Second graders at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School took a literal trip around the world when the Earth Balloon program from Earth Adventures, a 20-foot model of the Earth, visited the school.
Students had the opportunity to learn about the different continents, their habitats, climate and geography as they traveled around the world. As they explored the different continents, they had some special visitors such as a corn snake, tree frog, a long-tailed lizard and a bearded dragon. During a hands-on portion of the program, students touched some of the animals as well as the skin of an anaconda. They learned about the different oceans, the climates in the different continents and how animals adapt to their habitats.

Last month, the High School East boys basketball team hosted the Hjemly Danish basketball team. Each Danish player was assigned to one of the Smithtown players and spent the school day with them followed by a basketball game after school. They had dinner last night together at High School East and then spent the night at the boys homes. 

Before the holiday break at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, Mr. Ciavarella’s fifth grade class played host to Mrs. Amato’s kindergarten class to show the younger students that art is a subject that can be interactive as well something to take delight in visually. Some of the activities facilitated by the fifth graders included: kindergartners made geometric patterns while learning about Kandinsky; kindergartners created simple pointillist works while observing Seurat; and the fifth graders demonstrate how to look through seltzer bottles to understand impressionism.

The kindergartners in Cris Cusati’s class at Smithtown Elementary School became gingerbread architects when they invited in a special adult into their classroom for a gingerbread house activity. Using graham crackers as their walls and frosting as the glue, the students constructed sweet treats filled with candy, marshmallows and more to enjoy over the holiday break.

The district’s School of Business and the World Language department, in conjunction with the Smithtown Industry Advisory Board, presented the 2019 International Business Career Day at the High School West library. 

More than 75 students, chosen by their teachers to attend, participated in the 16th annual event. Eleven guest speakers presented to the business-minded students from both High School East and High School West. The professionals spoke about the careers and fields of interest. Krupa Lauricella of FTZ Strategies offered the keynote address. 

Following the opening presentations and keynote, the students spent the morning and early afternoon rotating through different breakout sessions in small groups depending on their area of interest. Lunch was catered by the home and career students from High School West and featured international delights from various regions.