SHSE ThINK Discovery Science Team Heading To International Science And Engineering Fair

Smithtown East ThINK Discovery science research program heading to International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

   Smithtown East ThINK Discovery Science team and science research coordinator Ms. Zeitlin        From engineering rewriteable and encryptable paper to using nitrogen-fixing bacteria to improve the growth of cherry tomato plants, the students in the Smithtown East ThINK Discovery Program presented their research at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. Competing against all Long Island schools, each student placed with outstanding results. 

         Holy Mary Zaher, whose worked involved investigating the molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease, won First Place in the Neuroscience Behavioral Category earning her the distinction of heading to the International Science Fair (ISEF) to be held in May in Dallas, Texas. Ms. Zaher was also recognized as a Regeneron Scholar for her work in the Science Talent Search (STS) in January.

         Jennifer Zhong, also an East senior, was awarded 2nd Place in the Animal Science Category for her work investigating hypoxia using a zebrafish animal model. Jolene Cao, a sophomore, engineered a rewritable paper using a PDMS polymer.

        The team of juniors Jessica Penna and Sanjivani Singh, as well as sophomore Anagh Gupta received Honorable Mentions for their work on rhizobacteria and a computer simulation of pedestrian traffic flow respectively.

        According to Ms. Zeitlin, the science research coordinator, “Wow, wow, wow. Once again, I am proud of the incredible work each student presented after months of dedicated work. The heart of each experiment is the ThINKing. I always say to them – now that you have the data – why should I care? From sustainable farming practices to efficient building evacuations, the students probed topics that matter.”

Accompsett Elementary Students Perform 'A Night On Broadway'

Accompsett Elementary students perform Broadway musicals

On Friday, March 24th at 6:30 pm Accompsett Elementary School performed their school musical “A Night on Broadway.” The cast has been practicing for weeks under the direction of Ms. Dworkin and Mr. Cluxton.  They performed songs from musicals such as 

“Mary Poppins” and Aladdin.   

Accompsett Elementary students performing scenes from various musicals in their production titled “A Night on Broadway.”Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Smithtown HSE Students Perform 'Legally Blonde The Musical'

‘Legally Blonde the musical’ at Smithtown High School East

The movie “Legally Blonde” was released in 2001, before Smithtown High School East seniors were born, but the story of Elle Woods lived on recently as the school’s musical adaptation of “Legally Blonde.”

From March 15-18, the cast and pit band musicians put on an entertaining and colorful performance of the cult classic of a Beverly Hills sorority girl going to Harvard Law School.

 With junior Selin Kazdal playing the role of Elle Woods, the audience cheered, sang and laughed through the performance.

The students had been working the past couple months on the show, the music and designing the set.      

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Leprechaun Chasing At Dogwood Elementary

Leprechaun chasing at Dogwood Elementary

Students at Dogwood Elementary were ready to catch those leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day. The students used leprechaun traps they created.  You might even say, they’re feeling lucky.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

SHSW PTSA Sponsors Virtual Reality Driving Simulator For Students

Learning the dangers of driving while impaired at Smithtown High School West 

Students at High School West are getting a hands-on look at the potential deadly consequences of driving while under the influence and texting while driving.

On March 16 and 17, juniors and seniors attended an assembly period on safe driving and participated in a virtual reality simulator as part of the International Save a Life Tour.

“It definitely makes you a little more aware of your surroundings,” said High School East senior Marissa Guttieri.

Sponsored by the High School West PTSA, the simulators give students the experience of what it feels like to drive and text and drive under the influence.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver, and about 32 people die in drunk driving crashes daily. 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Accompsett Elementary School's "Winter Olympics"

“Winter Olympics” fun for Accompsett Middle School students

Oh, what a night! Waving their flags high, students from Accompsett Elementary School competed in the school’s Winter Olympics on Thursday, March 9 at Smithtown High School West.

Dressed in their team colors, the students participated in team-building activities while also showing off their school team spirit. Hosted by Accompsett Elementary physical education teacher Mr. Ed Shivokevich, the students were divided into teams and competed in events such as the hurdle race, basketball race and hula hoop challenge.

The event taught students about teamwork, collaboration and the importance of physical activity. As Accompsett Elementary School Principal Tim Hellmuth says, “It’s the best night of the year. A whole lot of fun. It’s nice for the whole family.”

 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

KPHS Senior Logan Reilly Takes Second Place At DECA Competition

Standing L to R – Mr. Neil Lederer-Principal, Thomas Boaro, Logan Reilly, Abigail Lobasso, Stevie Burkhardt, Dr. Timothy Eagen-Superintendent

During the week of December 5, Kings Park High School DECA students virtually tested with 900 other Suffolk County students on their respective business field knowledge. Logan Reilly, a senior, won second place for his knowledge of Personal Financial Literacy.  He competed individually against 25 other Suffolk County students.  Logan is the DECA president for Kings Park High School DECA.  Logan and four other Kings Park High School students are qualified to compete in the New York DECA competition in March 2023 at Rochester, NY.

SHSW Relay For Life Team #1 Fundraising Team In The Nation

Smithtown High School West Relay For Life team wins big

Smithtown High School West Relay For Life team along with Assistant Principal Michael Freiberg and teachers Dillon Archer and Cathy Abbott.The Relay For Life team at Smithtown High School West racked up another first-place win recently. The competition was called “Fund the Mission” and it was to see who can raise the most money in a 72-hour span.

The West team raised nearly $11,000 and was the number one fundraising high school in the nation.

This is the second year in a row High School West has won this competition. The district gives a special shout out to students Jessica Amado and Julia Pappas who both finished in the top 10 in individual fundraising. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD