The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

The Vandermeulen High School production of ‘Into The Woods’.

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in the Port Jefferson School District recently presented a production of Into The Woods from March 28 through March 30.

A Stephen Sondheim musical, Into The Woods debuted on Broadway in 1987 and intertwined the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, reimagining them as if they all took place at the same time. Vandermeulen High School presented the show through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

The Port Jefferson production, which was directed by Anthony Butera and narrated by Marlo Pepe, starred Gianna Vivano as Cinderella, Patrick Hutchinson as Jack, Albert Jack Peterson as the Baker, Rose Meliker-Hammock as the Baker’s Wife, Eve Cruz as Little Red Ridinghood, Victoria Snaden as the Witch, and Isabela Thornsen as Rapunzel.

“Into The Woods is a show that I am incredibly proud of, and I know the cast and crew are too,” said Anthony Butera. “It was extremely special to share all of our hard work with the Port Jefferson community.”

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

Royal Readers Night at Vandermeulen High School featured a wide array of reading activities.

The Port Jefferson School District recently held its first-ever Royal Readers Night, celebrating the District’s strong culture of literacy. The event, hosted by Port Jefferson Middle School and Earl L. Vandermeulen High School students, was held in the schools’ shared library and welcomed K-12 students and their families for an evening filled with reading-focused activities.

The event, led by Edna Louise Spear Elementary librarian Meg Hoon and 6-12 Library Media Specialist Eva Grasso, included performances in the Readers’ Theater, read alouds, audiobook listening, and visits from local bookstores and authors. Students also had the opportunity to write poetry, redesign book covers, create graphic novels, and design bookmarks and tote bags. For those seeking a quieter experience, the Readers’ Lounge offered a relaxing space to simply enjoy a good book.

“Royal Readers Night was a major success in continuing to promote the joy of reading throughout the Port Jefferson community,” said Port Jefferson Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan. “I want to thank all of the staff, students, and families who helped make the night a success.”

Port Jefferson Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan on the “Pressroom Afterhours” podcast.

Port Jefferson School District Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan recently appeared on The Times Beacon Record podcast Pressroom Afterhours. During the episode, Superintendent Schmettan provided an in-depth report on recent settlements related to the Child Victims Act (C.V.A.) and the ongoing financial impact on school districts statewide.

Ms. Schmettan explained that, unlike organizations such as the Archdiocese or the Boy Scouts, school districts cannot declare bankruptcy when facing settlements. Instead, they are required to pay the full amount, placing the burden on taxpayers. Port Jefferson settled seven cases for a total of $16.5 million—an amount lower than some other districts, which have been ordered to pay up to $25 million for a single case. Schmettan discussed how the District is working to pay off the remaining $11.5 million without raising taxes or cutting programs.

“We are focusing on championing our community right now,” said Superintendent Schmettan. “How can the state help us and other neighboring school districts that are facing similar types of cases? We’ve asked the community to start writing letters, speaking to local state representatives, to look for some types of solutions.”

Superintendent Schmettan laid out five potential solutions to the statewide issue, including a partial reimbursement plan in which districts would receive a percentage of money back for every dollar put toward C.V.A. settlements. She also suggested raising the tax cap, creating a C.V.A. superfund to provide districts with additional state aid, opening a window to the liquidation bureau, and allowing districts to use reserve funds for C.V.A.-related payments.

The Pressroom Afterhours podcast is available on Spotify, with the C.V.A. discussion beginning at the 28:36 mark in the episode titled “Superintendent Schmettan Speaks on CVA Settlement.”