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Improved Bond Rating for ESM

The District is pleased to announce that S & P Global has raised the district’s 2019 bond rating from AA- with a Stable Outlook designation to an AA rating, along with a Stable Outlook designation. thumbnail266341

The District is pleased to announce that S & P Global has raised the district’s 2019 bond rating from AA- with a Stable Outlook designation to an AA rating, along with a Stable Outlook designation. As a result, the district now stands to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest costs over the next decade, particularly with this year’s borrowing of $70 million for the Capital Project, an additional $20 million the following year and scheduled TAN borrowing.     

Each time Eastport-South Manor borrows funds, it is reviewed by credit-rating agency S&P Global to determine its credit worthiness. S&P Global is a financial intelligence provider that supplies detailed information on the credit standing of countries, states, local governments and municipalities to the largest financial institutions in the world. A higher municipal credit rating earns lower interest rates for borrowed funds, resulting in less interest paid on the lifetime of a loan. Ratings are designated from a high of AAA+ to as low as D-.    

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Timothy Laube explained during the May 7 board of education meeting that the improved bond rating was due to the district’s financial stability, as well as the result of improved and upgraded facilities, seven years of passed school budgets, steady school leadership and the voter-approved capital project in 2022.  

Board President Jeffrey Goldhammer congratulated Mr. Laube on the improved credit rating and noted that the district has been “proactive” over the years in its work to improve district finances.  

 

Date Added: 5/16/2025

ESM Future Leaders Receive Honors at 2025 LIYS

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Seven Jr.-Sr. High School students received honors for their exceptional projects presented at the 2025 Long Island Youth Summit, held at St. Joseph’s University in April. The Summit brings together high school students for a day of interactive workshops with experts in the fields of medicine, business, the economy and leadership. The forum also offers students the opportunity to win awards for projects involving deep research in the social sciences that reflect academic

rigor, civic awareness and real-world problem-solving.

“These students have stepped up as leaders and show what it truly means to be active, informed citizens,” Director of K-12 Social Studies Dr. Stephen G. Posselt said.

The district congratulates the following students who won honorable mention awards, or top five in their respective categories, for their projects:

Teen Mental Health: Justin Albanese, John Costanza, Kailyn Marra and Josephine Shuman

Renewable Energy: Dylan Wayrich

Juveniles and Justice: Keira Albanese and Charlotte Rozycki

“These projects took countless hours to research and put together and displayed our ESM students’ passion and drive for civic responsibility,” said social studies teacher Eric Grossé.

Date Added: 5/16/2025

Dayton Avenue Student a Winner in Marine Science Poster Contest

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Dayton Avenue School fifth grade student Annika Bisagni was the elementary winner in the Marine Science Poster Contest sponsored by the New York State Marine Education Association and Nassau Science Teachers Association of New York State. Her winning poster entry about the effect of invasives in the ocean was selected for its creativity, research and problem-solving through her investigation of local marine phenomena.

Annika and her classmates in Danielle Savino’s class all participated in the Marine Science Poster Contest in March. The students were challenged to design a poster that linked the New York State Science Learning Standards to a marine phenomenon or problem in the local area. This contest provided a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate their scientific understanding by modeling, explaining or suggesting solutions for marine-related issues in their community.

The district congratulates Annika for this outstanding accomplishment.

Date Added: 5/13/2025

South Street Celebrates Community’s Backyard Superheroes

South Street School recently celebrated and recognized the community’s many backyard superheroes during Superhero Day. thumbnail266135

South Street School recently celebrated and recognized the community’s many backyard superheroes during Superhero Day, a national day set aside each year to honor real and fictional superheroes. Members of the military, policemen, firefighters, a detective, members of the Air National Guard and Air Force, and medical personnel all visited classrooms to share information about their careers.  

The overall theme for Superhero Day, however, was that being kind to others is the first step to becoming a superhero. Students were also encouraged to dress like their favorite superhero, either fictional or real, and to emulate some of the characteristics of their guests.  

Click here to view the South Street Celebrates Community’s Backyard Superheroes slideshow.

Date Added: 5/8/2025

Sharks wrap up the winter season on top

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The winter sports season was a successful one for Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School student-athletes. All eight varsity teams, 119 athletes in total, were named Scholar-Athlete Teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for having acquired a collective 90% grade point average or more. This brings the school year total to 261 scholar-athletes to date. Both the girls and boys bowling teams received the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Award. The boys winter track team garnered the League III Championship title, as well as the Section XI Small School County Championship title. The boys track team is coming off of a cross-country championship title, and winter track is now in the spring season. Additionally, the boys bowling team was the League 2 Champions, Section XI Wildcard Tournament High Scorer in the county small and large school, Playoff Qualifier and NYSPHAA Sportsmanship Award Team.

Additionally, seniors Jaden Flood and Allyson Justesen were recognized for their outstanding athletic and academic endeavors with the 2024 NYS AHPERD Suffolk Zone Award. Sponsored by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the award recognizes one male and one female Suffolk County high school senior from each school district who exemplifies outstanding scholastic ability, physical education performance and leadership qualities.


The following is a wrap-up of the Sharks’ winter athletic season:

Girls Varsity Basketball: (Scholar-Athlete Team)

Sara Langdon – All-League

Karma Gould – Unsung Hero



Boys Varsity Basketball: (Scholar-Athlete Team)

Sait Coskuntuncel – All-League and All-Academic

Brady McGowan – All-League and All-Conference



Wrestling – Scholar-Athlete Team



Competition Cheer: (Scholar-Athlete Team)

Cassandrah Catalano – Academic All-County

Kaelyn McCall – All-County



Boys Bowling: (Scholar-Athlete Team, League 2 Champions, Section XI Wildcard Tournament High Score, Playoff Qualifier, NYSPHAA Sportsmanship Award Team)

Jacob Lerit – All-League

Logan Silbert – All-League and All-County



Girls Bowling – Scholar-Athlete Team, Section XI Playoff Qualifier, NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Award Team



Girls Winter Track: (Scholar-Athlete Team)

Amaya Agudo – All-League and All-County

Meghan Burst – All-League

Colleen Carroll – All-League and All-County

Sarah Cluff – All-League

Sophia Colavito – All-League

Maddie Laezza – All-League

Elsie Martin – All-League

Lila McCarthy – All-League

Sara Mikula – All-League

Brooke Springsteen – All-League



Boys Winter Track (Scholar-Athlete Team, League 3 Champions and Section XI Small Schools County Champions)

Justin Albanese – All-League, All-County and All-State

Aiden Campbell – All-League

Christian Capolino – All-League

Jaden Flood – All-League

Riley Gimpel – All-League

Hyan Sy – All-League

Paul Zorn – All-League and All-County



Photo caption:

During the April 9 Eastport-South Manor Board of Education meeting, Board of Education President Jeffrey Goldhammer and trustee Cristina Costanza honored student-athletes who attended the meeting and are pictured (l-r) Justin Albanese, Paul Zorn, Amaya Agudo, Colleen Carroll, Logan Silbert and Kaelyn McCall.



Photo courtesy of the Eastport-South Manor Central School District