Willow Road School Events
Willow Road School students participate in a number of special events throughout the year. Please choose a link below to view pictures from a particular event.
2009/2010 EVENTS |
Music Notes
Whether it is during their school concerts or volunteering to perform for local organizations, District Thirteen’s talented student-musicians are always eager to share their talents with audiences. Recently the students showcased their talents during this year’s winter holiday concerts. Under the baton of their music instructors, the students in the schools’ bands, orchestras, and choral groups had their audiences tapping along to the catchy tunes and left them looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with their family and friends.
In addition to performing in their schools’ ensembles, 49 of the district’s student-musicians were recently selected to perform during the All-County Music Festivals in January. These students were chosen to be part of the Division I West (fifth grade) and Division II (sixth grade) Festivals at the Tilles Center, C.W. Post Campus.
Congratulations to the following students:
Howell Road School
Jessica Bonitto
Nia Brockington
Sahrina Bullock
Dylan Feliu
Gianna Filippi
Ryan Forbes
Tyesha Irving
Esther Nozea
Joshua Ochi
Andrew Ouro-Rodrigues
Anastacia Pereira
Teresa Peterson
Elizabeth Philips
Dorothy Pierre
Nia Shy
Jarred Times
James A. Dever
Alina Castelluzzo
Dominick DelCarpine
Kaitlyn Duncan
Kyra Forbes
Lauren Fornells
Morgan Foster
William Freeman
Jaclyn Hawkins
Riya Kaur
James Maloney
Amanda Madray
Erin Morrissey
Emily Parini
Wheeler Avenue School
Anaele Bloncourt
Jonathan Chen
Isabella Gandasegui
Nicholas Kerner
Maria Mayorga
Erin Milano
William O'Brien
Daniel Sanky
Hayley Sturek
Julian Tineo
Willow Road School
Julia Cincotta
Danielle Dercola
Rose Diolallevi
Jessica DiSibio
Thomas Elbert
Nicole Giannasco
Ginamarie Lopez
Gina Maniscalco
Tara Meehan
Nicholas Sossi Romano
Winter Concerts Spread Holiday Joy
The district’s talented student-musicians performed several holiday favorites during this year’s winter holiday concerts. Under the baton of their music instructors, the students in the schools’ bands, orchestras, and choral groups had the audience tapping along to the catchy tunes and left them looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with their family and friends.
Teaming Up with the Islanders
Students at Willow Road School had a reinforcing lesson on character education and good sportsmanship when mascot Sparky the Dragon from the New York Islanders hockey team visited with the school.
The program, which was called the “We’re All Islanders” school assembly, spoke to the importance of teamwork and how students, teachers, and school staff members can work together to accomplish a goal.
Giving Thanks & Helping Hands
Willow Road School celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday in a variety of ways this year. Kindergarteners enjoyed their first Thanksgiving in the district by fashioning creative Pilgrim and Indian hats and celebrating with their classmates, while the building’s student council coordinated a four-week food drive for needy family in the community.
Celebrations for American Education Week
American Education Week was held during the week of November 23, 2009. Parents were invited to visit the district’s schools during this week and observe their child in his/her classroom. Parents had the opportunity to enjoy many motivating and creative lessons throughout their visit.
The kindergarten and second-grade classes invited parents to their annual Thanksgiving Feast. The parents were asked to send in a Thanksgiving-style snack with their child on the feast day. Some suggestions were: a turkey sandwich, corn muffin, popcorn, apple, or raw veggies, all of which are in keeping with the holiday tradition. The students had a wonderful time sharing songs, poems, and reading aloud things that they are thankful for.
Of course, the most important part was the sharing of the meal as a community.
Working to Keep Students Staying Safe
Internet Safety Officer for the Town of Hempstead Peggy Mahoney has visited all four elementary schools in the Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen to make presentations on the topic of Internet safety.
With the building’s older students, Ms. Mahoney spoke about networking sites, how to protect one’s family safety by being very careful with personal information given out online, and the discretion to take when posting items such as photos, as they can be downloaded by anyone, anywhere, and be on the Internet forever. Additionally, with the younger students, she addressed how students can remain safe in larger and busy places and who or what to look for if lost.
Expanding Classroom Lessons
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen fourth-grade students in the Gifted and Talented Program integrated their study of archaeology and the Iroquois Native Americans with a trip to Garvies Point Museum and Preserve. Accompanied by the district’s Gifted and Talented teachers, Karen Skolnick and Richard Rosenfeld, and many parents, the students enjoyed an enriching educational experience.
