Eight members of the nationally ranked Hofstra University dance team visited Elwood Middle School on March 28 to lead a master class for EMS Knightline. This incredible opportunity allowed the team to learn firsthand from collegiate-level dancers, focusing on pom technique and a sidelines pom routine. The energy in the room was electric as the Knightline dancers pushed themselves to refine their skills, embracing the challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism. Beyond the physical training, the master class also featured a Q&A session where the EMS dancers gained valuable insight into what it takes to compete and perform at the collegiate level. The Hofstra dancers shared their experiences balancing academics and athletics, the dedication required to maintain their elite status, and the rewards of being part of a nationally ranked program.This master class was an unforgettable experience for the Knightline students, reinforcing their commitment to excellence while providing them with invaluable lessons from some of the best collegiate dancers in the country.

“Having the Hofstra team come in to work with our dancers was truly inspiring,” Knightline coach Joanna Maricondo said. “It gave our team a glimpse into the discipline and passion required at the next level. The growth and confidence I saw in my dancers throughout the class was incredible. A huge thank you to Hofstra for sharing their time, expertise and passion with us.”

The excitement continued for the middle schoolers the following week with a special visit to UBS Arena. Before the puck dropped at the New York Islanders hockey game on April 1, the team, joined by their Knightline counterparts from Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, warmed up the crowd with a spectacular pregame show in the great hall. With the Elwood Knights logo projected behind them, the Knightline teams showcased their moves in four upbeat and lively numbers: team, hip hop, pom, and kick. As if their stellar routines weren't enough to make the night unforgettable, the Islanders had a surprise for the students, presenting them with personalized jerseys proudly displaying “Knightline” on the back.

The new flag football program at Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, led by team captains Molly Brigmati, Christina Munch and Nicole Savitsky, is off to a successful start. Savitsky and Class of 2024 graduate Lauren LaMena had approached Athletic Director Dave Shanahan in January 2023 to propose that the school start a flag football team. In 2024, it became an intramural sport. This year, a varsity team of 21 girls was formed, coached by Craig Ash, for a 16-game season. In the team’s very first game on March 26, the Knights defeated East Hampton by a score of 27-6.

“It’s a first-year program for everyone, and not many people knew anything about football, so it was a great opportunity to learn a different sport and build the team,” Munch said.

“It felt amazing to finally get on the field and know because of us, flag football was brought here for the first time,” Savitsky said. 

“I think it was good for us, because although we obviously had a lot of questions, we really worked as a team,” Brigmati said. 

“What I told the girls is, as a first-year program, I really just want to just make the playoffs,” Ash said. “It’s a long season, but we will just take it day by day and keep getting better.”

“More importantly than winning a game is developing the life skills of working hard, trying something new and stepping outside your comfort zone, and they really have embraced that,” Shanahan said. “We are so proud from an administrative and teaching standpoint. Coach Ash has done an outstanding job bringing the girls together around him, working them hard, but having fun at the same time. I appreciate the parents for all of their support as well. They really came to the forefront and gave a great push in a positive manner to help the district get the sport of flag football.”

Date Added: 4/16/2025

In alignment with the K-5 Digital Proficiency Plan and the effort to align the library with the classroom curriculum, second graders at Harley Avenue Primary School were hard at work during March learning Google Slides. To do this, they created presentations on Women’s History Month. Each student chose a prominent woman in history, and librarian Lindsey Merrow provided them with a biography on their chosen person. For this project, they spent several weeks taking notes on their person’s early life, accomplishments, obstacles and fun facts, then turned those notes into Google Slides presentations. 

During the creation of the presentations, the students – most of whom had never used Slides before – learned to insert text boxes; change font size, color and type; insert backgrounds, images and shapes; use the camera tool; and crop and rotate photos. During the first week of April, the second graders presented their Slides to their classmates. 

“I am so incredibly proud of their hard work,” Merrow said. 

Date Added: 4/16/2025