Deer Park School District administrators, Board of Education members, teachers and students attended the Eid Holiday Coalition’s inaugural Eid Brunch to Connect on Nov. 2, including Board President Donna Marie Elliott, Board trustee Jerry Jean-Pierre, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School Associate Principal Shaun McLeod, May Moore Primary School Associate Principal Kimberly Essig, teacher Nicole Bjarnason and Deer Park High School Muslim Student Association President Alishba Syed. The two-hour event was comprised of a brunch, welcome address, presentations on “Inclusion Across Long Island” and “How to Support Muslim Students in the Classroom,” as well as time for networking with other districts. Students also spoke about their experiences of being Muslim students in schools on Long Island that support their cultures, beliefs and holidays and how it has positively impacted them.  

“The event was extremely well attended and informational in regards to receiving knowledge about current events, language in the classroom and communicating with Muslim families,” Essig said.

“It has been an incredible privilege to serve as the adviser of the Muslim Student Association over the past two years,” Bjarnason said. “I am honored to support such inspiring students in their efforts to create a welcoming space where connections flourish and where understanding and acceptance are promoted. I am continually moved by their dedication to building a community that celebrates diversity and fosters mutual respect. Alishba, our school’s MSA president and co-founder, and I are currently planning an upcoming event featuring celebration, food and henna to deepen the bonds of respect and joy within our school community. Being part of their journey has been a deeply meaningful experience, and I look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make.”

Date Added: 11/8/2024

After a pride-filled parade through the streets of Deer Park, students and school community members dressed in white, grey and maroon colors enjoyed a full day of homecoming celebrations on Oct. 26. They soon made their way to Al Centamore Football Field for the pregame ceremony, highlighted by joyous performances by the PAL, Robert Frost Middle School and Deer Park High School cheerleaders and kickline.

During halftime, Reza Zorakhsh and Samara Talleyrand were announced as Homecoming King and Queen, respectively; the juniors were named winners of the class float contest; and the well-rehearsed Marching Falcons band put on a stunning show. Although the hometown team fell to Huntington’s Blue Devils, it was a memorable morning and afternoon.

“Homecoming weekend 2024 at Deer Park High School was a vibrant celebration of school spirit and community pride,” Principal Charlie Cobb said. “Our Deer Park parade brought together students, families and alumni, filling the streets with energy and excitement. The weekend was packed with festivities that highlighted our Falcon pride and showcased the incredible spirit of Deer Park. From spirited activities to the homecoming game, this was a weekend to remember.”

Date Added: 10/30/2024

Robert Frost Middle School was a recent recipient of the Jovia Financial Credit Union and Long Island Nets basketball team partnership’s third annual Back-To-School Donation Drive. The school received $5,000 worth of supplies for students including novels, backpacks, sports equipment, and board and card games for indoor recess. Nets mascot Dale and representatives from the Nets and Jovia visited Robert Frost on Sept. 20, and treated the middle schoolers to a fantastic dance party to celebrate the delivery of the supplies.

“We are so honored to be chosen as one of only two schools on Long Island to receive this generous donation from Jovia Financial and the Long Island Nets,” Principal Dr. Eliana Levey said. “The best part of the experience was the visit from the Nets and their mascot Dale. Our students were so excited. We are looking forward to building a strong relationship with both community organizations and plan to participate in their Islandwide Education Day in February. Seeing the joy on our students’ faces, and now being able to support our students and parents with school supplies to ease financial burdens when we can, is just incredible.”

Date Added: 9/25/2024