The district has named its 2019 Torch Award recipients. The Torch Award is presented to Smithtown teachers who have significantly contributed to the growth and professional development of their teacher colleagues. The Smithtown Teacher Center hosted a reception to honor all Torch Award recipients and nominees. The 2019 Torch Award recipients are, from left, Tracy McAlvin, Christa Braunreuther, Jonathan Ferrante, Christina Cone, Jeanmarie Wilson, James Schiraldi and Barbara DiSalvo.

High School East students enrolled in the leadership class visited with classes at Mills Pond Elementary School on April 15 as part of a class project. The high school students worked on designing a program to teach to the elementary classes. The leadership students visited a kindergarten, second grade and two fifth-grade classes, where they worked on activities related to the topic of how to be a leader. The high school students read stories and made crafts during the visit. The goal of their project was to teach the younger students leadership qualities while also having fun.

After hosting a successful fun run fundraiser earlier this year, the Parent-Teacher Association at Mills Pond Elementary School used the funds to purchase three hydroponic tower gardens for the school.

Fifth graders in Mrs. Connors’ class, fourth graders in Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Zbytniewski’s class and third graders in Mrs. Polito’s class participated in a cultural arts program on April 15 where they learned about hydroponic gardening and built a hydroponic tower garden. Classes will be caring for the gardens on a daily basis and the gardens will be shared across the grade levels. According to Principal Ireen Westrack, if the program is successful, the PTA plans to purchase one tower for each grade level. 

More than 40 students from Mills Pond Elementary School came out to support their fellow classmates and those affected by juvenile type 1 diabetes during a fundraiser held in the school’s gymnasium on March 20.

Organized by the school’s Cares Club, which consists of third-graders, the boot camp fundraising event invited fourth- and fifth-grade participants. Rotating through different stations, along with teachers, club advisers and parent volunteers, the students participated in a fun cardio workout featuring lunges, push-ups, planks, dashes, squats and sit-ups. The event raised $715 for the cause. 

The district’s elementary and middle schools have been selected as Project Lead the Way Distinguished Schools for 2018-2019 school year.

For a second consecutive year, all seven of the district’s elementary schools have been designated as Distinguished Launch Schools based on their PLTW Launch implementation and participation in the 2017-2018 school year. Smithtown’s elementary schools represent seven of the 11 schools identified in New York State, and seven of the 216 Launch schools being recognized nationally.  

All three of the district’s middle schools have been designated as Distinguished Gateway Schools based on their Gateway implementation and participation in the 2017-2018 school year. Smithtown represents the only three schools in New York State, and three of the 148 Gateway schools being recognized nationally.  

“This recognition is certainly representative of all of the hard work that has gone into our successful implementation on the part of the many staff and faculty members involved,” said Paul Strader, executive director of curriculum.