Port Jefferson School District Board of Education members were lauded for their efforts during School Board Recognition Week (Oct. 19-23), the New York State School Board Association’s annual awareness campaign that highlights the important role that school board members have within a school district.

At the Oct. 13 Board of Education meeting, the seven board members – president Mrs. Ellen Boehm, vice president Mrs. Tracy Zamek and trustees Mrs. Randi DeWitt, Mr. David Keegan, Dr. Ravi Singh, Mrs. Rene Tidwell and Mr. Ryan Walker – were commended for their tireless efforts on behalf of students, staff and community residents. Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Jessica Schmettan introduced members of the district leadership team – Mrs. Mary Butera (United Paraprofessionals Association), Mr. Anthony Butera (Port Jefferson Teachers Association), Dr. Michael Caravello (Port Jefferson Administrators Association) and Mrs. Merrill Dona (Port Jefferson Office Staff Association) – who all cited words of appreciation for the Board of Education’s service and stewardship of the school district. Mrs. Schmettan spoke on behalf of the central office staff members and lauded the trustees for their shared vision and direction in achieving the highest student performance. To further signify the school district’s close ties to the community, Dr. Caravello honored the board members with a donation to St. Charles Hospital on behalf of the PJAA.

The Port Jefferson School District celebrated five members of the school community who were presented with SCOPE Educational Service Awards earlier in the year. The recipients were honored in categories that recognized their leadership, fiscal responsibility, dedication and countless hours of service in improving the educational experiences of all district students. They were named at the Oct. 13 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Jessica Schmettan.

The recipients who were honored are Mrs. Ellen Boehm, Port Jefferson School District Board of Education president for School Board Service; Mr. Scott Zamek, Royal Education Foundation chairperson for Community Service; Mrs. Anne Algieri, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Latin teacher for Teacher Service; Mrs. Rosalie Loizos, Port Jefferson Middle School main office staff member for Support Staff Service and Port Jefferson Middle School principal Dr. Robert Neidig for Administrator Service. Mrs. Schmettan cited their significant impact on the school community and their continued commitment, compassion and selflessness in their respective roles within the school district.

One of a teacher’s greatest joys is having a student emulate what they are taught. When third grade student Alice Turner shared some of her sketches with art teacher Mrs. Meghan McCarthy, the elementary educator realized that Alice was utilizing some art techniques that she learned in class, in particular using a repeated line technique to create depth. “She had so much fun with this technique, which involves creating the illusion of a third dimension on a flat surface,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “Sketchbooks are new this year, and it’s been so nice to see our students so inspired!”

For many students, the Edna Louise Spear Elementary School library has always been a haven for exploring their interests. With social distancing protocols in place, students cannot currently use the library, so librarian Ms. Selinda Stout is bringing it to them. Ms. Stout pushes a colorful mobile book cart to each class with books that are appropriate for that grade level. The students may choose a book from the cart or request a book. They use their individual shelf markers (paint stir sticks that have each student’s library bar code attached, serving as their library card) to root through the books on the cart and the bins so they are not touching the books with their hands. Ms. Stout then uses a VersaScan which is synchronized to the school’s library manager to check out the books. “When I enter the classroom, the students are so excited to see me,” Ms. Stout said. “It’s very satisfying that I can bring some normalcy to their day.”