Albert G. Prodell Middle School’s choirs brought home top honors at the 2025 Music in the Parks festival, held this past weekend at Six Flags, earning a series of first place finishes and a prestigious overall award.

Under the direction of John Samonte, the Middle School Chromatics Men’s Choir and the Quartertones Show Choir each placed first in their respective categories, demonstrating exceptional musicality, stage presence and professionalism. In addition to their category wins, the combined efforts of the ensembles led to the highest honor of the day – the Overall Middle School Choir Award, given to the top-scoring choral group among all participating middle schools.

Additionally, Jamyson Ochoa, an eighth grader and featured soloist, received the Outstanding Soloist Award, a recognition presented to individual performers who demonstrate remarkable vocal skill and artistry.

“These students have worked incredibly hard all year, and it’s so rewarding to see their dedication recognized on a big stage,” said Mr. Samonte. 

 

Date Added: 7/30/2025

It was an especially musical day at Miller Avenue School on June 17. First and second graders performed for the whole school some of their spring concert songs. 

Under the leadership of Mrs. Cara Verity the sound of joyful music rang out in the gymnasium.

“It was fabulous,” said teacher Krista LaBarbera.

 

Date Added: 7/30/2025

Who knew that a trip to Stony Brook University to see “Peter and the Wolf’ would result in meeting up with the schools’ athletic mascot Wolfie the Seawolf?

That is just what happened when Wading River School’s third and fourth graders set out for composer Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale featuring the Staller Center Outreach Ensemble, which includes SBU music department students.

The event was an opportunity to introduce many of the students to symphonic storytelling and classical music.

The Shoreham-Wading River School District and Wading River School students thank Mr. Paul Newland, Outreach Director at the Staller Center for the Arts, for providing this special event for students to experience this beloved children's classic.

 

Date Added: 7/30/2025

The Shoreham-Wading River School District’s Roundout program is once again a place for friendships, socialization and camaraderie for community students. The popular, annual summer recreation program features a wide range of activities, including games, outdoor adventures, teambuilding and art projects in Wading River School. The students also take part in several different theme days.

The sessions take place for three morning hours from mid-July through mid-August, and students enter the building ready to embrace that day’s activities. The program also allows students to socialize, play with and get to know students they will attend school with this year. Superintendent of Schools Mr. Gerard Poole got in on some action with a perfect whiffle ball pitch that led to a homerun!

Much of the organized play is provided by the student volunteers, who attended the summer program as campers and enjoyed it so much they came back to share the fun with the younger students.

Click here to view the Summer Fun and Friendships with Roundout slideshow.

Date Added: 7/30/2025

The Shoreham-Wading River School District announces Debra A. Ferry, CAA, as its new director of health, physical education and athletics. Ms. Ferry brings extensive educational and athletic leadership experience from her previous role as director of athletics at Half Hollow Hills Central School District.

At Half Hollow Hills, since 2016 Ms. Ferry has led athletic programs across four schools with over 125 teams. She developed and mentored over 190 coaches while introducing new programs including unified sports, boys and girls bowling, and flag football. Her creation of a mandatory Code of Conduct Night promoted responsibility and community partnerships.

From 2007-2016, Ms. Ferry served as director of health, physical education, nursing and athletics in the Port Jefferson School District. She created a High School Wellness Physical Education course incorporating modern fitness trends and successfully built a lacrosse program from community level to middle school and junior varsity teams.

Ms. Ferry currently serves as 2nd vice president of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, a prestigious eight-year term through 2032. She previously held the position of Section XI female representative to NYSPHSAA from 2015 to 2023 and served as president of Section XI, demonstrating her influence in shaping state athletic policy.

Her academic credentials include a Master of Science in school administration and supervision from Touro College in 2006 and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education K-12 from SUNY Cortland in1993 and 1995. She holds school district administrator and school administrator/supervisor certifications, plus certified athletic administrator certification from NIAAA, received in 2010.

Ms. Ferry’s coaching background includes head girls varsity field hockey coach from 2002 to 2007 and head junior varsity girls lacrosse coach from 1999 to 2006 at Northport High School, plus collegiate coaching at SUNY Cortland and roles with the Long Island Region of the Empire State Games and the United States Field Hockey Association.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Ferry to the Shoreham-Wading River School District,” Superintendent of Schools Mr. Gerard Poole said. “With her combination of administrative expertise, teaching background and hands-on athletic experience, she is positioned to enhance our district’s integrated approach to student health, physical education and athletics.”

 

 

Date Added: 7/24/2025