As part of a beloved summer tradition, Oyster Bay-East Norwich’s Extended School Year (ESY) program hosted its annual “ESY Olympics” on Aug. 11 at Theodore Roosevelt School.

The spirited event brought together students from both Theodore Roosevelt and James H. Vernon Schools for a day of engaging activities that blended physical exercise with learning opportunities. On the school’s blacktop and field, students rotated through stations that challenged both their minds and bodies — matching sight words before sinking a basketball shot, bowling and then counting the pins still standing, and crawling through a tunnel while carrying a puzzle piece to complete a puzzle at the finish.

Families and caregivers lined the sidelines to cheer on the young athletes, while one-on-one aides offered encouragement and support at each station. Laughter, applause, and high-fives filled the air as students proudly demonstrated their skills and teamwork.

The ESY Olympics is more than just a fun summer tradition — it’s a celebration of learning, perseverance, and the joy of coming together as a community.

Click here to view the Oyster Bay-East Norwich ESY Students Go for Gold at Annual Olympics slideshow.

 

Date Added: 8/12/2025

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