To celebrate New York State School Board Recognition Week from Oct. 21-25, the Smithtown Central School District came together to show their appreciation for their board of education during the Oct. 22 meeting.

To kick off the meeting, the High School East select choral group sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Smithtown Elementary School’s ENL also serenaded the board members by singing a thank-you song in 11 different languages. Nesaquake Middle School’s select chorus also showcased their skills by singing “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”

Dogwood Elementary School’s students created posters featuring the top 10 things they love about the district. Mt. Pleasant Elementary School students created a tree of appreciation to present to the board featuring every student’s fingerprints.

Tackan Elementary School students purchased books at its recent book fair and donated them back to the school’s library in the board’s name. Accompsett Elementary School’s fifth grade classes created a poster board of thanks, while Mills Pond Elementary presented each board member with a pen and flashlight because they light the way for the district. Student in Karen Dennis’s fourth grade class at St. James Elementary School created their own Flip Grid thank-you video for the board members.

Members of the National Junior Honor Society at Accompsett Middle School created a thank-you card and Great Hollow Middle School students gifted each board member with a drawstring bag. Members of the National Honor Society at High School West gave each board member a “Support Our Troops” shirt and Athletes Helping Athletes gifted them with Smithtown athletic spirit wear. Members of the Career and Technology Education department presented the board members with handcrafted wood nameplates for their board table, water bottles, tote bags, homemade muffins and pillowcases. To end the evening, the school’s central administration showed a thank-you video featuring faculty, staff and administrators from throughout the district. 

The “Flamingo Squad” spread their wings and flew in to decorate for the sixth grade Halloween dance. Thanks to Allie, Emily, Abbey, Alexa, Olivia, Lola, Sophia and Maya.

Students-artists in Kristen Dean’s class at Great Hollow Middle School recently created still life drawings of their own shoes. Using contouring, the students had to create their sneakers, cleats, sandals and more. 

Helping to do their part in “kicking” cancer to the curb, Great Hollow Middle School held its eighth annual Coaches vs. Cancer event on Oct. 4. Both on and off the athletic fields, Great Hollow Middle School’s students, faculty, coaches and spectators joined together in the fight against cancer. 

Throughout the day, students and faculty dressed in yellow to show their awareness of childhood cancer. As part of the fundraising event, students could purchase a t-shirt or a wristband for an entrance on one of several games taking place that afternoon. The field hockey, football, and boys and girls soccer took to the field to support the cause. Great Hollow’s kick line and cheerleaders performed during halftime. The school and community raised about $2,400 and the money collected was donated to the Ronald McDonald House. 

It may only be October, but the student-musicians at Great Hollow Middle School are already hard at work learning their pieces for the winter concert. Check out some photos and this video of “Jingle Bells.”