Edna Louise Spear Elementary School proudly hosted its first Family Connect Night for the school year, an exciting initiative designed to bring families together for quality time, fun, and connection.

The event invited parents and students to begin the evening by shopping at the PTA-hosted Book Fair, followed by an opportunity to enjoy a variety of board games, card games, and other activities in the All-Purpose Room. The turnout was outstanding, with many families staying throughout the evening to play, laugh, and make memories together.

Family Connect Nights are part of the school’s broader effort to strengthen family bonds and encourage togetherness amid today’s busy schedules. As described in the school’s message to families, these special nights focus on creating time for parents and children to connect, communicate, and enjoy shared experiences. To support this goal, the school has designated one night each month as Family Connect Night, when no homework will be assigned. Instead, the only “assignment” for students is to spend quality time with their families.

“Quality family time is essential to keeping families connected,” said Amy Laverty, Principal of Edna Louise Spear Elementary School. “Through Family Connect Nights, we’re encouraging our students and their families to pause, play, and enjoy one another—something that benefits everyone.”

Click here to view the Edna Louise Spear Elementary School Hosts Family Connect Night slideshow.

The Port Jefferson School District is excited to announce that, after a long-awaited review and final approval from the New York State Education Department, the indoor swimming pool at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School has officially reopened following renovations.

This approval marks the return of several beloved swimming programs that have long been a part of the district’s educational and community offerings. The district is currently finalizing schedules and staffing to relaunch these programs, which include:

* Instructional Swim for elementary students, beginning November 17

* After-School Swim for grades 1–5, running December 1 through June 1

* Community Swim for residents, offered December 1 through June 3 (times to be announced)

These programs provide valuable opportunities for students to develop water safety skills, build confidence, and enjoy physical fitness, while also offering a space for community engagement and recreation. Additional details regarding specific schedules and registration will be shared by the building principal in the coming weeks. The district extends its appreciation to families, staff, and community members for their support and enthusiasm as we dive back into these meaningful and fun opportunities for all.

Date Added: 11/14/2025

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s varsity club brought Halloween spirit and community together by hosting its annual drive-thru trick-or-treat event at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School.

Club members, joined by enthusiastic elementary and middle school staff, decorated a series of colorful and creatively themed tables for elementary students to visit and collect sweet treats. The event has become a beloved fall tradition, offering younger students a safe and festive way to celebrate Halloween while fostering school-wide connections.

Senior student Gianna Viviano shared her excitement, “This is one of my favorite events of the year! I’ve done it since freshman year, and seeing everyone be super creative with how they're decorating and getting more and more involved every year is awesome. This year, my group did The Lorax! We each picked a different character and decorated our table with DIY truffula trees, Dr. Seuss books, and a ginormous mustache.”

Fellow senior Julia Lima De Oliveira Gomes echoed that sentiment, “I think that our drive-thru trick or treat event is a good experience and opportunity for the high school kids to get involved with our elementary school. The kids look forward to it, and it’s nice to see kids coming back every year. I've done it since freshman year, and I think it's something we all look forward to and a tradition that is a staple of Varsity Club!”

The drive-thru trick-or-treat event is one of many ways the varsity club promoDate Added: 11/10/2025 tes community spirit and leadership among students. Organizers expressed pride in seeing high school students work together to create a memorable experience for the district’s youngest learners.

For more information regarding the Port Jefferson School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website at https://www.portjeffschools.org and follow its Facebook page. Click here for the Port Jefferson Facebook page.

Click here to view the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Varsity Club Hosts Annual Drive-Thru Trick or Treat Event slideshow.

Date Added: 11/10/2025

Edna Louise Spear Elementary School students received a thrilling and educational visit as the Port Jefferson Fire Department stopped by the elementary school to share essential lessons on fire safety.

Firefighters arrived in full gear, captivating the students as they demonstrated their equipment and procedures. One of the highlights of the day was watching the department’s ladder truck in action with the ladder fully extended and a firefighter at the top, giving students a real-life view of the bravery and skills it takes to serve the community.

The visit was especially meaningful for students whose parents are part of the fire department, as they had the chance to see their loved ones in action, proudly serving and teaching others.

“We’re grateful to the Port Jefferson Fire Department for taking the time to educate our students in such an engaging and memorable way,” said Amy Laverty, Principal of Edna Louise Spear Elementary School. “Fire safety is a critical life skill, and learning directly from our local heroes makes it all the more impactful.”

To continue the conversation at home, students are encouraged to participate in the Fire Safety Poster Contest, where they can creatively express what they've learned and help spread fire safety awareness throughout the community.

Date Added: 10/20/2025

Edna Louise Spear Elementary School was thrilled to welcome a special visit from Theater Three, a local performing arts company in Port Jefferson. Pre-K through grade 3 students were treated to a powerful and interactive performance of Stand Up! Stand Out! The Bullying Project.

This engaging presentation used the magic of live theater—featuring colorful puppets, toe-tapping songs, and plenty of humor to address the serious topic of bullying in a way that was age-appropriate and meaningful for our youngest learners. The message of the performance was clear: Don't just stand by—stand up! Students learned the importance of speaking out, showing kindness, and supporting their peers when they see someone being bullied.

Following the performance, the cast led an interactive question and answer session, giving students the opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and discuss how they can apply what they learned in their own school and community.

“We are so grateful to Theater Three for delivering such an important message in a way that really resonated with our students,” said Principal Amy Laverty. “It’s never too early to start teaching empathy, courage, and the importance of standing up for what’s right.”

The Edna Louise Spear Elementary School remains committed to creating a safe and supportive learning environment, and partnerships with organizations like Theater Three help us bring that mission to life.

Date Added: 10/14/2025