The Jr.-Sr. High School Student Council facilitated a dialogue with local politicians and created a platform for meaningful conversations about town, county and state issues during Law Day. In attendance were guests Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Karen Dunne-Kesnig, Suffolk County Legislator James F. Mazzarella, Southampton Town Deputy Supervisor John Ortiz, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, and Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine. 

Student Council representatives asked guests their thoughts on issues about air, sewage, and water quality and sustainable solutions; allocated funding for the opioid crisis; safe housing and housing codes; Smith Point Marina upgrades and environmental sensitivity and the bridge project; communication and collaboration between the Town of Southampton and residents; and piercing the tax cap at the county level.  

Law Day was initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a national dedication to the fundamental principles of government under law, and in 1961, May 1 was designated by Congress as Law Day.Eastport-South Manor Social Studies Director Dr. Stephen Posselt said Law Day is an opportunity for students to practice civic responsibility and to act on issues that are important to them and the community. 

Legislator Mazzarella told the students that they are “in the driver’s seat” and “to take advantage of what is in front of you.” Town Supervisor Panico congratulated the students on their complex and intelligent questions and noted that “education is the key” to making changes on the government level. 

The student leaders then escorted the guests to the board of education meeting room, where they were served a prepared breakfast and had additional opportunities to continue conversations about the issues discussed or to ask new questions. 

 
Click here to view the Student Council Addresses Issues During Law Day slideshow.

Date Added: 4/29/2025

Jr.-Sr. High School seventh grade students Yolanda Caleyac (first place), Dylan Sosa Villeda (second place), Erin Kreuter (third place), Nicole Lema (fourth place) and Jenna Hardena (fifth place) were winners in the annual Civics Fair.  

The students were instructed to identify a current civics issue and to connect that issue to an amendment to the Constitution. They also had to come up with a solution or action plan for the issue and include their research on a poster board to present at the Civics Fair. Some of the topics researched included violence against women, government actions, human rights and immigration, healthcare affordability, all issues facing Americans today. The projects were judged on their contents, whether they were measured to an action plan, the focus on the amendment and design of the poster board. 

The Eastport-South Manor Central School District’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction is providing students with the opportunity to acquire a Seal of Civic Readiness as an alternate pathway or as a stand-alone seal upon graduation. Beginning as early as junior high school, students can work toward acquiring this seal by demonstrating proficiency in civic knowledge and civic participation. The Civics Fair is one of the opportunities for students to work toward acquiring a Civic Readiness Seal.

Click here to view the What is the issue? Jr.-Sr. High School holds annual civics fair slideshow.

Date Added: 4/28/2025

 

Jr.-Sr. High School student Julia Cestone is the recipient of an Honorable Mention in the South Asian American Women’s Alliance STEM Program essay contest. This year’s topic, “Is artificial intelligence a threat to human job security in the present or future,” inspired Julia to write a 500-word original and thought-provoking essay that resulted in her standing out among more than 200 applicants.

The District congratulates Julia on this achievement.

Date Added: 4/24/2025

The Jr.-Sr. High School’s Student Council has been recognized as a 2025 National Council of Excellence for its record of leadership, service and activities by the National Association of Student Councils. The NASC program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Eastport-South Manor is one of only four Long Island high schools to receive such recognition this year.

Student Council adviser Michelle Heaney said she could not be prouder. “The students’ dedication and effort to build a strong sense of community and pride here at ESM have really stood out, earning them well-deserved recognition for their hard work,” Ms. Heaney said. “It’s a true honor to work alongside such talented students. Their enthusiasm and dedication not only motivate me but also uplift our entire community.”

A student council must meet a variety of criteria to earn the National Council of Excellence Award. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election process, a council must have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development, and service to the school and community.

Eastport-South Manor’s Jr.-Sr. High School’s Student Council has become a vital part of the school and local community. By organizing various after-school activities, spirit weeks and community undertakings such as the annual Stuff-A-School event, the Student Council has successfully fostered a positive school culture and climate. The council also attracts some of the school’s most exceptional students who understand their peers’ needs and actively promote school spirit.

The district congratulates the student council on this achievement and would like to thank the students for their service to the school community.

Date Added: 4/23/2025

The Jr.-Sr. High School’s literary magazine, Unlocked Underworld, has been selected to receive the rank of Superior in the 2024 National Council of Teachers of English recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines program.

The NCTE REALM program’s mission is to recognize excellent literary magazines produced by students with support of their teachers and to encourage schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing.

The ESM Club publishes the literary magazine at the end of each school year and includes writing and artwork from students in grades 9-12 that represent an entire year of work. Senior editor Josie Shuman, who was a junior at the time of publication, returned as a senior this school year. Gray Martin-Tsoupas was the art editor and graduated in June 2024.

Literary Magazine Club members during the 2023-2024 school year include the following students: Ariana Blackwood, McKenna Burchill, Antonio Castro, Julia Cestone, Emma Cohen, Terrence Davis, Cassie Degorter, Ethan Denniston, Alexandra Dennehy, Mick Filetto, Anna Gansrow, Gregory Gonzalez, Brittany Hayton, Gray Martin-Tsoupas, Cat Nicholsen, Sophie Rambelle, Josie Shuman (Editor), Brianna Silliman, Jackson Spagnoli, Chase Vinch, Johanna Wheeler, Jamie Wysocki and Allie Zadow.

The District congratulates the ESM Club on this outstanding achievement.

Date Added: 4/11/2025