Students in Mrs. Peck’s first grade and Mrs. Gunning’s kindergarten classes at Setauket Elementary recently completed a hands-on learning unit about marine animal rehabilitation, centered around a rescued seal named Lychee.

After adopting Lychee through the Riverhead Foundation, the students took a virtual field trip to the foundation’s hospital to learn about the care and recovery of injured sea animals. Each student brought home a stuffed Lychee for an overnight visit and wrote about the experience in a shared journal.

To support Lychee’s rehabilitation, students completed acts of kindness at home and collected donations for the Riverhead Foundation. The unit concluded with a memorable visit to Tiana Beach, where families gathered to witness Lychee’s release back into the ocean.

Date Added: 6/26/2025

Sixth graders at Setauket Elementary School recently enjoyed an exciting visit from David Hagerman and his “Extreme Science” presentation. Blending science with comedy, the interactive show brought key scientific principles to life in an engaging and memorable way.

Students explored topics such as matter, electricity and polymers through a series of dynamic experiments. Many had the chance to participate on stage, while others observed the demonstrations from the audience. The presentation aligned closely with the sixth grade science curriculum and sparked curiosity and enthusiasm among the young scientists.

Date Added: 6/17/2025

 

A group of sixth grade students at Setauket Elementary hosted a special assembly for fourth, fifth and sixth graders focused on allergy awareness. Supported by Project Illuminate (The Melissa Fund), the students worked together to create an informative and engaging presentation aimed at educating their peers on the importance of understanding and responding to food allergies.

During the assembly, students shared key facts about different types of food allergies, how to recognize symptoms, take precautions and respond in the event of an allergic reaction. Their goal was to help keep the school community safe, informed and empathetic.

Presenters included MJ Feller, Dylan Ferraro, Christian Gargano, Brady Korzenko, Shane Lasner and Kiran Panesar. Their efforts reflect leadership, teamwork and a strong commitment to making a difference.

Date Added: 6/17/2025

At Setauket Elementary, students have been working diligently to demonstrate positive behavior through the school’s Positive Office Referral program. Over the past few months, their efforts have been recognized with referrals that unlock exciting schoolwide rewards as they reach various milestones.

Most recently, students reached the 75-referral mark, earning a unique and memorable reward – duct taping Assistant Principal Nicole Farley to the wall. Those who received referrals had the honor of applying the tape themselves, while the rest of the student body joined in the fun by watching a livestream of the event.

Students are now aiming to reach 100 referrals before the end of the school year, which will unlock one final surprise event to celebrate their continued commitment to positive choices and behavior.

Date Added: 6/16/2025

In recognition of Better Speech and Hearing Month, the speech pathology team at Setauket Elementary School led a powerful and thought-provoking activity with sixth grade students to raise awareness about communication challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

Students began by watching “Out of My Mind,” a film that follows a sixth grade girl with cerebral palsy who is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair. The story highlights her journey of finding her voice through an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. With access to AAC, she is finally able to demonstrate her intelligence, eventually winning a school academic competition despite facing judgment and exclusion from peers and adults alike.

To deepen the learning experience, students were given blank communication boards and asked to choose the most essential words they would need to communicate. Then, using only their boards, students attempted to complete classroom tasks and make requests of their teachers, mirroring the experience of relying on AAC.

This impactful activity not only promoted empathy and inclusion but also allowed students to reflect on the importance of communication and the barriers that many individuals overcome every day. The Setauket speech pathology team hopes this experience inspires greater understanding and respect for all voices, spoken or otherwise.

Date Added: 5/22/2025