Sixth-grade students from Ronkonkoma Middle School recently crafted letters to authors explaining how their work inspired them and what they learned about life as a result of reading the authors’ books in coordination with the 2018-19 Letters about Literature National Writing Contest. 

The students’ letter writing was supported by lessons about audience, reading and theme. Due to their heartfelt and thankful letters, author Maribeth Boelts, the author of “Those Shoes,” emailed Mr. Black and wrote individual, personal responses to students. Additionally, Marla Frazee, the author of “Roller Coaster,” sent handwritten letters to the students as well, thanking them for taking the time to appreciate her work. 

The students were incredibly excited to receive these letters, and look forward to continuing to write throughout the remainder of the school year. 

As a means of connecting literature, historical events and music, students from Ronkonkoma Middle School were treated to a highly engaging in-school assembly, which culminated with a musical performance courtesy of a number of Ronkonkoma Middle School staff members and student-musicians.

Students first spent time in the classroom studying John Steinbeck’s literary masterpiece, “The Grapes of Wrath,” zeroing in on the book’s protagonist Tom Joad. Applying their knowledge of the novel, the students discussed why his family was forced to migrate West on Route 66 toward hopes of a new life in California. 

Curated by both history teacher Kenneth Lehman and interim Principal Joseph Licato, the students gathered in the school’s auditorium for a presentation which demonstrated how technology is rapidly changing, and the job market is being affected due to this shift. They circled back to their classroom lessons which focused on how Americans living in the 1930s were forced out of work due to mechanized mass production. The students were able to make the modern connection to how companies such as Uber are putting taxi drivers out of work due to the application’s ease of accessibility and comparatively low rates. 

As an additional connection to the afternoon’s central theme, a number of staff members and student-musicians joined forces to bring Bruce Springsteen’s hit song “The Ghost of Tom Joad” to life. The supergroup consisted of staff members Mr. Licato (guitar, lead vocals, harmonica), Dr. Frank Saladino (lead guitar), Mike Murphy (bass), Stacy Stollberger (trumpet, percussion), Elizabeth Pieket (saxophone), Nicole White (piano), Adam Reinkraut (classical guitar), along with student-musicians Katlyn Smith (violin) and Joe Saracino (drums). 

Click here to watch a video from the event.

In an effort to optimize their physical health and keep a close eye on their fitness levels, students at Ronkonkoma Middle School are currently utilizing heart monitors in their physical education classes.

Using the HeartZones system technology, the students strap a rubber band which resembles a wrist watch to their arm, as it accurately reads their active heart rate while they engage in cardiovascular activities. With assistance from physical education teacher Justin Hertz, a part of the school’s gymnasium was transformed into multiple stations where the students could test out the new technology, including a calisthenics course, a station for planking and a section devoted to jump rope. 

As the students continue to work out and engage in their activities, they are able to reference a giant screen displayed in front of the gymnasium so that they are easily able to keep track of their heart rate and pace themselves at a more appropriate speed. 

The Connetquot Central School District would like to thank the Ronkonkoma Middle School PTA, school administrators, computer teacher Jackie Houston and network and systems technician John Mocko for their assistance with bringing the monitors to life at the school.

“The students have really been into it and are learning a lot about how to manage their heart rates during a workout,” said Mr. Hertz. 

The Ronkonkoma Middle School drama club recently put on an incredible nautical-themed performance of “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” for three consecutive evenings beginning on Feb. 7. Adapted from the popular Disney classic, the play tells the tale of mermaid Ariel who dreams of visiting the surface world, bringing her trusty friend Flounder along for her many adventures. The production was brought to life with assistance from co-directors Michael and Carmela Newman, along with music director Dr. Frank Saladino.

Ronkonkoma Middle School eighth-grade students enrolled in Anthony Carbonaro’s, Alma Campanelli’s, Matthew Montilleone’s and Jaclyn Salerno’s math, science and technology courses tested their creativity and engineering skills during a recent regatta boat race on Jan. 25 held at Connetquot High School.

As part of a lesson on buoyancy, the young engineers spent weeks using scientific calculations to design and construct boats out of cardboard and duct tape in hopes of successfully crossing the high school pool. Although some students chose to commandeer their boats in an individual fashion, they all worked in teams when creating their boats in the classroom setting.

Despite the fact that not every boat was able to stay afloat during the race, the students enjoyed cheering one another to see which boat would make it across. According to Mr. Carbonaro, the top three competitors were able to successfully make their boats across the pool in a highly impressive time of less than 20 seconds.