The West Babylon School District is pleased to announce a new lease agreement with Western Suffolk BOCES, through which the entire Forest Avenue Elementary School building will be leased for educational use. Under the agreement, Western Suffolk BOCES will retain the Forest Avenue name and operate the building as an elementary school serving children with special education needs, beginning in September 2025.

While the building itself will be fully leased to Western Suffolk BOCES, the West Babylon School District will continue to have access to the athletic fields for student and community use during afterschool hours.

“This agreement reflects the district’s continued commitment to responsible stewardship of community resources,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly. “We’re proud that the Forest Avenue School building will continue to serve children and support educational excellence, especially for students who benefit from specialized programs.”

This collaboration underscores both organizations’ shared goal of supporting all learners in environments tailored to their development.

Ms. Murray’s fifth grade library intervention students at Tooker Avenue Elementary School recently created a mini town out of paper. The Tiny Town activity incorporated area, perimeter and architectural design. The students each created their own homes and decorated them with furnishings. One resident of Tiny Town, Flat Stanley, went missing. Posters were created and displayed in hopes of his return. He was never found but a new Flat Stanley was created to enjoy the Tiny Town neighborhood. Tooker Avenue library classes stopped by to see Tiny Town.  

Click here to view the Welcome to Tooker’s Tiny Town 2025 slideshow.

Date Added: 7/7/2025

Fifth grade students in Mr. Cohen and Mrs. Shah’s classes at Tooker Avenue Elementary School competed in their first World Series of Geography on June 18. Students competed in teams as they raced to accurately identify different locations around the world. Over the course of several weeks, and often utilizing their own time to practice, teams were able to correctly identify every country in all seven continents. Students also developed expertise in identifying U.S. states, capitals and European capitals. After a tournament-style competition, they crowned several “Champions of Nation Location.”

Click here to view the Tooker Students Show Off Their Geography Skills slideshow.

Date Added: 7/3/2025

The West Babylon School District community gathered in celebration on June 27 to honor the achievements of the West Babylon Senior High School Class of 2025. With proud families, administrators, board of education members, elected officials, staff and friends in attendance, the graduation ceremony marked the culmination of four years of hard work, resilience and growth. 

High School Principal Stephen O’Leary addressed the graduating class with words of encouragement and advice. During his address, he offered three pieces of wisdom to the students: Do not spend a lifetime comparing yourself to everyone else. In-person relationships are essential to happiness, and they should “be present and attentive, and spend [their] time with the people who share [their] ideals and moral compass.”  

To conclude, he noted that no matter where they end up in life, West Babylon will always be their home. “You come from West Babylon,” Principal O’Leary said, “be proud of that – and know that you have the weight of this community behind you and supporting you every step of the way.”  

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly also offered remarks, commending the graduates for their perseverance and academic success through a time of great change. 

“You have worked tirelessly to excel, not only in academics, but in music and the arts and on the athletic fields,” she said. “Your dedication, your balance, your commitment to high achievement across so many disciplines are nothing short of inspiring. “You represent the very best of what it means to be well rounded, engaged, passionate students we welcome, and we celebrate each and every one of you.” 

Class President Sophia Ging, who will be attending West Virginia University, reflected on the unique journey of the Class of 2025, noting shared memories and the sense of unity that grew stronger with each passing year. Valedictorian William Horowitz, attending the University of Virginia, and salutatorian Magdalena Obrycki, who is heading to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, each delivered inspiring speeches, urging classmates to embrace the future with courage, compassion and curiosity. 

As tassels were turned and caps tossed high into the sky, the Senior High School graduates looked ahead to new beginnings – college, careers, service and the many paths they will forge. The Class of 2025 leaves behind a proud legacy and takes with them the enduring support of their school community. 

Congratulations to the graduates and their families on this unforgettable milestone. Please click here to view more photos from the ceremony on our Facebook page.

Date Added: 6/30/2025