This spring, students in Ms. Bilek, Mr. Buckland and Ms. Stringer’s Criminal Justice classes at Ward Melville High School stepped beyond the classroom for a series of hands-on learning experiences that offered an in-depth look at the U.S. justice system.

In March, the students visited the Central Islip Courthouse, where they toured courtrooms and behind-the-scenes areas while engaging with court officers, clerks and court reporters. They had the unique opportunity to observe an active trial in session, gaining firsthand insight into how legal procedures unfold in real time. The visit also opened the door to discussions about future careers in law and inspired many to consider professional paths within the legal system.

In May, students expanded their learning with a visit to the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead. There, they explored the daily operations of the correctional facility, learned about the critical role of correctional officers, and gained perspective on the experiences of incarcerated individuals. The visit encouraged thoughtful dialogue about incarceration, rehabilitation and the broader impact of the corrections system on society.

These immersive field trips brought key classroom topics to life and helped students develop a more nuanced understanding of the complexities and responsibilities within the criminal justice field.

Date Added: 5/22/2025

In recognition of Better Speech and Hearing Month, the speech pathology team at Setauket Elementary School led a powerful and thought-provoking activity with sixth grade students to raise awareness about communication challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

Students began by watching “Out of My Mind,” a film that follows a sixth grade girl with cerebral palsy who is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair. The story highlights her journey of finding her voice through an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. With access to AAC, she is finally able to demonstrate her intelligence, eventually winning a school academic competition despite facing judgment and exclusion from peers and adults alike.

To deepen the learning experience, students were given blank communication boards and asked to choose the most essential words they would need to communicate. Then, using only their boards, students attempted to complete classroom tasks and make requests of their teachers, mirroring the experience of relying on AAC.

This impactful activity not only promoted empathy and inclusion but also allowed students to reflect on the importance of communication and the barriers that many individuals overcome every day. The Setauket speech pathology team hopes this experience inspires greater understanding and respect for all voices, spoken or otherwise.

Date Added: 5/22/2025

Ward Melville High School is proud to recognize 62 student-athletes from the Class of 2025 who have committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. These talented seniors have demonstrated dedication, discipline and sportsmanship throughout their time at Ward Melville, earning the opportunity to compete in a wide range of sports across colleges and universities nationwide.

The district congratulates the following students on their impressive achievements:

Baseball

* Jason Stiles – Susquehanna College.

Cheer

* Emma Miller – University of Delaware.

Crew

* Bradyn Brogan – University of San Diego.

Cross-Country and Track/Track and Field

* Timothy Brown – Catholic University.
* Aiden Carrington –Farmingdale State College.
* Courtney Grange – Mount Saint Mary College.
* Genevieve McGee – Adelphi University.
* Melina Montgomery – Marist College.
* Jonathan Seyfert – University of Virginia.

Fencing

* Reese Lawther – Temple University.
* Kiki Liu – Tufts University.

Football

* George Cosentino – St. John Fisher University.
* Brennan Kurtz – Bryant University.
* Joseph Massaro – Hobart College.
* Logan Seta – Western Connecticut College.
* Jaylen Thomas – Thiel College.
* Patrik Vasquez – Springfield College.
* Nathan Wain – Plymouth State University.

Lacrosse

* Liam Banks – Syracuse University.
* Logan Ciniglio – SUNY Geneseo.
* Ryan Connolly – Ithaca College.
* Eric Dipalma – SUNY Oswego.
* Benjamin Ehlers – Wesleyan University.
* Dakota Hansen – Wingate University.
* Devon Larsen – UMass Lowell.
* Callan McLaughlin – Harvard University.
* Quinn McKay – Bryant University.
* Peyton Phillips – University of Pennsylvania.
* Jonathan Scott – Saint Leo University.
* Emily Shields – Virginia State University.
* Ava Simonton – Villanova University.
* Olivia Zummo – Adelphi University.

