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 Honors Those Who Have Served During Annual Veterans Assembly

On November 8, Clara H. Carlson School’s patriotism was on full display as it proudly hosted its vibrant and heartfelt annual Veterans Day Assembly to honor the brave men and women who have served in the nation’s military.

The ceremony began with the third graders, the Color Guard and special veteran guests entering the auditorium to the timeless tune of Grand Old Flag. Principal Stacia Walfall welcomed an enthusiastic crowd and sixth grader Donavaun Gopie delivered a beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.

Each third grade class then took center stage to shine a spotlight on five of the six branches of the U.S. military — the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corp and Army. Their performances of “This Land is Your Land” and “Fifty Nifty” were met with cheers from the audience, and their recitation of the Heroes in Uniform poem brought smiles and applause.

The celebration continued with a moving slideshow honoring veterans, followed by an inspiring reading of the poem Don't Quit by school counselor Jane Dragovich. As the ceremony neared its grand finale, the third graders returned to the risers to deliver a rousing rendition of “Thank You, Soldiers,” before closing with the beloved Grand Old Flag.

Date Added: 11/20/2024

Clara H. Carlson School Inspires Kindness and Acceptance with Unity Day Celebration

On October 16, Clara H. Carlson School proudly joined the nationwide Unity Day movement, celebrating kindness and standing up against bullying.

During morning arrival, students and staff were greeted by vibrant orange bows adorning the pillars out front. Orange is the official color of Unity Day, and it symbolizes a visible commitment to kindness, acceptance and inclusion. The entire school community was encouraged to wear orange attire to spread the positive message. To elevate the excitement, each grade level held a friendly competition to see which class could show the most orange spirit. The winning classes earned a fun, spotlight-worthy shoutout on the morning announcements the following day.

In each classroom, students participated in a heartwarming “chain of kindness” project. They wrote uplifting messages that came together to form colorful paper chains that decorated the hallways with positivity.

Literacy was also infused into the day, as a selection of antibullying books were shared for teachers to incorporate into their lessons. Throughout the day, engaging discussions on kindness and inclusion took place, fostering a sense of community and compassion among Carlson’s scholars.

This inaugural Unity Day celebration came to fruition thanks to the considerate efforts of the Building Advisory Committee.

Date Added: 10/28/2024

Clara H. Carlson School Honors Former Staff Member

Clara H. Carlson School students and staff paid respects to Mr. Giandonato “John” Orlando, a maintenance worker at the school who sadly passed away last year, with the dedication of a new Little Free Library on Sept. 27. This initiative was led by the Building Advisory Committee.

Mrs. Samantha McNamara led the BAC team to acquire the Little Free Library, which will provide free, donated books to the students at Carlson. With the help of the maintenance and custodial team, the library was installed just prior to the ceremony.

One class from every grade attended the ceremony held that morning. Mr. Orlando’s own family members were also present, with his grandchildren placing the first donated books into the library.

During the ceremony, fifth grader David Latimer read aloud the poem, “I Opened a Book,” and teacher Mrs. DiRe read aloud a tribute. Mr. Orlando’s friend and colleague, Mike Deutch, unveiled the library.

“This Little Free Library is a collective effort, by so many, that will help foster a love for reading,” Assistant Principal and BAC leader Richard Mansfield said. “It is also a wonderful tribute to a man who gave so much to the Elmont school community. I’m so proud of how the school community came together to make this literacy initiative come to fruition.”

Click here to view the Clara H. Carlson School Honors Former Staff Member slideshow.

Date Added: 10/3/2024