On November 8, Clara H. Carlson School’s patriotism was on full display as it proudly hosted its vibrant and heartfelt annual Veterans Day Assembly to honor the brave men and women who have served in the nation’s military.

The ceremony began with the third graders, the Color Guard and special veteran guests entering the auditorium to the timeless tune of Grand Old Flag. Principal Stacia Walfall welcomed an enthusiastic crowd and sixth grader Donavaun Gopie delivered a beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.

Each third grade class then took center stage to shine a spotlight on five of the six branches of the U.S. military — the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corp and Army. Their performances of “This Land is Your Land” and “Fifty Nifty” were met with cheers from the audience, and their recitation of the Heroes in Uniform poem brought smiles and applause.

The celebration continued with a moving slideshow honoring veterans, followed by an inspiring reading of the poem Don't Quit by school counselor Jane Dragovich. As the ceremony neared its grand finale, the third graders returned to the risers to deliver a rousing rendition of “Thank You, Soldiers,” before closing with the beloved Grand Old Flag.

Date Added: 11/20/2024

The excitement and pride were evident in the chatter and full gymnasium at Covert Avenue School, as the Elmont community came together to honor both local veterans from the American Legion Post 1033 and ENL scholars at the board of education meeting on November 12.        

Superintendent of Schools Marlon Small began the meeting with heartfelt words of thanks to the veterans in attendance before handing the reigns over to Covert Avenue School Principal Mary Natoli. With warm enthusiasm, Ms. Natoli welcomed the families, scholars, board trustees and all others in attendance to the annual tradition of honoring those who have served the country. She then invited Nassau County Director of Veterans Affairs Ralph Esposito to join in leading the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Under the inspiring direction of Covert Avenue music teacher Sheryl Turk, the fifth and sixth grade chorus sang a touching rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” 

Following the national anthem, Ms. Natoli addressed the veterans. “On behalf of all of us, thank you for your service and sacrifice. It is because of you that we can enjoy the freedom to pursue our goals and celebrate days like today. Your bravery and dedication inspire us to be better, and your legacy reminds us of the importance of giving back to our community and country.”

In a beautiful tribute to the veterans, the chorus sang once more, delivering a powerful performance of “United We Stand (An American Medley).” Principals from all six buildings, alongside students, then presented handmade cards to the veterans as a token of gratitude. 

American Legion Post 1033 Commander Lecia A. Rodriques-Whyte and Mr. Esposito thanked the district and families for their unconditional support each year. 

After the touching ceremony honoring Elmont’s veterans, Interim Director of Curriculum and Instruction Robert Cavaliere recognized the incredible milestone achieved by 74 ENL scholars from across the district. These remarkable students scored at the Commanding level on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test, an annual assessment designed to evaluate students’ abilities in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. Achieving the Commanding level represents a student’s mastery of fluency in English. 

Students from each building were called to the front of the gymnasium, where they were congratulated by their principals and Mr. Cavaliere, and received a Certificate of Recognition. 

To offer an inclusive and engaging environment for all attendees, the district also  provided live translation in Spanish with ear-piece devices.

Click here to view the District Celebrates Excellence in Service and Academics at November Board Meeting slideshow.

Date Added: 11/18/2024

Each year, the Elmont Union Free School District is the recipient of an incredible outpouring of generosity from the Nassau County Police Detectives’ Association through their annual Coats for Kids drive. This heartwarming initiative ensures that students in need stay warm throughout the winter months.

Led by district Pupil Personnel Services Director Audrey Cabbell and Assistant Director Helisse Palmore, the PPS department worked with the schools’ dedicated social workers to coordinate with the detectives who collected a selection of coats tailored to fit the needs of each school. This year, the district received around 15 coats per building in a variety of sizes, colors and styles.

Date Added: 11/15/2024  

On November 7, Student Council members from each of the six schools, along with the social workers, Ms. Cabbell and Superintendent of Schools Marlon Small, gathered at the PPS office for the special celebration. Together, they welcomed Detectives Vinny Vacchiano and Richard Morello from the NCPDAI, accepted the generous donations and extended a heartfelt thank you to them for their unwavering support and commitment to the Elmont comm

Dutch Broadway School enjoyed a vibrant week of celebrating health and kindness during its annual Red Ribbon Week from October 21-25. Organized by dedicated social worker Marjorie Cavalluzzo, this initiative brought the school community together to highlight the importance of living a drug-free life and spreading kindness.

The weeklong event kicked off on Monday with a spirited theme: “Team Up Against Drugs and Bullies.” Students and staff donned their favorite sports team apparel, showing off their team spirit while championing a positive message. Tuesday was a sea of red for Red Ribbon Day, as everyone wore bright red to demonstrate unity and a commitment to kindness. Wednesday brought on the fun with Favorite Hat Day, where students rocked their coolest hats to “put a cap on bullying.” Thursday was all about staying active and healthy during Work Out Day, and the school community showed up in stylish workout gear to demonstrate the importance of a healthy mind and body.

As Dutch Broadway enthusiastically concluded the week, they celebrated with a Pink Day to show support for those battling breast cancer, as October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each grade also enjoyed a lively outdoor dance party in the courtyard to commemorate the final day of Red Ribbon Week.

Date Added: 11/12/2024