School News, November 13, Southampton Town

Flag Flies for Veteran Don Veeck

The Hampton Bays School District paid tribute to Don Veeck during its annual fourth grade Veterans Day ceremony on November 7. The students celebrated Veterans Day and honored Veeck, who is being recognized at the school by having an American flag flown in his honor throughout November. Veeck is the 83rd veteran to be honored by the district since 2011.

As part of the ceremony, held at Hampton Bays Elementary School, fourth grade students read Veeck’s biography, spoke about the importance of Veterans Day and sang patriotic songs. Also in attendance were local officials.

Veeck graduated from Southampton High School in 1965, where he played football and ran track. In April 1970, he joined the Navy to “see the world.” He did well in basic and graduated as the honor graduate of Company 172 and was sent to San Diego for 10 weeks of food service training. He graduated as a class petty officer.

His next assignment was in Newport, Rhode Island, on a frigate-class guided missile destroyer, the USS Dewey. The Dewey was in the Philadelphia Naval Yard being upgraded with new weapons and propulsion systems, so Veeck had shoreside duty until the ship had its sea trials and was recommissioned in May 1971. This sea duty kept him in the Atlantic Ocean with stops in Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Promoted to E-4, Veeck was responsible for food service recordkeeping and was the boat deck combat watcher. In fall 1972, the ship was reassigned to the Indian Ocean with a stop in Singapore, where Veeck was able to find turkeys for the crew to celebrate Thanksgiving. The ship’s next orders were to the Persian Gulf to participate in naval exercises with the countries of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization.

Not going home yet, orders sent the Dewey to Kenya, Brazil, Trinidad and Port-au-Spain. Next stop was Puerto Rico and finally back to Rhode Island in December 1972. In 1973, after training in new anti-submarine warfare, new orders sent the Dewey to the “Med” again, escorting a U.S. carrier. There, the Dewey intercepted Russian submarines in the Strait of Gibraltar and forced the subs to leave the area. The tour included stops in Greece and Spain.

During that time, the Yom Kippur War began; the Dewey was sent to Israel, where the Russian Navy had 70 ships available to support Egypt. In January 1974, the ship returned to Rhode Island. In April, Veeck was promoted to E-5 before his honorable discharge from the Navy. His honors included the National Defense Medal, Vietnam medals and the Good Conduct Medal.

Veeck returned home, where he worked as the associate chef at the John Duck’s restaurant for 20 years. He now runs his own property management and landscaping business. He has been married for 31 years and has four children and three grandchildren. He is an active member of the Hampton Bays Methodist Church and the sergeant-at-arms in the Hampton Bays American Legion.

Southampton School District Partners With Stony Brook University for Future Scholars Program

The Southampton School District has announced a new partnership with Stony Brook University through the Future Scholars Program, an initiative designed to help students prepare for success in higher education.

The program identifies students who show strong academic potential and provides them with mentorship opportunities from grades eight through 12 to help them become college-ready. Participants receive academic, career and financial counseling, as well as personalized assistance with college applications.

As part of its commitment to supporting access to higher education, Stony Brook University pledged to meet any remaining financial gaps for program participants who are admitted and enrolled at the university after federal and New York State financial aid awards are applied.

The Future Scholars Program began with a kickoff event at Stony Brook Southampton, where students met university mentors and program coordinators. The group met with Stony Brook students and alumni and also attended a football game at the university’s main campus.

At Southampton Intermediate School, eighth grade counselor Jalai Duroseau has been leading the effort and supporting participating students throughout the program. Students will continue to meet regularly and take part in additional events at Stony Brook University.

Southampton Intermediate School Students Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Southampton Intermediate School students recently marked Red Ribbon Week, joining schools nationwide in promoting drug-free lifestyles and positive decision-making. Throughout the week, students participated in a series of themed spirit days and wellness activities that reinforced the importance of living healthy, drug-free lives.

The celebration kicked off with Spirit/Sports Day, during which students wore their favorite team apparel to show their school pride and commitment to teamwork. They also took part in a Breast Cancer Awareness Day, with students and staff wearing pink to raise breast cancer awareness. On Dynamic Duo or Trio Day, students dressed up with friends to support each other in choosing a drug-free life.

In addition to the themed days, students participated in yoga and Zumba sessions during physical education classes that promoted mindfulness, movement and wellness. They also engaged in meaningful discussions with school counselors and school resource officers about healthy habits, peer pressure and strategies for making safe, responsible choices. The week concluded with a celebratory Harvest Festival.

Serving Up Thanks for Southampton Veterans

The Southampton High School Mariners Patriot Club, under the direction of Thea Fry, held its 16th annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner on October 30.

The event paid tribute to over 350 local veterans and their families for their sacrifices and service to the country. The veterans were treated to a delicious dinner and performances by the high school brass band and chorus, as well as Shinnecock drummer and singer Terrell Terry and Navajo singer Michelle Thomas, a NAMA-winning recording artist and CEO/founder of Navajo Goddess, who sang the Navajo Marine Hymn. The veterans were further honored by members of the elementary school’s student council and community service club, as well as the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Also in attendance were New York State, Southampton Town and Southampton Village police officers, members of the Southampton Town Police Explorers program, representatives from the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office, elected officials from the Southampton Town and Southampton Village boards, and representatives from Congressman Nick LaLota’s office.

“It was a wonderful evening,” said Fry. “The Mariners Patriot Club thanks all in attendance as well as the high school staff and community volunteers.”

Hamptons Bays Hosts Regional Professional Development Assembly Focused on Behavioral Threat Assessment

Recognizing the importance of school safety and security, Hampton Bays Public Schools hosted a professional development assembly focused on behavioral threat assessment on November 4. The event was facilitated by representatives from the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center and co-sponsored by Hampton Bays and the Southampton Town Police Department.

This was the first assembly on Long Island in nearly 10 years to address this topic, reflecting a renewed regional focus on proactive safety strategies and early intervention.

Participants from across Nassau and Suffolk counties attended, including law enforcement officials and school district personnel. Superintendents, administrators, school resource officers, security staff, guidance counselors, social workers and psychologists gathered to hear from national experts about identifying and supporting students who may be in distress. The training emphasized early intervention and prevention as central components in reducing the potential for school-based violence.

“Ensuring the safety of our students and staff requires teamwork, awareness and a commitment to prevention,” said Lars Clemenson, superintendent of schools. “By bringing together educational and law enforcement professionals, we are strengthening our collective ability to identify and support students in need before situations escalate.”

The program highlighted the importance of collaboration among schools, families and law enforcement to maintain safe and inclusive learning environments. Attendees learned practical strategies for assessing potential threats and providing appropriate support and resources to students showing signs of concern.