Soccer

* Justin Clarke – Utica University.
* Dylan Guise – St. Joseph’s University.
* Charles Hannigan – St. Joseph’s University.
* Breena Harrigan – Florida Southern College.
* Keira Hunt – University of Redlands.
* Ireland McGowan – SUNY Plattsburgh.
* Montana Nemeth – St. Joseph’s University.
* Cole Palillo – Curry College.
* John Lips – Manhattan University.
* Kate Ronzoni – University of Mary Washington.
* Carolyn Rowe – St. John Fisher University.
* Adriana Victoriano – University at Buffalo.
* Alessandra Victoriano –Binghamton University.

Softball

* Sara Kropp – SUNY Oneonta.
* Jessica Lommel – SUNY Plattsburgh.
* Isabella Parente – SUNY Brockport.
* Sophie Reed – SUNY Fredonia.

Swimming

* Brett Dixon – SUNY Oneonta.
* Ava Emmerich – Southern Connecticut State University.

Tennis

* Shashank Pennabadi – South Carolina State University.

Volleyball

* Emma Bradshaw – Gettysburg College.
* Kyle Fagan – Penn State University.
* Alexandra Gandolfo – Saint Leo University.
* Shaun Mischler – Kean University.
* Nicholas Ragonese – Misericordia University.

Wrestling

* Jake Carioscia – SUNY Oswego.
* Phillip Divino – Hunter College.
* Fenna Van der Velden – New England College.

Basketball and Flag Football

* Julia Dank – Russell Sage College.

Acrobatics and Tumbling

* Ava DeMarco – Long Island University.

Ward Melville and the Three Village Central School District commend these students for their hard work and perseverance. Their achievements reflect a strong commitment to both academics and athletics, and they serve as outstanding role models for the school community. The district looks forward to watching their continued success in college and beyond.

Date Added: 5/22/2025

On Tuesday, May 20, Arrowhead Elementary School proudly welcomed the ALS Ride for Life as one of the official stops on its annual journey. The event honors the legacy of Chris Pendergast, who founded the ride in 1997 to raise awareness and funds for ALS research and patient support.

In the weeks leading up to the visit, Arrowhead students, staff and families demonstrated incredible generosity and school spirit. Led by Mrs. Gina Schwarz’s fourth grade class, Mrs. Melissa Swart and Mrs. Christine Callan’s pre-K Enrichment classes, and school social worker Mrs. Judy Forgione, students raised $2,300 through a series of spirited fundraisers and an online donation campaign.

Fundraising activities included two February spirit days, “Dream of a Cure for ALS” and “Strike Out ALS,” as well as a May sale of ice pops and ALS bracelets. ALS facts and messages about teamwork, May’s character trait of the month, were shared during morning announcements to reinforce the cause.

Earlier in the year, Arrowhead hosted an inspiring “Overcoming Adversity” assembly for students in grades 4-6. ALS patient Jordan Tarazi and members of the Ride for Life team shared their stories, promoting resilience, empathy and perseverance.

During the May 20 visit, students and staff lined the bus circle holding banners and posters, wearing Yankees gear or school spirit wear in honor of Lou Gehrig and the Ride’s founder. The symbolic pinwheels displayed across the campus served as a tribute to Chris Pendergast’s words, “There’s a cure blowin’ in the wind.”

Arrowhead’s dedication to the ALS cause reflects the strength of its community and its commitment to making a difference – one step, one student, one story at a time.

Students from Club Team W.A.R.D. from Ward Melville visited Murphy Junior High to help prepare our eighth and ninth grade students for the transition to the high school. Team W.A.R.D. shared their personal experiences, offered helpful advice and answered questions about academics, extracurricular activities, and what daily life is like at Ward Melville. The visit provided our students with valuable insight and helped ease some of the anxiety that can come with moving to a new school. It was a great opportunity for our eighth and ninth graders to hear directly from peers who were in their shoes just a few years ago.

Click here to view the CLUB TEAM W.A.R.D. VISIT TO MURPHY slideshow.

Date Added: 5/21/2025