Life skills classes at JFK and Robert Frost recently visited John’s Crazy Socks in Melville. The online sock store, run by father and son Mark and John Cronin, donates a percentage of sales to charities that help those with disabilities. John, who has Down syndrome, founded the company to make people smile by spreading happiness through socks. The Deer Park students had the opportunity to meet the Cronins and ask them questions. Students also enjoyed a tour of the John’s Crazy Socks warehouse and joined in to help sort and count personalized thank you cards for outgoing orders.

“Our students learned a very valuable lesson that people of all abilities are capable of being successful,” said JFK special education teacher Heather Buksa.

The Deer Park lacrosse program is hosting its second annual summer camp on July 16-20 for any boys in kindergarten through eighth grade (as of September 2018) who are interested in learning the basics of lacrosse and improving individual skills. Registrants will be coached for the week by the Deer Park High School varsity lacrosse coaching staff as well as other coaches with NCAA experience.

For more information on the summer camp please view the attached document or contact Cody Ciolino at ciolino.c@deerparkschools.org.

At the May 22 Board of Education meeting, the district recognized retiring and newly tenured administrators, teachers and staff and rewarded valued personnel for their many years of service.

Congratulated for receiving tenure were Curriculum Associate for Fine and Performing Arts Bradley Murphy; District Data Coordinator Wendy Kraus; Deer Park High School teaching assistant Sandra DiThomas; Robert Frost Middle School ESL teacher Michelle Champlin, math teacher Lauren Stein and special education teacher Lori Sullivan; John F. Kennedy Intermediate School teaching assistants Michelle Alo and Linda MacDonald; John Quincy Adams School speech teacher Patricia Baldwin and ESL teacher Vanessa Pizzo; and May Moore Primary School ESL teacher Danielle Finocchiaro.

Recognized for their years of service were Gary Duprez and Lawrence Tronolone for 35 years; Ann Marie Abeltin, John Bennett, Peter Colletti, Lisa Feingold-Smith, John Giffone, Donna Novack and Lorraine Sears for 30 years; Dawn Mauceri-Guzzardi for 26 years; and Pamela Attonito, Ann Castagna, Clara DeDona, Michael Gennaro, Alicia Konecny, Brian Kruger, Richard Miller, Louis Nicolosi, Linda Stow and Debbie Smith for 25 years.

Twelve retiring staff members –teachers Pamela Attonito, Maria Adams, Barbara Charity, Gary Duprez, David Kessler, Marie Marck, JoAnn Romann, Debbie Smith and Victoria Wilson –  and non-instructional employees Jay Denen, Olivia Vogler and John Zimmerman – were all honored for their contributions to the district.

“One of the hallmarks of our staff is their commitment and dedication to this district, which is evident in the years that they have spent here,” said Superintendent Eva Demyen. “I truly cannot thank each and every one of our retirees for all they have done for their colleagues, this community, and most importantly, the children.”

Addressing his retiring colleagues, Deer Park Teachers’ Association President Bruce Sander told them, “Your dedication and love for the children will be missed. We wish you all the best.”

Building on a long year of practice, the young musicians of JFK showcased their hard-won skills in a series of spring concerts in May. The performances – two consecutive evening concerts and a daytime performance in front of their fellow students – featured the cadet and advanced bands, the orchestra and chamber orchestra, and the third-, fourth- and fifth grade choruses.

“The students made so much progress since our winter concerts and their enthusiasm made every performance so special,” said orchestra director Kathryn Attard. “We are very proud of all the JFK performing groups.”

“All of the groups performed skillfully beyond their level of experience,” said band director Louis Nicolosi. “My own students were very excited to perform in concert and display the outstanding progress they made over the course of the year. I couldn't be any happier with their performance.”