On Mar. 27, the Oyster Bay High School International Club and World Languages Honor Society hosted the district’s annual International Night, bringing together families from throughout the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District for an evening of cultural celebration and culinary delights.

International Night is a cherished tradition, serving as both a fundraiser for the hosting organizations and a testament to the diversity within the school community. Proceeds from the event contribute to an annual scholarship awarded to two graduating seniors. The World Languages Honor Society is co-advised by Ms. Angela Kowalsky and Mrs. Frances Sotiriou, while the International Club is led by Mrs. Frances Sotiriou.

Held in the OBHS cafeteria, the event featured festive decorations, including flags, maps and student projects from Theodore Roosevelt and Vernon Schools. These projects, titled “I Treasure My Traditions and Culture,” highlighted students’ favorite foods, holidays and customs, accompanied by drawings and photographs, offering attendees a deeper appreciation of the community’s rich cultural tapestry.

Informational brochures detailing facts from different cultures were placed around the room, while a large screen showcased music and dance performances from around the world. Younger children enjoyed interactive activities, such as coloring pages and maps, making the event engaging for all ages.

A highlight of the evening was the diverse array of food, generously donated by local restaurants and district families. Special thanks go to Harborside Deli, La Famiglia of Glen Cove, House of Dosas, Chocolishious of Locust Valley, and the Walsh, Arnella and Ani families for their contributions.

Another standout moment of the night was a captivating performance by three young dancers from McCabe Irish Dance School. They mesmerized the audience with five traditional Irish dances, adding an extra touch of cultural appreciation and entertainment to the evening.

The success of International Night was bolstered by the enthusiastic support of the administration and the PTAs at Theodore Roosevelt and Vernon Schools. Their efforts in promoting the event to younger students and encouraging participation through cultural worksheets helped make the celebration even more inclusive.

As International Night continues to grow, organizers hope to involve even more local businesses and cultural organizations in the years to come, further strengthening the bonds within the Oyster Bay-East Norwich community through shared traditions and experiences.

 

Click here to view the Oyster Bay High School Celebrates Cultural Diversity at International Night slideshow.

 

Date Added: 3/28/2025

While March is officially recognized as Music In Our Schools Month, Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District embraces music education as a year-round priority. On Mar. 20, the OBHS gym was filled with the rich sounds of student musicians from five distinguished bands, who gathered to present the highly anticipated Cavalcade of Bands.

Each ensemble delivered a compelling performance, demonstrating their dedication and musical growth. The evening culminated in a spectacular grand finale, as all 242 students joined forces for a powerful rendition of the “Mission Impossible” theme. This extraordinary collaboration showcased not only their talent but also the unity and teamwork fostered through music education.

Erica Giglio Pac, Director of Fine, Performing, and Media Arts, underscored the significance of the event: “Witnessing the development of our student musicians across the district is both inspiring and deeply rewarding. Their achievements are a testament to their dedication, and I am profoundly grateful to our exceptional music educators whose passion and commitment make these moments possible. It is also incredibly meaningful to see families, board members and administrators in attendance, supporting music education and fostering a strong, community-centered event.”

The district congratulates the talented student musicians for their commitment to excellence. Special recognition also goes to the outstanding music educators – Ms. Macy, Mr. Devassy, Mr. Giannetta, and Mr. Sisia – for their unwavering guidance and support. Additionally, the district welcomed alumna Laura Angelone (Class of 2017) as the special guest conductor, whose expertise and enthusiasm enriched the experience.

 

Date Added: 3/21/2025

On Mar. 18, sixth and eighth graders from the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District had the unique opportunity to attend a presentation by 3GNY, an educational non-profit organization founded by the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. 3GNY’s mission is to educate communities about the perils of intolerance and to provide a supportive forum for the descendants of survivors.

3GNY partners with schools throughout the tri-state area to provide opportunities for students to hear personal family stories from those impacted by the Holocaust. In Oyster Bay High School’s auditorium, guest speaker Ms. Jane Pashman shared the story of her Hungarian grandmother, Ella Baumohl, whom she affectionately called “Nagymami.”

Ms. Pashman recounted how her grandmother was just 24 years old when her family was first relocated to the Hungarian ghetto in Budapest and later deported to Auschwitz. She showed the students a striking photograph of Jewish people being moved into the ghetto while bystanders watched silently from the street. This image underscored a powerful message about the dangers of remaining passive in the face of injustice.

At Auschwitz, Ms. Baumohl was separated from her family and her fiancé. Ms. Pashman explained her grandmother’s experiences in a manner appropriate for the students’ age group, detailing the hardships she endured. She also shared a photograph of her grandmother’s arm, permanently marked with a tattooed identification number, a painful reminder of the atrocities she survived.

Later, Ms. Baumohl was transported to another concentration camp, where she was completely isolated from her loved ones. During this time, she contracted typhoid and, in a fevered state, hallucinated about being home in Hungary with her entire family—a vision that provided her with the strength to endure the darkest days. In 1945, Russian forces liberated the camp. Ms. Baumohl awoke one morning to find the Nazi officers gone, marking the beginning of her path to freedom. She was transported to Denmark and later to Sweden, where she began rebuilding her life. Eventually, she discovered that she was the sole survivor from her family. Despite this unimaginable loss, she was reunited with her fiancé, and they married in 1946.

