On Friday, May 30, student teams from Vernon School and Theodore Roosevelt School proudly represented the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District at the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged, held at Mitchell Field. Joined by dedicated teaching staff and supportive student volunteers from Oyster Bay High School, the day was filled with energy, enthusiasm and teamwork.

The Games, now in their 39th year, provide an inspiring platform for physically challenged youth to compete in adapted athletic events that highlight their strength, determination and skill. Students participated in a variety of competitions including track and field events, mini golf and more—each tailored to meet the unique needs and abilities of the athletes.

Oyster Bay-East Norwich is deeply proud of our students who took part in this meaningful event, exemplifying courage, sportsmanship and school spirit. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff and high school students who made the day even more special through their encouragement and assistance.

The Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged remain a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion, ability-focused competition and community support. Congratulations to all our student-athletes for making Oyster Bay-East Norwich proud!

Date Added: 6/2/2025

On May 21, a group of Oyster Bay High School students brought powerful stories and a love of literature to the second grade classroom of Ms. Wagenhauser and Ms. Surace at Theodore Roosevelt.

The high schoolers are enrolled in the ELA elective “Cultural Mirrors in Literature and Film”, taught by Dr. Maria Kim. As part of their studies, they’ve been reading and analyzing children’s books that explore cultural identity, family heritage and the richness of diverse voices. For this special collaborative session, they visited Roosevelt to share those stories with younger students.

Gathered around classroom tables, the high school students read aloud to small groups of 2–3 second graders, engaging them in meaningful stories and discussions. Some of the featured titles included:

* “Rainbow Hopping” by Qing Zhuang
* “The Autumn Equinox: Celebrating the Harvest” by Ellen Jackson
* “Abuelita and Me” by Leonarda Carranza
* “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez” by Andrea Beaty
* “Malala’s Magic Pencil” by Malala Yousafzai
* “Watercress” by Andrea Wang

The event created a bridge between grade levels and was a hands-on way for older students to put their learning into practice while inspiring curiosity and empathy in their younger peers.

“Cultural Mirrors in Literature and Film” is “a literacy journey that celebrates diversity and expands your worldview,” encouraging students to explore how storytelling can bridge cultures and ignite meaningful conversations. The elective includes texts by Alice Walker, Edwidge Danticat and Thi Bui, as well as films that highlight America’s multicultural landscape.

By sharing these narratives with second graders, the OBHS students not only deepened their own understanding of the stories but also helped spark a love of reading and cultural awareness in the next generation of learners.

Click here to view the High schoolers share diverse cultural stories with second graders at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary slideshow.

Date Added: 5/30/2025

Ms. Alvizure's kindergarten class made waves as they wrapped up their unit on ecosystems with a joyful in-class celebration for families,  focusing on the ocean biome. The young students proudly showcased everything they had learned about marine life through music, art and presentations—dressed head to toe as their favorite sea creatures!

This was a thematic unit integrating all aspects of literacy, along with science and social studies. It included the building of extensive background knowledge and vocabulary that research has shown is important to becoming a strong reader.

Parents and guardians were treated to a colorful display of creativity as students sang ocean-themed songs, then took turns presenting marine animal facts on the classroom Smart Board. Each child shared original drawings and writing pieces they had created, showing off their knowledge.

The celebration was made even more memorable by the teachers, who fully embraced the ocean spirit by dressing up as beloved characters from “The Little Mermaid.” With Ariel and Sebastian leading the festivities, the event was a delightful blend of learning and fun.

The kindergarten ocean celebration highlighted not only the students' hard work, but also the creativity and enthusiasm of Oyster Bay’s early childhood educators.

Click here to view the Oyster Bay Kindergarteners Make a Splash with Ocean-Themed Celebration slideshow.

Date Added: 5/29/2025

On May 21, the library at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School transformed into a lively movie theater for a special premiere, starring the first graders from Ms. Byron and Ms. Mulstay’s classes.

The event was the culmination of a creative literacy and technology project inspired by the beloved “Elephant and Piggie” series by Mo Willems. With support from librarian Ms. Davidson and technology coach Mr. Agostini, students worked in pairs to create short films based on their favorite “Elephant and Piggie” books. Each film featured the students reading the story aloud, with their voices and personalities bringing the characters to life.

Before each screening, the students took turns introducing their mini-movies to the audience of family and friends, adding a personal touch to the premiere. Guests were treated to a popcorn concession snack as they enjoyed the heartfelt and often humorous performances.

The project gave students the opportunity to practice important skills - including reading fluency, digital storytelling and collaboration - while learning to use iMovie and other basic computer tools. It was a joyful celebration of learning, creativity and community.

Click here to view the First graders premiere ‘Elephant and Piggie’ movies at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School slideshow.

Date Added: 5/27/2025

On May 16, the Oyster Bay High School chapter of the National Art Honor Society, in collaboration with K-2 art teacher Ms. Meredith Brustman, hosted a spectacular Paint Night at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. The event was a tremendous success, selling out thanks to the enthusiastic support of families and community members, and serving as a standout fundraiser for the district’s arts programs.

Now in its third year, Paint Night has become a cherished tradition in the district. Proceeds from the event will directly support student-artists by covering membership dues for both the National Art Honor Society and the National Junior Art Honor Society. The funds will also help provide graduation cords, certificates and pins, as well as a $500 scholarship for a graduating senior pursuing the arts. In addition, the fundraiser will support educational field trips to museums and other cultural institutions, enriching students’ learning experiences through direct engagement with the arts.

A highlight of the evening was high school junior Julia Milos, a National Art Honor Society member, who led elementary students and their families through a step-by-step painting project. Her poise, creativity and leadership inspired all in attendance and demonstrated the meaningful mentorship opportunities that the arts can foster.

The event’s success was made possible by the collaboration and dedication of several OBHS students, including Perla Martinez Nieto, Leonel Escoto Soto, Erika Velasquez and Delmy (Daniella) Zavala Chicas. Special thanks also go to Ms. Randazzo, advisor to the National Art Honor Society, for her ongoing guidance and support.

Paint Night was a celebration not only of creativity, but of community, leadership and the transformative power of the arts. Congratulations to everyone who helped make the evening such a memorable experience.

Click here to view the OBEN’s Paint Night celebrates creativity, community and student leadership slideshow.

Date Added: 5/20/2025