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

The John Quincy Adams Primary School ENL team – teachers Maria Cacoperdo, Heather Cirola, Leyda Juergensen and Vanessa Pizzo – hosted a fun ENL Family Night on May 22, with the attendees enjoying snacks, dancing, carnival games and crafts. It was a great way for the school’s families to come together and celebrate all the hard work and achievements of its English language learners.

“We were so happy to see lots of families come out and join the fun,” Cacoperdo said. 

“We look forward to this event every year and can’t wait to do it again,” Cirola said. “Thank you to everyone who came and made it such a fun night.”

Date Added: 6/4/2025
 

Deer Park High School showcased the talents of its dedicated music students during its Spring Concert series, held on May 21 and 22 in front of a packed auditorium of impressed families and friends.

“These concerts were a powerful showcase of musical excellence, reflecting the hard work, passion and growth of our students,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Bradley Murphy said. “Experiences like these not only elevate their artistic abilities but also foster confidence, collaboration and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.”

Kyle McCourt’s ceramics class at Deer Park High School held a pottery demonstration at this year’s STEAM Festival on May 20, Principal Charlie Cobb stepped up to show the students his artistic side, with student Kayla Castellano giving him a lesson in wheel throwing.

Date Added: 5/29/2025