Dayton Avenue School hosted a First Responders Breakfast on Dec. 10 to say thank you to the men and women who work hard to keep members of the Eastport-South Manor community safe. 

The students played an active role in this unique service activity. The guests were greeted with cheers and applause as they walked through the hallway to the breakfast. Orchestra and choral students performed the national anthem and showcased their musical skills that left guests feeling inspired and proud. The student council also helped to serve food, assisted guests and cleaned up with enthusiasm. 

Local businesses, including Handy Pantry, Nettie’s Country Bakery, Bagel Palace, along with the PTA also generously donated breakfast items. 

The event was a meaningful reminder of how deeply the district values localpolice officers, firefighters, EMSprofessionalsand nurses. Their unwavering commitment to the community’s safety and well-being is truly commendable, andresidentsare so grateful for all they do.  

Click here to view the Dayton Avenue Holds Holiday Breakfast for Local First Responders slideshow.

Date Added: 12/15/2025

The District is pleased to announce that elementary teachers Patricia Capobianco (South Street School), Deb Damboise (Eastport Elementary), Jeannette Hooks (Dayton Avenue School) and Jacqueline Osbourne (Eastport Elementary School) have been recognized as iCivics Civic Star Champions for their work teaching civics lessons related to key themes from the Declaration of Independence: freedom, equality and the pursuit of happiness. 

The Civic Star Challenge is a national initiative sponsored by iCivics and the Bill of Rights Institute in honor of America 250 – the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The challenge invited educators nationwide to celebrate this historic milestone by helping students connect the nation’s founding ideals to the responsibilities of citizenship today.  

Through this challenge, teachers engaged students in the exploration of principles that shaped this nation’s democracy by using hands-on lessons, discussions and civic learning activities. Some of the lessons included studies of the American Revolution, the U.S. Constitution and the importance of honoring veterans in society.  

Social Studies Director Dr. Stephen Posselt said he is proud of the iCivics Civic Star Champions’ commitment to civic engagement and education. “These teachers created meaningful classroom experiences that helped students understand their role in a democratic society,” Dr. Posselt said.  Through their dedication, they have helped their classrooms connect with the past, deepen their understanding of citizenship and the values our democracy was built upon.” 

Date Added: 12/12/2025

The District is pleased to announce that elementary teachers Patricia Capobianco (South Street School), Deb Damboise (Eastport Elementary), Jeannette Hooks (Dayton Avenue School) and Jacqueline Osbourne (Eastport Elementary School) have been recognized as iCivics Civic Star Champions for their work teaching civics lessons related to key themes from the Declaration of Independence: freedom, equality and the pursuit of happiness. 

The Civic Star Challenge is a national initiative sponsored by iCivics and the Bill of Rights Institute in honor of America 250 – the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The challenge invited educators nationwide to celebrate this historic milestone by helping students connect the nation’s founding ideals to the responsibilities of citizenship today.  

Through this challenge, teachers engaged students in the exploration of principles that shaped this nation’s democracy by using hands-on lessons, discussions and civic learning activities. Some of the lessons included studies of the American Revolution, the U.S. Constitution and the importance of honoring veterans in society.  

Social Studies Director Dr. Stephen Posselt said he is proud of the iCivics Civic Star Champions’ commitment to civic engagement and education. “These teachers created meaningful classroom experiences that helped students understand their role in a democratic society,” Dr. Posselt said.  Through their dedication, they have helped their classrooms connect with the past, deepen their understanding of citizenship and the values our democracy was built upon.” 

Date Added: 12/12/2025

Since 2017, Jr.-Sr. High School research students have  collaborated with the Brookhaven National Laboratory Laboratory’s SPARK program, which provides students access to advanced research facilities such as the NSLS-II. This collaboration has produced several publications to BNL’s protein database. 

Over the weekend of Dec. 5-7, Rachel Neville’s spectroscopy research students collected data on microplastic samples from mussels, clams and oysters. The students worked at the IR microscope, using infrared spectroscopy to successfully analyze the types of microplastics in each sample. 

Robert Bolen’s protein crystallography research students also collected data from the protein dihydroorotaseat the NYX beamline.The students cryogenically prepared protein samples and then collected data using X-ray diffraction to determine the overall structure of the proteins.These proteinshave unknownstructures that students are working to determine using diffraction and crystallography techniques. 

Mr. Bolen and Ms. Neville said the students received valuable hands-on research experience in the laboratory and would like to thank BNL for its generosity in providing invaluable research opportunities for Eastport-South Manor students.

Date Added: 12/11/2025