Students in JFK’s Fun Club social skills program recently toured a local Panera Bread, accompanied by special education teacher Marie Tortorici. During the visit, the children had the opportunity to make their own bread and decorate cookies. The Fun Club regularly visits Deer Park businesses to provide the students with a chance to practice social skills in real-life scenarios.

“This experience at Panera was so beneficial for our students,” said Tortorici.   

Four Deer Park students – May Moore second graders Carmine Baio and Nayla Isaac and JFK fifth graders Addison Costanza and Gavyn DeFour – were selected to have their artwork showcased at the 21st annual Colors of Long Island student art exhibit, held in March at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. The May Moore pieces were inspired by the artist Vincent van Gogh, while the JFK artworks were inspired by mandalas representing the universe. The students attended the show with their families, accompanied by art teachers Briana Nussbaum and Michelle Sarco.

The district’s music program earned recognition again as one of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education. The annual designation, now in its 20th year, rewards exceptional achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“Deer Park is very proud to be honored as one of the best communities for music education by NAMM for 2019,” said Bradley Murphy, the district’s curriculum associate for fine and performing arts.

Reflecting the hard work and creativity of their projects, winners in this year’s JFK school science fair were third-graders Ava Ortlieb (first place), Emily Luna (second place) and Melanie Holdcroft (third place); fourth-graders Kaylee Puterbaugh (first), Emma Corley (second) and Connor McGuiness (third place); and fifth-graders Adella Lathrop (first), Taylor Gabel (second) and Aubrey Pottinger (third).

“These amazing scientists took the time to ask a big question, formulate a hypothesis, perform an experiment, gather the data and develop a conclusion,” said science lab coordinator Joyce Carmen. 

JFK’s grade-level first- and second-place winners will move on to compete in the Brookhaven National Laboratory Elementary School Science Fair on May 4.

Kelly Benson has been named the new principal of JFK, replacing Susan Bonner, who will retire at the end of this school year.

For the past three years, Benson has served as an associate principal at JFK. She previously worked as an elementary school teacher in the Sachem School District and as a New York City police officer. The Wading River resident earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Iona College, her master’s degree in elementary education from Dowling College, and her post-master’s advanced certificate in educational leadership from Stony Brook University.

“I am very excited to accept the position of JFK principal,” said Benson. “Over the past three years as associate principal, I have built many meaningful relationships with the students, faculty, parents and the Deer Park community. I look forward to continuing to build these relationships in my new capacity. Together we will empower students to develop the skills they need to be able to thrive in society. We will work together to help every child reach their fullest potential and become global citizens. I am committed to provide a safe environment for all students to thrive and grow.”