It is with great pride that Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School announces the acceptance of three musicians into the National Association for Music Education All-National Honors Music Ensembles.

Benjamin Isaacson (clarinet), Lennon Lotardo (bass 2 – mixed chorus) and Aidan Young (double bass) were selected from the top 1% of students from all 50 states. Benjamin is only one of two clarinetists chosen from New York State, while Aidan is just one of four double bassists and Lennon just one of 11 bass 2s from the state. Selection to participate in All-Nationals is based on New York State School Music Association solo evaluations on which all three students acquired a perfect score.

Additionally, Benjamin, Lennon and Aidan are only the fifth, sixth and seventh students in the history of Eastport-South Manor Central School District, pre- and post-merger, to be named to an All-National Honors Ensemble. This school year also marks the first time in the district’s history that three students were selected. Past representatives have been band members Bryan Filetto and Rebecca Nelsen and vocalists Lizzie Arnold and Megan McGuiness.

The All-National Honors Festival will take place in Baltimore, Maryland on Nov. 2-6, with performances on Nov. 5-6 at the Gaylord National Convention Center.

The district congratulates the students on this outstanding accomplishment and extends wishes for success at the NAfME All-National Honors Festival.

Date Added: 9/27/2022

Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School student Samantha Bruno was selected as one of 64 New York State Education Department members of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Graduation Members.

This prestigious commission, under the direction of Vice Chancellor Josephine Finn and Regent Judith Chin, will be tasked with the exploration into what a state diploma should signify to ensure educational excellence and equity for all of New York State’s students. Commission members encompass diversity in backgrounds, ethnicity, areas of expertise and geographic regions and include educators, school administrators, researchers, school counselors, business and higher education professionals, parents and students. The Blue Ribbon Commission will start meeting this fall and regularly through spring 2023 with the goal of developing recommendations to the Board of Regents on learning and achievement measures that can better serve the state’s diverse student population in preparation and readiness for college, career and civic life. The Commission’s final report will be presented to the Board of Regents for consideration in late spring or summer 2024.

A student of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Samantha graduated from the physical therapy aide program in the top of her class and is now pursuing her personal training certification. She is a third-place winner in the Emerging Leaders competition hosted by St. Joseph’s College and recently addressed the NYS Legislature regarding the importance of career and technical education. Samantha is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society and plans on pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Principal Salvatore Alaimo said, “This achievement truly demonstrates what amazing young lady Samantha has become. I am so happy she has found her passion and is continuing to set new goals for her future.”

Date Added: 9/29/2022

Tuttle Avenue was an even friendlier place as students participated in Start with Hello Week, held from Sept. 19-23. Throughout the social program, students were encouraged to reach out to peers who may be suffering from social isolation, as well as to promote a school culture of connectedness.

On Monday, students, faculty and staff wore name tags and addressed each other by name. They also signed the Start with Hello signature banner and pledge to include others. Students then left positive chalk messages at Tuesday’s recess for the following grade level and wore T-shirts with positive messages. Wednesday’s activities included a game of Find a Friend Bingo and wearing a favorite T-shirt that displays something important to each participant. Students wore school gear on Thursday to show Tuttle pride and mixed with other classes during lunchtime. To end the week, students wore green to display commitment to being an inclusive and connected community and participated in games that promoted teamwork and cooperation.

Date Added: 9/28/2022

Eastport Elementary School students were applauded and cheered by their peers as they walked down the red carpet studded with their names on gold stars during the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The event was the culmination of the school’s summer reading program, which encouraged students to read daily and record the number of minutes read. In total, students in grades 3-5 read more than 81,848 minutes during the summer months. Each of the students received a certificate from librarian Alyssa Sorensen and Principal Tom Fabian and had the opportunity to have their photo taken in front of a green screen to mark the occasion.

Date Added: 9/27/2022

Eastport Elementary School students had a chance to be one of the founding fathers. In honor of Constitution Day, held nationally on Sept. 17, the students attended webinars from the National Archives News about the U.S. Constitution.

During their library periods and in class, they completed activities and lessons to learn more about this important historical document. They also signed a constitution placed next to a copy of the original document.

Date Added: 9/20/2022