Education

The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance has honored four South Fork high school seniors for their athletic prowess and leadership in physical education and health classes, as well as their academic achievements and outstanding character.

After the administration put together a survey about what Spirit Day themes the children would like to see in school next week, students cast their votes.

In partnership with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, the East Hampton School District has continued to test its students and staff members for Covid-19, turning up zero positive cases out of what are now 290 tests.

Storytime sessions, a historic building tour, art workshops, and more coming up for kids and families.

The Parrish Art Museum blazed a trail this year in education, with courses for teachers that will boost the teaching of art across the board. For its efforts, the Water Mill museum has been recognized by the New York State Art Teachers Association.

During a virtual ceremony at the agency's This Is Art 2020 conference on Nov. 20, the Parrish received the association's Special Citation Business/Institute Award.

Compared to most people, Jake Lorefice was one New York University music technology master's degree more prepared to roll with the pandemic's punches and modify the Montauk School's music program, setting his sixth graders up for podcasting success. 

After 31 years with the East Hampton Town Police Department, 26 of them leading the DARE program in schools, Officer Kim Notel's retirement on Tuesday was the start of a new era, not just for her but for everyone who knew "Officer Kim" in the classrooms and on the roads.

The Bridgehampton School has instituted remote learning for six days starting Wednesday as more Covid-19 cases were diagnosed there. One staff member and two students tested positive for the virus, according to Robert Hauser, the district superintendent.

The School Covid Report Card, a state database that details the number of cases in local schools, shows one new case reported on Monday, three on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday. Of those five, four were students and one was a staff member.

Statistics are showing that schools with Covid-19 protocols in place are among the safest places for children to be, but remaining open for in-person classes may depend on staffing. "If we close, that will be the reason we have to close -- that we don't have enough staff to cover classes," the East Hampton School District superintendent said.

The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over the holiday season for many families. The good news is that Toys for Tots, now in its 35th year, is stepping in to fill gaps and provide gifts for children whose families need help.

The Amagansett School District has opted into a Suffolk County program intended to boost safety for students riding buses to and from school.

The Stop Arm Enforcement Program equips buses with cameras that can record cars that drive around a school bus that has its stop sign extended. Seth Turner, the Amagansett superintendent, said that Bus Patrol LLC owns the cameras and monitors the footage for offenders, and that the cameras will be installed by the office of the county executive.