This museum is a center for research on Long Island geology and a valued resource in the study of the Island’s Native American archaeology. Students participated in a hands-on workshop to develop an understanding of the relationship between tool technology and basic human life activities. They were able to handle many authentic Native American artifacts. In addition, students took part in an exciting scavenger hunt as they toured the museum’s very impressive collection of exhibits and artifacts.
Student Council Elections Held at Willow
Willow Road Elementary School students in grades 3-6 put democracy in action this November when they participated in this year’s student council elections. Students seeking election delivered prepared speeches before their peers. Included in the speeches were their hopes and goals for the year and reasons why they felt they were the best candidate.
Congratulations to this year’s newly elected officers
President - Gabriela Andrade
Vice President - Alayna DePalo
Secretary – Olivia D'Arienzo
The student council, which is advised by Mrs. Sferazza and Mrs. Gravert, is highly active during the school year in helping to coordinate many activities for students and the community.
Celebrating the Fall
Willow Road School hosted their annual Wonder Walk this October, just before Halloween. The students, teachers, and administrators dressed in their Halloween costumes and paraded around the school to raise funds for the March of Dimes.
Additionally, students celebrated autumn by visiting the school’s pumpkin patch and engaging in educational learning activities. Special thanks to the PTA for providing the school’s pumpkin patch.
Fire Prevention at Willow
Willow Road School’s student body had a refresher course on fire safety during the month of October. The students received a visit from local firefighters and were reminded about the importance of having an escape plan and changing the batteries in their household smoke detectors. They also practiced the stop, drop, and roll method.
Mystery Teacher Day
Each year in May, students in District Thirteen celebrate Democracy in Action Day held on the same day as our budget vote. †Using actual voting machines, the students are invited to cast their ballot on an issue of importance to them. †Last year District Thirteen students voted on a theme day for the fall of 2009. The choices were:
1. Mystery Teacher
2. Fun and Fitness
3. Family Jamboree
The winner was Mystery Teacher, and all four schools in District 13 celebrated this day on Friday, October 23, 2009. †It entailed having each teacher in the four schools exchange places with one another for 100 minutes (2 blocks of 50 minutes). †
The students enjoyed seeing the building’s teachers and administrators working in a variety of new roles.
Celebrating Spirit Day at Willow
Willow Road Elementary School students and staff celebrated their first monthly School Spirit Day on Friday, September 25. The theme for the inaugural spirit day was Responsibility and Teamwork. During the day, the school’s fifth graders shared the book Michael's Golden Rules – written by famous basketball legend Michael Jordan with his mother, Deloris Jordan – aloud with the building’s classes. The students enjoyed the story and were happy to get in the responsibility and teamwork spirit!
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Parents Go Back to School
Parents throughout District Thirteen went back to school during the first several weeks of September to sit in their children’s classrooms and meet their teachers. The schools, which hosted their annual Open House programs not long after the start of school, welcomed new and returning parents to the buildings.
During the evenings, parents met with special area teachers, visited their own child’s classroom, and learned about the co-curricular opportunities for students, including music, community service projects, and the schools’ club offerings. Additionally, members of each school’s PTA organization were on hand to speak with parents about the group and sign up new members.
School Days Begin Again
The first day of school in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen was a huge success. Whether arriving by bus, unpacking their school bags, or having lunch in the cafeteria for the first time, all of the students had smiles on their faces and were eager to begin the 2009-2010 school year together.
Students arrived at their respective schools by bus, car, and on foot full of smiles and good cheer. The students and teachers alike are looking forward to the year ahead.
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New Faces Around District Thirteen
The first full week of September this year not only marked the first day of school for the district’s students, but for eight new teachers it was the start of their professional career in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen. Before the doors of the district’s three schools opened for the first time on September 9, the newest members of the faculty attended a summer orientation program geared towards informing them of services offered in the district, along with established policies.
Throughout the daylong program, the teachers met with the district administrators and leadership team. During the event, the new employees were provided with an overview of the technological offerings in the district, the schools’ special education services, as well as the district’s educational philosophy.
Welcome to the following new District Thirteen teachers:
| TEACHER NAME |
ASSIGNMENT | SCHOOL NAME |
| Damaris Diaz | Social Worker | James A. Dever/ Howell Road |
| Zennea Hauser | Grade 4 | Willow Road |
| Dorine Hetzel-Dand | Speech | Howell Road/ Willow Road |
| Stephanie Iannone | Grade 2 | Howell Road |
| Janet Miller | Physical Education | Wheeler Avenue |
| Christine O’Connor | Grade 6 | Howell Road |
| Lucia Posillico | English as a Second Language | Willow Road |
| Jana Talamo | Speech | James A. Dever |
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