Sixth-grade students from Alden Terrace, Clara H. Carlson, Covert Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Gotham Avenue and Stewart Manor schools were filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment as they took part in their respective moving up ceremonies surrounded by family and friends.

“To the graduates of the Class of 2017, I wish you well. Study hard. The path to greatness is always preceded by hard work,” Superintendent of Schools Al Harper said.

Each building principal congratulated students and shared their hopes for them moving forward, including Alden Terrace Principal Mrs. Shawnée Warfield.

“My wish for you is that as you sail forward to middle school to create and write new stories in your book of life. May you always remember that good character counts. You may see and hear many things along your travels that appear to be to the contrary, but stand out and be kind.

Be helpful, be brave, be innovative, be creative, be inquisitive and in the words of Gandhi, be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Clara H. Carlson’s ceremony was especially bittersweet, as it was the last with Principal Kenneth Rosner at the helm. Mr. Rosner will be assuming the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction in July.

Two students from each school were presented with Dads’ Club Awards, which recognized their commitment and community service efforts as part of the club. Congratulations to Ali Hassan and La-Rab Butt from Alden Terrace, Krystal Caballes and Brenda Bolouvi from Clara. H. Carlson, Nicholas Hrbek and Meaghan Jansen from Covert Avenue, Chike Ndefo and Raul M. Cruz from Dutch Broadway, Savannah Lewis and Isabella Rookhum from Gotham Avenue and Justin Cantara and Adam Thommesen from Stewart Manor.

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Summer 2017

Elmont UFSD serving the Elmont, Floral Park, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park, South Floral Park,

Stewart Manor and Valley Stream communities.

Dear Parents and Community Residents,

As the school year comes to a close, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all faculty, staff, parents and community members on behalf of our District’s students. The members of our school community have worked diligently throughout the year to provide our students with an enriched educational experience, while our teachers have demonstrated their steadfast dedication by working tirelessly to prepare them for success in all academic areas.

I hope you will join me in wishing Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kathleen Safrey well on her retirement. Mrs. Safrey was an integral part of our students’ success for 23 years and will be greatly missed.

Our popular Summer Enrichment Academy and Academic Summer School are underway, allowing students to explore a variety of avenues that suit their interests and strengths inside and outside of the classroom. As a District, we are dedicated to preparing all of our students for higher-level academic endeavors and the careers of tomorrow.

Again, thank you to everyone who made this school year a positive experience for all students. Have a happy, healthy and safe summer. I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall.

Regards,Al HarperSuperintendent of Schools

MessageA from YourSuperintendent Al Harper Move Up

Alden Terrace Principal Mrs. Shawnée Warfield is pictured with students as they took part in the school’s traditional cap toss.

Covert Avenue’s Gabrielle Echeverria, Meaghan

Jansen and Mariana Orozco celebrated their

graduation from sixth-grade.

Sixth-Graders

Alden StudentS

Fifth- and sixth-graders at Clara H. Carlson School spent time with some graduates of the District at its second annual College Alumni Day.

The morning began with college students traveling down the school’s hallways to the cheers and welcoming signs of its current students. The alumni then proceeded to the school’s auditorium to meet with the younger students, where they discussed the importance of maintaining good grades, possessing time management skills and the difference between community colleges and private institutions. They also spoke about the significance of SAT and ACT exams and the importance of saving money before taking questions.

After the meeting, alumni visited classrooms to further discuss their college experiences with the students. According to Assistant Principal Stacia Walfall, the event was planned to inspire the school’s current students to enroll in college after high school.

Brian Maffea, a boy scout from Troop 294, presented his completed Eagle Scout Project at Covert Avenue Elementary School.

With District staff, community residents and members of the Board of Education in attendance, Superintendent of Schools Al Harper and Covert Avenue School Principal Mary Natoli commended Brian for his remarkable dedication and hard work. His project enhanced the school’s pencil sign with a beautiful garden with new bricks, lights and memorial stones to honor late board of education members Colleen Mockenhaupt and Frank Ragona. Mockenhaupt and Ragona served on the board when Brian was a student at Covert Avenue. Brian, son of board trustee Anthony Maffea, thanked the district and the community for their encouragement and assistance with the project.

As part of their classroom study of space, fifth-graders at Alden Terrace School participated in the NASA videoconference “Humans in Space” with Lindsey Jones at the Goddard Space Flight Center.

During the videoconference, students learned about the 10 NASA centers throughout the country. They were also educated on Project Mercury, Project Gemini and the first American astronauts. Jones explained that plant and human-based experiments occur during missions. The plant experiments dealt with growing plants in space, while the human-based experiments pertain to microgravity.

Astronauts take regular eye exams to measure possible vision problems and maintain a rigorous exercise schedule of at least two hours a day to minimize potential muscle and bone loss. The fifth-graders enjoyed watching video footage of astronauts’ exercising, preparing food and washing their hair in space. They also asked questions pertaining to the material presented.

According to teacher Karyn Faster, the videoconference was an effective supplement to the students’ recent study of space, planets and moons, and galaxies that were the focus of their ReadyGen reading.

Study Humans in Space

Alumni Visit

Michaela Lawson was joined by her brother Jadon Lawson as she traveled through the school’s hallways.

pays tribute to Late BOE Members

Eagle Scout ProjectClara H. Carlson Students

Sixth-graders at Gotham Avenue School recently shared their Science Fair projects with classmates and science teacher Brian Huber.

Students began working on their projects in October by identifying a subject they were interested in, and researching it using books and websites. They worked with their teacher to develop a hypothesis. Some students worked individually, while others worked in groups, conducting experiments, creating abstracts and visual boards to explain their findings to classmates. Students presented research on a wide variety of topics, including how different types of fertilizer effect plant growth and which chicken nuggets accumulate mold the fastest and much more.

