Education

Sag Harbor School District officials have decided not to wait for the Southampton Town Board to formally vote on its offer of community preservation fund money before starting what they have been calling “phase two” of the process. On Dec. 21 the district began gathering public comment to shape the proposal for an athletic field and related facilities on Marsden Street, which has been a hot issue in the village ever since the plan — involving the purchase of land from a private developer — was announced in September.

Registration is open now for an afternoon of virtual reality activities for kids 10 and up at The Church, the arts center in Sag Harbor. The Jan. 12 program will be offered through a partnership with the Long Island Science Center.

Ice skating with Santa Claus, holiday crafts, science-themed activities, and more coming up for kids and teens this week.

As if playing a game of environmental football, Cornell Cooperative Extension scientists are hoping to intercept a large underground plume of ammonia in groundwater in Springs before it reaches the end zone — Accabonac Harbor.

A series of matinees for kids and families is good reason for kids to head to the Sag Harbor Cinema on weekends throughout the winter, but this weekend brings the bonus of a virtual Santa experience on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.

When she gets ready to star in Studio 3’s annual production of “Mixed Nuts” this weekend at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, Maya Leathers will leave her obstacles at the stage door; they simply can’t crack her when she’s in pointe shoes and a tutu.

The Teachers Association of Sag Harbor has thrown its support behind the potential joint school-and-town purchase of five lots on Marsden Street for an athletic field near Pierson Middle and High School, citing the academic benefits the plan would bring.

Meredith Cairns, who was elected to a three-year term on the Amagansett School Board in May 2020, resigned from the post on Oct. 14. The rest of the board voted on Nov. 15 to accept her letter of resignation.

From dance shows to staged readings and caroling, December is showtime. Plus: aromatherapy, board games, jewelry making, movies, and more.

Santa Claus will make his rounds around the South Fork this weekend, bringing holiday cheer to kids and adults alike.

It has been quite a few years since East Hampton had a robust lineup of adult programs, such as bookkeeping and computer classes, defensive driving, a notary-certification course, and even a class on building one’s own fishing rod. Now, the East Hampton School Board has given the district superintendent the green light to explore bringing back adult education programs — with one caveat.

Southampton Town appears to be rethinking its offer of $6 million toward the purchase of land on Marsden Street in Sag Harbor Village in conjunction with the Sag Harbor School District for an athletic field and related amenities.