Elwood Middle School’s musical production of “Legally Blonde Jr.,” presented on March 14 and 15, was a smash hit thanks to the incredible dedication of its student cast and crew. From Nora Brzezinski starring as Elle Woods, to the students playing her Harvard classmates, every performer brought energy, humor and heart to the stage, captivating the audience with their talents. The musical numbers were full of enthusiasm, and the actors’ comedic timing had the crowd laughing throughout. Backstage, the student-led crew worked tirelessly to ensure smooth scene changes, lighting cues and sound effects, proving that their hard work was just as crucial as what happened on stage. The set, props and costumes all reflected their creativity and attention to detail. 

Based on the 2001 comedy film and 2007 Broadway version, the musical was directed by Joanna Maricondo, with Amelia Profaci serving as music director, Joana Osman as art and stage crew director, and Alex Wightman as stage prop director.

“After six months of rehearsals and preparation, our students’ efforts paid off with standing ovations and cheers from an impressed audience,” Osman said. “Their passion and teamwork made ‘Legally Blonde Jr.’ a performance to remember!”

Date Added: 3/24/2025

This January, Elwood Middle School launched its first Spare a Pair Sock Drive, with the goal of collecting 400 pairs of socks for those in need. Organized by student leadership, and guided by advisers Jill Locascio and Scott Mikelbank, the drive encouraged donors to participate by adding a paper sock to the school’s “sock-o-meter” display for each donation. 

To spread the word about the drive, student leadership distributed weekly community flyers, organized a Socks & Sandals spirit day and hosted a buildingwide Simon Says Socks game, in which three winners were awarded prizes. The drive concluded in mid-February with over 500 pairs of socks collected, which were then delivered to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
 
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of Elwood staff and the community, we far surpassed our goal,” Locascio said. “We are deeply grateful for every contribution, and this sock drive is a powerful reminder of how a community can come together to support a meaningful cause.”

Date Added: 3/5/2025

Seventh graders at Elwood Middle School participated in the second annual Middle of the Middle Day on Feb. 3, celebrating reaching the middle of their middle school career. 

During the day, planned by teachers Jenine Harris and Danielle Whitcomb, students rotated in groups between three stations. American Backyard games celebrated our nation’s pastimes, with students playing cornhole and Spike Ball. Origami was taught at the second station by the school’s principal, Dr. Christina Moran. Students watched a reading of Eleanor Coerr’s “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, then created their own paper cranes. Lastly, the seventh graders were challenged during Minute to Win It competitions, where they tried to create the most words with toothpicks and became a human ring toss. 

Students were treated to pizza and ice cream during lunch, donated by the EMS PTA, followed by a virtual book talk with author Kwame Alexander. The seventh graders ended the day guessing the name of their classmates using their kindergarten pictures. 

“It was a great celebration of our seventh grade,” Whitcomb said.

Date Added: 2/27/2025

Elwood Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society organized a celebration of P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 14 with the hope of spreading positivity, kindness and support. During all three lunch periods, students were able to stop by the P.S. I Love You Day table and fill out a heart with inspiring and motivational messages. The hearts were used to create a mural in the school.

“The mission of P.S. I Love You Day is to end stigma and create hope for those affected by mental illness,” Glenn school counselor Laurie Oriolo said. “The goal is to foster an environment where affected individuals are supported and create a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued and loved.

Date Added: 2/26/2025

The Elwood PTA Council recently partnered with leading clothing brand GOAT USA to launch a special campaign to raise essential funds for school programs and initiatives. Students at Elwood Middle School and James H. Boyd Intermediate School had the chance to engage in an inspiring lesson centered around GOAT USA’s positive message of “ordinary people can do extraordinary things.” Students created “GOAT” stickers, and the company selected one winning design each from the two schools, then created stickers to be shared with all students and staff. The winner sticker for Boyd was designed by third grader Kaia Abdulkhalek, while the middle school’s winning design came from eighth grader Paige Karafiol.

Students and families had access to purchase exclusive GOAT USA apparel that was custom designed for the Elwood school community, with a portion of every sale donated directly to the school PTAs to provide enriching educational experiences throughout the year.  
 
“While we always think about GOATs as famous athletes or music artists, the goal was for our students to think about who in their life is their GOAT and why, such as a family member, friend, teacher or coach,” Boyd Principal Elissa Millan said.

Date Added: 2/20/2025