As a conclusion to their study of penguins, first-grade students in Jennifer Meschi’s class at Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School participated in a special reader’s theater celebration.

During the event, family and friends were invited to the classroom to listen to the students read their fiction Pet Penguin stories, share details from their research charts, discuss nonfiction penguin books and reveal the lifesized penguins they drew. Wearing black and white, the students also enjoyed making a handprint craft and singing songs and were pleasantly surprised when Ms. Meschi transformed into a penguin costume. 

A special part of this year’s celebration was focused on a community service project. Students and families collected recyclable bottles to raise money to “adopt” an endangered African penguin from the Georgia aquarium. In total, the class collected 1,082 bottles, which were exchanged for the monetary donation for the aquarium. For their efforts, the class received a special adoption kit, including an adoption certificate, fact sheet and plush replica African penguin. 

In honor of the mathematical constant 3.14, better known as Pi, students throughout the Rocky Point School District participated in a number of creative activities.

Fourth-grade students in Kristie Jackson’s, and Deborah Vieira and Lisa Celentano’s classes at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School participated in a number of hands-on activities. From measuring circular snacks to creating pizza pie circles, these students ate their way to learning how to measure the circumference of a circle. As a culminating activity the children developed Pi Day booklets to display all the knowledge they learned throughout the day. Furthermore, Christian Flemming was challenged by his teacher to memorize the mathematical constant for Pi, and he was able to recite 46 digits after the irrational number 3.14. 

The Rocky Point High School Math team organized a fundraiser in honor of the day to benefit the Madagascar Ankizy Fund, an organization committed to improving the lives of Malagasy children. Students and teachers donated funds to pie their favorite teacher in the face with whipped cream pies. More than $250 was raised during the event, which was donated to aid a school in Madagascar supported over the years by district students and dubbed “The Rocky Point School.”  

Creativity and outstanding writing talents have allowed fourth-grade students in Patricia Alberti’s class at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School to become published authors in an upcoming edition of Newsday’s Kidsday. 

For the past several weeks the students have been working with editor Pat Mullooly to draft feature articles, surveys, and puzzles, in collaboration and independently. In addition to their work in the classroom, four students were invited to The Paramount theater in Huntington to interview “America’s Got Talent” sensation We Three.

“The students prepared well-researched questions, as all good journalists do,” Ms. Alberti said. “They were treated to free seats at the concert that night!”

The class’ completed works will be published in Newsday from July 13-19. 

 

The Rocky Point School District Board of Education and administration proudly celebrated the members of the Rocky Point High School New York State Champion Varsity Cheerleading team during a recent meeting. The district proudly congratulated the student-athletes and their coaches on this remarkable accomplishment and for their unwavering dedication to the sport.

The traditional Read Across America initiative was celebrated in a fun and unique way in Jennifer Meschi’s first-grade class at Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School as students took part in a number of STEM activities, including reading and writing.

Making it a spirit week, which commenced the week after Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the students wore different coordinating outfits to match with one of the class’ favorite Dr. Seuss books. In addition, they completed several STEM-based activities based on those stories, including building parachutes for “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” and building cup towers to resemble the famous red and white striped hat in “The Cat in the Hat.” 

At the March 14th Town of Brookhaven board meeting, Supervisor Ed Romaine, Councilperson Jane Bonner, and the Brookhaven Town Board members honored our New York State Champion Rocky Point Varsity Cheerleaders.  Congratulations to our NYS Championship team!

 

In an effort to proactively support students’ social, emotional and health needs, the Rocky Point Union Free School District will host an informative Substance Abuse and Mental Health Community Forum on Wednesday, April 10, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Rocky Point High School auditorium.

The event will provide the results of a recent survey taken by Rocky Point students and provide perspective on how those self-reported answers compare to what their peers are experiencing nationwide. Additionally, attendees will hear from representatives from RESPONSE about mental health awareness and the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Department regarding the use of vaping, opioids and other substances. To support the effort, several groups will be on hand to provide reading materials and informative resources to take home.

The district encourages all parents with children in grades K-12 and students in grades 6-12 to attend this program to learn more about this topic and what is being reported about this subject matter.

Teams of teachers and staff members took to the court this winter as Rocky Point High School hosted a fun-filled event called Swoopen’ N Hoopen’. 

