John Pearl Elementary School students and faculty believe that having a healthy mind and body is essential. On May 24, the school focused on nutrition, exercise and mental health to make them stronger as well as concentrate more on their academics and well-being.

Students attended an assembly with Cohen Children’s Northwell Heath educator and nutritionist Melissa Ganz, who talked about the importance of eating a well-balanced breakfast, the optimal amount of exercise, reducing screen time and limiting sugary drinks. Students created calm down jars filled with glitter and went on a scavenger hunt with their class. There were also opportunities to participate in a yoga class to achieve physical and mental wellness. The most popular activity of the day, however, was a KerboomKidz Dance Fitness assembly which challenged students to dance into a healthy and productive lifestyle.

Date Added: 6/1/2023

Tom Sheehan, who is currently the assistant principal of Cherokee Street Elementary School, was appointed by the Connetquot Board of Education as principal of Sycamore Avenue Elementary School, effective July 1.

Prior to working in Connetquot Central School District, Mr. Sheehan served as an elementary school teacher at Floral Park Bellerose Elementary School in the Floral Park School District from 2014 to 2021 and was the school’s before- and after-school coordinator and grade chair leader. His leadership role also extended to working as a building administrator leave replacement substitute, leading the building when administrators were absent.

Mr. Sheehan earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Arts in special education from Touro College, as well as certification in educational leadership and administration from The College of Saint Rose’s Center for Integrated Teacher Education.

Mr. Sheehan said he is thrilled to join the Sycamore Avenue Elementary family.

“I am excited to be part of this remarkable school and work collaboratively with everyone involved, to nurture a love for learning, foster growth, and create an extraordinary educational experience for each and every student,” Mr. Sheehan said. “Together, we will embark on a journey of learning, growth, and discovery, filled with moments that will be etched in the students hearts and minds for a lifetime.”

Date Added: 5/31/2023

Idle Hour Elementary School third graders Jordan Lewis and Demi Breen took time out of their weekend on May 13 to participate in the 2023 Spring great Oakdale Cleanup. They met with community members at the Oakdale train station and were dispersed throughout the community where they picked up garbage to beautify their surroundings. Also in attendance was school social Worker Lara McNally. The event was organized by the Oakdale Civic Association, Oakdale Improvement Society and the Knights of Columbus Sunrise Council 6607 in partnership with Keep Islip Clean.

On May 6, members of the student government club, their parents and Mrs. Rubin, Ms. Gehrke and Mrs. McNally also participated in New York State's " I Love My Park Day." Participants met at the Bayard CuttingArboretum and were assigned to weed and mulch around a 120 year old beach tree. The students did a wonderful community service to beautify our Oakdale community.

Date Added: 5/30/2023

Connetquot students Hannah Abel and Aubrey Hartcorn, fifth graders at Edward J. Bosti Elementary School, were both winners in the Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s Elementary Poster Contest to celebrate Arbor Day.

The students designed 8x11 posters which noted why trees are important to them and to the world. The posters were displayed in the arboretum’s Upper Carriage House in April.

During an assembly for the fifth grade class, Principal Laura Kimball, fifth grade teacher Joanna Zalewski and art teacher Maria Ritter announced the winners of the contest and congratulated the students on a job well done.

Date Added: 5/30/2023

During the May 24 College Recognition Ceremony for Athletes, held in the Connetquot High School gymnasium, 47 student-athletes announced their intentions to continue playing their sports in Division I, Division II, Division III and junior college programs at colleges and universities.

Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation Peter Melore commended the students and their parents for a tremendous athletic career. He also thanked the board of education for their support of the athletic program. To the students, Mr. Melore warned that there may be times when they feel they are losing their way. “The foundation is there, the grit and perseverance,” he said. “Call you support structure if you need support or to talk to someone.”

Congratulations to the following student-athletes:

Division I:

Kyle Cochran – lacrosse – Long Island University
Alexa Colondona – track – SUNY Binghamton University
Abigail DeMarco – cheerleading – Sacred Heart University
Joseph Doyle – lacrosse – Long Island University
Edward Fieseler – track – University of Notre Dame
Lauren Konzen – volleyball – Hofstra University
Tyler McCarthy – lacrosse – Syracuse University
Tyler Moore - lacrosse – St. Joseph’s University (PA)
Isabella Portillo – track – SUNY Binghamton University
Anthony Scarabino – baseball – University of Albany
Kayla Unterweiser – cheerleading – University of South Florida



Division II:

Anthony Armenia – baseball – University of Bridgeport
Nolan Britt – baseball – St. Thomas Aquinas College
Ryan Cerone – track/baseball – Adelphi University
Erick Duignan – baseball – Adelphi University
Aiden Friel – soccer/track – Queens College
Candence Gentile – lacrosse – Georgian Court University
Matthew Iparraguirre – soccer – College of Saint Rose
Andrew Johnson – soccer – Queens College
Scott Northrop – baseball – College of Saint Rose
Emmanouil Paravalos – track – Molloy University
Lauren Schmitz – field hockey – Molloy University
Justin Wilkinson – baseball – Adelphi University



Division III and JUCO:

Michael Abbamonte – track – SUNY Maritime College
Annabella Cenci – field hockey – Widener University
Brooke Elizalde – lacrosse – SUNY Cortland
Paul Fiorvante – track – SUNY Geneseo
Anna Hauser – soccer – Five Towns College (JUCO)
Alexandria LaBarba – softball – St. Joseph’s University
Devin Lane – baseball – College of Mount Saint Vincent
Tommy Malvagno – football – SUNY Morrisville
Kylie Martinez – swim – Stevens Institute of Technology
Sophia Miller – cheerleading – High Point University
Jack Monahan – football – SUNY Morrisville
Ryan Monahan – wrestling – SUNY Cortland
Kellyanne Moran – soccer – Mount Saint Mary College
Ryan Muckle – tennis – Neumann University
Rob Page – baseball – St. Joseph’s College
Olivia Plummer – cross-country/track – SUNY Alfred
Dominick Ricca – soccer – SUNY Farmingdale
Emil Sabovic – tennis – SUNY Farmingdale
Brooke Schoppmeyer – volleyball – SUNY Delhi
Eddie Smith – swimming – Rhodes College
Margaret Sullivan – field hockey – SUNY Brockport
Kayla Swanwick – softball – St. Joseph’s College
Dylan Thomasson – baseball/soccer – SUNY New Paltz
Jermaine Thompson – track – Barton Community College (JUCO)
Daniel Youmans – football – Endicott College

Date Added: 5/26/2023