Bellport High School varsity winter athletes spent time bonding with third grade students at Brookhaven Elementary School on Jan. 20 as part of the South Country School District’s social and emotional learning program Second Step.

The program was inaugurated this school year, with fall athletes visiting Kreamer Street Elementary School students.

Second Step aims to create lasting bonds between Bellport High School student-athletes and third graders in the district’s elementary schools. Serving as role models, the athletes shadow the third graders and support them in all aspects of their day, from lessons to assisting with academics and accompanying them to lunch.

Prior to the visit, all the student-athletes were trained in social and emotional learning techniques.

The program will continue during the spring sports season, when athletes will visit Verne W. Critz Elementary School.

Date Added: 1/25/2023

Bellport High School AP Seminar students recently shared group research with their peers and members of the district’s administration.

During the event, held in the school’s library, the students, under the direction of their teachers Kristen Fehr-Thompson and John Bishop, presented research that they have been working on since the start of the school year. Research topics included sleep deprivation, pollution, depression, the prison system and poverty.

AP Seminar is a college-level course that prepares students for college by engaging them in the study and research of real-world issues. It is a stepping stone to the AP Research course, where students undertake a yearlong, research-based project.

Date Added: 1/24/2023

Date Added: 1/23/2023

Four Bellport High School varsity football players have earned All-State titles from the New York State Sportswriters Association. The athletes — Jason Hunt, Justin Miles, Donte Phillips and Luis Rodriguez — were named for their excellence on the field.

Date Added: 1/17/2023

As part of its role as a New York State Civic Readiness Pilot School, Bellport High School hosted its second Civics Day on Jan. 13. The informative and engaging event was part of a project known as Generation Citizen that teaches students how to advocate for civic change. All government class students at Bellport High School completed the project.

During the event, held in the school’s library, Generation Citizen students presented projects they have been working on that involved researching an issue in their community, devising a solution to the issue and then asking community stakeholders to implement a solution. Projects addressed topics such as creating an ambassador program for special education students at the high school, providing student mental health days, introducing students to language before seventh grade and establishing later start times for the school day.

Additionally, students heard from keynote speaker State Senator Dean Murray, who spoke about his career and the importance of being involved in one’s community.

Date Added: 1/13/2023