An in-house field trip with the New York State Historical Society taught students enrolled at Dayton Avenue, Eastport Elementary and South Street schools how to analyze historical objects, toys and games to learn about history.

Society teachers Dita Carhart, Terri Daly and Leah Charles Edouard first informed the students that researchers analyze artifacts, readings, paintings, books and documents in making assessments on how objects were utilized through history. The students were then able to examine toys and objects to determine how they were made and used.

Some of the objects included old cellphones, a fire rattle, corn doll, and old-fashioned toys. The students were then instructed to perform an artifact analysis by writing down their observations.

Ms. Edouard said the goal of the program was for students to learn how to observe historical objects and to determine how society can learn from the past.

Click here to view the Artifact Analysis is a Key to the Past slideshow.

Date Added: 4/2/2025

Tuttle Avenue School first and second grade ambassadors collected 4,000 books for the Book Fairies organization. Through their donations and collection efforts, these young students will have a great impact on Long Island communities working to increase access to books and literacy-based resources.

Moriches Bay Rotary President Deborah Brown Volkman and Rotarian Tom Chieffo visited the student book organizers, supervised by teacher Elise Allen and teacher aide Lynda Malatak, to thank them for their efforts and to collect the books.

During the book drive, the student ambassadors helped to count the books each week and talked to each class about the importance behind the collection. They originally set a goal of 1,000 but far exceeded that goal, having collected 4,000 books over a course of two months.

Date Added: 4/1/2025

The District is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Fabian as assistant superintendent for personnel and employee relations. Mr. Fabian will replace Linda A. Weiss, who has announced her retirement. Additionally, Ben Franquiz has been appointed assistant superintendent for special education and student support services. Both appointments are effective July 1, 2025.

Mr. Fabian has served as principal of Eastport Elementary School for the past four years. He said he is excited to join the central administrative team so he can continue to build upon systems and practices that have been developed and which contribute to a positive school culture and optimal learning environment. This school year, Eastport Elementary was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of New York State’s top elementary schools for 2025 and an educational institution which is not only high achieving but that successfully educates all its students. As a proud parent of children in the district, Mr. Fabian is deeply invested in the community and the district’s growth.

“In my new role as assistant superintendent for personnel and employee relations, I am excited to apply the knowledge I’ve gained through my professional experiences to support our amazing staff and strengthen our district to make sure that ESM remains a place where every student and staff member can succeed and be proud,” Mr. Fabian said.

Mr. Franquiz has worked as director of special education for the past five years. In his role as director, he collaborated with the staff, administration, community, students and board of education to strategically expand and refine the in-district special education program offerings for students. He said his key priority will be to proactively adapt these programs to align with the evolving New York State graduation requirements, a key challenge that requires immediate and sustained attention over the next several years. He also applauded the ongoing support of the administration, board of education and community for allowing the implementation of meaningful program enhancements and new initiatives.

“It is refreshing to work in a district where the special education department is recognized and valued as a part of the school community,” Mr. Franquiz said. “This will allow the District to continue to expand educational opportunities for students in the coming years.”

The District congratulates both Mr. Fabian and Mr. Franquiz and extends best wishes for success in their new positions.

Date Added: 3/27/2025

Tuttle Avenue School students learned that one of their classmates is a Heart Warrior. The first grade students in Nicole Rau’s class were asked to wear red for a special presentation only to find out the guest speaker was their classmate Siena Montalbano. The red clothing represented a show of support for Siena. 

Ms. Rau told the students, “We are all special, but Siena is extra special. She is our own Heart Warrior.”   

Siena, who is seven years of age, has already faced many health challenges in her young life. Her presentation, alongside parents Carissa Montalbano and Angelo Montalbano, explained that Siena was born in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. She told her classmates that she has had open heart surgeries and spent her first and sixth birthday at CHOP.  

Ms. Rau also read “Charlie the Courageous” by Joslynn Jarrett-Skelton about a girl with similar battles as Siena. School nurse Maureen Simon then allowed the students to listen to their own hearts with her stethoscope.

Dayton Avenue School students are using their voices to make sure that those with disabilities are included.

Athletes from the Bionic Project recently visited the students to discuss the definition of a “disability” and to raise awareness that disabled persons may interact with the world differently but can perform many of the same tasks as nondisabled persons. Athletes Nico Calabria and Joven Booker, para athletes at the top of their game, discussed how commercials often give mixed clues about the disabled and encouraged the students to use their voice to make sure disabled persons receive what they need and are included.

Principal Dr. Shelita Watkis said the assembly was a call to action. “We are asking the students to consider what they can do today to make Dayton Avenue more inclusive,” she said.

Additionally, the students celebrated Rock Your Socks Day. Each year on March 21, people around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored and mismatched socks. Socks are worn this day because the karyotype of Down syndrome chromosomes look like mismatched socks.

Click here to view the Dayton Avenue Students Use Their Voices to Include Those With Disabilities slideshow.

Date Added: 3/24/2025