Ms. Minerva’s second grade class at Edith L. Slocum Elementary School performed their end-of-year play, “Holiday Mix-Up”. In this creative production, the students dressed up as various holidays, including Christmas, Halloween, Independence Day and Valentine’s Day.

The story begins with a strong gust of wind that scatters the holidays from their respective festive towns, leaving them lost and out of place. One by one, each group of holiday characters performs a song, hoping it will guide them home. In the end, they discover that only by joining forces can they return to where they belong.

 

Click here to view the Slocum students perform festive end-of-year play slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/4/2025

Edith L. Slocum Elementary students Logan Kaloustian and Kaitlyn Plante were chosen to be Principal for a Day after reading the highest number of minutes during PARP month! They each had a fun-filled day of becoming the Slocum principal, including lunch in the office with friends, announcements, a class ice cream party and an assembly. They each came in with some awesome ideas like no homework for the whole school and playing music over the announcements to start the day.

Click here to view the Slocum’s Principals for the Day slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/2/2025

On May 16, Slocum students spent the day stretching, breathing and smiling during their annual Wellness Day! Thanks to the thoughtful planning of school social worker Kim Dez, students engaged in a variety of activities that promoted mindfulness, movement and overall well-being.

As part of the day, second grade teacher and Mindfulness Club instructor Mrs. Marrazzo led yoga sessions for every grade in the school—bringing moments of calm and focus to each group. A special surprise guest, Dr. Centamore, even joined in, making the experience even more memorable. It was a day filled with connection, joy and wellness for all!

Click here to view the Wellness Day at Slocum slideshow.

Date Added: 5/30/2025

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

 

The Connetquot High School turf field was the backdrop for Edward J. Bosti, Cherokee Street, Helen B. Duffield, Edith L. Slocum, Idle Hour, John Pearl and Sycamore Avenue fifth grade students who enthusiastically gathered for the Connetquot Central School District’s Coming Together Day on May 27. Sponsored by the Athletes Helping Athletes club and the high school’s Athletic Department, this tradition is an excellent, fun-filled opportunity for students to make new acquaintances prior to moving up to Oakdale-Bohemia and Ronkonkoma middle schools this coming fall.

The students first filed into the bleachers, according to school and wearing their color-designated T-shirts. Prior to the activities, Cherokee Street physical education teacher Joe Nelson riled up the students as he announced each school. Additionally, student-athlete and AHA club member Lily Jonas was presented the Tim Bassett Award for her extraordinary leadership qualities.

During the morning, the students participated in 10 different stations, including the cannonball brigade, crab soccer, noodle tag, tug-of-war, potato sack race and more. Best of all, the fifth grade students returned to their respective schools knowing that they made new friends and would see each other in the fall.

Date Added: 5/28/2025