Smithtown Schools Reopening Plan 

Update as of July 24, 2020

The Smithtown Central School District is committed to reopening our schools in a manner that provides for the safety, health, and security of both students and staff. By July 31, the District will submit our reopening plan to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as well as the New York State Department of Health (DOH) as required.  The Smithtown United Task Force, comprised of many District stakeholders, including administration, health professionals, Board of Education members, faculty and staff members, and parents, has worked diligently to review the requirements and guidance we have received from various entities such as the CDC, NYSED, and the DOH.  The Task Force continues to serve an important advisory role as the District seeks to both comply with state expectations, as well as continue to plan throughout the summer in order to successfully reopen our schools to the greatest extent practicable.  

In order to keep the Smithtown school community informed regarding our planning, please note the following:

- July 29: Review of planning timeline at our Board of Education meeting slated for 8:00 a.m. - August 4: Release of Video presentation of our Reopening Plan - By August 7: It is anticipated that the Governor will make the final determination regarding reopening

Donning their High School East Class of 2020 face masks and gathered with smaller groups of their class, the East seniors finally had the opportunity to celebrate their graduation during multiple ceremonies held on the football field on July 21 and 22.

Marching on to the field to “Pomp and Circumstance,” the students took their seats next to their two invited guests. After “The Star-Spangled Banner,” High School East Principal Dr. Kevin Simmons welcomed students and guests to the commencement exercises. “We have the faith and belief in you [our seniors] that what is impossible can indeed be possible when pursued with passion and enthusiasm,” he said. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the closing chapter of graduating seniors’ careers in the Smithtown Central School District. We are so proud of what you have accomplished and more importantly, what we see to be what your future successes will be. We know that the future is bright with you at the helm of our community.”

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Bradshaw offered words of advice for the soon-to-be graduates. “You have taught us lessons about strength and resilience and how to be there for each other and for our community,” she said. “As you go out into this world, what do you want to take on? As you venture into this still uncertain future, you are taking with you the strength of the connections that you have made over the course of your lifetimes: the friendships, the families, the teacher, the mentors and all the love, learning and support that comes from those relationships. Go out and share your beauty and strength with the rest of the world and that you be made even more strong and beautiful by experiencing all the world has to offer.”

This year’s honor speaker for High School East was Erin Holler. She spoke about the new normal and how to move forward and make it the best world they possibly can. “Who could have imagined that this would have been the ending we would get after 13 years of education in Smithtown?” she said. “We were left without the closure of a true last day of classes; without the big senior barbeque and without graduating as one whole senior class. It seemed as though the best part of senior year was taken from us. In spite of all that we have lost over the last four months, there’s still things that a pandemic can never take away. For better or for worse, Smithtown East has shaped us into the people we are now. If any class can handle going out into the uncertain world, it is us. So do not accept going back to our old normal; strive for just a little bit better than we had before. Because each baby step we take one day will add up to a huge leap.”

Kira Conte, High School East’s senior class president, offered her words of wisdom as she addressed her classmates. “This may be an untraditional ending yet we are all united in celebrating our achievements,” she said. “I am proud to be a part of the Class of 2020¬ – the resilient class, the strong class and the class that learned firsthand how to take on obstacles and adapt. Now it is our turn to take on the challenges that lie ahead. Celebrating our achievements today is a testament to our grit and in the future. We are 2020 strong.”

Each student was then called to the stage to receive their diploma from Dr. Simmons. After each name was called, he instructed the students to move their tassels from right to left to signify they were now official graduates of the High School East Class of 2020.

It may not have been the ceremony they had envisioned when picturing their graduation, but the High School West Class of 2020 still had a chance to celebrate their accomplishments in smaller, more intimate commencement exercises on July 21 and 22. During the two-day period, the school held eight small ceremonies to keep to social distancing limitations. Two guests were permitted to accompany each graduate on the football field.

As the graduates marched onto the field to “Pomp and Circumstance,” they were greeted by their guests who were seated on the field with them. After High School West Principal John Coady welcomed the graduates and their families, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mark Secaur addressed the students. “Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties,” he said. “We know that success depends on our individual and collective ability to recover from difficult situations. This ability will allow you to confidently address adversity in future settings.”

Honor speaker Luke Muratore spoke to his classmates about their resilience during the pandemic and how they rose above as a class together. “We, the Smithtown West Class of 2020, are the class known for strength and adversity rather than social media trends and senior pranks,” he said. “The class known for our unique celebrations rather traditional senior perks. We have gone through the worst of a global pandemic. We are about to enter a world completely different than the one we are comfortable with. If we enter it fearless and willing to learn about and from each other, we will better ourselves and thrive in the everchanging world around us.”

Senior class president Meghan Deery addressed the Class of 2020 and spoke about their West side pride. “During this pandemic, we saw the saying ‘Smithtown Strong’ come to fruition; our powerful sense of community has proven to guide us during times of tragedy and loss,” she said. “Our displays of altruism lessened those fears of worry and danger. Throughout this hardship, we have learned to manage worry and not let it consume us. We worried about prom and panicked about graduation but in the end, this worry was crushed by positivity and love. This ceremony may not have been exactly what we expected, but it’s special in its own way. We made it through the worst together but we have only grown stronger. We know how to overcome. We do it with pride and support. We do it with positivity and love.”

The last four months have undoubtedly been a challenge for the senior class, said Mr. Coady, but they have shown their true strength during this time. “The close of your career at Smithtown has been a turbulent time with much sadness and loss,” he said. “During the last four months, we have seen the amazing true character of our student body. You have gone above and beyond to help others during this pandemic and we are so proud of you. You are a special group who will always have a special place in the history of Smithtown West.”

Mr. Coady then called each senior to the podium to be announced and receive their diploma. After each name was called, the students turned their tassels from right to left and celebrated their official graduation from High School West.