From kindergarteners making their first brush strokes to high school seniors preparing college portfolios, the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District offers students a comprehensive fine arts education that builds progressively from elementary through high school.

School is all about learning, and taking an art class is a great environment to learn and explore in a space where there isn't one right answer but many, says Mr. Erik Chocianowski, who teaches at Oyster Bay High School. Everyone has a voice and a perspective, and the artistic license you have to create and find your way are encouraged in art classes in a way that is unique to other subjects.

Visual and media arts give our students a powerful way to express thoughts and feelings that they may not yet have the words for, said Ms. Erica Giglio-Pac, Director of Fine, Performing, and Media Arts (K–12). For many of our learners, this is the part of their day when they can engage a different part of their brain, think creatively and work tactically with their hands. That combination of emotional expression and hands-on making is essential to their growth, both as artists and as human beings.

At Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, art teacher Ms. Meredith Brustman introduces prekindergarten through second grade students to color, texture and storytelling. “I love art because it’s a place where every single student can succeed. For many students, this is where they shine,” she says. Kindergarteners experiment with primary colors and pattern. First graders explore texture and color temperature to share personal experiences. Second graders move to form and movement while studying artwork from different cultures and time periods.

The curriculum expands at James H. Vernon School, where art teacher Ms. Stephanie Miley leads students in grades 3 through 6 through more advanced explorations. Third graders study Cubism and create mixed-media portraits. Fourth graders examine facial proportions and the cultural history behind Mexican amate paper paintings. Fifth graders experiment with abstraction and Aboriginal art. Sixth graders study emotional expression through exaggerated portraits inspired by Edvard Munch. “Creating visual arts gives our students a chance to engage in problem solving while exploring various mediums. Engaging in the arts also exposes students to various artists and techniques as well as art from many cultures. It’s rewarding to see students excited to create art,” Ms. Miley says.

At the high school level, students dive into specialized courses that range from computer art and graphic design to photography, ceramics, sculpture, drawing and painting. Renovated facilities support this work with two Mac labs equipped with Adobe Creative Suite and a sculpture room with a kiln and professional tools. “I love teaching ceramics and sculpture,” says Ms. Maria Randazzo, who has taught various courses at OBHS. “It is so rewarding to see how students have to problem solve in a three-dimensional perspective. Also, students love getting to work with clay for the first time, and it makes the class very exciting.”

Students interested in advanced study enroll in AP Studio Art. Photography teacher Mr. Scott Boris, now in his 27th year at OBHS, takes students on field trips across New York City. Students exhibit their work through the Art Guild, Heckscher Museum, the All-County Art Show and the Media Arts Show at Five Towns College.

The arts connect to other subjects as well. Sculpture and ceramics classes examine the science behind clay processes. Drawing and painting builds concept development and writing. Social studies gains dimension when students study artists and cultural contexts. “In a project where we explored cultures and the connections that masks had with different groups of people, students learned about and discussed the importance of masks for various communities,” Mr. Chocianowski says. “We had a rich exploration of color associations, texture and material usage too, which created a deeper sense of understanding for why people make the things that they do.”

Small class sizes allow for individual attention and space for students to take creative risks. “Making art and developing concepts can be very intimidating, but we use the time we have to make them want to stand out through their work,” Ms. Randazzo says. For Mr. Chocianowski, the heart of art education lies in its impact on personal growth. “Sometimes we see a very cultivated persona that people project, and in the art-creating space, we are allowed to express and examine our vulnerabilities in a way that can be therapeutic and freeing. There aren’t many other ways that you can create something from nothing that really reflects who you are as a person.”

From early childhood through high school, the district’s fine arts program gives every student the opportunity to explore, experiment and discover their creative voice. Whether students pursue careers in the arts or carry these skills into other fields, their experiences enrich both their education and their lives.

Click here to view the Students discover their creative voice through OBENs Fine Arts program slideshow.

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School has achieved a heartwarming milestone by earning recognition as a Distinguished Kindness School through the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, an honor that celebrates the school's commitment to making compassion a cornerstone of its community culture.

The prestigious recognition arrives during a season particularly fitting for such an achievement, as the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation noted in their congratulatory message. In a world that often rushes past the small gestures that hold us together, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary stands as a shining reminder that kindness is not only powerful – it's contagious, the foundation wrote.

This distinction reflects Roosevelt's dedication to transforming kindness from a simple ideal into daily practice throughout the school community. The achievement highlights how students, staff and families have worked together to turn compassion into culture, creating an environment where everyday actions generate lasting impact.

The school's Kindness Ambassadors from Ms. Kolb's and Ms. Pucci's classes have played an integral role in this achievement, helping to spread acts of kindness throughout the building and setting an example for their peers. These student leaders will be featured in a special photograph with the school's official recognition certificate, which will be displayed prominently in the building.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which oversees the Distinguished Kindness School program, celebrates schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to creating cultures of kindness. Through this recognition, Roosevelt joins a network of schools nationwide that prioritize compassion, empathy and positive community building.

As Theodore Roosevelt Elementary celebrates this meaningful achievement, the entire Oyster Bay-East Norwich community can take pride in knowing that their collective efforts to promote kindness have been recognized at a national level – a testament to the positive environment they've created together.

Students at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School celebrated World Kindness Day on November 13 with a schoolwide initiative designed to promote compassion and encourage positive actions throughout the school community.