“By conducting these experiments, students gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method and draw real life conclusions based on their results,” Mr. Huber said.

After each sixth-grade class presented their projects, four students were selected to go head-to-head in a grade-level competition.

Under the guidance of Assistant Principal Richard Mansfield, Stewart Manor School held its first Science Celebration Night on June 13. The evening was designed as an opportunity for students to express their initiative and understanding of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum.

Although the event primarily highlighted projects and experiments of students in the school’s Science Club, it also included samples of project-based learning/STEAM activities that each grade level completed throughout the year.

“This was another way for students to express their understanding of what they learned without giving them a test. They really had fun and loved the trial and error of doing their own experiments,” said Mr. Mansfield, who is also co-adviser of the Science Club along with teacher Michelle Cabrera.

The club met several times in recent months, but students primarily worked on their experiments at home, individually or in small groups.

“This really was a great opportunity for students to develop their own questions, to explore and experiment in order to learn that it is okay if things don’t go exactly as you thought they would,” Principal Hope Kranidis said.

A CELEBRATION OF Gotham StudentS PreSent their

Kamoy Campbell and Kayla Allen (right) explained how soda can harm tooth enamel. Principal Marshall Zucker and science teacher Brian Huber are also pictured.

Dutch Broadway Hosts Annual

STEAMAT STEwArT MAnor

Dutch Broadway School students showed off their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue during the fifth annual walk-a-thon benefiting Building Homes for Heroes.

At an outdoor assembly, flanked by members of the American Legion Elmont Post 1033, the Legion Riders, American Legion Mineola Post 349 and the VFW Bellmore Post 2770, Principal Amy Buchanan encouraged students to always say thank you when they encounter a veteran.

Physical education teacher, Deb Bennett, who coordinated the event with physical education teacher Glenn Saenz, explained the goal of the Building Homes for Heroes organization to build and renovate homes for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Korean War veteran Bill “The Can Man” Urianek assisted students with redeeming recycled bottles and cans at the school, resulting in $2,250 for the organization. The American Legion Post 1033 Riders, Ladies Auxiliary and members, as well as the VFW Bellmore Post 2770 also contributed. In addition, students and faculty members raised a significant amount of money, bringing the total donated to more than $8,200.

Scientific Findings

Building Homes for Heroes Walk

Elmont Union Free School District135 Elmont RoadElmont, NY 11003-1609

Board of EducationMichael A. Jaime, PresidentTameka Battle-Burkett, Vice PresidentMichael Cantara Kevin Denehy Patrick Emeagwali Anthony S. Maffea, Sr. Karen Taylor-Bass

Superintendent of Schools Al HarperColum P. Nugent, Attorney

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Flushing, NY

Permit No.1365

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Visit us online at www.elmontschools.org

Fifth-and sixth-grade students from the District took part in the 12th annual LEEMUN Conference held at the Elmont Public Library.

The topic of petroleum dependency and renewable energy was debated at the conference, with students representing both oil producing countries, like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, and/or greener nations, such as Finland and Iceland. Students took to the stage and presented their detailed position papers on the topic as it related to their assigned country. They also answered questions from delegates on the floor. The children began preparing for the conference in December.

According to LEEMUN facilitator Michael Sakowich, the conference was a great success, with students submitting a wide range of possible solutions to the nation’s energy problems.

After 23 years of service to the District, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kathleen Safrey has announced her retirement.

Mrs. Safrey came to the district in 1994 with experience as a substitute teacher, eighth-grade teacher and youth program adviser. After teaching in the district for six years, beloved by her students and colleagues alike, Mrs. Safrey shifted to the administrative side of education. She started out as assistant to the principal and ultimately achieved the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction, where her tenacious nature and strong sense of focus was critical in the expansion of enrichment programs. These programs have provided students with a multitude of learning experiences that introduce them to exciting

possibilities and paths to success. Mrs. Safrey built a solid foundation for students to meet and exceed the highest learning standards.

Mrs. Safrey was recognized for her many years of service during the Board of Education’s June meeting, where students presented her with a musical tribute and beautifully decorated handmade cards.

The District’s June Board of Education meeting was filled with festive moments as members recognized tenure recipients, retirees, student achievements and the fundraising efforts of district students and staff to charitable organizations.

The Board granted tenure to Barbara Capogna, Melissa Knudsen, Nathaniel Marner, William Mingo and Cynthia Qasim. They also acknowledged the following retirees for their many years of dedicated service to the district: Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kathleen Safrey; teachers Robin Baus Artura, Jeanne Flood, Antonette Hlinka, Susan Kittelson, Adrienne McKenna, Georgia Pourakis, Mark Pierson and Mary Beth Walker; secretaries Irene Boehm and Joanna Esposito; and teacher aides Caterina Benedetto and Marie Ingenito.

Two sixth-grade students from each of the district’s schools were also honored by the Elmont Elementary Teachers Association with the Outstanding Sixth Grade Performance Award. Students who participated in the district’s LEEMUN Conference were also honored.

In addition to honoring students and staff, Dutch Broadway School presented Building Homes for Heroes with a check for $8,200. The money was raised thanks to yearlong recycling efforts and the school’s fifth annual walk-a-thon. The district also donated $9,040.20 to the Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America and $2,604 to Semper4Veterans.

LEEMUN Conference

FarewellTo Mrs. safreyDisTricT BiDs

Celebrations & Goodbyes

at Elmont BOE meeting

Elmont Hosts 12th Annual