Ms. Pashman expressed her admiration for her grandmother’s resilience, sharing how she draws strength from her story whenever she faces challenges in her own life. She encouraged the students to be “upstanders” rather than passive bystanders in the face of injustice. She concluded her presentation with a powerful quote from Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel: “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.”

Students were deeply engaged throughout the presentation and asked thoughtful questions. Some of them shared that they had family members who were also Holocaust survivors. Ms. Pashman encouraged those students to connect with 3GNY and to explore ways to preserve and share their own family histories.

She left the students with a final call to action: to practice resilience, to speak up against intolerance and to embrace empathy by learning about people from different backgrounds. She also encouraged them to talk to their parents and grandparents to learn more about their own family histories.

The presentation provided students with a powerful, personal connection to history and reinforced the importance of remembrance, empathy, and standing against hate.

 

Click here to view the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Students Learn Powerful Lessons from Holocaust Survivors Granddaughter slideshow.

 

Date Added: 3/19/2025

We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional talent of our student artists whose work was proudly displayed at the 2025 All-County Art Exhibit, hosted by the Art Supervisor’s Association of Nassau County this past weekend at Herricks High School. These young artists have demonstrated remarkable creativity and dedication, showcasing a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums that highlight the vibrancy of our district’s arts program.

A heartfelt congratulations to the following students for their outstanding artistic achievements:

Oyster Bay Middle/High School:

* Amelia Fernandez
* AnaLuz Ferrer
* Brianna Mulnard
* Chloe Gheerow
* Donald Vega
* George Giorgou
* Leonel Escoto Soto
* Nicoletta Sakellis (Nassau County Senior Scholarship Recipient)
* Vallery Guevara

Vernon School:

* Anna Elize Bakalis
* Emily Morea
* Sarah Laurita

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School:

* Michaela Byrne
* Olive Guglielmo
* Reese Acevedo

This remarkable achievement would not be possible without the dedication and support of our outstanding art teachers. We extend our deepest appreciation to Ms. Brustman, Ms. Crowley, Ms. Miley, Mr. Boris and Ms. Randazzo for their unwavering commitment to fostering artistic growth and inspiring creativity in our students.

The All-County Art Exhibit is a prestigious event that brings together talented young artists from across Nassau County, celebrating their unique artistic expressions and hard work. We are incredibly proud of our students for representing our district with such distinction and for continuing to inspire us all through their art.

Congratulations once again to all the honorees—we can't wait to see where your artistic journey takes you next!

 

Click here to view the Celebrating our student artists at the 2025 All-County Art Exhibit slideshow.

 

Date Added: 3/13/2025

At the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Board of Education meeting on Mar. 11, the district’s athletics program took center stage as student-athletes were honored for their outstanding accomplishments this winter season.

The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Colton Schmiesing, who made history as the first member of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich wrestling team to win a state championship. Competing in the state wrestling championship in Albany, Colton secured the title in dramatic fashion, defeating the returning state champion in just the first 10 seconds of overtime. Superintendent Dr. Francesco Ianni and Athletic Director Ms. Shannon McEntee introduced Colton to the board, celebrating his remarkable achievement. Dr. Ianni, who personally attended the match after jumping in his car to witness the historic moment, praised Colton’s dedication and skill.

Colton was joined on stage by his coach, Jack Thibault, and his father, who has played a key role in coaching and supporting his wrestling journey. To commemorate his victory, he was presented with a plaque by Dr. Ianni, Ms. McEntee and Board of Education President Laurie Kowalsky.

Following Colton’s recognition, Ms. McEntee acknowledged the success of all winter athletes and their coaches, noting that seven out of the district’s ten teams secured playoff bids. Among the achievements:

* The boys and girls varsity basketball teams advanced to the semifinals.
* The varsity wrestling team qualified for the quarterfinals in the team championship, with Colton earning the title of county champion in the 108-pound weight class.
* The boys and girls indoor track and field teams each finished second in their conference championship meet. Olivia Garcia secured a county title by placing first in shot put, while the boys 4x800 relay team were crowned county champions and went on to compete at the state championships, finishing eighth overall in Division 2.
* The girls and boys varsity fencing teams had an impressive showing at the county championship, with four athletes placing in the top three. Gabriella Sherlock claimed the county title in women’s foil.
* The girls varsity cheerleading team made history by advancing to the UCA semifinals for the first time in school history and finishing second in the county tournament.
* All ten varsity teams were recognized as scholar-athlete teams, demonstrating their commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Ms. McEntee then invited all athletes who achieved county and state-level recognition to come forward and receive certificates in honor of their accomplishments.

Following the athletic celebration, Ms. McEntee provided an update on the district’s physical education, health and athletics programs, highlighting the continued growth and success of Oyster Bay-East Norwich student-athletes. The Board of Education and community members in attendance applauded the dedication, hard work and sportsmanship of all the student-athletes, coaches and staff who contribute to the district’s thriving athletic program.

 

 

Date Added: 3/13/2025