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Two students from the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ won essay contests sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. High school students were invited to participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy student essay contest. The contest challenged students to write and record an audio essay based on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme was, “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Nafisah Haque, a junior in Ms. Parrella’s United States History and Government Honors class at Ward Melville High School, was selected as the local winner for Setauket Post 3054. Haque’s essay will now move on to the district level competition.

Additionally, students in grades six through eight were encouraged to enter the VFW Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest, which provides an opportunity for students to share their thoughts on an annual patriotic theme. The theme for the 2024-2025 school year was, “My Voice in America’s Democracy?” Amelia James, a sixth grader in Mr. Prinzo’s class at Nassakeag Elementary School, was chosen as the local winner. Amelia’s essay will also advance to the district level competition.

Dr. Christina Cone, district director of social studies, commended the students, saying, “We are proud of their thoughtful reflections on our nation’s values. Their participation showcases both academic dedication and a commitment to the ideals of democracy. We wish them the best of luck in the next stages of the competition. A special thank you to Setauket VFW Post 3054 for their continued support of our students.”

 

Date Added: 11/18/2024

The Setauket Fire Department visited Nassakeag Elementary School to offer education about fire safety and steps to take in an emergency situation. Firefighters visited students in their classrooms where they discussed the importance of having a safety plan, how to stop drop and roll and who to call in case of an emergency. Students also got a first-hand look at a firefighter’s uniform and equipment before heading outside to check out a firetruck.

 

Date Added: 11/14/2024

Fifth and sixth graders at Nassakeag Elementary School learned a valuable life lesson about the power of words and kindness. School psychologist Dr. Kelly Oliver and social worker Kate Coppola stepped into classrooms for a social emotional learning activity. They provided students with a tube of toothpaste, a paper plate and a plastic spoon and asked students to squeeze all the toothpaste onto the plate. Students were then challenged to use the spoon to get as much toothpaste as possible back into the tube. To no surprise, it was nearly impossible to fill the tube back up.

The lesson symbolized the permanence of unkind words. It displayed how it can be easy to say something hurtful, like squeezing the toothpaste out, but you can never take your words back or put the toothpaste back in the tube. Students then watched meaningful videos about the power of kindness and how to create a safe environment for others in school. The lesson encouraged empathy and promoted kindness, inclusion and positive communication in a creative way.

 

Click here to view the Toothpaste Teaches Life Lesson slideshow.

Date Added: 11/13/2024

Fifth graders at Nassakeag took a break from their science unit to complete a Halloween-themed STEM activity... building bone bridges. In keeping with the engineering design process, students were provided with a criteria list and a constraints list. They were challenged to design their bridge within the framework of the design problem to try to reach the goal of building the longest bridge possible.

Click here to view the Building Bone Bridges slideshow.

Date Added: 10/31/2024

Fourth graders in Ms. Slavin’s class at Nassakeag Elementary School spent some time in their classroom with Board of Education President Susan Megroz Rosenzweig. Students came up with questions to ask Mrs. Rosenzweig and learned about her life, career, position on the Board of Education and love for Three Village. Mrs. Rosenzweig is the Board of Education liaison for Nassakeag Elementary School.

 

Date Added: 10/17/2024