The district’s Board of Education meeting on February 11 was a celebration of students’ talents, skills and confidence.
The meeting began with lively performances by Gotham Avenue School students, who shared songs from their Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assemblies held in January. Decked in handmade hats, second grade scholars took to the stage with bright smiles to sing “Lean on Me.” Student Government representatives shared facts about Black History Month and highlighted the recent projects on Black STEM leaders completed by third and fourth grade scholars in the building. Gotham Avenue’s student presentations concluded with the fifth grade scholars’ powerful rendition of “I Believe in the Dream.”
Following a standing ovation from the audience for the Gotham Avenue School performances, Stewart Manor School Principal Pamela Stamidis and Assistant Principal Pamela Boyd commemorated the success of their building’s robotics team. The students, led by advisers Parveen Rampal and James Ristano, competed at the FIRST LEGO League Robotics Qualifier on January 25. Stewart Manor’s team earned second place in the Robot Performance category and will advance to the next round championships, which will take place on March 9.
Interim Director of Curriculum and Instruction Robert Cavaliere and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Administration Dr. Johane Ligondé recognized the creativity and cultural pride of the fifth grade scholars throughout the district who participated in the New York Islanders’ Cultural Inspirations and Patch Program in honor of Black History Month. This year’s winners were honored at a recent Islanders game, followed by a special experience at Belmont Park Village to recognize the students’ hard work. Mr. Cavaliere and Dr. Ligondé honored the finalists from each of the six buildings, as well as the patch and sticker design winners selected by the NY Islanders.
Click here to view the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-Inspired Performances and Student Awards at February Board Meeting slideshow.
Date Added: 2/14/2025