A Message from Interim Superintendent of Schools-
Carol F. Muscarella
The arts continue to play an important role in the Plainedge school experience, and this month has been a wonderful celebration of our students’ creativity, talent, and commitment. The Plainedge High School Band, Orchestra, and Choral Festivals brought our school community together to recognize the hard work of our student musicians and the dedication of our teachers.
Participation in our music programs remains strong across the district, reflecting both student interest and program excellence! Our student musicians have also represented Plainedge with pride at numerous prestigious festivals this year, including NYSSMA All-State, NMEA All-County Music Festival, NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, NYSSMA Major Festival, NYSBDA Honors Ensemble, and Long Island String Festival. Their achievements reflect the strength of our music program and the dedication of both students and staff.
If you’d like to rewatch the concerts, visit plainedgetv.com/live to view recordings of these beautiful performances and relive the incredible talent and memorable moments from the stage.
As spring approaches, our athletic teams are preparing for another exciting season of competition. I encourage our community to support our student-athletes by attending events and cheering them on. I also want to thank our coaches, volunteers, and families for their continued commitment to our athletic programs. Your support helps create meaningful experiences for our students and strengthens our school community.
Warm regards,
Carol F. Muscarella
Interim Superintendent of Schools
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Battle Of The Classes
Plainedge High School students brought their school spirit to the annual Battle of the Classes on March 6th. This exciting school tradition brings together the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes for a friendly competition, as each grade level goes head-to-head in a series of spirited challenges.
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Plainedge Summer Enrichment
Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer!
Our Summer Enrichment Program combines engaging classroom learning with exciting summer camp-style activities to create a dynamic experience students love year after year.
From hands-on learning to making new friends and lasting memories, it’s the perfect way to keep young minds active and inspired all summer long.
Visit: bit.ly/PlainedgeSummerEnrichment2026 to register!
Spots fill quickly, so be sure to sign up and join the fun!
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Best Buddies Fashion Show
Missed the Best Buddies Fashion Show? Watch it in its entirety on PlainedgeTV.com/bestbuddies or view the photo gallery here bit.ly/Best-Buddies-2026
What an unforgettable evening at the 5th Annual Best Buddies Fashion Show! Students were cheered on by a sold-out crowd in the PHS auditorium, and many more watching from home via live stream! The show reminds us all of the power of friendship and community. We celebrated inclusivity, confidence, and the beauty of being ourselves.
Thank you to everyone who made this event so special.
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Plainedge High School Bowling
Congratulations to Victoria Perillo for an outstanding performance at the Bowling Individual County Tournament! Finishing in 4th place, her hard work and dedication have earned her a spot to represent Plainedge at the state level!
We are so proud of Victoria’s achievement and can’t wait to cheer her on as she takes on the challenge at states.
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National Merit Finalist
Congratulations to Francisco Martinez on being named a finalist in the 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program!
This prestigious recognition is awarded to less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide, making it an incredible achievement. Francisco earned this honor through his outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), a testament to his exceptional academic ability and dedication.
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We Are The Champions
Congratulations to our Plainedge High School Girls Varsity Basketball team on winning the Nassau Class A girls basketball championship and their victory at Stony Brook University to become Long Island Class A girls champions!
The entire Plainedge community is proud of this tremendous achievement and celebrates the success of our student-athletes!
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Plainedge High School Blood Drive
The Plainedge High School Key Club, in partnership with the Plainedge PTA, proudly hosted a blood drive in the Plainedge High School gymnasium.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, a total of 84 pints of blood were donated. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who volunteered, donated, and supported this meaningful effort. Your willingness to give back and help others is what makes the Plainedge community so special. Together, we are making a lifesaving impact.
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Congratulations Devin Downes
Congratulations to Plainedge High School Senior, Devin Downes for becoming a 2026 New York State D1 Wrestling State Champion! Devin is a two-time State champion, an Eastern States Classic champion, has amassed more than 200 career wins and is committed to wrestle at the University of Maryland!
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Plainedge High School Girls' Golf Season
We’re proud to announce our first high school girls’ golf season this spring! Students interested in joining can get more information from Athletics.
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Plainedge Artists
Congratulations to our incredible artists whose artwork was showcased at the ASA Art Show! The Art Supervisors Association brought together incredible creativity from across the Nassau County! A total of 24 Plainedge artists were represented!
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Plainedge High School Choir Tour
Plainedge High School Choir Tour 2026 was an incredible journey as the PHS Choir took their talents to Tampa, proudly representing Plainedge with passion, dedication, and outstanding school spirit. Our student performers shared their love of music with new audiences and created memories that will last a lifetime.
A heartfelt thank you to PHS Choir Teacher Peter Lakes for planning and leading this amazing experience. We’re also so grateful to chaperones Ms. Lewis, Mr. Vasic, Ms. Barone, Mr. Fuchs, and Mr. Maggio for their guidance and support every step of the way.
And of course, thank you to our families and the entire Plainedge community for continually supporting the arts and our talented students!
