Eighth grade students from Ronkonkoma and Oakdale-Bohemia middle schools commemorated the end of one chapter and the beginning of another during moving up ceremonies held on June 23 and June 24, respectively.

Hosted at Connetquot High School, the celebrations featured memorable speeches and musical performances that reflected on the lasting memories and positive experiences students shared throughout their middle school years. As part of the ceremony, students were honored with special awards recognizing their achievements across academic subjects and other areas of excellence.

The events concluded with students proudly walking across the stage to accept their certificates, marking a significant milestone and symbolizing their readiness to begin high school in the fall. 

 

Date Added: 6/25/2025

The Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society recently held a successful ice pop sale during lunch periods to support the Alzheimer’s Association.

The idea to support this cause came directly from the students, many of whom have loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Motivated by their personal connections, the members unanimously voted to donate the proceeds to this meaningful organization.

Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the school community, the Honor Society proudly raised and donated $250 to help fund research and support services for those impacted by Alzheimer’s.

 

Date Added: 6/13/2025

On June 3, 2025, the National Junior Honor Societies from Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School and Ronkonkoma Middle School hosted their inaugural Thunderbird Trivia Throwdown. Honor Society students from both schools showcased their brain power as they tackled challenging trivia questions across five categories: Arts & Entertainment, Science, Technology, History & Geography, and Food.

The competition was fierce and engaging, with students battling it out until the very end. In a hard-fought victory, the Ronkonkoma National Junior Honor Society  emerged as champions of the evening.

Admission to the event was a donation of non-perishable food items to benefit the Chestene Coverdale Food Pantry in Sayville. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, we proudly collected three full boxes of food to support our local community.

It was a night filled with fun, friendly competition, and meaningful impact—a true testament to the spirit of service and scholarship.

 

Date Added: 6/11/2025

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Connetquot Central School District proudly hosted a series of Wellness Days throughout May, bringing students, staff and community partners together to celebrate and support emotional well-being.

Each school in the district participated in activities aimed at promoting mental, emotional and physical health. These events featured dynamic presentations and assemblies from a variety of organizations, including Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Dragon Gate Martial Arts Academy, Youth Enrichment Services, Fit for Life, KidStrong, the Bionic Project, Kerboom Kidz and Northwell Health.

The district’s elementary schools enjoyed interactive sessions such as yoga, mindful reading and crafts, music and art activities, guided painting, self-love meditation and Zumba. Creative activities like affirmation stations and scavenger hunts helped students connect to wellness in fun, accessible ways.

At Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School, students explored a Wellness Fair, featuring healthy food samples, mindfulness education and wellness-themed activities, including “peaceful puzzles”, a Zen garden, “calm coloring”, “mindful music” and “fun with fidgets”. Ronkonkoma Middle School hosted a variety of self-care activities, including self-care bingo, an affirmation station, a spirited volleyball tournament in support of the Dezy Strong Foundation and a themed spirit week.

At Connetquot High School, students were encouraged to explore holistic wellness through yoga and meditation sessions, nutrition and food samplings and health and wellness vendors. The event emphasized the importance of mind-body balance and introduced students to local resources for maintaining their overall well-being.

While Connetquot’s commitment to student wellness continues year-round, May’s Wellness Days served as a great reminder of the importance of self-care.

Click here to view the Connetquot champions self-care through Wellness Days slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/9/2025

During the May 27 Connetquot Board of Education meeting, the trustees and administration recognized exemplary students and faculty for leadership and academic honors.

Helen B. Duffield Elementary School lunch aide Diane Rambold was recognized for her quick decision-making. She performed abdominal thrusts on a second grade student, dislodging a piece of a bagel and potentially saving her life.

Adrianna Clarelli and CJ Connolly from Ronkonkoma Middle School and Maeve Boland from Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School were also honored with the National Junior Honor Society’s Outstanding Achievement Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates the students’ exceptional dedication to scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. Adrianna, CJ and Maeve are three of the 500 students nationwide to receive this honor, along with a college scholarship to support their educational goals.

Nicolas Dilorio, a sixth grade student at Ronkonkoma Middle School, was recognized for being a 2025 Scholastic Storyworks National Contest winner. In his award-winning entry, Nicolas chose the animal superpower of night vision and explained how he would use it. His writing was chosen over entries from across the nation.

Connetquot supports student growth through emotional awareness and social learning, helping students build self-awareness, manage emotions and strengthen relationships. Each month, the district highlights an EASL theme such as collaboration and teamwork, responsibility, gratitude, citizenship and acceptance. Schools nominate standout students to be recognized as Connetquot’s Caring Leaders for their leadership in those areas. The following students were recognized as Caring Leaders: 

Roman Bradley (grade 8) – Ronkonkoma Middle School – responsibility

Aubrey Dean (grade 5) – Cherokee Street Elementary – grit

Emelia D’Antonio (grade 7) – Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School – collaboration and teamwork

Makayla Dowd (kindergarten) – Helen B. Duffield  Elementary – responsibility

Dylan Getty (grade 5) – Idle Hour Elementary – responsibility

Casey Mammolito (grade 4) – Edith L. Slocum Elementary – collaboration and teamwork

Vince Neckin (grade 5) – Idle Hour Elementary – acceptance

Peter Nicpon (grade 8) – Ronkonkoma Middle School – grit

Evangelos Paravalos (grade 4) – John Pearl Elementary – collaboration and teamwork

Francis Pipino (kindergarten)  – Edward J. Bosti Elementary – citizenship

Parissa Rana (grade 10) – Connetquot High School – responsibility

Gabrielle Takacs (grade 4) – Sycamore Avenue Elementary – citizenship

Alesa Wilson (grade 8) – Ronkonkoma Middle School – gratitude