Third graders in Jane Chalifoux’s class at Mills Pond Elementary School welcomed author Debbi Michiko Florence to their classroom. Ms. Florence is the author of the Jasmine Toguchi book series. 

Ms. Chalifoux and Ms. Florence are part of the #KidsNeedMentors author program, a Twitter group created by two authors and two teachers. The program matches teachers with mentor authors. There are more than 300 participants nationwide.  

 Florence presented to the class about how she became an author, developing story ideas and the writing/editing process. After the presentation, the students participated in a character development workshop, which helped them get an idea for how an author works on developing characters in their books and hopefully provide inspiration for their own writing.

Always looking to make a connection with those outside of their school, the fourth grade members of the Cares Club at Mills Pond Elementary School spent the afternoon gardening with the senior residents at St. James Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Walking from their school across to the center, students were ready with their shovels and smiles as they worked side by side in the outdoor patio garden of the center alongside the seniors. The students have been carrying on this planting tradition for the past 18 years.

Fifth graders at Mills Pond Elementary School performed scenes from the popular movies such as “Annie,” “The Lion King” and “The Greatest Showman.” The second annual "Broadway Bonzana" featured acting, dancing and singing under the direction of Maryanne Grotto, Barbara Haining, Corinne Murphy and Kimberly Passamonte.

Lacing up their sneakers for a good cause, the fourth and fifth grade members of the Cares Club at Mills Pond Elementary School held a walk-a-thon outside their school.

The annual fundraising event benefits Medical Mission International. Medical Mission is a hospital for the poverty-stricken community in El Salvador. Mills Pond Cares Club advisers Diana Lanze, Kristin Quail and Melissa Taylor, along with Mills Pond teachers, led the students on 10 laps around the building after school with Principal Ireen Westrack cheering them on. The fundraiser garnered more than $2,160. 

The Smithtown Central School District’s Board of Education honored its dedicated teachers and administrators who are receiving tenure at a reception prior to the board meeting. 

During the meeting, Smithtown Central School District’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane announced the names of each tenured individual to be recognized on behalf of the board of education. 

The district congratulates the following tenured teachers/administrators: 

Kristen Andriaccio, director of professional learning and student intervention services
Jessica Brunet, special education teacher, High School West
Caitlyn Campbell, special education teacher, Great Hollow Middle School
Stephen Costello Jr., business teacher, High School East
Anne D’Addario, family and consumer science teacher, Great Hollow Middle School
Katie DiGregorio, English as a second language, High School West
Amanda LaComb, science teacher, High School East
Kathleen Lamitola, special education teacher, St. James Elementary School 
Jaclyn Lazio, special education teacher, Great Hollow Middle School 
Melissa May, math teacher, Accompsett Middle School/ High School West
Stephanie Mueller, guidance/school counselor, Nesaquake Middle School 
Danielle Nacarlo, psychologist, High School West
Brian Pelosi, special education teacher, Accompsett Elementary School 
Taramatie Putnam, music teacher, Great Hollow Middle School
Nancy Torzullo, teacher assistant, St. James Elementary School 
Cristina Westhoff, English teacher, Accompsett Middle School/ High School East