Sixth-graders participating in Elmont’s Saturday Enrichment Academy are getting an up close, in-depth look at the medical profession thanks to interns from Mentoring in Medicine, an organization that inspires students to become health care professionals through academic enrichment, leadership development, civic engagement and mentoring programs.

The Mentoring in Medicine class, which began in October, provides students with a wealth of knowledge about careers in the medical field and the core values that are represented in the profession. They’ve also learned about the parts of the heart and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, created patient case files and used stethoscopes to listen to their classmates’ hearts, lungs and

intestines. Students are taking part in many hands-on activities in the class, including examining cows’ hearts, dissecting fetal pigs, cow eyes, sheep brains and pig kidneys. They also practiced suturing on a banana.

Teacher Dorene Cartwright said the program gives students a firm understanding of the types of careers they can have in the medical field and the level of education needed to secure those careers. They’ve also learned a tremendous amount of vocabulary they may not have ever been exposed to.

Elmont

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Spring 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,

Over the past several months, our Board of Education and administrators have been working tirelessly to prepare a balanced budget for the 2017-2018 school year. Together we have reviewed all aspects of the proposed budget, identifying ways to maintain our programs and services while remaining fiscally responsible. We are steadfast in our commitment to uphold the quality of education our students and community expect and deserve.

Our students have enjoyed many outstanding academic opportunities this year, including participation in the Saturday Enrichment Academy’s Mentoring in Medicine class, the District’s Robotics Club and a wide range of educational and informative videoconferences. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated teachers, staff and parents who truly provide an exceptional learning environment for all of our students.

I’d like to thank the members of our Board of Education for their service on behalf of the Elmont community, and extend my congratulations to Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kathleen Safrey for receiving a 2017 Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Award for Education.

Within the next few weeks, you will receive a special edition of The Dialogue that will outline the proposed 2017-2018 budget. It is my hope that as residents of the community, you will all take the time to review the information in that newsletter. Additionally, the district will hold its public budget hearing on May 2 at 8 p.m. at Clara H. Carlson School. Please remember to vote at your local polling place on Tuesday, May 16, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Regards,

Al HarperSuperintendent of Schools

MessageA from YourSuperintendent Al Harper

The district is pleased to announce that the first phase of its Smart Schools Bond Plan initiative has been officially approved by the state. The district intends to use these funds to expand and enhance its wireless infrastructure, as well as its network bandwidth. This upgrade will prepare our academic environment for our robust technology initiative and allow the district to implement a 1:1 program with iPads in the 2017-2018 school year.

Saturday Enrichment Academy students have been exploring the medical field thanks to the district’s Mentoring in Medicine class.

In Elmont

Medical CareersCome to Life

ApprovedSmart SchoolS Bond Plan

Covert Avenue School fifth-graders got an up-close look at penguins on Ross Island, located near Antarctica, during a videoconference with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

The collaboration coincided with the students ’ study of animal growth, which included learning about their adaptations to different environments and the migration process. Prior to the videoconference, students developed questions to ask the museum’s scientists, such as how much does a penguin eat and why do they walk with their arms out. They, along with students from several other school districts from around the country, contributed to the educational discussion.

According to fifth-grade teacher Joanna Morrison, the students are working on a research project on an animal of their choosing. They will create a diorama, a picture book or a news story on their research and then present their report to their classmates.

Students at Clara H. Carlson School lit up the stage when they took part in the school’s fifth annual International Night.

The evening began with students smiling proudly as they paraded up and down the aisles of the school’s auditorium waving flags from different lands. It continued with English Language Learners from Tara Savage’s class leading those in attendance in the Culture at Carlson Quiz. During the quiz, students tested the audience to see how much they knew about certain school staff members, including how many languages some of them speak and which ones were educated in countries

other than the United States. The All District wind ensemble then performed the “African Folk Song Trilogy” to perfection.

Beautiful vocal performances included

fourth-grade students who sang “We are the World,” as they demonstrated their knowledge of American Sign Language by signing the lyrics, and kindergarten and first-grade English Language Learners performed an outstanding rendition of “I Can.” Fifth-and sixth-grade students showed off their dancing abilities during an African dance and the merengue, while others took part in a fashion show outfitted in ethnic dress. After the show, audience members and students enjoyed a tasting of traditional ethnic foods from various countries that was generously donated by parents and staff members.

Alden TerrAce

Student Council members are pictured (back row, l-r): Yusef Lateef, Mohammad Ruhman, Lauren Rossiano, David Job and Zachary Edgell. Front row (l-r): Cameren Coppin, Krissy Jorge and Yamini Persaud.

Kindergarten and first-grade students sang “I Can” during the show.

Fifth-graders in Joanna Morrison’s and Lori Wetzel’s class took part in a videoconference with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Highlights Animal Study

Covert Videoconference

at Clara H. CarlsonInternatIonal nIght

Sends Birthday Wishesto Families in NeedWith the hopes of sharing love, happiness and birthday

joy, the Alden Terrace School Student Council embarked on a mission to raise funds and awareness for the charitable organization Birthday Wishes.

As part of a community service project, the students completed a Smencils Pencils fundraiser, where parents could send a special note to their child with a scented pencil. The profits from this sale allowed the student council to create six full “Birthday Boxes” to donate to the organization. These donations will provide six birthday parties for children who live in homeless and/or domestic violence shelters, providing a sense of stability by helping them to experience this important rite of passage, “A Birthday Party.”

