This April, eighth grade students at P.J. Gelinas and R.C. Murphy junior high schools participated in crucial lessons on hate speech, with a special focus on addressing antisemitism. At Gelinas, the sessions were led by Dr. Cone, director of social studies, and Ms. Keane, the principal, through English classes. At Murphy, Dr. Cone led the discussions in social studies classes.

The interactive sessions helped students understand what constitutes hate speech, why it is harmful and the consequences of such behavior. Using real-world examples, students explored how hateful rhetoric impacts individuals and communities, while also learning strategies to speak out against discrimination.

This initiative reflects the Three Village Central School District’s commitment to combating prejudice and promoting a culture of empathy, respect and inclusivity.

Date Added: 4/11/2025

At the latest Board of Education meeting, the Three Village Central School District proudly recognized several student-athletes and coaches for their outstanding performances during the winter sports season. These individuals demonstrated excellence in competition, earning local and state honors across multiple sports.

Boys Track and Field
Jon Seyfert was celebrated for a remarkable season, capturing titles as League champion in the 3200 meter, 1000 meter and 1600 meter, earning League MVP honors, and winning the County Championship in the 1600 meter. He capped off his season as the New York State Boys Indoor Track 1600 Meter champion.
Joglanio Alcindor also earned recognition as League and County champion in the 55 meter, representing Three Village at the NY State Indoor Boys Track Championship, alongside teammate Anthony Anatol.
Coach Ryan Deluca was named Boys Track League 1 Coach of the Year, highlighting a successful season for the program.

Fencing
In fencing, Kiki Liu was named Girls Fencing Foil County champion, while William Dreyer earned the title of Boys Sabre County champion.

Boys Basketball
James Coffey was honored as the team’s Rookie of the Year, showing promise and talent in his debut season.

Girls Basketball
Kaitlyn McNeil received the Unsung Hero Award, a testament to her dedication, teamwork and invaluable contributions on and off the court.

Wrestling
Chase Phillips was celebrated as a Wrestling League champion and achieved the milestone of his 100th career victory. Fellow wrestler Zach Rothenberg was also honored for reaching his 100th career win.

Cheer
The district’s cheerleading team made history as they were crowned New York State Competitive Cheer champions, a tremendous accomplishment that reflects their skill, determination and team spirit.

The district extends its congratulations to all these student-athletes and their coaches for their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship throughout the season.

Click here to view the Three Village School District Celebrates Winter Athletic Achievements slideshow.

Date Added: 4/10/2025

March Madness took on a literary twist this year in Ms. Stefanie Baldante’s fifth grade classroom at W.S. Mount Elementary. As part of the #classroombookaday challenge, her students have been reading one picture book each day, diving into stories that are curriculum-based, culturally diverse, seasonally themed and just plain fun.

To celebrate their love of reading, the class hosted its own Picture Book March Madness tournament. Sixteen standout titles faced off in head-to-head matchups, with students voting for their favorites based on plot and theme. After several exciting rounds of literary battles, the ultimate winner was “Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando,” a powerful and inspiring story about the invention of instant ramen and the man behind it.

This creative classroom activity brought energy, engagement and a deeper appreciation for storytelling, showing just how powerful a good book – and a little friendly competition – can be.

Date Added: 4/10/2025

On Wednesday, April 9, Ward Melville High School’s 10th grade students gathered for a powerful assembly in the auditorium featuring Dr. Bernie Furshpan, a second-generation Holocaust survivor. Dr. Furshpan shared the extraordinary and harrowing story of his father, who, at just 10 years old, survived alone for three years in a Polish forest after the Nazis invaded his village of Ludvipol, Poland.

This assembly, which aligns with New York State social studies standards, aimed to provide students with a deeper understanding of historical events and global conflicts, and their long-lasting impact. Dr. Cone, the director of social studies, emphasized the value of hearing personal accounts of survival and resilience.

“By hearing personal accounts of survival and resilience, the hope is that students will gain a more meaningful connection to history, fostering historical analysis, empathy and awareness of the consequences of hatred and intolerance,” Dr. Cone said.

Beyond recounting his family’s remarkable survival, Dr. Furshpan also addressed the ongoing dangers of antisemitism and other forms of hatred. He urged students to stand against all forms of discrimination and prejudice, stressing the importance of remaining vigilant to ensure such atrocities are never repeated.

This assembly reinforced the school district’s ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of respect, understanding and tolerance. It served as an important reminder to students about the power of empathy and the need to challenge hate while building bridges between diverse communities.

Date Added: 4/9/2025