Exterior of Clara H. Carlson elementary school

Clara H. Carlson School

Mrs. Stacia Walfall, Principal

Mr. Richard Mansfield, Asst. Principal

Mrs. Melissa Polzella, Asst. Principal

235 Belmont Boulevard, Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: (516) 326-5570
Fax: (516) 326-0349
Hours: 8:55 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

"Every Student Matters and Every Moment Counts."

Our Mission: Inspire creativity, cultivate academic growth, nurture our diverse community, and motivate students to be life-long learners.

Our Vision: Challenge the leaders, thinkers, and creators of tomorrow.

Welcome to the Clara H. Carlson Elementary school website! Coming from a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds, our students thrive and grow as well-rounded individuals. Priority is given to maintaining a safe environment that is conducive to learning.

Our dedicated teachers and staff empower all students to reach their full potential and become life-long learners. Students are given a quality education in a safe, nurturing environment. Our staff works diligently to ensure each student receives a quality education with priorities focused on individual growth, social-emotional development and safety.

Our families play a key role in this educational journey. When you visit our school, you will find an extended hand ready to invite you to become a member of our community. We welcome you to the Carlson family and look forward to working with you and your child to have a wonderful school year.

Clara H. Carlson is one of six schools in the Elmont School District. It first opened its doors on February 3, 1930 and was originally named the Belmont Boulevard School. Ms. Clara H. Carlson was a former educator and principal in the Elmont School District. After being the 1st Belmont Boulevard principal, the 1st principal of the Gotham Avenue School and the principal of the Elmont Road School, the building was renamed the Clara H. Carlson School in the early 1960s. A ceremony was held to honor her dedication and commitment to the Elmont community.

Our clubs and programs include Afternoon Tutoring, Bienvenidos, Broadcasting Squad, Band, Chorus, Community Read, Girl Power, Honor Roll, International Night, Kindness, Model United Nations, Monday, Clubs, Morning Enrichment & Tutoring, NYSSMA, Orchestra, PTA, Recorder Ensemble, Safety Squad, Spelling Bee, Student Council, Student of the Month, Talent Show, and Teachers of Tomorrow

Our awareness activities include Alzheimer's, Autism, Black History Month, Breast Cancer, College and Career, Fire Safety, Hoops For Hearts, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Memorial Day, Pennies For Patients, Read Across America, Red Ribbon, September 11th Memorial, Staff Appreciation, and Veterans Day.

Languages spoken by CHC families include Bengali, English, French, Haitian Creole, Malayalam, Panjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, and Urdu.

Our grads have attended colleges including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, Howard, Hampton, SUNY, CUNY, Community Colleges, Hofstra, Adelphi, University of Southern Carolina, Mercy, Temple, Fashion Institute of Technology, Florida State, St. John's, Delaware State, and more!

Announcements

Arts, Kindness and Educational Clubs Spotlighted at Clara H. Carlson School

Clara H. Carlson School students are diving into a variety of exciting activities through their after-school enrichment clubs, including beautifying the grounds, designing creative posters for staff and building amazing Lego displays.

Each year, the dedicated teachers brainstorm ideas for new and ongoing clubs. The 14 clubs are designed to inspire kindness, spark creativity, foster self-improvement, build teamwork and promote STEM learning.

First and second graders are expressing their creativity while also spreading positivity through schoolwide projects in the Crafting Kindness Club. They are currently collaborating on a large poster for the teachers’ lounge, with each student decorating a piece of the mural, thanking the teachers for their commitment and dedication. Meanwhile, fifth and sixth graders are helping to keep the school vibrant and welcoming through their efforts in the Campus Creators Club. These students bring the sidewalks in front of the building to life with colorful and imaginative chalk drawings.

Students are also diving into the world of technology and STEM through the Digital Design Lab Club and Lego Legends Club. Fifth and sixth graders are enhancing their digital literacy by utilizing the Keynote app for creating presentations, graphic designs and animations in the Digital Design Lab Club. The students all expressed their excitement to continue using the app in high school. Second and third graders in the Lego Legends Club are challenging their imaginations by creating amazing structures and scenes using Lego bricks.

Even the youngest scholars are joining in on the fun in the Story Explorers Club. The kindergarteners read a book and complete exciting activities or adventures based on their readings. Most recently, the club members were inspired to capture their own yeti after reading Adam Wallace’s “How to Catch a Yeti.”

Additional clubs being offered are Memory Makers, Color and Calm, Cultural Story Explorers, STEM Explorers, Mindful Movers, Stronger Together, Brain Busters, Buddy Builders and Improv Innovators. The clubs meet once a week for 10 sessions.

Click here to view the Arts, Kindness and Educational Clubs Spotlighted at Clara H. Carlson School slideshow.

Date Added: 1/8/2025

Clara H. Carlson School Honors Those Who Have Served During Annual Veterans Assembly

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