Ronkonkoma Middle School students recently started their school day by meeting a local celebrity. As they walked into the building, they were greeted by Quacker Jack, the Long Island Ducks’ mascot, who was visiting the school and Principal Joseph Licato to promote attendance at the May 6 baseball game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. The school community is urged to attend this fun-filled event and to watch students who will sing the national anthem on the ballfield.

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Date Added: 3/24/2023

Congratulations to the RMS girls basketball team. They completed the season with an undefeated record. Good job!

Date Added: 3/22/2023

Ronkonkoma Middle School and Helen B. Duffield Elementary School showcased their buildings’ stellar educational programs and facilities during a visit by South African school administrators on Feb. 27.

Nicholas Pelser, principal of Swellendam High School, and Jaco Swart, principal of Swellendam Primary School, visited with Connetquot principals Joseph Licato and Lisa Farrell, who led the administrators through an itinerary of school activities so their guests could learn about best practices in first-world schools.

Mr. Pelser and Mr. Swart were in New York City for an education conference and thought it would be a great idea to witness education in the United States firsthand. Both administrators were interested in how schools and systems are managed abroad and were eager to learn about modern implementation of curriculum and other day-to-day administration.

Helen B. Duffield Elementary School kindergarten teaching assistant Rose Quaranta makes international connections to traveling and learning as part of her leadership role in the Ronkonkoma Rotary and invited the guests to tour the schools.

At Ronkonkoma Middle School, Mr. Licato and English teacher Justin Bradley led a tour of the guidance suite, auditorium, library and cafeteria. They also visited a communication, art, physical education and sixth grade science class. In addition to leading the guests on a tour of the building, Mrs. Farrell arranged a visit to a Fundations class, mindfulness class, a math lesson, a music lesson and science and technology class.

When asked about their impressions of the schools, both Mr. Pelser and Mr. Swart said they were most impressed by the buildings’ use and availability of technology, the students’ self-discipline, the cleanliness of the buildings, the creativity in teaching and attention to remediation and closing pandemic gaps.

“You can instantly feel that this district is a wonderful place in which to teach,” Mr. Swart said. “I will try to incorporate many of the ideas I learned today into my own school in South Africa.”

Date Added: 3/1/2023

During the week of Feb. 13-17, district students learned about the harmful effects of bullying and promoted, through various activities, the positive impact and importance of showing kindness to others.

At Oakdale-Bohemia and Ronkonkoma middle schools, students attended an assembly with Richard Specht, co-founder of the ReesSpecht Life Foundation, who demonstrated how kindness changed his family in the wake of a tragedy. Mr. Specht admitted that many people don’t believe kindness makes a difference in the world. He also noted that the same people will not choose kindness if they don’t believe its power.

“Don’t wish for a better world,” Mr. Specht told the students. “Go out and make it happen one kind act at a time.” He continued by saying, “Words don’t fix things – kindness does.”

Date Added: 2/23/2023