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Ms. Flanagan and Mrs. Ditizio are proud products of the Plainedge School District, having once walked the very same halls as students. Inspired by the teachers and experiences that shaped them, both felt called to return and give back to the community that helped them grow into the educators they are today. Ms. Flanagan came back to Plainedge and in the fall of 2019, served as a STEAM Teaching Assistant before becoming a Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Ditizio returned in the fall of 2021 as a 4th grade teacher, bringing her passion and dedication to the intermediate grades.
Beyond their classrooms, Ms. Flanagan and Mrs. Ditizio have made a lasting impact at John H. West. Together, they have led Student Council, empowering students to use their voices and leadership skills to make West an even better place to learn and grow. They also played an integral role in helping John H. West School earn recognition as a National School of Character. In addition, they helped launch Plainedge Perk, a student-run coffee shop where Student Council partners with students in special classes to create a welcoming and inclusive experience for all. Through their leadership and heart for service, Ms. Flanagan and Mrs. Ditizio continue to strengthen the Plainedge community they are so proud to call home.
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Plainedge BOE Meeting
At this month’s Board of Education meeting, several outstanding educators were recognized for their achievements, leadership, and dedication to the Plainedge school community.
Megan Bender, a fifth grade special education teacher at Schwarting
Elementary School, was celebrated after being named Teacher of the Month by the New York Islanders. Megan, along with Jen Thearle and her family who are lifelong Islanders fans were invited to attend a game where they had the exciting opportunity to meet team owner Jon Ledecky and watch the Islanders secure a victory. In addition to the memorable experience, Megan received a $500 classroom grant courtesy of Xerox. This recognition highlights her dedication to her students and the meaningful impact she makes each day in the classroom.
Caitlin Sweeney, a sixth grade ICT ELA and Social Studies teacher at the Plainedge Middle School, was recognized for earning the distinction of National Board Certified Teacher. Beyond her work in the classroom, Ms. Sweeney plays an active role in many aspects of middle school life. She serves as co-advisor for the National Junior Honor Society, a Team Leader, and has helped organize the school’s Law Enforcement Day. She has also presented at the National Forum for Middle Schools in Washington, D.C., when Plainedge Middle School was redesignated as an Essential Elements School to Watch. Ms. Sweeney has also been instrumental in developing the middle school advisory program, supporting the academic and social growth of students. She is widely respected by colleagues and deeply appreciated by the students she teaches.
Denise Dooling, a second grade teacher at Eastplain Elementary School, was honored for being selected as a New York State Master Teacher. The New York State Master Teacher Program is a prestigious professional network of exceptional public school STEM educators who are committed to deepening their own learning while collaborating with colleagues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. Mrs. Dooling has contributed to the profession by leading parent workshops, mentoring new teachers, and facilitating professional development opportunities for fellow educators. Through her participation in specialized workshops with the Wildlife Conservation Society, she continues to expand her knowledge and bring engaging STEM experiences back to her classroom.
Dr. Eileen Santoro, the STREAM teacher at Eastplain Elementary School, was recognized for being featured in the Newsday Teacher Spotlight. Dr. Santoro has been a valued member of the Plainedge School District for 14 years and is known for her innovative teaching practices and strong focus on technology integration. Her impact extends beyond the classroom through service-learning initiatives, mentoring new educators, and managing the Eastplain school garden, which provides hands-on learning experiences for students. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to education, Dr. Santoro was also honored this year as a recipient of the 2026 ASSET Bright Light Award.
The district is proud to recognize these exceptional educators whose passion, leadership, and commitment continue to enrich the Plainedge school community.
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Plainedge Middle School Robotics Team 7662
What an amazing championship for this team. 4th place finish overall, Rising Star award, and an invitation to the Premiere Events somewhere around the world. Best season ever!
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Plainedge Basketball Challenger Sports
From warm-ups to the final buzzer, the court was filled with energy and teamwork! Our athletes gave it their all, supporting one another and showing what true sportsmanship looks like.
A special shoutout to our Elementary Best Buddies Club for coming out to cheer on our team your spirit and support made the day even more special!
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Plainedge Middle School Drama Club
We are proud to share that our Middle School students recently presented the musical production Frozen Jr. The performance showcased the incredible talent, dedication, and creativity of our students, along with the hard work and guidance of our faculty and theater staff. The production truly felt like a Broadway-style performance. The impressive set design, vibrant costumes, and polished musical numbers created an unforgettable experience for the audience!
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Plainedge Adult Education
Some sessions of the Plainedge Adult Continuing Education spring program are still open for registration! Check the Google Form below to see which classes are available. Whether you’re brushing up on skills, exploring a hobby, or trying something new for fun, there’s a class for you!
Register now at bit.ly/PlainedgeSpringAdultEducation2026.
| Board Of Education Meeting: | Board of Education meetings are livestreamed at: https://bit.ly/PUFSD-BOE_Meeting | |
We invite you to stay connected with your school community by participating in upcoming events and staying informed through our district website, community groups, and social media channels, helping you remain engaged with all that’s happening across our district!
Visit www.plainedgeschools.org/district/ to view the 2025-2026 Calendar & School Guide.
| | Plainedge School District | 241 Wyngate Drive, North Massapequa, NY 11758 |
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