At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, Deer Park recognized administrators, teachers and staff members for their many years of dedicated service in reaching milestone markers, those who are retiring, and those who have successfully gone through the tenure process.
“Congratulations to our retirees and service award winners this evening,” Board of Education President Donna Marie Elliott said. “Thank you for your love and devotion to our district. I never get tired of saying that we have the greatest thing going on here in Deer Park, and the reason why this place is so special is because of a great team. Each component of this team is not more important than the other, but together, we achieve and share in our district’s successes.”
“It’s an exciting night of saying thank you to those who have served the community and welcoming those who are about to serve the community,” Superintendent James Cummings said.
The following were recognized for their service to the district:
35 YEARS
Mary Reynolds
30 YEARS
Kescha Correa
Josephine DiMaio
Thomas Locascio
Danielle Sheridan
Eileen Tuozzo
25 YEARS
Karen Acquilino
Jennifer Arella
DeDe Bertelle
Jason Bond
Lisa Brennan
Rosalie Brody
Drew Cisek
Dea Compitello
Nancy Cordone
Randi Cortina
Danielle Dabrusky
Michelle D’Auria
Barbara Goemans
Melissa Green
Marianna Grieco
Stephen Hansen
Kerri Held
Tricia Hurlbert
John King
Wendy Kraus
Eliana Levey
Mary Kay Lynch
Christine MacQuarrie
Karen Mannale
Kathleen Manning
John McCaffrey
Belinda McDermott
Alexandros Mesimeris
Kristen Noblett
Richard Paruolo
Anthony Pirozzi
Denise Scholz
Audrey Schulter
Deborah Sciacca
Peter Shek
Noel Skelton
Anthony Tannacore
Beth Ann Vahle
Laura Weiler
Maria Wingert
Victoria Zanni
The following were recognized for their retirement and service to the district:
30 YEARS
Theresa Santa Maria
25 YEARS
Dennis McNeil
Tara Wellbrock
The following were recognized for their retirement from the district:
TEACHERS
Roseanne Alfieri
Kathryn Attard
Steven Jaklitsch
Donna Josefak
Laurie Osbern
Gregg Romano
Allison Sweeney
Gina Zulkofske
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Eileen LaMotte
Pauline Mauro
CLERICAL
Laura Dudley
Carol Ottersen
Debra Rios
TRANSPORTATION
Harry Cooper
Carmine DeMaio
Harold Klein
Debra Wares Holland
This year’s tenure recipients are:
DISTRICTWIDE
Matthew Comiskey (Districtwide Elementary Associate Principal)
Danielle Kraatz (School Psychologist)
Philip Paniccia (Director of Elementary Special Education)
Nicole Thone (Special Education Teacher/Behavior Consultant)
DEER PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Nicole Bjarnason (World Language Teacher)
Kerry Burke (Teaching Assistant)
Hunter Hayes (Special Education Teacher)
Vanessa Langdon (Director of Social Studies/Family & Consumer Science)
Arthur Pagano (Technology Teacher)
Dr. Dina Pannone (Associate Principal)
Diana Rispoli (Science Teacher)
ROBERT FROST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Daniel Friend (Physical Education Teacher)
Nicole Hock (Reading Teacher)
Danielle Waterhouse (Art Teacher)
JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Brittany Grosse (Elementary Teacher)
Dana Matuk (Special Education Teacher)
Darlene Matulich (Reading Teacher)
Leidy Munoz (Teaching Assistant)
Faye Parag (Special Education Teacher)
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Alison Bock (Elementary Teacher)
Heather Capone (Elementary Teacher)
Victoria Mott (Elementary Teacher)
MAY MOORE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Tammy Alcalde (Principal)
Botticelli Elysee (ENL Teacher)
Juliana Giulietti (Elementary Teacher)
Brittany Hertel (Special Education Teacher)
Samantha Racano (Art Teacher)
Alexis Tyson (Teaching Assistant)
Date Added: 6/4/2025