Willow Road School Events

District 13 Honors 50 All-County Participants

The Valley Stream District Thirteen Board of Education honored fifty students at a Board meeting in celebration of their being selected as participants in the Nassau Music Educators Association’s (NMEA) All-County Music Festival for 2011-2012. “Remember tonight, and practice, practice, practice. We are all proud of your accomplishments,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund in recognition of the overall achievements of this group and the privilege of having so many fifth and sixth-grade students from District Thirteen selected for participation. After a few practice sessions, these children performed in concert at the Tilles Center on the C.W. Post campus in mid-January.

The students qualified for All-County based on their scores at the annual New York State School Music Association adjudications held each spring. “It all starts here at the elementary level,” said Board of Education President Dr. Frank Chiachiere as he addressed the students, their teachers and their families. Dr. Chiachiere had the honor of personally congratulating each student as he handed out commemorative certificates.

District Coordinator of Music and Fine Arts Mr. Michael Soscia presented a placard to the Board and administration, thanking them for their support of the arts in education. The number of students selected from each of the four schools was as follows: eighteen students from James A. Dever, twelve from Howell Road, and ten each from Wheeler Avenue and Willow Road.

All but five students attended the Board meeting. Those who were unable to attend will receive their certificates at school from their music teachers.

Reading Has Many Rewards

On Friday, January 13th, 2012 Assemblyman Edward P. Ra visited the Willow Road Elementary School to recognize those students who completed the Summer Reading Challenge.

During the past summer, the New York State Assembly encouraged students all across the state to participate in a Summer Reading Challenge. Legislators understand the importance of reading and learning over the summer, and through this program hoped to "challenge" students to continue reading and improving their skills.

Included in the Summer Reading Challenge brochure was a calendar for students to record the number of minutes that were read, as well as the total number of days that
students read in July and August. Also inside the brochure was a list of suggested books by topic, so that all students had the opportunity to read something of interest to them. All students who successfully completed the Summer Reading Challenge received a certificate from Assemblyman Ra. On hand to congratulate the nearly seventy students who received an award were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund, Principal Stephanie Capozzoli, and librarian CaroleAnne Gravert. Willow Road School was also the recipient of an official proclamation from Assemblyman Ra acknowledging the fine work done over the summer.

Singing for Joy

On Thursday, December 22nd, the Willow Road String Ensemble and Glee club performed holiday music to the patrons of the Franklin Sq. Senior Center. The show, directed by Cynthia Shannon and Janet Hoffner, was a huge success! Both the Seniors and the students had an enjoyable and memorable time. Following the performance the students mingled with the seniors and even joined the 100th birthday celebration for local Franklin Square resident, Anthony LoMonaco. We received numerous compliments about not only how well the students performed, but also how mature and well behaved they were. Almost all of the students had lengthy conversations with the seniors. We all left with a HUGE smile and a great feeling. The students were singing with happiness the entire way back on the bus. It is wonderful to do special things for others at this time of year. The students at Willow did an amazing job and we are very proud of them!

Colonial Life Recreated at Willow Road

The gymnasium at Willow Road School in the Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen was recently transformed into a hands-on learning laboratory about colonial life on Long Island. Farmers from Benner’s Farm in Setauket visited Willow Road and provided the school’s fourth-grade students with opportunities to learn about colonial life. Students learned how to spin, card and weave wool, as well as how to ground corn. Principal Stephanie Capozzoli was pleased that the students were able to have this enriching educational experience without having to leave the school.

Students Take to the Polls

Willow Road Elementary School students had the chance to experience democracy this November during the annual election of student council officers. 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 candidates for the office they were running to occupy. This year’s candidates were sixth-grade students (presidential candidates) Laila Drosman, Marissa McCafferty, Michael Russo, (vice presidential candidates) Jessica Brand, Amanda Davi, Julia Esposito, (secretarial candidates) Daniela Crimi, Alexa D'Arienzo and Megan Restivo.

Congratulations to this year’s newly elected officers:

President - Michael Russo
Vice President - Jessica Brand
Secretary - Alexa D'Arienzo

Giving to Others While Getting into the Fall Spirit

Willow Road Elementary School students embraced the autumn season this year as they participated in two annual school events.

The Willow Wonderwalk has been organized at the school for the past seven years by kindergarten teacher Vita Tringone. Once again, it provided the school community with the chance to celebrate the Halloween holiday while raising funds for a great cause. Walking with their classes, the students proudly marched a one-mile course around the school to raise funds for the March of Dimes.

Thanks to the support of the school’s PTA, Willow Road students also had the chance to visit their very own pumpkin patch and bring home a pumpkin of their choosing. Under beautiful skies, students in grades K-6 examined the different squashes and selected the one they felt was picture-perfect. The smiles on their faces during the annual pumpkin-picking event were a telltale sign that a great day was had by all!

Superintendent Gifts Book & Sparks Discussions on Bullying

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund visited the classes at Willow Road School earlier this year to share the important message of how to spot and deal with bullying.

At the start of the year, the superintendent had presented each District Thirteen teacher with a copy of the book One, written by Kathryn Otoshi. Upon her visit to Willow Road School, she discussed the book’s theme and what the students were doing to combat bullying. In turn, the students shared the reading and writing lessons they had completed based on the book and the topic of bullying.

Dr. Robb-Fund was very impressed by how the students related to and felt about bullying, and how they are trying to cope with this very serious issue.

Board Honors Calendar Artists

Each year, Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen includes beautifully crafted student artwork in its school calendar. Throughout the school year students work to create these pieces based on the District’s calendar theme, which for 2011-2012 was “Dignity for All Students.” At their October meeting, the District’s Board of Education members commended the students featured in this year’s publication and praised them for their outstanding artistic talents. Each student responsible for creating artwork for the calendar received a certificate of appreciation from the Board of Education.

Congratulations to the following students (listed by the school they attended during the 2010-2011 school year) for being a special part of this year’s school calendar:

Geared Up to Read

To emphasize the importance of developing a lifelong love for reading, Willow Road School kicked off its Parents as Reading Partners program, known as BEAR (Be Excited About Reading), with the help of the school’s PTA.

Volunteers from the Willow PTA visited each classroom to explain the BEAR program and present each student with a new book to take home, along with a school spirit bookmark in bright green with a paw print. The books were selected by school librarian CaroleAnne Gravert through a corporate initiative of Scholastic publishers knows as the Scholastic Literacy Partnership. Book titles varied by grade and were chosen for their fabulous illustrations, great story lines, and classic authors.

Staying Safety Smart

To help reinforce the proper safety rules and procedures to follow when on a school bus, Willow Road School recently conducted their annual School Bus Safety Drill for all students. The annual program is held during school hours as a means of reminding students about the proper way to ride on a school bus, and what to do should an emergency arise during their travels. Pictured here, building aide Lorraine Grosso and kindergarten aide Denise Lodato help the students properly exit the bus in the back and remind them of the fundamentals of school bus safety.

Students Return Back to School Eager to Learn

Students in the Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen returned to school this September eager and ready to learn. With backpacks filled to the brim with new school supplies, the students arrived at their respective school buildings where they were greeted by teachers and administrators. With many activities and engaging lessons planned, the year ahead is sure to be a highly productive and fulfilling one for all.