High School West’s virtual enterprise class participated in a virtual tradeshow on April 20 and 21 with more than 250 other international virtual enterprise classes.

Created in 2016, TruBlu Technology sells a variety of practical Bluetooth, app-based products that meet the needs of the tech community. Teacher Phil Como leads the students as they journey into creating a fictitious company from top to bottom.

Each student has a role in the organization, from chief executive officer to chief marketing officer. Students are interviewed and hired into their respective executive positions by members of the Smithtown IAB. There’s a technology team, an accounting department, human resources and public relations.

Students have the opportunity to earn six college credits through SUNY Farmingdale during this simulated business experience. The students are responsible for their bank account, inventory, printed materials and are even paid their salary from the TruBlu bank account.

During the virtual tradeshow, students acted as moderators, greeting online buyers and placing them into breakout rooms with members of the sales team. Another group of students acted as buyers for the other online companies participating in the tradeshow.

Seventh graders at Nesaquake Middle School participated in a walk to raise awareness about the water crisis in South Sudan during the first two weeks in April.

The seventh graders recently read the novel “A Long Walk to Water.” The main character Nya is one of the many girls in South Sudan who walks from morning to night gathering water from ponds and lakes to bring back to their families. Most times, the water is muddy and filled with contaminants. 

The book inspired students to help raise money for Water for South Sudan, which builds wells in villages so the girls can go to school instead of walking for water every day and helps eliminate diseases from drinking contaminated water as well. The students walked a mile, raising more than $1,700.

Just in time for Earth Day, Accompsett Middle School was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Long Island Regional Planning Council as part of the Long Island Water Quality Challenge. The challenge was a STEM competition which encourages young students to reduce runoff and nitrogen pollution on school grounds and incorporate those projects into ongoing educational programs.

Local politicians and members of the conservation and preservation community gathered outside Accompsett Middle School to present the check to teachers Amy Olander and Lou Mincieli. Senator Mario Matterra, Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Suffolk County Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning Natalie Wright, Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta and Town of Smithtown Senior Environmental Analyst in the Dept of Environment and Waterways Stephanie Hurd were in attendance for the Earth Day celebration.

At Accompsett Middle School, students proposed a native plant and pollinator garden for the front entrance of the school, which will serve as an ongoing “classroom” for both middle school and elementary school students on how native plants and natural pollinators, such as birds and bats, can reduce the use of chemicals or overwatering.

“Our pollinator garden has given students the opportunity to see how nature can help to solve the nitrogen problem on Long Island,” said Accompsett Middle School teacher Amy Olander. “By getting the students involved in planning and implementing the garden, they see how the STEM disciplines are used to turn an idea into reality. Students are also learning that by planting native species, we help our pollinators and birds so our environment can be healthy and sustainable. We are grateful for the chance to show the community that even small changes in our own yards can help the environment.”

The Long Island Water Quality Challenge was first offered in 2019 to all schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties serving grades 6,7 and 8 with an invitation to develop and design projects for their school grounds which will either reduce the use of fertilizers/pesticides and water consumption, or devise methods to collect and treat water runoff from the school property. A panel of water quality experts served as evaluators of the projects and awarded grants.

“Excess nitrogen presents a serious threat to the health and sustainability of our ground and surface waters all across Long Island,” said John Cameron, LIRPC chairman. “We can take positive steps today to instill a sense of urgency in our students – who are the leaders and stewards of tomorrow – about the need to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and how to prevent harmful runoff from reaching our waterways.”

Wheels are spinning while students get in some exercise and also focus on their social emotional well-being in the library at Accompsett Middle School. In March, two new FitDesk/FitStudent bikes were set up in the library. The school purchased the bikes through book fairs and other fundraising efforts. Students can use the bikes during research class and can also sign up for access during recess/lunch time.