James H. Vernon School students proudly represented their school and community in the sixth annual “I Am EM-Powered” Energy Conservation Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest, sponsored by PSEG Long Island. The contest challenged students in grades 4 through 8 to create 45-second video PSAs that encourage viewers to take action to conserve energy and help protect the environment.

This year, more than 3,300 students from 42 elementary and middle schools across 32 school districts in Nassau, Suffolk and the Rockaways participated in the program, with 91 teachers submitting a total of 244 videos. Each teacher was asked to submit their top three videos to be judged.

Vernon’s fifth grade students, under the guidance of Mrs. Hauser, Ms. Pellettiere, Mr. Sommo and Ms. Boucher, embraced the challenge and produced outstanding work. On June 3, finalists from those classes attended an award ceremony hosted by PSEG. Two students from Vernon were named among the top 10 winners across Long Island: Henry Gandolfo from Mrs. Hauser and Ms. Pellettiere’s class and Michael Capace from Mr. Sommo and Ms. Boucher’s class. Both students received a $75 Visa gift card in recognition of their creative and compelling videos.

Several other Vernon students were also honored as finalists in the competition, including Zane Rivera, Jake Grimaldi, Joie Guercia and Tessa Marchisetto. Their work stood out among hundreds of entries and exemplified OBEN’s strong commitment to community partners.

The school community is incredibly proud of all the students who participated in this meaningful project, using their creativity and voices to advocate for a more sustainable future.

Click here to view All of the winning videos.

On June 13, the cafeteria at James H. Vernon School was transformed into a vibrant celebration of history as sixth grade students presented their ancient civilizations projects. The event marked the culmination of weeks of research, creativity and hands-on learning.

Dressed as pharaohs, mummies and figures from ancient royalty, students welcomed families to explore a wide range of displays representing various cultures and time periods. Projects included sugar cube pyramids, hand-crafted artifacts and detailed artwork that brought ancient history to life.

As parents toured the exhibits, students eagerly shared what they had learned, offering insights into the civilizations they studied and the process behind their work. The showcase provided a memorable and educational experience for all and served as a fitting capstone to the school year.

 

Click here to view the Sixth graders bring ancient civilizations to life at James H. Vernon School slideshow.

 

Date Added: 6/16/2025

Last week, fourth graders from James H. Vernon Elementary School took part in an engaging and educational outdoor assembly led by representatives from PSEG Long Island.

Held on the blacktop, the demonstration focused on safety around electricity and power lines - an especially important topic as summer begins and children spend more time outdoors. PSEG workers discussed real-life scenarios and provided valuable safety tips, such as the dangers of metal pool nets coming into contact with overhead wires and the importance of staying far away from any downed power lines.

Each student received a complimentary hard hat to take home as a reminder of the day’s important lessons.

Click here to view the Vernon fourth graders learn summer safety tips from PSEG slideshow.

Date Added: 6/9/2025

On Wednesday, second grade students from Theodore Roosevelt School got a special preview of what’s to come as they prepare to become Vernon third graders this fall.

The students arrived by bus with their teachers and were warmly welcomed into the building, where they split into small groups and joined various third grade classrooms. There, current third graders gave thoughtful presentations about their favorite parts of Vernon and shared helpful tips about what incoming students can expect when they start school in September.

Following the classroom visits, upper grade student ambassadors led tours of the building, giving second graders the opportunity to explore Vernon’s many exciting spaces, including the art room, new music wing, cafeteria, gym, STEM lab and library.

The visit wrapped up in the cafeteria with a meet-and-greet, where students were introduced to all the third grade teachers and both school principals.

The event left the second graders feeling excited and reassured about the upcoming transition and eager to officially join the Vernon family this fall.

Click here to view the Theodore Roosevelt second graders visit Vernon to prepare for fall transition slideshow.

Date Added: 6/6/2025

At the June 3 meeting of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Board of Education, the district proudly celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of its student artists and musicians from the 2024-2025 school year.

In the visual arts, Oyster Bay High School students earned honors in several prestigious exhibitions, including the Advanced Placement Art Exhibit (GO APE), the Nassau County High School Juried Art Competition and the Art Supervisors Association’s All-County Art Exhibition. OBEN students also stood out in the Long Island Herald’s Holiday Wrapping Paper Design Contest and Audubon New York’s ‘Share the Shore’ initiative, with student artwork displayed in public spaces and published media. At the Long Island Media Arts Show, one OBHS student earned first place in photography among 157 entries from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The Bay News Now (BNN) team continued its tradition of excellence, earning three top honors at the Broadcast Alliance for Senior High (BASH) Awards, competing against schools from across the region.

OBEN’s music program also received national recognition for the second year in a row as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. Many students were selected for the Nassau All-County Music Festival, showcasing the district’s continued commitment to musical excellence. Thanks to a generous donation from the OBEN Arts Foundation, the district will now display perpetual plaques honoring these student musicians for years to come.

The evening was a joyful tribute to the creativity, talent, and dedication of OBEN students and teachers in the fine, media and performing arts.

Click here to view the OBEN Board of Education celebrates a year of excellence in the arts slideshow.

Date Added: 6/5/2025