Local News for Farmingville, Holbrook, Holtsville, Lake Grove, and Lake Ronkonkoma
FARMINGVILLE, NY AND HOLTSVILLE, NY — A staff member in Sachem Schools has tested positive for COVID-19 and traveled between three school buildings recently, the district announced Friday. The affected staffer briefly went inside Lynwood, Sagamore and Waverly schools. This is the second COVID-19 positive case in Sachem since schools reopened on Sept. 9. Read more
HOLBROOK, NY — Students are beginning the school year with much-needed supplies, thanks to Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holbrook) of the 8th District and donors. Families benefited in the Sachem, Bayport-Blue Point, Connetquot, Patchogue-Medford, and Sayville school districts. Read more
HOLTSVILLE, NY — An entire class of students at Chippewa Elementary School in Holtsville must self-quarantine at home for two weeks after one of their classmates tested positive for COVID-19. Read more
HOLTSVILLE, NY — A student at Chippewa Elementary School in Holtsville has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Sachem Central School District. Read more
(The Center Square) – Despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo withholding 20 percent of state aid allocations to public schools, New York's education spending per pupil would still be “the highest per-pupil expenditure in the world” if the state were a country, the Empire Center says. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — Attention Sachem parents! With the COVID-19 pandemic posing new challenges as students return to school, the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau will lead a new program called "Straight Outta Quaran-Teen” for students from 12 to 16 years old. Registration is underway. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Each school building in the Sachem Central School District will be included in a real-time COVID-19 infection and testing tracker run by New York State. Read more
HOLBROOK, NY — The Holbrook man convicted of drunk driving and killing a 12-year-old Boy Scout could be sentenced on Wednesday — or he could have his conviction vacated. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — Suffolk County Police arrested two teenagers, ages 13 and 14, for allegedly vandalizing multiple cars and stealing a bicycle in Farmingville. Read more
LONG ISLAND, NY — New York State's Tenant Safe Harbor Act will be extended until Jan. 1, 2021 to protect additional residential tenants from eviction if they are suffering financial hardship during COVID-19, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Four more states have been added to New York's self-quarantine mandate for travelers, bringing the total to 33 states and territories. Meanwhile, Sachem students won't be allowed to enter a school building if they were recently in a quarantine area. Read more
HOLBROOK, NY AND LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Salvatore Nicosia of Holbrook was a giant in Sachem, known for his love of the community, devotion to the area’s students, and work to involve young people in civic engagement. He died on Sept. 2 at the age of 92, several months shy of his 93rd birthday in December. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District will hold a special board meeting on Tuesday evening to approve a variety of agenda items before the start of the school year. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Sachem families on vacation or other travel out of New York State before the start of the school year in less than two weeks must pay attention to updated travel advisories and quarantine mandates. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — With the COVID-19 pandemic posing new challenges as students return to school, the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau is holding “Straight Outta Quaran-Teen” for students ages 12-16 years old. Read more
(The Center Square) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the green light to some youth school sports on Monday, and while football received approval for practices, the state isn’t ready to let it or other high contact sports kick off just yet. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District will host another Community Forum to answer questions about the "Re-Entry Plans" for the start of the new school year. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Today, the Sachem Central School District said it already held the state-required number of community meetings about the COVID-19 pandemic "Re-Entry Plans" for September. However, the district announced today it will add one more meeting for a date yet to be scheduled. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Will there be additional community meetings in the Sachem Central School District regarding its COVID-19 pandemic reopening plans for September? OnSachem reached out to Sachem Schools about the district's intentions to hold the additional sessions, at least two more of which are required according to the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's directive. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Sachem Schools will have a new superintendent for the start of the school year. Christopher Pellettieri will join the district as the new superintendent effective Sept. 1 from Rockville Centre Union Free School District. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District will host a Community Forum to answer questions about the "Final Re-Entry Plans" for the start of the new school year. Read more
HOLBROOK, NY — One year ago tonight, the Sachem community came out for the opening night of the 25th Annual Holbrook Chamber Carnival & Festival. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District has delayed the first day of school for students by one day. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District tonight announced the "Final Re-Entry Plans" for the start of the new school year. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District found itself on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s list for not having submitted a plan to the state to resume in-person learning next month. This is despite Sachem Schools submitting a re-entry plan on July 31. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that every school district across New York State can reopen for the new academic year, thanks to the state’s current low infection rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before a school district reopens, it must have a plan approved by the state. Locally, Sachem Central School District's plan is with the state for review. Read more
NEW YORK, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo reminded local officials once again on Monday that he’ll be the one to determine if schools across New York reopen, but even then, it will be other stakeholders making the call as well. Read more
