School News

Sag Harbor

Pierson High School held its annual Multicultural Festival to showcase the community’s culture, heritage, and customs on March 22.

The evening featured cuisine and performances, including bagpipe music, a martial arts demonstration, the Bridgehampton marimba ensemble, Sbu Taiko Tides Japanese drummers, Ecuadorian dancers, and the Shinnecock youth dancers.

Southampton

The Southampton School District is accepting applications for its prekindergarten program. Registration for children, who will turn four before December 1, is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 AM to 3 PM. For an appointment, contact the district registrar at 631-591-5417.

The Southampton High School hosted a college fair on March 26 for sophomores and juniors to talk to college representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities about campus life, academic offerings, financial aid, and the admissions process.

Tuckahoe

Students and staff at the Tuckahoe School anticipated a recent visit from children’s author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco. The eighth graders prepared for her visit by participating in an in-depth study of the books, “The Butterfly” and “Tucky Jo and Little Heart.” Both are true stories set in World War II.

English, art, and social studies classes teamed up to explore the World War II era, create found poetry, and portray symbolism through watercolor paintings inspired by the history, characters, and illustrations found in Polacco’s books.

Prekindergarten and kindergarten registration for district residents is ongoing. Call the main office at 631-283-3550 for more information.

Hampton Bays

Hampton Bays kindergartners learned about animals that live at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge on March 28. Tony Valderrama, an environmental educator with the refuge, introduced students to several animal species, including a corn snake, a bearded dragon, a chinchilla, and an owl, to teach them about their habitats, prey, and life cycles.

Two Hampton Bays High School science research students had the opportunity to present their research at Plum Island’s first STEM Student Forum on March 27.

Junior Riley Stotzky and senior Ava Bianchi were among a selection of students from across Long Island who exhibited their work to leading researchers at Plum Island. Stotzky explored influenza for her project, while Bianchi analyzed alpha-gal syndrome.

“This was a great event,” said science research teacher Dr. Stephanie Forsberg. “Our students represented Hampton Bays well and helped highlight our research program with the top epidemiologists and scientists in the nation.”

Westhampton Beach

Westhampton Beach Elementary School hosted the 21st annual math, science, and technology fair on March 21.

Students in first through fifth grades showcased a variety of topics from germ-free hands and yeast activation to sound blockers and ripening bananas. Fair winners were Luke Atkinson, kindergarten; Evan Pereya, first grade; Mary Rose Atkinson, second grade; Jack Ribbons, third grade; Gabriel Monserrate, fourth grade; and Rhylee Kirchner, fifth grade.

The winning students are now eligible to compete in Brookhaven National Laboratory’s annual Elementary Science Fair Competition on May 4.

Westhampton Beach High School junior Emily Arpino received a Prudential Spirit of Community Award for recently spearheading a breast cancer awareness and fundraising project. A varsity cheerleader, Arpino sold homemade pink cheerleading bows, which she adorned with breast cancer ribbon decals and rhinestones, to cheer teams across Long Island. Arpino raised $4280 for the LI2Day Walk, which will take place on June 8.

Riverhead

The Riverhead Administrators Association will host its annual Run to Remember 5K Walk/Run on May 19 at 9 AM at Riverhead High School.

The event aims to offer healing, love, and support by celebrating the memories of deceased loved ones. Memorial boards will be on display in the high school gymnasium along with coffee, food, and free raffle giveaways to registered runners. All funds raised will be donated to the high school senior class scholarship fund. A free kids run will kick off at 9 AM with the memorial run starting at 9:30 AM.

To register, visit www.riverheadr2r.com.