Fourth grade students at Cherokee Street Elementary completed an electric, hands-on science lab titled “Light It Up”, where they explored how energy changes form and moves through electric circuits.

Students built a simple circuit using a battery, wires and three identical light bulbs. They observed how electrical energy flowed through the circuit and transformed into light energy. By creating and testing this setup, they were able to identify exactly where energy conversions were taking place.

Taking their investigation a step further, students then modified their original circuit to make one light bulb shine brighter than the others. This challenge encouraged them to apply what they had learned about energy transfer and helped them understand how electricity can be used in different ways in everyday life.

Click here to view the Cherokee Street students spark bright ideas through electricity lab slideshow.

Date Added: 5/12/2025

Devarchita Talukder, a second grade student in Ms. Abbinanti's class at Cherokee Street Elementary, earned Grand Champion status in the First in Math program! He worked diligently during the school day, and often at home, to earn stickers for successfully completing a variety of games that test his math skills. Way to go, Devarchita!

Date Added: 4/28/2025

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

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

Fourth grade students at Cherokee Street Elementary stepped back in time on April 2 during their annual Colonial Day celebration. The event, which wrapped up their unit on Colonial America, featured students dressed in period-appropriate attire, including bonnets, aprons, tricornes, knickers, tights and vests.

In preparation for Colonial Day, students researched the lives, culture and occupations of colonial people. They prepared detailed presentations, complete with props, to share their newfound knowledge with classmates and parents. The event also included creative skits that showcased the daily lives and work of people in colonial times, offering an interactive and engaging way to experience history firsthand.
Click here to view the Cherokee Street Fourth Graders Travel Back in Time to Colonial America slideshow.

Date Added: 4/3/2025

Connetquot is committed to helping our students grow emotionally and socially through Emotional Awareness and Social Learning (EASL). EASL empowers students to understand and manage their emotions, set goals, build self-awareness, improve relationships, and make responsible decisions.

To support this effort, Connetquot is focusing on monthly EASL themes. This March, our focus is on Growth Mindset and Resilience! To recognize exemplary student leaders in these initiatives, buildings submit student names to Student Services to spotlight them as Connetquot's Caring Leaders. 

We’re excited to recognize Aubrey Dean from Cherokee Street Elementary and Peter Nicpon from Ronkonkoma Middle School as March’s Caring Leaders!

Date Added: 3/26/2025