Over the course of two exciting days, John Pearl Elementary students took part in the “Our Living Planet” experience, an interactive program featuring a massive Earth balloon.

As part of the presentation, students got to step into the 19-foot-tall inflatable model of the Earth, printed with true-to-scale satellite imagery of our planet. While inside, students talked about topics, ranging from geography and climate to animals and global cultures, depending on their grade level.

Students discovered how the Earth’s major climate zones are shaped by their location on the globe, and how these climates influence ecosystems and the adaptation of plants and animals. The program also introduced students to the science of climate change and the human impact on the planet, emphasizing steps they can take to help protect the Earth’s future.

Date Added: 4/30/2025

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

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

Students across the district showcased their dedication and digital skills in this year’s highly anticipated typing competition, “Typing in a T-Bird Wonderland!” Participants collectively logged an impressive 2,690 hours and 32 minutes honing their typing abilities, achieving an outstanding 97% accuracy rate!

The competition, open to second through fifth grade students, challenged the participants to improve their speed and precision. This event not only highlighted the importance of keyboarding skills in today’s digital world but also fostered a sense of accomplishment and friendly competition among students.

The highlight of the event was the much-anticipated winner’s announcement video, which celebrated the top-performing students and classrooms. Teachers and students eagerly watched as winners were revealed.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Instructional Technology team, whose creativity and dedication brought this initiative to life. Special recognition is extended to Victoria Pappas, Nikki Frink-Martin and Kristen Fantry, under the leadership of Director of Instructional Technology Elizabeth Weis, for their hard work in organizing this event. Their efforts ensured a seamless and engaging experience for all participants.

Additionally, the success of “Typing in a T-Bird Wonderland” would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of our incredible teachers and staff. Their dedication to fostering student growth and enthusiasm for learning played a crucial role in the competition’s achievements.

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, we extend our gratitude to everyone who participated and supported this initiative. Congratulations to all our students for their hard work, determination, and impressive typing skills! Below are the winning classes with the most minutes total:

Grade 2 - Ms.  Abbinanti, Cherokee Street

Grade 3 - Ms. Gonzalez, Duffield

Grade 4 - Ms. Fierenze, John Pearl

Grade 5 - Ms. D'Ambrosio/ Ms. Feil, Cherokee Street

Date Added: 3/5/2025