Historical figures came to life in the cafeteria at Dogwood Elementary School when Danielle Neri’s class held their fifth-grade class wax museum on May 22. 

During the last three months, the students did a biography study. Each student researched a historical figure of interest and created a research report, Google slideshow, poetry, and a portrait of their historical figure. 

As a culminating activity, the fifth-graders participated in a living wax museum. The students dressed like their character – with famous faces like Princess Diana, Walt Disney, Mozart and more – and once the visitors to the museum tapped them on the shoulder, their character came to life. 

Back in the classroom, invited guests had a chance to watch a video that was created using green screen technology. Each student was featured in the video playing the role of his or her historical figure. 

At the May 22 board of education meeting, district honored its dedicated faculty and staff who will be retiring at the end of the 2017-18 school year. Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane announced the names of each retiree before presenting those in attendance with Certificates of Recognition on behalf of the board of education, honoring their years of service to the district’s students. A brief reception was also held at district offices prior to the board meeting to celebrate the retirees.

The district congratulates the following retirees: 
Elizabeth Braunreuther 
Debra Canning
Georgianna Colino
Paul Cornwell
Barbara Delach
Helene Suarez Doheny 
Kim Emery
Ingrid Hrvatin
Jane Jordan
Hester Kanakaris
Elaine Kruk
Rosanne Lazarus
Amy Mannarino
James Markey
Vincent Mazza
Diane McGuire
Claire Heatley Mueller
Jeffrey Netter
Joan Pisano
Louise Prescott
Debra Pymm 
Gregory Rivera Jr.
Ann Marie Scholz
Alice Serio 
Dolores Seyffert
Ellen Smith
Linda Stackow
William Stockman
Laurie Sweeney
Antonio Tardio
Margaret Wilkey
Debra Zaleski

On May 11 and 12, 208 fifth-grade student-musicians from throughout the district came together to participate in the Elementary Music Festival at High School West. The music departments in each of the district’s elementary schools worked collaboratively to prepare for this enrichment program’s concert.

Dogwood Elementary School participated in the Suffolk County 11th annual Math Tournament at Stony Brook University on May 8. Smithtown Central School District teacher Glen Rogers led Dogwood’s team, which competed in 10 individual and 10 team math problems. Dogwood student Thomas Lin won first-place score out of all Suffolk County fifth-graders in the tournament, and Dogwood took fourth place as a team. 

Dressed as their favorite characters, the second-graders at Dogwood Elementary School celebrated their literacy skills with a Fairy Tale Ball on May 9.

Kings, queens, princes and princesses joined many of the famous characters found in some of the classic tales. As a culminating activity to their fairy tale unit, the students presented their knowledge of the stories to invited guests in the school’s cafeteria.

Following their grand entrance, each class gathered on the stage to present the three popular tales of “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” The second-grade teachers, along with Dogwood Elementary Principal Renee Carpenter, also dressed the part of notable characters. In between each of the class performances, the students sang and danced for the audience.

Invited guests to the Fairy Tale Ball were treated to a royal feast back in the classrooms after the characters made their grand exit. 

To address the safety and security of students and staff throughout the district, the Smithtown Central School District invited parents and community members to its spring Parent University School Safety Forum on May 7 at Smithtown High School West.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane spoke about the safety and security practices in place including the visitor management system, security entrances and vestibules, security cameras and routine evacuation/fire/lockdown drills. 

District, county and law enforcement representatives were on hand to discuss the district’s emergency planning and responses in the event of a threat to school safety. Jack Blaum, the district’s security consultant, and Joe Rizzo, chief of security, spoke about the district’s safety measures, practices and procedures. They addressed concerns about keeping buildings secure, preventative measures, fire evacuation procedures and ongoing security upgrades.

Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services Mona Tobin addressed the audience regarding communication with parents and community members and reunification plans in the event of an emergency.