School News

Southampton

Members of the Southampton High School Principal’s Cabinet launched “Say Something” Week on February 25. The initiative aims to reinforce the power that young people possess to prevent tragedies and save lives when they report something suspicious to a trusted adult.

During the week, cabinet members provided information to their peers through posters and a social media campaign. They also made morning announcements over the school’s public address system regarding warning signs of threats and the importance of acting immediately when recognizing those signs.

The cabinet consists of four members from each grade level who work throughout the school year to address a wide range of topics with the goal of improving the student experience at the high school.

The cabinet members also plan to expand their campaign by working with the Sandy Hook Promise organization to bring assemblies and activities to the school.

Southampton Intermediate School fifth graders created 3D robots using Tinkercad digital design software as part of a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics lesson.

The students in Michelle Rottkamp’s media class and Amy Lester’s STEM class teamed up to brainstorm ideas for digital models of their robots. Rottkamp then printed approved ideas using a 3D printer on loan from BOCES. The finished designs are now on display at the school’s library.

Westhampton Beach

Westhampton Beach High School named Chris Bender and Frank Lapinski as its Class of 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Bender is a National AP Scholar and a National Merit Commended Scholar. He will be the recipient of an AP Capstone diploma. Bender is also the member of the National, Math, Science, and Foreign Language honor societies, serves as co-president of the Interact Club, and plays on the varsity football and lacrosse teams. He plans on attending Williams College in the fall.

Lapinski is an AP Scholar, president of the mock trial team, co-president of the Interact Club, co-captain of the varsity quiz bowl team, and chief financial officer of the school’s Virtual Enterprise team. He is also a member of the National, Math, Science, and Foreign Language honor societies and participates in the Riverhead Youth Court.

Lapinski also plays saxophone and performs with his school’s jazz ensemble and pep and pit bands. Lapinski has not yet decided on a college, but intends to study either business or engineering.

The Westhampton Beach School District is currently offering registration for the kindergarten class.

To register, parents or guardians must bring a photo ID, child’s proof of birth, immunization records, a copy of a current physical examination, and custody and/or guardianship documents. Proof of residency, which includes deeds, mortgage statements, tax bills, utility bills, notarized original lease, notarized registration affidavit, or a copy of the homeowner’s deed or tax bill, is also required.

Registration dates are March 27 from 9 to 11 AM, 1:30 to 2:30 PM, and 6:30 to 7:30 PM and March 28 from 9 to 11 AM and 1:30 to 2:30 PM.

Parents and guardians can pick up the registration packets at Westhampton Beach Elementary School or online at www.westhamptonbeach.k12.ny.us or by calling 631-288-3800, ext. 231.

Sag Harbor

The Sag Harbor Elementary School hosted the seventh annual math fair, which included interactive experiences for students to put their math skills to the test, on March 1.

Students learned to make an abacus and geometric shape craft and participated in a coin-counting fundraiser, scavenger hunt, iPad-controlled robot battles, strategic board-game challenges, and a virtual reality adventure. A few students also worked on projects in advance, such as building a model of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

The event was sponsored by local businesses such as American Pie, Apple Bank, the Children’s Museum of the East End, iCAMP, the Parrish Art Museum, Schiavoni’s Market, and the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center.

Springs

The Springs School’s junior high musical of “Willy Wonka” will be held at East Hampton High School on March 20 at 7 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

Second graders at Springs also recently celebrated Mardi Gras. The classroom was decorated in green and purple beads, feather boas, and masks, and students listened to traditional Mardi Gras music. Students also ate the traditional king cake and a moon pie.

Tuckahoe

Tuckahoe honored Ulises Munguia, a seventh grader, and Maria Hill, an eighth grader, as the Wall of Honor Students for the second semester.

Mungia placed third on the Long Island in the VFW Essay Contest that focused on honoring the American flag, while Hill was the only middle school student to participate in the Southampton Town’s opioid abuse public service announcement.

Third grade students are also collecting sheets, towels, food, pet beds, and other items for the Southampton Animal Shelter.

Riverhead

Riverhead High School string students recently volunteered to assist middle school violinists, cellists, and bassists as part of a peer-mentoring workshop.

Upperclassmen played alongside the middle school students and provided them with helpful suggestions and tips for success.

“The event proved to be motivating and inspiring for all musicians involved,” Regan Burns, the middle school orchestra teacher, said.

Submitted by local schools