Benefiting the local wounded warriors and the Be A Nicer Neighbor Club, the fundraising event was organized by teacher Brooke Bonomi and raised thousands of dollars for the organizations. During the event, attendees cheered on some of their favorite teachers as they competed in the game, as well as took chances to win countless baskets of assorted prizes collected by various clubs at the school. The teams of teachers were coached by students who had selected players during an in-school “draft day” event. 

Fifty-two teachers, faculty members and staff participated in the event as members of the four 13-player basketball teams, each with creative and unique names. 

Astronauts, professional athletes and many other important figures from throughout history were on display at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School as third-grade students in Nicole Anderson and Patricia Nesbitt’s class hosted a Living History Museum. 

During the event, students dressed up as the person they had chosen to research and learn about. They shared important facts about their selected person with special guests, who circulated in the classroom to hear about the students’ research. 

Rocky Point High School students and staff came together to help cultivate a climate of positivity as they took part in Challenge Day this winter. 

Approximately 140 students and staff members took part in this powerful, high-energy program which guided participants through a series of experiential learning processes. The overall goals of the program are to increase personal power and self-esteem; to shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support; and to eliminate the acceptability of teasing, violence, and all forms of oppression.  

Rocky Point Middle School has been designated an Essential Elements: School to Watch (EE:STW) school by the New York State Middle School Association and the New York State Education Department.

Through a rigorous application and on-site review process, led by a team comprised of Rocky Point Middle School stakeholders, it was evidenced that Rocky Point Middle School possesses a culture focused on continuous improvement and excels in the following four domains: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure.

“While we know how outstanding all of our schools, staff and students are, recognition at this level is nonetheless welcome and uplifting,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael F. Ring. “Congratulations to all at the Rocky Point Middle School for your outstanding efforts to continually improve outcomes for all of our students.” 

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students demonstrated what it means to proactively embrace a healthy lifestyle as they took part in the Kids Heart Challenge.

Formally known as Jump Rope for Heart, the annual event aims to raise funds to support the American Heart Association. Coordinated by physical education teacher Maria Amoscato, students participate in the after-school event by jumping rope in return for monetary pledges from family and friends. 

Over the last 16 years, the building has raised a total of $150,564. This year alone, they raised a record $15,190.49, with fifth-grader Aidan Todaro named the highest fundraiser with his contribution of $625. 

In addition to the fundraising aspect, several students were named jump-off winners for jumping rope the longest during the event. Congratulations to third-grade winners Cole Grable and Sadie Hess and runners-up Joe Reda and Lily Rau; fourth-grade winners Patrick Fish and Abby Zarella and runners-up Jaden Bilicki and Halle Rau; fifth-grade winners Yuuki Donnelly and Lillian Wood and runners-up Jack Grable and Ireland Protosow; adult winners, teacher Lisa Celentano and runner-up, parent Diana Blaising.

Congratulations to our varsity cheerleaders, who were named the 2019 State Champions! Way to go Eagles!!!

As a culmination to their study on Native Americans, Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School fourth-graders in Patricia Alberti’s class put their knowledge to the test as they constructed either a longhouse or wigwam using simple materials.

The students began the project by gathering natural materials, such as sticks, clay, bark, and leaves, just as Iroquois and Algonquian children did while helping their families. In addition to creating realistic homes, many students also included scenery that depicted early farming societies.

In celebration of Say Hello Week, students and staff at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School took part in a number of engaging activities designed to open the lines of communication.

As part of the initiative, daily activities promoted the notions of being a good friend and cultivating a culture of positivity within the school and community. For example, students created gratitude jars with slips of paper noting what they are most thankful for in life and others wrote kind descriptions about their classmates on colorful boards with their names inscribed. 

The message of the week was reinforced during an assembly with singer/song- writer Jared Campbell. During the event, Mr. Campbell performed several original songs and shared stories of encouragement dealing with matters individuals encounter on a daily basis. 

As a result of their exceptional talents, Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School students Caliope O’Rourke and John Tringone had their artwork selected for this year’s Colors of Long Island Art Show at The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook.

Caliope’s piece was a fall landscape refection. Within her art class, she had learned that a landscape is a picture of land and that reflection is symmetrical. They studied Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings of Lake George, in particular her use of warm and cool colors, which were the inspiration for Caliope’s landscape. 

John’s artwork was a watercolor still life. In preparation for the project, John learned about the concept of perspective in a drawing and how objects overlap in a space. The students studied famous artist Paul Cézanne and how he achieved the idea of perspective in his works. 

Both students created their submissions with the help of school art teacher Laura Goelz. Their pieces will be on exhibit for public view in the museum’s visitors center from Feb. 22-April 7. 