In addition to the student council spreading awareness about homelessness on Long Island, it also taught empathy for those experiencing difficult times. The students were proud to be able to share birthday cheer with those in need.

First-grade students at Stewart Manor took a virtual tour of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art located in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Led by the museum’s Director of Education Courtney Waring, “The Hungry for Reading” videoconference provided students with an opportunity to learn about Eric Carle’s picture books, his process for creating his illustrations and how he went from a job in public relations to a world renowned author and illustrator. Students received a firsthand look at the museum’s galleries and grounds, watched a video of Eric Carle reading the first book he illustrated “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do

You See?” and listened carefully as several other authors spoke about their work. They were even able to ask questions and

vote on their favorite Eric Carle book. “Videoconferences such as this serve as

a useful tool to help foster the students’ love of reading and expose them to the authors behind some of their favorite stories,” Assistant Principal Richard Mansfield said.

Stewart Manor students will participate in many videoconferences throughout the remainder of the school year, including “Gods and Heroes of Greece and Rome” with the Cleveland Museum of Art and the “Gadget Works-Simple Machines” with Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio.

The knowledge of Dutch Broadway School students was put to the test when The Brain Show recently visited their school.

The exciting educational assembly, sponsored by the Dutch Broadway PTA, kicked off the school’s Pick a Reading Partner program. PARP encourages parents to read with their children for at least fifteen minutes daily, spreading the message that reading can be fun as well as informative. As the assembly began, Principal Amy Buchanan encouraged

students to find something they are passionate about — and read. “Whether it’s ancient civilization, music or video games there are a

million things to read about,” Buchanan said. “You have to know how to read well.”

During the show, students worked together in teams to answer

questions on a variety of topics, including going green and saving the

planet, foreign language, history, zoology and English Language Arts.

After answering questions correctly, each team had to dance to keep their

earned points.

Dutch Broadway’s PARP theme is “Get Fit with PARP” Join the

Ultimate Brain Workout.

Amaia St. Louis waited to hear the next question during the game.

at Stewart Manorfor Reading

The Brain Show

Robotics TeamGotham Avenue’s

Comes to Dutch Broadway

The STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) initiative gained momentum this school term as students represented the District at the First Lego League Competition on January 28 at Mineola High School.

The Gotham Avenue School Narbots Robotics Team, consisting of 11 fifth- and sixth-grade students, participated in the competition along with coaches and Assistant Principal William Mingo and Assistant Principal Dr. Michelle Richards. The students prepared for months leading up to the event and their hard work paid off. The Narbots placed 13th out of 31 teams that participated, which was a great accomplishment as they competed against teams of students in grades 5-8.

Mr. Mingo and Dr. Richards congratulated the students on their success and the exemplary teamwork they exhibited throughout the preparation and participation in the competition.

Excels at Competition

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

Board of educationMichael A. Jaime, President Anthony S. Maffea, Sr., Vice PresidentTameka Battle-BurkettMichael Cantara Kevin Denehy Patrick Emeagwali Raymond Sims

Superintendent of Schools Al HarperColum P. Nugent, Attorney

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Flushing, NY

Permit No.1365

Elmont

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Visit us online at www.elmontschools.org

The Elmont Dads’ Service Club believes that it is extremely important to teach children to serve and to give back to the community. On February 4, the group visited the St. Albans Veterans Hospital.

Members of the district marching band were joined by Gotham Avenue Principal Marshall Zucker, Assistant Principal William Mingo and music teacher Anthony Pino, as well as teachers Dr. Valerie Reese and Chris Tricarico, and School Psychologist Robert Lennihan.

The marching band, led by Mr. Pino, put on a fabulous and inspired show for the residents of the hospital. The Elmont Dads’ Service Club was honored to be able to say “thank you” to all the veterans in attendance for their sacrifices, and the sacrifices of all of our country’s service men and women.

The Budget ProcessUnderway

The Board of Education and district administration have met several times over the past few months to review the district’s proposed budget for the 2017-18 school year. All residents are encouraged to attend a budget presentation on any of the dates listed below:

THUrSDAy, APril 20, 2017Dutch Broadway School at 7 p.m.

MoNDAy, APril 24, 2017Elmont Public library at 7 p.m.

TUESDAy, MAy 2, 2017Budget Hearing and Presentation by Board of

Education at Clara H. Carlson, 8 p.m.

THUrSDAy, MAy 4, 2017Gotham Avenue at 7 p.m.Stewart Manor at 8 p.m.

TUESDAy, MAy 9, 2017Elmont Public library at 7 p.m.

Covert Avenue at 7:30 p.m.

THUrSDAy, MAy 11, 2017Clara H. Carlson at 6:30 p.m.Alden Terrace at 7:15 p.m.

MoNDAy, MAy 15, 2017Elmont Public library at 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAy, MAy 16, 2017Budget Vote and Trustee Election, polls open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. in your designated school.

residents can register to vote during regular school hours at any school building and Elmont road. Evening registration will be held on Tuesday, May 9 from 4-9 p.m. at Elmont road.

DaDs’ Club Visits Veterans

April 3-30 District students’

artwork exhibited at Long Island

Children’s Museum

April 27

Jazz Masters Concert at

Gotham Avenue School at 7 p.m.

April 22

Dads’ Club Clean-Up Day

Averill Park 9-10:30 a.m.