Exterior of Clara H. Carlson elementary school

Clara H. Carlson School

Mrs. Stacia Walfall, Principal

Mr. Richard Mansfield, Asst. Principal

Mrs. Melissa Polzella, Asst. Principal

235 Belmont Boulevard, Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: (516) 326-5570
Fax: (516) 326-0349
Hours: 8:55 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

"Every Student Matters and Every Moment Counts."

Our Mission: Inspire creativity, cultivate academic growth, nurture our diverse community, and motivate students to be life-long learners.

Our Vision: Challenge the leaders, thinkers, and creators of tomorrow.

Welcome to the Clara H. Carlson Elementary school website! Coming from a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds, our students thrive and grow as well-rounded individuals. Priority is given to maintaining a safe environment that is conducive to learning.

Our dedicated teachers and staff empower all students to reach their full potential and become life-long learners. Students are given a quality education in a safe, nurturing environment. Our staff works diligently to ensure each student receives a quality education with priorities focused on individual growth, social-emotional development and safety.

Our families play a key role in this educational journey. When you visit our school, you will find an extended hand ready to invite you to become a member of our community. We welcome you to the Carlson family and look forward to working with you and your child to have a wonderful school year.

Clara H. Carlson is one of six schools in the Elmont School District. It first opened its doors on February 3, 1930 and was originally named the Belmont Boulevard School. Ms. Clara H. Carlson was a former educator and principal in the Elmont School District. After being the 1st Belmont Boulevard principal, the 1st principal of the Gotham Avenue School and the principal of the Elmont Road School, the building was renamed the Clara H. Carlson School in the early 1960s. A ceremony was held to honor her dedication and commitment to the Elmont community.

Our clubs and programs include Afternoon Tutoring, Bienvenidos, Broadcasting Squad, Band, Chorus, Community Read, Girl Power, Honor Roll, International Night, Kindness, Model United Nations, Monday, Clubs, Morning Enrichment & Tutoring, NYSSMA, Orchestra, PTA, Recorder Ensemble, Safety Squad, Spelling Bee, Student Council, Student of the Month, Talent Show, and Teachers of Tomorrow

Our awareness activities include Alzheimer's, Autism, Black History Month, Breast Cancer, College and Career, Fire Safety, Hoops For Hearts, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Memorial Day, Pennies For Patients, Read Across America, Red Ribbon, September 11th Memorial, Staff Appreciation, and Veterans Day.

Languages spoken by CHC families include Bengali, English, French, Haitian Creole, Malayalam, Panjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, and Urdu.

Our grads have attended colleges including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, Howard, Hampton, SUNY, CUNY, Community Colleges, Hofstra, Adelphi, University of Southern Carolina, Mercy, Temple, Fashion Institute of Technology, Florida State, St. John's, Delaware State, and more!

Announcements

Clara H. Carlson School Students Participate in Ancient Greek Olympics

Clara H. Carlson School sixth graders hosted their own Olympics on April 11 as a culmination to their history unit on Ancient Greece.

Through the unit, the sixth grade scholars utilized the G.R.A.P.E.S. method to learn about key components of the Ancient Greece city-states Athens and Sparta, including geography, religion, achievements, politics, economics and society. They studied the Olympics, learning how the athletic and religious festival honored the Greek God Zeus and served as a unifying event for the city-states.

Dressed in their respective team colors, the sixth graders applied their newfound knowledge of the Olympic games in the gymnasium. Separated into teams, the scholars participated in events based upon the Olympic games, including the javelin throw, discus throw, chariot racing and relay racing. The games, which are an annual tradition at the school, were organized by physical education teachers Mary Delahanty and Glenn Saenz.

Following the spring break, the sixth graders will reconvene and review what they’ve learned through a fun rap battle activity, in which they will compare Athens and Sparta through lyrics. Additionally, Ancient Greece continues to be a theme in their ELA lessons, as they will begin reading the “Percy Jackson” series this spring.

Date Added: 4/28/2025

Clara H. Carlson School Honors Women’s History Month with Spirit Week and Living Museum

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Clara H. Carlson School hosted a Spirit Week that culminated with the fourth annual Women’s History Month Living Museum on March 27.

Spirit Week began with “Give Women Their Flowers” on Monday, and scholars were encouraged to honor and appreciate important women in their life by wearing floral prints or flowers. Tuesday’s theme, “Honoring Women in Education,” represented this year’s national Women’s History Month theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations,” and students and staff wore the color red. The scholars wore their favorite superhero shirts and brought in a picture of a “super” woman in their lives for “Women are Superheroes” on Wednesday.

In the gymnasium on March 27, classes throughout the building visited the interactive Women’s History Month Living Museum. Fifth and sixth graders in the Women’s History Month Living Museum Club researched influential women from various fields — such as politics, science, arts, sports and social justice — and presented their findings in character. The scholars spent approximately seven weeks, meeting once weekly after school, researching their selected figure and preparing for the museum event. They researched the person’s childhood, achievements, struggles faced and why they are influential. The presenters refined their public speaking skills by memorizing their speech, and they also prepared costumes and props. Some of the influential women featured in the museum included Simone Biles, Ruby Bridges, Dr. Mae Jemison and Fatima Jinnah. Additionally, students and staff concluded Spirit Week by wearing the traditional colors of Women’s History Month: purple, green or white.

Along with the presenters, scholars participated as tour guides, helping their peers navigate the museum. The annual club and museum activity is facilitated by co-advisers Mrs. McNamara and Ms. Truglia.

Click here to view the Clara H. Carlson School Honors Women’s History Month with Spirit Week and Living Museum slideshow.

Date Added: 4/1/2025

Clara H. Carlson School Fourth Graders Host Native American Museum Exhibit

On February 26, Clara H. Carlson School fourth graders in Rina DiRe’s class entered a different world as they transformed their classroom into a Native American museum exhibit, marking the culmination of their history unit on the Algonquian and Iroquois tribes.

In collaborative groups, each team researched a specific tribe, including the Cayuga, Erie, Lenape and Mohawk peoples. Students delved into the tribe’s location, climate and geography, as well as their tools, artwork, and the roles of men and women. Using household materials such as popsicle sticks, cardboard and cotton balls, the students built models of the traditional homes of their assigned tribes, such as longhouses and wigwams.

During the exhibition, each group presented their tribe’s history and culture, showcasing poster displays and handmade artifacts. As their classmates listened, they took notes on the new facts they learned.

This hands-on project not only sparked creativity, but also fostered meaningful discussions, and strengthened teamwork and public speaking skills. This was the first museum-style project for the fourth grade class, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. According to Mrs. DiRe, the students loved the opportunity to learn through hands-on activities and to collaborate with their peers.

The museum exhibit was followed by a creative workshop on February 27, where the students crafted their own wampum belts, further deepening their understanding of Native American culture.

Click here to view the Clara H. Carlson School Fourth Graders Host Native American Museum Exhibit slideshow.

Date Added: 3/7/2025