Connetquot supports student growth through Emotional Awareness and Social Learning (EASL), helping students build self-awareness, manage emotions and strengthen relationships. Each month, the district highlights an EASL theme with April’s focus being “collaboration and teamwork”. Schools nominate standout students to be recognized as Connetquot’s Caring Leaders for their leadership in these areas.

We’re excited to recognize seventh grader Emma D’Antonio from Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School as April’s Caring Leader! She was nominated by the school’s nurse, Ms. Dolan. “We are honored to recognize Emma for the positive attitude she displays daily at OBMS. She embodies many strengths, including her outstanding physical adaptiveness to play sports from her wheelchair and introducing wheelchair basketball to her classmates in PE classes. When Emma was recently asked who her favorite player is, she answered, me! This is based on her strong will and perseverance to do great things with her life. Thank you, Emma, for demonstrating emotional awareness and fortitude each and every day.”

Date Added: 4/23/2025

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

On April 10, elementary music students from Sycamore Avenue, Idle Hour, Edward J. Bosti and John Pearl visited Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School for a special Mock NYSSMA event in preparation for the upcoming NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) festival.

The young musicians were paired with members of the OBMS Tri-M Music Honor Society, who guided them through their solo pieces, scales and sight reading exercises.

The 2025 NYSSMA festival will take place on April 24 at Connetquot High School.

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

In honor of Disabilities Awareness Month, Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School seventh grader Emma D’Antonio introduced the idea of integrating sports wheelchairs into the school’s PE classes on March 20 and 21. As a dedicated player for the travel wheelchair basketball team, the New York Rolling Fury, Emma saw an opportunity to help her classmates gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for individuals who use wheelchairs.

Emma, who plays point guard for the team, wanted her classmates to experience the unique challenges and skills required to play sports from a wheelchair. With access to a handful of sports chairs, her fellow students first got used to moving and turning in the chairs before practicing shooting, dribbling and passing. Emma was there to share pointers and answer her classmates’ questions.

She hopes that by giving her classmates the chance to try wheelchair basketball, they’ll recognize the strength, determination, skills and perseverance it takes to navigate in a chair. “I want to normalize using and playing in a wheelchair,” Emma said. “Most kids don’t get the chance to experience what it feels like, and I want them to understand what it’s like to move and compete in one.”

Outside of school, Emma plays with the New York Rolling Fury weekly in Queens and helped her team secure a third place win at nationals last year. She was also named MVP in her latest tournament. Looking ahead, Emma hopes to bring sports wheelchairs back to OBMS next year to reach more students.

With a passion for the sport, Emma plans to continue playing throughout high school and dreams of competing for a division one college. Her ultimate goal is to represent Team USA as a Paralympian, and one day, coach others.

Click here to view the OBMS 7th grader introduces wheelchair basketball in honor of Disabilities Awareness Month slideshow.

Date Added: 3/25/2025