News

Photo caption: Eight fourth-graders from St. James Elementary School in the Smithtown Central District had their heads shaved at the St. Baldricks’ 2018 Rock the Bald Event at Napper Tandy’s in Smithtown on March 10. The students raised money to help conquer childhood cancer. The event raised more than $18,000. Top row (from left): Logan Rinck, Cooper Moses, Collin Savage and Campbell Cracchiola. Bottom row (from left): Cameron James, Jack Amato, Teddy Baratta and Brendan Power.

Photo courtesy of Smithtown Central School District

Over the course of the past 13 years, students and staff at Cherokee Street Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District have raised close to $150,000 for the American Heart Association through the efforts of the Jump Rope for Heart initiative.

“Cherokee students have been very excited, and our community has done so much to support the work of the American Heart Association,” said Cherokee Street Elementary School Physical Education Teacher Joseph Nelson. “The students have fully embraced the concept of helping others and saving lives.”  

As part of the 2018 Jump Rope for Heart program, students jumped rope and climbed the rock wall as they took part in a variety of fun and athletic activities while family and friends pledged their financial support for the AHA. The school raised more than $20,000 this year.

The district congratulates Cherokee Street Elementary School kindergarten student Annabella Wohlrab for being recognized as the top fundraiser for this year’s Jump Rope for Heart program.

Photo caption: Connetquot Central School District’s Cherokee Street Elementary School recently participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program, having raised more than $150,000 for the AHA over the course of the past 13 years.

Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District/Joe Maniaci

Students from East Islip High School’s Interact Club recently partnered with One Warm Coat to hold a coat drive in the high school. Guided by adviser Lisa Rapeijko, more than 70 coats were collected and donated to Long Island Cares for distribution to Long Island residents.

“There is a real need for coats in our local community, and One Warm Coat’s program made it easy for us to make a difference,” said Autumn Nelson, the Interact Club’s co-president.   

“We had a goal of collecting 30 coats, and we doubled our expectations,” said Courtney Herrera, also a club co-president

“Our students enjoy helping others in the community and appreciate knowing their efforts will ensure that coats are given to any person in need, without charge, discrimination or obligation,” said Rapiejko.

ICD: Students from East Islip High School’s Interact Club partnered with One Warm Coat to collect and donate more than 70 coats for needy Long Islanders.

Photo courtesy of the East Islip School District

To raise money for its Parent-Teacher Association, get active and show their school spirit, Mills Pond Elementary School in the Smithtown Central School District held a Boosterthon Fun Run in the gymnasium on March 9.

Garnering pledges from friends and family for each lap they ran, the students completed between 30-35 laps around the gym. In total, Mills Pond Elementary School raised close to $15,000 to help benefit the programs and activities provided by its PTA.

Dressed in their fun run shirts, the students had teachers and staff members cheering them on as they completed each lap. After each time around the gym, they received a check mark on the back of their shirt to show their lap count.

Photo caption: Mills Pond Elementary School in the Smithtown Central School District held a Boosterthon Fun Run to benefit its Parent-Teacher Association on March 9.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown Central School District