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Meet ESM’s Ex-Officio Student Board Members

Ex-Officio Student Board Members  thumbnail267601

The Board of Education has added two seats to the table during its monthly meetings. Jr.-Sr. High School juniors Sarah Benson and Payton Friede now serve as the district’s first ex-officio student members of the board of education for the 2025-2026 school year.

Board of Education President Jeffrey Goldhammer welcomed the students during the Aug. 27 meeting. “In this role, you join us in our shared commitment to supporting the students, families and community of our district,” Mr. Goldhammer said. “While this position is non-voting, your voice and perspective represent the heart of our mission, which is to educate, empower and inspire every learner.”

A New York State law effective July 1, 2025 requires school districts to appoint at least one non-voting student to their board of education to serve in an advisory capacity. The ex-officio student board member can participate in public meetings but are excluded from executive sessions. Sarah and Payton were selected by the board and superintendent of schools Joseph A. Steimel through an interview process.

Sarah is an Advanced Placement Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society and World Language and Tri-M honor societies. She is also a varsity athlete on the bowling and tennis team and is involved in the natural Helpers and robotics clubs. Off campus, Sarah volunteers with the Shirley Community Ambulance.

Payton is an AP Scholar with Honors and is also a varsity athlete on the girls volleyball team. Additionally, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society. With aspirations of becoming a doctor, Payton volunteers at Stony Brook University Hospital.

 

Paint Marks the Spot

Equipped with rollers, paint brushes, stencils and paint cans, Jr.-Sr. High School seniors arrived in the early morning hours to start painting their assigned parking spaces. thumbnail267498

Equipped with rollers, paint brushes, stencils and paint cans, Jr.-Sr. High School seniors arrived in the early morning hours to start painting their assigned parking spaces during the school’s annual Paint Day, held on Aug. 27. Some of the students were accompanied by peers, while others made the activity a family affair.Their designs provided a colorful tableau for the student parking lot during the 2025-2026 school year. 

Click here to view the Paint Marks the Spot slideshow.

 

Date Added: 8/27/2025  

Marching Band Prepared for New School Year

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The Jr.-Sr. High School marching band gave a sneak preview performance of their 2025-2026 school year show, held on the football field on Aug. 22. Parents gathered in the bleachers to listen to the student musicians’ rendition of songs by Green Day, a popular American rock band from California.

The performance, under the baton of drum major Bennett Lesselrod, followed an intense week of practice during the music department’s annual marching band camp in which the students learned the music and honed their choreographed marching skills. The marching band will showcase their music during the district’s Oct. 23 homecoming game and a culminating performance during the annual Newsday Marching Band Festival.

Click here to view the Marching Band Prepared for New School Year slideshow.

Date Added: 8/25/2025