Smithtown Schools Pay Tribute To Military Children

SMITHTOWN, NY — Smithtown School District buildings have been engaging in activities in support of military children, as New York state has designated April "the Month of Military Children," the district announced.

At Smithtown Elementary, Principal Mary-Ellen Kakalos welcomed one of the school’s military families, Chief Dominick Mezzapesa and his daughters, Juliana, Alexandra and Kira. Mezzapesa visited Theresa Boccio's kindergarten class where students were treated to a presentation and read aloud.

They learned about the branches of the military and the different countries that Mezzapesa visited over the years as a member of the U.S. Navy.

"We thanked the Mezzapesa girls for the sacrifice their dad makes while he is away serving our country," Kakalos said. "What a fun filled afternoon!"

Great Hollow Middle School eighth graders participated in a read aloud mentoring event with sixth grade students. The students read books together written from the perspective of military children, and sixth graders asked the eighth graders questions about life as a military-connected child.

At Dogwood Elementary, Principal Renee Carpenter and students wore purple in connection with the slogan, "Purple Up! For Military Kids."