From the Superintendent...
October, 2026
A Message from Dr. Secaur
Dear Smithtown School Community,
I hope this message finds you well. Happy Halloween!! 🎃
I hope you enjoy this edition of the Smithtown BULLetin. The BULLetin is one of the many tools we have introduced in recent years to keep the community informed about what takes place in our schools and the district as a whole. Through communications such as this, we hope to keep strengthening connections with all members of the Smithtown Central School District community.
Personally, this is my favorite time of the year. The weather has cooled off, the school year is in full swing and there are many fun, fall activities that can be enjoyed outdoors. As the father of three children who participate in fall sports, it is also a busy time of year, but I wouldn't change a thing. Watching our children take part in the activities they enjoy is very rewarding. I sincerely hope that your children are positively engaged in the clubs, sports and activities we offer and that both they, and you, find them rewarding. If they are not, please check out our website for an overview of the opportunities that are available for your children or contact the school directly to learn more about them.
Sincerely,
Mark Secaur, Ed.D.
Superintendent
UNITY DAY IN THE SCSD
On October 21, students and staff throughout the SCSD proudly wore orange in support of Unity Day.
The goal of the nationwide movement is to promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion as a strategy to combat bullying.
When we support one another, our entire community grows stronger.
A huge thank you to everyone who wore orange and joined the movement to make our schools a safe, welcoming place for all!
RUNNING FOR THE ARTS 🎨🏃♂️
The Accompsett PTA exceeded its goal and to date has raised more than $35,000 to support the school’s Cultural Arts program through the annual Fun Run!
As the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Fun Run once again brought students, staff and the entire school community together for a day filled with energy, excitement and plenty of school spirit.
A huge congratulations and thank you to the Accompsett PTA for making this year’s Fun Run such a tremendous success!
DESIGNING WITH PURPOSE AT NESAQUAKE
Mr. Dean’s eighth-grade PLTW GAME students at Nesaquake are piloting a new Building for the Future curriculum—and executed a hands on lesson with Mrs. Harnett and her service/therapy dog, Trixie.
Students explored how homes can be designed and remodeled to meet the unique needs of the people who live in them. With the classroom transformed into a model home, students observed how Mrs. Harnett and Trixie navigated the space, then brainstormed and implemented changes to the home’s design and layout to make it more functional for them.
MEASURING UP AT SJE!
Our St. James Elementary second graders are measuring their way through Eureka Math! Students are using centimeter cubes, 10-centimeter rulers and meter sticks to measure classroom objects—and even each other!
They’re also practicing how to estimate and compare measurements while building important math skills through hands-on learning.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
Fifth graders at Mills Pond Elementary became history detectives as they traveled through time to uncover the story of three remarkable civilizations—the Maya, Aztec and Inca!
Through a series of interactive learning stations, students read about each civilization, located them on maps and explored the unique characteristics that helped these societies thrive.
MAKING WAVES: Smithtown Students Dive Into Marine Science Research
Smithtown High School East and West students recently took their science learning into the field through two hands-on marine research experiences. East’s Think Discovery Science Research students investigated the Nissequogue River, collecting aquatic organisms, measuring water quality and gathering samples for microplastics analysis as part of a long-term environmental study. Meanwhile, West students in the College of Oceans program visited Stony Brook University’s Southampton Marine Sciences Center, conducting biodiversity research aboard the Research Vessel Peconic.
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES 🎼
The Smithtown Central School District proudly congratulates all the talented students who have been selected as NYSSMA All-State, NYSCAME All-County and SCMEA All-County jazz musicians! Their dedication, hard work, and passion for music have earned them this remarkable achievement and recognition among the best student musicians in Suffolk County and New York State. Students were selected based on their Spring 2026 NYSSMA Adjudication.
“We are incredibly proud of our students' accomplishments and are confident that they will represent Smithtown with distinction and pride," said SCSD Director of Fine Arts, Victoria Hartman.
Head to our website for a list of our recognized student musicians.
KATIE'S KLOSET!
High School West freshman Katie Colletta of Girl Scout Troop 2179 is turning school spirit into a meaningful Silver Award project. After realizing she had old school apparel she didn’t want to throw away, Katie came up with the idea for Katie’s Kloset — collecting gently used Smithtown Central School District-branded clothing from middle and high school students to give it a second life.
Katie began collecting clothing at the end of June, and the items will be available in the hallways of Accompsett Elementary School — the very school she graduated from in 2023!
COCA-COLA SEMIFINALIST!
Congratulations to High School East’s Hannah Sack on being named a Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist! Out of more than 113,000 applicants nationwide, just 1,227 students earned this prestigious recognition for academic achievement, leadership and service.
“I am truly honored to be named a Coca-Cola Scholars semifinalist,” Hannah shared. “I am grateful to the teachers, mentors, and family members who have supported and encouraged me along the way."
FIRST-PLACE POETRY!
Great Hollow Middle School eighth grader Sophia Sartory earned first place in grades 6 and 7 in the Library of Poetry’s national contest and received a $100 prize.
Sophia’s heartfelt poem was inspired by her grandmother and the special memories they shared throughout her childhood.
“I was proud of myself and surprised,” Sophia said. “What inspired me to do it was my grandma, and it was about our memories that we had together and my childhood with her.”
Sophia’s English teacher, Victoria Wanser, shared her pride in the young writer: “Sophia is a gifted writer, and we are so very proud of her.”
T-SHIRT DESIGN TEAM!
Congratulations to Mt. Pleasant Elementary fifth grade students Ryan Ahern and Anthony Martinelli-Maggio for winning the fifth grade Moving Up T-Shirt Design Contest. This year, their individual creations were combined for a one-of-a-kind design. Great work!
All eight finalists worked with Mt. Pleasant Art teacher Kathleen Lindbom on creating their drawings for the fifth grade Moving Up t-shirts.
Mrs. Lindbom then refines the drawing, which will appear on the front of the shirt with students' signatures on the back.
PINK FOR PAIGE
Smithtown High School West DECA students Molly Hyland, Ava Devlin, and Finley VanDeusen are making an impact through their DECA Community Awareness Project by partnering with the Paige Keely Foundation to raise awareness of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs).
As part of their campaign, the students have organized a series of “Pink for Paige” games throughout the fall athletic season, bringing students, athletes, families, and community members together to learn more about Brain AVM awareness and support the foundation’s mission.
DECA is a co-curricular club in the CTE Department, open to all students in the School of Business. HSW DECA Advisor, Stefanie Torlentino, CTE Director, Christine LoFrese.
