Elwood Middle School has been named a 2025 National School of Distinction by the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE). AMLE is the only international organization of its kind for middle school educators, with a community more than 35,000 members strong and decades of research on the young adolescent learner. This prestigious recognition highlights Elwood Middle School’s commitment to being a responsive, challenging, empowering, equitable and engaging learning environment. EMS was rated based on research-based best practices on its culture and community, curriculum instruction and assessment, and leadership and organization. 

The designation required comprehensive surveys of staff and students, where they reflected on the school’s practices and procedures to assess level of implementation. Elwood Middle School proudly reported that 100% of its staff participated, rating 133 out of 134 survey items with high implementation, demonstrating over 99% positive feedback. Student responses were largely similar, with 92% participation and 75% of their survey items receiving strong implementation ratings, significantly higher than typical national survey results. The application also included a site visit where the members of AMLE met with staff, students, district administrators and parents. Students particularly highlighted the school’s strengths in content knowledge, understanding young adolescent development, leaders’ commitment and knowledge of young adolescence and middle education research, and school policies and practices.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire school community,” Principal Dr. Christina Moran said.

Please visit the EMS Schools of Distinction webpage.

Date Added: 9/15/2025

Elwood-John H. Glenn High School junior Abby Taft recently earned her Girl Scouts Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, for creating a beautiful native milkweed garden at Wawapek Preserve in Cold Spring Harbor.  

Taft presented her project at the preserve on Aug. 25, showcasing the garden she built with the help of her parents, fellow scouts and volunteers from the North Shore Land Alliance. Her project not only provides a vital habitat for monarch butterflies but also raises awareness about the conservation of these important pollinators.
In addition to building the garden, Taft led a series of educational talks to teach the community about the declining monarch population and the importance of conservation efforts. 

“Congratulations, Abby,” Assistant Principal Lindsay Fritch said. “Your dedication and hard work are bound to leave a positive impact on our local ecosystem for years to come.”

Date Added: 9/12/2025

Congratulations to John Glenn's girls cross-country team for finishing in second place at the Peconic Invitational, held Sept. 6 at Red Creek Park in Hampton Bays. Two of our runners finished in the top 5 overall in the 5,000-meter race: freshman Sloane Hinke won third place and senior Camryn Szokoli took fifth! 

Date Added: 9/10/2025
 

Fifteen members of Elwood Girl Scout Troop 1599, all currently sixth graders at Elwood Middle School and former students of the district’s James H. Boyd Intermediate School, recently completed the installation of two special gardens at Boyd to earn their Bronze Award. One garden focused on native plants, while the other is a pollinator garden designed attract bees and butterflies. 

After receiving donations and an education on native plants from local sources such as Long Island Native Plant Initiative, Northport Native Garden Initiative and Seasonal Scapes, the students worked tirelessly seeking donations, weeding, planting, mulching and creating garden decor for the school's inside courtyard and front garden bed. The troop was proud to learn that their pollinator garden was approved as a Monarch Waystation, certified to provide food and habitat for the endangered monarch butterfly population.

Date Added: 9/8/2025

Excitement filled the air on the morning of Sept. 3 as students from all four Elwood School District buildings – Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, Elwood Middle School, James H. Boyd Intermediate School and Harley Avenue Primary School – returned for the first day of classes, ready to learn and embrace the new academic year ahead.

“We had a terrific first day today,” John Glenn Interim Principal Irene McLaughlin said. “Thanks to our students and staff for kicking off the year on such a positive note.”

“It was an incredible first day back at Elwood Middle School today,” Principal Christina Moran said. “We were thrilled to welcome our seventh and eighth graders back and meet our new sixth-grade friends. The school was filled with smiles, and we can’t wait for a fantastic school year ahead.”

“What a wonderful first day at James H. Boyd,” Principal Elissa Millan said. “Our students came in with big smiles, positive energy and excitement for the year ahead. I can already tell it’s going to be an amazing school year.”

“We had a fantastic first day at Harley Avenue,” Principal Julie Bilello said. “The hallways were filled with smiling faces and positivity. Our first and second graders couldn’t wait to reconnect with friends and meet their new teachers, while our kindergartners were so excited to ride the bus and officially become Harley Knights. It’s going to be a great year.”

Date Added: 9/4/2025