Three Smithtown students – Wenxiao Men from High School East and Fiona Needham and Christina Unkenholz from High School West – have been named semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 16,000 semifinalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships valued at more than $30 million.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. More than 90% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

More than 1.5 million juniors in 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2021. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships

Smithtown Central School District welcomed back students and staff on Sept. 8 for the official start of 2020-2021 school year. As the buses pulled into the schools, staff and administrators were on hand to greet the students.

While the school day may look a bit different, students were eager to learn and settle into their new routines. Kindergarten students had the opportunity to explore their new buildings, as did the sixth and ninth grade students who moved up this year. Faculty members, staff and administrators guided the students through the schools and helped ease any first-day fears.

For many students, their first time back in the buildings since March was the perfect chance to reconnect with friends and classmates. By the end of the school day – whether virtually or in-person – students were poised for a successful year ahead.

To help get students acquainted with their new school environments, the district held sixth grade and freshman orientations at the end of August at Accompsett, Great Hollow and Nesaquake middle schools and High School East and West.

Touring in small groups, the incoming middle and high school students had the opportunity to explore their building thanks to student leaders who guided them through the respective campuses. Administrators were on hand to greet the students and help ease fears and answer questions for the students.

At the high school, freshman walked through the buildings, and identified their lockers while leadership students explained all about the school, including the opportunities offered during their high school career. Orientation was also an opportunity for students to receive their district-issued Chromebooks and school identification cards.

As we start the 2020-2021 school year, we have compiled this video to give parents and students an idea of some of the new policies and procedures in place.