Education

Students and teachers at the Bridgehampton School will soon see more bees buzzing about the campus, fitting for a school whose mascot is the bee. Through a partnership with ReWild Long Island, a nonprofit organization that promotes “sustainable landscaping for biodiversity and climate resilience,” according to its website, Bridgehampton is in the early stages of planning a new pollinator garden.

Administrators and board members at the Ross School have approved a reorganization of grade levels at its two campuses, with an eye toward “optimizing resources and enhancing students’ overall educational outcomes,” according to Tom Sturtevant, the head of school.

Big things are happening in East Hampton High School’s science research program, whose students recently returned from two rounds of the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair with a number of awards — including a first-place finish in the plant sciences competition for Leah Fromm, one of 61 students in the research program who will show off their work at next Thursday’s Science Research Symposium at the high school.

Most school districts on Long Island are struggling to rein in tax-levy increases for next year’s budgets, with some planning teacher layoffs and program reductions in the face of harsh inflation and the possible loss of millions of dollars in New York State funding, but that’s not the case in Montauk, where in June of 2023, a school board member discovered a discrepancy in his school tax bill that will lead to a tax credit for Montauk homeowners next year.

On March 18, eighth graders from Springs School visited Liberty Island and Ellis Island thanks to the school's PTA.

The school's annual Sports Night, a tradition since 2002, raises money for field trips and this year took in $3,800.

Over the objections of dozens of parents and teachers, and without waiting for the New York State Legislature to sort out funding to school districts by way of an established state budget, Amagansett became the first school district in East Hampton Town this week to finalize its 2024-25 budget.

The East Hampton Town Board passed three resolutions that will ensure the continued operation of the child care program at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center after the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk pulls out, with Project Most set to take over in July.

For the 2024-25 school year, the Bridgehampton School District will likely put a $22.64 million spending plan before taxpayers for the May 21 budget vote. It has yet to be formally adopted by the school board, however, as numbers can still change pending the outcome of budget talks between the New York State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The East Hampton Trustees enthusiastically approved a proposal by the South Fork Sea Farmers to construct a fourth oyster reef in waters under their jurisdiction, and the first to be situated in Three Mile Harbor.

A pond cleanup, spring-themed crafts, and more for kids and families.

In the spirit of unity and community, rather than competition, three local high-end construction companies have come together to launch the Construction Career Charitable Fund, a scholarship program for high school students who are interested in learning the building trades.

Springs School recently had some big wins at the Special Olympics, at which kids 8 to 13 with special needs competed in various sporting events.

The Sag Harbor School District inched closer to finalizing its 2024-25 budget on Monday, presenting its spending plan for Pierson Middle and High School, athletics programs, and four additional ballot propositions.

Cooper, a certified therapy dog who usually visits hospitals and rehab centers, made his debut at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton last week with his owner, Eric Weston. The golden-doodle was an immediate hit and will be back. 

The East Hampton School Board voted Tuesday to put an over-the-tax-cap spending plan for 2024-25 on the budget ballot in May, citing a need to preserve all academic, extracurricular, and support programs as students continue to cope with the aftereffects of the difficult Covid-19 school years.

The Sag Harbor School District administration and school board have opted to remain in the federal school lunch program for one more year to gather data and feedback on how well the new government-approved cafeteria offerings are received by students.

The East Hampton Town Board is expected to vote tonight to select Project Most, which runs after-school programs in the East Hampton and Springs School Districts and summer camps and other enrichment programs throughout the year, to operate the child care program at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center when the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk ceases its operations there. 

Just in time for the first day of spring, and with Easter right around the corner, it's officially egg-hunting season for kids. Plus: youth sports, crafts, music and movement, creative writing, and more family-friendly fun coming up this week.

A petition signed by dozens of Pierson Middle and High School students and parents, and submitted to the Sag Harbor School Board on Monday night, has Sag Harbor administrators potentially embarking on a total review of the courses and programs offered at the school. "Today, we question if our current academic program is providing the best learning opportunity for our children and ask for a reassessment," the petition reads in part.

From prospective new faces to seasoned incumbents, candidates can now begin filing paperwork to run for school board seats in public schools throughout the East End and New York State.

The young performers with Our Fabulous Variety Show will present “Alice Jr.,” an original take on the “Alice in Wonderland” story on Friday and Saturday. Plus: Easter and St. Patrick's Day fun, sports programs, Pi Day activities, sewing and art, and much more coming up for kids and teens.

As the downtown Montauk portion of the long-awaited Fire Island to Montauk Point beach reformulation project nears conclusion, students in the hamlet are both learning about the science behind the project and, through the medium of video, advocating for protection of their home.

Students in Emily O'Reilly's English classes are preparing for speeches on a variety of social justice topics from garbage in the oceans to food regulations.

In addition to its proposed over-the-tax-cap budget plan for the 2024-25 school year, the Amagansett School District is planning to float three separate ballot propositions concerning busing and facilities repairs. The school board has yet to formally approve the placing of these three items on the ballot, but it got the conversation started during Tuesday’s budget workshop.

Five months after buying out the remainder of the contract of its former superintendent and hiring an interim, the Amagansett School District has put its principal on paid administrative leave and made the interim superintendent its interim principal as well.

Taxpayers in at least three school districts in East Hampton Town — Amagansett, Springs, and East Hampton — could be faced with approving over-the-tax-cap spending plans in May for the 2024-25 school year.

The Level Playing Field Foundation, which first began granting scholarships to East Hampton High School students two years ago to defray the costs of college counseling, college visits, and test-prep tutoring, awarded another round of scholarships on Saturday, valued at roughly $3,800 per student.

On Jan. 25, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released his list of schools that are under fiscal stress in the state. There was disturbingly high fiscal stress in Amityville and the New Suffolk Common School District, and Springs School was on the list for being susceptible to fiscal stress. 

“A vibrant display of student artwork from regional schools and our community” will be on view at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill through April 7. Plus: puzzles, grilled cheese sandwiches, St. Patrick's Day fun, youth soccer, a grandparents' play date, and more in store for kids and teens this week.