The Deer Park School District has been named a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation once again. For the past 26 years, the Best Communities designation has recognized outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders in prioritizing music education. Deer Park was one of only 69 Long Island school districts and 935 nationwide to earn NAMM’s distinction this year.

Date Added: 6/23/2025

The district held its annual Music Awards Night on June 2, celebrating the talent and dedication of its student musicians. The evening included recognition of Long Island String Festival, NYSCAME All-State, NYSSMA All-County and SCMEA All-County awards, as well as performances by Deer Park High School’s jazz ensemble, orchestra and Phoenix Club vocal ensemble and Robert Frost Middle School’s chamber orchestra and chamber choir, and a solo piano performance by student Nicholas Nappo. 

“Tonight was a powerful reminder of what music can do,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Bradley Murphy said. “It brings people together, it inspires and it gives our students a voice. The level of talent and heart on that stage was incredible. I am so proud of our young musicians and deeply thankful for the teachers who nurture their creativity every day. This celebration truly shows how strong and vibrant music education is here in Deer Park.”

Date Added: 6/11/2025

Eight Deer Park students – Robert Frost Middle School eighth graders Sophia Castro, Abigail Daniel and Jaslyn Navas, and Deer Park High School juniors Abigail Cullen, Lauren Marable, Jaidyn Schabe, Sidra Syed and Jasmine Uppal – were recently honored by judges in the national writing contest held by the National Council of Teachers of English, which awards the most outstanding student writers from around the country in grades 8 and 11. Additionally, Castro, Marable, Navas, Syed and Uppal ranked at the top levels of the competition. The high school contestants worked with ELA teacher Teresa Greco, who supported and encouraged students throughout the process. 

“These students rank among the top one percent of young writers nationwide,” Director of ELA, Reading, and Library Justin Uliano said. “We are incredibly proud of their talent and can’t wait to see what they create next.”

Date Added: 6/11/2025

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