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.

Showing off the many interactive, hands-on learning experiences available throughout the district, the Maker Space Club from High School East invited students and their families to Bull STEAM Ahead evening on April 20.

Maker Space activities ¬– with topics covering science, technology, engineering, art and math – were offered for students to experience. They checked out 3-D printing technology, made their own math origami, worked with circuits, videoed themselves on a green screen and used virtual reality glasses. 

Technologies of the past also made an appearance, and some students had fun learning to use a typewriter. STEM professionals from local businesses were on hand to answer questions, and the Mechanical Bulls robotics team set up outside the cafeteria to showcase their creations. Admission was free with a nonperishable food donation, which the Maker Space Club will collect for a local food pantry.  

Seventh-graders Marissa Guttieri and Natalie Boeri from Great Hollow Middle School participated in the American Association of Teachers of Italian 33rd annual poetry competition and Gara di Cucina baking contest on April 13 at SUNY Old Westbury. More than 200 students from 20 districts competed in this year’s events.  

Boeri was named the third-place winner of the cooking contest winner for her Italian tri-colored cookies. Boeri and Guttieri both received participation certificates for their poetry reading of “La Befana” and “Proverbi.” Students were required to memorize and recite an Italian poem of 12-30 lines before a panel of judges and were scored on poise, intonation, pronunciation and interpretation.

As part of a Project Lead the Way activity, eighth-grade students at Great Hollow Middle School used a sheep’s brain to compare and contrast its components to a human brain. Students used flags to identify and examine the different parts of the brain.

Each year, the Torch Award is presented to Smithtown teachers who have significantly contributed to the growth and professional development of their teacher colleagues. This year’s Torch Award recipients are: Kelly Bigliani, Kathleen DeBono, Doreen Kelly, Amanda LaComb, Gillian Winters, Denise Cardinal, Diana Lanze, Kristi Hoenes and Sallie Culloton.

The Smithtown Teacher Center hosted a reception to honor all Torch Award recipients and nominees on April 23 at the Branch Brook Elementary library.

Seventh-graders in Connor Kelly’s technology class at Great Hollow Middle School were tasked with flying paper airplanes as part of a Project Lead the Way activity on designing technology solutions. After completing their unit on aerodynamics and flight, the students first had to adjust rudders, ailerons and elevators to have the plane perform specific maneuvers in flight. For the second part of the activity, the students attempted to fly their airplanes as far as possible, some reaching more than 50 feet.

The Science Olympiad team from Great Hollow Middle School participated in the regional Science Olympiad competition at Candlewood Middle School on March 17. The competition allows students in schools across Suffolk County to compete in science and technology-based events.

The team placed seventh overall and won five medals in the 17 different events. Great Hollow Middle School medal winners in their events included Carson Chin, Nicholas Conte, Justin Hippler, Kyle Kalanka, Aman Mistry, Srivaths Rivva, Brandon Wingert and Kai Wingert.