Engaging students in the real-world application of its curricula is an ongoing goal of the District, and the Long Island Growth Careers Day helped in building a bridge between education and industry.

Hosted by the district’s School-to-Community Program for students in grades 9-12, the daylong event offered an educational and interactive event about the growth industries on Long Island.

Students were welcomed by Principal Frank Pugliese, followed by an orientation by Lisa Strahs-Lorenc, director of CEO Works, who facilitated the event. They then listened to presentations on motivation, determination and some life lessons by business representatives Andrew Sirlin of Sirlin Success System, Brian Cohen of Long Island Speakers Bureau and Linda Kelban of GWN Securities Inc.

Students in each grade level also participated in small group discussions about the opportunities that were discussed and completed a pre- and post-assessment of what careers interested them as well as reflected on what individual or industry inspired them and why.

The District thanks the following organizations for sharing their time and energy in motivating and inspiring our students:

Business: Town of Islip Foreign Trade Zone and Equity First Foundation
Entrepreneurship: Ronjo Magic & Costumes Inc.; Jarrett Acevedo Plumbing and Heating; Hounds Town USA, Port Jefferson; Awsomotive Car Care and Sundae’s, Port Jefferson
Health Care: Ideal School of Allied Health Care; Intelligent Fitness; Long Island State Veterans Home and Nesconset Adult Day Health Services
Hospitality: East Wind Long Island
Manufacturing: HCP Packaging and East End Assemblies
IT and Health Care: Selden Army Recruiting Center
STEM: Long Island Science Center and Avery Biomedical Devices.