To celebrate Earth Day and gear up for their upcoming AP Human Geography exam, students from Mr. Jannace’s class at Sachem High School East took their learning beyond the classroom with a dynamic, hands-on visit to the FoodLab at Stony Brook University’s Southampton Campus.

This immersive field trip focused on one of the course’s most challenging yet crucial units, Agriculture and Rural Land Use. Designed as a collaboration between Mr. Jannace and FoodLab Director Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz, the full-day event included lectures, fieldwork and engaging station activities. The experience brought textbook concepts to life, helping students better grasp key ideas while celebrating the interconnectedness of food systems, land use and sustainability.

A special highlight of the day was a session with Jenn Dupree Halsey, a 12th-generation farmer from the Milk Pail Farm. Halsey shared her deep knowledge of East End farming practices and modern innovations, even demonstrating how she tracks precise climate data for each of her planting fields. Despite the high-tech tools available, she reminded students of the importance of human oversight in agriculture, emphasizing the need to always keep “eyes on the farm.”

In just 45 minutes, the 55 participating students, alongside Mr. Jannace, Mrs. Melandro, Mr. Gallo and the FoodLab team, helped clear invasive mugwort, remove large stones, and plant rows of greens now protected by insect netting, making a real impact in the garden while gaining valuable academic insight.

This marked the second time Sachem East’s Human Geography students have visited the FoodLab, continuing a growing partnership that blends education, sustainability and experiential learning in a meaningful way.

Date Added: 4/25/2025

At the most recent Board of Education meeting, Sachem Central School District proudly recognized a wide range of student-athletes, coaches and teams from both Sachem East and Sachem North for their outstanding achievements during the winter sports season.

Sachem East Highlights:

* Cheerleading was a standout program, earning titles as County, Division, NYS champions and UCA Regional. Coach Victoria Aghabekian was named Section XI Class A Coach of the Year. Multiple athletes received All-County and Newsday All-Long Island honors.
* Boys and girls basketball were named Scholar Athlete teams. Varsity coach Tom Erb and JV coach Kyle O’Reilly earned Coach of the Year honors. Notable individual awards included Rookie of the Year and Academic All-County.
* Girls winter track achieved League and County champion status, with multiple All-American, All-County, All-Section XI and NYS Champion recognitions, including standout Gianna Mauri.
* Wrestling honored both male and female athletes with All-County and All-League awards.

Sachem North Highlights:

* Cheerleading continued its excellence with a Scholar Athlete Team recognition and major individual honors, including Suffolk County Cheerleader of the Year Gabriella Fleischer.
* Boys and girls winter track teams earned high marks, with numerous athletes receiving All-County, All-League and All-Section XI honors.
* Wrestling was named Section XI Division 1 Dual Meet champions, with five male and four female wrestlers earning All-County accolades.
* Boys basketball and boys winter track also earned Scholar Athlete Team designations, with Academic All-County athletes highlighted.

Combined District Achievements:

* Arrowettes were celebrated as national champions, with multiple dancers named LIDTA All-Long Island captains.
* Girls bowling and boys swim teams were honored as Scholar Athlete teams. Brayden Savas (swim) stood out with All-County, All-League and All-State honors, while Sabrina Quaranta (bowling) earned All-County recognition.

The Sachem Board of Education applauded these incredible accomplishments, recognizing the dedication, sportsmanship and academic excellence of the district’s athletes and coaches.

Date Added: 4/25/2025

At its April 23 meeting, the Sachem Central School District Board of Education appointed Stacie Spatafora-DiCio as the district’s new assistant superintendent for personnel, effective July 1. She will succeed Kristin Capel-Eden, who is set to retire at the end of the current school year.

Ms. Spatafora-DiCio currently serves as Sachem’s director of personnel, a role she has held since 2015. In this capacity, she has overseen the hiring of support staff and substitutes, managed civil service audits, and advised administrators on hiring practices and civil service procedures. Her responsibilities have also included workers’ compensation, short-term disability, unemployment insurance, and the coordination of evaluations for support staff and special education programs.

Throughout her tenure, Ms. Spatafora-DiCio has demonstrated a strong commitment to balancing regulatory compliance with the evolving needs of the district. She has worked closely with district legal counsel and participated in negotiations with noninstructional staff while ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates, including the Affordable Care Act and APPR regulations. Her leadership has contributed to the successful implementation of systems such as the Timepiece program for noninstructional staff.

A certified School District Leader, Ms. Spatafora-DiCio holds a master’s degree in business management from Dowling College and multiple New York State permanent teaching certifications. Her extensive experience and dedication to personnel excellence continue to strengthen Sachem’s commitment to supporting students and staff.

The Sachem Central School District congratulates Ms. Spatafora-DiCio on her new role and looks forward to her continued leadership.

Date Added: 4/24/2025

Waverly Elementary School hosted an Autism Acceptance event centered around education, empathy and inclusion. The day began with a brief presentation in the cafeteria, where students gathered to learn about autism and the importance of understanding and celebrating differences.

Following the presentation, students participated in an interactive walk featuring a series of sensory activity stations. These hands-on experiences were designed to help students better understand sensory processing and how it can vary for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The event was inspired by the book “My Brother Otto,” which was read to all classes before spring break. The story served as a thoughtful introduction to the themes of acceptance and friendship, setting the tone for a meaningful and engaging experience for all.

Waverly’s Autism Acceptance event highlighted the school’s commitment to fostering a compassionate and inclusive environment where every student feels seen, heard and valued.

Date Added: 4/24/2025

Sachem High School East recently hosted its annual March Madness spring fundraiser, combining athletic excitement with community impact. The event featured a packed day of basketball games, a thrilling three-point contest, high-energy dodgeball championships and schoolwide competitions, all contributing to a lively and charitable atmosphere for students in grades 9 through 12.

Organized by Sachem East’s Student Government Club under the guidance of Mr. Gallo and Mr. Jannace, the fundraiser raised an impressive $3,000 for the Long Island State Veterans Home. The day wasn’t just about fun and games – it also served as an opportunity to highlight the essential mission of the Veterans Home, a major teaching affiliate of Stony Brook Medicine. The facility provides top-tier health care to Long Island veterans while also serving as a leading center for geriatric research and education.

Beyond supporting the Veterans Home, the funds raised will also contribute to PTA scholarships, continuing Sachem East’s strong tradition of student-led service and academic support. The event was a powerful reminder of how school spirit and community service can come together to make a meaningful difference.

Date Added: 4/24/2025