Education

The population of students learning English as a second language in American public schools is the fastest-growing student demographic in recent history. It is a trend reflected in the East Hampton School District, where the number of students learning English for the first time has grown dramatically, and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. 

After Sunday's ceremony for the 2021 Teeny Awards, given by East End Arts to artistically talented high schoolers, two South Fork students walked out of the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center with awards for dramatic performances of note. 

Goat on a Boat Puppet Theatre plans to take the puppetry to the people -- here and all over Long Island -- this fall as it develops and raises money for a new puppet truck and mobile stage. According to Liz Joyce, founder of the company, the truck's conception sprang from one question: "How can we bring puppets to people that don't get them?"

From an outdoor concert to puppet shows, live reptiles, story times, and crafts, there's a lot for kids of all ages to do this week.

"The Year Coronavirus Came to Town" was the assignment for Montauk School students in this year's Montauk Historical Society Essay and Original Artwork Competition, and the society's director said she "was so touched by the way the kids opened their hearts" in their submissions.

Adam Fine, the East Hampton School District superintendent, announced that the district plans to return to pre-Covid norms when school reopens in September. Though New York State has not released new guidance, Mr. Fine said the Plexiglas barriers have been placed into storage at all three school buildings.

Amber Waves Farm and the Amagansett Library are joining up for story time at the farm on Saturdays at 10 a.m. this month.

James Crenshaw, who spent one school year as principal of East Hampton High School, resigned from his post Tuesday to take an assistant superintendent's position in another district.

During a June 23 meeting of the Bridgehampton School Board, Lawrence Street, president of the N.A.A.C.P.'s Eastern Long Island branch, and Denise Merchant, who is the chapter's third vice president and education committee chairwoman, demanded that the school board reverse its decision to hire Dr. Kelly, who was to officially start in the new job today.

Pierson High School's senior class graduated on Saturday in a ceremony that recognized their intellect, accomplishments, and resilience in the face of adversity over the past year-plus, and that celebrated Sag Harbor's history and place in their lives.

For many of East Hampton High School's 231 graduates, one obstacle that defined the last two years of school was merely a postscript to the graduation festivities. Instead of the masks, social distancing, and other limitations that were for many months necessary because of Covid-19, there were high-fives, hugs, and smiles in abundance.

The Long Island Community Foundation's Long Island Racial Equity Donor Collaborative has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center. The center plans to use the grant to support the Teach Me How to Fish program, an initiative that aims to tackle the wealth equity gap by supporting Black communities on the East End.