Despite the unwelcome inclement weather, the district’s students enjoyed an exciting first day of school on Sept. 9, successfully returning to classes at John Glenn, the middle school, Boyd and Harley Avenue.

“Rain could not dampen our first day spirits,” said Dr. Kenneth Bossert, the district’s superintendent. “Students and staff alike were all happy to be back and hard at work.”

“It was great to welcome back our students and start the year off with all students in the building,” said High School Principal Carisa Burzynski. “We missed their energy and are excited for a new school year.”

High school student-athletes Sofia Condron and Kerri Giambruno were recently named to the All-Long Island team for the 2021 spring track season by the Nassau and Suffolk Track Coaches Association and USA Track & Field. Condron was chosen for her performance in the 800-meter race, where she earned the title of overall Suffolk County champion. Giambruno was selected for her performance in the 100-meter hurdles, where she broke her own school record with a time of 14.74 and was named Suffolk County champion.

“Both Sofia and Kerry displayed a tremendous amount of talent and leadership throughout a very chaotic season,” said their coach, Patrick Burke.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for both girls,” said Dave Shanahan, Elwood’s director of athletics, physical education, health and nurses. “These young ladies are exceptional both in the classroom and on the track.”

At Elwood’s Football Community Day, 50 student-athletes from the high school’s varsity and JV football teams participated in coaching boys and girls from the Elwood community in the fundamentals of football. The event was held on Sept. 2 at the John Glenn practice football field.

“This community service day was a tremendous success,” said Dave Shanahan, Elwood’s director of athletics, physical education, health and nurses. “It served to both develop the love of the great game of football for the future football boys and girls in the community, and also gave our current players the opportunity to learn how to teach and motivate young athletes.”     

The high school held its freshman orientation on Aug. 30, led by the Freshman Buddies club, whose President Skye Callaway and Vice President Braden Gastaldi officially welcomed the newcomers to high school. The ninth graders were reminded that student government leaders and freshman advisors are a crucial resource, friendly faces that freshmen should not hesitate to reach out to.

“My advice, coming from a senior, is to make those connections earlier rather than later,” said Callaway. “Talk to your guidance counselors and administrators. Be a face that they know, because you're going to need them later. As for Freshmen Buddies, you can’t get rid of us so you might as well use us to your advantage. Anything that you need, we are basically always a text or a phone call away. We want to make sure your transition from middle school is as easy as possible so you don't have to stress about being in school. Then in your sophomore year, you’ll have the opportunity to join. It’s a friendly club that makes people feel included.”

“The Freshmen Buddies are here solely to help ease your transition from middle school to high school, and we are one of your biggest support systems,” said Gastaldi. “If you have a question or need someone to talk to, we are the perfect people to come to, a familiar face you’ll see in the hallway. One thing that is definitely prominent in high school is the increase in the amount of activities that you are going to be doing. This doesn’t just include homework or schoolwork – you’re going to have sports and activities, and you’re going to eventually learn how to balance those new activities within your day. You’re going to be taking on a responsibility to manage your time differently than you did in middle school. As Skye said, high school is a time to make connections and everyone at John Glenn is going to be supportive of that. We’re all going to help you succeed and grow in any way possible over your four years here.”