WASHINGTON — Tennessee will provide grants to parents to pay for tutoring for young children. Rhode Island will expand its online courses for elementary and high school students. New York will train nearly 200,000 teachers on conducting remote instruction. That’s how some of the 11 winning states plan to use their portion of $180 million in federal education department grants. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District today completed its re-entry plan for September and submitted it to New York State for review. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem High School North Class of 2020 was honored during a collection of graduation ceremonies held July 23-24 at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium in Lake Ronkonkoma. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — The Sachem High School East Class of 2020 celebrated the conclusion of their senior year with a series of separate graduation ceremonies over the course of July 23-24. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY, AND LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The senior class of 2020 in the Sachem Central School District will continue the graduation ceremonies on Friday. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY, AND LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The senior class of 2020 is graduating Thursday and Friday in the Sachem Central School District. Read more
ALBANY, NY — The New York State Education Department has issued detailed guidance for safely reopening schools in the fall. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District announced plans for its postponed high school graduation ceremonies next week. The plans now include a series of 10 smaller ceremonies for each high school. Read more
(The Center Square) – State Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Astoria, is looking to New York’s Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to prepare alternatives for law students who are scheduled to take the bar exam in early September. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced new, data-driven guidance for reopening schools in New York State. Read more
SELDEN, NY — Suffolk County Community College’s reopening plan for the fall 2020 semester has been approved by the State University of New York (SUNY), Interim College President Louis Petrizzo announced. Read more
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos provided her perspective this morning about how schools can reopen safely as coronavirus cases continue to increase across the country. Read more
(The Center Square) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reiterated on Wednesday that the decision to reopen schools, both in New York City and statewide, rests with his administration, and that decision on whether the 700 districts statewide are reopening will come in about a month. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced New York State will decide during the first week of August whether schools, including the Sachem Central School District, will reopen this fall. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump stated schools may face federal funding cuts if they do not reopen. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Congratulations to the Sachem High School North and Sachem High School East classes of 2020! The school year has ended and the graduating seniors will soon begin the next exciting chapters of their lives. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — Congratulations to the Sachem High School East and Sachem High School North classes of 2020! The school year has ended and the graduating seniors will soon begin the next exciting chapters of their lives. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY, AND LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Classes of 2020 at Sachem High School East and Sachem High School North have many outstanding students. They have worked hard to excel in all they do to achieve their dreams. Today, OnSachem is pleased to introduce readers to the valedictorians and salutatorians. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Classes of 2020 at Sachem High School East and Sachem High School North have many outstanding students. In this profile article, OnSachem features Melissa Guercio, valedictorian for Sachem High School North Class of 2020. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Classes of 2020 at Sachem High School East and Sachem High School North have many outstanding students. In this profile article, OnSachem features Miranda Garcia-Cassani, salutatorian for Sachem High School North Class of 2020. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — The Classes of 2020 at Sachem High School East and Sachem High School North have many outstanding students. In this profile article, OnSachem features Christian Berberich, valedictorian for Sachem High School East Class of 2020. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — The Classes of 2020 at Sachem High School East and Sachem High School North have many outstanding students. In this profile article, OnSachem features Joseph Berberich, valedictorian for Sachem High School East Class of 2020. Read more
HOLBROOK, NY — The volunteers serving on the Grundy Avenue PTA in Holbrook faced a challenge they never could have envisioned. With a half year of planning, the team had to determine how to save a major fundraiser—the annual Basket Bash—while facing the pandemic. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The voters of the Sachem Central School District approved the Board of Education’s proposed spending plan for the next academic year. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Five members of the Sachem Central School District community were honored for their dedication and commitment to education as part of the annual awards from Scope Education Services. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem Central School District has postponed all high school graduation ceremonies until late July. Read more
FARMINGVILLE, NY — Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro awarded two high school seniors with $1,000 college scholarships from the Highway Superintendents Association. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation extending the deadline to submit absentee ballots until the day of the election. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today in-person graduation ceremonies will be allowed, but only with strict limitations to ensure social distancing. Read more
HOLBROOK, NY — Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (8th District) of Holbrook has urged New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to allow in-person graduations this month. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Despite the pandemic and school facilities closed for the remainder of the academic year, high school students in Sachem will have in-person graduation ceremonies after all, if government requirements allow. If mandates prevent a ceremony, the district also has a backup plan. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — The Sachem community will have an opportunity to weigh in on the search for a new school district superintendent. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Eight Sachem residents are running for three open seats on the school board during the June 9 election, which will be held by absentee ballot. OnSachem invited all eight candidates to participate in a profile. Seven candidates responded by the publication deadline. OnSachem is pleased to present all the profiles. Read more
LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — Eight Sachem residents are running for three open seats on the school board. OnSachem invited all eight candidates to participate in a profile. In the following profile, OnSachem introduces readers to Matthew Baumann. Read more