators and received feedback on their playing technique, musicality and performance. After they performed, Mr. David Cerullo, former Fine and Performing Arts Supervisor of Connetquot, worked with the students on their posture, sound balance, articulation and eye contact. The band will be able to use this feedback in their future performances. Great job, Slocum musicians!

Click here to view the Slocum’s Advanced Band participates in NYSSMA clinic slideshow.

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

Ms. Minerva’s second grade class at Edith L. Slocum Elementary School performed their end-of-year play, “Holiday Mix-Up”. In this creative production, the students dressed up as various holidays, including Christmas, Halloween, Independence Day and Valentine’s Day.

The story begins with a strong gust of wind that scatters the holidays from their respective festive towns, leaving them lost and out of place. One by one, each group of holiday characters performs a song, hoping it will guide them home. In the end, they discover that only by joining forces can they return to where they belong.

 

Click here to view the Slocum students perform festive end-of-year play slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/4/2025

Edith L. Slocum Elementary students Logan Kaloustian and Kaitlyn Plante were chosen to be Principal for a Day after reading the highest number of minutes during PARP month! They each had a fun-filled day of becoming the Slocum principal, including lunch in the office with friends, announcements, a class ice cream party and an assembly. They each came in with some awesome ideas like no homework for the whole school and playing music over the announcements to start the day.

Click here to view the Slocum’s Principals for the Day slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/2/2025

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