Fifth grade students in Ms. Castelli’s class at John F. Kennedy Elementary School took part in a meaningful tribute to Sept. 11, creating projects that combined creativity, compassion and remembrance.

As part of their learning and reflection, students folded origami paper cranes and designed quilt squares inspired by themes of hope, peace and unity. The origami cranes, recognized worldwide as a symbol of healing and resilience, served as a reminder of the strength and recovery of the nation following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The cranes will be joined together to create a peace sign.

In addition, each student crafted a quilt square featuring artwork and inspirational messages. When pieced together, the squares will create a commemorative quilt — a lasting representation of unity, remembrance and community spirit.

The activity encouraged students to honor the memory of 9/11 while expressing themselves through art. By engaging in this project, they gained a deeper understanding of the importance of remembrance and the lessons of unity that emerged from the tragedy.

Click here to view the JFK Students Honor 9/11 with Art slideshow.

Date Added: 9/12/2025

West Babylon School District officially welcomed students back to school on Sept. 3, signaling the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. Across the district, students were greeted by faculty, administrators and staff who worked diligently to ensure a smooth and organized opening day.

From elementary through high school, classrooms quickly came alive with instruction as students settled into their schedules and teachers set the tone for a year focused on academic growth and achievement.

District and building leaders visited schools throughout the day, underscoring the district’s commitment to instructional excellence and student well-being.

As the new school year begins, the West Babylon School District looks forward to continuing to support the academic, social and emotional development of every student.

Click here to view the Successful Start for West Babylon’s First Day slideshow.

West Babylon Junior High School eighth graders Caitlin Carlsen and Madeline Siena unveiled their collaborative mural project in the school’s cafeteria on Sept. 2.

Titled “Reduce, Reuse & Ride the Recycling Wave,” the mural was created as part of their work with Girl Scout Troop #1270 and serves as a powerful visual reminder of the importance of protecting oceans from plastic waste. Crafted entirely from hundreds of recycled bottle caps, the vibrant ocean wave symbolizes the impact of reusing everyday materials to create something both meaningful and beautiful. Each cap was carefully collected, sorted and transformed into a design that inspires environmental awareness and action.

The students hope their work will inspire others to be more mindful of their environmental choices and to contribute to a cleaner, healthier ocean for future generations.

Date Added: 9/3/2025

On Aug. 27, West Babylon Senior High School rolled out a warm welcome to the incoming Class of 2029 during ninth grade orientation. Principal Steve O’Leary introduced students to the school’s policies, procedures and expectations before they set off to explore their new building alongside their guidance counselors.

Freshmen walked through their schedules, practiced opening their lockers, and familiarized themselves with their new surroundings. The day wrapped up on a sweet note as classmates connected, made new friends, and enjoyed ice cream together to celebrate the start of their high school journey.

Click here to view the Class of 2029 Tours Their New Building slideshow.

Date Added: 8/28/2025

West Babylon Junior High School has an ongoing collaboration with the West Babylon Public Library to display K-12 artwork throughout the school year in the children’s section of the library. 

The current exhibit features sixth and eighth grade artwork on display in July and August. Ms. Alfano’s eighth grade classes created flower portraits using colored pencils. Students applied their understanding of primary, secondary and tertiary colors, along with tints and shades. Students were limited by the use of only primary colors along with black and white to develop their work, pushing their understanding of color theory. 

The sixth grade students created animal zentangles using micron pen and watercolor pencils. Students chose an animal that represented them and used a variety of techniques using micron pens and watercolor to create unique pieces with a likeness of their animal. Students learned about mindfulness through zentangle techniques. 

Click here to view the West Babylon Public Library Showcases Work of JHS Student-Artists slideshow.

Date Added: 8/26/2025