Play ball!

The Commack community now has a new venue to participate in the nation's fastest-growing sport.

CHS students on Thursday morning became the first to use a set of three new pickleball courts at the high school, adjacent to the tennis courts and baseball field.

Beginning this weekend, community members are invited to use the pickleball courts after school hours and on weekends from dawn to dusk.

As a reminder, please be respectful of the court rules and other court patrons.

Superintendent Dr. Jordan Cox presented guidance counselor Jon Miale with the Commack Star Award during the Commack High School morning announcements Wednesday morning. 

The Commack Star is awarded to district employees who demonstrate exemplary achievement, contribution and performance in their roles.

Miale goes above and beyond in all things Commack. He is reliable and professional in his role as a counselor, and has made incredible relationships throughout the building with students, faculty and staff.

Miale started the Special Olympics club at CHS which has grown over the years to now include over 70 students. This year the club was recognized as a top fundraising team. In addition to the Special Olympics, Mr. Miale has been involved with coaching for the district’s Unified Basketball team, and new this year a Unified Bowling team. 

“Some may say that Mr. Miale is an inspiration as an educator,” Dr. Cox said. “He approaches every situation with kindness and positivity.  He cares about the mental health and academic success of all of the students at Commack High School.”

Sawmill fourth graders participated in CSI Day on Wednesday and their crime solving skills were put to the test. After a brief introduction in the auditorium by principal Michelle Tancredi-Zott, students were shown a short video that laid out the crime and potential “suspects” who may have committed it. 

Students then got to check out the “crime scene” laid out for them in the gymnasium and had the opportunity to piece together clues using fingerprint analysis, footprint analysis, microscope sampling and suspect interviews. 

Congrats to retiring boys track coach Paul Sleavensky, who has been named League 2 Coach of the Year. The presentation was made at the Section XI All-Section Awards Dinner at Villa Lombardi's. It marks Sleavensky's third Coach of the Year award this school year alone. The boys spring track and field team went undefeated in League 2 en route to the championship.

A pair of CMS eighth graders have been awarded a college scholarship because of their character while involved in youth basketball.

The awards were presented to Sophia A. and Nicholas D. on Tuesday morning in memory of lifelong Commack resident John Newman, a parishioner of Christ the King parish for 67 years.

Newman’s wife Donna and daughter Gabriella — herself a CMS student — were on hand for the ceremony.

Newman was a St. Anthony’s High School Hall of Fame inductee, who coached baseball and basketball for 35 years. He was the coordinator for the Christ the King CYO program for more than a decade.

Newman received the CYO role model award recognizing his impact on hundreds of children.

To honor is legacy, Christ the King Parish has created the award for an eighth grade boy and girl who participated in the Christ the King CYO program.

Sophia and Nicholas have exemplified the award’s values — faith, good character and fair play. The students also have supported their teammates, treated the other team with respect and always have a positive attitude.

Three CHS students were honored Tuesday morning for their lofty achievements in scouting.

Matthew C. was presented a $1,925 check by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Elwood/Commack Post 9263 after placing first in Suffolk County and second in New York State in the Scout of the Year competition.

Meanwhile, CHS also recognized on Tuesday morning new Eagle Scouts Matthew M. and Jack F.

All three CHS students are active with Troop 125.

Matthew C. previously had been honored by Suffolk County executive Edward Romaine and Suffolk County legislator Nick Caracappa.

CHS track and field’s Danny P. proved himself an elite competitor at the New York State Track and Field Championships.

Danny placed second in the pentathlon at Cicero North Syracuse this past weekend, and third overall in the Federation.

He also was selected to Newsday’s All-Long Island track and field team.

Sawmill fifth graders participated in the third annual Sawmill Boat Brigade Tuesday morning. Led by enrichment teacher Lindsey Persichilli, students constructed their own boats, factoring in buoyancy, weight and the ability to hold mass when floating across an inflatable pool. 

Students were able to take part in one of two competitions. The first measured how fast each boat could get from one side of the pool to the other. The second competition measured how much weight each boat could carry across the pool. 

Students analyzed their results and were able to make modifications to their boat to improve their speed or strength. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jordan Cox paid the students a visit along with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Tim Russo and Sawmill Principal Michelle Tancredi-Zott to watch the competitions.