On Jan. 31, James H. Vernon School’s third grade students transformed their classrooms into a dynamic Biography Wax Museum, captivating family and friends with living history exhibits. The event showcased the culmination of weeks of dedicated learning about narrative nonfiction and biographies.

In preparation for the highly anticipated event, students were challenged to select a famous individual to study, spanning categories such as historical figures, athletes, musicians and performers. They delved into the lives of their chosen subjects, gathering information through comprehensive research and completing graphic organizers to structure their findings.

The Wax Museum featured four themed classrooms: one dedicated to historical figures, two highlighting sports icons and another celebrating performers. Students brought their subjects to life by dressing in character and standing as ‘wax figures.’ When visitors pressed a button placed in front of each student, the ‘wax figure’ would animate, delivering a brief, engaging biography that captured key facts and fascinating details about their life and achievements.

Adding to the visual appeal, students created mobiles that hung overhead, displaying photos and additional information about their characters. These creative displays complemented their presentations, offering visitors an immersive and educational experience.

The event was well-attended by family and friends, who marveled at the students’ hard work, creativity and enthusiasm. The Biography Wax Museum not only highlighted the students' academic growth but also celebrated their ability to bring history, sports and the arts to life through storytelling and performance.

Click here to view the James H. Vernon School Third Graders Turn Classrooms into a Living Biography Museum slideshow.

Date Added: 2/4/2025

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School recently buzzed with excitement as second graders and their families gathered for an engaging evening of science activities and experiments. Organized by Regina D’Orio, the school’s dedicated Science and Technology teacher, the event provided a hands-on learning experience designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for science among young students.

The event was a collaborative effort, with invaluable assistance from second grade teachers and enthusiastic members of the Oyster Bay High School Science Honor Society. Their support helped create a dynamic environment where students could explore scientific concepts through fun, interactive stations.

Families rotated through a variety of activities, each designed to highlight different scientific principles. Students delved into the fascinating world of forensics with “Fingerprinting Fun,” experimented with physics and motion through the “Teddy Bear Zipline,” and explored surface tension in the “Drops on a Penny” challenge. The “Hoop Gliders” station introduced basic aerodynamics, while the “Bubbling Blob” experiment captivated students with colorful, fizzy reactions.

The Family Science Night was more than just an evening of entertainment—it was an opportunity for students to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork alongside their peers and families. The event highlighted Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School’s commitment to fostering a strong foundation in STEM education, encouraging young minds to explore, question and discover the world around them.

Date Added: 2/3/2025

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District proudly recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of its student musicians, who recently performed at the All-County Music Festival held at Long Island University's Tilles Center in Brookville. These talented students represented their schools in prestigious ensembles, including band, orchestra, and chorus, showcasing their dedication and musical skills.

The district’s All-County honorees include:

• Xinyuan Li (Grade 5) – Violin
• Claire Monahan (Grade 6) – Violin
• Mattheos Giorgou (Grade 6) – Double Bass
• Lucia Cochran (Grade 6) – Alto Sax
• Sabrina Rella (Grade 6) – Alto Sax
• Julianna Roubian (Grade 5) – Trombone
• June Hux (Grade 5) – Trombone
• Annalee Campiglia (Grade 5) – Children's Voice
• Victoria Peltzer (Grade 5) – Children's Voice
• Leah Ferrara (Grade 5) – Children's Voice
• Charlynn Biel (Grade 6) – Vocal Alto
• Emily Morea (Grade 6) – Vocal Soprano
• Maalika Mehta (Grade 10) – French Horn
• Lila Kavanagh (Grade 9) – French Horn
• Abigail Rudnet (Grade 9) – French Horn
• Landon Baugh (Grade 12) – Trombone
• Nicole Walsh (Grade 12) – Vocal Soprano
• Mosie Bradley (Grade 11) – Vocal Alto
• Emma Hampton (Grade 10) – Vocal Soprano
• James Ortiz Zavala (Grade 10) – Vocal Bass
• Ava Cekovic (Grade 7) – Vocal Soprano
• Nicholas Paleos (Grade 8) – Violin
• Kopacz Joseph (Grade 7) – Trumpet
• Alexander Karalis (Grade 7) – Tuba/Sousaphone

These students spent countless hours rehearsing to perfect their performances, with guidance from their dedicated music teachers. Their hard work and commitment culminated in an unforgettable experience at the Tilles Center, where they performed alongside talented peers from across Nassau County.

"We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and their unforgettable performances, and we thank their music teachers for helping to prepare them for this prestigious opportunity!" said Erica Giglio Pac, Director of Fine, Performing and Media Arts.

This event highlights the exceptional music education and talent fostered within the Oyster Bay-East Norwich CSD. Congratulations to these young musicians for their remarkable achievements!

Date Added: 1/23/2025

On Jan. 14, students in James H. Vernon School’s Atlantis Program showcased their independent study projects during the annual Atlantis Project Symposium. Family members were invited to the gym, transformed into a vibrant exhibit space, to view the creative and thought-provoking displays and engage with students about their work.

The Atlantis Program, led by teacher Joanne Loring, is an enrichment initiative for students in grades 4-6 who meet the program's qualifications. Each grade level focuses on a specific aspect of independent study and research, fostering academic curiosity and critical thinking skills. Fourth grade students are introduced to the research process, with an emphasis on developing strong research questions. The fifth grade curriculum focuses on understanding the role of an expert in research and its application, and sixth graders explore creating projects for action, emphasizing innovation and unique approaches.

Each student approached their research question in a way that reflected their interests and skills, using a variety of mediums to present their findings. Some students built Google Sites to document their discoveries, while others utilized tri-fold boards or crafted books.

Among the diverse projects were these impressive examples:

* Designing an adoption package about endangered animals, featuring crocheted animals and patterns to raise awareness and funds for conservation.
* Creating an interactive board game for players and their dogs, aimed at teaching effective training techniques while fostering teamwork.
* Investigating the influence of colors and designs in art therapy approaches for individuals with ADHD.
* Developing an engaging picture book comparing Cinderella characters across various cultures, highlighting their unique traits.

The symposium exemplifies the school’s commitment to fostering curiosity, innovation, and a love of learning. By encouraging students to explore topics they are passionate about, the Atlantis Program not only enriches their education but also nurtures future leaders and problem-solvers.

Click here to view the James H. Vernon School hosts Atlantis Project Symposium slideshow.

Date Added: 1/15/2025