Updos and haircuts are the specialty of four Rocky Point High School cosmetology students who have been selected to compete in this year’s Regional Skills USA competition at Suffolk County Community College this March. 

Juniors Mariann Bornemann and Kayley Negus along with seniors Katarina Caselli and Sarah Levonick will work to showcase their talents and technical skills as they compete against approximately 30 other students. During the contest, the students will have 35 minutes to complete a haircut as well as 35 minutes to complete a hair updo on mannequins. 

The students will be judged on their products as well as their approach to the tasks, and awards will be presented to winners the day following the competition at the Crest Hollow Country Club. 

Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School kindergarten students in Nicole Fisher and Stacie Zumpol’s class learned that man’s best friend is more than a loving companion for families but can also provide service and therapy to individuals in times of need.

With the help of kindergartener Lailah Martone’s aunt, Carol Goulding, and her adorable pup Charlie, the students learned about the work of the Pet Therapy Program at Bideawee. During the visit, Aunt Carol, as the students fondly called her, spoke about the work of a service dog and how they not only help individuals with tasks but also help to calm them during stressful times. 

To show appreciation for the visit, each student drew a colorful picture of Charlie and proudly presented it to him during the event. 

Carrying on their strong tradition of success, two Rocky Point Middle School robotics teams have earned the chance to compete in the School-Business Partnerships of Long Island  First Lego League Championship Tournament, which will be held at Longwood High School on Sunday, March 3.

The teams earned their chance to compete after earning success during one of six qualifying tournaments for the Long Island region. During that event, the teams were challenged to compete against 26 other teams, with only the top six qualifying for the championships from the tournament. In addition to the team honors, both Rocky Point teams earned individual honors.

Robo Eagles team won the Project Presentation Award. Team members include:
Zach Accetta
Neyo Alabi
Kristian Hald
Caellum Heinlein
Felicity Monaghan
Cooper Peterson
Leila Riedl
Misha Zaslavsky
 
Radical Robotix team won the Robot Design, Strategy and Innovation Award. Team members include:
David Almeida
Aidan Barry
Eve Hald
Maddy Knopfke
Sola Matsumoto
CJ McMillen
Allyson Opitz
Nick O’Shea

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students proved that they have a love for reading, as they read more than 649,600 minutes this January during this year’s We Are Reading More initiative.

Throughout the monthlong program, students read independently at home and at school, keeping a log of their efforts, and participated in a number of activities and days. Keeping with this year’s theme of Reading is Sweet, students decorated paper candies with their favorite book titles and authors and created paper cupcakes with nonfiction facts, which were displayed in the building. They pledged to stay device-free on an electronic blackout day, wore their favorite team shirts on team day and shared their favorite Time for Kids articles and writing pieces with family and friends. 

Renowned author Peter Catalanotto also visited the school and shared his personal life story and words of encouragement for overcoming obstacles. Mr. Catalanotto spoke about the desire to always be an artist and the evolution into becoming a writer, as well as the personal struggles he faced throughout that process. 

Students earned rewards throughout the month, including raffle tickets to win various prizes to entertainment establishments and stores in the area. Winners of the raffles were announced during the culminating WARM activity. Teachers donned silly outfits and went head to head in grade-level races to celebrate all of the students’ efforts and accomplishments. 

Rocky Point High School helped to shine a light on a large cause for concern this January as the building recognized Human Trafficking Awareness Day. 

According to the Department of State, the top three states in the United States with the most human trafficking activity are California, Texas and New York. The 2018 Global Slavery Index estimates that on any given day in 2016, there were 403,000 people living in conditions of modern slavery in the United States. 

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Rocky Point’s Human Rights Club spread awareness of this cause by placing small blue hearts (blue being the color that symbolizes human trafficking awareness) on the doors and doorways of the high school building to show shocking facts and statistics around the school. With the knowledge students gained from the blue hearts, it was the club’s hope to have students want to show their support by signing their pledge to help end human trafficking on a large blue heart before and after school. 

Rocky Point High School Advanced Placement art students Lea Miller and Grace Fantau had their artwork on display in LIU Post’s “Advanced Visions 15: High School Artists of Excellence” art show this winter.   

The art department of LIU Post sponsors this open-call exhibition that demonstrates the remarkable abilities of the highest-level art students in the New York area. The exceptional work of over 60 students represents Advanced Placement art, International Baccalaureate and Portfolio Preparation programs from over 30 different high schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.