In the weeks leading up to World Kindness Day, all students received Kindness Bingo boards filled with activities aimed at fostering empathy and goodwill. The challenge encouraged students to complete various acts of kindness, with participants entering a raffle for prizes including pop-it fidget toys and personalized kindness certificates.

The bingo board activities ranged from simple gestures to thoughtful interactions. Students were encouraged to perform small acts of kindness, write gratitude letters, offer compliments, lend helping hands to others, and practice self-kindness. The initiative emphasized that everyone can make a difference through everyday actions.

To mark the special day, students showed their commitment to kindness by wearing shirts featuring bright colors or kind words. The colorful display created a visual celebration of the school's dedication to creating a positive environment.

Ms. Kolb's second-grade class took the celebration a step further by participating in Chalk the Walk, an activity where students wrote encouraging messages on the playground sidewalk. The uplifting notes served as lasting reminders to the school community about the importance of continued kindness.

World Kindness Day, observed annually on November 13, serves as a global reminder that simple acts of kindness have the power to create positive change. The day encourages people to be kind to one another, to themselves, and to the world around them.

The initiative at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary demonstrated how working together with compassion and consideration can help build a kinder school community and, ultimately, a kinder world.

 

Click here to view the Theodore Roosevelt students celebrate World Kindness Day slideshow.

 

Date Added: 11/17/2025

Theodore Roosevelt and James H. Vernon Elementary Schools have earned the prestigious distinction of being named Common Sense Schools, recognizing the schools’ exceptional commitment to teaching digital citizenship to their students.

The honor, awarded by Common Sense Education – part of the national nonprofit organization Common Sense Media – acknowledges schools that demonstrate outstanding efforts in preparing students to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

This achievement was made possible through the vision and dedication of new library media specialist, Liz McGee, working in close collaboration with technology teachers Brian Agostini and Regina D'Orio. Their combined efforts have established Roosevelt and Vernon as leaders in digital citizenship education.

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, students face both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. From cyberbullying and misinformation to concerns about media balance and social-emotional well-being, the ethical dimensions of technology use have become critical teachable moments.

We here at OBEN recognize that digital citizenship skills are no longer optional – they're essential for student success in the 21st century. The district has committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to become responsible digital learners, leaders, and citizens.

Roosevelt and Vernon join more than 80,000 schools across the country utilizing Common Sense Education's groundbreaking resources. These evidence-based materials help students develop the competencies necessary to use devices effectively for learning while navigating digital spaces safely.

Click here for more information about Common Sense Education and its resources.

 

Date Added: 11/4/2025

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District marked a significant milestone on Friday, Oct.17, celebrating the completion of its ambitious 21st Century Capital Improvement Bond Project with a grand opening ceremony at James H. Vernon Elementary School.

The comprehensive $29 million initiative brought transformative upgrades to all three district campuses, with improvements that promise to enhance educational opportunities for students across the community for years to come.

The wide-ranging project touched every corner of the district. At Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, a new PreK wing now provides dedicated space for the district's youngest learners. Oyster Bay High School received multiple new facilities, including a cutting-edge innovation lab and broadcasting studio, along with a modernized entrance façade and new turf field.

Vernon School saw perhaps the most extensive renovations, featuring a state-of-the-art music wing with two spacious orchestra and band rooms complemented by several smaller practice classrooms. The school also gained a new athletic center and a completely reimagined cafeteria, along with various smaller improvements including an updated playground.

In welcome news for taxpayers, the entire project came in approximately $2.5 million under budget – representing roughly 8% in savings from the initial projected cost.

The Vernon School celebration brought together district leadership and the wider community in the new athletic complex. Superintendent Francesco Ianni, Deputy Superintendent Maureen Raynor and Board of Education President Nancy Castrogiovanni addressed the packed room, reflecting on the project's significance for students and families.

Nassau County Legislator Samantha Goetz attended the event and presented the district with a special citation in recognition of the achievement.

The evening showcased the talents that will flourish in these new spaces. The cast of Vernon's upcoming production of Matilda energized the crowd with a spirited performance of Revolting Children, while student representative Ava Fishberger shared her classmates' enthusiasm for the enhanced facilities.

Following the formal presentations, Superintendent Ianni and President Castrogiovanni joined Vernon Principal Anastasia Smith in cutting the ceremonial ribbon, then led attendees on a comprehensive tour of the renovated facilities.

In a creative display of the district's enhanced capabilities, guests entering the newly renovated cafeteria witnessed a live broadcast by Bay News Now, Oyster Bay High School's student news team. With reporters stationed in the athletic complex and music wing, anchors in the cafeteria, and a full technical crew managing the production, the students demonstrated professional-level broadcast journalism. The broadcast streamed live on Bay News Now's YouTube channel, showcasing the real-world applications of the district's new media facilities.

The evening concluded in the new music wing, where attendees were treated to moving performances by the Vernon band and orchestra under the direction of the school's music faculty – a fitting finale that brought the new music facilities to life.

The successful completion of the 21st Century Capital Improvement Bond Project represents a significant investment in the future of Oyster Bay-East Norwich students. From early childhood education spaces to advanced technology labs and professional-grade performance facilities, these improvements create an environment where students can explore their interests, develop their talents and prepare for future success.

As the district community gathered to celebrate this achievement, the excitement was evident throughout the evening – not just for the impressive new buildings and equipment, but for the expanded opportunities they represent for every student who walks through the doors.

Click here to view the Oyster Bay-East Norwich celebrates completion of $29M capital improvement project slideshow.

Date Added: 10/20/2025